Semi-Sage!
These two simple words were like enraged thunder, exploding in the ears of the Nine Heavenzons. In that instant, even the Dou Qi within their bodies seemed to halt. They gaped, their faces frozen, as they stared at the old man holding the gigantic ice sphere far away.
Semi-Sage. While this level might be extremely unfamiliar to others, the Nine Heavenzons were all too familiar with it. This level was called the Abyss of Despair for all peak Dou Zuns; most of the powerful beings who had reached the peak of Dou Zun on this vast land stagnated at the edge of Semi-Sage. No matter how hard they practiced, they could never truly step into this so-called Semi-Sage stage. Only by stepping into the Semi-Sage stage could one have the qualifications to enter the Sage stage! It could even be said that Semi-Sage was the most crucial foundation before entering the Sage stage. Without entering Semi-Sage, one would never become a true Sage!
As Battle Kings became legendary memories of history, a simple “Sage” now represented the pinnacle of this world. A Dou Zun could be called the top powerhouse on the continent, but top did not mean the pinnacle. The pinnacle belonged to the higher realms of existence. And this so-called Semi-Sage was a realm that the Nine Heavenzons longed for. But deep down, they knew how difficult it was to reach this realm. Even if they exhausted a lifetime’s worth of effort, they still may not achieve it. Never once did they ever think Elder Pharmacist could reach this level. Even with a new body, it would already be a challenge to recover his peak strength, let alone breaking through from peak Dou Zun to advance to Semi-Sage?
However, although unexpected, reality hit them hard. The situation they least foresaw was actually standing before them…
“Semi-Sage…”
Inside the Astral Realm, all eyes focused on the elder figure in the sky. Compared to the enormous ice sphere, this figure looked extraordinarily small. Yet, the aura exuded by this small figure made the terrifying energy swirling around inside the ice sphere tremble slightly.
“Semi-Sage… This old man has actually entered that level,” murmured Wind Venerable and the others, staring open-mouthed. Soon after, immense joy filled their eyes. Although it was ‘Semi’, it carried the essence of the word ‘Sage’ which symbolized the peak. This was a qualitative leap!
“The Falling Star Pavilion is going to prosper greatly…” The many powerhouses that had tried to flee paused, some of whom even felt dry in the mouth. The emergence of a Semi-Sage, this almost explosive news, would likely sweep across the Central Plains like a hurricane. The status and strength of the Falling Star Pavilion would see an extremely terrifying increase in the shortest time. While the Soul Hall was indeed terrifying, they couldn’t casually destroy the Falling Star Pavilion any more either. A powerful Semi-Sage, even for the Soul Hall, demanded serious attention. Most importantly, if this Semi-Sage was also the number one Alchemist on the continent, then the prestige and influence, no one could match it. At this moment, everyone understood that the Falling Star Pavilion was about to greatly flourish. On the mountain peak, Xiao Yan’s face was filled with pleasant surprise. His Elder Pharmacist had not only recovered his peak strength but surprisingly advanced to the Semi-Sage. Although the material used to create the new body for the elder were all top-grade, up to the addition of a Dou Sheng’s arm, he had never imagined that the elder would break through. Originally, according to his estimation, if Elder could simply regain his peak strength, that would already be a great accomplishment. As for reaching the peak Dou Zun, or even further, he hadn’t thought much of it. He knew very well the hardships entailed in such breakthroughs. While Dou Zun was sparse on this continent, it was certainly not a rare occurrence. But true Dou Sheng? From Xiao Yan’s extensive experience, he had barely seen remnants of a soul print on a single Dou Sheng skeleton. Of course, the elder should now be considered a Quasi-Dou Sheng. Despite the ‘semi’ in Semi-Sage, in any case, it counted as Sage!
In the faraway sky, Elder hovered, sparing a glance at the distant Two Heavenzon with calm eyes. The hand touching the ice sphere slowly clenched.
*Crack!*
With the tightening of his hand, the ice ball filled with terrible energy suddenly distorted as if gripped by an enormous invisible hand…
*Break!*
The ice sphere grew more twisted, and finally, with a faint command from Elder, a crack appeared, and the monstrous thing exploded! As the ice shattered, the horrifying energy storm swirled outward, but as the storm neared a certain range, it mysteriously dissipated.
*Gulp…*
Seeing the shards of ice dissipating, countless people swallowed heavily. The attack capable of destroying the mountain range was so easily deflected. Not even Elder’s sleeves ruffled from the impact…
“This is the power of a Semi-Sage?” The many powerhouses exchanged glances, each seeing profound shock in the other’s eyes. Power far beyond the Dou Zun stage, truly the force of the ultimate peak…
*Hmph!*
When the ice was destroyed, the two Heavenzons staggered, grunting. Their faces were smeared with blood, their breath irregular, indicating that Elder not only broke the ice but also inflicted considerable damage upon their physical bodies. Eighth Heavenzo wiped the blood from his face, his gaze fixed on Elder, his eyes shimmering with fright and anger. He had been defeated by the pharmacist years ago—never would he imagine that this first meeting after his defeat would end in such another humiliating loss! “Semi-sage…” Ninth Heavenzon gritted his teeth, envy and madness battling in his eyes, but he was not just anyone; soon, he repressed his emotions, his pallor growing pale. Having discovered Elder was at this level, he knew their mission was a total failure. If Elder was merely at peak Dou Zun, Ninth found it troublesome yet manageable. But none expected him not only to recover but ascend past the despair barrier for most peak Dou Zuns to the realm of Semi-sage!
This plane existed entirely apart from Dou Zun. Though ‘semi’, Elder Pharmacist at this very moment was likely unstoppable even by two peak Dou Zun allied. Such disparity was insurmountably vast.
“Number eight, go!” Seeing no other way, Ninth Heavenzon roared.
Hearing him, Eighth’s fists clenched tightly with resentment.
“Advanced to Semi-sage, even two combined peak Dou Zun cannot rival him. To stay and die does me no good.” Seeing resistance, Ninth’s voice hardened. “Go!”
Fortunately, sense prevailed over Eighth as well. Understanding their action had ended in utter futility, he nodded reluctantly, tearing a spatial rift with a wave of his palm. The pair dashed into the rift.
Elder smiled distantly, raising a hand, and grasped towards the rift.
*Boom!*
As his hand squeezed, the rift collapsed under incomparably dreadful force blasting forward. Two suppressed cries echoed, followed by sprays of crimson jets shooting back out. Approaching Elder rapidly, these disintegrated into wispy mist.
“Herb Pharmace, you wait—we, the Soul Temple, will never rest!”
The roar lingered in space, filled with pain, implying serious injuries from Elder’s grip. However, facing the defiance, Elder met it with amused acceptance. Finally, a Semi-Sage, he now stood among the pinnacle figures on the mainland. No longer the previous Herb Venerable, perhaps… it is now fitting to bear the title: Saint, Herb Dust.
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