Both of them went in for another hour. Avon continued absorbing the mana even though his instincts protested. When he felt he was very close to the limit, he took a pillar. It has no taste.
Then continuing it, he felt he hit the limit, but nothing happened. So he continued absorbing the mana and it kept on becoming more and more dense. He didn't stop and continued for what seemed like eternity and *boom* all of a sudden his limit broke and he felt every nerve in his body tighten. The pain was unbearable but it was only momentary. The pain subsided quickly and he felt stronger. He could feel his muscles better and was able gauge his own physical capabilities better.
He didn't feel the limit anymore.
Again he continued till his time was up. Upon exiting he saw Zia there. She said she wouldn't go for another round as she broke through and now is above body evolution stage.
"Thank you for helping me, what are you going to do now elder sister?"
"I will go to the Spiral sect for admission."
"...is it one of the four great sects?"
"Yes little brother"
"I also need to join one sect, can you wait for me to reach your level and guide there too?"
She hesitated a little,
"..I can, I was planning on going tomorrow. So try and breakthrough in two days Otherwise we might not have sufficient time to reach the sect. But can you breakthrough in such short time?...you are absorbing very fast but I don't know if it is possible. Usually it takes around a week.."
"I'll try"
"Okay, I will go and rest at an inn. I will meet you here day after tomorrow at...10 in the morning."
"Thanks"
Then Avon booked the room for another hour, for some reason one could only book for an hour at max. He cultivated for many hours and again began to feel a limit. So repeated the process of consuming a pill and continuing to push through. This time the resistance from his body was slightly higher. Once he broke through, it pain excruciatingly. The pain lasted just for a moment but it got him worried as to how the stages above would be.
He decided to take a break and just stroll around. It was already midnight. Everything was silent and only few people could be seen. The chamber had a few present who were using it overnight.
He returned and continued. By midday he felt he was approaching the limit. Again he repeated the process and by night he was on the verge of breaking through.
The moment he crossed the threshold, his bones broke and blood flow in his veins stopped. He couldn't even scream out in pain. his skin melted at some parts and he felt some foreign energy enter his body. The pain was increasing and he about to faint when suddenly the energy entering his body was absorbed and it began to heal him. The energy kept on entering his body through his wounds and after a few seconds he was completely healed and his body felt very weird.
He could feel every muscle fibre in his body. He felt very light and extremely powerful. He didn't know his body had such potential.
It was as if he knew every cell in his body. He stood up and walked out. It was still midnight. After every breakthrough his body was rejunevated, so he didn't need to sleep at all. He decided to pass time.
Slowly the sun began to rise, looking at the orange sky, he remembered,
'I need to bath'
Fortunately the cultivation chamber had showers so he used one of those.
He was feeling a little hungry, the more one cultivated, the less food they needed, but Avonwas still in the early stages so he would still be feel hungry. He ate some of the food available, it didn't taste that good so he was dissatisfied.
Later Zia came with a different attire than before but it was purple. Looking at the purple Avon remembered about the heretics.
"Good morning little brother, did you manage to breakthrough?"
"Yes, but I didn't know that even bones would break..."
He eyes widened hearing that,
"Little brother, the backlash after breaking through is not the same for everyone. You have a stronger backlash because you have stronger foundation. That means your potential will be extremely high...don't go around saying that your bones broke casually, some people might try to kidnap you, some recruit and others kill..."
Avon was surprised to hear this. He didn't know it varied for everyone but it made sense. Afterall everyone couldn't have the same limits.
"What about you sister Zia, did your bones break?
He asked in a softer voice.
She nodded.
Then they set off.
After walking to the outskirts of the city, Zia began levitating , rising higher in the sky .
Avon was shocked,
"How did you do that? You can fly?"
She looked down at him and landed below
"Right, I forgot you do not know anything little brother, so after you complete the body cultivation stage, you can fly by using the mana particles."
"Is there a technique to it?"
"Yes, let me teach it to you."
"Thanks"
She taught him how to fly. The mana particles were to be absorbed and ejected from the body based on the lift and thrust required. It seemed difficult when he heard the explanation but was surprisingly an easy and smooth process. Soon both began flying towards their destination.
He was tired by the time they had arrived. He looked at her she was sweating a little too.
"We should head north and there will be the entrance. The examination should be held in another few hours based on the notice."
As they were walking Avon asked,
"Sister Zia, you always wear purple ,do you like it?"
"Yes little brother, I always liked purple since I was little"
"Hmm...also, is purple the most evil of all colors?"
She raised an eyebrow hearing and stopped walking. She turned to him and asked,
"Are trying to make fun of me here little brother, I just told you this is my favourite color and you ask me whether it is the most evil one or not? In my opinion it is the most beautiful one!"
She said it with a little bit of anger and then continued walking.
"Oh no don't misunderstand, I was just seeing how deep your love for purple is sister, didn't mean to offend you."
"Fine."
In hindsight it did seem weird for that question to pop up of one didn't know its implication. But Avon had to ask. He was gald that she wasn't a heretic.
Many other people were approaching the area. They reached the entrance and there was a large wall with a small opening in the front. A guard was there.
The guard at the entrance noted their names and checked their cultivation levels before letting them enter.
They were guided into a large empty field. There were thousands of people present there. Almost everyone was wearing robes and very few people were dressed differently. Avon was one of them.
He could see some people of different species but most looked like humans. After a while a bell was heard and an announcement was made by a person adorn in grey robes with a tornado patter on it. He had long hair and a long beard, all of it grey.
He spoke in an authoritative manner,
"To everyone gathered here, I am Quill, a sect elder. For entering the sect, you must go through three stages of examination. First you will enter the Tianhe forest and following the directions marked, you must exit within the given time.
Second, you will have to show your endurance and patience by bearing different kinds of attacks made on you.
Lastly, there will be a tournament among those that remain of which the top hundred will be selected.
I wish you best of luck, the first test will begin in two hours."