Suddenly! A peculiar sound!
With the infusion of the two supreme energies into his body, Ricky heard sound of crunches and creaks
coming from throughout the inside of his body. This meant that his mortal being was undergoing
significant changes.
The originally orange rays were growing yellow. Layers of black, thick liquid oozed out of his skin,
giving off a foul stench.
In spite of the pungent odor, he focused all his attention on the strenuous practice. To tolerate the sharp
pain, he clenched his fists so tightly that his fingernails began to dig into the flesh of his palms.
He was gritting his teeth, and blood seeped out from the corners of his lips.
For now, the only thing he could to do to fight against the pain was mustering all his willpower and
energy.
Fortunately, the moment didn't last long. He didn't know whether he could make it to the end, even with
his strong willpower.
A loud rumble reverberated in his ears. With a strong momentum erupting, he saw that all the orange
rays had turned yellow. He felt his entire being leap up to a higher level. Anyone could determine his
explosive energy with only a glance at his impressive muscles.
Ricky realized that he had achieved the Third Degree of Nine-degree Body Refining Formula
successfully.
At the Third Degree of Nine-degree Body Refining Formula, he could be unrivaled in the inferior stage
of Blood Purification. It would be no easy task for a warrior even at the third grade of Blood Purification
to beat Ricky without shedding some blood.
"Hooh!"
With a deep exhalation of air, Ricky cracked his eyes open, grimacing as though the severe pain
inflicted on every inch of his skin hadn't faded one bit.
Gritting his teeth, he took off his robe and entered the wooden barrel he had prepared beforehand to
cleanse himself of the impurities eliminated by his body.
But now, his entire body was so tender and sensitive that he had to clean himself extremely gingerly.
He spent a good three hours bathing. The pain took a half day after the bath to fully recede.
Once Ricky felt like he had recovered sufficiently, he took another Water Miraculous Pill and prepared
to resume the cultivation.
For him, right now, every single minute and second was extremely precious.
As he began, he found there was a remainder of the energy of Ice Ganoderma Lucidum and Sacred
Essence Pill in his body.
He was quite excited about this discovery, telling himself, 'They deserve the reputation of Treasures
from Heaven and Earth and high-grade pill. It is so remarkable that there still remained a third of
energy in my body after I broke through the Second Degree of Nine-degree Body Refining Formula.'
To make the best of the remaining energy in his body, Ricky decided to exert Devouring Skill to
cultivate himself.
Within a single day, Ricky had reached peak of the first grade of Blood Purification. Thanks to the
magical efficacy of Water Miraculous Pill, it took only another hour for him to reach the second grade of
the Blood Purification.
After reaching the second grade of Blood Purification, however, Ricky didn't stop. Instead, he
swallowed yet another Water Miraculous Pill and a Water Vitality Fruit as well.
Then he started to refine the Water Vitality Fruit.
It took him another day to ascend to the peak of the second grade of Blood Purification. Riding on the
wave of that momentum, he continued to make a breakthrough and achieved the third grade of Blood
Purification.
By now, Ricky had evolved into a mighty warrior of the third grade of Blood Purification.
''The journey to the Shui Clan has proven to be fruitful. In the span of ten days, I achieved two grades
in one go, ' he thought elatedly, feeling a far stronger power within him.
'To top it all off, I have also entered the Third Degree of Nine-degree Body Refining Formula. What an
achievement!'
But Ricky was also well aware that he would need much practice before he could have stable and
adept performance in applying his newly gained skills and energy.
All of this progress was contributed to two things. First, it took him only a short span of time to reach
the high grade, and second, the fast pace of his elevation was largely due to the Treasures from
Heaven and Earth and the pills, rather than his long-term strenuous cultivation.
It seemed that he had no choice but to rapidly cultivate himself.
Though the Shui Clan was giving him a hand to try to get in his good graces, he knew it was next to
impossible to ask them to tackle West Vanity Valley along with him. He had no one but himself to count
on.
After all, Ricky already had an idea of how to deal with his energy's instability. That was why he had
jumped to such a choice in bolstering his skills.
He knew how to do this. The solution was the Devouring Skill.
After many days of practice of Devouring Skill, he had gained a deeper and more detailed
understanding of the Devouring Skill. He believed that aside from the tangible, the Devouring Skill
could help him devour the intangible things.
These could be things such as the warrior's battle experience, understanding and enlightenment of
cultivation method, etc..
And these things just so happened to be his weaknesses.
He believed that as long as he could continue with the practice of the Devouring Skill and be
industrious in trying to understand its essence, he would be able to make up for the deficiencies.
...
"The Third Degree of Nine-degree Body Refining Formula and the third grade of Blood Purification
have been accomplished. It is time for me to leave!" Ricky murmured with a quiet composure, as he got
to his feet.
He found Agnes and told her he was leaving.
Agnes wasn't surprised. She had expected this; she knew the day of his departure was only a matter of
time. But still, there was a wistful gleam in her eyes.
But she knew she would see him again, though not often. As the fellow disciples of the Snow Sect, they
could have chance to see each other as long as they wanted.
"It seems that you have made great progress after the half-month of secluded cultivation," Agnes said
quietly. She could sense a stronger energy inside Ricky's body. Much more formidable.
If only she knew that Ricky had achieved the third grade of Blood Purification, she would have been
struck dumb.
"Well, you also have reached the first grade of Blood Purification, haven't you, Agnes?" Ricky chuckled
wistfully.
"If I were to keep lingering with my skills, I am afraid even having a glimpse of your back would become
one of my wild wishes," Agnes said half-jokingly, the reluctance clear in her eyes.
"Well... we'd better stop talking that stuff. When do you plan to leave?" she asked, turning her eyes
away.
"I don't plan. I leave when I want to. It is tonight!" Ricky replied, with a determined look flashing through
his eyes. 'The people of West Vanity Valley, you'd better prove to me what little humanity you have, or I
will show no mercy to you!' he kept this thought to himself.
"All right, it would be safe to leave at night!" Agnes commented. She then grew excited and said, "By
the way, here is some good news for you!"
"What is it?"
"Grandmaster has consented to appoint top level warriors to help you hold back the warriors of West
Vanity Valley at intermediate and advanced stage of Blood Purification. That way, you can focus your
energy to tackle those at the lower stage!" Agnes replied, smiling earnestly.
"Is that true, Agnes?"
Ricky's grim face was lit up by a smile of delight.
"Well, do you doubt that a demi-immortal would go back on her word to you, an insignificant Blood
Purification warrior?" Agnes retorted in a mocking tone.
"Oh, Agnes! You know I really appreciate it! Please do send my regards to your grandmaster. I own her
one!" Ricky was brimming with gratitude.
For him, this was an exceptional favor.
In spite of all of his accomplishments in terms of the skills and ability, he would be no more than an ant
when confronted with those warriors at intermediate and advanced stages of Blood Purification.
He had once thought dejectedly that what he was about to do would be no more than a game of luck,
and he was going to risk his neck.
But now, the conditions had changed drastically. He stood a better chance. The Shui Clan had offered
a valuable hand to him, and he would never forget it.
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