A Mortal's Start in the Spirit Beast Mountain

Chapter 387 Transformation Lightning Tribulation

Luo Ming scanned the area with his divine sense and could clearly sense that each of the twelve newborn frost centipedes contained a considerable amount of icy power. Their potential had already exceeded the scope of the original "six-winged frost centipede".

"Not bad, very good." Luo Ming was increasingly satisfied as he looked at it. This incubation was not only successful, but the results far exceeded expectations, producing unexpected positive mutations.

"Twelve...that's quite a lot." Luo Ming's mind raced. "For me, quantity isn't the key; quality and controllability are more important."

He quickly made a decision: "Well, I'll keep eight of them and nurture them carefully as future help. The other four... their quality is relatively ordinary, so I'll give them to Liu Yu to fulfill my promise."

Without hesitation, Luo Ming acted. With a slight thought, his powerful divine sense transformed into twelve invisible threads, precisely probing the twelve newly born, still unaware, frost centipedes inside the cauldron. He intended to imprint his own mark upon them while their souls were at their weakest and purest.

Of the eight he selected, Luo Ming used a more profound and robust "Bloodline Soul Contract." This method uses his own blood essence as a guide and his divine sense as a pen to inscribe a contract imprint on the core of their souls. From then on, they would share life and death, and be of one mind, like a natal spirit beast, making them extremely difficult to betray.

The eight little frost centipedes trembled slightly before quieting down. Their compound eyes looked in Luo Ming's direction, showing less coldness and wariness and more natural closeness and dependence.

For the other four, Luo Ming only placed a relatively simple restriction. These four little frost centipedes seemed to sense some kind of restraint and twisted uncomfortably a few times, but they quickly calmed down under Luo Ming's divine sense.

After doing all this, Luo Ming waved his hand, and the eight frost centipedes that had been bound by bloodline soul contracts transformed into eight thin black lights, obediently flying into the spirit beast bracelet on his wrist. There was a special space suitable for ice-attribute spirit insects for them to live and grow.

The remaining four were placed by Luo Ming into a well-prepared spirit beast bag of good quality. A simple cold-gathering array was also set up inside the bag, enough to sustain their short-term survival needs.

"It's time to send a 'big gift' to that Uncle Liu." Luo Ming had a faint smile on his lips.

Without further hesitation, he manipulated his magical artifact and sped off once again toward Ice Phoenix Peak.

Luo Ming arrived at Liu Yu's Ice Phoenix Peak cave, took out a communication talisman, whispered a few words, and waved his hand to send the talisman into the pale white barrier in front of him.

The sound transmission talisman disappeared into the light screen like a mud ox sinking into the sea, without causing the slightest ripple, and no response came from inside the cave.

After waiting for about the time it takes to drink a cup of tea, the entrance to the cave remained silent, with only the rustling of the mountain wind through the pine forest.

"Not here?" Luo Ming raised an eyebrow, thinking to himself.

"That's right. She recently formed her core and is probably in the crucial stage of preparing to refine her natal magic weapon. Perhaps she's in seclusion refining the weapon, or out searching for materials, and doesn't have time for anything else right now."

His original plan was to use the success of hatching the insect eggs to ask Liu Yu for permission to "enter the third floor of the Scripture Pavilion and choose a cultivation technique or secret art".

This not only aligns with his desire as a "Foundation Establishment disciple" for a more profound inheritance, but also provides him with the most direct and "reasonable" way to explore the method of refining the "Ten Thousand Soul Banner".

Given his current Foundation Establishment stage status, under normal circumstances he could only enter the second floor of the Scripture Pavilion at most. Although the collection there is not bad, it is highly unlikely to contain the core inheritance of the sect, especially the special refining method for special magic treasures like the Myriad Soul Banner.

"It seems I'll have to come another day." Luo Ming felt a little regretful, but he wasn't in a hurry.

Just as he turned around, the cyan flying sword was already hovering at his feet—

"Whoosh—!"

A swift, azure light shot towards Ice Phoenix Peak like a meteor! Within the light emanated the familiar aura of Liu Yu, the aura of the early Core Formation stage, yet subtly carrying a sharp edge.

Luo Ming's heart stirred, and he stopped what he was doing, standing still and making a gesture as if he had just arrived and was about to leave.

The azure light arrived in an instant, stopping abruptly in front of Ice Phoenix Peak. The light faded, revealing Liu Yu's figure.

She was still wearing that dark green dress, but the usual charming and languid look on her face was completely gone, replaced by a rare solemnity and seriousness. There was even a hint of weariness between her brows, as if she had just rushed back from outside.

She spotted Luo Ming standing in front of her cave, seemingly about to leave. She paused, then her alluring eyes flashed with surprise and eagerness. Her gaze was fixed intently on Luo Ming, her voice carrying an undisguised anticipation:

"But what about the insect eggs... is there any news?"

She had given the insect eggs to Luo Ming with a try-it-and-see attitude, but she didn't really have high hopes, since she had tried for a long time without success.

But Luo Ming suddenly appeared in front of her cave, so she couldn't help but think the best of things. Her disappointment at failing to win the position of Banner Bearer improved a lot.

Seeing Liu Yu's eagerness, Luo Ming wore a perfectly timed smile, a hint of relief that came from completing a task. He bowed slightly to Liu Yu and replied in a steady voice:

"Reporting to Senior Uncle Liu, your disciple has successfully completed the mission. After several months of attempts, the insect eggs... have miraculously hatched."

He paused, and amidst Liu Yu's sudden brightening gaze, he added with a hint of "regret," "However... perhaps too much of the insect eggs' essence was lost, or perhaps my skills were lacking, but in the end only four larvae successfully hatched. The rest... all exhausted their life force and failed to hatch. These are the four spirit insects that successfully hatched; please examine them, Uncle-Master."

As he spoke, he reached into his robes, took out the spirit beast pouch that he had prepared beforehand, and presented it to Liu Yu with both hands.

"Four of them actually succeeded?" Upon hearing this, Liu Yu was first surprised, then overjoyed!

She originally thought that she would be incredibly lucky to hatch one or two! But Luo Ming actually gave her four!

This was a surprise that far exceeded her expectations! As for Luo Ming's statement that "only four hatched" and "the rest failed," she thought it was perfectly normal, and even felt that the success rate was astonishingly high! After all, those were ancient insect eggs that had been sealed in the ice for countless years!

Clang! Clang! Clang!

Three deep, long, and extremely penetrating bell tolls suddenly rang out from the highest peak, "Tianzhu Peak," deepest in the Yuling Sect mountain range!

The bell tolled not with the clear, melodious sound of celebration, but with a sense of urgency, solemnity, and warning, instantly spreading throughout the entire Yuling Sect's mountain gate and even to the surrounding hundreds of miles!

Wherever the bell rang, the air seemed to freeze for a moment. Countless birds and beasts were startled and scattered in all directions. Low-level cultivators felt a tightness in their hearts and inexplicably felt a sense of unease.

"Three alarm bells?!" Luo Ming's expression changed slightly. He looked up in the direction from which the bells were coming, a hint of surprise flashing in his eyes. Although he had kept a low profile during his years at the Spirit Control Sect, he was still familiar with some of the sect's basic rules and signals.

These three alarm bells usually signify a major upheaval, requiring the entire clan to immediately enter a state of alert, take their positions, and prepare to confront the enemy or deal with the crisis.

"Could it be... that the righteous path, or other demonic sects, are taking this opportunity to launch a large-scale attack?" Several possibilities flashed through Luo Ming's mind in an instant.

However, the Yuling Sect is located in the heart of the demonic forces. Although it competes with the Ghost Spirit Sect and the Demon Flame Sect, it is generally in a balance. The righteous path is tens of thousands of miles away, separated by the Ghost Spirit Sect.

Liu Yu, standing nearby, didn't have time to check the spirit insects. She quickly put away the spirit beast pouch, glanced at Luo Ming who looked like he was facing a formidable enemy and on guard, and then spoke in her previous calm tone:

"Don't be nervous. This isn't an external enemy, but a major event within the sect. Our sect's guardian spirit bird, the 'Blazing Sun Bird,' which has protected the sect for over two thousand years, is nearing the end of its lifespan. Unwilling to sit idly by and wait for its death, it has decided to make a desperate attempt today in the forbidden area of ​​the back mountain, trying to trigger the Transformation Lightning Tribulation and break through to the eighth level!"

"The Fiery Sun Bird?" Luo Ming's face showed a suitable expression of realization.

He naturally knew about this bird; it was recorded in the records of Spirit Beast Mountain. It was a top-level fire-attribute spirit bird with a rare "Golden Crow" bloodline. It was born with the ability to control powerful true fire and had great potential, but its growth was extremely slow and it was difficult to break through its bottleneck.

Unexpectedly, there is one in the Yuling Sect, and it has already reached the peak of level seven!

If this bird can successfully transcend its tribulation and transform into human form, it will be of great significance to the Spirit Control Sect!

A transformed demon beast with the combat strength of the mid-Nascent Soul stage and a lifespan far exceeding that of human cultivators of the same level is enough to elevate the strength of the Spirit Control Sect among the six demonic sects!

Luo Ming couldn't help but feel a pang of envy, thinking to himself, "My Fat Sun Bird has far more potential than this Blazing Sun Bird with the Golden Crow bloodline. I wonder when it will be able to break through to human form..."

Just as Luo Ming's thoughts were drifting—

"All disciples of the Imperial Spirit Sect, heed my command!"

A majestic, deep voice, like the sound of a great bell, resounded directly in the consciousness and ears of every cultivator within a radius of dozens of miles, coming from the sky without warning!

The voice contained the powerful pressure and unquestionable will of a Nascent Soul cultivator, instantly overwhelming all the noise around the valley.

It was a personal message from the Nascent Soul Ancestor of the Yuling Sect!

"From this moment forward, the entire sect shall enter Level A alert! Disciples of each peak shall, according to the pre-assigned plan, be led by Core Formation Elders to immediately go to the various array points, key locations, and passes of the sect to take up their posts!"

Strictly guard against any external enemies taking advantage of the situation to interfere with the spirit bird's tribulation! Anyone who deserts their post, retreats in the face of battle, or behaves suspiciously will be executed without mercy! Anyone discovered spying will be killed on sight!

The Nascent Soul Ancestor's decree was crystal clear, carrying a chilling killing intent. However, he hadn't finished speaking—

"Boom—!!!"

In the distance, deep within the mist-shrouded valley, a terrifying roar suddenly erupted, like the earth's crust cracking open or a volcano about to erupt! Immediately afterward, an unimaginable, extremely violent surge of spiritual energy erupted, as if completely stirred by an invisible giant hand!

But Luo Ming suddenly appeared in front of her cave, so she couldn't help but think the best of things. Her disappointment at failing to win the position of Banner Bearer improved a lot.

Seeing Liu Yu's eagerness, Luo Ming wore a perfectly timed smile, a hint of relief that came from completing a task. He bowed slightly to Liu Yu and replied in a steady voice:

"Reporting to Senior Uncle Liu, your disciple has successfully completed the mission. After several months of attempts, the insect eggs... have miraculously hatched."

He paused, and amidst Liu Yu's sudden brightening gaze, he added with a hint of "regret," "However... perhaps too much of the insect eggs' essence was lost, or perhaps my skills were lacking, but in the end only four larvae successfully hatched. The rest... all exhausted their life force and failed to hatch. These are the four spirit insects that successfully hatched; please examine them, Uncle-Master."

As he spoke, he reached into his robes, took out the spirit beast pouch that he had prepared beforehand, and presented it to Liu Yu with both hands.

"Four of them actually succeeded?" Upon hearing this, Liu Yu was first surprised, then overjoyed!

She originally thought that she would be incredibly lucky to hatch one or two! But Luo Ming actually gave her four!

This was a surprise that far exceeded her expectations! As for Luo Ming's statement that "only four hatched" and "the rest failed," she thought it was perfectly normal, and even felt that the success rate was astonishingly high! After all, those were ancient insect eggs that had been sealed in the ice for countless years!

Clang! Clang! Clang!

Three deep, long, and extremely penetrating bell tolls suddenly rang out from the highest peak, "Tianzhu Peak," deepest in the Yuling Sect mountain range!

The bell tolled not with the clear, melodious sound of celebration, but with a sense of urgency, solemnity, and warning, instantly spreading throughout the entire Yuling Sect's mountain gate and even to the surrounding hundreds of miles!

Wherever the bell rang, the air seemed to freeze for a moment. Countless birds and beasts were startled and scattered in all directions. Low-level cultivators felt a tightness in their hearts and inexplicably felt a sense of unease.

"Three alarm bells?!" Luo Ming's expression changed slightly. He looked up in the direction from which the bells were coming, a hint of surprise flashing in his eyes. Although he had kept a low profile during his years at the Spirit Control Sect, he was still familiar with some of the sect's basic rules and signals.

These three alarm bells usually signify a major upheaval, requiring the entire clan to immediately enter a state of alert, take their positions, and prepare to confront the enemy or deal with the crisis.

"Could it be... that the righteous path, or other demonic sects, are taking this opportunity to launch a large-scale attack?" Several possibilities flashed through Luo Ming's mind in an instant.

However, the Yuling Sect is located in the heart of the demonic forces. Although it competes with the Ghost Spirit Sect and the Demon Flame Sect, it is generally in a balance. The righteous path is tens of thousands of miles away, separated by the Ghost Spirit Sect.

Liu Yu, standing nearby, didn't have time to check the spirit insects. She quickly put away the spirit beast pouch, glanced at Luo Ming who looked like he was facing a formidable enemy and on guard, and then spoke in her previous calm tone:

"Don't be nervous. This isn't an external enemy, but a major event within the sect. Our sect's guardian spirit bird, the 'Blazing Sun Bird,' which has protected the sect for over two thousand years, is nearing the end of its lifespan. Unwilling to sit idly by and wait for its death, it has decided to make a desperate attempt today in the forbidden area of ​​the back mountain, trying to trigger the Transformation Lightning Tribulation and break through to the eighth level!"

"The Fiery Sun Bird?" Luo Ming's face showed a suitable expression of realization.

He naturally knew about this bird; it was recorded in the records of Spirit Beast Mountain. It was a top-level fire-attribute spirit bird with a rare "Golden Crow" bloodline. It was born with the ability to control powerful true fire and had great potential, but its growth was extremely slow and it was difficult to break through its bottleneck.

Unexpectedly, there is one in the Yuling Sect, and it has already reached the peak of level seven!

If this bird can successfully transcend its tribulation and transform into human form, it will be of great significance to the Spirit Control Sect!

A transformed demon beast with the combat strength of the mid-Nascent Soul stage and a lifespan far exceeding that of human cultivators of the same level is enough to elevate the strength of the Spirit Control Sect among the six demonic sects!

Luo Ming couldn't help but feel a pang of envy, thinking to himself, "My Fat Sun Bird has far more potential than this Blazing Sun Bird with the Golden Crow bloodline. I wonder when it will be able to break through to human form..."

Just as Luo Ming's thoughts were drifting—

"All disciples of the Imperial Spirit Sect, heed my command!"

A majestic, deep voice, like the sound of a great bell, resounded directly in the consciousness and ears of every cultivator within a radius of dozens of miles, coming from the sky without warning!

The voice contained the powerful pressure and unquestionable will of a Nascent Soul cultivator, instantly overwhelming all the noise around the valley.

It was a personal message from the Nascent Soul Ancestor of the Yuling Sect!

"From this moment forward, the entire sect shall enter Level A alert! Disciples of each peak shall, according to the pre-assigned plan, be led by Core Formation Elders to immediately go to the various array points, key locations, and passes of the sect to take up their posts!"

Strictly guard against any external enemies taking advantage of the situation to interfere with the spirit bird's tribulation! Anyone who deserts their post, retreats in the face of battle, or behaves suspiciously will be executed without mercy! Anyone discovered spying will be killed on sight!

The Nascent Soul Ancestor's decree was crystal clear, carrying a chilling killing intent. However, he hadn't finished speaking—

"Boom—!!!"

In the distance, deep within the mist-shrouded valley, a terrifying roar suddenly erupted, like the earth's crust cracking open or a volcano about to erupt! Immediately afterward, an unimaginable, extremely violent surge of spiritual energy erupted, as if completely stirred by an invisible giant hand!