Chapter 185 - 120: Forged of Iron and Bone

Chapter 185: Chapter 120: Forged of Iron and Bone

At this very moment, a critical juncture in his breakthrough where his qi and blood were nearly depleted, this purest form of energy, accumulated from his daily practices, was automatically activated. It became the most timely and crucial reinforcement on his path to the next realm.

Unlike the medicinal power of the ginseng, which required conversion and felt somewhat "feverish," this warm current from his Qi Collection shared the same origin as his own qi and blood. It fused with him flawlessly, nourishing his parched meridians and rapidly strengthening tissues. The sensation was one of warm, immense comfort and fullness, like basking in sunlight.

By comparison, the ginseng in his mouth, which was still releasing medicinal power, now seemed somewhat redundant and superfluous. Its power was still being absorbed, but its main role had seemingly shifted to consolidating and slightly accelerating the process, rather than acting as the primary energy source.

As this unending warm current refilled his qi and blood, Xu Mo felt the breakthrough process suddenly accelerate. Every surge of qi and blood became more powerful, and the deep-seated transformation of his body grew more and more thorough.

Xu Mo could even vaguely feel the density of his bones increasing significantly. It seemed as if minute impurities, deposited deep within his skeleton and normally impossible to detect, were being forcibly squeezed out of the bones by the surging qi and blood, waiting to be expelled from his body.

And so, a back-and-forth cycle played out within Xu Mo’s body:

His qi and blood were consumed at a frantic pace, nourishing and transforming his body.

Just as they were about to run out, the stored energy from his Qi Collection would surge forth, rapidly replenishing them.

The ginseng’s medicinal power acted as a supplement, ensuring the process remained stable and smooth.

Over and over the cycle repeated, for who knows how many times.

Time seemed to lose its meaning.

Xu Mo was completely immersed in this wondrous metamorphosis, oblivious to his surroundings.

「It was impossible to say how long had passed. Perhaps an hour or two, perhaps half a day.」

Finally, Xu Mo felt his body reach a saturation point. His flesh and blood, fascia, bones, and internal organs were no longer absorbing the energy of his qi and blood as greedily as before.

It was as if they had been "fed" to their absolute limit, completing a qualitative leap.

And now, the quantity and quality of the ceaselessly surging qi and blood within Xu Mo’s body were a world apart from when he was in the Cowhide Realm.

If his qi and blood in the Cowhide Realm were a rushing creek, then what he had now was a mighty, surging river, flowing vast and inexhaustible.

Furthermore, Xu Mo felt that this qi and blood no longer needed to be consciously mobilized for combat as before. Instead, it had naturally formed a perfect internal cycle. Like a train that never stopped, it now circulated through his body at all times, autonomously cleansing, nurturing, and strengthening his every corner.

An unprecedented sense of power filled his heart.

The breakthrough process gradually slowed, eventually stabilizing completely.

Xu Mo slowly gathered his focus and opened his eyes, a sense of disbelief washing over him.

’That’s it... I broke through? To the Iron Bone Realm? I didn’t have to consume my life force or take massive amounts of supplements... I just... broke through, as simply and naturally as that?’

It had all gone so smoothly that it felt unreal to Xu Mo. He subconsciously raised his hands, wanting to feel the change in his strength.

However, what greeted his eyes was not the tougher skin he had expected. Instead, a layer of thick, greasy black sludge coated the surface of his palms and arms, giving off a faint, foul odor.

He froze for a second, then quickly looked down at his body. Just as he’d suspected! His entire body was covered in a thick, nauseating layer of black filth! He could even feel something plastered to his face; it was itchy and incredibly uncomfortable.

’This is the Purification and Marrow Cleansing? The impurities expelled from my body?’

Xu Mo understood in an instant. Breaking through to the Iron Bone Realm wasn’t just about increased bone density and a surge in power; it was also a deep purification of the body. It had forcibly expelled the toxins and impurities that had accumulated deep within his flesh and bones over the years!

’Damn! It stinks!’

The intense odor assaulted his nostrils. Xu Mo couldn’t take it anymore. Forgetting all about savoring his newfound power, he leaped to his feet and sprinted toward the simple shower in the fortress, which ran on stored water.

He needed to wash all this filth off. Immediately. Right now.