Leroy spent days cutting them open and letting the blood pool onto the ground into the paths carved. Keeping the blood viable this entire time was the easiest part after making adjustments to the Formation thanks to Long Fei.
The young man had straight up told Leroy he would do everything he can to help him as long as he helped repair his Spiritual Root. Which had planned on doing over the next few months but after hearing that and the help he gave him a Cold Stone with two layers of Inscriptions with the Core Qi inside and the Insights of reshaping the Body but specifically on the Spiritual Root itself.
Leroy then placed a few Qi Stones of various types in key locations. Charlotte had provided a few she was saving for when her Spiritual Root would be healed and use it to boost her Cultivation with it. Unlike Long Fei she signed a Contract that would harm Leroy's or her own Cultivation if they went against the terms agreed. He fixes her no matter what and she never speaks a word on the matter itself on how. She was given the same Inscription Pattern Stone as Long Fei but it also had the pattern of the Amp Flower potion inside.
Oddly enough, all the stones had traces of blood on them as well that he got from her. So they were not recovered in a nice way. Considering the young lady's family ties and looks he could imagine what happened.
"That is a lot of blood..." Tang Xui had excused herself from the others who were already cultivating inside after helping in the beginning in various ways. She was not expecting to come out and see this though after she healed completely. 'A lot of different low-level Inscription Patterns. Who knew he was interested in such an Occupation so deeply? Thought he was going the way of a Doctor for the most part?'
If she only knew a lot of them were copied from various images he found during the Tests she might have stopped him from whatever this was. Not to mention a few from texts he transcribed that the Clear Tang Family used.
Leroy pulled out more Demon Beasts and bled them out after making a trip to the market. He hawked wares with the help of everyone taking a little of his stash to prevent trouble from coming his way. Once done he did not dispose of them at all. The bodies were scooped up and put back up after the Inscription Pattern and Formations pulled the Blood and Qi remnants out. He then tossed them into the Flame Vortex Core, nothing would be wasted.
That was a given. It was a good thing most just assumed he was tossing stuff into the various Storage Pouches on his waist.
As the smell of blood gathered up again, Tang Bo made himself scarce. He would rather wait until the results were finished before asking any more about what was going on. Besides, he needed to go and see someone. He even took Xiao Mei along to help with the situation after she stopped by.
Tang Xui was impressed as her cousin was a bit of an idiot before and during the Test. Now his actions during the final portion of the Test had improved his reputation and his standing in the Clear Tang Family's younger generation.
"I know a few of these, mind if I help further?"
"Sure, could definitely use it." Leroy was no fool and understood the haphazard connections of just linking the Inscription Patterns together might do more harm than good but nothing ventured nothing gained. "If I survive the process you can go next. Also, need to do a checkup to see your overall condition after.. well you know."
"Haha.. I don't know about that." Tang Xui chuckle out of politeness but she was not willing to undergo a weird medical procedure yet again. Not this soon anyway. "Have you checked on Victoria or Chu Xue?"
Leroy shook no and kept his focus on the outer Inscription Patterns as they were meant to gather Qi that would be infused with the Air. Literally, the chemical composition of oxygen to test a medical theory imitating an Oxygen Chamber.
The moment he finished he went to get a few pieces of wood for burning and also laced the outside with Magnesium. A quick look to make sure the Inscription that facilitated the Oxygen would hold and he was set.
"Preparations complete." Leroy moved on to the next task. He sat in the pool of blood that basically pooled into the center and then cut a few marks on his body. The Metal Seed in his chest started shining. The iron found in the Demon Beasts blood started to leave the pool and entered it. Attaching to the center like a human network system. "Forgot something so simple. As for the blood that remains, I just need the plasma energy mixed in. Even that can be used I bet."
*Woosh!* The blood started to swirl around the courtyard. Scaring the living daylights of Tang Xui who ran inside and peeked out from a windowsill. Saiori and Long Fei peeked out as well but immediately stopped after the smell hit them.
The iron and minerals continued to enter the Metal Seed despite the difference in size and volume. Blood entered the cuts on his body but the plasma moved into the Flame Vortex Core.
While his body underwent this process, Leroy started circulating the Spatial Sense.
"Can't put it off anymore." Leroy muttered as he felt the Flame Vortex Core spin under the guidance of the Spatial Sense and himself. Almost hungrily so with unfeathered anticipation. As if it had been waiting for him to take the step for days once more. "Hell of a lot faster than last time!" The same as before he was yanked inside the center of the vortex.
But this time his skin didn't just peel off. A small film of snow particles blotched up. A sick feeling bubbled in his stomach. As the flames rose and spun more, lighting sparks glittered everywhere and he became aware of a new level of pain as bioelectricity kicked up another notch.
*Fwish! Fwish!* Both Alchemist Flames were pulled out as he needed to test the Concealment Inscription he placed on the outside of the Courtyard perimeter. As for if it showed any difference to anyone really he would ask Tang Xui if she noticed anything.
The Cold from the produced snow fought against the Fire and Lighting the same as when he was in the cave. But the fire dominated the battle in minutes as it built in intensity. The Magnesium burned brightly in the courtyard. Once the Cold Qi was gone, his soul body burned away faster.
The center of his chest fought back under the assault of the fire. Instead of melting, it increased in durability instead. As well as spreading a little further out. A metal line in the four cardinal directions stuck out.
*Shine!* The full formation lit up with all its connections points holding. In a burning flash that lit up the courtyard even in the daytime, Leroy's body burned away as the Qi hit away every trace and molecule with the various Demon Beast Blood mixed in with the Flame Vortex Core.
The spirit of the Old Tiger shared everything with the majority half of itself as a decision was made after watching him the last few days. It jumped into the Flame Vortex and offered itself up to the Champion. Its spirit condensing into what was known as "Spiritual Blood" changed the process even further.
As the formation burned with power and drew attention, a powerful figure the same as the one that attacked Leroy's soul during the Test watched on with some difficulty. Despite his cultivation level, he couldn't peak into what was going on.
*Crackle!* The sky darkened overhead as Tribulation Clouds gathered around. Someone was doing something that Challenged the "Greay Way of Qi" in various ways. However with Leroy's preparation and the fact one didn't really face Tribulation until the Nascent Soul Realm or certain attainments with a technique it was more of a testing strike.
With a wave of the hand of the watching figure, the event was limited to just the Akademy. The Principal eyes lit up as he looked at the exhausted body of his student Bai Xing. He was young and showing great promise, it was best he helped steer his newest disciple on with whatever methods Leroy was using.
*Bzzzzzzttt!* A golden lightthat reshaped into Lighting Bolt shot out of the sky and struck the Metal Seed that floated detached from the destroyed body. As it was an attractor and already used as a way for Leroy to gather lighting it was not as painful as it could be. A good portion of the blood burned away that was inferior but the good was more than bad.
Golden Blood turned to blue white blood that branched out. The vigorous energy had Tang Xui swallowing her saliva. She could feel it from here that Leroy broke through but she could only relate it to the Body Tempering Realm in a way.
Of course, Leroy had no way of knowing this as he fought to refine his body from the ground up. Every bit of knowledge and ghost memories of what was thrown into the Flame Vortex Core helped make up the new body that formed.
Getting away from a various troublesome chance of a blood test done on him if the Black Tiger-fire snooped around. He was literally rebuilt from the ground up. Unknowingly putting him back on the Radar of a Teacher that was interested in him.
.
A few Days Later-
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Leroy finally stirred awake after his rebuild. He was in his bed with someone not too far from the side. Tang Xui gave a wain smile as she was surprised he survived whatever it was he did. As the Inscription and Formation had burned away she couldn't get close and even Vice-Principal Jin Leroy's teacher couldn't enter it at first.
Once it settled down the old man had swept away the entire Courtyard and had Tang Xui promise never to speak a word. Of course, she agreed since the Old Jin had done right by her and the others recently.
She had taken a little of the burning soil. Gaining severe burns in the process, but it was worth it. Her interest in Alchemy was not that high but Tang Xuan and Leroy both were as far as she remembered. So they must get it.
"You finally woke up." Tang Xui poked Tang Bo who was knocked out sleeping with Xiao Mei who drooled on his shoulder.
"Ugghh." Leroy groaned a little as he was a little disoriented. Blinking a few times, he woke up with a start. Eyes darting around wildly and ears slightly ringing. His hearing had improved by a large margin and he needed to gain control. "My Body.. feels really strong and sensitive."
"You are awake finally!"
"Yes, now calm down. I take it you took care of me during this time?"
"Yup, well we took turns. But man was you out like a light." Tang Xui nodded happily that he was at least awake. "After the first day, I left the same as everyone else. Imagine my surprise when I returned and the backyard was still burning with an intense blue-white flame! Everything else was burned away by the heat in your courtyard, including your clothes."
Her cheeks were a little red but it was hard to tell from the tan she sported. Not the most proper thing but not like he knew that would happen.
"I see." Leroy thought it was funny really but didn't let it show. 'At least the Akademy is safe enough that no one tried to kill me. A very dangerous gamble that was. Well besides the experimental formation as well.'
Taking out a piece of paper, he started to write corrections to the Formation and Inscriptions he used. Lots of information on how to improve everything he used already and what was going with him.
"How do you feel?" Tang Bo was very interested in the results.