At this moment, Nie Feng was entirely immersed in a profoundly mystical state, as though he were soaking in a warm spring.
The violent spiritual energy had been guided into the qi vortex within his dantian, where it was refined and absorbed, causing the vortex to grow in size and power. Originally the size of a child's fist, the vortex had expanded to the size of an adult's fist after sustained refinement.
Just as Nie Feng marveled at the vortex's growth, his vision abruptly went black. When he opened his eyes again, he was shocked to find himself floating above the stone chamber. Below him lay his body, still wrapped in the black, tar-like impurities expelled during his breakthrough.
"What... what's going on?" Nie Feng stared in disbelief at his translucent, slightly ethereal hands and the body lying below him.
Unbeknownst to him, the excruciating pain he endured during the tempering process had elevated his spiritual awareness to a new level, inadvertently causing his soul to leave his body. This rare phenomenon was not something just anyone could achieve; it was a testament to Nie Feng's exceptional resilience and the unique strength of his soul.
As shock and disbelief disrupted his serene state, Nie Feng's soul abruptly returned to his body. Opening his eyes, he felt a surge of excitement as he sensed the vortex within him now fully formed.
The completion of this vortex marked a critical milestone—the transition to the Body Tempering Stage. Before this stage, qi remained in a gaseous, chaotic form that was difficult to fully utilize. But once condensed into a vortex, qi could flow more efficiently and absorb additional spiritual energy, unlocking the potential for further growth.
With a faint cracking sound, the layer of impurities on Nie Feng's body began to fracture. The cracks spread quickly, and with a shattering noise, the blackened shell fell away.
A radiant glint flashed from Nie Feng's eyes as he opened them. Though he reeked of the expelled impurities, his excitement was undiminished.
He tested his newfound strength with a casual punch into the air. The power behind it sent ripples through the space in front of him, leaving him astonished at the raw strength coursing through his body.
After marveling at his breakthrough for a moment, Nie Feng frowned, finally noticing the stench emanating from him. Without hesitation, he pushed open the wooden door of his chamber, planning to clean himself.
"Whoa! What's that smell? Oh, it's you, the crazy guy! Wait... you've reached the Body Tempering Stage?"
The voice belonged to Dongfang Zhou, a fellow Shadow Sect disciple. Nie Feng recognized him as one of the eight disciples of similar rank within the sect. Dongfang Zhou, at just seventeen years old, had already reached the third tier of the Body Tempering Stage.
"Do you need something?" Nie Feng asked coolly.
"Hey, don't be so cold all the time. There aren't many of us in the Shadow Sect. If you stay this aloof, you won't make any friends. And by the way, respect for seniors is a big deal here," Dongfang Zhou said with a grin as he stepped closer.
With a sudden movement, Dongfang Zhou raised his hand and aimed a forceful slap at Nie Feng's shoulder. The palm strike carried enough force to shatter bones, making it clear he wasn't merely joking.
Nie Feng's eyes flashed with cold light. Clenching his left fist, he delivered a sharp uppercut to meet Dongfang Zhou's descending palm.
Bang!
Fist and palm collided, sending shockwaves rippling outward. Both combatants staggered back, but Nie Feng quickly launched another punch. Dongfang Zhou blocked it, and the ensuing clash forced them both to retreat again.
"You're joking, right? Are you really only at the first tier of Body Tempering? How can you hit that hard?" Dongfang Zhou exclaimed, shaking his tingling hand. His attempt to intimidate Nie Feng had clearly backfired.
But Nie Feng wasn't about to stop. With a sudden burst of speed, he closed the distance between them, forcing Dongfang Zhou to activate his defensive aura—a faint red glow enveloping his body. Nie Feng did the same, but his aura was noticeably weaker.
The two exchanged a flurry of punches and kicks, each strike accompanied by booming impacts and rippling waves of energy. Although Nie Feng's control over his newfound power was still limited, his combat instincts made up for his lack of experience.
After several rounds, Nie Feng began to falter under Dongfang Zhou's superior skill and strength. Finally, Dongfang Zhou landed a solid kick, sending Nie Feng skidding backward.
Seeing Dongfang Zhou close in for a follow-up attack, Nie Feng kicked up a handful of dirt from the ground, temporarily blinding his opponent. Seizing the opening, he unleashed a qi-infused uppercut that struck Dongfang Zhou squarely in the stomach.
"Ugh!" Dongfang Zhou doubled over, clutching his abdomen. Although Nie Feng's strike hadn't pierced his defenses, the sheer force left him nauseated.
"You... you fight dirty!" Dongfang Zhou spat angrily.
"Dirty?" Nie Feng scoffed. "In a life-and-death fight, the only rule is survival. If this were a real battle, you'd already be dead. Spare me your nonsense about honor and fairness."
A thunderous voice suddenly echoed through the courtyard.
"Nie Feng is right. In the Shadow Sect, survival trumps all else. Honor and fairness? Those are luxuries for the weak."
Everyone turned to see Elder Huo, accompanied by a stunning young woman in black. The girl's appearance immediately drew attention—her elegant figure, striking features, and a mysterious blend of purity and seduction made her impossible to ignore.
"Elder Huo..." Dongfang Zhou muttered, lowering his head in deference.
"As for you, Nie Feng," Elder Huo said, "challenging a third-tier disciple right after reaching the first tier shows both courage and recklessness. Come with me—I have questions for you."
Nie Feng bowed respectfully and followed Elder Huo.
Before leaving, Elder Huo addressed the young woman. "Ling'er, we'll discuss that matter later. For now, I have business to attend to."
The girl pouted but nodded, watching Elder Huo and Nie Feng vanish in a flash of light.
Elder Huo led Nie Feng to a spacious chamber adorned with elegant calligraphy and two massive crossed swords mounted on the wall, their presence adding a hint of menace to the otherwise refined room.
Seating himself in a stone chair draped with beast pelts, Elder Huo studied Nie Feng intently.
"Nie Feng, have you ever consumed any rare herbs or treasures that might aid in refining your body?"
"Rare treasures?" Nie Feng repeated, puzzled.
"I witnessed your breakthrough," Elder Huo explained. "The amount of impurities you expelled was extraordinary—far beyond what's typical. Most practitioners expel enough to fill a fist, or at most a head-sized amount. But you... your impurities formed an entire shell around you. Such a phenomenon suggests your body has undergone an unusual form of tempering, possibly from some rare, long-term exposure to medicinal energy."
Nie Feng frowned, deep in thought. He couldn't recall encountering anything that might explain this anomaly. Could it be related to his transmigration?