After refining a substantial amount of copper essence, Lu Fan decided to experiment further. He ordered custom copper pillars adorned with images of thunder striking, intending to create storage devices for his electrical energy. He attempted to elevate one of these pillars to a Level 3 weapon, hoping it would, like his mirror, store energy. However, the experiment was unsuccessful; the pillar did not attract or store lightning and remained a standard Level 3 weapon. This outcome indicated that he needed to explore alternative designs or materials to effectively harness and store his electrical energy.
After abandoning the pillar refinement project, Lu Fan decided to utilize the remaining copper essence to craft an inner armor. Employing the same meticulous refinement techniques he had used previously, he forged the armor, adorning it with a sun motif to symbolize his unique cultivation path. This inner armor not only provided enhanced protection but also served as a conduit for his energy, harmonizing with his miniature sun and further integrating his cultivation with his defensive gear.
Lu Fan attempted to channel the power of his miniature sun through the newly crafted inner armor, similar to how he had successfully done with the mirror. However, this endeavor proved unsuccessful. Reflecting on the disparity between the two artifacts, he hypothesized that the key difference lay in their reflective properties. The mirror's polished surface might facilitate a unique interaction with his energy, possibly related to concepts akin to the "mirror dimension" discussed in Earth's physics and popular culture. In contrast, the armor's lack of a reflective surface could be the reason it failed to establish the same connection, leading Lu Fan to consider alternative designs or materials for future enhancements.
Determined to understand the disparity between the mirror and the armor, Lu Fan delved deeper into the reflective properties of materials. He hypothesized that the polished surface of the mirror might facilitate a unique interaction with his miniature sun's energy, possibly by reflecting and amplifying the energy within a confined space. In contrast, the armor's lack of a reflective surface could result in the dissipation of energy, preventing the desired resonance. This insight led him to consider incorporating reflective elements into future designs to better harness and channel his internal power.
Lu Fan attempted to refine a Thunder Mirror, aiming to create a conduit for his electrical energy. However, the result was a Golden Core-level weapon that did not function as intended. After careful consideration, he concluded that his miniature sun serves as a high-level energy source, with the mirror acting as a channel through which energy flows from high to low potential. In contrast, his attempts with electricity lacked a comparable high-level source, resulting in ineffective energy transfer. This realization led him to understand the necessity of creating a sun-like entity to effectively harness and channel his electrical energy.
Recognizing that the sun provides a stable structure for fire, Lu Fan acknowledged the absence of a comparable stable structure for electricity. He understood that the inherent unpredictability of electricity made it challenging to control and channel effectively. Consequently, he decided to abandon his efforts to harness and manipulate electrical energy, opting to focus on other aspects of his cultivation where stability and control were more attainable.
Despite his previous decision to abandon efforts to control electricity due to its unpredictable nature, Lu Fan continued his body tempering practices, striving to break through his current plateau at Level 1 High Body Refining. One rainy day, inspiration struck: he decided to harness natural lightning to aid his advancement. Utilizing a Thunder Pole to attract lightning, he subjected himself to a direct strike. The immense energy coursed through his body, shattering his previous limitations and propelling him into the Level 2 Body Tempering Realm.
Upon advancing to Level 2 Body Tempering, Lu Fan experienced a significant transformation in his martial arts. Previously his Iron Cloth technique evolved into Thunder Iron Cloth, reflecting his deepening connection with thunder energy. Now his practices of Sky Thunder Refinement , Thunder iron clothe and the Blood Cauldron Art began to operate autonomously, merging into a cohesive new discipline. He named this innovative technique Thunder Flood Art, acknowledging its potent yet challenging nature—akin to a flood that is difficult to control but still manageable with skill and focus.
Having ascended to the Foundation Building stage in his body tempering cultivation, Lu Fan discovered that he had acquired the ability to fly, albeit not as proficiently as typical Foundation Building cultivators. However, this advancement significantly enhanced his close-quarters combat capabilities, making him a formidable opponent in melee engagements.
Having advanced to the Foundation Building stage in his body tempering cultivation, Lu Fan now had the opportunity to acquire the Core Formation chapter of the Blazing Sun Sutra. However, his Qi cultivation remained at Level 6, indicating that he had not yet reached the Foundation Building stage in Qi cultivation. Recognizing the need to balance his physical and Qi development, Lu Fan decided to focus on elevating his Qi cultivation to align with his body's advancement.