1st Level of body path

Ling Tian sat cross-legged in his camp, the container of purified demonic beast blood before him.

"Well, time to start the breakthrough."

He calmed his mind and regulated his breathing, focusing his qi to prepare for the blood refinement process.

This was a crucial moment, and he needed to be fully attuned to his body and the energy within it.

Slowly, he brought the container to his lips and drank the blood in one gulp, feeling the potent energy coursing through his veins.

The initial sensation was overwhelming; his body trembled as the raw power of the demonic beast's essence surged within him.

He focused intently, guiding the energy through his meridians, using his cultivation techniques to assimilate and balance the new strength.

The process was intense. The purified blood sought to awaken the latent power within his muscles, bones, and tendons.

He felt a burning sensation spread through his limbs, followed by a surge of strength that made his muscles twitch and flex involuntarily.

Ling Tian clenched his teeth and endured the pain, knowing it was a necessary part of the transformation.

As the minutes turned into hours, the burning sensation began to subside, replaced by a deep, throbbing pulse of raw power.

He could feel his body strengthening, his muscles becoming denser, his bones harder, and his overall physical prowess increasing.

He was entering the first level of the Strength Awakening realm.

Ling Tian's mind flashed back to his past life.

He had always prioritized sub-professions like alchemy, blacksmithing, and formation over direct cultivation.

This had given him a breadth of knowledge but had ultimately limited his combat effectiveness.

He swore to himself that this time, he would strike a balance.

He would harness the full potential of both his body and his skills, ensuring that he became a well-rounded and formidable cultivator.

He continued to meditate, using his qi to refine the demonic blood further and integrate it into every fiber of his being.

He visualized the energy flowing through him, enhancing his muscles, increasing his strength, and awakening his latent physical power.

Each breath he took was deep and controlled, each heartbeat a drumbeat of power resonating within him.

Hours later, as the first light of dawn began to filter through the trees, Ling Tian opened his eyes.

He felt a profound change within himself.

His body radiated with newfound strength, and his senses were sharper than ever before.

He had successfully reached the first sub-level of the Strength Awakening stage.

Standing up, he flexed his fingers and stretched, marveling at the sheer power coursing through his veins.

The world around him seemed clearer, and more vivid, and he felt a connection to the earth beneath his feet and the air around him.

He knew this was just the beginning.

There were many more levels in the Strength Awakening stage, each requiring further refinement and cultivation.

"I've done it," he murmured, a smile spreading across his face. "The 8th level of the Qi Refining Realm, and the first level of the Strength Awakening stage."

Ling Tian's gaze shifted to the dense forest ahead.

He knew that the path to mastering the Strength Awakening stage would be challenging, but he was prepared.

With the Tianwu Sword by his side and his newfound physical prowess, he felt ready to face whatever lay ahead.

He packed up his camp, securing his alchemy tools and remaining spirit herbs. He stepped deeper into the forest, ready to continue his journey. 

"Now, let the massacre begin so I can enjoy this slaughter."

Ling Tian said this with a smirk.

Over the next month, Ling Tian's journey through the Northern Wildlands became a rigorous routine of training, battling, and refining.

Each day was a relentless pursuit of power and mastery, pushing his limits and expanding his abilities.

His encounters with demonic beasts grew increasingly intense.

He faced creatures of greater strength and cunning, each battle a test of his combat skills and strategic thinking.

The Tianwu Sword became an extension of his will, its blade striking with precision and power.

One evening, after a particularly fierce battle with a group of Qi Refining Realm demonic beasts, Ling Tian retreated to a secluded cave.

He set up a small camp and prepared to refine the blood of the defeated beasts.

The process had become second nature to him, his hands moving with practiced ease as he purified the blood and combined it with spirit herbs to create potent elixirs.

As he consumed the elixirs, he felt his qi circulating more vigorously within him.

The energy flowed through his meridians, filling him with a sense of power and vitality.

He could feel himself approaching the peak of the Qi Refining Realm.

"I can feel it," Ling Tian thought, his eyes closed in concentration. "The 9th level is within reach."

Over the following days, he continued to push himself, both in battle and in cultivation.

Each confrontation with a demonic beast was an opportunity to test his limits and refine his techniques.

He sought out the most challenging opponents, knowing that only by facing true danger could he grow stronger.

One night, as he meditated by the light of a flickering campfire, the breakthrough finally came.

His qi surged, filling him with a powerful, radiant energy.

The barrier to the 9th level of the Qi Refining Realm shattered, and he felt a profound sense of accomplishment and strength.

"I've done it," he murmured, a small smile spreading across his face. "The 9th level of the Qi Refining Realm."

But his progress didn't stop there.

The Strength Awakening stage of the Body Refining Realm advanced rapidly, a testament to Ling Tian's relentless training.

Each day was a meticulous cycle of battles, refining, and cultivating, all aimed at honing his physical prowess.

Through continuous refinement and absorption of demonic beast blood, his physical power grew exponentially.

The essence of the beasts was a potent catalyst, infusing his muscles, bones, and tendons with unprecedented strength.

His muscles became denser and more resilient, each fiber reinforced by the potent qi and vitality of the beasts he had slain.

This newfound density gave him an incredible boost in raw power, allowing him to deliver blows that could shatter stones and topple trees.

His physical endurance increased as well, enabling him to sustain prolonged periods of intense combat without succumbing to fatigue.

His bones, too, underwent a profound transformation.

He reached the 5th level of the Strength Awakening stage, each level marking a significant increase in his raw physical power.

At the first level, he noticed an improvement in his basic strength and endurance. His punches carried more force, and he could leap higher and run faster.

By the second level, his muscles and bones had become even more refined.

He could sense the raw power coursing through him, and his movements became more fluid and controlled.

His physical reflexes sharpened, allowing him to react to threats with lightning speed.

The third level brought about a marked increase in his striking power.

His fists could now cause shockwaves, and his kicks could create gusts of wind.

His body's resilience also improved, making him less susceptible to physical harm.

At the fourth level, his body underwent a more profound transformation.

His senses heightened further, and he could feel the pulse of life around him, sensing the presence of other beings with remarkable clarity.

After reaching the fifth level of the Strength Awakening stage his physical capabilities had reached a level that surpassed most cultivators of his realm.

His muscles rippled with power, his bones were like reinforced steel, and his entire body felt like a weapon honed to perfection.

He could now channel his qi more effectively through his physical form, enhancing his strength and speed to superhuman levels.

Each level in the Strength Awakening stage brought him closer to unlocking his body's full potential.

Ling Tian knew that there were still many more levels to conquer, each promising even greater power.

But for now, he felt a profound sense of accomplishment and readiness.

His journey through the Northern Wildlands was far from over, and he anticipated even greater challenges ahead.

With his body refined to the 5th level of the Strength Awakening stage and his qi cultivation at the 9th level of the Qi Refining Realm, Ling Tian felt more prepared than ever to face whatever lay in wait.