My Cultivation Has a Progress Bar

「Sanshui City.」

Battalion after battalion of soldiers was retreating toward Shuanghe City. The various districts were a complete wreck; scarcely a single building remained intact. The northern city wall had even been completely overturned.

Uprooted trees littered the ruins. They were pines and cypresses that had just been planted on the outskirts of True Yang Mountain. The powerful shockwave had torn them from the ground, and now they were scattered everywhere.

In the temporary command center in the heart of the city, Zuo Xuan was listening to reports from all sides.

"There are too many injured. Nearly every common soldier has sustained some wound. The current count of the severely injured is over six thousand. I’ve already organized the Water and Wood Cultivators to treat them. In addition, the Lishan and Pingshan war zones have also suffered varying degrees of damage. The latest reports say that our strongholds in front of True Yang Mountain have been all but destroyed."

The speaker was Liu Yu. He had taken off his general’s armor, changing into a more flexible set of tight-fitting leather armor. He, too, possessed the cultivation of the Bone Marrow Cleansing Stage; otherwise, he would be lying in bed right now.

"None of that may matter anymore..."

Liu Shuang murmured, as if talking in her sleep, her eyes fixed on True Yang Mountain in disbelief.

The others first looked at her, then followed her gaze.

"It really doesn’t matter anymore..."

Zuo Xuan repeated softly.

The white mist had vanished, and so had the once-majestic True Yang Mountain. In its place were several shattered mountain ranges, each scarred with clean, precise cuts.

As they stood in silence, a crimson figure flashed through the sparse white mist, followed by a fierce battle.

More than ten breaths later, the battle came to an abrupt halt.

Then, the sun itself seemed to fall from the sky. The earth began to spontaneously combust!

"Don’t just stand there! None of those soldiers will survive otherwise!"

Ganxing’s voice echoed over the city. He recalled the task Wang Ping had given him: to protect these people at all costs. After the shock of what had just happened, his only thought was to fulfill the mission Wang Ping had entrusted to him.

As he spoke, he drew a longsword and slashed it through the sky. A powerful Qi Force immediately swirled above the city, extinguishing all the flames and blocking the oppressive heat bearing down from above.

But this method would only last for a few dozen breaths, and he had no other options.

Fortunately, many Second Realm Water and Wood Cultivators reacted quickly. They worked together to neutralize the transformed Spiritual Qi around the city. A few Star Gods who could create barriers immediately faced the light source and erected a ward.

The remaining Cultivators took out the Energy Gathering Arrays they had been issued before the battle, coordinating with one another to provide Spiritual Qi support for the Water and Wood Cultivators.

"It’s been a while since we’ve been this battered, hasn’t it?"

The self-mocking voice of a Second Realm Cultivator was especially clear in the sudden quiet. He was looking at the area outside the ward, where the land was visibly drying out under the intense heat.

"The drain is immense. I estimate we’ll burn through all the True Essence in our Qi Seas within a quarter of an hour!" someone said with deep concern.

Ganxing immediately replied, "Don’t worry, it won’t be longer than a quarter of an hour. Changqing Zhenren will deal with this person soon!"

No sooner had he spoken than the blinding light in the sky vanished.

Then, a crimson pillar of light shot up from another direction, startling everyone.

"Is there no end to this?!"

Some Cultivators were on the verge of a mental breakdown, while others were already considering fleeing. Fortunately, this time it was purely Fire Spirit Qi, with no Magic accompanying it.

But no one could guarantee that a spell wouldn’t suddenly appear.

Therefore, while maintaining a Spirit Gathering Array, Zuo Xuan shouted to Liu Yu, "Have the soldiers retreat to Shuanghe Town as fast as possible!"

This pillar of light was caused by Wen Yang’s advancement.

While Wang Ping and Xu Chun were fighting, Wen Yang had successfully suppressed the Fire Spirit’s consciousness. Its massive body twisted and contracted as the bizarre eyes on its tail swiveled, and in just a moment, it had reverted to Wen Yang’s form, its state exceptionally stable.

The Tongming Wanderer clearly wanted to seize the opportunity to attack but was stopped by Huaimo and Wu Quan.

Before long, Wang Ping, Liu Huai’en, Zhi Gong, and Hu Yin flew over. Then, Ruan Chunzi and Qiu Mingzi of the First Sect, who had left earlier, returned.

"I didn’t expect him to actually survive the most dangerous step. But with such a risky advancement, even if he successfully reaches the Fourth Realm, his consciousness will be unstable. It will take an unknown amount of time to sort through his memories!" Qiu Mingzi remarked as he observed Wen Yang.

Ke Yue raised an eyebrow and said, "This is only the beginning. He still needs to adapt to the Sunflower’s medicinal power. Acting so rashly, I’m afraid he’ll either be burned to ashes or turn into a madman."

After speaking, she clasped her fists in a salute to Wang Ping, adopting a more humble posture. "Changqing Zhenren, I wonder what important matter you asked my martial brother Luo Feng and me to stay for? If it is within our power, we will naturally do everything we can to accomplish it!"

Just as Wang Ping was about to speak, he noticed a stranger appear beside Wen Yang. The man had northern features, with thick eyebrows, large eyes, and a square jaw. He wore the red Daoist Robe of the True Yang Sect, but his was carved with exquisite Taoist Family patterns instead of the True Yang Sect’s flame design.

"Greetings, Martial Uncle Guang Zuo!"

Ruan Chunzi was the first to clasp his fists in salute.

Wang Ping’s heart trembled. Seeing Qiu Mingzi, Ke Yue, Luo Feng, and the others all offering salutes one after another, he hastily did the same. "I, Wang Ping, a junior, pay my respects to Elder Guang Zuo!"

This man was none other than the Guang Zuo Taoist, one of the two Fourth Realm Cultivators currently in charge of the True Yang Sect!

"Mm, you all seem to be in high spirits."

As he spoke, his gaze remained fixed on Wen Yang, scrutinizing him from head to toe.

Wang Ping’s heart sank. Chang Jing had been Guang Zuo’s direct disciple, and Chang Jing had died at Wen Yang’s hands.

"Not bad. There’s a tiny sliver of a chance!"

After speaking, Guang Zuo actually showed a satisfied expression. He then turned his gaze to Wang Ping. "It’s thanks to your intervention. For that, I will not blame you for destroying True Yang Mountain."

As he spoke, he extended his hand. A flash of fiery light shot out from a deep pit to the west, and a crimson ruler landed in his palm. He continued, "I’ll give this to you as repayment for the favor he owes you. How about it?"

It was the Red Jade Ruler!

Facing Guang Zuo’s gaze, Wang Ping lowered his head and clasped his fists. "Many thanks, Elder!"

’He had no choice but to accept. Though this thing is useless to me, I can always trade it with some other Fire Cultivator.’

"Then take it!"

Guang Zuo tossed the Red Jade Ruler over and then vanished, taking the meditative Wen Yang with him.

Wang Ping quickly circulated his Wood Spirit Qi to catch the Red Jade Ruler. Only after cautiously inspecting it did he take it in his hand. Beside him, Ke Yue’s eyes lit up at the sight of the Red Jade Ruler, and she seemed to be thinking about how to trade for it.

"Fellow Daoist Changqing, now that this matter is concluded, we shall take our leave!"

Qiu Mingzi clasped his fists in a salute to Wang Ping. Without waiting for a reply, he and the disciples behind him transformed into several streaks of light and departed.

Wang Ping cupped his hands toward the departing figures of Qiu Mingzi and his group. His gaze then flickered past Ruan Chunzi before finally settling on Ke Yue and Luo Feng. He asked, "What is a true Fire Spirit?"

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