Tao and Jian sat cross legged in their secluded cave, the air thick with the residual energy of their recent cultivation. Faint motes of spiritual light still flickered in the air, dissipating slowly like embers fading into the void. Both had successfully broken through to the peak of the Third Layer of Qi Condensation, the refined energy from beast cores fuelling their rapid ascent. Yet, the method Tao devised, while effective, suffered a fatal flaw, too much Qi was lost in the purification process, leaking away like water through cupped hands.

Before them, the Golden Root Orchid lay, its golden veins pulsing faintly with an inner radiance. Since Tao’s enhancement, the plant had evolved, its properties far exceeding their initial expectations. The leaves had taken on a richer hue, and the very air around it shimmered faintly with spiritual energy, thick with an almost tangible vitality.

"The orchid's transformation is remarkable," Tao murmured, his gaze fixed upon the plant. "It’s as if it has become a higher-grade spirit herb."

Jian ran a careful hand over one of the leaves, feeling the delicate energy thrumming beneath his fingertips. "Its evolution has altered the purification process as well. The Qi loss is still substantial. We need a better method."

Tao reached into his storage ring, retrieving the two fruits they had obtained earlier. Once radiant with raw spiritual energy, they now seemed slightly dimmed, the passage of time having weakened their potency.

"These fruits..." Tao began, turning one over in his hand. "They’ve lost some of their Qi, but they still hold immense power. If we consume them, they could temper our foundations, but the risk remains."

Jian studied the fruit, his brow furrowing. "Our cultivation has strengthened, but is it enough?"

Tao considered the question, his fingers tightening around the fruit. "The diminished Qi makes them more manageable. But once ingested, the influx of energy will be overwhelming. If we aren’t prepared, we could—"

"—Suffer Qi deviation," Jian finished grimly.

A long silence stretched between them. Then Jian exhaled and nodded. "I’ll go first."

Tao looked at him sharply. "Are you sure?"

Jian's expression was steady, resolute. "If anything goes wrong, you can assist me."

Tao hesitated, then gave a solemn nod. "Alright. I’ll monitor your condition closely."

Jian took a deep breath, his fingers tightening around the fruit. Its cool surface sent a strange shiver through him, as if something inside the fruit recognized him, challenged him. With a final glance at Tao, he bit into it.

The moment the flesh met his tongue, a tidal wave of Qi erupted inside him.

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A searing heat rushed through his meridians, flooding his dantian with raw power. His veins blazed like molten rivers, and the energy threatened to tear him apart. A strangled gasp escaped his lips as sweat streamed down his face, his muscles seizing under the unbearable pressure.

Tao’s expression darkened. "Focus, Jian! Guide the Qi! Don’t let it overwhelm you!"

Jian clenched his teeth, his hands digging into the ground as his body convulsed violently. The spiritual energy surged like a raging storm, breaking down impurities, forcing out the filth that had long stagnated within his body. Noxious black residue oozed from his pores, releasing a stench so foul it made Tao instinctively recoil.

But Jian could not focus on the filth purging from his body, his very spirit root was changing.

His vision blurred, and for a terrifying moment, darkness threatened to swallow him whole. But deep within the abyss, a spark of will ignited. He had faced death before. He would not succumb now.

With a roar, Jian gritted his teeth and pushed back against the tide, directing the chaotic Qi toward his dantian, forcing it into submission, taming it, melding it into his essence.

Minutes stretched into an eternity. But slowly, the storm within him began to subside.

The violent torrents of Qi softened into gentle streams, nourishing his spirit root, transforming it. The pain receded, leaving behind a profound clarity, a feeling of indescribable power.

Tao watched as Jian’s trembling hands finally stilled, his breath ragged. Jian lay upon the cave floor, his body drenched in sweat and grime, the expelled impurities a stark testament to the metamorphosis within. Tao knelt beside him, concern etched across his face.

"Jian, what happened? Are you alright?"

For a moment, Jian said nothing, only breathing. Then, slowly, he sat up, his body trembling with exhaustion, yet his eyes burned with an intensity Tao had never seen before.

"Tao," Jian said hoarsely, his voice filled with an almost reverent awe, "it’s... incredible."

Tao’s frown deepened. "What do you mean?"

Jian wiped sweat from his brow, still dazed. "The fruit... it cleansed me. Purged my body of impurities, refined my meridians, and—" He stopped, his breath hitching. "My spirit root... it strengthened."

Tao’s eyes snapped wide open. "What?!"

Jian nodded, his excitement barely contained despite his exhaustion. "Yes. The energy was overwhelming, nearly shattered me from the inside, but... I endured. I didn’t break through to the Fourth Layer because the Qi was used to refine my body and enhance my spirit root instead."

Tao’s heartbeat thundered in his chest. A natural enhancement of the spirit root?!

Spirit roots were the foundation of a cultivator’s talent. To strengthen it naturally through an external source was unheard of, an opportunity beyond rare.

A slow smile crept across Tao’s face as the implications settled in.

"This..." he murmured, his fingers tightening around the second fruit. "...could change everything."

Jian grinned despite his exhaustion. "Exactly. If we can temper our spirit roots before advancing, our cultivation potential—"

"—Would be far greater than anyone else at our level," Tao finished, his eyes glinting with ambition.

Silence stretched between them once more. But this time, it was not hesitation that held them still.

It was exhilaration.

Tao glanced down at the fruit in his hands, feeling the faint pulse of Qi still contained within it. The gamble was great, but the rewards?

He exhaled slowly, steeling himself.

"It’s my turn."