"Ah!"
Dai Chengfeng focused his gaze and let out a soft sigh.
The Earth Vein Core in the wooden box had now completely lost all its luster and vitality, reduced to a dull, worthless stone.
But…
On the lotus pedestal of the Four Symbols Five Elements Lotus, the earth-attribute leaf that represented this element had clearly taken shape.
However, it only occupied slightly more than three-fifths of the entire area. Though it still radiated a dense earthy-yellow glow—thick, stable, and profound, exuding a comforting surge of immense earth power—the tip of the leaf, approximately two-fifths of the total area, remained an unattributed white!
"As expected… it wasn't enough."
"This newly formed earth-attribute leaf ultimately failed to reach full maturity, only growing halfway. It's still insufficient for the Four Symbols Five Elements Lotus to bloom and bear fruit."
A wry smile tugged at the corners of Dai Chengfeng's lips, but there was no deep disappointment in his eyes.
After all, this outcome was already within his expectations.
The Four Symbols Five Elements Lotus, being the pinnacle of divine herbs, would have been unworthy of its reputation if it could mature so easily.
The fact that the Earth Vein Core had helped form most of the leaf was already an unexpected boon, proving its exceptional quality and affirming that he was on the right path.
"So be it!"
Dai Chengfeng murmured softly to himself, his eyes gleaming with renewed intensity. "This is good news!"
"The harder it is to mature, the greater the potency of the Four Symbols Five Elements Lotus. Once fully grown, the blessings it will bring me will undoubtedly be even greater!"
"And now, what I need…"
"Is simply to find another top-tier earth-attribute treasure!"
Dai Chengfeng shook his head, his heart filled with anticipation as he carefully stored this rarest of divine herbs back into his storage soul-guidance artifact for safekeeping.
"So then, next…"
Dai Chengfeng's expression suddenly became incredibly solemn, even tinged with an unprecedented fervor and excitement.
"This is the true priority!"
His heart began to race uncontrollably.
A faint glimmer flashed from the storage soul-guidance artifact, and the room was instantly filled with an indescribable aura of majesty!
Buzz!
For a moment, the air seemed to solidify, and even the light streaming through the window dimmed slightly.
The next second, a fist-sized, pure white jade stone floated silently above Dai Chengfeng's outstretched palm—this was none other than the Dragon Core!
"Hoo!"
Feeling the vast, ocean-like and prison-like majesty emanating from the Dragon Core, Dai Chengfeng's heart raced uncontrollably.
"When Huo Yuhao held the Dark Dagger and inflicted nine wounds upon himself with eighteen cuts, nearly dying, Long Xiaoyao fed him the Dragon Core."
Flashes of known information about the Dragon Core raced through Dai Chengfeng's mind. "Its principle likely lies in using those extreme injuries as a catalyst, opening an unprecedented 'gap' in his body on the brink of collapse, allowing it to accommodate and withstand the overwhelmingly domineering energy of the Dragon Core."
"And amidst the reversal of life and death, a miraculous transformation and ascension of the flesh occurred!"
Dai Chengfeng lowered his head, examining his own condition.
Even now, the damage caused by the self-destructive release of his soul rings was still palpable.
Though there were no external wounds, his meridians were fractured, riddled with fine cracks; his dantian was like a dried-up riverbed, utterly empty, devoid of even a trace of soul power; and his internal organs had suffered tremendous shock, causing lingering pain...
In short, his entire body was in an unprecedented state of weakness.
"Who would have thought that the injuries caused by the ring explosion might turn out to be a blessing in disguise?" Dai Chengfeng's eyes gleamed fiercely. "At this moment, my body is almost akin to another form of 'near-death' state."
"Isn't this the perfect 'vessel' to contain the violent energy of the Dragon Core?"
"Perhaps even more suitable than Huo Yuhao! Not only am I weak, but I also lack the obstruction of surging soul power or the protection of formidable energy. My body is the ideal 'canvas' for the Dragon Core's power to reshape me!"
With this realization, Dai Chengfeng grew even more excited. "Huo Yuhao used the Dragon Core to eventually achieve a physique as strong as a dragon's."
"But my foundation is far stronger than his was back then!"
Unable to resist, Dai Chengfeng clenched his fists tightly, feeling the latent strength still hidden deep within his muscles and bones, even in his weakened state:
"My body has been repeatedly tempered with the unparalleled Origin Metal Energy ever since I obtained my first soul ring!"
"Every bone, every inch of flesh, has been honed to incredible resilience."
"And later, the divine herbs I consumed further strengthened my body, allowing me to achieve the Vajra Invincible Body. Even now, my physical strength likely rivals Huo Yuhao's after he successfully fused with the Dragon Core!"
"In some pure attributes, I might even surpass him!"
"So then, what's next?"
A burning thought, like a blazing star, exploded fiercely in Dai Chengfeng's mind:
"Huo Yuhao not only strengthened his body with the Dragon Core but also laid the foundation for creating the second soul core in the future!"
"What about me?" Anticipation gleamed clearly in Dai Chengfeng's eyes. "If I can perfectly absorb this Dragon Core and figure out a way…"
"Couldn't I also gain the potential to awaken a second martial soul?!"
"Heaven grants, and if you don't take, you'll suffer the consequences!"
At this moment, Dai Chengfeng no longer hesitated, his resolve hardened like someone burning their boats behind them.
"Now!"
He opened his mouth and swallowed the Dragon Core whole!
Surprisingly, the Dragon Core didn't taste bad—in fact, it felt strange. Moreover, unlike ordinary pills, it didn't dissolve immediately.
Instead, it slid down his throat and sank deep into his abdomen.
Boom—!
In an instant, Dai Chengfeng felt as though billions of thunderbolts had detonated simultaneously within his body!
His dormant body was thrown into the core of an infernal crucible!
This wasn't an external energy surge but a cataclysmic transformation erupting from the deepest roots of life itself!
The essence of the dragon's primal energy contained within the Dragon Core had finally found its outlet.
There was no radiant overflow, no earth-shattering display—every intense change was concentrated within Dai Chengfeng's seemingly calm yet storm-ravaged shell.
Pain!
An indescribable agony instantly swept through every nerve ending!
It wasn't the sharp pain of blades or axes but the relentless crushing, disintegration, and reformation of his entire body at the most fundamental particle level—a ceaseless torment!
The power of the Dragon Core was domineering, ruthless, and supreme!
Like a mighty flood, it completely disregarded Dai Chengfeng's current weakened state, sweeping through his limbs, organs, every drop of blood, every inch of bone, every fiber of muscle…
"Hmmph!"
Even Dai Chengfeng couldn't help but let out a low groan, his body trembling violently, but he gritted his teeth tightly.
Soon, blood seeped from his gums, and beads of cold sweat soaked through his clothes, only to be vaporized into steam by the scorching heat rising from within.
The sound of cracking bones and roaring energy echoed like the roar of a tiger!
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