Chapter 28: Tempering the Body Through Countless Trials

Chapter 28: Tempering the Body Through Countless Trials

The first nine levels of the Body Forging Realm focus primarily on increasing the quantity of one’s Force. The Tenth Level of the Body Forging Realm, however, emphasizes the refinement of Force, with no further increase in quantity.

Force originates from blood and qi. Refining Force consumes a significant amount of blood and qi. If not replenished in time, it will not only slow down the efficiency of Force refinement but also severely damage one’s foundation. The Blood Coagulation True Pill serves to replenish blood and qi.

For Outer Sect Disciples and even Inner Sect Disciples, obtaining a Blood Coagulation True Pill is extremely difficult. Yet, Chen Feng’s supply of these pills is virtually limitless.

As Chen Feng absorbed one Blood Coagulation True Pill, his blood and qi surged violently, emitting a dense crimson glow that enveloped his body, growing increasingly intense.

He circulated the Huntian Force, continuously refining his Force. Impurities were expelled, while newly extracted Force from his blood and qi replenished the losses, only to be refined again—preserving the essence and discarding the dross.

A streak of sword light pierced through the sea of clouds and landed on a cliff, transforming into two figures. One was Yang Tao, and the other was Li Xinyue.

Li Xinyue looked dazed, her mind still reeling from the overwhelming events of the day.

"Disciple, the young master is currently cultivating. I will first teach you the method to cultivate the Hunyuan Force," Yang Tao said to Li Xinyue.

"Yes, Master," Li Xinyue gradually regained her composure and quickly responded.

"The Hunyuan Force is inferior to the Huntian Force, but it is still stronger than ordinary Force," Yang Tao explained briefly before delving into the techniques and insights of cultivating the Hunyuan Force.

Li Xinyue listened attentively but lacked Chen Feng’s innate talent, requiring repeated inquiries. Yang Tao showed no impatience, patiently explaining until Li Xinyue grasped the basics.

He then took out a Foundation Establishment True Pill and a Blood Coagulation True Pill for her.

"First, elevate your cultivation to the perfected Ninth Level of the Body Forging Realm. Then, convert your Force into Hunyuan Force. Once your Force is harmonized, circulate it through your meridians to break through to the Tenth Level of the Body Forging Realm," Yang Tao instructed. "To grow alongside the young master and become his follower, you must at least establish a foundation at the Tenth Level of the Body Forging Realm."

"Understood," Li Xinyue replied solemnly.

The shift in her identity was surreal, but she adapted quickly.

By the time Chen Feng consumed ten Blood Coagulation True Pills and awoke from his cultivation session, it was already evening.

Within his body, an increasingly pure and formidable Force flowed steadily, coursing through his limbs and torso. Wherever it passed, Chen Feng felt his bones tremble slightly and his muscles tighten, as if infused with overwhelming power—yet also on the verge of bursting apart.

"Master, I’ve completed the second refinement of my Force, but my body feels like it’s about to tear apart," Chen Feng said to Wang Yuandao, who stood quietly nearby.

"Ah, I forgot. You lack an innate divine trait, possessing only a Mortal Body, which has limited capacity to withstand Force," Wang Yuandao sighed after a moment of surprise. "A Mortal Body can endure only one or two refinements. A Spirit-Grade Divine Trait allows three to five refinements, a King-Grade Divine Trait six to eight, and a Saint-Grade Divine Trait nine. Your comprehension is exceptional, and your efficiency in absorbing pills is astonishing, rivaling that of a divine trait—but it’s not the real thing."

"Master must have a solution, right?" Chen Feng countered.

"Good." Wang Yuandao was not one to beat around the bush and nodded. "Originally, the plan wasn’t to have you undergo body refinement so soon, but circumstances force us to act ahead of schedule."

"Our Huntian Sect’s Huntian Dao Scripture contains a body refinement technique known as the Huntian Combat Body. However, the successive masters of Juejian Peak have built upon it, integrating sword dao to create the Huntian Sword Body," Wang Yuandao explained unhurriedly. "Both refinement methods are divided into nine levels, each with its own merits. Cultivating the Huntian Sword Body transforms one’s Huntian Force into Huntian Sword Force, making it more suited for sword cultivators. However, mastering the Huntian Sword Body will make achieving Dao Unity more difficult compared to the Huntian Combat Body."

"Which one do you choose?"

"The Huntian Sword Body," Chen Feng answered decisively, without hesitation.

"I respect your decision." Wang Yuandao immediately imparted the cultivation method of the Huntian Sword Body to Chen Feng. After just one explanation, Chen Feng memorized and comprehended its mysteries thoroughly.

"The cultivation of the Huntian Sword Body requires external assistance." With a wave of his hand, Wang Yuandao summoned a three-meter-tall cauldron. Various rare herbs were tossed into it, each emitting layers of misty divine light in dazzling, resplendent hues. The rich medicinal aroma filled the air.

Wang Yuandao then retrieved a cyan jade bottle and poured its contents into the cauldron. A radiant, starry stream of liquid cascaded inside. With another wave, flames surged, engulfing the cauldron in searing heat so intense it seemed capable of melting anything. Even from several meters away, Chen Feng felt unbearable scorching heat, as if his entire body were being roasted dry.

The medicinal liquid inside the cauldron boiled furiously as the rare herbs dissolved, their blended fragrance growing even more potent.

"Strip and enter the cauldron to cultivate the Huntian Sword Body," Wang Yuandao commanded sternly.

Chen Feng’s expression twisted in horror.

This heat… Is Master planning to stew me into medicinal soup? With me as the main ingredient?

"Hurry!" Wang Yuandao urged. Gritting his teeth, Chen Feng stripped off his clothes and leaped into the cauldron. In an instant, the overwhelming heat enveloped his entire body. He even caught a whiff of a meaty aroma, reminiscent of the medicinal soups he had tasted before.

The scorching heat burned from the outside in, searing not just his skin, flesh, and bones, but even his internal organs, making him feel as though he were melting.

Excruciating pain surged through him, yet under the influence of the Divine Talisman Of Creation, Chen Feng couldn’t faint—he remained fully conscious.

It was pure torment.

Wang Yuandao flicked his fingers, sending streaks of sword qi piercing through the air into the cauldron. The sword qi merged with the boiling medicinal liquid, dispersing into finer threads that swam toward Chen Feng and seeped into his pores.

Pain.

Even more unbearable pain, as if countless needles were stabbing deep into his body, twisting and turning, or as if blades were slicing and shredding him from within.

Chen Feng couldn’t suppress a scream.

"Activate the Huntian Sword Body!" A cold shout pierced through the cauldron, jolting his mind like a thunderclap.

Suppressing the agony of being burned and torn apart from both inside and out, Chen Feng began cultivating according to the Huntian Sword Body method.

With the aid of the Divine Talisman Of Creation, his control over his body reached its peak.

Moreover, the energy from the medicinal liquid was absorbed and refined by the Divine Talisman Of Creation before surging back into him in an even purer form.

The chaotic, destructive forces rampaging within his body suddenly became orderly, transforming from untrained rabble into disciplined, battle-hardened soldiers, tempering every inch of his physique.

Gradually, the pain lessened.

Noticing this, Wang Yuandao's tense expression eased, and a faint smile appeared at the corners of his lips.

"Better than I expected," Wang Yuandao murmured to himself, his eyes growing brighter. "In that case, I shall attempt the impossible—to nurture a Transcendent Realm cultivator within ten years, one who can inherit the position of Juejian Peak's master."

Time passed slowly.

Inside the cauldron, Chen Feng entered a meditative state. A scorching, razor-sharp force surged endlessly through his body, driving his formidable and vigorous energy in a grand circulation.

His skin, muscles, bones, organs, and even his blood and qi—every part of his body, inside and out—was being tempered.

Like a starving man, he voraciously absorbed the medicinal energy within the liquid.

Forged a thousand times, refined a hundred times, condensed into tempered steel.

……

Tiancang Peak.

One of the twelve main peaks of the Huntian Sect, bathed in radiant light and auspicious energy.

Towers and halls stood tall, resembling a celestial paradise.

Inside the Black Tide Hall, Ye Yunqi's body pulsed with bloody light, surging like tidal waves, emitting a terrifying, thunderous roar.

A black-robed elder stood with his hands behind his back, his aura profound and boundless like an abyssal sea.

"In just half a day, he has completely transformed his energy into Huntian Force, completed a round of tempering, and reached the Tenth Level of the Body Forging Realm. This disciple's bloodline is far from ordinary—likely not just a typical King-grade, but a peak King-grade approaching Saint-grade," the black-robed elder murmured to himself.

As he spoke, the bloody light around Ye Yunqi gradually receded, replaced by a powerful aura that repelled and oppressed everything around him.

"Master, your disciple has mastered Huntian Force and achieved a breakthrough," Ye Yunqi immediately bowed respectfully to the black-robed elder.

His heart swelled with excitement.

The black-robed elder before him was none other than the Great Elder of Tiancang Peak, a powerhouse standing at the pinnacle of the Transcendent Realm.

If not for the influence of his Ye Family's grand-uncle and his own innate talent, he would never have had the chance to become the Great Elder's disciple.

Then, Ye Yunqi thought of Chen Feng.

"Though you've become the disciple of a peak master, that man is already nearing his end. How can you compare to me?"

With this thought, an idea suddenly surfaced in Ye Yunqi's mind.

"Master, this disciple has a request."

"Speak," the black-robed elder replied immediately, thoroughly pleased with Ye Yunqi's talent.

"Master, I have an enemy who also joined the Huntian Sect and may have been taken as a disciple by the master of Juejian Peak," Ye Yunqi said. "I humbly ask for your permission to settle this grudge with him."

"Juejian Peak..." A sharp glint flashed in the black-robed elder's eyes. "Very well. Then, follow the rules and issue a challenge. Only by resolving this grudge can your mind be at ease."