Chapter 245: Could Yu Zhao Have Successfully Formed a Nascent Soul?
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Thick spiritual energy filled the sealed stone cave, condensing into a mist.
Yu Zhao maintained her hand seals, her eyes shut tight, and her brows slightly furrowed.
Over time, the cracks on her Golden Core had grown larger, suggesting the imminent possibility of the core breaking and forming a Nascent Soul.
However, the closer she came to the critical moment, the more she couldn’t afford to be careless.
Yu Zhao stayed on high alert.
Suddenly.
She faintly heard an almost imperceptible cracking sound.
The cracks on her Golden Core expanded once more.
Just as Yu Zhao thought her Golden Core would shatter and condense into a Nascent Soul, the spiritual energy within her began to surge wildly without warning, chaotically colliding throughout her body.
With a muffled groan, she broke out of her meditative state. The spinning of her Golden Core gradually slowed until the cracks stopped deepening.
Opening her eyes, she bit her lower lip in frustration.
Her first attempt at forming a Nascent Soul had failed.
“Spiritual energy is abundant, my condition is stable, and my Sea of Consciousness is intact—why did I fail?”
Yu Zhao had prepared meticulously for this moment, even using a Longevity Fruit. Yet, at the final step, success slipped through her grasp.
She couldn’t figure it out no matter how much she pondered.
After a long while.
She sighed softly, calmed the rampant spiritual energy within her body, and left the cave.
Since she failed to form a Nascent Soul, there must be something she lacked.
Yu Zhao decided to stay longer in the Nine Abyss Secret Realm to find the opportunity for a breakthrough.
She retraced her steps along the passageway.
After walking for about half an incense stick’s time, her steps suddenly halted. She stood in place and jumped experimentally.
Her body felt light as a feather.
She then threw a punch.
Her movements were crisp, and the wind from her fist was sharp.
A brilliant light gradually filled Yu Zhao’s eyes.
Her body seemed to have undergone a gentle evolution.
When choosing her secluded cultivation site, she had deliberately selected a location that pushed her limits, which slowed her movements and spiritual energy circulation.
Now, however, she felt no discomfort. Instead, her actions were nimble, her posture agile.
It was the Longevity Fruit!
Yu Zhao immediately identified the source of her transformation.
Rumor had it that the Longevity Fruit could cure all toxins.
When Cui Jue consumed it, the toxins in his body were eradicated, and he returned to full health.
But when she consumed it, her entire body underwent a transformation.
Clearly, the true effect of the Longevity Fruit wasn’t merely detoxification but a fundamental reconfiguration of a person’s constitution, paving the way for longevity.
Moreover, this transformation was exceptionally gentle, without causing significant discomfort.
Ordinarily, one’s physique and innate talent were determined at birth, and unless one encountered a heaven-defying opportunity, they were nearly impossible to change.
Even if change occurred, it was often accompanied by excruciating trials.
Yu Zhao had heard of several such examples before; none of them achieved success without enduring tremendous suffering.
Her transformation, silent and effortless, was a rarity.
Finally, Yu Zhao understood why she had failed to form a Nascent Soul.
Her physical constitution had changed, raising the requirements for Nascent Soul Formation.
If her body was previously a small bucket, it was now a large one, capable of holding far more spiritual energy.
“Phew.”
Yu Zhao exhaled softly, the frustration in her expression dissipating.
Knowing the cause made it easier to address the issue.
In her previous life, she had faced countless obstacles due to her body but never gave in to despair.
Now, with a better starting point, she was determined to soar to greater heights and explore the vastness of the world.
Resolute, Yu Zhao strode to the edge of the stone crevice and leapt forward.
As she descended, she noticed that not only had her body’s endurance improved, but her five senses had also evolved further.
Without even using her Divine Sense, she could discern the presence of hidden Demonic Beasts through the scent in the air.
After about fifteen minutes, Yu Zhao began to feel the strain she had previously experienced. She decisively halted her descent, twisted her body, and leapt into another spacious crevice.
Whoosh—
A strong gust of wind roared past her ears.
Yu Zhao arched an eyebrow, and her Soul Power materialized into a giant hand, effortlessly capturing an oncoming purple centipede.
Likely due to living within the stone crevices, the centipede was only as thick as a thigh. Its bamboo-like body gleamed with an eerie purple light, and its long antennae writhed sinisterly.
“A purple centipede… its venom must be potent. I’ll keep it for Yao Wu Ji.”
Muttering to herself, Yu Zhao formed a cage with her Soul Power, imprisoning the centipede before stowing it in her spirit beast pouch—a gift from Yao Wu Ji, who had insisted it would come in handy. She hadn’t expected to use it so soon.
This purple centipede was likely the most formidable Demonic Beast in the crevice. With it subdued, no other creature dared to attack her.
Unimpeded, Yu Zhao entered the stone wall’s interior, carving out a new cave to continue her cultivation.
Here, the spiritual energy was several times denser than her previous location, condensing into a mist so thick it dripped like rain.
As the spiritual rain soaked her, her dormant Golden Core began spinning faster again.
Crack, crack—
Accompanied by faint cracking sounds, her Golden Core split in two, and an ethereal figure resembling her sat cross-legged in her Dantian.
The shattered core’s shell dissolved into spiritual energy, which was absorbed by the Nascent Soul.
The Nascent Soul slowly solidified, exuding an invisible pressure.
“Countless illusions, an eternal true self.”
Bright Moon Hermit’s ethereal voice echoed in her Sea of Consciousness.
Yu Zhao abruptly opened her eyes, radiant with five-colored light.
Simultaneously.
The Nascent Soul within her body opened its eyes.
Unlike Yu Zhao, the Nascent Soul’s left eye was pitch black, while its right eye was pure white. The contrasting eyes emitted a cold light, appearing unsettling.
Boom!
The Nascent Soul Realm aura erupted in the confined space. The ground trembled, cracks spread across the stone crevice like a spider web, and large rocks tumbled into the abyss below.
Splashes from the fallen rocks struck the stone walls, producing loud echoes.
Meanwhile, Yao Wu Ji and Si Tu Xuan, searching for spiritual herbs within the crevices, rushed out upon hearing the commotion, scanning the surroundings with apprehension.
“This aura…”
Yao Wu Ji’s eyes widened.
Could it be that Yu Zhao had succeeded in forming a Nascent Soul?
A prodigy indeed!
Si Tu Xuan darted to her side and asked immediately, “Fellow Daoist Yu Zhao, have you reached the Nascent Soul stage?”
Yao Wu Ji nodded excitedly. “It seems so.”
Although Si Tu Xuan’s expression remained neutral, his clenched fists betrayed his inner turmoil.
Yu Zhao’s rapid progress in cultivation weighed heavily on him.
Before meeting Yu Zhao, he had considered himself exceptional, looking down on peers of the same generation.
After meeting her, he realized there was always a higher mountain.
While he remained stagnant after the Cultivation World Competition, Yu Zhao had already advanced toward a higher realm and appeared close to succeeding.
While happy for Yu Zhao, Si Tu Xuan couldn’t help but feel a twinge of bitterness and envy.
He glanced sideways at Yao Wu Ji.
Yao Wu Ji was beaming, muttering under her breath about something.
Curious, he listened closely.
“Yu Zhao is incredible. No, I can’t let myself get distracted anymore. I have to catch up with her, or I’ll lose my place by her side.”