Promise!

Chapter 305, Yang Shen

After Zhuang Jin, Shangguan Yunchang, and Yuwen Shentong completed their transaction, they returned to Zhaixing Tower. Shangguan Yunchang went to check on the caravan, while he went into the quiet room to organize the spoils of the trip.

hum!
The Holy Spirit Orb was activated using a secret technique, devouring the Fire Spirit Orb obtained from the dungeon space.

"Having already absorbed the five spirit orbs of wind, wood, water, ice, and fire, I only lack the remaining five: yin, yang, metal, earth, and thunder. I traded six spirit orbs from Yuwen Shentong, including four of the yang, metal, earth, and thunder types. This means that after tomorrow, I'll only need the final yin spirit orb."

Having reached his current level, Zhuang Jin could be described as having reached the pinnacle of martial arts. He had a vague premonition that after the Holy Spirit Pearl absorbed the ten spiritual pearls of Yin Yang, Five Elements, Wind, Thunder, and Ice, and after he broke through to the Yang God realm, a mysterious change would occur where one plus one is greater than two.

He naturally believed in this feeling and had high expectations for it.

'The last Yin Spirit Pearl might be possessed by the royal family, or by the Shi, Mu, and Gongshu clans. Let's see if we can obtain it from them. While it is valuable, it doesn't reach the level of a Yin or Yang spirit. Obtaining it will be difficult, but not outrageously so.'

"Right now, focus on your own cultivation level first. Let's examine the other two items: the Yang-grade divine artifact, 'Phoenix Nirvana Blood,' and the secret technique to aid in breaking through to the Yang God realm."

Zhuang Jin took out the two items he had obtained from the transaction. First, he read through the auxiliary secret technique "The Cycle of Withering and Flourishing," which was aimed at improving agility in the second stage of the Three Gates of Yang Shen. It was indeed profound.

The 'Phoenix Rebirth Blood', once unsealed, is unlike the usual heat; instead, a metaphysical, supreme yang aura rushes forth. It is a ball of gelatinous, golden-red blood the size of an infant's fist, constantly surging and rolling like molten lava. The surrounding aura alone transforms into several phoenix phantoms circling around it.

"Good baby!"

Zhuang Jin exclaimed in admiration, then took out the 'Mysterious Heaven Treasure Mirror' and began to examine it.

These two items came from Yuwen Shentong. Who knows if there are any problems with them, or what pitfalls they might contain? Given his cautious nature, he would naturally not use them rashly.

After a while.

The Xuan Tian Bao Jian test was completed, and both items were verified and found to be without problems. However, Zhuang Jin remained vigilant and continued to use the Xuan Tian Bao Jian to simulate the success rate of the breakthrough after use.

Currently, his success rate in breaking through is 81%. With the assistance of the secret technique "Revolution of Life and Death" which is a powerful aid for the second level of the Yang Shen Three Gates, his success rate has risen to 87%.

By replacing it with the Yang-attracting divine item 'Phoenix Rebirth Blood', the success rate increased by 15%, reaching 96%!

Then, the two were combined and used simultaneously. However, at this moment, a very interesting scene appeared. The success rate of the breakthrough shown in the Xuan Tian Bao Jian plummeted like a dam breaking, eventually falling to only seven percent.

'Interesting! Very interesting!'

Zhuang Jin laughed upon seeing this: 'Neither the auxiliary secret technique "Revolution of Life and Death" nor "Phoenix Nirvana Blood" is inherently problematic, but the two seem to conflict in some way. Using them together drastically reduces the success rate, making success virtually impossible?'

"Even to my own eyes, I couldn't see this. Logically speaking, having spent a huge sum to buy these two items, I wouldn't possibly not use them. However, using both together is almost certainly fatal. Yuwen Shentong has really dug a huge pit for me!"

"Furthermore, when Yuwen Shentong mentioned 'Phoenix Nirvana Blood,' he used subtle language, glossing over it, but never saying that the Great Vajra Realm phoenix died!"

Zhuang Jin's eyes sharpened: 'Is this considered a hidden danger? Normally, I wouldn't dare break through in Yong'an, the capital, because the breakthrough requires absorbing external energy, and the enormous fluctuations during the breakthrough are impossible to conceal; I can only leave the city.'

"However, to ensure the concentration of external spiritual energy during the breakthrough, besides Yong'an in the capital, only Songling can meet this requirement. But if one enters Songling, with the 'Phoenix Nirvana Blood' on their body, they might be sensed by the Great Vajra Realm phoenix, which would come knocking, leading to the calamity of 'dying before achieving their goal.'"

"Even if the Great Vajra Realm phoenix doesn't appear for some reason, I'll still fall at the second level of the Yang God Trials, Spiritual Realm, because I use both 'Phoenix Nirvana Blood' and the secret technique 'Reincarnation of Life and Death' simultaneously. Besides, there are two other trials to ensure my safety. What a series of traps!"

It can only be said that Zhuang Jin was digging a pit for Yuwen Shentong step by step, from the secrets behind the "Chun disaster" in Cangzhou to the "Nine-Nine Qiankun Skill" and then to a ball of spiritual energy. Yuwen Shentong was not to be outdone, and was also scheming against him.

Both were setting traps and using cheat codes. Those with resources would exchange items of limited value for the other's, turning trash into treasure. The essence of this contest was simply to see who was more skilled and who had the bigger cheat code.

'This round, however, should have been won by me.'

'However, from all these instances of powerful clans blocking Yang God resources and information, one can see how difficult it is to break through this realm. No wonder there are no Yang Gods outside of these powerful clans after the immortals departed!'

'That was only before; today, I will become that exception.'

That's right, Zhuang Jin is preparing to break through to the Yang God realm.

"Although using 'Phoenix Rebirth Blood' can only increase the success rate to 96%, less than 98%, nothing in this world is perfect. We should act decisively and go for it."

He thought of the ongoing beast tide in Songling, which was affecting the supply of resources to Yong'an, the capital, and the 'Reclamation Order,' suggesting that a war against the beasts was likely imminent; he thought of the conflict between the five major clans, the royal family and the Yuwen clan versus the Shi, Mu, and Gongshu clans; he thought of the various methods employed by that immortal in the shadows… He felt an urgent need for strength, and that the current probability was the limit that could be achieved in a short period of time, which led to his decision.

"Using the 'Phoenix Rebirth Blood' to break through outside the capital, Yong'an, might attract the attention of that Great Vajra Realm Phoenix, who might come looking for you. Breaking through in Yong'an will solve this problem."

As for absorbing external energy during the breakthrough, and the risk of his aura being detected by those in the Suspended Heaven Realm or other powerful clans, thus interrupting the process, Zhuang Jin had already considered this: 'The breakthrough energy still contains 10% pure ice-attribute energy within the Holy Spirit Pearl, which can be obtained without external reliance. This way, absorbing energy from the outside world won't cause any changes in the celestial phenomena.'

'The fluctuations in the aura that broke through were also contained by a sealing formation.'

"Furthermore, my Holy Spirit Pearl and Yun Chang's Yin-Yang Soul Cleansing Jade both possess the ability to isolate and shield auras. One is spiritual, the other material; if the two treasures are combined and deeply resonate, a realm similar to that of a Yang God can appear, providing an additional layer of protection."

However, even if he succeeds in breaking through with the 'Phoenix Nirvana Blood', there might still be residual traces of his aura or he might be marked. As for the potential hidden dangers of that Great Vajra Realm Phoenix, once Zhuang Jin truly breaks through to the Yang God Realm, all of that will no longer be a problem.

……

Having made his decision, Zhuang Jin invited Shangguan Yunchang over and conveyed his plans to her through telepathy.

Shangguan Yunchang witnessed the previous transaction between Zhuang Jin and Yuwen Shentong, but she was still quite surprised to hear that Zhuang Jin was preparing to break through to the Yangshen realm soon.

However, after hearing Zhuang Jin's plan, his various arrangements and countermeasures, which were all well-thought-out and not something made on a whim, she decided not to dissuade him. At the same time, a sense of anticipation also arose in her heart.

For eight hundred years, the powerful clans have held a high position, and the aristocratic families have also been suppressed by them, accumulating considerable resentment. Today, witnessing Zhuang Jin break through the blockade of the powerful clans and challenge their authority, we are naturally looking forward to it.

However, along with anticipation came trepidation, and his expression was cautious.

The two discussed the matter further, checking for any omissions or deficiencies. In the quiet room, they searched and set up multiple layers of sealing formations, and then worked together to unleash the final layer of their technique.

hum!
The Holy Spirit Pearl and the Yin-Yang Soul Cleansing Jade resonated with each other, and a chaotic light extended, forming a virtual realm with power similar to that of a Yang God Martial Artist.

"Everything is ready, and there's no time to lose. I should begin now. I'll trouble Yun Chang to protect me."

"We are husband and wife, so why should I trouble you? I wish you success in your breakthrough and that you will become a Grandmaster of the Spirit Realm," Shangguan Yunchang said.

"Then I will accept Yun Chang's kind words."

Zhuang Jin smiled and nodded slightly. With a thought, he absorbed the 'Phoenix Nirvana Blood' into his heart, forming a phoenix pattern. He then closed his eyes slightly to adjust his energy and spirit.

Not long after, he adjusted his essence, energy, and spirit to a certain peak.

'Now is the time! Yang Shen realm, break through!'

Zhuang Jinfu had a sudden inspiration and sensed that now was the best time to break through. Without waiting any longer, he decisively activated his cultivation technique. In an instant, the bottleneck of Yang Shen, which had been extremely rare in the past eight hundred years, in the Great Qian Nine Provinces, and outside of powerful clans, was broken as if it were nothing.

hum!
A dark silver light appeared between his brows, growing brighter and brighter, and a halo appeared behind his head, which suddenly dimmed and disappeared after a brief moment of brilliance.

At this moment, after breaking through the extreme of the Yin God Realm and descending to the bottom of the Sea of ​​Souls, Zhuang Jin's consciousness crossed to another level, entering a mysterious dimension and reaching the state of extreme Yin emptiness.

The first of the three trials of Yang Shen – Entering Nirvana – was completed in an instant, just as Zhuang Jin had predicted. The gate of the Great Dao opened to him without any obstruction.

After entering a state of stillness in the first stage, Zhuang Jin's consciousness returned to a deep level of stillness. He could not feel the outside world or himself. His thoughts became sluggish and stagnant, and he gradually sank into stillness in 'emptiness' and 'void'.

The divine souls that had previously provided much assistance, those that had traveled through time, and those that were twice the size of ordinary people, now became a burden, hindering consciousness and drawing it further into the endless abyss of 'emptiness' and 'void'.

If one remains in this state for an extended period and is unable to escape, the soul will be completely extinguished.

At this moment, Zhuang Jin had forgotten what he was supposed to do, who he was, and his past and present lives. All that remained was his original obsession, or rather, his anchor, which flashed by like the shadows of Chen Yun, Mu Qing, and Shangguan Yunchang, as well as his obsession with immortality, like tiny glimmers of light in endless darkness.

hum!
At the same time, the 'Phoenix Rebirth Blood' previously absorbed into his chest began to radiate strands of true Yang essence.

With these two factors working together, Zhuang Jin's consciousness was trapped in the void of emptiness and nothingness when suddenly a ray of light shone down, guiding and elevating his consciousness, similar to ascension. This gave rise to an indescribable joy and enlightenment in his heart in an instant.

'Neither wind nor cloud, but the stirring of the heart; from the deepest void, a spiritual light arises… So that's how it is!'

Like a lamp lit on a cold, dark night, this sudden flash of inspiration is the awakening of pure Yang nature.

Once the first yang is born, the yin spirit in the Niwan Palace becomes bright for a moment, like a spring compressed to its limit. In the rebound, yin gives birth to yang and transforms into the yang spirit.

Outside, Shangguan Yunchang was anxiously waiting when she suddenly saw changes occur on Zhuang Jin's body: the light spot between his eyebrows reappeared, changing from dark silver to brilliant gold; the originally dim and extinguished halo behind his head also lit up again, rising and transforming into auspicious clouds, with strands of light hanging down like necklaces and beaded curtains.

Swish!
Zhuang Jin's divine soul was twice that of an ordinary person. At this moment, his Yin spirit transformed into a Yang spirit, and a vast, powerful, and yang aura swept in all directions. With just this unconsciously dissipated aura, the array that had been set up to isolate and imprison a Yin spirit level warrior for a short time was instantly shattered by its impact.

'Certainly! '

Shangguan Yunchang manipulated the Yin-Yang Cleansing Jade, drawing the Holy Spirit Pearl to resonate. Using the power of the illusory realm formed by the two, she isolated the aura within, preventing any leakage. Immediately afterward, she repaired and reinforced the sealing formations that had been damaged by the previous impact.

At that very moment, Zhuang Jin had already passed the second of the three trials of Yang Shen – Spiritual Movement.

Now, this second trial is agile and extremely dangerous. Zhuang Jin vaguely sensed that a lot of time had passed, but in reality, it was only a few breaths. Now that this trial has passed and the danger has gone, only the last trial of the three trials of Yang Shen remains—the Pure Yuan.

In Zhuang Jin's Niwan Palace, the transformed Yang God was in charge. The power of the Yang God interfered with matter, causing the Glazed Golden Elixir in his dantian to shine with golden light. The Yin God Yuan, which was at the Yin God realm, began to sublimate into the Yang God Yuan, which was at the Yang God realm.

hum!
As the Holy Spirit Pearl spun rapidly, the remaining ten percent of its pure ice-attribute energy transformed into countless specks of light, like stardust, scattering to provide energy and support the process.

This step is usually the most dangerous for others who break through to the Yang God realm. If their soul strength is insufficient, the Yin spirit will rebel and attack the Niwan Palace, which will defile the newly born Yang God, causing the soul to shatter and the body to perish. However, for Zhuang Jin, this is now the end of suffering and the beginning of happiness.

The powerful divine soul, which greatly increased the difficulty of the second stage, was now born from pure Yang true nature and transformed into Yang God. Its Yang power was abundant and could easily support the rapid transformation of the divine essence.

For other martial artists, breaking through to the Yang God realm might take half an hour or even one or two hours. But for Zhuang Jin, it was completed in the time it takes for an incense stick to burn. In his dantian, a crystal-clear golden pill was filled with brilliant Yang energy, shining brightly.

There was only one thing: just like when breaking through to the Yin God realm, the transformation of his physical body was blocked due to the lack of spiritual energy in the void. He had already experienced this, so he did not force it.

"I have now achieved the Yang Shen realm!"

The moment Zhuang Jin opened his eyes, the aura of a true Yang God realm cultivator—the first level of the Yang God realm—shone brightly like the sun, instantly shattering all the repaired and reinforced sealing formations. Even the illusory realm formed by the combined power of the Holy Spirit Pearl and the Yin-Yang Cleansing Jade seemed unable to bear the burden and began to vibrate violently.

……

(End of this chapter)