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--- Chapter 401 ---
A howling wind moved over thousands of miles near the Phoenix God's inheritance site, while the sound of crackling electricity resonated from Cloud Island, imparting a sense of foreboding.
From a distance, the Nine Phoenix Lords, Thirteen, and Ah Yin watched Han Yuan's situation with solemn expressions, their hearts filled with nervousness and expectation.
"1,000,000 years old," Thirteen remarked calmly. "Such a spirit ring is beyond the average standard of current cultivation."
"The average Spirit Saints would only receive a 30,000 to 50,000-year-old spirit ring as their seventh spirit ring, or slightly older if they were genius, ambitious, or lucky." Thirteen continued, "Throughout the long history of humankind, the best seventh spirit ring has only reached around 300,000 years old."
"And those were the champions of their eras," He added. "Of course, their spirit rings then aged due to fortuitous opportunities."
"However, Han Yuan… He's not just defying common sense. No, no, he's creating new history! A record that will echo for eternity!"
At Thirteen's comment, the Nine Phoenix Lords narrowed their eyes and focused on Han Yuan confidently.
"The Young Lord will definitely do it," said the Fire Phoenix Lord.
"He will, Xiao Yuan will…" Ah Yin gazed at the lone figure a thousand miles away. Even though that figure appeared very small from that distance, his presence alone was overwhelming.
...
Han Yuan meditated peacefully on the cloud with his eyes closed, while his body's activity roared like a volcanic mountain on the verge of eruption.
At this moment, Han Yuan's cells were extraordinarily active. His physical prowess had reached its most optimal state. The God-Bestowed Spirit Ring, which he had shattered not long ago, rapidly changed color.
From pale white to dark yellow, then purple, and finally jet-black, almost instantly.
A moment later, the God-Bestowed Spirit Ring's color changed again, into a brilliant crimson shade.
This crimson spirit ring bore a golden pattern along with a half-emerald, half-purple tint. The patterns glimmered with a refreshing vitality, yet exuded a menacing aura of destruction.
With each breath Han Yuan took, the crimson spirit ring aged and grew stronger.
200,000 years old.
300,000 years old.
400,000 years old.
500,000 years old.
600,000 years old.
700,000 years old!
Now possessing seven gold patterns, the God-Bestowed Spirit Ring met the criteria to complete Han Yuan's first Phoenix God's Trial and second Thunder God's Trial.
Even then, it wasn't enough. Han Yuan comprehended that 700,000 years was far from his limit. His Quasi-God physical strength and Divine Domain spiritual power were not to be underestimated.
The pressure wasn't enough to even affect his breathing yet.
Steeling his determination, Han Yuan endured the erosion caused by the God-Bestowed Spirit Ring. Thunderclouds began to gather above him, a sign of divine calamity.
800,000 years old!
The extreme sound of thunderclaps echoed throughout the Samsara Isle of Paradise.
900,000 years old!
BOOM!
BOOM!
BOOM!
Even though Thirteen and the Nine Phoenix Lords made every effort to stabilize the secret realm, Han Yuan's pursuit of the 1,000,000-year-old spirit ring created too great a disturbance.
The limitation left behind by the Dragon God was clearly too powerful to fool.
Even the outside world felt its effects as a massive storm raged around the entrance to the Samsara Isle of Paradise, capturing the attention of numerous oceanic spirit beasts.
Fortunately, Thirteen and Han Yuan had prepared for this exact scenario by employing an enormous smokescreen, as the 1,000,000-year-old Deep Sea Demonic Whale King swam around the area.
This niche arrangement was part of the agreement made with Han Yuan when the Deep Sea Demonic Whale King agreed to ally with him and the Star Dou Forest.
While acting as a scapegoat was annoying, the Deep Sea Demonic Whale King had to admit that the deals Han Yuan offered were too tempting. The Flame Seed of Ten Thousand Beast Flame was too attractive to ignore.
"Tsk, brat, just this once," The Deep Sea Demonic Whale King grumbled, releasing a lightning bolt from his mouth to enhance his act.
He was an old enemy of Sea God anyway, so making that shameless god angrier does not affect him. In fact, it would make him happier that he could make Sea God feel annoyed.
Unknown to the Deep Sea Demonic Whale King, this wasn't his first time becoming someone else's scapegoat.
Meanwhile, Han Yuan's body abruptly shuddered under the weight of the 999,999-year-old God-Bestowed Spirit Ring. Despite the difference being a mere year, that gap felt like an infinite chasm.
It wasn't merely an age difference, but also a gap in dimensionality. At the end of the day, a 999,999-year-old spirit ring was a ferocious-level spirit ring, while a 1,000,000-year-old spirit ring marked a true ascent into divinity, representing a genuine divine-level spirit ring.
Even at the Priest level of Godhood, which is level 100, a 1,000,000-year-old spirit ring transcended the mortal realm.
To achieve that ascent, Han Yuan endured the full burn of breaking his body apart. Cracks appeared on his skin, and blood seeped from his wounds.
Yet still, Han Yuan refused to give up. Pain was nothing compared to the prospect of a 1,000,000-year-old spirit ring!
Finally, Han Yuan opened his eyes, revealing a pair of fierce silver orbs that pierced the sky. "Come on, show me your worst!" He challenged.
As if in response to Han Yuan's arrogant defiance, the heavy storm outside the secret realm intensified. The thunderclouds above the Phoenix God's Trial Ground also converge and superimpose each other.
Suddenly, a nine-colored lightning burst forth in the sky!
"Hiss! That is N-Nine-Colored Divine Punishment!" The Purple Phoenix Lord's eyes widened in shock.
The other Phoenix Lords shared his reaction, shuddering at the thought of what Han Yuan was facing.
"What happened? Why are the seniors acting like this?" Ah Yin panicked, seeking answers.
Thirteen's voice spoke gravely, "To think Han Yuan would trigger Nine-Colored Divine Punishment Lightning, also known as the God-Killing Lightning."
"Han Yuan has triggered a Lightning Calamity Tribulation, designed to test a 1,000,000-year-old spirit beast and the ancient divine beasts of old."
"I fear that even with Han Yuan's natural regeneration and durability, he will lose a chunk of himself due to this Lightning Tribulation."
"The Nine-Colored Divine Punishment Lightning is at least, no, it is nine times more powerful than the Divine Lightning Han Yuan endured and absorbed while forging the Divine Artifact."
Before anyone could respond to Thirteen's warning, the Nine-Colored Divine Punishment Lightning struck down.
BOOOOOOOOOOM!!!
A pillar of nine-colored lightning appeared before everyone.
Han Yuan was 'immediately' engulfed, becoming a bloody figure within that pillar of destruction.
The intense heat from the Nine-Colored Divine Punishment Lightning caused his blood to vaporize almost instantly, a moment later.
"The color of this lightning wasn't just for show," Thirteen added with a solemn tone. "It held the purest elemental forces — fire, water, earth, wood (life), metal, wind, lightning, light, and darkness!"
"Right now, Han Yuan is enduring the erosion of such forces."
On the other hand, Han Yuan's eyes remained steady. "The Nine-Colored Divine Lightning is perfect for refining a Divine Physique."
"My Purple Silver Grass is absorbing the excess energy quickly enough to prevent too much damage.
"However, I fear the duration might not be sufficient. The God-Bestowed Spirit Ring is nearing its million-year mark."
"Han Yuan, you don't mean to say..." Di Yating in Han Yuan's spiritual sea seemed to know what he was contemplating.
Han Yuan smiled helplessly, "I had planned to integrate all my physiques into one using a modified forging method of the Thunder God's Divine Body."
"But sometimes, plans can't keep up with the times."
"The intensity of the Nine-Colored Divine Lightning is acceptable, but once I settle for a 1,000,000-year-old spirit ring, this will all come to an end."
Han Yuan realized there was no other choice now. He couldn't settle for exactly 1,000,000 years. Yes, it needed to be just a bit older.
"Do it," Di Yating said with determination. "I will use my power to protect your body and mind."
"Yes, My Lord! We will support you from here!" Neru added, sounding faithful.
Then, Han Yuan also heard Lady Fenghuang's voice. "Do it fearlessly, my Host. The power of the Phoenix God and the Seed of Creation will shield you from any permanent harm."
"Alright, let's do this!" Han Yuan chuckled in amusement, beginning his audacious attempt to forge a new kind of Divine Body.
The Nine-Colored Divine Lightning struck Han Yuan's body repeatedly, each strike like a merciless whip capable of reducing him to ashes.
Yet, Han Yuan survived like an undying monster. Even when the lightning brought him to the brink of death, as long as he had even a breath of life left, he could recover instantly.
Moreover, each time Han Yuan faced near-death due to a lightning strike, he emerged stronger after each recovery.
Simultaneously, Han Yuan shed many of his refined physiques through this process of physical destruction.
The Dustless Physique, gone, refined.
Thunder Saint Life Physique, gone, integrated.
Ice and Fire Alchemy Body, gone, become one with his blood.
Ten Thousand Great Poison Body, evolved, and integrated.
Life Dragon Body reached a new height and stubbornly waited for the last chance to evolve.
The Great Sun Thunder Body also surpassed its peak stage, becoming a boundless energy.
Even the newly acquired Divine Phoenix Body from Lady Fenghuang's Spirit Soul reacted with Han Yuan's desire.
All of these ceased to exist within Han Yuan, returning his physique to its most primal form.
Instead of becoming weaker, Han Yuan's physique actually grew stronger than ever.
Don't forget that Han Yuan also possessed a very overbearing body spirit, [Heavenly Demon Body], that Thirteen helped awaken.
Han Yuan's own subconscious had suppressed [Heavenly Demon Body]'s heaven-defying nature.
While it was 'already' confirmed that he needed to reach level 100 to unlock the Heavenly Demon Body's true potential, his body had already attained the Quasi-God realm, just one step away from Godhood.
The suppression wasn't to weaken Han Yuan but to protect him from self-destruction.
Ultimately, the God-Bestowed Spirit Ring finally reached 1,000,000 years old and shed its crimson color.
A golden, divine brilliance then burst out, illuminating the world.
The spirit ring is purely emerald-purple with a metallic golden outer layer, completely breaking the standard of an ordinary spirit ring.
Yes, a divine-level spirit ring is finally born in this world!