The foundation of the Immortal Path has been forged in three steps!

This is the result Xu Yang obtained after carefully sensing his own breakthrough, elevation, and transformation.

The power of the Spirit Path corresponds to the Immortal Soldier, but does not yet count as a true Immortal.

From the Spirit Path ascending and transforming into the Immortal Way, one must walk ten steps!

By irrigating with immortal qi and breaking through to Shenxiao with immortal elixir, he has only taken three steps!

The resources he acquired far surpass everyone else by a wide margin.

"Spiritual marks solidify, transforming into spiritual thought, yet return to emptiness!"

The original spiritual marks disappeared.

Both real and illusory, one thought to shape them.

They merge with consciousness, soul, and Minghuo as one.

Xu Yang’s heart stirred, turning to see Xue Ming and Shi Hu.

"Congratulations!"

The two suppressed their shock and together offered their congratulations.

Breaking through to Shenxiao is truly worthy of celebration!

Xu Yang returned the courtesy, fixing Shi Hu with a smile: "Shi Hu, let me test the power of spiritual thought on you—resist with all your strength!"

The power of spiritual thought?

Shi Hu was taken aback, and then instantly intrigued.

Just right, he could also see how big the gap is between him and Xu Yang now.

"Alright, use your full strength—I won’t hold back either!"

Shi Hu rose, his aura surging. The breath of the Spirit Path originally within him now carried traces of the Immortal Path’s vast, ethereal quality.

Though only newly entered into Shenxiao, he was already far beyond those at the same level who remained in the Spirit Realm!

Just this aura alone would be enough to make Shenxiao Middle Stage cultivators who hadn’t touched the Immortal Way envious.

Not to mention, even if he gained no further chances, upon returning to the Spirit Realm, Martial Artists who received immortal qi nourishment would have lifespans far exceeding others.

Xu Yang smiled faintly, his thoughts fluctuating, spiritual thought unfolding.

Xue Ming raised an eyebrow slightly, eyes wide with surprise at the unfolding above the plaza.

Apparently calm and undisturbed, yet with his strength he could glimpse countless chains unseen by the naked eye.

Each chain was so condensed as to be tangible, hidden within the space itself.

"Heaven Locking!"

Xu Yang locked eyes on Shi Hu, quietly roaring in his heart.

The intent of Heaven Locking erupted in full force, without reservation.

Within his Sea of Consciousness, Minghuo surged—one point of spiritual light dazzling as a star, vast as an ocean, towering as the very heavens and earth!

Boom!

Shi Hu’s entire body trembled violently.

All around him, space wildly twisted and contracted.

Countless chains manifested out of thin air, encasing him like a prison, enclosing him tightly.

Under this lock, Shi Hu’s face turned corpse-white; he threw his head back and howled madly, struggling with all his might.

His battle intent flooded out, as if he were an ancient divine beast, erupting from within with a world-destroying force, nearly rending this restraint and confinement apart.

Yet the chains surged, clattering and storming.

They only tightened, only pressed in harder!

In mere moments, Shi Hu was limp and shaking terribly, his scalp tingling.

He gave a muffled grunt, voice quivering with a shrill cry: "Enough!"

Xu Yang quickly withdrew the Heaven Locking intent, eyes full of surprise.

So strong?

He had apparently underestimated the progress he’d made this past while.

This past month, fighting day after day, refining immortal qi, he had constantly devoured the chains on the Divine Cauldron Heaven and Earth Barrier’s surface as well.

Now it seemed, the improvement was startling!

After all, Shi Hu truly wasn’t weak!

Lan Yue and Jun Baimu had once been stronger than Shi Hu, but were eliminated—Shi Hu, on the contrary, was one of those who endured.

He had gambled in life and death and obtained tremendous fortune, transforming radically!

Now, having broken through to Shenxiao, his strength among the Spirit Realm’s prodigies was likely only second to Xiao Ming, himself, and Chen Xuanji!

Men Long and Zuo Guangchen might not compare—at worst, he could at least tie with them!

Yet against Heaven Locking intent, he couldn’t withstand it in the least!

Shi Hu collapsed squarely on the ground, gasping heavily, lingering fear in his heart.

"The sealing power of your spiritual thought is just terrifying."

"I didn’t hold back at all, but even burning my fighting intent and going all out, maybe I’d barely shake it!"

Can’t hold it off!

Completely impossible to block!

Xu Yang’s strength left him breathless.

This was with prior warning—what of a surprise attack?

Once they crossed paths in a real fight, he’d be dead for sure!

He wouldn’t even last ten breaths!

Both at Shenxiao Initial Stage, but this gap was enormous—practically no less than the gulf between Initial and Advanced Shenxiao.

After all, some Shenxiao Initials could at least contend with Shenxiao Middles.

Xu Yang felt quite satisfied, but knew this was only the beginning.

"You’re not bad either."

"..."

Shi Hu almost swore out loud.

If you can’t give comfort, then don’t speak!

"What’s going on outside?" Xu Yang asked.

"Those who were eliminated aren’t dead. Also, Spirit Realm Martial Artists who died in the trial are all still alive."

Xue Ming shook his head gently: "However, they no longer have the right to enter the training towers—relying only on the Immortal Soldier Order tokens they still hold, they can wander these depths, seeking a few immortal opportunities, but that’s nowhere near enough!"

"Also, Martial Artists who have absorbed immortal qi, even without the Immortal Soldier Order token, can absorb and convert the forbidden power, but much more slowly!"

Shi Hu sighed: "Once eliminated, they’ve lost all chance of catching up to us!"

"Those who remain, even if eliminated in the second phase, will have walked further on the Immortal Path by several steps—already far beyond them!"

Xu Yang nodded silently.

This was inevitable.

Still, was there truly no greater fortune ahead?

If fate was favorable enough, maybe one could still catch up.

But that, no one could guarantee!

For now, holding on to the present, holding on to oneself, is what really matters.

"The second stage of training is about to begin—I wonder what it will be like?"

"Honestly, I really don’t want to keep fighting."

Shi Hu said, somewhat wearily.

Every moment was walking a tightrope, facing death—far too perilous.

"The second phase is about skill control and transformation. Sounds like it’ll test comprehension and insight, so probably won’t involve more combat." Xu Yang mused.

"Let’s hope so. Still, even the comprehension trial is anything but simple!"

...

The last few hours slipped by, and the young Immortal appeared as always on the White Jade Plaza.

Xu Yang and the others stood solemnly, gazing at the youth.

The youth spoke indifferently: "The second stage of training officially begins, again for one month!"

"Those who fail to meet the requirement after one month will be eliminated! At the same time, all Immortal Soldiers who pass in all 108 training towers will jointly enter the final trial—there will be rewards of immortal qi and immortal elixirs."

"This phase’s training is in the manipulation and transformation of Immortal Techniques, related to spiritual thought. There are two small, simple methods: one is Spiritual Thought Condenser, one is Transformation; and there are ten levels in all..."

"Three days from now, you’ll be tested on the first level. Fail, and you’ll be eliminated immediately!"

As his words ended, the youth vanished.

Xu Yang and the other two all grew grim.

"These ten levels won’t be easy at all!"

"No deadly combat perhaps, but in some ways, this test of comprehension is harder than the first trial!" Shi Hu said with a bitter smile.

"The first level is to condense an ancient tool with spiritual thought, making it tangible, and able to withstand the impact of a Grade Two Immortal Soldier’s power without dissolution!"

Xu Yang muttered: "For the second through fourth levels, the ancient tool needs to bear even stronger impacts without coming apart!"

"Fifth, sixth and onwards, you’ll have to manipulate the ancient tool to transform according to the methods given by the examiner at the time!"

"Only three days—let’s get to it."

Xu Yang reached out and touched the two rays of immortal light before him.