Basong let out a final shriek filled with endless regret and resentment. His remaining soul was completely purified and devoured by the chaotic energy, disappearing without a trace.
Outside, Zhang Shaozhong suddenly opened his eyes, a fleeting glint of chaotic light flashing in his pupils.
He was drenched in sweat, his face as pale as paper, but his eyes were brighter and sharper than ever before!
He survived!
Furthermore, after absorbing a portion of Basong's soul power, he felt his soul strength increase significantly, and his perception and control of the chaotic energy entered a completely new level!
In this first life-or-death ordeal, he narrowly escaped death and even turned misfortune into good fortune!
Ling Qingxue and Ye Meier looked at him and both breathed a slight sigh of relief.
They had just sensed the dangerous battle within Zhang Shaozhong's sea of consciousness, but this kind of battle at the level of consciousness was difficult for outsiders to intervene in; it could only be done by him.
"Are you alright?"
Ye Meier walked over and patted him on the shoulder.
Zhang Shaozhong took a deep breath, feeling the strengthening of his divine soul and the more readily controllable chaotic energy within his body, and nodded heavily:
"Yeah, I'm fine now. And... I feel great!"
The extremely dangerous battle for possession within the consciousness space finally ended in a Pyrrhic victory for Zhang Shaozhong.
Basongna's remnant soul, filled with resentment and evil, was eventually completely devoured and purified by the chaotic energy, transforming into the most primordial soul power that nourished Zhang Shaozhong's divine soul.
When Zhang Shaozhong reopened his eyes, everything in the outside world seemed to have changed.
It's not just a change brought about by a stronger spirit and more acute perception, but a leap from the very essence of life!
Although he previously possessed chaotic energy, it was more like a rootless duckweed, passively nourishing his body, or relying on its inherent high nature to instinctively operate, defend, and even devour.
It's like someone born with superhuman strength but who doesn't know any techniques for generating power and can only wildly swing their fists.
But at this moment, after experiencing the most direct collision with Basong's soul, devouring it, and completely purifying and absorbing its evil power, that wisp of chaotic energy, which was originally somewhat scattered, seemed to be marked with Zhang Shaozhong's unique mark, becoming extremely docile and condensed, and completely integrated with his own essence, energy, and spirit!
It was no longer just a free-floating energy, but had become a part of his life, flowing systematically and regularly through his meridians like blood!
A profound and mysterious realization welled up in Zhang Shaozhong's heart.
Subconsciously following this insight, he guided the condensed chaotic energy within his body along a complex path that he had never consciously operated before, yet seemed to be naturally meant to be—the initial practice route of the Chaotic Qi Cultivation Technique—and began the cycle of Qi circulation!
"Buzz!"
The moment the first complete cycle was finished, Zhang Shaozhong was trembling violently!
He clearly felt a subtle connection between himself and the world around him!
The thin, almost negligible free energy in the air (not spiritual energy, but more fundamental elements such as the primordial energy of heaven and earth, the essence of the sun and moon) began to be attracted by the wisp of chaotic energy within his body. Like subjects summoned by a king, it slowly but surely seeped through his pores, merged into his meridians, and was assimilated and absorbed by the chaotic energy, becoming part of its own growth!
Although the process is incredibly slow and the absorption efficiency is pitifully low, the significance is entirely different!
This marks his formal transition from a "pseudo-practitioner" who could only improve by "taking drugs" or "hitting the jackpot" (absorbing external energy) to a true practitioner who can actively draw energy from the outside world, nourish himself, and achieve life evolution!
Qi Refining Stage!
He officially entered the first major realm of cultivation—the Qi Refining stage!
Although it's only the initial stage of Qi Refining, it's a qualitative leap from zero to one!
"call……"
Zhang Shaozhong exhaled a long breath of stale air, which carried a faint gray light, as if expelling the last impurities from his body.
He felt light and comfortable all over, the weakness from his previous serious injuries was gone, replaced by a feeling of abundant strength and vitality!
He looked down at his hands, clenched his fists, and could clearly feel the powerful force brought by the surging chaotic energy beneath his muscles!
It's more than twice as strong as when it was passively nourished before! And it's so easy to control, like an extension of my own arm!
"It worked?"
Ye Meier leaned closer, curiously sensing the distinctly different aura emanating from him. She raised an eyebrow. "Oh? Kid, not bad! You've turned misfortune into a blessing, and you've officially entered the Qi Refining stage? Although you're pitifully weak, at least you're starting to look presentable!"
Ling Qingxue nodded slightly, a hint of approval flashing in her cool eyes: "Breakthrough and then creation, the soul and the origin of chaos have begun to merge, and only from this point can one be considered to have truly embarked on the path of chaos. This is the foundation of your path, protect it well and cultivate diligently."
Zhang Shaozhong stood up, stretched his limbs, and felt the unprecedented power within his body and the faint energy exchange with the world. His heart was filled with excitement and pride!
He is no longer the "burden" who can only hide behind the two big shots and need their protection!
He possessed his own power and truly embarked on this path of cultivation, full of unknowns and wonders!
"Fairy, elder sister, thank you!" Zhang Shaozhong said sincerely.
He knew that without their previous guidance and protection, and Ling Qingxue's thunderous strike that severely injured Basong at the last moment, he would never have had the chance to turn the tables, let alone seize this opportunity to break through.
"Stop with that cheesy stuff!"
Ye Meier waved her hand, but the corners of her mouth turned up slightly, "Hurry up and consolidate your realm! Early stage of Qi Refining, tsk tsk, you still have a long way to go!"
Zhang Shao nodded, sat down cross-legged again, and began to consolidate his hard-won Qi Refining stage realm, getting used to the feeling of actively circulating chaotic energy to absorb external energy.
He knew that the Qi Refining stage was just the beginning.
Beyond that are Foundation Establishment, Golden Core, Nascent Soul... and even more unfathomable realms.
The cultivation of the Chaos Path seems to differ from the traditional cultivation system, and the path ahead is full of unknowns.
But he was fearless!
With power comes hope, the means to protect everything we want to protect, and the confidence to search for that uncertain path home!
Make money (resources)!
Become stronger (through cultivation)!
Protect our home! Find our way home!
His goals remain the same, but now he has the initial strength to achieve them!
The day when this powerful immortal and demon lord officially embarks on his cultivation journey is truly inspiring! The exciting future is just beginning!
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