Chapter 447: The Value of the Spirit Hollow Turtle, The Gaze of the Great Turtle Clan Power

Ascension through tribulation is not a new phenomenon in the universe. The realms preceding the Source Realm are known as the Ascension Realm, or as the Establishing Dao Realm in the Xuanhuang Realm. When Zhao Xing led the Great Zhou in their ascension from the Xuanhuang Realm, one crucial step involved multiple individuals undergoing tribulation across Four-Pillar Mountain. Only after enduring these trials could they completely break free from the small world's constraints and, together with Yuntian Dao, initiate a spiritual energy resurgence outside the Xuanhuang Realm.

The strength of a small world directly determines the intensity of its ascension tribulation. The Source Realm is arguably the most powerful type of small world, imposing remarkably strong restrictions.

Zhao Xing noticed a native lifeform, resembling a mountain tortoise, whose aura had already reached the Life-Death Dao Domain Realm. Could this mean it was currently undergoing the Reincarnation Tribulation?!

"Gu Ming, scan for any other lifeforms nearby." Zhao Xing was instantly intrigued by the tortoise species, recognizing it as a creature entirely composed of valuable treasures.

Tortoise species are known for their longevity. For instance, the Divine Fire Tortoise in Moonluo Mausoleum possesses an innate grand divine ability, 'Thousand Era Tortoise Essence,' which allows a Dao Domain Realm tortoise to live for a thousand eras. In contrast, a human in the Source Realm, even at the third stage, typically has a maximum lifespan of only three eras, and usually doesn't live that long. Even those in the Dao Domain Realm, after comprehending the Grand Dao of Life and Death, typically live only for ten eras, extending to around twenty eras with the aid of treasures. In the Reincarnation Realm, the maximum lifespan per lifetime is comparable to the Dao Domain Realm, but individuals can reincarnate. However, this reincarnation process is fraught with variables, and success is not guaranteed every time. Yet, this particular tortoise species can live for 1,000 eras, making its medicinal value incredibly high. Most longevity-extending elixirs rely heavily on materials derived from tortoises.

"My Lord, no other lifeform of comparable strength has been detected nearby."

"However, there are numerous Source Realm auras."

"The Life Source Sonar has scanned their core imprints and bloodlines. While their life spectrum shows a 99% overlap with tortoise species found in the Xuanling Starfield, they do not match any known tortoise species."

"Within a 5 realm-unit radius, no second danger source exists."

Gu Ming's efficiency was remarkable; as soon as Zhao Xing finished speaking, he promptly presented all the relevant data.

"Yu Qing, how intense is this mutation?" Zhao Xing then turned to another man dressed in cloud-patterned magical robes. Yu Qing was a member of the Primal Realm from Zhao Xing's generation, and he had claimed first place in the combat division at the Primal Assembly. Although Yu Qing was currently in the Yin-Yang Dao Domain Realm, his overall combat power had reached the Life-Death Dao Domain Realm, making him a seventh-rank Coral member. Among the Primal Realm members, Yu Qing, as a core member of the Temporal Faction, was a particularly notable figure.

"Reporting to the Sea Link Emissary," Yu Qing stated, "the intensity of this mutation has reached the 'Hundred-Thousand Year Mutation' level and is currently escalating towards the 'Million Year' tier."

"Hold on," a puzzled warrior interjected, "weren't we discussing tribulation? How did it become a mutation?" He was unfamiliar with the specialized terminology used by the Agronomists.

"Essentially," Yu Qing clarified, "ascension tribulations are triggered by mutations; variations in environment simply create different types of these phenomena." According to the Temporal Faction's theories, internal realm mutations are what are commonly known as tribulations. Successful tribulation naturally leads to further advancement, while failure results in either annihilation or transformation into strange, non-human, non-demon creatures. Despite Yu Qing's explanation, some still struggled to grasp the concept, so Zhao Xing added, "This tortoise beast is undergoing the True Spirit Tribulation." The True Spirit Tribulation was something everyone understood, as it is intrinsically linked to the Reincarnation Realm.

"Let's vote: raise your hand if you wish to participate in the hunt."

As the newly appointed team leader, Zhao Xing sought an opportunity to enhance team cohesion and, incidentally, solidify his own authority. He was the first to raise his hand, immediately followed by Gu Ming, Qiu Zishan, Gong Xiaoyuan, Zhou Ze, Bi Gang, Yuan Qiusheng, Tuo Sen, and Xu Youling, all seconding his motion. Witnessing such widespread support, the entire fifty-person team quickly raised their hands, and the motion passed unanimously.

"Excellent," Zhao Xing nodded. "Gu Ming, formally name this tortoise species from the Lingxu Source Realm 'Lingxu Tortoise' and submit it, along with its complete life spectrum, to the Red Star Empire for registration."

"Later, once we determine the Lingxu Tortoise's full strength and submit that data, we can earn approximately 10,000 to 1,000,000 contribution points."

"The reward for discovering a new species is typically within this range. For a fifty-person team, however, this amount is barely worth mentioning."

"Yet, a new Source Realm can give birth to billions of new species, can't it?"

"If we can discover tens of thousands of valuable new species, everyone stands to gain significantly!"

"Naturally, speed is crucial, as only the first group to report receives the reward. With a million individuals entering the Lingxu Source Realm, everyone will be vying for these straightforward contribution tasks!"

"Gu Ming, lead a team to deploy the miniature Azure Jade Realm."

"Tuo Sen, Xu Youling, each of you will lead a team to prepare for battle, entering the main assault area of the formation as soon as the opportune moment arrives."

"Wu Chuanlan, you will lead a team to provide support from outside the formation."

Wu Chuanlan, a practitioner of the Life Array Stream, was assigned three Qi Sect warriors by Zhao Xing, including Bi Gang. Should the main assault falter or a team member sustain injury, he could immediately extract the injured and facilitate a replacement. The Life Array Stream allows for the swiftest retreat and ensures no interference with the main assault team.

"Both interfering with and assisting in a tribulation pose the same dangers as the tribulation itself."

"We will essentially be launching an assault amidst this mutation, so we must wait until its intensity diminishes. As for the precise timing..."

Zhao Xing glanced at Yu Qing, who pondered for a moment before responding, "Based on my estimation, the mutation's intensity will peak in approximately nine realm-star days, then sharply decline."

"Very well, we will make our move in nine realm-star days."

The tortoise-slaying operation was scheduled for nine days later. During this period, Zhao Xing remained active, sifting through his memories related to the Lingxu Realm.

"The Lingxu Realm comprises nine realms, estimated to be around one billion years old. The six upper-middle realms are primarily governed by the tortoise species, which occupy the apex of the food chain."

"The upper-middle three realms are also rich in resources and boast more complete ecosystems."

"Unlike the lower three realms, where ninety percent consist of primitive ocean environments, primarily nurturing aquatic life. Small worlds can also adhere to the 'Self-Universe Theory': as a Source Realm evolves toward a Myriad Phenomena Realm, vast amounts of new substances and lifeforms are generated."

"The Lingxu Realm possesses internal realm barriers, which cause the lower three realms to primarily nurture life, the middle three realms to cultivate material resources, and the upper three realms to possess the most abundant spiritual energy and the most complete Grand Dao origins."

"By conventional understanding, a Source Realm over a billion years old should no longer produce divine artifacts. However, the Lingxu Realm's 'nine-fold realm barrier' has ironically hindered its own development, thereby preserving the possibility of divine artifacts emerging."

"I recall the Lingxu Realm's history mentioning divine artifacts, but I'm unsure if they've already manifested and remain intact, or if they are yet to emerge, and in which realm they might be found."

"We'll have to rely on luck," Zhao Xing mused silently. In his previous life, when he visited, the Lingxu Realm had already been converted into a cultivation base, and its history only offered scattered fragments of information. He remained unaware of the specific nature or coordinates of these artifacts, hence his reliance on chance.

"The tortoise species in the upper three realms have established their own demon nations and belief systems. The presence of Reincarnation Realm cultivators among them poses a considerable danger, requiring extreme caution." While it's challenging for external Reincarnation Realm beings to enter, native lifeforms can attain the Reincarnation Realm without impediment, though it's equally difficult for them to depart.

Zhao Xing reviewed his personal panel, his gaze eventually settling on a Temporal Faction divine ability: the Divine Fire Tortoise Transformation Method. "The Divine Fire Tortoise Transformation Method is merely a minor divine ability. After we successfully slay this Lingxu Tortoise, we can attempt to refine it into the Lingxu Tortoise Transformation Method." Altering mutation methods within the same species is not overly difficult. When Zhao Xing initially learned the "Fire Transformation," he swiftly transitioned to the "Kiss Transformation" due to their shared dragon lineage and closely related bloodline levels. With sufficient understanding of the tortoise bloodline and a readily available sample, modifying the mutation method would not pose a significant challenge. Indeed, when it came to knowledge of tortoise species, probably no one could rival Old Master Zhao.

"From the river tortoises, earth tortoises, alligator snapping turtles, and dragon tortoises of the Xuanhuang Realm era, to the fire tortoises, mystic tortoises, and octagonal demon tortoises of the cosmic era—whether terrestrial or marine, I am intimately familiar with all of them. I've had countless 'heartfelt' close encounters."

Observing the Lingxu Tortoise undergoing its tribulation in the distance, Zhao Xing couldn't help but crack a faint smile. This was a stroke of luck—encountering a large tortoise undergoing tribulation presented an excellent biological sample.

Nine realm-star days later, the mutation's scope and intensity began to wane significantly, with the exception of a small area immediately surrounding the Life-Death Dao Domain Realm Lingxu Tortoise. The optimal moment for attack had arrived. Zhao Xing immediately issued the order to attack.

Gu Ming promptly led six mechanism array masters to deploy the Azure Jade Realm a distance of 0.5 realm-units from the Lingxu Tortoise. The Lingxu Tortoise, at a critical juncture of its tribulation, was entirely preoccupied and unable to react. Half a day later, the Azure Jade Realm completed its three-sided encirclement, leaving only the "Heavenly Tribulation Thundercloud" overhead unsealed. The perimeter was further compressed to 0.1 realm-units. The two teams, led by Tuo Sen and Xu Youling, swiftly moved into their designated attack positions, unfurling their Source Projections directly before the Lingxu Tortoise.

Tuo Sen, a practitioner of the Extreme Dao Mother Tree Stream, manifested only a single tree. However, this Myriad Law Mother Tree branched into numerous disciplines, and Zhao Xing counted fourteen distinct innate divine abilities. "All of them are destruction-type grand divine abilities. Tuo Sen's cultivation level in the 'World of Nirvana' is even higher than my Primal Chaos Realm," Zhao Xing observed from afar. Tuo Sen, already in the Dao Domain Realm, could naturally use his arcane power to further expand and develop his Source Space, transforming it into a "world." In terms of Source Space alone, most of the Self-Faction Agronomists present surpassed Zhao Xing, primarily because Zhao Xing remained in the Source Realm and had not yet converted his arcane power.

"Wu Chuanlan cultivates the Myriad Phenomena Realm technique; the variety of plant soldiers he deploys numbers over a hundred million." Before reaching the Dao Domain Realm, Wu Chuanlan's Life Array