23: The plot failed, but it helped me gain a lot of experience!

Boom—!

The energy from the second round of the Demon Suppression Baptism surged over, and it was truly unbearable!

How could that momentum be slowly added?

It suddenly shot up a huge chunk!

Like a dam opening after holding back a long-suppressed mountain flood, it crashed down on everyone in the baptism grounds with a force that threatened to destroy everything!

The entire area was instantly submerged by this terrifying energy.

"Ugh ah!"

"Pfft!"

Some groaned, others cried out in pain; such sounds were everywhere.

Many young people who had barely managed to hold on just now were struck, their faces turning as white as paper.

Even those experts at Body Refinement Fifth Level and Sixth Level were now suffering greatly, their bodies trembling incessantly.

One person finally couldn't bear it anymore; his Qi and blood surged wildly, and he spat out a mouthful of blood. Immediately after, the jade talisman on his body lit up, and he was sent out of the altar by a soft force—he must have crushed his life-saving jade talisman.

The air was thick with tension and discomfort.

However, Li Dong was in the most violent and chaotic corner of the energy—the spot Zhao Zhen had “specially” arranged for him. On the surface, he was gritting his teeth, seemingly struggling with all his might, his brows furrowed, sweat pouring down.

But in reality?

He was almost laughing out loud in his heart!

As the second round of energy suddenly surged, the terrifying energy flow, like a great wave sifting sand, actually flushed out many spirituality fragments from this special environment! Far more than in the first round!

These tiny, flickering specks, the size of grains of rice, were carried by the violent energy, flying everywhere. Especially in his chaotic spot, their number was frighteningly dense!

To others, they were deadly, but to Li Dong, it was as if waves carrying delicious food were crashing over him!

These spirituality fragments, weren't they just food delivered right to his doorstep!

"Excellent!"

Li Dong shouted in his heart, no longer hiding or testing.

He fully activated the Mind-Cultivation Technique of the Heavenly Pill Rifting Demon Seal—not to absorb the chaotic energy, but to adjust the Cultivation Technique to a very specific frequency.

His Mental Energy, which was far stronger than others', was also fully released, like an invisible, intangible net, precisely covering the surroundings.

Then, a silent "hunt" began!

His Mental Energy was like the most nimble hands, accurately grabbing those spirituality fragments drifting chaotically in the violent energy.

Then, mimicking the high-frequency vibration of the Heavenly Pill Rifting Demon Seal, he transmitted it with his Mental Energy.

Pop!

A very faint, almost inaudible cracking sound.

A spirituality fragment instantly shattered, transforming into the purest energy and a warm substance, which was immediately absorbed and transformed by the System.

"Ding! Killed a Baptism Energy Companion Spirit Body (Fragment) x1, gained 70 experience!"

"Gained: Pure Energy +14 points."

Indeed! As the energy intensified, the "benefits" from these fragments also increased!

Li Dong became energized, and his actions became even faster.

Pop! Pop! Pop!

Tiny cracking sounds rang out incessantly, but they were all drowned out by the deafening roar of the surrounding energy.

His Mental Energy became increasingly fluid and skilled; each move was precise, expending the least effort for the greatest gain.

System notifications exploded in his mind, experience points soared, and pure energy accumulated faster and faster.

On the high platform, Zhao Zhen's face grew darker and darker.

He stared intently at Li Dong's area, where the energy fluctuations were most violent, distorting the light and shadows, making it impossible to see what was inside.

But he could sense that the Qi on Li Dong's body, in this hellish place, not only didn't weaken but actually... seemed to be getting stronger?

How could this be possible?!

As he had envisioned, after this second round crashed down, Li Dong, thrown into the worst spot, should have been half-dead from the torment, perhaps even severely injured and forced out!

But what was happening now? Not only did that kid not collapse, but he seemed to be... enjoying it?

Zhao Zhen muttered to himself, even finding the situation unbelievable. He absolutely refused to believe Li Dong could genuinely thrive in that spot; he must be playing some trick!

"Hmph, what kind of trickery is this!" Zhao Zhen cursed in his heart, a hint of ruthlessness in his tone. "It seems if I don't give you something serious, you won't know pain!"

He made up his mind, no longer bothering with these petty probing actions. He planned to use his authority as the co-host to cause Li Dong some major trouble, perhaps even... something life-threatening!

Just then—

"Ah—!"

A tragic scream suddenly rang out, startling everyone.

In the center of the altar, a well-dressed scion who had occupied a good position suddenly trembled all over, his protective light shattering like an eggshell.

He spat out large mouthfuls of blood, his entire body like a kite with a broken string, instantly flung away by the violent energy, crashing heavily against the edge of the altar, immediately falling unconscious—clearly, his foundation was weak, and he could no longer withstand the terrifying energy.

The Demon Suppression Division personnel responsible for rescue quickly rushed over and carried him away.

This incident thoroughly frightened those still in the arena, making them even more cautious when absorbing energy.

Even the good spots were like this, showing how dangerous this Demon Suppression Baptism was.

Meanwhile, Li Dong's "hunting" feast continued.

As he eliminated more and more spirituality fragments, he discovered something new.

The pure energy transformed by the System not only accelerated his cultivation but also nourished his Physical Body, and it even slowly nurtured his Mental Energy!

Although the effect was small, accumulated over time, his Mental Energy was indeed growing stronger and more robust.

Even stranger, he felt that when these spirituality fragments were shattered and absorbed, there seemed to be a subtle reaction with the System in his mind.

What exactly were these fragments?

For the first time, Li Dong had some thoughts about the title "Companion Spirit Body."

He had just targeted a larger, brighter spirituality fragment, preparing to shatter it.

Just then, his Mental Energy caught a very, very faint movement.

That movement carried a hint of... well, like an instinctive desire to live? And even a touch of... a plea for help?

This sensation vanished instantly, swept away by the chaotic energy nearby.

But Li Dong was certain he hadn't misjudged.

These things, they weren't just pure energy blocks? They... had some "thoughts"?

This discovery made Li Dong's heart skip a beat, giving him a new perspective on this Demon Suppression Baptism.

This place was deeper than he had imagined.

However, there was no time to ponder this now.

Regardless of whether they had a mind or not, they were enemies, and they could give him experience and energy, so he would eliminate them! Consume them!

Li Dong not only didn't stop but became even more invigorated.

He even began to proactively "modify" his surroundings.

He was proficient in using the Heavenly Pill Sky-Rending Demon Suppression Seal, and his Mental Energy control was excellent.

He carefully adjusted the flow of the surrounding energy.

He wasn't directly resisting the violent energy currents; that would be suicidal.

He was gently "nudging" the smaller, chaotic energy offshoots.

By diverting some powerful energy flows that were heading for him to empty spots nearby, his own pressure was reduced.

At the same time, he "lured" more chaotic energy carrying fragments to his own area.

As a result, Li Dong's surroundings appeared even more chaotic.

But in his hands, this place had practically become a "nest" of fragments!

A terrifying place that others would flee from, he had forcibly turned into his own "grand cafeteria"!

"Ding! Experience +80!"

"Ding! Pure Energy +16 points!"

"Ding! ..."

The System's voice rang incessantly.

After eliminating an unknown number of fragments, the System finally delivered a message that invigorated Li Dong:

"Ding! Host's current experience points have met the requirements for promotion to Foundation Establishment Realm!"

Foundation Establishment!

Body Tempering Realm was complete; the next step was Foundation Establishment! That was a complete metamorphosis!

Anyone else would have gone mad with joy at this point, surely rushing to break through immediately.

But Li Dong forcibly suppressed that thought.

He didn't break through immediately.

He had a feeling that these strange fragments not only provided experience and energy.

Especially the subtle movement he had just sensed, and their reaction with the System... he felt that at this critical juncture of breaking through to Foundation Establishment, perhaps... these fragments could be of great use.

Breaking through now might mean missing out on something good.

"Wait a little longer, accumulate a bit more..."

Li Dong made up his mind, continuing to "work" diligently, attacking any fragment he saw.

His body was like an insatiable pit, desperately consuming the pure energy transformed from the fragments.

His Physical Body grew stronger, his Qi and blood thicker, and his Mental Energy became more focused.

Both his body and mind were almost completely filled, like a tightly compressed spring, holding back a terrifying force.

The energy in the baptism grounds was still intensifying, nearing the threshold of the third round.

Li Dong could feel that the next wave of energy would be even more terrifying.

He also noticed Zhao Zhen's undisguised, cold gaze from the high platform; that malicious intent was almost palpable.

"Is it coming...?"

Li Dong sneered in his heart, not only unafraid but rather anticipating it.

The opportunity for Breakthrough, Zhao Zhen's dirty tricks... let them all come!