101: Chapter 101 Meeting Two Women, Breaking Through the Fourth Level of the Sea of ​​Wheels

Elder Li reminded him.

"Fifth Level of the Wheel Sea Realm Peak, the number one person in the Inner Sect?"

Ye Chen's eyes narrowed slightly.

This was indeed a formidable opponent.

With his current strength at the Late Stage of the Third Level of the Wheel Sea Realm, even if he used all his trump cards, the odds of victory were fifty-fifty, or even lower.

"When is the 'Battle of Heart-Inquiry' set?"

"One month from now."

One month to rise from the Late Stage of the Third Level to a point where he could rival the Peak of the Fifth Level?

This was an almost impossible task.

But in Ye Chen's eyes, there was no fear; instead, a raging Battle Intent ignited.

"This Disciple accepts the battle!"

"Good!"

Elder Li nodded.

"This month, you can stay at Danding Peak and focus on cultivating. I can provide the Medicinal Pills and Spirit Stones you need. Additionally, this is the 'red sun yin-resolving powder'."

He took out an exquisite jade bottle and handed it to Ye Chen.

Ye Chen solemnly took the jade bottle; it felt warm to the touch, and he could sense the pure, extreme yang medicinal power within.

"Thank you, Elder!"

"Go on. Handle your affairs first, then return for seclusion. Remember, one month from now, on the Heavenly Punishment Platform, you are only allowed to win, not lose! This concerns not only your personal innocence but also Danding Peak, and even the Sect's future layout for exploring the Netherworld Ruins."

Elder Li spoke with deep earnestness.

"This Disciple understands! I will not fail the Elder's expectations!"

Ye Chen bowed and exited Cold Mist Pavilion.

...

Leaving Danding Peak, Ye Chen did not immediately return to the guest quarters for seclusion.

He first went to Zixia Peak to visit Leng Ningshuang.

The scenery of Zixia Peak was beautiful, surrounded by clouds and mist, like a fairyland.

Led by a female Disciple of Zixia Peak, Ye Chen arrived at a quiet bamboo building.

Inside the bamboo building, the fragrance of medicine filled the air, and Leng Ningshuang was leaning against a bamboo couch.

Her face was still somewhat pale, but her aura was much more stable as she closed her eyes to regulate her breathing.

She had changed into an elegant light purple dress, losing some of her usual coldness and sharpness.

She gained a bit of fragility after her illness, yet appeared even more beautiful.

Hearing footsteps, she opened her eyes and saw Ye Chen; a nearly imperceptible ripple flashed in her cold eyes.

"Junior Brother Ye, you've come."

Her voice was still cold, but it lacked some of its previous chill.

"Senior Sister Leng, is your injury any better?"

Ye Chen walked to the couch and asked with concern.

"It's no longer a major issue, but I need to rest for a while."

Leng Ningshuang said, her gaze falling on Ye Chen's face as she looked closely.

"Your injury seems to have healed very quickly."

"It was just luck. Senior Sister, regarding the Battle of Heart-Inquiry..."

"I've already heard about it from Senior Brother Murong."

Leng Ningshuang interrupted him, her gaze becoming sharp.

"Xiao Li is very strong; you must go all out. During this month, I will compile the combat characteristics and Martial Skills Xiao Li is skilled in that I know of for you."

"Additionally, although the 'Battle of Heart-Inquiry' is meant to be restrained, Xiao Li is ruthless, and Elder Wang He will certainly not let go of this opportunity to heavily injure or even cripple you; you must prepare for the worst."

"Thank you, Senior Sister."

Ye Chen felt a warmth in his heart.

Leng Ningshuang was cold on the outside but warm on the inside; he would remember this kindness.

"There's no need to thank me. You've saved me many times; it's only natural for me to help. Besides, exposing the true faces of Liu Yunfei, Golden Flame Peak, and the others is also my duty."

Leng Ningshuang paused, then continued.

"Furthermore, regarding the 'netherworld token' and the ruins, the Sect has already made arrangements, which you already know. This matter is of great importance; since you've decided to participate, you must increase your strength as quickly as possible."

"I have a 'zixia spirit-nourishing pill' here, which is helpful for stabilizing the Divine Soul and enhancing Divine Sense; take it and use it." She took out a Medicinal Pill shimmering with purple light and handed it to Ye Chen.

Ye Chen did not decline and took the pill.

The two spoke a few more words about the details of the Secret Realm and Xiao Li, then Ye Chen took his leave.

He knew Leng Ningshuang needed quiet rest.

Leaving Zixia Peak, Ye Chen did not return to the Inner Sect area but headed straight toward the Outer Sect.

He was concerned about Lin Qingxue.

Now that the "red sun yin-resolving powder" was complete, it was time to neutralize the poison of the "bone-eroding pill" for her.

Arriving at the Outer Sect Disciple residential area, he found the small courtyard where Lin Qingxue lived.

The courtyard gate was ajar; Ye Chen pushed it open gently.

The small courtyard was clean and tidy, decorated with a few common plants and flowers.

Lin Qingxue was sitting on a stone stool in the courtyard, looking down at a scroll in her hand, her profile serene and beautiful.

Sunlight spilled over her, as if coating her in a soft halo.

Hearing the sound of the door pushing open, she looked up and saw Ye Chen.

First stunned, then an unspeakable light of surprise erupted in her eyes.

"Brother Ye Chen!"

She put down the scroll, stood up, and walked over quickly, but it seemed to stir the cold qi within her.

Her movements stiffened slightly, her face instantly paled a bit, and her brows furrowed slightly.

Ye Chen hurriedly stepped forward to support her; feeling the bone-chilling cold coming from her body, his heart throbbed with pain.

"Qingxue, how are you?"

"I'm fine, it's just the old problem."

Lin Qingxue shook her head, looking at Ye Chen with eyes full of joy and attachment.

"Brother Ye Chen, you're back from the Secret Realm? Are you okay? I heard the Secret Realm was very dangerous..."

"I'm fine, just a small injury, it's already healed."

Ye Chen helped her sit on the stone stool and looked closely at her face.

She was thinner than before, and her face had an unhealthy paleness.

Clearly, the Cold Poison of the "bone-eroding pill" had worsened during this period.

"Qingxue, look, what did I bring back?"

Ye Chen took out the jade bottle containing the "red sun yin-resolving powder".

Lin Qingxue looked at the jade bottle, then at Ye Chen, her eyes welling with tears.

"Is this the medicine that can neutralize the poison?"

"Yes. The 'red sun yin-resolving powder' personally refined by Elder Li is enough to neutralize the Cold Poison in your body."

Ye Chen nodded and said softly.

"Come, take it, you'll get better soon."

He poured out the medicinal powder from the jade bottle.

The powder was golden-red, emitting a warm, extreme yang aura and a faint medicinal fragrance.

Lin Qingxue did as told and swallowed the medicinal powder.

As soon as the powder entered her stomach, it immediately turned into a majestic yet gentle stream of extreme yang warmth, spreading throughout her limbs and bones.

Lin Qingxue only felt a long-lost warmth rise from her Dantian, quickly dispelling the bone-chilling cold entrenched in her Meridians and bone marrow.

A blush appeared on her pale face at a speed visible to the naked eye, and her body no longer trembled slightly from the cold.

"Mmm..."

She let out a comfortable soft moan, closed her eyes, and fully guided and absorbed the medicinal power.

Ye Chen stayed by her side, watching tensely.

He could feel the stubborn, dark-cold poisonous power within Lin Qingxue's body.

Under the extreme yang medicinal power of the "red sun yin-resolving powder," it was rapidly melting and neutralizing.

Her aura gradually became stable and gentle, no longer possessing that heart-palpitating coldness.

...

A full hour passed before Lin Qingxue slowly opened her eyes.

At this moment, her face was rosy and her eyes were bright.

Her entire spirit was refreshed, and the lingering aura of illness had mostly dissipated.

"Brother Ye Chen, I feel much better! My body is warm, and that cold qi really seems to be gone!"

Lin Qingxue said with surprise, her eyes filled with tears.

For all these years, the Cold Poison had tormented her to the point of wishing for death; now she finally saw the hope of a full recovery.

"The toxin has been basically neutralized, but the Cold Poison has eroded you for a long time and damaged your Foundation; you still need to recuperate for a period before you can fully recover."

Ye Chen also breathed a sigh of relief, a heavy stone falling from his heart.

He took out several bottles of Medicinal Pills suitable for her current recuperation and left some Spirit Stones.

"Take these and recuperate well. After I handle some matters within the Sect, I'll come to see you again."

"Brother Ye Chen, have you run into trouble again?"

Lin Qingxue keenly noticed a hint of solemnity between Ye Chen's brows and asked worriedly.

"Just a small trouble, I can solve it."

Ye Chen patted her head and smiled.

"Take good care of your health, don't make me worry."

"Mhm! Brother Ye Chen, you must be careful!"

Lin Qingxue nodded vigorously.

Leaving the Outer Sect, Ye Chen returned to the guest quarters of Danding Peak.

He could now prepare for the battle with no more lingering concerns.

One month, Heavenly Punishment Platform, Xiao Li.

Ye Chen sat cross-legged, taking out the "zixia spirit-nourishing pill" given by Leng Ningshuang and the cultivation resources provided by Elder Li.

A look of determination flashed in his eyes.

"Xiao Li, Fifth Level of the Wheel Sea Realm Peak... then let me see what capabilities this number one person in the Inner Sect truly has!"

He swallowed the Medicinal Pill, circulated the Hunyuan One-Qi Art, and began a month-long, frantic secluded cultivation!

...

Danding Peak, quiet guest quarters.

Ye Chen sat cross-legged, with his five centers facing the sky.

The Hunyuan One-Qi Art circulated within his body along a mysterious and unpredictable path.

The dense Heaven and Earth Spiritual Qi around him, as if drawn by an invisible force, turned into strands of visible white air currents.

From his mouth, nose, and the acupoints all over his body, it continuously surged into his body.

This guest house was situated on a branch of the Danding Peak's Spiritual Vein, with abundant Spiritual Qi, and the spirit-gathering formation had been specially adjusted by Elder Li.

The concentration of Spiritual Qi within was far beyond the Grade C Immortal Caves of Ziyun Peak, almost not inferior to the cultivation quiet rooms of some Core Disciples.

At this moment, as soon as this pure Spiritual Qi entered his body.

It was quickly refined by the Hunyuan One-Qi Art and transformed into pure Hunyuan True Essence.

Injecting into that chaotic-colored Wheel Sea vortex.

The Wheel Sea vortex rotated slowly, like a millstone, continuously tempering and purifying the newly born True Essence.

Making it more condensed and heavy.

At the center of the vortex, that dark red spark obtained from the red crystal fragment.

As Ye Chen's cultivation improved and his understanding of the Hunyuan One-Qi Art deepened, it seemed to grow slightly, emitting a gentle warm current of vitality.

Merging into the True Essence, it nourished the Meridians and enhanced the quality of the True Essence.

The Ice Lotus Imprint floated above the Wheel Sea, emitting a warm, chaotic-colored halo, silently guarding the Divine Soul.

It also emitted strands of pure and peaceful cold qi, reaching a delicate balance with the fire-attribute portion within the Hunyuan True Essence.

Before him lay several jade bottles and boxes.

Inside were Medicinal Pills provided by Elder Li, suitable for Wheel Sea Realm Cultivators to enhance their cultivation, temper True Essence, and strengthen the Divine Soul, such as sea condensing pills, Foundation Consolidating Pills, and Spirit Nourishing Pills.

All were premium products from Danding Peak, with pure medicinal power and very few Impurities.

Additionally, there were hundreds of Mid-Grade Spirit Stones stacked to the side, emitting a lustrous glow.

Ye Chen's heart was as still as water, forgetting both himself and the world.

He knew well that a month's time...

To cross from the Late Stage of the Third Level of the Wheel Sea Realm to being capable of matching or even defeating Xiao Li at the Peak of the Fifth Level of the Wheel Sea Realm...

Was a nearly impossible task.

But it was not entirely hopeless.

He had a solid Foundation, extremely high-quality Hunyuan True Essence, and the extraordinary Hunyuan One-Qi Art.

Coupled with the insights and potential stimulation brought by successive life-and-death battles.

As long as resources were sufficient and methods were appropriate, he might not be unable to create a miracle.

"Ordinary Breakthroughs require slow, painstaking work, but at this moment, I need potent medicine and risky Moves."

Ye Chen already had a plan in mind.

He intended to take a two-pronged approach.

On one hand, he would use Medicinal Pills and dense Spiritual Qi to strike at the Fourth Level of the Wheel Sea Realm Bottleneck with all his might, increasing his total cultivation.

On the other hand, he would focus on tempering and compressing the Hunyuan True Essence to enhance its quality and explosive power.

And further polish and refine his trump cards like Hunyuan Return to Void, Ice Fire Annihilation Domain, and Soul-Shocking Spike.

At the same time, he would deduce tactics to counter Xiao Li's fire-attribute Cultivation Technique.

Having made up his mind, Ye Chen no longer hesitated.

He first swallowed a sea condensing pill, then gripped two Mid-Grade Spirit Stones, and operated his Cultivation Technique with full force.

The pill transformed into vast medicinal power, and the Spirit Stones poured out pure Spiritual Qi.

Mixing with the Heaven and Earth Spiritual Qi he absorbed, it was like rivers entering the sea, rushing into his Meridians and flowing into the Wheel Sea.

The speed of the Wheel Sea vortex suddenly increased, frantically devouring and refining this massive amount of energy.

In cultivation, one loses track of time.

...

In the blink of an eye, ten days had passed.

Driven by the pills and Spiritual Qi, Ye Chen's aura rose steadily, already reaching the Peak of the Third Level of the Wheel Sea Realm.

The invisible barrier leading to the fourth level was now clearly visible; he could even feel the vast world behind it.

But he did not charge through immediately.

He knew that with his current accumulation, he might have a sixty to seventy percent chance of breaking through to the fourth level.

But even if he succeeded, the newly born True Essence would need time to stabilize, and the increase in combat power might not reach a qualitative change.

"It's not enough. The True Essence needs further condensation, and my understanding of the 'Annihilation' and 'Return to Void' Concepts also needs to be deeper."

Ye Chen stopped increasing his cultivation and turned to tempering his True Essence.

He no longer absorbed large amounts of external Spiritual Qi, but instead sank his entire mind into the Wheel Sea.

Using the mysterious methods of the Hunyuan One-Qi Art, he repeatedly compressed, tempered, and purified the Hunyuan True Essence within the Wheel Sea.

This process was extremely painful, like repeatedly forging refined iron with a hammer.

Each compression caused a swelling pain in the Wheel Sea, and his Meridians also bore immense pressure.

But he gritted his teeth and persevered, veins bulging on his forehead and cold sweat dripping, without the slightest thought of relaxing.

Meanwhile, in his mind, he constantly replayed the scenes of his battles against experts like Qin Lie, Liu Yunfei, and Liu Kun.

Especially the fire and nether-attribute attacks they unleashed.

Xiao Li practiced the Golden Flame Heaven-Burning Technique.

His fire True Essence would surely be purer and more overbearing than Qin Lie's, containing the sharpness of gold with extremely strong penetrative power.

How to use Hunyuan True Essence to neutralize and restrain that Golden Flame power was the key to victory.

"Hunyuan True Essence encompasses all laws and can also restrain all laws. The key lies in the understanding and application of the essence of power."

Ye Chen combined the principles of inclusive evolution from the Hunyuan One-Qi Art...

...along with his own understanding of 'Annihilation' (ending everything) and 'Return to Void' (devouring and annihilation).

He began to try and push the characteristics of the Hunyuan True Essence to the limit.

He no longer pursued flashy or complex Moves.

Instead, returning to simplicity, he deduced several defensive and counter-attacking sword Moves specifically targeting fire and gold attributes.

Under his mental control, the Hunyuan True Essence...

...sometimes transformed into a dense and flexible Hunyuan Defensive Wall, attempting to overcome hardness with softness and dissipate the Golden Flame's sharpness.

Sometimes it condensed into a single Primal Chaos Armor-Piercing Drill, focusing on one point to break through an area and tear apart the opponent's defense.

And sometimes it simulated miniature Primal Chaos Vortexes, attempting to devour and decompose the opponent's True Essence.

This was not just the application of True Essence, but a preliminary touch upon the Dao.

He was immersed in his deductions, forgetting the passage of time, devoting himself entirely to polishing his combat strength.

Another ten days passed.

The volume of the Hunyuan True Essence in Ye Chen's Wheel Sea had shrunk by about one-third.

But its color was deeper and its texture more viscous.

As it circulated, there was a faint sound of wind and thunder; its power was more than a level stronger than before!

Although the total amount had not increased, the qualitative change brought about an improvement in combat power far exceeding simple cultivation growth.

At this moment, although he was still at the Peak of the Third Level of the Wheel Sea Realm...

...the condensation and purity of his True Essence were likely no inferior to an ordinary Cultivator at the Late Stage of the Fourth Level or even the Early Stage of the Fifth Level!

This was the absolute advantage brought by a top-tier Cultivation Technique and arduous tempering.

"It's about time; I can try to break through now."

Ye Chen felt that his essence, energy, and spirit had reached their Peak.

His control over True Essence had also reached a new height.

He took out a sea-origin pill, which Elder Li had specially prepared for its gentler but long-lasting medicinal power.

He also took out ten Mid-Grade Spirit Stones and arranged them around him to form a simple Spirit Gathering Formation, making full preparations for the Breakthrough.

"Break!"

He shouted inwardly, swallowed the sea-origin pill, and simultaneously operated the Hunyuan One-Qi Art with all his might.

He directed the Hunyuan True Essence, condensed to the limit in his Wheel Sea, like a furious dragon...

...violently crashing against the invisible barrier leading to the Fourth Level of the Wheel Sea Realm!

"Boom!"

A sound like the creation of the world exploded in the depths of his Soul.

The Wheel Sea barrier shook violently, and cracks appeared.

The vast and gentle medicinal power of the sea-origin pill and the Spiritual Qi gathered from the Spirit Stones turned into a flood, continuously impacting, repairing, and widening the Wheel Sea.

This impact was more violent than any before.

Ye Chen's whole body shook violently, and traces of blood seeped from his seven orifices.

But his eyes were bright, he held his mind steady, and guided the power to strike the barrier again and again without the slightest retreat.

More and more cracks appeared on the barrier, growing deeper and deeper, looking as if it were about to shatter completely.

"Open for me!"

Ye Chen roared in his heart, taking his final strength along with a sliver of insight into the Annihilation Concept...

...and transformed it into an invisible sharp sword, fiercely stabbing at the weakest point of the barrier!

"Crack!"

A clear shattering sound rang out.

The Wheel Sea barrier burst open!

A sense of power, far vaster and deeper than before, instantly filled his entire body.

The volume of the Wheel Sea suddenly expanded, and the chaotic-colored vortex rotated more steadily and powerfully.

The dark red spark at the center pulsed more actively.

A brand new, purer, and more vast Hunyuan True Essence was born from the Wheel Sea.

It flowed through his whole body, nourishing and strengthening every inch of flesh, meridian, and bone.

Fourth Level of the Wheel Sea Realm!

Not only that, at the moment of the Breakthrough, his understanding of Hunyuan Return to Void and Ice Fire Annihilation Domain in his mind...

...also seemed to rise with the tide, becoming clearer and more profound.

The devouring and annihilation intent of Return to Void seemed capable of encompassing and neutralizing more types of elemental power.

The ending intent of Annihilation also took on a deeper flavor.

The Breakthrough in cultivation brought not only an increase in power but also another subtle leap in the level of his life.

His perception of Heaven and Earth Spiritual Qi and his control over his own power reached new heights.

Ye Chen did not stop immediately.

He stabilized his newly gained cultivation and began trying to Cultivate with the zixia spirit-nourishing pill given by Leng Ningshuang.

This pill melted upon entering his mouth, turning into a cool and gentle purple airflow that rushed straight into his Sea of Consciousness.

Ye Chen felt as if his Divine Soul were soaking in a hot spring, incredibly comfortable.

Under the nourishment of the medicinal power, his Divine Sense grew and condensed rapidly, and his perception became sharper and clearer.