After four months of intense cultivation in the secluded cave, Riu Xian finally felt the barrier within him shatter. A powerful wave of energy surged through his body as he broke through to the late stage of the Foundation Establishment realm. His breathing was steady, but his heart raced with excitement.
Opening his eyes, Riu Xian stood, feeling his strengthened spirit roots humming with energy. The fire and water elements within him seemed more vibrant, and his healing ability felt sharper than ever. He clenched his fists, a satisfied smile forming on his lips.
“So this is the power of the late stage,” he murmured, glancing at his hands. “My healing power from the qilin’s bloodline has improved significantly. The fire and water spiritual roots feel... deeper, more connected as well. If I can use this strength properly, my chances in the competition have just gone up.”
He paced across the cave, thinking aloud. “But what about the dragon’s power? I felt it stir for a moment, but it’s still dormant. Why?” His brows furrowed as he paused, staring at the spiritual vein pulsing gently in the cave floor. “Maybe it’s not time yet. Maybe I need to keep pushing forward.”
Taking a deep breath, Riu Xian sat back down, his crimson sword resting by his side. “One step at a time,” he muttered, shaking his head with determination. “The competition is less than two months away. I need to refine my sword skills and perfect my technique. Strengthening my foundation is just the beginning.”
He touched the jade slip containing the incomplete sword technique. “This thing might be low-level, but I feel like it has more potential. I just need to unlock it.”
Standing again, he grabbed his sword and started practicing the movements. His strikes were faster, smoother, and more controlled than ever before. After a while, he stopped, wiping the sweat from his brow.
“If I can master this,” he said to himself, gripping the hilt of his sword tightly, “I’ll be ready for whatever the competition throws at me.”
With renewed resolve, Riu Xian smiled. “Watch out, inner sect disciples. I’m coming for that Heaven-Mending Pill.”
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After a few hours of sword practice, Riu Xian wiped the sweat from his brow and sheathed his blade. He sat down to rest, letting his thoughts drift. “I still have my own technique, the Fiery Tiger Palm,” he mused. A small smile appeared on his lips. “Combining the Blazing Phoenix Fist and Murim Tiger Punch turned out better than I expected. I could use it in the competition, it might catch my opponents off guard.”
He stood and stretched, deciding it was time to summon the spiritual vein he had stored inside his spatial ring. With a flick of his wrist, the black ring shimmered, and a faint glow emerged as the spiritual vein materialized before him. Its energy filled the cave, making the air hum with power.
As Riu Xian adjusted the vein’s placement, a strange sensation washed over him. He paused, his brows furrowing. “What is this feeling?” he murmured, turning his gaze downward. It was as though something deep beneath the cave was calling out to him, a faint but insistent pull he couldn’t ignore.
“This is strange,” he said, narrowing his eyes. “It’s almost like… something wants me to find it.” He hesitated for a moment, then shook his head. “I can’t just ignore it. If there’s something down there, I need to see what it is.”
With a thought, he activated his ring, transforming it into the spatial boat. The sleek vessel hovered before him, its surface glinting faintly in the cave’s dim light. Riu Xian stepped aboard and commanded it to descend.
The boat moved effortlessly, sinking through layers of stone and earth as though they didn’t exist. The deeper it went, the stronger the pull became. Riu Xian stood at the helm, his eyes alert, his grip on the controls firm. “Whatever’s down there,” he said quietly to himself, “it better not be trouble.”
Riu Xian’s boat descended deeper, finally breaking into a vast underground chamber. His eyes widened as he took in the sight. The space was enormous, almost endless, with molten lava flowing like a river through its center. The heat was intense, waves of it radiating off the glowing red liquid, but his fire spirit root shielded him, allowing him to breathe and stand unscathed.
Near the river of lava, his gaze was drawn to a pond of molten rock. In its center sat a radiant golden egg, shimmering faintly despite the overwhelming glow of the lava around it. His breath caught in his throat. “An egg… but what kind of creature could survive in a place like this?” he whispered, his voice barely audible over the bubbling sounds of the lava.
His question was answered as his eyes moved to the massive creature coiled protectively around the pond. Its azure scales gleamed under the fiery light, each one like a polished gem. The beast was enormous, its body snaking around the pond like a living barrier. Its head rested low, but even in its stillness, Riu Xian could feel the power emanating from it, ancient and terrifying.
He stepped closer, cautiously, unable to look away. The being didn’t move, but its presence alone was enough to make him hesitate. “What… is this place?” he muttered under his breath, his awe mingling with a creeping sense of fear.