Chapter 31: Thoroughly Refine

Xu Xiaoshou felt as if half his body had been plunged into an ice cellar, while the other half was sinking into a volcano.

Sensations of comfort and agony arrived side by side. His body was being ravaged by scorching energy, yet at the same time, it was being doubly repaired by Chi Jin Dan and "Shengsheng Buxi".

These extreme energies of ice and fire intertwined as they entered him, and as their carrier, Xu Xiaoshou could only feel intense pain.

"Giggle, giggle..."

Xu Xiaoshou's teeth chattered uncontrollably, and he had completely lost control over the energy. In fact, the "Breathing Method" was also running out of his control.

The two surging energies tore through his meridians and suddenly burst into his dantian. His dantian made a sizzling sound as if it were about to split, a pain that could drive anyone mad.

A scorched odor filled the air. The grass beneath Xu Xiaoshou withered in an instant from the intense heat, nearby willow trees turned from tender green to yellow-black, and the white jade railing was instantly coated as if with a layer of charred coal.

The fat geese scattered in panic, feeling as though the lake water was about to boil them alive.

Inside Xu Xiaoshou, after the scorching energy entered his dantian and tried to rampage, it was unexpectedly suppressed by the "Breathing Method". It only circled once through the energy cycle before being quelled.

He took out another Chi Jin Dan and inhaled it deeply. The rush of pleasure instantly overwhelmed the pain, rapidly repairing his ravaged body.

Buzz!

A wave of crimson ripples spread out, flipping the nearby mud and grass, bending the willow trees, and causing the white jade railing to explode with a loud bang.

Gurgle, gurgle.

Half of Ehu Lake's water was boiled, bubbles rose, and fish bellies turned white. All that remained was a group of fat geese huddling in a distant corner, trembling in fear.

The grass hat elder, who had flown halfway, suddenly dove into Ehu Lake.

Xu Xiaoshou opened his eyes, cold sweat mixed with blood streaming down his face. He kept patting his chest.

"Did I survive...?"

With just that single breath and exhale, the "Jin Zhao Huo Zhong" had shrunk significantly, and his cultivation level had surged from the seventh realm of Lian Ling straight to a much higher point.

The scorching energy was suppressed, and his internal injuries were healing at a visible speed, sending waves of tingling sensations through him.

The terrifying restorative power of "Shengsheng Buxi" combined with the "Breathing Method" and a single Chi Jin Dan was on full display at that moment.

Xu Xiaoshou wiped away the blood and sweat, realizing that aside from his grotesque appearance and some mental exhaustion, his condition was no different from a normal person's.

"Oh my gosh..."

"This restorative ability is way too strong!"

Yet, thinking back to the pain he had just endured, Xu Xiaoshou couldn't help but shudder.

Above his dantian, the "Jin Zhao Huo Zhong" now looked quite aggrieved. Having shrunk in size, its destructive speed was completely held in check by "Shengsheng Buxi".

Xu Xiaoshou took a few breaths of fresh air and watched as his body gradually recovered. Gritting his teeth, he sat down again, a fierce expression on his face.

Pain is just pain!

In his past life, he had been tormented before, so what? This thing might hurt, but it's only temporary. Since it's bound to be a disaster if left alone, better to endure the short-term agony and refine it tonight!

He pulled out a Lian Ling Dan and inhaled it in one go, fully restoring his state.

With a ferocious look, Xu Xiaoshou exhaled a large burst of red energy from his mouth and nose, causing even the void to ripple from the heat. This guy actually combined it with Chi Jin Dan and swallowed it again.

Beneath Ehu Lake, the elder with the grass hat clutched his hat, staring in utter shock and completely forgetting he was still in the water, choking on several mouthfuls.

He had heard that an innate physical body had appeared in the outer courtyard and, with a mindset of giving it a try, forcibly implanted the "Jin Zhao Huo Zhong" into this young man.

Success could potentially create a fire-attribute genius, while failure would just mean one life lost—nothing major.

But after observing for a day, he felt a slight stir. This guy, who could barely hold on at first, somehow managed to forcibly suppress the agony with just Chi Jin Dan and even fought on stage later.

Perhaps the audience only saw him burned red and mocked him for taking drugs before the match, but only he—someone who had also ingested "Jin Zhao Huo Zhong"—could understand the immense pain this young man endured while appearing so composed.

That's why, when the young man boldly demanded more, he went along with it and had Xiao Qi Xiu deliver ten bottles of his own refined Chi Jin Dan.

Under the moonlight, the young man's cultivation by Ehu Lake surprised him again. This guy was actually giving up on any gradual refinement and devouring it in large gulps.

Wasn't he afraid of dying?

At this point, the grass hat elder couldn't bear to watch. He wanted to stop him, but as he flew halfway, this guy somehow relied on his special technique and sheer willpower to force his way through the pain.

And that wasn't the end—he barely breathed for a moment before sitting down again...

To cultivate once more!

What the hell kind of monster is this!

Doesn't he feel pain?

The elder was stunned. He realized he had accidentally stumbled upon a treasure. With this level of determination alone, this young man had a promising future.

This prized disciple—he was definitely taking him on!

The loud boom from Ehu Lake naturally drew the attention of the Ling Fa Ge enforcers. Soon, a group of black-clad figures appeared nearby, but Xu Xiaoshou remained completely unaware.

"Stand down!"

The elder suddenly shot out of the lake, the heat evaporating all the water on him in an instant. He pressed down his grass hat, his voice hoarse.

The enforcers stopped and looked up, seeing only a silhouette under the bright full moon—gaunt and ordinary.

Yet, sensing the faint scorched aura on him, they all recoiled in surprise.

"Vice Dean?"

"Sang Lao?"

The ones in front exchanged glances, their faces a mix of shock and confusion: "When did you return..."

The leader smacked the speaker on the head and bowed in acknowledgment, then quickly led them away.

"Yes!"

The others echoed in unison, and in a flash, the enforcers vanished.

Sang Lao removed his grass hat and stood on the white jade railing.

The evening breeze rustled his wrinkled clothes and carried away a few strands of straw from his head. The fat geese gathered at his feet, quacking desperately for a sense of security.

In his dark-rimmed eyes, however, there was only one person.

"Heh!"

Thinking of something, Sang Lao smiled faintly.

Tonight, Ehu Lake was destined for unrest, and the white jade railing urgently needed repairs.

Because... waves of scorching heat kept emanating from the young man in the distance, causing destructive blasts.

Bang!

Bang!

Bang!

...

The next day at noon, the outer courtyard disciples trudged into the audience seats, looking utterly drained.

"Damn it, was the Ling Gong undergoing renovations last night? Those bangs were so loud—did you hear them?"

"It was from the Ehu Lake direction, right? My courtyard is nearby, and it was ridiculously noisy. If nothing had happened, I'd have thought we were under attack."

"What noise? I live near Ehu Lake too!"

"How's that possible? Are you deaf?"

"Oh, sorry, I forgot—I have a soundproof array. Ah, well, having money means no other choice."

"... Screw you!"

Xu Xiaoshou also arrived at Chu Yun Tai with dark circles under his eyes, looking like just another victim, though he was the real culprit in others' eyes.

He quickly slipped into the waiting area and finally relaxed.

Normally, he cultivated while sleeping in his own courtyard, which had a soundproof array, so loud noises never bothered anyone.

Bringing that habit to Ehu Lake had led to an explosion of chaos. He wondered if it would affect his opponent...

If it did, that would be perfect!

After a night of refinement, the "Jin Zhao Huo Zhong" was completely gone, and his cultivation had reached the peak of the seventh realm.

He could break through, but there was no need.

In fact, through repeated scorching, Xu Xiaoshou had further solidified his previous foundation.

Just recalling the process was enough to make anyone marvel.

Xiao Qi Xiu casually proceeded with the round of sixteen advancement matches. Xu Xiaoshou informed the staff and slipped into a deep sleep.

He was so tired!

Usually, he cultivated through dreaming, but after two straight days without sleep, it was really unfamiliar.

Soon, he fell into dreamland. In his sleep, a staff member walked over with two bottles in hand and slapped him across the face.

Smack!

"Wake up, it's your turn!"