Shi Hao’s mind was serene, detached from the external world, immersed solely in contemplation of the Dao, wandering through the profound and mystical realms within himself!
Seated cross-legged in the golden pool, he focused intently, sensing and comprehending how to sever the Primordial Qi and make it a part of his own body—a crucial step for his Dao Fruit.
Above his head, three Dao Flowers bloomed and withered repeatedly, while two miniature figures flickered in and out of existence. Yet, the Primordial Qi remained unyielding, transforming into intricate patterns that imprinted themselves onto the second being.
At this point, the second figure fell into silence—unable to move, unable to speak, sealed in place like a withered wooden stump.
Shi Hao pondered a way to break this seal. If he could free this miniature being, his combat power would surge dramatically!
This would be a terrifying development. The second being was the embodiment of slaughter, and even the glimpse of its power just now was proof enough of its might.
Moreover, he contemplated how to maximize the enhancement of his current cultivation.
He had yet to enter the “Severing Self” realm, deliberately suppressing his advancement. Yet today, his combat strength was skyrocketing.
This defied logic—his cultivation realm remained unchanged, yet his Dao power was growing, his strength increasing at a terrifying rate.
This was the manifestation of a Dao foundation tempered to its absolute limit, ensuring he would stand unrivaled among his peers!
Since ancient times, those who aspired to dominate the world, swallowing mountains and rivers in their ambition, had similarly suppressed themselves during their growth, pushing their limits to unprecedented heights in certain realms.
In truth, Shi Hao had always walked this path, striving to reach the pinnacle in every cultivation stage—if not surpassing the ancients, at least never falling behind.
And in some realms, he had indeed surpassed the sages of old. For instance, in the Cave Heaven realm, he achieved what was once mere speculation—merging ten Cave Heavens into one, an unprecedented feat!
This time, Shi Hao could have long since ascended to the Severing Self realm, but he had held back precisely for the sake of this extreme combat power—to ensure he would be the strongest!
**Boom!**
In an instant, the space above Shi Hao’s head trembled violently. The three Dao Flowers exploded, transforming into immortal mist, while the two miniature figures vanished, surging into his body along with the ethereal vapor.
Shi Hao sought to capture the Primordial Qi, to separate and restrain it, then refine it.
Yet, to his dismay, the Primordial Qi proved untouchable—unyielding as a scaled-down primordial dragon, bursting with boundless strength, it simply slipped free.
Moreover, the Primordial Qi coiled around a single speck of light. Upon closer inspection, it resembled a miniature immortal domain, within which a tiny figure sat cross-legged, shackled by the Primordial Qi.
Shi Hao sighed. The Primordial Qi was indeed formidable, impossible to subdue.
This time, he had failed. Multiple attempts yielded no results.
**Clang!**
Drawing the Great Luo Immortal Sword, Shi Hao absorbed it into his body, shrinking it to the length of a finger before slashing at the Primordial Qi!
Yet, it remained ineffective. The Primordial Qi now resembled ordinary mist—shifting like clouds, unharmed by any strike.
Worse still, it eventually fused completely with the miniature figure. Any further attempts to sever it would only destroy the second being first.
Shi Hao racked his brain for a solution but found none. The Primordial Qi was untouchable.
**Boom!**
Another tremor shook the space above his head as the three Dao Flowers reappeared, blooming once more. The two miniature figures sat atop them, shrouded in mystery, profound and unfathomable.
This time, Shi Hao raised his left hand, fingers forming a sword seal. With a sharp hiss, a dark-red divine radiance shot from his fingertip—a blade so sharp it could slay gods and immortals.
The surrounding void shattered instantly, pierced through.
Carefully, Shi Hao guided the dark-red light toward the second being, aiming to sever the Primordial Qi.
**Clang!**
Unexpectedly, this time, the clash resembled two immortal swords striking each other—sparks flew, and a terrifying force erupted, shaking the surrounding yellow stones until they cracked.
“Hmm?” Shi Hao was astonished. He had merely tested the waters, never expecting that the essence of the Immortal-Slaying Guillotine could actually affect the Primordial Qi.
**Clang!**
He pressed on, striking again with the dark-red radiance, producing another metallic ring, like the chime of an immortal sword.
Repeated strikes confirmed that the dark-red light could indeed clash with the Primordial Qi—albeit minimally.
Yet, no matter how many times he struck, it only went so far. The Primordial Qi remained unsevered—soft as water at times, harder than immortal metal at others.
“I have no solution left,” Shi Hao admitted helplessly. For now, the Primordial Qi was beyond his grasp.
Perhaps, as the Grand Elder had warned, the Primordial Qi would eventually slay his true body, erasing all his Dao achievements. The signs were already emerging.
At the same time, he understood—if even the essence of the Immortal-Slaying Guillotine couldn’t subdue it, then mastering this Primordial Qi in the future would be an unparalleled opportunity!
Setting aside the Primordial Qi, Shi Hao reflected on his gains and losses.
Regaining the Primordial Qi and nurturing the second being had enhanced his Dao power—his greatest harvest. Yet, the second being, which could have unleashed immense combat strength, was now suppressed by the Primordial Qi.
“Gained, then indirectly lost—a draw, I suppose,” Shi Hao murmured.
Of course, this was ignoring the Primordial Qi’s inherent danger.
“Enough contemplation. Focus on cultivation. If my combat power can no longer be suppressed, I shall advance into the Severing Self realm!”
Seated in the golden pool, he resumed his cultivation, absorbing its mysterious essence to nourish his body and soul.
He believed that a successful breakthrough might even heal the wounds in his Dao foundation. A momentary ascension could trigger the deepest evolution, mending the fractures within!
“Since I primarily cultivate the Ancient Immortal Path, I shall use it as my foundation for this breakthrough!” Shi Hao resolved.
Retrieving the jade scripture, he silently recited its ancient texts. The characters seemed to come alive, flooding his mind and etching themselves onto his skin, forming intricate patterns.
The scriptures of the Immortal Ancient era, left behind by immortal powerhouses, manifested within and around him, their sacred chants deafening and divine.
Shi Hao seemed clad in immortal armor, radiant and resplendent.
Within him, the three strands of immortal Qi dispersed, spreading evenly throughout his body—organs, marrow, every inch of flesh.
Though the Dao Flowers had bloomed, according to the immortal scriptures, they were rootless—destined to wither over time, unable to reach the ultimate peak.
**Rumble!**
The pool began to boil, divine light surging as strands of energy were drawn into Shi Hao’s body, saturating every fiber of his being.
This substance could revive a golden bull—a testament to its immortal origins!
Thus, it could even nourish immortal Qi, a treasure beyond mortal reach. A single drop would drive men to madness.
For years, Shi Hao had searched for something to nurture his immortal Qi. Now, in this ancient pool—where even the Primordial Qi could regenerate—his three strands of immortal Qi thrived.
Now, the three immortal Qi split into countless fine threads, merging with his physique, absorbing the pool’s secret power.
The pool seethed, its most potent essence flooding into Shi Hao, absorbed by the delicate strands of immortal Qi.
**Hum!**
The void trembled, and Shi Hao shuddered as a wondrous transformation unfolded within him.
The dispersed immortal Qi resembled dandelion seeds, drifting through his limbs and bones, taking root in the most suitable “soil,” then flourishing.
For years, Shi Hao had struggled to make his immortal Qi take root fully. Now, like spring arriving, vitality erupted within him, bursting with life.
“This pool is beyond comprehension! It revives the Primordial Qi and nourishes my three immortal Qi, saving me years of effort!”
By his previous pace, this breakthrough would have taken years. The speed now was staggering.
He could scarcely believe it—the three immortal Qi had dissolved into countless seeds, taking root throughout his body, evolving comprehensively.
Within Shi Hao, one region after another awakened—like parched earth blessed with sweet dew, barren lands turning lush.
**Pop!**
Around his organs, the immortal Qi seeds were especially dense, sprouting like seedlings, piercing through his viscera.
His organs were torn, grievously wounded—yet immortal mist swirled, and radiant light swiftly healed them, leaving them more lustrous than before!
This was evolution—his organs fusing with immortal Qi, becoming tougher and more resilient.
**Clang!**
His bones seemed hammered and chiseled, cracks spreading as immortal Qi grew within them.
The pain was fleeting—his bones evolved, reforged stronger than ever!
This was adjustment, metamorphosis—his bones transcending the mortal, glowing faintly, like immortal bones revealing their majesty.
This transformation saved him years of toil, placing him far beyond his peers. To reach the Severing Self realm at his age was unprecedented!
Most crucially, he was walking the path of the extreme—ascending not merely for the sake of advancement, but to become the strongest.
**Boom!**
Like a roaring river or a surging flood, the sound shook the depths of the earth.
Shi Hao’s body underwent further changes—his bones resonating, his marrow glowing as immortal Qi seeds took root and flourished.
His marrow shifted in color—from crimson to silver, then deep violet, azure, and finally dazzling gold.
In the end, as the immortal Qi permeated, the seeds sprouted roots, merging with his marrow, restoring its crimson hue—but now crystalline, like molten ruby, brimming with boundless vitality.
“The legendary Marrow Cleansing—now complete!” Shi Hao’s heart raced.
His marrow had evolved, fully fused with immortal Qi, achieving flawless perfection!
True Marrow Cleansing would affect his entire being. Without a doubt, Shi Hao was undergoing a phoenix-like rebirth—a profound, transcendent metamorphosis!
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