Steve didn't know how much time had past when he woke up but he could feel the sun shining.He opened his eyes and realised he had arrived in his bedroom at home.Then he looked at the time and it was close to the afternoon which made Steve think
'Did I sleep this long'
As he thought to himself,he tried to remember what happened last night and it all fell into place.
The challenge,the gift and his drowsiness,which ended up bringing him home.He just thought his mother would have been the one who brought him home so dropped this train of thought.
He immediately sat in a lotus position and started to cultivate when he felt a large amount of energy from his dantian which seemed to have remained dormant during his sleep.
Then he grew confused again as he remembered that the previous day,the maid told him to not ask any questions and quietly enjoy the effects of that fish.Wasn't he supposed to experience the effects the previous day,so then why the next day.
A lot of questions rose up in his mind but he didn't have time to think about it as he had to do something to the crisis going on within his body.He started circulating the Body metamorphosis technique which guided the energy from his dantian and circulated it in a much more balanced and less rushed way.
He finally relaxed when half of the energy had been expended but he soon grew shocked as he heard a faint crack from the 8th level bottleneck he hadn't harboured any hope for in the short term.He grew excited as he had advanced not long ago and gaining a breakthrough so early was naturally something to be rejoiced.
He suppressed his excitement and continued to guide the energy towards the bottleneck which continuously bombarded the bottleneck.Then a grunt escaped from his mouth and this was a warning that his body wasn't prepared for this bottleneck however something unexpected happened.
It seemed as if the mysterious energy had a consciousness of it's own and would start to heal him whenever he got injured.As this continued,Steve managed to adapt to this cycle of pain and relief while continuously hitting the bottleneck.
After an unknown period of time,he heard a much more audible crack.He checked the bottleneck and saw a larger crack which continuously expanded until it reached maximum.
Then with a resonating boom,the bottleneck collapsed as if it had never been there and the energy rushed in.After the energy rushed in,something unexpected happened.More energy that seemed to be hidden in his dantian came to reinforce the already partially exhausted energy.
The partially depleted energy that remained after the breakthrough got reinforced and reinvigorated when both met.Then Steve who looked shocked regained his composure and confidently guided the energy to the 9th barrier which he thought was premature but still followed suit.
It wasn't that he didn't want to stop it but the energy seemed to have a direction and even if he opposed it,the energy kept on going which he couldn't control thus he continued to guide it carefully.Of course if something wrong was to come,he would forcefully block the energy from further circulation which although he would himself,it was naturally better than dying.
So upon seeing another wave,he grew invigorated and started harbouring thoughts the 9th barrier.No sooner had he finished thinking before he felt a stinging pain in his body.Although the pain went away immediately as the energy healed him,he still couldn't help but fear.There was a good reason why there were buffer periods between breakthroughs.
Stabilization was always a necessary action before seeking another breakthrough and Steve came to realize this.He knew this mistake was not from his part and that he actually knew nothing about the gift which made him unprepared.
He made a mental note to always becareful with what he took in even if it was the simplest meal he took in everyday.He adjusted his mindset and quickly prepared for the next round of pains which would surely be followed by more and more pains.
Here it began,the immediate and sharp contrast of pain and relief made Steve think he was about to die.He one time felt he was about to loose his grip onto his life from the immense pain but still held on till he saw the energy begin to diminish rapidly.He harboured hope again until the worst thing he could have thought happened.
Another wave energy emerged from his dantian but it was particularly a bit smaller in size.He rejoiced for if this energy got expended,there would be no more for further breakthroughs.However here was where his joy was cut short,he had to endure until this wave of energy got expended.
He couldn't tell but he could feel as if this last wave was sure to propel him to 9th level and to any cultivator,this should be fun.But to Steve,this should be well acknowledged as a gift from hell.
He mustered all his courage and till the energy reached the barrier this time but with more force.The barrier which had already been subjected to countless bombardments had already cracked halfway through seemed to recieve more impact as the crack was already continuing towards the end of the barrier.This cycle then began with the barrier being attacked time to time after the energy had mustered enough strength to shake the blockade.
This was all happening but Steve couldn't even notice it as the pains he was passing through was hellish.Even for a boy like him who always possessed strong will power and temperament,he couldn't help but scream but that was all what he could do.No rescue came and he held onto his only hope that the energy had finished and he would surely gain more after this endeavour.
After what seemed like a decade,a much louder boom was heard from Steve's body followed by the fainting of Steve.He smiled happily for his achievement before falling unconscious.
Unbeknownst to him,after he fainted,a pearl emerged from his dantian and began pouring huge amount of its essence that seemed to repair and rebuild all of Steve's inner body.Some of this renovation seemed to extend outward as his body which was on the bed grew a bit fair.After its essence was finished,the pearl disintegrated into sparks lights and disappeared before everything went back again.
In a room outside of Steve's room,two men could be seen sitting and having a chat whiles drinking.From a closer look,it could be seen it was both Steve's father and surprisingly Mr Simon.
"That's one heck of a talented son you got there.He sure will become a mech pilot",said Mr Simon.
Steve's father smiled without answering his questions as he continued to sip on his drink.