There was a small pond not far from where Wang Yi was. It wasn’t that large, and within it, there was a spiritual spring. There was endless spiritual essence rising from it, accompanied by white brilliance.

In this dark night, the surroundings were illuminated, forming a domain of light.

Above the pool, there was a seven-colored lotus flower. As the spirit qi surged, the flower continuously swayed and undulated. The seven-colored light that the flower emitted was like pollen that scattered into the surroundings. It was incomparably beautiful and alluring.

This was the ‘Seven-Colored Heaven Ascension Stage’ that Wang Yi had previously mentioned. This was also his goal.

It was ranked as the best in the Spiritual Food Catalog. According to the description, this item often grew in places where spiritual energy gathered. It gave birth to one petal every ten years and ripened every seventy years.

One first had to pluck the seven-colored petals and use a secret technique to refine them into a medicinal liquid. Then, when the liquid was dripped into other dishes when cooking, it could add a strange fragrance that greatly increased the taste of the spiritual food.

Of course, the Seven-Colored Heaven Ascension Stage was far more than just this. It was also a martial arts treasure.

It also contained a massive amount of energy. If an early Rank-8 expert consumed it, it would allow them to advance to Rank-9 in a short period of time without any side effects.

It had to be known that although advancing from Rank-8 to Rank-9 did not involve crossing tiers, it was still extremely difficult. Perhaps there were some people who would spend their entire lives without being able to do so. Thus, one could imagine how precious this flower was. If it were to appear in the outside world, it would definitely cause a storm of blood.

Furthermore, this was only its secondary function. There was an even more important function.

After a peak Rank-9 expert consumed it, when they faced the nine stone steps in the Phala Space, an additional seven-colored stone step would be condensed, forming the tenth stone step.

This was the origin of its name, ‘Seven Color Heaven Ascension Stage.’

If it was obtained by a Rank-9 expert who did not have a solid cultivation foundation and whose nine stone steps were not powerful enough to allow them to reach the Connate Phala, it was very likely that they could use this additional step to pluck the Connate Phala. Then, they would enter the legendary realm that everyone dreamed about.

If advancing from Rank-8 to Rank-9 was like walking alone on a wooden bridge, with strength or enough luck, there was still some chance of success.

As for advancing from Rank-9 to the Connate Realm, it was like walking on a tightrope. Unless one was strong enough, there was no luck to speak of. If one couldn’t do it, then they simply could not do it.

If those experts who were stuck at peak Rank-9 knew about this, it wouldn’t be as simple as a bloody storm. A million corpses would be nothing.

After all, this was a chance to live forever. Who would be willing to give it up so easily?

As the saying went, the success of a general was worth tens of thousands of corpses. For the sake of that sliver of hope, even if their eyes turned from killing or their blood dyed the ground red, those people would not even blink.

Wang Yi stepped forward and realized that the Seven-Colored Heaven Ascension Stage had not fully matured yet. Although seven petals had already bloomed, the last purple petal was clearly a little pale.

Wang Yi arrived a little early. Judging from the color of the last petal, it would probably be a month or two before it fully matured.

However, it didn’t matter. Although plucking it before it fully matured would result in a great loss of its medicinal effects, the taste wouldn’t be affected.

Furthermore, what Wang Yi needed was precisely what seemed to be the most useless effect of the Seven Color Heaven Ascension Stage.

After all, the amount of energy contained in the flower was only equivalent to the amount of energy he could obtain from signing in for one day.

As for adding another stone step in the Phala Space? It was simply like playing around for Wang Yi. What use was it?

If he wanted to, he could have easily jumped to obtain the Connate Phala in the Phala Space. There was no need to go through so much trouble.

This priceless martial arts treasure was too pitiful for Wang Yi. It could only be used as a seasoning!

If other peak Rank-9 experts knew about this, they would probably form a team to kill him. How could there be such a waste of natural resources?

Even the phrases “casting pearls before swines” or “giving a donkey strawberries” could not describe such behavior!

Of course, all of this had to be built on the premise that Wang Yi could obtain the ‘Seven-Colored Heaven Ascension Stage.’

A top treasure of this level would definitely be protected by a ferocious beast, especially before it matured. Furthermore, the beast would be the strongest creature in its surroundings.

The reason was very simple. The spiritual perception of a beast was much stronger than that of a human. Thus, it was likely that even before the spiritual object formed, it would be able to detect it and fight over the right to protect it.

On the other hand, the world of beasts was more realistic and the law of the jungle was even more straightforward. Only by defeating all the competitors would one have the qualifications to stand out and enjoy this level of spiritual treasure.

Furthermore, those who survived this competition were the strongest in this area.

If they were not strong enough, they would have been killed by other beasts long ago and turned into food. How could they have the right to guard this place?

Wang Yi walked towards the pool. His steps were not very fast as he carefully observed his surroundings.

As expected, as he got closer to the pond, the guardian beast could no longer continue hiding in the shadows.

Swoosh!

A huge black shadow leaped over Wang Yi’s head, accompanied by the howling of the wind. Although it was at night, Wang Yi could feel that the sky seemed to have darkened at this moment.

Bang!

With a loud sound, a heavy object landed on the ground. Then, a huge black shadow turned in the air and stood between Wang Yi and the pool, blocking his path forward.

That black shadow was like a hound. Its four limbs were on the ground and its sharp claws easily tore through the ground, sinking deep into the rocks.

Meanwhile, its razor-sharp tail continuously moved and whipped through the air.

The beast was over twenty meters tall and had a terrifyingly long body. It was at least forty meters tall if it stood on its hind legs.

Its yellow fur was covered with black rings, and there was a pair of silver wings on its back. Its feathers had a metallic luster, and they seemed to be densely embedded with silver daggers.

The enormous head lowered as it faced Wang Yi. Then, it opened its bloody mouth, releasing a wave of fishy smell.

The fur of the black creature stood on end, making it look ferocious. It stomped on the ground and was ready to pounce at any moment. It was at full alert.

Wang Yi was speechless as he looked at the creature in front of him.

It was a Silver-Winged Cloud Leopard!

The ranking of this creature in the Spiritual Food Catalog wasn’t low either. It was most famous for its pair of silver wings. Furthermore, its taste was so good that it had no competitors.

Looking at its size, it was likely that it had the strength of at least a Rank-9 or even a peak Rank-9 creature.

This guardian beast was not weak. Strictly speaking, this was the first proper opponent Wang Yi had encountered since he came to this world.

He could even sense a faint sense of danger from this creature.

Since Wang Yi had been cultivating all along and his strength had increased too quickly, he had not yet exchanged blows with experts of the same level!

Thus, being able to fight and verify his own strength was not bad.

As for the Silver-Winged Cloud Leopard, it was filled with vigilance towards Wang Yi.

It could feel that the tiny body opposite it was filled with terrifying power, like a dormant volcano that could erupt at any moment.

It was fine if the human did not move, but once he moved, it would be earth-shattering!

Wang Yi only felt a slight sense of danger. However, the Silver-Winged Cloud Leopard felt as if there was a blade on its back as if its life could be in danger at any moment.

Of course, it did not dare to make the first move. Instead, it produced deep roars like thunder as if it was trying to intimidate Wang Yi or to boost its courage!