Chapter 598: Gold Blood Realm

The fiery red sun rose from the horizon, its scorching light tearing through the night and illuminating every corner of the earth.

On a mountaintop, Zhou Yuan sat cross-legged in a large wooden vat filled with golden, viscous pond water. The water was boiling like oil, yet Zhou Yuan's expression remained serene, though occasional muscle tremors betrayed the pain he was enduring.

During the eight days of travel, he had spent every night continuously tempering his body with the golden pond water.

Naturally, he had endured immense pain, but gradually, the pain dulled into numbness. Zhou Yuan could clearly feel that his physical body was undergoing a profound transformation.

The golden pond water offered immense benefits for physical cultivation.

At that moment, the warm light of dawn descended from the sky, bathing Zhou Yuan's body.

His tightly shut eyes slowly opened. He felt a surging vitality within his flesh and blood, and an explosive power silently coalescing.

It was time for his body to undergo its metamorphosis.

Zhou Yuan took a deep breath, and his palms suddenly pressed together. In that instant, all his pores seemed to open, and wisps of golden energy were directly drawn from the pond water, surging wildly into his body through his pores.

The golden energy surged frantically within him, gradually merging into his bloodstream.

A subtle sound.

Everything seemed to fall silent at that moment, yet Zhou Yuan could hear the sound of blood flowing within him. This sound eventually converged, seemingly forming something unique.

In that instant, a drop of golden blood slowly took shape.

That single drop of blood circulated within his body, and after completing a full cycle, settled near his heart.

Under Zhou Yuan's spiritual perception, that drop of golden blood seemed to unfurl countless golden threads, connecting to his flesh and blood. A surging power then flowed from these threads, infusing his very being.

Zhou Yuan's body trembled slightly as a ferocious power erupted from him. The wooden vat instantly burst apart, and the golden pond water, now clear, spilled out.

He extended his hands and gazed down at them, a subtle curve slowly forming on his lips.

He could clearly feel the immense power that had been added to his physical body; it was several times stronger than before!

For when that drop of golden blood formed, it signified that the Minor Mystic Saint Body, which Zhou Yuan cultivated, had truly entered its third stage: the Golden Blood Realm.

His arduous cultivation during this period had finally yielded results.

"Legends say that when physical cultivation reaches its peak, one can achieve physical sainthood. At that point, the blood flowing through the body becomes like golden essence, and a single drop of golden blood can evolve into a small world, possessing infinite power," Zhou Yuan murmured to himself, his eyes alight with fervor.

He couldn't fathom such a level, as merely condensing a single drop of golden blood had already consumed much of his opportunities and energy. He couldn't imagine how difficult it would be to transform all the blood in his body into golden liquid.

If Zhou Yuan were to face Fan Yao again now, he was confident that he could contend with him directly using only his physical strength. And if he added his Genesis Qi, Fan Yao, even employing his "Great Blood Fiend Art," certainly wouldn't last ten rounds against him.

The Golden Blood Realm, among the current generation of Cangxuan Sect disciples, was likely something even Shang Chunqiu of Hongya Peak had yet to achieve.

Of course, Zhou Yuan cultivated the Minor Mystic Saint Body, while Shang Chunqiu, as the Saint Son of Hongya Peak, undoubtedly practiced the true Mystic Saint Body. So, even if Shang Chunqiu was currently only at the Silver Bone Realm, his physical prowess would likely be no less than Zhou Yuan's Golden Blood Realm.

"If there's an opportunity, I should try to acquire the true Mystic Saint Body..." Zhou Yuan mused, sighing. Although the Minor Mystic Saint Body was profound, it was ultimately only a mid-grade Heaven Genesis Art, whereas the Mystic Saint Body was a true high-grade Heaven Genesis Art.

As he mused, the sound of rushing wind came from nearby. A graceful figure swept onto the mountaintop; it was Gu Hongyi.

She landed, her beautiful eyes first glancing at Zhou Yuan, who was currently bare-chested, with interest. She teased, "Not a bad physique, I see."

Zhou Yuan's body was now slender and well-built. Although it didn't possess the explosive muscle mass that might visually shock, anyone could feel the immense power contained within that physique.

Zhou Yuan took clothes from his Qiankun Pouch and put them on, casting a sidelong glance at Gu Hongyi. "What is it?" he asked.

Gu Hongyi's expression became slightly serious. "We've found the escorts sent by the Saint Sons, and now we know their location. According to the map, we'll reach the depths of the Xuanxuan Heaven and rendezvous with the other Saint Sons in about half a day."

Zhou Yuan's eyes flashed with delight upon hearing this, and he smiled, "Good. Give the order; we set off immediately."

Although his Qi Mansion now contained a six-color Spirit-Building Treasure, Zhou Yuan was clearly not content with this. Only by reaching the depths of the Xuanxuan Heaven could he seek more opportunities to evolve his Spirit-Building Treasure further.

After all, his goal was at least a seven-color Spirit-Building Treasure!

Led by the escorts, Zhou Yuan and his group traveled relentlessly for about half a day and finally reached their destination.

It was a dark, towering mountain range that seemed to stretch endlessly, its peaks disappearing into the clouds. Countless mountains stood like giants between heaven and earth, exuding an unfathomable aura.

Amidst the endless mountains, thunderstorms occasionally raged, and torrential rains sometimes poured down.

At times, even gales formed from Genesis Qi swept through, capable of tearing apart even a Chief Disciple if caught within them.

Compared to this place, the forest where the Six-Color Treasure Land was located seemed like a mere dirt mound.

"Chief Zhou Yuan, we will now set up camp outside the mountain range. The Great Xuan Mountain Range is a perilous area deep within the Xuanxuan Heaven. We must wait for the Saint Sons to emerge and guide us before we can enter."

"The current campsite is a convergence of forces from various factions, a real mix of good and bad, so please be extra careful," the escort told Zhou Yuan and his companions.

Zhou Yuan and the others all nodded.

The escort then led them forward at an increased pace. After about half an incense stick's time, Zhou Yuan and his group saw a city appear before them.

The city was primarily constructed of wood, evidently built not long ago.

However, countless figures were within the city, clearly a gathering of many forces.

Just as Zhou Yuan and his group landed in the city, they suddenly felt a commotion. Immediately, countless figures began to converge in a certain direction.

"What's happening?" Zhou Yuan asked upon seeing this.

Someone beside him immediately stopped a person and inquired.

The person stopped was rather impatient, but upon seeing the Cangxuan Sect emblems on Zhou Yuan and his group, their expression turned odd, a half-smile on their face. "Oh, so you're from the Cangxuan Sect. Don't you know what's going on?"

"Your Cangxuan Sect has a Chief Disciple named Zhou Yuan who killed two Saint Palace Chief Disciples. He's quite impressive, isn't he?"

"And now, the eight Chief Disciples of the Saint Palace have directly led their people to surround your five Cangxuan Sect Chief Disciples... One Chief from Hongya Peak even had an arm severed."

"Heh heh, the Saint Palace is pressuring the Cangxuan Sect to hand over that Chief Disciple named Zhou Yuan. Otherwise, today they'll see how many Cangxuan Sect Chief Disciples can escape here alive."

"You Cangxuan Sect people, you've angered the Saint Palace. Instead of running, you're here stopping me and asking what's happening?" The person's eyes glinted with mockery.

"You!" A Cangxuan Sect disciple roared in anger.

Zhou Yuan patted his shoulder, signaling him to step back, then smiled at the person. "Could you lead the way, please?"

The person shot Zhou Yuan a sidelong glance, scoffing, "Who are you, anyway?"

Zhou Yuan's smile widened. "I am that very Chief Disciple of the Cangxuan Sect who killed two Saint Palace Chief Disciples, Zhou Yuan... Are you perhaps talking a bit too much?"

Though he smiled, his eyes held a chilling indifference.

The mocking expression on the person's face slowly froze.