The golden light permeated every corner, spreading over two miles in all directions. The spot where Yu Ci stood was no exception. However, he made no futile attempt to move. Instead, he straightened up, his gaze fixed on the tumbling bead, and murmured softly, "The Sheridan Bead?"

As the golden light radiated an aura that resonated intimately with his Primordial Qi, a unique pressure provided him with the most accurate answer: without a doubt, this rolling bead was the Buddhist Relic Elixir Bead, on par with the Golden Elixir of the Daoist sect. From that moment onwards, the Monk had shattered the barrier from Nature-Connecting to Golden Elixir, officially becoming a Golden Elixir cultivator.

This was the advantage of being well-prepared. Yu Ci was not surprised in the least. His eyes briefly scanned the Sheridan Bead before landing on the Monk's skull. Compared to the bead, this was what truly incited his desire.

"An eye for an eye. The Golden Bone Jade Disc was indeed intercepted by you halfway. The Vacuum Energy Life Extension Pill at the Treasure Exchange Banquet should have fallen into my hands."

He intentionally raised his voice with these words, which echoed through the chaotic forest and into the Monk's ears.

The Monk's sharp eyes, seemingly filled with golden light, stared back. His originally snake-like thin face seemed to puff up due to the golden light, vaguely resembling Yi Xin's visage. When he spoke, his voice was as deep as a bell, "Oh, so the spiritual pill is still in Elder Yu Xian's hands?"

Yu Ci smiled at his words. He knew that the Monk had grand ambitions and did not care much for worldly possessions. However, the Monk was determined to obtain the Vacuum Energy Life Extension Pill, as it would greatly assist his plans:

The Blood Monk Tu Ling used Monk Zheng Yan as his escape route. For this, he transplanted the Golden Bone Jade Disc into Monk Zheng Yan's skull, using the unique power of this Spiritual Artifact to strengthen Monk Zheng Yan's flesh body. It was for this reason that he was able to effortlessly cross the barrier from Nature-Connecting to Golden Elixir just now. If he could obtain the Vacuum Energy Life Extension Pill, with Tu Ling's cultivation level and experience, he could easily reach the Vacuum Walking realm in the shortest time. This was something Tu Ling would never reveal to anyone, but hiding it from the Remnant Soul of Monk Zheng Yan in his Divine Soul was impossible.

Precisely due to the adversary's "past life" Cultivation Level, Yu Ci is no match for the Blood Monk Tu Ling in a direct confrontation. Therefore, he has never contemplated a face-to-face duel with the Blood Monk. Seeing the Monk's piercing gaze fixed on him and the Jade Short Staff on his forehead starting to shift, Yu Ci doesn't hesitate. With a wave of his wide sleeve, a streak of cyan light shoots up into the sky, hovering above his head.

Unquestionably, it's the Divine Bronze Mirror! Simultaneously, he shouts out:

"What are you waiting for?"

Yu Ci's Manipulation of Divine Consciousness synchronizes with his shout. However, the transmission of sound waves always requires time, how could it be faster than the speed of thought?

In the moment the Monk is taken aback by the soaring cyan light, the Residual soul of Zheng Yan, deeply hidden within the Divine Soul, launches its most powerful assault since awakening, with an air of determination.

Originally, due to the formation of the Sheridan Bead, the Residual soul of Zheng Yan was oppressed to its last breath. But this reckless assault, coupled with the pulling effect of the starlight, managed to shake the structure of the Sheridan Bead. Even if it was only for an instant, it still managed to let out a ray of sharpness, which coincidentally resonates with the cyan light projected from afar.

An invisible long line shoots out from there, like a fishing hook skillfully thrown by an experienced hand, connecting the Divine Bronze Mirror and the Sheridan Bead.

Both Yu Ci and the Monk's bodies shudder. This is indeed a moment worth commemorating. Because in this instant, it's the first time that Yu Ci's projected Divine consciousness starlight has "settled" within a Golden Elixir cultivator's aura field! Even though the Residual soul of Zheng Yan, born of the same root as the adversary, played a part, it's still an incomparable advancement.

Yu Ci controls the Treasure Mirror with his Yin Spirit, indirectly establishing a connection with Tu Ling's Sheridan Bead. The might of a Golden Elixir cultivator is not so easily withstood. The moment of connection, a tsunami-like pressure surges along the "connecting line". Fortunately, Yu Ci withstands it, and not only him, but the Residual soul of Zheng Yan also withstands it. If not, the first thing Yu Ci would do is to turn around and flee, hoping to escape from the murderous Blood Monk.

This story originates from Royal Road. Ensure the author gets the support they deserve by reading it there.

Now, of course, the situation is different.

After withstanding the first wave of assault, Yu Ci's mind stabilizes. He opens his eyes wide, and the "Observing Soul Dharma Eye" naturally opens, revealing a bizarre and fantastical Divine Soul world before his eyes.

Having used the "Observing Soul Dharma Eye" many times, Yu Ci understands the key to this method is to capture the myriad influences and waxing and waning relationships between various "Soul Sources". Even though the "colors" and "lines" of the Divine Soul level are incredibly complex, he immediately grasps the crux.

Tu Ling's "Soul Source" blazed like a fiery sun, unquestionably the most formidable force among all living beings within a several mile radius. Emitting dense lines and ripples, radiating a powerful gravitational and repulsive force, it distorted half the space surrounding it.

In contrast, Yu Ci's own "Soul Source" was much dimmer. Its radiance was completely overshadowed by Tu Ling, yet it was incredibly stable. No matter how strong the gravitational or repulsive force radiated from Tu Ling, it held its ground firmly, not swaying in the least.

The reason he could achieve this was due to Yu Ci's unwavering determination and the power of the Qi of the Heavenly Dragon True Form he had absorbed. Of course, there was also the "Iceberg" in his memory area, a towering mountain that constantly pressed on his Divine Soul. This was the mark of a truly great mystical power. No matter how high Blood Monk Tu Ling's cultivation level, it was still far from comparable, making its influence pale in comparison.

Because of this, on this level, Yu Ci had more than enough to protect himself. However, if he wanted to defeat his enemy, he was still lacking. But he still had the Divine Bronze Mirror!

On the Divine Soul level, the form of the Divine Bronze Mirror couldn't be seen, but Yu Ci could clearly sense the power radiating from the Treasure Mirror. As he was always controlling the mirror with his Yin Spirit, this power was combined with his "Soul Source", just like in the physical realm, hanging above his "head", forming an extremely distorted area. The extent of its distortion even surpassed the area affected by Tu Ling's "Soul Source".

Without a doubt, the Divine Bronze Mirror contained a power capable of overturning the situation. At this moment, if Yu Ci had a decisive method, it would only be found in the Divine Bronze Mirror.

And that's exactly what Yu Ci did.

He could feel that Blood Monk Tu Ling was adjusting to his new realm, while also gathering his strength. This was happening in the physical realm. Yu Ci was certain that if he let Tu Ling gain momentum, with his cultivation level that had already surpassed a realm, he could launch a furious assault that would grind him into dust, and he wouldn't even have the chance to fight back.

His opportunity to counterattack and even win was only at this moment!

His "Observing Soul Dharma Eye" locked onto Tu Ling's "Soul Source". Under the dazzling light, he unsurprisingly discovered a minuscule "shadow", and the Divine Bronze Mirror was connected to it.

"Still alive, I presume!"

Through the connection of Divine consciousness starlight, Yu Ci sent his greeting. The response was succinct to the extreme:

"Fast!"

The reply had just arrived when Tu Ling's "Soul Source" burst forth with brilliance. In the realm of reality, it was precisely the moment when the Monk held the jade Suppressing Energy Rod aloft, pointing towards Yu Ci.

The Sha aura of the Golden Elixir cultivator was unreservedly channeled through the sole "connection", charging towards Yu Ci. On the Divine Soul plane, between the two "Soul Sources", countless line ripples had condensed into a rainbow bridge, twisting the ultimate power of both sides onto this single line.

The Divine Soul universe resounded with a "boom", and the two opposing "Soul Sources" instantly entered a full-on collision phase.

Transforming divine intent, Aura suppression - these were tried-and-true ultimate moves of high-level Cultivators against lower-level ones! When the thousands of Auras emitted by both sides were firmly entangled, any attempt to withdraw or escape became a joke. This moment was all about the stronger suppressing the weaker, the higher suppressing the lower. This was precisely Tu Ling's current mindset.

The Divine Soul plane could still hold on, but in reality, Yu Ci had already been forced to hold his breath, every muscle in his body taut, emitting a creaking sound on the verge of snapping. At this moment, it wasn't just the Monk's Relic Divine Power, but also the power of the jade Suppressing Energy Rod, a high-quality magic weapon of Ten Heavens Refinement, all converging and pouring down on him.

"Observing Soul Dharma Eye" swiftly switched between reality and the Divine Soul plane, the golden light filling the sky and the strong radiance of the "Soul Source" intertwined, like a vast tidal wave, bearing down on him.

At this moment, Yu Ci was distracted.

Because he was reminded of that day on the mountain path outside Still Heart Temple, of the Treasure Mirror's green light that blocked his chest at the critical moment. Naturally, he also recalled the intricate details of the Aura flow and the Manipulation of Divine Consciousness at that instant.

What happened next was history, a high-level Golden Elixir Cultivator was utterly annihilated!

So, he cracked a smile.

Before tonight, he could only say he was three to five percent confident, worth taking a risk. But when push came to shove, he suddenly realized that his confidence, his state, and even his fate

Were at their peak!

A green radiance gathered above his head, steadied slightly, then broke through the golden light filling the sky, and descended with a hum!

...