In Zhongzhou, atop a majestic mountain peak, two figures sat cross-legged, immersed in cultivation.
Each breath they took stirred the surrounding spiritual energy, causing waves to ripple through the air within several miles, an awe-inspiring sight.
Half an hour later, the two figures finished their breathing exercises and slowly concluded their cultivation.
“Junior Brother, how do you feel?” asked the man in gray robes.
“Senior Brother, this secret realm, centered on the power of water, holds remarkable benefits for me.
Unfortunately, the secret realm is too small, and much of its essence has been squandered by those fools. Otherwise, I could have reached perfection in the Second Revolution.”
The white-robed youth's eyes flashed with a hint of hostility at the thought.
Finding a secret realm that produced five elements essence and perfectly aligned with his cultivation path had been no small feat. Yet much of its essence had been wasted by a group of insects.
Even now, the mere thought filled him with a surge of murderous intent. But since those insects had already been reduced to ashes at his hands, there was no one left to vent his anger upon.
“It's not so easy,” the gray-robed man sighed. “The nine revolutions of the Golden Core are like climbing a celestial ladder—each step is exceedingly difficult. The Third to Fourth Revolution is especially challenging, as it is a major threshold.
Our foundations are still too shallow. For a lower-grade Golden Core to reach the Fourth Revolution, it is incredibly arduous.”
The white-robed youth fell silent.
Indeed, the nine revolutions of the Golden Core were each exceptionally hard to break through. Every three revolutions represented a major barrier. Trying to push a lower-grade Golden Core to the Fourth Revolution was nearly impossible.
Even with his Senior Brother’s deep accumulation and the gains from multiple secret realms, the barrier of the Third Revolution still remained unbroken.
“Nevertheless, the earth-element essence I acquired in that small secret realm has greatly advanced my cultivation.
My Golden Core has been refined and purified, reaching the peak of the Third Revolution and giving me a glimpse of the possibility to break through. I estimate that with a few more days of tempering, I should be able to advance.”
The gray-robed man suddenly shifted his tone.
“You’re saying you can break through in just a few more days?” The white-robed youth's face lit up with joy. “Senior Brother, are you serious?”
“Of course I am.” The gray-robed man smiled. “To think that this small world would be so miraculous.
Even its derived secret realms can nurture five elements essence. Such things are rare even in the great world.
No wonder people say that in the last era of cultivation, this place produced several Nascent Soul Cultivators.”
“But it’s still just a small world with limited resources. Even if it produced Nascent Soul cultivators, they were likely only at the first or second tribulation. Otherwise, they wouldn’t have feared the Five Decays of Heaven and Man and would not have fled,” the white-robed youth said dismissively.
In recent days, they had investigated and learned some ancient secrets about this small world.
“Still, for a small world to produce so many Nascent Soul cultivators speaks to its extraordinary nature. Junior Brother, we’ve truly stumbled upon a great opportunity this time.”
“It’s a pity this small world has not fully revived. Only a few small secret realms have appeared, and many opportunities within them have been ruined by those insects.
If not for that, you would have already broken through to the Fourth Revolution.”
“It’s no great loss. A slight delay is fine. Once I go into seclusion again, I should be able to break through.”
As the two brothers were chatting, a figure cautiously climbed to the mountaintop and prostrated before them, bowing with utmost reverence.
“Esteemed Lords, this humble one has a report.”
“What is it? Speak,” the white-robed youth said coolly, casting a glance at the man.
As cultivators at the Golden Core Realm, the two of them naturally would not bother with mundane tasks. Over the past few days, they had used some simple methods to subjugate local forces for their convenience.
Whether these people were truly loyal did not concern them. To them, they were merely ants, disposable at a moment’s notice.
Under the white-robed youth’s gaze, the newcomer trembled uncontrollably, his heart pounding in terror.
Although his cultivation had reached the Peak Innate Stage, making him a top-tier expert in the mortal world, he still felt overwhelming fear in the presence of these two.
After all, he had personally witnessed them obliterate numerous Peak Innate experts with a mere wave of their hands. Their divine abilities were utterly incomprehensible, even now.