He did this to adjust his own state so that he could use the potion at the moment when he was at his peak.

How precious the nine-hundred-year-old Deep Water Clam Pearls are! After this time, who knows when he would have the chance to obtain them again. Therefore, Song Chi must seize this opportunity to maximize the efficacy of the potion.

As the Guidance Technique began to officially operate, the Spectral Energy inside his body also started its cycle in circles.

It was hard to tell how much time had passed, maybe a few minutes, maybe half an hour, but when Song Chi opened his eyes again, he could feel that his condition had been adjusted to the best.

Having ascertained this, he didn't hesitate any longer and quickly picked up the Advanced Body Tempering Potion that had been set aside.

Pop!

He uncorked the potion bottle and gulped it down in one go.

Immediately afterward, he resumed the operation of the Spectral Energy Guidance Technique.

Hot, extremely hot, unbearably hot.

Not long after swallowing the potion, Song Chi's body began to exhibit an abnormal flush, and a tremendous amount of energy burst forth from his abdomen continuously.

Unlike the gentle energy of the past, this energy was more domineering, and it spread at an astonishing rate. As it flowed from his abdomen to the rest of his body, it scorched Song Chi's meridians, causing intermittent piercing pain within his body.

In barely two minutes, Song Chi's entire body was like boiling hot water, continuously emitting heat, yet despite this outward expulsion of heat, the inner accumulation was much faster and his whole body remained unbearably hot.

Suppressing the intense discomfort, the practice of the Spectral Energy Guidance Technique didn't stop for a moment.

Song Chi knew all too well that this wasn't a dangerous signal, but rather, an impressive display of the potency of the Advanced Body Tempering Potion he had taken.

Although his body seemed barely able to endure the strain, in fact, there weren't any serious issues.

Moreover, notwithstanding his current state, the progress of the Spectral Energy Guidance Technique within his body was far beyond imagination, hundreds, even thousands of times faster than usual.

Besides, Song Chi felt a deep sense of relief in his heart for having resisted the temptation in the past and only now using the Advanced Body Tempering Potion. Otherwise, even the Rank 8 Guidance Technique would definitely not withstand such terrifying potency; if that were the case, his body might have been completely ruined.

The Advanced Body Tempering Potion was renowned for its domineering effects, and even though the addition of the nine-hundred-year Deep Water Clam Pearl powder mitigated some of its harsh properties, the problem lay exactly there—the pearls themselves, being over nine-hundred years old, already contained terrifying energy.

Although the energy within the Deep Water Clam Pearls was sufficiently gentle, this is all relative. Clam Pearls of a nine-hundred-year vintage were at least nurtured by First Rank clams, possibly even at the peak of the First Rank or at the Second Rank. The energy contained within the pearls born from clams that had nurtured them for nine hundred years was unimaginably formidable.

Such a vast amount of energy, no matter how gentle, represented an enormous burden for a typical Zero Rank being.

...

Time continued to pass, and the effects of the Advanced Body Tempering Potion lasted exceptionally long. A full two days went by without a hint of the effects subsiding, and although the boost to the Spectral Energy Guidance Technique's cultivation had diminished somewhat, it remained considerable.

To this, Song Chi naturally welcomed it with open arms.

However, it seems his second elder brother, Song Lin, would have to wait a bit longer. Fortunately, with Song Lin's current Rank 9 Guidance Technique, he could go for over a week without rest without issue, so Song Chi didn't have to worry about him.

After erupting for two days, the energy bursting forth from his abdomen finally weakened significantly, no longer causing the intermittent sharp pain as it flowed through Song Chi's meridians. In addition, the persistent heat that had lasted nearly two days receded, allowing Song Chi to cultivate in peace.

About half a day later, Song Chi suddenly opened his eyes that had been tightly shut. A strong sense of surprise flickered deep within his dark eyes.

It wasn't that the effects of the potion in his body had worn off, but just now, he had successfully touched upon a faint barrier.

That was the bottleneck between Rank 9 and Rank 10 of the Guidance Technique, as well as the door to life sublimation for all Zero Rank beings of the Shattered Starry Sea. Simply by pushing open or breaking through this gate, a Zero Rank being could successfully achieve a life sublimation, undergo a transformation of their life stage, and step into the First Rank.

With his eyes shimmering rapidly, Song Chi made his decision within a mere two seconds.

"The effects of the residual potion in my body should last at least half a day; I can attempt a breakthrough."

With a decision made in his mind, he was not one to dawdle. His eyes closed once again, he concentrated fully on mobilizing the Spectral Energy within his body, trying to break through the formidable barrier between Zero Rank and First Rank creatures.

Boom!

The long-anticipated first assault officially commenced, and it felt as if violent roars echoed inside him, at the same time, Song Chi's face slightly paled, and he let out a soft grunt.

Clearly, the assault on this bottleneck was also putting a significant strain on his body.

Regaining control over the surging blood within him, he focused his spiritual energy towards the depths of his body, then frowned.

This all-out attack seemed to have done nothing to shake the bottleneck, which remained as stout as ever, showing no signs of breaking.

After a brief moment of disappointment, Song Chi rebounded. He was prepared for this; if advancing to First Rank were so easy, his elder brother Song Lin wouldn't have been stuck at level 9 for nearly three years, and creatures of Zero Rank wouldn't make up more than ninety percent of the Starry Sea.

Undeterred, he readjusted his state of mind and spent a few more minutes stabilizing himself before embarking on the second attempt.

The potion, infused with nine hundred years' worth of Deep Water Clam Pearls, had an astoundingly potent effect. Because of this, it was a rare opportunity for him to attempt advancing to First Rank in one go.

Missing this chance would mean that even with Advanced Body Tempering Potions, he would not be able to use them later, and another attempt to reach First Rank would likely require a long, grueling period of time.

Though he wouldn't be stuck like Song Lin for three years, it would be at least a year.

Understanding this, Song Chi certainly wouldn't give up so easily.

Boom!

The second attempt failed just like the first, and the pallor on Song Chi's face grew even more pronounced. After another two minutes of adjustment, he began his third assault.

...

And so, Song Chi continued, launching five consecutive attacks, all ending in failure. At this moment, he was as pale as a sheet of paper, and the effects of the remaining potion in his body were nearly depleted.

After considering for a while, Song Chi muttered to himself,

"Let's try one last time, if it fails again, then there's nothing else I can do..."

Spectral Energy gathered rapidly, as Song Chi focused intently. After nearly half a minute's buildup, the Spectral Energy, carrying along a turbulent flow of blood, suddenly surged towards the bottleneck.

Boom!

Crack!

An unnatural flush passed over Song Chi's deathly white face, and a metallic taste welled up in his throat. But amidst that, Song Chi's attention was captured by the faint sound of cracking that seemed to follow the intense booming.

When his spiritual energy sank to the depths of his heart, his pale face soon reflected indescribable joy, and then he once again gathered the Spectral Energy and blood within him.

Crack!

This time, there was no powerful booming, just a crisp sound of shattering.

"Ha, I've finally done it. From today onwards, my life has officially ascended to First Rank," Song Chi exclaimed.

In that moment, a gentle healing energy emerged from deep within his body, swiftly repairing his internal injuries, while this life energy swirling around his entire body was comprehensively nourishing and repairing every cell.

At this moment, Song Chi felt as if he were soaking in the most comfortable hot spring, the severe pain from his body a moment ago now gone, leaving only an indescribable tingling and comfort.

And this was his first experience of Life Sublimation.

Source: Webnovel.com, updated by Aunomay Read