At first, it felt like his meridians might collapse under the pressure.
The compressed qi was dense, almost heavy, and it pushed against the walls of his pathways like a boulder being forced through a narrow tunnel.
But Su Xiaobai remained calm, guiding the energy with precision, allowing it to pack tighter and tighter.
With each pulse, the 'compressed qi' became more concentrated, its intensity increasing tenfold. The spiritual water's energy, once spread loosely across his system, was now being condensed into compact bursts of power.
The compression process caused his meridians to glow faintly, the energy within them becoming almost tangible.
His meridians were no longer fragile channels—they were being reforged, becoming conduits of pure, concentrated energy.
The Art of "Qi Amplification"!
As the 'Qi Compression' took hold, Su Xiaobai felt the effects of 'Qi Amplification' start to kick in.
With every breath, the compressed qi surged through his meridians, amplifying the power of his techniques.
It was as though his body had become a forge, with each pulse of qi acting as a hammer, shaping his techniques into stronger, more devastating forms.
His meridians were like high-pressure pipelines, the compressed qi roaring through them with increased velocity and intensity.
The elements within his body—'lightning', 'fire', 'wind', and 'water'—swirled together in perfect balance, empowered by the amplified qi.
Each time Su Xiaobai tested the flow, his techniques grew stronger, sharper. His 'lightning' crackled more violently, his 'fire' burned hotter, his 'wind' sliced through the air like a blade, and his 'water' flowed with an unstoppable force.
His meridians glowed brighter and brighter, fortified with the compressed qi.
It was like walking a razor's edge—one misstep could cause his pathways to collapse under the strain, but with precision and patience, Su Xiaobai guided the process forward.
His meridians weren't just expanded—they were evolving into conduits for 'enhanced elemental techniques', refined and fortified for the trials ahead.
_____
Weeks 9-10: Meridian Core Formation!
Having fortified his meridians and mastered the art of 'Qi Compression', Su Xiaobai moved toward the final and most critical step: 'Meridian Core Formation'.
The 'peak stage of the Meridian Expansion Realm' demanded the creation of 'cores' at key points within his qi pathways.
These cores would act as 'amplification engines', dramatically increasing the speed and output of his qi.
To achieve this, Su Xiaobai needed to crystallize the compressed qi into 'cores' that would sit at his 'major qi nodes'—the vital points where his meridians intersected.
These nodes weren't located in his dantians but were spread throughout his body, serving as 'energy hubs' for his entire system.
Forming the First Meridian Core!
The first core needed to form at a node between his heart and lungs—a point that controlled the flow of qi to his upper body, particularly his arms and chest.
This core would be crucial for any explosive techniques he performed using his arms, such as unleashing lightning or wielding fire.
Su Xiaobai channeled the compressed qi to this point, guiding the energy with surgical precision. Slowly, the qi began to condense further, taking on a crystalline form.
The process was excruciating.
His body trembled under the immense pressure, his meridians feeling like they might burst at any moment. But he pressed on.
After what felt like hours, the qi at the node began to crystallize fully, forming a glowing 'Meridian Core'.
It was like a miniature star, radiating power and pulsing with the compressed energy stored within.
The moment the core formed, Su Xiaobai felt a surge of energy flood his upper body.
His qi flowed faster, more freely, and he could now channel vast amounts of power through his arms in an instant.
The Second Meridian Core!
The next core needed to form at a node near his 'solar plexus', the center of his body's qi flow.
This core would regulate the balance between his upper and lower body, ensuring that the energy from his dantians could circulate throughout his meridians without any blockages.
Su Xiaobai once again channeled the compressed qi, guiding it toward this central point.
The energy swirled and tightened, the pressure building as the qi condensed into a dense, crystalline form.
"Ugh..."
His body ached under the strain, but he could feel the power growing within him.
This core was the most crucial, as it would determine how efficiently he could transfer qi throughout his entire system.
Finally, after what felt like an eternity, the 'second Meridian Core' solidified.
The moment it formed, Su Xiaobai felt a rush of energy flood his entire body.
His 'Qi Transmission' speed had increased dramatically, allowing him to circulate qi from his dantian to his extremities with lightning speed.
The Third Meridian Core!
The final core was the most difficult. It needed to form near the 'lower dantian', the seat of his 'essence'.
This core would control his stamina and endurance, allowing him to sustain high-intensity combat for longer periods without exhausting his qi reserves.
Su Xiaobai channeled the last of the spiritual water's energy into this node, focusing on compressing the qi into a stable core.
His body trembled with exertion, his meridians glowing brightly as the energy within him surged toward its final form.
Boom!
With one final push, the 'third Meridian Core' crystallized, locking into place like the final piece of a grand puzzle.
The core pulsed with energy, and Su Xiaobai could feel his entire body flood with newfound strength.
His qi reserves had expanded, and he could now store far more energy than before, allowing him to fight with sustained power for longer periods.
_____
The Final Surge: Reaching Peak Meridian Expansion Realm!
The formation of the third core triggered an explosive reaction in Su Xiaobai's body. His 'meridians' pulsed with power, the energy flowing through them with unprecedented speed and efficiency.
Swoosh! Swoosh! Swoosh!
The three cores acted like 'qi amplification engines', rapidly increasing his output and allowing him to unleash devastating techniques almost instantly.
"!"
Su Xiaobai opened his eyes as a wave of power surged through him.
His meridians had been fully fortified, the 'Qi Compression' had reached its peak, and the 'Meridian Cores' now allowed for 'instantaneous technique deployment'.
He could feel the power coursing through him, ready to be unleashed in explosive bursts at his command.
BOOM!
The air around him brust with energy, the sheer force of his breakthrough shaking the cave.
Tremble... Tremble...
His body glowed with the radiant energy of his meridians, now fortified and crystallized into a network of power.
His connection to the elements had deepened further, his control over them amplified by the cores.
His techniques would now be faster, stronger, and far more devastating than before.
"Finally..."
Su Xiaobai stood, his body humming with energy.
He had reached the 'Peak Stage of the Meridian Expansion Realm', his meridians now optimized to handle extreme amounts of qi and deliver it with pinpoint precision.
"With this..." Su Xiaobai muttered, clenching his fists, feeling the immense strength coursing through him, "I'm ready to crush mountains."
The next step—'Core Emergence Realm'—awaited him.
But for now, he would bask in the power of his newly formed 'Meridian Cores' and the perfection of his qi system.
Each step forward brought him closer to his ultimate goals, and now, with his body fully optimized for battle, he was ready to face whatever idiots stood ahead obstructing his path!