68 Skin Augmentation Pill (1/2)

Around ten minutes later, Shi Li met the fifth clone he had to defeat. There was not much of a difference between the fifth and the fourth clone, it was just a matter of how much energy the False Energy Core currently held.

In the span of a few minutes, the fifth clone dissipated after being sneak attacked by Shi Li using a magma pool behind the clone's back. Shi Li controlled the magma pool from afar and formed a lava spike that pierced through the clone's body.

The clone didn't expect it at all, but it still left words of encouragement as it laughed while it slowly crumbled.

Shi Li asked the interface on how much stamina he had left. The interface responded with a screen saying that Shi Li still had a considerable amount remaining.

With that, he sat down as took a small rest for a bit because he had to face against a clone of himself that was at the Peak of the Tempering realm.

...

Shi clan, outside the Shi Trial Tower.

”It has been over an hour since they entered the tower. How do you think Shi Li is faring?” Shi Xingwan asked Senior Yan as his legs were moving erratically with nervousness.

Senior Yan couldn't help but give out a chuckle as he looked at Shi Xingwan's current expression. But after a while, this laughter turned into a serious expression as he placed his hand over Shi Xingwan's shoulder.

”Don't worry Xingwan. I'm sure your son is doing great. The first test might look hard, but it's the easiest out of all the tests for Shi Li. You do know about the Heaven and Earth aura he has right?”

Shi Xingwan's eyes widened. He did know that as he witnessed it first-hand in the tournament a month ago. Even though it was something commonly seen only those at the Creation realm and above, this aura was able to do a lot of things.

Knowing this, Shi Xingwan calmed down as his nerves relaxed, allowing him to look at the tests at a more logical perspective. After a while, he gave out a laugh as he said, ”What was I worrying for? My son has her bloodline and the training from the strongest person in the clan, how could he be defeated that easily?”

Senior Yan laughed a bit as he examined Shi Xingwan's condition using his spirit sense. All of a sudden, his eyes widened to the point of bursting as he couldn't help but shout.

”Xingwan, you...?!”

Shi Xingwan looked at him and tilted his head. ”Hm?”

Senior Yan went back to a serious expression as he said, ”Your energy core is almost at the point of destruction. Aren't you supposed to try and break through to the Ascended Mortal realm?”

Shi Xingwan shook his head as he gave a slight smile. His current expression felt like he was in control of everything. ”I can't even try at all. My energy core has too much cracks already. Even if I was lucky enough to break through the first seal and transform it into my energy core, this energy core would still explode and kill me.”

His smile grew wider as if he accepted fate. ”So why not just accept fate and let nature take its course?”

”Are you sure about this? Don't you have any regrets?” Senior Yan asked. He felt like he was talking to a person who wasn't afraid of death, and that was definitely the case.

”Hehe. Why would I regret? As long as I live to his glory at the Year-End Tournament, I can die without regrets,” Shi Xingwan chuckled.

”Do you really want to do this? You do know about the Core Resurrection Pill right?” Senior Yan tried to dissuade Shi Xingwan from accepting his death.

”Of course I do!” Shi Xingwan couldn't help but frown. ”But its rarity is comparable to a Grade 6 Cultivation Pill, a pill that has an energy comparable to a cultivator at the True Principle realm! How do you expect me to get one?!”

Shi Xingwan's tears started to fall down. ”I'm trying to become optimistic here but you just had to question me on and on about things, forcing me to reveal my true nature. Of course I don't want to die that early! If I could trade my soul in exchange for my energy core to be fixed, of course I'd take it!”

He then remembered that he was talking to Senior Yan, as he hurriedly bowed down to apologize. ”I-I forgot who I was talking to and got carried away...”

Senior Yan sighed as he embraced Shi Xingwan. ”There, there. Let all of your worries out and truly live without regrets. You don't want to see your son looking at your crying face, now do you?”