Chapter 518: Demonic Beast Breakthrough

A few minutes later, Elder Hu and the others had completely recovered from their injuries. They were all refreshed, looking as if they had never been hurt.

"Thank you, Master Zhang," the group expressed their gratitude. Although they had paid the agreed-upon fee, settling their accounts, they were still astonished by such miraculous and incredible medical skills.

"Since the Demonic Beast Yaochen has been tamed by Master Zhang, there's no point in us staying here any longer. We won't disturb you further. Farewell!" Hall Master Han said, cupping his fists. Their primary objective in coming here was to tame the Demonic Beast Yaochen, and with Master Zhang having already accomplished that, there was no reason for them to linger. Although he hadn't succeeded in taming the beast himself, the recovery of his chronic illness meant he was confident he could defeat Luo Ming and qualify for advanced study at the headquarters, even without the Demonic Beast Yaochen. In essence, their ultimate goal had been achieved, making their journey worthwhile.

"Farewell!" Zhang Xuan, Pavilion Master Sai, and the others returned the gesture.

"Master Zhang, with your immense talent, I presume you'll be participating in the Master Teacher Grand Competition two months from now? If so, I'll be sure to attend personally and show my support!" Hall Master Han said with a smile, before turning and departing. Given Master Zhang's genius and status as a master teacher, combined with the most significant recent events in Myriad Kingdom City, it was not difficult to deduce his plans. Regardless, they owed him a debt of gratitude and would certainly repay it when the opportunity arose. Besides, such a formidable beast tamer, physician, master teacher, and appraiser was certainly someone worth cultivating a deep friendship with.

After Hall Master Han and his group departed, silence returned.

"Master Zhang, should we enter now, or take some time to rest and adjust?" Luo Zhu looked at him, a hint of admiration in his eyes. When he had visited previously, he'd moved stealthily, fearful of being detected by the Demonic Beast Yaochen. Now, however, the man before him had directly tamed the notoriously fearsome creature – something Luo Zhu would never have dared to imagine before. With the Demonic Beast Yaochen no longer an obstacle, their timeline became much more flexible. They could now enter whenever they wished.

"No rush. We'll go in once I've resolved the issues within the Demonic Beast Yaochen's body," Zhang Xuan replied, waving his hand.

"Its issues? But it wasn't injured, was it?" the group wondered, bewildered. The massive creature possessed immense strength and an impenetrable defense. It had not suffered any damage battling Hall Master Han and the others, easily overwhelming them. What 'problem' could there be to resolve?

"The Soul-Devouring Ants, while having little effect on normal creatures or humans, possess extremely potent Yin-cold properties – otherwise, they wouldn't be able to consume souls. Having been here for at least one or two months, the Demonic Beast Yaochen has been subtly affected, even without direct contact." Zhang Xuan clasped his hands behind his back, his expression calm. "Furthermore," he continued, "the recent fierce battle allowed this Yin-cold energy to invade its heart and lungs. Unless expelled swiftly, it will be extremely difficult for it to advance again."

"That's possible?"

"If that's truly the case, should we also keep our distance from these Soul-Devouring Ants?" The revelation that even a creature as formidable as the Demonic Beast Yaochen could be affected stunned everyone. They looked ahead, filled with caution. By now, the Soul-Devouring Ants had completely devoured the roasted deer carcasses and, seemingly satisfied, had burrowed back underground, leaving no trace on the surface. Had they not witnessed it firsthand, it would have been nearly impossible to believe that such peculiar life forms, which had disappeared for countless millennia, not only truly existed but were also so utterly bizarre. The fact that they could even consume formations was simply terrifying.

"Just avoid drinking the pond water!" Zhang Xuan stated. "The Witch Soul Tomb is located beneath the pond. The Soul-Devouring Ants can always sense it. Although the water appears clean, it actually contains many of their corpses. The Demonic Beast Yaochen's body was affected by Yin-cold energy, and drinking this water was one of the primary causes."

Everyone finally understood. The ants, attracted by the aura emanating from the Witch Soul Tomb, were drawn to this location. As the tomb lay beneath the pond, they would inevitably detect and investigate it, eventually rendering the water unsuitable for consumption by living beings.

"Then... how can this situation be remedied?" Luo Zhu couldn't help but ask, looking over. If such potent Yin-cold energy could even affect the Demonic Beast Yaochen, what hope was there for them if they were afflicted? The others also turned to him in unison, eager to learn, hoping to be prepared.

"It's simple: go eat the grass over there!" Zhang Xuan said, pointing.

"Eat grass?" everyone echoed, dumbfounded. They glanced at the Demonic Beast Yaochen, which was still happily munching on the grass, its rear end comically sticking up. A look of bewilderment spread across their faces. Earlier, when Master Zhang had ordered the Demonic Beast Yaochen to eat grass, they had assumed it was a form of punishment. Now, it was clear that there was a deeper purpose. No wonder the massive creature hadn't resisted, but had eaten with such enthusiasm.

"If I'm not mistaken, that's Green Rain Grass, isn't it? This type of grass is plentiful in the mountains and forests and possesses no particular properties. Why would eating it remove Yin-cold energy?" Pavilion Master Sai questioned. As an appraiser with extensive knowledge, he recognized the vegetation clearly, even if others might not. Green Rain Grass typically grows densely and verdantly in mountainous forests near water sources. It has no known medicinal properties or uses, and even alchemists don't classify it as a herb. How, then, could it dispel the Yin-cold energy of the Soul-Devouring Ants? "Furthermore, Soul-Devouring Ants weren't present here historically, so its growth in this location seemed too coincidental!"

"This grass indeed possesses no inherent properties," Zhang Xuan explained, "but its effectiveness depends on its growing environment. If it's the grass from over there," he said, pointing, "it would be completely useless!" Following his gaze, they saw that the pond's edge was also densely covered with countless blades of the same Green Rain Grass.

The group blinked, their confusion deepening. The two locations were only dozens of meters apart, yet he claimed the grass there wouldn't work? The environments appeared identical!

Noticing their bewilderment, Zhang Xuan smiled and shook his head. "This is where the Demonic Beast Yaochen relieves itself," he explained. "To put it simply, it's its restroom."

"Restroom?" The group blinked in astonishment.

"The Demonic Beast Yaochen possesses a dragon bloodline, which grants it immense Yang-fire. Consequently, its excrement is naturally infused with a potent Yang attribute. The Green Rain Grass that grows from being nourished by this excrement naturally absorbs these same properties." Zhang Xuan paused, then looked at them. "If you're concerned," he offered, "you can cut a few stalks and carry them with you. Should you ever feel unwell, just eat some..."

"No, thank you..."

"Thank you for your generous offer, Master Zhang, but since you say we'll be fine, I think we'll pass!" The group collectively waved their hands, declining. Moments ago, they had been enthusiastic, but the thought of the wild grass growing from the creature's 'restroom' immediately quelled their interest.

Understanding their reluctance, Zhang Xuan said no more and approached the Demonic Beast Yaochen. By now, the massive creature had consumed a large patch of Green Rain Grass. The intense Yang-fire within its body was scorching the Yin-attributed energy. Approaching it, Zhang Xuan took out a silver needle, pinpointed a location, and casually pricked it a few times.

Boom!

With a thunderous rumble, everyone felt the Demonic Beast Yaochen's entire body surge with energy, as its power continuously escalated.

"Is it about to break through?" Pavilion Master Sai and Jin Conghai exchanged glances, both startled.

At the Mortal Transcension 5th Layer, Harmonized Spirit realm, the soul harmonizes with nature, leading to a significant increase in power. While the initial four layers of Mortal Transcension – Longevity, Primordial Qi, Yin-Yang, and Turbidity-Clarity – focused on refining true qi and enhancing control over nature, this fifth realm marked a significant shift, as the soul itself began to be nourished, leading to a substantial increase in power. This is precisely why even the most powerful master teachers at the peak of the Mortal Transcension 4th Layer are still only four-star. They cannot create remote-teaching jade tokens and thus cannot reach the half-step five-star level. Only upon reaching the Harmonized Spirit realm can one split off a wisp of their soul and seal it, allowing them to teach and guide others anytime, anywhere.

In essence, the transition from Mortal Transcension 4th to 5th Layer represents a profound metamorphosis of the soul, marking a significant watershed. Countless individuals remain trapped at the previous stage, unable to achieve this breakthrough throughout their lives. Consequently, despite the Myriad Kingdom Alliance having stood for centuries and producing countless brilliant geniuses, very few have truly managed to take this crucial step. Spirit beasts, possessing naturally weaker souls compared to humans, find it even more challenging to achieve such breakthroughs.

This creature had already reached the peak of the Mortal Transcension 4th Layer. Now, its aura was accumulating and growing without cease. Could it truly break through the eagerly anticipated barrier and ascend to the fifth realm? Both men involuntarily looked on.

"It won't break through just yet!" Zhang Xuan stated. Noticing their anxiety, Zhang Xuan calmly explained, "Everything in the world is balanced; every outcome is fated. The Demonic Beast Yaochen's physical body is exceptionally powerful, making a soul breakthrough more challenging. Similarly, those with exceptionally strong souls typically don't possess overly formidable physical bodies."

"However... now that its internal Yin-cold energy is resolved, its Yang attribute has unified, and I've unblocked some of its meridians, a surge in its cultivation is inevitable. While it won't break through to the Harmonized Spirit realm, reaching half-step Harmonized Spirit is certainly achievable!"

"Half-step Harmonized Spirit?"

"That's still incredibly formidable! The national guardian ancestors of the Myriad Kingdom Alliance are seemingly only at that realm..." Upon hearing this, both men remained startled.

Half-step Harmonized Spirit, much like half-step Grandmaster or half-step Supreme, signifies an almost complete entry into the Harmonized Spirit realm, yet without fully breaching the final barrier. Such formidable cultivators not only possess immense physical strength but also incredibly powerful souls, making peak Mortal Transcension 4th Layer experts no match for them. If the Demonic Beast Yaochen was already monstrously powerful before, relying on its dragon bloodline and innate talents, it would undoubtedly be even more terrifying now. If it were to truly go berserk, even the ancestors of the Myriad Kingdom Alliance might not be able to contend with it. Incredible!

Rumble!

As the two watched in stunned silence, the Demonic Beast Yaochen's surging power finally stabilized. Just as Master Zhang had predicted, it had indeed reached half-step Harmonized Spirit, not the full realm. With such power, it could now roam unchecked throughout the entire Myriad Kingdom Alliance, fearing no one.

"Roar!" Its strength increased and all internal ailments cured, the Demonic Beast Yaochen knew this was thanks to its new master. It excitedly rushed forward, its expression filled with reverence. Before, it had merely been wary of Zhang Xuan's ability to speak Draconic, suspecting he might possess true dragon bloodline. Now, however, it was truly convinced and devoted. Without Zhang Xuan, it would have been nearly impossible for it to reach this level of cultivation on its own, even with a century's time.

"Excellent. We're going beneath the pond. You are to guard the outside. If anyone or any spirit beast attempts to trespass, kill them without mercy!" Seeing its devoted attitude, Zhang Xuan knew the creature was now completely loyal. He nodded with satisfaction and gave his instructions. The situation beneath the pond was unknown. Not only did they need to be cautious themselves, but they also needed to prevent any outside interference. He couldn't have guaranteed their safety before, but with this powerful beast standing guard, they now had no reason to fear any intruders, and no lingering worries.

"Roar!" The Demonic Beast Yaochen acknowledged with a nod.

"Alright, let's go!"

With his instructions given and arrangements made, Zhang Xuan scanned the surroundings. Then, with a leap, he and Luo Zhu plunged into the pond water first. Zhao Ya and the others quickly followed.

After all their efforts, the Witch Soul Tomb was finally within reach.