Chapter Thirty-One: The First Layer of the Dragon-Elephant Technique Perfected

Chen Yi used the Rainbow Sword to extract the demon core from the Shadow Purple Leopard and, along with other valuable parts of the beast, placed them into his spatial ring. Then, after tidying up the leopard’s corpse, he gathered a pile of branches, took out his fire-making tools, and ignited a blaze. He set the prepared leopard meat over the fire, and as it roasted to a golden hue and began to emit a fragrant aroma, Chen Yi retrieved the seasonings he had prepared for such occasions from his spatial ring and sprinkled them over the meat.

Once the seasonings were added and the meat roasted a little longer, it released an irresistibly enticing scent. Inhaling this aroma, Chen Yi immediately tore off a large chunk of meat from the roast and began to eat voraciously.

The taste of the roasted leopard was exquisite. The Shadow Purple Leopard had lived for years in a world rich with spiritual energy, its flesh naturally tender and flavorful. Combined with Chen Yi’s expert use of spices, the meat became even more delicious.

In no time at all, Chen Yi consumed over two hundred pounds of leopard meat. He had no fear of overeating, for as soon as the meat entered his stomach, it transformed into energy that surged into every cell of his body, making him feel warmly comfortable, as though he were soaking in a hot spring.

Moreover, this energy worked to strengthen his physique. Chen Yi began to circulate the Dragon Elephant Technique, absorbing the energy to reshape the structure deep within his cells, rendering his body even more powerful.

Yet, as the Dragon Elephant Technique transformed his flesh, Chen Yi felt as if his entire body were being pricked by needles—a pain so intense, yet he rejoiced instead of fearing it. He knew that the Dragon Elephant Technique was forging his body into something stronger.

Relying on his indomitable will, Chen Yi endured the agony, accelerating the transformation by channeling the Dragon Elephant Technique. When all the energy from the leopard meat had been absorbed, a thunderous boom echoed from deep within his body. He sensed a certain shackle in his flesh had been broken, leaving him feeling much lighter, as if a great burden had been lifted from his shoulders.

After his breakthrough, Chen Yi recited the mental formula of the Dragon Elephant Technique. A faint golden light radiated from his body, and he felt indescribably comfortable. He could sense an explosive power coursing through his flesh.

He picked up a stone from the ground, placed it in his right hand, and with a slight squeeze, the stone crumbled into powder and drifted away. Clenching his right fist, he punched forward, and the air rang with a piercing sonic boom.

Chen Yi was overjoyed. He had finally mastered the first level of the Dragon Elephant Technique. With the strength of his body alone, he could now rival a cultivator at the ninth stage of Qi Refining.

This breakthrough was entirely unexpected. Chen Yi had merely intended to satisfy his hunger with the leopard’s meat, but after absorbing its energy, the Dragon Elephant Technique had advanced to completion in its first stage.

Such progress owed much to Chen Yi’s diligent and persistent cultivation of the Dragon Elephant Technique, which had brought him to the threshold of mastery. The immense energy contained within the body of a ninth-stage Shadow Purple Leopard provided the opportunity for this leap.

With the Dragon Elephant Technique now advanced, Chen Yi began to search for a place to rest for the night. Traveling after dark in this miniature world was exceedingly dangerous; one never knew from where or when danger might strike. Thus, finding a safe place to rest was of utmost importance.

Not far away, Chen Yi discovered a hidden cave. Its entrance was small—barely tall enough for a single person, and only half a meter wide—but once inside, the space opened up into a vast chamber. Hundreds could shelter within without feeling crowded. Dense grass concealed the cave mouth, and without careful scrutiny, it would be easy to miss.

The cave was both concealed and secure. Chen Yi decided to spend the night there before continuing on his journey.

Inside, he cleared a clean spot, sat cross-legged, and began to circulate the Five Elements Formula to strengthen his cultivation, using meditation in place of rest.

“After today’s battle, my spiritual power has consolidated greatly. The energy from the leopard meat has added much to my reserves. I am now at the peak of the seventh stage of Qi Refining—just a step away from breaking through to the eighth. This trip to the miniature world has truly been worthwhile.”

Sensing the formidable spiritual power within, a satisfied smile appeared on Chen Yi’s face. Before entering this world, he had only just broken through to the seventh stage, but on his very first day, he had already reached the peak of that stage. It seemed his cultivation would advance rapidly in this land.

At dawn the next day, Chen Yi emerged from the cave full of vitality. Though his cultivation had not broken through overnight, it had improved noticeably. He believed that with ten days or half a month of training in this world, dense with spiritual energy, he could likely reach the eighth stage of Qi Refining.

Looking out at the mist-shrouded mountains in the distance and listening to the cries of beasts echoing in his ears, Chen Yi felt a deep peace within. He was tempted to stay here forever, but that was not possible; he had bonds of kinship and friendship in the outside world that he could not abandon.

Clearing all distractions from his mind, Chen Yi took a deep breath of the crisp morning air, feeling instantly invigorated and his body brimming with strength. He confirmed his direction and set off at speed.

Time slipped by like a fleeting horse; three days passed in the blink of an eye. During that time, Chen Yi traversed vast expanses of land, drawing ever closer to the highest peak at the center of the miniature world. Though the mountain seemed near, the closer he walked, the farther it felt; after three days, he had yet to arrive.

Danger lurked everywhere in this world, with beasts roaming all about. Whether by day or night, Chen Yi remained vigilant and cautious, ready for any threat. During these three days, he endured countless ambushes from fierce monsters.

Among the attacks, the most perilous was from a Foundation Stage demon monkey. The creature possessed immense strength and a body so tough that even Chen Yi’s Rainbow Sword could barely scratch it. It left only a shallow wound.

Had Chen Yi not acted swiftly and lured the demon monkey into the territory of a Foundation Stage serpent—a sworn enemy of the monkey—the two monsters would have fought, allowing Chen Yi to escape in the confusion. Otherwise, he would surely have met his end.

From then on, whenever Chen Yi spotted a Foundation Stage beast, he circled wide to avoid it. Against monsters below the Foundation Stage, he engaged in close combat, honing his sword technique. Over the three days, he slew several beasts at the ninth level of Qi Refining, along with many others, collecting numerous demon cores and precious spiritual herbs found along the way.