Chapter 84: The Pleasure of Advancing

Returning to the temporary residence assigned by the Demon Saint's mansion, Zhang Yi finally let out a long sigh of relief.

Although this dump was a bit crude, at least it was quiet.

"Finally, I can have a moment of peace."

Zhang Yi muttered, sat cross-legged on the bed, and began to circulate his cultivation technique, guiding the restless energy within his body.

The energy of this Third-tier Demon Core was indeed overbearing; even after the initial digestion from the Taotie Feast, it was still rampaging through his body like a wild horse that had broken its bridle.

"Damn it, this feeling... is actually quite exhilarating."

Zhang Yi gritted his teeth, feeling the swelling pain of his meridians being impacted by the energy.

This feeling of being in pain yet happy made him somewhat addicted.

As the technique circulated, the violent energy gradually became docile, beginning to flow slowly along his meridians and finally converging into his dantian.

Zhang Yi's dantian, which originally only held a small inner core, was now expanding rapidly like a balloon, emitting a dazzling golden light.

"This... is the rhythm of a breakthrough!"

Zhang Yi felt a surge of joy in his heart and hurriedly increased the speed of his technique, greedily absorbing this pure energy.

Time passed second by second, and the energy within Zhang Yi's body became increasingly full.

He felt as if his body were a balloon about to be blown up, ready to burst at any moment.

"No, I have to find a place to vent!"

Zhang Yi opened his eyes abruptly, a flash of madness flickering within them.

He did not want to blow himself up.

He pushed open the door and rushed out.

At this moment, it was silent.

Most of the Demon Beasts were over at the Arena watching the competition.

On this side of the residences, almost no Demon Beasts appeared.

Zhang Yi looked around, searching for a suitable target.

Suddenly, his gaze landed on a rockery not far away.

This rockery was carved from a massive, strangely shaped rock; its form was peculiar and lifelike.

"You'll do!"

Zhang Yi grinned, his figure flashed, and he arrived before the rockery.

He took a deep breath, mobilized all the energy in his body, and threw a punch!

"Boom!"

With a loud bang, the rockery instantly shattered into pieces, and gravel flew everywhere.

Zhang Yi was also pushed back a few steps by the recoil.

"Refreshing!"

Zhang Yi shook his somewhat numb fist, feeling comfortable all over.

This blow had finally vented the excess energy in his body.

After the deafening roar subsided.

A pleasant system notification sound rang out in Zhang Yi's mind.

【Congratulations to the host for successfully advancing to a Second-tier Great Divine Beast, Refining Points +100!】

【Congratulations to the host for obtaining spirit herbs: Dragon Saliva Grass 5, Phoenix Tail Flower 3, Nine-Turn Golden Pill 1; obtained Universal Divine Skill 1...】

"Holy crap! I'm rich!"

Zhang Yi almost couldn't resist looking up to the sky and howling.

These rewards were simply outrageously generous!

He suppressed the excitement in his heart, sneaked back into his room, locked the door, and only then began to carefully examine his gains.

Five stalks of Dragon Saliva Grass, three Phoenix Tail Flowers, and even a Nine-Turn Golden Pill!

Any one of these spirit herbs, if taken out, would cause a scramble across the entire Yao Jie.

Not to mention the one hundred Refining Points and that mysterious Universal Divine Skill.

"One hundred Refining Points... tsk tsk, if I added all of this to my attack power, wouldn't I be able to shatter a mountain with one punch?"

Zhang Yi stroked his chin, imagining the scene of his fist shattering mountains and rivers, and his mouth almost watered.

However, he quickly calmed down.

Now was not the time to be reckless; the competition hadn't ended yet, and keeping a low profile was the way to go.

"Let's see what this Universal Divine Skill is."

Zhang Yi rubbed his hands together and opened the system panel with great anticipation.

Universal Divine Skill: Can be randomly converted into any skill the host needs, limited to one use per day.

Using it will consume a large amount of energy, requiring timely replenishment.

"Any skill? This is too badass!"

Zhang Yi's eyes went wide.

This meant he could switch to different skills according to different situations; it was simply a bug-like existence!

"However, I can only use it once a day, and after using it, I have to eat like crazy to replenish energy..."

Zhang Yi scratched his head, "If I drop the ball at a critical moment, that would be hilarious."

A scene suddenly appeared in his mind: he transformed into a majestic giant dragon and was just about to slaughter everyone, when suddenly his stomach started growling, and then he collapsed to the ground in a spectacular fashion...

"Uh... this scene is too beautiful to imagine."

Zhang Yi shivered and hurriedly banished this terrifying thought from his mind.

"Forget it, I won't think about that much for now; I'd better refine these spiritual herbs first."

Zhang Yi sat cross-legged and swallowed the Dragon Saliva Grass, Phoenix Tail Flower, and Nine-Turn Golden Pill all at once.

The medicinal pills melted the moment they entered his mouth, turning into streams of pure energy that surged and flowed within his body.

Zhang Yi felt his body was like a balloon being inflated, constantly expanding, as if it could explode at any moment.

"Damn it, this feeling... it's really fucking intense!"

Zhang Yi gritted his teeth, enduring the waves of bloating pain coming from within his body.

Just then, a knock suddenly came from outside the door.

"Zhang Yi, are you inside? It's me, Hu Mei'er."

Hearing this voice, Zhang Yi's heart immediately tightened.

Hu Mei'er—things had already turned sour with their Fox Clan, so what was this Hu Mei'er here for?

She definitely didn't have any good intentions.

"Not here! Get lost!"

Zhang Yi roared irritably.

"You..."

From outside the door came Hu Mei'er's exasperated voice, "You just wait! I will definitely make you regret this!"

Zhang Yi curled his lip in disdain and continued to refine the energy within his body.

Outside the door, Hu Mei'er stomped her feet in anger.

Just a moment ago.

Hu Mei'er had been by the side of the Arena.

She had witnessed with her own eyes the scene of Zhang Yi swallowing the demon core and his subsequent surge in strength.

She had felt at the time that this kid was not simple, and now it seemed that was indeed the case.

She had followed Zhang Yi all the way, watching him sneak back into his room, and her curiosity grew even stronger.

After a while, she saw Zhang Yi rush out again and unleash a barrage of attacks on a rockery, sending stone fragments flying and dust filling the air.

This power was simply inconceivable!

After Zhang Yi returned to his room again, Hu Mei'er could no longer hold back and went up to knock on the door.

As a result, she was shut out and even given a harsh scolding by Zhang Yi.

She hid in the shadows, carefully observing Zhang Yi's room, her slender fingers tapping lightly against her chin.

Could this kid be refining a demon core?

But this speed was way too fast!

Normally, for a demon race member to refine a demon core, it would take at least ten days or half a month; how long had it been for this kid?

The more Hu Mei'er thought about it, the more she felt something was wrong; she felt as restless as if a cat were scratching at her heart, dying to rush in and see what was happening.

No, she couldn't force it.

She had to think of a way.

Hu Mei'er rolled her eyes, and a plan came to mind.

She turned and left, and before long, she returned to Zhang Yi's door carrying a bowl of steaming medicinal soup.

"Zhang Yi, I know you're inside. I've brewed a bowl of soup to nourish your Qi and blood; open the door and drink it."

Hu Mei'er's voice was soft and alluring.

"You fox spirit, trying to harm people again? Get lost immediately, I don't have time to deal with you."

Zhang Yi spoke very directly, not giving Hu Mei'er the slightest bit of face.