The Ancient Cultivator's secret passage was deep and dark, its damp air carrying the scent of earth and ages past. Han Li sat cross-legged on a relatively dry stone platform, a faint, dark halo enveloping him. He was in no hurry to leave. Forcing his power to its limits at the swamp's edge and fighting one battle after another had allowed him to escape, but it had also aggravated his old injuries and consumed a tremendous amount of his spiritual power. With the immediate danger past, he had to recover as quickly as possible to prepare for his coming dealings with the Taizhen Sect-and the unforeseen dangers that were even more likely to arise.
He took out several High-Grade Spirit Stones obtained from the Black Fiend Cult assassins' Storage Bags, held one in each hand, and circulated the Profound Fiend Asura Art at full strength. Pure spiritual power flowed into his meridians like streams, replenishing his depleted dantian and repairing his damaged body. His profound fiend true core rotated slowly, greedily devouring the spiritual energy. Its dim surface gradually regained its radiance, becoming even more concentrated and profound than before.
[Ding! Absorbing pure spiritual power. Recovering from injuries... Cultivation stabilizing... Profound fiend true core refinement +2%...]
The system's notification was cold and efficient. Though his successive life-and-death battles had brought danger at every turn, they had also greatly tempered his will and squeezed out his latent potential. As he cultivated in stillness now, he felt as though he had been broken down and forged anew, hammered a hundred times into steel. His cultivation at the peak of the foundation establishment late stage stabilized completely, and he even faintly touched the invisible barrier leading to great perfection.
Several hours later, Han Li opened his eyes, their depths gleaming with