C202 Lee Zi Breaks Through

Lee Zi's pupils narrowed slightly.

She was well aware of Chu Yi's discerning eye.

What she considered invaluable was often deemed worthless by Chu Yi.

Had her current level not been so low, Lee Zi suspected that Chu Yi wouldn't give these items a second glance.

Yet now, Chu Yi was referring to this ordinary-looking stone as a treasure?

"Indeed, it's a treasure!"

"Here, Lee Zi, place your hands on it and feel for yourself."

Without hesitation, Lee Zi followed Chu Yi's instructions and laid her hands upon it.

"Close your eyes and feel."

Initially, Lee Zi's expression remained serene, but as she continued to sense the stone, her face took on an increasingly bewildered look.

Suddenly, Lee Zi's eyes snapped open.

"What is this?"

Chu Yi offered a gentle smile. "You can feel it, can't you?"

Lee Zi nodded. "I sense that there's a peculiar substance within. It's hard to describe, but..."

After pondering for a moment, she found the words. "This substance seems to be relentlessly drawing me in, attracting every part of my body, every unit, even down to the cellular level!"

The phenomenon was astounding.

Chu Yi's smile grew even more radiant upon hearing Lee Zi's account.

"Attraction is exactly right!"

"Of course, others wouldn't be able to feel it."

Only practitioners of the Immortal Tao could perceive such things.

Naturally, if a Divine Psychic were to evolve a primordial spirit, they might also sense it to some extent.

Lee Zi's primordial spirit was still in its nascent form, so her perception was vague but present.

"Are these Origin Substances?"

Chu Yi had previously discussed his quest with Lee Zi, so upon detecting the substance, she immediately made the connection.

Lee Zi didn't withhold any information and shared all the details of the Chaos Origin Crystal with her.

After learning about it, Lee Zi was at a loss for words.

"Are you saying that this crystal can continuously generate Origin Substances?"

Chu Yi nodded in confirmation.

A source that could endlessly produce Origin Substances was incomparably more valuable than one with a single-use.

"So, the thing you mentioned to Grandpa..."

Chu Yi's grin widened.

Conversing with Lee Zi was always a pleasure; he never had to go out of his way to explain anything.

Lee Zi was capable of figuring out many things on her own.

"You're right, it's impossible to elevate your realm to match those individuals in just three or four days."

"However, that doesn't mean you can't enhance your strength!"

"Origin Substance is the best path to boosting your power!"

Why aim to raise one's realm?

Fundamentally, it's to foster the evolution of life!

And Origin Substance exists precisely to facilitate this evolution.

"In fact, one of the main reasons for the inability to control power after an advancement, and the resulting unstable foundation, is the insufficient quality of one's life essence."

When your life evolves but your essence hasn't fully ascended to match your new power level, that's when instability arises.

"So, as long as you can elevate the quality of your life essence, you won't have to worry about those issues!"

"When the time comes, using the Spirit Crystals I've prepared for you, your realm can continue to rise without any concerns."

If anyone else had said this, Lee Zi would have had her doubts.

But coming from Chu Yi, she believed it wholeheartedly.

"Let's begin then!"

Truth be told, although Lee Zi felt her task to prove herself was complete, why refuse the chance to continue on this path?

Lee Zi was inherently competitive, and her greatest desire was to stand by Chu Yi's side.

At all times, this was her wish...

Now presented with such an opportunity, without compromising her core, Lee Zi would never decline.

At this moment, Chu Yi's demeanor turned much more solemn.

"Lee Zi, this Origin Substance can enhance your essence, making you significantly stronger."

"But the process..."

The process is excruciating. It's a fundamental leap, an alteration of the life essence by an external force.

Even Chu Yi had endured immense pain during his own transformation.

And this process is not brief by any means!

Chu Yi made sure to clarify this to Lee Zi in detail.

"Your innate talent is greater than mine was, so the time it will take for the Origin Substance to transform you will be considerably less."

"Still, I estimate that you won't be able to complete it in less than a day!"

One day was the bare minimum he anticipated.

Chu Yi was uncertain whether Lee Zi could endure the ordeal. If anything unexpected occurred with the Origin Substance, it could prove dangerous. He left the decision to Lee Zi.

"I'll give you the opportunity to try," he said. "Take a look first, and if it proves too much, it's better to just give up. At most, you're only losing this one assessment opportunity."

Lee Zi would be better off waiting until she was stronger before using the Origin Substance to transform her body, which would significantly reduce the pain. She didn't overexert herself and simply nodded in agreement.

Chu Yi then carefully introduced a sliver of Origin Substance into Lee Zi's body. She shuddered slightly, and her eyes briefly showed a distorted hue. Thankfully, it was fleeting.

Still, Lee Zi's body convulsed once it was over, and sweat drenched her face. It took a considerable time for the twisted color in her eyes to fade.

The experience lasted only an instant, perhaps less than a tenth of a second, but in that brief moment, Lee Zi felt an agony so intense it was akin to a fate worse than death.

Chu Yi remained silent, as did Lee Zi.

She believed she could withstand a few moments of such pain. But now, faced with the prospect of enduring a full day immersed in such torment, it seemed enough to push anyone to the brink of collapse or despair.

"Did you go through the same thing?" Lee Zi asked, knowing that Chu Yi had once extracted Origin Substance from the Exquisite Fruit to transform himself.

"Yes, but it took longer because my strength wasn't sufficient at the time," Chu Yi replied nonchalantly.

Lee Zi remained quiet, choosing not to inquire about the duration of Chu Yi's suffering, as it seemed irrelevant.

"Let's do this!" she declared.

Chu Yi was taken aback, his gaze filled with puzzlement. He had assumed Lee Zi would opt out, and he wouldn't have blamed her—the pain was beyond imagination.

"Lee Zi, you should know it's not essential," he reassured her. "Once your abilities have further developed, you can still use the Origin Substance then. It won't make any difference."

Lee Zi understood everything Chu Yi was saying.

But she was determined to proceed.

"I know, but I still want to try!" Lee Zi's eyes shone with an unwavering resolve.

"Besides, this isn't just a leap in life. It's a trial for me!"

"A trial of willpower!" Lee Zi affirmed, giving Chu Yi a resolute and radiant smile.

"Such a test of willpower, or rather, an opportunity to strengthen it, is incredibly rare..."

Chu Yi paused, a realization dawning on him.

Indeed, this pain was not just suffering; it was a challenge to willpower, an opportunity to enhance it.

Lee Zi saw this very clearly.

"If it becomes too much, let me know!"

Despite the inconvenience it might cause, Chu Yi wouldn't mind any trouble if it meant ensuring Lee Zi's safety.

Lee Zi nodded in agreement.

Pain?

Yes, it was a pain beyond measure, beyond any imagination!

Yet, Lee Zi truly wanted to give it a try!

Her reasons went beyond those she had previously stated; Lee Zi also wanted to draw closer to Chu Yi...

The transformation began.

As the pain set in, Lee Zi's face contorted in agony.

She emitted a series of low growls, her body wracked with spasms, sweat soaking her through and through.

Chu Yi had cast a few simple spells to completely isolate the room, making it impossible for anyone outside to hear or see what was happening within.

He had intended to give Lee Zi the space to express her pain freely.

However, he had clearly underestimated her determination and stubbornness!

The transformation Lee Zi was undergoing was significantly less painful than Chu Yi's own experience.

After all, Lee Zi had reached the Silver state, whereas Chu Yi hadn't even been at the Bronze level!

Lee Zi's innate talent was superior to Chu Yi's, meaning her life essence was inherently much higher.

As a result, the pain she endured was considerably lessened.

Still, the agony she faced was beyond what most could fathom.

Chu Yi hadn't expected Lee Zi to hold on.

But hold on she did!

Over an hour had passed, and Lee Zi had not once thought of surrendering!

Chu Yi had also erred in his estimation. He had believed it would take at least a full day to enhance Lee Zi's life essence, but it appeared that...

When a body is in pain, it naturally produces reactions of resistance, slowing down the evolutionary process.

Lee Zi was an exception to the norm.

Even amidst excruciating pain, she was able to recall Chu Yi's earlier instructions and guide the transformative process of that power!

The time required wouldn't be a day, or even half a day.

Chu Yi had estimated that a maximum of five hours would suffice for success!

And indeed, Chu Yi's estimation proved accurate this time.

Four and a half hours later, Lee Zi lay spent on Chu Yi's bed.

Gazing at her stunning form, Chu Yi found himself devoid of any distracting thoughts—not for lack of desire, but simply for lack of time to entertain them.

He hadn't anticipated such a remarkable outcome!

Feeling Lee Zi's current state, Chu Yi cast aside all trivial concerns.

He nonchalantly accessed his space equipment and retrieved a substantial number of Spirit Crystals.

With no hesitation, Chu Yi shattered the Spirit Crystals, and a flood of Spiritual Qi immediately enveloped the room.

Executing an intricate hand gesture, a torrent of Spiritual Qi began to surge into Lee Zi's body.

"Lee Zi, follow the direction of my power and assimilate this Spiritual Qi into your body!"

Chu Yi wasn't sure if Lee Zi was fully aware, but as long as she hadn't lost consciousness, she would soon adjust.

This resilience was beyond Chu Yi's expectations; Lee Zi had withstood agonizing pain for four and a half hours without passing out!

An immense surge of Spiritual Qi entered Lee Zi's body, but regrettably, much of it cycled through her system only to reappear in the air and then vanish without a trace...

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