Chapter 21: THE PATH OF POWER AND HELL TRAINING
The tranquil environment of the Misty Cloud Sect could no longer satisfy GODFIFA's ambitions. He knew his current strength, though formidable, was not enough to confront the sect's elders head-on. The Misty Cloud Sect was a bastion of power, and challenging it prematurely would risk everything he had built.
He gathered Xuner and Medusa in the grand hall of his private quarters within the sect.
"It's time I leave," GODFIFA declared, his tone resolute.
Both women looked at him in shock.
"Leave? Why?" Xuner asked, her voice trembling slightly.
GODFIFA's gaze softened as he looked at her. "My strength, though considerable, is insufficient to truly dominate. The Misty Cloud Sect is filled with hidden dangers. If I'm to claim my place in this world, I must push myself beyond my current limits."
Medusa crossed her arms, her expression unreadable. "So, you're running away?"
"It's not running away," GODFIFA said firmly. "It's preparation. The true battles are yet to come, and I refuse to fight them unprepared."
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The Hell Training Begins
GODFIFA ventured into the wilderness, a place untouched by civilization. Deep within the Myriad Beast Forest, he found an area teeming with powerful magical beasts, treacherous terrain, and an environment hostile to any intruder. This was the perfect place for his hell training.
To ensure uninterrupted focus, he activated the Hidden Void Crystal, a treasure obtained from one of his weekly draws. It created an isolated space where time flowed three times slower than the outside world. A month of training here would amount to only ten days in the real world.
"Let's begin," GODFIFA muttered, his eyes blazing with determination.
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Condensing the Dou Qi Vortex
The first phase of his training focused on enhancing his Dou Qi control. Sitting cross-legged on a jagged rock, GODFIFA began condensing his Dou Qi into a vortex within his dantian. The process was excruciating, as every fiber of his being screamed in resistance.
The Talent Tree within his inner space pulsed with energy, its branches absorbing Dou Qi from the void. This energy was refined and fed back into GODFIFA, accelerating his cultivation.
"Pain is temporary," GODFIFA whispered, gritting his teeth. "Power is eternal."
After three weeks in the Hidden Void Crystal's time-altered space, the vortex within his dantian solidified, becoming a swirling cyclone of energy.
> Congratulations! You have advanced to the 1-Star Dou Grandmaster realm.
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Mastering the Physical Body
The next phase involved pushing his body to its physical limits. GODFIFA hunted magical beasts far stronger than himself, using their ferocity to temper his reflexes and stamina.
He fought day and night, his hands bloodied and his body battered. But each battle sharpened his skills and strengthened his resolve.
One particularly fierce encounter was with a Nine-Tailed Flame Leopard, a beast known for its speed and agility. The battle lasted for hours, with GODFIFA narrowly evading the beast's fiery attacks while landing precise, devastating blows.
When the leopard finally fell, GODFIFA stood over its body, his breathing heavy but triumphant.
"Not even beasts can stop me," he muttered.
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Weekly Draw: The Path to Dominance
As the first week ended, the system activated its weekly draw. Three rare items appeared before GODFIFA:
1. Void Flame Essence: A fragment of the number three ranked Heavenly Flame, capable of drastically improving cultivation speed.
2. Soul Refinement Orb: A treasure that could enhance soul strength, perfect for advancing spiritual control.
3. Heavenly Domain Ring: An artifact that created a personal domain where the wielder's power was amplified tenfold.
GODFIFA analyzed the options carefully.
"The Void Flame Essence will enhance my cultivation speed, which aligns with my current focus," he decided.
The moment he selected it, the Void Flame Essence dissolved into his body. A searing pain coursed through him as his Dou Qi vortex absorbed the essence, glowing with a fiery light.
> Your cultivation speed has doubled for the next month.
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Breaking Limits: Mid-Level Dou Grandmaster
The combined effects of the Talent Tree and Void Flame Essence accelerated GODFIFA's progress. Within weeks, he reached the mid-level of the Dou Grandmaster realm.
Each breakthrough was accompanied by a surge of energy that expanded his Talent Tree. New branches emerged, representing the talents of Xuner, Medusa, and Xiao Yan. The energy from their cultivation and progress flowed into the tree, magnified a hundredfold.
"This tree is my key to dominance," GODFIFA said, marveling at its growth.
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A Moment of Reflection
Amid the relentless training, GODFIFA found himself reflecting on his journey. Sitting by a tranquil stream, he gazed at his reflection.
"I was a king in my past life," he mused. "But this world requires more than cunning. Here, strength rules supreme."
For a moment, he thought of Xuner and Medusa. Their faces flashed in his mind, bringing a rare smile to his lips.
"I'll return to them stronger than ever," he vowed.
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Final Trial: The Abyssal Chimera
The last phase of GODFIFA's hell training was a trial against the Abyssal Chimera, a beast that ruled the heart of the Myriad Beast Forest.
The Chimera was a towering creature, its three heads—lion, serpent, and dragon—each exuding an aura of overwhelming power.
GODFIFA stood before it, his Dou Qi swirling around him.
"This will be my ultimate test," he said, his voice steady.
The battle was ferocious, with the Chimera's attacks tearing through the forest. But GODFIFA's newfound strength and strategies turned the tide. Using the Heavenly Flame from the Void Flame Essence, he unleashed a devastating attack that engulfed the beast in flames.
When the smoke cleared, the Chimera lay defeated, its immense power absorbed into GODFIFA's Talent Tree.
> Congratulations! You have advanced to the Peak Dou Grandmaster realm.
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Return to the World
After months in the Hidden Void Crystal's space, GODFIFA emerged stronger than ever. His aura was overwhelming, a testament to the hellish training he had endured.
"It's time to return," he said, his eyes gleaming with determination.
As he made his way back to the Misty Cloud Sect, GODFIFA's mind was already racing with plans. With his newfound strength, he was ready to face any challenge and take the next step in building his empire.
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Weekly Power Status
-- Power
Ranking 
-- Power
stone