I offered sacrifices to the gods

Inside the Golden Sun Hall, the aged abbot kept making hand seals, as if he were calculating something.

"Is it because of the Seven Absolute Heavenly Silkworm? This kid's fate is like a fog, and we can't even predict his chances of breaking through this time."

After a long while, the abbot sighed softly and lowered his hand that was forming the mudra.

With the resources he provided, even disciples with poor aptitude could ignite their life flame and advance to the Candle Illumination Realm with virtually no problem.

Even if you're absolutely certain, you can't help but feel a little worried.

Although I had already taken a Human Essence Pill, the refining process was too rushed at that time. I couldn't wait to start refining the pill as soon as the main ingredient had just entered the Candle Illumination Realm.

The effect of that Human Essence Pill wasn't very good; it only increased his lifespan by a minimum of twenty years.

Each cultivator can only take the Human Essence Pill twice in their lifetime, so this time he must maximize its effects.

The efficacy of the Human Essence Pill is related to the cultivation level of the cultivator who administers it.

If Lin Mo's cultivation reaches the mid-stage of the Candle Illumination Realm, then the pills refined from them can extend his lifespan by more than thirty years.

If someone with cultivation at the late stage of the Candle Illumination Realm were to use as the main ingredient in the Human Essence Pill, their lifespan could be extended by forty years.

If one reaches the peak of the Candle Illumination Realm, the efficacy of the Human Essence Pill will be maximized, potentially extending lifespan by fifty years!

In that case, his condition will be briefly restored to its peak.

The body's essence is replenished, and the qi and blood are no longer depleted and declining.

With this state of being in his prime, he is confident that he can break through the shackles of the human body, tear apart the first shackle of the flesh, and thereby advance to the middle three realms, the Shackle Realm!

At that time, lifespan will increase significantly again, and one can live to be five hundred years old.

This is incredibly tempting for a meditative cultivator who is entering their later years.

Therefore, he was determined to refine this Human Essence Pill no matter what, and no amount of difficulties or obstacles could deter his resolve.

...

In the Hall of Punishments, Yang Xiaoran arrived to pay respects to his master, carrying a pile of cultivation materials.

"Disciple greets Master. Lin Mo has brought a batch of spirit stones and some blood-nourishing and qi-boosting pills."

Some time ago, Lin Mo made a request to the Punishment Hall to trade a complete Earth Crystal Core. The price was the cultivation resources provided to him by the Abbot during this period, and doing a favor for the Punishment Elder after entering the Candle Illumination Realm.

The things Yang Xiaoran has in his hands now are the promise he has kept.

"That kid is quite trustworthy; even at this critical juncture, he hasn't forgotten about the deal."

The voluptuous and graceful elder of punishments spoke calmly.

Yang Xiaoran frowned and said, "Master, I heard that Lin Mo has already started his seclusion. He should be preparing to ignite his life flame and advance to the Candle Illumination Realm."

"It's not surprising. My senior brother has gone through several major battles, and his essence has been somewhat depleted. Naturally, he hopes that the main ingredient of this Human Essence Pill will mature as soon as possible," the Punishment Elder said casually.

Yang Xiaoran hesitated for a moment before asking, "Master, are we just going to stand by and watch? Are we going to do nothing more?"

The Elder of Punishments shook his head: "That's enough. Don't underestimate the determination of a cultivator entering his twilight years. Any further interference would only make things worse."

"Once Lin Mo successfully advances to the Candle Illumination Realm, you should give him that earth-attribute divine ability. Whether he survives or not depends on his fate."

"As for these spiritual resources, you can keep them for yourself. Cultivation in the Candle Illumination Realm also requires a lot of resources to support it."

Upon hearing this, Yang Xiaoran bowed and thanked his master, saying, "This disciple thanks you greatly, Master!"

Just as the two were talking, a strange spiritual energy fluctuation suddenly emanated from a cave halfway up Jin Yang Peak.

hum!

This fluctuation of spiritual energy was quite subtle, but in the eyes of several cultivators at the Visualization Realm on the mountain, it was as eye-catching as a bright lamp in the night.

The elder of punishments was slightly taken aback, a hint of surprise showing on her gentle face: "So fast, that kid has already begun to attempt a breakthrough."

Upon hearing this, Yang Xiaoran opened her mouth in surprise. She hadn't expected Lin Mo to act so quickly. He had only received the materials provided by the abbot a few days ago, and he had already begun his breakthrough.

"I really don't know whether to wish him a successful breakthrough or a failed one," Yang Xiaoran shook his head.

...

Halfway up the mountain, in Cui Donghao's cave, he was very close and could also sense the spiritual energy fluctuations coming from the direction of Lin Mo's cave.

Choi Dong-ho put down a scroll of scripture, a complex and indescribable look in his eyes.

"Junior Brother Lin, you've already begun your breakthrough."

As he spoke, he couldn't help but squeeze his palm hard, making the ancient scripture creak.

After a long while, he slowly released his grip, his expression as dejected as a defeated rooster.

It can be said that Lin Mo's breakthrough has attracted the most attention among the cultivators in Jin Yang Temple in recent years.

At this moment, within his cave dwelling, waves of pure and powerful spiritual energy continuously spread outwards.

Lin Mo sat upright on a futon in the cave, his chest rising and falling rhythmically.

Between his mouth and nose, the spiritual energy of heaven and earth was drawn into his body as if a whale were sucking water in.

Time and again, his body was being cleansed by spiritual energy, and gradually fine water droplets carrying dirt seeped out from his pores.

The process of cleansing the marrow and removing impurities is one of the precursors to the spiritual realm igniting the flame of life.

Over the past few days, Lin Mo has consumed the flesh and blood of those two unknown second-tier demonic beasts, and now his blood and qi have reached their peak state ever.

Boom! Boom!

The faint, ceaseless murmur of flowing water could be heard, a sound produced by the blood and qi flowing through his meridians, demonstrating just how vigorous his blood and qi were.

To ignite the flame of life, one must squeeze one's life essence into the dantian and combine it with one's spiritual power.

Once compressed to its limit, the life essence and spiritual power merge perfectly, and the life fire will ignite.

Lin Mo temporarily stopped practicing the "Dragon Breathing Technique." He had a sudden inspiration; the time had come.

Soon, he took out the Meridian Protection Pill, a full and round pill with a blue luster and a cool aura.

Without hesitation, Lin Mo swallowed the meridian-protecting pill in one gulp.

The medicinal effects spread rapidly, coating the major meridians in his body with a layer of icy blue crystals, like frost forming on a wall in winter.

With this layer of icy blue crystal wall in place, he no longer needed to worry about his life fire running rampant and causing him any damage.

In addition, the Vein Protecting Pill can squeeze out every inch of life essence from the physical body as much as possible.

This is why this pill is so precious; with just these two effects, cultivators in the Spirit Guidance Realm can increase their success rate by 20% when advancing to the Illumination Realm.

After the pill entered his stomach, a faint blue halo appeared on Lin Mo's dark and deep pupils.

Without saying a word, he once again focused his mind on his body.

The abundant blood and qi that filled his meridians were continuously drawn towards his dantian under Lin Mo's active guidance.

The initial cleansing and marrow-washing process was completed, and he felt that he was in better condition than ever before.

Seizing the opportunity, he mobilized all the blood and energy in his body in one go.

With the help of the Blood Transporting Scripture, he completed this step with ease, saving much more time and effort than other cultivators.

boom!

Within his dantian, the pure spiritual energy surged wildly, like waves in a river.

"Condense!" Lin Mo shouted, a resolute look flashing in his eyes.

The pure spiritual energy began to collide with the abundant life essence, and each time a portion of it was successfully fused together.

But that wasn't enough; he was still squeezing every last drop of blood and energy from his body.

Doing so will make the initial spark of life more intense.

He didn't know how much time he would have left to arm himself after advancing to the Candle Illumination Realm, so he cherished every opportunity to become stronger.

Even the slightest improvement could become a crucial factor in the balance of victory or defeat.

Collisions and compressions occurred repeatedly.

It is unknown how long this lasted, but a condensed small dragon appeared in his dantian.

The Imperial Dragon Qi, which can only be obtained through practicing the "Dragon Breathing Method," is much more solid than before, as if it has a real form.

Gradually, the little dragon seemed to come alive, and began to tumble and move within his dantian.

As it rises, it stirs up clouds and mist, soaring high above the nine heavens, battling across the vast sky.

When hidden, it conceals its form, hiding within the waves, waiting for the trapped dragon to ascend to heaven.

At this moment, Lin Mo finally grasped some of the true essence of the "Dragon Breathing Technique".

"I see. The cultivation method created by the founding emperor is indeed the most suitable method for human cultivation."

"This method, when cultivated to its highest level, is no wonder it can manifest a portion of the dragon's power."

As soon as he finished speaking, his breathing began to rise steadily.

In the blink of an eye, he surpassed the limits of the Spirit Guidance Realm.

boom!

His breakthrough this time was quite significant, and with many people paying attention, the rising momentum quickly spread.

Deng Kun stepped out of the cave, squinting as he gazed into the distance at the source of the aura: "Such a powerful aura, and this is only during the breakthrough process!"

"This Junior Brother Lin's foundation is truly solid. He waters the Dragon Blood Tree once a month, yet he still possesses such refined energy."

Cui Donghao had already left his own cave and was guarding Lin Mo's cave, protecting him.

"The fusion of life essence and spiritual power took a total of two days, about the same as what I did back then."

"However, Junior Brother Lin has cultivated the Blood Transporting Scripture to the minor completion stage, and his life essence is far more abundant than mine was back then... This talent is comparable to some once-in-a-century geniuses."

In the Hall of Punishments, Yang Xiaoran stopped what he was doing and slowly walked out of the hall, his brows slightly furrowed as he looked toward the direction of Lin Mo's cave.

"Judging from this, his promotion this time is practically guaranteed."

"But the real test is just beginning."

...

About half an hour later, the solidified little dragon inside Lin Mo's body plunged deep into the depths of his dantian and disappeared completely.

The next instant, a series of distorted fluctuations rippled within his dantian.

boom!

A cluster of fiery red flames shot out from his dantian, and he successfully ignited his life force!

Before Lin Mo could feel happy, the wisp of fire seemed to have its own thoughts and began to dart around uncontrollably.

The next moment, this wisp of flame spontaneously surged into several of his meridians.

Swish!

The residual blood and qi in his meridians became the best fuel, and his life fire grew rapidly. However, the price was the depletion of the residual blood and qi in his body, which he had left behind to maintain his vital signs!

Lin Mo was terrified. If this continued, the flames would spread out and burn his internal organs and even his bone marrow to ashes.

Soon, he remembered several methods that Elder Wu had mentioned when he preached on the preaching platform.

He gathered his life force, condensed it into a single spark, and made it entirely his own.

Upon realizing this, Lin Mo immediately began to control and withdraw his life fire.

The good news is that the Protective Meridian Pill was very effective, firmly protecting his meridians and preventing any damage.

Under the control of his mind, the flames that were constantly surging wildly in his meridians gradually began to converge and finally returned to his dantian.

Fortunately, he escaped unharmed during the breakthrough.

"No wonder everyone says that breaking through to a higher realm is a matter of life and death. Without the Meridian Protection Pill, even if I successfully break through this time, I will probably be left with a lot of hidden injuries."

"This is only the advancement to the Candle Illumination Realm. I dare not imagine how difficult it will be to break through to higher realms in the future."

With this in mind, he finally gained perfect control over the life force he had just ignited.

But this flame of life was still somewhat weak, as if it lacked fuel, like a candle flickering in the wind.

Lin Mo had anticipated this, and he took out the century-old elixir that the abbot had given him.

A century-old golden jade grass, a century-old purple blood ginseng.

These are all excellent medicinal herbs that strengthen the body's foundation, replenish qi and blood, and are of considerable value.

Huff! Huff!

Like a cow chewing on a peony, Lin Mo swallowed both spiritual herbs whole.

The slightly astringent and bitter juice entered his body, and soon he felt his body begin to heat up.

The medicinal power of the elixir began to take effect, and the rich life essence was transformed into life essence, which then provided fuel for the fire of life to burn.

boom!

In an instant, the life fire in his dantian became exceptionally vigorous, no longer resembling a flickering candle that might be extinguished at any moment.

At this point, he finally entered the second realm on the path of cultivation: the Illumination Realm.

From now on, as long as this life-giving fire burns continuously, his lifespan will be long and prosperous.

Ignite the flame of life, and illuminate your own being!

With this successful breakthrough, his level of life also underwent a leap.

He finally understood why Senior Brother Chen, who was imprisoned in the Evil Water Cave, had been able to live for so long. Cultivators at this level indeed did not need to consume grains and cereals.

While one may abstain from grains, it is still best to regularly consume some nourishing medicines or pills that replenish qi and blood and strengthen the body's foundation.

After all, maintaining the burning of the life flame still requires consuming the cultivator's essence.

Once the flame of life is extinguished, it means death is coming.

"Finally, I've succeeded. Now, I truly deserve the title of your personal disciple." Lin Mo sighed.

Soon, congratulatory voices came from outside the cave.

"Congratulations, Junior Brother Lin, on successfully igniting your life flame and advancing to the Candle Illumination Realm."

...