Yanwei frowned.
"But I'm still Rank 1," he muttered, voice low and laced with quiet irritation. "And it would take a year or two if I want to break through to Rank 2."
The words sat in the air like lead. He stared at the floor, jaw tightening as the full weight of that timeline pressed down on him. A year or two—that was what this body required.
"And even if I break through…"
His fingers curled slightly.
"It doesn't mean I'd automatically win."
Yanwei's eyes darkened as his mind raced. No grand declarations. No flashy moves. Just cold, precise calculation.
He knew the old man's strength wasn't something to be matched by power alone. Experience layered over years, tactics honed in countless battles—that was the real edge.
Breaking through to Rank 2 might close the gap, but it wouldn't guarantee victory.
So instead of dreaming about strength, Yanwei started planning.
He planned with cold precision—calculating every angle, weighing risks like a blade testing its edge.
The pressure built inside him, heavy and relentless, but he didn't flinch.
Piece by piece, the chaos in his mind began to align.
A strategy emerged—calm, ruthless, and certain.
His breath hitched for a moment, the weight easing just enough.
Then, a slow, quiet sigh escaped him—a breath carrying both relief and resolve.
A faint smile tugged at the corner of his lips, sharp and confident.
He was ready.
He plunged into the vast world inside his own body — a place unlike anything else, a space he named the Growth Space. It was more than a mere skill; it was a merit born from an unimaginable sacrifice. He didn't fully understand how it worked yet, but that didn't matter. What mattered was that time inside this space flowed five times faster than in the outside world.
He had poured an insane amount of resources into acquiring it — rare treasures, precious energy, things most cultivators could only dream of. The price was staggering, and yet he gave it all without hesitation. Because within this inner world, growth wasn't bound by normal limits. Here, he could push himself beyond anything the outside could offer.
Still, as he stood in the silence of that space, a quiet weight settled over him. The cost was great, but so was the promise it held.
He turned his gaze around the barren world within—an empty, desolate expanse. There was no sign of life, no whisper of wind through leaves, no trace of nature's gentle touch. The landscape was stark and lifeless, cracked earth stretching endlessly beneath a dull, oppressive sky.
It wasn't a world meant for comfort or beauty. It was raw, empty — a blank canvas waiting to be shaped by his will and strength. The silence pressed down on him, heavy and unyielding, reminding him just how much this place was still undeveloped, still his to conquer.
He began pulling out dozens of storage bags from his storage ring, each one heavy with treasures — rare herbs, precious ores, and countless valuable items. All of it was taken from those he had killed in the secret realm. The weight of their lives and resources pressed down with every pouch he opened.
A cold, hollow laugh escaped his lips, echoing through the barren world inside his body. All of this… their blood, their efforts, their lives, he thought with grim satisfaction. They built this for me without ever knowing.
His eyes roamed over the scattered herbs and plants, each a rare and precious ingredient in alchemy. The Scarlet Veil Blossom, with its deep crimson petals, was the main component in healing pills potent enough to mend injuries even Rank 2 cultivators suffered. The twisted Verdant Serpent Root was famed for purifying toxins and strengthening stamina, often used in pills that could push a cultivator's endurance to new heights during grueling battles.
Nearby, the Silver Mist Herb shimmered faintly, ground into powders that refined spiritual senses and mental clarity — essential for pills designed to enhance focus and energy control. The delicate Nightbloom Petal, prized for its calming properties, was often used in pills that helped stabilize qi flow, a key step for cultivators attempting to break through to Rank 2.
Thundervine Bark, tough and fibrous, was crushed into pills that strengthened bones and tendons, allowing cultivators to better withstand physical strain. Lastly, the Shadowmoss carried mild numbing effects and could even be eaten raw — its essence helped suppress pain, enabling cultivators to push their bodies beyond normal limits in battle.
These rare herbs formed the backbone of many powerful alchemical recipes, each holding the potential to turn the tide of a fight or open the door to the next level of cultivation.
He let out a low sigh, rubbing his temple. "The amount isn't that much," he muttered. "As for the other herbs I got… most of them are common, nothing rare. Still, they'll fetch a decent price if I sell them for spiritual stones."
His gaze drifted over the piles again, the weight of countless battles and lives taken settling on his shoulders. Even the common herbs taken from those he killed had value in this world—enough to keep him moving forward.
He carefully sorted through the scattered herbs, setting aside the important spiritual plants with deliberate precision. Each one deserved to be preserved properly—these were the true treasures among the spoils.
Once the plants were organized, his attention shifted to the weapons and miscellaneous items piled nearby. They were mostly common Rank 1 gear, nothing remarkable, but every blade, talisman, and trinket told a story of a life extinguished in the secret realm.
He ran his fingers over the worn blades and cracked talismans, shaking his head with growing impatience. "Useless… useless… shit… shit…" The words slipped out like a bitter chant, each one heavier than the last. None of these weapons were worth a second thought—just remnants of forgotten battles, clutter for someone like him.
He paused abruptly, fingers brushing against a strangely crafted object buried beneath the pile. "Hmm, this is unusual," he muttered, a flicker of curiosity sparking in his eyes. "Well, I'll see what it does after I finish sorting through this trash."
With a deep breath, he returned to organizing the worthless weapons and items, though his mind lingered on the mysterious piece—something about it felt different, promising.