The tribulation is over, and the Star Pivot invites him.

Nightmare let out a long roar that tore through the sky, actually charging proactively towards the center of the tribulation cloud, which had gathered the ultimate destructive power!

This action could be described as utterly insane! Throughout history, all Undergoing Tribulation Cultivators have been cautious, doing their utmost to resist the Heavenly Might; how could anyone dare to provoke it like this, even attempting to devour the Heavenly Tribulation?

The thick, ink-like tribulation cloud seemed to be thoroughly enraged, and billions of gray-black Nirvana Divine Lightning bolts instantly condensed into a terrifying lightning pillar, a hundred zhang thick, piercing through Heaven and Earth. It carried the ultimate will to destroy all things and return them to nothingness, plummeting down directly towards Nightmare!

The power of this strike far surpassed the sum of all previous Lightning Tribulations, having already reached the threshold of the Hedao Stage! The Cultivators watching below were all horrified, retreating rapidly again, fearing that even a trace of the aftermath would drag them in and annihilate their forms and Divine Souls.

"Master!" Su Wanqing's heart was in her throat, her nails digging deep into her palms.

However, facing this world-destroying strike, not only did Nightmare show no fear in his eyes, but instead, burning Battle Intent and desire!

"Good timing!"

His cultivation technique circulated wildly at an unprecedented speed, and the nirvana dao seed that had just condensed within his body suddenly bloomed with billions of gray-black Dao patterns, resonating completely with his surrounding Meridians, Dantian Magic Power, and even his Divine Soul!

"Annihilation Domain, Devour Heaven and Earth!"

He spread his arms, and the Nirvana Field around him suddenly expanded and swelled! It was no longer a simple defense or confinement but transformed into a gigantic, slowly rotating gray-black vortex! At the center of the vortex was the ultimate 'nothingness,' the end of all things, emitting a terrifying suction force that devoured everything!

Rumble—!!!

That destructive Nirvana lightning pillar fiercely poured into the gray-black vortex!

There was no earth-shattering explosion as expected, nor was there intense annihilation from clashing energies.

The terrifying Lightning Tribulation energy, capable of destroying a Small World, upon entering the range of the Nirvana vortex, was actually forcibly pulled, torn apart, decomposed, and finally completely swallowed and absorbed by the vortex in an overbearing manner, like a hundred rivers returning to the sea!

With the nirvana dao seed as its core, it was like a bottomless pit, frantically devouring these purest Nirvana lightning forces, transforming them into the most fundamental Nirvana Laws, feeding back into itself, refining Nightmare's Physical Body, Magic Power, Divine Soul, and dao seed!

His body hummed and cracked in the lightning, every inch of his flesh and blood, every wisp of his Divine Soul undergoing an essential transformation! Gray-black Dao patterns flickered beneath his skin, his bones became crystal clear like jade yet indestructible, his Nascent Soul in his Dantian swelled by a circle, and the dao seed between his brows became even more dazzling, like a miniature Nirvana star!

This process was painful and long, but Nightmare's will was already as firm as a rock, and the operation of his cultivation technique was precise and efficient to the extreme.

To outsiders, the terrifying lightning pillar continuously bombarded the huge gray-black vortex, yet it was like a mud ox entering the sea, failing to stir up the slightest ripple. Instead, the aura of the vortex grew increasingly terrifying and profound!

The power of the tribulation cloud rapidly depleted, its color gradually fading, and its size continuously shrinking.

Finally, when the last trace of lightning was completely swallowed by the vortex, the thick tribulation cloud, covering ten thousand li, slowly dissipated as if all its power had been drained.

The sky became clear again, and the light of the stars once more shone down.

The Nirvana vortex around Nightmare slowly receded, eventually disappearing into his body. He floated silently in the air, his black robe moving without wind, no powerful Magic Power fluctuations emanating from him, yet he gave off a sense of unfathomable depth, as if he had merged with the entire Universe Void Realm.

Void Refining Stage! And not just newly entered, but by devouring the entire Nirvana Heavenly Tribulation, he had firmly stabilized his Realm in one fell swoop, even approaching the peak of the Early Stage Void Refining!

His Foundation was profound, his Magic Power pure, and his control over Nirvana Laws was far deeper than what Cultivators of the same rank could imagine!

He slowly opened his eyes, the depths of his pupils a desolate expanse, as if containing the Reincarnation of cosmic creation and destruction. Wherever his gaze fell, space subtly twisted, and all things seemed to tend towards decay and annihilation.

"Master!" Su Wanqing flew forward, overjoyed, her beautiful eyes sparkling with admiration and excitement.

Nightmare nodded slightly, his gaze sweeping over the ruined site below and the Cultivators who were watching from afar, silent as cicadas in winter.

Everyone whose gaze he swept over felt their scalps tingle and their hearts pound with fear, lowering their heads, not daring to meet his eyes, much less harbor any malicious intent. The scene of him Undergoing Tribulation against the heavens, counter-killing Void Refining Cultivators, and startling away Hedao grand Cultivators had already left an indelible shadow of fear in their hearts.

Nightmare ignored these people, his cultivation technique subtly moving, sensing that the space here was becoming unstable and the Ancient Yao Pool fragments were about to close again.

He was about to leave with Su Wanqing when he suddenly felt something and looked up at the Void Realm above.

There, where the immortal fate stele originally stood, space rippled slightly, and a figure slowly emerged.

It was none other than Immortal Master Xuan Ji, the welcoming envoy for this trial.

He was still dressed in his simple star Daoist robe, a faint smile on his face, looking at Nightmare with eyes that flickered with appreciation and a hint of imperceptible scrutiny.

"Young friend is indeed extraordinary, to be able to overcome this unprecedented Nirvana Heavenly Tribulation in such a manner. Congratulations." Immortal Master Xuan Ji stroked his beard and smiled, his voice peaceful.

Nightmare's expression was calm, and he slightly cupped his hands: "Immortal Master overpraises me." But he was secretly vigilant; his cultivation technique could sense that Immortal Master Xuan Ji's strength was no weaker than, and possibly even stronger than, the Hedao grand Cultivators from before, and he seemed to have considerable interest in Nightmare.

Immortal Master Xuan Ji seemed to see through his thoughts and smiled: "Young friend, there's no need to be nervous. This old man's appearance this time is, firstly, to congratulate young friend on your Breakthrough, and secondly, to formally extend an invitation on behalf of the 'Star Pivot'."

"Star Pivot invitation?" Nightmare's eyes flickered slightly.

"Precisely." Immortal Master Xuan Ji said solemnly, "The Star Pivot gathers elites from all Realms to jointly explore the Grand Dao and respond to future changes. With young friend's ability and potential, you are already qualified to become a 'Core Member' of our Star Pivot. You will enjoy numerous privileges, such as access to the Star Pivot's secret archives, participation in high-level councils, and use of cross-Star Domain teleportation arrays."

As he spoke, he flicked his finger, and an ancient token, neither gold nor jade, inscribed with the stars of the heavens and the character ' pivot' (pivot), flew towards Nightmare.

"This is a star pivot token. With this token, young friend can sense the nearest Star Pivot branch or contact point at any time. Whether to join is entirely up to young friend's will; the Star Pivot will never force it. However..." Immortal Master Xuan Ji paused, saying meaningfully, "Currently, undercurrents are surging in all Realms, and signs of a great calamity have appeared. It may not be easy to remain aloof. The Star Pivot may become a great aid to young friend, or perhaps... an ally."

Nightmare took the token, his cultivation technique quickly scanning it, confirming its authenticity, and that the token itself was also a decent protective and communication Magic Treasure. He pondered for a moment, then put the token away.

"Thank you, Immortal Master. Please allow me to consider this matter."

"That is only right." Immortal Master Xuan Ji nodded with a smile, not forcing the issue. His gaze swept over the ruined walls below, and he sighed softly: "The appearance of the Ancient Yao Pool this time brought many tribulations, which were also predetermined. The three-day period is up; I shall now send you all away."

After speaking, he waved his large sleeve, and the entire Ancient Yao Pool fragment trembled violently. All the surviving Cultivators, including Nightmare and Su Wanqing, were enveloped by a soft yet irresistible spatial force.

The scenery before their eyes rapidly changed, and the next moment, everyone had returned to the ancient teleportation star platform suspended in the endless Void Realm.

On the star platform, the number of people was significantly less than when they arrived, and most were injured, the atmosphere silent and oppressive. Many looked at Nightmare with awe, fear, and a hint of complexity.

Immortal Master Xuan Ji's figure also appeared above the star platform and announced loudly: "This Star Domain trial has concluded. Each of you has your own destiny; take care of yourselves. The path home is open; please proceed."

The star platform lit up again, revealing several spatial vortexes leading to different great domains.

Everyone, as if granted a great pardon, transformed into streaks of light and plunged into the vortexes, eager to leave this troublesome place.

Nightmare also selected the vortex leading to the Central Continent and was about to step in with Su Wanqing.

"Young friend Ye." Immortal Master Xuan Ji's voice came again, but it was a secret sound transmission, "If you have leisure recently, you may wish to visit the 'Heavenly Mystery Star Domain'; you might gain something. Also, you need to be careful of the 'Joyful Zen Sect' and the 'Imperial Dynasty Consecrated Hall'."

Nightmare's steps paused slightly. He glanced at Immortal Master Xuan Ji, nodded, and said nothing more, stepping into the spatial vortex... In the depths of a barren mountain in the Central Continent.

Spatial fluctuations rippled, and the figures of Nightmare and Su Wanqing emerged.

Feeling the familiar Heaven and Earth Spiritual Qi of the Central Continent, Su Wanqing let out a long sigh of relief; this trip to the Ancient Yao Pool had been truly heart-stopping.

Nightmare immediately activated his cultivation technique fully, carefully sensing his surroundings, and only relaxed slightly after confirming there were no ambushes or trackers.

He took out the star pivot token, played with it for a moment, and then put it in his pocket. Immortal Master Xuan Ji's invitation and his final reminder were both worth deep consideration. The Star Pivot organization was very deep, but perhaps it could indeed provide a lot of convenience and intelligence.

"Joyful Zen Sect... Imperial Dynasty Consecrated Hall..." A cold glint flashed in Nightmare's eyes. That palace-dressed woman must have been from the Joyful Zen Sect. And the Imperial Dynasty Consecrated Hall, of course, were the running dogs of the Central Continent Imperial Family. It seemed that these two major forces had already formed a grudge against him.

However, now that he had advanced to Void Refining, his strength had surged, and with his cultivation technique and Nirvana Laws in hand, he had nothing to fear unless a Late Stage Hedao or even a Mahayana Stage old monster personally made a move.

The most urgent task was to find an absolutely safe place to thoroughly consolidate his Void Refining Stage cultivation and digest the enormous gains from this trip to the Ancient Yao Pool and the immortal fate stele.

His cultivation technique subtly moved, sensing the flow of the Heaven and Earth Spiritual Veins.

"Let's go, first to find a place rich in Earth Fire Spiritual Veins."

He needed to open his Alchemy furnace and convert the numerous immortal materials and precious medicines harvested this time into tangible improvements. Especially that Three Lives Soul-Returning Grass, which needed to be refined into Medicinal Pills as soon as possible to help Su Wanqing improve.

At the same time, he also needed some time to carefully study the new changes in his cultivation technique after devouring the Heavenly Tribulation, as well as the various wondrous uses of that nirvana dao seed.

A new round of secluded cultivation was about to begin.

And the situation in the Central Continent and even the entire Cultivation World would inevitably become even more unpredictable due to the return of this newly advanced Void Refining Demonic Lord.