CHAPTER TWENTY-SIX: THE PAIN OF SUPPRESSION
The pain began imdiately.
Shen Chen's body convulsed as his spiritual energy was forcibly compressed, the dense energy pressing against his ridians like a weight. He gritted his teeth, his hands clenching into fists, his body trembling with the effort of maintaining control.
[Core Suppression: 10% Complete.]
[Compressing Spiritual Energy...]
[Warning: Pain levels are extre. Host is advised to focus on breathing.]
Shen Chen forced himself to breathe, his mind focused on the rhythm of his breath. In. Out. In. Out.
The pain intensified, his ridians screaming in protest. He could feel his dantian straining, the pressure building.
I can't give up. I can't stop. I have to keep going.
[Core Suppression: 20% Complete.]
[Compressing Spiritual Energy...]
[Void Dragon Physique: Adapting.]
[Note: The Void Dragon Physique is absorbing the pressure, strengthening the ridians and dantian.]
He felt the shift—a subtle change in his body, a strengthening of his foundation. The pain was still there, but it was different now, a deep, grinding ache that seed to co from the very core of his being.
I can do this. I can survive this.
---
Weeks passed.
Shen Chen remained in his tent, his body wracked with pain, his mind focused on the goal. The bandits brought him food and water, their faces filled with concern. Old Liu visited him daily, his eyes sharp with worry.
"Boy, you're pushing yourself too hard," Old Liu said one evening, his voice rough with concern. "You need to rest."
"I can't rest," Shen Chen said, his voice hoarse. "Not yet. I have to finish this."
Old Liu was silent for a long mont. Then he nodded slowly.
"I understand. Just... don't die on , boy. You're family."
Shen Chen managed a weak smile. "I won't."
---
[Core Suppression: 50% Complete.]
[Compressing Spiritual Energy...]
[Spiritual Energy Density: 200% Increase.]
[Core Quality: Refined Core (3rd Level).]
Shen Chen felt the shift, a sudden release of pressure followed by a surge of power. His core had reached the Refined Level, his spiritual energy denser and more powerful than before.
But he wasn't done. He needed to go further.
More. I need more.
[Core Suppression: 60% Complete.]
[Compressing Spiritual Energy...]
[Warning: Qi deviation risk is increasing. Host must remain focused.]
The pain returned, more intense than before. He felt his ridians straining, his dantian trembling under the pressure.
I can't stop. I can't stop.
---
[Core Suppression: 80% Complete.]
[Compressing Spiritual Energy...]
[Spiritual Energy Density: 350% Increase.]
[Core Quality: Supre Core (6th Level).]
Shen Chen collapsed, his body trembling with exhaustion. The pain was unbearable, a constant, grinding pressure that seed to consu him entirely.
I can't do this. I can't go any further.
He lay on the ground, his vision swimming, his mind clouded with pain. The darkness was welcoming, soft and warm, a release from the agony.
Maybe I should stop. Maybe I should just—
[Warning: Host is losing consciousness.]
[Qi deviation risk: Critical.]
[If the host stops now, the core will shatter. The host will die.]
Shen Chen's eyes snapped open. Die? I'll die if I stop?
[Affirmative. The core is unstable. If the suppression process is interrupted, the spiritual energy will explode outward, shattering the core and destroying the host's body.]
[The only option is to continue.]
Shen Chen felt a surge of desperation. I have to keep going. I have to survive.
He forced himself to focus, his mind reaching for the rhythm of his breath. In. Out. In. Out.
The pain was still there, crushing and relentless. But he pushed through it, his will stronger than the agony.
I will survive. I will achieve the Void Core. I will beco the strongest.
---
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