"His physical body rivals the ninth level of the Cave Heaven stage..."
Feeling the surge of power within his body, a gleam flashed in Xiao Ming's eyes.
If it weren't for the immense energy required to strengthen the Chaos Body, and the fact that Feng Xianhuang, the reborn Empress, was competing for resources, this batch of body refining materials might have already broken the shackles of his physical body, allowing his raw physical strength to match a first-level Dharma Aspect expert.
Even so, after absorbing so much medicinal essence and merging flames with Feng Xianhuang and Jiang Xuanying, his combat power had increased significantly.
It's no exaggeration to say that he could now challenge any Cave Heaven stage expert, even though his true cultivation was only at the ninth level of the Spirit Sea.
"Is this the True Phoenix Body Refining Technique?"
"Your physical strength has also reached the ninth level of the Cave Heaven stage?!"
As Xiao Ming marveled at his own strength, he glanced at Feng Xianhuang, a look of surprise on his face.
Following his gaze, one could see that Feng Xianhuang's snow-white skin was marked with bright red lines, resembling phoenix feathers drawn in blood, emitting a terrifying aura of vitality that was not much weaker than his own.
She truly lived up to being a reborn Empress, possessing real capabilities.
"The ancient phoenix bloodline flows within me, making the True Phoenix Body Refining Technique more suitable for me compared to the Great Wilderness Refining God Technique."
"Of course."
"If the two techniques were combined, complementing each other's strengths, the advantages would be even more apparent."
Seeing Xiao Ming's astonishment, Feng Xianhuang explained calmly, as if to clarify how she could keep up with his cultivation speed.
However, despite her words, Feng Xianhuang felt a bit defeated inside.
If it weren't for the True Phoenix Body Refining Technique, she wouldn't have been able to compete with Xiao Ming in this round of physical training using only the Great Wilderness Refining God Technique to absorb medicinal liquids.
"Alright, stop dawdling."
"Get ready and head to the square for the gathering."
"The Ghost Fiend Secret Realm will open in two days, and the major sacred lands will be heading there soon."
Seeing Xiao Ming and Feng Xianhuang gazing at each other affectionately, Jiang Xuanying took a sip of wine and reminded them somewhat irritably.
Taking these two as disciples was no easy task, with all the fussing and not even a meal cooked for her. Being a master was truly not easy.
She hoped that these two would grow up and not disappoint her in the future.
"Thank you, Master, for your great support. We will never forget your kindness!"
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Hearing Jiang Xuanying's words, Xiao Ming and Feng Xianhuang leaped out of the ancient cauldron, purifying the dirt from their bodies with their true essence, and bowed to Jiang Xuanying in unison.
To be fair, Jiang Xuanying had indeed treated them exceptionally well.
Not only did she freely impart her techniques and divine abilities, but she was also generous with cultivation resources. Such a good master was hard to come by.
"I won't be going with you this time, so be careful."
"These two fangs are meticulously crafted by me, sealed with a wisp of Desolate True Fire."
"If you encounter a life-threatening situation, activating them can save your lives."
As she spoke, two exquisite beast fang pendants, resembling crescent moons, floated in front of them with a wave of Jiang Xuanying's hand.
"Thank you, Master!"
Xiao Ming and Feng Xianhuang's eyes lit up upon hearing this, and they accepted the gifts without hesitation.
Jiang Xuanying was at the ninth level of the Saint King realm, and even a wisp of Desolate True Fire refined by her would be terrifyingly powerful once unleashed.
It would make even Saint realm experts tremble and low-level Saint Kings wary.
"Go now, and remember to come back alive."
Jiang Xuanying waved her hand, collecting the ancient cauldron, and disappeared from their sight.
Seeing this, Xiao Ming and Feng Xianhuang didn't hesitate any longer, transforming into streams of light and shooting out from Moonwatch Peak toward the sacred land's square.
…………
Meanwhile, at the sacred land's square.
The square was bustling with people, many of whom were eagerly watching, making it a lively scene.
"Look, that's Senior Brother Li Qingyang, ranked fifth among the previous generation of disciples. I heard he's already broken through to the eighth level of the Cave Heaven stage."
"I didn't expect him to lower his cultivation to participate in this Ghost Fiend Secret Realm expedition."
"Not just him, even Senior Brother Chen Pingzhi and Saint Son Zhang Hao are lowering their cultivation to enter the Ghost Fiend Secret Realm!"
"What?!"
"Senior Brother Chen Pingzhi is ranked second in talent among the previous generation of disciples, and his cultivation has reached the ninth level of the Cave Heaven stage. Why would he be willing to lower his cultivation?"
"And Saint Son Zhang Hao, the Sacred Master's personal disciple, who once ascended to the 856th step of the Fuyou Heavenly Ladder, the most dazzling genius of the previous generation."
"Why would he do something so reckless?"
As the voice rang out, the square erupted in an uproar.
Fuyou Sacred Land held an assessment every three years, and the Ghost Fiend Secret Realm opened only once every ten years, so not every generation of disciples had the chance to enter.
Although some disciples from previous generations would lower their cultivation to enter the secret realm and re-cultivate the Cave Heaven stage, very few dared to do so.
After all, it took years to reach the eighth or ninth level of the Cave Heaven stage, and just when they were about to break through to the Dharma Aspect stage, they chose to lower their cultivation and start over.
This not only wasted countless efforts but also risked being surpassed by their peers.
Therefore, unless they felt their cultivation foundation was unstable, few geniuses would be foolish enough to do so.
After all, the quality of the Cave Heaven forged by absorbing the world's fiendish energy was indeed stronger than breaking through with some natural treasures.
But if they couldn't find fiendish energy of five colors or more, it would be a risky gamble for those with the potential to reach the Saint King realm.
"Tsk tsk, you might not know, but this time the Ghost Fiend Secret Realm is in its third millennial opening cycle, and the fiendish energy within will become even denser, possibly triggering a massive fiendish energy tide."
"At that time, not only five-color fiendish energy but even seven-color fiendish energy might appear!"
Hearing an informed person explain, the square erupted in another uproar.
In the Ghost Fiend Secret Realm, fiendish energy was categorized as inferior, medium, superior, and supreme, with inferior being one color, medium three colors, superior five colors, and supreme seven colors.
If someone could forge their Cave Heaven with five-color fiendish energy, even if their foundation had some flaws, it would be enough to complete their foundation and possess the potential of a Saint King, or even the potential to reach the Quasi-Emperor realm.
If they could obtain seven-color fiendish energy to forge their Cave Heaven, they would undoubtedly have the potential of an Emperor in the future.
No wonder several disciples from the previous generation had the courage to do this; they were all aiming for the seven-color fiendish energy.
"Sister, your little fiancé hasn't arrived yet. Is he sneaking around behind your back?"
Amidst the commotion, Yun Ling stood on the viewing platform, glancing at the square below, and teased Su Qingyue with a playful tone.
"Brother Xiao Ming doesn't have time for that..."
Su Qingyue rolled her eyes at Yun Ling, unfazed by her provocation.
With the Ghost Fiend Secret Realm about to open, Xiao Ming was surely training diligently, not having time for such things.
Even if he did...
Xiao Ming and Feng Xianhuang were such a good match, and she knew their relationship was likely more than just senior and junior siblings.
Knowing this, it shouldn't count as sneaking around, right?
Moreover...
She no longer considered herself Xiao Ming's fiancée, so she had no right to define such matters.
"Sister Yun Ling, have you really decided to enter the Ghost Fiend Secret Realm with me?"
After some internal grumbling, Su Qingyue changed the subject, unable to hide the worry on her face.
Yun Ling was a standout among the previous generation of disciples, having reached the seventh level of the Cave Heaven stage.
If she entered the Ghost Fiend Secret Realm and failed to find five-color fiendish energy to forge her Cave Heaven, this expedition would be a huge loss.
"Well, I rushed my breakthrough before, causing some flaws in my Cave Heaven."
"This time, entering the Ghost Fiend Secret Realm is just a gamble."
"Besides, if I can hunt enough Ghost Fiend Spirits, I can quickly restore my cultivation by absorbing Ghost Fiend Spirit Crystals."
Yun Ling waved her hand nonchalantly.
As the two conversed, a figure appeared in the sky like a bright sun, smiling as he approached Su Qingyue and Yun Ling.
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