Inside the dimly lit cave, Li Shenrong sat cross legged, his gaze fixed on the crimson hued fruit resting in his palm. He could feel the oppressive waves of heat radiating from its surface.
"Sky fire fruit."
An extremely rare fruit that even emperors would try to get their hands on. It was given to him as a gift by that imprisoned mysterious existence.
It had many uses depending on the circumstances, But today, Li Shenrong had only one purpose: to fortify the walls guarding his sea of consciousness.
Li Shenrong took a portion of the fruit and put it in his mouth directly. As soon as the fruit entered his mouth, he felt a searing wave erupted within like a roaring inferno.
Closing his eyes, he began to chant an ancient mantra. It wrapped around the raging energy, slowing down its rampage. Guided by the mantra, the molten force was directed toward his sea of consciousness. The heat energy slammed onto the walls, causing his entire body to visibly shake.
Li Shenrong felt his mind was being incinerated bit by bit as sweat streamed down his temples.
The walls around his sea of consciousness greedily absorbed the heat energy but the process was merciless, as if the structure was reforging itself stone by stone inside a blazing furnace. The walls turned crimson red and his spirit sea started to boil.
Suddenly, a light descended from the Nine Heavens, condensing into three radiant words: Style of Genesis. With the manifestation of one of the Nirvanic Arts, an ice storm surged forth. Two force that contradicted each other clashed. The Sky Fire Fruit's energy was soon overwhelmed by the Nirvanic Art, and the boiling sea began to cool.
The pain inside Li Shenrong's mind subsided a little, but it was still unbearable because the process of reforging the walls were still ongoing. Amidst all the pain, he didn't even frown a bit, it was as if everything was normal.
Three days later, the reformation was complete and li shenrong stood up exhausted. His eyes were hazy and tired. Three days without any rest while suffering from excruciating mental pain would render anyone senseless.
He had other methods to absorb the sky fire fruit, like refining it into a medicinal pill but the effects would be minimal. By consuming it directly, the gains were extraordinary. Others would never dare such recklessness, but he could. His sea of consciousness was vast beyond reason, capable of enduring such heavy handed refinement.
Everything was worth it. His cultivation had risen to the initial stage of the Heaven Congregation Realm.
Below Heaven Congregation, cultivators were considered bottom feeders. Above it were the mid grade cultivators, figures capable of establishing their own sects. The gap between the Physic Foundation Realm and Heaven Congregation was vast, a true step toward a higher plane.
Satisfied, Li Shenrong closed his eyes and instantly fell into a deep sleep.
Outside the cave, Bao Zhentian and Luo Shenghua kept watch. With Bao Zhentian, a demi god, standing guard, no one dared provoke them. Many strange calamities had already been resolved simply by his presence.
Suddenly, a figure approached at high speed. It was a middle aged woman with dignified features and a royal bearing that made her stand out instantly.
From a distance, she spotted the two figures seated outside the cave which piqued her interest. But when she saw it was Bao Zhentian, she was startled. News about Bao Zhentian had already spread far and wide. Many people referred to him as a powerful and mysterious demi god.
"It is rumoured that his temperament is good… should i greet him?" The middle aged woman thought silently. For some reason, she felt a bit bold inside and flew toward him.
"Junior brother, that woman is headed toward us…" Luo Shenghua remarked, raising an eyebrow in curiosity.
The woman quickly arrived and landed in the distance, then walked toward them with a submissive attitude. Her face was solemn and eyes were serious.
"Junior Zhang Lifen greets the senior." The woman cupped her fist toward Bao Zhentian. Saying this, she sneakily glanced at Bao Zhentian and saw he wasn't angry. She sighed in relief, also taking a peek inside the cave.
Bao Zhentian frowned in displeasure, "Are you here to act as someone's spy?" He said coldly.
The woman named Zhang Lifen shuddered, "no… no… i am just here to meet the senior and don't have other intentions"
"Why do you want to see me?" Bao Zhentian asked curiously as he looked at the woman who was just a heavenly king.
She hesitated, after a long while opened her mouth to speak. "I don't dare to lie to you senior, i want to take refuge with you."
"Refuge…? Or do you simply seek a borrowed knife to slay your enemies?" Bao Zhentian said coldly. His aura intensified which made her knees buckle.
Taking a deep breath, Zhang Lifen steadied herself. "Senior, I speak the truth. I only wish to rest here for a short while, then depart."
Luo Shenghua, feeling pity, nudged Bao Zhentian. "Junior brother, let her stay. It won't harm us. With your strength, what problem could possibly trouble us?"
After a brief pause, Bao Zhentian relented. "Very well. Sit in the corner. Do not disturb us unless it is necessary."
Zhang Lifen heaved a sigh of relief as she gave Luo Shenghua a grateful look. She strode in a corner and started meditating.
Inside the ruin, the sky was dark, if someone looked above they would feel like gazing at an abyss. Even the most powerful cultivator couldn't penetrate the unending darkness above.
At first, Bao Zhentian thought the ancient ruin is all about exploring the remains of the past. He was aware of some unpredictable dangers but when he witnessed that colossal figure within the maelstrom, corpses of the god level figures, he understood how superficial his understanding was. He thought about how he entered the prison, falling below the abyss as if an eternity had passed, it was so overwhelming that even now he couldn't help shudder.
Why was there a small world hidden deep inside? Who was that entity imprisoned there? How powerful was that being? The mystery behind these ruins was far greater than he had imagined.
And then, there was Li Shenrong, an enigma who faced the unknown without fear. The more Bao Zhentian saw, the deeper his respect and curiosity grew.
Footsteps approached from behind. Bao Zhentian turned to see Li Shenrong emerge from the cave. Smiling, he stood and greeted, "Brother Li, congratulations on your advancement."
"This is nothing."
"Hah! Cultivation level means little to Brother Li. He can crush anything in his path," Luo Shenghua said with her chin lifted proudly.
The sudden hubbub atmosphere caused Zhang Lifen to open her eyes. She was stunned when she saw Bao Zhentian being so respectful toward a newly advanced Heaven congregation realm cultivator. She was so baffled and confused, she felt the urge to ask what was going on?
"Who is this guy…..!?"
Li Shenrong's gaze fell on Zhang Lifen. Suddenly her heart skipped a bit, body shuddered as if every secret she held had been laid bare before this young man.
"Can we talk?" Li Shenrong broke the silence.
Zhang Lifen stiffened. For a moment, she didn't know how to respond. Should she address him as a fellow Daoist… or as a senior?
"Senior, i don't think we have met before… ha ha.." she let out a nervous laugh.
In the end, she abandoned the idea of calling him a fellow Daoist. If even a demi god like Bao Zhentian treated this man with respect, what qualifications did she have to speak on equal terms?
Bao Zhentian frowned. "Brother Li, is there something wrong with this woman?" In his mind, Li Shenrong wouldn't bother speaking to a stranger unless there was a reason and likely not a pleasant one.
"What… what is it you wish to discuss, Senior?" Zhang Lifen finally asked, unable to withstand the oppressive pressure pressing down on her.
"Follow me."
Li Shenrong turned and walked into the cave without another word, his figure disappearing into the dimness.