Jian sat in deep meditation, spiritual energy flowing through him like a river of molten light. Sweat dripped down his neck. His meridians throbbed in pain, pulsing with every cycle of his cultivation method. The bottleneck between the 6th Realm: Core Formation and 7th Realm: Golden Core loomed before him like a stubborn boulder refusing to move.
He had tried everything. Adjusting his breathing. Slowing his cycles. Forcing more energy. Forcing less. Nothing worked.
Hours passed. His legs went numb. His mind wavered.
Only when he reached the brink of collapsing did the system finally chime.
[Recommended Action Detected.]
[Trigger: 'Heaven-Piercing Breathing Technique — Minor Variant.']
A new technique lit up in his mind.
Jian's eyes snapped open. "A breathing technique…?"
But as the knowledge settled into him, he understood. This wasn't some grand martial skill—it was simply a subtle correction to his breathing rhythm, aligning his internal energy flow with the natural frequencies of his meridians.
He inhaled.
The air entered smoothly.
He exhaled.
The pain eased.
Cycle after cycle, the stubborn boulder cracked. His meridians brightened with spiritual fire.
Then—
BOOM.
Golden energy erupted from his body, scattering dust and leaves around him.
Jian opened his eyes and exhaled a breath of warm gold.
He had stepped into the 7th Realm.
Another step taken.
Another part of the path cleared.
But the peak he sought was still far above