Thea had no plans of absorbing the remaining Phoenix Essence. That was because she wanted James to reach even greater heights.

Delainey, who had absorbed some of the Phoenix Essence, also had her True Energy boosted. Now, she believed she had gathered enough power to cross into the ninth rank.

“The same goes for me, James.”

“Mhm.”

James nodded.

Greater energy would be needed at later stages of cultivation. Hence, the remaining Phoenix Essence should only be enough for James alone to break the third shackle.

James continued cultivating. Meanwhile, since the ladies had nothing else to do, they chose to leave and head to Dragonville.

Soon, two months passed.

James had been in a closed-door meditation on Mount Thunder Pass for almost six months now. His strength had drastically increased.

One night on Mount Bane…

Boom!

Thunder struck an old tree and disintegrated it. However, at that moment, a seed began to germinate and flourish at the roots of the tree. Almost immed