The moment the pill touched Darian's tongue, it transformed into a fragrant, scorching current that surged down his throat, flooding his body with violent energy.
An explosive force, accompanied by a blazing heat, ignited within him.
His golden-red qi and blood, along with his Holy Dao battle energy, stirred instinctively, drawn to the overwhelming medicinal power unleashed by the Human-Grade Spirit-Bursting Pill.
Swish! Buzz!
Though a sudden boil erupted inside, Darian's expression remained calm. He centered himself, focusing every ounce of will to guide his qi, blood, and battle energy to absorb and dissolve the pill's potent power gradually.
It was a perilous gamble—just as Riven had warned—but Darian had long since cast aside fear. Now, all that remained was unwavering resolve: to risk everything.
Bang!
The Spirit-Bursting Pill's power began to take hold.
Thump, thump, thump.
"My skin, flesh, tendons… all trembling as one."
Eyes clenched shut, Darian keenly felt every change in his body.
His skin quivered softly, flesh convulsed violently, and deep within, his perfected tendons writhed and contorted like living beasts.
Boom!
The pill's medicinal force was far stronger than he'd imagined. Within mere breaths, it flooded every fiber of flesh and tendon, crashing headlong into his golden-red qi, blood, and Holy Dao battle energy.
A guttural groan burst from his lips as unbearable pain swept through him like a rampaging titan tearing apart his insides—tendons knotting, flesh burning, agony drowning his mind.
Only ten breaths after swallowing, the torment had already reached its zenith.
And this was just the beginning.
The Human-Grade Spirit-Bursting Pill—the name itself hinted at the savage power it unleashed. The human body is fragile; even minor wounds can cripple or kill.
As a Third-Rank Lower-Tier pill, it could raise an Ironbody Tier cultivator's origin force by three levels—but at great risk.
First came tremors rippling through skin, flesh, tendons, bones, and marrow.
Second, the condensed pain of three breakthroughs in one violent burst—smashing through Bone Refinement and Marrow Refinement stages.
Succeed, and cultivation would soar.
Fail, and tendons would rupture, bodies explode.
The odds: fifty-fifty.
This was truly gambling with one's life.
Darian's thoughts dissolved into agony. His seated form shimmered faintly with golden Holy Dao battle energy as waves of violent force surged outward from his core.
His skin, flesh, tendons, bones, and marrow felt as if doused in oil and set aflame—burning beyond endurance.
The medicinal power combined with his qi, blood, and battle energy, forging an unstoppable torrent that raced through his entire body.
Bone membranes trembled; every bone compressed and shattered, only to reform again and again—a torment bordering on death.
The brutal Marrow Refinement stage commenced with a pain tenfold greater.
Had it not been for the torment endured during his Holy Law origin condensation, Darian would have long lost consciousness.
Clinging to the final shards of clarity, he channeled the fused power of qi, blood, battle energy, and medicinal force.
His body and tendons neared their breaking point—one slip, and he would explode from within.
Yet, amid the torment, fortune smiled.
Darian slipped into a wondrous state—mindless, thoughtless, as if adrift in a dream.
The pain remained, but compared to the merciless bone and marrow refinement, it was nearly bearable.
Then, the violent force surged into his Core, crashing against the glowing sphere of his Holy Law origin.
Boom!
The origin had tolerated the rampage until now, allowing the pill's power to temper flesh, tendons, bones, and marrow.
But when it reached the Core, it flared with indignation—an overwhelming battle aura erupted, swallowing the violent force like a whale engulfing water, leaving no trace behind.
Moments later, the origin released a new power—not violent, but vast and gentle. It radiated outward, seeping into every corner of Darian's body, silently refining and strengthening him.
Thanks to the miraculous influence of his Holy Law origin, Darian had survived the Spirit-Bursting Pill's fury.
Unaware, he remained immersed in that wondrous state. His aura quietly grew stronger as battle energy and qi-blood fused with the gentle origin power, transforming every fiber of his being.
The fifty-fifty gamble— Darian had won.
Buzz… roar…
In the cavern, his seated figure shone with golden light.
Within his soul space, all was calm. Riven's aura had vanished, as if dormant, wrapped in a faint golden cocoon.
Darian did not know that when he emerged from this cocoon, a great surprise awaited him.
Time passed silently.
In cultivation, years pass in moments.
The cavern remained still—save for the lone figure bathed in golden radiance.
Rumble… roar…
The waterfall thundered without cease.
Downstream, two youths faced off.
One had fists blazing like fire, about seventeen or eighteen years old.
The other stood calm, a sword slung across his back, a few years younger.
Behind the fiery-fisted youth hovered a silver crescent moon as tall as he was—a Soul Moon, hallmark of a Valor Soul Stage cultivator in the Mortal Purification Stage.
"Faelan Virethorn, they say you're the Embersteel Citadel Main City's peerless prodigy—a genius who can cross realms with his sword. Today, let me see if the rumors are true."
The Spirit Core cultivator's tone was cold, laced with jealousy and spite—but beneath it lay a hint of anticipation.
Faelan stood with hands behind his back, exuding an extraordinary bearing like a sheathed blade.
His bright eyes flickered to his challenger before speaking coolly, voice clear as a bell: "You are not worthy."
The words struck like thunder.
"Not worthy? Hahaha… I am Thorne Ashveil of Blazeborn Citadel Main City—eighteen, already in the Valor Soul Stage! And you dare call me unworthy? You're courting death!"
Like a cat's tail stepped on, Thorne's rage exploded.
"Faelan! I had planned to save you for the Hundred Cities War, but now you've provoked me. This is Ignisheart Citadel Main City's territory—if I kill you here, no one will know. Die!"
"Blazeborn Citadel Heaven-Burning Fist—Burn the Western Heavens!"
Boom!
Scarlet origin force erupted from Thorne's body. His Spirit Core blazed fiercely; twin fists like flaming wheels hurtled toward Faelan.
The searing heat seemed to scorch the very air. Thorne's eyes gleamed cruelly.
"I'll see how a mere Ironbody Tier Perfection fights a Spirit Core cultivator! 'Cross-realm battle'? Nonsense!"
Steam hissed as waterfall spray met the flaming fists, closing to within a pace of Thorne.
"Die!" Thorne roared.
Clang!
A clear, ringing tone answered.
In the next instant, dazzling light flooded Thorne's vision.
"So fast? Impossible!"
Terror etched across Thorne's face as he met the calm, razor-edged gaze of the youth before him. A chill blossomed in his chest.
Despite his cultivation, he barely managed to retreat in time—
Splash!
Water churned as he steadied himself downstream, face pale and twisted with humiliation.
He, a Spirit Core cultivator, had been forced back by a Ironbody Tier opponent!
Buzz!
Burning with shame and fury, Yue prepared to strike again—until Faelan spoke.
"You couldn't even take one sword from me—you're not qualified to fight."
Rip!
Faelan's robe tore open, revealing a fresh two-inch gash across his chest—only skin deep. Had he not held back, it would have been far worse.
Boom!
Suddenly, atop the waterfall came a thunderous crash.
Water sprayed as a powerful aura surged forth.
A figure, wreathed in faint golden light, leapt from behind the falls, landing with a splash in the pool below.
As the glow faded, a tall youth with flowing black hair and bright eyes emerged—handsome, carrying a massive black box on his back.
Darian, fresh from refining the Spirit-Bursting Pill.
He hadn't expected to see others here, but he felt no fear.
His gaze landed on Thorne's wounded chest and the silver Spirit Core behind him—his pupils narrowed.
"A Soul Moon… a Valor Soul Stage cultivator?"
Yet no fear stirred within him—only fierce fighting intent.
Suppressing the urge to strike, he glanced at the sword-bearing youth, meeting his gaze.
A flicker of intrigue crossed Faelan's eyes.
"This swordsman is no ordinary person."
Darian sensed Faelan's strength. The joy from his breakthrough settled into calm confidence.
Thorne, clutching his chest, ignored Darian and glared at Faelan.
"Sword prodigy! Cross-realm battle! I'll settle this with you at the Hundred Cities War!"
Whoosh!
Turning, he strode toward Darian.
"Who is this trash? Courting death!"
Still seething from humiliation, Yue struck without hesitation, fiery fist spinning like a wheel.
Boom!
"Careful!" Faelan warned.
"Good—I want to see how strong the Valor Soul Stage really is!"
Battle energy roared as Darian's eyes sharpened like blades.
His left fist, wreathed in faint gold and shaped like a tiger's head, met Thorne's blow head-on.
Thorne smirked—until impact froze his expression.
Water sprayed high as a domineering force surged from Darian's fist, shaking Thorne's qi and blood.
Pfft!
Yue spat blood, flipping through the air, then fled into the forest without another word—fear replacing fury.
Darian's heart soared with exhilaration.
"Excellent—this Spirit-Bursting Pill did not disappoint!"
Faelan's gaze sharpened.
"You are strong. I am Faelan. I'll be waiting for you… at the Hundred Cities War."
With that, the swordsman turned and departed.
"Faelan? Hundred Cities War? Interesting…" Darian murmured.
"I don't know how long the refinement took—I'd better hurry back."
Focusing his battle energy to dry his robe, Darian straightened, eyes flashing toward the Valeblue estate.
"Blood Dragon Jade… it's what Uncle Fu left me. No one will take it. Lucian —here I come."