One day later.

In Xu Yang’s area, the power of the Inverted Five Elements had already fallen to its lowest point.

In fact, from the very beginning, with his absolute strength, he could have ripped apart the constraints here and left the Inverted Five Elements Heaven-Slaying City by force.

Forty Five Elements Top-grade Spirit Crystals!

This made it impossible for Xu Yang to hide the joy on his face.

He sat cross-legged at the center, not in the slightest hurry to leave.

Grasping a spirit crystal in his hand, he was madly devouring its energy.

The energy within this spirit crystal was even more astonishing than the Purest Essence Qi inside the Celestial Refining Divine Tripod.

Within the Cyan Jade Yin Yang Pendant, Meng Ziqiu and several of the martial artists closest to the True Monarch Realm had each received several spirit crystals, and were also cultivating.

Three days later.

Xu Yang slowly opened his eyes, the spirit crystal in his hand turning into powder and scattering down.

"What an incredible spirit crystal; even refining it with the Celestial Refining Divine Scripture actually took me three whole days."

Feeling the rise of power within his body, a gleam flashed in Xu Yang’s eyes: "If I refine all the remaining twenty or so, that should just about do it."

But that would take quite a bit of time.

"Looks like there’s no requirement to leave right away, either."

Xu Yang lifted his head to gaze at the area above, shrouded in spiritual radiance, and smiled faintly.

"Still, I can’t let all of that power above go to waste."

Xu Yang’s heart stirred, and he immediately soared into the air.

At once, the surging attacks of the Five Elements came pressing down like a tidal wave from every direction.

But having lost the support of so many spirit crystals, these assailing forces had weakened greatly and posed no threat at all.

Xu Yang easily tore through the energies, placing himself just beneath the topmost membrane of light.

This membrane of light was the final barrier.

Just breaking through it would allow him to leave this place.

For Xu Yang, a single blade strike would shatter it with ease.

But right now, there was still no need to depart.

With a thought, he summoned the Celestial Refining Divine Tripod, which rapidly expanded, and under Xu Yang’s command began to devour the lingering Five Elements force in the area with abandon.

At the same time, Xu Yang continued his cultivation state.

Time slipped by quietly.

Outside the ancient city.

Li Wang and the others’ faces were grim.

"It’s been half a month, over two hundred people have already come out, damn it!"

"And yet there are still more than two hundred left!"

"Damn Daqian, is this Heaven-Slaying City just for show?"

At the mention of this, everyone ground their teeth in fury, about ready to explode.

First, tens of thousands of miles of territory were swept clean by a single man!

That was bad enough—then Xu Yang suppressed both Shi Haoting and Li Wang’s strength, leaving them speechless!

After that, Gu Hong sacrificed his life, unleashing a finger bone from the True Lord of Divine Sky, tearing open Heaven-Slaying City, causing the power of the Inverted Five Elements inside to wane dramatically!

A vast herd of True Monarchs survived!

Next, another large group of Myriad Phenomena Realm cultivators survived as well!

With this, upon arriving at Cangyue Mountain, they could quickly gain a foothold!

Though not especially strong, at least they had a foundation now.

By contrast, this entire Spirit Realm hunt was nothing short of a joke!

"Why hasn’t that guy come out yet?"

"With his strength, he should have broken free in half a day at most—it’s been over half a month already."

"What is he doing in there?"

Not only were Spirit Realm martial artists puzzled, even those from Daqian were completely baffled!

After leaving the ancient city, everyone’s strength had increased dramatically, yet none of them departed either.

At this moment, they could only murmur worriedly in their hearts!

"Miss Stone Jade, why don’t you go in and look for him?" Li Wang couldn’t help glancing at the young maiden beside Shi Haoting.

The young woman wore an emerald-green dress, her features refined and serene.

She couldn’t be called stunning, but she gave off the comforting feeling of spring sunshine.

She was the younger sister of the War King Clan’s top prodigy, Shi Hu.

Shi Hu didn’t come, but Stone Jade did.

But because the brother and sister were twins, able to lend power to one another, Stone Jade being here was much the same as Shi Hu being here.

Shi Haoting cast a sideways glance at Li Wang, saying nothing!

He naturally knew what Xu Yang was doing inside, and of course wouldn’t tell Li Wang.

Stone Jade said calmly, "Since this is a hunt, why go out of your way to look for someone? Can’t you even wait this little while?"

Li Wang’s mouth twitched.

There was nothing to do but wait.

In Li Wang’s view, there was no help for the others now, but if Xu Yang—Daqian’s Crown Prince, top prodigy—could be slain, the Spirit Realm wouldn’t be embarrassed.

"Yu, that guy’s probably inside seizing spirit crystals, seeking a breakthrough to the True Monarch Realm; but I think it won’t be that easy for him to break through."

"Later, maybe give him a little leeway?"

Shi Haoting secretly transmitted his voice.

Stone Jade replied irritably, "With so many experts watching, how can I give him a break?"

"Didn’t you say he’s strong? Even if he can’t break through to True Monarch, with those top-grade spirit crystals he should still improve by a lot; when the time comes, if I need to borrow power, I’ll let Shi Hu go easy on him!"

Shi Haoting’s mouth also twitched.

"Still, if he can really defeat you on his own, that’d be something else." Shi Haoting muttered.

A gleam flashed in Stone Jade’s eyes—if he could truly defeat her, the meaning would be extraordinary!

After all, Xu Yang was new to the Spirit Realm!

To reach this stage in Daqian, and now settle in the Spirit Realm—once he encountered the source of the Spirit River, his potential for growth was unimaginable.

"If he can really defeat me, no one at home will have anything else to say." Stone Jade murmured.

One month later.

Inside the Inverted Five Elements Heaven-Slaying City.

Xu Yang sat cross-legged in the very center, his aura surging wildly.

He had reached a degree of strength that would make ordinary True Monarchs shudder at the mere presence of his aura!

Within his body.

The Celestial Refining Divine Tripod was wrapped in surging True Essence, around it endless chains.

Currents of pitch-black Heaven-Burning Divine Fire erupted from within the tripod, surging upward from his dantian.

To break through to True Monarch, one must refine a Heavenly Spiritual Object as their foundation!

In this, Xu Yang made his choice without hesitation—the Celestial Refining Divine Tripod!

There simply could be no better treasure than the Divine Tripod.

It was a perfect match for his cultivation path.

Next, his spirit and will must be forged into Minghuo!

To use fire as life!

Thus breaking free of the shackles of heaven and earth, rising ever higher!

In the Spirit Realm, this is how one touches the source of the Spirit River.

Strong life, blazing fire; fire extinguished, life gone!

At this moment, he was at a critical turning point.

Truly refining the Divine Tripod, wielding the Heaven-Burning Divine Fire, ascending from below through the void of the midcourt, trying to reach the Divine Palace and transform into Minghuo.

As time passed, a heavy feeling sank into Xu Yang’s heart.

Owing to those spirit crystals, he’d made massive gains.

But most of that power had gone into merging with the Celestial Refining Divine Tripod.

The Celestial Refining Divine Tripod was simply far too powerful.

Even though it had already acknowledged him as master, truly fusing with it cost a tremendous amount of strength.

Now, as he drove the Heaven-Burning Divine Fire within the tripod, attempting to shatter the void of the midcourt and reach the Divine Palace, he was still lacking!

"Damn it."

Xu Yang cursed under his breath, immediately drawing forth his remaining Purest Essence Qi from inside the tripod for support.

At a certain moment.

The black Divine Fire charged to the very end of the midcourt.

Xu Yang’s eyes turned icy as he mustered all his power for a final assault: "Break for me!"

With his roar, the Divine Fire surged forth violently.

Yet in the next instant, it seemed to lose support and fell away in a single drop.

Pu!

Xu Yang’s body wavered, a mouthful of blood spraying forth, his face drained utterly white.

"Failed."

Xu Yang forced a bitter smile, instinctively focusing his spirit on his Divine Palace, but then he paused in surprise.

He saw, inside his Divine Palace, a faintest wisp of fire spark was floating.

Tiny as dust.

Had he not looked carefully, he might not have been able to detect its existence at all.