Ryan Lawson had remained at the ninth level of the Body Tempering Realm for three years. Now that his Divine Meridian had awakened, his cultivation speed would fully recover, and even far surpass what it was before.

Moreover, the energy meridians that Ryan Lawson opened were shaped like dragons and pythons, ten times thicker than those of ordinary martial artists!

Buzz!

Within his body, the energy meridians continuously emitted faint sounds, like raging waves rushing into a dried-up riverbed, rapidly extending and opening up!

All in one go!

The first energy meridian was actually opened by a third before it gradually came to a halt.

This progress was several times faster than that of ordinary martial artists.

Success!

A thunderous rumble echoed from within Ryan Lawson's body—that was true qi surging through his meridians.

"First level of the Meridian Opening Realm! I've finally stepped through the gates of a martial artist."

Ryan Lawson was wild with joy and let out a long howl.

He channeled the true qi in his meridians, gathering it in his palm, instantly forming a layer of dark blue airflow, with a chilling cold radiating out.

Ryan Lawson struck the stone wall beside him with his palm.

Boom! Crack!

The stone wall immediately split open, stone chips flying everywhere, leaving behind a dent.

Whoosh!

A formless force of cold wind howled out, coldness spreading everywhere, and the nearby grass and trees were instantly coated with a layer of frost.

After breaking through to the first level of the Meridian Opening Realm, Ryan Lawson's strength had undergone a qualitative leap.

With his Divine Meridian fully awakened, his physique greatly improved, and with the aid of true qi, his attacks became even more powerful and fierce!

"Huh? What's that?"

Ryan Lawson saw, a dozen meters away, in a depression, four or five stalks of flowers and grass emitting a faint yellow glow.

"Spirit Qi Grass!"

Ryan Lawson recognized it at a glance.

This kind of spiritual material usually grows in places rich in the world's spiritual energy, containing pure spiritual qi, and can be used for cultivation at the Meridian Opening Realm.

Ryan Lawson was certain that when he first arrived, these precious materials were not here.

"Could it be that when I broke through in my cultivation, the Divine Meridian gathered spiritual energy from all directions, causing these Spirit Qi Grasses to mature?"

Ryan Lawson was overjoyed, speculating in his heart.

He had just broken through to the Meridian Opening Realm, and these Spirit Qi Grasses could be used to consolidate his foundation, equivalent to half a month's worth of cultivation.

Ryan Lawson had just finished picking the Spirit Qi Grasses.

Buzz!

Suddenly, the Heavenly Book in his mind unfolded, releasing a suction force.

The next moment.

The Spirit Qi Grasses in his hand withered at a speed visible to the naked eye, and within a few breaths, they turned into a few strands of dead grass.

"Ah! What the heck is this..."

Ryan Lawson held a few strands of dead grass, his body stiff, left in disarray by the wind.

These Spirit Qi Grasses were quite valuable to someone who had just broken through to the Meridian Opening Realm.

All the more so since Ryan Lawson was now heavily in debt and sorely lacking in cultivation resources.

Yet, these Spirit Qi Grasses had actually been devoured by the Heavenly Book.

Ryan Lawson's consciousness touched the Heavenly Book.

At this moment, the first page of the Heavenly Book was filled with a bluish-gray light covering half the area, whereas before it had been less than a fifth.

"So, the Heavenly Book can absorb spiritual materials to restore its power."

Ryan Lawson went from worry to delight.

He had experienced the Heavenly Book's miraculous powers before, and now, with "half a page" of power stored up, it was not a loss.

Whoosh!

A mass of black mist appeared within the Heavenly Book.

"Youth, you finally came!"

"So? My method helped you open your meridians, didn't it!"

The God of the Heavenly Book said proudly.

"Now, you can let me out of the Heavenly Book..."

Halfway through the God of the Heavenly Book's words, Ryan Lawson's consciousness withdrew from the book.

"Youth, don't go... you brat, you go back on your word, how dare you deceive me, doesn't your conscience hurt..."

The God of the Heavenly Book's voice was abruptly cut off, and everything fell into darkness again.

"This God of the Heavenly Book still can't be released lightly."

Ryan Lawson looked thoughtful.

He didn't know the origins of the God of the Heavenly Book, and its strength seemed anything but simple. The consequences of releasing it were unpredictable.

Just then.

In the depths of Black Demon Ridge at night, a young man and woman approached.

The young man had a handsome face and a cold, stern demeanor; the young woman was petite, with fair and tender skin, clearly from a wealthy family.

"People from Hongguang Academy?"

Ryan Lawson recognized their background from their attire.

Near Qingchang City, there was a city called "Hongguang City," where Hongguang Academy was located.

"Black Demon Ridge is dangerous at night. You two should head back quickly."

Ryan Lawson gave a reminder, preparing to go home.

"The spiritual energy here is dense, and that depression has clearly been disturbed. The treasure that just appeared must have been taken by this person!"

The handsome young man, Henry Gale, made his judgment.

His eyes turned cold in the moonlight as he shouted, "Thief! Hand over the heavenly treasure!"

"Heavenly treasure?"

Ryan Lawson was slightly taken aback.

Could they be referring to the Spirit Qi Grass?

Those Spirit Qi Grasses only appeared because of Ryan Lawson.

By all rights, they belonged to Ryan Lawson.

Besides, the Spirit Qi Grasses had already been devoured by the Heavenly Book.

"Your cultivation is at the second level of the Meridian Opening Realm. Are you sure you want to fight me over a few Spirit Qi Grasses?"

Ryan Lawson's spiritual sense detected the fluctuation of two energy meridians within Henry Gale.

Those Spirit Qi Grasses had just matured and weren't very old. They shouldn't be that tempting to someone at the second level of the Meridian Opening Realm.

Ryan Lawson was puzzled.

"Spirit Qi Grass? Are you trying to fool a three-year-old?"

Henry Gale sneered disdainfully.