Chapter 711: Sitting in Stillness

A self-contained world—mysterious and vast. That was Liu Xi's only impression as he stood before the steps of the high platform. At the end of this cave mansion, two things commanded his attention: the Earth Core Divine Essence they had discovered earlier, and this imposing stone platform before him.

If there was a true secret hidden in this realm, it had to be here. That alone told him this high platform was anything but simple.

"Forget it," Liu Xi murmured, his eyes narrowing. "You never know the truth until you experience it yourself."

He raised his head to gaze upon the towering platform, then stepped forward. The instant his foot landed on the first step, an overwhelming pressure and crushing gravity descended upon him like an invisible mountain.

"Ugh!"

A muffled groan escaped his lips as a wave of pain tore through his body. From flesh and blood to bones and even his Divine Spirit, everything was being squeezed beneath a titanic weight. His skin trembled, muscles convulsed, and deep within his marrow, his cells quivered violently as if each was struggling to endure the crushing force.

The oppressive aura even pierced through his body, gripping his Soul and grinding it as though between two colossal millstones.

Agony — pain that reached the soul itself!

The sudden disturbance immediately caught Qing Yanjing's attention. She ran to the foot of the stairs in alarm. "What's wrong?"

Frowning, she tried to step onto the stairs to help him up, but Liu Xi's voice, hoarse yet commanding, stopped her instantly.

"Don't come up!"

His tone was sharp, strained from the pressure, yet there was a faint smile tugging at his lips. In his eyes burned unwavering determination.

"There's no danger of death," he said through gritted teeth. "It feels more like… a trial. Once you step on the platform, your body and Soul are subjected to a terrifying suppression."

Hearing there was no fatal threat, Qing Yanjing stopped moving, though worry clouded her gaze. The sight of Liu Xi trembling, his face flushed and muscles straining, filled her with unease.

"Why not come down first?" she urged softly. "We can study it more carefully before you try again."

But Liu Xi shook his head heavily.

"No… I want to see where my limits truly lie."

Taking a deep breath, he lifted his leaden foot and stepped onto the second step.

Boom!

The pressure instantly doubled. Liu Xi's entire body trembled, every vein bulging under the strain. It took him a long while before he could steady himself again.

Then he took the third step. The weight doubled once more.

Fourth… fifth… sixth… and finally, the seventh.

By now, Liu Xi's body was shaking violently, his face flushed crimson. Even with his monstrous physical strength, he felt as though his body might explode at any moment.

Fortunately, the Azure Lotus Flame that constantly circulated within him began to flow, repairing his torn flesh and cracked bones as fast as they were damaged. Without it, even he would not have endured this far.

"Hu…"

He exhaled heavily, his breath ragged. Without his Spiritual Energy to support him, relying solely on his physical body to withstand this pressure was an ordeal few could imagine.

Every inch of him screamed in agony — his soul flickered like a dying candle, his consciousness blurred, teetering at the edge of collapse.

And yet… he still lifted his foot toward the eighth step.

Boom!

Before his foot even touched the stone, the crushing might doubled once again. This time, Liu Xi couldn't resist it. His body shot backward like a cannonball, flung violently off the steps.

He barely remained conscious long enough to feel himself fall — and then something soft, warm, and gentle caught him. A faint fragrance enveloped him as his mind slipped into darkness.

When he opened his eyes again, Liu Xi's vision cleared slowly — only to be filled with the sight of a soft, curving form above him. His head rested on something warm… and delightfully comfortable.

Realization dawned. His pillow was none other than Qing Yanjing's lap.

For a moment, he simply lay there, completely unwilling to move.

Noticing his awakening, Qing Yanjing's anxious expression melted into relief and joy. "You're awake! Thank the heavens. How do you feel? Are you alright?"

Liu Xi smiled faintly. With his abnormal recovery ability, most of his injuries had already healed by now. In fact, the experience had tempered his body further — his flesh, bones, and Spiritual Strength all felt sturdier than before.

Since reaching the Heavenly Sovereign realm, his physical progress had slowed compared to his cultivation of Spiritual Energy. Even when he'd ascended to the Immortal Grade, his body hadn't advanced this much.

Still, he feigned weakness, offering her a faint smile. "I'm much better now. How long was I out?"

"One day," Qing Yanjing said softly, her voice full of concern. "When you've fully recovered, drink the Earth Core Origin Essence. I've thought about it — it can refine your body as well. Perhaps it's meant to complement these steps…"

But Liu Xi shook his head, his voice gentle but firm. "No. That's for you to use in your breakthrough. Don't worry about me — I'll find another way."

Qing Yanjing bit her lip, her eyes glistening. Her heart felt heavy with an emotion she couldn't name — tenderness, sorrow, and warmth all mingled together.

"Don't move," Liu Xi said with a faint grin. "Let me rest a little longer."

He closed his eyes again, shamelessly enjoying the comfort of her lap, utterly at peace — and secretly quite pleased with himself.

…

After indulging long enough, Liu Xi finally sat up.

Turning his back to Qing Yanjing, he downed a recovery pill and strode once more toward the staircase, leaving behind only his steady, confident silhouette.

Qing Yanjing watched him go, her eyes brimming with affection, admiration, and worry.

This time, Liu Xi advanced with preparation. He climbed swiftly, step by step, until he reached the sixth step. The oppressive force descended again, shaking his body and quickening his breath.

He endured for a moment before sitting cross-legged on the sixth step. The seventh's pressure was simply too overwhelming — the sixth was more suitable for prolonged tempering.

Drawing upon the lingering medicinal energy from his pill, Liu Xi began to refine his body under the crushing weight. Each moment of pain and recovery forged his physique anew, his muscles hardening like tempered steel.

The process was excruciating — but also exhilarating.

For Liu Xi, strength was everything. Only with power could he face the dangers of the Great Thousand Worlds with confidence. Deep down, he had always suffered from a kind of "combat insecurity" — or perhaps, more accurately, a fear of not having enough firepower.

With strength in his hands, his heart would never waver.

Thus, Liu Xi sat unmoving on the sixth step, body rigid beneath the crushing force, letting pain and resilience forge him anew.

Meanwhile, after watching him for a long time, Qing Yanjing turned and left quietly. This entire place was a natural Spiritual Array, filled with profound mysteries. If she could comprehend even a fraction of its rules, it would greatly aid her cultivation — perhaps even allow her to control the array itself.

And so, while Liu Xi tempered his body through torment, Qing Yanjing began her own path of comprehension.

Time flowed silently on.

(End of Chapter)

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