Ignoring the system notification, behind his white mask, the corners of El's lips were slightly raised. New power flowed in his body, like a dragon that had just awakened from its slumber.
However, El was not complacent because his goal was not yet complete. The energies of heaven and earth were still raging even more wildly, signaling that Queen Medusa was challenging her limits, trying to penetrate the Dou Zhong Realm.
Suddenly, a flash of light enveloped the sky, followed by a roar of lightning that thundered like the wrath of the gods.
In an instant, three thunderbolts came down simultaneously, crashing down on El's body mercilessly and continuing to strike again and again.
The current of lightning danced more and more wildly, wrapping around his body like a raging dragon, burning every inch of his skin until it emitted a sharp ozone smell.
El's muscles tightened even more, bones shook violently, as if his body was being forged in a lightning hell.
Lightning cracks began to spread all over his body, dazzling light emanated from within, carving a trail of destruction and birth simultaneously.
Within his body, the nine stars within the Dantian Cyclone shook violently before one by one disintegrating, turning into a liquid energy that spun wildly, seeking a new form.
The pain was overwhelming. El coughed, then vomited fresh blood, soaking the ground beneath his. However, even though his body felt like it was being crushed, his mind remained sharp.
El knew this was the price he had to pay in order to move on to greater heights.
The pain he was experiencing now was like thousands of needles piercing every nerve in his body. However, behind this destruction, lies the beginning of a new birth.
Within his dantian, the liquid Dou Qi that was flowing freely now began to swirl faster, as if searching for a new center of gravity.
This is a crucial step, El must create the Dou Crystal, the true core that marks the transition to Da Dou Shi.
This small crystal is not just a change in energy form, but a symbol of true power. In the eyes of experts, only those who successfully form a Dou Crystal are worthy of being considered Da Dou Shi.
As the process progressed, the Dou Qi energy within El's body condensed even more, producing tremendous pressure.
If he failed, all the Dou Qi in his body could go berserk and destroy him from within. However, if he succeeded El would be reborn as a true Da Dou Shi.
***
On the other hand, while El was still being struck by lightning while attempting to form the Dou Crystal, Xiao Yan and Yao Chen had reached the safe zone near the Blue Lotus Geocentric Flame.
This location Xiao Yan and Yao Chen had chosen was because the heaven and earth energies did not dare to approach the Blue Lotus Geocentric Flame.
They watched El who was challenging the heaven and earth energies with unbelievable expressions.
Xiao Yan's eyes widened, his heart pounding loudly. "Crazy... Ji Lan still survived after being struck so many times?" he thought, sensing the terrifying air of lightning even from a distance.
Xiao Yan himself had experienced tremendous suffering while trying to break through, but what El had experienced was far more brutal.
The ground around El was now cracked and blackened, hot vapor rising from its surface due to the violent pressure from the lightning.
Xiao Yan gritted his teeth. "This guy... how strong is his body actually?" he muttered, feeling a mixture of horror and admiration towards his friend.
Meanwhile, Yao Chen who was hovering by Xiao Yan's side watched the scene with a serious expression. "This kid... is getting more and more interesting," he muttered to himself.
As a legendary alchemist and peak practitioner of his time, Yao Chen understood how dangerous it was to directly absorb the energy of heaven and earth, especially in the form of lightning.
"This kid is definitely not an ordinary human... But if he keeps pushing himself, his body could be completely destroyed," he thought, his eyes narrowing slightly, assessing every change in El's body.
Although he recognized El's extraordinary physical endurance, Yao Chen still felt worried.
If this process failed, not only would El be injured, but it could also leave him disabled for life or even die a horrible death.
However, Xiao Yan looked at El with fiery eyes. "If Ji Lan can survive, then she will become a terrifying monster!" he thought with burning fervor.
But underneath his admiration, Xiao Yan felt challenged. If El could go through this and become stronger, then he himself should not be left behind.
"I can do it too!" his determination strengthened. When the time comes to absorb the Blue Lotus Geocentric Heavenly Flame, I will not lose! I must succeed and become even stronger!"
{Notes: Sorry, I'm a bit stiff with this narration. I'm not very good at writing these parts, sorry if it's not satisfactory}
***
Meanwhile, in the sky, Queen Medusa in the form of a giant snake was being hit by the Blue Lotus Geocentric Flame mercilessly.
Although her body was burned and severely injured, she persisted, exerting all her strength to fly higher.
Her eyes were fixed on the energy core of heaven and earth, an energy core that was spinning wildly amidst a storm of black clouds, wind, and lightning.
If Queen Medusa managed to grab it, then her breakthrough into the Dou Zong realm would be an official success.
Outside the temple, the entire Snake People Race, from commoners, to warriors, to elders could only respectfully bow their heads.
They prayed fervently, asking the Snake Ancestral Spirit to protect Queen Medusa who was undergoing a great test to break through to the Dou Zong realm.
Meanwhile, on the human side, Gu He's group could only watch from a distance.
This group consisted of three Dou Wang, including Gu He himself, Feng Li and Yan Shi, as well as a black-robed woman who possessed an extremely suppressive aura, a Dou Huang.
Gu He, a middle-aged man with a handsome face, had sharp black eyes and long black hair that was neatly flowing.
The white robe with gold accents he wore exuded a regal impression, reflecting his status as one of the strongest alchemists in the Jia Ma Empire.
Feng Li, a lanky man with black hair and deep black eyes, appeared to be holding an iron fan in his hand.
He wore dark gray clothes and trousers that allowed his movements to remain agile, reflecting his nimble and strategic fighting style.
On the other hand, Yan Shi had a well-built and muscular body, fiery red hair with sharp-looking eyes.
His outfit looked striking with dark green trousers, a green fur vest, as well as fur on his belt.
Uniquely patterned armor and sturdy boots added to the impression of a tough, battle-ready fighter.
Lastly, the black-robed Dou Huang woman standing silently among them was no random person.
She was Yun Yun, the Misty Cloud Sect Leader, who was hiding her identity.
Wearing a long black robe that covered his entire body, he was trying to avoid conflict with the Snake People Race, maintaining balance in this already tense situation.
In the sky, they saw the situation escalating. Queen Medusa continued to dart towards the energy Core of heaven and earth, ignoring the dangers around her.
However, seeing this, the Blue Lotus Geocentric Flame grew even more furious. The heavenly flame churned with greater intensity.
In an instant, an explosion of fiery blue flames erupted, slamming straight towards Queen Medusa with a force that shook the air.
***
Inside the temple, precisely in the underground cave, Xiao Yan and Yao Chen suddenly turned their attention away from El.
A crucial event occurred, the Blue Lotus Geocentric Flame began to spin at a high speed, gathering a large amount of energy.
The purpose of this heavenly flame was clear, launching a devastating attack towards Queen Medusa who had almost reached the peak of her breakthrough.
Seeing this situation, Yao Chen knitted his brows sharply before immediately turning to Xiao Yan. "Xiao Yan! Quickly take out the Lotus Geocentric Flame Platform!"
Without further hesitation or questioning, Xiao Yan immediately reached into his storage ring. In an instant, the Lotus Platform appeared, emitting a stable ancient aura.
Deftly, Xiao Yan aimed at the center of the energy vortex, to resist the destructive wave that was about to occur.
BOOM!
An explosion occurred, the rocks, floor, and walls of the underground cave shook violently, huge cracks forming as the violent explosion of the Blue Lotus Geocentric Flame.
Waves of fiery flames devoured the poisonous water area, the exterior of the temple, as well as the entire surrounding terrain.
Even Xiao Yan himself was affected by the explosion, causing his body to be pushed back with minor burns.