As the final, massive pillar of lightning slammed into the Little Stone Essence, a vast wave of thunderous power swept outward.
From the center of that immense lightning aura, a figure resembling a peerless divine weapon suddenly charged out, shattering the thunder and completely dispersing the tribulation clouds!
Such a brutal display left Qi Ping quite stunned. In all his readings, he had never seen anyone undergo a tribulation in such a vigorous and violent manner.
"Truly a Primordial Lifeform!"
Based on its aura and the way it handled the tribulation, Qi Ping could already judge that the Little Stone Essence possessed the combat strength to challenge a Golden Core Middle Stage cultivator!
In terms of defense, it was even stronger than many in that stage!
By his preliminary estimate, without factoring in the Sky-Flame Seal, if the post-breakthrough Little Stone Essence were to fight, it would likely have the upper hand.
One had to remember that before the "Master of Weapons," all metallic weapons would have their power drastically reduced. Not only would the Little Stone Essence forcibly contest for control over them, but the damage caused by metal weapons would be significantly mitigated, often failing to leave even a scratch. In fact, it might even snatch the weapons and take a few bites out of them.
The end of the final lightning bolt meant that the Little Stone Essence had successfully completed its breakthrough!
This breakthrough was exactly as the Cloud-Dream Immortal Tiger had divined—the hex was auspicious, and the process was incredibly smooth, with no real risks encountered.
The only real cost was the resources used to supplement its energy during the tribulation. The Little Stone Essence had consumed six Rank 2 peak spirit artifacts, and even the Rank 3 Early Stage cage artifact was mostly eaten before the stone essence simply devoured the rest.
There was a reason the Little Stone Essence was so powerful. Aside from its own bloodline, the number of Rank 1 and Rank 2 artifacts it had consumed exceeded a thousand. In this breakthrough, it had even eaten a Rank 3 artifact.
Only Qi Ping could afford this; an ordinary person wouldn't have nearly enough weapons for it to munch on.
After the breakthrough, the world began to provide feedback and baptize the stone essence's body.
In the cultivation world, every living being that completes a major breakthrough receives feedback from heaven and earth. During this process, injuries sustained during the breakthrough are healed, and the foundation, spiritual energy, and physical body are significantly strengthened.
Just as it was now, incredibly dense and pure spiritual energy rolled in under the control of the laws of heaven and earth. Dense Daoist rhymes and law fragments continuously baptized the stone essence's body and the newly condensed spirit core!
Because the tribulation it faced was of higher intensity, the feedback was exceptionally bountiful. Even Qi Ping, observing from the side, gained considerable benefits; several law fragments that had previously been difficult to comprehend suddenly became clear!
The stone essence's gains as the primary recipient were obviously even greater.
However, as it accepted the baptism, several highly unusual phenomena began to manifest around it.
First was the sharp phantom of a spiritual sword.
The moment it appeared, an incredibly sharp sword intent shot into the sky!
This aura was not inferior to any Rank 3 spirit sword Qi Ping had ever seen!
And at the center of the phantom sat the Little Stone Essence—or rather, the spirit core in its mouth, which served as the heart of the image!
The sword phantom lasted only a few breaths before it suddenly transformed into a domineering spiritual saber!
Next came a cage, a spear, a short sword, a hammer, a shield, a spiritual banner...
Nearly every weapon the Little Stone Essence had ever consumed was displayed one by one!
Some phantoms were strong, others weak. Weapons like swords, which the stone essence had consumed in the greatest numbers, had a stronger aura and lasted longer. Less common weapons, like spiritual ropes, appeared for only a short time.
"Is this... the Phenomenon of Ten Thousand Weapons?"
"What a powerful phenomenon!"
Qi Ping watched in shock.
Among human cultivators, only those who condensed an exceptionally powerful Golden Core could generate a phenomenon. The strength of the phenomenon represented the power of the foundation and the potential of the cultivator.
The strength of the phenomenon currently being displayed by the Little Stone Essence was a testament to its power and potential!
But Qi Ping was shocked even further when the phenomenon didn't end there. After evolving through ten thousand weapons, all the phantoms suddenly merged at the final moment, transforming into a unique, indescribable divine weapon that Qi Ping had never seen before!
Yet its aura and the majesty of a Master of Weapons proved its absolute power!
Merging ten thousand weapons into one body—the Master of Weapons!
Once the spirit core completed this step, all phenomena and feedback ceased. The Little Stone Essence's newly evolved form was revealed.
Aside from a massive change in its temperament, its appearance was similar to when Qi Ping first saw it, though the luster of its skin had completely changed, and many divine weapon runes now adorned its body.
However, as the power subsided, the runes gradually faded, and it returned to its old, adorable, and somewhat vacant look.
Qi Ping didn't have time to admire this. Once the breakthrough was over, he withdrew the formations at top speed and immediately vanished from the tribulation site with the Little Stone Essence.
Although he hadn't detected any danger just now, the stone essence's identity was far too sensitive. If exposed, it could bring unpredictable consequences and attract enemies he couldn't possibly withstand!
For this reason, the Little Stone Essence had to remain his trump card. Unless it was a life-or-death situation, or he was in a secure place where he was confident in his control, he would never let it be seen!
Qi Ping had to eliminate any possibility of news about the Little Stone Essence leaking out!
On the other hand, with his current status, Ya-Ya and the Little Flower Spirit could already appear in public to handle matters for him when necessary.
After bringing the stone essence back to the territory as quickly as possible, Qi Ping finally breathed a sigh of relief. The breakthrough had been a complete success!
Although his preparations at the tribulation site went unused, Qi Ping didn't find it a waste; not needing them was the best news possible!
Back at the territory, he tested the stone essence's combat power.
The results were ridiculous. Its defense was especially absurd; even standing still, Qi Ping couldn't break its skin.
The only downside was its slow speed, but if paired with the Rank 3 spirit bow Qi Ping had just acquired, it would be an existence that killed anything in its path.
Furthermore, Qi Ping felt that sword array weapons would be very suitable for the stone essence to control, as they could compensate for its lack of physical speed.
After the tests, Qi Ping was more than satisfied. The speed issue could be entirely solved by its ability to manipulate weapons.
He let the stone essence familiarize itself with its power for a while, then immediately gave it a mission:
"Little Stone, I'm going to take you to a few pre-selected areas. You'll shrink down and dig into the depths to find a place suitable for my second base."
"While you're looking, see if there are any traces of Extreme Yin spring eyes."
"And most importantly, you must restore the tunnels to their original state. Do not leave any traces of your presence!"
"Clang, clang! (Don't worry, Boss! Little Stone guarantees the mission!)" the stone essence promised, confidently patting its chest.