In addition, the rise in spiritual power had greatly improved Ian Song's control over his strength. Previously, he couldn't fully command the power of mid Soul-Split, but now he could wield this surging energy perfectly—and then some.
With that thought, Ian focused his mind into his Nascent Soul and began refining his zhenyuan.
Once.
Twice.
Three times.
Ten times.
Fifty times.
......
A hundred times.
After spending a month refining his zhenyuan a hundred times, Ian found his true essence had shrunk to just one-tenth of its original volume. But that tenth was now incomparably pure. Plus, the Heavenbreaker Sword Canon was an immortal-grade technique, so his refined zhenyuan already far surpassed ordinary arts. With this round of tempering, Ian was sure his true essence's strength and purity exceeded even early Fusion stage—possibly rivaling mid Fusion.
With a thought.
Hundreds of top-grade spirit crystals appeared around his body, then shattered one after another.
"Inhale... breathe!"
Like a giant whale drinking water, Ian devoured vast amounts of pure spiritual energy, which was rapidly converted into zhenyuan by his technique. In just half an hour, his Nascent Soul was filled with true essence again.
Continue refining!
Another month passed, and Ian refined his true essence a hundred more times.
He took out more top-grade spirit crystals and absorbed their energy.
Repeating this process ten times, nearly a year went by. By then, all the true essence in Ian's Nascent Soul had been refined a hundred times, rivaling the purity of mid Fusion stage.
With a flicker, Ian appeared in the starry sky.
He reached out, and a spirit sword materialized in his hand.
Godpiercer!!!
The second form of the Heavenbreaker Sword Canon erupted in full force.
He unleashed a sword strike—not earth-shaking or thunderous, but so sudden and blindingly fast it caught anyone off guard.
"Pfft!"
A moment later, a fist-sized black hole appeared hundreds of meters away in the void, and space began collapsing around it.
A hundred meters across.
Two hundred meters across.
The collapse kept spreading until it reached two kilometers before finally stopping.
"So strong!"
Ian stared at the vast, collapsed black hole, smacking his lips. Compared to before his breakthrough, Godpiercer's power had increased at least tenfold. He was certain that an early Fusion expert couldn't withstand this strike.
A mid Fusion expert might survive, but they'd be seriously wounded even if they did.
And this was only the second form of the Heavenbreaker Sword Canon—there were still the third, fourth, and fifth forms.
"Come!"
With a wave, Ian teleported the fully healed Tiger King into the starry sky.
Tiger King glared at Ian with a hint of grievance—he'd been cultivating just now, only to be yanked over without warning.
Time inside the Divine Temple ran many times faster than outside, and Ian had provided him with an immortal-grade demon cultivation method and endless top-grade spirit crystals. Only a fool wouldn't seize the chance to boost their realm and power.
"Spar with me—there's a reward!"
Ian beckoned Tiger King over with a finger.
"Thank you, Master!" Tiger King was overjoyed; any lingering resentment vanished instantly.
"Watch out!"
With a sharp shout, Ian Song gripped his sword in his right hand and formed a fist with his left, charging straight at Tiger King.
Tiger King didn’t take it too seriously. He knew that although his master’s talent was monstrous and his combat power frightening, his actual strength was at most equivalent to early Fusion. But after cultivating with an immortal-grade demon technique and grinding away for over a year, Tiger King’s own power had grown by leaps and bounds—he could even sense he was close to breaking into late Fusion.
Boom!
Tiger King unleashed thirty percent of his true essence, swinging his fist—but he didn’t dare go all out, worried he might accidentally hurt his master.
Bang!
The force of their blows exploded as their fists collided in midair.
Tiger King’s casual attitude vanished in an instant—he felt a colossal power smash into him, shattering his punch and slamming straight into his chest. A moment later, he was sent flying.
At the same time, an unbelievably fast sword light flashed before his eyes, bringing with it the threat of death.
Roar! Roar!
Facing mortal danger, Tiger King roared, instantly revealing his true form and unleashing hundreds of claw strikes in rapid succession.
Boom boom boom boom boom!
A barrage of energy collided and exploded, blasting cracks across thousands of meters of empty space. Tiger King’s body was soon covered in fresh sword wounds.
Focus!
Ian Song frowned, shooting Tiger King a dissatisfied glare.
Yes, sir!
Tiger King forced a bitter smile—he’d underestimated his master again. In such a short time, Ian’s strength had soared once more.
He steadied himself, eyes sharp, and charged at Ian Song with full seriousness.
Half an hour later.
Utterly frustrated, Tiger King finally begged for mercy. He swore he wasn’t surrendering just to please his master—he genuinely couldn’t withstand that last sword strike.
Ian Song sheathed his sword and tossed Tiger King a jade vial.