Time flowed like the seasons, each day bringing subtle changes. Over half a year had passed.
Lin Fan stood on the cusp of the Blood Transformation Realm's extreme limit, a milestone most considered the pinnacle. With one arm, he could lift over ninety thousand jin of weight, nearly achieving the feat, rivaling the cubs of archaic ferocious beasts from ancient times.
For the human race, naturally frailer than other species, this was no small achievement.
A small, delicate frame growing step by step through relentless effort demanded unimaginable dedication—unlike other races that could achieve such feats with ease.
Yet, Lin Fan seemed an exception. His journey to the extreme limit of the Blood Transformation Realm felt smooth, almost effortless. The so-called extreme limit seemed simple, a matter of steady progress.
His body was like a treasure vault, and cultivation was the key. Once unlocked, vital energy surged forth like a thunderstorm, growing ever stronger, as if a true dragon had burst from the sea.
Moreover, he sensed that even upon reaching the extreme limit, his strength could continue to grow, breaking through with ease, unhindered by the barriers or fatigue others described.
Could this body possess some special physique or bloodline? Lin Fan mused, soaking comfortably in the Immortal Pool, the thought feeling almost unreal. His progress was startlingly swift.
He had started later than others, yet even with daily baths in the Tribulation-Crossing Divine Lotus Pool, reaching this stage in just over a year was astonishing—faster even than the legendary "milk baby" from his memories by more than a year.
That was a destined protagonist, cultivating at a cheat-like pace, both steady and boundary-breaking. Lin Fan, comparing himself to that figure, was only a little over five years old.
Closer to home, Feng Wu, the prime genius of the Heavenly Immortal Academy, had only recently reached the Blood Transformation Realm's extreme limit, and she was nearly two years older. Many already considered her speed remarkable.
The Blood Transformation Realm, as the first stage of cultivation, was unique. Due to various factors—youth, vitality not yet at its lifelong peak—achieving the extreme limit at a young age took time.
Most prodigies needed to be eight or nine to lift ten thousand jin with one arm, some even longer, unable to reach it at all. Only a few gifted races could bypass this rule.
Who were my parents? How did they give me such a powerful treasure of a body? Could Ye Qingxian be right—did I really burst out of a stone? Lin Fan pondered, puzzled.
Typically, a prime genius's birth or a being's innate strength tied back to ancestral bloodlines.
For humans especially, without mighty ancestors, descendants were often ordinary.
Take the "milk baby" or Shi Yi with his double pupils: they became prime geniuses through bloodline atavism, descendants of the Seven Kings of the Borderlands. Most prime geniuses followed this pattern, unless they were innate beings.
Ye Qingxian never speaks a straight word, always teasing me. To think I once believed she was my mother.
Lin Fan huffed, certain he was human, not some shapeshifted creature or sentient immortal metal.
He was curious about his origins. In his past life, he was an orphan, without family, always yearning for connection.
But since crossing over, the first person he met was Ye Qingxian, who claimed he was picked up from a trash heap—not a single truthful word.
"Achoo!"
"Who's talking about me?" Deep in the Uninhabited Zone, Ye Qingxian rubbed her elegant nose.
Her words weren't baseless. When one's cultivation reached a certain level, a mysterious intuition often arose.
___
The Immortal Pool shimmered, its jade-green waves rippling, mist and rosy light swirling. A small figure suddenly appeared near Lin Fan.
It was a delicate little girl, about seven or eight years old, her frame unremarkable, just beginning to show hints of future beauty—a budding lotus yet to bloom.
"Wow, there's a younger sister in the academy? So cute! What's your name?" The girl's tender voice carried surprise and curiosity, her clear, lively eyes sparkling as if she'd discovered something new.
"Hello, big sister. I'm Ye Xian," Lin Fan replied crisply, his tone natural, clearly practiced.
He glanced at her briefly, then lost interest. He had no thoughts about little girls, even if she might grow into a stunning beauty someday—that was a future concern.
He was, after all, a man of refined tastes, not swayed by youthful charms.
"Ye Xian, what a lovely name! Are you from Elder Ye's family?" The girl beamed, bold and friendly, reaching out to pinch Lin Fan's cheek, startling and exasperating him.
Where did this little girl come from, getting handsy right away? Lin Fan sighed, speaking up, "Big sister, please don't pinch my face. It's quite rude."
"Oh, sorry, Ye Xian!" The girl apologized, but her hands didn't stop, her face showing delight.
"So soft, so springy! No wonder my senior sisters love pinching my cheeks—it's addictive."
The girl immersed herself, kneading and tugging, stretching Lin Fan's boyish face.
"Sister, stop! You'll ruin it!" Lin Fan pried her small, fair hands away, unable to tolerate this girl's antics. Why's she suddenly all over me?
If it were a mature beauty, he might indulge, but he had no patience for an undeveloped child.
"Don't be stingy, just a little more!" The girl giggled, eyeing him like a treasure, reluctant to stop.
Usually, her senior sisters pinched her cheeks. Now, finding someone younger and discovering this new delight, she couldn't resist.
"Hmph, big sister, we're not that close. I don't even know your name," Lin Fan said coolly, turning his head, feigning annoyance, uninterested in engaging with this child.
Yet, seeing her refined attire, and knowing he'd frequent this place, he restrained himself from making a scene—otherwise, he'd have sent her crying with a punch.
"You're right!" The girl realized it was their first meeting but quickly warmed up. "I'm Feng Wu. Now we're acquainted, right?"
Adorable and jade-like, Feng Wu reached again to torment Lin Fan's cheeks, only to be ruthlessly swatted away.
If Lin Fan weren't a prime genius, he might've spared Feng Wu a second glance. But now, he felt nothing—she was too young, flat as a board, not worth his attention.
Why waste time when I could be admiring something more… substantial?
"Hehe, little sister, you've got some spirit, but you're not escaping today. You've met me, so just let me knead a bit!" Feng Wu's eyes gleamed with mischief, confident and stubborn.
For some reason, the more he resisted, the more excited she grew, eager to rub that tender, flawless face—the sensation was simply divine.
"Oh, really? Try it, big sister. If you can touch my face again, I'll let you knead all you want today!" Lin Fan laughed, unfazed by her near-obsessive hobby. He was eager to spar with another prime genius.
Though he could only rely on physical strength, unable to use treasure techniques, he wanted to test how far his body alone could go.
Recently, he'd gained deeper insight into his Supreme Bone. It didn't just transform his own treasure techniques into healing arts—it could do the same to his opponents'.
In other words, any runic treasure technique striking him would become a mere healing spell.
Anyone fighting me will have to rely on physical strength alone. Who'd fear that? It's like an alternate form of magic immunity.