Chapter 10 Astounding Progress

• Francis pondered on his own. I wonder what is the origin of the supreme dragon blood in the cauldron. Just a strand, no thicker than a thousandth of a hair, was enough to help me break through Sky Gate Realm Level One and even assisted me in opening up my elixir field. However, after that, there was no more activity. Its true usefulness remains a mystery. Also, the Bedoro Leaf Scripture is undoubtedly a profoundly complex and potent cultivation method. The spiritual energy extracted from the spiritual stones, after all, was a foreign entity and needed to be carefully refined using the cultivation method, purifying the impurities. This step was quite laborious. However, once this spiritual energy circulated through the Bedoro Leaf Scripture's cultivation path nine times, it transformed into the most balanced and purest vital energy. This is something other cultivation methods simply can't achieve! I heard other people's cultivation methods needed at least ninety-nine circulations to convert spiritual energy into vital energy. Some low-grade cultivation methods even require more circulation.
• “What a shame! Unfortunately, my master once told me the Bedoro Leaf Scripture I've been cultivating is merely a fragment of the first volume, not even one percent of the whole text. I could only cultivate it until Sky Gate Realm Level Ten. Once I've reached the Heavenly Gate Realm, I can no longer use it,” he remarked.
• He shook his head, dismissing the thought and chiding himself for being too greedy. I should be deeply grateful that I can use it now.
• As dawn broke, a sliver of pale light emerged on the distant horizon.
• Within a small grove, sounds of wind and thunder echoed, subtle yet distinct.
• Francis was practicing the Palm of Light.
• His entire body was drenched, his clothes soaked with sweat and steam above his head. Despite practicing all night, he didn't feel the slightest bit of fatigue. His strength, equivalent to a thousand kilograms, and the abundance of vital energy made him feel as though his power was endless. He was far from being tired. On the contrary, he felt increasingly invigorated as vital energy flowed through him.
• His hands radiated a golden glow, a faint shade of gold that signified he had mastered the novice level of the Palm of Light.
• As a Yellow Grade upper-tier martial skill, the Palm of Light was by no means easy to master. However, ever since Francis' body was transformed by the strand of mysterious dragon blood, his mind became incredibly lucid and his comprehension significantly improved. After only a few attempts at practicing the Palm of Light, he surprisingly became quite proficient, as if he'd been practicing for several months.
• Up until now, his execution of the Palm of Light had become smooth and seamless, with no hint of hesitation. He had reached an extreme level of familiarity with it.
• Vital energy circulated within his body. With each circulation, his familiarity with it deepened slightly, and his comprehension grew a bit more.
• Suddenly, Francis seemed to have an epiphany. With a heavy strike from his right hand, his vital energy surged, and a golden palm, as if cast from gold, materialized in the air. It was the same size as a real palm and it struck a thick tree with great force. A loud crackling sound echoed as the tree was hit, sending wood chips flying everywhere. Following that, the upper half of the tree wavered before toppling over.
• As the golden palm faded away, Francis stood still, both shocked and elated, staring at his palm in disbelief!
• “Is this the power of the Palm of Light? My Level One Palm of Light has just barely reached the intermediate level, yet it can break a thick tree with one strike! This palm strike must've been at least one thousand two hundred kilograms in force! The Palm of Light truly lives up to its reputation as a Yellow Grade upper-tier martial skill. I can't believe it could exert one hundred and twenty percent of its power. And this is just the intermediate level of Level One. I can't even imagine how terrifying it will be in the future!” he exclaimed.
• Francis cultivated at an impressive speed. He had already reached the intermediate level of the Level One Palm of Light.
• His speed was astonishing. Apart from his enhanced comprehension skills after his body was transformed, it was also due to his inherent compatibility with the Palm of Light.
• Francis' physique was originally unsuitable for cultivating any form of vital energy. The vital energy within him was entirely attributed to the Bedoro Leaf Scripture and the mysterious dragon blood in the cauldron. The Bedoro Leaf Scripture was as radiant as the sun, while the cauldron was ancient and majestic. That single drop of dragon blood was even more domineering, its power as overwhelming as a hellish sea. These factors combined made Francis' vital energy particularly suited for cultivating the Palm of Light.
• As for the excessive vital energy consumption, it was not an issue for Francis. His physique that had been transformed by the mysterious dragon blood and his cultivation of the Bedoro Leaf Scripture made the amount of vital energy within his body far surpass that of other martial artists of the same level. While other Sky Gate Realm Level Three martial artists could only muster the strength of five hundred kilograms, his was a thousand kilograms!
• “Who's there?”
• Approaching noon, Francis was practicing the Palm of Light when he suddenly turned and exclaimed sharply.
• “It's me,” Connor said as he emerged from behind the trees. Staring at Francis in astonishment, he exclaimed, “Francis, your progress is truly astounding, nothing short of miraculous. I can't believe you've reached the peak-stage of Level Three so quickly! And it seems the martial skill you're practicing has also reached the intermediate level.”
• Francis' situation was special, making it difficult to explain to Connor. He smiled and changed the subject as he looked at the cottage not far behind him. The home was bare, void of even basic furniture. “My apologies, Mr. Highmanes. You've made the trip here, but I don't even have a place for you to sit,” he said apologetically.
• Connor waved his hand dismissively, saying, “Francis, I came to see you this time because of an urgent matter. Let's skip the formalities.”
• “What is it, Mr. Highmanes?” Francis asked, turning solemn.