A series of energy tides formed from Taiyin True Qi appeared within Hun Changqing's body, surging and crashing against a certain barrier. At this moment, Hun Changqing was enduring intense pain.
Breaking through to a higher realm was already extremely difficult, and the pain during the breakthrough was unbearable. Coupled with the impact of Gu Ming's Emperor Seal Technique's battle qi, his scalp tingled, and he felt dizzy and disoriented. He wished he could immediately faint to avoid enduring this excruciating pain.
Hun Changqing's eyes, once clear, were now bloodshot and filled with crimson veins. His entire body trembled violently. He bit his tongue sharply, forcibly maintaining his spirit to prevent himself from succumbing to darkness.
The surging energy tides within Hun Changqing's body continuously crashed against the barrier that was blocking him before he reached the Dou Zun realm. Deep, muffled sounds emanated from within Hun Changqing's body, causing him to groan with each sound.
Finally, as time passed, the energy impacting Hun Changqing was completely transformed into Taiyin True Qi, turning into energy tides that assaulted Hun Changqing's bottleneck.
However, even after all this energy was exhausted, the bottleneck within Hun Changqing's body did not completely break through; it only became fragmented, just like when he last attempted to break through his realm. It seemed as if the next strike could completely shatter the bottleneck, but in reality, it remained resilient, leaving Hun Changqing helpless.
"Not enough..."
Hun Changqing murmured hoarsely, then flipped his hand, revealing a bottle of pills—a bottle containing Taiyin Pills.
Hun Changqing threw the bottle directly into his mouth, his gleaming white teeth beginning to chew, crushing the bottle and pills together. Instantly, waves of extremely cold medicinal power erupted from Hun Changqing's mouth.
The silvery-white liquid slid down Hun Changqing's throat, then spread to his limbs and bones, drawing upon the Taiyin True Qi within his body, which then transformed once again into terrifying energy tides, continuing to surge towards that invisible bottleneck.
A moment later, Hun Changqing suddenly opened his crimson eyes, a hazy, blood-red light filling them. Clearly, he was tormented by the pain within his body, losing all clarity and reason, forced to rely solely on instinct to circulate his energy and break through the bottleneck.
"Still...not enough! I need more!"
Hun Changqing's face was contorted in a grotesque grimace, his exquisitely beautiful features twisted and deformed.
"Old Yao! Release his energy!"
Hun Changqing roared at Yao Chen.
Yao Chen was startled by Hun Changqing's roar behind him, then turned to look at him. He saw Hun Changqing's mangled, ghostly appearance, with energy fluctuations surging within him. Yao Chen's keen eyesight allowed him to see that Hun Changqing was attempting to break through his cultivation level.
"This..."
Yao Chen hesitated. He was currently experiencing this energy firsthand and knew just how terrifying it was. He feared Hun Changqing wouldn't be able to withstand it; if he did, Hun Changqing might be torn to shreds from the inside out!
"Quickly!"
Hun Changqing roared again, and as he roared, a mouthful of blood spurted from his mouth. Clearly, his body was in extremely bad shape, as if a fire was about to erupt. You'll never believe why I moved to… Dortmund Hearing Hun Changqing's urgent tone, Yao Chen dared not hesitate any longer. He used his flames to protect himself, then released the grip on the ancient name seal platform above, stepping aside and allowing the energy from the platform to pour down, enveloping Hun Changqing behind him.
"Ah!"
Hun Changqing instantly let out an extremely shrill wail, the sound so loud it resounded throughout the heavens and earth, even making Yao Chen's heart tremble.
Yao Chen's heart was filled with worry, but there was nothing he could do to help Hun Changqing. Breakthroughs were something only Hun Changqing could do; all Yao Chen could do now was silently pray for him.
"Pfft pfft pfft!"
Several bursts of blood mist instantly erupted from Hun Changqing's body. Clearly, the raging energy within him had broken through his body's defenses, destroying his body and creating bloody holes. Blood gushed from these holes, staining Hun Changqing a blood-soaked figure.
However, Hun Changqing had no time to worry about his external injuries. His entire focus was now on his internal energy, violently manipulating the energy tides within him to assault the seemingly fragile yet incredibly resilient bottleneck!
...
Meanwhile, Gu Xun'er, in the pavilion, naturally heard the tremendous commotion thousands of meters above. However, she didn't pay it any mind. She knew Hun Changqing wouldn't surrender easily, so she asked Gu Ming to quiet him down for a while.
Gu Xun'er only heard the commotion above and didn't know Hun Changqing's current state, nor did she know that Gu Ming had been so enraged by Hun Changqing that he had completely forgotten her instructions and was now using excessive force. Otherwise, she probably wouldn't be able to continue her leisurely search in the pavilion.
Gu Xun'er didn't sense any living beings in the pavilion; instead, she felt the omnipresent aura of Taiyin True Qi, which intoxicated her somewhat.
She slowed her pace, carefully searching for traces left by Hun Changqing, feeling enveloped by his aura, her eyes glazed over with infatuation.
Gu Xun'er meticulously sensed and savored everything in the pavilion, walking very slowly. She felt incredibly at ease here, enveloped in a faint sense of happiness—something she hadn't felt in the Ancient Burning Sect or the Ancient Clan. For a moment, even the destructive urges that constantly swelled within her were somewhat diminished.
Until she reached the outside of an exquisite room, Gu Xun'er could sense that Hun Changqing's aura was strongest here; it must be his bedroom. This instantly excited Gu Xun'er, and she eagerly pushed open the light door.
What came into view was… an extremely messy bed, with traces of undried food on it, and a fishy smell emanating from those traces, permeating the entire room.
The glaring scene instantly turned Gu Xun'er's eyes bloodshot. Every detail of the room, every lingering fishy smell in the air, constantly assaulted her senses, shattering the faint warmth that had just risen in her heart. She was once again shrouded in darkness, unable to see a ray of light, and this darkness was even deeper than before, driving her to the brink of madness and loss of reason.