Breaking Through the Realm

In the side room of Wei Dayong's house, the oil lamp flickered like a bean. Wang Quan sat cross-legged on the adobe kang, his eyes slightly closed, his breathing long and steady. In his mind, the remaining 160 Skill Points shimmered with a faint light. Within his body, the Turtle Snake Coiling Dragon Strength and the Myriad Monster Blood Devouring Art, guided by his comprehension of 'seeing strength,' were merging and surging in an unprecedented way, striking against an invisible barrier.

It's time.

"Deduce Turtle Snake Coiling Dragon Strength Mortal Transformation Chapter!"

[Consume 15 Skill Points to deduce Turtle Snake Coiling Dragon Strength (Mortal Transformation Realm)?]

"Yes!"

[Deduction successful! Obtained Mortal Transformation Realm Cultivation Method Profound Yellow Mountain Suppressing Scripture!]

[Profound Yellow Mountain Suppressing Scripture: Based on perfected Turtle Snake Coiling Dragon Strength, it integrates the true meaning of 'seeing strength' and draws upon the Profound Yellow energy of the earth to temper the self. When cultivated to its depths, the body becomes like a divine mountain, its strength suppressing the eight desolate regions. Blood and qi condense like mercury, reaching a new level of insight, control, and application of strength. In combat, one can effortlessly borrow, transform, and store strength, revealing true mastery at the microscopic level.]

Profound Yellow Mountain Suppressing Scripture! What a name! Wang Quan's heart settled. Without hesitation, he continued to allocate points!

"Upgrade Profound Yellow Mountain Suppressing Scripture to Beginner!"

[Consumed 10 Skill Points, Profound Yellow Mountain Suppressing Scripture upgraded to Beginner Realm!]

"Upgrade to Minor Accomplishment!"

[Consumed 12 Skill Points, Profound Yellow Mountain Suppressing Scripture upgraded to Minor Accomplishment Realm!]

"Upgrade to Major Accomplishment!"

[Consumed 14 Skill Points, Profound Yellow Mountain Suppressing Scripture upgraded to Major Accomplishment Realm!]

"Upgrade to Perfection!"

[Consumed 28 Skill Points, Profound Yellow Mountain Suppressing Scripture upgraded to Perfection Realm!]

Total consumed: 79 points!

Remaining Skill Points: 81 points!

The moment Profound Yellow Mountain Suppressing Scripture was upgraded to Perfection, it was as if an ancient lock within Wang Quan's body was shattered! The perfected Turtle Snake Coiling Dragon Strength completely transformed, becoming a more substantial, purer Profound Yellow energy imbued with the deep, earthy essence of the land, flowing through his limbs! His bones and muscles resonated, emitting low sounds like dragon roars and heavy as mountain collapses. Beneath his skin, a faint earthy yellow glow emerged, radiating an indescribable sense of power and stability.

Mortal Transformation Realm! Achieved!

But it wasn't enough! The Myriad Monster Blood Devouring Art was stuck at the peak of the Soul Sculpting Realm. Though his physical body was strong, it still had its limits. He needed to knock on the door of a more mysterious and powerful realm!

"Deduce Myriad Monster Blood Devouring Art Palace Opening Chapter!"

[Consume 30 Skill Points to deduce Myriad Monster Blood Devouring Art Palace Opening Realm? This Cultivation Method is extremely special, and the deduction carries a high risk.]

"Yes!" Wang Quan didn't hesitate. Risk and reward went hand in hand; he needed greater strength to face the coming storm.

[Deducing... Analyzing Demonic Creature origin... Deduction successful! Obtained Palace Opening Realm Cultivation Method Chaos Demon Emperor Scripture (Initial Spirit Platform Opening Chapter)!]

[Chaos Demon Emperor Scripture (Initial Spirit Platform Opening Chapter): Based on perfected Myriad Monster Blood Devouring Art, it glimpses a secret of the Chaos Demon Emperor. It opens a Spirit Platform within the body, initially controlling and refining the origin of myriad monster blood and qi, shedding the mortal coil, and forging the foundation of a Demon Emperor. Physical strength, blood and qi quality, recovery ability, and control over demonic power will undergo a fundamental leap. Note: This Cultivation Method is exceptionally domineering; practice with extreme caution.]

Chaos Demon Emperor Scripture! Initial Spirit Platform Opening! Wang Quan's eyes blazed with light. This was it!

"Upgrade Chaos Demon Emperor Scripture to Beginner!"

[Consume 30 Skill Points to upgrade Chaos Demon Emperor Scripture to Beginner (Initial Spirit Platform Opening) Realm? This process will induce chaotic demonic energy to flood the body, causing extreme pain and posing a risk of losing control.]

"Upgrade!"

[Consumed 30 Skill Points... Initiating advancement...]

Remaining Skill Points: 21 points!

The instant the command was issued, Wang Quan felt a chaotic seed deep within his Dantian suddenly explode! It wasn't the warmth or ferocity of past advancements in blood and qi, but a cold, chaotic, yet ancient and noble power, like the first turbid energy at the dawn of creation, forcefully pouring into every corner of his body!

"Urgh--!"

Wang Quan grunted, his veins bulging instantly. Their color changed from the usual blue to a dark, almost black hue, streaked with faint dark gold patterns! Beneath his skin, his muscles writhed and contorted frantically, his bones emitting a bone-chilling creak as if being repeatedly hammered and reshaped by invisible forces!

A more terrifying change occurred within. On the stable and substantial foundation of blood and qi opened by the Profound Yellow Mountain Suppressing Scripture, a blurry, chaotic, seemingly ethereal "space" began to slowly form and open between his chest and abdomen! That was the Spirit Platform!

The moment the Spirit Platform began to open, Wang Quan felt a seismic shift in his senses and spiritual awareness! He could hear faint demonic energy carried on the wind from afar, see the subtle energy flows in the air that were previously imperceptible, and even faintly sense the weak yet vast fluctuations of the earth's veins deep beneath his feet! His control over his own blood and qi, muscles, and bones reached an unprecedented level of micro-management; with a thought, strength obeyed like an extension of his arm, concentrating at a single point or dispersing throughout his body.

And the greatest change was in his physique!

The perfected Profound Yellow Mountain Suppressing Scripture granted him a mountain-like solidity and stability, while the nascent Chaos Demon Emperor Scripture began to transform his physical body towards a non-human, higher level of existence! The toughness of his skin skyrocketed, making ordinary blades likely unable to inflict even a scratch. The density of his muscle fibers was astonishing; a light clench of his fist caused the air to pop. His bones were as white and lustrous as jade, yet gleamed with a metallic sheen, their hardness comparable to a hundred-times refined steel. His blood and qi were heavy and viscous like mercury, flowing with faint sounds of wind and thunder!

This physical strength... had already surpassed the scope of the Soul Sculpting Realm, comparable to those Great Demons of the Core Condensation Realm renowned for their physical prowess! Perhaps even exceeding them! For his current physique was a monstrous body, a fusion of human body-refining essence and the potential of the Chaos Demon Emperor's origin!

Remaining Skill Points: 21 points.

Not enough. To upgrade the Chaos Demon Emperor Scripture from Minor Accomplishment to Perfection would undoubtedly require a massive amount of Skill Points.

Wang Quan slowly opened his eyes. As they opened and closed, a fleeting flash of dark golden chaotic light appeared before vanishing, restoring their usual depth. He gently moved his limbs, his bones cracking like popping beans, an unprecedented sense of power filling his entire body.

He attempted to throw a light punch into the air.

Without using any blood or qi, purely relying on his physical strength.

Whoosh--!

The punch stirred the air, creating a visible white wave of energy that struck the opposite earthen wall with a dull thud, causing dust to rain down.

"Is this... the physique of a Great Demon in the Core Condensation Realm?" Wang Quan murmured, feeling the surging power within him. Combined with the mastery of 'seeing strength' from the perfected Profound Yellow Mountain Suppressing Scripture and the enhanced perception from the nascent Spirit Platform, his actual combat strength had likely reached an immeasurable level.

With a thought, he attempted to circulate the Thousand Forms Transformation Art, mimicking the aura of the Pig Demon leader he had previously slain. It was completed almost instantly, and an aura identical to that of the Spirit Enlightenment Realm Pig Demon emanated from him, flawlessly replicated. With his current cultivation, using this technique would be extremely difficult to detect unless the opponent's realm was far superior or they possessed special detection methods.

His spiritual sense, like an invisible spiderweb, spread outwards as he once again attempted the tracking and omen-sensing functions of the Mysterious Mechanism Tracing Art. The flow of energy and signs of life within a radius of several hundred feet were faintly reflected in his mind. He even felt a vague sense of security and temporary safety regarding the private room he was in.

"21 Skill Points... I need to be frugal with them." Wang Quan retracted all his aura and cultivation method circulation, reverting to his appearance as an ordinary soldier. The surge of power from his breakthrough required time to adapt to. More importantly, he needed more "provisions"—Monster Cores and Skill Points—to fill the bottomless pit that was the Chaos Demon Emperor Scripture.

He pushed open the room door. The sky was already bright. In the courtyard, Lingling was practicing a horse stance with a serious expression, looking quite professional. Wei Dayong squatted nearby, watching with a simple, honest smile. Sister Xu was busy at the stove, with cooking smoke curling upwards.

This brief moment of peace and warmth brought a slight warmth to Wang Quan's heart, but it also made his shoulders feel heavier. Wasn't the purpose of his becoming stronger precisely to protect these glimmers of light and tear apart the darkness that sought to devour them?

"Uncle Wang!" Lingling's eyes lit up when she saw him.

Wang Quan walked over and gently patted the little girl's head. "Keep practicing hard."