His gaze turned toward his spine, and Qi Xiu's pupils immediately reflected a faint, yellowish, precious glow.

After his soul had traversed it, the Heaven and Earth Bridge, formed from the fusion of the Gang Qi of Heaven and Xuanhuang Qi, had collapsed with a roar, transforming into flowing light that merged into this spine.

The originally straight and sturdy spine absorbed this power, and countless minute lines faintly appeared on it, subtly resembling the forms of the Great Dao and the shapes of the Ten Thousand Laws.

The spine consisted of nine sections.

These corresponded to the nine levels of the Blood-Stained Realm.

And these nine sections of the spine were also known as the Ninefold Palace!

But that's not right. According to the records, the Ninefold Palace should be pure white and flawless, as translucent as jade, without any imperfections. Every time one level of the Heavenly Palace is cultivated, the corresponding vertebra turns a golden-red color. Once the Ninefold Palace is complete, Tao Blood will be produced at will. At that time, cultivators of the Blood-Stained Realm, apart from their souls, have no other weaknesses and achieve truly Undying status. But why is my Spinal Palace this bright yellow color?

Keenly aware of the unusual nature of his Spinal Palace, Qi Xiu frowned slightly.

In his memories and experiences, no such example had ever occurred.

Thus, he couldn't determine whether this bright yellow Spinal Palace was a good or bad thing.

Could it be an anomaly caused by my falling into a half-dead, half-alive state during my Realm breakthrough, while my Consciousness remained uninterrupted?

After pondering in silence, Qi Xiu still couldn't fathom the key to this mystery.

Forget it. When I return to the sect, I'll ask Master for clarification; he'll surely understand. If not, I can ask Master to consult the Sect Master.

Setting aside his doubts, Qi Xiu slowly stood up.

The Golden Flower Sect Leader was dead, and the mastermind, Golden Flower Old Mother, had been blasted out of this Home Realm by the Will of Heaven due to his actions.

And for some unknown reason, the Golden Flower Maternal Sect Main Altar had become an empty city.

The south of the An'ning Holy Nation had been wiped clean by the Nine Sword Slaves.

The White Bone Bodhisattva had headed west. Although it didn't annihilate the entire western region, it severely injured the Golden Flower Maternal Sect Disciples there.

The entire Golden Flower Maternal Sect could now be said to have suffered a devastating blow, its vitality greatly diminished, its very roots severed.

Unless a new Sect Hierarch capable of turning the tide emerged from their ranks.

Otherwise, the eradication of this heretical sect was likely only a matter of days.

Moreover, because many Righteous Path cultivators had earlier emulated Qi Xiu's actions and entered the An'ning Holy Nation, the weakened state of the Golden Flower Maternal Sect must have already become known to the major prominent families and great sects, and even the Dianchuan Fiscal Commission Residence.

The six prefectures of the An'ning Holy Nation were not blighted lands sown by Demons.

I estimate that soon enough, the major powers will react and scramble to reclaim this fallen territory. Even if it's just to sell a favor to the Dianchuan Fiscal Commission Residence, it would be worth it. After all, the current Golden Flower Maternal Sect is like scattered sand, possessing hardly any strength to resist.

"But none of this concerns me anymore," Qi Xiu said, lightly shaking his sleeve robes and standing up as he rubbed his brow.

This trip away from the sect had thoroughly exhausted him.

The journey to the Nu River Dragon Palace had involved meticulous planning and laying out schemes to annihilate all the Demon Cultivators, and collaborating with Cheng Junie to covertly eliminate five Blood-Stained Realm experts.

After that, he had single-handedly battled the Golden Armored Corpse Demon Nie Biao, an expert at the Pinnacle of the Bloodstained Realm.

He then digested the Dragon Origin and forged the Innate Mixed Yuan Holy Body.

And just as he stepped out of the Nu River Dragon Palace, the Broken Mirror Calamity Sequence erupted.

Furthermore, he orchestrated the turmoil that engulfed the An'ning Holy Nation and stormed into the Golden Flower Maternal Sect Main Altar alone.

He eliminated their Sect Hierarch and drove out the Evil God!

Under the pressure of successive calamities, he ultimately succeeded in his tribulation and cultivated to the Blood-Stained Realm.

All these events, one after another, interconnected like links in a chain, had truly left him feeling mentally drained and utterly exhausted.

"It's time to go back."

Pinching the bridge of his nose, Qi Xiu activated his Thunder Magic with a thought. He transformed into a streak of Lei Mang, preparing to return to the Shenxiao Sect.

BOOM!

A terrifying beam of Lei Mang, hundreds of feet in diameter, shot up from the ground. Countless lightning snakes writhed, emitting sharp, piercing SIZZLES. Fiery clouds spanning over thirty miles churned and roiled. The majestic might of the thunder shook the vast territory, its blinding light surging fiercely.

Even from thousands of miles away, this supremely domineering Thunder Light Escape Skill could be seen.

Startled by this terrifying manifestation of Thunder Magic, which spread for over thirty miles, Qi Xiu almost tumbled straight out of the Lei Mang.

Is this the power of True Origin?

Slightly dumbfounded, Qi Xiu, as a newly advanced great cultivator of the Blood-Stained Realm, was indeed somewhat unaccustomed to this.

The Zhen Gang Qi of a Dao-Entering Realm cultivator is their original Internal Qi and Magic Power, which has been tempered and refined by Heavenly Gang Qi, transforming into a new form of power upon advancement.

And upon stepping into the Blood-Stained Realm, Heavenly Gang Qi and Xuanhuang Qi merge.

Heaven and Earth unite, returning to the origin.

True Gang transforms once again, becoming this True Origin.

True Origin, combined with the Qi of Heaven and Earth, is even more vigorous and immense than True Gang.

It is more compatible with the Divine Marvels of the Great Dao and can activate more profound and advanced Dharma Gates.

It is as if True Gang is beer, whereas True Origin is akin to a premium, cellar-aged Maotai.

However, due to the fusion of Heavenly Gang Qi and Xuanhuang Qi, True Origin is more restrained and introspective, thus lacking the protective characteristics for the body.

But for Blood-Stained Realm cultivators, except for the rare cases of spirit-body fusion, the physical body is no longer a weakness.

And Body-Protecting True Gang cannot withstand attacks on the soul.

Therefore, the presence or absence of Body-Protecting True Gang is of little consequence to a Blood-Stained Realm cultivator.

The Thunder Magic driven by True Origin is at least ten times more powerful! Moreover, the casting time for the Thunder Magic is shorter, and it's smoother and easier to control, just like an extension of my own limbs.

After carefully sensing the differences between True Origin and True Gang, Qi Xiu nodded to himself.

True Origin is more attuned to the Ten Thousand Laws of the Great Dao than True Gang.

Therefore, activating Dharma Gates is faster, and the response from Heaven and Earth is more immediate.

Don't underestimate this slight increase in speed.

In a life-and-death battle, this slight difference can be fatal.

Experiencing more profoundly the many Divine Marvels that placed the Blood-Stained Realm above the Dao-Entering Realm, Qi Xiu couldn't help but chuckle softly.

Thinking back now, I realize just how audacious I've been. Attacking Blood-Stained Realm experts while still in the Dao-Entering Realm, and succeeding repeatedly at that! It was fortunate that those Golden Flower Maternal Sect's half-baked Blood-Stained Realm cultivators were generally weak in combat, and I had the Hunyuan Dragon Tiger Scripture Mystery and Thunder Magic as my trump cards for fighting those stronger than myself. If I had faced experts from truly powerful and prestigious sects, even if I could have succeeded, I fear I would have had to pay an extremely heavy price.

With a sigh of reflection, Qi Xiu rode the billowing fire clouds that stretched for over thirty miles, heading straight towards the Shenxiao Sect.

「…」

"Master, Little Junior Brother has returned."

「Yunti Peak, Guanlan Cliff.」

Daoist Yunxiong, who was staring blankly at the chessboard before him while fiddling with a chess piece, suddenly heard Ge Ping's voice.

"Returned? That little rascal actually knows how to come back!"

CLACK. A chess piece fell into the box.

BOOM!

Ge Ping felt as if a Category 18 hurricane had suddenly blown past him. Forcing his eyes open, he only saw a flash of Lei Mang streak past before his Master vanished from Guanlan Cliff.

Sigh, Little Junior Brother is probably in for it this time.

Smoothing down his hair, which the wind had turned into a bird's nest, Ge Ping shook his head slightly. After a moment's hesitation, he turned and hurried back, thinking:

No, I have to go and try to dissuade Master. Little Junior Brother isn't as thick-skinned and resilient as Eldest Senior Brother. I can't let Master beat him too badly.

「Shenxiao Sect, Yunti Peak.」

Just as Qi Xiu returned to the peak, before he could even settle, he saw the Sky Dome, previously clear, blue, and boundless, suddenly become overcast with dark clouds. Thunder rumbled, and endless electric serpents writhed within the cloud layers. A ferocious gale swept through, carrying roars that sounded like the fury of an Ancient God.

"Hmph! You rebellious disciple, you still know how to come back!"

Riding the raging thunder, Daoist Yunxiong landed before Qi Xiu. His shoulders were as broad as mountains, and he loomed over his disciple. His tiger-like eyes emanated blue-white Lei Mang, and the immense pressure of his dignity distorted the surrounding air, which was permeated with wisps of golden electric light.

"If I don't beat you black and blue today, you won't understand why flowers are so red!"

The aura of the Dao Body Realm pressed down on Qi Xiu's shoulders like the weight of the Hundred Thousand Great Mountains, pinning him to the spot. Daoist Yunxiong raised his right hand high, poised to strike.

Just as the slap was about to land, a hundred thoughts flashed through Qi Xiu's mind in an instant. A spark of Spiritual Light ignited an idea, and he immediately released the aura of his Blood-Stained Realm.

"Hmm?! Blood-Stained Realm!"

Upon sensing the genuine Blood-Stained Realm aura from within Qi Xiu, Daoist Yunxiong's eyes instantly lit up. However, his slap was already descending.

"Master, I am Little Junior Brother's Senior Brother! If you must hit someone, hit me instead!"

Just then, Ge Ping caught up.

Although Master is furious with Little Junior Brother, he is, after all, a reasonable man. If I shield him like this, Master will surely be too embarrassed to strike me.

Confidently, Ge Ping flashed in front of Qi Xiu, even having organized his next words in his mind.

Little Junior Brother! This time, just watch your Fifth Senior Brother!

SLAP—

"AH!!!"

The crisp, loud slap, accompanied by a mournful cry tinged with disbelief, sent Ge Ping soaring in a beautiful parabolic trajectory, swiftly disappearing from Qi Xiu's sight.

GULP!

Watching his Fifth Senior Brother vanish over the horizon like a distant star, Qi Xiu swallowed and secretly gave him a thumbs-up.

"You said it yourself, so you can't blame your Master, eh!"

Shouting towards the direction where Ge Ping had disappeared, Daoist Yunxiong turned back to Qi Xiu, all anger gone from his face. Laughing heartily, he pulled Qi Xiu up.

"Come, tell your Master all about it. How did a trip outside result in you advancing to the Blood-Stained Realm? Your cultivation speed is unprecedented, even within our Shenxiao Sect! Hahaha, excellent, truly excellent! I've decided! Tomorrow, I'll invite all the Peak Masters for drinks and tell them about you reaching the Blood-Stained Realm. I'll make sure their jaws drop to the floor! Hahaha!"

「…」

「A short while later, Yunti Peak, Guanlan Cliff.」

Gently stroking his long, coiling beard, Daoist Yunxiong placed a hand on Qi Xiu's back. His eyes, like torches, peered through flesh and skin, observing the spine that emanated an ancient, bright yellow luminescence.

"You lad… I truly don't know whether to call you fortunate or unfortunate. Let me ask you. When you underwent the Broken Mirror Calamity Sequence, did you feel the calamitous qi fill your entire body, completely sufficient to combine with the Heavenly Gang Qi to form the Heaven and Earth Bridge, only for yet another calamity to descend upon you?"

"Yes, Master. At that time, I was also puzzled. Since the Xuanhuang Qi was already sufficient, wouldn't the excess calamitous qi be useless?" Qi Xiu replied truthfully.

"Your situation has been recorded in ancient texts. It is known as the Saint Calamity. In other words, a calamity upon a calamity. Cultivators who encounter the Saint Calamity are almost always handed a death sentence. This calamity is a relentless series, one wave after another, one link connected to the next, until the Tribulation Crossing's energy, mind, and spirit are completely exhausted. And just when you rejoice that the calamity has passed, the final calamity will strike with compounded force, ensuring your demise beneath it. Throughout history, those who have successfully overcome this calamity upon a calamity are exceedingly rare, countable on one hand. Nearly all of them eventually became great titans who achieved physical sainthood. Therefore, this calamity has been given the name Saint Calamity. This spine of yours should be the Divine Marvel that manifested after you overcame the Saint Calamity. However, as for its exact capabilities, I'm afraid we'll have to ask the Sect Master to come and assess it."

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