Forced Body Tempering, Charging for the Third Heaven!

"Yu Xiaoheng!!"

Everyone turned back in shock.

A middle-aged man in splendid robes strode through the crowd. His features somewhat resembled Yu Yuanzhen's, but his expression was far more sinister. His eyes were bloodshot as he stared fixedly at the center of the Thunder Pool.

Dust still clung to his robes, making it clear that he had just rushed back from afar.

"It's the Second Sect Master!"

"Yu Luomian? Wasn't he away guarding the clan's businesses? Why has he returned?"

Yu Luomian ignored everyone's astonishment. In a few swift strides, he reached the edge of the Thunder Pool, seized Liu Erlong's arm, and pulled her behind him protectively.

His gaze was like a blade as it stabbed toward Yu Xiaoheng.

"You despicable little bastard! What do you take Erlong for?!"

"Your cultivation tool?!"

"And you still dare ask her what to do?!"

He pointed at Yu Xiaoheng, his finger trembling faintly with force.

"Yu Xiaoheng, what brilliant calculations! What ruthless methods!"

"You were never asking her. You were forcing her!"

"With the entire sect watching, would Erlong dare tell you to take a risk?!"

"You asked what to do?"

"Simple. Today, I'm taking Erlong away!"

Every word cut to the heart!

The entire area erupted into an uproar.

The people from the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect and Clear Sky Sect all lowered their eyes, doing their utmost to make themselves inconspicuous.

The Blue Lightning Sect members also fell silent as cicadas in winter.

If anyone else had said those words just now, it would have been utter rebellion. Were they trying to destroy the sect's hope?

But when Yu Luomian said them, it was only natural.

What was wrong with a father protecting his daughter?

Yu Yuanzhen's face darkened, yet he did not know how to respond.

Yu Xiaoheng felt countless gazes converge upon him.

He...

Slowly closed his eyes.

My mind is made up.

So what if Yu Luomian had returned?

At worst, he would just be cursed at by one more person.

But...

"Father!"

Liu Erlong broke free of Yu Luomian's grasp and stepped forward again.

Tears swirled in her eyes, yet none fell.

"This has nothing to do with Brother Xiaoheng!"

"I did all of this willingly!"

Yu Luomian roared, "Willingly? Erlong, have you lost your mind? He's been using you from the very beginning!"

"Yes!"

Liu Erlong's voice was not loud, but it was exceptionally resolute.

"Even if Brother Xiaoheng is using me, I'm willing to accept it!"

"When I was at my lowest and most helpless, Brother Xiaoheng was the one who brought me back to the sect and gave me a home."

"I watched with my own eyes as he endured so much mockery to become stronger, shed so much blood and sweat, and suffered through countless nights because of the medicine... None of you ever saw that!"

"I finally have the ability to help him..."

"Even if I can only become a stepping stone beneath his feet, I'm willing!"

"I, Liu Erlong, have no regrets!"

Within the Thunder Pool.

Lightning danced wildly, and thunder serpents roared.

Yet all of it seemed to have faded far away from Yu Xiaoheng.

Only Liu Erlong's words remained in his ears: "I'm willing too."

Having lived two lives, and possibly awakening a useless Martial Soul, he had long grown accustomed to scheming, to striving, to...

Moving forward!

Moving forward by any means necessary.

He could calmly handle the pressure from the sect.

He could brush off the ridicule of his clan members.

He could grit his teeth and endure Yu Yuanzhen's disappointment.

Attacks, doubts, incomprehension, mockery... such negative things could instead become fuel that drove him forward, making him tougher, colder, and harder.

Perseverance had been an easy thing.

With a clear goal, all he had to do was use every means at his disposal.

But now...

He... wavered.

So perseverance could become this difficult...

Yu Xiaoheng slowly closed his eyes.

The surging Golden Light around him gradually drew inward, while violent Lightning Power continued ravaging his body, leaving charred marks across his skin.

Yet he seemed wholly unaware of it.

He simply sat cross-legged, allowing the lightning to strike him as he fell into deep silence.

Liu Erlong, is something wrong with your head?!

Have you gone insane?!

It's not like no one in the sect likes you!

Why?

Why are you so utterly devoted to me??

The effort I put into you...

Was only enough to get a Martial Soul Fusion Skill out of it.

And you say you have no regrets...

Do you know that makes me feel like I'll... regret it terribly in the future!

A fire burned in Yu Xiaoheng's heart.

He was irritated.

So he decided...

To blow it all up!!

To blow up this world with it!!

So you sent me to a fantasy world without even giving me a cheat, huh?!

Then I'll... have some fun with you.

I won't give up on my Martial Soul, and I won't let myself have regrets!

Brilliant golden light flashed through Yu Xiaoheng's eyes.

Golden Light suddenly erupted within the Thunder Pool!

It was not restraint, nor was it contraction. It was an eruption... after compression to the absolute limit!

"Boom—!"

A muffled explosion sounded, not from the sky, but from the bottom of the Thunder Pool.

Dozens of Thunderstones embedded in the pool floor, which were used to guide and stabilize the Lightning Power, exploded simultaneously in that instant!

Freed from their restraints, the energy of the entire Thunder Pool transformed into the most primal, most violent torrent of lightning. Like a hundred rivers flowing into the sea, it all surged toward the figure at the center of the pool!

"Crackle—!!"

The silver-blue lightning became so dense it turned tangible, completely swallowing Yu Xiaoheng.

"Splurt!"

A mist of blood burst from the center of the lightning.

The Golden Dragon Scales shattered inch by inch, exposing flesh and blood.

That was no longer tempering.

That was Destruction!

"Xiaoheng!!!"

On the Viewing Platform, Yu Yuanzhen's eyes split wide with fury.

Ning Zhenyuan's expression changed dramatically, and he could no longer worry about anything else.

"Seven Treasures Turn, Glazed Light!"

He shouted sharply. The dazzling Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Pagoda behind him abruptly expanded until it stood several zhang tall!

Martial Soul Avatar!

"First: Strength! Second: Speed! Third: Soul! Fourth: Defense..."

Ning Zhenyuan activated every Spirit Skill in one breath. Streams of light in various colors shot toward the center of the Thunder Pool as if they cost nothing, attempting to stabilize Yu Xiaoheng's body on the verge of collapse.

Yet it was futile.

The enhancing streams of light vanished instantly like mud cows sinking into the sea the moment they touched the violent web of lightning.

The power of the Thunder Pool had already surpassed the limit of his support!

"Madman! You've gone mad!!"

Yu Yuanzhen looked utterly crazed. His eyes were bloodshot as he suddenly turned toward Yu Luomian.

"This is all because of you! If you hadn't forced him, how could this have happened?!"

"Take him down!"

At the Sect Master's command, several elders and disciples of the Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon Clan lit up their Spirit Rings and charged at Yu Luomian with roaring cries.

"Stop! Xiaoheng, stop now!"

"Young Sect Master, enough! It's really enough!"

More clan members rushed to the edge of the Thunder Pool, desperately trying to persuade him.

Faced with their assault, Yu Luomian merely snorted. Soul Power surged around him, blasting everyone back.

He glanced at the nearly unrecognizable figure in the Thunder Pool, his gaze complicated.

"Hmph. At least he's still a man."

"Father!" Liu Erlong's scream pierced the sky. "Brother Xiaoheng! No!!"

Like a madwoman, she tried to rush into the Thunder Pool, but Yu Luomian gripped her arm tightly, leaving her unable to move.

"Let me go! Let me go!"

Tears blurred her vision until the world contained only that destructive silver-blue light.