C70 Green and Red Colored Grass(2)

In the Mystic Trace Realm, the power of demonic beasts is enhanced. Could it be that the effects of spiritual herbs remain unchanged?

Other disciples participating in the trial had a year or even two to learn about the changes in the demonic beasts and spiritual herbs from others, but Woo Zhengyang had neither the time nor acquaintances to rely on, leading to his miscalculation.

At the moment when the blue-red dual-colored herb transformed into a surge of wild energy, Woo Zhengyang realized this, but it was too late. The wild energy had already merged into his meridians, causing his genuine Qi to circulate rapidly.

The Heaven and Earth Vital Energy in the Mystic Trace Realm is several times denser than outside, and now, with Woo Zhengyang's Qi circulation, the absorption rate of this energy also increased several times. He had to quickly condense his Qi into a sword shape, or he would face the dire consequence of his body exploding.

The only consolation was that the energy from the blue-red dual-colored herb was effective in condensing sword-shaped Qi.

Under this energy, Woo Zhengyang found it extremely easy to control his Qi. One after another, the embryonic forms of sword-shaped Qi appeared rapidly. Woo Zhengyang had to focus all his mind and spirit to complete the transformation from ordinary Qi to sword-shaped Qi...

As time passed, Woo Zhengyang's skin turned a bright red, a self-inflicted injury from the surge of sword-shaped Qi.

At this moment, Woo Zhengyang felt incredibly fortunate for choosing the Flesh Condensing Technique and for having elevated it to such a level before arriving, thanks to the Hundred Beast Elixir. If the Flesh Condensing Technique were divided into nine levels, Woo Zhengyang would undoubtedly be at the ninth level of body refinement. Although he had just advanced, his vitality was near its peak. Without the Flesh Condensing Technique's powerful healing ability, even if Woo Zhengyang could form sword-shaped genuine qi, his body wouldn't withstand it.

Amidst the excruciating pain, the sword-shaped genuine qi within Woo Zhengyang increased at an unimaginable speed. After an hour, it was nearly saturated, filling all twelve primary meridians and eight extraordinary meridians. At this point, Woo Zhengyang's meridian refinement had also reached the pinnacle of the second level, yet the effects of the blue-red dual-colored herb continued to activate.

Without time to settle into the perfection stage, Woo Zhengyang directly pushed towards the third level of meridian refinement. The nine levels of meridian refinement are defined by the range of genuine qi circulation. The first level involves the twelve primary meridians; the second level, the eight extraordinary meridians; the third level, the 365 minor meridians; levels four through eight connect to the five organs—heart, liver, spleen, lungs, and kidneys; and the ninth level reaches the six bowels, achieving the perfection stage of meridian refinement as genuine qi circulates throughout the entire body.

For most cultivators focusing on refining their meridians, even with the powerful aid of the dual-colored herb, advancing to the next level without reaching a perfect state is challenging. However, due to the sharp nature of his sword-shaped genuine Qi, this obstacle was non-existent for Woo Zhengyang.

With hardly any resistance, the sword-shaped Qi broke through barriers, flowing into the 365 tiny meridians, allowing Woo Zhengyang to step into the third level of meridian refinement. The vital energy of the universe continued to surge in, quickly filling the gaps within his meridians, while Woo Zhengyang endured the pain, refining his sword-shaped Qi.

An hour passed, and the sword-shaped Qi within Woo Zhengyang had more than doubled, filling all 365 meridians. Only then did the effects of the dual-colored herb begin to slow. By this time, Woo Zhengyang was no longer sweating but bleeding.

Beads of blood seeped from his skin, staining his clothes a deep red, more harrowing than any battle he had faced. For cultivators below the third level of meridian refinement, the dual-colored herb could elevate them by one level at most. For those above, it could push their current level to its peak. Yet, even for someone like Woo Zhengyang, who refines sword-shaped Qi, advancing a level below the third was nearly impossible.

However, this unique plant with its blue and red hues had a potency several times greater than those found elsewhere. It propelled Woo Zhengyang from the early stages of the second level of Refining Veins straight to the peak of the third level. Despite the intense pain, the rewards were immense.

After taking a moment to regulate his breathing, Woo Zhengyang retrieved a spare set of clothes from his Hidden Heaven Bag and changed before continuing toward the edge of the canyon.

This time, his Sword-shaped Genuine Qi had increased severalfold, filling Woo Zhengyang with confidence. Yet, as he reached the canyon's edge, he found no other mystical herbs like the blue-red plant. Occasionally, he came across herbs that were more common outside, albeit older in age.

This situation was unusual, but considering the mysterious nature of this secret realm, Woo Zhengyang was not surprised. It was likely a deliberate design by the realm's creator to protect both the mystical herbs and the adventurers entering this place.

After all, cultivators like Woo Zhengyang, who grew stronger with each battle, were rare. For most, encountering a mystical herb guarded by a demonic beast a second time would not be a thrilling surprise but a terrifying ordeal.

Having wandered the canyon for quite some time, Woo Zhengyang was confident in his assumptions. Realizing there was little more to gain, he decided not to linger and continued on his path.