Chapter 753: A Physique Rivaling Super Divine Beasts
Upon passing through the golden vortex into the interior of the Challenge Board, Xiao Ze and Qing Yanjing immediately felt an intense force of battle energy.
This unique power bore some resemblance to the battle intent Xiao Ze often utilized as a battle array master. Yet, it carried an ancient and primal aura, stirring a fiery excitement and boiling their blood.
"So, this is the essence of challenge?" Qing Yanjing murmured, sensing the energy's peculiar vibrations. "It's different from the continental energy I've read about. Likely because it was nurtured within the Challenge Platform."
A Battlefield of Shadows
The duo followed the golden pathway until they reached a vast golden arena. Surrounding the platform were numerous flickering shadows of light, each exuding that strange energy.
"Are these manifestations of the Challenge Essence?" Xiao Ze asked as he gazed at the glowing silhouettes radiating waves of ancient and combative energy.
Qing Yanjing nodded. "From what my clan records say, the way continental energy manifests varies across different lands. Some are formed through celestial phenomena, while others emerge from blazing infernos. This chaotic land is no exception."
Suddenly, Qing Yanjing turned to Xiao Ze with a thoughtful look. "Xiao Ze, how about you undergo the baptism of challenge essence first? I can wait."
Xiao Ze stared at her seriously before responding.
"Teacher Qing Yanjing, I need you to understand how much your help with array techniques has meant to me.
"The knowledge you've imparted, the guidance, and even the master level arrays you've shared these have been invaluable to my growth.
"I sincerely want to repay that kindness by sharing this opportunity with you. Even if the Master of Yaoguang had refused, I would have pleaded on your behalf!"
He added, smiling slightly, "Besides, didn't the senior say there's enough Challenge Essence accumulated over the years for us both? Even if we absorb as much as we can, it still won't be exhausted."
A Shared Opportunity
Qing Yanjing was momentarily silent before she broke into a gentle smile. "You're right. Since you're my student now, there's no need for me to argue with you over this."
She playfully patted Xiao Ze's shoulder. "You're teachable, after all."
Xiao Ze chuckled and shook his head.
"Enough talk," Qing Yanjing said. "We need to make the most of this time. The flow of time here differs from the outside, but we still have a Demon Emperor's soul to deal with."
The two quickly seated themselves cross legged at the center of the golden arena, ready to absorb the Challenge Essence.
The Baptism of Challenge Essence
Following the Master of Yaoguang's instructions, Xiao Ze formed a hand seal to summon the essence. From the edge of the arena, one of the glowing shadows streaked toward him like lightning.
The shadow struck Xiao Ze with a force that made his entire body tremble. The energy coursed through him, spreading a searing pain. It felt as if countless blades were slicing through him from the inside.
Xiao Ze gritted his teeth but quickly adapted, his body stabilizing as he began absorbing the power of challenge.
Though excruciating, the benefits were immediate. Xiao Ze could feel his body strengthening, his physique growing tougher under the relentless waves of energy.
Nearby, Qing Yanjing was also undergoing the baptism, but her condition was far more harrowing. Her body trembled violently, and blood seeped from her skin as the overwhelming power threatened to tear her apart.
However, the continental energy within the Challenge Essence continuously repaired her damaged body. This cycle of destruction and restoration pushed her physique to new limits, though the process left her visibly strained.
The Difference in Physiques
While Qing Yanjing struggled, Xiao Ze had quickly adapted after absorbing his first shadow of light. Confident, he began summoning multiple shadows simultaneously.
Thanks to his combined Nine Colored Heaven Swallowing Python and Dragon Phoenix bloodlines, his body was already extraordinarily resilient.
For Xiao Ze, the Challenge Essence's primary benefit lay in enhancing his spiritual energy rather than his physical body. With each absorption, his spiritual power grew denser and more refined.
Time flowed differently within the Challenge Board's space, a side effect of the Chaos Continent's unique temporal instability.
Hours in the outside world stretched into years here, allowing Xiao Ze and Qing Yanjing to absorb essence at a pace that would otherwise be unimaginable.
The Master's Perspective
Outside the Challenge Board, the Master of Yaoguang watched with amazement. "That boy's physique… it's beyond belief!"
Through his connection to the Challenge Platform, the Master could observe Xiao Ze's progress.
Though only a few days had passed outside, Xiao Ze had spent years absorbing the Challenge Essence.
During this time, he refrained from rushing to break through to the Great Perfection of the Earthly Supreme realm. Instead, he meticulously refined his foundations, ensuring they were as robust as possible.
The Master muttered in awe, "That boy's physique alone could rival a super divine beast. His potential seems limitless!"
Super divine beasts were legendary creatures capable of matching even Heavenly Supremes. Yet Xiao Ze's physique was steadily approaching that level, forged by the relentless baptism of Challenge Essence.
A New Threshold
By the time Xiao Ze and Qing Yanjing emerged from the baptism, the Challenge Essence in the arena had been reduced by more than half a feat the Master hadn't anticipated.
"This boy… With that body alone, he could face beings who have touched the Heavenly Supreme realm head on. What kind of monster is he becoming?"
The Master shook his head in disbelief, his gaze lingering on the glowing Challenge Board.
(Chapter End)
Thank you for the support, friends. If you want to read more chapters in advance, go to my Patreon.
Read 20 Chapters In Advance: patreon.com/Johanssen10