Lightning coursed through Meng Chuan's body, tracing the true energy diagram, flowing into every acupoint. His body began transforming into the Thunder God Body.
Meng Chuan opened his eyes, picked up the jade box beside him, and removed the Iceheart Fruit. Two bites later, it was gone. Upon entering his body, it melted instantly, a chill spreading from his throat to his abdomen, gradually permeating his entire body. His muscles, tendons, and organs absorbed the cooling power, which fused with the lightning coursing through him, accelerating his transformation.
"And the Star Spirit Herb." Meng Chuan opened the wooden box and picked a leaf and several roots—about a day's portion. Within a month, he would finish the entire herb.
He nibbled the leaf and roots gently. A refreshing fragrance filled his mouth, invigorating his spirit. A miraculous energy first surged into his mind, then slowly spread throughout his body, further strengthening the transformation of his flesh.
Though he did not know the origin of the Iceheart Fruit or Star Spirit Herb, his father's usual cheerful demeanor, never complaining, accompanied by the words, "They are hard to obtain, you must cherish them," implied the cost had been enormous. All he could do was live up to their expectations.
…
Over the next month, Meng Chuan cultivated diligently. He took the drop of Godfiend Jade Marrow Essence and consumed the Star Spirit Herb entirely. Every day, he practiced eight thousand repetitions of the "Draw Blade Form" and honed his body-and-sword techniques without pause.
According to the manual, during the early stages of Godfiend Body cultivation, the body was still transforming. Focused training in a particular skill would guide the body's metamorphosis in that direction. Like a young sapling bent to one side, the mature tree would grow that way.
"The transformation of the Godfiend Body is noticeably slowing down." One day at the end of June, Meng Chuan sat on the training ground eating watermelon.
"The first month of cultivation is always explosive. Coupled with the three treasures I consumed, my advancement was almost incredible. Now, slower growth is normal," he reflected. "Even at the early Foundation Stage, my physical body and true energy rival the late Foundation Stage. My Godfiend foundation is truly deep."
The Foundation Stage marked the largest leap among mortal five-tier cultivation. Gradually obtaining Godfiend power at this early stage, and already comparable to late Foundation Stage, was terrifyingly solid.
Even the progression from Foundation Stage to the Impervious Stage was a major leap. It was estimated that by late Foundation Stage, Meng Chuan's body and true energy could rival an Impervious Stage cultivator—a rarity in all of Dongning Prefecture. Only geniuses under the cultivation of ancient Godfiend families in places like the Royal Capital or Yuanchu Mountain had such a foundation.
"Chuan'er, Chuan'er," Meng Dajiang's voice called from afar.
"Father." Meng Chuan set down the watermelon, wiped his mouth with a towel, and ran over.
Soon, he saw his father walking with a skinny, bald elder leaning on a cane.
"Third Elder." Meng Chuan stiffened. Among all the Meng family elders, he feared this one the most. The Third Elder was cold and rigid, harsh on juniors, never hesitating to strike them with his cane. All the younger generation feared him.
"Chuan'er, come and pay respects to Third Elder," Meng Dajiang said.
Meng Chuan immediately stepped forward, bowing. "Greetings, Third Elder."
"Hm."
The bald, thin elder studied Meng Chuan, noticing his sweat-soaked clothes, and nodded in satisfaction. "Cultivation requires effort. Without sweat, how can one grow strong?"
"Yes," Meng Chuan replied obediently, knowing better than to speak back—one wrong word, and the cane would descend!
"This is a remnant page of sword technique I obtained in my youth, through chance and hardship. You may examine it," the elder said, producing a black sheet of paper carefully wrapped in cloth. Even partially exposed, the terrifying aura emanating from the page startled both Meng Chuan and Meng Dajiang.
"A Godfiend Legacy?" Both were astonished.
Godfiend legacies were written only by extremely powerful Godfiends at great cost. Most, like Meng Xian'gu or the Yun family patriarch, could not record one.
"This is invaluable," Meng Dajiang said. "Third Uncle, we cannot accept this."
The Third Elder frowned. "If I give it, you must take it! If Meng Chuan lacked aptitude, I would not give it. Since he is the Meng family's only hope, he must accept it. This is only a remnant page, not the complete Godfiend Legacy."
"Very well, I shall return." The Third Elder turned to leave, his voice cold. "Meng Chuan, make us proud. Don't disappoint everyone."
"Yes, Third Elder." Meng Chuan held the black page wrapped in cloth, feeling moved.
A remnant page of a Godfiend Legacy could fetch at least a hundred thousand taels at auction, especially one for sword techniques—and this was priceless. For ancient Godfiends, silver held little meaning; no one would trade a complete legacy for mundane treasures.
"This page from Third Elder is perhaps his most treasured possession. Now he gives it to you," Meng Dajiang said.
"Mm." Meng Chuan nodded, unfurling the cloth to study the page.
The black sheet detailed the execution and key points of the technique. As he read, Meng Chuan entered a semi-dreamlike state.
"Hm?"
He sensed a tall, slender man performing the technique.
"Falling Moon!"
The sword moved with gentle elegance, leaving a melancholic arc in the sky, as if slicing down the moon itself—beautiful yet lethal.
"Hm?" Meng Chuan snapped awake, leaving the illusion.
"Chuan'er, how is it?" Meng Dajiang asked.
Meng Chuan focused on the black page, speaking softly: "Though graceful and beautiful, this sword technique is deadly, extremely cunning. The aura alone is terrifying."
"Deadly and cunning? Will you train it?" Meng Dajiang asked.
"Of course," Meng Chuan replied solemnly. "Sword techniques balance yin and yang, soft and hard. This is the pinnacle of yin and softness—a stunningly beautiful strike called 'Falling Moon.' It feels as if it could topple the moon from the night sky. The page contains the technique's essence. I can absorb its transmission more than ten times before the page disintegrates."
"I will use the ten chances wisely to make it another of my lethal techniques," Meng Chuan said.
Originally, he only planned to master the "Draw Blade Form," but "Falling Moon" was too perfect, and ten chances to comprehend its essence were invaluable.
"Ten chances—don't waste them," Meng Dajiang reminded. "After that, it's gone."
"Before becoming a Godfiend, I will only allow myself nine sessions of comprehension," Meng Chuan said. From that day, he added a half-hour of extra practice every afternoon, dedicated solely to "Falling Moon."
…
In Dongning Prefecture, in a hidden hall of Yuyang Palace, a cold pool lay at the center. White-clothed youth Yan Jin sat in the pool, submerged up to his chest.
The freezing water coated him in frost; his hair and eyebrows were frosted, his face pale.
"Young master, you've practiced two hours. It's time to leave the Cold Cloud Pool," an old servant called. The palace master observed silently.
"I've reached mid-Foundation Stage. From today, I'll train three hours daily in the pool," Yan Jin said coldly.
"Junior brother, moderation is key. Two hours is enough," the palace master cautioned.
"It's still early," Yan Jin said coldly. "You may leave."
The palace master shook his head gently. "Go." He and the servant departed, leaving the frost-covered youth behind to continue grueling practice.
…
Throughout Dongning Prefecture, many youths were training diligently; Meng Chuan and Yan Jin were especially industrious.
Time passed day by day.
In the twelfth lunar month, Mei Yuanzhi first went to Wuzhou City, then proceeded to Yuanchu Mountain for the entry assessment. Ultimately… Mei Yuanzhi failed and was sent to serve at Qinyang Pass.
The news reached Dongning Prefecture, prompting ridicule from Yun Fuan and others, though some sighed in sympathy.
Meng Chuan felt pressure as well. The threshold for entering Yuanchu Mountain was extremely high. He would need to surpass Mei Yuanzhi to have any hope.