"I'm not entirely sure either," Wei Wen said casually, "but I looked into it. That 'Willow Heart Essence' is a natural treasure—it strengthens physical power significantly."
He tapped the white crystal lightly. "As for this one, just holding it lets you absorb more Genetic Energy. So it's definitely another enhancement-type treasure, probably even more potent."
"With these," he added, "you'll advance much faster."
Luo Feng's eyes lingered on the items, desire obvious. But he forced himself to shake his head.
"These things are worth far more than Dragon's Blood," he said slowly. "I can't just accept them for free."
He looked at Wei Wen with a serious expression. "You could use them to improve your own strength. I doubt my progress is going to help you much, is it?"
Luo Feng wasn't naïve. He understood clearly—no one gives something for nothing. Even if he and Wei Wen had been close since childhood, that didn't justify handing over treasures that could drive nations to war.
Wei Wen, as always, was calm.
"What's with the formality? We've known each other forever," he said. "Besides, I've still got a whole stockpile of resources. Your absorption speed just can't handle everything right now—otherwise, I'd already have given you more."
He leaned forward slightly. "You getting stronger might actually benefit me in ways you don't see yet. So don't overthink it. Just use them."
"...Alright. But I'll remember this," Luo Feng said, finally accepting the gifts. He wasn't being sentimental about it—power mattered. Power would help him protect his family. Power would give him a shot at standing beside the girl he loved.
Xu Xin.
Their conversations were becoming more frequent. He knew she came from a wealthy, influential family—where marriages were strategic. The stronger he became, the closer he'd get to being someone worthy of her.
"How do I use them?" Luo Feng asked, holding the Willow Heart Essence. The object looked like a crystalline seed, shimmering softly.
Wei Wen explained, "That outer crystal shell is absurdly hard, but the liquid inside? That's the true essence—concentrated life force from ancient wood-type lifeforms."
"You'll need to pierce the shell, then drink the liquid inside. Don't swallow the shell itself."
"It's nothing like Dragon's Blood. You won't feel pain—it'll be gentle, even pleasant. The duration of the enhancement process will vary depending on how much your body can absorb."
"With this, both your physical combat strength and your spiritual energy will easily reach the peak of the Warlord Tier."
Wei Wen then gestured to the white crystal. "As for this crystal—this is a Mu Ya Crystal. Just hold it during your training and it'll slowly funnel highly purified energy into you. Not as fast-acting as the Willow Essence, but it has lasting effects. It's even useful to someone like me—who's already broken past the Warlord ceiling."
Luo Feng blinked. "...You've surpassed the Warlord Tier?"
That hit like a bombshell.
He stared at Wei Wen, dumbfounded. The title of Warlord was no joke—it was the highest combat designation for known human fighters. When Lu Gang, a Warlord-level powerhouse, died in the main city, the nation held a memorial. That was the weight such warriors carried.
And Wei Wen? Already stronger than that?
There weren't more than a few dozen people on Earth who had broken that barrier. For a young man like Wei Wen to do it—it felt absurd.
Wei Wen shrugged modestly. "I just had more latent spiritual power to begin with. You'll reach it eventually too."
Luo Feng didn't press further. Everyone had their secrets. Even he had hidden his identity as a Spiritual Combatant—not even telling his parents.
And now Wei Wen had handed him treasures worth more than most families could dream of. He had no right to pry.
So, Luo Feng sat down, focused, and began absorbing the Willow Heart Essence using the method Wei Wen had taught him.
The effects were immediate and profound.
An hour later, both his physical power and his mental energy surged to the peak of the Warlord Tier.
Wei Wen, who had been lying nearby in meditation, suddenly felt a massive rush of feedback. Luo Feng's rapid breakthrough gave back resonance—especially to Wei Wen's Spiritual Combatant strength, pushing it close to Planetary-Level Tier 2.
His own physical combat level also increased—but not enough to break through. The next boundary required something more.
For a fighter to enter the Planetary Level, their physical strength had to surpass 1 million kilograms, and their Genetic Energy Output had to match.
Wei Wen had reached the threshold—he just hadn't crossed it.
But with Luo Feng holding a Mu Ya Crystal now, Wei Wen was sure he wouldn't have to wait long.
"This Willow Heart Essence pushed me straight to the limit of the Warlord Tier... my strength increased tenfold!" Luo Feng said, shocked.
He had thought he was already near the top of what was possible as a Warlord. He hadn't expected such a massive leap—unless he stepped into a whole new tier.
"Alright. Time to absorb the Mu Ya Crystal," Wei Wen reminded him.
Luo Feng sat cross-legged. A faintly glowing Mu Ya Crystal appeared in his hand.
Its fragrance alone was intoxicating.
He activated his Genetic Energy Control Technique and guided the incoming flow.
The crystal's energy wasn't like the ambient free-floating Genetic Energy in the atmosphere. This was highly refined, extremely pure—designed for evolution, not just restoration.
Most people took a month to break through using one of these.
But Luo Feng had a superior cultivation method. He'd be faster.
Days passed in quiet training.
No one noticed the disappearance of Atkin, a recently fallen Planetary-Level powerhouse. These individuals were ghosts—legends who left no footprints.
Wei Wen, still resting and waiting for feedback, suddenly shuddered.
His cells were boiling. Not from heat—but from life.
All the latent energy within him—hidden in every muscle fiber, every strand of DNA—suddenly came alive. They began condensing, like moisture forming droplets.
Droplets became streams.
Streams became rivers.
The rivers surged and spiraled, finally gathering into a single point—his lower Energy Core, the Dantian.
BOOM.
For martial artists, power originates from the Dantian—a core in the lower abdomen. For Spiritual Combatants, power starts in the Sea of Consciousness.
At that moment, Wei Wen's body felt like it was being reshaped.
A vortex formed in his Dantian—spinning violently, contracting, expanding, condensing.
And then, in a final shockwave that rippled through both body and mind—he broke through.
Wei Wen had officially entered Planetary-Level Tier 1.
Inside his Dantian now floated a miniature planet made of condensed Genetic Energy. His entire being had shifted. His cells, his senses, his strength—everything was on a new scale.
A new realm of power had begun.