"Heh heh."

Chi Xue’s eyes gleamed darkly as he looked toward a certain direction and said, "Some of those old codgers truly can’t restrain themselves, but as a loose cultivator, even if one’s as strong as the Shenxiao Peak, following along would still be nothing more than cannon fodder, a pawn on the board!"

"If I don’t go, I can still eke out a living for a while longer."

"That one-in-ten-thousand chance—I’ve no interest in gambling on it!"

Blood Ming Divine Sparrow sneered, "Coward!"

Chi Xue couldn’t help but laugh, sighing, "And you’re bold."

"Since you’ve made up your mind, I won’t stand in your way. Be cautious; although the War King Clan is decent, their strength is equally limited."

"I’m not a fool!"

Chi Xue wasn’t offended; after being companions with Blood Ming Divine Sparrow for millennia, he was all too familiar with its temper—this was already mild.

If it were regarding other matters, Blood Ming Divine Sparrow would dare yell and curse him to his face.

Soon after, Chi Xue shot a glance at Xu Yang, then turned and left.

Immersed in the blood pool, Xu Yang was utterly unaware of all this, absorbed in his recovery.

Time slipped by, length unknown.

Xu Yang was suddenly roused by a surge of immense power.

For a moment, he felt as if this was no longer his own body.

There were only two words: overwhelming strength!

Blood like a secret realm, bones as the very heavens and earth!

Every bone, every vein, surged like thousands of mighty rivers, billowing with unparalleled force.

The power was so tremendous, he felt as if he’d transformed into a towering giant.

Boom!

A thunderous roar erupted from within, blood steaming like rosy clouds, bones shining with holy light!

His physique was virtually unrivaled!

Xu Yang was both shocked and delighted.

He couldn’t wait to peer within the Tripod of Heaven and Earth.

Immediately, without the slightest hesitation, he focused his will, shaking the world within.

Shhhhh!!

Countless divine chains cried out in fierce resonance, trembling ceaselessly—heaven and earth quaked, and ancient Evil Qi spilled forth in waves.

Bang! Bang!!

Xu Yang’s body trembled, forcefully withstanding the Evil Qi’s assault.

One wave, two, three...

Though his flesh quivered, he endured every surge steadfastly.

His endurance now surpassed the prior level by dozens of times.

"With this breakthrough, in my current realm, my flesh has already reached perfection!"

Xu Yang was wild with joy, instantly splitting his Life Fire, condensing Life Fire Elixirs.

The thirteen Life Fire Elixirs remaining exploded forth as well.

Above the blood pool, elixirs hovered in midair, and one after another, new Life Fire Elixirs condensed at an astonishing speed.

Waves of Evil Qi surged and were locked within each elixir.

Xu Yang’s expression grew solemn; his heart and mind stirred wildly as Spirit Fire blazed forth, weaving the world together.

In this moment, he was at his absolute peak—a perfect chance to press onward in one breath.

In just a short time, he refined forty Life Fire Elixirs!

Each one shrouded in countless Heaven Locking chains, with torrents of Evil Qi pouring inside.

The interlaced Life Fire grew all the more magnificent, turning the air above the blood pool into a vast, terrifying sea of fire.

Dark hues swirled like a painted scroll, more like lightning shattering forth!

Nobody knew when, but Blood Ming Divine Sparrow snapped its eyes open, an astonishment impossible to conceal as it watched this scene.

From its own vantage, all this was trivial, feeble to the extreme!

Yet, considering Xu Yang’s current level, these countless changes were miracles in themselves!

That black Spirit Fire contained an ultimate power of blazing refinement—so terrifying that its true nature defied comprehension!

To intertwine Life Fire across heaven and earth was yet more otherworldly.

And those elixirs, they seemed to hold Life Fire and Evil Qi alike!

Blood Ming Divine Sparrow’s pupils contracted—he recalled when Xu Yang summoned the Divine Tripod and the ancient Evil Qi inside had surged forth monstrously.

"These forty elixirs, forged from Life Fire, saturated with Evil Qi, entwined with heaven and earth, layered like an array!"

"If they were to erupt..."

The astonishment in its eyes only deepened.

Time passed quietly.

About half an hour slipped away.

Xu Yang’s face turned pale, having reached his very limit!

But now, the Evil Qi radiating from the forty Life Fire Elixirs alone made heaven and earth tremble.

If just one erupted, it would be like a miniature secret realm collapsing in a catastrophic maelstrom.

Xu Yang couldn’t contain his excitement; he inhaled deeply and slowly absorbed all the elixirs back into his body.

In just a few blinks, the world returned to its former calm.

The elixirs were stored within his flesh.

"Next, all I need is to keep consuming Evil Qi."

"And the Spirit Mark!"

Heaven-locking Spirit Marks were the key to refining the elixirs.

Currently, his Spirit Mark had grown to seven feet seven inches.

That was four extra inches since leaving the War King Clan!

"Back at Dongyang Profound Sect, Xiao Ming’s Spirit Mark was already eight feet!"

Xu Yang exhaled a long breath, hoping he could raise his Spirit Mark to eight feet before the contest began!

Still, with so many Life Fire Elixirs, he finally had enough confidence for a duel with Xiao Ming.

Suddenly, his heart skipped a beat—he glanced sideways, almost instinctively.

And just then, a pair of reddened eyes met his own. 𝑓𝑟ℯ𝘦𝓌𝘦𝘣𝑛𝑜𝓋𝑒𝓁.𝑐ℴ𝓂

Blood Ming Divine Sparrow!

"Senior."

Xu Yang hastily rose to his feet, voicing his gratitude, "Thank you, senior!"

"Not bad. With your physique now, among the True Monarch Realm, you’re even stronger than many ancient beasts."

"Refine that drop of essence blood, and you’ll truly be unmatched!"

Blood Ming Divine Sparrow praised him with awe.

Xu Yang replied with a smile, "Without your generous gift, senior, I’d never have reached such heights."

"Are you heading to the Ancient Fallen Immortal Continent?" the Sparrow suddenly asked.

Xu Yang’s pupils shrank; his heart jolted.

He gazed at Blood Ming Divine Sparrow, carefully probing, "To be honest, senior, I’ll be accompanying the War King Clan’s group to the Ancient Fallen Immortal Continent!"

Chi Xue knew of the Ancient Fallen Immortal Continent—so it was only natural Blood Ming Divine Sparrow did as well.

"Take me with you."

"Huh?"

Xu Yang was completely stunned.

Hadn’t Chi Xue refused Jun Baimu’s invitation just moments ago?

"Chi Xue might not want to go, but I’m eager to take a chance!"

"You can rest assured—Chi Xue is Chi Xue, and I am myself!"

Blood Ming Divine Sparrow spoke indifferently.

Xu Yang’s thoughts churned endlessly.

Blood Ming Divine Sparrow wanted to come along?

This... this could only be a good thing!

Whether for him or for the War King Clan, it was a boon.

Xu Yang’s eyes flickered as he considered, "That shouldn’t be a problem. I doubt the War King Clan would refuse a powerhouse like you, senior."

"No!"

Blood Ming Divine Sparrow shook his head slightly, rising from his perch and fixing his gaze on Xu Yang. "I’m going with you."

"There’s no need to mention this to the War King Clan."

"I’ll hide within your body."

Xu Yang’s entire body tensed.

He suddenly realized—the drop of essence blood Blood Ming Divine Sparrow had gifted him before hadn’t had its power sealed. Could this have been a test?

"You needn’t overthink it. You’re unique, and I can see that—that’s your fortune. I simply feel that following you, perhaps I’ll reap some unexpected benefit."

As if seeing straight through his heart, Blood Ming Divine Sparrow said nonchalantly, "Hidden within you, I’ll let a trace of my aura seep out, tempering your body at all times. And, at a critical moment, you might even borrow a sliver of my strength."

Seeing Blood Ming Divine Sparrow speak so frankly, Xu Yang truly saw no reason to refuse!

Given such power, if there was malicious intent, there’d be no need for such convolutions!

"I’d be honored to accept, senior!"

Xu Yang’s face broke into a smile.

Just imagining having a Supreme Divine Sky Ancient Beast secretly merged with him, a strange expression flickered across his face.

With a being as powerful as Blood Ming Divine Sparrow, even a hint of leaking strength would bring him unimaginable benefit.

Compared to this, that drop of essence blood was nothing.

"As for those elixirs you just refined—I can’t quite see through their secrets..." the Sparrow’s eyes flashed with curiosity.