The legendary warrior

Untouched magic encased in ancient ice of five hundred years lay in front of Ricky; its towering height dwarfed his own figure and basked him in a luminous glow. He rested a hand on its hard surface as the relic's inborn light seeped through his thick skin and illuminated the redness of his blood and flesh underneath. Short puffs of white clouds came out of his breath as he exhaled, readying himself for the activation of his Devouring Skill.

Tendrils of wild winds started to circulate the area in dizzying speeds the more he focused on mobilizing his ability. The beginnings of pallid mist engulfed his body, growing thicker and thicker by the minute as he voraciously absorbed the dormant power beneath the hard shell of the iceberg. Prickling cold devoured the warmth of his temperature, robbing him of any solace to counter the freezing atmosphere. It permeated into the deepest depths of his being as it instilled inside his bones and racked him in endless shivers.

"T - The Quincentennial Magic Ice … Its power is r-r-really outstanding!" exclaimed Ricky, managing to squeeze out his words of awe through gritted teeth.

The agony of having the frost stop his blood's circulation turned his face into an unhealthy shade of white and dyed his lips to a sickening hue of blue. It was torture; one that he had willingly dived into, especially when he knew that the outcome of withstanding such unbearable pain thrilled him more than anything. He was determined to reach the Second Degree of the Nine-degree Body Refining Formula, and for that to be attained, he needed to form this numbing power into his own.

He grunted and spasmed as another surge of tremors washed over him. If it were not for his strategy in transferring the acquired energy directly to its new home in the Devourer Zone, he would have been reduced to an iced carcass as soon as he had absorbed a small portion of the magic.

He tried to move, and with great difficulty, his nearly paralyzed fingers took the Body Refining Pill from his pocket and raised it to his mouth, swallowing it as soon as it dropped. He had saved it specifically for this moment, knowing that the Pill would produce the best possible result when taken during the process of refining.

It took a staggering six hours for Ricky to conclude the whole process, the ice melting away as soon as he finished. He could not deny that there were occasions where trepidation tempted him to succumb to his impatience and need for a break from the misery. There was no shame in admitting that he had to fight against his weaknesses; he was still human after all, and his perseverance and greed were enough proof of validation for that aspect.

Sighing in relief and content, Ricky began stretching his limbs in preparation for another gruesome trial. "Good! It's time to start the refinement now," he muttered, standing upright as he wrapped up his last set of warm-ups.

He proceeded to take a meager part of the seized mana from the Devourer Zone and poured it into his regained spiritual meridian. It flowed ceaselessly in his bloodstream, filling up every crevice like liquid pulsing to grant him the chance at rebirth until he felt the magic settle inside him.

It was by no means a comfortable adjustment. It was excruciating, more so compared to the prior experience he went through. Perhaps, it was a given, what with the magic being tremendous to the point where even a warrior at the intermediate stage of Blood Purification might not be able to stand it. As a warrior stuck in the eighth grade of Skin Refinement, Ricky was understandably in a lot more torment that most would not even dare endure in their lifetime.

He felt as if he had reached the last level of hell. Trapped not in a blazing inferno, but in the unforgiving, frigid air of a vast icy terrain with no salvation in sight. Bare, trembling and barely competent in holding himself together after being torn apart mercilessly again and again. He could not relax for the slightest instant, certain that he would not be able to keep himself upright if he did so.

Overwhelmed by the sudden onslaught of trembles that shook him to the core, Ricky felt he did a wise decision by transferring the power back to the Devourer Zone earlier. It seemed to be the right decision, seeing as it would have caused him to meet an untimely death if he had stopped it a bit later.

He gasped, the immense anguish immediately released its suffocating hold and effectively disengaged him from any fatalities he would have gotten from stubbornly continuing on.

He allowed himself to unwind, and within an hour, gooey substances started emitting from the pores of his skin. It was a good sign; it meant that the impurities in his body were being rejected.

Thus, indicating that he was growing tougher and stronger, and that the purer his flesh became.

progressed using this tactic; consuming the high-class power bit by bit and stopping before

second, so he permitted himself to increase the amount of magic he ingested

thought made him giddy with pride and satisfaction, fully conscious

two days, Ricky

much-needed energy for the ruthless and exhausting tasks he performed, as well as the water to clean his body.

accomplished goal, Ricky risked fearlessly plunging into another test once more

the Sacred Blood Lion, and although it might already be diluted, it remained in its position as one of the most formidable items

for the Magic Ice took place not too long ago, rewarding him unexpectedly with immunity to its

this command, he commenced the second mental cultivation method of the Nine-degree Body Refining Formula simultaneously, intending to reach

battles of resilience within himself. He had fulfilled his mission of procuring the Second

his body turned into a light tint of orange. It wallowed Ricky in delight as he felt the rush of adrenaline from the freedom of wielding

of a warrior at any inferior stages of Blood Purification.

past the eighth grade of Skin Refinement! And, I even reached the Second Degree of the Nine-degree Body Refining Formula. Next, I'm going for the highest grade of Skin Refinement, just wait for it!" Ricky shouted in glee, triumphantly pumping his fists into

to employ as he didn't want to be

by cleaning himself dutifully and getting changed before he

as she talked about her knowledge in the cultivation method. Ricky could not help but feel a twinge of sadness

What's more, you've completed the eighth grade of Skin Refinement. Good job!" Truthfully, she was sincere in her praise, but there was still this underlying shock that made her hard

of time. She could not even begin to say what she truly wanted to relay, except that this

Grace. And next time, I'm going to

blatantly seen in the way he smiled. Grace showed her support to his unwavering determination by patting him encouragingly at the back; a reaction that was also meant to substitute for a welcoming embrace. He nodded in

harder. I'm really close to the top now, while you keep on lagging behind," Ricky smirked, watching her

How dare you call me that? You're asking

feet in a childish act of defiance as Ricky only laughed at her rants.

and started to throw things his way, huffing in annoyance when he gracefully dodged every object. Grace sat on a chair by the desk, already accustomed to their banters after being exposed

stilled, murmuring apologies of repentance

"It'll do you good if you can manage to make it to the

Grace with a nod.