Chapter 718

Chapter 718: Elder of All Spirits

In a secluded part of the Extreme Void Domain, a vast Hidden Spirit Island floated like a drifting continent.

"Activate the strongest defense mode while I’m in seclusion," Xu Fan instructed Grapes from within the Time Acceleration Small World.

"Understood, Master," Grapes responded promptly.

"I’ve taken care of all necessary arrangements and cleared up my pending tasks," Xu Fan murmured to himself, sitting cross-legged at the center of the acceleration small world. "When I emerge, I’ll be at the Overcoming Tribulations stage. I wonder what my Three Tribulations will be like."

Advancing from Core Formation to the Overcoming Tribulations stage meant facing three major calamities: the Tribulation of the Physical Body, the Tribulation of Spiritual Energy, and the Tribulation of the Soul. These thunder calamities were the defining trials of the Overcoming Tribulations stage.

Xu Fan knew that the success rate for cultivators at this stage was relatively high—around sixty percent, according to historical records. Surviving the Three Tribulations and reaching the Great Ascension stage was essentially a ticket to ascending to the Immortal Realm. As long as one didn’t court disaster or suffer extraordinary bad luck, the chances of success were favorable.

However, no matter how high the success rate, enduring the thunder calamities was an excruciating process. That’s why most cultivators at this stage chose to enter seclusion within their sects, while wandering cultivators sought out hidden locations to avoid being ambushed during their tribulations.

This was precisely why Xu Fan had moved Hidden Spirit Island to the Extreme Void Domain before initiating time acceleration. He wanted to ensure that, if he broke through, he’d be prepared when the thunder calamity struck.

As the acceleration small world sealed itself off, Hidden Spirit Island activated its strongest defense mode.

Meanwhile, Star, who had been gazing at a giant snake with a single horn in the sky, turned her attention toward Xu Fan’s time acceleration small world.

"What’s wrong, Star?" Wang Yulun asked kindly.

"Uncle Xu must be doing something very important. The entire Hidden Spirit Island is sealed off," Star replied, still staring at the giant snake.

"Your Uncle Xu is probably in seclusion to advance to the Overcoming Tribulations stage," Wang Yulun said. "That’s why the island’s defenses are so tight."

Suddenly, Wang Yulun had an idea and gently asked Star, "Star, can I ask you for a favor?"

Star swallowed the drool pooling at the corner of her mouth and nodded.

"If that Purple Jade Flood Dragon comes seeking revenge, could you help protect your Uncle Xu?" Wang Yulun asked.

Star tilted her little head thoughtfully. "Dad, I can only chase the Purple Jade Flood Dragon away," she said after a moment.

"That’s good enough," Wang Yulun replied with a smile.

With Hidden Spirit Island isolated in the Extreme Void Domain, its disciples settled into their daily cultivation routines, unaware of the challenges that lay ahead.

The beast race attached to Hidden Spirit Island began to enjoy a time for happiness.

Now that the entire Hidden Spirit Island had connected, those who were not formal disciples of the Hidden Spirit Sect could also enjoy the five elemental origins.

Even those who performed exceptionally well received spots to enter the cultivation place at Five-Color Mountain Peak.

In a mountain range located in the area occupied by the demon division, there was a hollowed-out mountain.

This was the residence of the Spirit Rabbit Clan. Although it was in the most remote environment, every Spirit Rabbit was very satisfied with their current situation.

Compared to where they lived before, this place felt like paradise.

As the bell rang, the entire mountain peak became lively.

Countless Spirit Rabbits rushed out from the mountain, boarding their own spiritual boats belonging to their teams, flying towards the various planting areas of Hidden Spirit Island.

Following Xu Fan’s preferences, the places he frequently visited were filled with strange flowers and rare herbs, while the places he did not often go were planted with spiritual herbs and spirit fruit trees.

These had previously been cared for by Grapes, but now that the Spirit Rabbit Clan arrived, Grapes saved a lot of computing power.

The Spirit Rabbit Clan divided themselves into three tiers based on their knowledge of spirit objects.

The lowest tier could only manage ordinary Spiritual Flowers and Spirit Grass, the middle tier could tend to some unique spiritual herbs and spirit trees, while the highest tier could look after the most advanced spirit plants.

For example, the ancient spiritual herbs and spirit trees that were transplanted thousands of years ago.

One particularly handsome gray Spirit Rabbit was fertilizing a thousand-year-old fragrant tea tree and removing the weeds that could compete for the tree’s spiritual energy.

After fertilizing, the Spirit Rabbit patrolled around the fragrant tea tree and found a few weeds already poking their heads up.

Although they were called weeds, in the abundant spiritual energy environment of Hidden Spirit Island, they had also evolved into spirit grass.

The Spirit Rabbit joyfully pulled out those two or three weeds by the roots, cleaned the soil from their roots, and directly began to chew on them.

For the Spirit Rabbit Clan, these weeds containing spiritual energy were considered treasures.

Just as the Spirit Rabbit was about to proceed with its next task, its expression suddenly changed.

The Spirit Rabbit covered its head, as if receiving some information.

Looking at the surrounding environment and combining it with the newly received memories, it said helplessly, "What a pity; all these years of planning have gone to waste."

Just as the Spirit Rabbit finished its lament, several figures suddenly surrounded it.

It turned out to be four battle puppets at the Core Formation stage surrounding it.

"Spirit Rabbit No. 30,768, please explain what you just said."

"Otherwise, you will be considered an unstable factor and destroyed," Grapes’ voice echoed.

The Spirit Rabbit calmly looked around before responding, "This is the sect of the human race."

"Please answer the previous question; if you do not provide a reasonable explanation in ten breaths, you will be annihilated," Grapes’ cold voice continued.

"I am Elder Wanling of the Elder Council, with the serial number nine."

After the Spirit Rabbit spoke, it transformed into an ordinary-looking man, but his aura was profound and unfathomable, radiating the might of an invincible respected elder.

"Verification in progress; please wait ~"

The man nodded, watching the surrounding puppets with great interest.

"I haven’t heard of any sect in the cultivation world known for crafting puppets," Wanling said with a smile.

At that moment, a beam of light cut across the sky, and Spirit Cut appeared in front of Elder Wanling.

"Elder of Hidden Spirit Island, Spirit Cut pays respects to Elder Wanling," the battle puppet said, sensing the aura of Elder Wanling.

At this time, Grapes also confirmed the identity of the man before them.

"Elder Wanling, welcome to Hidden Spirit Island," Grapes announced.

"Who verified my identity?" Elder Wanling asked curiously.

"The Elder Council, disciple of Elder Ming Kong, Shaoyu," Grapes responded.

"So it’s that kid; I guided him once."

"What a pity, after all these years of planning, I didn’t expect you to wipe it all out."