The grandmaster of the Sage Faction, having witnessed the disorderly behavior between the two,
decided to interject. "Enough!" she boomed authoritatively. Lyndon dropped Ricky's collar as he calmed
himself from his burst of anger. Ricky was fortunate that the grandmaster was around to subdue the
situation. Lyndon was from the family of Greenhill -- known to be one of the best in the field of martial
arts. It would be problematic for Ricky should he cross the line with this person without bearing any
consequences.
They both knew that they wouldn't want to be an embarrassment in front of the demi-immortal. Lyndon
gave Ricky a threatening look and said, "You'd better stay in the Shui Clan for as long as you can.
Once you left the front door of this house, you'll suffer the consequences."
After being shamelessly intimidated, Lyndon thought it best to leave the house of Shui family. He
decided to leave with his pride intact. After packing his bags, he walked away without looking back.
The situation back there was getting uncomfortable and disturbing for his own taste. He also noticed
that the menacing remarks and the underhanded commentaries was making everyone uneasy. Walking
away from the situation was definitely the wisest thing to do.
At last, the competition in the house of Shui was finally over. As the winner of the competition, the
Purity Faction gained control over the Billow City. This paved the way to Ricky's fame in the family--
everyone knew his name after the victory.
Through Ricky's fame, the rumors spread like wildfire. People even believed that Ricky and Agnes
were in love with each other.
Ricky and Agnes were both equally tired after the match so they decided to return to the Purity
Faction's courtyard. As soon as they set foot in the courtyard, the faction's grandmaster summoned
them to her practice palace.
For the longest time, Ricky only had descriptions of the grandmaster in his head. He never really knew
what she truly looked like. But now, he was finally going to meet her in person. Arriving in the palace,
he was mildly surprised that she looked slightly different from what he had pictured.
The grandmaster was a charming mature woman. She was statuesque and had defined facial features
that only showed beauty. There was strength and wisdom in her eyes and a proud carriage shown in
her jutting jaw line. There were few wrinkles that graced her visage but she was undeniably beautiful
for her age -- the kind that would made men swoon over her.
"Grandmaster!" Both the warriors greeted the grandmaster with respect. Agnes entered the palace and
Ricky followed suit.
"Well, you must be the disciple of the Snow Sect, young fierce warrior Ricky!" The grandmaster said as
she fixed her eyes on Ricky.
"Please, grandmaster, just call me by my name. I'm too embarrassed to be called like that," Ricky said
shyly.
"Good. You are very polite and modest!" She praised him again.
"Ricky, I've called you here to show gratitude and to fulfill my promise!" The elder continued.
The grandmaster turned her palms over and pulled out two fruits from her Storage Ring. Ricky noticed
that these fruits contained a lot of moisture and he could instantly sense the huge amounts of energy
even from afar.
"Oh my goodness! That's the Water Vitality Fruit" Agnes said with a shock look on her face. She had
already heard of the fruit since everyone talked about it.
"Yes, they are. They're Water Vitality Fruit, intermediate Treasures from Heaven and Earth. If taken and
refined properly, it can help warriors at the inferior and intermediate stage of Blood Purification to move
up a level without taking the risk of sequel!" The elder nodded.
"Wow! Intermediate Treasures from Heaven and Earth! Move up a level?" Ricky exclaimed as he was
dumb struck with how magical and powerful the fruit was.
In the Snow Sect, he had chosen an Ice Ganoderma Lucidum, which was also an intermediate
Treasure from Heaven and Earth. He was thankful that the grandmaster of the Purity Faction was
generous enough to give him another treasure at the same level.
'Is it so important to help her gain control over the Billow City?' Ricky wondered.
Ricky did not have any idea that the control over the Billow City would go to either side with the same
result. The grandmaster lured him with the treasure just to get close to him. She wanted to win him
over to join the Shui Clan.
Without hesitation, Ricky agreed to accept one of the Water Vitality Fruits.
He grabbed the fruit and thanked the grandmaster. To Ricky, it would make him a hypocrite if he
refused such treasure.
"Well, Ricky, I have another gift for you. Take five of these Water Miraculous Pills! " The grandmaster
reached for the Storage Ring again and retrieved five clear pills and handed them over to Ricky.
"Does the Water Miraculous Pill also contribute to the promotion of practice?" Ricky asked as he took
the pills.
"No, it doesn't." "It's a medium meditative pill," Agnes explained. "It improves the warrior's spirit and
energy for a period of time."
"To be taken in combat, the energy boost will help the warrior increase his combat strength by at least
10 percent. If taken during a breakthrough, the energy boost will help the warrior increase his chances
by around 20 percent."
"Of course, this only applies to warriors at the state of Blood Purification."
"It's really an incredible pill, given that it can help a warrior with both his improvement and break
through!" Ricky had a tinge of joy in his face after hearing what the pills can do. 'Who would refuse
such an amazing offer?' Ricky thought to himself. He gave out his hand and accepted the five Water
Miraculous Pills.
"Well, Ricky, if you are not in a hurry to return to the Snow Sect, you are welcome to stay here much
longer!"
The invitation from the grandmaster was good news for Ricky. Several killers of West Vanity Valley
were on the loose and this invitation was an opportune moment for Ricky to avoid the fiasco --this could
also mean his protection.
If he stayed at Shui Clan for a while and avoided to meet Jason and Alan, then the West Vanity Valley
might give him a break.
Ricky sensed and had evidently understood the grandmaster's intention. He nodded and replied, "Then
I accept your invitation to stay. I promise to not be such a bother while I'm here."
"Haw-haw, you're welcome!" The grandmaster replied with glee.
As soon as their conversation ended, Ricky left, leaving the grandmaster to speak to Agnes alone.
Then Ricky went back to his room and took out the five Water Miraculous Pills. He examined each pill
one by one carefully.
'I can't believe that this pill can improve the spirit and energy of warriors, and now I'm even more
confident that I can successfully break through, ' Ricky thought.
Ricky made his stay worthwhile and had decided to break through before leaving the Shui Clan.
Ricky had not undergone any breakthrough after entering the Blood Purification state. But today, he
realized that he needed to protect himself better especially with the strong enemies from the West
Vanity Valley. This would be the perfect time for him to undergo the breakthrough.
Upon making the decision, he regulated his breath all day to condition himself.
He told Agnes that he wanted to be alone and undisturbed while he performed the act. With his
instruction, Agnes immediately agreed and told the grandmaster.
This process required not only the grandmaster's approval but he also needed extra protection. Out of
the generosity of the grandmaster, she ordered some guards at the Blood Purification state to protect
him.
After conditioning himself, Ricky then took a Water Miraculous Pill.
The pill immediately made him more focused and his perception of the mind became more accurate.
"Wow! This Water Miraculous Pill at the intermediate level really makes a difference!" Ricky exclaimed
in excitement.
Then, from the Devourer Zone, he took out the Ice Ganoderma Lucidum he got from the Treasure
Tower of the Snow Sect. He also got the superior elixir Heather had given him -- the Sacred Essence
Pill!
The Ice Ganoderma Lucidum's nature was that of ice, while the Sacred Essence Pill's was fire. These
pills were perfect for the conditions of cultivating the Nine-degree Body Refining Formula.
Before the main breakthrough, he first needed to make a development in the Nine-degree Body
Refining Formula. Otherwise, the break through would make his combat power grow like that of an
ordinary warrior at the state of Blood Purification.
Performing this kind method would give him a big boost in power.
As soon as Ricky started the Devouring Skill and the Devourer Zone, he directly absorbed the frosty
power in the Ice Ganoderma Lucidum and the infernal power in the Sacred Essence Pill.
Drenched by such extreme powers, he did not get away from the agony and pain. The process was so
painful that it was comparable to being gnawed by ten thousand ants!
Ricky's body trembled as the pain ate his insides.
Right after the first process, he proceeded to perform the Second Degree of Nine-degree Body
Refining Formula. The pain and agony lingered all throughout his body. Luckily, being the genius
warrior that he was, he reached its peak in only four days.
"This is the moment!" Ricky was determined to break through. He mustered up his courage and fought
back the relentless pain that tortured his body.
After the Second Degree of Nine-degree Body Refining formula, he then unleashed the Devouring Skill
and Devourer Zone. It was not long before they reached their peak. Suddenly, the frosty power and
infernal power that were absorbed during the process poured into his whole body.
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