CHAPTER 25: RECONSTRUCTING

"This... is perfect for me," Tian Lei muttered, eyes gleaming with quiet resolve.

"Even without beast souls, I can still cultivate. These nodes store far more spirit Qi than a regular Dantian."

He opened the scripture fully, letting the knowledge flow directly into his mind. His powerful soul, honed by the Infinite Fortune Core, granted him an almost supernatural comprehension speed—fast enough to grasp divine-grade techniques in mere hours.

And yet... he spent three entire days deciphering this one.

That’s how profound it was.

When he finally mastered it, Tian Lei stood in silence and exited the library—his soul realm pulsing gently around him.

He made his way toward the Sun and Moon Nectar Pool—a glimmering lake of milky-white liquid that radiated dense Yin-Yang energy. Without hesitation, he stepped into its depths.

No need to destroy my Dantian... It’s already broken.

All I have to do... is rebuild.

He sat cross-legged, his breathing slowing.

The Sun and Moon nectar responded to his intent, swirling around him like divine mist. Threads of Yin and Yang essence flowed into his meridians, stabilizing the storm within and guiding the reconstruction.

And deep within Tian Lei’s core, his broken Dantian began to reshape.

It twisted, pulsed, then restructured itself—not into a traditional sphere, but something wholly alien. Something primal.

A bead-like structure, crystalline and ancient in form, suddenly formed within the void—like a sleeping seed of divinity buried in storm-ravaged soil. Though only one-hundredth the size of his former Dantian, it pulsed with potential. More than that—it demanded far more energy to form than he expected.

"This must be the first Primordial Node," he muttered, watching it flicker to life.

Only one had formed.

The Sun and Moon Nectar Pool below him, which once glowed with serene silver light, had already been drained by a full one-third.

"Hah... Right now I can only form one, huh?"

"Still... it was worth it."

Finally, Tian Lei could cultivate again.

And not just cultivate—evolve.

His new Dantian wasn’t a static one, like others,

It was capable of growth.

A rare, growth-type Dantian, never before seen in this world. One that would expand node by node, each housing ancient beast souls and growing in strength with every battle.

But to evolve it further, he would need to do more than just train.

He’d need to find a beast with a divine-tier bloodline.

Defeat it. Kill it. Consume its soul.

And then—fuse it into his next node.

"I already have a few beasts in mind," he said under his breath, cracking his knuckles as his spiritual energy swirled.

"But for now, this is enough."

He closed his eyes once more, settling into quiet meditation. The Sun and Moon Nectar swirled again, guiding the flow of his breath and Qi.

Several days passed.

And when he finally opened his eyes, a quiet light pulsed within them.

He had broken through.

Tian Lei had stepped into the first level of the Spirit Qi Condensation Realm.

"Already at the third stage of the Mortal Realm, huh..." Tian Lei murmured, eyes half-lidded as he gazed at the soft ripples in the Sun and Moon Nectar pool.

"Hmm... even though I already possess immense cultivation talent now," Tian Lei muttered, half-closing his eyes as he floated in the glistening pool of Sun and Moon Nectar.

"Still, I should temper my foundation further—with the Eternal Elephant Primordial Body."

It was a technique Murong Yue had suggested back when he first discovered this ancient pool of nectar. A method that transcended the mortal shell—reforging one’s flesh into the legendary Eternal Elephant Primordial Body.

Then taking an deep breath, he once started cultivating, Tian Lei immersed himself in the technique. What followed was three months of seclusion, during which his breath barely stirred the air—but within, a tempest of change roared.

His body gradually transformed—no longer mortal, no longer ordinary.

Behind him, a massive phantom began to manifest: an ancient elephant the size of a mountain, covered in steel-like armor and bearing twin, curved tusks shaped like divine swords. Its eyes gleamed with age-old fury, and its very presence shook the soul.

As the phantom merged back into his body, Tian Lei opened his eyes.

"First Layer... complete."

He stood up slowly—each step radiating the weight of mountains, power humming in his bones like thunder trapped in steel.

He glanced down at his palm.

"Good..." he whispered, flexing his fingers.

The Eternal Elephant Primordial Body technique was divided into twelve layers, and with each breakthrough, the practitioner would receive two divine abilities, echoing the traits of the Artificial Divine Body they forged.

From the First Layer, Tian Lei had gained:

Ancient Force Fist – A strike that borrowed the might of Ancient beasts; one punch could flatten entire hills.

Elephant King Stomp – A devastating stomp that triggered seismic shockwaves and shattered defenses through sheer weight and Qi resonance.

"Now, Time to go out" he mumbled as he left the Golden Fortune Realm.

As Tian Lei emerged, the gentle ripples of spatial essence collapsed behind him—no teleportation light, no Qi fluctuations—he simply appeared, as if reality itself had politely stepped aside to let him pass.

The scent of fresh air and dew-laced pine filled the air.

Standing nearby was an elderly man, robed in soft grey silks that danced faintly in the breeze. His eyes—clouded by age but sharp with experience—narrowed beneath thick white brows. He stroked his long beard thoughtfully, the silence between them stretching.

"Hmm... Who are you, boy? And how did you appear here?" the elder asked, tone mild but laced with caution.

Tian Lei blinked, adjusting his expression into something between confusion and humble awe.

"Elder... I’m not sure myself. I was falling—yes, from a cliff. Thought it was the end," he said, scratching the back of his neck. "But I woke up here. Maybe the heavens spared me?"

He chuckled weakly, pretending to wobble a bit as if still dizzy.

The old man didn’t smile. Internally, he scoffed.

’This boy’s lying. That calm pulse... the sharpness behind those eyes—he’s far from lost or confused.’

Could this boy be connected to that elusive senior? Perhaps a disciple?

He folded his hands behind his back and shifted to a warmer tone.

"Fate is indeed strange. If you’ve truly been spared, then perhaps the heavens have a plan for you." He gave a grandfatherly smile. "This old man is Elder Haiyun of the Azure Feather Sect. You’ve landed not far from one of our outer territories."

Tian Lei bowed respectfully.

"Tian Lei. Thank you, Elder Haiyun. If I’ve caused trouble by appearing here, I’m willing to accept any punishment."

That display of humility? Flawless. Elder Haiyun’s suspicion softened—but didn’t vanish.