177 Incoming Trouble

[Host need to absorb Spiritual Energy. But this time, you can't rely on Gathering Array or Pills. Host needs to rely on your natural absorption speed according to your Cultivation Manual.]

"But, my Cultivation Manual is only the basic one. It is the one I got from the first time I met you, System]

[There is another trick of your Cultivation Manual, Host. It is indeed a basic Cultivation Manual. But that manual can help you with your current predicament. Not many know about this Host. This is the reason why many cultivators in this continent can't go beyond Martial King. Because of the thin Spiritual Energy in the air in this continent. The people started using Spiritual Stones, Pill, and Gathering Array to boost their cultivation speed.

They didn't know that is the exact reason why their process started slowing down when they reached Martial Lord Stage and finally stopped when they reached Martial King Stage even for a genius. In fact, the people here also can become a Martial Saint if they were born in the Heavenly Continent, where the Spiritual Energy is dense there. The people over there tend to Cultivate with only their Cultivation Technique. Since it is not necessary enough to use Spirit Stones, etc. in the beginning.

So, for Host, who is currently in this continent. The solution is to stop relying on the Spirit Stones and pills to advance your Cultivation. Initially, System will warn you when you reach 5-Star Martial Master and once again when you are a 10-Star Martial Master. Since it will be quicker if you divided the process into two than to do it each time you advance a star. But, do remember Host. According to System analysis. 5-Star is the max for you right now. If you somehow advance to 6-Star before compressing your strength, Don't say that System didn't warn you]

"..." Alex grabs his head, "Too much information in one go!"

"So...basically, I need to stop advancing my Cultivation after I reached 5-Star Martial Master, then I will cultivating using my Cultivation Technique to the limit before I advance to 6-Star. Then I will do it again when I reached 10-Star Martial Master." Alex said in two sentences.

[Yes. Basically, that's it all about. I'm just good enough to explain to you about the detail Host]

"Well, I appreciate that" Alex said. "Then, what about this blazing Pond? Can't I just take the energy until I reach 5-Star, then I will stop."

[I'm afraid you can't. The Fire energy from the Pond will stimulate your Pure Fire, and your Pure Fire will take the energy from the Pond like crazy. You won't be able to stop your Pure Fire from absorbing those energies]

"...It is indeed a dangerous situation" Alex nodded. "Then, when can I absorb this pond energy?"

[When you have become a Martial Grandmaster. System recommended Host to take this pond energy when Host at 1-Star or 2-Star Martial Grandmaster. You might be able to advance two if not three stars]

"... What a crazy pond. What the heck is this Pond?"

[Blazing Pond

Description: A pond full of Fire energy that even becomes a fire above the water surface. It is very beneficial for Fire Element Martial Artist. It can enhance the Body, the Element, and Purify Spiritual Energy. (Caution: Minimal Cultivation at Martial Lord)]

Alex massage his eyes a few times. "System. I just saw something absurd."

[What is it, Host?]

"I think I just saw something like I need to be a Martial Lord before using this pond" Said Alex while His eyes still closed.

[You are right, Host. Before you complain. System ask you, What is your Element?]

"Pure Fire"

[That is the answer, Host]

"...I can't believe I was convinced by that. I wanted to refute it, but somehow I can't" He said while shaking his head helplessly.

[Although you can't take the energy. You can use this Pond to refine your body. I assumed you had read the description. It can enhance the body, the Fire Element, and purify your Spiritual Energy. They are two separate steps for that. If you want only to enhance your Fire Element and Spiritual Energy, you can take it the Pond's energy. If you wanted to enhance your body, you need to dive inside the Pond]

"So for now. I can refine my body. But, won't the Fire element stimulate my Pure Fire if I go inside?"

[Since there is a Fire Phoenix Seed inside your body. You can revolve the Fire Phoenix seed and make your Pure Fire stay still inside it]

Alex tried revolving his Fire Phoenix Seed to seal his Pure Fire deeply. But suddenly, the Fire produced by the Fire Phoenix Seed concentrate on the seed and seal off the Fire Phoenix Seed. When Alex wanted to ask a question, the System has answered it.

[Your Fire needed to seal your Pure Fire inside the seed so It won't be stimulated by the Fire Element from the Pond. In other words, Host will need to bath inside the Pond with your mortal body. Don't worry, Host. Because your flesh and blood already enhanced by Pure Fire before. Taking a bath inside there won't kill you...only will hurt a lot, probably. I'm sure that Host has experienced it a few times while refining your body such as your muscle, etc.]

"...I don't mind about the pain. What I'm wondering right now is whether I will advance another star if I dive inside."

The System didn't say anything more like telling Alex to hurry up. Alex sighed and decided to trust his System. He starts to take off his clothes since he doesn't want it to be wet. Because of too many conversations with the System, he forgets about Anna still standing next to him.

"Yo...Young Master" Anna, who is beside him, shocks by his sudden action. Her face becomes redder.

"Ah, I forget you are here. Come back to the card first" Alex said with a wry smile as he took out Anna's card from his inventory.

"Young Master. Don't call me back. We are not sure if other people will come here when you are refining your body. I will protect you and watch you." Anna said hurriedly.

Alex thought for a moment. It is like she said. He would be vulnerable when he refines his body inside the Pond. "Alright. I leave it to you."

Alex gets inside the Pond, starting from his right foot. The moment his right foot get inside the water. He feels the water burn his foot inside. All of his skin want to escape from its place, and his muscle is crying.

"Argh!"

[Host, please continue]

He steeled his heart once again and finally dived inside the pond. The Pond refines his body. The pain spread all over his body. He screamed in pain inside the water. Of course, his voice was blocked by the water.

"Argh!"

After a day of torture, Alex starting to get used to the pain. But, what he feared the most that he got used to this kind of pain. He won't become a Maschosit...would he?

Anna was continuously watching him in the pond while he is screaming in pain. Watching her loved one screaming in pain like that, her heart is pained as well. She can't help him since this struggle is for him. Anna can only watch him on the side while gritting her teeth.

On the third day, Alex already fine with the pain. He didn't scream anymore. Instead, he is focusing on refining his body. And suddenly he has a breakthrough. He opens his eyes slowly

"System, what to do about this breakthrough?"

[It is because of you refining your body potential. This breakthrough comes from that. This is another reason why I wanted you to refine your body now. If you are in 4-Star or even 5-Star Martial Master. System won't advise you to do that]

"I see. Thanks" Alex closed his eyes again after he got the answer. Now he is already a 4-Star Martial Master. It is only a month after he joins the sect.

Another day has passed. After the fourth day, he didn't feel any pain anymore. All he feels is the warm energy inside the pond. It seems this is it. He opened his eyes and slowly come out from the water. He feels refreshed after going out of the water. He checked his body, it seems that his body is getting stronger. But he can't describe how much stronger he became, he also felt his natural cultivation speed also become faster.

Now that he thought about it. He didn't have a body refining technique. He indeed had Body Tempering Manual back then. But it was no longer used. Now he didn't know the parameter to measure the body strength. He felt he need to get a body refining technique from the sect.

[Mission: Rank First in Outer Disciple Competition

Reward: Undying Fire Body Manual]

"..." Speechless, just as he thought something about obtaining a Body Refining Technique. The System suddenly become generous.

"What is this Undying Fire Body mean, System?"

[System can't say anything. Anyway, Congratulations Host. With this, you only need around three months to fill up the rest of your empty space]

"Three months?" Alex was surprised by it, he didn't expect it took so long to fill them.

[Yes. If you are in an area with a dense Natural Spiritual Energy not from the Spirit Stones, you can progress faster]

"Alright. The Outer Disciple Competition is still a year from now. Half a year is a long time, I can advance a few more stars after I finished filling my body."

...

Somewhere far away,

"Of course. I can't tell you. It is an unsurpassed Divine Body Refining Technique. It is from your previous life friend, the former Fire God. It is the reason why he can become one of the godkings and keep up with your progress back then. He needs a few hundred years to refine his body according to the manual. I'm sure that you can master it within a hundred years. As for your divine skill, you will get it from yourself when you reached that place." A peerless beauty, lying on a couch as she stared at the screen as she sighed.

"I don't know if giving you this technique is good or bad to the present you. After all, this technique is related to your willpower, will you be swallowed from the Refining Technique, or will you succeed in mastering that technique, I believe in you. I will need to prepare something for that then." As she said that, she disappeared.

...

Alex is still clueless since the System didn't answer him. No matter how curious he is, he can only learn it after he gets the technique. He only wants to know the measurement for body strength.

"Young Master. I felt a presence outside. He is stronger than the Wind Leopard we face in this cave" Anna suddenly reports something.

Alex immediately activates his Spirit Eyes. And indeed, judging from the energy inside him, he is indeed stronger than the Wind Leopard but not too much. If the Wind Leopard is an 8-Star, then he must be a 9-Star Martial Master.

"Haha, What is this cave! I discovered this place after I found a giant boulder at the entrance. But I feel a big energy in front of me. This should be my Fateful Encounter." Echoing in the cave.

Alex facepalmed. Because he worried about the danger in the cave. He didn't cover the entrance since it was their escape route if something happened. He has completely forgotten to cover the entrance before refining his body. What's done is done, he can only meet this person head-on.

Judging from the voice, it is a male. Alex decided to recall Anna first to avoid him lusting for her beauty. He thought after he becomes a 4-Star Martial Master. He should be able to fight a normal 9-Star Martial Master. He found that he can summon Anna from a distance as long as it is within 10 meters from him. He decided to make her his trump card for the moment. He can summon Anna, and she will make a surprise attack if needed.

Alex stood up with his clothes on. Finally, he saw the appearance of the one who entered this cave. Gray and oily hair, Overweight body, small eyes that were covered by his fat, fancy clothing giving him the impression of his fortunate upbringing. Alex was sure that this person comes from a rich family.