The pain I experienced surpassed even the agony of losing my arm. It seared within me, relentless and unyielding. All my focus was channeled into absorbing the immense Qi contained within the demonic core, desperately striving to ascend to the next stage of cultivation.
To achieve this, I relied on my practice of the Spiritual Soul Fusion cultivation art, which I had acquired from the secret cultivator cave beneath my farm. I had no certainty whether the Qi within the demonic core would be sufficient to establish my Foundation or if it would potentially inflict internal damage. Regardless, I had to take the risk and make the attempt.
The monkey turned to face me, its gaze locking onto my eyes. Sensing the surging power radiating from my body, the monkey retreated a few steps, positioning itself outside the cave. It recognized the burgeoning strength as that of a superior realm and instinctively distanced itself.
Aware that there were no Foundation Establishment cultivators or beasts in the immediate vicinity, as it was the outskirts of the Dark Wood Forest, the monkey's decision to maintain distance was understandable.
As time passed, the excruciating pain that had assailed me, threatening my very existence, began to subside. Though still present, it became bearable, diminishing gradually with each absorbed strand of Qi from the demonic core.
At a crucial juncture, I faced a dilemma. I sensed that the quantity of Qi contained within the core would be sufficient to propel one of my Dantians to the Foundation realm. Considering this, I made the decision to focus on my primary Dantian.
While the secondary Dantian I had acquired through fusing with Big T granted me various abilities and possessed a degree of superiority, I recognized the importance of increasing my primary cultivation level. It would enable me to continue merging with more creatures, such as the Golden Dragon Carp, and unlock their potential.
Moreover, my primary Dantian held the rare attribute of lightning element—a valuable and sought-after trait. However, my cultivation talent remained lacking, and cultivating the lightning element proved to be challenging. This likely explained why the previous owner of my body had remained trapped within the low levels of Qi Condensation.
With my determination firmly set, I began absorbing the Qi from the demonic core exclusively through my primary Dantian. It became a state of secluded meditation, where time seemed to slow down, and my focus was solely on harnessing the immense power within.
The duration of my cultivation session remained unknown to me, but I estimated that it took several months to fully assimilate the essence of the demonic core. When I finally opened my eyes, I realized that my power had surpassed the limits of the Qi Condensation realm.
A palpable aura radiated from my body, instilling fear in the monkey that resided near my cave. It trembled in the face of my overwhelming presence, bowing down with its head lowered. I was certain that all the nearby beasts and cultivators could sense the surge of power emanating from me.
Rising from the ground, I clenched my fists, acutely aware of the newfound potency coursing through my being. It was a stark contrast to my previous state, akin to comparing heaven and earth, as often described in the novels I had read.
The sensation of such power was alien to me prior to my arrival in this cultivation world. Despite my desire for a peaceful life, tending to my farm and perhaps finding a partner in the future, I knew that challenges and troubles would continue to find their way to me. Therefore, attaining greater power had become a necessity.
Reaching the Foundation Establishment realm marked my first stride toward greatness, and I was well aware that few young cultivators achieved such a feat.
"Will I become the youngest elder in the sect? Hehe, I can hardly wait," I murmured to myself, envisioning the future that awaited me.
Despite the exact duration of my cultivation remaining unknown, it was certainly less than a year, ensuring my eligibility for the Elder test. With that in mind, I was preparing to depart when I suddenly felt a strange sensation—a beckoning from within my Spatial Pouch.
Curiosity piqued, I opened the pouch to investigate. To my surprise, the Golden Dragon Carp emerged from its depths. The majestic creature floated before my eyes, its presence awe-inspiring.
It was at that moment I realized that the Golden Dragon Carp was not a living being in the conventional sense; it appeared more like a spiritual entity. Without any conscious effort on my part, it flew toward the frog tattoo adorning my chest, seemingly driven by an inherent connection.
"Wait!" I exclaimed, taken aback by this unexpected development.
In response, the green frog tattoo on my chest transformed into a radiant golden hue, and a surge of Qi flowed into my body. It differed from the Qi derived from the demonic core. While the core's energy was turbulent and agonizing, akin to tumultuous ocean waves, the Qi from the Golden Dragon Carp was serene and tranquil, reminiscent of a calm lake, evoking a pleasant sensation.
What astonished me further was that the Qi dispersed into both of my Dantians, albeit with a greater emphasis on my second one. Remarkably, within a mere ten minutes, I achieved the Foundation realm cultivation in my second Dantian.
The power within me had now doubled, surpassing that of an average cultivator. Furthermore, when I activated my tattoo to manifest the spiritual form of Big T, I noticed a remarkable transformation. He resembled a fusion of a frog and a lizard, significantly larger than before, adorned with resplendent golden scales. It seemed that the effect of the Golden Dragon Carp extended to all my tattoos.
Most astonishingly, this enhancement significantly bolstered my healing capabilities. I could sense my injured arm gradually improving. Although the recovery was not instantaneous, if the healing progress continued at this rate, the restoration of my arm was no longer an unattainable dream.
Everything unfolded according to plan, and it was time for me to assume the role of an Elder within the sect, compelling those weak Qi Condensation cultivators to work diligently under my guidance.