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In the blink of an eye, a century has passed.

For cultivators with long lifespans, a hundred years might just be a slightly longer period of seclusion.

But for the group of cultivators from the lower realms who gathered in Tianyuan City and followed Su Ning, this century was a golden age for them to be reborn and transformed!

Cave No. 19 is no longer a simple place for cultivation.

With the unpredictable methods and massive resources of Suning, its internal space has been expanded and reinforced multiple times, turning it into a small-scale cultivation sanctuary.

More importantly, this place possesses an inexhaustible supply of top-tier cultivation resources that are unimaginable to outsiders!

All of this is thanks to the Tai Xu Realm that Su Ning has integrated with his dantian.

After initially refining the Tai Xu Realm, Su Ning's control over it greatly increased.

He discovered that he could not only draw upon the immense power of the world, but also guide and accelerate the generation and evolution of resources within the Taixu Realm to a certain extent!
He collected various rare medicinal herbs, mineral vein mother stones, and even some weak demonic beasts with ancient bloodlines from outside and put them into the Taixu Realm.

Under the influence of the laws of the Taixu Realm itself and Su Ning's will, the growth and reproduction speed of these resources has increased by more than ten times!
In addition, the abundant spiritual energy of the Spirit Realm itself is being frantically devoured and transformed by the Taixu Realm, resulting in a near-perfect resource production cycle within the Taixu Realm.

However, the cost of supporting an entire group of top cultivators from the lower realms to engage in their frenzied cultivation is still astronomical!

Over the past century, Suning has almost never stopped its "money-spraying" behavior.

Su Ning provided top-tier resources to Xiang Zhili, Hu Laomo, Feng Laoguai, Bingfeng, Che Laoyao, and later Bai Laozu and Ziyang Laozu, who also successfully broke through to the Nascent Soul stage.

Based on the Seven Aperture Reincarnation Pill, and combined with the characteristics of each person's cultivation method, the simplified version of the pill, the Void Refining Pill, was personally improved and refined by Su Ning. Although it is not as good as the original version, it is more than enough to help the peak of the Nascent Soul stage break through the bottleneck of Void Refining.

In addition, Su Ning would occasionally extract a wisp of the gentlest law fragments from the Taixu Realm, such as the sharpness of Geng metal, the vitality of Yi wood, and the essence of Li fire, for them to comprehend. This was an opportunity that was simply unimaginable to the outside world!

Moreover, at the most critical moment when they break through the bottleneck, Su Ning will draw upon a trace of the original power of the Tai Xu Realm to cleanse their marrow and bones, forcibly expand their meridians and dantian, and solidify their foundation.

You should know that these old monsters who once dominated the human world were all proud and exceptionally talented.
So what they lack is never perseverance or comprehension, but a high enough platform and sufficient resources!
Now, with Suning investing heavily in their development, their potential, which has been suppressed for thousands of years, has finally been unleashed!

Within a century, astonishing breakthroughs have occurred one after another, yet they all seem to have been expected.

Xiang Zhili, having accumulated his strength, was the first to trigger the metal-type lightning tribulation and successfully entered the early stage of the Void Refinement Realm!
The old man wept with joy, feeling that he had no regrets in this life, of course, he had to ignore the fact that he had been conquered by Suning.

Hu Laomo took a different approach, using demonic techniques to devour the evil energy of the Taixu Realm, and actually managed to overcome the inner demon refining tribulation and become the Refining Void Demon Lord!

Bai Laozu, Bingfeng, and Che Laoyao also achieved breakthroughs one after another thanks to their special physiques or bloodlines.

Even the originally slightly less talented Old Monster Feng and Old Ancestor Ziyang were pushed past the threshold of the Void Refinement stage thanks to Suning's special attention and massive resources!

At this point, all the Nascent Soul cultivators that Su Ning brought from the human realm had reached the Void Refinement stage!

Although most of them are only at the early stage of Void Refinement, this power is enough to attract attention anywhere in the Spirit Realm!

As for those cultivators who were originally in the late Nascent Soul stage, Su Ning was equally generous.

Five Elements Condensing Elixir is plentiful!
Various infant-refining elixirs and soul-stabilizing holy medicines were distributed like candy beans.

The ancient spiritual herbs cultivated at an accelerated pace within the Taixu Realm are prioritized for those attempting to break through to the Nascent Soul stage.

These Nascent Soul cultivators, who have reached the later stages of cultivation, are all exceptional individuals, one in a billion, with top-notch temperament, perseverance, and talent.

With such a terrifying influx of resources, their success rate in breaking through to the Nascent Soul stage is frighteningly high!

Over the past century, more than twenty late-stage Nascent Soul cultivators have successfully attracted the Heavenly Tribulation of Deity Transformation. Although three or five of them were of slightly weaker foundation or had too many inner demons and unfortunately perished, there were still as many as eighteen who successfully passed the Heavenly Tribulation and stepped into the Deity Transformation realm!

This is an extremely scary number!

This means that Suning now has eighteen new Nascent Soul stage warriors out of nowhere!

With the addition of the original Void Refinement cultivators, the strength of its core group has expanded to an extremely considerable level!

Of course, such a dramatic improvement comes at a huge cost.

Over the past century, the resources Suning has consumed are enough to buy half of Tianyuan City!

Countless rare ores were reduced to dust, and a vast amount of spiritual herbs were refined into pills. Almost 20-30% of the newly generated resources within the Taixu Realm were consumed!
If it weren't for the continuous energy production of the Taixu Realm and the support of the entire Spirit Realm, even if ten ordinary Void Refinement cultivators were to empty their coffers, they absolutely could not support such extravagance.

Even Suning occasionally feels a pang of "pain" when checking the inventory of Taixu Realm.

But he knew these investments were necessary.

Only when his subordinates become strong can they serve him better and create greater value in the future.

……

On this day, inside the massive training ground expanded from Cave No. 19.

Seven Void Refinement stage cultivators, led by Xiang Zhili and Hu Laomo, and eighteen Nascent Soul stage cultivators, led by several other outstanding individuals, a total of twenty-five people, stood in neat rows.

Their aura was powerful, and their eyes were sharp, a far cry from their appearance a hundred years ago when they first entered the spirit world, feeling lost and helpless.

Su Ning, still dressed in a light gold robe, exuded an ordinary aura as he slowly walked to the crowd.

Looking at the powerful force before him, which he had created single-handedly and which was completely loyal to him, he was filled with emotion.

“A century has passed, and it seems that none of you have disappointed me,” Su Ning said calmly.

"It is all thanks to the Lord's nurturing grace!" The twenty-five men bowed in unison, their voices loud and clear, filled with heartfelt respect and fervor.

The influence of the Soul Imprint, coupled with the tangible benefits, had already made them completely devoted to Suning.

“Very good.” Su Ning nodded. “It is good that your cultivation has improved, but do not be complacent. The Spirit Realm is far beyond your imagination. Refining the Void and Transforming into the Divine Realm are not the end.”

He glanced at everyone and said, “Next, you will be given new tasks. Whether it’s earning contribution points to exchange for more resources or honing your combat skills, you will need to leave Tianyuan City and truly integrate into the Spirit Realm to experience the trials and tribulations.”

"We will obey the Lord's command!" the crowd roared in response, their fighting spirit soaring.

Su Ning flipped his wrist and took out dozens of jade slips that he had prepared beforehand, distributing them to everyone.

The jade slip contains information about dangerous places in the spirit world, high-reward quests available for acceptance, and intelligence that needs to be gathered.

This intelligence was all obtained by Su Ning through his powerful Mahayana stage divine sense; it is definitely a rare treasure that is hard to find outside.

"Go! Remember, keep a low profile and be cautious. If you encounter any danger that you cannot handle, crush this talisman and I will know." He then distributed a life-saving jade talisman to each person.

"Yes!"

The group bowed again, then transformed into streaks of light and left the cave in an orderly fashion, like drops of water flowing into the ocean, quietly dispersing into all directions of the spirit world.

Watching their departing figures, Su Ning knew that the net she had cast was beginning to be pulled in.

This force will become an important piece in his plans for the spirit world and even the future.

Some things are just strange like that. At first, when they realized they had been tricked by Su Ning, almost everyone was defiant. However, after witnessing Su Ning's overwhelming strength, they were gradually and completely subdued.

Now it's time for Suning to start planning how to leave the Spirit Realm and head to the even broader stage—the Immortal Realm.

After all, the secrets of the Taixu Realm and his own cultivation level had already exceeded the limits that the Spirit Realm could bear.

……

A century is but a fleeting moment in the long history of Tianyuan City, an ancient and colossal city.

However, over the past century, the power structure and balance of power in Tianyuan City have undergone a dramatic and undeniable transformation.

The root of the problem lies in that seemingly ordinary Grade A cave dwelling in the west of the city—No. 19, Grade A.

For nearly a century, the high-ranking officials of Tianyuan City, from the deities at the Nascent Soul stage to the elders at the Void Refinement stage, and even the few reclusive Grand Elders at the Integration stage, have all clearly sensed the rapid rise of a new force.

Initially, only one or two unfamiliar Nascent Soul cultivators successfully transcended their tribulations, which attracted attention but was still considered normal.

After all, Tianyuan City is an important town for the human race, and it is common for independent cultivators or those who ascend from small realms to break through to higher realms.

However, then came the third, the fourth, the fifth...

One after another, unfamiliar faces were drawn to the Heavenly Tribulation of the Nascent Soul stage, and the success rate was frighteningly high!

This is truly shocking and perplexing.

These newly promoted Nascent Soul cultivators seemed to spring up like mushrooms after rain, and they appeared to know each other well, acting with great tacit understanding.

What made the City Lord's Mansion even more uneasy was that, for a period of time afterward, the terrifying aura of the Void Refining Heavenly Tribulation appeared one after another around Tianyuan City!
And there's more than one!
Void refining period!
This is the backbone of the human race, a core member of any major power!

Over countless years, Tianyuan City has accumulated only a handful of cultivators at the Void Refinement stage in public. There may be more in secret, but certainly not many.

And now, in just a hundred years, seven more Void Refinement cultivators have appeared out of nowhere!

Although they are both only at the initial stage of Void Refinement, their significance is completely different!

After a thorough investigation by the city lord's secret guards, all the clues eventually pointed to the same place...

The residence of Su Ning, a newly promoted cultivator at the Void Refinement stage, is located in Cave No. 19, West City!

And those newly promoted Nascent Soul and Void Refinement cultivators have almost all frequented that place!

This discovery completely shook the highest levels of Tianyuan City!

Deep within the city lord's mansion, in a heavily guarded secret room.

Several figures with profound and unfathomable auras sat together in the hall.

Two of them possessed particularly terrifying auras, with laws emanating from their bodies; they were none other than the Supreme Elders at the Integration Stage!
The others were also core elders at the late stage of the Void Refinement Realm or the Great Perfection Realm.

"Have you found out? What exactly is Su Ning's background? How did he cultivate so many Nascent Soul and Void Refinement cultivators?" Xuan Yunzi, an old man with a ruddy complexion and holding a whisk, slowly spoke, his voice carrying a hint of disbelief.

An elder at the late stage of the Void Refinement realm respectfully replied, "Reporting to Ancestor Xuanyun, we have verified the matter extensively. Su Ning did indeed ascend from the lower realm over two hundred years ago, initially registered as a late-stage Nascent Soul cultivator. His cave dwelling is indeed unusual, with the concentration of spiritual energy far exceeding the standard of a Grade A spiritual land, and powerful demonic energy is frequently visible, suggesting the presence of high-level spirit beasts. As for those Nascent Soul and Void Refinement cultivators who suddenly appeared... upon investigation, almost all of them are cultivators who ascended from various lower realms around the same time as Su Ning or slightly later!"

"Ascension at the same time?" Another elderly woman, the Qinglian Daoist nun, with a cold and stern face, frowned deeply. "In just a hundred years, they broke through from the Nascent Soul stage to the Void Refinement stage? And seven of them at the same time? Even with heaven-defying resources, it's absolutely impossible for them to be so perfectly synchronized! Unless..."

She didn't finish her sentence, but everyone understood what that "unless" meant...

Unless that Suning possesses a terrifying ability or resource that they cannot comprehend—the ability to mass-produce powerful individuals!

The atmosphere in the sealed room immediately became heavy.

A surprise? Of course there is.

The sudden emergence of so many high-level combatants among the human race greatly increases their strength in fighting against the powerful races of the spirit realm, which is an extremely good thing.

But more than anything, there was surprise and unease!
Because this force is so concentrated!
Moreover, they formed an extremely close-knit, impenetrable circle centered entirely around that mysterious Suning.

They don't form cliques or participate in the power struggles within the city. They simply cultivate silently and carry out missions. However, their invisible cohesion and exclusivity make the city lord's high-ranking officials, who are used to controlling the situation, feel uneasy.

"It seems this young man... has grand ambitions." Xuan Yunzi stroked his long beard, his eyes gleaming. "Such methods are unheard of. What is his purpose in cultivating so many experts? Does he intend to seize control of the City Lord's Mansion?"

"Probably not," another elder at the Great Perfection of the Void Refinement stage analyzed. "From observation, they haven't done anything to challenge the authority of the City Lord's Mansion. On the contrary, they've been quite proactive in completing their tasks to earn contribution points. It seems... they just want to improve their strength as quickly as possible."

“But in any case, this force cannot be ignored, much less allowed to drift outside the system,” said the Qinglian Daoist nun coldly. “It must be brought under control, or at least… under observation and restraint.”

"How do we incorporate them? By forcibly suppressing them? That would probably backfire and force them into rebellion, which would be a huge loss for our human race," someone worried.

“Suppression is obviously not an option.” Xuan Yunzi shook his head and pondered for a moment. “Since we can’t be enemies, then let’s become friends, no, let’s become ‘our own people’.”

A glint of light flashed in his eyes: "Don't they need resources and status? Then give them to them! In the name of Tianyuan City, formally invite the cultivators of this faction, led by Su Ning, to join the Elder Council and serve as powerful elders, deputy commanders, and other positions! Tie them to the Tianyuan City war machine, so that they can enjoy the rights, but also bear the corresponding responsibilities and obligations!"

"Brilliant!" Everyone's eyes lit up.

Granting a high position may seem like an attempt to win someone over and show trust, but in reality, it is also a form of invisible constraint and surveillance.

By incorporating them into the management system, their actions must comply with regulations and be subject to constraints.

At the same time, we can also use their strength to enhance the overall strength of Tianyuan City.

"But... in that case, the structure of the Elders' Council will probably have to be reshuffled." Someone said with a wry smile.

With seven more Void Refinement Elders added at once, the original distribution of benefits will inevitably have to be adjusted.

"When faced with two evils, choose the lesser. Stabilizing this force is more important than some minor internal frictions." Xuan Yunzi made the final decision. "The matter is settled then. I will personally invite Su Ning for a talk."

The meeting ended and everyone dispersed.

However, neither Xuan Yunzi nor Qinglian Daogu, nor those Refinement Elders, could have imagined that the object they were discussing and trying to "bring under control" and "control" had already surpassed the limits of their understanding.

Mahayana period!
If they knew that Su Ning, the Void Refinement cultivator they only saw as having "some mysterious opportunities," was actually at the supreme Mahayana stage in the Spirit Realm, on par with Mo Jianli, the only remaining Mahayana ancestor of the human race, they probably wouldn't be discussing how to restrain him right now, but would be so frightened that they would rush out of the secret chamber and kneel down to welcome him outside Cave No. 19!

The Great Ascension stage is when a single word can determine the fate of millions and safeguard the destiny of a clan—a truly towering figure!

Their status is transcendent; how could those who have achieved the Integration or Refinement stages possibly be "included in management"?

Unfortunately, they know nothing about this now.

A somewhat "ridiculous" contact and probe, which may seem ridiculous at a higher level, is about to unfold.

How will Suning respond?
He might be happy to take this opportunity to legitimately infiltrate every corner of Tianyuan City with his influence.

Because Su Ning wants to establish its own power in the spirit world, providing a truly safe place for cultivators in the lower realms.

...(End of chapter)