At this moment, deep within the star ruins, amidst the modified spirit gathering formation,
Countless individuals were still diligently cultivating, breaking through one Beast Taming level after another.
The initially dense, fog-like spiritual energy of heaven and earth had gradually thinned. However, even as it dissipated, its concentration remained several, or even tens of times, greater than that of the outside world.
The Beast Tamers within did not interrupt their cultivation, instead seizing the final opportunity to push themselves further.
Meanwhile, Chen Shu, located at the core of the formation, suddenly opened his eyes.
"King tier, Rank two..."
Chen Shu clenched his fists, his aura undergoing another transformation, and the strength of his contracted spirits also saw a corresponding increase.
Two years of cultivation had allowed him to successfully break through to King tier, Rank two. This was also the first time he had achieved a breakthrough through his own efforts...
While it sounded good, a single rank increase,
He occupied the most advantageous position. It wouldn't have been surprising even if he had reached King tier, Rank three.
The reason for everything was this fellow's abysmal Beast Taming talent, which resulted in an extremely low efficiency in absorbing the spiritual energy of heaven and earth...
He disliked cultivation, not only due to simple laziness but also for this reason.
Of course, laziness was the primary factor...
"It's time to emerge..."
Chen Shu was the first to notice the gradual thinning of the spiritual energy of heaven and earth, realizing that this grand cultivation endeavor was nearing its end.
At this moment, with a flash, he arrived at the formation's crucible, the place where resources were deposited.
"Is it all gone?"
He murmured to himself, finding only scattered remnants, approximately hundreds of billions in resources.
Although this sounded like a colossal sum, it could at most sustain the Human Emperor Formation for a single day.
Three years of formation operation had nearly depleted humanity's resources, plunging them back into poverty...
Aside from the resources Chen Shu kept for crafting miraculous potions, everyone else was essentially destitute.
The cost of maintaining the formation, in addition to the resources Chen Shu had plundered and those left by the elder, included the resources of all humanity.
In the early stages of cultivation,
The four major Beast Taming families, the country's top ten Beast Taming legions, major Beast Taming conglomerates, and others had all unreservedly contributed vast amounts of resources.
After all, among the over two hundred thousand youths within the formation were their own descendants.
Moreover, this plan was not for personal gain but concerned all of humanity. People naturally understood priorities and urgency...
However, despite the immense expenditure, the results were equally extraordinary.
Chen Shu, with the aid of the ruins' power, had glimpsed everyone and discerned their Beast Taming levels.
Besides Ah Liang and others who had advanced first, nearly two hundred people had subsequently broken through to King tier.
The number of King tier cultivators among the younger generation had now reached two hundred.
While the quantity still fell short of previous eras, the quality far surpassed it.
Most importantly, their ages did not exceed thirty-five, and they still possessed immense potential, with a high probability of reaching King tier pinnacle in the future.
In past eras, any one of them would likely have been hailed as the foremost genius of their generation!
Yet, now, there were over two hundred such prodigies, a truly astonishing development.
Their exceptional talent was a significant factor, but more importantly, the era itself played a role, which was the reason for "times making heroes."
Sometimes, it is not talent that elevates you, but the era that shapes you...
Beyond the King tier, other levels of Beast Tamers also underwent a qualitative transformation.
Currently, of the over two hundred thousand youths within the formation, the weakest possessed the strength of Silver tier, Rank three, while the majority were Gold Beast Tamers!
With the accumulation of resources, Gold tier was no longer an insurmountable height.
"What a shame, if only there were hundreds of thousands of King tiers..."
However, Chen Shu's eyes still held dissatisfaction.
There was a qualitative gap between King tier and Gold tier. If there were so many King tiers, their combined offensive power could even slay a Legendary!
After all, hundreds of thousands of Gold tier fierce beasts, with their combined assault, could threaten Old Qiao's contracted spirit.
That was, however, contingent on them landing a hit.
Old Qiao at the time was protecting the survivors of the Freedom Alliance and could not leave his post, forcing him to endure the onslaught.
"It's time to end this..."
Chen Shu slowly rose, a hint of excitement in his eyes.
Despite only a minor rank breakthrough, his contracted spirit's strength had undergone a qualitative change.
This was not only due to the boost from his own level increase but also from the True Treasure of the Great Fierce beast!
Da Li had devised the optimal consumption plan for him, utilizing dozens of Legendary materials as accompanying ingredients to maximize the effect of the Great Fierce beast's True Treasure.
Simultaneously, during these two years, he hadn't been solely cultivating. Given his nature, if he had truly cultivated for two consecutive years, he would have gone stir-crazy long ago...
Whenever he had free time, he would concoct King tier potions.
Even after his breakthrough to King tier, his contracted spirit had not fully absorbed the King tier potions, which represented another significant enhancement.
With the combined effects of various improvements, his contracted spirit's strength had naturally surged!
Chen Shu, though still unable to contend with Legendaries, could now deal with top-tier King tier peak creatures as if he were slicing through vegetables.
He estimated his current strength to be comparable to the pseudo-Legendary Old Li from back then, though Old Li was far inferior to him in efficiency when dealing with weaker opponents.
After all, this fellow had a natural advantage when fighting the weak, old, sick, and disabled...
If he could break through to King tier, Rank three, combined with the system's amplification and the blessing of certain supreme treasures, he would have the potential to resist a Legendary with King tier strength!
"The current Great Fierce beast and the Beast Emperor are likely fighting by now, aren't they?"
Chen Shu stroked his chin, guessing that the forbidden mist outside had already dissipated...
"I must emerge..."
His eyes held contemplation. Continuing to cultivate would no longer improve his strength.
Given his talent, it would likely take him seven or eight years to break through to King tier, Rank three solely through cultivation, and that too, with abundant spiritual energy of heaven and earth...
"I'll go out, trigger some system options, find the headquarters of the Sacred Beast Society, and maybe pick up some spoils..."
His eyes darted around, and he already had a plan for his next steps.
As for the others...
Chen Shu glanced at everyone, preparing to arrange a practical combat plan for them.
Everyone in the formation had advanced at least one major tier and needed time to master their surged power.
However, Chen Shu had no intention of letting them venture out to train against fierce beasts. The current world was too chaotic, and if they were targeted by the forbidden mist's Great Fierce beast or the Fierce Beast Emperor, they would truly be in for a terrible time...
"I still need to utilize the power of the star ruins..."
Chen Shu's gaze shifted towards the Star Spirit beside him.
The Star Spirit's body stiffened, and a sense of foreboding immediately arose. It said,
"I..."
"Alright, thank you."
"..."