Chapter 585

**Chapter 173: I Still Can't Move**

Chen Fan stood rooted to the spot, his right hand steadily pressing Elder Tang's shoulder. His left hand gently stroked Xiao Qing's head, his touch as soft as if he were petting his own beloved pet. To his left and right, Old Hei and King Kong stood in full protective stances. In front of him, Elder Tang's eyes were tightly shut, his face flushed, clearly enduring extreme pain. Elder Tang's body trembled uncontrollably, as if struck by a powerful electric current. Yet, there were no spiritual energy fluctuations emanating from him; instead, an exceptionally strong bio-electrical sensation surged through his body like a powerful tide.

Half an hour passed. Elder Tang's trembling body showed no sign of stopping; in fact, it intensified. His face grew redder, and sweat poured down his forehead. The bio-electrical sensation within him, like a runaway horse, surged wildly and uncontrollably.

Chen Fan's eyes narrowed slightly, a sharp glint in their depths. He observed Elder Tang's internal state completely. The bio-electrical sensation, which had initially darted chaotically within Elder Tang, seemed to develop a certain pattern over time, as if aiming to thoroughly cleanse all of Elder Tang's meridians, flesh, and bones.

A realization dawned upon Chen Fan. He saw his own past self in Elder Tang. Back when he had just integrated with the Thunder Spirit, the Thunder Spirit's power within him behaved in much the same way: surging uncontrollably, flushing out impurities from his body, and helping him cleanse his marrow and essence.

Elder Tang's situation was identical to his own back then. He was reinforcing his physical body! Once the bio-electrical sensation within him had strengthened his body to its peak, he would truly be able to withstand the Thunder Spirit's backlash and fully integrate it. At that point, he would genuinely step into the realm of a Half-step Heavenly Immortal!

Minutes ticked by. Inside the room, the only sound was Elder Tang's muffled groans of pain. Old Hei and King Kong stared intently at Elder Tang, fearing any unforeseen incident. Although Chen Fan maintained a calm expression, he felt a degree of tension internally. He knew Elder Tang was undergoing the most critical phase. Failure would, at best, lead to severed meridians and bodily collapse; at worst, it would result in his soul being completely scattered.

Four hours elapsed. The bio-electrical sensation in Elder Tang's body not only persisted but intensified further. His body was flushed crimson from the relentless cleansing, appearing as if it could explode at any moment. Chen Fan's brows furrowed tightly. Four hours had passed. Elder Tang still hadn't stopped; this was not a good omen.

Just as Chen Fan was considering whether to stop Elder Tang from continuing to strengthen his body, a sudden change occurred. Elder Tang's painful groans abruptly ceased, replaced by roars like those of a wild beast. His body suddenly swelled up like a balloon. Veins bulged and blood vessels protruded beneath his skin, making him appear incredibly grotesque.

Chen Fan's pupils constricted sharply. "This is a sign of qi deviation!" Greatly alarmed, he abruptly extended his right hand, intending to press it against Elder Tang's dantian to help suppress the raging bio-electrical sensation within his body. However, just as his right hand was about to make contact with Elder Tang's dantian, Xiao Qing suddenly opened its mouth wide and bit down on Chen Fan's right arm.

"Xiao Qing!" Chen Fan sharply turned to Xiao Qing, his eyes filled with doubt and bewilderment. Why would Xiao Qing suddenly bite him?

But as he looked at Xiao Qing, it shook its head vigorously at him, its eyes full of anxiety and worry. Xiao Qing's voice instantly echoed in Chen Fan's mind: "Boss, you can't stop! Elder Tang is at a critical juncture right now; he mustn't be stopped!"

"A critical juncture?!" Chen Fan's brows furrowed tightly. He was somewhat perplexed. He clearly saw that Elder Tang had already suffered qi deviation, so why did Xiao Qing insist he mustn't stop?

Chen Fan observed Elder Tang more closely. This time, he extended his spiritual sense into Elder Tang's body, meticulously examining the internal situation. He discovered that the bio-electrical sensation within Elder Tang was not darting randomly but slowly rotating like a massive millstone. Each rotation wielded incredibly terrifying power, thoroughly grinding Elder Tang's flesh, bones, and meridians.

What was strange, however, was that after being crushed, Elder Tang's physical body did not collapse. Instead, enveloped by this bio-electrical sensation, it was being meticulously reshaped bit by bit, becoming even more resilient. A sudden realization dawned upon Chen Fan. This wasn't qi deviation! This was a phoenix's nirvana! Elder Tang was breaking himself down to rebuild, undergoing a complete metamorphosis!

No wonder Xiao Qing wouldn't let him intervene. No wonder Xiao Qing bit him. It turned out that Elder Tang hadn't suffered qi deviation at all; instead, he was undergoing a profound process of transformation. And his rash intervention would have completely ruined Elder Tang's metamorphosis.

"Elder Tang, you must hold on!" Chen Fan silently encouraged Elder Tang in his heart. He then turned his gaze to Xiao Qing, his eyes filled with apology. "Xiao Qing, I'm sorry. Boss misunderstood you."

Xiao Qing shook its head at Chen Fan, then looked back at Elder Tang, its eyes full of worry. Chen Fan knew Xiao Qing was concerned about Elder Tang.

Just then, another transformation occurred in the room. Elder Tang's body expansion reached its absolute peak. His skin, blood vessels, muscles, and bones, at that very moment, all reached their limit. It felt as if even a fraction more would cause his body to completely collapse.

Chen Fan's heart leaped into his throat. He stared intently at Elder Tang, fearing any sudden mishap. But just then, the bulging veins and blood vessels on Elder Tang's body slowly receded like a retreating tide. His swollen body also began to gradually contract.

It continued until his body returned to its normal size, then stopped. However, his face was extraordinarily pale, like that of a corpse. A wave of concern immediately washed over Chen Fan. What was happening now?

Chen Fan once again extended his spiritual sense into Elder Tang's body, discovering that the bio-electrical sensation within had completely vanished. In its place were incredibly pure streams of spiritual energy. Furthermore, Elder Tang's meridians, flesh, and bones had all become exceptionally tough, as if they had been tempered through a thousand trials. His physical body had astonishingly reached an unbelievable state.

Chen Fan was overjoyed. He knew Elder Tang had succeeded! He had successfully completed his profound metamorphosis, his physical body reaching an entirely new realm. Now, even without spiritual energy, Elder Tang could contend with a Heavenly Immortal realm expert solely by relying on his physical strength.

A sense of anticipation arose in Chen Fan's heart. Since Elder Tang had successfully completed his physical metamorphosis, he should now truly be able to withstand the Thunder Spirit's backlash and fully integrate it. At that point, he would genuinely step into the realm of a Half-step Heavenly Immortal!

Chen Fan waited another half hour. Although Elder Tang's face remained pale, his breathing had become much steadier. The aura around him, like a suppressed volcano, was slowly accumulating.

Just then, Elder Tang's tightly closed eyes snapped open, a sharp light bursting from his pupils. The aura around him also surged dramatically, like a volcanic eruption. A monstrous wave of energy erupted from Elder Tang's body, instantly sending all three — Chen Fan, Old Hei, and King Kong — flying. Chen Fan's body slammed heavily against the stone wall, but an uncontrollable smile curved his lips. He had succeeded!