Chapter 223 – Three Months Later, Transformed Sinews and Bones (Four)

“This token is genuine.”

The Middle-Aged Strongman’s casual remark was like dropping a bomb into a tranquil pond.

Instantly, everyone present was rendered speechless.

Clearly, their previous skepticism had to bow before absolute facts—no one would dare question the authority of their Martial Uncle here.

“However…” Unexpectedly, the Martial Uncle’s voice rang out again, causing Sage Yisu and the three elders to tense up once more.

Even the expressions of the crowd shifted subtly at that moment.

Seeing this, the Middle-Aged Strongman had no choice but to explain, “Do not misunderstand. What this Venerable meant is that although the token is authentic, what’s astonishing is that a strand of Spiritual Energy within it has vanished.”

At this point, he couldn’t help but glance at Ye Kuang and remark indifferently, “If this token was obtained by this youth, then undoubtedly, he must have absorbed and refined that Spiritual Energy.”

His words sent waves of shock through the assembly.

“Impossible! How could a mere mortal absorb Spiritual Energy so easily? This goes against the ancestral teachings passed down by our Ancestral Master—I refuse to believe it!”

“Exactly! Even the Three Venerables struggle to refine Spiritual Energy—what qualifications does this kid have? He’s only at the Peak of Kongming realm… I don’t buy it!”

“Of course, this is merely a hypothesis, but if it were true…” The Martial Uncle interjected again, “Though this Venerable is reluctant to believe it, do not forget the Ancestral Master’s additional decree: anyone capable of refining Spiritual Energy shall be recognized as a Cultivator.”

Before his words fully faded, an eerie silence fell over the scene.

Martial Uncle: “Therefore, this Venerable proposes a test—let us see if this youth can indeed absorb and refine Spiritual Energy.”

Everyone present knew exactly where this test would occur: the lifeline of Kunlun, the convergence point of great fortune, where boundless Spiritual Energy resources lay. If seized by someone with ill intentions, it would spell catastrophic doom for the Kunlun Secret Realm!

The Middle-Aged Strongman, well aware of this, pondered and said, “For safety’s sake, we must obtain the Three Venerables’ approval before testing him. But before that, I believe it necessary to employ the Phantom God Hand on him.”

“Agreed.”

“Let it be tried. Success or failure rests with fate—otherwise, the three of us may not live to see that day.”

“Then proceed with the test!”

Just then, three aged voices suddenly echoed from mid-air.

“The Three Venerables! May you be well!!!”

Instantly, the entire scene erupted in fervor, the air trembling with waves of respectful exclamations.

For the owners of those ancient voices were their objects of worship—none other than the Three Sacred Venerables.

Martial Uncle: “We obey the decree!”

Witnessing this, Sage Yisu couldn’t help but secretly sweat for Ye Kuang.

At this juncture, even if Sage Yisu wished to speak in Ye Kuang’s defense, it was no longer possible.

Meanwhile, Ye Kuang glared with crimson pupils, his gaze ferocious like a wrathful demon ready to devour its prey.

But then, the world in his eyes began to warp unpredictably!

Deep within his consciousness.

Ye Kuang’s Soul was still screaming hysterically when an invisible giant hand abruptly suppressed it with overwhelming force.

Countless shackles coiled around him layer upon layer, like successive seals, submerging him completely into the abyss in the blink of an eye.His final thought was one of profound helplessness.

Thus, what felt like a brief moment had actually spanned nearly three hours.

Unbeknownst to him, the Martial Uncle was also suffering in silence, for a single use of the “Phantom God Hand” consumed at least thirty percent of his true Yuan!

When the others noticed the Martial Uncle’s deathly pale complexion, their expressions shifted to horror.

“Martial Uncle!!”

Martial Uncle: “This Venerable is fine. All of you, withdraw. I will take this lad with me.”

As his words faded, two figures vanished from the scene.

Meanwhile, within the Secret Realm, atop one of the mountain peaks.

To call it a peak would be an understatement—it was more like a plateau atop the mountain.

At its center stood an altar.

The surroundings were utterly silent. Were it not for the occasional gentle breeze, one might mistake it for an isolated land of death.

When the Martial Uncle arrived with Ye Kuang in tow, three aged figures suddenly appeared, standing silently with their backs turned.

Their seemingly unremarkable frames, neither broad nor imposing, contained an inexplicable, immense power, harmonizing perfectly with heaven and earth.

It was clear at a glance just how terrifying the energy stored within these three individuals was.

“Sigh, have they arrived?”

“Yes, they’re here.”

“Then let us begin!”

The Martial Uncle moved at the sound of their voices, naturally aware of what needed to be done.

Ye Kuang was placed on an ice bed at the center of the altar. Wisps of cold air, as if sentient, coiled into icy tendrils that swiftly enveloped the figure on the bed.

At this moment, including the Middle-Aged Strongman, the four took positions at the cardinal points, channeling vast amounts of true Yuan from the nodes of the Azure Dragon, White Tiger, Vermilion Bird, and Black Tortoise.

Buzz, buzz, buzz!

Instantly, the heavens and earth roared, winds and clouds shifted, and the sun and moon dimmed.

As layers of dark clouds gathered abruptly overhead, lightning flashed and thunder rumbled, while howling winds raged in response.

In that moment, it seemed as if the heavens and earth were enraged, unleashing an inexplicable, majestic might.

Yet, on the altar, the four paid no heed, their focus entirely on the task at hand.

Soon, four oceans of color erupted violently from their respective positions.

One of verdant wood, representing endless vitality!

One of metallic water, signifying an unceasing flow!

One of blazing fire, embodying imperviousness to all evils!

One of solid earth, symbolizing steadfast stability!

“Azure Dragon, White Tiger, Vermilion Bird, Black Tortoise—Four Symbols, activate!!”

At first, the change might have seemed unnoticeable, but as time passed, what the Martial Uncle had only speculated earlier now became undeniable reality.

On the ice bed, Ye Kuang had completely transformed into a cocoon, not only capable of absorbing all energies but also fully stirring the profound mysteries of heaven and earth.

This scene matched precisely the prophecy left by their Ancestral Master!

“When one can stir the changes of heaven and earth, this person shall emerge as destined. Once they undergo their own profound transformation, all things in the world will shift unpredictably in response.”

Witnessing this, the four top experts in the Secret Realm couldn’t help but beam with joy. This endeavor was nothing short of a grand gamble. If successful, they would usher in a new era. As for failure, they refused to entertain the thought.

For they had exhausted every means to cultivate even one Venerable One. To produce another, the Three Venerables clearly no longer had the time…