Chapter 489: One Year's Time—Breakthrough to Dou Zun!
After seeing Mang Dian and the others off, Mo Yu decided to enter seclusion for cultivation.
There were no more immediate matters to distract him, and the Yuanfu was soon to establish a firm hold in the Western Region. It was the perfect opportunity to make a breakthrough to the Dou Zun level!
Even though his strength was already formidable due to the powerful Tiangang Thunder Body and his Destruction Thunder Orb, Mo Yu could only pose a threat to lower-level Dou Zun experts. But as the Yuanfu's power grew, he would face increasingly stronger enemies. With his current strength, it would be difficult to keep up.
However, if Mo Yu could successfully step into the Dou Zun realm, combined with his terrifying Tiangang Thunder Body, he would be strong enough to face even high-level Dou Zun experts!
As for whether he could successfully break through, Mo Yu wasn't worried. With half a vial of Half-Sage blood essence in his possession, the vast gap between Dou Zong and Dou Zun would not be a major challenge for him.
No one in Yuanfu objected to Mo Yu going into seclusion. With Yuanfu poised to dominate the Western Region, even if Mo Yu remained in seclusion for a year or longer, it wouldn't cause any issues.
Deep within the towering citadel of Wanbing City, Mo Yu took out the vial of Half-Sage blood essence and began the long journey toward breaking through to the Dou Zun level…
Time passed quietly amidst the tranquil mountains and rivers, and in the blink of an eye, two months had gone by.
During these two months, everything remained calm, and there was no sign of retaliation from the remnants of the Western Alliance or Diming Sect. While Diming Sect itself wasn't particularly fearsome, its backer, the Tianming Sect, was one of the Two Great Sects, a force to be reckoned with.
Xiao Li had sent people to investigate the situation, and while Zhongzhou was still bustling as usual, there was no word of any significant movements from Tianming Sect.
Both Zi Huo and Xiao Li found this puzzling. Given Tianming Sect's ruthless reputation, it was strange that they hadn't taken action after so much time. Perhaps something was holding them back, preventing them from retaliating.
Still, the delay from Tianming Sect brought relief to Xiao Yixian and the others. Yuanfu wasn't yet strong enough to face Tianming Sect directly. A battle now could severely weaken Yuanfu and possibly lead to its downfall.
Taking advantage of this respite, Xiao Yixian and the others didn't waste time. They continued to expand Yuanfu's power across the Western Region, fortifying its authority.
Time continued to flow, and another month quietly passed. Yet there were no signs of Mo Yu emerging from his seclusion within the stone tower. His aura, though calm, grew increasingly stronger, like a sleeping dragon awaiting the moment to awaken. It was clear that his strength was gradually increasing, and his breakthrough to Dou Zun was merely a matter of time.
During this time, the reorganization and expansion of the Hundred Weapons Hall and the Thousand Medicine Hall were also completed. After absorbing the Artifact Alliance and with Mo Yu providing numerous weapon blueprints, the Hundred Weapons Hall developed at an astonishing pace. Many artisans who had been stuck at the Fifth or Sixth Tier took this opportunity to break through to the Sixth or even Seventh Tier, significantly boosting both the quality and quantity of the Hundred Weapons Hall.
Similarly, the Thousand Medicine Hall didn't fall behind. Once Gu He revealed the soul power cultivation method Mo Yu had given him, it immediately attracted top-tier alchemists from across the continent. In addition to the soul power method, Yuanfu, now a dominant power in the Western Region, offered incredibly generous benefits. Within just a few months, six Seventh-Tier Alchemists were recruited, and dozens of lower-tier alchemists followed.
With both halls expanding, they began to support the rest of Yuanfu more effectively. Top-quality weapons and high-tier pills significantly strengthened Yuanfu's combat forces and enhanced the members' power.
Yuanfu itself became like a sponge, constantly absorbing nutrients for growth. Each passing moment strengthened its foundation, preparing for a future that would surely shake the continent…
Time flowed like water, and the seasons changed from spring to fall, painting the lush green forests with shades of yellow.
Six months passed quietly, yet Mo Yu still showed no signs of awakening from his seclusion. Though everyone could sense his growing power, there was still no indication of when he would emerge. Despite the anticipation, Xiao Yixian and the others remained hopeful that Mo Yu would succeed in his breakthrough.
During this period, the area behind the mountain where Mo Yu was cultivating had been declared off-limits. Apart from Xiao Yixian and a few others, even the elders of Yuanfu were forbidden from entering. This sparked curiosity among the newer members of Yuanfu, who, after some investigation, learned that their lord was undergoing seclusion in the stone tower behind the mountain.
The black stone tower stood tall and solitary on the mountain peak, surrounded by overgrown weeds that symbolized the passage of time.
On the top floor of the stone tower, the scene remained unchanged. Mo Yu sat cross-legged, his eyes closed, his body shrouded in crackling lightning. The thunder seemed to burn like flames, and a terrifying aura faintly emanated from him.
Standing nearby, Xiao Yixian gazed at Mo Yu, her heart heavy with both hope and worry. Finally, after a long silence, she sighed softly. "It's been a year now… and you still haven't come out."
She muttered to herself. A full year had passed since Mo Yu entered seclusion, and during that time, Yuanfu had grown rapidly. Yet the one they all missed and worried about most—Mo Yu—remained in seclusion.
Next to her, Qing Lin also showed concern. Time hadn't seemed to touch the two women, who only appeared more mature and graceful after the passing year.
After staring at Mo Yu for a while, Xiao Yixian turned to Qing Lin and gently said, "Qing Lin, you should go rest. I'll stay here. You've been handling Yuanfu's affairs alongside Xiao Li ever since Zi Huo left. You need to take care of yourself."
Six months earlier, Zi Huo had been summoned by the Fierce Lion Clan. Since Mo Yu was in seclusion, he had sought Xiao Yixian's approval and then left for the Beast Region. After careful consideration, Xiao Yixian and the others hadn't stopped him. Zi Huo was searching for his clan, and they couldn't block his path. As for potential dangers, they would have to wait until Mo Yu emerged from seclusion to deal with them.
Zi Huo's return to the Fierce Lion Clan was part of his quest to break through to the Eighth Tier…
"There's no need. I've run the Heavenly Serpent Sect before, so this isn't too much work for me. I'm just worried about the lord, being in seclusion for so long…" Qing Lin said, shaking her head, her beautiful eyes fixed on Mo Yu with concern.
Xiao Yixian didn't press further and simply focused on watching over Mo Yu.
Two of the continent's most beautiful women stood by the stone platform, their eyes filled with worry for the man encased in lightning. If anyone saw this scene, countless men would surely be consumed with envy…
Elsewhere, on a nearby training ground, many of Yuanfu's members were practicing their daily routines.
In the center stood a golden figure—Ma Yunlu, who was Mo Yu's nominal fiancée from the Golden Warhorse Clan. Since the Golden Warhorse Clan had joined the Yuanfu Alliance, they had begun to integrate into Yuanfu's ranks, with Ma Yunlu serving as one of the instructors on the training grounds.
Her stern yet beautiful expression made her seem more imposing than before.
As Ma Yunlu surveyed the training ground, her gaze eventually turned toward the mountain, where the black stone tower stood. Lost in thought, she recalled how Mo Yu had once posed as her fiancé to represent her clan. At that time, he had only been a Dou Zong. Yet just a year ago, he had slain a Three-Star Dou Zun. The memory still filled her with awe and disbelief.
"It's been a year since the back mountain was sealed. Yunlu, do you know when Lord Mo Yu will come out of seclusion?" A voice softly asked behind her, and Ma Yunlu turned to see several well-known young disciples of Yuanfu.
Feigning a strict tone, she replied, "The lord's affairs are not for you to gossip about!"
The disciples quickly stopped their chatter, adopting a serious demeanor. In Yuanfu, Mo Yu held supreme authority and commanded unparalleled respect.
"Many elders and hall masters have left for various tasks. Don't get lazy. If you fail the annual assessment, you'll be in for a tough time. But if you do well, you might be rewarded with items from the Hundred Weapons Hall and the Thousand Medicine Hall. So train hard!" Ma Yunlu encouraged them.
Hearing this, the disciples smiled in excitement and prepared to resume their practice. The reputation of these two halls had already spread to Zhongzhou, and their crafted weapons and pills were considered top-quality.
Just as everyone was about to settle in for training, the entire mountain suddenly trembled, causing the disciples to stumble and almost fall.
"What's going on? What happened?"
The sudden tremor caused a wave of panic. Everyone stopped their training, and whispers filled the air.
Ma Yunlu frowned, her voice stern as she called out, "Quiet down! With the elders and hall masters guarding this place, what could go wrong?"
At her command, the panic subsided. The disciples exchanged glances, agreeing that Yuanfu had enough powerful defenders to deal with anything, even a collapsing mountain.
However, just as the crowd began to calm down, the mountain shook again. This time, everyone noticed that the disturbance was coming from the direction of the stone tower on the back mountain!
"It's coming from the tower!"
Ma Yunlu's heart skipped a beat as she looked toward the black stone tower. It had been quiet for a year, but now there were signs of movement.
Suddenly, figures appeared in the sky—Yuanfu's strongest warriors, all with uncertain expressions as they gazed toward the back mountain.
They could faintly sense a terrifying aura, like a slumbering dragon slowly awakening.
Two graceful figures—Xiao Yixian and Qing Lin—also appeared in the sky. They exchanged glances, and their eyes lit up with joy.
"Mo Yu… He's finally coming out of seclusion!"
As Yuanfu buzzed with excitement, strange changes began to occur inside the stone tower.
Within the tower, Xiao Yixian and Qing Lin watched with growing excitement as a vast power surged from Mo Yu's body like a tidal wave.
Alongside the power came a familiar aura, indicating that Mo Yu was waking up.
"Is he finally coming out?"
Both women's faces brightened with anticipation. After a year of waiting, the time had finally come!
As Xiao Yixian and Qing Lin rejoiced, the terrifying lightning that had been enveloping Mo Yu suddenly swelled. The two women hesitated briefly before retreating from the tower; even they couldn't withstand the lightning's full power for long.
Just as they left, the lightning within the tower erupted like a volcano, spewing from the tower's peak.
The thunderous bolts gathered in the sky, forming a massive, hundred-meter-long Nine-Winged Purple-Gold Serpent!
The serpent coiled around the tower, its enormous body casting a shadow over the entire structure. Its overwhelming presence spread, causing many to feel their legs go weak.
"Roar!"
The Nine-Winged Purple-Gold Serpent let out a deafening roar, shaking the heavens as it unleashed a blinding light. As the light enveloped the serpent, a terrifying aura spread across the land.
When the light faded, everyone saw a slender figure standing atop the serpent's head. The immense power that filled the air came from this figure.
"That aura… Is he a Dou Zun?"
Ma Yunlu's eyes widened in disbelief as she felt the overwhelming strength radiating from Mo Yu.
After a long pause, she took a deep breath and murmured in a trembling voice.
(End of Chapter)
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