I Can Level Up Infinitely

Leon somehow managed to reach the crystal-like stone and grabbed it.

[Spiritual energy detected.]

[Host can cultivate by absorbing the spiritual energy contained within the spirit stone.]

A series of notifications appeared before him. Leon slowly moved and sat down in a lotus position. He placed the crystal in front of him and closed his eyes. As his breathing settled into a steady rhythm, streams of spiritual energy drifted out of the crystal and flowed into his body.

[You have absorbed Qi.

Qi: 200 / 1.3 T]

[You have absorbed Qi.

Qi: 400 / 1.3 T]

Even without the aid of fire or ice, Leon’s cultivation speed had reached 200 Qi per second thanks to his Level 3 Heaven-Devouring Physique and the Mystic Monarch Ascension breathing technique. His absorption speed was already astonishingly fast.

However, in his current situation, where he had to replenish 1.3 trillion Qi within a single day while also mastering the next form of Sword Art Breathing, even 200 Qi per second felt painfully slow. At this rate, even cultivating nonstop for an entire day wouldn’t be enough to fully replenish his dantian.

A slight frown appeared on Leon’s face. After cultivating for more than thirty minutes, he slowly opened his eyes.

"At this rate, I won’t even be able to refill my dantian, let alone practice my sword forms. What should I do?" he muttered as he fell into deep thought.

Suddenly, a thought flashed through his mind.

"What if I swallow this crystal the same way I swallow monster cores? Would I be able to absorb all the Qi inside it instantly?"

He picked up the crystal and examined it for a brief moment before deciding to gamble. He placed it inside his mouth.

Then...

Gulp.

He swallowed it.

The instant the crystal reached his stomach, a flood of notifications erupted before his eyes.

[You have absorbed Qi.]

[You have absorbed Qi.]

[You have absorbed Qi.]

[Qi: 1.9 T / 2.6 T]

"Fuck! Hahahahaha!" Leon burst into laughter. "It actually worked! But what kind of treasure was that crystal? A single crystal not only restored all of my Qi, but also gave me enough to prepare for my next breakthrough." His face was filled with excitement.

He sprang to his feet and lightly stretched his body. "I’ve already mastered the Second Form. It’s time to start practicing the Third Form."

Instead of worrying about the outcome, Leon devoted all of his attention to learning the Third Form — Destructive Thrust.

He had already mastered the first crucial aspect, the posture. He had also gained a basic understanding of the second crucial aspect, the concentration of energy.

However, he was still lacking in the third crucial aspect — the line of attack.

So he focused entirely on mastering it.

Whoooosh!

Whoooosh!

Whoooosh!

Again and again, Leon thrust his sword forward.

With every strike, he concentrated on keeping the starting point of the hilt and the tip of the blade perfectly aligned in a single straight line. But no matter how hard he tried, the sword would always deviate ever so slightly from that ideal path.

Meanwhile...

A figure hovered high above the sky.

Although his physique resembled that of a human, his crimson skin made him look like a demon. Two sharp horns protruded from his forehead, while his long black hair billowed in the wind.

From his position in the sky, he watched everything Leon was doing below.

A faint smile spread across his face as he saw Leon swallow the crystal.

"This fellow..." he muttered. "He’s just like Master."

A trace of confusion appeared in his crimson eyes. "But even though he’s human, how can he possess such a body? And those two bloodlines... Is it merely a coincidence? Or is something else going on?"

After a moment of silence, he shook his head. "Whatever. I only need to carry out Master’s orders. If he’s worthy, he shall inherit the legacy. It seems the Demon Sword will finally have an owner once again."

One hour passed.

Then two.

Leon continued to practice, intending to master the third crucial thing, the line of attack. After reaching the Martial Master Realm, going without food for an extended period was no longer a burden. With only a single day before the next phase began, there was only one thing he could do.

Practice.

Relentlessly.

He didn’t grow physically exhausted, but sweat soaked his entire body. It streamed down his face and dripped onto the ground as though he were a fountain.

Before he knew it, the day had come to an end. Yet he still hadn’t mastered the Third Form.

Leon let out a helpless sigh before lowering his sword. There was nothing more he could do now. He quietly waited for the second phase of the trial to begin.

"Your second phase shall begin now."

The majestic voice echoed throughout the space.

Instantly, a transparent barrier materialized around Leon, trapping him inside. At the same time, a gas-like substance rapidly filled the enclosed space.

The moment it touched his body, his flesh began to corrode. Skin peeled away at a horrifying speed, exposing the white bones beneath.

But that wasn’t the real problem.

The real problem was that his self-healing ability had become completely useless. For some reason, whatever power the barrier possessed was suppressing his abilities.

"This barrier..." Leon muttered as he pressed his palm against its surface. "Without the Second Form, this really would’ve been the end for me."

He tightened his grip on the black claymore. Without the slightest hesitation, he raised the sword and swung.

Clang!

The impact sent a violent vibration through the blade, but the barrier remained completely unmoved.

Leon attacked again.

Clanggggg!

This time, his arm didn’t tremble, yet the barrier stood like an indestructible wall.

Clang!

Clang!

Clang!

Three more consecutive slashes. Still nothing. A hint of panic flashed across Leon’s face. "Don’t tell me my comprehension of the Second Form still hasn’t reached the required level to break this barrier..."

He gritted his teeth and struck once more.

Clang!

Creak!

A tiny crack finally appeared. It was so small that it would have been impossible to notice if not for the faint cracking sound.

But for Leon... That was enough.

Clannnggggg!

His next slash landed with even greater force. The barrier trembled slightly as the crack spread across its surface.

Clanggggg!

The eighth strike.

The crack widened even further, yet the barrier stubbornly refused to shatter.

Then...

Leon drew the claymore back, arching his body farther than before as his fingers tightened around the hilt.

His eyes turned razor-sharp.

And then...

Slash!

The ninth strike.

Booooooooooom!

A deafening explosion echoed through the trial ground as the barrier shattered into countless fragments that shot off in every direction.

Leon remained standing in the finishing stance of his slash.

"Phew..." He let out a long breath. ’I almost thought I wasn’t going to make it. These trials... they’re pushing me to my absolute limit.’