Chapter 87: Breakthrough

The tremors ceased as abruptly as they had begun. The cracks in the earth settled, leaving faint traces of glowing light along their edges, as though the ground itself had been branded by the power surging through Jiang Feng,s Earth Meridian. His eyes snapped open, their usual clarity now replaced by a golden gleam that pulsed like molten fire.

"Seismic Surge" Jiang Feng murmured as he looked down at the floor, this was one of the abilities of the Earth meridian. "It would I appears that I don't need to buy or search for cultivation techniques, I have more than I could possible handle right now" he thought.

He exhaled slowly, and the remnants of the energy that had enveloped him dissipated into the air, leaving an oppressive stillness in its wake. Around him, the remnants of the eighteen beast cores lay in utter ruin, their once vibrant energy reduced to fine, grey dust that scattered in the faint breeze.

Lin Moyi and Zhen Chen watched in stunned silence. They had seen breakthroughs before—grand ones that shook the heavens, subtle ones achieved in quiet meditation—but never like this. Jiang Feng had pushed through the bottleneck of the Essence Condensation Stage, breaking into its second stage with a terrifying speed that defied logic and using demonic beasts cores at that too.

The expansion of his essence lake had been staggering. Jiang Feng could feel it now, deep within his body. The lake that represented his cultivation was no longer a tranquil pool but a vast, roiling expanse spanning 6,350 meters in diameter. The essence within churned with vibrant energy, its surface glistening like liquid gold under a blazing sun. He could sense its density, its power.

For a brief moment, Jiang Feng clenched his fists, feeling the surge of strength course through his veins. His combat power had risen once more, his connection to the elements sharper, his body sturdier, his soul more attuned to the forces around him.

"You..." Lin Moyi's voice was quiet but carried disbelief. He stepped closer, his eyes narrowing as he inspected Jiang Feng. "You just consumed eighteen beast cores, broke through to the second stage, and your body shows no signs of instability? How...?"

Zhen Chen frowned, his usually stoic expression faltering. "Even the most profound cultivation methods require a period of adjustment to stabilize the foundation after such a breakthrough. Yet you... you're standing here as if it were nothing."

Jiang Feng stretched his arms, his joints releasing a faint crackle of energy. "Infernal Breathing. It tempers everything—my essence, my bloodline, my body. As long as I continue to practice it, I won't face the backlash others do, my guess is that it burns away impurities too, plus my body now has a devouring effect that breakdown almost everything."

Lin Moyi crossed his arms, his expression skeptical but laced with admiration. "I've seen tempering techniques before, but not one so thorough. If what you say is true, you're walking a path few could dream of."

Zhen Chen nodded slowly. "These things you've cultivated... they're beyond anything I've encountered. Still, such rapid breakthroughs will attract attention. You must tread carefully, Jiang Feng."

Jiang Feng smirked faintly, his confidence unshaken. "I'm destined to walk on the edges of a blade from the moment I started practicing reverse cultivation. This changes nothing."

Zhen Chen cleared his throat, shifting the conversation. "Enough about that. We've received news regarding the opening of the Obsidian Waterfall Realm. My son has been hard at work preparing the Zhen clan for it. As you know, the realm only opens once every one thousand years, and the competition to enter will be fierce. We leave on the eighth day from now. Until then, I suggest you consolidate your strength."

Jiang Feng's gaze sharpened. He had heard of the Obsidian Waterfall Realm—a mysterious dimension that appeared only briefly, containing treasures and dangers in equal measure. It was said that those who ventured inside could find riches that elevated their clans to dominance, or power that reshaped their fates. But the chance of death and no return was equally great.

"How many are entering from the Zhen clan?" Jiang Feng asked.

"We will send 30, so will the other six major cities" Zhen Chen replied. "My son is gathering warriors and cultivators of high potential. If you choose to join us, you will be among them. Lin Moyi here also can send 30 but you're the only suitable one as of right now, the agreement forbids sending in army personnel's so Lin Rou is unable to enter"

Lin Moyi interjected. "The realm will draw competitors from every major power in the region. This isn't just a chance for wealth—it's a battlefield for supremacy. The weaker ones won't last long."

Jiang Feng nodded, the weight of their words sinking in. His recent breakthroughs had given him a surge in strength, but he knew that the Obsidian Waterfall Realm would be the true test. His combat power would be pitted against cultivators of various backgrounds, each wielding their own unique techniques and secrets.

"I'll be ready," Jiang Feng said firmly. "Whatever lies inside, I'll claim it."

Zhen Chen offered a rare smile. "Confidence is good, but remember—caution is survival. Prepare yourself well, Jiang Feng. The Obsidian Waterfall Realm does not forgive the reckless."

With that, the conversation concluded. Jiang Feng stepped away, his thoughts racing. He would spend the next few days consolidating his newfound power, refining his techniques, and preparing his mind for the trials ahead.

As he looked at the dust where the beast cores had once been, he felt a flicker of excitement. The secrets of the Obsidian Waterfall Realm awaited, and he intended to uncover as much as he could. 'Father are you in the upper realm?'

'I wonder if Yumo's okay. I should tell the old man to look after him for me' Jiang Feng turned back and went to speak with the two old men. If it wasn't for the early descent of the Obsidian Waterfall Realm, he would still be at the Eastern Wall assisting with the repairs

-

Back at the Zhen Clan, Zhen Que—the current head of the Zhen Clan and Zhen Chen's son—stood resolutely before a group of thirty youths. These were the clan's most promising talents, each standing tall with determination etched into their features. Among them, at the forefront of the formation, was Zhen Ming. His injuries, once severe, had mostly healed thanks to the abundant resources of the Zhen Clan and its allied powers. With time and care, even wounds that would cripple ordinary cultivators could be mended.

This scene was not unique to the Zhen Clan. Similar gatherings unfolded across major cities as clans with strong foundations and sufficient resources prepared to contend for the limited spots in the Obsidian Waterfall Realm. The qualifications were strict yet inclusive—only cultivators at the Essence Stage under the age of one hundred could participate. While no restrictions were placed on the number of entrants, the major powers exercised caution. They sent only those deemed strong or cunning enough to survive, for the Obsidian Waterfall Realm was no place for the weak or unprepared.

-

Meanwhile, Jiang Feng sat cross-legged in his training room, his body steady, his breathing deep. Infernal Breathing coursed through him like a rhythmic tide, pulling heated spiritual energy into his lungs, then channeling it through his meridians and Essence Lake. His eyes remained closed as his mind focused inward. For two days, he had stayed in the same meditative position, refining his energy. The once-raging Essence Lake within him had finally calmed, its turbulent waves now placid yet vast, exuding a silent, restrained power.

The Earth Meridian had ceased its relentless expansion, its glow settling into a steady hum of energy. Even the other meridians in his body had grown, their structures sturdier and more refined, though their latent abilities remained locked away, waiting for the right moment to awaken.

Jiang Feng slowly opened his eyes, which gleamed with determination. "I have three days remaining. Let's get started," he muttered to himself.

Reaching into his spatial ring, he retrieved two sealed scrolls, their surfaces glowing faintly with protective runic barriers. One of them bore the ominous title Silent Reaper, inscribed in intricate, flowing script. Jiang Feng took a deep breath, steadying himself for the task ahead. From the depths of the spatial ring, he withdrew a dagger.

The moment the dagger appeared, the room seemed to darken slightly, as though the very air recoiled from its presence. Its surface shimmered with an array of ancient runic lines, formations, and symbols, each one pulsing with faint, otherworldly energy. Jiang Feng immediately felt a crushing weight in his hands.

"Too heavy!" he grunted, beads of sweat forming on his forehead as he strained to maintain his grip. Without hesitation, he summoned his father's forging table, a treasured artifact he had inherited. The table materialized with a low hum, its surface gleaming as if it had been polished by centuries of use. Jiang Feng quickly placed the dagger on it.

To his relief, the table bore the weight with ease. Its construction was a testament to his father's skill as a blacksmith—it wasn't just a tool but a powerful treasure in its own right. Even the training room's floor, reinforced by countless arrays, would have shattered under the dagger's weight without the table's support.

Jiang Feng wiped his brow and exhaled. His gaze hardened as he studied the dagger, its symbols flickering like a living entity. He could feel its immense potential and danger.

"It's time for me to become a true expert," he declared, his voice steady but resolute.

His journey toward mastery was far from over, but this moment marked a significant step. Armed with his father's legacy and his own unyielding will, Jiang Feng prepared to push the boundaries of his cultivation once more.