Quenching Meridians: Perfection

After the news of the Inner Sect Grand Competition spread, the training atmosphere on Qingyun Peak grew even more intense. In the past, one might occasionally spot disciples gathered in idle chatter, but now not a single loiterer could be found. Whether newly promoted disciples or seasoned cultivators, everyone was pouring all their effort into honing their cultivation, wishing they could split a single day into two. Even daily eating and drinking were compressed to the bare minimum.

Shen Hao continued to advance his training plan step by step, but compared to his previous balanced approach, he shifted more focus toward the Meridian Tempering Art. This technique was the foundation of his cultivation—the tougher and wider his meridians were tempered, the denser the Spiritual Energy they could hold, and the greater the benefits for subsequent training. After days and nights of relentless practice, the meridians in his limbs and torso had become quite resilient, feeling smooth and jade-like to the touch. Spiritual Energy flowed through them without any obstruction, leaving only the meridians around his dantian yet to be refined.

The dantian is the source of a cultivator's Spiritual Energy, the core of all cultivation, and the meridians surrounding it serve as the crucial hub connecting the Sea of Qi to the rest of the body. Their importance went without saying. Precisely because of this, tempering this final stretch of meridians was far more difficult than any previous part, and the pain it brought was multiplied several times over. Ordinary cultivators often needed months or even years to finish refining this area, and the slightest misstep could damage the foundation of the dantian, leaving behind an indelible aftereffect.

That morning, just as dawn broke, the early light filtered through the window lattice, casting a few soft rays. Shen Hao sat cross-legged on the Jade Bed, eyes slightly closed, a wisp of pure, deep-blue Spiritual Energy swirling around his fingertips. He took a deep breath, slowly regulating his breathing, sinking his mind into a state as calm as an ancient well. Then, with great care, he guided that wisp of Spiritual Energy toward the meridians around his dantian.

The moment the Spiritual Energy touched those delicate, fragile meridians, a piercing, heart-wrenching pain shot through his entire body. It felt like countless steel needles as fine as ox hair were madly piercing and churning within his meridians, causing him to shudder violently. Shen Hao's face instantly turned as pale as paper. His steady breathing hitched sharply, and his jaw clenched uncontrollably. His lips were bitten through, and a trickle of fresh blood slid down the corner of his mouth, dripping onto the Jade Bed beneath him, spreading into a small, glaring red stain.

His body trembled uncontrollably. Cold sweat rolled down his forehead like beads from a broken string, quickly soaking his collar. Even the Jade Bed beneath him was drenched in a large patch of sweat. The agony surged like tidal waves, battering his consciousness, making his vision blur and darken, nearly causing him to faint.

"Can't stop... absolutely can't stop..." Shen Hao growled in his mind. With astonishing willpower, he forcibly endured the pain that threatened to tear him apart, controlling the Spiritual Energy as it scoured the meridians bit by bit. His focus was razor-sharp, not daring to slacken in the slightest, afraid that one misstep would ruin all his progress.

This process was like death by a thousand cuts—every flow of Spiritual Energy felt like it was ripping at the inner walls of his meridians. But Shen Hao knew that if he could just get through this hurdle, his meridians would be completely reborn. Not only would they hold denser Spiritual Energy, but the speed of its circulation would also greatly increase, bringing immense benefits to his future training in the Spirit Devouring Art and Flowing Cloud Steps.

Time passed drop by drop. Outside the window, the sun climbed higher, and the light grew fiercer, streaming through the lattice onto Shen Hao, yet it couldn't dispel the chill that clung to him. His face remained pale, and the blood on his lips had dried, leaving a dark red mark. His body still trembled, but his gaze grew more resolute. The Spiritual Energy at his fingertips flowed steadily, never once interrupted.

No one knew how long it took. When the last wisp of Spiritual Energy smoothly passed through the final inch of meridians around his dantian, an indescribable wave of relief surged through his entire body. That comfort seemed to seep into his very marrow. The earlier agony receded like a tide, replaced by a lightness that made him feel as if a thousand-pound burden had been lifted.

Shen Hao slowly opened his eyes. A deep weariness flickered in them, but it was mingled with barely concealed joy. He looked inward at his dantian and saw that all the meridians in his body had turned as white and lustrous as jade, shimmering with a faint glow. Spiritual Energy flowed through them at a speed fully thirty percent faster than before, and it was more condensed and substantial.

"The Meridian Tempering Art... finally perfected." Shen Hao murmured to himself, his voice a little hoarse but brimming with delight.

He slowly raised his hand, and a wisp of deep-blue Spiritual Energy gathered in his palm. That wisp of energy was dense and did not disperse, flowing like liquid in his hand—more refined and powerful than before. With all his meridians tempered, his control over Spiritual Energy had risen to another level. Even the subtlest fluctuation could be precisely sensed and manipulated.

Shen Hao let out a long breath of turbid air, feeling refreshed and full of strength. He knew that perfecting the meridian tempering was only the first step toward becoming stronger. With two months left until the Inner Sect Grand Competition, he had to seize every single moment to boost his strength.