The dark figure was silent for a while, then spoke, "I didn't expect you would encounter a Star Spirit so soon."

"The Star Spirit is actually what you call a Void Beast, but it's a Void Beast that can walk out of the Void Realm. Even the weakest Star Spirit's power can reach the Saint Realm. I suggest you stay away from them. These Star Spirits have their own rules of conduct; it's best not to provoke them before you understand these rules clearly."

Hearing this, Xu Guang thought for a moment, "Void Beasts have Void Cores inside them, what about Star Spirits?"

The dark figure was surprised, then sneered, "Are you thinking of slaying a Star Spirit? Star Spirits indeed have something similar to a Void Core, yet more mystical. Once refined, it can grant a person a unique physique. You can understand it this way: a Void Core can offer a new bloodline, while the Essence of Refinement can bestow a special cultivation physique for a Qi Refiner."

The cultivation of a Qi Refiner is very different from that of the Martial Dao.

Martial Dao cultivation focuses on forging the physical body, condensing Qi and blood, emphasizing the tangible essence within. After polishing the body to a certain extent, the focus shifts to comprehend changes in the Divine Soul and the overall transformation.

From the simple to the complex, moving from the tangible to the abstract.

Whereas, Qi Refinement starts as entirely abstract. Qi Refiners believe there are nine Secret Realms within the human body, and cultivation involves exploring these Secret Realms that don't tangibly exist within the body.

Starting from the Spirit Palace, the cultivation is abstract and obscure, making it extremely difficult to enter.

But not everyone is like this; some are born with extraordinary physiques, which make it easier for them to find their Secret Realms. Or maybe a Secret Realm within them naturally possesses exceptional powers, capable of amplifying certain types of Daoist techniques, or perhaps it can increase cultivation speed.

For example, Yuan Shuang's Ten Thousand Laws Spiritual Body can significantly amplify the power of Daoist techniques and enhance casting speed.

Special physiques have always been the dream pursuit of Qi Refiners.

Xu Guang fell into silence.

He pondered the significance of a suppressed Star Spirit appearing here. Its presence must be related to the Pirate King; only an Immortal Venerable could effortlessly suppress a Star Spirit at least at the Saint Realm.

The current issue is, how much power does this Star Spirit still possess?

Presumably, Yan Ruge's attack earlier was also to test the Star Spirit's strength.

But unfortunately, it didn't yield any results.

Xu Guang hid in the corner, silently contemplating the significance of this space and the presence of the Star Spirit.

Just then, a figure suddenly appeared before him.

"I didn't expect the famous Xu Guang to be here."

It was Yan Ruge.

Xu Guang did not show much surprise. His concealment techniques could deceive ordinary First Grade cultivators, but not someone like Yan Ruge, who was at the Peak First Grade.

He did not speak but quietly looked at Yan Ruge, wanting to know her purpose in seeking him out.

"Brother Xu, would you be interested in slaying that Star Spirit? You're surely aware of the effects of the Essence of Refinement, aren't you?"

"Does Miss Yan have the confidence to slay that Star Spirit?"

"Not entirely, but I understand the Celestial Capital somewhat. The place is, after all, an opportunity left by the Pirate King for the pirate descendants. An existence we can't handle wouldn't appear here. There must be a weakness on this Star Spirit."

Xu Guang thought of the small flag spinning above the Star Spirit's head and smiled, "Xu Mou is not fond of taking risks."

Yan Ruge did not give up and continued to persuade, "At present, this Anan Star Spirit, if its Essence of Refinement is refined, could bestow upon someone the Black Soul Venerable Body. As the name implies, it would be enough to make one achieve the title of Venerable in the Five Realms."

Venerable is a title for both Qi Refiners in the Five Realms and Martial Artists at the Second Nirvana Realm, but not all Second Nirvana Martial Artists and Five Realms Cultivators are entitled to be called Venerable.

To be a Venerable means having overwhelming power in one's own realm.

Five Realms Cultivators need to refine a rule's essence and wield the power of a rule to be called a Venerable.

It is even rarer for Second Nirvana Martial Artists to be called Venerable. The Second Nirvana is also known as the Dharmakaya Realm where a cultivator manifests a Dharmakaya through their cultivation path. The Dharmakaya is categorized into three grades: inferior, middle, and superior.

The inferior grade is when a Dharmakaya is based on inanimate objects.

The middle grade is when a Dharmakaya is modeled after existing living beings.

The superior grade is when a unique Dharmakaya is created, which is then condensed with one's Qi Force, ultimately leading to the emergence of a living being identical to the Dharmakaya, making one the strongest among Second Nirvana Martial Artists.

Many strange races in this world are born from breakthroughs of martial Dao experts transforming their Dharmakaya.

The power of those called Venerable can be considered the peak experts of the Second Nirvana Realm, who are qualified to break through to the Saint Realm.

Xu Guang had seen quite a few Second Nirvana Martial Artists and Five Realms Cultivators, but only Yuan Shuang and Gu Shuo were truly worthy of being called Venerable.

The Black Soul Venerable Body is a cultivation physique that, upon reaching the Five Realms and opening the Divine Palace Secret Realm, naturally comprehends the power of darkness rules.

"Given this Anan Star Spirit's size, its core is enough for both of us to completely transform into Black Soul Venerable Bodies, what do you think?"

Yan Ruge saw Xu Guang was in deep thought and continued to speak persuasively.

Xu Guang's expression was subtle, "If I am not mistaken, Miss Yan should already have a Venerable physique, right?"

Yan Ruge said calmly, "So what? It's not uncommon for a Venerable to master two rule powers."

Xu Guang pondered thoughtfully, realizing he wasn't mistaken, Yan Ruge indeed had ambitions.

"What assurance do you have of obtaining the Essence of Refinement?"

Yan Ruge smiled, "We don't need to kill the Star Spirit. This is evident, because even if it's suppressed, its essence is the Saint Realm, and it's a Star Spirit whose Life Force is thousands of times more vigorous than a typical Saint. Even if a Saint personally attacks, it would likely be difficult to kill. We just need to locate the core of the Star Spirit and infiltrate it. Surely the Immortal Venerable left clues back then."

At this moment, a certain wailing sound came from the air.

It sounded like a whale? But it carried a strange rhythm.

BANG!!!

The ground suddenly exploded, followed by a scream.

The entire ground seemed to blow open, and a gigantic being emerged from the desert, resembling a decayed whale, charging directly towards a First Grade pirate. 𝕗𝕣𝐞𝐞𝘄𝐞𝚋𝚗𝗼𝘃𝗲𝗹.𝚌𝕠𝚖

The pirate reacted swiftly, almost instantly unleashing all his power, with a mysterious light illuminating the darkness in an instant.

The decayed whale emitted a Fierce Ghost-like Yin Qi, eroding the mysterious light barrier protecting the pirate in a moment and swallowing him up in the blink of an eye.

The gigantic decayed whale swallowed the pirate and fell freely to the ground, disappearing into the desert below.

Xu Guang frowned, could it really be a Fierce Ghost?

With the improvement in cultivation, a Feng Shui Master's methods are no longer as terrifyingly restrictive against these powerful Fierce Ghosts as they were at lower levels. And this place is clearly the home ground of those Fierce Ghosts; even if an advantage remains, it's not as easy to deal with them.

The decayed whale Fierce Ghost's strength unexpectedly reached the pinnacle of First Grade.

Only a few present could withstand its assault.

Due to Anan's existence, this eerie space saw the emergence of some fierce beasts resembling Fierce Ghosts.

This ghostly place.

Xu Guang couldn't help but curse inwardly.

Time passed by slowly.

Xu Guang clearly didn't want to waste time here, so he decided to cooperate with Yan Ruge. The method to resolve the situation was clearly related to the Anan Star Spirit. He had no choice but to venture close.

Yan Ruge also didn't want to take risks, so under her deliberate promotion, everyone came to know of the effects of the Star Spirit's core. Almost everyone began to stir with excitement.

But most of them were mere cannon fodder.

...

BANG!

Xu Guang caught hold of a snake-like Fierce Ghost with one hand, summoned the Red Lotus Karmic Fire, and incinerated it completely, dropping a Ghost Treasure onto the ground.

He collected it casually. It had been a long time since he had seen so many Fierce Ghosts. These Ghost Treasures should enhance his Celestial Register's grade somewhat.

Yan Ruge came to his side and handed over the Ghost Treasure she had killed.

She was a pure Qi Refiner, without Celestial Register in her body, so she had no interest in these Ghost Treasures.

"Going further, you'll need to be cautious."