Within the Empty Orifice, tides rose and fell. Wave after wave of True Essence surged toward the orifice walls.
The spray was white as snow, yet shimmered with silver light — magnificently resplendent. It was Snow Silver True Essence.
In the room, Bai Ningbing pressed both palms against Fang Yuan's back, continuously channeling True Essence into him through the Bone and Flesh Reunion Gu.
Once True Essence was converted by the Bone and Flesh Reunion Gu, it became Fang Yuan's own, to be wielded by him alone.
Fang Yuan directed the unending flow of Snow Silver True Essence, ceaselessly washing against the surrounding orifice walls.
He was now at the Peak Stage of the Second Transformation. His own True Essence was dark crimson, and the orifice walls had formed a crystalline membrane — smooth, luminous, and translucent.
Back then, at Qing Mao Mountain, when he had charged from the Peak Stage of the First Transformation with Grade C aptitude to break through to the Second Transformation, he had been forced to rely on the aid of Yuan Stones, spending three or four days just to barely complete the process. The ordeal had been excruciatingly difficult.
And when he had pushed from the Peak Stage of the Second Transformation toward the Third Transformation, his limited aptitude had left him no choice but to resort to external forces like the Human-Beast Burial Gu.
Now, things were entirely different.
Not only had his own aptitude risen to ninety percent of Grade A — meaning he no longer needed the Human-Beast Burial Gu — but he even had Bai Ningbing lending him her formidable support.
Life's turns were truly wondrous beyond measure. Even Fang Yuan himself could never have anticipated this.
The thick, sturdy crystalline membrane soon developed cracks under the assault of the Snow Silver True Essence.
The cracks spread at a speed visible to the naked eye, expanding rapidly. After a short while, the entire membrane was covered in fractures.
Crack, crack, crack...
The crystalline membrane shattered and collapsed completely. Countless crystal fragments tumbled down into the Yuan Sea, stirring up waves of spray.
Then these fragments dissolved into countless glittering white motes of light, gradually dissipating within the Yuan Sea.
A brand-new white Light Film rose to take the crystalline membrane's place entirely.
At the same time, a thread of Pale Silver True Essence appeared in the depths of the sea floor.
Pale Silver True Essence — the very hallmark of the Third Transformation, Initial Stage.
In that moment, Fang Yuan officially broke through the Peak Stage of the Second Transformation, ascending to the Third Transformation.
Setting aside Sixth Transformation Gu Immortals, a Third Transformation Gu Master already counted as a core fighting force. Whether on the Righteous Path or the Demonic Path, one could truly hold one's ground.
"It's been less than a year since I fled Qing Mao Mountain, and I've already cultivated back to the Third Transformation. At this pace, it's more than triple what I achieved on Qing Mao Mountain. And with Grade A aptitude, my future is nothing but bright." Fang Yuan clenched his fists, joy swelling in his heart.
Counting the time, it had taken roughly three double-hours.
Truly fast.
If he had relied on his own strength alone, he could still have broken through to the Third Transformation — but it would have taken at least a full day and night.
Snow Silver True Essence truly proved its extraordinary effect.
Now he examined the Empty Orifice once more.
The bone-white Bone Lance Gu and Spiral Bone Lance Gu that had once filled it had been sold off entirely.
A good portion of the dark crimson Second Transformation Peak Stage True Essence still remained.
Bai Ningbing's channeling had not ceased.
A torrent of Snow Silver True Essence descended from above like a waterfall, crashing into the Yuan Sea. After churning about, it gradually sank to the ocean's depths.
The higher the realm of True Essence, the greater its quality. Red Iron True Essence and Pale Silver True Essence could only be pushed upward by Snow Silver True Essence.
At the bottom of the Yuan Sea, a blue-and-white lotus bud swayed gracefully with the currents.
It was none other than the Third Transformation Heavenly Origin Treasure Lotus — known as the Mobile Yuan Spring, capable of providing Fang Yuan with approximately fifty Yuan Stones per day.
Beside the sacred Treasure Lotus lurked the sinister Blood Skull Gu.
On the blood-red skull, within two deep, cavernous eye sockets, purple flames seemed to flicker now and then.
Not far from the Blood Skull Gu sat a crystal sphere, perfectly still.
Within the sphere, clouds and mist swirled, forming the image of an old man with crane-white hair and a youthful face — an ethereal, sage-like figure.
The old man leaned on a cane, his beard long and thick, his expression impassive.
This was the Elder Yuan Gu.
Before, Old Man Yuan's expression had been one of beaming joy, but after Fang Yuan had claimed half his Yuan Stones, his look had shifted to bland indifference.
There was also a jade-pendant-like beetle fossil, semi-transparent and blue-green in hue, radiating a cool, refreshing aura.
This was the Second Transformation Clear Heat Gu, used specifically for detoxification.
On the undulating surface of the sea, the Four Flavor Wine Worm rolled and frolicked among the waves. Its plump body continuously flickered between red, blue, green, and yellow — representing the four flavors of spicy, bitter, sour, and sweet.
Above the Yuan Sea, the Tian Peng Gu and Yang Gu circled around the Snow Silver waterfall, playing and spiraling through the air.
The Tian Peng Gu resembled a large ladybug, its half-spherical milky-white shell dotted with black spots. The Yang Gu radiated a warm, white glow.
Most importantly, the Life Gu still lay in slumber, continuously drawing water from the River of Time to restore its vitality.