Free Web NovelChapter 543: Chapter 40: Fall of a Prodigy (Part 2)
Half a month ago, Bai Cailin had already seen Li Ji’an, so she wasn’t surprised at this moment. She just kept staring at Tu Yifei outside Dao Field No. 1.
Tu Yifei appeared calm and closed his eyes to rest.
Before long, the steward of Feihong Dao Field appeared, announcing that the now-empty Dao Field could be entered.
Tu Yifei and Bai Cailin immediately bid farewell to their friends and family and entered the Dao Field.
Li Ji’an, however, was still outside, waiting peacefully.
In Dao Field No. 3, where he was about to enter, the previous batch of Core Formation cultivators had yet to finish. It involved an Immortal Seedling with Celestial Spirit Root from another major commerce association, which had high expectations for him.
Unfortunately, while devouring Spiritual Qi two years ago, an accident seemed to occur. He overly trusted the endurance of his physique and Dantian, and after swallowing the instantaneous Spiritual Qi of Dao Field No. 3 on the fifth day, he tried to capture the Qi from the neighboring No. 2 Dao Field. However, as soon as part of the Qi from No. 2 integrated, violent turbulence occurred within his field.
At that time, the major commerce association not only summoned their tribute but even invited Alliance Leader Tong.
Yet, with many arrays barriers and the extremely dense Spiritual Qi and pressure within the Core Formation Dao Field, even Ascendant Tong couldn’t discern the internal situation.
However, after the violent turbulence, as the Spiritual Qi suddenly eased, three days later, clouds began to gather.
This allowed the commerce association to breathe a sigh of relief.
However, they hadn’t yet rejoiced when the clouds gathered by the Immortal Seedling made their hearts instantly sink.
Clearly provided with a top thirty ranked Core Formation Spirit Treasure, yet the clouds gathered at the breakthrough barely amounted to eight li.
Eight li of clouds holds the promise of a True Pill. For an ordinary cultivator, such an achievement would be more than satisfying.
But the Immortal Seedling received superior investment from the association, expected to reach Upper True Pill, needing at least twenty li of clouds to have hope.
A mere eight li of clouds, at best a lower True Pill, could very well be just a Fake Pill.
Thus, after the first breakthrough, the commerce association had already despondently left.
This investment was a complete failure.
And in the subsequent Purification Method Pill phase, he stalled for a long time, still with no sign of exit.
Li Ji’an was not anxious. Although Bai Cailin and Tu Yifei could enter the Dao Field now, they had to wait for him to enter first, before the steward would activate all the major Enhancing Arrays.
Thus, three months passed.
"What’s happening? The longest record for this Dao Field was no more than two years to temporarily stabilize. This one has been two years and four months."
"Such delay is somewhat affecting the mindset of this batch of Core Formation challengers."
"Steward Tong, could something have gone wrong? Should we contact his family to check?"
...
As the time progressed, Li Ji’an, waiting outside Dao Field No. 3, remained calm, while those outside the other two Dao Fields grew impatient.
Steward Tong frequently came to the perimeter of Dao Field No. 3, trying to sense the status of the cultivators inside.
Sadly, his cultivation was shallow, and his Divine Sense found it difficult to penetrate the restrictions.
"Steward Tong, I believe that even if this one hasn’t completely stabilized his realm, he could be summoned out. Surely he doesn’t intend to occupy this superior Dao Field for cultivation indefinitely?" Bai Cailin’s father finally couldn’t help voicing.
"Please, everyone, wait a bit. This matter is of significant importance. I must seek guidance from the Alliance Leader." Under the pressure from the two large commerce associations, Steward Tong finally decided to consult Alliance Leader Tong.
Soon, Alliance Leader Tong appeared at the Dao Field.
After greeting the presidents of the other two commerce associations, he went straight to Dao Field No. 3.
He first saw Li Ji’an waiting quietly alone, feeling slightly surprised.
Then, gathering the Ascendant Divine Sense, he gazed into Dao Field No. 3.
"Hmm?" With just a glance, he frowned deeply.
"Whoosh~" Immediately, with a wave of his hand, all the restrictions of the Dao Field opened.
Without the restrictions, numerous Divine Senses simultaneously infiltrated.
"Hiss~" A moment later, the entire crowd shook their heads.
Li Ji’an too slightly furrowed his brow.
Inside Dao Field No. 3 lay a corpse, not at peace even in death.
Not only did the corpse’s body show many cracks, but also a large wound opened at the abdomen. Inside, a dim and dull Magic Pill, loose like dirt, had long lost its Spiritual Qi.
"Self-disemboweled Dantian?"
"Alas, a Celestial Spirit Root prodigy, at the first hurdle, the collapse of Qi, body shattered, forced Core formation, ultimately only a Fake Pill, surely filled with regrets!"
"Cailin, take this as a warning. Do not overestimate yourself!"
"Yifei, solidify the Core normally, don’t force it. With your Magical Power foundation and Core Formation Spirit Treasure, an Upper True Pill is within reach. Don’t take unnecessary risks."
The senior members of Yaochi Commerce Association and Taian Commerce Association used this as an example to advise the other two.
Upon seeing this, Steward Tong instantly wore a bitter expression.
Since taking over the Feihong Dao Field, never had a cultivator died within the Dao Field in this manner.
Indeed, if there were any prior cases of death, it was due to exerting too much force in the Purification Method Pill stage, causing the Magic Pill to shatter.
Under such circumstances, both they and the commerce associations would rush in to rescue, ensuring no one died inside the Dao Field.
This time, however, the situation was beyond expectation.
"Chairman..." Steward Tong immediately prepared to apologize.
But Alliance Leader Tong just gently shook his head: "The vast Immortal Road is about competing with the heavens for survival, and a prodigy, too, is merely a drop in the ocean, exceptional talents, ultimately dissipating like clouds."
"Clean up the corpse well, and proceed." After instructing, Alliance Leader Tong dissolved into the air, disappearing without a trace.
Steward Tong immediately went in to tidy up the corpse and used magic techniques to thoroughly remove any residual souls that might linger within.
Before leaving, Alliance Leader Tong glanced again at Li Ji’an: "My young friend, do you have any reservations?"
Li Ji’an smiled and shook his head: "Thank you, Alliance Leader. This junior will carry this fellow cultivator’s expectations with me on this journey!"
"Hahaha, good, promising youth!" Ascendant Tong smiled with satisfaction, gradually fading from view.
It’s undeniable; the cultivation realm holds some taboos. For instance, if someone just failed at a breakthrough in a Cave Mansion, people often develop unfounded beliefs.
The notion of luck is widespread, believing the previous person’s failure indicates exhausted luck in the place. Entering the Dao Field to attempt a breakthrough would likely fail until enough luck is compensated.
Thus generally, whether in Foundation Establishment or Core Formation, people consciously avoid such places.
But Li Ji’an wasn’t minded to prolong the delay any further; he also sensed that person had died over a year ago; the Dao Field had gone unused during that time. Its Qi stability was significantly higher than the other two Cave Mansions.
With Li Ji’an calmly entering the Cave Mansion, Steward Tong immediately announced the commencement of the Core Formation Dao Field.
Soon, two Grand Arrays slowly activated, entirely covering the three Dao Fields.
Tu Yifei, Bai Cailin, and Li Ji’an formally began their Core Formation breakthroughs.
In his past life at the Biyun Sect Core Formation, to ensure abundant Spiritual Qi during devouring, a period of Qi accumulation was needed prior.
Li Ji’an then had accumulated Qi for half a year before beginning the devouring, while Xiao Changfeng only accumulated for three months.
Here, the Qi was extraordinarily abundant, obviating the need for deliberate accumulation; just a brief adaptation to the Qi level was sufficient to commence.
Tu Yifei and Bai Cailin, having entered the Cave Mansion three months prior, adapted early to the Qi here. As soon as it started, they commenced the devouring, and endless Qi began madly flowing into their Cave Mansions.
Li Ji’an, however, remained calm and patient, sensed for seven days to confirm the Qi’s concentration and purity before formally beginning.
As Li Ji’an began the devouring, the crowd outside the Dao Field started showing signs of amazement.
It was evident that Tu Yifei, after seven days of devouring, nearly absorbed the instantaneous Qi from his entire Dao Field entirely. Even though underground Qi sources continually supplied, it barely sufficed for his absorption.
"Yifei’s Magical Power is profound, with a solidified Dantian and excellent physique. Such initial Gathering Spirit effect establishes a solid foundation for the next phase’s Magic Pill, remarkable!"
"For a century, the optimal Gathering Spirit achiever in Feihong Dao Field only absorbed one and a half Qi fields. Seeing Yifei’s composure could see him reaching peak performance in half a month, likely not far from one and a half fields."
"He might rank among the top five of the past century!"
