Apotheosis

Zen was stunned at the power surging within him.

"What strong power!"

Zen's body was so strong that he rarely felt any pressure under any amount of force.

He had hardly been able to bear the Ways-blending Energy earlier. He felt that the Other Shore Power he had obtained from the Strength God Totem was going to leave him feeling the same way.

Two sharp knocks sounded at the door.

"Darling, what's going on?"

Margaret's voice sounded, muffled from across the door.

Zen was in seclusion and no one was allowed to enter the room. But the people outside had become worried at the loud noise.

"Just a small accident," Zen called back.

There was silence for a few seconds before Margaret spoke, her voice full of concern. "Please be careful," she said. She waited for an answer but when he didn't respond, she turned and left.

It was difficult for Margaret to understand the kind of cultivation method or power that Zen had acquired and whether or not he would spiral into madness.

Zen raised his hand and a ray of green light gathered around his arm, instantly healing the injury.

"Four hundred divine megatons is my limit?"

Zen murmured as he stretched his arm out again.

The black spot on his arm began to expand and had soon covered his whole arm, turning it into one smooth black expanse.

The Shade Stone could strengthen his corporeal body, but he was still not sure of the limits it would give him.

"Four hundred divine megatons!"

This time, Zen released four hundred divine megatons of force in one go.

Under the horrifying force, his arm was still strong as before.

"Five hundred divine megatons!"

He felt a sharp pain searing his arm, but he told himself he could bear it.

"Six hundred divine megatons!"

"Seven hundred divine megatons!"

It was under the seven hundred divine megatons that a crisp crack rang out from his arm.

The bones of his arm had broken under the pressure.

Zen withdrew his strength, frowning.

There was no doubt that the Shade Stone could greatly strengthen his body. But it was not enough.

The body was made up of internal organs, flesh, muscles, and bones, and the Shade Stone could only protect some parts of his body. He wished he could get his hands on a few more Shade Stones, because if he did and his body absorbed them, it would improve his physical strength multi-

own the mountain, climbed over the Sword Wall, and entrusted them to Monica.

Monica's eyes widened when she saw them. It was obvious that she wanted to say something, but words failed her.

Zen spent some time with the disciples in the Dragon City and then went up the mountain again.

He returned to his courtyard house and was surprised to find that Imran had come to visit him. Imran had reached the seventh floor of the Flow Tower and had become qualified to live in an independent courtyard house as well.

"Zen," Imran greeted Zen, saluting respectfully.

Ever since Zen had made it to the tenth floor of the Flow Tower in one go, his name had become well known across the Flow Sword Sect.

The disciples of the Flow Sword Sect, both those who owned the independent courtyard houses and the ordinary ones, had almost achieved nothing of late.

Rumor was that it was because of Zen.

After all, mind cultivating was a significant characteristic of the Flow Sword Sect. On the day of Zen's performance, they had been so shocked that his performance had been so good.

"Hey, Imran! What can I do for you?" Zen asked.

"The elite disciples of the Flow Sword Sect have a gathering today. They have sent me to invite you. May I have the honor?" Imran said, bowing slightly.

Those who lived in the separate courtyard houses had formed a new clique. More than twenty disciples in this area were the future hope of the Flow Sword Sect, and they often got together.

But Zen had focused on his cultivation and had never visited his neighbors ever since he had moved in.