Upstream of the endless starry river, the constant flow of river water poured out from a dark forest. The currents were swift, washing over the starry sky and shaking space. Countless whirlpools formed by the river churned space, creating immense star river vortices. Even cultivators at the Refining God realm would struggle to escape if caught, let alone venture into the star river itself.
Therefore, those who could venture in the upper reaches of the star river were at least cultivators in the Soul Transformation realm.
The dark forest stretched across the endless void. Although called a forest, from a distance, it resembled a colossal black hole, devouring the light in the starry sky. To the naked eye, it was a chaotic expanse, making it impossible to discern anything. One could only rely on their spiritual sense to perceive it.
This was the source of this branch of the star river. Within the dark forest, space was chaotic, and in the entire star river battlefield, only the most elite Soul Transformation realm cultivators dared to enter.
On the outskirts of the dark forest, a group of Soul Transformation realm cultivators were gathered. They stood before a dilapidated ancient temple, their expressions still tinged with lingering panic. The seemingly ruined temple contained immense danger, causing even these Marquis-level powerhouses to feel a sense of dread.
"Let's go. This ancient temple is not something we can explore now. If we could reach the peak of the Soul Transformation realm, then we might consider trying," said a handsome man in a yellow robe and a golden crown.
Beside him stood a man over five meters tall. His arms were like two massive ancient trees, his muscles bulging like knots. Just standing there, he resembled an eternal, unyielding iron tower.
This person was the top powerhouse from the Zi Xiao Star Domain, True Immortal Ju Feng. He possessed the potent bloodline of the ancient Giant Spirit race. Standing shoulder-to-shoulder with him was a prince from an intermediate star domain, known as Prince Wu You.
Both True Immortal Ju Feng and Prince Wu You were eight-star Marquis-level powerhouses. Behind them stood several other Marquis-level cultivators. Although at the seven-star Marquis level, the war base no longer required them to act in teams, many Marquis-level cultivators still chose to join forces when venturing into dangerous areas of the dark forest for greater safety.
Hearing True Immortal Wu You's words, True Immortal Ju Feng sighed, "I fear that by the time we return, the spatial arrangement here will have already changed, and finding it again will not be easy."
Although Prince Wu You felt unwilling, he could only shake his head helplessly. He had sensed the aura of a Great Dao treasure within the dilapidated ancient temple, but the dark creatures bred within were too terrifying. Even if they, a group of Soul Transformation realm cultivators, joined forces, they could only retreat in disarray. If they forcibly pressed onward, their lives would be in peril.
"Hm?"
A look of surprise suddenly flashed in Prince Wu You's eyes, making True Immortal Ju Feng curious. He asked, "What is it that surprises you so?"
Prince Wu You smiled and said, "Do you know of Ten Absolutes True Immortal?"
True Immortal Ju Feng nodded, his large head adorned with eyes like dragon eyes, his voice deep and resonant, "To comprehend the True Meaning of a Great Dao at the mid-stage of the Refining God realm is indeed remarkable. Perhaps in a thousand years, he could achieve what you and I have now."
"What, are you very interested in this Ten Absolutes True Immortal and wish to befriend him?" True Immortal Ju Feng found it strange. Their own strength placed them among the powerhouses in the Zi Xiao Star Domain, and their backgrounds were also extraordinary. Why would Prince Wu You suddenly become interested in a Refining God realm cultivator?
Prince Wu You shook his head and chuckled, "That Ten Absolutes True Immortal is not only exceptionally talented in cultivation but also has achieved great success in alchemy. Not long ago, he refined over three thousand Soul Transformation Yuan Pills at once, with more than half of them passing the pill tribulation."
True Immortal Ju Feng was somewhat astonished. Soul Transformation Yuan Pills were high-grade immortal pills, greatly beneficial for the cultivation of Soul Transformation realm cultivators. Although the military depots had a supply, they were scarce and quickly snapped up, making them difficult to acquire.
"Now, our Dao bodies are only one step away from perfection. With the assistance of a large number of Soul Transformation Yuan Pills, we might be able to completely materialize our bodies and reach the peak of the Soul Transformation realm within ten years," Prince Wu You said, looking at True Immortal Ju Feng.
True Immortal Ju Feng shook his head. "That Ten Absolutes True Immortal refined so many Soul Transformation Yuan Pills, likely intending to use them to break through to the Soul Transformation realm himself. It won't be easy to purchase Soul Transformation Yuan Pills from him. Even if he's willing to sell, the price will probably be outrageously high."
"Moreover, the rules of my Heaven-Breaking Dao have been refined into my physical body by over ninety-nine percent. Even without the aid of Soul Transformation Yuan Pills, I am confident I can break through to the peak of the Soul Transformation realm within a hundred years. Why waste military merits?"
Prince Wu You turned his gaze towards the dilapidated ancient temple, his eyes radiating intense light. "Normally, we wouldn't need to rush this matter. However, encountering such a peculiar ancient temple on the outskirts of the dark forest is not an easy feat. Who knows where it will drift off to in a hundred years."
Reminded by Prince Wu You, True Immortal Ju Feng finally realized what he meant. He pondered for a moment and said, "In that case, let's immediately return to the war base. However, I worry that Ten Absolutes True Immortal might not be willing to sell the Soul Transformation Yuan Pills. That would be troublesome."
"Unwilling to sell?" Prince Wu You chuckled. "That Ten Absolutes True Immortal is merely a cultivator from a barbaric star domain. Coming to the Zi Xiao Star Domain, some matters are not a question of his willingness."
...
The Soul Transformation stage is divided into three major realms: the Primordial Spirit realm, the Refining God realm, and the Soul Transformation realm.
In the Primordial Spirit realm, one primarily cultivates the rules of the Dao and the primordial spirit. Only by cultivating a million Dao rules, mastering them perfectly, and having a sufficiently powerful primordial spirit can one have a chance to advance to the Refining God realm.
Upon reaching the Refining God realm, to continuously advance, one needs to melt the primordial spirit into the physical body, achieving complete unity between body and spirit, and comprehend a Great Dao True Meaning. Only then is there a chance to enter the Soul Transformation realm.
As for the Great Dao True Meaning, Zhang Fan had already comprehended it. Therefore, for him now, there were no obstacles to breaking through to the Soul Transformation realm; it was only a matter of time.
With the assistance of a large number of Soul Transformation Yuan Pills, Zhang Fan's aura climbed daily. In just a few months, he progressed from the mid-stage of the Refining God realm to the late-stage, a truly rapid advancement.
...