Chapter 894: Mark of Brilliance

"

Heh,

kid, first time's awkward, second time's familiar. Now I'm getting serious!"

Tianbai Emperor's spiritual manifestation chuckled, though Ling Feng couldn't help but feel a chill at the sight of that grin.

This wasn't some casual "first time awkward, second time familiar" situation. Each round was downright brutal!

"Cross your legs and sit still. I'm going to implant the fourth and fifth Primordial Locks into your body at once!"

Ling Feng took a deep breath and settled into position. Tianbai Emperor's spiritual manifestation raised his hand, revealing two slender golden needles gleaming ominously.

Despite mentally preparing himself, Ling Feng still broke out in a cold sweat at the sight of those needles.

"Starting from the fourth lock, since your true qi has evolved into elemental qi, the Primordial Lock will compress your elemental qi to an even greater degree. But once unlocked, the boost in power will be far more terrifying!"

Light flickered in the Tianbai Emperor's spiritual manifestation's palm as he flipped his hand. The two golden needles shot forth, piercing straight into Ling Feng's temples.

"

Mm!

"

Ling Feng grunted through clenched teeth as his mind blanked out in an instant.

The next moment, he felt as though he had been plunged into the depths of a lake. Calm at first, but then—

Boom!

His consciousness exploded in agony. Ling Feng bit down hard, his entire body trembling uncontrollably. This was no longer mere physical pain. It tore straight into the depths of his soul.

"Even I nearly died from the pain when the fourth Primordial Lock was implanted," the Tianbai Emperor's spiritual manifestation remarked, watching Ling Feng with a hint of admiration.

Despite the torment, Ling Feng hadn't moved an inch from his spot. Such willpower was nothing short of astonishing.

Ling Feng clenched his fists, each breath taking a lifetime's worth of effort. His clothes were drenched in sweat, and within a quarter-hour, his face had drained of color.

The pain came in relentless waves. Just as he thought he could catch his breath, another surge of agony, both physical and spiritual, would crash over him.

Yet, through this inhuman suffering, Ling Feng endured without a single cry.

One hour passed...

Two hours passed...

Lost in the kind of pain that would make most shudder just thinking about it, Ling Feng had no idea how much time had passed. When he finally regained consciousness, he lay sprawled on the ground, gasping for air.

Though this second time had been even worse than the first, Ling Feng's physique was no longer what it used to be. After a brief rest, he pushed himself up, flexing his fingers. His power had been compressed by dozens of times. It felt as though he'd fallen from the peak to the later-stage of Transformation Realm.

"Not bad. You woke up much faster than I expected."

𝐟𝕣𝕖𝐞𝐰𝕖𝚋𝐧𝗼𝚟𝐞𝕝.𝗰𝐨𝐦

Tianbai Emperor's spiritual manifestation studied Ling Feng's body with approval. "It seems your body has undergone intense tempering, which explains your swift recovery."

"Just got struck by lightning tribulation twice, that's all," Ling Feng muttered weakly, wiping the cold sweat from his brow.

"

Twice?

"

The Tianbai Emperor's spiritual manifestation's expression stiffened. Triggering lightning tribulation at the Pulse Formation Realm was one thing, but

twice

—and the kid said it so casually!

This brat was downright insulting!

Shooting Ling Feng an exasperated look, the Tianbai Emperor's spiritual manifestation asked gravely, "How do you feel?"

"My cultivation is being compressed again, and the multiplier's even greater than before!" Ling Feng replied with a faint smile.

"

Heh,

of course. When you unlock all five Primordial Locks at once, the amplification of your elemental qi will be hundreds of times over!"

Pride flashed across the Tianbai Emperor's spiritual manifestation's face. Such a genius concept, such a peerless martial art—only he could have conceived it.

Though he himself had never fully realized the potential of this technique, Ling Feng now had the chance to perfect it. To the Tianbai Emperor, Ling Feng was like a masterpiece in the making. Naturally, he was delighted.

"Senior, once I adapt to the fourth and fifth Primordial Locks, I plan to charge straight into the Spiritual Element Realm. That way, I can add even more locks, right?"

Ling Feng clenched his fists, eyes burning with eagerness as he looked at the Tianbai Emperor's spiritual manifestation.

"Heh kid, remember this, cultivation is about steady progression. Though your talent lets you rush into the Spiritual Element Realm quickly, I don't recommend it."

Tianbai Emperor's spiritual manifestation stroked his beard thoughtfully.

"Why not?" Ling Feng frowned. "I've already reached the limit of my meridians. My foundation is solid enough to break through to the Spiritual Element Realm in one go. If not for needing to implant the Primordial Locks, I would've awakened during my tribulation."

"Then tell me—what's the purpose of the Transformation Realm?" The Tianbai Emperor's eyes narrowed, a knowing smile playing on his lips.

"The purpose?" Ling Feng blinked. "Please enlighten me, Senior!"

"Mark of Brilliance."

Tianbai Emperor's spiritual manifestation flicked his sleeves, standing with his hands behind his back. "Most cultivators don't realize this, but whether or not you condense a Mark of Brilliance in the Transformation Realm determines the grade of the soul manifestation you awaken in the future."

"

Uh...

" Ling Feng stared in shock. "What's a Mark of Brilliance?"

"You really don't know? How ignorant!"

Tianbai Emperor's spiritual manifestation shook his head. "A Mark of Brilliance is formed when a martial practitioner reaches the Transformation Realm and condenses their insights into a tangible imprint."

As the Tianbai Emperor's spiritual manifestation explained, Ling Feng gradually grasped the concept.

Generally, only monsters could condense a Mark of Brilliance.

Achieving it in the Transformation Realm meant the soul manifestation awakened in the Spiritual Element Realm would be far stronger than those of peers. Though the Mark of Brilliance didn't directly boost a Transformation Realm practitioner's power, the longer it was nurtured, the more refined the soul manifestation would be upon awakening.

In ancient times, some cultivators awakened soul manifestations that, even at the first-refinement level, rivaled others at the fifth-refinement.

The Mark of Brilliance was essentially a critical indicator of future soul manifestation strength.

However, this secret was typically known only to disciples of major sects or noble clans.

Though Ling Feng was exceptionally talented, his origins in the lowly Wenxian Sect meant he lacked such foundational knowledge.

Even Yan Cangtian hadn't mentioned it, assuming Ling Feng was still far from reaching his meridian limits—let alone breaking through straight to the ninth level of the Transformation Realm.

"Remember this:

Never

attempt to break through to the Spiritual Element Realm without first condensing a Mark of Brilliance. Otherwise, you'll regret it for the rest of your life."

Tianbai Emperor's spiritual manifestation's tone was deadly serious.

Ling Feng nodded solemnly. Tianbai Emperor's spiritual manifestation saw him as a successor. There was no reason to deceive him.

A shiver ran down his spine.

Good thing I asked... Otherwise, I would have regretted it for the rest of my life!