Qi continued to surge endlessly into Wang Fang's body.
His blood, essence, and flesh were cleansed again and again as the raging energy purified everything within him. Thick black impurities seeped out through his pores, evaporating into the air as if burned away.
Then
Pain.
Overwhelming, bone-deep pain crashed into him like a tidal wave.
It felt as though every bone in his body was being shattered, every vein torn apart and reforged anew. Wang Fang clenched his teeth tightly, his consciousness wavering as his body was forced far beyond its natural limits.
At first, the pain was unbearable, so intense it threatened to crush his mind.
But then
His body began to glow.
A faint light spread across his skin as his physique transformed. Muscle fibers tightened, bones hardened like tempered steel, and his blood roared through his veins like a raging river. His cultivation surged violently, climbing higher and higher until
Peak Body Tempering Realm!
Boom!
A pillar of golden light erupted from Wang Fang's body, shooting straight into the heavens like a divine beacon. The radiance was blinding—brilliant enough to rival the sun itself as it illuminated all of Qinghe Village.
Outside, Old Lady Shen sat cross-legged before the pill furnace, both hands extended as she refined a pill.
She suddenly froze.
Her eyes widened as she sensed the violent fluctuation of Qi.
"…So it has begun," she murmured softly.
"When his mother first brought him here, I already sensed something extraordinary within him. Later, when she told me everything… I learned that he carried an Old Era Bloodline, though its true nature was unknown."
A faint, knowing smile appeared on her lips.
"But once it fully awakens… he will become someone terrifyingly powerful."
With steady hands and a calm heart, she continued refining the Tier-3 beast into a pill, flames dancing rhythmically beneath the furnace.
Inside the house, Xinyi also noticed the golden light.
She slowly lifted her gaze, her eyes trembling.
Tears welled up and spilled down her cheeks, not from sorrow, but from overwhelming joy.
"No matter what happens…" she whispered weakly, "…I will guide him myself, Wang Yun."
Suddenly
Cough!
Blood spilled from her lips.
Her hands trembled violently as her breathing grew shallow.
"The pill's effect has weakened again," she said softly. "It seems… I don't have much time left."
Two Days Later
Wang Fang slowly opened his eyes.
The first things he saw were Old Lady Shen and his mother, Xinyi, standing beside his bed.
he froze.
"…Huh?" he muttered in confusion.
Xinyi smiled gently. "What do you mean, 'huh'? You've been staring at us for quite a while now."
"I was just wondering…" Wang Fang said awkwardly, "…why you're both looking at me like that."
Xinyi reached out and placed her hand softly on his head.
"Don't worry, my child. Just rest.
Then she took out a storage ring and placed it in his palm.
"This ring now belongs to you."
Wang Fang's eyes widened. "Mother? This is"
Xinyi smiled faintly. "Don't worry. When you reach the Qi Gathering Realm, you'll be able to open it."
"…I have to reach Qi Gathering first?" Wang Fang blinked in surprise.
"Yes," she replied with a light laugh.
Old Lady Shen nodded approvingly. "Congratulations, child. You've reached the peak of the Body Tempering Realm."
She then took out a pill, its surface shimmering with spiritual light.
A surprise," she said.
Wang Fang stared in disbelief. "Granny… that's a Spirit-grade pill?! Can it help me break through?"
Yes," Old Lady Shen replied. "It can help you step into the Blood Refinement Realm."
She paused, her gaze sharpening.
"But there's something I don't understand. You faced a Tier-3 Ironhide Boar, yet you only suffered internal injuries. How did you survive?"
Wang Fang scratched his head. "Ah… that's because I didn't kill it alone. I had help.
Help?" Old Lady Shen frowned. "But you returned alone."
"She wasn't from the village," Wang Fang said. "She looked… different.
Two Days Earlier
"Ah! Stop it already!
Wang Fang groaned. "Just because you threw out some flashy nine palms, you think you're amazing, kid?
What did you say?!" the girl snapped. "I told you not to call me a kid! I have a name, Yao!"
"You act like a kid," Wang Fang replied lazily. And stop walking around with that toy."
Yao froze mid-sentence.
"This isn't a"
She abruptly stopped.
"…He's here."
"Huh? Wang Fang blinked. Who?"
"My master," Yao said urgently. Run!"
Run?" Wang Fang froze. "Why should I"
I said RUN, you idiot!"
Before he could react
A terrifying pressure descended from the sky, crushing the air itself.
Yao," a cold, emotionless voice echoed. You dare run away from your training hall?"
Yao's face turned pale.
Master…" she whispered. "He's too strong"
Wang Fang's heart pounded violently.
This pressure…
It felt just like back then.
A power so vast, so absolute, it made him feel smaller than dust.
Am I… going to die?
He clenched his teeth.
I just reincarnated. I survived disaster as a baby
Am I really going to end here