Soul Emperor Awakening

Under Tuo Shengfeng’s lead, they arrived in the inner region of Divine Martial Island. As they walked, their path led them further and further downward, and the air around them grew increasingly heavy.

"The cultivation site is just ahead. We call it the Flame Heart Cave. While inside, you can absorb Fire Elemental Power from deep underground. Not only will this strengthen your Physique, but it will also boost your absorption speed. It’s considered a relatively gentle Cultivation Site," Tuo Shengfeng explained. "The only issue is that it takes a very long time for the Flame Heart Cave to accumulate a sufficient amount of power. Otherwise, it would be an excellent place for Cultivation."

"Flame Heart Cave? That sounds wonderful, but are you sure it’s alright to give it to me?" Lin Xuan was certainly not one to turn down such an excellent Cultivation Site. ’But it was originally meant for Tuo Yunhai. Is it really okay for me to take it?’

"You were our greatest benefactor this time, helping the Tu Family with so much. Compared to everything you’ve given us, this is practically nothing," Tuo Shengfeng added. "I’ve already sent reinforcements to your side. For now, I’ve only dispatched two Core Formation Stage experts. Once the situation stabilizes, I plan to go personally and help you handle things!"

Lin Xuan’s heart leaped with joy. "The Island Master is coming in person?" he asked, pleasantly surprised. "Isn’t that a bit much?"

’The more people, the better, of course. With more experts, suppressing the Royal Family would be that much easier. He’d love it if dozens of Core Formation Stage experts showed up. Who could possibly stop them then?’

"It’s no exaggeration at all. You’ve earned it," Tuo Shengfeng said with a faint smile. "I’m a straightforward man. Since you’ve helped the Tu Family so much, I won’t be the least bit stingy in return."

"I’m deeply moved by your intentions, Island Master, but please, don’t overextend yourself. It wouldn’t be good if this place were left without a leader. Sending a few Elders would be more than enough; there’s no need for you to go personally." Lin Xuan still advised against Tuo Shengfeng going himself. If something were to happen here in his absence, Lin Xuan couldn’t bear the responsibility.

"Don’t worry. If I couldn’t handle my own affairs here, how could I dare go in person?" Tuo Shengfeng smiled reassuringly. "But enough talk. I’ve already sent my men. With them holding down the fort, there shouldn’t be any trouble for the time being. You can focus on your Cultivation. Use as much of the Coiling Dragon Ginseng as you need; don’t feel like you have to save any. Rather than giving it away to rely on others, it’s better to become stronger yourself. Rely on your own power! Frankly, we’re all eager to see you break through the Martial God Tower’s Eighth Layer. We want to see what happens after you clear it. Who knows, perhaps one day you’ll become our backer."

Lin Xuan nodded gratefully, took the Storage Ring back, and walked inside. The moment he stepped in, he felt a scorching heat surge up from beneath the ground. The sensation was just like being in the Cyan Cloud Tower, with immense Elemental Power pouring into him, not only tempering his Physique but also accelerating his absorption!

Of course, this place was many times more potent. Cultivating here was far better than in the Cyan Cloud Tower.

’Rely on my own power?’ A glint flashed in Lin Xuan’s eyes. It was true—instead of relying on others, it was better to rely on himself!

"Go ahead and meditate in the center. I will personally stand guard and act as your Protector here!" Having the Island Master himself serve as his Protector moved Lin Xuan. It was all for his own benefit.

The Coiling Dragon Ginseng’s effects were incredibly overwhelming. The slightest carelessness could lead to cultivation deviation. That was why having a Protector was essential. Of course, the Protector had to be stronger than the cultivator; if their Cultivation was too weak, they might be dragged down as well.

Lin Xuan nodded. Without wasting any more words, he went to the center of the area and sat down to meditate. The moment he did, he felt a scorching Elemental Power surge into his body from deep underground. It wasn’t violent; instead, it had been tamed into a gentler form. As soon as it entered his body, it began expanding his meridians.

’This truly is a treasured land for strengthening one’s Physique. No wonder access is restricted. If I could come here every day, my Physique would be strengthened immensely.’

He took the Coiling Dragon Ginseng from his Storage Ring. It resembled a miniature Giant Dragon lying in his palm. The moment he took it out, a dense wave of Elemental Power radiated from it, flowing out into the surrounding air.

The method for growing a Coiling Dragon Ginseng was simple and crude: it absorbed things like Dragon Blood and Dragon Bone to grow. This meant it was most often found near dragon corpses. As a result, it contained a tremendous amount of violent Dragon Power, as well as essences like Dragon Blood, which could drastically improve one’s Physique.

"The Coiling Dragon Ginseng is most effective when consumed all at once. If your body can’t take it, you can split it into two doses. But in theory, taking it all at once yields the best and most noticeable results, so try not to leave any behind. If you’re worried about shortchanging us, then just get stronger! Keep getting stronger, until you surpass us!"

Tuo Shengfeng spoke seriously from the side, "There are many more treasures in the Demon Cloud Sea; the Divine Martial Hall is just one small part of it. If you had the same Cultivation as us, or even higher, you would be a tremendous asset! To be honest, the real prize for us isn’t this Coiling Dragon Ginseng, but what lies deep within the Demon Cloud Sea!"

To enter the depths of the Demon Cloud Sea, one needed a Cultivation of at least the Core Formation Stage Level. One had to be able to fly, at the very minimum, or survival within would be impossible.

After hearing Tuo Shengfeng’s speech, Lin Xuan’s blood began to boil with excitement. ’The Divine Martial Hall is just the beginning! They haven’t even reached the true interior. What kind of treasures could be waiting there?’

"Alright then. I’ll absorb it all in one go. I hope it gives me the greatest boost possible! I won’t take the Five-Colored Lotus. Even though it would moderate the effects, some of the power would inevitably be lost."

The Five-Colored Lotus could neutralize a good portion of the overwhelming Elemental Power, but that would mean a loss of potency. Therefore, the best way was to absorb it at its most overwhelming!

With that said, he shoved the Coiling Dragon Ginseng into his mouth as if swallowing a Giant Dragon whole. The moment he bit down lightly, a sweet juice gushed into his mouth. He began to madly absorb it into his body, gulping it down like water.

This was the essence within the Coiling Dragon Ginseng. The outer skin wasn’t of much use; the true value was in the liquid essence inside.

The instant he absorbed it, a tempestuous wave of Elemental Power erupted from within him. His body immediately began to swell, and his meridians bulged taut, a terrifying sight to behold. He looked as if he might explode at any second.

Tuo Shengfeng swallowed hard. He hadn’t expected Lin Xuan to be so bold. ’He’s really absorbing it without taking the Five-Colored Lotus?’ Generally, someone with Tuo Shengfeng’s Cultivation wouldn’t need the lotus, but Lin Xuan was different. He was only at the Essence Pill Stage.

If he hadn’t seen how astonishing Lin Xuan’s Physique was, he wouldn’t have dared let him take such a risk. One wrong move and his body could explode! Even with Tuo Shengfeng acting as a Protector, if too much power was lost in the process, Lin Xuan would be the one to suffer in the end.

"I can’t help you with the absorption. I can only hope you manage to absorb this Coiling Dragon Ginseng completely. If you’re lucky, you should be able to break through to the Spirit Pill Stage!" Tuo Shengfeng’s sharp eyes glinted.

Lin Xuan was currently at the Essence Pill Stage Eighth Layer. Breaking through to the Spirit Pill Stage meant leaping across three entire levels!