Chapter 43: Refining the Pheonix Bloodline

In a dimly lit chamber, where shadows enveloped most of the surroundings, Jiang Lei is lying on the ground.

Above him, is a radiant pearl emitting a dark crimson glow, casting an enchanting light. The surrounding is glowing red because of its mysterious presence.

Before the luminous pearl stood an ethereal woman, her beauty surpassing that of mortal beings.

Her features were otherworldly, with two deep eyes that seems to capable of absorbing everything inside it.

Her long black hairs falling down her back , her skin was flawless and it glowed with a soft and warm golden light.

Right now, she was looking at the pearl with complicated eyes, "Why did you choose him?"

Her voice, like a melody, gentle and captivating

The radiant pearl seemed indifferent to the woman's presence, continuing to orbit around Jiang Lei as if guarding him.

The figure's expression twisted into one of deep anguish as she spoke in a sorrowful tone, "You know you'll only bring him trouble. If she finds him with you, she'll end his life. Don't you want him to die?"

The radiant pearl continued its circling around Jiang Lei, ignoring her pleas.

"Please, try to understand me...."she tried to say something but suddenly stopped when she heard a soft murmur.

She immediately disappeared, bringing back the surrounding in the darkness. Jiang Lei gradually opend his eyes, and mumbled softly, "Where...am I?"

Jiang lei could only see the pearl hovering over his head, and it's slightly crimson light was lighting the dark place, but it was still very unclear.

As Jiang Lei continued to survey his unfamiliar surroundings, a voice echoed softly in his ears, "Jiang Lei, you are inside the Eternal Tower."

The moment he heard those words, a surge of anger overtook him, and he yelled into the void, "You liar! Where are you hiding? Come out!"

The voice responded calmly, "When did I lie to you?"

Jiang Lei's outburst followed immediately, "You still dare to ask that? You assured me that I wouldn't be in any life-threatening danger during the trial, but Wu Xiu nearly killed me!"

"You've misunderstood, Jiang Lei. It was all just an illusion. There was no real danger to your life. Even if Wu Xiu had taken your life, you would have been teleported here, safely."

"So, you mean everything I experienced in this trial was just an illusion? All the villagers, no, Wu Xiu claimed she was like me, trapped in this trial? Was she lying?"

The voice affirmed, "Jiang Lei, everything you encountered was an illusion, except for Wu Xiu and the pearl you possess."

Curious, Jiang Lei asked, "Why was Wu Xiu trapped in the trial, and what exactly is this pearl?"

"Wu Xiu, like you, stumbled upon the monument and underwent the same test. However, I observed that she had an intense hunger for power. I believed that she should undergo the trial before receiving the Phoenix Bloodline and technique. I thought the trial would refine her character, but I was gravely mistaken. She obtained the Bloodfiend Pearl, and it awakened a deep-seated desire for power within her.

"She started killing bandits and feeling this Bloodfiend pearl to grow strong, she just wanted strength at any cost. Later, when she regained her memories, she realized the gravity of her actions, but it was already too late."

"I couldn't risk freeing her because she knew my true identity, so I chose to let her remain trapped in the trial."

"So, what was the trial truly about? Was it solely to help the villagers find water?"

"The trial was never primarily about assisting the villagers in finding water. That was merely a medium for the trial. The true purpose was to test your character."

"The Phoenix Bloodline is the source of immense power, and it must not fall into the wrong hands. It has the potential to bring destruction to the world. So, it is very important to assess the wielder's personality."

"When your memories were erased, you were placed among the villagers to observe how you would interact with strangers you didn't even know. And the moment you agreed to the sacrifice, you had already passed the trial."

The voice stopped this time, there was a hint of praise in its voice, "However, I wanted to see how far you can go, so I didn't end the trial and I have to agree that you exceeded my expectations.

"Not only did you defeat Wu Xiu, but you also help the villagers in obtaining water. You are the person we have been waiting for, Jiang Lei. You truly deserve to inherit the final bloodline of the Phoenix."

"Cough""Cough".Jiang lei acted to cough two times, his face was red with embarrassment, he can't say that she has deeply misunderstood him, he is not so much 'great'.

He didn't want to sacrifice, he was forced to do so, and as for finding water, it was Wu Xiu who sacrificed herself for the villagers, but now he has been giving all the credit, he doesn't know how would have been she reacted if she were to know about this.

"Ahem".Jiang Lei cleared his throat before speaking, "Now that I have passed the trial, where is my reward? Quickly, grant me the Phoenix Bloodline."

"Of course, Jiang Lei, you deserve it," the voice replied, and three drops of blood materialized before Jiang Lei's eyes.

As these drops of blood appeared, it immediately radiated an intense, blinding light that filled the entire space. it was as if it is not three drops of blood but three miniature suns.

The brilliance was so overwhelming that it mad everything else around him invisible. These fiery drops of blood seemed capable of incinerating the entire world with their sheer intensity.

Jiang Lei instinctively raised his hand to shield himself from the overwhelming light. However, before he could react further, the three drops of the Phoenix Bloodline rushed toward him and merged with his body.

"Aaah!" Jiang Lei exclaimed in fear, he had just one thought in his mind that he is done. He couldn't even bear the heat radiating from it but now it fused with himself, he just thought that the fiery heat and light from the blood will burn and explode his body immediately.

Yet, to his astonishment, nothing of the sort occurred. His body remained as always, and he didn't feel any effect from the fusion of the Phoenix Bloodline.

"Jiang Lei, these drops of blood will remain within your body, but they won't harm you. However, you must remember that when you will try to refine them within your body, you will face immense heat and pain.

So, never dare to refine them beyond your capacity, as it will only result in the explosion of your body."

"What the heck...my body will again explode." A shiver ran down Jiang Lei's spine upon hearing this warning.

Something is terribly wrong with this trial, it seems that whoever is the person created this trial, just created it to kill and explode bodies.

He quickly made a vow to himself that he will never attempt to refine the Bloodline without having acquired enough strength to withstand the heat and pain, he will have to go through.

As if seeing through Jiang Lei's doubts, the voice spoke again...

"You don't need to worry about refining it, Jiang Lei," the voice continued. "This bloodline will remain in your body forever, and you will be able to refine it anytime you want.

"If you want, you can refine it and test your current limits now. I am here, so you don't need to worry about exploding. You can refine it with peace of mind."

"Thanks"Jiang Lei felt happy hearing the voice's words. He wanted to try this new bloodline, and knowing that voice will help, assured him.

Without wasting any time, he sat down cross-legged, closed his eyes, and delved into his inner body with his consciousness.

Inside his body, he saw three fiery blood drops next to the pearl in his dantian. He extended his consciousness to touch one of the drops, immediately feeling an intense heat that enveloped him.

However, being a fire talent cultivator, he is used to this level of heat.

As he began to refine one of the drop of fiery blood, his body seemed to turn into molten lava, and searing pain flooded his mind.

But Jiang Lei clenched his teeth and endured the pain.

The drop of blood poured an enormous amount of energy entering his body from the drop of blood, even surpassing the energy within the source orb.

"This is so fierce!" Jiang lei got worried from the large amount of energy and it's fierce nature, his internal organs were hurting because of flow of energy in his body, he immediately concentrated on the energy and started refining it with all his might.

As the fiery blood merged with his inner energy, it was as if a storm raged within him. His body trembled, and his skin turned even redder from the intense heat.

"This hurts like hell."It was his only thought while refining the bloodline.

Minutes passed, and the pain grew even more unbearable, The fiery energy surged, making him sweat profusely.

After several minutes of enduring the pain and refining, Jiang Lei began to sense a change. The fiery energy started to merge with his inner power, he felt a change in hai body and strength.

His aura began to rise, and with each passing moment, his cultivation level rose. After an unknown time, "BOOM!", he reached the fourth level of Qi Condensation.

His cultivation progressed, and the fiery energy continued to strengthen his body and Qi, he felt that now it is easier to endure this relentless energy than before.

Hours passed, and he moved on to the fifth level, then the sixth, greatly enhancing his strength and endurance.

Finally, after three hours of painstaking cultivation, Jiang Lei felt a tremendous surge of energy.

There was a deafening "boom," and an overwhelming flood of energy rushed into Jiang Lei's body. His surroundings seemed to quake as he broke through to the seventh level of Qi Condensation.

He opened his eyes and took a deep breath. "Finally, all the energy is absorbed," he muttered to himself, his voice filled with relief. Pushing himself up, he stood and brushed off the dust from his clothes.

Looking towards the void, he said, "I have tested this bloodline, and it seems that this is my current limit. I don't want to refine it further. So, if there's nothing more, please take me out of this monument."

The voice immediately responded, "Wait, Jiang Lei, there's something important I need to tell you."

Jiang Lei's expression shifted to one of suspicion. "Now what is it? You won't tell me I have to pass one more trial to leave this place, right?"

"No, it's something else. It's about the pearl inside you."

"Pearl!" Jiang Lei exclaimed, a hint of frustration in his voice. "Yes, if you hadn't mentioned it, I might have forgotten about this. Tell me, what is this pearl? It entered my body, and it's not leaving. I've tried everything to get rid of it."

"I can't tell you much about this pearl right now. You just need to know that this pearl is called the Bloodfiend Pearl, and it is very dangerous, both to you and everyone around you. There are many who are after this pearl, and they will stop at nothing to possess it. So, remember, never take this pearl outside into the world. I cannot stress this enough – if you do, not just you, but even the entire celestial world will be in grave danger."

Jiang Lei back broke out in a cold sweat. The thought that this small pearl can lead to the destruction of the entire world, he never ever dared to think about this in his scariest dreams. He quickly responded, "I don't want this pearl. Keep it with you. Your cursed Bloodfiend Pearl."

The voice gently replied, "I can't do that, Jiang Lei. This Bloodfiend Pearl has chosen you as its master, and it will remain with you no matter where you go. Even I am powerless against it. The best you can do is to keep it inside your body and never take it out."

Jiang Lei got very frustrated listening this, "No, this is your mistake. Why did you keep this pearl there, at the first place? You made the mistake, and you should fix it."

The voice responded, "It wasn't me who placed it there, Jiang Lei. Whoever did it, there are reasons behind it, and I'm also helpless in this matter. This is the most I can do for you."

As she said, a small pagoda suddenly materialized before Jiang Lei's eyes.

The pagoda that appeared before Jiang Lei was a tall, nine-tiered structure. It looked ancient and mysterious, covered in a dark, black energy that seemed to swirl around it like a protective cloak.

Two ferocious creatures, guarding the gates, they looked like they are actually alive, outer wall of the pagoda was adorned with strange and ancient symbols that glowed faintly in the darkness.

It stood there, radiating an eerie and unsettling presence in the dimly lit surroundings.