Eternal Life: I Can Control My Essence Qi

The people elevated their Escape Light a bit higher, hovering hundreds of feet above the ground, waiting for the massive entrance ahead — like a bottomless abyss — to greet the eruption of the ’Black Tide.’

The intense upheaval did not last long, ceasing in less than half an hour.

Then suddenly:

"Boom!!"

In the deadly silence, a sky-piercing black pillar erupted with a crash!

A massive black smoke, as thick as tens of thousands of feet, gushed out. From a distance, it seemed like a ’Celestial Pillar’ supporting the sky and anchoring the land, truly awe-inspiring.

Such a magnificent black pillar could be seen clearly even from hundreds or thousands of miles away.

Upon closer observation:

This column of black smoke was composed of countless tiny black fumes, interspersed with shades of light gray, dark green, deep red, and more, ultimately forming a pitch-black hue.

This was the hazy, poisonous miasma accumulated inside the Earth’s core over countless years that even Golden Core Ancestors dared not face directly, able only to retreat and observe from afar.

"Rumble..."

The instant the black smoke pillar erupted, a ring of Gangfeng Qi Waves exploded around Mo Yuan, like a flood passing through.

Many Qi Refining Cultivators, lacking power, were directly blown away by this Gangfeng Qi Wave, as feeble as leaves swept by a whirlwind.

Worse still, some unfortunate junior Cultivators were utterly destroyed by multiple Qi Waves, their flesh and bones obliterated like dust, without even a scream amidst the terrifying sound waves.

"Erlang, no!"

"Father!"

"Third Uncle..."

In no time, at least hundreds of Qi Refining Cultivators were swept away, some disappearing without a trace, others reduced to fragments, prompting many mournful cries.

But many Qi Refining Cultivators could only hold on with difficulty; if their concentration faltered or their Magical Power Mechanism stagnated, they too would be swept away by the Gangfeng, their fate unknown.

"Truly, man dies for money, birds die for food."

Zhang Yao shook his head silently upon witnessing this scene.

If they couldn’t even withstand the storm accompanying the black tide’s eruption, yet dared to join the commotion, dreaming of soaring to the sky, it was nothing but greed blinding them.

"Rumble..."

The terrifying eruption continued unabated, the black tide within the Earth’s core relentlessly surging outward.

A large-scale black tide eruption not only had more might but also lasted longer, hence the numerous Golden Core Cultivators, patiently waiting in silence.

After continuing for several hours:

The eruption of the black tide finally showed a slight sign of slowing down.

To the naked eye, it might be undetectable, but under the keen Divine Thought of Golden Core Level Cultivators, the black tide’s color indeed dimmed a bit, and the smoke therein gradually thinned.

"Prepare yourself..."

The Nether Abyss Ancestor observed the changes in the black tide while speaking in a deep voice:

"In half an hour, we will break through the black tide and dive into Mo Yuan!"

The numerous Golden Core Cultivators nodded in agreement upon hearing these words.

The large-scale eruption of the black tide typically lasted for days; after the initial period of strength, it would gradually weaken.

And when the black tide was relatively strong, it could break through the lock and distortion effects of Earth’s Magnetic Field and suppress it, but this time window was very limited.

Once the power of the black tide weakened, rendering it unable to suppress anymore, it would signal the end of the black tide.

In other words:

The deeper the desired dive, the more it necessitated diving while the black tide remained strong.

Otherwise, if entering when the black tide was weaker, it might be safer, but the gateway to deeper depths would virtually close.

"Go!"

Half a moment later, with an order from the Nether Abyss Ancestor, the numerous Golden Core Cultivators set out in unison!

Not only them, but the leaders of several small groups also commanded their teams, and in no time, as many as fifty to sixty Golden Core Ancestors went forth in full force!

"Boom!" "Boom!" "Boom!"...

Numerous powerful Divine Techniques and Magical Treasures pierced through the black tide, and during the brief interval before it recoiled, the Escape Lights plunged within, disappearing in the blink of an eye.

Soon:

The Escape Lights of dozens of Golden Core Cultivators vanished cleanly into the black tide.

"Such boundless and unmatched Magical Power..."

Hundreds of Foundation Establishment Cultivators and even more Qi Refining Cultivators could only watch from afar, their faces filled with envy.

At this moment, the black tide had only recently started to weaken, far beyond what they could covet; entering would spell certain death, unable to withstand the endless impact and corruption of the hazy, toxic miasma.

The window for their exploration is very short, allowing only the last few hours for safe entry, and for Qi Refining Cultivators, less than an hour is windowed.

But regardless of how:

This large-scale black tide eruption was truly a grand celebration for cultivators throughout Da Mo.

Perhaps many seasoned powerhouses and prodigies would fall in Mo Yuan, while new prodigies would seize opportunities and rise swiftly, altering the cultivation realm’s landscape for years to come.

...

In the sky full of black tides:

"Boom!" "Boom!"...

Zhang Yao maneuvered his Escape Light, diving against the black tides, protecting himself with Magical Power.

Around him orbited eight Purple Thunder Beads, occasionally launching one ahead to blast apart the surging black tides.

His unmatched, vigorous Magical Power allowed him to maintain the ease of clearing a path with Annihilation Divine Thunder without the fear of magical depletion.

Most Golden Core Cultivators relied on their refined Magical Treasures to clear a way, though the risk of pollution by black tides increased over time, but there was no alternative; it was deemed necessary sacrifices.

Only a select few formidable individuals, wielding profound Divine Techniques and Daoist Skills, could open a path as he did.

"Buzz!"

During the descent, Zhang Yao extended his Divine Thought to scan the surroundings.

Under the suppression of the black tide, Divine Thought expansion was exceptionally difficult, and even with Zhang Yao’s formidable Divine Thought, it could barely survey the region within hundreds of feet.

Within this region:

He beheld the Nether Abyss Ancestor, surrounded by a halo of black light, leisurely at ease, as well as figures like Black Abyss Ascendant, Jiuhua Ancestor, and seven or eight other Golden Core Cultivators.

"Hmm?"

The Nether Abyss Ancestor seemed to sense his Divine Thought and immediately responded:

"Fellow Daoist Qingxu, your power is truly astonishing, remaining so composed under the black tide."

"Wherever, Fellow Daoist Mingyuan seems even more at ease than I."

Zhang Yao courteously replied in kind.

After exchanging pleasantries, the two withdrew their Divine Thoughts, focusing on diving against the black tide.

Among them, the burden on the Nether Abyss Ancestor was heavier, as the leader of this small group, he had to look after the other Golden Core Cultivators, preventing them from losing their way and causing disarray.

"Rumble..."

In the endless black tides, numerous Golden Core Cultivators descended like fish swimming against the current in a rushing river.

And amidst this scenario:

"Buzz!"

Black light permeated, and the swimming fish leaped.

A shadow, entirely shrouded in black light, moved freely within the black tides, weaving in and out incessantly...