Chapter 654: Peak of Soul Refinement

A somewhat surprised look fell on Ningxue's face. Yang Tian couldn't figure out why it was this woman who had come.

Her beautiful eyes rested on Yang Tian, her gaze complex. This figure, who had disappeared for a year or two, had only been a War Emperor back then, but now his strength far surpassed hers.

Her jade hand clenched slightly, a hint of resentment rising in Ningxue's heart as she muttered to herself, "He probably doesn't even remember that casual gesture back then."

"Mengtian, the Soul Nurturing Pool is about to open. Let's go." The atmosphere quieted for a moment, then Ningxue lowered her head slightly, her black hair fluttering, and spoke softly.

"Thank you, Miss Bai." Yang Tian nodded upon hearing this and stepped forward.

"My name is Bai Ningxue. Just call me Ningxue." Her eyes swept over Yang Tian, and Ningxue parted her bright red lips, a slight curve forming on her cheek as she spoke.

"That works too." A trace of surprise appeared in his eyes, then Yang Tian nodded and said.

"I heard from Ningxiu that you're here for the Alchemy Conference?" Her jade fingers curled around the hair on her shoulder, Ningxue smiled. "Then your alchemy skills must be quite impressive?"

"Not really impressive. I just want to broaden my horizons." Yang Tian rubbed his nose and gave a faint smile.

"I'll be attending the conference too. I wonder if I might have the honor of traveling with you, young master?" At that moment, her eyes shimmered with a captivating ripple as she spoke slowly to Yang Tian.

"Uh..." Yang Tian was completely taken aback, but he couldn't refuse, since they were partners now. He said gently, "Sure, I'm not very familiar with this place anyway."

Along the way, many people pointed and whispered, but surprisingly, no one came up to speak. When they reached a magnificent hall, the two stopped.

This place seemed like a forbidden area, with no idle people moving about. Moreover, an extremely terrifying aura was hidden nearby, likely that of an Emperor-level figure.

At that moment, Ningxue's jade hand flickered slightly, and a jade talisman appeared in her palm. The talisman was only five inches tall, radiating a pure white glow, appearing extraordinary.

Her eyes fell on the jade talisman, and Ningxue's bright red lips moved slightly. At the same time, ripples emanated from her jade hand.

Under this energy, the jade talisman suddenly burst forth with a divine light, then shot toward the door at tremendous speed.

With a buzz, the sound was distant and prolonged. After being struck, the magnificent door slowly opened, and an extremely pure wave of soul energy surged out.

"Just as the legends say." Seeing this, Yang Tian nodded. At the same time, his figure flickered and shot through the doorway.

As soon as he entered, Yang Tian couldn't help but let out a low groan. The soul energy emanating here, though not as pure as the Soul Nourishing Divine Wood, was vast in quantity. The barriers he had never been able to break through were now stirring restlessly.

His gaze swept around. The surroundings were a lush green valley, dotted with many soul-nourishing herbs, but none of them were very old.

His eyes then fell on the soul pool at the very center of the valley. He nodded slightly and smiled, "This must be the Soul Nurturing Pool."

Yang Tian's soul body had previously undergone an extremely long seclusion within the Ancestral Dragon Ring, washed by the supreme yin energy. Moreover, he had manifested the Yin-Yang Diagram, so his soul body no longer needed to harmonize the two energies.

Sitting cross-legged on the ground, a body shot out from Yang Tian's crown, exuding a vast soul pressure. Its appearance was identical to Yang Tian's.

Without hesitation, the soul body plunged into the Soul Nurturing Pool, sitting cross-legged in the misty pool, entering a cultivation state.

As soon as the Soul Refining Art began to circulate, vast amounts of soul energy converged from all around. A dark light appeared in the void, like a cloud mass.

Yang Tian's soul body stirred seven vortexes, emitting a terrifying suction force. The turbulent soul energy around was drawn in and surged into Yang Tian's soul body.

"I wonder if releasing Uncle Xiao's soul body here would allow it to recover directly." At that moment, Yang Tian scratched his head. The thought had just emerged when he abandoned it.

Yang Xiao's soul body was too severely injured. If it were to recover here, given its soul cultivation level, it would likely absorb everything in this place, and then Yang Tian would have trouble explaining.

The seven acupoints continuously devoured the surrounding soul energy. Yang Tian could sense his soul body strengthening, his soul origin trembling, as if on the verge of breaking through the heavenly restraints.

Time passed quickly. Today, the entire Bai family seemed somewhat restless. The day of the competition was fast approaching. If the Bai family lost again, it would be difficult for them to maintain a foothold here.

Ten years ago, their Wu family had produced a remarkably talented disciple who had joined the Carefree Valley and become a core disciple. They had won the competition twice in a row.

If the Wu family took the title for the third time, the Bai family would lose all sources of wealth, and their great clan would be dismantled.

Although the Wu family's prodigy had exceeded the age limit this time, given his status in the Carefree Valley, he could still find a remarkably talented young man to represent them.

The Carefree Valley was a hegemon-level power in the Central Region, with supreme experts stationed within its gates. It was a sect left over from ancient times.

Yang Tian had been inside for a day now. Ningxue was growing anxious. If he didn't come out soon, the old fellows of their clan would become dissatisfied and might even charge in directly.

After another quarter of an hour, just as Ningxue was about to go in and check, the entire hall shook. A terrifying wave of soul power burst forth, spreading across heaven and earth.

"Hiss..." Ningxue couldn't help but draw a sharp breath. From the soul fluctuation that erupted, Yang Tian's soul cultivation was extremely strong, several realms higher than hers.

This terrifying soul fluctuation even startled the Emperor-level figure hidden nearby. He was utterly incredulous. With such soul cultivation, Yang Tian could probably contend even with some half-step Emperor-level experts!

"Could this guy be at the peak of Soul Refinement?" Biting her bright red lip, Ningxue found it hard to believe. She had just broken through to Soul Refinement herself, but reaching the peak was no easy feat.

Just as she was marveling, Yang Tian's voice slowly reached her ears: "I'll consolidate my realm. Call me when the competition starts."

Hearing this, Ningxue nodded. Her eyes fell on the door ahead, and she followed him inside.

News of Yang Tian's soul cultivation spread rapidly among the high-ranking figures. Many who had been worried were now completely at ease. With his soul power alone, victory seemed assured.

"But we can't be careless. I've heard that the Carefree Valley has sent a formidable figure, with unfathomable strength."

"It's probably Wu Li who invited him. He's a core figure in the Carefree Valley."

Time flew. The next day, Yang Tian exhaled a turbid breath. As he stepped outside and his eyes fell on Ningxue, he said in surprise, "Your soul cultivation has broken through."

"I have you to thank. If the Soul Nurturing Pool hadn't opened early, I would have had to wait another year." Hearing this, Ningxue blinked and smiled radiantly.

"Oh..." He scratched his head. The two walked out. Although the Soul Nurturing Pool was wonderful, Yang Tian estimated that it was now depleted and would need another ten years before it could be opened again!

"Haha, how are the preparations, young friend Mengtian?" Seeing the two arrive, the Bai family patriarch stepped forward first, laughing heartily.

"Almost ready. Can we set off?" Yang Tian nodded and smiled.

"Good, let's go." The patriarch waved his hand, and the people around filed out, heading toward the competition square.

The competition between the two families was held in the most bustling area of the center. It was already packed with people, many coming to watch. The Wu family had arrived early.

"I heard he's from the Carefree Valley, Xiao Yuan." Someone pointed at a man in green robes. He was elegant, handsome, with divine light shining in his eyes, truly as smooth as jade.

This man appeared to be around twenty-four or twenty-five. It was clear that many in the Wu family treated him with great respect.

"The Bai family is here too..." At that moment, someone noticed a large group approaching and began discussing.

The Bai family had lost their former influence and was no longer what it used to be. Many were not optimistic about them.

"Who is that standing with the Bai family's genius? I've never heard of him." At that moment, some gazes fell on Ningxue and Yang Tian, clicking their tongues in surprise.

"Could he be the one representing the Bai family? He's just a young lad, not even twenty. How could he represent the Bai family in the competition?"

"Heh, maybe he's some spoiled brat from another family."

The murmurs continued. Xiao Yuan's gaze shifted, and when he noticed Bai Ningxue, his eyes froze for a moment, then a flicker of heat surged within them.

"Just as my senior brother said, she's as beautiful as a flower, with a rare temperament. If I could bring her back to the valley, nothing could be better."