This continent was one where humans and demons coexisted. With Sun Su's stone staff, the group managed to scatter the demon clan, quell the conflict, and clear one stage.

They continued downwards like this, passing through countless mystic realms, before Feng Zikang truly grasped the divine power of Sun Su's rod.

Although this was not the Suppressing Sea Divine Needle Iron, nor the Ruyi Jingu Bang weighing thirteen thousand five hundred catties, and Sun Su was not the Great Sage Equal to Heaven he knew from legends—though he was equally defiant, he had never committed such audacious acts—this stone staff was still a celestial treasure, utterly rigid and unbreakable; few things under heaven could withstand its strike.

With him accompanying them, this journey through the underworld became considerably easier.

Even though Sun Su was only at the Condensing Core cultivation level, his strength far surpassed theirs. Feng Zikang studied by his side, benefiting immensely from the profound principles Sun Su expounded, sensing faint signs of an imminent breakthrough.

Achieving a breakthrough here would certainly not be simple.

Without the aid of the Great Samsara Plate, advancing from Core Formation to Nascent Soul was an extremely perilous process.

However, Feng Zikang had long been psychologically prepared. Having entered this Tower of Trials, he was ready to successfully form his infant soul without relying on the Great Samsara Plate.

After all, the spiritual energy here was abundant and vastly different from the outside world.

If he could skillfully harness the ambient celestial energy, breaking through to the Nascent Soul stage directly would not be difficult.

Sun Su seemed to perceive his condition as well. He was not in a hurry to descend further. In every mystic realm they reached, they moved slowly, lingering for several days in places particularly rich in spiritual power, allowing Feng Zikang ample time for cultivation.

During these few days, Feng Zikang felt his inner Golden Core swelling, gradually showing signs of transforming into an infant soul. At this very moment, the Demon Fetus had also matured. It appeared that within days, both the Demon Fetus and the Nascent Soul would take form!

“Little brother, since you are having such a breakthrough, why don't we rest here for two days and leave only after you succeed?”

There are no sun or moon in the underworld; even delaying a few days meant nothing.

Huo Zhongguang's eyes lit up upon hearing Feng Zikang was about to break through to the Nascent Soul stage, filled with envy. He recalled meeting Feng Zikang when the latter had just begun the initial Qi circulation in the back mountains. To think that in just a few short years, he was about to become a Nascent Soul master.

Huo Zhongguang was already at the eighth layer of Qi Condensation back then, on the verge of Foundation Establishment. Now, he had only recently established his foundation and made no progress. By comparison, the gap was truly immense.

Luo Lianxin quietly pulled Feng Zikang aside and pressed a jade vial into his hand.

“This is…”

Feng Zikang lifted the stopper and gasped in surprise.

“Junior Sister, this… this is a Soul-Forming Pill!”

This was an exceedingly rare medicinal aid, the most potent elixir for those at the peak of Core Formation attempting to ascend to Nascent Soul. It was precious beyond measure, yet Luo Lianxin possessed it.

“It was my Master’s spare. She hasn't progressed further in decades and had long since grown disheartened, so she granted it to me. Since Senior Brother is taking the first step now, you should use this pill…”

Luo Lianxin generously gifted the medicine, and Feng Zikang nodded, accepting it calmly.

Given the unique circumstances in the underworld, there was no need for excessive politeness. If he could advance to the Nascent Soul realm sooner, the journey ahead would be safer. He would repay her kindness in the future, that was all.

The mystic realm they currently occupied was vast. Feng Zikang found a secluded area and entered solitary seclusion to force his breakthrough to the Nascent Soul stage, while the others stood guard around him.

At this point, Feng Zikang’s Golden Core showed clear signs of active cracking. He sat cross-legged, sensing the heavens and earth, swallowed the Soul-Forming Pill, settled his posture, and silently hammered at his Golden Core.

The majestic medicinal power surged into the Golden Core, accompanied by crackling sounds as more fissures appeared on its surface. Feng Zikang felt his spirit shudder, blood Qi surging within his chest. He knew this was the critical moment, and with a fierce shout, he forcibly suppressed the turbulence.

The Golden Core was drawn out of the scope of the Five Floors and Twelve Cities of his body, slowly ascending until it reached the crown of his head. Its original pale gold color intensified, and its outer shell shattered, revealing a nascent, golden-yellow infant form within.

The Nascent Soul was condensed; the path to immortality was in sight. Feng Zikang calmed his mind and spirit, daring not to slacken even slightly.

The outer shell of the Golden Core gradually peeled away, a process akin to the nurturing and hatching of a life within an egg.

The Great Dao of this world shared one principle.

The true essence Qi within his body, transformed into the Golden Core, had finally matured to birth the Nascent Soul.

His mind was perfectly clear. Though the shattering of the Golden Core brought a tremendous shock, he remained unshaken.

Just then, the Demon Fetus within him suddenly opened its eyes, spiraling and dancing, simultaneously growing larger.

With the Nascent Soul rising and the Demon Fetus maturing, the forging of the Demonic Body was about to commence.

This dual impact caused Feng Zikang, despite his resilient body, to stagger uncontrollably and cough up a mouthful of blood. He was compelled to consume another Soul-Forming Pill to regulate his breath and recover.

The Demon Fetus continued to expand, while the shell of the Golden Core finally stripped away completely, revealing a small infant-like figure—the Nascent Soul—whose features vaguely resembled Feng Zikang’s. It grew quickly in the air, soon reaching three inches tall, confronting the Demon Fetus from a distance.

Though the Nascent Soul was small, its oppressive power was immense. The Demon Fetus, large as it was, dared not approach, instead continuing to swell until its flesh and blood dissolved, merging back into Feng Zikang’s body.

“Hmm?”

Sun Su, gazing toward the direction of Feng Zikang’s seclusion, sniffed the air, a trace of curiosity in his expression.

“The cultivation method that Young Brother Feng practices has a slight resemblance to my old Sun’s profound arts, forging a golden physique—quite strange. It seems the benefits from this successful Soul Formation will greatly exceed our expectations…”

Luo Lianxin asked eagerly, “Senior, is Senior Brother Feng about to succeed in forming his soul?”

Sun Su shook his head. “The stronger the technique, the harder the trial. He has only just entered the first stage now, and it is still extremely perilous. However, if he can cross this threshold, his future achievements will be limitless!”

His eyes gleamed with keen interest.

Feng Zikang’s current ordeal was indeed severe.

The Demon Fetus and the Nascent Soul were inherently antagonistic. Lacking the regulating power of the Great Samsara Plate, he could only rely on his own strength to forcefully resist. Wherever the Nascent Soul’s golden light spread, the process of the Demon Fetus integrating into the flesh became increasingly difficult, bringing greater agony.

But the harder the trial, the tougher the newly forged Demonic Body would become.

Once this process was complete, the resilience of his physique would absolutely surpass that of a pseudo-Immortal Body at the Nascent Soul stage! It might even rival that of a true Immortal Body!

Sounds of tearing flesh echoed continuously, only to be immediately reassembled under the influence of the Demon Fetus, forging a resilient body. This pain was beyond description.

Even with Feng Zikang’s cultivation level, his face turned pale and cold sweat drenched his clothes.

Yet, he gritted his teeth and persisted. As long as he could endure this trial and achieve unity, the path ahead would be smooth sailing!

This continued for three days and three nights.

Sun Su and the other two guarding the periphery sat in quiet meditation, waiting patiently. Suddenly, above the mountain peak where Feng Zikang was in seclusion, a pillar of golden light and a strand of black Qi intertwined, shooting straight into the heavens!

“Success!” Sun Su stood up and clapped his hands, laughing.