Chapter 20: Chapter 20: Progress
Vahn gritted his teeth and endured. He had already faced death before. Compared to that, this pain was nothing.
He slowly submerged his entire body into the water. From head to toe. Occasionally, he lifted his nose above the surface just to breathe before plunging back under.
Time passed beyond calculation. He couldn’t tell how many minutes or hours had passed.
But he could feel his progress.
Skin Tempering—complete.
Flesh Tempering—complete.
Marrow Tempering—in progress.
In just a few short hours, he had advanced through two sub-stages of Body Tempering.
The effect of the Heaven-Grade Liquid was nothing short of astonishing.
When he finally rose from the bathtub, the transformation became crystal clear. His skin were now flawless after being purifed from the years of mortal filth.
His body looked sturdier and more powerful, and not a single blemish remained. Even the old scars that once told stories of pain and humiliation had vanished completely, as though they had never existed.
Vahn put on his robe, looking slightly more charming to the eyes.
When Liam came back, he froze for a moment. Seeing Vahn’s skin like jade and a body that looked forged in steel, he couldn’t help but feel impressed.
Still, suspicion formed into his mind.
So he asked, "Junior brother, just what kind of liquid did you use to get such a miraculous effect?"
Vahn had already prepared his answer, "Ah, it was nothing special, senior brother. Just an ordinary body tempering liquid, cost me 5 spirit stones."
Liam frowned in confusion. The he sighed, shaking his head. "Five spirit stones, huh? Then it’s not the liquid. It must be you. Junior brother, your natural talent for body cultivation is extraordinary. You should really consider pursuing that path."
Vahn shrugged it off, waving his hand lazily. "Body cultivation? No thanks. I don’t want to end up a brute who only knows how to punch and kick."
Liam puffed his cheeks, glaring at him. "Oi, what do you mean brute? Body cultivators are mighty warriors! One punch can shatter mountains, one kick can break rivers!"
Vahn smiled. "And yet, none of them can fry a decent fish or tell a story worth listening to."
"You—!" Liam stomped his foot, but then burst out laughing. "Fine, fine, I won’t argue. Just don’t regret it later, junior brother."
Their lighthearted bickering echoed through the stone quarters, easing the pressure of the intense tempering session.
"You should go back now, Vahn. It’s evening already."
"Yes, I didn’t realize so much time had passed so quickly. Anyway, thank you for your cooperation, senior brother. I shall repay your favor one day."
Liam smiled through his chubby cheeks. "First become a Qi Refining practitioner, junior brother. Then you can think of repaying me."
Vahn revealed a mysterious smile before heading out.
But he didn’t go to his hut as Liam expected. Instead, he went to the training ground.
Picking up a training sword, he began practicing the basic drills taught by Elder Orsted.
The man may have been appointed to keep an eye on him, but his lessons were genuinely worth following. Vahn had no intention of wasting them.
For the rest of the night, he trained nonstop. Beside the sword swings, he added some of exercises from Earth. Like push ups, sit ups, Limb Stretching, Sprinting etc.
But of course he didn’t forget to eat and take a quick wash in between. Only a madman would forget to take nutritions for growth.
Time passed.
Before dawn arrived, Vahn quietly slipped away from the outer court training ground. He headed toward a mountain spring for a proper bath.
His body was drenched in sweat and dirt, but after the refreshing soak, he felt completely clean and neat. Strangely, the cold water of the spring didn’t chill him as it once did.
He immediately understood why. His skin and flesh had been strengthened. His defense was stronger now.
Realising, he felt a sense of accomplishment. His training and effort wasn’t being wasted.
Soon, other disciples began to arrive at the spring, mostly males, while the female disciples had their own separate section.
Vahn hurriedly dressed himself and left, ignoring the baffled looks of the disciples. They recognized him as one of the new recruits, but they had more important matters than to question him.
Walking alone, Vahn’s mind wandered to how he could please Seraphina more and earn greater rewards. But his thoughts were cut short by a sharp screech from above.
His head snapped upward. A massive bird, its feathers blazing like a phoenix, glided through the sky.
Vahn’s mouth went agape. It was enormous—majestic and terrifying all at once. Even from that distance, the heat it radiated nearly seared his skin.
Fortunately, it wasn’t here for him. The beast passed overhead without sparing him a glance, flying toward the center of the Holy Land.
As for who was riding it, Vahn had no idea. But in this place, such sights were probably normal.
It only proved one thing—this Holy Land was brimming with hidden dragons and crouching tigers.
---
The Grand Temple of Light.
Many priests and priestesses were offering rites toward the Heavens, their hymns resonating throughout the hearts of the listeners. All the Elders, Deacons, Supreme Elders, and the Patriarch Dimidium himself.
But as the first rays of the sun fell on the Temple Square, their eyes turned toward the Phoenix approaching them.
They did nothing, as if already anticipating the arrival. Though, they did not look too happy either.
SCREECH!
The Phoenix landed on the white platform, its eyes sharp and piercing straight into the souls watching.
Some shivered in fear, while some remained nonchalant.
From the top of the feathered velvet seats, two figures stepped forward. One was a man with long fiery red hair, the other a mature woman of exalting beauty with the same hair color as the man.
The duo looked domineering and powerful. Even in the face of such formidable foes, they showed no fear—only a faint, amused smile.
The man stepped in front of the Patriarch and the Supreme Elders.
After giving a small, elegant bow, he spoke,
"It’s been so long since we last saw each other, Brother Dimidium. I hope everything is going well?"
Patriarch Dimidium only frowned.
"No need to waste your words with such halfhearted greetings, Xion. Just tell us why you are here."
"Haha... then I’ll come straight to the point. I am here to take our son-in-law home,"
the man, Xion, said with a smug smile.