Chapter 32: First-Grade Bloodline

"Evolution Method, Refinement!"

At this moment, Jiang Ning immersed his mind, gazing inward into his body.

Within his dantian, and at the points where the apertures had opened on his shoulders, three distinct bloodline forces formed a tripod of power, roaring and coursing through his entire being.

"Merge!"

Following the hand gestures from inherited memories of the evolution method, Jiang Ning gathered the three bloodlines at his chest, beginning the refinement!

Boom!

The collision of bloodline powers was utterly astonishing.

Were it not for his Celestial Spirit Body, an ordinary person could never endure such impact.

The greatest advantage of the Celestial Spirit Body was its capacity to embrace all things, endlessly resilient, yielding yet unbreakable, able to soften the most rigid forces.

"Celestial Spirit Body, activate!"

The three bloodlines could not simply fuse; their energies were wholly incompatible. Yet, the Celestial Spirit Body acted as a harmonizing agent, stripping away the violence from each, melding them with its own bloodline. In truth, it was the fusion of four bloodlines, giving birth to a unique, singular first-grade bloodline belonging solely to himself.

"The power of a first-grade bloodline—truly wild..."

Jiang Ning sensed the turmoil within him. This was a crucial stage, requiring ceaseless harmonization through his Celestial Spirit Body.

The fused bloodline energies circled through his meridians again and again.

A hiss...

Jiang Ning felt a wave of pain scour his entire body, but he gritted his teeth and endured. This was a process of cleansing his meridians, making them tougher and more resilient.

It brought him tremendous benefit.

...

Time seemed to crawl for Jiang Ning as the energies circulated, but after a while, he exhaled deeply and slowly opened his eyes.

"It's almost done..."

Now, the coursing bloodline energies were no longer affecting him. It was a natural process; his Celestial Spirit Body had absorbed all, washing away the violent elements from his bloodline, leaving him feeling refreshed and clear.

"Refinement!"

Jiang Ning shifted his hand seals once more, gathering the bloodline power at his heart, beginning the final evolution.

His bloodline fused into his heart, triggering a wild transformation that surged throughout his body!

Boom!

His aura exploded forth in an instant!

Even the formation atop the giant cauldron was shaken by the sudden surge!

"Come! Transform!"

Jiang Ning relinquished control of the bloodline flow, letting the evolution method run its course. Bathed in the onslaught of bloodline energy, his bones crackled and vibrated.

"Eh?"

Under the scour of bloodline power, his body was transforming, his aura rising higher and higher. At this moment, he touched the barrier between the peak of the Aperture Opening realm and the Body Refining realm!

"It's happening now..."

Jiang Ning was in the midst of bloodline transformation, uncertain whether to attempt the breakthrough at the same time, fearing some mishap.

After all, he was still within the giant cauldron, continuously resisting the ferocious beast blood energy.

"Take the risk!"

After a while, he clenched his teeth and resolved.

If he didn't seize this opportunity and break through now, who knew when he might touch this barrier again.

It was a stroke of luck; after striving for so long, he had found it almost impossible to take this step forward.

"Breakthrough!"

The beast blood surged wildly, its violent energy purged, pouring into Jiang Ning's body!

Just at this moment, atop the palace pavilions, the battle truly erupted!

"Yang Zhengfeng! It's been a while—why do you hide your true face?" The Sect Master of Six Paths laughed into the sky, their clash threatening to tear open the heavens.

This was a duel between divine demon powerhouses, each movement imbued with their understanding of the Dao, stirring the very heavens and earth.

"Hmph! What does it matter to you?"

Yang Zhengfeng, a sixth-heaven divine demon, unable to break through, harnessed the power of the palace and pavilions, combined with the world force of the Idle Cloud Sect's formation, to defend himself.

At the same time, several elders of the Idle Cloud Sect struck together, joining forces to bridge the gap of one heaven.

Yang Zhengfeng remained shrouded, wrapped in a manifestation, his combined attack shaking mountains and rivers.

"Too powerful!"

Disciples from both sects, watching from afar, were awed by the aftermath of these divine demon attacks; few in the Aperture Opening realm could withstand it.

Every step up in realm was perilous.

Battle raged in the heavens; the grudges between Six Paths and Idle Cloud disciples flared, many plunging into chaotic melee. Some, driven by bitter enmity, turned blade against blade.

"I didn't expect such a true brawl..."

Li Zhenyu, now restored to his true appearance, stood atop a peak within Idle Cloud Sect.

"That boy must be in the floating hall..."

He had drawn the Six Paths forces, and now it was up to fate. For now, entry into the hall was impossible; the Idle Cloud Sect hall had become Yang Zhengfeng's fortress and weapon. If he entered, he would surely be discovered.

"It will take patience..."

"Jiang Ning, if you have any skill, come out on your own! Save me the trouble later..."

He muttered to himself, shifting his gaze from the battle above to the mountains below.

"If my guess is correct, there must be a grand formation here, hiding this place from heaven and earth!"

His figure vanished from the peak, heading swiftly toward another mountain...

...

Meanwhile, in the secret chamber.

Jiang Ning's aura surged; his bloodline had evolved, the transformation complete...

He was still in the midst of breaking through to the Body Refining realm.

"Damn..." Jiang Ning felt helpless, finding the barrier to Body Refining impossibly solid, utterly unbreakable!

"Is this why it's so hard to break through after reaching the peak of the Aperture Opening realm?" Jiang Ning was puzzled.

Had the Dao changed, refusing to accept those who reached perfection?

But why, then, did so many strive to reach that peak, eager to break through?

Boom!

A tremor shook Jiang Ning from within.

"First-grade bloodline, fully evolved!"

"My Celestial Spirit Body has evolved into a first-grade bloodline, and the inherited secret technique is devour!"

Jiang Ning was overjoyed!

But his elation was short-lived. Suddenly, from above the palace pavilions, under clear skies, a thunderclap descended!

The thunder pierced all formations, broke through the myriad lights of the palace, penetrated the profound echoes of the Dao, and in one instant, struck Jiang Ning!

"Damn!"

Jiang Ning was shocked; he felt his hair stand on end as lightning smote him!

"What a disaster!"

...

At the same moment, Yang Zhengfeng, in the midst of battle, suddenly shuddered!

Under the astonished eyes of several elders and the Six Paths Sect Master, he spat a mouthful of blood!

His manifestation fragmented inch by inch, and the thousands of connecting lights between the floating palace pavilions dissipated, revealing his decaying true face!

"The Dao imprint... has been erased!"

Yang Zhengfeng stared sharply toward the depths of the palace, as if piercing through the stone door of the secret chamber, his heart filled with unease!