Nine Layers of Quenched Body Environment

After ten days since planting the seeds of the Three Yang Fruit Tree, three fruits have quietly ripened, their vibrant red hues hanging enticingly from the branches.

Yang Kai could sense a profound vitality emanating from these fruits. 

In just ten days, a mere low-grade earthly spirit fruit had transformed from nothing to maturity, a testament to the tremendous effect of that drop of Yang Liquid.

Gingerly extending his hand, he plucked the three fruits and held them in his palm, admiring them with increasing affection.

Yet, despite their allure, these fruits would only yield their benefits once consumed.

Yang Kai wasted no time. He seated himself cross-legged and promptly placed one of the Three Yang Fruits into his mouth. The warm, sweet juice spread across his tongue, leaving a lingering fragrance on his lips.

As the fruit entered his stomach, the True Yang Technique activated, and his abdomen felt as though it were ablaze. To Yang Kai, however, this warmth was the most pleasant sensation, even bringing him great comfort.

The Yang Vitality within the middle-grade earthly spirit fruit swiftly coursed through his meridians, filling them to the point of slight audible clicks as a drop of Yang Liquid gradually formed.

Moments later, another click was heard.

Only after producing three drops of Yang Liquid did the effects of the low-grade earthly spirit fruit fully manifest.

Within his dantian, there were now four drops of Yang Liquid—three newly formed and one from his ten days of cultivation.

Despite the hindrance of the fragrant burner, which had rendered his ten days of cultivation less fruitful, Yang Kai remained unperturbed. His gaze was set on the future, and he was not concerned with these minor setbacks.

Moreover, Yang Kai had a premonition that consuming the remaining two fruits might enable him to break through to the ninth layer of Body Refinement, approaching the threshold of the Open Yuan Realm.

With this thought in mind, Yang Kai did not hesitate to consume the other two Three Yang Fruits.

The Yang Vitality spread within his abdomen, its fierce heat igniting his meridians, causing his entire body to flush red.

The True Yang Technique operated with fervor, and with the rhythmic dripping sounds, the Yang Liquid in his dantian increased steadily. The Yang Vitality seeping from his pores worked in concert with the internal energy.

The surge of vitality within his body intensified, growing more powerful and fierce. Any observer with keen insight would be astonished at the richness of Yang Vitality within Yang Kai, an unprecedented level for a Body Refinement practitioner.

The vitality's fluctuations alone could rival those of an Open Yuan Realm warrior, yet Yang Kai was merely at the eighth layer of Body Refinement.

Yang Kai also felt a certain pressure, an indescribable force seemingly imposed by the heavens, a constraint that had to be broken to advance.

As the blazing True Yang Vitality surged, it gradually wore away this unseen constraint. With time, Yang Kai could sense this obstruction thinning, the breakthrough imminent. His mind cleared, and the True Yang Technique accelerated.

With a resounding boom, it felt as though a chain had been broken, leaving him light and unburdened. All pressures and discomfort vanished, leaving Yang Kai refreshed and invigorated.

He had reached the ninth layer of Body Refinement, standing on the threshold of the Open Yuan Realm.

Although he had broken through, the profound insight from the experience lingered. Yang Kai casually let the ten drops of Yang Liquid in his dantian spin, dispersing in all directions and permeating his organs and meridians.

The Yang Flames within the Yang Liquid purified his body, refining his organs and meridians.

Just as steel requires relentless forging to become strong, so too does the human body need refinement during each breakthrough to enhance strength. Thus, a warrior's strength can dramatically increase with each major breakthrough.

Yang Kai's recent breakthrough was only a minor realm, lacking the surplus of heavenly energy usually available, but the Yang Liquid offered similar benefits.

After a long while, Yang Kai finally opened his eyes. He could feel the tremendous progress from this breakthrough; his strength had vastly improved compared to before.

Confident that he could now easily defeat Cheng Shaofeng and Nu Tao without using Yang Liquid, Yang Kai felt a deep satisfaction.

In addition to his increased strength, Yang Kai had also gained a faint sense of insight during the breakthrough, though it remained elusive for now. He would need to explore it further during future breakthroughs.

The meridians were filled with True Yang Vitality, but his dantian was now empty.

Upon careful consideration, Yang Kai's face darkened. The hard-earned Yang Liquid from three Three Yang Fruits and the previous drop had been entirely depleted in an instant, leaving him with nothing.

Though the benefits to his body were immense, the Yang Liquid was gone.

However, this was not a significant concern. With sufficient resources, acquiring Yang Liquid would be simple. One could easily obtain it through the purchase of high-grade treasures.

The real issue was that Yang Kai was currently impoverished, with no valuable assets beyond the spoils from killing Cheng Shaofeng and Nu Tao.

Contemplating his options, Yang Kai came up with a plan.

Unable to afford high-grade treasures, he could at least purchase seeds.

The success of the Three Yang Fruit Tree was a clear example. With the extraordinary effects of Yang Liquid, obtaining spirit fruits would be effortless with the right seeds.

Yet, seeds were quite scarce. During his previous visit to the Blackwind Trading Market, Yang Kai had not seen any for sale. This was understandable, as planting spirit herbs and trees required suitable conditions, careful attention, and years to yield results.

Who would bother with such a task? Those with the time and energy would rather focus on their cultivation. No one would sell if there were no demand.

Yang Kai resolved to buy seeds in bulk.

Determined, he left Lingxiao Pavilion and headed towards the Blackwind Trading Market.

Although it was his second visit, Yang Kai navigated with ease. The bustling market, lively as ever, was filled with countless warriors and an array of treasures that dazzled the eye.

After circling the vibrant stalls and finding no seeds, Yang Kai, prepared for this outcome, was not disappointed. He retraced his steps to the Blood Battle Gang's stall, hoping to find any additional seeds available.