Staring at the unassuming black iron ball before him, Zhang Ergou fell into deep thought.
He had clearly felt movement from the iron ball earlier.
Yet now it remained completely still, appearing to be an ordinary black iron ball.
There was no sign of abnormality, and if not for knowing the unusual weight of this iron ball,
Zhang Ergou would have believed it to be just an ordinary iron ball.
No matter how Zhang Ergou tried, the iron ball remained unmoved.
Could it be that he was not opening it the right way?
Suddenly, an idea sparked in Zhang Ergou's mind. When he dueled with Liuhe using magical artifacts, he desperately channeled spiritual energy.
Could the vibration of the iron ball be caused by his internal spiritual energy?
He acted on his thought. Zhang Ergou placed his hand on the surface of the iron ball and began to infuse it with spiritual energy.
Indeed, it worked. The spiritual energy flowing from his body was being channeled into the black iron ball. However, to his disappointment, the spiritual energy entering the black iron ball was like a stone sinking into the sea, causing no disturbance.
Was the amount of spiritual energy infused not enough?
Zhang Ergou increased the volume of spiritual energy he was channeling, his internal energy surging into the interior of the iron ball.
As he continued, Zhang Ergou had already consumed half of his spiritual energy. The iron ball, like a gluttonous beast, accepted everything without refusal.
Yet, there was still no reaction whatsoever.
"What the hell is this thing?"
Zhang Ergou muttered helplessly. He had poured in so much spiritual energy, and still no reaction.
It made him doubt the usefulness of his actions!
...
"What is that kid Zhang Ergou up to? He shut himself in as soon as he got back, all mysterious!"
Wang Teng, Xiao Qingyu, Lin Yichen, Lin Yueru, Lu Xiaoyu, and others sat around the courtyard.
They had originally planned to question Zhang Ergou about his disappearance last night.
But they had not expected the kid to lock himself away as soon as he returned.
The few troublesome friends could only sit in the courtyard, glaring at his room and discussing.
"He must be having some realization. Didn't Ergou say he had an epiphany during the battle!"
Lin Yueru spoke up in Zhang Ergou's defense.
"Keep defending that kid. That was just his excuse!"
Lin Yichen knew Zhang Ergou quite well. Zhang Ergou's appearance had changed from the moment he appeared.
Now that the competition was over, he returned and shut himself in his room again. There must be a secret.
"Zhang Ergou is being unfair. He's going to some good place and not taking us along!"
Xiao Qingyu grumbled.
"Exactly. Zhang Ergou is getting more and more out of line. He really doesn't consider us friends anymore."
Wang Teng chimed in. Lu Xiaoyu, with her big, curious eyes, watched them with glum faces. The clever girl then smiled slightly.
"Are you guys jealous that Zhang Ergou is having another epiphany?"
"Nonsense!"
Lin Yichen, Xiao Qingyu, and Wang Teng spoke in unison.
"How could we have such thoughts? If Zhang Ergou can have an epiphany, we naturally feel happy for him."
"That's right. As sworn brothers, how could we possibly be jealous of our own brother!"
"Indeed. The stronger Zhang Ergou gets, the happier we are. It's impossible to have such thoughts."
The three of them shook their heads like rattles, their faces full of righteousness, absolutely denying any hint of jealousy towards Zhang Ergou.
Lin Yueru and Lu Xiaoyu exchanged glances, both rolling their eyes, clearly not believing the words of the three.
...
"This is strange. All the spiritual energy in my body is almost depleted, yet there's still no movement."
Zhang Ergou was close to giving up. His internal spiritual energy was less than one-tenth of what it was. He reached into his storage ring and took out a handful of pills, swallowing them. His internal spiritual energy recovered somewhat.
He continued to place his hand on the surface of the iron ball, desperately infusing his internal spiritual energy into it.
*Hummm...*
Suddenly, the black iron ball vibrated. Zhang Ergou rejoiced, it seemed to work after all.
Zhang Ergou's mood improved greatly. He sat up straight and continuously poured his internal spiritual energy into the black iron ball.
*Hummm hummm hummm...*
The black iron ball vibrated more violently, and a mysterious luster appeared on its surface.
What terrified Zhang Ergou was that his internal spiritual energy was no longer being actively channeled by him; the black iron ball had begun to absorb it.
Zhang Ergou quickly swallowed a few more pills to replenish his spiritual energy. It was too late to stop now.
The black iron ball seemed to be stuck to his hand. Zhang Ergou was stunned!
He stood there foolishly, letting the black iron ball absorb the spiritual energy from his body.
Zhang Ergou had already consumed an unknown number of spiritual energy replenishing pills. His previously stored pills were almost gone.
Whether it was good or bad fortune, Zhang Ergou gritted his teeth and continued to watch the actions of the black iron ball.
Unknown to Zhang Ergou, changes were also occurring in the outside world.
Centered on Zhang Ergou's room, the spiritual energy of heaven and earth surged inward, and soon Zhang Ergou's room was engulfed in white spiritual energy.
...
"What is Zhang Ergou doing? Why is there such a huge commotion?"
"Is this kid about to break through again? Last time he broke through, it caused a huge reaction in heaven and earth!"
"No way, it's only been such a short time!"
*Hiss!*
A series of gasps could be heard. The courtyard was no longer just Lin Yichen and the others.
Other disciples and elders of the Misty Sect were also drawn by the sudden change in the spiritual energy of heaven and earth, and they all emerged from their respective rooms.
When everyone saw that the center of the spiritual energy was Zhang Ergou's room, their expressions varied.
*Yi!*
Elder Tiandao and several other Nascent Soul cultivators exclaimed in surprise simultaneously. Their divine senses, however, were unable to penetrate Zhang Ergou's room.
The few exchanged glances, and a sense of shock could be seen in each other's eyes.
To be able to block the divine sense probes of Nascent Soul cultivators, how high a level of formation master would be required?
Could it be that Zhang Ergou was also a formation master!?
They had never heard of such a thing. If it were true, then this kid Zhang Ergou would be too terrifying...
Zhang Ergou, naturally, was unaware of the events outside. He was now staring intently at the black iron ball before him.
The black iron ball was no longer just vibrating; it had begun to spin. Although it had detached from Zhang Ergou's hand, the spiritual energy from his body was still being continuously absorbed by it.
Clearly, Zhang Ergou's internal spiritual energy was not enough to satisfy the black iron ball. The spiritual energy of heaven and earth that was surging in from the outside was also drawn in.
When the first trace of heaven and earth spiritual energy was drawn in, it was like a floodgate opening. The spiritual energy of heaven and earth instantly filled the entire room.
Zhang Ergou was startled by this sudden change, but before he could react, his entire body suddenly felt lighter.
A powerful force pulled him, and Zhang Ergou was directly drawn into a space.
Zhang Ergou cautiously observed. This was clearly an independent world...
Spiritual energy permeated the area, dense vegetation stood tall, and he could even hear the roars of a few beasts.
"Where is this?"