Ten days later, Luo Chen once again sat beside the Ice-Fire Spirit Spring.

He was no longer flustered and frustrated as before. He was composed now—calm, centered, and focused.

In his hand, he held a large jade bottle. Inside swirled a golden liquid that shimmered like captured sunlight, Imperial Nectar.

Taking a deep breath, Luo Chen drank the Imperial Nectar.

"So what if it's a toxic pill barrier?" he murmured. "In the end, it's still just a wall. And if I could break the dantian barrier created by a five-spirit root constitution, how could I not break a mere toxic pill barrier?

The Imperial Nectar slid down his throat, turning into a warm liquid that instantly spread through his stomach. Strands of medicinal energy flowed like trickling streams, gathering in his dantian.

Unlike the violent, raging power of a Foundation Establishment pill, the Imperial Nectar was gentle almost deceptively so.

It made him feel warm… drowsy… almost at peace.

No pain!

Just a hazy, drifting comfort.

Luo Chen nearly succumbed to the sensation. But instinctively, he activated the Divine Breaker of Malevolence, sending precise stings of energy through his acupuncture points. The flickers...