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Chapter 151: Chapter 151: Struggles in the Spiritual Tide

"Master," Hong Niu addressed the other person.

"Haha, from now on, you can call me Senior Brother," the other person replied.

"Regardless, I must thank Master for taking care of me all these years; without your help, I wouldn't have achieved what I have today," Hong Niu said sincerely.

"This is the way of the Kaiyang Sect: one helps another in cultivation. You have exceptional talent. In the future, I might rely on you to guide me," the other person said with a smile.

"Master, you don't need to say that. The great kindness you've shown me is something I'll remember forever. No matter what happens in the future, I will share both joys and hardships with you," Hong Niu declared.

"Very well! Hong Niu, this is also an opportunity for you. During the arrival of the spiritual tide in the Kaiyang Sect, you've reached the tenth level of the Innate Stage. Such a coincidence! This time, only two people in the Kaiyang Sect have reached this level. You must seize this chance and strive to break through to the Jindan stage in one go," the other person advised.

"Rest assured, Master. I will do my utmost," Hong Niu promised.

"Haha, over the years, you've called me Master, and I haven't given you much in return. Here is a pill to aid your breakthrough," the other person said confidently, taking out a small bottle and handing it to Hong Niu.

Hong Niu took it with curiosity, opened the lid, and peeked inside. His eyes widened with joy. "Master, is this the Reascension Pill?"

The other person nodded with confidence. "Indeed, it is the Reascension Pill. You know its value."

"Yes, I know. The Reascension Pill, although a third-grade pill, is rarer than even fourth-grade or fifth-grade pills. It is extremely precious. Even the Sect Leader might not have one," Hong Niu said, extremely excited.

"That's right. I obtained this pill a few years ago by chance while traveling. I saved an important person, and in gratitude, they gave me this pill. Do your best to break through. You have a year. If you can't manage it, then take the Reascension Pill," the other person instructed solemnly.

"Don't worry, Master. I understand," Hong Niu said, deeply moved.

"Go on then, the acting Sect Leader will soon come to seal the cave," the other person said.

"Yes, Master." Hong Niu nodded and walked towards the cave leading deep into Kaiyang Peak.

With excitement in his eyes, Hong Niu clenched his fists and a look of determination flashed across his face. He must surpass Zhong Shan, no matter what.

After Hong Niu entered the cave, Xuan Xinzi led Gu Suanzi to descend into the valley.

"Greetings, Acting Sect Leader. Greetings, Lady Acting Sect Leader," the previous person immediately greeted respectfully.

In the past few years, Gu Suanzi had become a Daoist partner with Xuan Xinzi, perhaps heeding Tian Xingzi's advice and letting go of past grudges.

"Have both of them entered?" Gu Suanzi asked.

"Hong Niu has entered. As for Zhong Shan, I didn't see him, but a Senior Brother mentioned he went in," the person quickly replied.

"Zhong Shan is inside. No need to worry. Seal the cave," Xuan Xinzi said with a smile, clearly able to sense the inside with his divine sense.

"Alright." Gu Suanzi nodded.

With a wave of their hands, a large number of stones were moved to block the cave entrance. Then they took out a golden talisman, placed it on the entrance, and simultaneously performed a series of incantations. When the talisman and stones suddenly disappeared and the cave entrance transformed into a smooth boulder, they finally stopped.

"Let's go," Xuan Xinzi said.

"Mm," Gu Suanzi nodded.

Hong Niu continued walking deeper, as if descending to the earth's core. In the distance, light appeared at the end of the passage, and Hong Niu walked towards it at a steady pace.

When he reached the end of the passage, Hong Niu finally saw the scene inside.

At the end of the passage, directly beneath the center of Kaiyang Peak, there was a circular area with a diameter of a hundred meters. Hanging above this circular area was a huge luminous pearl, and below was a deep pit, about five hundred meters deep. In this circular pit, two pillars stood, each five hundred meters tall, with ten-meter diameter platforms at their tops.

Apart from the passage he had entered through, there were two other passages. Hong Niu knew these led to the underground of Yan Mountain Peak and Snow Bamboo Peak. Soon, the spiritual tide would flood through these passages.

However, what caught his attention was not the passages, but the person atop one of the pillars' platforms. It was someone familiar. Zhong Shan?

Zhong Shan sat cross-legged on one platform, eyes slightly closed, hands in a mudra with index fingers touching, resting on his feet, meditating.

Zhong Shan? He also reached the tenth level of the Innate Stage? Does he have the same remarkable talent as I do?

Hong Niu frowned slightly but said nothing. All his surprise turned into determination. He must reach the Jindan stage before Zhong Shan.

With a firm step, Hong Niu leapt to the top platform of the other pillar and sat cross-legged like Zhong Shan.

At this moment, Zhong Shan gently opened his eyes, glanced at the fellow challenger, and nodded slightly as a greeting. Hong Niu also nodded in response.

They spoke no more, waiting for the arrival of the spiritual tide.

After waiting for about half an hour, it finally arrived.

From the two passages, one leading to Yan Mountain Peak and the other to Snow Bamboo Peak, streams of energy began to flow in, converging at the center.

These were not just air currents, but spiritual energy, vast amounts of it. From Yan Mountain Peak came yang energy, while from Snow Bamboo Peak came yin energy.

The two streams of spiritual energy merged, causing the clothes of Zhong Shan and Hong Niu to flutter from the force.

Spiritual energy—this was spiritual energy! How dense must it be to form such visible streams? Typically, spiritual energy is invisible and intangible, even in blessed lands. It couldn't possibly be as concentrated as this.

The streams grew stronger, with the yang energy gradually taking on a fiery red hue, and the yin energy appearing icy blue, resembling flames and ice as they rushed into the center.

Oddly, as soon as these two energies collided, they suddenly became calm.

In the deep pit beneath the pillars, the energies gathered and settled, rising up to the platforms where Zhong Shan and Hong Niu sat. The yin and yang energies merged, quickly forming two yin-yang fish symbols made entirely of spiritual energy, with the two atop the pillars sitting at the eyes of the fish.

Terrifying amounts of spiritual energy surged, impacting their bodies, almost ready to flood into their acupoints.

Yet, this energy needed refinement. The two constantly refined and channeled it into their acupoints, much faster than absorbing from spirit stones. This was the spiritual tide, and cultivating here would be incredibly fast.

The reason the Kaiyang Sect could stand strong for so long was likely due to this spiritual tide. Not just for breaking through to the Jindan stage, but even for reaching the Yuanying stage, this place was invaluable.

With an abundance of spiritual energy, there was no need for food. They only needed to focus on breaking through.

A year's time must be well utilized.

Six months later, Hong Niu gently opened his eyes. Feeling the boundless spiritual energy around him, Hong Niu hesitated. For the past month, he had felt just a step away from the Jindan stage, but a month had passed without breaking through. Should he take the Ascension Pill? Hong Niu knew that if he waited another six months, he could break through without the pill. However, that would consume six more months. At that point, he would only have just entered the Jindan stage. If he took the Ascension Pill now, he could reach the Jindan stage in less than ten days. The remaining six months could then be spent advancing further in this optimal environment, possibly reaching the first level of the Jindan stage, or even the second or third levels.

As he pondered this, Hong Niu glanced towards Zhong Shan.

Just as Hong Niu was frowning, Zhong Shan seemed to awaken. Instead of looking at Hong Niu, he retrieved a small bottle from his hand. Under Hong Niu's incredulous gaze, Zhong Shan poured out an Ascension Pill from the bottle.

That's an Ascension Pill? How could he have one?

Ignoring Hong Niu, Zhong Shan continued his cultivation. Hong Niu watched with a mix of shock and curiosity.

The next day, still undecided and curious about Zhong Shan's progress, Hong Niu glanced over again, just in time to see Zhong Shan take out the small bottle once more and pour out another Ascension Pill.

Hong Niu's eyes widened in disbelief. Zhong Shan had two Ascension Pills?

On the third day, as Hong Niu saw Zhong Shan pour out yet another Ascension Pill and swallow it, he felt as if he was losing his mind. Was he seeing things?

Three months later, Hong Niu watched Zhong Shan with a numb expression. His eyes had become dull. Another Ascension Pill? This time, he took three at once? Was Zhong Shan even human? Where did he get so many Ascension Pills? Did he rob Tai Dan Sect of all their stock?

With a heavy heart, Hong Niu took out his own small bottle from his storage bracelet. Looking at the bottle in his hand, he felt a sense of surreal dismay. The pride he had felt six months ago now turned into a deep sorrow. Were Ascension Pills really that precious?

At this moment, Hong Niu had no choice but to take the Ascension Pill. The constant provocation from Zhong Shan over the past three months nearly brought him to tears. He was on the verge of madness, on the brink of a Qi deviation. He had to break through quickly; he could not delay any longer.