At the demon’s words, Leon’s expression became serious. He could feel it. Whatever the last test was, it wasn’t going to be easy. Instead of worrying about it, he focused on recovery first.
He stretched his hand and reached out for a core. It was a medium-sized core. Leon put it in his mouth and...
Gulp!
[You have absorbed Qi.]
Leon felt a bit refreshed, strength returning to his body. He got into a sitting position and then grabbed a few more monster cores.
Gulp!
Gulp!
Gulp!
...
...
Leon swallowed one core after another, his Qi being replenished at a fast rate. And it didn’t take long for his dantian to be full again. He still picked up another core and was about to swallow when the demon spoke again.
"Master, if your Qi has been replenished, refrain from eating any more monster cores for the moment. If you can pass the final test somehow, you will obtain the final reward. The Blood Dantian Pill. Once you take that, your dantian and meridians will shatter so that they can reform. So that they can rebuild themselves, stronger and more effective. And for that, you will need a huge amount of Qi. You can use these cores at that time."
Leon stopped what he was about to do and looked at the demon. "Okay, sure. But you said if I can somehow pass. Are you saying I have a high possibility of failing this test?"
The demon didn’t reply but nodded his head solemnly. And that was enough for Leon to understand the gravity of this test.
"I have two days’ rest time. Let’s raise the avatar’s cultivation." Leon again focused on cultivation, sitting in a lotus position and absorbing the astral energy from the ninth layer of the Astral River.
Meanwhile, outside the volcano...
Just one minute earlier, the whole mountain region had trembled so violently that everyone thought this was the end. The earth was about to collapse.
But strangely, it stopped after a few seconds. The clouds in the sky had dispersed as well. Everyone wore confused expressions.
Sylus wore a grim expression. He stared at the volcano. He was closest to the volcano during the commotion. And he had felt it. That surge of energy, that monstrous presence. Though it was only for a second, it was enough to send a chill down his spine. Beads of sweat had formed on his forehead. "What the hell was that? Is there a monster inside? So the fire isn’t the only obstacle? That Leon Bale. He must have surely died by now. No way he can survive against something like that." He wiped the beads with his trembling hand.
Time ran differently in the real world and where Leon was at the moment. That’s why, though it was a long time for Leon when he accumulated energy and used the ’Limit Break’ of his Astral Avatar to slaughter everyone in the final phase, it was just a split second for Sylus, who was outside. But that split second was enough for goosebumps to appear on his body.
Snow was close to the mountain top. Even if not the full extent, she had felt that sudden surge of power as well. Panic flashed across her face. "Leon." She whispered and then hurried to the mountain top.
Every pair of eyes turned toward the volcano from the shadows. They could tell. Whether the young boy who had entered the Horn’s Nest was alive or not, something was definitely going on.
Back inside the volcano...
Leon had his eyes closed in a lotus position as he continued to absorb the astral energy. Minutes passed. Then hours. After five and a half hours, the avatar broke through and reached the second level of the Martial Master realm. Leon didn’t stop. He continued sitting like that, basking in the beam of light descending from the ninth layer of Astral River.
After seven more hours, the avatar had another breakthrough, finally catching up to Leon. It had reached the third level of the Martial Master realm.
Time seemed to flash by. And in the blink of an eye, two days were gone. By now, the avatar had reached the eighth level of the Martial Master realm, far surpassing Leon.
Leon opened his eyes as he felt the demon walking toward him. The avatar disintegrated into nothingness behind Leon.
"I guess it’s time," Leon said as he stood up.
"Yes, Master," the demon said.
"Then let’s get it over with," Leon said firmly, though his mind was racing with different possibilities. ’What if I fail this test? Not only will I fail to achieve the Blood Dantian Pill, but I will also die.’
"Master." Instead of starting the final test, the demon started speaking. "This final test, even I don’t know what will happen. I have no idea what kind of situation you will face, or how powerful the enemies you’ll have to defeat might be. But considering the purpose of this test, I think I should give you some advice." He paused briefly.
"Life and death...
We barely have any chance to control these two outcomes.
But most of the time, we try to control them. And thus, we regret because we believe we could have changed what was destined to happen.
Remember this, Master. There will be times when you are too weak to protect everyone. There will be times when someone you cherish falls before your eyes despite everything you do. Mourn for them. Remember them. Avenge them if you must. But never let their deaths become chains around your heart.
The dead should be the reason you move forward, not the reason you stop. Because if that person were really worthy of your longing, they wouldn’t want you to suffer. That’s all, Master." The demon stopped for a bit.
Leon stayed silent, thinking about the words the demon had just spoken. ’Just mourn for them? Is that even possible? If Ariana really died before my eyes, could I move forward?’ He wondered.
The next moment, the demon snapped his fingers.
Instantly, darkness swallowed Leon. A shrill sound buzzed in his mind. But then, it faded. He felt as if he were being swallowed by something.
...
Leon!
Leon!
LEON!
"Huh!" Leon suddenly woke up in the middle of a classroom. Saliva was dripping from his mouth.
"Leon! You slept through the entire class. Why even come here if that’s all you plan to do?"
Leon quickly lifted his head from the desk.
A teacher was standing at the front. He was glaring at him. The other students around him were laughing and murmuring.
Leon’s heart skipped a beat. "Wait! What?"