As you activated your technique, the spiritual energy flows shifted, drawn into you with perfect efficiency. You felt a profound surge of power, a testament to Lin Shi's gift.
Your body's limitations, however, remained. You retrieved a Meridian Tempering Pill from your ring and swallowed it.
The pill dissolved instantly, forming a bridge between your Body Node and spiritual form. This method, powerful yet risky, awakened the node directly. The pill integrated it into your energy system, granting you a limited time to infuse it with power. Normally, such breakthroughs were weaker, tainted by the pill's impurities. But not for you.
Your Heavenly Flame burned away the impurities, strengthening your channels. Power surged through you, more than enough for the node and the Phoenix Feather. Thanks to So Yun's alchemical mastery, the pill's effect was prolonged, amplifying your breakthrough. With the feather's aid, your Body Node would rival those who broke through naturally.
Splitting the incoming Qi was daunting, but with Lin Shi's guidance, you managed. Her help was crucial; a simple mistake could have crippled you.
What followed was a grueling routine, painful and exhausting, but necessary. Qi flowed steadily into your spiritual form. You sensed the outlines of your future Body Node, familiar from observing other disciples. Everything was on track. Despite Lin Shi's kindness, you remained cautious, but acknowledged her immense power.
The Phoenix Feather crumbled into silver ash. The breakthrough came—not with triumph or pain, but a quiet fullness. You were stronger, complete. A Meridian-stage cultivator.
Your internal system registered the change:
New functions were unlocked, and a new talent acquired:
The oppressive Qi flows eased, and techniques felt as natural as breathing. The pill's effect lingered, subtly reinforcing your channels. You wanted to check the system's updates, but Lin Shi waited patiently.
"Congratulations," she smiled. "See? I didn't seize your body."
"Uh," you flushed, realizing she might be able to read minds.
"Kai Shen, listen carefully. You must save Feng and knock some sense into Xu Xie. I'll tell you how."
The door creaked upward, revealing a familiar girl, her eyes brimming with despair and hope.
"So Yun?" you couldn't believe your eyes.
"You're alive!" she beamed, embracing you tightly. It was comforting, knowing someone cared enough to wait.
"Thank you," you sighed.
"You broke through?" she asked, noticing the change.
"Not without your help, Sister So," you grinned. "Your pill is a miracle."
"More than three days?" she exclaimed, shocked.
"Three days?" you froze. "It was supposed to be one!"
"By the rules, yes. But the passage didn't open after a day. Master Lu locked up half the disciples you healed in solitary."
"You know he's…" you hesitated.
"We know," she nodded. "We're waiting for him to leave the Fort. A battle here would cost too many lives."
"How about luring him out? I'd make great bait," you smirked.
"Don't be foolish," she said sternly. "You survived by a miracle. You're stronger, but a Core-stage cultivator like him would squash you like a fly."
You nodded. You still had to find Master Baizhao and free the disciples. You'd passed the trial, proving their innocence.
But fate wasn't on your side. On the Fort's central square, you faced Master Lu. His eyes burned with madness, black flames flickering around him.
"Impossible! Traitors! Liars! Kai Shen, you should be dead!" he roared, engulfed in black fire.
That flame—it was identical to the one you'd used on the arena. Was this how others saw you? No, spiritual sense would've clarified it. But on the arena, no one cared to check. Master Lu raged on.
"I'll kill you!" he screamed, hurling a colossal fiery spear. It shattered against So Yun's barrier.
"Kai, run!" she snapped, conjuring a dozen formations.
Her power unleashed, her hair danced in an unseen wind, her eyes glowing blue. Formations encased Lu, immobilizing him. A spear materialized in her hands, launched with deadly precision.
"Argh!" Lu roared, shattering the formations. He dodged, the spear missing by a hair.
"Traitors! You're all filth, unworthy of the Phoenix Sect!" he shrieked, the black fire condensing into a monstrous armor—a demon thirsting for blood. His burning gaze locked on you.
"You'll all die!"
His words matched his actions. Clouds gathered, laced with fiery veins. He was summoning a spiritual-level Fire Rain technique, capable of leveling a city.
Your sword's hilt was in your hand, a shield floating before you. No time to hide your ring now. You were about to draw his attention, luring him away from the Fort, when a familiar voice froze you.
"Kai!" Aina rushed toward you. And you weren't the only one who noticed.
"Filthy girl!" Lu snarled, a black fire sword forming. It surged forward, as did your shield. You were too slow. The sword struck Aina, part of its dark flame piercing her before dissipating.
"No!" you roared, rushing to her. Lu laughed, reveling in your despair, your rage. You held her lifeless form, memories flooding back—another demonic cultivator from the Phoenix Sect killing someone dear. But this time, you weren't a helpless child. You were a cultivator on the path to the heavens, and you'd defy even death itself.