Hope sat cross-legged at the edge of the spring, his eyes closed as the ambient energy of the ravine swirled around him.

The air was thick with the lingering remnants of his battle, the tension of the recent conflict still hanging in the atmosphere like a faint echo. Yet, despite the chaos, there was an undeniable stillness now.

The energy in the ravine was different—calmer, steadier, as if it had accepted his presence and acknowledged his victory.

The serpent’s essence had merged with him, and he could feel it deep inside his body. His Qi was flowing faster now, smoother, more refined than before.

The primal energy of the spring was an elixir in itself, and he knew that this was his chance to make a significant breakthrough.

Hope reached out and dipped his fingers into the glowing water. The liquid felt warm to the touch, yet it pulsed with an otherworldly energy that seemed to resonate with his very being. As he touched the water, he felt a surge of power, a deep, primal force that called to him, urging him to claim it.

With a steadying breath, Hope closed his eyes and allowed his consciousness to sink into the energy.

His Qi flowed outward, merging with the spring’s essence, drawing from it like a hungry beast. The energy entered him, not through his physical body but through the very core of his being, filling every fiber of his existence. The process was not a simple one—it was violent, raw, and all-consuming. His veins burned with the force of the energy as it coursed through him, reshaping him, refining him.

Hope concentrated as he circulated his Qi with deliberate precision, letting it flow deeper into his body, into the marrow of his bones.

The energy he was absorbing was far more potent than anything he had encountered before, more primal in nature. It was the purest form of Qi he had ever felt, and it seemed to be alive, pulsating like a heartbeat, urging him forward.

His muscles ached as the power surged through him. His bones creaked, and his skin felt as though it was being stretched and reshaped.

The energy from the spring was unlike any other—it was an essence of life itself, and it was pushing him beyond his limits. His body was being forged anew, the Path of Eternal Flesh working its magic.

With each breath, Hope’s Qi grew stronger, more refined. The flow of energy became more natural, less violent.

He could feel his Qi reshaping, molding itself into something new. His muscles tightened and expanded, his bones thickened, and his internal organs became more efficient, stronger. The spring’s essence was breaking down the barriers within his body, allowing his cultivation to progress to the next stage.

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The energy around him grew denser as the hours passed, the primal force of the spring mixing with his own Qi. It was as though the entire ravine had become one massive conduit for his growth.

Hope’s body was a vessel for the forces of nature itself, and he could feel every drop of power entering him, filling him with a deep, primal strength.

His mind was focused, his senses heightened.

He could feel the flow of Qi more acutely now, his awareness expanding as if he were one with the land, one with the very energy around him. The power of the spring was more than just physical—it was a connection to the natural world itself, a link between his soul and the forces that governed the universe.

Hope continued circulating his Qi, allowing the energy to settle and refine within him.

The hours stretched on, and his body gradually adjusted to the immense influx of power.

His breathing became steady, his heart no longer pounding in his chest but beating in sync with the rhythm of the earth. He had claimed the spring’s power, and now it was his to wield.

As the rush of energy subsided, Hope’s Qi surged again, a second wave of power flooding his body.

This time, it was different. He had underestimated the amount of energy the spring contained. His body shuddered under the weight of it, the very core of his being straining to keep up with the power pouring into him.

His heart raced as he felt the transformation accelerate. His muscles and bones groaned with the strain, but he held on. The energy wasn’t merely refining him now—it was breaking him down to rebuild him. A new foundation was being laid.

Hope’s understanding of his Qi deepened further, and he felt it—the unmistakable sensation of breaking through two stages at once. His cultivation leapt forward from the early to the late stage of the Eternal Iron Root Realm.

His body felt different now—stronger, faster, more resilient. The transformation was not just physical but mental as well.

Hope’s understanding of Qi had deepened, and he felt more connected to the natural world than ever before.

As the rush of energy subsided, Hope opened his senses, expanding them outward to take in the changes around him. His heightened awareness allowed him to feel the subtle shifts in the environment, the flow of Qi in the air, the pulse of the earth beneath him.

It was as though the entire ravine was alive with energy, and he was attuned to it in a way he never had been before.

However, just as Hope began to settle into his newfound strength, his senses caught something else—a disturbance in the air.

Footsteps. Two pairs. They were drawing closer, their movements deliberate and purposeful. Hope’s heart skipped a beat. It was unlikely that anyone had ventured this deep into the ravine, and yet the footsteps were unmistakable.

Whoever they were, they were coming toward the spring.

Hope’s mind raced. He was still recovering from the intensity of his breakthrough, and while he felt stronger, he wasn’t fully prepared for another confrontation.

His hand instinctively moved to the hilt of his weapon, the weight of it a comforting reminder of his readiness.

The footsteps grew louder, closer, and Hope’s senses sharpened.

He could hear the faintest whispers of conversation, though the words were indistinct. Two people. They were approaching from the direction of the ravine’s entrance.

Hope’s eyes narrowed. Whoever they were, they must have had some reason for coming to this place—a place he had just claimed as his own. Whether they were allies or enemies, it didn’t matter. He would not let anyone disturb his cultivation.

As the footsteps grew louder, Hope's grip on his sword tightened.