Chapter 0996: The Difficulty of Nine Pearls

A huge change took place at the exact moment Li Luo activated the Acquired Resonance Godly Forging Art.

The Golden Dew Platform on the mountain peak suddenly rippled with a mystical, golden light and started to tremble. For a moment, everyone thought that they were hallucinating.

However, more and more streaks of golden light shot into the sky and formed a gigantic ward before their eyes.

The ward was filled with an ancient atmosphere, and a golden eye with an almighty presence of authority floated in the center of it.

Burnished rays shot out from the eye as it quietly scanned the people on the Golden Dew Platform.

Those who had a higher sense of awareness immediately caught onto the fact that the golden ray contained a similar feeling as the golden smoke. In fact, it was much stronger than the smoke.

"Is this an additional gift from the Golden Dew Platform?!" some of the people exclaimed in surprise. Their voices were filled with greed and anticipation. Some of them were even drooling over this newfound surprise! All of those who had experienced the mysterious, golden smoke understood how alluring and valuable it was. Who knew how big of a commotion the smoke could spark if it could be brought outside? Nonetheless, it could not be an easy substance to create. It had only appeared in such small quantities even on the platform. As such, it was no wonder everyone craved the benefits that this golden ray, which seemed even stronger than the golden smoke, would bring.

𝗳𝚛𝗲𝕖𝕨𝕖𝗯𝚗𝚘𝕧𝕖𝗹.𝗰𝗼𝕞

In fact, some had already tried to make a move to acquire it by force. However, their attacks disappeared without a trace as soon as they got into contact with the golden light. In the end, there was nothing else that they could do except sit down and wait quietly. They watched the golden ray sweep across their surroundings repeatedly with great anticipation, hoping that this boon would ultimately land upon them.

After a few moments, the countless golden rays scanning the surroundings all congregated on the same spot, on a golden lotus throne.

There was a figure sitting cross-legged on it.

Countless eyes of fury looked over. Who was the lucky fellow that had stolen such a heavenly opportunity from them?!

"Li Luo?!" Zhao Shenjiang's face turned dark as soon as he saw who was sitting on the golden lotus throne.

"How is this possible?! How is he worthy of it?" Zhao Jingyu shouted in anger from the side too. His eyes were full of jealousy and he was about to burst with rage.

In the distance, where the Heavenly Origin Ancient College students had gathered, Jiang Wanyu was also shocked to see the golden rays ending up on Li Luo.

"What a lucky guy. To have obtained such an opportunity!" Jiang Wanyu muttered.

"However, there are too many people over here. If he's the only one to get such an opportunity, he'll definitely draw the ire of others."

Many harbored ill intentions, especially in such a situation. Everyone wanted what he was getting, so there would surely be a group of dissatisfied individuals ready to pounce.

"What should we do, Sister Jiang? Do you think more golden smoke will appear if we break through the golden rays?" one of the students whispered to her just as she was pondering about it.

This was probably what many were thinking about as well. However, Jiang Wanyu simply gave the student a light stare.

"A relationship exists between Li Luo and the Heavenly Origin Ancient College. You have all witnessed the Underworld River's Black Dragon Banner he used earlier as well. Although this does not warrant us rendering aid to him in this situation, there is no need for us to add insult to injury," Jiang Wanyu explained calmly.

"Li Luo possesses triple resonances and is exceptionally talented. There is really no need to make an enemy out of him. After all, golden smoke may not come out even if we really break this opportunity apart."

Hearing these words from Jiang Wanyu, the student nodded in agreement.

At the same moment, the members of the Bloodline of Heavenly Emperor Li sensed the hostility in the field towards Li Luo.

Li Fuling, Li Fengyi, Li Jingtao, and the rest rushed over to help out. As they stood on all four sides around Li Luo's golden lotus throne, their resonant power surged up. They stared coldly at all the gazes filled with avarice as they stood guard around Li Luo.

"Everyone, do not be mistaken. This opportunity has been decided by fate. If any of you dare to take a step forward, the Bloodline of Heavenly Emperor Li will not sit idly," Li Fuling warned them coldly.

There were some whispers around the field at this moment. After all, the Bloodline of Heavenly Emperor Li was a truly strong Heavenly Emperor power. It would not be a wise choice to make enemies with them.

When Zhao Shenjiang noticed the change in the surroundings, he laughed coldly to himself. Zhao Jingyu asked, "Big Brother, should we do something to encourage the others to contest for Li Luo's opportunity?"

"There's no hurry. Let's wait for Brother Zhao Yan to finish his ceremony first. He's been prepared for this breakthrough for a really long time. If he succeeds, he can reach the nine-pearl tier. Even if he fails, he'll still break into the Heavenly Resonance Tier. We can think about going after Li Luo afterwards," Zhao Shenjiang replied.

As they talked about it, they looked over to a golden lotus throne not too far away. Zhao Yan was sitting cross-legged on it, and enormous resonant power shockwaves were pulsing from his body.

On his back were eight radiant Heavenly Pearls that absorbed worldly natural energy from the surroundings.

Amidst the eight pearls was a fine and tiny glow of light that was gradually condensing.

The light seemed pretty dim, but the energy pulsing from it was immense; it was many times stronger than any of the other eight pearls.

Many others were also watching this scene in anticipation. This was the preparation required to form the ninth pearl.

As many of them were at the Heavenly Pearl Tier themselves, they could understand just how challenging the cultivation of the ninth pearl was. It required one to accumulate a strong foundation. This was something that most of the rogue cultivators would not even think about.

In fact, this wasn't something one would expect to see even from the talents of the Heavenly Emperor powers.

The ninth Pearl was the mark of one's foundation and potential.

It was said that those who could cultivate to the nine-pearl tier had a much higher chance to reach the Duke Stage than those who couldn’t. In other words, the appearance of nine Heavenly Pearls would bestow one with the title of Duke seedling. The Duke Stage was a significant breakthrough in the realm of cultivation. If one could achieve it, they would be considered exceptional. They would be well respected regardless of where they went, even amongst the Heavenly Emperor powers.

As a result, many watched Zhao Yan's ninth pearl formation with a hint of envy.

However, his energy waves began to change whilst they were watching in awe. All of a sudden, there were some signs of stagnation, as if he had encountered a bottleneck.

Zhao Yan's expression fell. He took out some pills from his pocket sphere in a hurry and swallowed them before he attempted to continue his cultivation.

The pills stabilized his energy waves once again. Yet the ninth pearl continued to struggle in the air, unable to condense completely.

At this point, some of the people started to sigh to themselves. Zhao Yan was a truly talented individual, but it seemed like he would fall short when it came to condensing the ninth pearl.

What a pity.

Watching this scene from a distance, Jiang Wanyu shook her head. "The nine-pearl tier is truly challenging. It is much harder than reaching the limit of the Fiend Finisher Tier, something that even Senior Zong Sha and Zhao Yan didn’t manage to pull off."

When she finished speaking, she looked over at Zong Sha. He initially had the same plan as Zhao Yan, to make full use of this opportunity and break into the nine-pearl tier. However, he was ultimately lacking and it eluded him.

Their dreams of getting the ninth pearl had come to an end.

"Brother Zhao Yan has failed to reach the nine-pearl tier, it seems," Zhao Shenjiang said with a serious tone at this point.

Zhao Jingyu replied with a hint of disappointment, "It seems like you have the highest hope of obtaining the ninth pearl now, Big Brother."

Zhao Shenjiang did not disagree with him. As the owner of a lower ninth-grade resonance, his foundation and potential were indeed higher than Zhao Yan’s.

"It's fine even if Brother Zhao Yan fails. He has the Resonance Forming Pill prepared in advance. He just needs to make good use of this chance and break into the Heavenly Resonance Tier directly. Although there are restrictions in the Spiritual Resonance Cave, he will end up becoming stronger than every Heavenly Pearl cultivator here. When that time comes, we can finish off all those people from the Bloodline of Heavenly Emperor Li." When he finished speaking, a deadly and vicious look appeared in his eyes. Zhao Yan continued to keep his eyes closed with a serious expression. At this point, he could sense that the resonant power within his body had reached its maximum capacity.

The nine-pearl tier was too much of a challenge after all.

At this moment, Zhao Yan's eyes lit up and he unclenched his palm. Another jade bottle appeared in his hand, from which he took out a dim, silver pill.

The pill seemed magical, with a faint and enchanting mist surrounding it.

It was a really expensive item known as the Resonance Forming Pill. He had paid a high price for it, all just to prepare for this day.

Even though he had failed to reach the nine-pearl tier, he could still use this pill to reach the Heavenly Resonance Tier.

With that, he would get a huge boost to his strength and he could finish off the Bloodline of Heavenly Emperor Li. This would be considered a huge achievement for him. When he returned to his bloodline, he would surely be rewarded handsomely.

Nonetheless, a shocking resonant power shockwave erupted from the distance just as he was thinking about this.

Zhao Yan looked over in surprise, and his face changed immediately.

There was a golden lotus throne in that direction. Li Lingjing was sitting cross-legged on it. Worldly natural energy had condensed in the sky above her, pouring down like a waterfall.

The eight pearls behind her were spinning rapidly. At this moment, another Heavenly Pearl appeared behind them. Amazingly, it was slowly condensing from an illusory state into reality.

Shouts and screams broke out on the Golden Dew Platform all of a sudden.

Everyone looked over towards Li Lingjing in shock.

Zhao Yan and Zong Sha had failed, but this Li Lingjing... she had succeeded and broken into the nine-pearl tier!