Huuu~
Gu Yuan let out a deep breath, his eyes still closed. The largely compressed blood energy within him began to boil, erupting with immense power in an instant.
Boom!
Gu Yuan's legs shattered the ground beneath him. Cracks snaked across the surface, and amidst the flying debris, a crimson figure vanished from its spot.
Thunder Cut - Flash!
The blood energy within him surged like a great river, roaring and churning, emitting a power far exceeding his previous capabilities.
This was the first time in many days that Gu Yuan had fully unleashed his compressed blood energy. Its power was significantly greater than when it was uncompressed.
In Gu Yuan's mind, the phantom image he had become, wielding a long saber, unleashed the Thunder Cut - Flash technique, charging towards Cui Hua's phantom. Its trajectory mirrored that in the real world.
Cui Hua raised his saber, his gaze fixed on Gu Yuan's rapidly approaching figure. Gu Yuan now commanded enough respect to make him slightly serious, especially since Gu Yuan had learned the Blade of the Heart.
Cui Hua's movements were also captured by Gu Yuan. The phantom representing Cui Hua in Gu Yuan's mind mirrored the changes. Gu Yuan charged forward without hesitation, a streak of crimson light trailing behind him.
"Well met!" Cui Hua roared. He calculated the trajectory of Gu Yuan's saber, planning to strike later but with greater effect, intercepting Gu Yuan's blade.
But the anticipated clash of steel never came.
Bang!
Cui Hua's saber slammed forcefully into the ground, carving a large pit in the training field.
What is this? Cui Hua's heart skipped a beat. He felt a gust of wind from behind him and quickly dodged, a feat that showcased strength far beyond the Blood Energy realm.
Boom!
Gu Yuan's saber, uncontrolled, blasted another large pit into the ground where Cui Hua had been standing.
Cui Hua, now observing from a distance, inwardly clicked his tongue. He hadn't expected the young man to be so ruthless.
Once Gu Yuan exited the Blade of the Heart state, he spoke clearly.
"Gu Yuan, it seems you've mastered the Blade of the Heart. There's nothing more I can teach you. From today, you are officially graduated," Cui Hua announced with a smile, looking at Gu Yuan.
Gu Yuan sheathed his saber and chuckled wryly at Cui Hua, "Captain Cui, you are truly formidable. I've used my full strength, and I still couldn't touch you."
"Heh, if you could touch Cui Hua even once, he'd have to go find a wall to bash his head against," Guan Ye said cheerfully, appearing beside them and teasing Gu Yuan.
Gu Yuan knew that if he could touch Cui Hua at the Blood Energy realm, it would be truly remarkable.
"Alright, Gu Yuan, our task together is complete. From now on, you need to focus on finishing the compression of your blood energy."
Guan Ye spoke to Gu Yuan with a serious expression. The subsequent period would be Gu Yuan's own, and he wouldn't need to come to the Demon Suppression Division to train with them daily.
"We've witnessed your progress during this time. We believe you can reach the pinnacle of martial arts, even the Celestial realm. Keep striving, young man!" Guan Ye patted Gu Yuan's shoulder. Without waiting for Gu Yuan to respond, he turned and left.
"Ah..." Gu Yuan instinctively reached out to call Guan Ye back, but Cui Hua stopped him.
Gu Yuan looked at Cui Hua with confusion. Cui Hua offered a brilliant smile and said, "I believe in you, young man!"
Then, he quickly ran after Guan Ye, leaving Gu Yuan no opportunity to speak.
Gu Yuan watched their retreating figures walk away together. He opened his mouth, wanting to say something, but ultimately remained silent, simply watching their backs disappear into the distance.
He clenched his fist, then turned and left the Demon Suppression Division.
Upon returning home, Gu Yuan purchased some basic supplies on the way and sealed himself indoors. He wouldn't leave until his blood energy was fully compressed.
Time flew by like a white steed. In the blink of an eye, seven days had passed.
Indoors, Gu Yuan opened his eyes, a look of joy on his face. He had finally completed the compression of all his blood energy. It hadn't been easy!
It took over half a month to compress all over eighteen thousand strands of blood energy. From now on, any increases in blood energy would be to the compressed form, saving him the time of compression.
He stood up and assessed his condition. The compressed blood energy within him pulsed with immense power. Although the total volume seemed less than before, its quality far surpassed it.
This compression alone had at least doubled his strength. After all, a stone and an egg were not comparable. Gu Yuan's previous blood energy was like an egg compared to the compressed blood energy now.
He walked out of the room, taking a deep breath of the fresh morning air. He had been confined indoors for seven or eight days and had no idea what was happening at the Demon Suppression Division.
He decided to go and see. After a quick wash and dressing, he headed out.
He bought breakfast on the way and ate as he walked towards the Demon Suppression Division.
His current plan was to diligently increase his blood energy. The resource subsidy for the second month was available, which he could absorb to boost his blood energy. He also planned to use his remaining contribution points to exchange for Blood Energy Pills.
Gu Yuan went to the resource collection point and received this month's resources and salary, along with a medicinal meal.
He then exchanged his contribution points for Blood Energy Pills, two points for two pills.
Carrying these resources, Gu Yuan returned home, ready to absorb them and see how much more blood energy these resources could add after his compression.
He first took out two Blood Energy Pills and swallowed them directly. Two streams of heat rose from his stomach and flowed into his limbs. Gu Yuan's compressed blood energy ravenously devoured these streams.
After a while, Gu Yuan opened his eyes and assessed the blood energy in his body. He couldn't help but sigh. Originally, one Blood Energy Pill could increase his blood energy by about five hundred strands.
Now, after compression, it only added a little over a hundred strands, a sharp decrease to a fifth. Gu Yuan felt a pang of sadness. Martial arts cultivation was truly resource-intensive.
Especially in this world. If he were in the Azure World, he wouldn't have these worries. But in this world, it was truly difficult.
Gu Yuan resigned himself to obtaining resources through missions. He would have to complete more missions himself to accelerate his cultivation.
Gu Yuan stood up, brewed the medicinal meal, and absorbed all the cultivation resources distributed by the patrol envoys.
After absorbing all the resources, the blood energy in Gu Yuan's body only increased by three hundred strands. Including the increase from the two Blood Energy Pills, Gu Yuan gained about five hundred strands of blood energy this time.
One word: difficult~