Chapter 5 The Beautiful Woman

Zhi Xuan took the initiative and began absorbing the Spirit Qi that had gathered at a single focal point before him.

Rumble!

Suddenly, a crack appeared in the ceiling of the cave!

With a flick of his hand, Zhi Xuan deflected several falling stones that nearly crashed down on him.

Without wasting time, he activated the Heaven-Shattering Cultivation Method, channeling Spirit Qi while simultaneously refining his Body of Calamity.

The Spirit Qi condensed rapidly, forging the very foundation of his sacred body, reinforcing his physical resilience and subtly transforming the shape of his Body of Calamity.

“Breakthrough!” Zhi Xuan roared as bursts of spiritual energy echoed throughout the cave.

A warm current surged from his heart, spreading through his entire body. His bones and meridians shattered—only to be repaired moments later by the Spirit Qi, which naturally regenerated and strengthened them.

Zhi Xuan repeated the process over and over.

Each time his body was broken and healed, his strength grew noticeably.

…

Suddenly, Zhi Xuan’s eyes snapped open—golden light blazing from his pupils. The entire cave lit up, and small explosions resounded from all directions.

Several hours passed.

Zhi Xuan let out a deep breath of relief.

A smile crept onto his face as he muttered to himself, “I did it… Mid-Stage Xuan Qi Realm.”

He recalled the protagonist from his past life. When that man discovered the Eight Jade Stones, he had advanced straight from the Peak of the Jindan Realm to the Early Yuanying Realm.

But when Zhi Xuan used the same jade stones on himself, he only managed to break through one minor level—from the Early to Mid Xuan Qi Realm.

It proved just how difficult it was to cultivate and refine a foundation for someone possessing a Sacred Body like the Body of Calamity.

Even a single breakthrough required an enormous amount of Spirit Qi.

…

Outside the cave.

Zhi Xuan walked toward a nearby lake.

He stared ahead absentmindedly when suddenly, a female figure appeared in his line of sight. She was bathing in the lake, shrouded in mist that rose gently around her.

The steam made her figure a little hard to see, but not enough to fully hide her silhouette. Her body was slender, with long hair cascading down her back.

In the very next moment—

The woman suddenly turned her head and screamed.

“Kyah! Who’s there?!”

Startled, Zhi Xuan quickly responded, trying to avoid any misunderstanding.

“I-I was just passing by,” he said, raising his hands and backing away.

“Liar!” the woman snapped angrily.

In a flash, she grabbed her clothes from the shore and dressed herself with stunning speed. She leaped through the mist and shouted—

“Xingfa Sword Technique!”

Ten slashes shot out from the mist, nearly hitting Zhi Xuan, who instinctively dodged with some difficulty.

“W-Wait! Please, let me explain!”

The woman gritted her teeth. “You can explain to King Yama in the afterlife!”

Realizing he had no choice, Zhi Xuan sighed.