https://novelcool.info/chapter/Chapter-571-Holding-the-Pass-Unbreachable-by-Ten-Thousand-Men/12938174/
https://novelcool.info/chapter/Chapter-573-The-Main-Array-Breaking-the-Nine-Transformations-Palace-s-Barrier/12938176/
Chapter 572: Essence Energy Suppression
Chapter 572: Essence Energy Suppression
Chu Ning, having driven back several Late-stage Nascent Soul Cultivators with his two Primordial Fire Lotuses, was already making his way up the stone steps.
But just as he took the third step, the Mystic Turtle Shield on his body suddenly disappeared, retracting back into his body.
"The suppression of Essence Energy is too strong. Even a treasure like the Mystic Turtle Shield can only withstand the suppression of the first three levels, and now it's useless."
As the Mystic Turtle Shield vanished, all the Essence Energy suppression simultaneously bore down on Chu Ning.
Although this suppression wasn't overly aggressive, the pressure it exerted on his physical body and magical power was immense.
Even with Chu Ning's current level of magical power and physical strength, he still felt as if each step was a struggle.
"It's strange, but it seems like the Essence Energy can sense the state of the intruding cultivator. Without a treasure, the suppression is slightly weaker.
However, it's still incredibly difficult for a cultivator to endure this suppression without a protective treasure."
Chu Ning sighed inwardly.
He understood that if he could mobilize the Essence Energy within his body, he should be able to resist this suppression.
But aside from a few secret techniques like Void Escape and Void Finger, he couldn't mobilize his Essence Energy at other times.
At this moment, Chu Ning attempted to use Void Escape.
However, he didn't know what kind of restriction was in place here, as the power of space was limited, making Void Escape impossible.
"If I can't resist this Essence Energy, can I absorb it instead?"
In a flash of thought, Chu Ning suddenly had this idea.
With this in mind, Chu Ning immediately began to cultivate both the Five Elements Chaos Art and the Nine Transformations Body Refining Art simultaneously.
"The outer Essence Energy suppression still exists, and it can't be absorbed into my body."
Chu Ning sighed inwardly and was about to try another method when a flash of insight struck him.
"Although the third volume of the Nine Transformations Body Refining Art isn't complete, it does touch upon the cultivation of Essence Energy.
Perhaps it might be effective."
When Chu Ning had previously studied the third volume of the Nine Transformations Body Refining Art, he had already thoroughly comprehended this cultivation method.
After all, the third volume only introduced the operation of Essence Energy.
And Chu Ning already had a certain understanding of Essence Energy.
So, at this moment, he was confident in cultivating according to the method described in the third volume.
Of course, all of this was also thanks to the Chaos Spirit Body he had obtained after cultivating the Five Elements Chaos Art to perfection.
[Chaos Spirit Body:
1. Significantly enhances the cultivation speed of Essence Energy and all-attribute spells;
2. Significantly enhances the comprehension speed of Divine Abilities and the Primordial Power rules.]
This gave him a boost in both comprehending the Nine Transformations Body Refining Art and his cultivation.
At this thought, Chu Ning immediately followed the method described and began to cultivate.
What delighted Chu Ning was that even though he couldn't absorb the suppressing Essence Energy into his body, he could clearly feel the Essence Energy within his body, which had been dormant, now stirring and circulating.
Although only a portion of it was activated, the pressure outside his body instantly lessened.
As Chu Ning felt his body lighten, he quickly climbed the stone steps, covering nearly three zhang in distance.
Although it seemed like a laborious process, it all happened within a few breaths.
When Chu Ning had taken three zhang steps, the two Primordial Fire Lotuses he had attacked with were already blocked by the joint efforts of several Late-stage Nascent Soul Cultivators.
The nine people below looked up at Chu Ning's back, their faces filled with astonishment.
"Fellow Daoist Fan, Fellow Daoist Lu, what's the background of this person? How can a Mid-stage Nascent Soul Cultivator launch such a terrifying attack?"
Huang Kui turned to look at Fan Zeixian and Lu Xuedao, his tone now carrying a sense of gravity.
Lu Xuedao shook his head and replied, "Fellow Daoist Huang, we learned that Chu Ning also came to the Northern Frostland from elsewhere.
And he has only been here for a few decades, so our understanding of him is quite limited.
But..."
"But what?" Huang Kui asked, seeing that Lu Xuedao had paused.
"But it seems that this person had some sort of interaction with the Cangxuan Sacred Turtle, a creature whose strength we in the Northern Frostland have never been able to fathom."
Lu Xuedao didn't completely hide the truth, instead speaking vaguely.
He was also concerned that if the Cangxuan Sacred Turtle appeared, Huang Kui might blame them.
"The ancient divine beast, the Cangxuan Sacred Turtle?"
Huang Kui's face flickered with surprise, and he coldly snorted, "Even if that turtle is at the Demigod Realm, this person is only at the Mid-stage Nascent Soul."
The attack he just unleashed was likely a one-time feat, probably aided by some kind of treasure.
Judging by his struggle with the restrictions of the stone steps, this person's strength might not be that impressive. Let's go!"
With that, Huang Kui swiftly flew towards the stone steps, rapidly escaping.
Meng Xinghe, standing nearby, didn't stop him, and also flew away in retreat.
The unexpected appearance of Chu Ning had actually put an end to the dispute between the two groups.
In truth, the stone steps could accommodate two cultivators.
So, almost simultaneously, Meng Xinghe and Huang Kui flew across and stepped onto the stone steps.
"Bang!"
The next moment, both of them slammed onto the stone steps.
Huang Kui's strength was slightly inferior to Meng Xinghe, and his footing wasn't as stable.
At this moment, his legs trembled slightly, and he nearly knelt on the stone steps.
Although he quickly circulated his magical power to stabilize his body, his face still paled, and he immediately activated his life-bound magical treasure for protection.
Meng Xinghe, standing beside him, also activated his treasure for protection.
After taking two steps forward, the next moment, their treasures were suppressed and became uncontrollable.
This sudden oppressive force caught both Meng Xinghe and Huang Kui off guard.
Both of them hunched over, falling onto the stone steps.
The suppression of essence energy affected both their magical power and physical bodies.
In terms of magical power, they might not be weaker than Chu Ning, but in terms of physical strength, they were far inferior.
This was why, after sensing the disappearance of their treasures, the oppressive force slightly weakened.
Otherwise, with this level of suppression, these two Late-stage Nascent Soul Cultivators would have undoubtedly been injured.
Even so, this embarrassing scene made both of them feel extremely awkward.
However, their expressions soon changed again.
At this moment, the two Late-stage Nascent Soul Cultivators also sensed a difference in the essence energy suppression.
A hint of doubt flashed through Meng Xinghe's mind.
"According to the records in our sect's ancient tomes, there are indeed restrictions and suppressions on the path from Ascension Platform to Nine Transformations Palace.
But it's not as strong as this.
This level of suppression is more akin to the legendary essence energy suppression."
Meng Xinghe, as the Grand Elder of Heaven's First Sect, was not only familiar with the Nine Transformations Spirit Mountain but also aware of the existence of essence energy.
Huang Kui, standing beside him, had a similar expression, indicating that he also had his suspicions.
Without hesitation, both of them began circulating their magical power to resist the essence energy suppression.
Then, they slowly stood up and started climbing the steps, step by step.
Finally, they managed to take a difficult step forward.
At this moment, they exchanged glances, and their gazes fell on the figure ahead.
By now, the distance between Chu Ning and the two of them had increased to over forty zhang.
Although Chu Ning's pace couldn't be considered fast, and it seemed to be slowing down, the expressions on Meng Xinghe and Huang Kui's faces became even more peculiar.
"Even without climbing further, the pressure from ascending this step is slightly stronger, and it's clearly perceptible.
If we continue climbing, the pressure will only intensify.
But this Chu Ning, a Mid-stage Nascent Soul Cultivator, is able to maintain this speed. What is the reason for this? And what secret technique can resist essence energy suppression?"
Meng Xinghe and Huang Kui were both shocked at this realization.
As for the Heaven's First Sect and Demon Vortex Sect cultivators following behind, including Fan Zeixian and Lu Xuedao, they were equally astonished.
The strength of the Late-stage Nascent Soul Cultivators was inferior to Meng Xinghe, who already felt the pressure.
The others couldn't possibly feel at ease.
Especially the two Mid-stage Nascent Soul Cultivators, who almost knelt at the first step.
When they reached the second step, facing the essence energy suppression, they couldn't move forward any further.
With no choice, they reluctantly retreated from the stone steps, feeling extremely disappointed as they searched for another path.
The seven Late-stage Nascent Soul Cultivators struggled forward, step by step.
In their line of sight, Chu Ning's distance from them continued to increase until, at a certain moment, his figure completely disappeared.
"I didn't expect that after passing through the essence energy-suppressed stone steps, we still wouldn't be able to truly reach the Nine Transformations Palace."
At this moment, Chu Ning stood at the end of the stone steps, outside a large stone platform, his brows slightly furrowed.
After climbing the dozens of zhang-high stone steps, aided by the third volume of the Nine Transformations Body Refining Art, his consumption of essence energy wasn't significant.
However, what surprised him was that, standing on the stone platform, he could see a palace ahead with the three large characters, 'Nine Transformations Palace', hanging above it.
But the palace's doors were tightly shut, and he could sense a distinct essence energy barrier emanating from them.
Just now, he had also attempted to enter directly by teleporting through the Void Escape, just like at Spiritless Mountain.
However, after trying, he had to abandon this plan.
The restrictions here were completely different from those on Spiritless Mountain, and he found that he couldn't proceed in the same way.
"If I were to activate the Nine Transformations Body Refining Art now, I could manipulate my Essence Energy, but it's uncertain if I could directly break through this restriction.
Even if I manage to break through, my Essence Energy would be nearly depleted.
That wouldn't be worth it, after all, Essence Energy can't be restored as easily as Magical Power with the Ten Thousand Year Spirit Milk.
And within the Nine Transformations Spirit Mountain, there's Essence Energy suppression everywhere."
With these thoughts in mind, Chu Ning immediately abandoned the idea of breaking through the restrictions and entering.
At the same time, his gaze swept over the stone steps leading downward.
"When the Ninth Derivative Ascendant left these restrictions, if his records are to be believed, all cultivators practiced Essence Energy.
So it's not surprising that these restrictions are imbued with Essence Energy.
But in the past one or two thousand years, cultivators no longer cultivate Essence Energy. Could it be that no one has entered this place during this time?"
A hint of doubt flashed through Chu Ning's mind.
Since the Heaven's First Sect and Demon Vortex Sect cultivators were here, they probably wouldn't be completely clueless.
At this moment, Chu Ning carefully examined the restrictions before him, occasionally attempting to break them using the restriction-breaking methods he had learned earlier, aided by his Magical Power.
In the end, however, he could only shake his head in frustration.
He also surveyed his surroundings, and his eyebrows furrowed slightly.
"Aside from these stone steps leading downward, there's no other way to get to another place.
At this point, it seems I can only wait for the Heaven's First Sect and Demon Vortex Sect cultivators to come up and then observe the situation.
If they cause trouble, I can always teleport down the stone steps first.
With my ability to manipulate Essence Energy to resist the restriction's suppression, they probably won't be able to catch up to me."
With these thoughts, Chu Ning immediately sat down cross-legged and began to regulate his breathing and cultivate.
This time, he didn't feel the suppression of Essence Energy, but instead, he felt the blending of Heavenly Qi and Primordial Power.
Instinctively, he began to cultivate both the Five Elements Chaos Art and the Nine Transformations Body Refining Art.
To Chu Ning's delight, at this moment, both powers could be absorbed and refined within his body.
The Essence Energy he had consumed while climbing the stone steps began to slowly recover.
So he waited on the stone platform for nearly half an hour, until Chu Ning's condition was fully restored.
Then, a figure struggled to climb the last step and entered the stone platform.
It was Meng Xinghe from the Heaven's First Sect.
Huang Kui from the Demon Vortex Sect did not appear.
Clearly, there was a significant gap in their cultivation levels.
However, Meng Xinghe's exhaustion was evident.
Even though he had reached the platform, his aura was somewhat unstable.
When he saw Chu Ning sitting cross-legged on the stone platform, he was startled.
He immediately gathered his Magical Power and teleported several zhang away to the other side.
At the same time, he looked at Chu Ning with caution.
A Late-stage Essence Incarnation Cultivator was actually wary of a Mid-stage Essence Incarnation Cultivator.
If other cultivators were to see this, they would surely find it baffling.
Chu Ning looked at Meng Xinghe and spoke calmly, "Fellow Daoist Meng, there's no need to be so alarmed. I have no grudges with the Heaven's First Sect, and I even gained quite a bit from participating in your sect's trading event.
Moreover, if we want to enter the Nine Transformation Palace, we'll likely need to join forces."
Upon hearing Chu Ning's words, Meng Xinghe's expression indeed calmed down.
"Fellow Daoist Chu's words make sense. To break the restrictions of the Nine Transformation Palace, we'll need to use the Eight Trigrams Void-Breaking Formation.
We'll have to wait for the other fellow Daoists to arrive."
Chu Ning's earlier words had been partly a test, and he hadn't expected to get an answer from Meng Xinghe.
"Eight Trigrams Void-Breaking Formation!"
Upon hearing this name, Chu Ning immediately recalled the formation's setup and activation method.
He had obtained the formation's activation method from the Skylid Continent Formation Legacy he received from Di Yan on Cloud Hidden Island.
Activating this formation wasn't difficult; it was a widely known high-level formation among the Skylid Continent's cultivators.
However, the formation required eight cultivators to work together, and their cultivation levels had to be at the same stage.
This was because the formation's power was based on the 'wooden bucket principle,' where the overall strength was determined by the weakest cultivator among them.
"In that case, before entering this palace, I don't have to worry about these people causing me trouble.
Dantai Ze has been eliminated, and the two Mid-stage Essence Incarnation Cultivators probably can't climb this stone platform.
There are only seven of them, plus me, which is just right."
As Chu Ning was thinking this, Meng Xinghe also stopped talking and sat down cross-legged to regulate his breathing.
After a while, Huang Kui and the others also climbed up the platform.
(End of Chapter)
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