Robert left his father's chamber, determination settling in his core. The corridors felt quieter now, the estate dark except for the faint light of a few lanterns. Instead of returning straight to sleep, he made his way to the cultivation room.
The air inside was refreshingly cool and still. Robert settled down cross-legged, reaching into his storage to grab the last two body tempering pills. He swallowed them both, and a comforting surge of warmth and vitality spread through him.
With practiced focus, he began circulating his energy, running the Scaled Body Core technique with careful intent. Qi flowed, and mana spun; each breath drew power deeper and deeper. Time slipped away as he focused, his heart beating steadily in the hush.
Just before sunrise, a sharp crackling sensation passed through him—followed by a wave of raw strength. He knew what it meant: he had achieved Body Tempering Level 10. In all the clan's history, no one else had ever come this far.
