In addition, due to the breakthrough to the fourth aperture level, his lifespan also increased by thirty years, reaching four hundred and fifty years, already surpassing the limit of the Foundation Establishment Stage.

As for the realm aspect.

He is now at the late stage of a Martial Saint. According to the progress rate of two days per point of proficiency, it would take less than two months to break through to the peak Martial Saint realm.

By then, Lou Yi can truly start preparing for the matters of breaking through to the next realm, at least ensuring sufficient preparation.

The deeper the accumulation, the more trump cards there are, the easier it is to overcome the Heavenly Tribulation, and the stronger the power after the breakthrough will be.

Lou Yi began to organize the next cultivation plan.

Most of his current power lies in martial arts, and the primary focus going forward will be on advancing the progress of aperture condensing.

’Whenever I break through to the nine apertures, that’s when I’ll go through the Heavenly Tribulation.’

This is the line Lou Yi set for himself. However, if there are unexpected emergencies, then he can only adapt to circumstances.

The process of Martial Artists condensing apertures has a unique similarity to cultivators building the Spirit Platform.

In the early stages, one can rely on slaying spiritual creatures to obtain Spiritual Liquid to refine the apertures.

After reaching above three or four apertures, the effectiveness of Spiritual Liquid gradually decreases, and at that point, one can only rely on Heaven and Earth Wonders.

Of course, Lou Yi has another clever method, which is to provoke Heaven to bring down Heavenly Lightning to strike him.

Then, using the devouring talent that can convert energy, convert the raw, raging energy of Heavenly Lightning into Blood Qi energy that Martial Artists can use to refine the apertures.

However, this method comes with significant risks and limitations.

Each time the Heavenly Lightning strikes down, it is much stronger than before.

If the next realm’s Heavenly Tribulation directly descends, Lou Yi could only bite the bullet and get through it, with nowhere to vent his grievances.

Therefore, this method can only be used occasionally and cannot be relied upon.

Lou Yi still needs to be like other cultivators, honestly seeking Heaven and Earth Wonders.

Fortunately, as he spends more time in the Heavenly Abyss and grows more connected to it, the accuracy of his divination talent is constantly improving.

In the future, it might not be impossible to divine the exact location of Heaven and Earth Wonders.

Martial Arts cultivation is the foundation, and enhancing the progress of aperture condensing is the most important thing at present.

Outside of martial arts, the two major systems of Qi Cultivation and Body Cultivation will also be pushed forward, both of which are not far from the next level.

Although advancing to the Foundation Establishment Stage and the fourth-tier Body Cultivator does not significantly boost power, it is better than nothing.

In terms of skills, Martial Arts True Intent that can form a Grandmaster Realm is the most important.

Martial Arts True Intent is currently stuck in the Mastery Realm. After all, he is self-taught, without inheritance, relying entirely on the Attribute Panel to force the realm up.

Next, if there is an opportunity, he must find a way to enhance the proficiency of Martial Arts True Intent.

The range affected by the Grandmaster Realm is only a hundred feet now, which is somewhat inadequate in battles against Demon Clan often spanning hundreds or thousands of feet.

As for talents, these are the second major components of Lou Yi’s power outside of martial arts.

The three fundamental talents of Wind Riding, Tenacity, and Divine Power correspond to Lou Yi’s speed, defense, and strength, and enhancing any one can significantly boost combat power.

The Disguise Talent cannot be overlooked either. Having already entered the sights of numerous Golden Core Masters, it’s likely that he will face many plots and schemes; any opportunity to advance it should not be missed.

The Divination Talent is the only talent Lou Yi has that might allow him to not be disadvantaged when facing Golden Core-level opponents, having helped him escape countless perilous situations; its priority must be high.

As for the Doppelganger Talent, although its current usefulness is limited, Lou Yi feels it’s due to its relatively low level.

If it is raised to above the Mastery level, it might manifest other delightful changes.

’Heaven and Earth Wonders often depend on luck, and the key items for enhancing talents might be obtained through connections,’ Lou Yi thought.

He has now connected with the Daoists of the three major Alliance Hierarch sects: Boundless Sword Sect, Profound Yin Sect, and Lotus Sect; not leveraging that would be too wasteful.

"Why do you need so many heavenly materials and earthly treasures?"

Upon hearing Lou Yi list a string of key items, Su Xinghe felt a little bewildered.

The treasures Lou Yi needed were all unrivaled rarities, things like Kunpeng Feathers and Earth, often only heard of in folklore, so much so that even a colossus like a True Monarch would struggle to obtain them.

"I’ll check for you when I return to the sect." Su Xinghe still promised to look into it.

"I think I’ve seen the Three-Life Vine somewhere." Daoist Ming Du thought for a moment and said.

Hearing this left Lou Yi a bit speechless, since this item is for venom advancement, a talent he has always disregarded.

"Amitabha, the monastery’s treasury should have the existence of Transforming Spirit Iron.

However, this item was passed down by the ancestors, extremely precious, and I might not have the ability to exchange it, but I will try my best to get it." Wuxiang Buddha’s Son brought Lou Yi some good news.

Lou Yi understood his meaning and immediately said: "I have some treasures here that can be exchanged, ensuring you won’t be at a loss, Buddha’s Son."

With a wave of his hand, a heap of items appeared before him, emitting dazzling golden and silver light, making Su Xinghe and the others gasp in astonishment.

"Hiss..."

"Did you loot a small sect?"

"Phoenix Blood Red Gold, Taiyi Geng Gold, Kunwu Stone, Mystic Iron Essence..."

These precious metal materials, many of which are useful even to Golden Core Masters, are entirely inaccessible to Foundation Establishment Cultivators.

They did not know that this was just a small portion of the treasures Lou Yi obtained from Xuan Ji True Monarch; most of it he hadn’t revealed yet.

He even had quite a few treasure artifacts himself, but there was no need to show them now.

As the saying goes, wealth should not be flaunted; the treasure artifacts are so precious that even a Golden Core Master might be tempted, and it might expose the fact that Lou Yi obtained the True Monarch’s treasure trove.

Lou Yi smiled and said, "These things are just gathering dust with me; feel free to take them. Just pay more attention to what I need in the future."

"Alright."

"Then, this humble monk will modestly accept."

Su Xinghe and the other two did not hold back with Lou Yi and immediately picked some metal materials.

With these Golden Core level treasures, they could better maneuver, trade, and convert resources.

Part of it was equivalent to Lou Yi’s advance payment; to get the horse to run, you have to let it graze—this was a tacit understanding.

Meanwhile, in the main world.

"Damn it, just a small rural sect, do they really think there’s nothing we can do about them?

Old Daoist Po Xiao and the others can’t guard there forever. After a few days, we will come back and catch them by surprise!" an old, sharp female voice said.

The white-haired Zhao elderly woman, wearing a golden crown, luxurious clothes, and leaning on a dragon-head cane, looked unwilling and clearly wanted to target the Corpse-Driving Sect again.

"There’s no need to rehash what’s already decided, and it saves face," the Spirit Treasure Sect Master, dressed in golden treasure robes, shook his head, his voice steady,

"Moreover, Po Xiao and the others have reported this to the Immortal Alliance, and all the True Monarchs know about it. It wouldn’t be good for us to make a move again, or it would look bad for everyone."

"So we’re just going to let them be? Let them wander freely? Our sect’s Daoist sons and daughters remain unavenged..." Zhao’s elderly woman said angrily.

"Not at all." The Spirit Treasure Sect Master showed a slightly strange expression, "We can’t act, but the Demon Clan has no such scruples."

"The Demon Clan?" the blue-robed Female Master of the Five Elements Sect spoke up.

"That Red Hero merely has the suspicion of harming our disciples, but many people have personally seen him kill many royal bloodlines," with a wave of his hand, a colorful screen appeared in the void,

First displaying the scene of Lou Yi displaying great power surrounded by the Demon Clan, heavily injuring the silver divine ape, and killing the one-horned ant and blood python demons.

Then the scene shifted to the True Monarch Blessed Land opening, and Lou Yi forcefully entering, blowing up the blocking silver divine ape in two or three punches.

This was the outcome of the Immortal Dao Alliance’s investigation in the Abyss, with clear images showcasing the brutality of Red Hero.

"This individual certainly has some extraordinary aspects, unlike an ordinary Loose Cultivator." A few Masters, upon seeing it, agreed that Red Hero’s strength could cause them some unease.

"The bloodlines of Divine Ape Peak and the one-horned ant tribe were killed by Red Hero—if this footage is sent to them, what do you think they’ll do?" The Spirit Treasure Sect Master said calmly.

Hearing this, the other Masters’ eyes lit up.

Divine Ape Peak and the one-horned ant tribe were both Demon Clan royal families, with statuses nearly rivaling the major Alliance Hierarchs’ sects.

"Not only Divine Ape Peak and the one-horned ant tribe, but almost none of the Demons who entered the Blessed Land survived. This blame can also be attributed to that Red Hero, saying it was his doing."

Zhao’s elderly woman sneered darkly, "Then, tell the Demon Clan that Red Hero is actually a disciple secretly cultivated by the Corpse-Driving Sect... Those brainless demons will definitely cause trouble for the Corpse-Driving Sect!"

The Masters reached an agreement.

Soon, images of Red Hero slaughtering Demon Clan royal bloodlines spread within the Demon Clan camp, causing a huge uproar.

"Who is this man? He’s so arrogant, killing even the bloodline of Divine Ape Peak!"

"Damn Human Race, our Young Python Master also died at his hands!"

"The Fei Demon tribe recently had a bloodline fall in the Abyss, and this Human can’t escape suspicion!"

Due to Lou Yi annihilating the demons who entered the Blessed Land and the Demon Clan’s unfamiliarity with divination, Lou Yi truly entered the Demon Clan’s view only now.

Of course, some in the Demon Clan thought clearly.

"I’ve heard from the Human Race that this Red Hero offended Taiyi Sect and several others; why haven’t they dealt with him?"

"The Humans have too many tricks up their sleeves; this news might have ulterior motives, maybe they want to use us as a pawn."

"It’s said that this person is nearly invincible among the Humans in the Abyss, so he might not be easy to deal with."

But some Demons, blinded by anger, contemplated revenge.

"Monks may run, but the temple won’t disappear—this Corpse-Driving Sect, I will destroy it today to avenge my bloodline!"

A silver giant ape, over a thousand feet tall and towering to the sky, emerged from Divine Ape Peak, pounding its chest with thunderous roars that set wind and rain cascading down.

With a casual wave, it smashed a massive mountain in half.

It rose in the air, striding across the void, rushing swiftly towards the Corpse-Driving Sect.

Divine Ape Peak, one of the Demon Clan’s top forces, sent out a Great Demon to conduct a bloody revenge!

Even those forces attached to Divine Ape Peak, like Scorpion Desert, Black Tiger Ravine, and Blood Python Valley, sent out ’Demon’ hands to assist Divine Ape Peak.

Upon seeing this, other Demon Clan forces held their positions, ready to watch Divine Ape Peak lead the charge, while observing the Human Race’s response.

The Corpse-Driving Sect, located in the remote Northern Domain, knew nothing of this.

Having just sent off a group of Masters, they thought the coming days would be peaceful enough to catch their breath.

However, calamity struck in an instant!

...