Chapter 103: Breakthrough, 9th level of Mortal Realm! Knowledge Acquisition on the Blood Strengthening Pill’s Origins.

As Yang Wei opened his eyes in the early morning, the first thing he felt was hunger—serious hunger. His stomach grumbled so loudly it actually hurt. "Does body refinement really make the flesh crave food this much?" he asked himself.

It was a different kind of hunger from the usual when he cultivated.

Body refinement seemed to make the human flesh yearn for food to satisfy its hunger, while other cultivation methods, like spirit root cultivation, left the soul starving, only to be satisfied by spiritual food.

"I... I need to eat something!"

Scrambling to his feet, he rushed to the door, and upon opening it, he found Wu Meixiang standing there, unsure whether to enter or not.

"Y... Yang Wei...?!"

Seeing Yang Wei, Wu Meixiang panicked and stumbled backward, almost dropping the tray of food she was carrying.

Reacting quickly, Yang Wei caught her by the waist to prevent her from falling and used his other hand to steady the tray. Looking into Wu Meixiang's eyes, he asked, "Are you okay?"

Her cheeks turned red as she glanced away and stammered, "Y... yes."

Yang Wei let her stand on her own, allowing him to hold the wooden tray with both hands.

Wu Meixiang fanned herself with her hands, trying to hide her embarrassment as best as she could.

Yang Wei eyed the tray containing six wooden bowls all filled to the brim with food. "Is all this for me?" he asked incredulously. His eyes were already greedily wide-open; like a dog who'd just seen a big, juicy bone.

Wu Meixiang nodded, a hint of pink still coloring her cheeks. "Yes, I came by last night, but you were deep in cultivation. So, I figured you'd be hungry once you were done."

"Surprising," Yang Wei mentioned, scratching his head as he held the tray with a hand. "How'd you know when I'd wake up? After all, you were already at the door..."

With a somewhat flustered yet solemn expression. She gently covered her mouth with a hand, "I've been waiting outside your door since sunrise," she confessed in a low voice.

"It refines the body at a profound level. Being a pill that was originally developed by the Blood Emperor after slaying two ancient dragons, he used their blood to create the first eternal Blood Dragon Pool. It is a powerful source of energy that enhances the vitality of blood cells; cultivating near it improves physical endurance and resilience to fatigue, granting nearly infinite stamina."

"The Phoenix Feather Ash facilitates quicker recovery from injuries and wounds."

"The Celestial Jade Elixir fortifies the immune system, providing resistance against various toxins and pathogens."

"The Silver Moon Orchid harmonizes blood composition, ensuring a balanced and refined quality that promotes overall well-being. It also improves spiritual sensitivity."

"The Moonlight Frost Crystal tempers the blood cells, making them as resilient as steel against external influences and attacks. However, since I used a different ingridient, it tempers my blood cells even faster and with better results... even if it does make my body feel like it's being burned alive."

"As ancient and unreachable as it may seem, if one is able to gain entry into the Blood Dragon Pool, they will be able to acquire the Blood Emperor's Medicinal Scroll, a fundamental inheritance of the Blood Emperor Polarity Sect. Using it, one can refine the Blood Dragon Strengthening Pill, which is the truest nature of the Blood Strengthening Pill."

Yang Wei closed the medicinal manual and slid it back into his storage pouch.

"There's hardly any info on the Blood Dragon Strengthening Pill because no one's actually refined one yet, and hunting down that Blood Dragon Pool sounds like a hassle."

Stretching his arms, he let out a big yawn.

Then, with a sudden clap of his hands, he declared, "For now, I'll focus on body refinement. And in between, I'll work on condensing the supreme dragon sword. But first, I'll need to sharpen my spirit-refinement skills before meeting the Senior Dragons. I think I can only spirit-refine things up to three, four times?" He shook his head, "That's no good."

Rubbing his chin in thought, he pondered aloud, "How am I supposed to get back to that Frigid... something place?"

He couldn't bother with the name because it was so long, much like every other name he's heard in since he came into the martial world.

Then, snapping his fingers, he remembered, "Ah, right! If I want to perfect my breakthrough to the Spirit Gathering Realm and also fully comprehend the Profound Black Tortoise Inheritance, I'll need external body refinement techniques too.

While the Blood Strengthening Pill can strengthen the external body, I should still find some techniques to back it up." Rubbing his chin again, but more thoughtfully, he added, "But I'll need to refine more Blood Strengthening Pills first. Good thing I have all the necessary items thanks to my wager with Huo Zirou. Everything should go smoothly from here."

Yang Wei pumped his arms in triumph and exclaimed, "This should be a breeze!"