Chapter 2236 — Chapter 2236 Essence of the Void

When Yuan started attempting to refine the essence of the void, Saaruk didn't intervene. In fact, he even watched with intrigue, almost as if he wanted to see the results.

'A mortal ant wants to absorb the essence of the void? How laughable! Even Eternals with a true Eternal Constitution struggle to do so!' Saaruk sneered inwardly.

Unlike spiritual energy or any other known force, the void was something entirely different. Though it enveloped most of the universe, even experts with millions of years of cultivation failed to comprehend it, let alone wield it. For that reason, the Power of the Void was regarded as the most difficult and enigmatic path in all of cultivation.

This held true even for the Eternals, gods of the universe. While their boundless experience and knowledge allowed them to comprehend the Power of the Void, refining its essence was an entirely different matter altogether.

Because of this, Saaruk had been utterly shocked when Yuan claimed he could sense the essence of the void. And when Yuan went so far as to attempt refining it, Saaruk couldn't resist witnessing it himself—to see whether a mere mortal could truly accomplish the impossible despite already knowing the answer.

'There's no way he'll be able to refine the essence of the void. The moment he attempts to do so and fails, his entire being will be erased from existence. Although this means this Mighty Saaruk won't be able to kill the mortal ant with his own hands, it'll be worth it!' Saaruk laughed inwardly.

While Saaruk watched with excitement and anticipation of his gruesome death, Yuan calmly refined the essence of the void.

'He's not doing anything to stop me? So he must be confident that I would fail or that I still wouldn't be able to defeat him…' Yuan thought to himself after seeing Saaruk's reaction.

'Whatever his reason is, this is beneficial for me, so there's no reason for me to stop here.'

Without a moment's hesitation, Yuan started refining the essence of the void that existed in every direction and even further than he could perceive.

Yuan was pleasantly surprised to see his comprehension of the Power of the Void improve in such a manner. He could also feel an immense amount of energy flowing into him, causing his Eternal Essence to strengthen quickly.

However—

'As expected, this isn't going to be easy!'

Yuan gritted his teeth as an overwhelming pressure built within him, threatening to tear his body apart. The essence of the void was so fierce and volatile that it reminded him of the time he had attempted to refine the Dragon God's blood essence.

But unlike that time when Dragon Goddess Yeyou assisted him, nobody could help him refine the essence of the void at this moment.

Suddenly, Yuan's body started swelling up like a balloon with blood seeping from his pores. It was a weird and gruesome sight that would make even experts churn.

"Hahaha! That's what you get for trying to refine the essence of the void when you're a mere mortal!" Saaruk burst out laughing.

However, moments later, Yuan's body started returning to normal, and his aura grew fiercer.

Saaruk's laughter halted immediately, his eyes wide with shock and disbelief.

"Impossible!" he exclaimed.

Even as he achieved Advanced Void Understanding, Yuan continued to improve his void mastery just as fast as before.

A few minutes later, once Saaruk confirmed that Yuan could, in fact, refine the essence of the void, he clenched his fists and mumbled to himself, "This cannot happen."

"This Mighty Saaruk will not permit a mere mortal to touch something that is too good for him!"

To Saaruk, watching Yuan refine the essence of the void—something only Eternals were meant to touch—was like seeing a pig sit at the same dinner table and eating the same food as humans. The sight didn't just anger and disgust him; it drove his fury to the very brink.

Without hesitation, Saaruk immediately went for a killing blow while Yuan was still immersed in his refinement.

However, just as Saaruk reached him, Yuan suddenly opened his eyes, which flickered with newfound strength.

Although he'd only spent a few minutes refining the essence of the void, it had not only fully recovered his strength but also improved it drastically. That was just how powerful the essence of the void was.

Without the slightest hesitation in his movements, Yuan went to block Saaruk, who struck with all of his strength in a fit of anger.

"This is…!"

Even though Saaruk was in an ethereal form, Yuan could tell that he was trembling in anger after having his attack blocked. "This is your second time underestimating a human," said Yuan. "It will also be your second time being defeated by one."

Yuan's aura erupted, his Eternal Essence surging outward like a tidal wave that crashed violently against Saaruk.

"If you think you can defeat this Mighty Saaruk just because you refined some essence of the void, you're greatly mistaken! This Mighty Saaruk has been refining the essence of the void for countless years!"

"Had you fought with your full strength, I wouldn't have stood a chance, but that's not the case, is it?" Yuan remarked with a calm smile.

Even as they clashed, Yuan continued refining the essence of the void, his Eternal Essence steadily evolving—growing denser, sharper, and gradually surpassing Saaruk's own.

Eventually, Yuan's Eternal Essence grew strong enough to overwhelm Saaruk, allowing him to reach Saaruk's ethereal form.

"Argh!" Saaruk roared in agony as Yuan's strike pierced him, inflicting pain upon him for the first time.

"To think a mere mortal ant would inflict pain upon this Mighty Saaruk! This Mighty Saaruk will never forget this humiliation!"