Chapter 501: The Demon Beast Breaks Through

A few minutes later, Elder Hu and the others were all fully healed, feeling refreshed as if they had never been injured.

"Thank you, Master Zhang..." They expressed their gratitude.

Although they had paid and owed nothing, this medical skill was too astonishing, miraculous and unbelievable.

"The Demon Beast has been tamed by Master Zhang. Staying here is a waste of time. We won't disturb you further. Farewell!"

Hall Master Han clasped his fists.

The main purpose of coming here was to tame the Demon Beast; now that it was tamed, there was no point in staying.

Although he failed to tame the beast, his internal injuries were healed. Even without the Demon Beast, he was confident in defeating Luo Ming and earning the qualification to study at the headquarters.

In a sense, his ultimate goal was achieved, and the trip was worthwhile.

"Farewell!" Zhang Xuan, Pavilion Master Sai, and the others clasped their fists.

"With such great talent, Master Zhang will surely participate in the Master Teacher Tournament two months from now, right? I will definitely come to support you!" Hall Master Han smiled and turned to leave.

Such a genius and master teacher, combined with the most important event in Myriad City, it was hard not to guess.

Regardless, he owed a debt of gratitude and would repay it if possible. Moreover, such a powerful beast tamer, physician, master teacher, and appraiser was worth befriending.

After Hall Master Han and the others left, it quieted down again.

"Master Zhang, should we go in now, or rest and adjust?"

Luo Zhu looked over with admiration.

Last time he came here, he had to sneak around, afraid of being discovered by the Demon Beast. Now, this man had tamed the fearsome creature—something he never dared to imagine before.

With the Demon Beast no longer a threat, time was more flexible; they could enter whenever they wanted.

"Don't rush. Let me first resolve the issue inside the Demon Beast, then we'll go in."

Zhang Xuan waved his hand.

"Its issue? It's not injured?" Everyone was puzzled.

This beast was immensely powerful and had impenetrable defense. In the fight with Hall Master Han and the others, it didn't suffer any losses, defeating them soundly. Resolve an issue?

What issue?

"Soul Devouring Ants, though not greatly affecting normal beings and humans, are extremely yin-cold in nature, which is why they can devour souls. Having been here for at least a month or two, even if the Demon Beast didn't come into contact with them, it has been affected to some extent."

Zhang Xuan clasped his hands behind his back, his expression calm. "Coupled with the recent battle, this yin-cold energy has invaded its heart and lungs. If not expelled quickly, it will be very difficult for it to advance further."

"Is that so?"

"If that's the case, should we also stay away from these Soul Devouring Ants?"

Hearing that even a powerful lifeform like the Demon Beast was affected, everyone was startled and looked ahead warily.

By now, the Soul Devouring Ants had finished eating the roasted deer and burrowed back underground contentedly, leaving no trace on the surface.

If not for their personal experience, it would be hard to believe that this strange lifeform, extinct for countless millennia, not only existed but was so eerie.

Even capable of devouring formations... too terrifying.

"As long as you don't drink the pool water, it's fine."

Zhang Xuan said, "The Witch Soul Tomb is beneath the pool. The Soul Devouring Ants can always sense it. Although the water looks clean, it actually contains many of their corpses. The yin-cold energy invading the Demon Beast's body is largely due to drinking this water."

Everyone understood.

These creatures were attracted by the aura from the Witch Soul Tomb and found this place. Since the tomb was under the pool, they would eventually detect it and investigate. Over time, the water became unsuitable for living beings to drink.

"Then... how do we resolve this situation?" Luo Zhu couldn't help asking.

If even the Demon Beast could be invaded by this yin-cold energy, how could one deal with it if afflicted?

The others also looked over, wanting to know in advance to be prepared.

"Simple. Go over there and eat some grass." Zhang Xuan pointed.

"Eat grass?" Everyone was stunned. They looked at the Demon Beast, still with its rear raised, eating grass nonstop, and stood dumbfounded.

Earlier, they thought Master Zhang made the Demon Beast eat grass as punishment, but now it seemed there was another purpose.

No wonder the beast didn't resist and ate with such relish.

"If I'm not mistaken, that's Green Rain Grass. This grass is abundant in the mountains and has no properties. How can eating it dispel yin-cold energy?"

Pavilion Master Sai was puzzled.

As an appraiser with extensive knowledge, he recognized this vegetation clearly, though others might not.

Green Rain Grass grows near water sources in forests, lush and green, with no effects or properties. Even alchemists don't include it in their herbs. How could it dispel the yin-cold energy of Soul Devouring Ants?

Moreover, Soul Devouring Ants hadn't existed before. Wasn't it too coincidental that this grass grew here?

"This grass has no properties, but it depends on the environment it grows in. If it were over there, it would be useless." Zhang Xuan pointed.

Following his finger, they saw that the edge of the pool was also covered with this Green Rain Grass, densely packed.

Everyone blinked, even more confused.

The two spots were only a few dozen meters apart. Why wouldn't the grass over there work? The environment looked the same!

Seeing their confusion, Zhang Xuan shook his head with a smile. "This is where the Demon Beast relieves itself... in other words, its toilet."

"Toilet?" Everyone blinked.

"The Demon Beast has dragon bloodline, with strong yang fire. Its feces naturally carry intense yang properties. The Green Rain Grass nourished by this also carries these properties."

After explaining, Zhang Xuan looked over. "If you're worried, you can cut some to carry with you. If you feel unwell, eat some..."

"No, thanks..."

"Thank you for your kindness, Master Zhang. Since you say it's fine, I think we'll pass."

Everyone waved their hands in unison.

They had been excited just now, but upon realizing it was grass grown where the Demon Beast defecated, they lost all interest.

Knowing what they were thinking, Zhang Xuan didn't say more and walked over to the Demon Beast.

By now, the beast had eaten a large patch of Green Rain Grass. The yang fire inside it was blazing, roasting the yin energy within.

Approaching it, he took out silver needles, aimed at the right spots, and inserted them casually.

Boom!

With a roar, everyone felt the Demon Beast's power surge like boiling water, its strength continuously rising.

"Is it going to break through?"

Pavilion Master Sai and Jin Conghai exchanged glances, both startled.

At the fifth level of Mortal Deity, the Spirit Fusion realm, the soul harmonizes with nature, greatly increasing power.

If the first four levels of Mortal Deity—Longevity, Primal Energy, Yin-Yang, and Turbid-Pure—all tempered true qi and increased control over nature, from this level onward, the soul is nourished, leading to a substantial increase.

That's why even the most powerful master teacher at the peak of the fourth level of Mortal Deity is only a four-star, unable to create [Remote Lesson Jade Talismans] and not reaching half-step five-star.

Only when one's cultivation reaches the Spirit Fusion realm can they separate a sliver of their soul, seal it within, and teach anytime, anywhere, helping others.

In other words, the fourth and fifth levels of Mortal Deity represent a transformation of the soul, a huge watershed.

Countless people are stuck at the former, unable to break through in their lifetime.

Thus, although the Myriad Kingdom Alliance has stood for so many years with countless brilliant talents, few have truly taken this step.

For spirit beasts, whose souls are weaker than humans, breaking through is even harder.

This creature was already at the peak of the fourth level of Mortal Deity. Now its aura was accumulating and growing. Could it really break through the coveted barrier and reach the fifth level?

The two couldn't help but look over.

"It can't break through yet."

Seeing their tension, Zhang Xuan said calmly, "All things in the world are fair; every gain and loss is determined by heaven. The Demon Beast's physical body is too strong, so its soul breakthrough is difficult. Similarly, those with strong souls usually don't have overpowering physical bodies."

"However... after resolving the yin-cold energy in its body, the yang properties merge, and I've unblocked some of its meridians. A surge in cultivation is inevitable. It may not reach the Spirit Fusion realm, but it can achieve half-step Spirit Fusion."

After a moment of thought, Zhang Xuan said.

"Half-step Spirit Fusion?"

"That's still terrifying! The founding ancestor of the Myriad Kingdom Alliance seems to be at that level..."

Hearing this, the two were still startled.

Half-step Spirit Fusion, like half-step Grandmaster and half-step Supreme, means infinitely close to Spirit Fusion but not having broken through the final barrier.

Such a powerhouse has both strong physical strength and a powerful soul; peak fourth-level Mortal Deity experts are no match.

If the Demon Beast was already terrifyingly strong with its dragon bloodline and talents, it would now be even more fearsome.

If it went berserk, even the ancestor of the Myriad Kingdom Alliance might not be able to contend with it.

Impressive!

Rumble!

In their shocked eyes, the Demon Beast's rising power finally stopped. As Master Zhang had guessed, it didn't reach the Spirit Fusion realm but half-step.

With this strength, it could roam the entire Myriad Kingdom Alliance without fear of anyone.

"Roar!"

With increased power and all internal issues resolved, the Demon Beast knew it was thanks to its master. It rushed over excitedly, looking respectful.

Previously, it was only wary because he could speak Dragon Language, possibly possessing true dragon bloodline. Now, it was completely convinced.

Without him, it would take a hundred years to reach this level on its own.

"Good. We're going down to the pool. You stay here and guard. If anyone or any spirit beast intrudes, kill them without mercy."

Seeing its attitude, Zhang Xuan knew it was completely loyal and nodded in satisfaction before instructing.

The situation below was unknown; they had to be careful and prevent anyone from causing trouble.

Previously, he couldn't be sure, but now with this beast guarding, no matter who came, there was no need to fear, and no worries.

"Roar!" The Demon Beast nodded.

"Alright, let's set off."

After arranging everything, Zhang Xuan looked around, leaped, and jumped into the pool with Luo Zhu.

Zhao Ya and the others followed closely.

After much effort... the Witch Soul Tomb was finally within reach.