Lu Fan easily advanced to Level 1 Mid-grade Body Tempering. His previous martial arts training had already strengthened his physique, allowing him to start at Level 1 Low-grade Body Tempering. Now, with Sky Thunder Refinement, his progress was rapid.
As he continued, he noticed that body tempering consumed large amounts of nutrients. His muscles and bones needed constant repair and reinforcement. Ordinary food wouldn't be enough.
"If I want to keep up this pace, I need something stronger."
After some thought, he visited a beast meat vendor in Lianhua City.
Inside a dimly lit shop, an old man sat behind the counter, casually sharpening a bone dagger. The place smelled of dried blood and roasting meat. Large slabs of preserved spirit beast meat hung from iron hooks, each labeled with its grade and price.
Lu Fan approached the counter and spoke in a calm tone.
"I need Level 2 low-grade beast meat. Do you have anything fresh?"
The shopkeeper glanced up, his sharp eyes assessing Lu Fan.
"Level 2, huh? That's not cheap, young man. Most people stick to Level 1 meat."
Lu Fan simply placed ten spirit stones on the counter.
"I'll take the best cut you have."
The old man raised an eyebrow but didn't ask questions. He pulled out a large slab of Scarlet Horned Boar meat, its surface still faintly glowing with lingering spirit energy.
"This will do. Scarlet Horned Boar is rich in blood essence. Good for body tempering."
Lu Fan nodded and stored the meat in his spatial ring before leaving.
The Training Continues
Back at his residence, he immediately began cooking the beast meat. The rich aroma filled the air as he slowly roasted it over a controlled flame. Each bite was filled with dense energy, and he could feel the nutrients spreading through his body, repairing microscopic damage caused by his training.
"This should last me a few weeks."
With enough nourishment, Lu Fan resumed his Sky Thunder Refinement. Like before, his body absorbed lightning, strengthening his muscles, bones, and meridians. The process was painful, but his endurance had already increased drastically.
Days turned into weeks. His life became simple yet intense—training, eating, resting, and repeating the cycle. His body grew tougher, more resilient, adapting to the brutal process.
At this rate, it wouldn't take long before he reached Level 1 High-grade Body Tempering. But Lu Fan knew that reaching Level 2 would require something more—a greater challenge.
"The next step won't be easy."
He needed a more dangerous method to push his limits further.
Despite his rapid progress in body tempering, Lu Fan's Qi cultivation was lagging behind. He had reached Level 2 Qi Refinement Realm, but at this rate, it would take decades before he could step into the Foundation Building Realm.
"I need to find a way to accelerate my Qi cultivation..."
He reviewed all possible options:
A Higher-Grade Cultivation Method – But such techniques were closely guarded secrets of major sects and clans. It was impossible for him to obtain one.
Enhancing His Spiritual Root – If he could improve his high-grade mortal spirit root, his Qi absorption would increase significantly. However, there was no known method to do this artificially.
A Stronger Spirit Vein – Cultivating near a higher-grade spiritual vein would drastically improve his Qi absorption, but renting or purchasing a good location was too expensive and would draw unwanted attention.
Increasing Proficiency in His Cultivation Method – If he could refine his understanding of the Blazing Sun Sutra, his cultivation speed would naturally increase.
After careful consideration, Lu Fan realized he had only one realistic option—increase his proficiency in the Blazing Sun Sutra.
"If I can master this technique to a higher level, my cultivation will naturally speed up."
With renewed determination, he decided to focus entirely on refining his control over the Blazing Sun Sutra. He needed to study the method deeply, practice more efficiently, and discover ways to optimize his Qi circulation.
But this raised another problem—how could he increase his proficiency quickly?
Lu Fan immersed himself in the study of the Blazing Sun Sutra, reading it repeatedly until he found a crucial clue—True Sunfire.
According to the sutra, True Sunfire could only be cultivated after reaching the Foundation Building Realm. However, Lu Fan was unwilling to wait.
"If the requirement is to generate extreme heat, why not create it artificially?"
He recalled reading about scientists attempting to create an artificial sun on Earth. With this thought, he began purchasing books and records on nuclear fusion.
Understanding the Science of the Sun
Through his research, Lu Fan learned:
The Sun generates energy through nuclear fusion, where hydrogen atoms fuse into helium, releasing enormous energy.
Scientists on Earth tried to replicate this process by using hydrogen isotopes (deuterium & tritium) and heating them to millions of degrees Celsius to trigger fusion.
This required an extremely stable and durable containment chamber to withstand the immense heat and pressure.
"If mortal scientists can do this with technology, why can't I do it with cultivation?"
Forging the Reactor
Lu Fan decided to combine his forging skills and cultivation knowledge to craft a specialized furnace that could contain a fusion reaction.
Using his spirit fire and forging techniques, he attempted to create a mortal-grade containment vessel.
The first few attempts failed—the materials couldn't withstand the heat. The metal melted, cracked, or exploded.
"I need stronger materials."
So, he refined higher-grade metals and incorporated formation runes into the design. After many trials, he successfully forged a perfect mortal-grade fusion reactor.
However, he wasn't satisfied.
"Mortal-grade equipment is too unstable. I need something that can handle even greater heat."
He then used his accumulated resources to forge a Foundation Level Containment Furnace. This time, the equipment could withstand far greater heat and pressure.
Creating True Sunfire
With his equipment complete, Lu Fan activated the furnace, simulating the conditions of the sun.
Inside, hydrogen fusion began, releasing a blazing golden fire unlike anything he had seen before.
This was True Sunfire.
The flames inside the containment vessel were pure, intense, and carried the essence of the sun itself.
Lu Fan quickly used his Heart Fire to absorb the new flame. The moment it touched his Heart Fire, a transformation occurred—
His Heart Fire, previously red, deepened into a bright orange hue.
"This is it. I've successfully cultivated True Sunfire before reaching Foundation Building!"
His body trembled as the heat coursed through his meridians, reinforcing his control over fire Qi.
Now, his Blazing Sun Sutra cultivation speed would increase tremendously.