The force of the strike shattered their forms like brittle glass. No screams, no resistance—just silence as they faded into nothing.
The dungeon dissolved like a morning mist.
Xiao Wei's consciousness surged back into his body.
The dark clouds above Kin City trembled as a pillar of light descended from the heavens, enveloping the Dan Clan's estate. The tribulation thunder that had loomed menacingly now broke apart, retreating as if acknowledging the will of the one who endured.
In the secret chamber, Dan Mei's soul closed her eyes, her expression softening.
"He did it. He overcame his heart demon. The boy is no longer bound by the chains of his past."Dan Mei soul whispered, her voice filled with reverence
In the guest room, Xiao Wei remained in his lotus position. His breathing was steady as his consciousness returned to his his body.
As soon as Xiao Wei's consciousness returned to his body, he felt a strange lightness in his chest, as if a heavy shackle had been broken apart. As his eyelids fluttered open.
Before he could gather his thoughts, Shadow Ming voice echoed in his mind.
'Boy, are you okay? What happened to you?'
Shadow Ming's voice carried a rare trace of concern.
Xiao Wei took a deep breath and replied softly.
"Shadow Ming, you don't have to worry about me. I knew what I was doing."Xiao Wei said.
'Brat, who was worrying about you? I just don't want you to die. If you die, I die with you.'
Shadow Ming echoed in his mind, trying to hide his true feelings.
Despite the biting tone, Xiao Wei could sense the genuine concern beneath the words. A faint smile tugged at his lips.
He stand up slowly and felt something within him stir. A barrier that had long hindered his progress was now gone, replaced by an effortless flow of energy. His heart, once clouded with grief and rage, felt calm and still—like a tranquil lake after a storm. In that moment of clarity, he felt a surge in his Cultivation.
"I broke through"Xiao Wei whispered.
His Cultivation which was at Eight Layer of Martial Apprentice Realm had advanced to the Ninth Layer of the Martial Apprentice Realm. This was not just a mere Cultivation breakthrough—it was a cleansing of the soul. The emotional wound Mira had left in his heart no longer chained him.
As the clarity returned to his senses, Xiao Wei finally noticed the destruction around him. The room he had been staying in was no longer intact. Its ceiling had collapsed, and walls were scorched with lightning-charred marks. The entire area was in ruins, and dust still lingered in the air.
All around him, members of the Dan Clan stood at a distance, gazing at him with cautious curiosity and awe. Their eyes reflected a mix of fear, confusion, and reverence. After all, a thunder had just occurred in the middle of their estate, and at its center stood a young man who survived unscathed.
Then, from the parting crowd, Lady Li stepped forward. Her expression was unreadable, but her pace was calm and graceful. Before she could utter a word, Xiao Wei's voice rang out, steady and resolute.
"Lady Li, I want to meet your ancestor again."Xiao Wei said, his tone was not demanding, but it carried a quiet strength.
Dan Li blinked in surprise. For a moment, she was silent, her lips slightly parted. The Xiao Wei she saw now was different—his aura had changed. He no longer seemed like a boy lost in grief, but a Cultivator with purpose. Her gaze softened as she gave a small nod.
"Very well"Lady Li replied.
Turning around, she led Xiao Wei back through the clan's inner corridors and toward the heavily protected secret room. Along the way, clan members who saw them pass by bowed their heads.
Inside the secret chamber, the thick air hummed with Spiritual Energy. Mysterious inscriptions on the walls glowed faintly as Xiao Wei stepped inside. As always, the soul of Dan Mei, the ancestor of the Dan Clan, hovered in the center of the chamber.
She appeared before them, her form slightly translucent yet graceful, wearing an elegant expression.
As soon as she saw Xiao Wei, a smile touched the corners of her lips.
Xiao Wei stepped forward and bowed respectfully.
"Greetings, Senior"Xiao Wei said.
"You are very lucky, boy. Most Cultivators only encounter their Heart Demon, when they attempt to break through from the Martial Emperor Realm to the higher realm. That's when the heavens test your will and force you to face your deepest regrets and fears."Dan Mei soul said, her tone soft and calm but filled with wonder.
She floated a little closer, her gaze fixed on Xiao Wei's face with a rare depth of seriousness.
"Even among geniuses, very few ever face and overcome their Heart Demon before reaching Martial Emperor Realm. I have witnessed many prodigies in my life, but…"Dan Mei soul paused, her eyes narrowing slightly as if measuring his soul.
"…I have never seen or hear anyone overcome their Heart Demon while still in the Martial Apprentice Realm. Not in my entire life. That alone is a miracle."Dan Mei soul said, her words carried profound significance.
Xiao Wei listened in silence, but the weight of what she had said began to settle in. All the strange pain, the emotional numbness, the way the sky had darkened and thunder had roared just before he lost consciousness—it all made sense now.
"I see, thank you, Senior, for explaining this to me. But… may I ask, what are the actual benefits of overcoming the Heart Demon so early?"Xiao Wei said slowly, bowing deeply.
Dan Mei's ghostly smile widened, her eyes shimmering like the reflection of starlight in calm waters.
"You ask a good question. It shows you're not blinded by your achievements. Listen well, and I will explain."Dan Mei soul said.
She raised one translucent hand, and a shimmering illusion of two Cultivators appeared mid-air — one a faint blue silhouette, the other a brilliant golden figure that vaguely resembled Xiao Wei.
"After overcoming your Heart Demon, your Spiritual Energy undergoes a transformation. It becomes purer and sharper."Dan Mei soul said as she waved her hand.
The blue figure performed a basic punching Martial Technique three times before collapsing from exhaustion. Then the golden figure performed the same technique—five times, six times—before finally pausing.
"Let me put it in simple terms. A normal Martial Apprentice Realm Cultivator might only be able to use a Martial Technique three times before their Spiritual Energy is drained. You, Xiao Wei, after overcoming the Heart Demon, can use it five or even six times before reaching the same level of exhaustion. This means you're already fighting like someone an entire realm above others at your level."Dan Mei soul explained.
"And that's not all. With each breakthrough from now on, your dantian will be able to store significantly more Spiritual Energy than a normal Cultivator. In some cases, even double. This means longer battles, stronger Martial Techniques, and faster recovery."Dan Mei soul added.
Xiao Wei's brows furrowed slightly. He understood the mechanics, but not the magnitude.
Dan Mei's soul hovered gently above the glowing formation etched into the stone floor, her expression calm and wise, like a mountain that had weathered countless storms. Her ghostly form flickered faintly, casting an ethereal light on the walls of the secret chamber, as she studied Xiao Wei's face with a knowing smile.
"You still look confused. Let me explain it in simpler terms."Dan Mei soul said, her voice filled with gentle amusement as she clapped her hands once, and the illusions of the Cultivator faded.
Dan Mei's soul floated a little closer, her gaze growing more intent.
"Let's say, that the average Martial Master Realm Cultivator has a Spiritual Energy level of 2. When such a person overcomes their Heart Demon at the Martial Master Realm, it boosts their Spiritual Energy to 3. Then, if they break through to Martial Grandmaster Realm, their Spiritual Energy doubles to 6."Dan Mei soul said before pausing and looking into Xiao Wei's eyes, making sure he was following.
"That's normal growth. But you… you are anything but normal."Dan Mei soul said as she smiled faintly.
"Before you overcame your Heart Demon, your Spiritual Energy was 1, like anyone else at your level. But after overcoming your Heart Tribulation, it immediately increased to 2. When you eventually step into the Martial Master Realm, that base won't increase to just 2 like it normally would—it will become 4. Then at Martial Grandmaster Realm, it will become 8. And so on."Dan Mei soul explained as she gestured toward the ceiling of the secret room.
"That growth is exponential, Xiao Wei. It means every breakthrough from now on will give you more Spiritual Energy than others at the same level."Dan Mei soul added.
*****
[Author Note: I would love if you share the novel with your friends.]