TL: Etude
Ye Tian continued his challenge in the War God Tower, effortlessly conquering the ninth, tenth, and eleventh levels. His achievement of surpassing the twelfth level was rare even among Saints. In fact, Ye Tian could have gone further, but he chose not to continue, as he already had enough points.
His total points had now accumulated to 385, sufficient for a year of study at the War God Stele. Moreover, he had successfully ranked on the Saint's List, and quite high at that. Advancing to the thirteenth level would have placed him within the top sixteen, which would be too astonishing. Even just conquering the twelfth level was enough to stun everyone.
Outside the War God Tower, people's eyes were fixed on the 25th position of the Saint's List.
[Saint's List 25th Place: Ye Tian (Loose Cultivators Alliance), War God Tower Twelfth Level, Saint-King Level Strength]
What is Saint-King level strength? It's when one's attack power reaches 100 dragon power units, with speed and defense also matching. If either speed or defense is lacking, even with Great Saint-level attack power, one cannot be considered as having Great Saint-level strength.
Overcoming the eleventh level indicates Great Saint-level strength, and Ye Tian surpassed the twelfth level, much stronger than an average Great Saint. If one could conquer the thirteenth level, they would achieve the title of Saint-King level strength.
In the entire Zhonghai Super Base, there were only 16 individuals with Saint-King level strength. Perhaps there were hidden Saints who hadn't shown their true strength, but the number of Saint-Kings wouldn't exceed 20.
Ye Tian's displayed strength had already reached near Saint-King level, overpowering the average Great Saint. Having such strength just after reaching the Great Saint level clearly indicated his immense talent.
Ye Tian's fame resounded once more throughout Zhonghai Super Base, drawing the attention of many Emperors. Initially, as a Martial King, the Emperors wouldn't have cared about Ye Tian. But his rapid rise to near Saint-King level strength naturally drew their gaze.
Ye Tian had returned home by then, starting to build top-tier cultivation rooms. Having collected enough materials, he built three cultivation rooms in one go – one for himself, one for his sister, and one for Xiao Xue, Xiao Jin, and Xiao Zi.
Three days later, the three top-tier cultivation rooms were completed. With these rooms and first-class top-tier cultivation techniques, Ye Tian's sister Ye Yu's cultivation progress would be incredibly fast. Ye Yu, already a Grandmaster, would soon reach the peak of Grandmaster level, even potentially breaking into the King level.
Inside Xiao Xue's top-tier cultivation room, the creature was studying and comprehending profound mysteries as Ye Tian entered.
"Xiao Xue, I've obtained a treasure on my recent trip that might be useful to you. Take a look!" Ye Tian presented the Water Dragon Pearl.
The Water Dragon Pearl, being a dragon orb, should be beneficial to Xiao Xue, who was also a dragon.
"Water Dragon Pearl!" Xiao Xue eyed the orb eagerly, its eyes wide with desire, almost wishing to swallow it whole.
"Master, the Water Dragon Pearl contains abundant dragon power. I was somewhat malnourished at birth. With this pearl, I can compensate for my shortcomings, become a truly powerful War Blood Sky Dragon, and even my talents could transform. Master, I must have this dragon pearl!" Xiao Xue pleaded urgently.
"It's for you. Go ahead and eat it!" Ye Tian tossed the Water Dragon Pearl to Xiao Xue.
Xiao Xue swallowed the Water Dragon Pearl in one gulp. A pure dragon force emanated from the orb and was absorbed by Xiao Xue.
"Master, I'm going to sleep now. When I wake up, I'll surely be stronger than you!" Xiao Xue, ever competitive with Ye Tian in terms of strength, uttered these words before slowly drifting into slumber.
Meanwhile, Ye Tian began his closed-door training, continually comprehending two gold-level sword techniques and occasionally testing his combat strength and sword skills in a virtual world through the War God Ring. Time passed slowly.
After half a month, Ye Tian had perfected his Morning Star-level sword talent and tenfold sword intent, mastering both the gold-level Desolate Sword Domain and the gold-level Instant Slash.
The perfected Desolate Sword Domain could amplify attack power by 18 times. Though it was less than the usual amplification effect of gold-level sword techniques, considering it was an area-of-effect technique, this was substantial.
Instant Slash, once mastered, could amplify attack power by 20 times and double the attack speed, making it an exceptionally formidable technique.
Additionally, Ye Tian had opened 5% of his deep brain domain, and his physical strength reached 500,000 elephants. Ye Tian calculated his strongest attack: 500,000 elephants equaled 0.5 dragon power units, augmented to 1 dragon power unit with yuan force, increased by 80 times with his ninefold Pseudo-Mystic Strength Talent, and further amplified by 20 times with Instant Slash.
This totaled 1600 dragon power units in one strike, surpassing the 1000 dragon power unit threshold of Saint-King level attack power. Even against Saint-Kings with 2000 dragon power units, Ye Tian's top-tier spatial talent made him a formidable opponent.
Not accounting for his top-tier spatial talent, Ye Tian's combat power alone had reached Saint-King level. Including his spatial talent, he was virtually invincible at this level, save for those surpassing Saint-King level.
"My strength is now formidable enough to establish a power of my own," Ye Tian thought. The idea of forming his own power had been on his mind for a while, but he hadn't acted on it due to his rapid progression and frequent relocations. Now, with sufficient strength and a long-term stay in Zhonghai Super Base, the highest level base, he decided to settle there and start building his power.
The advantage of establishing a power was manifold; it would allow him to delegate tasks, gather information, and send subordinates to hunt beasts or gather talented individuals.
For instance, had he not undertaken the mission from the Moon God Sect, he wouldn't have encountered the time-talented beast nor would anyone have informed him about it. This is the benefit of having a power base.
Moreover, Ye Tian's ability to copy talents and inspect everyone's talent eliminated the possibility of missing out on geniuses. While other powers might have talent-testing orbs that could only test for specific talents, Ye Tian could detect all talents with just a glance, easily uncovering overlooked talents.
"The best age to cultivate talents is around 15, when they have just started training. It's time to find a group of 15-year-old youths and cultivate the first core team," Ye Tian decided.