However, recalling the profound rune in his mind, Zhou Yan's eyes sparkled with excitement. This Spirit Gathering Talisman was indeed a treasure left by a Divine Venerable, akin to an elixir.
Zhou Yan immediately began to cultivate, following the memory of the Spirit Gathering Talisman in his mind.
*Swish!*
The next moment, he closed his eyes, activated his cultivation technique, and instantly, wisps of spiritual energy surged towards him. Under Zhou Yan's control, they merged into his blood and bones, nourishing his physical body.
*Boom! Boom! Boom...*
Zhou Yan's body trembled violently. The spiritual energy was overwhelming. It seeped into his flesh and blood, making his body translucent, as if cast from jade, emitting a soft luster.
After the time it takes an incense stick to burn.
Zhou Yan opened his eyes, a sharp glint in his gaze.
"My physical body has actually advanced another level, Divine Emperor Triple Stage!" Zhou Yan clenched his fists, feeling the change in himself. His eyes became even more resolute.
"Although this spiritual energy is not as potent as real spirit stones, its sheer quantity is remarkable. With diligent cultivation, one day my physical body will transform into a Sacred Body, perhaps even reaching the level of the divine beast Qilin, possessing world-destroying power with every movement."
Zhou Yan gritted his teeth. This spiritual energy was precious, allowing him to quickly increase his cultivation and temper his physical body.
However, he was not lacking spirit stones at the moment, so with a little effort in cultivation, he could rapidly improve. This way, he wouldn't need to expend so many spirit stones on cultivation.
Moreover, Zhou Yan vaguely sensed that as his cultivation increased, a boundless and surging energy was hidden within him. If unleashed, it would surely inflict fatal damage upon his enemies. However, he kept it firmly sealed in his dantian, not intending to use it for now, as it was a life-saving trump card not to be wasted lightly.
*Rumble...*
The next moment, a violent roaring sound echoed from the distant forest, followed by a mass of crimson flame surging towards Zhou Yan, arriving before him in the blink of an eye.
"This is... a divine medicine!" Zhou Yan's pupils contracted.
"Hmm? Boy, you actually know the origin of this divine medicine."
The white-robed man looked at Zhou Yan with interest and smiled. "Since that is the case, I shall bestow upon you a great fortune. If you consume it, you can become my disciple."
*Whoosh!*
As the words fell, the crimson flame suddenly plunged into Zhou Yan's body. Instantly, Zhou Yan felt his entire being filled with a surging, boundless heat, as if he were about to combust. His body began to grow.
*Boom! Boom! Boom!*
Moments later, Zhou Yan's physique suddenly swelled several times, transforming him into a muscular giant, his skin covered in a blazing fire.
"Roar!"
Zhou Yan let out a deafening roar.
*Boom!*
The next instant, his body erupted with a monstrous, savage aura, as if he had become a demon king of slaughter, his bloodthirsty gaze sweeping the surroundings.
"Such dense killing intent!"
At this moment, Zhou Yan's body trembled slightly. He realized that a group of people stood beside him. They wore uniform bronze armor, wielding swords and weapons, their auras incredibly potent. Each of them possessed the formidable cultivation of Innate Ninth Stage.
This sight terrified Zhou Yan, and he turned to flee.
"Boy, you still dare to run!"
A burly man snorted, wielding a broadsword, and slashed at Zhou Yan's back. The sword strike was powerful and heavy, tearing through the air with a sharp, piercing sound.
"Die!" Zhou Yan roared, his figure flashing as he dodged the attack. Then, he extended his right hand and grabbed at the burly man from a distance.
*Poof!*
Instantly, a black, ethereal chain materialized out of thin air, instantly coiling around the burly man and flinging him violently away.
With a crash, the burly man fell to the ground, raising dust and spitting out several mouthfuls of blood, his face as pale as paper.
He had been heavily injured in just one move.
"Damn it, how did he suddenly become so powerful?" The burly man's heart was greatly alarmed, his eyes filled with terror.
The scene just now was beyond his imagination. He hadn't seen what technique Zhou Yan used at all. He only felt a sudden, inexplicable chill, and the next moment, his body lost consciousness and fell into a stupor.
"Your strength seems to have weakened considerably?" The white-robed man frowned.
"It's this Spirit Gathering Pearl," Zhou Yan quickly explained.
"Oh?"
The white-robed man suddenly understood. "It seems you were fortunate to have stumbled upon the Condensing Yuan Pill. Unfortunately, this Condensing Yuan Pill is not of high quality and can only help you advance two realms."
"What, only advance two realms?" Hearing this, Zhou Yan couldn't help but exclaim, "Master, this is too much of a rip-off! If this continues, will I forever be unable to catch up to Xiao Yuntian and end up as a cripple?"
Xiao Yuntian was his greatest enemy in this life, someone he had to crush as soon as possible.
"Presumptuous! Who dares to slander Master's name?"
Suddenly, a young man in green robes roared. He held a silver spear, its tip spitting out a sharp aura, thrusting directly at Zhou Yan's chest.
"Seeking death!" Zhou Yan's face darkened, he snorted coldly, raised his right palm, and slammed it out fiercely. The palm strike shattered the silver spear, and simultaneously, a terrifying surge of energy traveled along the spear into the green-robed man's chest.
*Puchi~*
Instantly, a gaping bloody hole appeared in the green-robed man's chest. Crimson blood sprayed out, staining his clothes. His eyes widened, revealing an expression of disbelief as he stared at Zhou Yan and murmured, "How could this be? I actually lost to you, a cripple? I refuse to accept this."
*Bang!*
With that, the green-robed man's corpse fell to the ground.
"This kid is no cripple, he actually killed Liu Yu." The other youths were all shocked, their gazes towards Zhou Yan becoming wary. They were no match for a genius of this caliber.
"Let's go."
The white-robed man waved his hand and said indifferently.
Immediately, his figure disappeared, leaving only Zhou Yan standing dumbfounded.
"Master, wait for me..." Zhou Yan shouted, and quickly followed. Not long after, he arrived in front of an ancient palace.
This place was extremely secluded. The walls were carved with various strange patterns and inscriptions, appearing eerie and unfathomable. These ancient inscriptions clearly recorded a martial art technique, "Heavenly Flame Burning Art," and it was a Profound Tier ultimate martial art.
In addition, in the main hall, numerous treasures, secret manuals, battle armor, and weapons were displayed.