Cosmic Ruler - Chapter 254

Chapter 254: Saint II

Nexus and Myne exchanged uneasy glances as they watched the strange, almost alien impurities seep out of Aiden’s body. The thick, oily substance shimmered unnaturally under the dim light, as if alive, twisting and writhing with a grotesque, dark hue. It exuded a faint, sickly aura, one that made even seasoned warriors like Nexus and Myne feel uneasy.

Fortunately for Aiden, the excruciating pain wracking his body was so overwhelming that he remained unaware of the bizarre transformation occurring within him. If he had been in a state to notice, he likely would have been horrified, perhaps even disgusted, by the sight of these foul impurities. But as they continued to ooze out of him, the only thing on his mind was surviving the agony.

Ironically, had Aiden been conscious enough to witness the impurities being expelled, he would have been more than just horrified—he would have been astonished. The impurities weren’t just a byproduct of his suffering; they were the remnants of deep-seated flaws and imperfections being purged from his very soul.

It wasn’t just physical. The tar seemed ethereal, almost like it was part of his soul itself. It clung to him like a dark shadow, existing in a strange space between the material and the spiritual. Each drop that left him wasn’t just purging his physical impurities, but the lingering corruption that had tainted his soul through years of battles, experiences, and accumulated negative energies.

Sweat mixed with the black substance as it slid from his skin, evaporating into nothingness. Aiden gritted his teeth as his soul continued to burn, the Timeless Flame relentless in its purification. Every ounce of this tar-like essence that left his body seemed to bring a deeper sense of clarity, but the pain was indescribable—like having the very fabric of his existence ripped apart and stitched back together.

Nexus, observing closely, noted the unusual nature of the impurities. [It’s soul impurity,] she said quietly, [a rare form of corruption that only emerges during soul refinement. This is beyond physical—these are the burdens of your past, the scars left behind on your soul.]

Aiden could feel it too. Each wave of black tar that left him lightened his burden, but also intensified the pain. His soul was being stripped down, refined to its purest state, free from the shadows of his past mistakes, traumas, and negative influences.

Aiden continued to endure, his body drenched in sweat as more of the black, ethereal tar-like substance flowed out. Each wave of it felt heavier than the last, as if the very weight of his soul’s burdens was being released. It wasn’t just physical exhaustion he was feeling—it was the emotional and spiritual toll of purging years of accumulated pain, regrets, and scars.

The Timeless Flame burned hotter, intensifying the refinement process. Every corner of his soul was being purified, and with each passing moment, the dark essence was drawn out, leaving behind a soul that was becoming clearer, stronger, and more resilient.

Aiden gritted his teeth, refusing to let the agony overwhelm him. His vision blurred, his body shaking uncontrollably, but his mind remained focused. He knew this was the only way forward. The process had to be completed, or all the years of preparation and struggle would have been for nothing.

Nexus watched with a mix of awe and concern. [He’s almost there,] she thought to herself, carefully monitoring the process. She could see that the impurities were slowing down, the soul becoming more and more refined with each passing moment. But she also knew that Aiden was reaching his limit.

[Aiden, you’re close,] she encouraged, her voice steady but filled with urgency. [This is the final stretch.]

Aiden could barely register her words, his entire existence consumed by the burning flames and the soul-wrenching pain. But somewhere, deep in the back of his mind, he knew she was right. He was close. He just had to endure a little longer.

As the final remnants of the black, tar-like substance flowed out of his body, Aiden felt a shift. The intense, searing pain that had been consuming him began to ease.

Aiden huffed and panted, barely recovering from the intense soul refinement. “I’m glad I only set it to 50%, or I’d probably be dead by now,” he muttered to himself, feeling the weight of his exhaustion. He knew from the start that taking this shortcut would put immense strain on his body, so he had deliberately divided the process into four stages to make the breakthrough smoother and less agonizing. Now, his plan was paying off.

After a few more minutes of rest, the third layer of the formation activated. A new batch of resources began to burn in the Timeless Flame, reduced to their purest essence. The flame reached out to Aiden once again, this time targeting his Immortal Energy for purification.

Aiden braced himself, expecting the familiar wave of excruciating pain. But as the flames touched his energy channels, he blinked in surprise. “Hmm… it’s better than I thought,” he murmured to himself, feeling a far more manageable discomfort than before. While still intense, it was nothing compared to the soul refinement.

He allowed the Timeless Flame to do its work, continuing to purify his Immortal Energy. As he inspected his body, he noticed the flames burning through his Martial Spirits and meridians. All of them were alight, engulfed by the purifying fire, but instead of destruction, the flames were strengthening and cleansing the energy flowing within him.

His Immortal Energy was being refined at a rapid pace, its impurities burned away, leaving behind a more potent and purer force. Aiden could feel the difference already—the energy within him becoming smoother, more powerful, and far more concentrated than before. The flames coursed through every meridian, pushing the limits of his cultivation and refining his Martial Spirits into something even greater.

“It’s working,” Aiden thought to himself, focusing on maintaining his control as the purification continued. He knew that this part of the process would bring him closer to perfecting his Immortal Energy, and with it, the power needed to ascend to the Saint Realm.

Aiden continued to endure, feeling the Timeless Flame purifying his Immortal Energy as it coursed through his meridians and Martial Spirits. The fire burned steadily, not with the unbearable agony he had felt during the soul refinement, but with a more controlled, focused intensity. He could feel the impurities being cleansed from his energy, and the once chaotic flow was now becoming refined, smoother, and more powerful.

The flames danced through his body, targeting every trace of impurity in his Immortal Energy, and as they burned, Aiden’s connection to his Martial Spirits grew stronger. He could feel each spirit being purified, their powers sharpening. His Golden Sword, the Death Dragon, the Destiny Thread, and the Reaper Scythe—all of them were being forged into purer versions of themselves.

Aiden watched as the Timeless Flame touched each one, reshaping them. His Martial Spirits roared with energy as the flames refined them, drawing out their full potential. He could sense that once this process was complete, they would no longer be the same—stronger, more resilient, and ready to wield far greater power than before.

“I should make changes now,” Aiden mumbled to himself as he conveyed his thoughts to Nexus and Myne. They heard him and immediately began adjusting parts of the formation. Instead of purifying his immortal energy to 50% purity, it would now be refined to 100%. Aiden insisted on this change, feeling confident he could endure the strain. This modification would also help him feel less burdened during the final step.

He clenched his fists, focusing on the sensation of the energy flowing through his body, feeling it grow denser and more potent with every second. The pain was manageable, but the intensity of the process still demanded all of his concentration. He knew that this was a crucial step in reaching the Saint Realm, and he had to make sure nothing went wrong.

Minutes turned into hours, and the process continued, the flames working tirelessly to strip away any weakness left in his energy. Aiden’s body glowed faintly with the power of the refined Immortal Energy, his meridians now flowing with an untainted, purified force. He could feel the difference—every movement felt sharper, every breath stronger. His energy was now on the verge of reaching the divine level necessary for the breakthrough.

As the final wave of Timeless Flame passed through him, the third formation began to dim, signaling that the refinement of his Immortal Energy was nearing completion. Aiden exhaled slowly, his body and mind in sync as the process concluded.

The purification had brought him closer to his goal, and he knew what was coming next—the final layer. The core of the formation would refine his body, and soul to perfection, completing his transformation and pushing him to the Saint Realm.

He clenched his fists, feeling the immense power building within him, and prepared himself for the ultimate test. The hardest part was still ahead, but Aiden knew he had come too far to turn back now.

“It’s almost time,” he whispered, as the final layer of the formation began to stir.