Leaving the Death Desert, stepping into the relatively familiar border region, that omnipresent dryness and deathly silence was finally replaced by moist air carrying grass and wood fragrance. Xiao Qi and Zhao Tiezhu didn't immediately return to Wangbei City, but found a secluded valley at the desert's edge, deciding to first meditate for a period to thoroughly digest this Western Desert journey's harvest, especially that hard-won "Indestructible Diamond Body" transmission.
The valley was quiet and secluded, with a gurgling stream—a scene like a different world from the previous yellow sand filling the sky. The two opened simple cave dwellings, set up warning restrictions, and began their respective cultivation.
Xiao Qi sat cross-legged in the cave dwelling, his mind sinking into his body. He didn't rush to assault higher cultivation realms, but put all his energy into tempering his physical body. In his mind, those "Indestructible Diamond Body" body refining charts and formulas from the Golden Sand ancient city main hall walls—those "activated" by purification Sanskrit sounds and imprinted by his powerful divine consciousness—floated before him like a revolving lantern.
The "Earth Diamond Form's" steady heaviness, the "Golden Body Jade Bone Formula's" internal and external tempering, the "Arhat Holding Up Heaven Form's" fierce exertion, the "Wrathful Wisdom King Seal's" qi and blood eruption... Each remnant chart, each broken formula, with his comprehension far exceeding ordinary people and the assistance of the relic Buddhist power's afterglow, was constantly understood, deduced, completed, and put into practice.
He didn't rigidly adhere to single charts, but integrated them all, forming a body refining method most suitable for himself, more systematic and efficient. Qi and blood under his exquisite control sometimes moved like earth's pulse, steady and condensed, consolidating foundation; sometimes like thousands of fine streams, penetrating everywhere, tempering every tiny place in bones, meridians, and internal organs; sometimes like volcanic eruption, condensing at one point, developing the body's hidden explosive power.
On his body surface, that layer of pale golden precious light was no longer merely qi and blood manifesting externally, but became more restrained and profound, as if a thin layer of golden glaze really covered beneath his skin, circulating with resilient, immortal meaning. His bones issued subtle yet dense humming sounds, like refined steel being repeatedly forged; muscle fibers became tougher and more knotted, containing explosive power; internal organ vitality also greatly increased, with metabolism far exceeding before.
More importantly, his mastery over his own body reached an unprecedented level of fine control. With a thought, qi and blood could instantly condense at his fingertips, erupting with power to pierce gold and stone; or evenly spread throughout his body, forming a powerful defense comparable to a spiritual shield. This kind of control was far more precious than simple power growth.
After who knows how long—perhaps ten days, perhaps half a month.
Xiao Qi slowly opened his eyes. As they opened and closed, faint pale golden essence light flashed and vanished. He lightly clenched his fist. Without using any spiritual power at all, relying solely on physical body power, the air around his fist issued a low explosive sound! He could clearly feel the terrifying power contained within this body of his. In terms of physical body strength and power alone, he was no longer inferior to any Foundation Establishment late stage body cultivator specializing in body refining!
This was the "Indestructible Diamond Body's" initial entry-level power! Though still far from true "indestructible" realm, it had already laid an incomparably solid physical foundation for him, raising his comprehensive strength another level. In close combat, he would no longer rely solely on sword intent and spells—this powerful body itself was the most terrible weapon!
Simultaneously, in the adjacent cave dwelling, Zhao Tiezhu's harvest was even greater!
He had originally specialized in body cultivation with a solid foundation, and his "Diamond Subduing Demon Divine Ability" was same-source with this "Indestructible Diamond Body." This time obtaining an even more ancient and systematic body refining true transmission, especially having personally felt that majestic power from relic Buddhist power enhancement, he was like receiving enlightenment—many bottlenecks in his previous cultivation suddenly became clear!
He focused on the "Earth Diamond Form" and another remnant chart emphasizing qi and blood total volume and recovery ability called "Endless Life Body," tempering his qi and blood to be even more pure and thick. That pale golden qi and blood light almost wanted to penetrate his body and manifest as substantial flames!
Just as he initially integrated these two remnant charts, the qi and blood bottleneck within him that had long reached Foundation Establishment middle stage peak, already stirring through repeated fierce battles and ancient city opportunities—suddenly shattered!
"Boom!"
An aura several times more powerful than before shot skyward from Zhao Tiezhu's cave dwelling! Majestic qi and blood like wolf smoke rushed straight to the clouds, dispersing several parts of the cloud layer above the cave dwelling! His whole body's bones issued cracking explosive sounds, his form seeming to faintly swell a size, muscles knotted like gold and iron, full of explosive power feeling!
Foundation Establishment late stage!
With the "Indestructible Diamond Body" remnant chapter's guidance and ancient city opportunity's accumulation, Zhao Tiezhu's thick accumulation suddenly broke through, reaching Foundation Establishment late stage in one leap! His physical body power, defense, and qi and blood total volume all achieved qualitative leaps! At this moment, even without using any divine abilities, relying solely on this body, he was sufficient to dominate among Foundation Establishment late stage cultivators!
"Hahaha! Brother Qi! I broke through! I'm Foundation Establishment late stage!" Zhao Tiezhu's excited roar like thunder echoed in the valley. He rushed out of the cave dwelling, feeling that surging power within, unable to contain his excitement.
Xiao Qi walked out of his cave dwelling, looking at the Zhao Tiezhu before him with qi and blood like a dragon and spirit radiating, a gratified smile appearing on his face. Zhao Tiezhu's breakthrough was within his expectations. This Western Desert trip was indeed a heaven-sized fortune for Zhao Tiezhu.
"Congratulations, Tiezhu." Xiao Qi smiled, "With your body now, I'm afraid you can withstand several hits from a Golden Core cultivator without dying."
Zhao Tiezhu chuckled foolishly, forcefully pounding his iron-cast-like chest, issuing muffled "dong dong" sounds: "All thanks to Brother Qi! If not for you bringing me to this Western Desert, how could I have today!"
The rabbit spirit also hopped out, circling around the aura-greatly-increased Zhao Tiezhu twice, its small paw patting his leg, seemingly expressing congratulations.
The two looked at each other and smiled. After experiencing life and death tribulations, both their strengths had greatly advanced—this joy was beyond words.
Xiao Qi felt his own powerful body comparable to body cultivators, and Zhao Tiezhu's Foundation Establishment late stage majestic qi and blood, heroic feelings rising in his heart. Northern Plains tempered spiritual power, Western Desert consolidated physical body. Now his essence, qi, and spirit were all polished to Foundation Establishment period's extreme, his state unprecedentedly complete.
The time had come.
He raised his head, his gaze seeming to penetrate the valley, looking toward Clear Void Temple's direction in the Central Plains, his eyes firm and burning.
"Tiezhu, let's go home."
Target: Clear Void Temple! Meditation: Core Formation!