Apotheosis – Ascension to Godhood Chapter 12 (2)

Chapter 12: Efforts (2)
During this time period, the impurities residing inside Luo Zheng's bones was emptied clean. As he bathed, the clear water flowing on the ground immediately turned to a thick, viscous, milky color.
The impurities poured out therein was due to the tempering of the body over the past several days. In Luo Zheng's regards, he was clearing his impurities at the rate of cultivators who'd cultivated to clear out the impurities in their bodies over the course of several months.
The speed in which Luo Zheng's cultivation rose was godsend!
During the day, he'd be beaten, a meat target for the disciples, and by night, he'd practice diligently without stop.
Moreover, he'd only sleep so few hours, yet he was not the least bit tired. His eyes were as clear as the tranquil river.
Only reason he was full of vigorous energy was because of the mysterious "Nine Dragon Furnace" that appeared in the depths of his mind. That night, his soul had been tempered and refined by the nine dragons. His soul broke thousands of times.
But after surviving the pain, he was no longer the same. He felt different, and he knew the nine dragons' were the cause of the sudden change.
Within the human body, the most difficult thing to train was the soul for it was hidden deep within the human body's secret plane, invisible and untouchable. The average man would find it arduous to train their soul.
It was also mentioned there were higher level techniques found inside Clear Heaven Sect that could affect a person's soul, such as the Soul Refinement Technique.
But Luo Zheng knew he was unable to touch them, so he didn't delve into the matter too much. Now, since he couldn't sleep, he thought he'd use the free time he had to cultivate.
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Soon, twenty days passed in the blink of an eye.
Bam!
Luo Zheng's punch cracked the thick stone walls of the cellar.

He only used seventy percent of his strength, yet the power contained inside it was terrifying. Had he not held back, he's sure he'd have destroyed the cellar.
After half a month of tempering and cultivating, his strength had improved yet again.
From the middle of the Bone Refining Stage, he jumped to the peak stage. At the peak Bone Refining Stage, one's strength could reach up to a thousand jin.
A thousand jin of strength was officially considered the first step to entering the Martial Way.
In less than a month's time, Luo Zheng crossed from the peak of Flesh Refining Stage to the peak Bone Refining Stage. It'd be difficult to find another Luo Zheng in the entire empire who had the same fast rapid growth as him.
After all, tempering the impurities out of the body required continuous perseverance.
Luo Zheng had relied on years of cultivation all on his own, and the amount he had improved was pitiful. However, by using the method he had been doingas of recent, his speed increased from a hundred to a thousand times.
When he had been beaten up today, he soon felt that his body had yet again undergone numerous changes.
Though he felt no pain from the punches and kicks received, he felt only a slight pinch, suddenly noticing the strength of the Luo Clan's disciple becoming lighter and lighter.

Luo Zheng immediately observed the disciples in secret. They weren't holding back, but why does it feel weaker?
Not only that, the warm current he felt from each punch was lesser than the beginning.
Previously, a punch could produce a warm current flow the size of a thumb, but it now felt like it was the size of a pinky finger. Figures. Of course the efficiency of the warm current would reduce.
When Luo Zheng returned back to the cellar to take a bath, he discovered the impurities he forced out had been reduced to a half.
These changes caused his heart to grow severely anxious. What had gone wrong? Had his body become rigid?
According to the mysterious manual, the strength of his body should be on par to an Inferior Grade Profound Artifact.
After a Profound Artifact was tempered constantly, its strength should gradually increase. If its strength we're to reach a certain degree, then the effects would outweigh a normal artifact.
Most of the disciples from the Luo Clan training in the Martial Arts Practice Hall were at the Flesh Refining Stage, Luo Dalong included.

As Luo Dalong punched and tackled Luo Zheng with a force of a few hundred pounds, the effect was pitiful. It would seem that to grow, Luo Zheng would need to find a stronger person to beat him up.
But where could Luo Zheng? He certainly wouldn't allow those old, doggy elders to make a move against him…
"In a few days, the day of the clan's competition will commence. All the disciples of the Luo Clan will no doubt use their full strength. The amount of beating I'll get should increase, and hopefully, the strength and force behind it too. More importantly, if I'm able to breath my opponent in a fight to the death, I'll then be able to remove my status as a servant and leave the Luo Clan in an honorable manner."
With Luo Zheng's current body strength, those disciples wouldn't be able to shake him. So what if they had a teacher to guide their growth? So what?
Inside the cellar, Luo Zheng's bright eyes twinkled. Under the illumination of the candlelight, a resolute expression appeared on his countenance.
He had never forgotten the grudge he held and the death of his father. He made a logical judgement to endure the humiliation faced in the past because of his weakness. He was unable to do anything. But now that he'd been lucky enough to possess a miraculous refining technique that changed his physique, and allowing him to progress at a rapid pace.
Luo Zheng, he had to seize the opportunity standing right before him…