Li Pingsheng pinched the red bead between two fingers.
The fiery patterns on its surface writhed, scorching his fingers until white smoke rose from them.
Without a second thought, he threw back his head and swallowed the Blazing Fire Python's inner core.
Gu Zhenyue was unfathomably deep, Old Qi had wanted to drag him down with him even as he died, and somewhere in the shadows lurked a mysterious sect that had appeared from who knew where. Countless eyes were fixed on him, the newly appointed Head Disciple of the Inner Courtyard.
The cracks in his meridians, left behind when he had forcibly wielded thunder arts before, could claim his life at any moment.
If he did not mend this battered body of his, he would be dead for certain the next time he encountered a powerful enemy.
The blazing energy of a peak second-rank demon core could burn severed meridians back to life and reconnect them.
As long as he could endure it, his physical strength would rise by a tremendous margin.
Gulp.
The bead rolled down his throat.
It was not a warm current, but a violently erupting mass of magma exploding straight inside his stomach.
Boom.
Disregarding the obstruction of flesh and blood, crimson streams of fire rampaged through his five viscera and six bowels.
His already tattered meridians swelled at once under the force of that searing power.
Dense red patterns, like a net, emerged across his skin.
Nine Heavens Thunder-Controlling Art began circulating on its own under the stimulation of the foreign power.
Purple lightning burst from his Spirit Aperture, transforming into tiny Thunder Swords that crashed headlong into the demon fire racing wildly through his body.
Thunder and fire tangled together.
A pained groan forced its way out of Li Pingsheng's throat.
His teeth