257: Mid-level 7!

"Tiger Brother, I feel like I'm about to break through!"

While waiting for the sacred fruit to ripen, Magic Cat suddenly showed signs of a breakthrough and directly told Xia Fan, "I don't know how it happened, it's a bit sudden!"

"It's fine, I'll just protect you from the side."

Hearing this, Magic Cat nodded, then immediately went into seclusion beside Xia Fan.

She knew Xia Fan was a man of his word, and with Xia Fan's current strength, she would definitely be able to break through with peace of mind, undisturbed by external matters.

Currently, the strength gap between Xia Fan and Magic Cat is immense; after all, one is a seventh-rank, and the other is still in the fifth-rank. Therefore, if Magic Cat's strength can improve, it will maximize the help she can provide to Xia Fan!

Previously, Xia Fan's strength surged in Mount Tai because he devoured a large number of demons, and thus did not obtain many crystals. At that time, Magic Cat was purely a companion, with no opportunity to enhance her strength through it.

Fortunately, after dealing with the Dragon Palace in the sea area, she took advantage of Xia Fan's massive slaughter to collect many sea beast crystals and feasted on them. Now, she has finally digested all the energy within these crystals and accumulated the energy needed to break through to the sixth-rank.

Therefore, Magic Cat's breakthrough at this time was not unexpected.

At this moment, Xia Fan quietly guarded Magic Cat, with a gentle look in his eyes.

"You little fellow, you've also been following in my footsteps..."

As he thought this, memories of some past events resurfaced in his mind. He knew this little fellow had been with him the longest.

Since that bloody rain, Magic Cat had followed him, and since then, the two had been inseparable. Now, she could be said to be Xia Fan's best friend.

He was also very happy that Magic Cat could break through.

Several hours later, the sacred fruit in the deep pit finally ripened, now emitting a rich fragrance that instantly drew Xia Fan's attention.

"You've finally ripened."

After a slight sigh, Xia Fan extended his tiger claw, and the golden-yellow fruit was drawn to him through the air, landing on his paw.

He examined it for a few seconds, then swallowed the golden fruit without hesitation.

Instantly, a massive surge of energy rapidly circulated through his body, quickly spreading throughout his entire being within a short time, even causing him to let out a comfortable moan.

"As expected of a sacred fruit!"

Xia Fan sighed with emotion, for even with his early seventh-rank cultivation, after consuming this fruit, he felt his body brimming with power!

Such a spiritual fruit truly deserved the title 'sacred,' and it was no wonder it attracted many fierce beast powerhouses.

"If I'm not mistaken..."

As he carefully felt the power brought by the sacred fruit, Xia Fan's eyes flickered, and he murmured, "Anyone below the seventh-rank, if they consume the sacred fruit, would probably directly step into the seventh-rank, completely transforming and becoming a rare powerhouse in the world!"

"But there's nothing to regret."

"Although this king is already a seventh-rank, this sacred fruit is still useful to me. This trip... was not in vain!"

As time passed, the power within the sacred fruit was completely absorbed. During this period, Xia Fan did not miss any opportunity to draw power, continuously guiding these energies to circulate within his body, strengthening his physique, and ultimately successfully breaking through to the mid-seventh-rank.

At this moment, a sharp aura emanated from his entire body, but it only lingered for a moment before he deliberately concealed it.

"In this world, where is the end of cultivation?"

Xia Fan slightly raised his head, gazing at the endless sky. His heart felt a touch of emotion, even a hint of helplessness and confusion, due to becoming stronger.

After all, he was now at the peak of those in later generations, and even ahead of many others. Yet, it was ironic that all his previous efforts could be completely replaced by a single spiritual fruit of heaven and earth that had appeared.

The matter of cultivation suddenly seemed insignificant, even ridiculous, in the face of this spiritual fruit.

If there were such spiritual fruits all over the world, would there still be a need for cultivation? Everyone would just wait for the spiritual fruit to ripen, eat one, and instantly become stronger. Wouldn't that be easier than arduous cultivation?

Thinking of this, Xia Fan couldn't help but let out a bitter laugh, shaking his head and muttering to himself, "Sometimes, effort truly isn't necessarily useful. Instead, luck is more practical. This is truly ironic!"

He could even imagine that if this fruit hadn't been obtained by him, but by another fierce beast or human, wouldn't that person be able to ascend to the heavens in one step by seizing this opportunity?

"Above the seventh-rank, there should still be the eighth-rank, and even the ninth-rank."

Xia Fan felt he couldn't understand those previous questions, so he cast them aside. But soon, new questions emerged, "Generally speaking, nine is the extreme number. Logically, reaching the ninth-rank might be the endpoint of cultivation. Will there be even stronger existences above that?"

"If so, what kind of realm were the ancient Immortal Emperors, or even Saints, in?"

"They were definitely existences far beyond the ninth-rank, but what exactly they were, is unknown..."

Currently, he had too many doubts in his heart, but no one could answer them.

After a long while, Xia Fan ended his contemplation, his gaze becoming firm again, "Forget it, forget it. The worst that can happen is dealing with problems as they arise. Thinking so much now is useless!"

"Only by relying on my own efforts and continuously exploring can I find the answers to these questions."

"Buzz!"

At the same time, a mysterious aura suddenly spread out, and Magic Cat also successfully broke through at this moment.

As soon as she finished, she excitedly told Xia Fan, "Tiger Brother, I've broken through to the sixth-rank!"

Her lively spirit infected Xia Fan, making him temporarily cast aside his worries and troubles.

Perhaps because Magic Cat had previously consumed a relic, she now always exuded a soft glow, which made him feel very comfortable.

Hearing this, Xia Fan gently stroked Magic Cat's small head and said with a smile, "Haha, this is just the beginning. Next, I will give you more crystals to make you even stronger!"

"Mm-hmm! I know Tiger Brother will definitely do that."

"Clones, go!"

Soon after, Xia Fan once again created several clones. With a command, he sent them rushing in all directions.

The clones he created now could all possess pseudo-seventh-rank cultivation, and their combat power was even comparable to powerful existences in the early seventh-rank.

It wasn't until all the clones had left that Xia Fan stopped, looking at their retreating figures from afar, and softly said, "From now on, the opportunities on this continent will be very difficult to escape this king's control. All arrangements have been completed; now we just wait for the opportunities to appear."