Hillman leaned on his longsword, his heavy breathing echoing through the cavern. The final blow that slew the Berserk Bear had drained almost all the battle qi from his body, leaving every limb filled with an indescribable weakness and ache. Yet a scorching wave surged within his chest-a sign that his accumulated battle qi had reached its critical point and was about to break free of its cocoon.
[Ding! Host's accumulated battle qi has reached the required threshold. Mental will is stable, and physical condition is good. Conditions for attempting to break through the barrier have been met!] [Notice: Breaking through the ninth-level peak barrier requires drawing the earth elemental energy of the world into your body. Host is advised to use the Earth's Heart and the Rock Armor Giant Rhino's magic core to improve the chance of success!]
The system's notifications were like a shot of adrenaline, invigorating Hillman. Forcing his aching, weakened body onward, he walked deeper into the cavern and took the fist-sized Earth's Heart, which radiated dense earth elemental energy, and the Rock Armor Giant Rhino's magic core from the system's storage space.
As soon as the two treasures touched his hands, incomparably pure earth elemental energy flowed through his palms into his body, instantly easing his fatigue. Hillman sat cross-legged, placed the Earth's Heart over his dantian, and held the Rock Armor Giant Rhino's magic core in his palm. Then he closed his eyes, held his breath, focused his mind, and began practicing the breakthrough method recorded in the Dragonblood Secret Manual.
"With the earth as the furnace and battle qi as the fuel, temper the sinews and bones, and shatter the barrier!"
Hillman silently recited the formula, and the remaining battle qi in his body slowly burned within his dantian like sparks. Bit by bit, he drew out the energy within the Earth's Heart and the magic core, turning it into trickling streams that merged with his battle qi.
Nourished by the two streams of energy, his initially somewhat thin battle qi rapidly grew dense and weighty, surging through his meridians like a roaring river.
[Ding! Earth elemental energy infusion has begun. Current progress: 10%!] [Increased resilience detected in host's meridians. Tolerable energy intensity increased by 20%!]
As energy continued pouring in, a faint earthen-yellow glow gradually appeared around Hillman's body. He could clearly feel a tremendous power awakening within him. Every limb felt as though it were soaking in warm water, comfortably warm yet carrying a sharpness poised to strike.
Time passed little by little. The earth elemental energy inside the cavern grew increasingly dense, even forming a visible energy vortex around Hillman. The vortex slowly rotated, drawing in an endless stream of earth elemental energy from outside the cavern as well.
[Ding! Energy infusion progress: 50%!] [Warning! The barrier is exceptionally resilient. Energy impacts alone will be insufficient to break through. Host is advised to induce resonance with the pulse of the earth!]
Hillman followed the advice and sank his awareness into the earth. With his intermediate earth affinity talent operating at full strength, his consciousness seemed to become an invisible feeler, reaching a thousand zhang underground and touching that slow, mighty pulse of the earth.
Thump-thump-
It was like the heartbeat of an ancient behemoth, steady and powerful.
Hillman guided the battle qi within his body to match the frequency of the pulse of the earth.
Once, twice, three times...
The instant the two frequencies synchronized completely, an unimaginable force surged from the depths of the earth, pouring into his body through his palm!
Boom!
Hillman's body jolted violently, as though struck by an invisible hammer. His battle qi erupted like a tsunami, battering wildly through his meridians. Wherever it passed, his meridians expanded inch by inch, creaking beneath the strain.
Under the combined assault of battle qi and earth power, a tiny crack finally appeared in the ninth-level peak barrier that had obstructed him for years!
[Ding! A crack has appeared in the barrier! Current progress: 70%!] [Notice: A crack has appeared in the barrier, accelerating energy loss. Host, please concentrate and attack with full force!]
Hillman gritted his teeth, veins bulging on his forehead. Holding nothing back, he drew out all the energy within the Earth's Heart and the magic core. Like two enormous dragons, the two streams of energy circled and merged within his dantian, becoming an even mightier torrent that slammed fiercely into the crack!
Once! Twice! Three times!
With every impact, Hillman's body shook violently, and traces of blood seeped from the corners of his mouth. Yet his gaze grew ever firmer. The obsession within his heart was like an undying flame, sustaining him as he gritted his teeth and persevered.
He remembered Hogg's hopes, the look in Linley's eyes, and the oath he had sworn to protect the Baruch Clan!
"Break!"
Hillman's eyes flew open, and his furious shout resounded through the cavern.
At that moment, the torrent of energy within him condensed into a single point and, like a sword drawn from its sheath, stabbed viciously at the crack in the barrier!
Crack-
A crisp sound rang out in Hillman's mind.
The ninth-level peak barrier that had troubled him for years finally shattered!
[Ding! Congratulations, host! You have successfully broken through the ninth-level peak barrier!] [Battle qi values increased across the board. Current level: half-step Saint-level!] [Rewards received: Meridian resilience permanently increased by 50%, earth affinity talent proficiency +500, new skill unlocked-Earth Cage!] [Earth Cage: Consumes 50 battle qi points to draw upon earth power and form a cage, trapping targets below Saint-level. Duration depends on the target's strength!]
The instant the barrier shattered, a tremendous force swept through his entire body. Hillman floated into the air, the earthen-yellow glow surrounding him flaring until the entire cavern was as bright as day.
His meridians widened severalfold, and his battle qi became more condensed and rich, even faintly carrying a trace of the "intent" unique to the Saint-level.
He slowly opened his eyes, brilliant light shining from them. With a wave of his hand, a concentrated burst of battle qi tore through the air and struck the cavern wall, blasting a crater several feet deep into the rock!
"Half-step Saint-level..."
Hillman murmured, feeling the earthshaking changes within his body as irrepressible elation spread across his face.
His many years of arduous training had finally paid off!
Just then, the system's notification sounded again.
[Ding! Host has broken through to half-step Saint-level. Strength has increased substantially!] [Main quest triggered: Hunt a half-step Saint-level magical beast and condense a Saint-level foundation!] [Quest objective: Hunt one solitary half-step Saint-level magical beast and extract the Saint-level foundation within its body.] [Quest rewards: Saint-level breakthrough success rate increased by 30%, skill acquired: Earth Roar!]
Hillman looked toward the depths of the forest outside the cavern. Mist churned there, and danger lurked on every side, but it also concealed the final threshold on his path to the Saint-level.
He tightened his grip on his longsword, unprecedented resolve gleaming in his eyes.
"A half-step Saint-level magical beast... here I come!"
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