Chapter 551 - 330: Heart Sword Slaying the Ape: The Divine Path’s Foundation

A portion of Source Material was consumed. Nourished by this vast energy, his damaged Divine Soul and physical body began to rapidly repair.

Ten minutes later, a trace of color finally returned to Han Feng’s pale face.

He checked his condition and was taken aback.

In his Sea of Consciousness, his damaged Divine Soul had already been repaired under the nourishment of the [Spiritual Essence].

But the repaired Divine Soul was like refined steel that had been repeatedly hammered, all its impurities purged, becoming incredibly dense and tenacious!

The fluctuating data on his status panel confirmed his suspicion.

[Spiritual Power: 4610 Hz]

[Three-Inch Heart Sword Observation Method·Mastery (532/1000)]

"This..."

Han Feng was stunned at first, but then an incredulous fanaticism erupted in his eyes.

’Tempering... It’s helping me temper my Divine Soul!’

Qing Shan’s incomparably domineering Divine Soul Attack was like a ruthless forging hammer.

With every heavy blow, it violently hammered the impurities out of his Divine Soul, forcing it to grow stronger through destruction and rebirth!

’Since such a good opportunity has presented itself, how could I miss it?’

A crazed look flashed in his eyes.

’Again!’

He stepped out of the Sword Tomb Space once more. The instant he appeared, Qing Shan’s cold Will locked onto him.

’You again?’

The black Stone Ape raised its fist again.

BOOM!

*Pfft!*

Han Feng’s Sea of Consciousness was struck hard again. Even after using ten thousand threads of Sword Aura to strengthen his Heart Sword’s block, he was still sent flying backward, spitting blood.

But he endured the excruciating pain and, before retreating into the Sword Tomb Space, controlled his Flying Sword, [Broken Star], to take the life of an ordinary Black Fierce Ape Warrior on his way out.

The corpse fell into the Sword Tomb, decomposed, and turned into new [Life Essence] and [Material Source Material].

Return to the Sword Tomb, repair, temper, and attack again!

Han Feng was like a block of iron that felt no pain, and Qing Shan was the blacksmith who hammered it.

When Han Feng fled back to the Sword Tomb in a wretched state for the ninth time, he had already consumed nearly a third of the vast [Spiritual Essence] in the [Guiyuan Sword Pool].

The piercing pain in his Divine Soul lingered even during the repairs, like countless steel needles stabbing into his brain.

This pain wasn’t physical, but spiritual.

This was the price for repeatedly damaging his Divine Soul in a short period.

This made Han Feng realize that even with Spiritual Essence to restore his Divine Soul, some things couldn’t be recovered.

’It seems that frequently fighting with power beyond my limits isn’t a long-term solution. Increasing my own strength is the only true way.’

Of course, frequently absorbing the Spiritual Essence of gods was not without its benefits.

As his absorption of the two gods’ Spiritual Essence reached a critical point, a new understanding flooded his mind.

It was the Thousand-Eyed Demon Moth’s understanding of Illusion Techniques and the Three-headed Illusory Yin Snake’s application of the Path of Deception.

[Ding! You have comprehended a new Divine Soul technique from the mixed Spiritual Essence!]

[Three-Inch Heart Sword · New Trait: Illusory Sword (Basic Level).

Can condense an illusory sword shadow similar to the original to deceive enemies.]

Han Feng’s eyes lit up.

’There are still two-thirds left. I should be able to improve more after absorbing it all.’

’It’s time to test what I’ve learned!’

He stood up, a calculating glint in his eyes.

"System, activate the [Divine Power Module]!"

"Amplify the [Three-Inch Heart Sword]! Invest all remaining fifteen thousand threads of Sword Aura!"

A majestic surge of energy poured into his Sea of Consciousness, simultaneously strengthening the [Three-Inch Heart Sword] and the Basic Level [Illusory Sword] Trait.

Under the temporary amplification of the Divine Power Module, the Basic Level Illusory Sword Trait not only became more realistic but also gained the ability to switch between illusory and real!

’Qing Shan, thank you for your ’careful guidance.’’

With a flicker, he stepped out of the Sword Tomb Space for the tenth time.

"You dare show your face again!"

Qing Shan roared, and the black Stone Ape’s fist, carrying an aura that could crush anything, came crashing down again.

But this time, Han Feng didn’t dodge. Within his Sea of Consciousness, his Heart Sword hummed.

’Illusory Sword, activate!’

Two identical Heart Swords, one on the left and one on the right, shot out simultaneously to meet the mountain-like fist.

Qing Shan paused. ’Two of them?’

Its Divine Thought instantly identified the one on the left as a false energy illusion.

Without any hesitation, the Stone Ape’s fist smashed toward the real Heart Sword on the right with its full power.

However, just at the instant the fist and sword were about to collide,

The "false" Heart Sword on the left instantly solidified.

And the "real" Heart Sword on the right dissolved into nothing.

Real and false reversed!

Qing Shan’s reaction was incredibly fast, and it tried to change its move, but it was 0.01 seconds too late.

Its powerful, heavy fist landed squarely on the phantom.

Meanwhile, the true Crystal Heart Sword bypassed the fist and, from an impossibly cunning angle, stabbed viciously into the Stone Ape’s wrist!

CRACK!

A crisp cracking sound, originating from the Divine Soul level, rang out.

A sword gash deep enough to reveal bone appeared on the indestructible Stone Ape’s wrist!

A sharp, domineering Sword Intent, mixed with illusory deception, surged wildly through the wound, rushing straight for its Divine Soul Origin!

"ROAR—!"

Qing Shan let out a roar of absolute agony.

Its main body shuddered violently. The massive form swayed, and a trickle of black blood actually spilled from the corner of its mouth.

Its Divine Soul was injured!

For the first time, a look of horror and disbelief appeared in its crimson eyes.

’This insect actually managed to wound my Spirit Body!’

’How is that possible?!’

Just as Qing Shan’s mind was reeling from the shock, Han Feng showed no desire to prolong the fight.

One strike, a success, then an immediate retreat!

"Thanks for the hospitality!"

He left behind a sound transmission infuriating enough to kill a god, and his figure vanished completely.

Back in the Sword Tomb Space, before Han Feng could even catch his breath, a thunderous system notification rang in his mind.