Shen Yanzhou remained seated cross-legged within the formation, his body enveloped in a brilliant bronze aura.
At first, the pain had been bearable.
Now, it was becoming increasingly difficult to endure.
His muscles tightened involuntarily, every fiber in his body seeming to pull in a different direction. It felt as though invisible hands were gripping his flesh and stretching it apart, only to release it for a brief moment before pulling again.
His fingers curled against his knees.
Damn it...
A bead of sweat rolled down his forehead, sliding past his temple before dripping onto his robe.
I have to endure this.
He clenched his teeth and forced himself to remain still. His shoulders trembled slightly, and his breathing grew heavier as another wave of pain swept through his body.
Endure it. Just endure it!
He had already made it this far. The thought of giving up now was almost unbearable in its own right.
After all, he had finally begun to take cultivation seriously. If he gave up at this point, wouldn't all his previous efforts have been wasted?
But the pain showed no signs of stopping.
Instead, it grew sharper with every passing moment.
His arms felt as though they were being stretched from their sockets. His legs twitched uncontrollably, and the muscles along his back contracted so violently that he nearly lost his balance.
He quickly steadied himself, his jaw clenched so tightly that it began to ache.
Think, Shen Yanzhou! Think! There has to be a way to distract myself from this!
His thoughts raced desperately.
That's right! Women! Beautiful women!
His eyes lit up for the briefest moment.
I heard that those who awaken high-grade Seeds can become powerful cultivators. And powerful cultivators can travel the world, explore ancient ruins, and meet all kinds of beautiful women!
The corners of his mouth twitched.
Just imagine it! A whole world filled with beautiful women waiting to be impressed by a handsome, talented young master like me!
For a moment, the thought almost made him forget his suffering.
Almost.
A fresh surge of pain tore through his muscles, making his entire body stiffen.
Gah! Forget the world! Just give me a few beautiful women to look at, and I'll gladly endure this!
He drew a shaky breath through his nose.
No, no. I must hold on!
His fingers dug into his knees.
For the beautiful women! For the countless beautiful women I have yet to meet!
He silently repeated those words like a desperate mantra.
His imagination became increasingly vivid as he tried to focus on anything other than the torment ravaging his body.
Then another wave struck.
His vision blurred, and his stomach lurched. A sharp, involuntary gasp escaped between his clenched teeth as his muscles contracted all at once.
AHHH! DAMN IT! WHY DOES IT HURT EVEN MORE NOW?!
His bronze aura flickered around him.
Sweat soaked through the back of his robe, and his trembling hands could barely remain on his knees. Every attempt to steady his breathing seemed to make him more conscious of the pain spreading through his body.
Yet he refused to give in.
Beautiful women... beautiful women... beautiful women...
He repeated the words over and over, desperately clinging to the ridiculous thought as though it were a lifeline.
I haven't even met all the beautiful women in this world yet! How can I possibly give up here?!
His expression twisted as the pain intensified once more.
HOLD ON, SHEN YANZHOU! THIS IS FOR YOUR FUTURE!
Just as Shen Yanzhou began to feel that he might be able to endure a little longer, the flow of spiritual energy within the formation suddenly surged.
BOOM!
A much larger wave of energy slammed into his body.
Shen Yanzhou's eyes flew open. Before he could even prepare himself, another wave of excruciating pain erupted throughout his body.
“Ugh!”
His body jerked violently.
Previously, the pain had felt as though his muscles were being pulled in opposite directions. Now, the sensation was far stranger. One part of his body felt as cold as ice, while another seemed to be burning alive. The opposing sensations alternated relentlessly, making it difficult for him to distinguish what he was truly feeling from the bizarre distortions caused by the spiritual energy coursing through his body.
His hands trembled violently.
Sweat streamed down his face, and his breathing grew increasingly ragged.
Then, a transformation began.
The bronze aura surrounding him started to tremble. Its golden-brown radiance flickered several times before gradually losing its color.
For a brief moment, Shen Yanzhou thought his suffering might finally be coming to an end.
Unfortunately, that hope lasted only an instant.
The color of his aura began to change, gradually shifting from bronze to a brilliant silvery white.
Silver Seed!
Unfortunately, Shen Yanzhou had absolutely no time to admire the transformation.
“Ughhh! DAMN IT!”
He cursed inwardly, his face contorting as he struggled to endure the agony.
Damn this cursed cultivation!
Who the hell came up with this ridiculous cultivation system?!
If I were the one who created cultivation, I would make it a thousand times better!
There would be no need to torture people like this. Just absorb the energy of love from beautiful women, and your cultivation would improve while you enjoyed life!
That's right! Cultivation powered by love and beautiful women! How perfect would that be?!
He almost laughed at his own brilliant idea.
But before his fantasy could develop any further—
“AAAHHH! DAMN IT! IT HURTS SO MUCH!”
Another surge of spiritual energy slammed into his body.
His back stiffened, his fingers dug into his knees, and sweat poured down his face. The intensifying pain shattered every last thought of his supposedly revolutionary cultivation method.
DAMN THIS CULTIVATION! ITS CREATOR MUST HAVE HAD A PERSONAL GRUDGE AGAINST ALL OF HUMANITY!
He dragged in a desperate breath, struggling to remain conscious.
Yet the pain continued to push him toward his limits.
“Ahhh... damn it...!”
His lips trembled. Even regulating his breathing required every ounce of willpower he possessed.
Then, amid his suffering, Chang Shiyue's face suddenly appeared in his mind.
Her beautiful face, usually so composed. Her cool, phoenix-shaped eyes. Her long black hair, neatly arranged, and the faint fragrance of plum blossoms that always accompanied her.
The image gave him a small spark of motivation.
Shiyue...
He gritted his teeth.
For Shiyue!
His thoughts then drifted toward the countless other beautiful women he might encounter in the future.
And for every beautiful woman in this world!
He clenched his fists with what little strength he had left.
This honorable gentleman swears that he will endure for all of you, my darlings!
“Ughhh... AHHHH!”
Another agonized groan escaped his mouth.
Hold on, Shen Yanzhou! If you give up now, how are you supposed to face Shiyue? How will you ever meet all those other beautiful women?!
The silvery-white aura surrounding him grew brighter.
Meanwhile, Shen Yanzhou continued fighting to remain conscious, clinging to the only motivation that could keep him going as the torment grew increasingly unbearable.
For Shiyue... for all the beautiful women... I will not give up!
I HAVE TO ENDURE!