Chapter 146: Breakthrough

Chapter 146: Breakthrough

In the dim cave, time quietly passed by.

At this moment, Gu He had clearly forgotten the existence of time.

The dense and intense Phoenix Blood Mist raged like a storm, sweeping towards Gu He and forcefully entering his body.

Boom! At this moment, Gu He was completely enveloped in the blood mist, as if he had turned into a being of blood. Deep, resonating sounds reverberated within his body, and then crimson blood gushed out from every pore on his body.

This blood was not from the Phoenix but Gu He's own essence blood.

The endless blood mist transformed into a raging fire, burning his flesh and bones ferociously.

Two hours had passed, and Gu He was still struggling.

As time went on, the oppressive presence released by the Phoenix's will became stronger, and the thick, sticky blood mist continued to surge toward him, accompanied by the terrifying pressure of the Phoenix.

Facing this formidable pressure, even Gu He's physical body was beginning to struggle.

Gu He's body trembled slightly, and his bones all quivered under the pressure.

Under such pressure, the blood in Gu He's body kept seeping out, even though the quantity was not significant. With the constant burning of the blood fire inside him, it was only a matter of time before his blood would be depleted.

Considering this, Gu He had no choice but to give his all, frantically refining the Phoenix Blood Mist and replenishing it into his own flesh and blood to strengthen his vitality.

Under the pressure of impending death, Gu He tapped into his full potential.

As each burst of blood fire was refined and incorporated into his flesh and blood, Gu He clearly felt that his physical body was being strengthened, both internally and externally. His meridians and bones were reinforced.

With the infusion of this vitality, Gu He felt his nearly depleted life force reinvigorate, becoming even more robust than before.

Amidst the roiling blood energy, thunderous sounds echoed.

As his physical body grew stronger, the Dou Qi flowing through Gu He's limbs and bones became more vigorous, rushing like a torrent. Finally, it poured into Gu He's Dou Crystal, infusing him with exceptionally potent power.

Feeling the changes in his physical body and cultivation, Gu He was filled with excitement, knowing that his efforts were paying off.

"In a short time, I've achieved results equivalent to half a month of cultivation."

"Most importantly, my physical body has been strengthened in various parts by the Phoenix Blood Mist."

A satisfied smile appeared on Gu He's face, but his heart remained calm.

Calm as water, Gu He focused on refining the surrounding blood mist and endured the excruciating pain within his body.

Gu He knew that he had to endure this pain, just like a butterfly breaking free from its cocoon, enduring the pain of shedding its wings.

Crack... crack...

Inside the cave, the faint sound of bones cracking continued, sending shivers down one's spine.

However, even in this state, Gu He remained as calm as a monk in meditation, quietly sitting on the ground. A sharp, fierce fluctuation emanated from his body.

His body had transformed into a sea of flames, devouring his flesh as if it would turn it into ashes. In this sea of flames, an endless purple fire raged.

At this point, Gu He had pushed his own Divine Fire to the limit.

Under Gu He's control, his Divine Fire surged through his limbs and bones, refining the blood fire that entered his body, turning it into pure blood energy, which flowed into his flesh and bones. The aura exuding from Gu He became even more terrifying and fierce.

He appeared like an erupting volcano, ready to explode at any moment.

"Fortunately, using Divine Fire Technique at high intensity for an extended period has deepened my mastery of it."

"Now that my physical body has been tempered by the Phoenix Blood Mist, it's time to break through."

Feeling the violent power surging within him, Gu He's eyes lit up. But soon, his satisfied smile turned into a serious expression. Just a short moment later, the overwhelming pressure from the Phoenix's will struck again.

If it weren't for Gu He's body breaking through once more, he would have been overwhelmed by this sudden surge of pressure, no matter how strong his will was.

Therefore, Gu He didn't have time to fully comprehend the changes in his strength. He immediately continued to refine the Phoenix Blood Essence within his body, racing against time.

Sensing the Phoenix Blood Essence surging within him, Gu He's mouth curled into a satisfied smile, skillfully controlling his Divine Fire to break down the refined blood essence and integrate it into his flesh and bones. The excruciating pain once again overwhelmed his nerves.

In the silent cave, a few Moonlight Stones emitted a crimson glow, covering Gu He once more.

At this moment, Gu He had once again immersed himself in relentless cultivation, especially now that he had resolved all his worries. He cultivated even more recklessly.

Time passed swiftly in the quiet cave, and the fluctuations of energy emanating from Gu He gradually increased. Both his cultivation and physical strength were rising at an extremely terrifying speed.

"I can make a breakthrough again... My physical strength and cultivation have already reached the limit."

Feeling the surging power within him, Gu He knew it was time for another breakthrough. His hand seals changed, and a tremendous tearing force spread from his body, causing the surrounding Phoenix Blood Mist to rush into him.

Boom... boom...

The violent power erupted within Gu He, tearing through his meridians and flesh, and even though he had prepared for this, the excruciating pain was too much for him to bear. His low growls sounded inhuman, almost like a beast's.

An indescribable agony swept over his entire body, making it feel like his muscles, bones, blood, and even his cells were burning. The energy from the Phoenix Blood Mist had thoroughly merged, gradually making Gu He's physical body stronger.

Although the process was not fast, Gu He could still feel the changes in himself. This undoubtedly greatly inspired Gu He, who gritted his teeth and fervently tempered his own physical body.

Half an hour later, a resounding roar echoed from within Gu He's body. His flesh burst into a crimson glow, and a dreadful aura surged from within him. The blood scales on his body fell off one by one, revealing his fair skin as if it were jade.

Gu He's eyes suddenly opened, despite the lingering intense pain inside him. A faint smile appeared on his lips.

Gu He murmured to himself, "My physical body has finally broken through again... This kind of power is truly intoxicating. Now, it's time to work on my cultivation."

With this thought, Gu He closed his eyes once more and tightly pursed his lips. His handsome face appeared particularly sharp and cold at this moment, as if it were a sharpened blade. His hands came together once again as he activated the Divine Fire Technique.

"Break for me..."

A low growl emanated from Gu He's mouth, and the surrounding blood mist once again gathered and surged into his body.

Rumble...

As soon as these divine Phoenix blood mists entered Gu He's body, they immediately turned into flames.

In an instant, it seemed as if a raging firestorm erupted within Gu He's body, violently burning his physical form.

However, this pain was no longer unbearable for Gu He.

Caw...

At this moment, the entrance to the cave was empty; Xiao Jin had already left.

When the blood mist extended towards the cave entrance and Xiao Jin felt a great threat, it had left the entrance.

Currently, it was not far away, and its golden eyes were fixed on the direction of the cave.

When it saw the blood mist gradually dissipate inside, it turned into a golden light and flew toward the cave.

Just as Gu He was walking out of the cave, he saw Xiao Jin landing in front of him.

"Master, are you alright?"

Upon seeing Gu He, Xiao Jin's young voice carried a hint of concern.

Gu He shook his head and said, "I'm fine. Let's go; we're returning to the sect."

Then, Gu He rode on Xiao Jin's back, and they quickly returned to the base of the Cloud Mist Sect.

Gu He's thoughts activated the "Near and Far, the Ends of the Earth" technique, and the next moment, he appeared directly in the courtyard.

In the courtyard, two young women and a little girl were sitting in a pavilion, chatting. The sudden appearance of a figure immediately caught the attention of the three people.

Once they saw the person's face, they exclaimed in delight.

"Teacher!"

"It's the teacher!"

"You're out of seclusion!"

Upon seeing Gu He, Xiao Yi Xian and Qing Lin excitedly ran over.

Nalan Yanran followed a step behind, hesitated for a moment, and then came forward to stand in front of Gu He, calling out, "Teacher!"

As Gu He landed, he sensed the presence of the three people. He was not surprised and smiled, saying, "You're all here."

"I've been in seclusion for these days. Have you been diligent in your cultivation?" Gu He asked with a smile.

Upon hearing this, Xiao Yi Xian and Qing Lin shook their heads, saying, "Teacher, we haven't been slacking off."

Nalan Yanran hesitated for a moment and then said, "No."

Gu He smiled and then turned his gaze to Nalan Yanran, speaking gently, "Yanran, you've come at the right time. Last time, I still owe you two welcome gifts, right? You were taken away by the sect leader. This time, I can make it up to you."

Nalan Yanran was momentarily stunned, and then she expressed some pleasant surprise, saying, "Thank you, Teacher."

During this period, Nalan Yanran had practically been running to this courtyard every day.

She was already familiar with Xiao Yi Xian, and she had become even more acquainted with Qing Lin during this time. The once timid girl now recognized her as her senior sister and could communicate normally with her at least in her presence.

From Xiao Yi Xian and Qing Lin, Nalan Yanran had learned that when their teacher accepted disciples, he would bestow three welcome gifts as part of their sect's tradition, just as Xiao Yi Xian and Qing Lin had received when they joined.

This made Nalan Yanran suddenly think about herself.

That day, it seemed like her teacher only gave her one welcome gift.

Then she thought about the scene where Yun Yun had hurriedly taken her away, and she suddenly felt regret.

Her teacher must have taken her away directly, which meant that Gu He hadn't had the chance to give her the two remaining welcome gifts.

This made Nalan Yanran feel a sense of helplessness.

It wasn't that Nalan Yanran was envious of the treasures in Gu He's hands.

It was just that, from Xiao Yi Xian, Nalan Yanran had learned that her teacher's tradition of giving gifts always included a transmission of energy through a ritual.

After completing the ritual, Xiao Yi Xian's cultivation would undergo a significant increase.

Combined with the information revealed by Liu Ling about how Xiao Yi Xian's and Qing Lin's cultivations had skyrocketed, Nalan Yanran immediately deduced that it was due to this transmission ritual performed by her teacher.

Thinking about this, Nalan Yanran felt even more regretful.

Because she felt like she had missed an opportunity to significantly boost her own cultivation.

Although her junior sister reassured her that in the future, her teacher would provide her with three rewards every month, and among those rewards, there would be a transmission ritual, Nalan Yanran still felt a sense of loss.

People who practice cultivation are most eager to make breakthroughs in their strength.

Having missed such a great opportunity, Nalan Yanran couldn't help but feel uneasy.

But what she didn't expect was that when her teacher appeared, he gave her a pleasant surprise.

He actually wanted to make up for the two remaining welcome gifts.

At this moment, Nalan Yanran felt extremely excited, and she truly wanted to shout, "Long live the teacher!"

But when she looked at Xiao Yi Xian and Qing Lin, who were standing there with wide eyes, full of curiosity, she wanted to maintain her image as their senior sister. She chose to remain silent, but the excitement in her eyes was impossible to conceal.

Gu He looked at Xiao Yi Xian and Qing Lin, who were standing there with wide eyes, full of curiosity, and said, "Alright, the two of you go back to practice."

"Okay."

With a trace of disappointment in their eyes, Xiao Yi Xian and Qing Lin returned to their own rooms.

Gu He then turned his gaze to Nalan Yanran and said gently, "Yanran, sit in front of me."

(End of this chapter)

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