The deceleration of the cycle speed for the Primeval Wood Force was only one aspect. Moreover, there was another point that surprised Nie Kong: as this cycle continued, the trend of the two Primeval Forces strengthening became increasingly evident. For Tai Yan, this was merely a recovery of power, but it was different for Nie Kong; he had already sensed that invisible barrier at his Spiritual Aperture.

"Boom!"

An hour or two later, under the impact of the Natural Primeval Force, that invisible barrier shattered with a crash.

Spirit Cave Third Tier!

This breakthrough caused the Natural Primeval Force to surge dramatically in the subsequent cycles. When the surge subsided, the Natural Primeval Force began a steady, continuous ascent once more. The invisible barrier reappeared at Nie Kong's Spiritual Aperture, gradually becoming clearer and thinner.

"Poison!"

The process of cultivation breakthrough repeatedly unfolded within Nie Kong's body.

Spirit Cave Fourth Tier!

Spirit Cave Fifth Tier!

This terrifying rate of advancement transitioned Nie Kong from initial surprise to elation, and then from elation to simple joy... By the time he sensed the invisible barrier for the fourth time, Nie Kong’s state of mind had become completely calm. Sensing the two Primeval Forces slowing down, he began to feel a touch of worry instead.

If the current Primeval Forces were to manifest substantially, even the naked eye could clearly track their paths of movement.

Although the two Primeval Forces were still steadily enhancing through this cycle, the time consumed for the process—from surging into the Spirit Cave to exiting through the glabella—had slowed down to at least eight seconds, whereas initially, it hadn't even taken a full second.

The invisible barrier was already beginning to shake. At the initial speed, Nie Kong’s cultivation would likely have reached Spirit Cave Sixth Tier within a few more minutes. But now, the cycle speed was decelerating faster and faster; it might stop at any moment. To pause right on the verge of a breakthrough would be a pity.

"One more lap... just one more lap..."

Watching the two Primeval Forces flow sluggishly, Nie Kong kept screaming inwardly. Unfortunately, they did not respond to Nie Kong's thoughts. The "Yin-Yang Spirit Devouring Art" could not influence the flow rate of the Primeval Forces, nor could the "War God Star Seal."

The cycle speed of the Primeval Forces continued to diminish...,...

Forty seconds! One minute! Two minutes! Five minutes! Ten minutes! "......," "Faster! Faster!"

Seeing the invisible barrier on the verge of collapse, the Primeval Force moved as slowly as a snail, crawling through his meridians, bones, Dark Star, and Mind Image. Nie Kong was so anxious his entire body felt like it was about to burst into flame, wishing he could reach into his body and physically drag them forward.

It took nearly a quarter of an hour for the Primeval Force to leave the Mind Image.

However, Nie Kong soon stopped complaining about the slow speed. After the leading portion of the Primeval Force slipped out of the Mind Image, the following forces surprisingly did not rush in. At this point, Nie Kong was no longer concerned about all his Primeval Force being left inside Tai Yan's body; after such a long cycle, he had already left seeds of the Natural Primeval Force within his body. Even if those forces ceased flowing in, he could recover them through cultivation.

But with a breakthrough imminent, without the impact of that Natural Primeval Force, the meager seeds inside his body would struggle to cause much of a ripple.

"In! Come in...,..."

"Just come through one more time!"

"......"

He frantically cried out in his mind for over ten minutes, yet there was no sign of movement. But just as Nie Kong was about to give up, the two Primeval Forces seemed to sense his earnest summoning and suddenly surfaced, slowly injecting themselves into the Spiritual Aperture through the Spirit Cave.

Nie Kong could hardly believe it, and then a feeling of immense relief washed over his chest: "Damn it, they finally came!"

"Boom!"

That surge of Natural Primeval Force seemed to be the final straw that broke the camel's back. The instant it entered the Spiritual Aperture, the invisible barrier exploded with a bang. Immediately, the Natural Primeval Force poured wildly into his limbs and bones through the meridians connected to the Spiritual Aperture, causing his strength to surge suddenly.

Spirit Cave Sixth Anomaly!

He had finally broken through! A complete four-tier jump from Spirit Cave Second Tier to Sixth Tier made the already calm lake of Nie Kong’s heart stir with renewed ecstasy.

"Huh?"

However, at that moment, Nie Kong suddenly felt a warm sensation leaving his body. As that feeling vanished, the surge of Dark Primeval Force that had accompanied the Natural Primeval Force retreated like a tide, its speed astonishingly fast.

Though Nie Kong felt a slight surprise, his heart was already filled with joy, and he didn't pay it much heed.

"To achieve a four-tier upgrade and transform the Spirit Treasure Essence Qi into Natural Primeval Force—this brush with death was worth it." Nie Kong felt the rich, boundless Natural Primeval Force surging through his meridians, a powerful sensation arising spontaneously, as if life and death in the world were under his command.

This feeling was profoundly marvelous, giving Nie Kong the confidence to fight even against a powerhouse like Hua Caidie, should she appear.

After a long while, Nie Kong gradually calmed down.

The memory of the Spirit Treasure Essence Qi transformation flashed through his mind. Initially, the impact of Tai Yan's power had caused Nie Kong’s Spirit Cave to expand and his apertures to crack; even his meridians, skeleton, and Dark Star had sustained numerous fine fissures. But when the Natural Primeval Force appeared, those fissures were constantly repaired as it cycled through.

Now, not only were the injured areas fully restored, but they had also become tougher. Especially the Spirit Cave, which, after shedding its dark green hue, had turned completely golden. Nie Kong could sense that the power of the Spirit Cave was at least double what it was before.

"Aiya ya!"

The little creature chirped sweetly, like a child begging its parents for candy.

Nie Kong smiled inwardly. The little creature had been instrumental in helping him survive this crisis and reap such great rewards, especially that initial "Return to Simplicity." Without the Rank Eight auxiliary skill the little creature comprehended, much of what followed might never have happened.

By now, the little creature’s innate medicinal power had been depleted by nearly eighty percent.

"Xiangxiang, eat as much as you want."

"Aiya ya!"

Receiving Nie Kong's permission, the little creature cheered with excitement.

In an instant, hundreds of green streaks rushed out of its body, plunging into Nie Kong's Spiritual Aperture and meridians, furiously absorbing his Natural Primeval Force. Before long, nearly half of the Natural Primeval Force was consumed, and the little creature's innate medicinal power was fully restored.

Nie Kong was stunned for a moment. It wasn't that he begrudged his Primeval Force, but he was astonished by the speed at which the little creature absorbed it. Having eaten its fill, the little creature coiled its leaves, stem, and roots into a ball, leaving only a single flower bud exposed, and floated contentedly on the aperture to sleep.

"This little thing!"

Seeing Xiangxiang eat and then immediately sleep, Nie Kong was somewhat speechless. Just then, a long-absent, familiar voice suddenly rang out beside his ear: "Brother..."

...,

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