Wu Zheng sat cross-legged in the cave, focusing on his breathing, as the potential-enhancing pills began to take effect. At first, it was subtle—a soft warmth spreading from his dantian to his meridians. It felt almost comforting, like a gentle heat radiating through his body. But soon, the warmth intensified, growing hotter by the second.
The heat surged through his blood, as if his very veins were being flooded with fire. Wu Zheng clenched his fists, his knuckles turning white as the burning sensation spread. His muscles tightened, and his skin began to glisten with sweat. He could feel the heat growing unbearable, each second adding to his agony. His breath came in ragged gasps as his blood felt like it was boiling beneath his skin.
Steam rose from his body, swirling in the air around him like wisps of smoke. The heat continued to rise, filling the cave with a thick, oppressive atmosphere. Wu Zheng gritted his teeth, his jaw tightening as he bit down hard on his lip, the coppery taste of blood filling his mouth. His eyes rolled back in their sockets, his vision swimming in a haze of pain. His entire body was flushed red, glowing with an intense heat that seemed ready to consume him.
The room was filled with the sound of sizzling, his sweat evaporating almost instantly upon leaving his skin. A faint crackling echoed through the cave as his energy surged uncontrollably. His body trembled violently, his muscles twitching under the strain. It felt as if his skin would char and peel away at any moment, leaving only smoldering ash behind.
Just as the unbearable heat reached its peak—when it seemed as though his body would ignite and burn to a crisp—the intensity began to subside. The steam dissipated, the redness in his skin slowly fading away. His muscles relaxed, his breath becoming more even, and the scorching heat gradually cooled. He exhaled, the last remnants of the unbearable warmth leaving his body.
His body, now free from the torment, felt lighter—refined. His meridians were more open, his blood flowing more freely. Wu Zheng sat still, his face flushed but calm, the worst of the ordeal finally behind him.
After taking a few deep breaths, he opened his eyes. His gaze drifted to the system panel that floated in front of him, and he quickly navigated to the potential section.
[Potential: 31%]
A small smile tugged at the corner of his lips. His potential had grown by seven percent—a significant improvement. He allowed himself a moment to relish the progress before he exhaled deeply, the tension leaving his body. He leaned back, closing his eyes for a brief rest, his body still recovering from the intense heat.
A full year passed in seclusion. The world outside moved on, but for Wu Zheng, time was marked by his cultivation. When he opened his eyes again, his body was brimming with power. Rising to his feet, he allowed his aura to spill out, revealing the overwhelming presence of someone at the peak of the 3rd stage of the Foundation Establishment realm.
Wu Zheng activated the Qi Limit technique, and slowly, his aura began to retreat. From the 3rd stage, it dropped to the 2nd, then to the 1st, and finally down to the peak of the 7th stage of Qi Condensation. Satisfied with his control, he opened the system once more, checking the notice board.
There was one significant update: Wu Xuan, after being stuck at the 1st stage of the Golden Core realm for over three decades, had finally broken through to the 2nd stage.
Wu Zheng dismissed the notice and proceeded with his usual post-seclusion routine. He closed the independent space, tidied the original cave, and prepared to head back to Wu Manor. But before meeting his mother and sister, he decided to bathe in the cool, clear waters of the lake, allowing the refreshing sensation to cleanse his body.
As he dried himself and put on a fresh set of clothes, he glanced down at the burning clothes . Another set of clothes had been burned by him .Sighing, Wu Zheng muttered to himself, "I think I'll need more pairs of clothes this time."