Chapter 2: Refining the Body with Divine Essence

"The essence of the divine is the foundation of body refinement. It nourishes the blood, strengthens the bones, and reshapes the flesh. How much one can endure at this stage determines the height they will reach in the future!"

The voice echoed once more in Mo Que's mind. He did not question its origin—there was no time for that. He gritted his teeth, closed his eyes, and fully devoted himself to absorbing the divine essence surging through his body.

Once.

Twice.

Thrice.

Each revolution of the divine essence coursed through his body like a flood, washing over his broken bones and shattered meridians. Every cycle of refinement tore at his very being, sending unbearable waves of agony through him. It felt as if his body was being flayed apart and reforged anew.

A lesser man would have lost consciousness. His mind would have collapsed under the torment.

But Mo Que had no other path. His dantian was shattered, his meridians severed—this was his last chance, his only hope. He clenched his fists, nails digging into his palms, and endured.

Seven revolutions.

Eight revolutions.

Nine revolutions!

At that moment, an explosive force erupted within him, as if a world had been forged in his body. His blood boiled, his bones trembled, and every fiber of his being was infused with a newfound strength.

The divine essence receded, its work complete.

"Nine revolutions to open the sky. If you can endure this trial, you may walk the path of the ancient warriors. Your body will suppress the heavens, a single strand of your hair will cut through mountains, and a drop of your blood will shatter the stars!"

The voice faded, but its words burned into Mo Que's mind. His wounds had vanished, his broken bones restored. But more than that—his body had changed. Strength surged through him, raw and untamed, like a beast that had just awakened.

He had stepped onto the path of body refinement. He was no longer a cripple who could be humiliated at will!

"Three years… I have finally started cultivating again!"

His chest heaved, excitement bubbling within him. His dantian was gone, his meridians ruined—so what? Even without them, he would carve his own invincible path!

Before he could dwell on the mysterious voice, footsteps echoed through the dungeon. A familiar voice followed.

"Bastard, are you dead yet? If you died so easily, I'd be disappointed."

Mo Que's gaze darkened. The voice belonged to none other than Yun Hanzhou, the very person responsible for his suffering.

Moments later, Yun Hanzhou appeared at the entrance of the cell, leading a spirit dog with blood-red eyes, its fangs bared in hostility.

The very same beast that had tried to maul him before.

Yun Hanzhou smirked, his expression filled with cruelty. "You're still alive? Good! I heard you were once a top talent in the Hundred States. No wonder my spirit dog pounced on you—it must have sensed how delicious your flesh is!"

The spirit dog barked wildly, as if it understood its master's mockery and was eager for another chance to tear into Mo Que's flesh.

Yun Hanzhou chuckled. "Do you know why I spared your life? Because even though you're crippled, your body is still extraordinary. Feeding you to my spirit dog will make it stronger!"

His smirk widened. "From now on, I'll have my dog bite off a piece of your bone every day until none remain. Let's see how unyielding you really are!"

As he spoke, he retrieved a key and reached for the cell door. He never once considered the possibility that Mo Que could fight back. The blood-soaked clothing, the tattered state of his body—it all made him look like a half-dead cripple.

"Which bone should I start with today?"

The lock clicked open. Yun Hanzhou unfastened the chain restraining his spirit dog.

"Go!" he ordered. "Bite off one of his fingers first!"

With a feral growl, the spirit dog lunged.

But this time—

Mo Que moved.

His hand shot forward, fingers closing around the beast's throat like an iron vice.

Crack!

The spirit dog's struggles ceased instantly. It let out a pitiful whimper, its crimson eyes wide with shock and fear. But it was too late.

With a final snap, Mo Que crushed its throat.

The beast spasmed, its body going limp in his grip.

Silence.

Yun Hanzhou stood frozen, disbelief plastered across his face.

"You… you actually killed my spirit dog?" His voice trembled with rage.

In all his life, no one had dared to defy him like this. Before, Mo Que had only injured the beast—now, he had slain it outright!

"You worthless dog!" Yun Hanzhou roared, whipping out a leather lash and swinging it toward Mo Que's face.

But Mo Que's hand moved faster.

He caught the whip midair.

Yun Hanzhou barely had time to react before a tremendous force yanked him forward. He stumbled, falling flat on his face inside the prison cell.

"You dare?!" he shrieked, struggling to rise. "I am the young master of the Yun family! You dare—"

Crunch!

Mo Que's foot came down hard on Yun Hanzhou's right hand.

A sickening crack echoed through the cell.

"Aaahhh!" Yun Hanzhou's scream filled the dungeon. His entire palm was shattered beneath Mo Que's heel.

His face twisted in agony, but his fury burned brighter than ever. "You… you dare do this to me?! My brother will kill you! I swear, I will have you torn to pieces!"

His threats meant nothing to Mo Que.

"You had the Ye family break dozens of my bones," Mo Que said coldly. "It's only fair that I return the favor."

Without hesitation, he lifted his foot and stomped down on Yun Hanzhou's other hand.

Another crack. Another scream.

Yun Hanzhou writhed on the ground, his once-arrogant demeanor reduced to pitiful wails. His luxurious robes were now stained with dirt and blood, his hair disheveled, his pride shattered.

Yet even in his suffering, hatred still gleamed in his eyes.

"I swear—" he gasped through the pain. "I will make you regret this! I will cut you apart piece by piece, break every bone in your body—"

Mo Que silenced him with another stomp, this time on his leg.

More bones shattered. More screams followed.

Yun Hanzhou's cries of agony reverberated through the dungeon, a fitting retribution for the torment he had once inflicted on others.

This was only the beginning.