Li Tian approached Ironblood with a respectful gesture, clasping his fist before taking a seat. The two men exchanged pleasantries, but Ironblood sensed that there was something more on Li Tian's mind. He patiently waited, knowing that Li Tian would eventually reveal his true purpose.
Once the formalities were out of the way, Li Tian began to broach the reason for his visit. Concern etched on his face, he asked, "Sir, I've heard that your injuries are severe. Is it true?"
Ironblood sighed heavily and nodded, his face filled with despair. Li Tian couldn't help but feel a glimmer of satisfaction, realizing that his task might be easier than he had anticipated.
"What are the chances of your recovery?" Li Tian inquired, studying Ironblood intently.
Ironblood hesitated for a moment, then shook his head. "My injuries are grave. My dantian is cracked, and my cultivation is slowly leaking away. Only a cultivator above the rebirth realm can save me."
Li Tian understood the gravity of Ironblood's situation. To have reached such heights in cultivation, only to face the prospect of returning to a mortal existence, was a fate worse than death. He nodded, thinking to himself, "Just as I suspected."
Waiting for Ironblood to compose himself, Li Tian observed the old man's tear-streaked face. It was an uncomfortable sight, seeing a battle-hardened warrior weep. Ironblood had faced death on countless battlefields without shedding a single tear, but fate had brought him to this moment of vulnerability.
No longer willing to beat around the bush, Li Tian decided to be direct and frank about his purpose. Ironblood regained his composure and returned to his stern demeanor, prompting Li Tian to speak his mind.
"Just say what you have to say," Ironblood urged, sensing Li Tian's hesitation.
Li Tian took a deep breath and resolved to be decisive. "I want to offer you an opportunity for rebirth. In exchange, you would swear your allegiance to me."
Ironblood's brows furrowed, and anger flickered in his eyes. However, considering his current predicament, he managed to suppress his rage and asked, "Explain."
Li Tian began to elaborate on his proposition. "To be honest, your potential has already been exhausted. Even if you're fortunate, the highest realm you could possibly reach is the gold core realm, and that's if you manage to comprehend a few divine abilities. But the opportunity I present to you can completely transform your talent and raise your upper limit to unimaginable heights. If you pledge your loyalty to me, I will grant you strength beyond your wildest dreams."
Ironblood studied Li Tian for a moment, silently contemplating his words. Finally, he asked, "Can you truly deliver on this promise?"
Li Tian met Ironblood's gaze unwaveringly. "Yes, I possess the means to fulfill my offer."
Ironblood couldn't provide an immediate response, so Li Tian stood up and declared, "When you're ready, seek me out at my villa."
With those words, Li Tian departed, leaving Ironblood behind. The old captain didn't see him off, lost in his thoughts. Soon, Li Tian returned to his villa with his maid, Shi Ruo, and secluded himself to further his cultivation.
Li Tian had expected to see Ironblood the next day, but to his disappointment, the captain didn't show up. Li Tian's interest in Ironblood stemmed from the night he witnessed the captain unleash a powerful saber beam to save his life. He knew that Ironblood possessed a strong affinity for the blood path, making him a suitable inheritor of the techniques left by Old Man Extermination. Li Tian lamented the wasted potential.
A week passed in the blink of an eye, and finally, Ironblood arrived at the villa. His cultivation had further deteriorated. Li Tian wasted no time and, after Ironblood swore his allegiance, received two drops of true dragon blood as a reward from the system.
Grateful, Li Tian handed one of the precious drops to Ironblood. In addition to the dragon blood, Li Tian explained the terms of their new relationship and bestowed upon Ironblood the Divine Dragon Transformation Technique and the legacy technique known as the Blood Codex, passed down from Old Man Extermination.
Ironblood was left speechless by the overwhelming generosity. With these gifts, Ironblood became Li Tian's loyal subordinate, and Li Tian's power grew once again.
Two months flew by, and Ironblood's injuries were finally healed. Not only had he fully recovered, but he had also advanced to become a level seven core realm cultivator, achieving the status of a golden core. This remarkable transformation was all thanks to the gifts bestowed upon him by Li Tian.
Ironblood had not only reclaimed his former position but had also emerged stronger than ever, akin to a phoenix reborn from the ashes.
During the past month, Li Tian had come to realize that tensions were escalating between the sea race and humans. Ironblood and his comrades had ventured into the sea to investigate, leading to the injuries he sustained and now numerous clashes between the two factions. Fortunately, the demonic beasts on land sided with the humans, as they too wanted to protect their territory from the sea race's encroachment.
Through careful investigation, Li Tian discovered that the Kunlun mountain served as the gateway to a higher realm known as the Kunlun realm, where rebirth realm cultivators ascended after reaching the pinnacle of this world. This revelation sparked his curiosity, as he pondered the potential for greater development in this new realm. He had already made up his mind to depart once he achieved a breakthrough to the core realm.
However, the challenge he faced now was how to reach the Kunlun mountain. Most individuals who journeyed there were at the rebirth realm, leaving Li Tian unsure of his options. In his contemplation, three individuals crossed his mind: Mu Bingyun, Lady Xia, and Lin An. Intuitively, he felt that these people were not native to this world.
Li Tian's cultivation had already reached its peak in the foundation realm, leaving him yearning for further progress. The only way forward was to break through to the core realm. Yet, this transition brought a daunting obstacle—an encounter with the heavenly tribulation. Surviving the tribulation would elevate him to the status of a core realm cultivator, granting him access to the profound concepts of the world. Failure, on the other hand, would result in death and the end of his path.
This explained why core realm cultivators were scarce compared to those in the foundation realm. Only one in ten foundation realm cultivators successfully advanced to the core realm, hindered by factors such as limited talent, resources, or failing the tribulation.
Successful transcendence, however, bestowed great rewards. Lifespan increased to a thousand years, and power multiplied exponentially. Li Tian had already prepared himself mentally and chosen a secluded location for the upcoming tribulation. He decided to return to the wilderness, a place where he had found solace before.
Leaving his seclusion room, Li Tian quietly departed from the city, soaring through the sky. As he traveled, the realization of a monotonous life bound to this place weighed on his mind. He knew that sooner or later, he would have to leave this familiar territory, and he preferred the former. Although he had grown to appreciate secluded cultivation and witnessing his strength grow, he yearned for a more vibrant world to continue his journey.
Having comprehended the core realm level of the Supreme Dragon Descends technique, Li Tian possessed the knowledge needed to navigate this crucial stage. Consequently, he wasted no time upon reaching his chosen breakthrough location. Removing the appearance-changing rune, he regained his imposing 2.5-meter stature, crossed his legs, and entered a meditative state.
Two days later, changes began to stir within his dantian. Everything inside transformed into a core, compressing the ocean of dragon Qi into a radiant pearl. The multicolored pearl shimmered like a rainbow, surrounded by vivid dragon images.
What astonished him further was the sight of the golden dragon, now slumbering within the core, accompanied by his natal weapon. Unexpectedly, his dantian merged with the core, a development he had anticipated but still found awe-inspiring. Typically, the core resided within the dantian, but their fusion marked a unique occurrence.
At that moment, crackling sounds reverberated from the sky, signaling the imminent arrival of the heavenly tribulation. Ascending steadily to a height of ten meters above the ground, Li Tian braced himself for the ordeal.
He knew he would face three lightning strikes from the heavens, and his survival hinged on enduring them all. The brewing lightning finally descended after a period of anticipation, striking every thirty minutes. The entire tribulation concluded within two hours, surprising him with its relative ease and lack of threat.
Only minor wounds adorned his body, a testament to the incredible strength he now possessed. The core within him, resembling a radiant pearl, emitted a luminous light that flowed through his entire being. This ethereal glow comprised dragon Qi, gradually bolstering his strength with its movement.
Emerging from his meditation after a full day, Li Tian opened his eyes, realizing that he had successfully broken through to the core realm.