Gu Yuan felt as if a million ants were crawling all over his body, constantly gnawing at his flesh, bones, and even his internal organs.
His eyeballs bulged, streaked with blood, his face contorted in a grimace, and he gasped for air. This time, the pain was even more intense than when he had fused with the Rib Bone Veins of the Fate Board, which meant a greater improvement for him.
Since he could become stronger, he would endure!
Gu Yuan gritted his teeth tightly and began to comprehend the Chaotic Demonic Ape Meditation. His soul transformed into a demonic ape, suppressing all negative emotions. Although his body was still trembling, his spirit remained unwavering.
He could even control the lightning within him to intensify the process. Within Gu Yuan's pool, a blue light continuously flashed, and no more screams of agony emanated from him.
Perhaps influenced by Gu Yuan, the screams of the other two also weakened, subtly forming an invisible competition. If Gu Yuan knew, he would exclaim, "This can also lead to internal competition!"
In a secluded spot, Jiang Qingyuan watched through his water mirror as the three individuals absorbed the Myriad Beast Liquid. Seeing them adapt and then tenaciously endure, a satisfied smile spread across his face.
Time ticked by, and the Myriad Beast Liquid in the pools gradually diminished until it vanished completely. The skin of all three turned crimson, radiating heat, resembling perfectly cooked lobsters.
After some time, the redness on Gu Yuan's body receded, leaving behind smooth, fair skin. He opened his eyes, stood up, and felt the changes within him.
He clenched his fist, feeling the power in his palm, and then retrieved his clothes from his storage ring. With a light leap, he returned to the ground beside the pool.
Gu Yuan estimated that after this reinforcement, his strength had reached the level of his Thunder Fire Whale Fiend Body before it had been activated.
He sat down cross-legged, waiting for the other two to awaken.
Before long, Qin Erlang was the second to stir. He opened his eyes, and a black light flashed within them. This time, his Tai Sui Divine Body had undergone another reinforcement, making his senses sharper and his strength greater.
Seeing Gu Yuan, who had already awakened, he was slightly taken aback but quickly recovered. Gu Yuan's physique was far superior, so it was natural for him to awaken first. However, he was grateful that he wasn't the last.
His gaze fell upon Wu Gui, who was still absorbing the medicinal power, a faint smile appearing on his face. He put on his black martial robe again and leaped to sit beside Gu Yuan, quietly awaiting Wu Gui's awakening.
Ten minutes later, Wu Gui slowly woke up. As soon as he opened his eyes, he saw two intense gazes. Wu Gui met their eyes calmly, but his slightly flushed cheeks indicated that his inner state was not entirely tranquil.
Finally, Gu Yuan and the other could no longer withstand Wu Gui's gaze and guiltily turned their heads aside. Wu Gui then triumphantly put on his clothes. This round was Wu Gui's victory!
With a light leap, he joined the other two, who were already standing. The three of them then left the Myriad Beast Pool together and returned to the City Lord's Mansion, handing their tokens back to Jiang Qingyuan.
As the three were about to bid farewell, Jiang Qingyuan stopped them.
The three looked at Jiang Qingyuan with confusion. Jiang Qingyuan said sternly, "Scouts have reported faint signs of a beast tide forming in the western direction of the border. Avoid taking any missions for the next two days and wait for the beast tide to recede before accepting them."
"Understood!"
Gu Yuan and the other two left the City Lord's Mansion, feeling a subtle excitement. Although Gu Yuan had experienced something similar once during his fate acquisition, it was merely someone else's memory. This time, Gu Yuan was looking forward to the beast tide.
The other two were even more so. As prodigies of Tianxia's new era, they had always been well-protected. This would be their first experience of a beast tide.
Gu Yuan and the other two returned to their residence to replenish their energy. They then went together to a small training ground, which belonged to the military. Gu Yuan had specifically requested it from Jiang Qingyuan to serve as their training area for the next two days.
After all, with the beast tide approaching, how could archery be absent? He hadn't used his upgraded fate yet.
This training ground was three hundred meters long and one hundred meters wide, more than enough for the three of them to train.
Gu Yuan took out the upgraded great bow. He hadn't given this great bow a name yet.
Looking at its unassuming appearance, he decided to name it Qiankun!
He tried pulling the bowstring; it was noticeably easier than last time. Gu Yuan drew the bow and nocked an arrow. He didn't deliberately aim, but the fate etched into his soul ensured his aim would be precise.
*Whoosh!*
A sharp sound echoed in the training ground as an arrow, like a shooting star, tore through the air, heading straight for the target forged from fine iron.
*Bang! Sizzle!*
The arrow, carrying immense kinetic energy, pierced directly through the fine iron target, emitting a loud sound and a shrill friction.
Qin Erlang and Wu Gui, who were practicing their halberd and sword techniques respectively, heard the sound and looked towards Gu Yuan with curiosity.
They saw Gu Yuan holding a large black bow, maintaining the posture of drawing and shooting. Three hundred meters away, a fine iron target was pierced through.
*Hiss!*
The two inhaled sharply. "Damn, if that shot had hit us, we'd be split in two!"
They silently praised Gu Yuan in their hearts and then focused even more intently on their training.
Gu Yuan shook his head. He had expected the power to completely penetrate the target, not get stuck in the middle.
This time, he imbued the arrow with lightning, attempting to replicate the principle of an electromagnetic cannon and fire it directly.
*Rumble!*
*Bang!*
This time, the arrow, wrapped in spiraling lightning, had its speed greatly increased, even producing a sonic boom.
It directly pierced the target, which then disintegrated into iron powder, unable to withstand the immense impact.
"My god! The power can still increase!" Qin Erlang and Wu Gui exchanged glances, instantly understanding each other's thoughts. The Fangtian Huaji in Qin Erlang's hand danced, creating afterimages, sending gusts of air in all directions.
Meanwhile, the sword in Wu Gui's hand began to float in mid-air, moving with difficulty.
Gu Yuan glanced at them, secretly shocked. He hadn't expected even the Sword Control technique to appear.
"Practice hard, practice hard," he thought. After all, a flying sword striking a target a hundred miles away was no less impressive than his archery.
And so, before the beast tide arrived, the three of them transformed into machines of intense cultivation, madly squeezing their potential. In these three days, their strength increased more than in the previous month!
Three days later, a somber atmosphere permeated the Great Dragon Pass. Soldiers stood in formation atop the hundred-meter-high city walls, ready for battle, for the beast tide was imminent!