Chapter 322 - 269: The Fourth Imperial Beast

Chapter 322: Chapter 269: The Fourth Imperial Beast

Without a doubt, if the Profound Turtle became Yu Changsheng’s Spirit Beast, the benefits for him would be endless. This was an accomplishment that even Cao Jinxian had failed to achieve back in his day.

Compared to this, Yang Chengxu’s Celestial Shadow Dragon and Celestial Cyan Sub-Dragon were nothing!

After all, their fundamental nature was different. Those dragons were merely descendants of a powerful Spirit Beast’s vassal bloodline, while the Profound Turtle—whose true form was the Profound Yin Illusion Turtle—was not only a descendant of the Black Tortoise but had once undergone atavism to become a Half-Step Black Tortoise!

Although it ultimately failed, it retained some of the Black Tortoise’s characteristics. Once it recovered, it could even be considered a Half-Step Saint Beast!

’If I get the chance, could I use my Golden Finger to help this Profound Turtle take that one final step...?’

’After all, my Golden Finger’s greatest ability is helping Spirit Beasts enhance their bloodlines...’

At this thought, Yu Changsheng’s mind buzzed, his thoughts a chaotic mess. A fervent glint flashed in his eyes, and his breath hitched for a moment before the feeling vanished without a trace.

’Forget it. I’m getting ahead of myself.’

Muttering this to himself, Yu Changsheng suppressed the idea and remained silent.

The Profound Turtle also sank into contemplation, and Elder Wei said no more. It wasn’t until the time it takes for an incense stick to burn had passed that the Profound Turtle finally spoke again:

"What makes you think I’ll agree? When Cao Jinxian came here, I swore I would rather die than submit."

Elder Wei gently shook his head. Gazing at the roiling Death Qi on the Profound Turtle’s body, he said, "I’m merely giving it a try, old friend. You are dying, and I don’t want you to die."

Elder Wei spoke this last sentence with utmost seriousness, his expression sincere.

He paused, a look of reminiscence on his face, and continued softly, "Just like... the first time I met you. I don’t want you to perish."

The Profound Turtle fell silent at his words. After another incense stick’s worth of time, it spoke again:

"Let’s assume you’re right. However, this Array can only hold for a century at most. Within those hundred years, this disciple of yours must advance to the Purple Mansion Realm, or even the Divinity Transformation Realm, to be able to bear my spiritual weight, break the Seal, and release me.

If not, when the Array collapses in a century, I will still be unable to escape death, and your disciple will be dragged down with me."

"How can you guarantee he can reach such a Realm within a century?"

A century is but the blink of an eye for a Cultivator. Many Foundation Establishment Cultivators have lived for three hundred years and still haven’t broken through.

Therefore, reaching the Purple Mansion or Divinity Transformation Realm within a century is far from easy. Even among the Holy Land Saint Sons, precious few have ever achieved such a feat.

Elder Wei’s response to this was simple yet logical. He just raised an eyebrow, a smug look on his face, and said:

"Cao Jinxian reached Purple Mansion Peak within sixty years. Had he been willing, he could have advanced to Divinity Transformation at any moment. Yu Changsheng is also my disciple—why would he be incapable of the same?"

"He only possesses a Seventh-Layer Spirit Platform. I trust we both understand the implications of that."

"If you form a Contract with him, can’t you add another layer to his Spirit Platform?" Elder Wei raised an eyebrow, his expression calm and composed.

"As for the final layer, I will find a way to add it for him. A Nine-Layered Spirit Platform is the baseline for a disciple of mine."

At these words, the Profound Turtle’s beastly eyes flickered, shimmering uncertainly. After a long moment, it took a heavy breath and rumbled:

"And what if I still refuse?"

"Then... there is nothing to be done. I do not wish to force you..."

Elder Wei sighed softly as his robes began to flutter in a nonexistent wind. He snapped his head up, and a Divine Soul comparable to the Purple Mansion Peak surged out in an instant, churning the very void. It coalesced into a boundless pressure that slowly bore down upon the Profound Turtle!

"But in this matter, I have no other choice!"

Elder Wei roared. In that instant, inside the sealed land, Thunderbolt boomed, the void trembled, and a tempest raged. He even pulled at the Chains of Laws, causing them to glitter and surge, one after another. A terrifying pressure filled the space, and the atmosphere plunged to absolute zero.

RUMBLE!!

The vault of the heavens trembled, and Stars fell one by one like motes of light. Though the Profound Turtle’s massive body was bound by layer upon layer of the Chains of Laws, a mere shudder from it unleashed a supreme might of its own, confronting and counteracting Elder Wei’s pressure.

The atmosphere grew scorching hot with tension.

After a long while, the Profound Turtle’s deep voice rumbled, "Are you threatening me?"

"You can think of it that way," Elder Wei replied, his expression composed and a sharp glint in his eyes. "You have been sealed for a millennium. Now, you are just a paper tiger. How much of your true strength can you even wield? Your actual combat power is likely only at the Golden Core Realm, isn’t it?"

"You’ve changed," the Profound Turtle sighed, withdrawing its oppressive aura.

"Indeed. After a millennium, haven’t you changed, too?" Elder Wei smiled faintly and withdrew his own pressure. Everything returned to calm, as if nothing had happened at all.

"You’ve grown afraid of death, old friend."

Elder Wei chuckled. A millennium was long enough to change many things—a person’s thoughts, actions, habits, and even what they once considered their inviolable principles.

"I have been trapped here for far too long. Perhaps getting out to see the world again wouldn’t be such a bad choice."

The Profound Turtle exhaled a plume of white vapor, which spread out as a lingering mist. Amidst the haze, its form seemed to drift as its murky, beastly eyes slowly closed.

"Wei Zhenggui, I will trust you one more time."

"Old friend... thank you..."

The worry lines on Elder Wei’s brow smoothed out as a smile touched his lips. He gently stroked the Profound Turtle, his expression growing distant and wistful, just as it had been all those years ago.

"Kid, I hope you don’t disappoint me."

A hint of gentleness appeared in the Profound Turtle’s beastly eyes as it looked at Elder Wei. Then, it turned its head toward the silently watching Yu Changsheng and spoke faintly.