The conflict in Falling Wind City between the Heavenly Sword Sect and the Profound Yin Valley escalated, and Mộc Phàm, with his Mortal Body Berserker strength, had become an unexpected factor, a sharp blade in the hands of the Profound Yin Valley. He used no spiritual energy, possessed no spirit roots, yet his punches carried astonishing destructive power, making Qi Condensation cultivators wary and even forcing Foundation Establishment cultivators to avoid him.
Battles occurred ceaselessly. Mộc Phàm was supplied by the Profound Yin Valley with Blood Qi Nourishing Pills and low-grade spirit stones to maintain his physical strength. Although he couldn't directly absorb spiritual energy, the spirit stones still helped his nameless stone circulate "blood qi" more efficiently. He plunged into the battlefield like a tireless beast, breaking formations and subduing enemies with decisive, brutal strikes. With each battle, his Body Core was tempered, becoming more solid and pure.
However, this path wasn't all glory.
The Heavenly Sword Sect, with its mighty power and long history, could not tolerate being troubled by a mere mortal. They began to employ more ruthless tactics. Once, Mộc Phàm fell into a pre-arranged formation, where spiritual energy sword qi surged from all directions, sharp enough to tear his body apart. He had to unleash the full power of his Body Core, combined with his astonishing recovery ability, to break through the formation and narrowly escape.
Another time, he was ambushed with poison. The toxin was so potent that it caused his "blood qi" to become chaotic, partially sealing his Body Core. Mộc Phàm had to hide deep in the forest, using his unyielding willpower and the Body Core's self-healing capabilities to expel the toxin bit by bit, a process that lasted for weeks in agonizing pain.
In those life-and-death moments, the words of the Black Wind cultivator and the image of Mộc Loan village in flames vividly resurfaced. Hatred was his motivation, but the arduousness of this path sometimes made him waver. He had once asked himself: Should he abandon this deviant path, seek spirit roots from a sect somewhere, or at least live a reclusive life, far from all disputes?
Yet, each time that thought flickered, the images of his parents, of innocent villagers falling, returned. He remembered the middle-aged cultivator's warning: "Without spirit roots, you will forever be a weak mortal." No! Mộc Phàm would not be weak anymore! He would not accept a fate of oppression, of being dictated by the "heavenly dao" of those cultivators.
He had to become stronger, not just for himself, but for all the mortals who were looked down upon.
Mộc Phàm's Dao Heart became more unyielding than ever. He was no longer someone who simply relied on instinct. He began to think more deeply about his cultivation path. He realized that the "Mortal Body Hundred Forgings Art" wasn't just about physical strength; it was also about spiritual tempering, about the will to overcome all limitations.
He began experimenting with new ways to utilize his Body Core. Instead of merely using it for pure strength enhancement, Mộc Phàm experimented with infusing "blood qi" into objects, turning them into temporary "Mortal Artifacts." A broken branch could become as hard as steel; a small stone could be flung with terrifying piercing force. Although they couldn't compare to cultivators' magic artifacts, in Mộc Phàm's hands, they became incredibly dangerous.
Mộc Phàm's progress astonished even the Profound Yin Valley. The young female cultivator, now Elder Phù Dung, who had initially accepted him, grew to value him more and more. She couldn't understand how a mortal could achieve these feats, but she knew Mộc Phàm was a treasure.
Gradually, Mộc Phàm not only fought for the Profound Yin Valley but also consciously gathered information. He inquired about rumors of ancient ruins, about buried secrets, especially places without spiritual energy but with unusual energies. He believed that the origin of the nameless stone and the "Mortal Body Hundred Forgings Art" was not accidental, but part of something far greater.
He remained steadfast on his solitary path, unswayed by the fame or power that the Profound Yin Valley could bestow. He only wanted to grow stronger and uncover the truth.