Hiss!
A terrifying surge of energy struck without warning. Lin Xiao felt sharp pain in his brow centre and eyes. The horrific force seemed capable of blinding him utterly.
Fortunately, his body had been tempered to exceptional resilience. He endured the scorching waves.
The scene ahead then came into view.
Before him stretched a dim, grey realm. It felt like an entirely separate space.
Or perhaps it was simply vast, extending thousands of miles in every direction.
Far in the distance, boundless grey energy churned like a raging sea. The whole expanse appeared locked in perpetual destruction and collapse. Terrifying grey energy pulsed ceaselessly.
Even from such immense distance, the residual power still reached Lin Xiao.
“Is this the Destruction Spirit Energy?”
Shock filled Lin Xiao’s mind.
The energy was simply too terrifying. Nothing seemed beyond its capacity to annihilate. It evoked a faint, primal dread of impending apocalypse.
“This space was excavated underground by Spirit Pool Island. It spans several thousand miles. The boundary walls have been almost completely eroded by the Destruction Spirit Energy. If it regains intelligence and breaches those walls, the entire Spirit Pool Island would probably sink.”
Ximen Haoyue explained from beside him.
Lin Xiao’s heart jolted again. Digging out a space several thousand miles across beneath the lake and islands. What monumental effort.
Could this be the real reason Spirit Pool Island wanted someone to refine the Destruction Spirit Energy?
Otherwise, once it gained intelligence and assaulted the barriers, the whole island would be lost. They would have to relocate or rebuild.
For Spirit Pool Island, with countless arrays, herb plantations, and energies woven into the void here, relocation would mean incalculable loss.
“Several thousand miles across. If it moves deep inside, how could anyone draw it out?”
Lin Xiao could not help voicing the question.
Even hundreds or a thousand miles would be beyond spiritual power’s reach. Controlling the Destruction Spirit Energy from such distance was impossible, let alone refining it.
“Any exertion of force or significant disturbance will cause the Destruction Spirit Energy to seek you out.”
Ximen Haoyue explained.
Lin Xiao started. It possessed such instinct?
“You may test it.”
Ximen Haoyue said.
Lin Xiao channelled a strand of spiritual power and blasted it inward.
Hiss! Hiss!
The vast destructive energy rapidly surged towards them.
Lin Xiao felt as though doomsday itself approached. The world seemed to crumble, collapse, annihilate without end.
The power pressing upon him grew ever stronger.
He extended his divine sense inward, yet detected nothing. The Destruction Spirit Energy had not yet entered his probing range.
Hiss! Hiss!
It closed relentlessly. Rolling destructive energy crashed forward in overwhelming waves.
Pain forced Lin Xiao to close his eyes. He relied entirely on divine sense.
Before the main force arrived, residual shockwaves already battered him.
His forehead burned as if charring. He gritted his teeth and held on.
Only after some time did massive quantities of the energy approach within several hundred miles, entering his divine sense range.
By then, his brow could barely endure and began to scorch.
Lin Xiao hastily raised a spiritual power barrier before it.
Yet when the surging energy closed to dozens of miles, even his strongest barrier buckled under the immense force.
Hiss! Hiss!
Finally, the torrent struck his barrier. On contact, it shattered.
Pain lanced through Lin Xiao. He jerked his head back sharply. Black smoke rose from his face. His features had charred black.
“This Destruction Spirit Energy is far too powerful. It has not even neared me, yet my spiritual power cannot hold. Refinement is out of the question. It would kill me before ever entering my mind.”
Lin Xiao said, sweat beading on his skin.
The torrent had merely grazed him. The true core of the spirit energy still lagged dozens of miles behind.
His spiritual power, nearly enough to overwhelm high seventh-rank spirit controllers, had proved defenceless. How could he withstand the core itself approaching?
Drawing it into his mind for refinement was unthinkable. A little closer, and he would be obliterated.
“Thus, refining it is exceedingly difficult. Only upon reaching eighth-rank spiritual power, or becoming an extraordinarily dominant high seventh-rank spirit controller, does one stand any chance of drawing the Destruction Spirit Energy into the mind without perishing.”
Ximen Haoyue said calmly from beside him.
Lin Xiao sighed deeply. This was not difficult. It was impossible. There was no chance at all.
No wonder previous competitions granted the opportunity only to the champion. For others, even if offered, refinement was unattainable.
“Of course, reaching Martial Saint realm and forging a body of inconceivable toughness would also provide a chance to draw it in.”
Ximen Haoyue added.
Lin Xiao felt helpless. Reaching Martial Saint, who knew how long that would take. By then, he might as well attempt it after advancing one or two more spiritual power levels.
“When I reach mid seventh-rank realm, I wish to use one attempt.”
Lin Xiao told Ximen Haoyue.
“You have five attempts. You may use them whenever you wish.”
Ximen Haoyue replied.
Lin Xiao thanked her steadily, then departed with her.
It was not lack of courage or resolve. With his present strength, he simply could not refine the Destruction Spirit Energy.
Attempting it now would be suicide.
No wonder Spirit Pool Island allowed everyone to experience it first.
Otherwise, diving straight in, the initial attempt would be wasted.
By contrast, those ranked second to fifth, with only one chance, might force the issue and face high odds of sudden death.
Surfacing from the lake bed, Lin Xiao saw Tantai Wenjun, Duanmu Gaoming, Murong Dian, Yan Huashu, and the other four brought nearby by island elders.
“How was it?”
Yan Huashu asked Lin Xiao curiously.
“Go feel it for yourselves.”
Lin Xiao shook his head. He could not answer. Nor did he fear any of them succeeding before his own attempt.
The likelihood was minuscule.
Moreover, the strongest among them was Tantai Wenjun. Should Tantai Wenjun somehow refine it, the outcome would not be the worst for him.
He would simply gain another powerful slave.
Yan Huashu and the others frowned. Evidently, the Destruction Spirit Energy was not easily refined.
Thereafter, Ximen Haoyue led the rest down into the lake.
An island elder escorted Lin Xiao back to his small island.
Shortly after entering his room, An Miao arrived.
“You saw the Destruction Spirit Energy. What did you think?”
An Miao asked with a smile, joy lighting her face.
“Terrifying. With my current strength, I cannot refine it.”
Lin Xiao answered honestly.
“No hurry. Once you break through one or two more levels, you will still have chances.”
An Miao said.
Lin Xiao nodded. He too wished to advance quickly and rescue his mother soon.
Yet he could only wait.
“To even have a chance at the Destruction Spirit Energy while still a seventh-rank spirit controller is already extraordinary. I never dreamt you would reach this far.”
An Miao exclaimed in admiration. “By the way, my mother was quite surprised you took the championship. She wishes to meet you now. Come with me.”
Lin Xiao nodded. He had to meet Miao Ling sooner or later.
He was deeply curious about this being created by the Heaven-Swallowing Spirit Emperor. What manner of person was she?
Perhaps he could learn more about the Heaven-Swallowing Spirit Emperor from her.
