C15 Break Through the Pulse Opening Stage

The Astral Qi within each of your meridians is sufficient for their expansion. Now, try to coat the meridian walls with Astral Qi and use it to gently expand them."

Yang Wei followed the instructions, channeling the Astral Qi within his meridians to forcefully strike against their walls. After just one attempt, a wave of palpitations hit him, and he violently coughed up blood.

The fox, draped lazily over Yang Wei's neck, yawned and looked on with disdain.

"I had just commended you for being teachable, and now you're acting as foolish as a pig. I didn't tell you to violently strike the walls, but to gently press the Astral Qi against them and slowly push outward."

Yang Wei silently complained to himself.

It was you who told me to strike the walls without giving me the details. And now you're calling me foolish. Sigh...

Without voicing his frustration, Yang Wei resumed his practice, this time adhering to the fox's advice and gently pressing the Astral Qi against the meridian walls, nudging them outward.

Indeed, under the gentle pressure of the Astral Qi, the walls began to expand. The empty spaces within the meridians were gradually filled with newly generated Astral Qi.

Meanwhile, Yang Wei struggled to endure and control this surge of power. He felt no trace of fatigue, yet the power's backlash was like a searing flame coursing through his body, a torturous sensation to withstand while fully conscious.

The pain was so intense that Yang Wei briefly entertained the thought of ending his life to escape the agony.

Terrified by the notion, Yang Wei vigorously shook his head to dismiss the thought, ensuring it wouldn't haunt his future endeavors. Refocusing, he devoted himself to the task of expanding his meridians.

After repeatedly manipulating the Astral Qi and pushing through the twelve meridians numerous times, their capacity had increased manifold.

Now, Yang Wei could feel a continuous surge of power coursing through him, filling his heart with unstoppable joy. The once excruciating pain from the power's backlash seemed to have been cast beyond the highest heavens.

The Fox continued, "Now, methodically open each junction between the meridians. Don't attempt to open them all at once, or you might drop dead right here."

Yang Wei heeded the advice, periodically releasing a section of Astral Qi blocking the junctions. Eventually, all twelve meridians were fully opened, allowing the Astral Qi within them to merge completely.

At that moment, the pain Yang Wei had been feeling vanished. He felt invigorated, his body now brimming with an unprecedented powerful force.

The Fox hopped off Yang Wei's neck, stifled a yawn with her paw, and instructed, "Stand up now, and concentrate all of your Astral Qi into your right hand."

Though puzzled, Yang Wei complied. A warm energy flowed from throughout his body, converging into his right hand.

"Give a punch a try. If it packs a punch, it signifies that you've successfully laid the groundwork for the Pulse Opening Stage. Conversely, if the force behind your punch is comparable to or weaker than before, it simply means you possess immense Astral Qi but lack any real power," the Fox explained.

Yang Wei threw a punch, unleashing a force like a torrential rainbow, carving out a vacuum nine feet wide, two feet deep, and several miles long before him.

Seeing the result, the Fox nodded approvingly. "You're truly my finest pupil. Even before advancing to the Pulse Opening Stage, you can deliver a blow nearly as powerful. Once you break through and refine your skills, you'll be unmatched among your equals."

After lavishing praise, the Fox added, "Still, in my eyes, you're nothing but a speck I could squash with a single finger, hehehe."

Yang Wei was at a loss for words. Who could be so demoralizing?

The Fox chuckled once more, "I must attend to some personal matters now. My dear disciple, don't forget the promise you made to your master. When the time is right, I'll come to collect."

Upon hearing this, Yang Wei clasped his hands together and bowed respectfully.

"Disciple bids farewell to you, Master!"

The fox chuckled, transforming into a burst of white light that scattered in all directions and vanished without a trace.

Once the fox had departed, Yang Wei let out a sigh of relief and murmured,

"It's finally gone."

After a moment of contemplation, Yang Wei inquired,

"System, is it possible for me to take that fox with me when I switch worlds?"

No sooner had he spoken than a solemn voice from the system echoed in his mind,

"The system is unaware of this."

The system hastily spat out those few words and fell silent.

"You don't know either?" Yang Wei asked, a hint of worry in his voice.

"What if the fox comes to collect on my promise and I can't deliver? Will it literally flay me alive?"

These thoughts sent a shiver down Yang Wei's spine, but he quickly refocused,

"The priority now is to advance to the Pulse Opening Stage as quickly as possible, then return to defeat that thief."

With that, Yang Wei picked up his sword and set off.

No sooner had Yang Wei left than two fox heads, one yellow and one white, popped up from the spot where he had been standing. Watching Yang Wei's retreating figure, they exchanged a glance and snickered.

"What's your take on Immortal Green Lotus's new human disciple?" one asked.

"I don't see anything particularly remarkable about him, but if our aunt chose him, she must have had her reasons," the other replied.

After a brief exchange, both foxes sported sly grins, shared a knowing look, and then burrowed back into the earth.

Deep in the jungle, about an hour earlier, Yang Wei had faced a horde of Demonic Beasts. Yet, he emerged unscathed, having slain them all.

Now, covered in blood, Yang Wei held his Black Bone Sword, which remained unsullied and as white as jade. His victory over the beasts had propelled his level upward, and he had ascended to the Seventh Level of the Pulse Opening.

Yang Wei had made a significant leap in his cultivation realm this time, and now all he wanted was to quickly return and give that petty thief a sound thrashing. As for the backlash from his newfound power, Yang Wei was no longer concerned. After all, he had endured far worse pain before. Compared to that, the minor discomfort from his recent advancement was nothing.

With a mere thought, Yang Wei summoned the Light Screen once again.

Host Name: Yang Wei

Level: 17 (2180/2500)

Pulse Opening Seventh Stage

Martial Summoning

Attribute: Pure Yang Fire

...

"Pure Yang Fire? Could it be similar to some kind of fire attribute spell?" Yang Wei pondered briefly but decided not to dwell on it. After all, whether it was or wasn't, he would soon find out by testing it on that little thief upon his return.

Yet, what was odd was that the anticipated backlash from his power surge had not yet manifested.