Chapter 700: Preparing for the Great Hunt War
Above the Daluo Flame Pool, a vast sea of battle intent spanned tens of thousands of feet. At its center, a massive sword forged of pure battle intent stood tall, shimmering with radiant battle runes. These runes emitted an overwhelming power that even late stage Supreme experts would find intimidating.
Amid the surging sea of battle intent, a solitary figure floated in the air, his form unshaken by the storm like waves crashing around him.
Xiao Ze's gaze remained calm as he observed the Flame Pool below. The molten lava churned violently, radiating scorching heat.
Even among the elite Daluo Army, only the most exceptional warriors could enter the Flame Pool to hunt the mystical Flame Pythons. These creatures, born from the fusion of magma and spiritual energy, possessed no sentience yet wielded immense power.
A Flame Python with a mere century of life was already equivalent to a third stage Supreme in strength.
This was why only a select few in the Daluo Army were permitted to venture into the Flame Pool. The extreme heat and the formidable Flame Pythons ensured that only the strongest survived.
Today, however, the thousand strong Daluo Army stood gathered on the edge of the pool, their eyes sparkling with fervor as they stared at the Flame Pool. The battle intent that flowed through their ranks was so intense that it seemed almost tangible.
Xiao Ze flicked his finger. Guided by his will, the massive sword of battle intent unleashed a brilliant slash, sending a blade light thousands of feet long hurtling into the pool. The slash cleaved through the molten lava, creating massive waves of magma that surged into the air.
When the waves subsided, Xiao Ze controlled the sea of battle intent to form a massive net, dragging forth clusters of fiery red light from the depths of the pool.
These glowing orbs were Flame Marrow, a rare essence born within the Flame Pythons. It was highly beneficial for cultivation, though the extreme heat it carried made the absorption process excruciatingly painful.
"Distribute these Flame Marrows according to your strength," Xiao Ze commanded. "Don't overreach choosing one beyond your level will only make absorption harder. Pick what suits you best."
With a wave of his hand, the fiery orbs dispersed into the ranks of the Daluo Army.
The soldiers, their eyes gleaming with excitement and pride, responded in unison, "Thank you, Lord Xiao Ze!"
For many of them, the opportunity to obtain and refine Flame Marrow had been out of reach. But with the power of the battle formation under Xiao Ze's command, they now had the chance to claim this rare resource and further their cultivation.
Xiao Ze nodded slightly. As the Great Hunt War drew closer, strengthening the Daluo Army would be crucial for their survival in the chaotic battlefield.
While the soldiers eagerly divided the Flame Marrows among themselves, Xiao Ze turned his attention to the massive sword of battle intent.
The blade, adorned with over fifty thousand battle runes, radiated power comparable to an eighth stage Supreme.
However, Xiao Ze knew that if it came to a real fight, he could suppress the sword easily not just because his overall strength surpassed its level, but also because the sword was merely a raw manifestation of battle intent.
High level techniques for utilizing battle intent remained beyond his reach.
Although he had managed to generate fifty thousand battle runes through the quality of the Daluo Army and his own formidable willpower, Xiao Ze was still groping in the dark without proper guidance. He had no comprehensive knowledge of advanced techniques or methods to refine the runes further.
For now, he was stuck.
If any experienced battle formation master learned that Xiao Ze had singlehandedly created fifty thousand runes without prior instruction, they would be left utterly speechless.
But Xiao Ze wasn't satisfied. He desired not just mastery of battle formations at his current level but techniques that transcended his cultivation boundaries.
The key to his progress lay in one missing element: the power of will.
While his soul strength was immense, willpower was an entirely different realm.
"I need to find a true method for cultivating willpower…" Xiao Ze muttered, dispersing the sea of battle intent back into the soldiers' bodies with a wave of his hand.
He then moved to the edge of the volcano, watching the Daluo Army immerse themselves in intense training. A faint smile crossed his lips before his focus returned inward.
He had attempted to replicate the Nine Tribulations Thunder Prison Visualization Method, but the lack of detailed descriptions hindered his progress. Even the initial step of constructing a visualization eluded him.
"It seems the only way to progress further as a battle formation master is to obtain a genuine inheritance. At the very least, I must secure a method for cultivating willpower!"
Xiao Ze's gaze shifted to the distant horizon, his thoughts racing.
Just then, a streak of spiritual light approached, stopping before him. A familiar, childish voice chimed in.
"What's on your mind?"
Xiao Ze turned to see Mandala staring curiously at him, her youthful features betraying her sharp intellect.
"Just pondering how to advance further as a battle formation master," Xiao Ze replied with a faint smile.
Mandala rolled her golden eyes. "You're never satisfied, are you? Do you realize how absurd your progress has been?"
"You've barely started working with battle intent and already command it with precision, conjured a battle spirit, and stepped into the realm of formation masters. That's unheard of!"
Xiao Ze chuckled. "No matter how talented someone is, they can't call themselves a true powerhouse if they're stuck before the Supreme stage. Even if they only take a few years to reach the 'Three Minor Tribulations' of the Supreme realm."
Mandala sighed. "You're only held back by the lack of a proper inheritance. With your talent, the moment you acquire one, your progress will skyrocket."
"That's why I'm determined to enter the Fallen Battlefield and seek out an ancient formation master's legacy," Xiao Ze said firmly.
Mandala tilted her head. "Fair enough. But for now, I need your help with something."
"More pills to refine?" Xiao Ze asked.
"No," Mandala replied, shaking her head. "There's little time left before the Great Hunt War begins. Breakthroughs now would be difficult."
"I want you to strengthen the seal inside my body."
Xiao Ze raised a brow. "The seal looks intact. Are you sure it needs reinforcement?"
Mandala explained, "I might have to face an opponent at my level. It's better to be cautious."
"Well, as long as I'm not the one in danger, why not?" Xiao Ze teased with a grin.
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