247: Half-Saint Returns

The fluctuations of the Breakthrough swept out like a storm, yet were quickly suppressed and absorbed by the surrounding dense Annihilation Rule, finally settling into calm.

Li Ao stood quietly on the dark red platform, closing his eyes to sense the earth-shattering changes within his body.

Half-Saint!

This was a level fundamentally different from a Dou Zun. It was not a simple accumulation of energy, but a leap in the very essence of life.

He felt his Soul and Physical Body merge more tightly, and his perception of the energy of heaven and earth was clearer by more than tenfold. With a slight thought, he could mobilize the surrounding vast Annihilation Rule to dance with him.

The Dou Qi that originally surged within his body had now transformed into a more refined and powerful Saint Force. Although this was only a preliminary conversion, its quality was far superior to Dou Qi.

However, the greatest change came from his foundation—the Black Iron Hegemon Body (Nirvana Hegemon Body)!

Under the scouring and infusion of that stream of Origin Qi from the nirvana source core, the Hegemon Body, which had originally reached the Late Stage of the third level, had now achieved Perfection!

His skin exhibited a restrained, dark golden luster. Upon closer inspection, it was not the sheen of metal, but a heavy texture that seemed to bear the weight of eternal annihilation and imperishability.

The gray Rule patterns beneath his skin did not vanish; instead, they completely submerged and integrated into his flesh and bones, becoming one with his life Origin.

His every movement no longer displayed outward brilliance, yet naturally exuded a majestic aura, heavy as a mountain and impervious to all techniques.

Relying solely on this Physical Body, he was confident he could withstand a frontal attack from an Elementary Dou Saint without collapsing!

He gently clenched his fist, feeling the terrifying power within his flesh and blood—enough to crush space—and a satisfied curve appeared at the corner of his mouth.

He had achieved the Half-Saint Physical Body! This laid the most solid foundation for his future Dao of becoming an Emperor through the Physical Body.

Simultaneously, the fragment of the "nirvana ancient talisman" on his chest also underwent significant changes after absorbing that stream of Origin Qi.

Nearly one-third of the original damage had been filled in by new, more complex and profound patterns. The aura emitted by the entire ancient talisman was older and more complete, and its connection with the nirvana source core seemed slightly clearer.

It was no longer merely a fragment, but the embryo of a Divine Artifact that was recovering toward its complete form!

Li Ao could feel that, through this ancient talisman, he would be able to more easily mobilize, or even borrow, a sliver of the nirvana source core's power in the future. This would be another powerful trump card for him.

He composed himself and looked once again at the massive Seal light membrane.

After the burst of the core Origin just now, many cracks on the light membrane had actually healed on their own. Although it was still covered in fissures, its condition was much better than before.

The demise of Hun You, coupled with this "breath" of the core Origin, seemed to have purged most of the corrosive power.

"The matter here is concluded. It is time to return."

Li Ao did not linger. He raised his hand and lightly sliced the Void Realm in front of him.

"Splat—"

A stable spatial rift opened instantly. On the other side of the rift, the familiar aura of the Yao Clan Ancestral Shrine faintly wafted over.

Having reached the Half-Saint Realm, his control over space was incomparable to before. Within this relatively stable Nirvana Illusionary Domain, he could now use his own power to locate and open a return passage.

He took a step, and his figure disappeared into the spatial rift... Yao Clan Ancestral Shrine, the core area.

The hazy light cluster formed by the Will of the Medicine Ancestor still floated, and the Shrine Guardian Yao Yan sat cross-legged not far away, his aura composed.

Medusa stood still at the side, her beautiful face carrying a hint of unconcealed worry. Her snake eyes occasionally glanced toward the gray vortex composed of the Annihilation Rule.

Suddenly, the calm gray vortex fluctuated violently!

Yao Yan abruptly opened his eyes, sharp light flashing out. Medusa instantly tensed her body, her jade hands slightly clenched.

The next moment, a spatial rift silently opened in the center of the vortex, and a tall, straight figure slowly stepped out.

It was precisely Li Ao!

He was still wearing the same green robe, but his aura was completely different from before he entered!

Before, his aura was a restrained sharpness; now, it was an unfathomable depth and majesty. He seemed to merge with the entire world, yet naturally exuded a heart-palpitating sense of oppression.

Just by standing there, he seemed to become the center of this space; even the ancient medicinal fragrance and majestic energy permeating the Ancestral Shrine seemed ready to submit to him.

"Half... Half-Saint?!" Yao Yan suddenly stood up, his aged face filled with extreme shock and disbelief, his voice trembling slightly.

As a Half-Saint powerhouse himself, he could most clearly sense the pure Saint aura on Li Ao, an aura that had just completed its transformation!

Moreover, the refinement and density of that aura far surpassed that of an ordinary person who had just entered the Half-Saint rank!

How much time had passed? At most, in a place like the Nirvana Illusionary Domain, he had not only completed the mission but had also achieved a Breakthrough to Half-Saint in one go?! This was simply a miracle!

Medusa's red lips were slightly parted, and her cold snake eyes flashed with brilliance. Her worry was completely gone, replaced by deep pride and joy.

She could feel that her man had become stronger, so strong that he felt somewhat unfamiliar to her, yet the bond connecting their Souls was deeper than ever.

"I have fulfilled my mission," Li Ao said calmly, nodding slightly toward the light cluster of the Will of the Medicine Ancestor and Yao Yan. "The Hall of Souls minions within the Domain have been cleared, and the spatial node Seal has been initially stabilized.

Furthermore... I encountered a Hall of Souls Dou Saint named Hun You, who I killed with the aid of the Domain's power."

His words were calm, but they struck Yao Yan's ears like thunder!

Clearing the minions and stabilizing the Seal were already immense contributions, yet... he had also killed a Hall of Souls Dou Saint?!

Although he claimed to have used the Domain's power, to be able to maneuver against a Dou Saint and ultimately counter-kill him while only being in the Dou Zun Realm (when entering)—the danger involved and the strength and mentality displayed were simply incredible!

The light cluster of the Will of the Medicine Ancestor fluctuated slightly, and an ancient thought carrying satisfaction and a hint of complex emotion was transmitted: "Good! Very good! The Dao of Gui Xu is indeed extraordinary. Li Ao, you have proven yourself and earned the eternal friendship of the Medicine Clan."

With a flash of light, a Jade Slip radiating dense life energy and ancient medicinal fragrance, along with a strange small herb growing black and white leaves and entwined with the Qi of life and death, slowly flew toward Li Ao.

"This is the promised Pill Formula for the ninth-grade bodhi great reversion pill, as well as the medicinal primer, the 'yin-yang soul-returning herb'."

Li Ao reached out and accepted them. Feeling the vast information contained within the Jade Slip and the strange aura of Reincarnation emanating from the small herb, a huge weight finally lifted from his heart.

The two most crucial items for resurrecting Xiao Yi Xian were now in his hands!

He solemnly put away the two items and bowed deeply toward the Will of the Medicine Ancestor: "Thank you, Medicine Ancestor Senior!"

With these two items, coupled with his current Half-Saint cultivation and his profound understanding of the Annihilation (life and death) Rule, his confidence in resurrecting Xiao Yi Xian was now immensely high!

At this moment, he had returned as a Half-Saint, holding the hope of resurrecting his beloved.

The situation in the Central Plains, the disputes among the ancient clans, the shadow of the Hall of Souls... everything would stir up new waves because of his return!