I Tame Beasts by Feeding

The Sword Cleansing Pool, as its name implies, was originally used for tempering Treasure Swords, but it was also effective for tempering the physical body.

At this moment, Yu Changsheng and Shen Xingchen were both in the outer area of the Sword Cleansing Pool. Sword Qi whistled and the water rippled, but the two of them could still bear it.

About half an hour passed. Yu Changsheng let out a soft breath, lifted his arm, and appeared lost in thought.

’My physical strength is still growing slowly. In just this short time, my Thousand Mountains Technique seems to be on the verge of breaking through to Minor Achievement. Not bad. My Cultivation, however, has almost completely stagnated...’

Yu Changsheng pondered for a moment, then looked up at Shen Xingchen.

’This area isn’t giving me much of a boost anymore. I need to go deeper.’

In the Sword Cleansing Pool, the closer one got to the Profound Celestial Giant Sword at the center, the more potent the tempering effect of the pool’s water became. His current location was no longer sufficient for Yu Changsheng’s needs.

Thus, Yu Changsheng slowly stood up and took a few cautious steps toward the center of the pool.

VMMMM.

The ninety-nine treasures on the bank roared to life, their Sword Qi disturbing the void. The pool water rippled. After just a few steps, a denser Sword Gang enveloped Yu Changsheng, igniting a piercing, fiery pain throughout his meridians and bones.

HISS...

Yu Changsheng couldn’t help but suck in a sharp breath. Gritting his teeth, he found his threshold, sat down cross-legged, and began to circulate the Thousand Mountains Technique as the water rose to his waist.

A shadow of qi and blood grew more solid, enveloping Yu Changsheng. Under the empowerment of the Thousand Mountains Technique, it began to take on a grayish-black, rock-like hue.

Its complete transformation would signify that Yu Changsheng’s Thousand Mountains Technique had reached a new level of achievement: the first stage, the Thousand Mountains Body.

By then, both his physical durability and bodily strength would ascend to a new level, and the explosive power of his body would be nothing to underestimate.

’So the Sword Cleansing Pool tempers the body as if it were a sword? The effects are astonishing, but the pain is just as real.’

A drop of sweat trickled down Yu Changsheng’s forehead. On closer inspection, veins bulged on his face, yet his expression remained tranquil. He didn’t make a sound.

After a while, Yu Changsheng slowly adapted to the intensity. His breathing steadied, his brow unfurrowed, and although a piercing pain still coursed through him, it was now bearable.

The illusory, grayish-black armor around him was now halfway formed.

Shen Xingchen opened his eyes and glanced at Yu Changsheng, who was closer to the center. Without hesitation, he also took a few steps toward the middle of the pool.

A more intense wave of pain washed over him. Shen Xingchen frowned, his gaze focused. His body suddenly flushed crimson, but he gritted his teeth, his posture as firm as a rock. Above him, the phantom of an Eighth-Layer Spirit Platform, seemingly Heaven-Reaching, materialized to stabilize him.

Yu Changsheng shot Shen Xingchen a surprised look, gaining a clearer understanding of his strength. After shaking his head and acclimating for another moment, he slowly continued to move inward.

Half an hour passed. The two had now moved from the outermost ring to the middle circle of the pool, and their conditions were still stable.

’Almost there...’

Yu Changsheng gritted his teeth, frantically circulating the Thousand Mountains Technique. From the pool water, invisible substances were absorbed into his body drop by drop, transforming into a warm current that continuously tempered his flesh.

On the surface of his body, the Thousand Mountain Armor that symbolized the Thousand Mountains Body was ninety percent complete. He was just one step away from a full breakthrough.

But no matter how hard Yu Changsheng tried, this final ten percent wouldn’t budge.

’Is the stimulation not enough?’

Yu Changsheng frowned. The Thousand Mountains Technique was an astonishing Body Refining Technique. Its primary manifestation upon mastery was the formation of a layer of Thousand Mountain Armor on the body’s surface, achieving the Thousand Mountains Body.

Once successful, a Cultivator’s physical durability, as well as their defense, recovery, and offensive power, would all be greatly amplified.

Furthermore, one could then use its complementary Physical Body Technique, the Ten Thousand Mountains Fist. This technique condensed all of one’s Physical Strength into a single, devastating punch, capable of unleashing two to three times one’s normal power. It was an earth-shattering blow of immense might.

For Yu Changsheng, this was practically a trump card, capable of unleashing the terrifying full potential of his Foundation Establishment Body.

’I have to get closer.’

A moment later, a savage glint flashed in Yu Changsheng’s eyes. Having made his decision, he took a deep breath, mobilized all the Cultivation and qi and blood in his body, and slowly moved another step closer to the Profound Celestial Giant Sword.

With this one step, he crossed from the middle circle of the pool into the inner circle.

RUMBLE!!!

An infinite torrent of Sword Qi erupted, exploding like endless, muffled thunder within Yu Changsheng’s body and his Sea of Consciousness. The Sword Qi raged, and in a mere moment, bloody gashes appeared all over his skin. His mind reeled, and his Divine Sense felt as if it had been struck by a heavy hammer, leaving his eyes glazed and unfocused.

Trickles of blood flowed from Yu Changsheng’s seven orifices—his mouth, eyes, nose, and ears—a terrifying sight. The boundless Sword Qi continued to erupt, swirling around him.

The commotion startled Shen Xingchen. He opened his eyes, and the miserable sight of Yu Changsheng made him jump. He asked worriedly,

"How are you? Don’t try to be a hero! Should I go get Master?"

Shen Xingchen’s tone was sincere and earnest.

"No need. I can still hold on."

Yu Changsheng couldn’t help but cough twice. Suppressing the dizziness in his head, he waved his hand, adjusted his condition, and refused Shen Xingchen in a low voice.

Although he looked severely injured and the strain on his body was immense, the effects were also astonishing. In just that short moment, Yu Changsheng could already feel his stagnant Cultivation beginning to advance again.

The Thousand Mountains Technique, as if stimulated, began to circulate frantically. The Thousand Mountain Armor, which had been ninety percent complete, started to progress once more.

Ninety-one percent... ninety-two percent... ninety-three percent...

SPURT!

Yu Changsheng’s body suddenly faltered, and he spat out a mouthful of fresh blood. Amidst the raging Sword Qi, the burden on his body intensified, and his internal organs were damaged.

’Damn it, I’m so close...!’

A hint of madness appeared in Yu Changsheng’s eyes. He wiped the blood from the corner of his mouth and gritted his teeth, desperately holding on.

"I have a Small Rejuvenation Pill here. Take it. It should help you."

Shen Xingchen sighed softly, his expression unreadable. With a wave of his sleeve, he produced a Jade Bottle, slowly tipped out an Elixir, and guided it to float before Yu Changsheng.

The Elixir was the size of a longan, entirely cyan, and engraved with Two Pill Patterns. It radiated with abundant Vitality. The moment it appeared, a fragrant aroma filled the air, so refreshing that a single whiff could clear the mind.

The Small Rejuvenation Pill, as its name suggested, had a similar effect to the Life-Returning Pill that Yu Changsheng had taken before. However, its Grade was lower—not Third Grade, but only Second Grade.

However, it was a Peak Second-Grade Elixir. Moreover, this particular pill had Two Pill Patterns, so its value went without saying.

Yu Changsheng was truly surprised that the other man would offer him such an elixir.

’They weren’t friends or family, after all!’