Chapter 118 The Mid-Stage Threshold, Turbulent Waves in the Northern Region

Inside the space of the shattered Star Palace remnant array, silence returned, with only chaotic spatial ripples and star Evil Qi still flowing soundlessly.

Nightmare sat cross-legged on a relatively large floating rock fragment, his aura rising and falling like the tide. Although he hadn't used his full strength in the brief clash with the two Soul Transformation old demons just now, it had completely stimulated and stabilized his Realm—which had just reached Soul Transformation Perfection—and gave him a sense of control over his own power as if it were an extension of his arms.

He sank his consciousness into his body. Within his Dantian, the myriad poison true infant had become increasingly solid, its body intertwined with demonic patterns and starlight, resembling a meticulously carved work of art. As the Nascent Soul breathed, it drew upon the power of the Laws of Heaven and Earth far more than before. The barrier leading to the Mid-stage Dao Replenishing was now clearly visible, and he could even faintly sense the vast power lying beyond that barrier.

"Mid-stage Dao Replenishing..." Nightmare's heart was calm as an ancient well. This step did not require simple accumulation of energy; it required a deeper understanding of the 'Dao' he cultivated, and a stronger resonance and command over the Laws of Heaven and Earth. This was a process of qualitative change.

He did not rush to make a Breakthrough, but instead turned his attention to his harvest this time.

The Nascent Souls of the two Deity Transformation Cultivators were currently sealed by the power of the Laws, suspended before him. The Nascent Souls were crystal clear, their faces identical to Old Monster Green Bat and Profound Bone, yet filled with terror and resentment, emitting incomparably pure energy fluctuations and fragmented insights into the Laws.

The damaged 'nether banner' was also floating nearby; the banner surface was covered in cracks, its spiritual light dim, but its Origin still remained.

"System, deduce the optimal utilization plan." Nightmare thought silently.

【Instruction received... Analyzing...】

【Plan 1: Directly refine and absorb the Nascent Soul energy and residual Laws to rapidly increase cultivation level. There is a chance to break through the Mid-stage Dao Replenishing barrier, but there are trace amounts of Impurities and residual Karma, which may affect the purity of the dao foundation. Estimated cultivation increase: 5% - 8%.】

【Plan 2: Use the Nascent Souls as the main material, supplemented with nether treasure materials, to re-refine the 'myriad soul soul-devouring banner'. This can greatly improve the quality of the demonic banner, with a chance for it to break through to the level of a Heaven-reaching Spirit Treasure, and gain additional Divine Abilities such as 'Green Bat Demonic Sound' and 'Nether Bone Fire'.】

【Plan 3: Inject the Nascent Soul energy into the 'Wind-Devouring Demonic Vine' to promote its evolution again, enhancing its trapping and killing capabilities and its intelligence.】

【Suggestion: Choose Plan 2 to maximize utilization value. The myriad soul banner provides a significant boost to the Host's overall combat power. Cultivation level increases can rely on the star source core and subsequent resources.】

Nightmare pondered for a moment before adopting the System's suggestion. The myriad soul soul-devouring banner was an important Magic Treasure from his early days that had accompanied him for a long time; if it could be upgraded to the level of a Heaven-reaching Spirit Treasure, it would undoubtedly be a great help. As for his cultivation level, he had the star source core and Star Cloud Divine Pill as a foundation, so there was no need to rush.

"Begin re-refining."

He opened his mouth and spat out his life-bound infant fire. This time, the infant fire was not purely pitch-black but intermingled with wisps of starlight; the temperature was higher, and his control was more precise. At the same time, the power of the rule fragment merged into the flames, giving them a certain quality of 'turning decay into magic.'

The nether banner was the first to be thrown into the fire. Under the calcination of the fire of the Laws, the nether Qi within it was forcibly stripped away and purified, and those pale skulls turned into pure nether Origin. Immediately after, the Nascent Souls of Old Monster Green Bat and Profound Bone were also thrown in, letting out silent wails in the flames. Finally, their energy was completely refined and merged with the nether Origin and several yin-attribute precious materials Nightmare had obtained from the Cave of a Hundred Ghosts and Xing Chenzi.

Finally, the main body of the myriad soul soul-devouring banner was thrown into the mix, frantically absorbing this incomparably pure energy mixture.

Nightmare's hands moved like butterflies, casting one refining incantation after another containing the mysteries of the Laws. The entire re-refining process proceeded in an orderly manner under the precise assistance of the System.

Time passed quietly.

A few days later, the infant fire retracted sharply.

A brand new demonic banner floated in the air! The banner body remained pitch-black, but on its surface, it was no longer a simple scene of ten thousand souls wailing; instead, a strange pattern of intertwined stars and nether ghost fire had emerged. Its aura was many times stronger than before! It had faintly touched the threshold of a Heaven-reaching Spirit Treasure! It only lacked the final step of nourishment and the baptism of the tribulation lightning to completely transform!

【Re-refining complete: myriad soul soul-devouring banner (Peak Spirit Treasure) → myriad skeleton star banner (Quasi Heaven-reaching Demonic Treasure). New characteristics: 1. Star Illusion Realm (can set up an illusion array containing star Evil Qi to trap enemies). 2. Nether Sound Kill (inherits some characteristics of the Green Bat Demonic Sound, can directly attack the Divine Soul). 3. Skeleton Rebirth (can summon powerful bone demons to assist in battle).】

"Quasi Heaven-reaching Demonic Treasure... Not bad." Nightmare nodded with satisfaction and took the newly born demonic banner into his body to nourish it. Once it was completely stabilized and had undergone the tribulation of a Heaven-reaching Demonic Treasure, its power would surely rise to the next level.

After dealing with the spoils, Nightmare turned his gaze back to the dilapidated Star Palace teleportation array. The System's deduction was still continuing, its progress slow but steadily growing.

He was not impatient. While waiting patiently, he continued to use the unique environment of this place to comprehend the Laws of Space and Stars, polish his cultivation, and accumulate the foundation for breaking through to the Mid-stage Dao Replenishing.

...

Just as Nightmare was cultivating diligently in the remnant array space, the outside world, the Northern Territory, had stirred up quite a wave due to the fall of Old Monster Green Bat and Old Ancestor Profound Bone.

Profound Yin Bone Mountain, council hall.

The atmosphere was as heavy as if frozen.

The Sect Master was a middle-aged man with a pale complexion and deep-set eye sockets, titled "Sect Master Xuanming". His cultivation had already reached the Mid-stage Soul Transformation, and his expression was now so gloomy that it seemed water could drip from it. Below, a group of Nascent Soul Elders were trembling with fear.

"Investigate! Investigate this thoroughly for the sect!" Sect Master Xuanming's voice was bone-chillingly cold. "Whose hands did Elder Profound Bone die at? Where did he die? I want to know every detail!"

"Sect Master, calm your anger!" One Elder said, bracing himself: "According to the extremely weak positional information fed back before the soul lamp went out, Elder Profound Bone should have fallen in the area near the Black Fiend Wasteland."

"Black Fiend Wasteland?" Sect Master Xuanming frowned tightly. "That Ye Yan Palace which just unified the border zone? It is rumored that its Palace Master is also at the Soul Transformation Realm, but only at the initial stage of Soul Transformation. How could he kill Elder Profound Bone? Is there a trick? Or is it a trap set by other enemies?"

"My subordinate has already sent people to investigate, but... but the Black Fiend Wasteland is now managed by that Ye Yan Palace like an iron bucket; it is difficult for our spies to penetrate the Core Zone. Moreover... I heard that not long ago, a Soul Transformation Elder from the Sky Patrol Alliance also suffered a great loss there and fled back in a sorry state..."

"Even the people from the Sky Patrol Alliance suffered?" A flash of suspicion crossed Sect Master Xuanming's eyes. The matter seemed more complicated than he had imagined. A rising power causing two Soul Transformation Cultivators to suffer, with one of them even directly falling, was definitely not a coincidence.

"Could it be some hidden old monster coming out of seclusion? Or a pawn placed in the Northern Territory by some forces from the Central Plains?" He pondered for a moment and ordered: "Send more men! Investigate the background and true strength of that Ye Yan Palace Master at all costs! But before finding out, do not act rashly!"

"Yes!" The Elders received the order and left.

Sect Master Xuanming sat alone in the hall, his eyes deep. Profound Bone's death made him furious, but having cultivated to the Mid-stage Soul Transformation, he was by no means a fool. A mysterious powerhouse who could easily kill Profound Bone and Old Monster Green Bat (the news of Old Monster Green Bat's fall was also gradually spreading) likely had strength that could not be underestimated, and there might be something even bigger behind it. Without absolute certainty, he dared not risk the entire Profound Yin Bone Mountain.

Similar scenes were playing out in several other major powers in the Northern Territory that had learned the news. The name of Ye Yan Palace and its mysterious Palace Master entered the field of vision of the core circle of the Northern Territory for the first time, labeled as "dangerous," "mysterious," and "not to be provoked easily."

The area around the Black Fiend Wasteland became unusually calm because of this. Some forces that had been eager to make a move calmed down, and some even took the initiative to show goodwill to Ye Yan Palace. Mo Yuan took the opportunity to expand his influence and spread the fame of the Palace Master, which actually gathered quite a few peripheral vassal forces, and the Luck of Ye Yan Palace became more condensed and strengthened as a result.

...

Inside the remnant array space, Nightmare slowly opened his eyes. The sharp light in his pupils was restrained, and his aura became increasingly unfathomable.

After this period of settling, he felt the time had come.

The barrier of the Mid-stage Dao Replenishing was now like a thin piece of paper, ready to be broken at a touch.

He did not get up but closed his eyes again, sinking his heart and mind completely into his Dantian Nascent Soul. He drew upon the power of the star source core, circulated the *Myriad Poison Demonic Scripture* Soul Transformation chapter, and launched his final assault against that barrier!

Boom!

It was as if a thunderclap exploded within his body!