77 Third Layer

After moving all of the corpses into one pile, Julong couldn't help but look at them in what was essentially awe. Without any impairment, he could feel the Heaven Devouring Vitality Rune on his back almost pulsating in excitement at the amount of Life Solarity Qi that was radiating around the group of corpses. There were around 20 in total, six Low-Grade 5 Genesis Beasts, including the Alpha Genesis Beast, and fourteen High-Grade 4 Genesis Beasts.

Currently, from absorbing the Life Solarity Qi in the atmosphere, Julong's Heaven Devouring Vitality Rune was 36% complete, which had taken a few months to achieve. He was hoping that the Genesis Beasts in front of him would drastically speed that up, especially because there was an Alpha in there as well.

"So, how are we splitting this up?"

Qingchan was the first one to ask, bringing up the big question. It was in all honesty a kind of stupid question since only Qingchan and Julong were allowed to harvest the bodies.

"Well, since Xiao Dai can only absorb the Yang Qi from the Alpha Genesis Beast, I reckon we just split it fifty-fifty."

"That's reasonable, though I'm willing to give you sixty-forty with the Alpha Genesis Beast since you need it more than me."

Julong gave her a perplexed look, watching as Qingchan became a dusty and barely noticeable red. "Are you sure? I'm already going to receive a lot more than you from Life Solarity Qi which only I can absorb."

She nodded firmly with a bright smile. "Of course I'm sure. Why else would I suggest it?"

The smile really played with his heart. She deserved a higher cut than him and it made him feel guilty taking a bigger share than her. Even so, having her do such a kind thing, he couldn't quite deny her offer.

He smiled back gratefully. "Thank you, Qingchan."

She didn't say anything in response, just giving a cute nod. A comfortable silence took over the priorly tense atmosphere.

"So... can I harvest the Yang Qi now?"

Both Qingchan and Julong looked at Xiao Dai almost instantly. A frown overtook their previously smiling faces. The moment had undeniably been ruined by her. And judging from the longing grin on her face while looking at the corpses, she didn't even know she had done it.

Julong sighed, looking at the face that was becoming increasingly desperate.

"Fine. Go on."

Xiao Dai bolted toward the corpse of the Alpha Genesis Beast with unseen speed. It actually kind of impressed the two with how fast she was.

She crossed her legs and sat down in front of the corpse. Quickly they watched as a steady stream of Yang Qi rose from the corpse and headed toward her. Julong and Qingchan looked at each other momentarily. If that wasn't their queue to start harvesting their own Genesis Qi, they didn't know what was.

They both walked over and sat next to her. Closing their eyes, they in a combined effort, separated the Universe Qi and Life Solarity Qi, making two big pools above the stack of corpses. Because Julong was the only one who could make use of the Life Solarity Qi, it slowly moved over and hovered above him. It was much the same for Universe Qi that the creatures held, though 40% of it was directed toward Qingchan. For that, Julong was incredibly grateful - he would have to say it again later.

In less than a thought, the two Qi's that were hanging above him began to enter his body. The Life Solarity Qi, once inside, was immediately pulled to where the Heavenly Devouring Rune was on his back, making it glow through his robes as it absorbed the bountiful Qi. More and more strokes were rapidly lighting up as Julong slowly refined the vitality-filled Genesis Qi. He did this for hours until an astonishing 70% of the Rune was complete. This was thanks to the Life Solarity Qi inside of the Alpha Genesis Beast being so pure. Even so, such progress impressed Julong incredibly.

Taking a glance over at Qingchan and Xiao Dai, the former was seemingly relaxed, just watching them as they continued to refine their respective Genesis Qi's. Her reward was around 1,000 Genesis Qi Stars. The latter, however, he could sense great pools of power forming inside of her as she refined the Yang Qi she had absorbed. He was pretty sure she was having a breakthrough into the Ninth-Layer of the Alpha-Origin Realm. He was incredibly excited to see how much stronger she would be.

He closed his eyes and went back to focusing on the second ball of Genesis Qi. Much the same as the Life Solarity Qi, the Universe Qi was pulled straight into his body, though once inside now pulled directly into his Qi Dwelling. Julong was very close to breaking through into the Third-Stage. He was hoping this would finally allow him to achieve this.

As he refined the Genesis Qi into his Qi Dwelling he noticed a bright golden light beginning to grow brighter inside of his Qi Dwelling like the many other times he had broken through. This was finally it!

The light grew and grew until the light it exuded was so bright it was blinding. Rays seemed to crack through an illusory wall that sat inside his Qi Dwelling, which eventually broke down. At that moment a rush of power burst through his body like a hit of euphoria. He had done it. He had finally broken through into the Third-Layer of the Alpha-Origin Realm.

With this new breakthrough, the first thing he did was look at the new amount of Genesis Qi Stars in his Qi Dwelling. Shockingly they totalled 2,567. In comparison to an average Third-Layer Alpha-Origin Expert with 125 Genesis Qi Stars, he was incomparably strong for his level. He was now able to completely stomp average Seventh-Layers for crying out loud! It was possible with his Qi Grade, that even Eighth-Layers could be his opponent.

By the time he had opened his eyes multiple hours had passed. The first thing he noticed aside from it now being night was that he was face to face with his two companions, quite literally. They were nearly right in his face, seemingly waiting for him to awaken. Upon taking a glance at Xiao Dai he gave a small smile, just as he had guessed she had broken through into the Ninth-Layer.

"Good evening you two."

He began to push himself off the ground as the two girls stumbled back in surprise at him so abruptly opening his eyes and getting up.

"Y-Yeah, good evening."

Qingchan was embarrassed by him seeing her watching so closely. She was hoping he would not think too much of it. Xiao Dai on the other hand seemed to not care in the slightest.

"How were the results of your refining?"

Julong gave a hearty chuckle at the two completely different girls before him.

"I stepped into the Third-Layer with around 2,500 Genesis Qi Stars. Though that's not too much in comparison to you. It seems as though the Yang Qi did wonders for you."

She nodded enthusiastically. "Mmm! I am now in the Ninth Layer with 54,000 Genesis Qi Stars!"

She seemed to do a small dance of victory after she spoke, prompting Qingchan to sigh.

"Congratulations to you both, and in advance, sorry to burst your bubble, however, we need to get out of here now. I've already used the Jade Tablet Won Feng provided us, but we have to go back to where we were dropped off."

Xiao Dai immediately stopped her dance and Julongs smile became a frown.

"Ah, fun."