Chapter 188 - Massive Improvments
And Cain's rate of improvement wasn't just done there.
There was still one more field of energy continually soaring through his internal body and converging towards a single point.
That is Astral Energy!
When Cain finally broke through to 2nd class Spirit Energy, Astral Energy converged at the lowest point of his gut. This space of his internal body was even lower than his dantain.
All of the Astral energy seeped into his bones crazily rushed out, perfectly combining with the Haven Pool's energy.
These streams of Astral energy flowed into that single area, converging at the lowest point of Cain's gut and rapidly transforming it.
Strength, pure unstoppable strength, sailed through every inch of Cain's internal body. Just this amount, and Cain felt like he could rip steel apart with his bare hands!
But at the same time, along with the increase of strength, massive pain and pressure suddenly engulfed Cain's entire being!
The pain was nearly unbearable. Cain had to ferociously grit his teeth to the point of bleeding, stubbornly persisting through this sudden hell.
It almost felt like all of his bones, organs, and flesh was getting mercilessly crushed to bits by a steel hammer!
Any average mortal would've long lost their minds from their hell-ish pian. Their mental psyche would've collapsed in on itself.
Even the average cultivator would find it tremendously challenging to persist.
But Cain was no stranger to pain. He suppressed all manners of pain and linked his Soul Energy to his Astral Energy.
At this moment, Cain recalled Amber's explanation on Astral Energy.
This cultivation system relies on entirely evolving the body beyond all manners of limits, eventually becoming powerful to smash the stars themselves!
And to start this road, his body first needed to adjust to the true essence of Astral Energy.
Cain followed his natural instincts. Using Soul Energy, he took control of his Astral Energy, circulating it at a rhythmic rate.
Even under the pressure of pain, Cain had the utmost clarity. All systems of power flowing through his internal body stream at a consistent rate.
Nothing comes randomly or flows disorderly. If that were to happen, it would severely damage Cain's body while also affecting his future potential in all aspects.
One of the most critical understandings Cain had developed is that all energies in the universe flow akin to calming streams of water.
Whether it's Qi, Spirit, Astral, Lightning, or Sword energies, they all have an underlying principle of consistent rhythmic motion.
But of course, when it comes down to specific sensations of the utilization of each energy, they all greatly varied.
Like with Astral Energy, this emitted an almost suffocating, suppressive feeling. It was like it could split the entire planet in half with just its weight!
Qi felt like it could asunder the skies and the Earth. While Spirit energy felt like it could crush dimensions itself.
As Cain resisted the Astral pressure, his clothes started to burst apart into mere powder. The more Astral Energy he absorbed, the more his clothes vanished until Cain was completely naked.
With his bare skin visible to the world, visible changes started to surface.
Already, Cain's skin complexion was of a beautiful clean shine, practically containing no spot of dirt.
But now, with Astral Energy, his skin gained a slightly glossy glow, emitting an Aura of pure, noble grace.
Cain was only vaguely aware of these changes but didn't bother paying too much attention to them.
An unknown amount of time passed when a critical change occurred within Cain's internal body.
The lowest part of his gut has now transformed into an Astral Space!
This was completely similar to his dantian and Spirit Space. Another area within his body where he can store a massive abundance of Astral Energy.
Within his Astral Space, a large amount of Astral Energy formed into a shape of a gray ball.
This gray ball of Astral Energy was Cain's Astral Core!
With the energy of the Haven Pool, Cain finally enters the realm of Astral cultivation!
Upon his Astral Core formation, the pain rapidly subsided, and incredible power layered on Cain's base strength.
Just with Astral energy alone, Cain felt as if he could turn a giant stone boulder into dust. Or perhaps crush a Mid-Stage Profound Soul genius with his bare hands!
As Cain basked in this sensation, his body suddenly shook. He felt a sickening sensation rise within his throat, and Cain promptly snapped his mouth open, hacking out a gross black substance.
The experience was utterly revolting. It felt worse than throwing up, almost like he was puking all of his organs.
As the black substance was released into the Qi Haven Pool, it couldn't handle the richness of its energies.
The black substance immediately vanished into nothingness.
As for Cain, he suddenly felt incredibly healthy. Actually, not just incredibly healthy, Cain never felt as vigorous as he is now!
'The power of Astral Energy…how wonderful.' Cain couldn't be happier with this harvest.
To fully digest everything, he spent around a half-hour adjusting to all new changes within his internal body.
During this small rest, his rate of improvement slowed to a crawl. Evidently, Can already use up the efficiencies of the Qi Haven Pool. But Cain cared little about this. He was more than satisfied with everything.
Probing himself, Cain analyzed everything that he gained.
His Qi Origin Seed foundation strengthened, he reached 2nd Class blue Spirit Energy and formed his Astral Core!
With all this, just how terrifying is his strength now?!
The fire for an eager battle swelled inside Cain. His fist subconsciously gripped, wishing he had a perfect target to immediately test his new prowess on.
In this instance, Cain's eyes swung open. Now, his pitch-black eyes carried a refined sharpness that was like staring into a true Martial young lord.
This was the submerging bearing of an absolute genius!
As Cain adjusted his eyes, he gazed over himself, quickly noticing he was indeed starch naked.
Feeling some amusement, Cain shook his head, traced his spatial ring, and brought out a pair of the Academy's uniform.
Naturally, he shrouded his body and clothes with Profound Qi so he could move around underwater and appropriately dress himself up.
Within moments, Cain was fully clothed.
Curiosity filled him as he swept his gaze over to his other side. He expected to see either Kali or Amber but was only met with nothing but empty space.
'Just how long have I been in here? Truly, it only felt like a couple of hours at most passed.'
Shaking his head, Cain revolved his Qi and blasted forward at great speeds!
Cain was nearly surprised at how fast he was going. Comparing this to his previous speed, he improved by at least four times!
Just with this amount of Qi Energy and the improvement, we're already so distinct? The thrills for a fight surged even higher than.
Within moments, Cain shot out of the Haven Pool like a beautiful sea creature.
Landing on the outside world, Cain was greeted to a sight that strangely enough didn't appear strange at all to him.
Over by a wall, Amber leaned her back on it, sleeping surprisingly contently.
While Kali sat right next to her, assimilating into her cultivation state.
And when Cain landed before them, both girls instantly swung their eyes open.
"Haaah~." Amber lazily sighed while stretching the kinks in her neck. "About time you showed up. It's been like hours since we first got out. You know, if you would've come out sooner, you would've born witness to an interesting show~."
Her voice was flirtatiously teasing, containing a grace of sexiness that can rile up any young man's mind imagination. Layering on to this were sexy, fluttering her of eyes as she shot Cain a seductive glance.
At this moment, she was the epitome of a lazy seductress. No mortal man would be able to resist this temptation.
Even Cain felt the flames of desire bubbled within his loins.
But before he could say anything back, a sudden chilling sensation cut into the atmosphere.
Cain curled his brows, shooting a questioning glance to his ice-cold sister.
"Hehe~. Experiencing something great, I bet? Well, let me see it!"
As Kali spoke, she shot to her feet and sprang towards Cain like a speeding missile!
Kali couldn't hold it in anymore. After experiencing so many rapid improvements, the itch for action was intense. She absolutely needed some kind of release!
Furthermore, when she briefly probed Cain, an unfathomably deep presence emitted from his Natural Aura.
Since he became so powerful, it was only natural she personally see how much her rival had progressed with her own fist!
Kali didn't go hard at all. Only utilizing a small portion of Qi and Astral Energy.
Still, even with just a small portion of power, Kali's speed was immense! Afterimages burst in her wake as a slightly chilling atmosphere leaked out of her natural Aura.
At her speeds, any Mid-Stage Profound Soul genius would be able to just barely react to this speed.
The distance of thirty meters was crossed within just moments by Kali!
Her fist struck out towards Cain's face, her skin just slightly glossing. Fierce winds whipped out of her, attempting to swallow Cain whole before even hitting him.
"Oh? Someone excited." Cain simply gained a slight battle-hungry smile.
Utilizing the same level of energy, Cain swung out his fist at the exact same speed! His own fist pressure cut right through Kali's wind pressure like a hot knife.
Qi and Astral Energy converge; Cain and Kali matched their fists!
'Bang!'
Torrents of Qi and Astral Energy fiercely whipped around. Harsh whistling sounds cut into the atmosphere as the sibling duo's Aura fought for dominance.
Although, despite the violent collision of wind, the environment here wasn't affected in the slightest. The sibling duo was too weak to even come close to damaging the Divine Space here.
But their prowess was undoubtedly too much for Amber.
'Tch. Damn crazed siblings!' She had to hurriedly revolve her Profound Qi her half capacity just to resist the powerfully sharp winds.
If she didn't do this, gashes would've appeared all over her body! Just one mere clash, and these two are already so strong?!
Amber experienced significant improvements, but she knew it wasn't an exaggerated degree like these siblings.
Shaking her head of these thoughts, Amber casually lifted herself from the ground and loudly shouted to them, "Hey! A little warning next time? Also, stuffy girl, can you not interrupt my flirtings with my boyfriend?"