Boom!
The fifth bolt of lightning slammed squarely into Ning Feng's back.
Blue-violet arcs danced wildly across his skin. Ning Feng's body convulsed violently as he gripped the metal pillar with both hands, his fingernails even leaving faint scratches on its surface.
His breathing grew labored, and every breath he exhaled came out as a cloud of scorching white vapor.
But he didn't fall.
Only after the thunderclouds overhead gradually dispersed did Ning Feng slowly release his grip.
"Ugh..."
He looked utterly wretched. His skin was blackened all over, his clothes lay in tatters, and blood seeped from the wounds torn open by the lightning.
With trembling hands, he fished out a pill Vina had given him and swallowed it. Then, his steps unsteady, he made his way out of the formation.
After only two steps, Ning Feng's knees buckled, and he collapsed to the ground, leaning against a rock as he gasped for breath.
At that moment, Chen Lü, Wang Yanfeng, and the others had already stood up in the distance.
Ignoring their own injuries, they stared at the scene before them, their faces full of disbelief.
"The fifth bolt... Junior Brother really held on." Chen Lü wiped the cold sweat from his face, his voice still hoarse.
"He took five bolts on his first body-tempering session? That's incredible." Wang Yanfeng stared at Ning Feng, his eyes filled with shock. "He's far stronger than we were back then."
"Yeah." Chen Lü nodded. "He's even better than Senior Brother Long was."
"I remember when Senior Brother Long tempered his body for the first time. His Soul Power was only around level ten, but he only managed to withstand two bolts."
"If we're judging by the number of bolts endured, then he really did take more than Senior Brother Long."
Vina steadied her breathing and looked at Ning Feng, slumped on the ground. "What a shame Senior Brother Long isn't here lately. If he'd seen this, he'd have been delighted."
"After all, he's finally found himself a true opponent."
The others soon went over to help Ning Feng.
At the same time, two figures stood with their hands behind their backs on a secluded rise in the back hills.
Du Busi's sharp eyes remained fixed on Ning Feng in the formation. Beside him stood a Body Sect elder dressed in gray robes.
After witnessing what had just happened, the elder couldn't help but marvel. He lowered his voice and said, "Sect Master, it seems the Body Sect really has found itself a remarkable Little Monster this time. His willpower and talent are rare even in our sect's history."
At that, Du Busi let out a low laugh. "Hahaha! This boy has a bright future. I have high hopes for him. It's not just his Martial Soul's qualities—his grit is exactly to my liking."
Meanwhile, elsewhere.
With Chen Lü and the others supporting him, Ning Feng soon returned to his lodgings.
Although he had the help of top-grade pills, the Body Sect's cultivation method essentially relied on repeatedly damaging the body to bring out its potential.
Now, the meridians throughout Ning Feng's body ached faintly, and his skin burned. It felt no different from being gravely injured.
But he didn't go straight to sleep. Instead, he endured the pain and sat cross-legged on the stone bed.
He knew this was the best time to grow stronger.
The energy left behind by the lightning was damaging his cells. His task was to keep circulating the Body Secret Art, absorb the remaining lightning elements in his body, and guide the Innate Qi to heal his injuries.
As he circulated the secret art, Ning Feng felt the tingling sensation gradually seep into his bones.
This also tempered his body at an astonishing rate.
Time flew by.
In the blink of an eye, three months had passed.
At that moment, in a secluded patch of woods in the Body Sect's back hills—
"Ha!"
A low shout rang out. Ning Feng had activated Three Heads and Six Arms.
His upper body was bare. His once-fair skin now had a tough, bronze hue, and his muscles were sharply defined.
He drove his strength through his hips and waist, then suddenly punched with one of his six fists.
Bang!
With a muffled crash, the enormous granite boulder before him, three or four meters tall, shattered instantly. Stone fragments flew everywhere.
Ning Feng lowered his fist and let out a long breath, pleased with his progress.
For the past three months, he had trained at high intensity in the Body Sect almost every day.
He could now withstand seven bolts of lightning without batting an eye, and his body was several times tougher than when he had first joined the sect.
More importantly, under such intense strain, his Soul Power Level had successfully risen to level thirty-three.
He was more and more pleased with his decision to join the Body Sect.
And just as Ning Feng was rapidly growing stronger in the Body Sect—
At the other end of the Heaven Dou Empire, inside the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect—
The atmosphere in the Council Hall was oppressive. Ning Shan sat in the seat of honor, gripping a sheepskin scroll tightly in his hand, his face livid.
"Still no news?" Ning Shan slammed his hand on the table, his voice icy. "You still haven't found that rebellious brat?"
The scout kneeling below trembled with fear and didn't dare answer.
Ning Shan's chest heaved with anger. He couldn't understand what Ning Feng was thinking.
In his eyes, Ning Feng was the most talented person the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect had seen in ten thousand years. Yet he had refused Shrek Academy's invitation and even run away from home.
"This is sheer nonsense! He's squandering his talent. Refusing to go to Shrek is the height of irresponsibility—to himself and to the sect!"
Just as Ning Shan was seething with anger, another scout hurried into the hall, holding a letter bearing a special seal.
" Sect Master, a letter from Eldest Miss at Shrek Academy."
Ning Shan took the letter and quickly opened it.
After reading its contents, his expression eased a little.
In her letter, Ning Tian said she had passed the examination and become a core disciple at Shrek Academy. Her teacher had praised her highly.
"At least Tian'er has made something of herself." Ning Shan sighed, a hint of relief in his eyes. "She not only joined Shrek, but became a core disciple, too. If only Ning Feng were half as sensible as his sister."
Holding the letter, Ning Shan pointed to its contents and said to the elders beside him, "Look. With Shrek's help, Tian'er is already at level thirty-one."
"This is the power of Shrek! And she's also made friends with the heirs of many other major powers."
"At this rate, that rebellious brat Ning Feng will be left far behind by his sister."
At the thought, Ning Shan's anger flared up again.
He slapped the letter hard against the table and sternly ordered the scout, "Spread the word. Increase the search for Ning Feng."
"When you find him, make sure to tell him every detail about Ning Tian's life at Shrek. I want to see whether he regrets the decision he made!"
Before you continue