C203 Middlerank Gold!
It was clear that a significant portion of the Spiritual Qi had gone to waste. Yet, Chu Yi was unconcerned about such matters. Resources could be replenished, but the opportunity Lee Zi was facing was indeed rare. Spirit Crystal after Spirit Crystal was being crushed. For Lee Zi, who was at the Silver level, a single Spirit Crystal could have elevated her by a minor level. But Chu Yi had already destroyed well over ten.
Eventually, the flow of Spiritual Qi emanating from Lee Zi's body began to wane. Chu Yi's eyes sparkled with anticipation, realizing that Lee Zi was reaching a pivotal state. Indeed, she had initially been sprawled on the bed, but now she had somehow managed to sit up in a cross-legged position. Such a posture was unheard of among warriors, but in the Immortal Demon World, it was the quintessential stance for cultivation, allowing for the quickest and most complete absorption of Spiritual Qi.
An influx of Spiritual Qi surged into Lee Zi's body, and Chu Yi found himself with little to do. His only tasks were to continue crushing Spirit Crystals to flood the room with Spiritual Qi and to ensure none of it escaped. Lee Zi was capable of handling the rest.
After her breakthrough, it was only around eleven at night. Yet, Lee Zi's absorption of Spiritual Qi and subsequent cultivation spanned a full twelve hours! When she finally opened her eyes again, it was nearing noon the next day.
"Chu Yi, I've succeeded!" Lee Zi exclaimed, her heart swelling with joy at the sight of Chu Yi's affectionate smile. The feeling of having someone steadfastly supporting her was truly delightful.
"Yes, I can feel it," Chu Yi responded. Indeed, Lee Zi had triumphed. She hadn't just undergone a transformation; her realm had also advanced significantly!
Previously, Lee Zi had reached the Elementary Silver Grade just two days before her exams. For anyone else, advancing in merely seven or eight days would be unthinkable, let alone solidifying their new level. But Lee Zi had not only consolidated her position—she had broken through to the next level. Such rapid progress was unheard of, perhaps even unimaginable to others.
Lee Zi's unexpected advancement was both anticipated and surprising for Chu Yi. He had foreseen her potential for progression in the coming days, but he hadn't expected her to commence cultivation immediately after evolving.
Over the past few days, Lee Zi had engaged in combat with more than ten Gold Level demons, an experience that had a tremendous impact on her growth. For cultivators seeking to enhance their strength, battles are the preferred method, especially when the fights are of the highest caliber. The benefits gained from such encounters are often beyond imagination.
Lee Zi had gone through over a dozen of these elite battles, causing her barriers to weaken significantly. They were on the verge of shattering, and this latest evolution perfectly facilitated that process. Her life essence had evolved, propelling her to a new level and rendering previous constraints laughable. Shattering those barriers was inevitable.
As a result, Lee Zi had made a breakthrough, and not just a minor one.
"High Order Silver..." Chu Yi said, beaming with pride.
In just two days, Lee Zi had ascended from Elementary Silver to High Order Silver, a feat that was truly astonishing. Moreover, her advancement through two realms in such a brief time frame came without any complications.
"The metamorphosis of your life essence means that even without any advancement in your realm, your strength will see a formidable increase," Chu Yi explained. "It could potentially double your power! And with your current realm advancement..."
Chu Yi could scarcely fathom the level of power Lee Zi now possessed. Even as a High Order Silver, while she might not stand a chance against a top-tier Diamond Level demon or even one at the Elementary Order, facing a Diamond Level Great General could yield an unpredictable outcome.
Of course, this only applied to a Great General at the very beginning of the Diamond Level. Against any more powerful Diamond Level Great Generals, without unleashing her Battle Body, Lee Zi would undoubtedly be outmatched.
"To be able to contend with a Diamond Level as a Silver Level, even if it's only Earth's standards, is quite impressive," Chu Yi mused. Lee Zi had achieved this without resorting to her ultimate Battle Body form.
With such prowess, Chu Yi believed that Lee Zi could hold her own against the most exceptional talents and prodigies from civilizations of the Fourth or Fifth Level.
"Now, we'll see how you fare in the upcoming national exam..."
Chu Yi offered Lee Zi some words of encouragement, though he was well aware that she didn't really need it.
Lee Zi had always been brimming with confidence.
Once she reached her full potential, even if she might not make it into the national battle, scoring well in the national exam wouldn't be an issue for her.
But this time...
The national battle!
Reaching the summit of the national battle was Lee Zi's brand-new goal!
Lee Zi had left.
Not returning home for a day would surely cause her parents concern.
Naturally, Lee Zi's parents were aware that she was staying at Chu Yi's place, which only made them more anxious...
Chu Yi didn't dwell on these minor details. He had made up his mind about Lee Zi a long time ago, and as for the gossip...
Did it really matter?
After Lee Zi departed, Chu Yi was left alone in his room.
The previous night, his parents had wanted to celebrate with him, but since he was busy altering Lee Zi's essence, he had to quickly concoct an excuse to appease them.
This morning, Chu Yi noticed the peculiar glint in his parents' eyes.
Yes, it was odd, but he could still discern the underlying encouragement.
Clearly, his parents had gotten the wrong idea.
Chu Yi chose not to clarify. Some things are just too complicated to explain.
Was he supposed to say that nothing happened between him and Lee Zi in his room all night?
Heh, right...
Alone in his room, Chu Yi didn't let time slip by idly.
Cultivation was his priority. Having lost a day already, he was determined not to waste any more time.
Especially after acquiring the Chaos Origin Crystal, Chu Yi was even more resolved not to squander this opportunity.
The Chaos Origin Crystal was unlike anything Chu Yi had anticipated.
He had assumed that years of releasing chaotic energy to transform the Demonic Beasts in the region had depleted the crystal's inherent Origin Qi.
But after examining it closely last night, Chu Yi realized his mistake.
True, the Chaos Origin Crystal had lost much of its Origin Qi, but a considerable amount still remained!
Even after aiding Lee Zi's breakthrough, there was more than enough Origin Qi left for Chu Yi's own metamorphosis.
Chu Yi was ready to undergo his transformation...
He inhaled deeply.
The agony of fundamental transformation was beyond imagination. Even Chu Yi, who had endured years of a life worse than death, was reluctant to face it.
But the greater the sacrifice, the greater the potential reward.
And Chu Yi was well aware that his efforts would likely be fruitful.
Lee Zi was different; she still required Chu Yi's guidance.
Chu Yi, on the other hand, could effortlessly complete all the necessary preparations by himself.
After setting up numerous traps and alarms in the surrounding area, Chu Yi finally began his cultivation.
Instantly, vast amounts of Origin Qi surged from the Chaos Origin Crystal, flooding into Chu Yi's body with ferocity.
The quantity of Origin Qi was several times more than what Lee Zi received, indicating that Chu Yi's transformation would proceed much faster.
Naturally, the pain he faced was also more severe!
Suddenly, Chu Yi's eyes snapped wide open.
Within the depths of his pupils, one could clearly see a web of blood vessels spreading.
And this was merely the beginning...
...
Chu Yi's rate of transformation far outpaced Lee Zi's, not only because he had undergone the process before and his very existence already exceeded hers, but also because his current realm was significantly higher.
In just two hours, Chu Yi had completed his breakthrough.
As expected, his evolution in the essence of life coincided with the completion of his breakthrough.
"Truly, the essence of life is the key; everything else pales in comparison!"
Without a moment's hesitation, Chu Yi downed several bottles of prepared potions.
These were Third and even Fourth Level potions. Though they cost millions, the government had fixed their prices.
In reality, a single bottle of Third Level potion could fetch tens of millions.
And Fourth Level potions...
They could be worth a billion or more.
Chu Yi's casual sip was worth several hundred million Federation dollars!
Yet, Chu Yi was now undeniably a billionaire.
Having slain the top-tier Diamond Level demonic beast, the treasures within its lair were his.
Chu Yi had already settled the matter with Old Master Chu.
By the time they departed from the test site, the Chu family had arranged for personnel to transport the resources Chu Yi had claimed.
With the Union Government's endorsement, there would be no interference.
Those who had the power to stop Chu Yi wouldn't, and those who wished to stop him lacked the strength. Therefore, it was inevitable that these resources would end up in Chu Yi's possession.
In front of him lay resources worth several hundred million—
Splash!
The potion entered his body and transformed into a surge of energy that filled Chu Yi's being.
Unlike Lee Zi, who relied solely on spiritual energy for her cultivation, Chu Yi had once hesitated about whether to alter her method. However, Chu Yi's current focus was on relentlessly fortifying his physical form.
This was his ultimate goal and the path of his cultivation. For now, Chu Yi adhered to the traditional training regimen of a warrior.
As a result, spiritual energy had become less significant to Chu Yi.
He spent the entire afternoon breaking through barriers.
By the time he finished, dusk had settled.
"Peak Mid-level Gold..."
"At last, it's complete!"
