Cultivation Starts from Farming

"Late-Stage Nascent Soul, huh..."

Upon this thought, Xu Ping couldn’t help but sigh lightly in his heart, feeling both excited and aware of the long road ahead.

This step is so difficult that it can lead ninety-nine percent of Mid-Stage Nascent Soul Cultivators to despair.

Talent, disposition, opportunity, resources... none can be absent.

Even with Xu Ping’s profound foundation and strong abilities, he couldn’t claim full certainty for a successful breakthrough; careful planning and steady accumulation of strength are still required.

As for Duan Shuang, she is even further behind.

She hasn’t even touched the threshold of Mid-Stage Nascent Soul, and reaching the Late-Stage Nascent Soul is a very distant goal for her.

As for Xu Ping himself, although it’s been decades since he broke through to the Mid-Stage Nascent Soul,

his level has only just stabilized, far from reaching the peak of the mid-stage, and the late-stage gate is even harder to reach.

The path of cultivation is long, necessitating a steady walk step by step.

After half an hour.

Duan Shuang gradually awoke from that mysterious state, her eyes gleaming and her entire being exuding a sense of satisfaction.

She and Xu Ping whispered together for a moment, sharing their feelings and gains.

Then Xu Ping got up and left the cave abode, returning to his quiet chamber in the Blood Bone Hall.

...

The passage of time is like water; the peaceful cultivation days slipped by in an instant, and two years had passed.

On this day,

at the entrance of the Ancient Demon Hall, deeply within the Outer Sea and sealed by numerous arrays, something unexpected suddenly occurred!

Woo—ow——!!!

The space passage, which had been relatively stable, suddenly shook violently.

Billowing demonic qi surged forth like a flood breaking its banks, far thicker and more rampageous than ever before, crazily gushing outward.

Countless hideous, roaring ancient demons burst forth from the tide of demonic qi.

Among them, there were even several terrifying auras that made the guarding cultivators’ divine souls tremble—those were the pressures of Late-Stage Nascent Soul ancient demons.

"Bad, the demon tide is erupting, late-stage ancient demons!"

"Quick, activate the grand array with full force!"

"Send for aid immediately, request assistance from all late-stage ancestors!"

The Nascent Soul cultivators guarding the area turned pale with fright.

They shouted hoarsely as they commanded the cultivators to infuse mana, pushing the pre-arranged multi-layered protective arrays to their limits.

Meanwhile, in a frenzy, they shattered one highest-level Communication Talisman after another!

The light screen shook violently, emitting a teeth-grating groan under the furious assault of countless ancient demons and the collision of those terrifying auras.

...

Several days later, within the underground cave of Blood Bone Island.

Xu Ping, who was silently pondering sword techniques with his eyes closed, felt something and opened his eyes.

With a flip of his palm, a jade slip exuding cloud-like qi appeared in his hand.

Divine Sense probed into it, revealing it to be a message from Cloud Ancestor Yun Weifeng.

The message was concise:

Anomalies at Burial God Bay, large-scale demon tide eruption, confirmed appearance of at least two Late-Stage Nascent Soul ancient demons, immense pressure on the defense line, earnestly requesting Xu Ping’s immediate support.

"Finally... it’s here!"

Xu Ping held the jade slip, showing not the slightest fear but, instead, a sharp gleam and a hint of battle intent in his eyes!

He stood tall and took a step out, appearing outside the hall.

He summoned the Water Lake Rat and instructed, "Guard the island well."

"Squeak, master’s rest assured," the Water Lake Rat patted its chest in assurance.

With its strength, unless a Late-Stage Nascent Soul cultivator personally arrived, it could naturally ensure safety.

Xu Ping felt relatively assured by this.

Then Xu Ping went to Duan Shuang’s cave abode to inform her of his departure to slay demons.

"Xu Lang..." Duan Shuang was still somewhat worried.

"No worries, I’ll return soon." Xu Ping smiled slightly, gently caressing her cheek, speaking lightly but full of confidence.

After comforting Duan Shuang a few more words, Xu Ping’s Escape Light gathered around him and transformed into a tearing azure rainbow, instantly disappearing beyond Blood Bone Island’s sky.

His speed far exceeded that of ordinary Mid-Stage Nascent Soul cultivators.

...

Two months later.

At Burial God Bay, outside the Ancient Demon Hall entrance.

The sea area that was once relatively peaceful had now turned into a battlefield of hell.

Demonic qi and spiritual light clashed wildly; explosions, roars, and the sounds of fierce combat were deafening.

The army of human cultivators, relying on the tens of massive light-screen arrays painstakingly set up in advance, were struggling yet resolutely holding back wave after wave of ancient demon army that surged like a tide of blackness.

These ancient demons had myriad bizarre forms, some resembling giant spiders that spewed corrosive venom at the light screen.

Others resembled charging bulls, fearlessly smashing into the array with their bodies.

Even flying demons, much like locusts, continued their biting and tearing assaults.

They seemed endless in number, the demonic qi merging into a vast sky-covering expanse.

Fortunately, the array system was robust and large enough; with light screens swirling, they continuously slaughtered and repelled the advancing low-level ancient demons.

The cultivators hid behind the arrays, either activating magical treasures for ranged attacks, maintaining the operation of the arrays, or forming teams to dash out briefly to slay and quickly retreat—tactics clear despite immense pressure, yet the battle line remained temporarily stable.

Within the array.

Amidst a seemingly ordinary cloud layer, two figures silently hid, their aura blending with the flowing clouds, coldly overlooking the gruesome battlefield below.

One, dressed in a profound robe, had a tall stance and a handsome yet calm face, with eyes deep as the starry sea, no other than Xu Ping, who came for support.

The other, wearing a water-blue magical robe, was elegant in appearance, with a gentle temperament—Supreme Elder Shan Tianyou of the Mystic Water Sect.

"These ancient demons... their intelligence seems excessively low."

Xu Ping’s gaze swept across the battlefield sharply like a hawk, observing the ancient demon army fighting the human cultivator army.

He noticed that even those ancient demons reaching or nearing the third rank still only knew how to charge madly without any tactical coordination, driven merely by instinct and the desire to kill like wild beasts.