After their escape, Lei Chen and Qing Yuan fled deeper into the mountains. But they were being hunted. More and more Black Veil disciples were sent after them, each more dangerous than the last.
Lei Chen knew that his current strength wasn't enough. He was nearing the peak of the second sub-stage of the Essence Gathering Stage, but he needed to push further. The battles had taken their toll, and his body was reaching its limit. His War God techniques were powerful, but they drained his essence quickly.
It wasn't long before the two found themselves cornered in a narrow ravine. With nowhere to run, they had no choice but to fight.
The enforcers came at them in waves, their dark qi swirling like a storm. Lei Chen fought fiercely, his body moving on instinct. He struck down one after another, but their numbers seemed endless.
In the heat of the battle, Lei Chen felt something shift within him. His dantian surged with power, the essence within him swirling violently. He was on the verge of a breakthrough—but the timing couldn't have been worse.
A powerful attack struck him in the chest, sending him crashing into the rocky wall of the ravine. Blood trickled from his mouth, but Lei Chen grit his teeth. He couldn't afford to lose now. Not with his father's life on the line.
With a roar, Lei Chen channeled the energy from the battle into his dantian. His qi condensed rapidly, the essence becoming denser and more refined. The barrier to the third sub-stage of the Essence Gathering Stage shattered, flooding his body with power.
The transformation was immediate. His senses sharpened, and his body felt lighter, stronger. Lei Chen unleashed a devastating attack, his fist glowing with golden light as it crashed into the ground, sending shockwaves through the ravine.
The enforcers were thrown back, their bodies crumpling under the force of the attack.
Panting, Lei Chen stood tall. He had broken through—his power had reached a new level.
But this was only the beginning.