Chapter 76: Essence Fire Transformation

Chapter 76: Essence Fire Transformation

It was already late March.

After the last body tempering, Meng Yuan struggled to cultivate his Essence Fire, estimating that it would take half a year. But then he obtained the Hundred Herbs Pill due to the matter with Luo Mu, and later gained the Fire Bodhi Fruit, which unexpectedly propelled him to the state of perfection.

Counting with his fingers, it had been less than a month since the last time his Essence Fire reached perfection.

"It is said that a horse doesn't gain weight without night grass, and the same goes for making money. If one dares to take risks and seizes a bit of opportunity, they can turn their fortunes around!"

It was early morning, and after finishing breakfast, Meng Yuan planned to complete the body tempering as soon as possible.

He went to the training ground and called Tie Niu, instructing him, "Stand guard outside and don't let any outsiders disturb me."

Tie Niu was a loyal and honest person. He assumed that Meng Yuan was attempting to break through to the Central Thirty-Three Heavens, so he patted his chest and made a promise.

Meng Yuan returned to his room and sat in meditation for a while.

As his mind emptied, he visualized the essence fire, and it surged within him, already reaching perfection.

With a thought, the essence fire burst forth, splitting into countless fire threads that penetrated his limbs, muscles, and internal organs.

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The endless fire threads entwined within his body, as if they were meticulously grinding his flesh and bones into powder.

His entire body felt torn apart, from the energy core to the internal organs, as if they had been thoroughly cleaned and scrubbed.

The already fully opened Lower Thirty-Three Heavens were turned upside down, expanding even further. The fire threads left deep imprints as they traveled up to the energy core.

Then, the fire threads continued to churn, and the Central Thirty-Three Heavens hidden within the muscles and organs were not spared, as the fire threads lashed and burned them.

The blocked areas that had not been opened up were agitated but not broken through. However, after the previous body tempering, these blocked areas were already like shaky buildings, and now they had become as fragile as paper.

Finally, all the fire threads returned to the energy core, like a wildfire burning through a field, leaving behind scorched earth and overgrown weeds, but also clearing half the field.

At the same time, the energy points seemed to vibrate in a rhythmic pattern.

The Upper, Middle, and Lower Three Heavens were the foundation for warriors, the key to unlocking secrets. When Meng Yuan first entered the Eighth Stage, he felt as if there were giant objects hidden within the energy points, about to break through his body.

This time, he felt the same way, but the giant objects seemed even larger, as if they were lying dormant within the Upper, Middle, and Lower Three Heavens. Once they were unlocked in the future, they would be like beasts released from their cages.

For a moment, Meng Yuan felt this sensation was incredibly subtle, as if he himself had become the heavens that could contain all things.

After an unknown amount of time, the countless fire threads slowly retreated.

The pain throughout his body gradually subsided, except for the headache, which persisted due to the depletion and exhaustion of true energy.

Examining his changes, he found that his energy core was indeed empty, swept clean by the essence fire.

However, the energy core had become more condensed and had grown in size, capable of holding twice as much true energy.

True energy was the foundation of strength, and the more true energy one had, the longer one could endure in battle, and the more fiercely one could fight.

Meng Yuan opened his eyes, and the scent of blood assaulted his nose. His clothes were dry but stuck to his body.

It was evident that during this body tempering, his skin had been scorched by the fire's heat, leaving behind bloodstains that had dried and clung to his body.

There was already water prepared in the room, and Meng Yuan removed his bloodstained clothes and wiped his body clean.

His skin tone was slightly brighter than that of ordinary people, but there weren't any significant changes. However, upon closer inspection, one could see the fine texture.

If one were to pinch and pat his skin, it would feel condensed and solid. His muscles and bones were like cast in bronze and iron, much more resilient than those of the same level.

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Of course, his internal organs and eyes remained his weak points.

Meng Yuan clenched his fist, feeling his strength increase, and he wanted to strike something. He glanced at the bronze mirror, but the thought of the cost made him hesitate.

Recalling how Nie Shifu had punched through a stone lock, Meng Yuan was inspired and decided to test his strength at the training ground later.

Visualizing the essence fire again, it indeed condensed into a single bean-sized flame.

"I wonder how long it will take to cultivate this time. Without pills and spiritual herbs, it might take a year or two."

As he thought this, he brought out the dirty clothes he had changed out of, and the flame slowly extended from his fingertips, only to retract back into his body, as if the clothes were unable to burn.

"Tie Niu?" Meng Yuan clenched his fist and extinguished the flame, calling out, "There's meat pies in the kitchen, bring a few over!"

"Okay!" Tie Niu responded from outside and soon opened the door. Seeing Meng Yuan sitting naked on the ground, he placed the meat pies on the table and said worriedly, "Brother, why do you always practice martial arts in the nude?"

He was thinking far ahead, "What if one day you forget and go to the training ground naked? What would you do then?"

"That's true. I'm usually modest, but going to the training ground like this would embarrass others, wouldn't it?" Meng Yuan nodded.

"Wouldn't it embarrass you? Master Nie's face would also be exposed!" Tie Niu said earnestly.

"I understand." Meng Yuan smiled and nodded, "You go out first and continue helping me guard."

"Okay." Tie Niu was a simple and honest man. He walked to the door, then turned back, "Brother, remember to put on clothes!" After saying this, he quickly closed the door.

"This Tie Niu, what does he think I am?" Meng Yuan smiled, picked up the meat pies from the table, and ate three of them in one go.

However, no nutrient was absorbed by the Essence Fire, indicating that the Essence Fire could no longer nurture in this manner.

Looking at the remaining meat pies in the plate, Meng Yuan reached out his hand.

The tips of his fingers ignited a flame, which quickly climbed onto the meat pies and then covered them completely.

Soon, the entire plate of meat pies turned into ashes. The flame retracted, forming a solid flame again, but only slightly larger.

"Before, I ate food, and the nutrients were retained by the Essence Fire. Now, with a deeper connection to the Essence Fire, I no longer need to rely on eating to nurture it."

"The Essence Fire is so capable that it can now eat on its own."

"But ordinary meat doesn't significantly enhance the Essence Fire."

Meng Yuan took out a small porcelain bottle and poured out the last Hundred Herbs Pill.

A flame ignited at his fingertips and immediately devoured the pill, leaving only a faint trace of smoke.

The Essence Fire did grow slightly stronger, but it was still limited. Of course, it was much better than eating meat pies.

"It seems that from now on, I can only use pills and spiritual herbs to nourish the Essence Fire."

"What if I need to fight demons?"

"Or even humans?"

Meng Yuan pondered, wiped away the ashes from the plate, and called out, "Tie Niu!"

"What's up?" Tie Niu opened the door, "Why aren't you putting on clothes yet?"

Let's not mention the matter of putting on clothes. Meng Yuan remained unclothed and said, "Bring some more food to eat."

Tie Niu was very obedient and immediately brought a basket of steamed buns, about a dozen of them.

"Take your time eating." Tie Niu placed the basket down and quickly went out.

Meng Yuan ate about ten buns and felt full. Previously, with the nourishment of the Essence Fire, he was not interested in meat buns, but now his appetite had suddenly decreased.

After eating and drinking his fill, Meng Yuan continued to sit cross-legged, restoring his true energy.

When he opened his eyes again, it was already afternoon.

The depleted true energy in his energy core had been replenished, returning to a state of abundance.

Meng Yuan discovered that after the third body tempering, there were numerous benefits.

Not to mention the changes in the Essence Fire, but his muscles and skin had become even tougher, allowing him to dominate his peers.

Moreover, his energy core had become broader and more solid, absorbing more true energy. His internal organs, muscles, and limbs were filled with a vibrant vitality, and his true energy recovered extremely fast.

For a moment, Meng Yuan felt an abundance of strength throughout his body.

He put on clean clothes and took off the dirty ones to be burned in the kitchen.

Meng Yuan ate a little more, then went to the courtyard to watch Tie Niu practice the Gale Sword Technique.

"Here I come!" Meng Yuan drew his sword and immediately launched a sneak attack on Tie Niu.

Tie Niu turned to block, and after a brief clash, they engaged in a fierce battle.

Meng Yuan didn't use his full strength, but he still pushed Tie Niu to his limits.

Tie Niu endured for a quarter of an hour, but his sword was knocked out of his hand. Meng Yuan then began to wield his long sword with graceful movements.

The sword's edge cast shadows, and the blade moved up and down. At times, it was like a meteor chasing the moon, and at other times, it was like lightning striking, truly embodying the essence of speed.

Meng Yuan's true energy coursed through his body, and after practicing twice, he felt a response from the Central Thirty-Three Heavens. They trembled as if about to break through the earth.

Meng Yuan had already opened six of the Central Thirty-Three Heavens' energy points, all located within his internal organs, except for the Niuwan Palace at the top of his head.

Seeing the Spirit Foot Full Qi, Meng Yuan sat down, intending to open another energy point.

Previously, when Meng Yuan opened the energy points of the Central Thirty-Three Heavens, it was extremely laborious. He would rub and caress, often engaging in foreplay for an entire night, followed by half a day of teasing, before finally achieving success.

However, after the third body tempering, the energy points had become much wider, and the internal organs and muscles were even more resilient. There was no need to worry about the true energy damaging the internal organs.

Therefore, as the true energy moved, after a brief trial, it stirred up a commotion. Soon, there was a sense of sudden clarity, and the true energy surged, impacting the energy point. The entire body's muscles, internal organs, and limbs felt invigorated, and the opening of the energy point was effortless.

Meng Yuan opened his eyes, Meng Yuan felt that this day was different from the past. Previously, opening an energy point required a lot of time and effort, and the true energy was also consumed.

However, after the third body tempering, the consumption of true energy was reduced, and it was constantly replenished.

Upon opening his eyes, Meng Yuan realized it was only early evening, and only half an hour had passed.

"I still feel like something is missing. I miss the feeling of engaging in prolonged battles, reaching a stalemate, and eventually emerging victorious." Meng Yuan sighed.

(End of Chapter)

Chapter end