Entering the Third Layer

Xiao Yan had barely touched the ancient Storage Ring with his fingertips when he instinctively sent a wisp of Dou Qi into it. The next second, his pupils contracted sharply, and even his breathing stalled for half a beat.

There was not merely "some" Energy Cores inside the Storage Ring. It was packed with densely piled, lustrous spheres of light. Pale silver and light gold halos intertwined and flowed within the ring. Even the lowest-grade ones were Six-Star Energy Cores, while more than a dozen radiating deep blue halos were clearly Eight-Star Energy Cores that he had previously found difficult even to encounter!

In both quantity and quality, they were worlds apart from the meager amount he had painstakingly gathered over half a month.

"This..." Xiao Yan's Adam's apple bobbed as turbulent shock surged through his heart. When he looked up at Xiao Ling and Xun Er, his eyes were filled with astonishment.

He swiftly composed himself, held the Storage Ring in both hands, and solemnly cupped his fists toward them. Bending slightly at the waist, he spoke with undisguised gratitude and resolve. "Thank you, Cousin, and thank you too, Cousin Xun Er! I'll remember this help in my heart."

His fingers tightened around the Storage Ring, his palm warming slightly from the force, while his gaze shone brilliantly.

"Next, I'll definitely find somewhere safe and devote myself fully to refining these Energy Cores. I won't let your kindness go to waste. The next time we meet, I'll surely have broken through my bottleneck. I won't be like I am now, without even the strength to follow you into the third layer. When that time comes, I'll definitely give you a huge surprise!"

Seeing the determination in his eyes, Xun Er nodded gently, a soft smile blooming on her lips.