Crimson Sun True Scripture

As if he had been thrown alive into the deepest part of a blacksmith's furnace, every inch of skin and flesh, every single bone was repeatedly hammered by an invisible heavy mallet, then filled and drenched with scorching molten iron. Li Yuan's consciousness floated and sank amidst the extreme agony, on the verge of completely dissipating.

But the Crimson Sun within his body, which had been forcibly infused with a torrent of energy, was undergoing an essential transformation amidst this torment of destruction and rebirth.

It was no longer merely the core of his condensed Qi and blood; it had become more like a true, miniature furnace. The surging, scorching, ancient energy did not burst it apart. Instead, it was greedily devoured and assimilated, causing its volume to expand several times over. Its radiance settled from a blinding white into a deep, restrained dark gold, like a magma core brewed for ten thousand years at the earth's center. As it rotated, it emitted not just pure heat, but a heavy, domineering "intent" that could refine all things.

After an unknown span of time, the surging Energy Torrent gradually subsided. The light of the cauldron pattern on the rock wall dimmed, and the black fragment that had served as the key exhausted its power, turning into fine powder that rustled down from the groove.

Li Yuan collapsed limply on the ground, his whole body as if he had just been pulled from water and instantly dried by high heat. A layer of gray-white filth, mixed with blood scabs and internal impurities, covered his skin. He gasped heavily, each breath carrying a scorching heat and the smell of sulfur.

But the pain was fading.

In its place came an unprecedented feeling... of "rebirth."

He tried to move his fingers. A stream of Qi and blood, far more condensed and heavy than before, as if imbued with the power of magma, flowed smoothly through his meridians, which had widened and toughened several times over, with no trace of obstruction. The hidden injuries in his internal organs had already healed and become even more resilient. His bone density had greatly increased; when he clenched his fist, he could hear a faint sound like metal grinding against metal.

He sat up abruptly. The filth on his body cracked and fell away, revealing the new skin beneath. It was no longer a dark red, but a warm, smooth bronze color, faintly shimmering with a metallic luster. Beneath it, the lines of his muscles were smooth and filled with explosive power.

With a thought, without activating the Crimson Sun Battle Body, he casually threw a punch at the broken stone pillar half-buried beside him.

Boom!

A dull thud. The stone pillar trembled slightly. Where his fist had struck, stone chips flew, leaving a clear fist imprint. The edges even showed signs of slight melting!

Power! Pure and terrifying power! And it carried a scorching, penetrating quality!

A brilliant light burst from his eyes. Not only had his injuries fully recovered, but his strength, infused by the ancient cultivator's legacy, had broken through its previous bottleneck and entered an entirely new level—the Aperture Opening Realm! And not just the early stage of the Aperture Opening Realm!

But the gains were far from over.

At the very end of the energy infusion and the Crimson Sun's transformation, a vast and chaotic flow of information, like shattered stars, forcibly imprinted itself deep within his consciousness.

It was a remnant... a Memory Fragment of this ruin's master! Or rather, a fragment of some inheritance!

The information was fragmented, mostly blurry, filled with scenes of flames, magma, cauldrons, and battles with various Fierce Beasts. But among it, a relatively complete record of a core cultivation method emerged with crystal clarity.

Its name—[Crimson Sun True Scripture]!

This was not a fixed set of techniques or a Qi and blood circulation route, but a "principle," a "way"! It expounded on how to use the body as a furnace, to draw upon the power of earthly fire and heavenly sun, to refine all things, to temper oneself, and ultimately achieve a supreme battle body of ultimate yang and unyielding strength, impervious to all evil!

It included an understanding of the essence of the "Crimson Sun," methods for refining various energies (including but not limited to spiritual energy, Sha Qi, curse power, and even poison), and how to use these refined energies to maximally strengthen the skin, flesh, tendons, bones, marrow, and even the five viscera and six bowels!

This Crimson Sun True Scripture seemed tailor-made for him! It perfectly explained and elevated his previous, haphazard path of "refining all techniques"!

Li Yuan devoured this information with insatiable hunger, a storm of shock rising in his heart. The master of this ruin was likely an ancient great power who specialized in body refinement and walked the Path of Refinement! His realm and insights far exceeded Li Yuan's current understanding.

Following the basic methods recorded in the Crimson Sun True Scripture, he tried to guide the newly born Crimson Sun Qi and blood within him.

As the Qi and blood circulated, it was no longer the wild, violent agitation of the past, but carried a calm, orderly rhythm. Its efficiency was higher, and its effect on nourishing and strengthening the physical body was far more pronounced. He could even feel that the cold characteristic of the Netherworld Curse Power, which had been contained within the Qi and blood, was now perfectly integrated by this method, transformed into a "blade's edge" that enhanced penetration and corrosion, no longer an impurity conflicting with the essence of the Crimson Sun.

"So this is it... this is the true path of 'refinement'..." Li Yuan murmured to himself, a light of understanding flickering in his eyes.

He looked up at the collapsed opening above, his gaze turning sharp and cold.

The Netherworld Cult Deacon and those twisted monsters should still be waiting up there, right?

He slowly stood up. His bronze-colored body, illuminated by the dark red light, looked like a divine statue that had just been quenched. He stretched his limbs, and a series of crackling pops sounded from all his joints, filled with an infinite Sense of Power.

His injuries were fully healed, his strength had greatly increased, and he had obtained the fragment of the Crimson Sun True Scripture, which pointed directly to the Great Path.

This Underground Dark Cave was no longer his death trap, but his... blessed cave!

He bent down and carefully picked up the other few Black Fragments from the ground. These keys might be used to open other parts of the ruin.

Then, his gaze locked onto the opening, and the Corner of his Mouth curled into a cold arc, carrying a scorching, magma-like battle intent.

Time to go up.

There were some scores that needed to be settled properly.