READ NOVEL ONLINE Chapter 55: Limitless?
On the dawn of the fifth month, Rui opened his eyes. The cave, once his prison, now felt like a sanctuary. The oppressive darkness that had loomed over him for months seemed to fade, replaced by a calm clarity that filled every corner of the space. He stood, his movements deliberate, his body humming with a power that felt limitless. Each breath he took seemed to resonate within him, a quiet reminder of the trials he had endured and overcome.
But as Rui took his first step forward, an overwhelming surge of energy erupted from within his core. His entire body stiffened, his breath caught as the power spiraled out of control. It was as though his very essence was rebelling, pushing against the boundaries of his form. The energy was unrelenting, primal—a force that defied comprehension, tearing through him without mercy.
"What now?" Rui muttered, his voice tight with strain as he dropped to his knees. The sharp jolt of pain that followed left him gasping for air. His instincts screamed that this wasn't just a residual effect of the elixir. No, this was something far greater—something unprecedented.
His vision blurred, and the world around him dissolved. His consciousness was pulled inward, descending into the depths of his being. The star-filled void of his core unfolded before him, a realm of infinite possibilities that now seemed to pulse with chaotic energy.
Inside this void, Rui saw the silver orb he had cultivated over the years. Its once-pristine surface was now riddled with cracks, each one glowing with an ethereal light. Fear surged within him, but panic dissipated almost as quickly as it came. The cracks weren't signs of failure—they were the beginning of something new.
As Rui watched, the orb shattered with a silent, cataclysmic force, fragments scattering like stardust before being drawn into his body. He felt the remnants merge with his being, their energy fueling the transformation that was taking place.
In the orb's place, a radiant sphere emerged. It shimmered with an iridescent hue, its surface shifting between shades of white, gold, and faint streaks of black. The sphere pulsed with a rhythm that resonated through every fiber of Rui's existence, as though it were alive and attuned to his will.
"What... is this?" Rui whispered, his voice trembling as it echoed through the void. The new core radiated a power that felt both familiar and alien. It was a perfect blend of raw energy and unparalleled stability, a creation born of his struggles and sacrifices.
A memory surfaced, the voice from the soul-tempering manual echoing in his mind: "Rare individuals who undergo extreme tempering may awaken something beyond rank—a unique core, shaped by their trials and sacrifices."
This was no ordinary core. It was his and his alone—a culmination of every choice, every risk, and every moment of unyielding determination. Rui clenched his fists, his heart steady as the realization settled within him. He had transcended the natural order, stepping onto a path that few could even comprehend.
As the void began to fade, Rui's resolve crystallized. This transformation had solidified more than his strength—it had reaffirmed his purpose. A single thought burned in his mind, sharper and clearer than ever before.
To be the strongest.