《Fantasy: One Effort, Ten Thousand Times Critical Hit Harvest!》 Chapter 1 - The Heaven Rewards Diligence System Chapter 1: The Heaven Rewards Diligence SystemDing! The notification sounded in Luo Mus mind. A look of surprise and joy appeared on Luo Mus face. Its real! Not an illusion! Just now, the system hed been waiting for fifteen long years had finally activated. It was called The Heaven Rewards Diligence System. With a bit of effort, there would be an equal amount of reward. And the rewards were always at least tenfold! For example, the tenfold critical hit just triggered was equivalent to practising ten times over! As the thought passed through his mind, a flood of insights surged into his brain. Amidst the images and sensations, it truly felt as though he had practised ten times. Luo Mu clenched his fists, and the frustrations hed harboured for so long gradually dissipated. It had been fifteen years since hed crossed into this world. Upon discovering the existence of martial arts, he had been incredibly excited. Day and night, through summer and winter, he had practised diligently. However, martial arts require talent, and in that regard, he was quite ordinary. He had begun training at the age of eight, and after seven full years, he was still stuck at the sixth level of the Body Tempering Realm, his progress painfully slow. It wasnt due to a lack of effort, but his limited talent meant that no amount of hard work could yield results. Luo Mu thought to himself. The biggest difference between geniuses and ordinary people lies in the rate of their gains. What takes a genius one day to achieve would take others ten or even dozens of days. sea??h th n?vel_Fire.et website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. Lets test my cultivation. Luo Mu immediately sat down cross-legged in the courtyard, took out a pill, and swallowed it. He silently recited the cultivation method and began circulating his energy through his meridians. An hour later Ding! The prompt echoed again in his mind. What? A hundredfold! Luo Mu was shocked. He had expected tenfold or perhaps a few dozenfold, but to his astonishment, it was a hundredfold! Boom! His body trembled, and his vitality surged! He broke through to the seventh level of the Body Tempering Realm! This is Luo Mu looked at his hands, finding it hard to believe. Although he had already approached the limit of the sixth level, he had estimated that it would still take over ten days of training, even with six hours of cultivation a day and enough pills. Yet now, in just one hour, he had made the leap! Luo Mu discovered another impressive feature of the systemit only required one pill, but the hundredfold critical hit was equivalent to using a hundred pills! It had saved him ninety-nine pills! A smile curled at Luo Mus lips. What defines a genius? A genius achieves the greatest progress with the least time and resources. Lets continue cultivating! Luo Mu composed himself and did not linger too long in his joy. Now that he had this golden opportunity, how could he slack off? The next day. Morning rays of sunlight filled the sky. Luo Mu opened the door and stepped outside. In six hours overnight, he had completed six full cycles of cultivation. Unfortunately, he hadnt triggered another hundredfold critical hit. However, the lowest had still been tenfold, so in total, it nearly added up to a hundredfold. His gains were immense. A satisfied expression appeared on Luo Mus face. This was something he wouldnt have dared to imagine in the past. If he could trigger a few more hundredfold critical hits, or even higher, the time required could be drastically reduced! I should visit the Martial Arts Pavilion. Students of the academy who reached the seventh level of the Body Tempering Realm were allowed a free visit to the Martial Arts Pavilion, where they could choose a personal cultivation method or martial skill. This was one of the academys benefits, and one of the reasons so many sought to enter. Cultivation techniques and martial skills were divided into Entry, Human, Profound, Earth, and Heaven levels. There were rumours of levels beyond Heaven, but for the vast majority of people, even a Human-level technique was already a high-level method. Outside the academy, if a Human-level technique appeared, countless martial artists would fight over it. But here, one could learn it with ease. And, if one broke through to the Spirit Aperture Realm, there was even a chance to learn a Profound-level technique! In two months, the academys grand ceremony will be held. I wonder how many of our outer academy students will make it into the rankings this time. I doubt it will be many. This year, the inner academy has recruited several geniuses from noble families. If the outer academy can retain last years numbers, it would already be impressive. As Luo Mu approached the Martial Arts Pavilion, he overheard the discussions of several students. The academys grand ceremony, huh? Luo Mu raised an eyebrow. The grand ceremony was held every three years, and anyone who made it into the top 100 received substantial rewards. Moreover, they would also have the chance to enter the military, paving the way toward titles and nobility. For many, the academys grand ceremony was seen as a turning point that could change their destiny. The academy was divided into the inner and outer sections. The inner academy was reserved for true geniuses, most of whom were children of nobles and high-ranking officials. The outer academy, on the other hand, was mostly made up of commoners, like Luo Mu. As a result, the top 100 rankings were often dominated by inner academy students, with the outer academy occasionally only managing a handful of students in the rankings. Previously, Luo Mu hadnt dared to hope for a place in the top 100 of the grand ceremony, but now, with the systems help, it was not beyond the realm of possibility. The academys rewards were incredibly generous, offering rare pills, high-level techniques, and more. Even the simplest of these rewards far surpassed anything his family could provide. After so many years, it was time to stand on his own two feet. Clearing his mind, Luo Mu entered the Martial Arts Pavilion. The pavilion had three floors. The first floor housed Entry-level martial arts. The second floor held Human-level techniques. The third floor contained Profound-level techniques. It was said that the third floor was protected by a formation, and only by passing through it could one acquire a Profound-level technique. Thus, not all students who reached the Spirit Aperture Realm could obtain a Profound-level methodit was only an opportunity, not a guarantee. Chapter 2 - Chapter 2: The Deadly Blade Technique, Reading is Also Cultivation! (Asking for Flowers!)Elder, Ive broken through to the seventh level of the Body Tempering Realm. Ive come to select a Human-level martial technique. Inside the Martial Arts Pavilion, an elder lay reclining. He looked utterly relaxed and unbothered. Upon hearing Luo Mus words, the elder didnt even bother to open his eyes. He merely nodded slightly. Luo Mu wasnt surprised. Anyone who had stayed in the academy for more than a year knew that this elder was extremely cold and detached. The first floor of the Martial Arts Pavilion was quite spacious, with nearly a hundred bookshelves arranged in rows. The rich scent of books filled the air. The second floor, in contrast, had far fewer bookshelves. Luo Mu examined each technique one by one, his knowledge expanding rapidly. Luo Mu pondered. Previously, he had practised the Mountain-Splitting Fist, a basic Entry-level martial technique that almost everyone in the academy could perform. He had merely practised it casually. But now, things were different. Human-level martial techniques were classified, and their power was immense. He couldnt just choose one at random; he had to find something that suited him. Luo Mus gaze sharpened as he stopped in front of a particular bookshelf. He pulled out a manual from it. The Deadly Blade Technique Upper-grade Human level. The name alone carried a palpable sense of slaughter, almost as though it struck him directly. He opened the manual and read the introduction. As expected, it was a brutal blade technique. It required cultivation in the midst of slaughter, and once mastered, it would condense a deadly blade aura. Each strike would carry a strong sense of death. The blade aura would invade the body, freezing bones and muscles, and devouring life force. Luo Mus interest was piqued. By all rights, someone at his level, the seventh level of the Body Tempering Realm, shouldnt choose an upper-grade Human techniqueit was far too difficult. Most of the time, it would be a waste of effort, as success was rare. On the other hand, lower-grade Human techniques, while less powerful, were much easier to master. But with the system as his trusty helper, Luo Mu wasnt concerned. As long as he put in enough effort, reaching mastery wouldnt be a problem. With that thought, Luo Mu picked up the manual and left the second floor. Elder, Ive chosen this one. Upon hearing this, the elder finally opened his eyes. When he saw that Luo Mu had chosen The Deadly Blade Technique, a rare expression of surprise appeared on his face. A newly advanced seventh-level student daring to choose an upper-grade Human technique, and it was The Deadly Blade Technique no less! Among all the upper-grade techniques in the Martial Arts Pavilion, The Deadly Blade Technique was known as one of the most challenging. Many people had spent half a year training in it, only to give up in the end. But the elder said nothing further. He had been in charge of the Martial Arts Pavilion for so long that he had seen far too many people with lofty ambitions. He was tired of advising them. Better to let them hit a wall themselvesafter the pain, they would naturally reconsider. You know the rules, right? The elder spoke indifferently. Yes. Luo Mu nodded. The manual had to be returned within a month. Additionally, the techniques couldnt be taught to othersviolating this rule would result in expulsion from the academy. Go. The elder closed his eyes again, returning to his dreams. Back at his residence, Luo Mu eagerly opened the The Deadly Blade Technique and began to study its contents. As an upper-grade Human technique, it was naturally quite obscure. Just reading through the entire manual once left Luo Mu with countless questions. However, at that moment A familiar notification sounded in his mind. Ding! Luo Mu was taken aback for a moment, then quickly realised. Reading was also part of the cultivation process. In the next instant, a wealth of information regarding The Deadly Blade Technique surged into his mind. He had memorised the entire technique, without missing a single detail. It was as though the knowledge had been etched into his brain. He even gained some insights, giving him a deeper understanding of the technique. Luo Mu focused his mind entirely on the blade technique. Time passed quickly, and before he knew it, it was noon. Ding! Luo Mu gently set the manual down and rubbed his tired eyes. At this point, he was thoroughly familiar with every detail of The Deadly Blade Technique. He wasnt a genius, but he wasnt talentless eitherotherwise, he wouldnt have made it into the academy. He had some comprehension ability. And as the saying goes, reading a book a hundred times will make its meaning clear. Accumulating nearly fifteen hundred readings had left no doubts about the blade technique. Next, it was time for actual practice. Luo Mu picked up an ordinary longsword. Following the techniques stances and incantations, he began to practise. For someone at the seventh level of the Body Tempering Realm, an upper-grade Human technique was still quite strenuous. Martial techniques of this level consumed a large amount of vitality with every practice session. As expected, after completing just one round of practice, Luo Mu felt as though a third of his vitality had been drained, and he was mentally fatigued. Even with the aid of pills, it seemed he wouldnt be able to practise many times in a day. Ding! Hundredfold! S~ea??h the NovelFire.net* website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. Luo Mu was overjoyed. While reading, he hadnt triggered anything higher than fortyfold, but now, with a hundredfold, it was equivalent to practising the technique a hundred times! On his own, it would have taken him a month to complete a hundred sessions. Boom! A flood of insights filled Luo Mus mind, rapidly enhancing his blade technique proficiency. However, soon after, Luo Mu frowned. Despite the hundredfold reward, the improvement didnt seem as significant as expected. Blade proficiency had several stages: Entry, Novice, Minor Accomplishment, Major Accomplishment, and Mastery. After the hundredfold reward, he had only reached the Novice stage. Luo Mu slapped his forehead. The Deadly Blade Technique required a special environment for trainingit needed to be practised in the midst of slaughter. Otherwise, the gains would be minimal, and eventually, there would be no gains at all. Luo Mu looked toward the southern part of the academy. That was where the back mountain lay, the academys designated training ground. The area housed various demonic beasts bred by the academy, some as powerful as third-level beasts, comparable to a human at the Spirit Sea level! Luo Mu knew his limits. With every breakthrough in the Body Tempering Realm, ones vitality would increase significantly. At the ninth level, training The Deadly Blade Technique wouldnt be as strenuous, and he could better handle the dangers of the back mountains outskirts. Returning to his room, Luo Mu sat cross-legged, swallowed a pill, and began his cultivation. Chapter 3 - When Did the Outer Academy Get Such a Powerful Bladesman Chapter 3: When Did the Outer Academy Get Such a Powerful BladesmanTime passed like a fleeting horse. Seven days quickly slipped by. Luo Mu pushed open the door and stepped outside. At this moment, he was completely different from seven days ago. His blood energy was surging, strong and overwhelming. So much so that it even seeped out from his pores, enveloping him like a blazing furnace! The ninth level of the Body Tempering Realm! Luo Mus eyes were filled with excitement. In just seven days, not only had he swiftly cultivated to the eighth level, but today, he had broken through to the ninth level in one go! Such an exaggerated rate of cultivation. Even the geniuses in the inner academy would have difficulty matching it. Of course, this was primarily due to the several hundredfold critical hits he had triggered over the past seven days. Without them, such progress wouldnt have been possible. After tasting the benefits of a hundredfold hit, Luo Mu couldnt help but fantasize about a thousandfold hit. Shaking off his thoughts, Luo Mu grabbed the longsword resting by the door. It was time to head to the back mountain. Only there would provide the right environment to practise The Deadly Blade Technique. Changle Academy. One of the seven great academies of the Da Zhou Dynasty. Its geographical location was especially unique, as it sat at the centre of the seven counties. As a result, the talented youth from these counties would come to the academy for education, unless they joined a sect. Luo Mu stood atop a massive boulder, gazing into the distance. What he saw was an endless range of rolling mountains. Ancient trees, towering as high as a hundred metres, stood tall, lush, and verdant. When the wind blew, the forest sea rolled like waves. The occasional cries of beasts echoed, adding an ominous sense of danger. Due to his previously weak strength, Luo Mu had never visited the back mountain before. Today was his first time. In fact, the back mountain was a means for outer academy students to earn resources. After killing demonic beasts, valuable parts could be sold to the academy in exchange for contribution points. Contribution points could be traded for pills, weapons, techniques, and more. Luo Mu took a deep breath, leapt down from the boulder, and charged into the forest. Before long, Luo Mu encountered his first demonic beast. It resembled a wolf, with a thick coat of fur that seemed as tough as iron. Luo Mu recognized it immediately. The academy had courses that specifically taught how to identify various types of demonic beasts and spiritual herbs. Luo Mu had completed his studies a year ago. The Ironbone Wolf was a relatively low-level demonic beast, known for its strong reproductive abilities. As a result, it was commonly found on the outskirts of the back mountain. Luo Mu drew his longsword. He silently recited the incantations for The Deadly Blade Technique, and his blood energy began circulating through the designated pathways in his body. In an instant, his entire aura shifted, becoming colder and more menacing. Sensing danger, the Ironbone Wolf instinctively tried to flee. But the next second A flash of white blade light appeared, and the Ironbone Wolf was cleaved in two, its body crashing heavily to the ground. This Ironbone Wolf was only a first-level beginner beast, equivalent to a human martial artist at the first to third levels of the Body Tempering Realm. Naturally, Luo Mu had no difficulty dealing with it. A wisp of grey mist emerged from the Ironbone Wolfs body and flowed into Luo Mus hand, forming a faint blade-shaped mark on the back of his palm. This was the Mark of Death, a sign that appeared only after achieving initial mastery of The Deadly Blade Technique. When the technique was perfected, the mark would fully form and turn jet black. Ding! Luo Mus mind was flooded with insights. At the same time, the blade-shaped mark on the back of his hand became more defined, moving him closer to Minor Accomplishment. Luo Mu muttered to himself, feeling the surge in his blade technique proficiency. Even with just a tenfold hit, it was almost as effective as the previous hundredfold hit. Luo Mu flicked the blood off his sword. For some reason, after drawing blood, it felt as if a string deep inside him had been plucked, or perhaps it was more like a door had been opened. In the dim forest, blade light flickered like snowflakes. Each flash was followed by a cry of pain. Luo Mu held his sword, panting slightly. Even though he had reached the ninth level of the Body Tempering Realm, continuous slaughter took its toll. While The Deadly Blade Technique was powerful, it consumed a great deal of energy. He had fought ten battles, and his blood energy was nearly depleted. His mind also felt fatigued. Ding! The systems notification echoed in Luo Mus mind, and a smile appeared on his tired face. Fiftyfold was quite a significant gain. A torrent of insights flooded his mind, and his blade technique proficiency advanced to Minor Accomplishment, progressing even further. In less than half a day, he had gone from Novice to Minor Accomplishment. Such terrifying speed would shock anyone if they knew. After all, this was an upper-grade Human technique, not some common Entry-level method. Even the geniuses in the inner academy would take at least ten days to half a month to reach Minor Accomplishment. Luo Mu glanced at the longsword in his hand. The blade was already chipped. After all, it was just an ordinary sword, not even well-refined. Looking back, there were over a dozen demonic beast corpses lying on the ground. Among them were Bloodrage Monkeys. Once enraged, their strength surged considerably, making them far more formidable than the Ironbone Wolf. Moreover, these Bloodrage Monkeys had relatively high cultivation levels, with the strongest nearing the high-tier of the first level. Luo Mu approached the corpses and harvested their hearts, the most valuable part of a Bloodrage Monkey. These hearts were the primary ingredient for refining Bloodrage Pills. As for the Ironbone Wolf from earlier, it had no value, so Luo Mu hadnt bothered with it. Luo Mu turned and left. He was planning to stay in the back mountain for a while, at least until his blade technique reached perfection. After Luo Mu left, three figures appeared in the area, moving together. When they saw the corpses scattered around, their faces filled with astonishment. Brother Lu, who could have done this? On the way here, I counted at least seventy to a hundred dead beasts, and most of them were killed with a single slash! Even the Bloodrage Monkeys were taken down with one strike! When did the outer academy have such a powerful bladesman? One of them asked. The young man referred to as Brother Lu didnt answer immediately. He crouched down and touched the wound on one of the corpses. As his fingers made contact, a chilling sensation ran through them, as though even his life force was being drained. Brother Lu stood up and said seriously. Sar?h the ovelFire.et website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. Hiss! The sound of sharp intakes of breath followed immediately. In the outer academy, The Deadly Blade Technique was well known as one of the strongest upper-grade Human techniques. When mastered, it could rival lower-grade Profound techniques at the Minor Accomplishment stage! However, due to its extreme difficulty, it had been gradually abandoned over time, and few people practised it anymore. And this person is already nearing Minor Accomplishment. Brother Lu added. Upon hearing this, the other two were even more shocked. For a technique of this level, reaching Minor Accomplishment was a qualitative leap in power. Brother Lu smiled. The two immediately nodded in agreement. With the inner academys reputation, it was natural for outer academy students to feel inferior, always believing they couldnt measure up. But now the outer academy had its own experts! Chapter 4 - Mastering the Blade Technique Chapter 4: Mastering the Blade TechniqueThe sun set and the moon rose, repeating the cycle endlessly. Unknowingly. Half a month had passed in the blink of an eye. On top of a massive rock. A tall figure sat cross-legged. His features were both handsome and resolute. His eyebrows were sharp as blades, brimming with an aura of fierceness. His whole demeanor exuded coldness, giving off an impression of unapproachability. It was Luo Mu. At a certain moment. Luo Mu slowly opened his eyes. It was difficult to describe his gaze. It was as though there were no emotions. Only after he blinked did they gradually return to normal. Luo Mu glanced around as he spoke. Corpses were strewn in piles around him. He had slaughtered an entire demonic beast nest. Luo Mu leaped down from the rock, a smile forming on his face. At the same time, he raised his right hand. On the back of his hand, there was a deep black, blade-shaped mark. Gray mist seemed to swirl within it. This wasthe Absolute Death Blade Qi! After half a month of practice, he had lost track of how many demonic beasts he had slain until today, when he finally wiped out an entire nest. Only now was the technique perfected. Luo Mu shook his head. Martial arts cultivation consists of nine realms. Body Tempering, True Aperture, Spirit Sea, Mysterious Core, Earth Splitting, Heaven Opening, Divine Ability, Nirvana, and Supreme. Body Tempering primarily focuses on refining the body and strengthening the internal organs. The True Aperture Realm. Involves unlocking nine major apertures hidden deep within the body. Each aperture contains a rich amount of primal blood. Also known as Innate Blood. Once the apertures are unlocked, the primal blood merges with the entire body, enhancing all physical functions. Strength, defense, speed, and so on. These improvements are far greater than those achieved during Body Tempering. When all nine apertures are opened and merged into one, the martial artist undergoes a transformation. With the nine apertures united, breaking the shackles, the martial artist can begin absorbing the energy of heaven and earth for further cultivation. This is the key to entering the Spirit Sea Realm. In the past half-month, besides practicing his blade technique, Luo Mu hadnt neglected his cultivation. He had reached the peak of the ninth level of Body Tempering. Only half a step away from the True Aperture Realm. But that half-step was challenging. Breaking through a major realm requires either a slow accumulation of strength. Or using a potent pill to forcefully break through. Weak water cant break down a dam. For Luo Mu, the only option was the latter. sea??h th novlF~ire.net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. He didnt have time for gradual accumulation. And the pills needed to break through were incredibly precious. In the past. He certainly couldnt afford them. But now. Luo Mu glanced at the nearby package. It was stuffed with precious materials obtained from killing demonic beasts. It should be enough to trade for one. Luo Mu grabbed the package, satisfied, and began walking toward the outer palace. However, at that moment. He suddenly froze, his gaze shifting to the east. After practicing the Absolute Death Blade Technique, he had become sensitive to killing intent. And from that direction. He sensed an overwhelming killing intent, but it didnt seem to come from a demonic beast. It felt more human. Cheng Qingman clutched her waist, where blood flowed uncontrollably, fury evident on her fair face. She had just returned from training in the depths of the mountains. As she passed through the area, she saw an inner palace disciple lying on the ground, seemingly gravely injured. Without much thought. She approached, prepared to help. But in the next second, the inner palace disciple suddenly launched a sneak attack. Fortunately, Cheng Qingman reacted swiftly. Dodging a fatal blow. However, her waist had been severely injured. If she didnt treat it soon, her life could be in danger. No wonder youre one of the academys renowned geniuses. Even in this situation, you dodged my fatal strike and even countered with a palm. The inner palace disciples lips were stained with blood. Clutching his chest, he stumbled. Cheng Qingman was at the sixth level of the True Aperture Realm. He was only at the first level. A single palm strike had left him gravely injured. But compared to Cheng Qingman, his condition was slightly better. You dare to reveal your identity within the academy? Do you think youll walk out of here alive? Cheng Qingman said coldly. I had no choice. The higher-ups are pressing me. If I dont kill an inner palace genius, how can I report back? The inner palace disciple pressed a few points on his chest. His complexion improved slightly. Cheng Qingman took a stance. Their injuries were comparable, and she was at the sixth level. How could she lose? But the next second. Cheng Qingmans expression changed drastically. Suddenly, she felt her entire body go weak, her strength leaving her. Thats when she noticed the dense black lines spreading from her waist. You you used poison! Cheng Qingmans body trembled as she dropped to one knee, cold sweat covering her face. You say that like its a joke. Im a martial artist of the demonic path; of course, I use poison. Seeing her condition, the inner palace disciple visibly relaxed. Damn it! Cheng Qingman quickly pulled out an antidote pill and swallowed it. But it was ineffective. Clearly, this wasnt ordinary poison. The antidote only delayed its spread slightly. A cruel glint flashed in the inner palace disciples eyes. He picked up a nearby sword and prepared to sever Cheng Qingmans head. Cheng Qingmans face filled with unwillingness. She was a genius, her fathers pride, with a bright future ahead. But due to a moment of carelessness, she was about to die at the hands of a demonic path disciple. At that moment. The sound of a branch breaking suddenly echoed. Whos there? The inner palace disciples face changed, looking in the direction of the sound. Chapter 5 - This Junior Brother Is Quite Ruthless! Chapter 5: This Junior Brother Is Quite Ruthless!Luo Mu felt a bit helpless as he looked at the broken branch beneath his feet. He had forgotten that he was still holding the heavy package in his hand; otherwise, he wouldnt have stepped on it directly and broken it. I didnt expect there to actually be a demonic sect traitor in the academy. Luo Mu murmured to himself. In the past, he had only heard others speak of such things, but now he had witnessed it with his own eyes. In the Great Zhou Dynasty, imperial power was naturally supreme, followed by sects, and finally these demonic sect forces and foreign tribes. The demonic sects thrived on chaos, spreading evil doctrines everywhere, disturbing the rule of the dynasty, and were naturally targeted for purging. However, like a centipede that refuses to die, the demonic sects would always find a way to resurrect themselves, leading to a long-standing stalemate between the two sides. Junior Brother, run! Cheng Qingman shouted loudly. Seeing someone approach earlier had given her hope, but when she saw it was merely an Outer Palace student in the ninth layer of the Body Refinement Realm, her heart sank. Even though the demonic cultivator had already been severely injured by her, someone at the ninth layer of Body Refinement couldnt possibly handle him. Run? Well die together! The Inner Palace disciple rushed at Luo Mu. For someone in the ninth layer of Body Refinement, he could easily kill him with one palm. True Aperture Realm Luo Mu felt as though his blood was boiling. Perhaps it was because his skill had boosted his courage. His mastery of the sword gave him confidence, and at that moment, he wasnt afraid. He had only one thought in mind: Strike! With that in mind, Luo Mu threw down the package and drew his sword. Ridiculous! The Inner Palace disciple nearly laughed out loud upon seeing Luo Mu draw his sword instead of running. But the next moment, his laughter froze, replaced by shock and fear. Absolute Death! Boom! A ten-meter-long grey sword light slashed through the air, slicing the air apart and heading straight for the disciple. The Inner Palace disciple instinctively raised his sword to block, but The blade shattered instantly, and the sword light sliced into his shoulder. Ah! He screamed as his right arm flew off, blood gushing like a fountain. Even though he was a True Aperture Realm martial artist, he instinctively dodged, so only his right arm was severed. What sword technique is this?! Blood dripped from the Inner Palace disciples mouth as he stared at Luo Mu in disbelief. How could a mere ninth-layer Body Refinement cultivator possess such a powerful sword technique? It was strong enough to threaten, even kill, a newly ascended True Aperture Realm martial artist. Even if he hadnt been injured, his chances of winning against such a technique would have been lowlet alone now. Luo Mu didnt respond. Or rather, he didnt bother to respond. He kicked off, charging toward the disciple. The Inner Palace disciple was in a terrible state. This was the perfect time to strike a man while he was downany wasted words would just squander the opportunity! You! The disciple was both shocked and enraged. How had the tables turned so quickly? He, the hunter, had now become the prey! And his opponent was merely a ninth-layer Body Refinement cultivator! Absolute Death! The sword light was sharp and relentless, slicing through the air like snow. In the past half-month, Luo Mus combat experience had grown considerably, and his use of the sword had become more precise and ruthless. Each strike aimed for a vital point. The Inner Palace disciple continued to retreat, his body accumulating more wounds. The thick aura of death infiltrated his body, consuming his life force with every passing moment. Given enough time, he would only grow weaker and weaker. Die! Suddenly, the disciples expression turned vicious. He spat a mouthful of pitch-black blood at Luo Mu. But Luo Mu had been on guard the entire time. He tilted his head, dodging the attack, and closed in. With one swift motion, he drove his sword into the disciples mouth, piercing through the back of his head. The blood that spilled onto the ground immediately corroded a large patch of grass, releasing a foul stench. In one of his miscellaneous classes, the teachers had specifically mentioned the common methods used by demonic cultivators: The first was ambush, The second, poison. And Poisoning was the most common. Every part of their body could be infused with poison, even their saliva could be lethal. Being cautious really paid off, Luo Mu let out a sigh of relief and smiled. It seemed his earlier judgment was correct. Mastery of his sword technique indeed allowed him to contend with a newly ascended True Aperture Realm martial artist. Nohe had underestimated himself. Even if the disciple had been uninjured, he could have killed him! But if it were a True Aperture Realm martial artist above the third layer, that might be a different story. With these thoughts in mind, Luo Mu prepared to sheath his sword, but it had broken in two. Sear?h the Novl?ire.n(e)t website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. The sword that had accompanied him for over half a month had finally reached its limit. He tossed away the handle and turned to look at the woman. Cheng Qingman swore she had never encountered anything so absurd in her life. An Outer Palace ninth-layer Body Refinement disciple had actually slain a True Aperture Realm Inner Palace disciple! Even though the Inner Palace disciple had been injured, no one at the ninth layer of Body Refinement should be able to stand a chance against him. Yet, the reality was staring her in the face. Am I hallucinating? Cheng Qingmans beautiful eyes widened in disbelief. Hey, are you alright? Hearing this, Cheng Qingman snapped out of her daze. She saw the Outer Palace disciple standing a short distance away, hesitating whether to approach. Dont worry, this poison isnt contagious, Cheng Qingman reassured him, fully aware of the poisons nature as the one affected by it. At the same time, a strange sense of disappointment welled up in her. In the Inner Palace, she had always been admired as a beauty, with countless people trying to get close to her. Yet now, it seemed she was being avoided. Thats good to hear, Luo Mu nodded, then calmly stepped on the Inner Palace disciples neck and snapped it. He took out a cloth and wrapped the head, I hope Senior Sister can vouch for me in this matter. The head of a demonic sect traitor was worth a lot. It would probably earn him many contribution points. Watching this scene, Cheng Qingmans eye twitched. This junior brother seemed a bit ruthless. Of course, and thank you, Junior Brother, for saving me. Otherwise, I would have surely died at this villains hands! Cheng Qingman took a deep breath and sincerely promised, When we return, Ill reward you generously! Thats very kind of you. At the mention of a generous reward, a smile immediately appeared on Luo Mus face. He was in desperate need of cultivation resources right now. And judging by the womans Inner Palace attire and her impressive strength, she was probably quite wealthy. Lets go. Luo Mu stepped closer and helped the woman up. Cheng Qingman was left speechless. At some point, Luo Mu had put on a pair of gloves, clearly not wanting any direct contact with her. Isnt this a bit too cautious? Better safe than sorry, Luo Mu said with a smile. True, Cheng Qingman could only manage a forced smile. Chapter 6 - Second-Grade Origin Breaking Pill! Chapter 6: Second-Grade Origin Breaking Pill!Cheng Qingman. Luo Mu. On their way back, the two introduced themselves to each other. If Im not mistaken, Junior Brother Luo was using the earlier, right? Cheng Qingman asked. She had taken a few more antidote pills. As long as she avoided combat and refrained from circulating her blood energy, the poison wouldnt spread quickly. Yes. Luo Mu nodded. Thats the most powerful sword technique among our academys human-tier martial arts, she remarked, a trace of admiration in her tone. Throughout the academys history, very few have been able to master it. I didnt expect that you had achieved such mastery, Junior Brother. Cheng Qingman was clearly impressed. at the Perfection Stage wasnt some minor accomplishment. In martial arts, each small stage represented a qualitative difference. No wonder Luo Mu had been able to defeat that demonic True Aperture Realm cultivator. Thats because geniuses like you in the Inner Palace dont care much for human-tier martial arts, Luo Mu replied with a smile. Once you reach the True Aperture Realm, you can directly learn earth-tier techniques. Why waste time on human-tier arts? This was one of the perks of being an Inner Palace genius. It was different in the Outer Palace. Even if one reached the True Aperture Realm, learning an earth-tier technique required passing the assessment in the Martial Arts Pavilion. Not to mention that most Inner Palace geniuses came from noble families, where advanced martial arts were readily available. Even so, Junior Brother Luo overestimates the Inner Palace. Very few here can train the to Perfection. Cheng Qingman responded. Perhaps, Luo Mu said nonchalantly. As they casually chatted, they soon arrived back at the academymore specifically, the Inner Palace. Unlike the Outer Palace, the Inner Palace was much more refined in its environment. Many areas were surrounded by Yuan Gathering Arrays. Luo Mu sat on a chair with the demonic traitors head at his feet, observing the talents passing by in the Inner Palace. Most of them were in the True Aperture Realm. Their aura and temperament were far superior to anything found in the Outer Palace. It was clear that their upbringing and training from a young age made a significant difference. Whos that? Looks like an Outer Palace disciple. Is that blood seeping from the cloth? Is there a head inside? Some sharp-eyed Inner Palace disciples noticed something unusual but, after frowning briefly, didnt interfere. Although Luo Mu was only in the ninth layer of Body Refinement, his half-month training in the back mountains and the blood-soaked head at his feet were intimidating enough to keep them at bay. Soon enough, Cheng Qingman emerged. After treatment from the academy elders, most of the poison had been cleared from her system. With some rest, she would fully recover. Junior Brother, sorry for the wait. Lets go, Cheng Qingman said with a smile. She had also changed her clothes, now looking completely different from before. Her skin was as smooth as snow, her waist slender, and her long, shapely legs were particularly eye-catching. Even Luo Mu couldnt help but glance a little longer. Noticing his gaze, Cheng Qingmans lips curled into a smile. I thought you werent interested in women, she mused. With how cautious you were along the way She subtly straightened her chest, trying to show off, but quickly realised her modest figure wasnt exactly impressive. Thank you, Senior Sister, Luo Mu nodded. Without someone to vouch for him, it would have been quite troublesome. Theres no need to thank me. This is what I should do, Cheng Qingman replied with a shake of her head. Oh, by the way, Ive prepared something for you as a token of gratitude. As she spoke, Cheng Qingman pulled out a small medicine bottle from her chest. This is a , a second-grade pill. I see that youre on the verge of a breakthrough, so this should come in handy! ! Luo Mus breath caught in his throat. His hands, hidden under his sleeves, clenched involuntarily. In his usual training, he had only used ordinary medicinal pelletshardly even true pills. He had never even seen a first-grade pill, let alone a second-grade one. And yet, Cheng Qingman had casually offered him a second-grade pill as a reward. Moreover, it was a ! During one of the academys classes on medicinal pills, he had heard the teachers mention that the was the best choice for a stable breakthrough into the True Aperture Realm. Its medicinal power was not only immense but also highly potent. However, its price was astronomical, far beyond the means of an ordinary person. Even if Luo Mu sold all the demonic beast materials he had collected, he still couldnt afford it. Of course, if he included the head of the traitor, it might be possible. This is quite valuable, Luo Mu said as he reached out, smoothly taking the pill and tucking it into his sleeve in one fluid motion. Cheng Qingman was momentarily stunned, left with nothing but her empty hand, which she awkwardly rubbed. Who accepts something so valuable while still being modest? Of course, she had intended to give the pill to him from the start, but Luo Mus straightforwardness was refreshing. It was a stark contrast to the long-winded politeness and empty courtesies of the Inner Palace. After spending so much time among such formalities, it had grown dull. Luo Mu, though? Sear?h the Novel?ire(.)ne*t website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. Even if he was occasionally modest and polite, he was still direct. He was real. She enjoyed being around someone like that. In comparison to my life, whats the value of a pill? Cheng Qingman chuckled softly. If you ever need any help in the future, dont hesitate to find me, Junior Brother Luo. Shortly after, under Cheng Qingmans guidance, Luo Mu arrived at the Appraisal Pavilion. With a genius from the Inner Palace like Cheng Qingman leading the way, many of the usual tedious procedures were easily bypassed. These demonic sect traitors are like a never-ending plague. We just got rid of a few last month, and yet heres another one, the deacon of the Appraisal Pavilion remarked coldly as he took the head. Your name is Luo Mu, correct? Yes. Luo Mu nodded. The academys reward for dealing with demonic sect True Aperture traitors is 5,000 contribution points per head. The deacon handed Luo Mu five blue tokens, each representing 1,000 contribution points. Alright. Luo Mu had no objections. Since he had never dealt with such matters before, he didnt fully understand the system, but he trusted that the deacon wouldnt cheat him. There was no reason to, after all. Oh, and these as wellId like to exchange them for contribution points. Luo Mu produced a large bundle of demonic beast materials. However, they were only worth 600 contribution points. According to the deacon, these were merely first-tier materials, not very valuable. Luo Mu was quite relieved he had encountered that demonic sect traitor. After hunting demonic beasts for half a month, all he had earned was 600 contribution points. The difference in value between the two was staggering. Chapter 7 - Breakthrough, True Aperture Realm! Chapter 7: Breakthrough, True Aperture Realm!Just over a month from now is the academys grand ceremony. Junior Brother Luo, youll be participating, right? Cheng Qingman asked. Hmm. Luo Mu nodded. The rewards at the academys grand ceremony were extremely generous, and there was no way he would miss it. However, before the grand ceremony. He still had to train hard, improve his cultivation, and learn more martial arts techniques. Over the past half month, he had noticed his weaknesses. For example, his defense. And his speed. If his opponent was skilled in movement techniques, it would be difficult for him to keep up. Coming to the Inner Palace today. He truly felt the power of the Inner Palace disciples. Looking around, nearly all of them were at the True Aperture Realm, full of vigorous energy and blood. These geniuses enjoyed the best resources and benefits. Naturally, their strength was not to be underestimated. Therefore, he had to improve comprehensively. Only then could he possibly defeat these geniuses, enter the top 100, or perhaps even higher! With your blade technique, entering the top 100 shouldnt be a problem. Cheng Qingman said frankly. Then Ill borrow your good wishes, Senior Sister. I have something to do, so Ill take my leave. Luo Mu smiled, cupping his hands before turning to leave. He didnt have time to waste. Uh Cheng Qingman had wanted to talk more with Luo Mu. Sar?h the N?vel(F)ire.et website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. After all, it was rare to meet someone who shared her interests. But Luo Mu seemed uninterested. This made Cheng Qingman wonder if her charm had recently declined. You seem to have confidence in that kid. The steward said. How many have mastered the to perfection? How could I not be confident? Cheng Qingman replied. But its still just a top-tier Human-tier technique. The steward shook his head, And the Inner Palace is full of hidden talents, especially this year, which is stronger than ever. You have a point. Cheng Qingman nodded slightly. She thought of a few people, and indeed, some were extraordinarily powerful, having already stepped into Back in his room, Luo Mu eagerly closed the door. He then sat cross-legged on his bed. He took out the that Cheng Qingman had given him. The main effect of this pill was to help martial artists break through major realms. Beyond that, it had no other use. Luo Mus eyes filled with anticipation. In his previous estimate, it would have taken him at least three years, perhaps even longer, to reach this realm. But now. It had only taken just over half a month. It felt almost like a dream. He exhaled softly. Luo Mu cleared his mind, adjusted his state, and then swallowed the . Almost the moment it entered his stomach. A surge of powerful medicinal energy erupted from the pill, spreading throughout his body. Luo Mu quickly circulated his cultivation technique. He absorbed all of it. His energy and blood skyrocketed, increasing six or seven times in a short amount of time! The human body has nine major apertures. They are located in the center of the right hand, the left hand, the right foot, the left foot, and five near the internal organs. The barrier in the center of the right hand is the thinnest. And the easiest to sense. So when martial artists aim to break through to the True Aperture Realm, they typically choose to open the aperture in their right hand first. Luo Mu closed his eyes. His consciousness was focused. In the darkness, he sensed a small light. That was the aperture! Without hesitation, Luo Mu surged his energy and blood, like a tidal wave, toward the aperture! The barrier around the aperture didnt hold for long before it began to shatter. Under normal circumstances, Luo Mus energy and blood wouldnt have had such overwhelming power. But the boost from the was immense. After the aperture shattered. Golden primal blood began to flow out. In an instant, every part of his body felt a craving, as if it knew that devouring this primal blood would bring immense benefits! The primal blood flowed through his meridians, spreading throughout his body. Gradually, it was absorbed by his physical body. Luo Mu felt his body tremble. Whether it was his muscles, skin, meridians, or bones, they all became more compact and resilient. Black impurities were expelled from the surface of his skin. This process lasted for the time it takes to burn a stick of incense before it slowly stopped. Luo Mu stood up and shook off the impurities from his body. His skin appeared white and tough. Though only seventeen, his body was nearly fully developed. He stood at about six feet tall. His frame was both lean and muscular. Luo Mu casually threw a punch, and the air seemed to explode! This punch must be close to thirty thousand pounds of force. No wonder they say the True Aperture Realm and primal blood bring such a huge improvement. Luo Mu thought excitedly. He remembered that when he was at the ninth level of Body Tempering, his punch was only around five or six thousand pounds. If not for his powerful blade technique. He wouldnt have been able to face off against that demonic path True Aperture martial artist. In terms of his previous lifes understanding, was similar to magic damage. You diligently cultivated, used a to break through, triggered a critical hit, and received ten times the reward! Suddenly, a system notification sounded in his mind. Luo Mu was momentarily stunned. A series of images flashed in his mind. They showed him breaking through. It was as if he had broken through ten times. Something dawned on Luo Mu, and his eyes lit up. Breaking through wasnt always guaranteed. He had the , so success was almost certain. But without the pill, with insufficient preparation, failure was more likely. However, with a critical hit reward. As long as his luck wasnt terrible, even after ten attempts, one would surely succeed! System, youre awesome. Luo Mu gave a thumbs-up. In this world, talent didnt entirely limit a persons potential. It only limited their cultivation speed and the probability of breaking through major realms. The better ones talent. The faster their cultivation. And their realm barriers would be weaker, making breakthroughs easier. Although his talent was average, the critical hit rewards meant he had unlimited chances! Ill consolidate my realm tonight, and tomorrow, Ill head to the Martial Arts Hall again. Luo Mu opened the window to let in some fresh air, then sat back down on his bed. He needed to learn more martial arts! To make up for his deficiencies! Chapter 8 - Will the Defeat Be Too Fast? Chapter 8: Will the Defeat Be Too Fast? The next day. At the break of dawn. Luo Mu put on clean, tidy clothes and walked out of his room. After breaking through to the True Aperture Realm, his entire demeanor had changed significantly. There was even a trace of majesty in his gaze. This was the transformation brought by a breakthrough to a higher realm. Everyone experiences it. Especially the strongest individuals. Their gaze alone could shatter mountains and cut through rivers. sea??h th ovlFire .net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. When he arrived at the Martial Arts Hall. Because it was early morning, there werent many people around. However, the elder was already lying back in his chair. It was unclear whether he had never left his spot or had simply arrived early. Elder, Ive come to return the manual. Luo Mu took out the manual and placed it on the table. Upon hearing this. The elder slowly opened his eyes. He glanced at Luo Mu, and a flash of surprise appeared in his gaze. He remembered this young man. Half a month ago, he had borrowed the . At that time, Luo Mu was only at the seventh level of Body Tempering, but now, he had already broken through to the True Aperture Realm. It seemed he had good potential. Without saying much, the elder picked up the manual, checked that it was undamaged, and then put it away. A hint of satisfaction flickered across his face. This was someone who knew when to quit. He had returned the manual after just half a month. Unlike others who would continue stubbornly until they hit a wall before realizing their mistake. In the elders mind, Luo Mu must have realized he couldnt fully master the technique, which is why he returned the manual so early. Luo Mu, of course, had no idea what the elder was thinking. He continued, Elder, Id like to challenge the formation on the third floor. Upon hearing this. The elder, who was about to close his eyes again, opened them once more. Are you serious? The formation on the third floor isnt something just anyone can challenge, and youve only just entered the True Aperture Realm. Id like to give it a try. Luo Mus eyes were firm. Seeing this, the elder nodded and didnt say much more. As he had said before. Over the years, he had seen far too many young men. Many of them would rush to challenge the formations right after breaking through, only to leave humiliated, and no amount of advice could dissuade them. But youthful arrogance was to be expected. However, his opinion of Luo Mu had begun to decline. When they reached the third floor. Before them was a long, wide passageway. It was about twenty meters long. At first glance, it didnt seem dangerous. When you step inside, the formation will activate, and youll enter a maze where illusions will appear. The illusions are about as strong as someone at the first level of the True Aperture Realm. But there will be many of them. Take it seriously. I hope you can make it through. The elder advised. But his tone was casual. He didnt actually believe Luo Mu could succeed. A novice in the True Aperture Realm had too shallow a foundation. He might be able to handle one illusion, but the maze contained ten! Thank you for the advice, Elder. Luo Mu nodded. His right hand rested on the hilt of his sword. It was a new sword. But it was also just a mortal weapon, something temporary for now. He then took a step into the passageway. In an instant. The scenery around him changed. The ground beneath him was like a mirror, reflecting his image, and each step he took sent ripples across the surface. So this is the power of a formation. Luo Mu found it fascinating. He had never experienced anything like this before, only heard that powerful formations could trap someone for eternity. Suddenly, the water ahead rippled. One shadow after another emerged. There were ten in total. Each one exuded a powerful aura, all at the first level of the True Aperture Realm! With these numbers, its no wonder someone newly entering the True Aperture Realm would struggle to handle it. Luo Mus gaze remained calm. It would take someone at least at the third or fourth level of the True Aperture Realm to crush these illusions. However, if a martial artist at the third level came, the strength of the illusions would also increase to match the third level. The key to passing through was ones foundation. One would need to master a Human-tier martial art to perfection to have a chance of succeeding. Earth-tier martial arts were incredibly precious. The academy only taught them to true elites. If someone couldnt defeat ten mindless illusions, how could they be considered elite? But Im not an ordinary True Aperture Realm martial artist! Luo Mu drew the sword from his waist. The back of his right hand, hidden beneath his sleeve, was gradually revealed. The ten illusions suddenly opened their cold eyes and charged at Luo Mu. Their claws were sharp. Like blades. Once the reached perfection, its power was comparable to that of a low-tier Earth-level martial art in its minor success stage. Absolute Death! With a low shout, Luo Mu also charged forward, sword in hand! surged from the mark, enveloping the blade, extending it to a length of ten meters! Luo Mu dodged all the illusions attacks, brushing past them. Meanwhile, the slashed through their waists. The next second. All the illusions were cut in half. They turned into mist and disappeared. At the same time, the surrounding scenery began to shatter like bubbles. Outside. The elder was timing Luo Mu. He was curious to see how long Luo Mu could last or, rather, how many breaths it would take before he was sent flying. When ripples appeared in the passageway. The elder knew it was over. He couldnt help but smirk. It had only been five breaths. Was it already over? Could it be that he had been defeated too quickly? In the past, those newly entering the True Aperture Realm could at least hold on for ten breaths. This young man had a sturdy and tall physique, but it seemed he was all show and no substance. He was the weakest challenger the elder had seen in years. Soon. Luo Mus figure appeared in the passageway. The elder was about to step forward to help him up. But then his pupils contracted, and an expression of disbelief filled his eyes. In his expectations, Luo Mu should be lying on the ground by now. But instead, the opposite was true. Luo Mu was still standing, slowly sheathing his sword. A strong, gray mist of blade energy still lingered around him. That was !!! You! The elder was in disbelief and even rubbed his eyes. When he saw the deep black blade mark on the back of Luo Mus right hand, he was completely certainit was ! This young man had actually mastered the to perfection! But how could this be? He had only borrowed the manual half a month ago. Did that mean he had mastered it to perfection in just half a month? The elder felt his understanding of the world had been completely shaken. Chapter 9 - Lifeless Blade Sutra” and “Profound Sun Dominating Body Technique Chapter 9: Elder, may I go in and select a Profound Rank martial art now? Luo Mu turned around and said with a smile. Martial arts encompass both cultivation techniques and combat skills. The elder didnt respond but quickly approached Luo Mu. He stared at the deep black blade mark on Luo Mus hand for a long time without speaking. No wonder he was returning the manual today; it wasnt that it was too difficult or that he couldnt learn it. Instead he had already mastered it! For a moment, the elders long-stilled heart stirred. I didnt expect a genius like you to appear among the commoner disciples of the outer sect. The elders gaze gradually moved to Luo Mus face, meeting his eyes. You flatter me, Elder, Luo Mu smiled slightly. He knew what the elder was referring to. Mastering the in half a month was indeed shocking. But Luo Mu wasnt afraid, because he had achieved it through hard work, not some dark or evil method. There was no need to hide his talent. In the academy, showing ones talent and strength is crucial, or theyll miss out on many cultivation resources. I thought you wouldnt last five breaths before being driven out, The elder said, I truly underestimated you. Your name is Luo Mu, right? The elder now gave Luo Mu a proper look. Yes, Luo Mu nodded. Ill remember that. Go ahead and make your selection. The elder continued, On the third floor of the Martial Arts Pavilion, the highest rank is middle-grade Profound Rank. You can choose a lower-grade one for free, but if you want a middle-grade one, youll have to make up the difference with contribution points. I understand. Thud thud Luo Mu immediately turned and walked inside. Youthful talent Watching Luo Mus back, the elder gently stroked his white beard, a look of admiration on his face. His cloudy eyes were now filled with brightness. For someone of his age, seeing such a gifted commoner disciple in the outer sect was truly gratifying. In terms of talent, this boy might be the top of the outer sect. The elder thought to himself. At least, in his knowledge, no one in the outer sect had mastered the in such a short time. Even among the prodigies of the inner sect, there were few like him. Passing through the corridor, Luo Mu arrived at the third floor. Compared to the first and second floors, there were far fewer bookshelves hereonly two. Luo Mu approached and examined them one by one. Each manual was placed inside a deep black box, which could only be opened by special means. However, there were descriptions on the boxes, giving an overview of the martial arts. , Profound Rank lower grade. Once mastered, the spear moves as swift as the wind, invisible, its movements unpredictable like its hidden in the clouds Requires: 5,000 contribution points. , Profound Rank lower grade. Created by Sword Venerable Wen Tai Ah in his youth, it contains three forms, each with profound swordsmanship insights Requires: 5,000 contribution points. , Profound Rank lower grade. Created by a former palace master of this academy during stargazing, it has a vast concept. Once mastered, the fist technique becomes grand and open, greatly aiding in understanding fist momentum Requires: 5,000 contribution points. Rustle Luo Mu finished browsing the first shelf. These were all lower-grade Profound Rank martial arts. Just from the descriptions, they were clearly far superior to Human Rank techniques. There were even lower-grade Profound Rank blade techniques, which made Luo Mus heart itch. Sar?h the N?velFire(.)net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. Compared to Human Rank martial arts, the true value of Profound Rank techniques lies not only in their power but also in helping martial artists grasp the grand momentum of martial arts! What is grand momentum? It is a mysterious aura that can affect the surrounding void, placing immense physical and mental pressure on opponents while greatly enhancing the power of ones martial techniques. Blade users call it blade momentum, swordsmen call it sword momentum, fist masters call it fist momentum, and so on. However, comprehending grand momentum is extremely difficult. Among hundreds of thousands of martial artists, only a rare few will succeed. It requires immense talent. Thus, martial arts that help with understanding grand momentum are incredibly valuable. Of course, Profound Rank techniques only provide a little help in this regardthe rest depends on the individual. Most people, even after mastering Profound Rank martial arts, will still fail to grasp grand momentum. In this vast academy, only the top-ranked prodigies might have such potential. Too expensive, Luo Mu muttered, shaking his head. His primary goal today was to exchange for a body-refining technique. Compared to martial artists of the same level, his physical strength was somewhat lacking, both in defense and speed. This had become evident during his half-month of training. He needed to remedy this quickly. His initial plan was to exchange for a body-refining technique, and if he had any leftover contribution points, he would then choose a lower-grade Profound Rank blade technique. But now, that seemed impossible. As for offensive techniques, the would suffice for now. On the second shelf were the middle-grade Profound Rank techniques. Luo Mu glanced at the prices and breathed a sigh of relief. Swoosh Thankfully, they werent more expensive than he expected; he could make up the difference with contribution points. If he was going to train, he might as well go for the higher-grade techniques. That was the way to gain greater strengthto close the gap, or perhaps widen it! , Profound Rank middle grade Requires: 10,000 contribution points. , Profound Rank middle grade Luo Mu carefully examined each one, his breathing becoming heavier. He wanted to learn them all! But unfortunately, he lacked the contribution points! , Profound Rank middle grade. A powerful blade technique that can only be mastered through slaughter Upon mastery, the blade aura conceals itself, eyes filled with the essence of death, and a single strike brings no life Requires: 10,000 contribution points. When Luo Mu saw this blade technique, he clenched his fists tightly. His interest in the blade was immense, and this technique sparked his excitement. Moreover, he had a feelingperhaps mistakenthat this technique was somewhat similar to the . What a pity, Luo Mu gritted his teeth and put it back. Deep down, he wished he could slay a few more demonic traitors right away! Ill come back for it later. Bang Luo Mus determination was firm. He knew exactly what he needed most at this moment. No matter what happens, Ill remain unmoved. A strong body is the foundation. , Profound Rank middle grade. Allows the user to absorb the essence of the sun, strengthening blood vitality and generating the power of blazing sunlight Upon mastery, one can release their blood vitality to form a fiery armor Requires: 10,000 contribution points. Chapter 10 - The Elder’s... Selfishness! Chapter 10: The Elders Selfishness!, Profound Rank Middle Grade. It absorbs the essence of the sun into the body, strengthening blood vitality, cultivating the power of blazing sunlight When perfected, it allows one to release blood vitality outside the body and form a fiery armor Requires: 10,000 contribution points. This technique isnt bad. Luo Mus eyes brightened. It could actually absorb the essence of the sun from the heavens and earth. The essence of the sun, also known as the supreme Yang essence, was one of the best forces for tempering the body. It could burn away deep impurities in the flesh, refining the meridians, muscles, and bones, continuously strengthening the body. Ones blood vitality would also become as blazing and powerful as the sun. It would be enough to resist certain demonic arts, evil techniques, and even poisons. Most importantly, when perfected, it could form a suit of flame armor from ones blood vitality outside the body. Its defensive power was extremely high. Unless faced with divine weapons, ordinary martial artists wouldnt be able to break through it, nor even leave a mark. Youre the one! Luo Mu grabbed the black box and walked outside. The elder was still waiting at the door. When he saw Luo Mu coming out, a rare smile appeared on his usually calm face. Have you chosen? The elder asked. Ive chosen. Luo Mu handed over the black box. Hm? The elders brows immediately furrowed. Whats wrong? Luo Mu was puzzled by the elders reaction. Since you skipped the lower grade and went straight for a middle-grade technique, I thought you would choose the . The elder answered. I was indeed quite interested in that blade technique, but right now, I need to improve my physical strength. Ill come back for it once Ive saved up enough contribution points. Luo Mu said with a smile. Physical strength, huh. The elder nodded slightly. He understood. The body is the foundation. Only a strong body can support the cultivation of more powerful martial techniques. Focusing solely on martial skills would eventually come at a cost. The reason I mentioned the is because of the . The elder said. Oh? Luo Mu raised an eyebrow. You must have read the introduction to the . Did it feel familiar? The elder stroked his white beard. It did, somewhat. Luo Mu nodded. Thats because the is derived from the , or you could say its a simplified version of it. Once mastered, the is extremely powerful. Among middle-grade Profound Rank techniques, its considered top-tier! But at the same time, its also incredibly difficult to cultivate. It requires extraordinary comprehension and an extremely resilient will. To reduce the difficulty, a predecessor of the academy created the based on the framework of the long ago. As long as you can master the , it lays a solid foundation. In the future, cultivating the will be much easier, and your progress will be twice as fast. The elder spoke at length. I see. Luo Mu suddenly understood. No wonder he had felt a sense of familiarity earlier. He hadnt realized there was such a connection between the and the . Although Im tempted, I really cant afford it right now. Regaining his composure, Luo Mus eyes became clear again. There was no hesitation. He was firm in his choice. Not bad. The elders eyes showed appreciation. Despite all that had been said, most people would have wavered and likely gone back to exchange for the . But this boy didnt hesitate too much. His will was firm. Wait here for a moment. With that, the elder walked back inside. When he returned, he was holding another black box. It was none other than the ! Elder, what are you doing? Luo Mu was stunned. Ive been guarding the Martial Arts Pavilion for many years and have seen all sorts of geniuses, but this is the first time Ive encountered someone as exceptionally gifted as you. Spending time accumulating contribution points would be a waste of such talent. Take it. Consider it as if Im lending you 10,000 contribution points. Pay me back later. The elder smiled as he handed both manuals from the black box to Luo Mu, pushing them into his arms. What are you hesitating for? Dont tell me you plan to refuse? Well Thank you, Elder. Coming to his senses, Luo Mu immediately grabbed the manuals and bowed in thanks. To be honest, this situation was beyond his expectations. He had originally planned to come back and exchange for it later, but who would have thought hed get it today. Train well. In just over a month, it will be the Grand Academy Ceremony. Make sure to bring glory to the outer sect. Thats a bit of my own selfish desire. The elder smiled. Hearing this, Luo Mu seemed to understand. There was competition between the students of the outer sect and the inner sect. Naturally, there was also competition between the elders. Rest assured, Elder. I will do my best. Luo Mu said seriously. Good, The elder stroked his white beard lightly. If it werent for your extraordinary talent, I would have suggested you choose a lower-grade Profound Rank martial art. Because the difficulty of cultivating middle-grade techniques is extremely high, even for inner sect disciples. Most of them still end up mastering lower-grade ones. But if you dont cultivate middle-grade techniques, how can you stand out? I understand. Luo Mu nodded. To surpass others, one needed either divine weapons or high-grade martial techniquesor something else extraordinary! He then bowed again and turned to leave. A good seedling, truly a good seedling. Watching Luo Mus back, the elder couldnt help but sigh, Its a shame I dont practice blade techniques. Otherwise, I might have taken on a disciple. Also, good luck, kid. This years Grand Academy Ceremony is filled with hidden dragons and crouching tigers. If you dont improve your strength, it wont be easy to make a name for yourself. Back at his residence, Luo Mu placed the two manuals on the table. He was grateful that he had displayed his full strength without holding anything back. Otherwise, how could the Martial Arts Pavilions elder have given him the ? Sarch* The n??el Fire.nt website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. The requires training through killing, so Ill set it aside for now and start with the . Luo Mu carefully stored the . Then, he began reading the . At the Martial Arts Pavilion, he could only read the introduction, but now he had the entire content in front of him. One incense stick of time later. Luo Mu put down the manual, rubbing his temples. As expected of a middle-grade Profound Rank technique. Not only is it extensive, but also extremely profound. It was far beyond any Human Rank cultivation technique. After reading through it, Most of it he didnt understand. My comprehension is still lacking. Luo Mu was well aware of his situation. Aptitude and comprehension could be seen as basic attributes. And these basic attributes directly affected ones foundational gains. In the future, if his aptitude and comprehension improved, his foundational gains would increase as well. Ding! You have studied the with full concentration, triggering a critical hit and receiving twenty times the gains! The systems notification sounded. Suddenly, Luo Mus mind was filled with much more content and understanding about the . Not bad, twenty times! Luo Mu nodded. Continue! Reading a book a hundred times will reveal its meaning. If once isnt enough, then read it twice, thrice, four times, until infinity! There will always be a time when you comprehend it! Chapter 11 - The Profound Sun Inner Court, Hundredfold Gains! Chapter 11: The Profound Sun Inner Court, Hundredfold Gains!Dong! The morning bell rang. Rays of light pierced through the lingering mist. Inside the room, Luo Mu slowly closed the manual and let out a deep breath. He had stayed in his room, studying the for almost two full days. With all the critical hits combined, he had read it nearly ten thousand times! Naturally, the gains were immense. Every difficult point had been fully understood. Fortunately, I never skipped any of the miscellaneous courses back then. My foundation in theoretical knowledge is solid. Otherwise, even if I read it ten thousand times, it would have been of no use. Luo Mu felt relieved. Cultivation techniques were different from combat skills. They were closely tied to the body, so one had to understand the distribution of all the bodys organs, meridians, and pathways. It was quite complex. One small mistake, and things could go wrongat worst, leading to qi deviation and exploding on the spot. He stood up, stretching his body. Cracklinghis bones emitted sounds like popping beans. Ill have to read more books in the future. Luo Mu murmured softly. With the system, even if his comprehension was average, as long as his theoretical knowledge was rich and broad, he could easily gain new insights. He could continuously accumulate understanding until he mastered it! Next up, time to start cultivating! Luo Mus eyes gleamed with excitement. After thoroughly understanding the , his grasp of it had deepened. It was definitely a very powerful body-refining technique. While it didnt significantly improve his speed or recovery, it encompassed everything else. Especially defense. It was incredibly formidable! In terms of modern terminology, both physical and magical resistance had increased by nearly a hundred points. Pushing open the door, Luo Mu stood under the sunlight, enjoying the suns warm bath. To cultivate the , the first step was to find the essence of the sun. Sarch* The N?vel(F)ire.et website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. However, not all sunlight contained the essence of the sun. It was quite rare. Luck played a major role. There were also certain spiritual materials, such as the Fire Flame Divine Crystal, that contained a large amount of sun essence. But these spiritual items were extremely expensiveunless one had vast wealth, they were simply unaffordable. Luo Mu had only five hundred contribution points left, so he wouldnt even consider that option. Lets begin! Luo Mu sat cross-legged. He removed his shirt, revealing his well-built but not overly muscular physique. His muscles were perfectly sculpted. After stepping into the True Aperture Realm, his body, strengthened by the blood of Primordial Origin, could now withstand the weakest traces of sun essence. He silently recited the techniques incantation, and his blood vitality began to flow along the prescribed path, dispersing through his pores. It vaguely formed a furnace of blood vitality. The consisted of two parts. One was sensing, and the other was body refinement. Right now, he was using the techniques key formulas to sense and attract the sun essence from the heavens and earth. If it appeared, he could guide it into his body. Moments later, Luo Mus expression changed slightly. He was surprised. He had sensed it so quickly? Wasnt the sun essence supposed to be incredibly rare? Was it just his good luck, or was there something special about this academys location? Without thinking too much, Luo Mu immediately cut off the sensation. Because in the ethereal sense, what he felt was a massive golden light, radiating a terrifying heat. This level of sun essence was far beyond what he could handle right now. If it entered his body, he would undoubtedly be incinerated on the spot. Cultivating this technique required a gradual approach. At the beginning, one could only absorb the weakest traces of sun essence to form the foundation of the Profound Sun Inner Court. Only after reaching a certain level could he absorb larger amounts of sun essence. Time passed little by little. An hour. Two hours. Three hours. Four hours. He still hadnt sensed anything, whether large or small. Luo Mu remained patient. Sun essence, as the name implies, is the essence of supreme Yang. How could it be something thats encountered often? Patience was necessary. Gradually, the sun began to set. Just as a bead of sweat dripped from Luo Mus brow, a smile slowly appeared on his lips. Finally! He had sensed it! It was a tiny wisp of sun essence, as small as a flame, as if it could be blown away by the wind. It was exactly what he needed! Without any hesitation, Luo Mu silently recited the techniques incantation, and the furnace of blood vitality roared to life. The temperature rapidly increased. Visible to the naked eye, the tiny flame-sized wisp of sun essence seemed to respond, attracted to the heat. It flew toward Luo Mu, gently landing on his shoulder. Gradually, it seeped into his body! So hot! That was Luo Mus first sensation! It was as if he were burning from the inside out. And this was just the weakest trace of sun essencehow terrifying would the one from this morning have been? Without wasting any time, Luo Mu circulated the technique, causing his blood vitality to surge and envelop the wisp of sun essence, constantly cutting and dividing it into countless fragments. These fragments then surged through his entire body. The Profound Sun Inner Court. As the name suggests, the first step was to transform the interior of his body into an environment that could accommodate the sun essence. Only then could he absorb stronger sun essence in the future! Luo Mu frowned. To be honest, the pain was beyond his expectations. It felt like his entire body was being burned. But he could clearly feel the improvement. Under the influence of the sun essence, the impurities deep within his flesh, skin, meridians, and bones were being burned away and reduced to nothing. In just a few short breaths, his physical strength had already increased by a small level! An hour later, the wisp of sun essence, which had been divided into countless parts, was finally absorbed by his body. Luo Mu opened his mouth, and to his surprise, he exhaled a stream of hot air. The grass beneath him instantly withered and turned black. Its done! Luo Mu stood up, a look of joy in his eyes. The construction of the Profound Sun Inner Court was easier than he had expected. Of course, this was mainly because he had fully understood the technique, without any doubts. As a result, no mistakes were made. After absorbing a wisp of sun essence, he had officially entered the entry-level stage. The Profound Sun Inner Court had been successfully established. However, to reach the next stage, he would need to absorb fifty more wisps of sun essence like the one before. If one wisp is this hard to come by, how difficult must it be to find fifty? No wonder Profound Rank techniques are so hard to cultivatenot just because of comprehension, but also due to resource limitations. Luo Mu murmured softly. At the same time, a system notification sounded in his mind. Ding! You have diligently cultivated, persevering in practicing the , successfully constructing the Profound Sun Inner Court, triggering a critical hit, and gaining a hundredfold increase! Chapter 12 - The Invitation Chapter 12: The InvitationAt the moment the voice fell, Luo Mu once again felt a surge of heat all over his body. In his mind, countless images flashedscenes of him cultivating, absorbing a total of one hundred wisps of sun essence. His body had undergone intense changes, as if it were the inside of a volcano! His blood flowed like magma, roaring and surging through his meridians. His bones had turned crimson, indestructible, and emitted sparks. His flesh seemed to be hammered by countless giant flames, growing tougher by the second! A hundredfold gain! Luo Mu snapped back to reality, joy flashing in his eyes. A hundredfold gain meant he had just absorbed the equivalent of one hundred wisps of sun essence! The technique had skipped over the entry-level stage and reached the initial mastery stage. Moreover, he had progressed a bit within the initial mastery stage! To reach minor success, he needed three hundred wisps! Lets test the effect! Luo Mu drew the long blade beside him. He lightly slashed it against his arm. Clang! It actually made a sound like metal clashing! With that, Luo Mu applied more force, increasing to half of his strength. Crack! The long blade broke cleanly in two. His arm, however, was left completely unmarked. It seems ordinary weapons can no longer harm me. Even a weapon of the Hundred-Refinement Level would likely struggle. Luo Mu was very satisfied. The five thousand five hundred contribution points he had spent were well worth it. Once he cultivated the to minor success, major success, or even perfection, his body would undergo further transformationsespecially with that Flame Armor! Lets test my strength next! The was a comprehensive body-refining technique, emphasizing defense first, and strength second Boom! Luo Mu threw a punch. The air exploded, and the ground within a dozen meters turned black. The water in the nearby pond evaporated, turning into steam. His blood vitality burned like the blazing sun! Nearby, there was a training stone with extremely tough material. Luo Mu casually punched it. Crack! The training stone shattered into pieces! This power Luo Mu gasped slightly. Compared to before, his strength had increased by at least seventy thousand! To put it simply, his strength had gone from thirty thousand to a hundred thousand! And this was only at the initial mastery stagean incredibly dramatic improvement. If this was a body-refining technique focused primarily on strength, how terrifying would it be? Luo Mu found it hard to imagine. With my current strength, I should be able to fight martial artists at the sixth or seventh level of the True Aperture Realm. Luo Mu made a mental comparison. Of course, this assumed ordinary martial artists. Once he mastered the as well, he was confident he could defeat even martial arts prodigies! Both the and the were top-tier middle-grade techniques. Once mastered, their power would be astonishing and overwhelming! Ill enhance my cultivation tonight, now that the sun has set. Luo Mu said as he watched the sun slowly dip below the horizon and walked back into his room. In his life, rest had always taken up a very small portion of his time. The next day, Luo Mu opened his eyes. He had spent four hours cultivating the previous night. The results were satisfactory. Although he hadnt triggered a hundredfold critical hit, he did trigger a fiftyfold one once, and the rest were at least twentyfold. All things considered, it was equivalent to having cultivated for one hundred and twenty hours. He had made a significant step forward in the first level of the True Aperture Realm. But there was a problem. Luo Mu realized he was running out of cultivation resources. He was almost at the bottom. Should I go home to get more? Luo Mu wondered. The problem was that his family lived in Dongli County, which was quite far from the academy. Just traveling there and back would take over a month. And it wasnt yet time for his familys annual shipment of resources. Forget it. Worst case, Ill head to the back mountain to hunt demon beasts, collect some materials, and practice the in the meantime. If that doesnt work, the academy has tasks as well. Luo Mu stood up. His family had already spent a lot of resources sending him to the academy. Unless absolutely necessary, he didnt want to ask for more. Knock knock knock! Suddenly, there was a knock at the courtyard gate. Luo Mu raised his eyebrows, surprised. He had always been a dedicated cultivator and didnt have many acquaintances in the academy. So usually, no one would come looking for him. But without thinking too much, he walked out and opened the gate. Good morning, Junior Brother Luo. Cheng Qingman stood outside, smiling. Senior Sister Cheng? Luo Mu was surprised. He hadnt expected Cheng Qingman to visit him. S~ea??h the novlF~ire.net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. Are you surprised? Cheng Qingman, dressed in green, had long and shapely legs. In the sunlight, she radiated youthful energy. Although she was his senior sister, Cheng Qingman was only a year or two older than Luo Mu. Im indeed surprised. What brings Senior Sister here today? Luo Mu asked. I like your straightforwardness, but arent you going to invite me in to sit? Cheng Qingman said. Apologies, how rude of me. Please, come in. Luo Mu stepped aside. Cheng Qingman entered, and her eyes quickly took in the scenethe shattered training stone scattered across the courtyard, the empty pond, and the scorched ground nearby. Was this caused by Junior Brother Luos training? What kind of martial technique could produce such results? Though curious, Cheng Qingman didnt ask. She found a stone bench, unbothered by the dust, and sat down. There arent many visitors here, so I didnt prepare anything for guests. Luo Mu sat down as well. We martial artists dont bother with such formalities. Cheng Qingman waved her hand dismissively and got straight to the point. I came because theres a task, and I wanted to invite Junior Brother Luo to join me. A task? Luo Mu raised an eyebrow. Yes, the academy has recently discovered several hidden demon sect strongholds, and we need people to clear them out. I, along with some other fellow disciples, accepted one of these tasks. Cheng Qingman explained. How strong are the opponents? Luo Mu asked. Not very. The strongest is only at the seventh level of the True Aperture Realm. Cheng Qingman replied, Its just a small stronghold. The academy is using it as a training ground for us. As for the larger ones, theyll be handled by stronger forces. Im only at the first level of the True Aperture Realm. Why ask me? Luo Mu pondered aloud. Youre no ordinary True Aperture cultivator. With the , even some third-level inner court disciples wouldnt be your match! Cheng Qingman responded. And the reward? Luo Mu asked next. Three thousand contribution points, minimum. Plus, for each demon sect members head, you get five thousand. Cheng Qingman replied. Upon hearing this, Luo Mus eyes lit up. In other words, even if he did nothing and just went along, hed still earn three thousand contribution points. And three thousand contribution points were enough to exchange for a lot of cultivation resources! At the very least, it would support his training for one or two months! If he could take down a few demon sect members Luo Mus hands clenched slightly. Chapter 13 - Body’s Protective Energy, Lifeless Blade Qi Chapter 13: Bodys Protective Energy, Lifeless Blade QiJunior Brother, what do you think? Cheng Qingman asked. Since Senior Sister took the initiative to find me, how could I refuse? Luo Mu smiled, Besides, thank you, Senior Sister. There are some things that one simply cannot access without guidance. This was how society worked. Youre being too modest, Junior Brother. Its your own outstanding strength that matters. Cheng Qingman stood up, Someone is still in closed-door training, so the task is set for five days from now, in the evening. Well meet at the academy gate then. Alright. Luo Mu nodded. I have something to attend to, so Ill be going now~ Cheng Qingman winked at Luo Mu. Take care, Senior Sister. Hearing this, Cheng Qingman rolled her eyes. Such an unromantic guy, not even asking her to stay. After Cheng Qingman left, Luo Mu closed the courtyard gate. Her reasoning was full of holes. What strength? The inner court had plenty of geniuses and countless strong individuals. The strength he had displayed earlier was, at best, middle to lower-tier in the inner court, perhaps even lower. She could have easily found someone stronger, but she came to him instead. Is this an investment? Luo Mus lips curled into a smile. This kind of thing was quite common in the academy. In fact, it was common across the empire, and even throughout the human territories. Although Im not the main force for this task, I should still improve my strength just in case. Luo Mu refocused. Demonic sects were notorious for their sinister and cunning tactics. When fighting them, strength wasnt the only factor. For example, before, a demonic spy at only the first level of the True Aperture Realm almost killed Cheng Qingman, who was at the sixth level. Better head to the back mountain again. Luo Mu decided to train the in the morning, and the at nightboth at the same time! No delays! Soon, five days passed. Atop a mountain peak, a figure sat cross-legged. His body was tall and muscular, radiating intense blood vitality like a furnace. The surrounding grass had been burned to ash, leaving nothing but a field of gray. With the gentle breeze, the ashes slowly drifted away. Hoo! Luo Mu opened his eyes. His pupils were a deep red. But it wasnt an eerie red; it was an upright, righteous red. He looked down at his arm. His skin trembled, and a faint layer of energy enveloped his entire arm. Protective energy! Luo Mus lips curled into a smile. He recalled hearing his teacher say that when a persons body becomes strong enough, it generates an energy. This energy is calledprotective energy. It is incredibly tough, resistant to blades and swords. This is an unexpected surprise. Now, if someone wants to hurt my body, theyll have to break through this layer of protective energy first. Luo Mu stood up, feeling a sense of awe. No wonder the was a middle-grade Profound Rank body-refining technique. Even at the minor success stage, his body was already strong enough to generate protective energy. Many lower-grade Profound Rank body-refining techniques couldnt even produce protective energy at full mastery. Not bad. In these five days of training, Luo Mus had reached the minor success stage. The only thing holding him back was the lack of sun essence. Otherwise, with his critical hits, five days would have been enough to push him toward major success. In these five days, he hadnt been able to find sun essence every day. Even when he did, it wasnt always suitable. I need more money. Luo Mus gaze sharpened. If he had the wealth, he wouldnt have to search for wandering sun essence in the heavens and earthhe could buy it directly from the academy. That would make training much faster. And with the critical hits, he wouldnt need too many resources anyway. I hope this mission lets me kill a few more demonic cultivators. Luo Mu twisted his neck. His red eyes glinted with anticipation. He then drew the long blade beside him and performed a flourish. During this time, he hadnt neglected his training in the . He had already reached the minor success stage. This was thanks to the foundation laid by the . As the elder of the Martial Arts Pavilion had said, the was indeed derived from the , and the two were quite similar. However, the was much more profound and of a higher grade. The could only generate one strand of Lifeless Blade Qi. But the could generate a full one hundred strands! Moreover, these could be hidden throughout the body, unlike the , which could only store the blade qi on the back of the hand, making it quite obvious. Additionally, the came with a set of moves. They allowed the technique to reach its full potential. Lifeless Blade Qi. Luo Mu raised his right hand, palm facing upward, and a phantom-like blade tip appeared. One strand, two strands, three strands up to thirty strands. These strands of blade qi carried the fierce aura of a blade, as well as a strong sense of death. With one strike, even before the blade reached, the sensation of death would already descend! Break Blade Style! Luo Mus excitement grew as he began practicing at the mountain peak. He gripped the blade with one hand. With a single slash, the thirty strands of blade qi transformed into a massive, fierce blade wheel that spun forward! Boom! The ground split open, stones flew, and the terrain was left in ruins. Not bad! Luo Mu nodded. And that was only thirty strands of blade qi. If it had been all one hundred, the power would be unimaginable. And this was just one way to use blade qi. There were also techniques like the Distant Blade Style, Tyrant Blade Style, and more. All extremely profound. They would require much more time to fully comprehend and master. Sarch* The n?velFire.net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. It seems its about time. Luo Mu put on his clothes, sheathed his blade, and hung it at his waist. Today was the day he had agreed to meet Cheng Qingman. Better not be late. With that thought, Luo Mu leapt off the mountain peak. Using the protruding rocks, he landed smoothly on the ground. After five days of training, his cultivation had also improved, reaching the second level of the True Aperture Realm. The second aperture was filled with Primordial Origin Blood, further enhancing his bodys capabilities. Especially the quality of his blood vitality. Blood vitality was the foundation of strength for body-refining and True Aperture Realm martial artists. Whether it was for cultivation techniques or combat skills, blood vitality was the source of power to activate them. Chapter 14 - Marquis of Blood and Courage Chapter 14: Marquis of Blood and Courage At the gate of the academy. Three people were already waiting there. Among them was Cheng Qingman. Cheng Qingman, this person you found isnt reliable. Were all here, but he still hasnt arrived. A disciple from the outer palace, slower than us. One of them said. He was wearing a grey robe, carrying a long sword on his back, with a clear expression of displeasure on his face. Its not even fully light yet, why are you in such a hurry? Hes not late. Cheng Qingman glanced at him. You seem to value this outer palace disciple quite a bit. The man carrying the sword was surprised. He didnt expect Cheng Qingman to retort. Of course I do. Hes Senior Sister Chengs lifesaver, a genius who, despite only being at the ninth stage of the Body Tempering realm, could kill someone at the first stage of the True Aperture realm. Hes mastered the to perfection. Such a person is rare, even in our inner palace. The speaker was quite young, dressed in a tight-fitting outfit, holding a silver spear in his arms. He was Cheng Qingmans junior brother. Lin Rufeng. Is Senior Sister Cheng planning to invest early and recruit him under your fathers command in the future? Lin Rufeng joked. In the inner palace, Cheng Qingmans reputation wasnt primarily due to her strength but because of her father. The famous Marquis of Blood and Courage! Thirty years ago, the Di tribe of the Southern Borders rebelled, planning to massacre half a county of the Great Zhou as an offering to the Witchcraft Lands. But the Marquis of Blood and Courage led an army of ten thousand to quell the rebellion, beheading a hundred thousand Di tribe members. Their heads were piled into a mound, standing as tall as a mountain. It still stands today. Its become a landmark. Why not? Cheng Qingman asked. Of course, you can. Lin Rufeng spread his hands. The is difficult, but if we really wanted to practise it, we could succeed. Its just unnecessary. Once you reach the True Aperture realm, you can practise Profound-grade techniques. Why waste time on Human-grade ones? The man with the sword was named Jiang Hai. Hearing Cheng Qingmans words, he felt somewhat unconvinced. Inner palace disciples had always been superior to outer palace disciples, never surpassed by them. But the olive branch Cheng Qingman extended wasnt towards them, but to an unknown outer palace disciple. Cheng Qingman glanced at him. She didnt argue. Indeed, many in the inner palace could achieve this. But after investigating, she found out that Luo Mu had only received this martial skill for half a month. Half a month to reach perfection. Who could do that? Of course. She wouldnt announce it. To prevent others from trying to poach him. Suddenly. Cheng Qingmans expression shifted slightly. Not far away, a figure was quickly approaching. Junior Brother Luo, over here! Cheng Qingman waved. Is that the outer palace disciple Senior Sister Cheng mentioned? The two looked over immediately. They raised their eyebrows slightly. His appearance was decent. Handsome and resolute. He had a tall and straight figure, walking with the grace of a dragon and the strength of a tiger. But his cultivation was a bit low. Only at the second stage of the True Aperture realm. Even with the perfected , it would be difficult to surpass too many realms in combat. Senior Sister Cheng. Luo Mu approached, nodded slightly, and glanced at the others. Since there was no concealment of cultivation. Their cultivation realms were also fully visible. Sarch* The novel(F~)ire.net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. One was at the seventh stage of the True Aperture realm, and the other at the sixth stage. In terms of realms alone. He was indeed somewhat lower. But a realm was a realm, and strength was strength. Even though he was only at the second stage. Just as the elder in the Martial Arts Pavilion had said, most inner palace disciples practised lower-grade Profound techniques, not mid-grade ones. But he practised mid-grade techniques. And had already reached small success. It was enough to make up for the gap in cultivation realms. Let me introduce you. This is Jiang Hai and Lin Rufeng, both of whom can be considered your senior brothers. For the upcoming task, the four of us will be working together. Cheng Qingman smiled as she spoke. Senior Brother Jiang, Senior Brother Lin. Luo Mu nodded slightly. Junior Brother Luo. The two also nodded lightly, acknowledging him. But after all, they were inner palace disciples. When facing an outer palace disciple, there was a natural air of superiority. This time, with Senior Sister Cheng leading the way, I have nothing more to say. But once we reach the Demon Dao stronghold, dont act on your own. Just focus on self-preservation. We wont have the time to protect you. Jiang Hai said. Understood. Luo Mus expression remained calm. He didnt say much more. Nor did he feel any anger from Jiang Hais obvious disdain. Lets go! Lin Rufeng broke the tension, mounting a spirit horse nearby and riding ahead. Jiang Hai quickly followed. Thats just his personality, but hes not a bad person. Cheng Qingman, worried that Luo Mu might be upset, added. Senior Sister Cheng, youre overthinking. Luo Mu smiled faintly. Alright, lets get moving. Itll take about a day to reach the destination. Cheng Qingman lightly tapped her toes, her long legs cutting through the air, landing steadily on the horses back. If things go smoothly, we can even visit my hometown, Xunyang City, on the way. Xunyang City? Luo Mu raised an eyebrow. That was one of the top cities in Fengdu County. It was said to be incredibly prosperous. He hadnt expected Cheng Qingman to be from Xunyang City. It seemed her background was indeed extraordinary. Chapter 15 - The Demon’s Stronghold Chapter 15: The Demons StrongholdIt was roughly around dusk. Finally, they reached their destination. Throughout the journey, Luo Mu learned a lot of critical information from the trios conversation. Jiang Hai and Lin Rufen came from prominent families, but compared to Cheng Qingman, it was like night and day. Cheng Qingman turned out to be the precious daughter of the renowned Bloodbrave Marquis! In the seven counties of Changle, the name of Bloodbrave Marquis was known by all. Even though the war from thirty years ago was long over, his deeds were still talked about with great interest; one could often overhear conversations about him while walking the streets. A few days ago, I heard a teacher mention that your father wiped out a major branch of the Crimson Moon Demon Sect, severely weakening them. And the locations of these strongholds were found from that very branch. Jiang Hai looked at Cheng Qingman. How would I know? Cheng Qingmans eyes showed helplessness. Although the glory of her fathers achievements made things smoother for her, ensuring no obstacles in her way, she did not enjoy others constantly mentioning Bloodbrave Marquis. As Luo Mu listened to their conversation, he looked ahead. What lay before them was an expansive mountain range covered in dense greenery. Sear?h the n?vel_Fire.et website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. Towering trees stood firm, their branches and leaves thick and abundant. Even in broad daylight, it felt slightly dark. Indeed, this was a well-hidden location. Lets go, lets finish this quickly! Lin Rufen unwrapped the cloth from his spear, excitement clearly visible on his face. Hearing this, the two nodded in agreement. They then charged forward, following the maps guidance. Luo Mu, on the other hand, followed calmly behind. Junior Brother Luo, after breaking through to the True Aperture Realm, have you gone to the Martial Scripture Tower to study any advanced martial techniques? As they ran, Cheng Qingman turned her head to look at Luo Mu. This Luo Mu was really a reserved person. Throughout the entire journey, he hadnt uttered even half a word. Hearing this, both Jiang Hai and Lin Rufen glanced back at him. Yes. Luo Mu hadnt expected Cheng Qingman to suddenly direct her attention toward him, but he answered truthfully. Oh? What martial techniques did you learn? Cheng Qingman was curious. With Luo Mus talent, he must have chosen some powerful martial techniques. The , and the . Luo Mu thought for a moment and saw no reason to hide it. Upon hearing this, the trio collectively took a sharp breath and stared at him in disbelief. They, too, were geniuses within the inner sanctum, yet they only practiced lower-tier techniques. It wasnt that they werent interested in intermediate techniques, but rather that they were too challenging. Given their current foundations, mastering such techniques would take years, and they werent willing to waste that much time. It made more sense to wait until their cultivation was higher, when their understanding would be deeper, and progress would come much faster. Yet, Luo Mu, who had just recently entered the True Aperture Realm, had chosen not just one but two intermediate-tier techniques, and difficult ones at that! Bold indeed, Jiang Hai regained his composure and offered only these four words. Even he hadnt dared to attempt such a thing. Much less a disciple from the outer sanctum. He could already foresee Luo Mu spending years stuck with no progress, frustrated by the difficulty of the techniques. In the inner sanctum, there were many geniuses. After stepping into the True Aperture Realm, many would optimistically skip over low-tier techniques, aiming straight for the intermediate ones. But months later, theyd give up in defeat. Only the top-ranking prodigies had any chance of success. Keep at it, Junior Brother Luo, Cheng Qingmans thoughts differed from Jiang Hais. Hows your progress with the two techniques so far? Luo Mu had mastered the in just half a month, a testament to his incredible comprehension. It far surpassed most people in the inner sanctum. He was likely already at the entry stage, maybe even progressing further. Luo Mu didnt intend to hide the truth. Just as he was about to answer, Lin Rufen interrupted. Quiet, weve arrived! Lin Rufen came to a halt. Cheng Qingman immediately turned her head to look forward. In the distance, the faint glow of lamps flickered in the valley. That was one of the small strongholds of the Demon Sect. Amid the shadows, vague human figures could be seen. Junior Brother Lin, Junior Sister Cheng, lets see who can claim the most kills this time! Jiang Hai drew the long sword from his waist and charged forward. Im in! Lin Rufen wasnt one to be outdone and followed closely behind. Junior Brother Luo, you should stick to the perimeter of the stronghold. There are bound to be a few Demon Sect martial artists at the second or third stage of the True Aperture Realm. Cheng Qingman looked at Luo Mu seriously. Dont go too deep; your cultivation level is still too low. Alright. Luo Mu smiled faintly and nodded. Then, Cheng Qingman also headed toward the stronghold. It seems Ive been underestimated. Luo Mu shook his head. But it was understandable. Aside from himself, no one else knew his true strength! Lets hope there are plenty of True Aperture Realm Demon Sect martial artists around the perimeter. Luo Mu cracked his neck. His aura gradually grew cold and murderous. After all, having come all this way, how could he return empty-handed? He needed to make a substantial gain! However, since it was others who had brought him along, he couldnt go too deep; it would seem as though he was stealing their targets. So, he could only focus on the perimeter. A dark night, perfect for killing. A small smile played on Luo Mus lips. His right hand rested on the hilt of the long blade at his waist. Not long after Luo Mu left, a figure in a white robe appeared on the branch of a tree not far behind him. The figure stood with hands clasped behind his back, his face bearing the look of a middle-aged man. On his robe, two characters could be seen: . Enemy attack! Soon after, the originally dim valley was ablaze with more lights. Even though it was a small stronghold, it was well-defended. Thus, Cheng Qingman and the others were quickly discovered upon entering. However, the trio, with their superior skills, remained calm. They launched their attack without hesitation. As disciples of the inner sanctum, their strength was overwhelming, and the Demon Sect forces were quickly routed. The gleam of blades flashed repeatedly. Six or seven Demon Sect martial artists of the Body Tempering Realm fell to the ground, their heads severed, blood gushing from their necks. Luo Mu, of course, didnt waste any time either. He began his assault on the perimeter. Youve used the to kill six living beings in an exhilarating battle, triggering a critical strike and earning ten times the rewards! The systems voice echoed in Luo Mus mind. He raised an eyebrow and slowly wiped the blood from his blade. He couldnt help but wonderwas it just his imagination, or did this tenfold reward feel even greater than the twentyfold rewards he had earned in the academys back mountain? Could it be that the base rewards for killing people were higher than for killing monsters? Lets find out! Luo Mus eyes deepened. If killing people indeed gave more rewards, perhaps tonight he could fully master the blade technique! Noperfect it! Chapter 16 - The Twin Demons of Rakshasa, Mastery of Blade Techniques! Chapter 16: The Twin Demons of Rakshasa, Mastery of Blade Techniques! Quickly. Cheng Qingman and the other two broke into the depths of the base. Corpses were already strewn all over the place on both sides. Although this was just a small stronghold of the demonic path, there were still over two hundred people. Junior Sister Cheng, something doesnt seem right. How come we havent seen anyone at the fifth level or higher of the True Aperture Realm? Jiang Hai frowned. Logically speaking, after fighting for this long, the demonic faction should have sent out their stronger forces to stop them by now. But not a single one had appeared. Im not sure, but weve come too far in to turn back now. Cheng Qingman also sensed that something was off. Lets finish this quickly and talk later. Alright! Jiang Hai nodded. Then, he looked towards a wooden building ahead. Just as he was about to move forward, the doors of the wooden building suddenly burst open. A tall figure slowly emerged. He was bare-chested, his body covered with bulging muscles. In both hands, he held thick iron chains. At the ends of those chains were massive meteor hammers! The moment this person completely stepped out of the building, an intense sense of pressure instantly spread across the scene, enveloping everyone! Even Jiang Hai and Cheng Qingman felt the weight of it! True Aperture Realm eighth level! Jiang Hais tone grew solemn. This didnt match the intelligence they hadaccording to the information, he should only be at the seventh level, yet now he was at the eighth! Moreover, this man felt unusually strong to him. Very strong indeed! Tap, tap! Footsteps sounded. Around them, more than ten figures gradually appeared. Not only were they all at the True Aperture Realm, but they were also at the sixth level and higher! Cheng Qingmans eye twitched slightly. No wonder they hadnt encountered any higher-level True Aperture Realm experts on their way in. Turns out they had been hiding here all along. Talents from the academy, you really made me wait! the tall figure spoke. His face was rugged, a scar running across his cheek, and as he spoke, it wriggled like a centipede, looking exceedingly sinister. As soon as he said this, the expressions of the three changed. They finally understood why something had felt off. This demonic faction had set a trap! Wait! The tall figure suddenly raised an eyebrow when he saw Cheng Qingman, as if he had remembered something, and a gleam of excitement appeared in his eyes. Hurriedly, he pulled out a scroll from his waist. When the scroll was unfurled, it revealed various portraits. His eyes eventually fell on Cheng Qingmans portrait. Hahaha, all this waiting wasnt in vain after all! Weve finally caught a big fish! the tall figure laughed wildly. The demonic faction wasnt stupid; after their branch had been slaughtered, they knew that information would inevitably leak. Based on the academys usual practice, they would likely use these bases as training grounds for their disciples. So, the demonic faction took the opposite approach. They secretly sent their strongest experts to these strongholds, hoping to slay any talented disciples that came to train, so that the academy would suffer significant losses! Cheng Qingman isnt it? Never thought the day would come when the Twin Demons of Rakshasa would capture the daughter of the Bloodbrave Marquis! The tall figures laughter abruptly ceased, his tone turning icy and sinister. A month ago, your father destroyed our demonic sects branch, and today, well take your life as payment! Rakshasa Twin Demons! Jiang Hais expression grew even more serious. These are two rather infamous experts of the demonic path from the past few monthsMo Luo and Mo Sha! The elder, Mo Luo, is at the eighth level of the True Aperture Realm, and the younger is at the seventh level! The two of them know forbidden techniques, and when they work together, they can even contend with someone at the Spirit Sea Realm for a short time! Within the True Aperture Realm, the two of them are practically unbeatable! After hearing Jiang Hais introduction, Cheng Qingmans face grew darker. Although she prided herself on being able to fight against those at the seventh or even eighth level with her sixth-level cultivation, she was certainly no match for the Rakshasa Twin Demons! This was a dire situation! Ill stay behind with Lin Ruyue to cover your escape! Jiang Hai looked at Cheng Qingman, gritting his teeth. Indeed. Lin Ruyue also wore a resolute expression. Cheng Qingmans identity was no trivial matter. Even if they survived, their lives wouldnt be easy if she were to die here. S~ea??h the N?vel(F)ire.nt website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. Escape? None of you are leaving today, Mo Luo sneered. Kill them! At his command, the demonic cultivators, who had long since sharpened their blades, rushed towards the three of them! These were no ordinary demonic path warriors. Each one was at least at the sixth level. Their strength was formidable! The three of them instantly felt intense pressure! Clang! Clang! Clang! Blades clashed and sparks flew! Being disciples of the inner academy, they were well-trained. Even when faced with so many powerful demonic experts, they did not collapse immediately! Instead, they occasionally found openings and pushed their enemies back, gradually stabilising their footing. Hmph! Mo Luos gaze grew cold. He no longer stood on the sidelines. With a burst of force, the ground beneath his feet exploded, and he charged at the three like a mountain! The meteor hammer in his hand flew out, aimed at one of them! Watch out! Jiang Hais face changed dramatically. He was already overwhelmed, and now, being caught off guard, he couldnt react in time. He barely managed to step aside. But his right arm was still struck! A cracking sound echoed. A bloody arm flew through the air, landing heavily on the ground. Bang! Several headless corpses fell in succession. Luo Mus eyes were cold and indifferent. With a flick of his right hand, he shook off the blood on his blade. All the demonic path warriors in this alley had been slain by him, their limbs scattered everywhere. He also confirmed something. The base reward for killing humans was much higher than for slaying demons! The difference was about double! Ding! You used the Lifeless Blade Scripture and killed twenty people in a battle of abandon, triggering a critical hit and gaining a hundredfold reward! The systems notification rang out. A hundredfold! Luo Mus eyes gleamed with delight. Now, a hundredfold reward meant the equivalent of two hundredfold in the past! In the next moment, a flood of insights and combat experience surged into his mind! Luo Mu eagerly absorbed it all! His blade techniques, which had been progressing steadily, quickly broke through their current limitations under this nearly two-hundredfold boost, reaching the level of true mastery! Not bad! Ten breaths later, Luo Mu opened his eyes, a smile curling his lips. After mastering his blade techniques, the amount of blade energy within him had increased from thirty strands to sixty! It was a qualitative leap! With my current strength, even facing warriors at the eighth or ninth level, I can easily take them down! Luo Mus gaze was sharp. He now had absolute confidence in his blade skills. However, up to this point, he had yet to encounter anyone above the third level of the True Aperture Realm. Just as Cheng Qingman had mentioned, those higher-level experts must be deeper within the base. Keep going! Taking a deep breath, Luo Mu continued forward. There werent so many people to kill outside, so he aimed to perfect his blade techniques by the end of the day! The only downside was that the deeper parts of the stronghold had been claimed by Cheng Qingman and her companions, and it would be awkward to intrude and steal kills. Tap~ Suddenly, footsteps echoed. Luo Mus eyes narrowed. From the alley ahead, a figure appeared. The person was thin. They wore a half-face ghost mask. And on their forehead was the character Sha. In their hands, they wielded two short swords, each about half an inch long. Chapter 17 - I Can Make Countless Mistakes, But You Only Get One! Chapter 17: I Can Make Countless Mistakes, But You Only Get One!True Aperture realm seventh stage? Luo Mu was momentarily stunned. He hadnt expected to encounter a demonic martial artist of such a level at the periphery of the stronghold. But soon, a knowing smile appeared on his face. He hadnt ventured into the depths of the stronghold. Instead, he encountered him on the outskirts. Among the academys rewards, only the killing of True Aperture realm demonic martial artists would grant contribution points. The stronger the True Aperture demonic artist, the greater the reward. The newcomers gaze swept over the entire alley. He hadnt expected so many to be dead. Then his gaze fell upon Luo Mu. Though he was only at the second stage, the killing aura that enveloped him made the newcomer pause. Since when did the disciples of the Changle outer academy have such strength? The demonic artist, Mosha, spoke slowly. His eyes gradually turned cold. He had left the stronghold briefly to handle some matters, believing his elder brother could deal with those academy disciples. Besides, there was also an elder present. Yet on his way back, he stumbled upon this scene. Kid, whats your name? Mosha lifted his short sword slightly, like a hunter appraising his prey. However, his response was a flash of blade light as bright as snow. It illuminated the dark alley! Mosha dodged abruptly. A huge gash had appeared where he stood just moments ago. His pupils contracted. If he hadnt evaded, he would have been split in two! Good reflexes! A calm voice. Mosha looked up sharply and met a pair of eyes devoid of emotion! And then, a barrage of blade light! Like the Milky Way pouring down! Surrounding him from all directions! Mosha felt a tingling on his scalp. At that moment, he finally understood why this person, despite only being at the second stage, could kill so many people! This blade technique it was beyond ordinary comprehension! Its power was at least at the mid-grade level! It could already threaten martial artists of the seventh or eighth stage of the True Aperture realm! Quick! Moshas body blurred, leaving only an afterimage. Luo Mus blade missed him! But Luo Mu was like a shadow attached to his bones, following instantly, always keeping a mere inch away from him! This guys combat experience is incredible! Mosha felt like he was facing a monster. He had killed Changle academy disciples before, but none had ever pressured him this much! The strength of this person is not something an ordinary demonic martial artist can possess! A smile tugged at the corner of Luo Mus mouth, and a gleam of excitement shone in his eyes. Since arriving at the stronghold. No one had been able to withstand a single blow from him! But this person had repeatedly dodged, clearly possessing excellent movement techniques. Interesting! Luo Mus battle intent surged. Up to now, he hadnt met anyone who could force him to reveal his full strength. He hoped this person could! Head-on confrontation isnt possible. Ill need to find an opportunity to strike from the shadows! Mosha wielded a short sword in each hand. His eyes were filled with venom and malice. The direction of his cultivation focused on movement and stealth; direct confrontation wasnt his style. Almost as soon as the thought formed. Mosha seemed to merge with the darkness. In Luo Mus vision he disappeared! And the surrounding darkness became like a lake, surging toward Luo Mu, threatening to engulf him. Is this Shadow Demonic Art? Luo Mu raised his eyebrows slightly. He remembered from his martial arts class that the instructor had discussed some classic demonic arts. Shadow Demonic Art was one of the major types. sea??h th N??elFir.net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. Most who practised this demonic art were skilled in assassination. Silent and soundless. Mosha emerged from the darkness, reappearing behind Luo Mu. Die! Moshas twin short swords crossed, slashing at Luo Mus neck at lightning speed. Luo Mu remained motionless. For a split second, Mosha imagined seeing Luo Mus head roll to the ground. But in the next instant! Sparks flew! The short swords hadnt even touched Luo Mus skin before they were blocked by a solid wall of energy! Mosha froze, his pupils constricted, and every hair on his body stood on end. His face filled with disbelief. He couldnt comprehend what he was seeing! That was Qi! A martial artist only at the second stage possessing such an impressive blade technique was one thing! But how did he have such a terrifying physical body?! Qi! That required training with a mid-grade Profound Body Refinement technique to achieve! And with Qi, no matter how hard he tried, he wouldnt even be able to leave a scratch on Luo Mu. Monster Mosha felt a hollow emptiness in his chest. And in that very moment of weakness, Luo Mu seized his arm. Its over! Moshas face turned ashen. Correct answer. Luo Mu turned, looked at him, and smiled slightly. A blade flashed like snow! It sliced across Moshas waist. In an instant, bright red blood and internal organs spilled onto the ground. You will all die here! Mosha coughed up blood, his eyes filled with malice. Too much talking. Luo Mu chopped off his head and tied it to his waist. Good thing I trained in the . Luo Mu exhaled lightly. The was powerful, but against such slippery opponents, it was useless. In the end, it was his physical body that made the difference. When your body is strong enough, you dont fear anything. You have used the in battle and triggered a critical strike, yielding an eightyfold reward! A notification sounded. Suddenly, a flood of insight surged into his mind. The blade energy in his body also began to increase, surpassing sixty strands. Eightyfold not bad! Luo Mu discarded the long blade in his hand, which was now riddled with nicks, and casually picked up another one. Maintaining this high rate of critical strikes. He was confident that by the end of today, he would have mastered the to perfection! Its been a while, and theres still no signal flare. Could something have gone wrong? Luo Mu looked toward the depths of the stronghold. By all rights, dealing with a seventh-stage True Aperture demonic martial artist shouldnt have been difficult for Cheng Qingman and the others. Yet there had been no movement. Additionally, a seventh-stage demonic artist had appeared at the periphery of the stronghold. This was beyond the intelligence reports. Better go check it out. Luo Mu sheathed his blade. Chapter 18 - Brother? Are you talking about him? Chapter 18: Brother? Are you talking about him?In the depths of the stronghold. The scene was a complete mess, with trenches crisscrossing everywhere. Cheng Qingman and the other two were still alive, but they looked utterly miserable. Especially Jiang Hai. His right shoulder was empty, blood gushing incessantly. The aura around him was extremely weak, yet he still gritted his teeth and held on! No wonder you are inner palace disciples; your strength is truly formidable! Mo Luo applauded. Despite being surrounded by so many peers, they were still able to hold on until now. Especially Cheng Qingman. No wonder she was the descendant of the Bloodbrave Marquis. She actually grew stronger in battle. This startled him a little. The demonic path indeed produces nothing but trash; so many of them, yet they are all useless! Cheng Qingman wiped the blood from the corner of her mouth and said coldly, Quite the sharp tongue; I hope you can keep that smile of yours for what comes next. Mo Luo prepared to strike with all his might. He would no longer hold back. If he delayed any further, the elder hiding in the shadows might not be pleased. Immediately, the gigantic meteor hammer in his hand began to shake. An overwhelming sense of pressure surged forth like a tide, enveloping Cheng Qingman and the others. The expressions of the three instantly changed. They were all too aware of their situation. They were already at the end of their rope. Dealing with the remaining demonic martial artists was already difficult, let alone Mo Luo! This guy was truly insidious. He was clearly strong enough, yet he still sent his subordinates in first, wearing down their strength and hidden cards one by one. Only when they were completely exhausted did he strike with full force. Suddenly, footsteps sounded. Not too heavy, not too light, neither fast nor slow. Mo Luo halted. He thought it was his brother, Luo Sha, returning. Without turning around, he said, Luo Sha, youve come, though a bit late. But youve made it in time. Did you know we caught a big fish today! The daughter of the Bloodbrave Marquis! Bringing her head back will be enough for us to secure a bright future! As he spoke, Mo Luos voice grew increasingly excited. However, after a long pause, he received no response, causing him to frown slightly. He couldnt help but turn around. His eyes narrowed immediately. For the figure before him was not his brother, but an extremely unfamiliar silhouette! The newcomer was tall, with a long sword at their side, and their white robe was already stained red with blood. Who are you? Mo Luos brows shot up. Sar?h the N?velFire.nt website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. Luo Shidi, run! This is a trap! Cheng Qingman saw Luo Mu arrive, initially stunned, then urgently shouted. Although Luo Mu had the potential to be invincible among peers, his current realm was still too low; he could never be Mo Luos opponent! Looking at this scene and hearing these words, Luo Mu felt an intense sense of dj vu. It was just like when he first met Cheng Qingman, nearly the same scene. He didnt expect there to be a second time. Brother? Are you talking about him? Luo Mu removed the head from his waist and threw it towards Mo Luo. The head hit the ground, rolling several times before stopping, resting right at Mo Luos feet. Mo Shas eyes were wide open, filled with resentment as he stared at Mo Luo. Brother!!! Mo Luo snapped back to reality, his eyes instantly filled with rage as he roared. He picked up Mo Shas head, tears welling in his eyes. In this world, he had only one relative lefthis brother! He had once sworn to protect Mo Sha with his life! But now, Mo Shas head had been taken! This scene left Cheng Qingman and the others in shock. Mo Luos brother, named Mo Sha, was a True Aperture Realm seventh level warrior. Although he was not as strong as Mo Luo, he certainly wasnt far behind! Yet now, Mo Sha was actually dead! Dead at Luo Mus hands! The three felt an absurdity; after all, Luo Mu was only at the second level of the True Aperture Realm! I will kill you! Kill you! Mo Luo glared at Luo Mu, his eyes bloodshot and hysterical. What are you still standing there for! Mo Luo suddenly looked at the seven subordinates who were still alive. They were all at the sixth level of the True Aperture Realm. Even though Mo Sha was dead, Mo Luo still seemed to maintain a degree of calmness, or rather, it was habitual for him to let his subordinates test the waters first. The six exchanged glances, gritted their teeth, and charged towards Luo Mu. Interesting. Luo Mus lips curled slightly. He drew his sword directly from its sheath. Seventy strands of blade energy surged from within him, transforming into a giant, menacing wheel of blades that tore through the seven charging warriors in an instant! In that moment, blood rained down. The ground was drenched in crimson! Mo Luo touched a piece of flesh on his face, seeming to still be in a daze. But he quickly snapped back to reality. All the anger inside him vanished, leaving only shock! He had no idea what he was witnessing! Those were seven True Aperture Realm sixth-level experts, yet they had all been killed in one strike by a mere second-level boy! No bones left! Cheng Qingman and the others were also in a state of shock. Their mouths slightly agape. Lin Ruyue hurriedly spat out the toes that had fallen into her mouth, trembling all over. She had killed before, but this scene of brutality was truly a first for her! Was that the Lifeless Blade Energy? A full seventy strands?! Jiang Hai murmured. In the realm of mid-tier Xuan-ranked techniques, the Lifeless Blade Scripture was very famous, as it was one of the strongest mid-tier Xuan-ranked martial arts. But due to its extreme difficulty to cultivate, over time, no one dared to touch it. When he previously heard that Luo Mu had chosen this technique, he had secretly ridiculed him, thinking he was another overly self-important person. In the coming years, he would be stuck, unable to progress because of the Lifeless Blade Scripture! But what was happening before his eyes shattered his worldview. Seventy strands of blade energy! Equivalent to having practiced the Lifeless Blade Scripture to The Realm of Great Success! Cheng Qingman swallowed, her watery beautiful eyes filled with disbelief. Given Luo Mus breakthrough to the True Aperture Realm timeline, the time he had to obtain the Lifeless Blade Scripture surely did not exceed ten days! And in such a short time, he reached Great Success? Wasnt that talent and comprehension too terrifying? Far more outrageous than mastering the Absolute Blade Technique in half a month! Chapter 19 - Blade Momentum? Chapter 19: Blade Momentum?No wonder he could kill the Demon Butcher. With such a blade technique at his disposal, even a martial artist of the eighth or ninth level could be slain! In an instant. The three who had initially fallen into despair found hope flickering in their eyes once more. Ding! You used the Life-devoid Blade Sutra, slaying six demonic experts in succession, triggering a critical hit, and receiving a hundredfold reward! In his mind, the system notification rang. Luo Mus lips curled slightly. Today, his luck was indeed extraordinary. It was the second time he had experienced the rare hundredfold reward! Buzz! Ten more strands of the Life-devoid Blade Qi appeared in his body! The total had now reached eighty! Just like the Absolute Death Blade Technique, the Life-devoid Blade Sutra also absorbed the intent of death from slain beings, condensing it into blade Qi. What are you standing there for? Arent you going to avenge your brother? Luo Mu glanced at Mo Luo, who still clutched his brothers head, a slight smile forming on his lips. A mid-tier martial skill of the Profound Rank! The grief on Mo Luos face vanished, replaced by a deep solemnity. Judging from this mans attire. He seemed to be just an outer palace disciple. Yet even Cheng Qingman, an inner palace genius, hadnt cultivated a mid-tier Profound Rank martial skill. But this outer disciple not only trained in one but had mastered it to great success! This was simply outrageous! Has the Changle Academy turned upside down? Outer palace strong, inner palace weak? Taking a deep breath. Mo Luo placed his brothers head gently aside and slowly stood up. A murderous intent gradually surfaced in his eyes. So what if its a mid-tier Profound Rank skill? He was at the eighth level of the True Aperture Realm! Six levels higher than this man! Victory wasnt impossible. Moreover. Even if he couldnt win in the end, there was still the elder. The elder would surely intervene! Sarch* The n?vel_Fire.et website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. Boy, give me back my brothers life! Mo Luo roared! The meteor hammer in his hand whirled, stirring up violent winds and sending dust and stones flying. Luo Mu nodded slightly. This one was much stronger than the previous man, and the mere momentum was impressive! Even when a lion hunts a rabbit, it uses its full strength. He wouldnt underestimate anyone, always alert to avoid being caught off guard. So when he made his move, it was with full force! Separation Blade Stance! Blade Qi surged around Luo Mu. In an instant, he collided with Mo Luo! Good! Luo Mu preferred such direct, head-on combat. The sensation of trembling muscles and roaring bones truly made his blood boil! Clang! Clang! Clang! In just a few breaths, the two had exchanged more than ten blows. Sparks flew, densely packed, shooting into the air! The ground was covered in dust. Bang! With one slash! Mo Luo staggered back wildly, staring at the meteor hammer in his hand, his eye twitching violently. This blade technique, even among mid-tier Profound Rank skills, must be top-notch! You should know that his meteor hammer was a refined masterpiece. But now, after clashing with that Blade Qi, it was riddled with scars, on the verge of shattering! If you retreat any further, youll die. A calm voice emerged from the dust. Along with a blade light as cold as snow! Clang! Mo Luo instinctively raised his meteor hammer to block, but this time, the hammer could no longer withstand the force, shattering into pieces. And the long blade struck Mo Luos shoulder. The intense death energy surged in, devouring his life force. Mo Luos face changed drastically. He retreated again. But Luo Mu was already gripping his blade with both hands. Blade Qi surged around him, gradually enveloping the blade, transforming it into a terrifying Blade Qi at least fifty meters long! Elder! If you dont intervene, Ill die! Mo Luo clutched his right shoulder, shouting anxiously! From the brief exchange just now, he had realized beyond any doubt that he was no match for this boy! This blade technique was far too aggressive and domineering! From start to finish, all he had done was take a beating! Overlord Blade Stance! One Life-devoid Slash! Cut! Luo Mu remained focused, unaffected by the outside world, intent only on delivering this slash! Among all the moves in the Life-devoid Blade Sutra, the Overlord Blade Stance was the strongest, merging all Blade Qi into a single Life-devoid Slash! The attack range was vast! Wherever his eyes could reach, all would be cut down! The fifty-meter Blade Qi came crashing down. It was lightning fast. With his body weakened by the death energy, Mo Luo had no time to dodge. He could only instinctively raise his hands to block! But the result was obvious. Boom! The ground trembled, and a deep blade scar stretched across it. Mo Luo had been split in two, lying motionless on the ground. His stubborn life force kept him from dying immediately, but after a brief tremor, all life left him. As expected of the Overlord Blade Stance! Luo Mu clicked his tongue in admiration. Even an eighth-level True Aperture Realm fighter was slain in one stroke, without suspense! Whoosh! After Mo Luos death, the death energy within him transformed into a gray mist and flowed into Luo Mus body. Compared to the others. Mo Luos death energy was clearly much more abundant! Ding! You used the Life-devoid Blade Sutra to slay an eighth-level True Aperture Realm martial artist, triggering a critical hit, and receiving a three-hundredfold reward! The notification rang out. How much? Luo Mu was stunned, wondering if he had misheard! Until now. The highest had only been a hundredfold. Never had it surpassed that! But now, a three-hundredfold reward had appeared! Boom! There was no time to ponder; an immense blade technique insight flooded his mind! Inside his body, the death energy began to surge wildly. It felt as though he had just slain three hundred demonic martial artists like Mo Luo! The death energy continuously transformed into Life-devoid Blade Qi! Eighty-one, eighty-two soon, it reached the limit one hundred! And the Life-devoid Blade Sutra finally reached perfection! My blade technique has reached perfection! Luo Mus heart was filled with excitement. To be honest, he hadnt expected perfection to come so quickly. In his estimation, he wouldnt complete it today because when he arrived here, there were few demonic martial artists left alive. System, youre amazing! Luo Mu silently gave a thumbs-up. At the same time, he continued to absorb the insights of the blade technique in his mind. This three-hundredfold reward was simply too immense. So much so that he couldnt absorb it all at once. Additionally, as he absorbed more insights, Luo Mu suddenly felt something strange it was as if the blade in his hand had come to life. There was a sense of it gradually merging with him. This cant be Luo Mus pupils suddenly contracted. The legendary Blade Momentum!!! He remembered from his martial arts class that when someone mastered a technique to perfection and continued to practice diligently, they had the chance to touch the legendary Martial Arts Momentum! Clenching his teeth, Luo Mu calmed down. Now wasnt the time to think about this; he recalled that before Mo Luo died, he had shouted something about an elder. Clearly, there were more experts! He then looked around cautiously, staying vigilant, but no one appeared. Had he been tricked? Chapter 20 - The Elders of the Academy Chapter 20: The Elders of the Academy Suddenly, the sound of footsteps rang out. Luo Mu immediately gripped the handle of his blade and looked in the direction of the sound. But it wasnt the elder of the demonic path that he had imagined approachingit was a middle-aged man! The clothes he wore were clearly the robes of the academy. No need to worry, the person has already been dealt with, the middle-aged man said with a slight smile, throwing the head he held onto the ground. Greetings, Elder Lin! The still somewhat dazed Cheng Qingman and the other two instantly lit up with joy, quickly rising to salute. Elder Lin, Luo Mu also bowed in respect. He hadnt expected that for this trial, there would be an elder from the academy secretly following them. But thinking about it, it made sense. There was no way the academy wouldnt have taken such considerations and just sent their disciples off blindly. If something like todays ambush had happened, where the demonic path lay in wait, the losses would have been severe. Moreover, there was another possibility. The elder of the academy wasnt guarding the disciples on this trial But was insteadguarding Cheng Qingman! The Blood-Courage Marquis wasnt just any ordinary noble. Whether in terms of strength or status, he was unmatched in the entire Seven Counties of Changle. If something happened to Cheng Qingman, the academy would not escape responsibility. Thinking of this, Luo Mu couldnt help but recall the first time he had met Cheng Qingman. Even without him, maybe Cheng Qingman wouldnt have really been in danger back then. It was just that because he acted, the person protecting her from the shadows didnt need to reveal themselves. Hm. Elder Lin nodded slightly. With a wave of his right hand, the severed arm on the ground flew toward Jiang Hais shoulder. Mysterious light flowed, and in an instant, the arm was reattached. Take this pill. In no more than half a month, youll be fine, Elder Lin said. Thank you, Elder! Jiang Hai, overjoyed, quickly accepted the pill. Sear?h the novel(F~)ire.net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. As a swordsman, losing his left arm was a significant blow. Elder Lin, have you been following us all along? Cheng Qingman asked. It was clear that she was already acquainted with Elder Lin, perhaps even quite familiar with him. Of course. If this had been an ordinary trial, I wouldnt have interfered. But this is a demonic path stronghold, so I had to come and keep an eye on things, Elder Lin said with a smile. He then turned and looked at Luo Mu, nodding slightly. I didnt expect the outer court to produce such a prodigy this year. For those exceptionally talented individuals, people often referred to them as prodigies. Youve mastered two middle-grade Xuan-level martial skills, with one at perfection and the other at minor achievement, Elder Lin thought to himself, feeling a wave of shock. At the second stage of the True Qi Realm, to have such a foundation was rare even within the inner court. Minor achievement? The three of them were stunned. Then they recalled that Luo Mu had also been cultivating the middle-grade Xuan-level body technique, ! Who would have thought that Luo Mu had even reached minor achievement in this skill! And how long had it been? Luo Mus brow furrowed slightly. So this is the power of an academy elder, to be able to see through his martial arts cultivation with just a glance. The academys grand ceremony this year is going to be lively, Elder Lin said meaningfully. Alright, make haste and leave now. I have other matters to attend to. With that, Elder Lins figure blurred and disappeared from sight. Junior Sister Cheng, youre the most familiar with Elder Lin. Do you know his exact strength? Jiang Hai asked. Probably above the Spirit Sea, Cheng Qingman thought for a moment and replied. Jiang Hai and Lin Rufeng took a sharp breath. Above the Spirit Sea wouldnt that mean the Xuan Core Realm? The academy had actually sent a Xuan Core expert to secretly follow them. But that was likely to protect Cheng Qingman. The two quickly pieced together the key reason. The Xuan Core Realm, huh Luo Mus eyes gleamed. There was a time when the Xuan Core was nothing more than a distant dream for him. A goal he might never achieve in his lifetime. But now, as long as he kept diligently cultivating, not just the Xuan Core, but even the stages beyond were no longer a mere fantasy. Junior Brother Luo, youve been hiding your talents so well! I didnt expect that in such a short time, youd have honed your sword skills to such a high level! Cheng Qingman walked up to Luo Mu, her eyes shining. Just luck, I was practicing and suddenly broke through, Luo Mu said with a smile. Hearing this, Cheng Qingman rolled her eyes. This guy really knew how to get on peoples nerves. What did he mean by just luck? What did he mean by suddenly broke through? She hadnt been slacking off in her training either. Why hadnt she broken through? We have to thank you again, Junior Brother Luo. If it werent for you, wed have been in real danger! Cheng Qingman said seriously. Indeed, Jiang Hai and Lin Rufeng walked over, nodding in agreement. At this point, the arrogance on their faces had completely disappeared, replaced with genuine admiration. This junior brother from the outer court, whether in terms of strength or talent, was already someone they could no longer compare themselves to. Senior Sister, youre exaggerating. With Elder Lin here, how could there have been any danger? Luo Mu shook his head. At a critical moment, Elder Lin wouldve shown himself. True, but if not for you, our trial would have been considered a failure, Cheng Qingman replied. If an academy elder intervened and killed the demonic cultivator, the trial would be deemed a failure, and there would be no reward. Youre right. Luo Mu suddenly realized. He had almost forgotten about that. He had come solely for the trial rewards, and failure would mean a major problem in acquiring future cultivation resources. Not to mention, wed be ridiculed by the inner court disciples, Cheng Qingman continued, mimicking their potential taunts, You couldnt even complete a simple task, how embarrassing! Her lively imitation caused Luo Mu to burst out laughing. He hadnt expected Cheng Qingman to have such an adorable side. Jiang Hai and Lin Rufeng exchanged glances, astonished. To be honest, they had known Cheng Qingman for a long time but had never seen her like this. Usually, she maintained a calm and composed demeanor, never smiling much. But now, she had dropped all her pretenses. All her expressions were genuine, coming from her true self. Were not far from Xunyang Ancient City. Lets head into the city for a proper rest. As the host, Ill cover all the expenses! Cheng Qingman declared with a cheerful swagger. Junior Sister Cheng, youd better not take that back! Jiang Hai and Lin Rufengs spirits immediately lifted. Of course not, dont hold back on spending! Cheng Qingman said, placing her hands on her hips. Luo Mu looked thoughtfully at the blade in his hand. Maybe it was time to get a new one. Chapter 21 - Marquis’ Mansion Chapter 21: Marquis MansionImmediately, Luo Mu beheaded all the demonic martial artists he had killed. A single martial artist at the first level of the True Aperture Realm was worth 5,000 contribution points. Someone like Mo Luo was worth as much as 10,000. Luo Mu tallied it all up. This trip had already earned him nearly 70,000 contribution points. Truly, killing and arson bring wealth. In addition to the contribution points, these demonic martial artists also carried some resources, an unexpected gain. Since the number of heads was too large and unsightly when tied to his waist, he placed them all in Cheng Qingmans storage ring. This was also Luo Mus first time seeing a storage artifact. In the cultivation world, even the smallest-capacity storage artifact was extremely expensive and not something ordinary people could afford. Due to Jiang Hais injury, they couldnt travel for long stretches and had to stop every half-hour to rest. Luo Mu didnt waste this downtime. A short distance away. He began practicing his blade technique repeatedly. By killing Mo Luo, he had received a massive reward, a three-hundredfold gain. Among it was an enormous amount of insight into blade techniques. Sear?h the n?velFire.net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. He had already set one foot inside the doorway of mastering Blade Momentum. As long as he kept practicing, he was bound to comprehend the legendary Blade Momentum! This was the mysterious power that all martial artists dreamt of! Any martial artist who possessed Blade Momentum would undergo a complete qualitative transformation in strength. To put it simply. Their strength would increase by at least tenfold! However, comprehending Blade Momentum was incredibly difficult. In all of Changle Academy, only a few top geniuses could possibly have it. The sun set in the west. The afterglow of the sunset shone on Luo Mus body. He was fully focused, completely immersed in his blade technique, without any distractions. Cheng Qingman and the others were already stunned, staring at him in awe. I think I can understand why Junior Brother Luo has been able to master the Life-devoid Blade Sutra in such a short time. Jiang Hai said softly, Aside from his natural talent, he is also incredibly diligent and hardworking! Indeed. Lin Rufeng nodded in agreement. Ever since they left the demonic stronghold, during every rest break, Luo Mu would practice his blade technique alone in the distance. He never sat down to rest. There are many geniuses in this world, but the ones most to be feared are those who are not only talented but also unbelievably hardworking! Cheng Qingman propped her chin on her hands. In her bright, beautiful eyes, the tall and agile figure of Luo Mu was reflected. Her father had once told her. A genius who doesnt work hard will eventually lose their talent, but only a genius who puts in the effort can reach the pinnacle of martial arts! You have diligently practiced, completing a full cycle of the Life-devoid Blade Sutra, triggering a critical hit and receiving a thirtyfold reward! In his mind, the system notification rang. Luo Mus lips curled slightly. This might just be the most wonderful sound in the world. As the sun completely set. And the full moon rose in the east. The group finally arrived at Xunyang City. The largest ancient city in the Fengdu County! The city walls soared nearly a hundred meters high, with grayish-blue bricks that radiated the weight of time. A sense of ancient history and grandeur. The existence of Xunyang City could be traced back to the founding of the Great Zhou Dynasty, and its history was long and rich. Throughout the ages, countless heroes and legends had been born here. Thus, Xunyang Citys heritage was extremely deep. Within it were many aristocratic families of marquises and nobles. Such as the now-renowned Blood Courage Marquis Cheng family. Even though it was already night, Xunyang City was still brightly lit, bustling with activity. As Cheng Qingman put it. This was a city that never sleeps. Lanterns were everywhere, and a long river flowed through the center of the city, filled with floating water lamps. On both sides were ordinary people and martial artists who came to join the lively atmosphere. This is a big city. Luo Mu nodded slightly. As a humble cultivator, he naturally had never been to such a large city. But despite the excitement. He wasnt interested in sightseeing or entertainment. He just wanted to find a quiet place to continue his cultivation. Cheng Qingman noticed Luo Mus lack of interest and immediately led the way toward the Cheng family. It wasnt as luxurious as one might imagine. Just an ordinary Marquis Mansion. The young lady has returned! Very quickly, voices echoed within the Marquis Mansion. Then came the sound of hurried footsteps. Servants and attendants lined up in the courtyard, waiting to greet her. Welcome back, young lady! The steward, an old man, although his hair was white, his eyes were bright and clear. His body appeared strong and sturdy. His face bore several deep scars, likely from battles, and he now served as the steward of the Marquis Mansion. Uncle Gong, has my father returned? Cheng Qingman asked. The Marquis hasnt returned for three years. Hes been out handling affairs, and recently, the imperial capital assigned him another task to take care of. Uncle Gong shook his head. The imperial capital again. Cheng Qingman frowned. There were so many marquises in the imperial court. Why was her father always the one being called upon? She hadnt seen him in almost four years. Forget it. Cheng Qingman sighed helplessly, By the way, these three are my good friends. Uncle Gong, please make sure they are well taken care of. Understood. Uncle Gong nodded. He then glanced at Luo Mu and the others. Each of them was covered in blood, clearly having experienced a fierce battle recently. And it seemed like a rather brutal one. What puzzled him was that the young man with a blade at his waist, despite being only at the second level of the True Aperture Realm, appeared to be in the best condition. Although his body was soaked in blood, there were no visible injuries. It was obviously the blood of his enemies. Rest for tonight. Tomorrow, Ill show you around Xunyang City! Cheng Qingman said with a smile. Then she turned and left. Come with me, the three of you. Uncle Gong said. Thank you for your trouble. Luo Mu nodded. Although this old man seemed like an ordinary person, devoid of any martial aura, in Luo Mus perception, he felt like a dormant tiger, exuding an intimidating presence. Clearly, he had intentionally concealed his strength. Who knows what his true cultivation level was? Chapter 22 - The Black Dragon Chapter 22: The Black Dragon This young friend, I wonder if you sea??h th NovelFire.net* website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. Uncle Gong hesitated for a moment as he brought Luo Mu to a courtyard before asking. The academy task was to clear out a demonic stronghold. Although there were some unexpected developments, thankfully it was more of a scare than a danger Seeing Uncle Gongs gaze fall on his blood-red clothes, Luo Mu understood what he was about to ask. He then briefly explained the situation. These thieves from the Blood Moon Demonic Cult actually dared to attack the young lady. Truly seeking their own death! Upon hearing this, a fierce killing intent flashed in Uncle Gongs eyes. Though it was just for a moment, Luo Mus pupils constricted slightly. He nearly instinctively drew his blade. So far, he had never encountered such an exaggerated killing intent. Images of a blood-soaked battlefield involuntarily surfaced in his mind. It seemed his suspicions were correct. This old steward of the marquiss residence was indeed very strong. Apologies, I lost my composure for a moment. You should rest up now. Uncle Gong snapped back to reality, a kind smile appearing on his face. Someone will bring hot water over shortly. With that, he turned and left, closing the door behind him. Luo Mu stretched his body. Although he had achieved minor success in his body refinement, he didnt feel tired; however, his spirit was somewhat fatigued. Tonight, Ill rest well. Luo Mu understood the importance of balancing work and rest. The next day. As the first rays of sunlight broke through the dawn. Luo Mu had already begun practicing his sword techniques in the courtyard early on. He was very close to comprehending the sword momentum. As soon as he achieved a high multiplier, he would be able to break through that last barrier and gain enlightenment. Even if that didnt happen, he estimated that a day or two of practice would suffice. Thus, his heart was filled with motivation. Once he comprehended the sword momentum, he believed that within the True Qi Realm, even in the inner court, few would be his match! There was a knock at the door. But Luo Mu was deeply engrossed in his sword techniques and didnt hear it at all. Outside the door was Cheng Qingman. Is no one home? Cheng Qingman frowned. Then she jumped onto the courtyard wall and saw Luo Mu practicing his sword skills, bare-chested and completely focused. He was already in a state of being oblivious to his surroundings. Truly a martial arts fanatic, she muttered. So early to start training? If my father saw this, he would definitely be very pleased. Images of her father practicing in the past came to her mind. It was much like thislost in thought to the utmost degree. When she was young, if Uncle Gong hadnt protected her in time, she would have nearly been elbowed to death by her father in a moment of unconsciousness. Of course, that was when she was being foolish, thinking to sneak up on him from behind. Recalling this, Cheng Qingman carefully climbed down from the wall. She didnt want to disturb Luo Mu. Some things were best arranged by herself. Outside Xunyang City. A long line was approaching, moving with great momentum. Everyone was dressed in deep black. From afar, it resembled a black dragon. At the head of the procession was a banner fluttering in the wind, embroidered with the character Nine. Your Highness, we could actually ride flying beasts or take a cloud ship. With your status, no one in the vast Xunyang City would dare to have any objections, a eunuch in the luxurious carriage said thoughtfully. We have come here not to flaunt our power. Though Xunyang City is not the true core of the Seven Counties of Changle, many prominent families have taken root here. Especially that Blood-Courage Marquis, Cheng Tiancang! The speaker was an exceptionally handsome young man, appearing to be only seventeen or eighteen years old. He wore a black and gold python robe, exuding an air of nobility. If I can bring the Blood-Courage Marquis under my banner, it would be like adding an arm to myself. The young man took a sip from the tea in front of him. Though he was still young, the light golden hue in his eyes was already filled with maturity. Your Highness is wise, the eunuch praised. Among all the nobles of this dynasty, the Blood-Courage Marquiss strength is not particularly strong. But who knows what lies behind him At this point, the eunuch paused. The young man shot him a glance. The eunuch understood that he had spoken out of turn. Apart from trying to win over the nobles of the Seven Counties of Changle, we should also look for talented individuals. We cant focus all our attention on the older generation. The young man put down his teacup. With the constant border wars, many nobles have already perished, leaving their titles vacant. However, I dont have any exceptionally outstanding subordinates. Otherwise, I could directly ask my father for a marquis title. Your Highness is destined for greatness; you will surely encounter them. The eunuch quickly replied. Hmm, you can leave now. The young man nodded. Once the eunuch left, he let out a soft sigh, a hint of softness slowly emerging on his handsome face. It was a pity that his maternal lineage was slightly lacking. Otherwise, he wouldnt have to come to the Seven Counties of Changle to build his own influence. Thinking of this, the young man lightly twirled a lock of his dark hair between his fingers. But feeling it was inappropriate, he quickly released it. He resumed his dignified demeanor. Chapter 23 - Heaven Bestowed, Yet Refused; Reap What You Sow! Chapter 23: Heaven Bestowed, Yet Refused; Reap What You Sow!At dusk. This young man At the gate, Uncle Gong watched Luo Mu, who was still practicing his blade technique, and a rare glimmer of astonishment appeared in his eyes. He had come three times throughout the day. Following the young ladys orders, he came to deliver meals. When he arrived in the morning, Luo Mu was practicing his blade. At noon, under the scorching sun, he was still practicing. Now, it was already evening, and he was still at it! The future is promising. Uncle Gong nodded slightly, placing the meal aside. In this world, there were many geniuses, but it was rare to see someone working this hard. Luo Mu was completely immersed in his own blade technique. He was utterly unaware of what was happening outside. So he had no idea if anyone had come by. At a certain moment. Luo Mu suddenly stopped. It felt as if he had shattered some kind of barrier within him! The next second. Sar?h the n??el Fire.nt website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. His entire demeanor changed in an instant. An indescribable mystical aura surged around him! Like a long blade drawn from its sheath. Filled with a fierce and domineering presence! The blades edge seemed capable of cutting through everything! In the surrounding void, a brief moment of stillness occurred. Whoosh! Luo Mu suddenly opened his eyes. His gaze was sharp, as if containing endless sharpness. He gripped his blade with both hands. Without using any force. He simply delivered an extremely ordinary slash! But the artificial hill before him was instantly split in two, and even the nearby courtyard wall trembled violently, revealing a smooth crack. Finally Ive comprehended it! Luo Mu sheathed his blade and burst into hearty laughter. His laughter was filled with excitement and exhilaration. The momentum of martial arts! The legendary mystical power! What a realm that countless martial artists dream of! He never expected that one day he would touch it and comprehend it! Blade momentum, an intangible force, can enhance the blades power and even influence the surroundings, intimidating others spirits! Luo Mu held his blade before him. Reflecting his bright gaze. In life-and-death battles, even half a second of distraction could be fatal, and he estimated that with the emergence of blade momentum, opponents within ten meters would be stunned for more than two seconds. Two seconds. Was enough for someone to die four or five times over. With my current strength, unless my opponent also comprehends martial arts momentum, I am invincible within the True Aperture Realm. Luo Mus lips curled slightly. But blade momentum wasnt something everyone could comprehend. Even in an academy full of geniuses, only the top inner palace prodigies might possess it. Currently, Ive only grasped one-tenth of the blade momentum. When the blade momentum increases, its power will become even more formidable! Luo Mu lowered his long blade. He remembered that during martial arts class, the teacher had mentioned that for every increase of ten percent in martial arts momentum, the power would multiply. However, to enhance the blade momentum, practicing the Life-devoid Blade Sutra alone likely wont suffice. Luo Mus gaze shifted slightly. It was impossible to reach perfection in blade momentum by merely relying on one martial skill. The Life-devoid Blade Sutra was just a corner of the vast blade techniques; he needed to cultivate more blade techniques to gain different insights and increase his blade momentum! Forget it, for now, Ill focus on improving my cultivation level. Luo Mu shook his head. He was still at the second level of the True Aperture Realm, which was indeed a bit low. While fighting above his level was thrilling, wouldnt it be better to crush them with sheer rank? With that thought, Luo Mu prepared to return to his room, using the resources he had scavenged from the demonic cultivators for his training. However, at that moment. A knock sounded at the courtyard door. He opened the door. Outside stood Cheng Qingman. I thought you, the martial arts fanatic, would still be practicing. I didnt expect you to take a break too, Cheng Qingman said. Sorry. Luo Mu felt a bit embarrassed. He seemed to have forgotten that he had promised to go to Xunyang City today. No need to apologize; I was just joking, Cheng Qingman laughed lightly, then walked into the courtyard. Come, see what good stuff Ive prepared for you! Today wasnt just a casual outing. Cheng Qingmans intention was to repay Luo Mu and the others. At the critical moment. Whether it was Jiang Hai or Lin Rufeng, neither chose to flee. And Luo Mu had displayed extraordinary prowess, slaying Mo Luo and ensuring that the academys mission did not fail. Her temperament was like her fathers; she was generous. She believed in repaying grievances and returning favors. Cheng Qingman took out a jade box from her storage ring. Even though the box was closed, a rich fragrance of herbs wafted out, refreshing and invigorating. Luo Mu merely inhaled once. And felt his internal energy begin to boil, radiating a longing emotion. It was undoubtedly an extremely high-grade cultivation elixir! This is a third-tier Silver-patterned Herb. Although its medicinal power is immense, its properties are very gentle, so True Aperture Realm martial artists can consume it without worrying about backlash, Cheng Qingman explained. Third-tier! Luo Mu was momentarily taken aback. This exceeded his expectations. He initially thought Cheng Qingman would give him a second-tier elixir like last time, which would have been quite good. Who would have thought it was Silver-patterned Herb! This was a resource for cultivation that even martial artists at the Spirit Sea Realm coveted! In the academys exchange hall, it would likely require several hundred thousand contribution points to redeem. Additionally, this is a storage artifact I bought for you. Although its capacity isnt large, its enough to hold over a hundred heads, Cheng Qingman said, smirking mischievously. Having known each other for a while, she believed Luo Mu had a special affinity for heads. Ill accept the elixir, but I think Ill pass on the storage artifact, Luo Mu pondered for a moment but shook his head. He preferred equal exchanges. This way, no one owed anyone. But now, Cheng Qingmans reward had far surpassed that. Junior Brother Luo, youre being too polite. Do you think my life isnt worth these things? Cheng Qingmans brow furrowed. She sensed the distance in Luo Mus words. Although Elder Lin has been following us in secret, we didnt know about it, so you saving me is a fact, Cheng Qingman said, leaving Luo Mu unsure of how to respond. Logically speaking, she was right. Take it. I, Cheng Qingman, have always repaid kindness with gratitude, the kind that flows back like a spring! Cheng Qingman placed the storage artifact in Luo Mus hands. By the way, I also had a spiritual blade crafted for you at the Treasure Refinement Tower. Ill accompany you to pick it up in five days. A spiritual blade. Luo Mus gaze shifted. Weapons in the world are categorized into common weapons, fine-forged, spiritual weapons, heavy weapons, sacred weapons, and divine weapons. Generally speaking, fine-forged weapons are already quite precious. Let alone spiritual weapons. Unlike fine-forged weapons, spiritual weapons are made from more robust materials and are extremely difficult to damage. Additionally, spiritual weapons contain special ores or small formations that can enhance the power of martial skills. Martial artists of the same level using spiritual weapons can definitely defeat those wielding fine-forged ones. Overall, its just three items, Dont think too much about it. Goodnight. Cheng Qingman smiled brightly. Then turned and left. A gentle breeze blew, and the girls flowing hair seemed to cool this warm summer day. Still, I cant shake the feeling of being spoiled by a rich woman. Luo Mu retracted his gaze and shook his head slightly. Of course, he didnt dwell on this issue. Heaven bestowed upon him, yet he refused; he would reap the consequences. If an opportunity was presented before him, it would be foolish not to seize it. Chapter 24 - Breakthrough! Chapter 24: Breakthrough! Returning to his room, Luo Mu put the storage ring on his finger. The ring surprisingly adjusted automatically to fit the size of his finger, which was quite strange. After acknowledging it with a drop of blood, his consciousness immediately entered a small space. As Cheng Qingman had mentioned, it could indeed hold a hundred heads. The heads of the demonic cultivators had already been placed inside by Cheng Qingman. Killing and looting will be much more convenient from now on, Luo Mu nodded slightly. He then opened a jade box, revealing a spirit herb that was entirely green and covered in numerous silver stripes, which instantly filled the room with a rich medicinal fragrance. Third-grade Silver Stripe Herb. A fiery gleam filled Luo Mus eyes. The Silver Stripe Herb had seven leaves, which were the essence of its medicinal power. Each leaf had effects far exceeding that of a Breaking Yuan Pill. Just this one herb was enough for him to break through seven major acupoints! If he managed to have a few lucky critical hits, reaching the perfection stage of the True Qi Realm should be a piece of cake. Luo Mu plucked one leaf and swallowed it. Almost the moment it entered his stomach, the overwhelming medicinal power surged forth like a mighty river. Even with prior preparation, Luo Mu was still taken aback. It truly deserved to be a third-grade spirit herb! With no time to think further, Luo Mu began to absorb the medicinal power, and in a short time, his energy and blood surged violently. His vitality multiplied by several times! He could even faintly hear the sound of a roaring river in his veins! To break through the acupoints, his own energy and blood had to be incredibly robust. Otherwise, he wouldnt be able to breach the acupoint barriers. The reason Luo Mu was able to break through to the True Qi Realm initially was largely due to that Breaking Yuan Pill. However, the potency of the Breaking Yuan Pill was no longer sufficient to break through the third major acupoint; now only spirit herbs like the Silver Stripe Herb could do the trick. Break! Feeling that he was ready, Luo Mu channeled all his energy and blood toward a major acupoint in his right foot. His energy surged, wild and savage. With the visible impact of his energy and blood, the barrier of the major acupoint trembled violently, and cracks began to form, piece by piece, peeling away. Luo Mu patiently awaited the outcome. About half an hour later The barrier of the major acupoint finally shattered completely. A light golden stream of Yuan Chu blood flowed through his body, absorbed by his flesh, significantly enhancing his physical capabilities and the quality of his energy and blood. Luo Mu let out a sigh of relief. He still remembered how simple it had been to break through the first major acupoint; it had been effortless. The second wasnt too difficult either. But now that he had reached the third, he clearly felt the increased difficulty, as evidenced by the time it had taken. It had taken a full half hour. If it werent for the potent effects of the Silver Stripe Herb, he would likely have failed. And this was a matter of talent. The better the talent, the weaker the acupoint barrier, allowing for an easy breakthroughwho would need half an hour? The third major acupoint is already this difficult; I can only imagine how hard the next ones will be. Luo Mus gaze sharpened slightly. There were indeed spirit items in the world that could improve ones talent, but they were rare and unpredictable; he had no idea when he might encounter one. You have worked diligently, consumed spirit herbs, attacked the major acupoint, triggered a critical hit, and received thirty times the rewards! Suddenly, a prompt sounded, and in his mind, he saw a series of thirty successful breakthrough images. Its no big deal if I dont encounter one; I can just keep trying. I have plenty of chances! Luo Mus lips curled into a smile. Thirty times the rewards were equivalent to breaking through thirty times. As long as his luck wasnt too bad, if he succeeded just once in those thirty attempts, he would have successfully broken through in reality! Next, its time to consolidate my realm. Luo Mu sat cross-legged. He lowered his hands and placed them on his abdomen. The True Qi Realm was quite special; each time one broke through, they needed to spend a certain amount of time consolidating their gains. They had to absorb all the Yuan Chu blood before proceeding to the next stage of breakthroughs. Five days later, Luo Mu pushed open the door and stepped out. He stretched his body, basking in the sunlight. A smile spread across his face. The absorption of Yuan Chu blood could be both active and passive, so according to the systems rules, it also counted as cultivation. Thus, it would take ordinary people several months to finish absorbing it all. But he, with his critical hits, had done it in just a day or two. Consequently, in these five days, he had broken through two minor realms, successfully reaching the fifth stage of the True Qi Realm! Luo Mu casually threw a few punches. The force of his punches was heavy, as if he were striking underwater, making the surrounding air feel as though it was being pulled. In the future, if I have the chance, I should practice a boxing technique, Luo Mu thought. His physical body now far surpassed that of other martial artists at the same realm. If he trained in boxing, he would undoubtedly achieve twice the results with half the effort. There was a knock at the courtyard door. Without needing to think, he knew it was Cheng Qingman. Opening the door, he was indeed right. Rare! Youre actually not practicing, Cheng Qingman raised an eyebrow, quite surprised. I havent practiced my sword in these past few days, Luo Mu replied with a slight smile. Upon hearing this, Cheng Qingman seemed to sense something and gasped in surprise. Because she had just realized that Luo Mu had actually broken through to the fifth stage of the True Qi Realm! She remembered he was only at the second stage five days ago! Was this cultivation speed a bit too absurd?! sea??h th novel(F~)ire.net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. It seems your talent is indeed exceptionally good, Cheng Qingman swallowed hard. She was seen as a genius by the world, but each time she broke through a major acupoint, it took her over twenty days to absorb all the Yuan Chu blood. But Luo Mu? He could probably do it in a day! With sufficient resources, reaching perfection in the True Qi Realm would be a breeze for you, Cheng Qingman said in shock. To this, Luo Mu just smiled, not providing further explanation. Instead, he changed the subject. Lets go; arent you taking me to get the spirit sword? Right, Cheng Qingman nodded, confirming the purpose of her visit. Today was the day the spirit sword was finished! Chapter 25 - Spiritual Blade, Hidden Dragon Ranking Chapter 25: Spiritual Blade, Hidden Dragon Ranking Treasure Refinement Tower. A rather ordinary name. But within the territory of the Great Zhou Dynasty, it is quite renowned. Because the weapons refined here, whether in appearance or quality, are exceptionally high-grade. Under Cheng Qingmans guidance. Luo Mu soon arrived at the Treasure Refinement Tower. Miss Cheng is quite punctual. The steward of the Treasure Refinement Tower came out, smiling. Although Cheng Qingman was the daughter of the Blood Courage Marquis, in the vast Xunyang City, there were many marquises. And the Treasure Refinement Tower was a top-tier power. sea??h th n??el Fire.nt website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. Naturally, they wouldnt fawn over Cheng Qingman like others. Is the spiritual blade ready? Cheng Qingman asked straightforwardly. Of course, the steward nodded, then turned to Luo Mu, I believe this young friend is here for the blade? Exactly. Luo Mu nodded. Having comprehended the blade momentum, his gaze was quite sharp, even if somewhat concealed. It was still like a light in the night. Drawing attention. Follow me. The steward led the way inside. The inner room was quite spacious, with weapons hanging all over the walls. With just a glance, Luo Mu could tell that these weapons were all at least fine-forged. None were common items. Please take a look. The steward took out a special box and slowly opened it in front of Luo Mu. Clang! Almost the moment it was opened, a sharp aura surged from within the box. Causing the surrounding weapons to tremble! This was a long blade, approximately four and a half feet in length. It was pitch black, resembling crystal. Its surface was engraved with many intricate patterns. Like a formation. Be careful, this type of weapon has already developed some spiritual awareness. Touching it recklessly may provoke its resistance, the steward cautioned. But Luo Mu directly grasped the hilt with his right hand. The steward was momentarily stunned. Logically, such casual handling would surely result in injury from the blade. Yet this spiritual blade astonishingly did not react at all. Luo Mu could sense the resistance of the spiritual blade. But having comprehended blade momentum, he found that the blades resistance was utterly trivial. Luo Mu lightly stroked the blades surface with two fingers of his left hand, especially along the edge. With the strength of his body, he surprisingly felt a cutting sensation on his skin! It was clearly extremely sharp! Good blade! Luo Mus eyes lit up. Regardless of its appearance or sharpness, he was very pleased. It was completely unmatched by any of the blades he had encountered before. All products from the Treasure Refinement Tower are naturally high-quality. The steward said proudly, You can drop a drop of blood to recognize it as your own. After recognizing it, you will discover even more profound aspects. Upon hearing this. Luo Mu dripped a drop of blood onto the blades surface. In an instant. The blade absorbed the blood. Hum! A mysterious connection was instantly established between them. The blade in his hand felt alive, no longer cold. This is a top-grade spiritual blade, containing three formations. When activated, it can enhance your blade techniques power. It can probably increase it by about thirty percent. Thirty percent. It sounded rather small. But it was already incredibly high! Among martial artists of the same realm, even a thirty percent increase could decide the outcome, let alone thirty percent! Formations, huh. Luo Mu nodded, indeed sensing three small formations hidden deep within the spiritual blade. Once infused with qi and blood. The formations could immediately activate. Do you find it satisfactory, young friend? The steward asked with a smile. Good blade. Luo Mu simply replied with two words. Then he sheathed the blade and hung it at his waist. If you need upgrades or repairs in the future, feel free to come to the Treasure Refinement Tower. The prices are definitely reasonable, the steward said. Mm. Luo Mu nodded. Senior Sister Cheng, when do you plan to return to the academy? As they exited the Treasure Refinement Tower, Luo Mu asked. The academys grand ceremony was approaching, and he needed to hurry back, convert his gains into resources, and further enhance himself. The inner palace was filled with hidden dragons and crouching tigers; he could not afford to be careless. It seems Junior Brother Luo is eager to return. How about we go back together tomorrow? Cheng Qingman smiled. Sounds good. Just as the two were about to head back, an excited voice suddenly rang out. Quick, go to the Wanxiang Pavilion! Young Master Yuan Nongbai from the Yuan family is challenging Feng Qingshan from the Feng family! What? Yuan Nongbai has the guts to do that? Feng Qingshan is ranked fifteenth on the Hidden Dragon List! Who knows? Lets hurry and see! In an instant, many people dashed toward the Wanxiang Pavilion. Yuan Nongbai has actually returned too. Cheng Qingman exclaimed in surprise. Who are these two? Luo Mu initially didnt want to join the commotion. Nothing was more important than his cultivation, but hearing the mention of the Hidden Dragon List piqued his interest. He had been so focused on hard training that he had completely forgotten about the Hidden Dragon List. To encourage martial artists, the dynasty had established several rankings. The Hidden Dragon List was one of them. Anyone on the list would receive considerable resource rewards at the Wanxiang Pavilion every month. Additionally, if any academy disciples made the list, the academy would also grant rewards. The Hidden Dragon List included a hundred names, aimed at talented martial artists in the True Aperture Realm. The Yuan family and the Feng family are both major families within Xunyang City. The Feng family once had a royal lineage, but it was interrupted later, and their title was reclaimed by the court. As for the Yuan family, they have retained their marquis title. Yuan Nongbai is a standout among the younger generation of the Yuan family, at the ninth level of the True Aperture Realm, very powerful, and like us, a disciple of the academy. In the inner palace of the True Aperture Realm, he is already at the top level. As for Feng Qingshan, although he has great talent, he has not joined our Changle Academy but has chosen the Xuantian Sword Sect instead. Cheng Qingman explained in one breath. And Luo Mu gained a general understanding. The Xuantian Sword Sect. A renowned top sect within the Seven Prefectures of Changle. Although its overall strength couldnt match the academy, it was still very strong and not to be underestimated. Since the establishment of the Martial Alliance, the power of the sects has been steadily increasing, no longer comparable to the past. So now, many talented individuals may not choose the academy. Cheng Qingman added. Mm. Luo Mu nodded slightly. The academy was established by the dynasty, and in the words of the Great Zhou Emperor, all geniuses and heroes should enter his fold. However, the influence of the sects was now nearly equal to that of the academy. Should we go take a look? Cheng Qingman asked. Lets go. Chapter 26 - The Xuantian Sword Sect Chapter 26: The Xuantian Sword Sect At the Wanshang Pavilion, a neutral organization established by the dynasty. It mainly handles the changes and transmissions of the rankings. As a major city, Xunyang City naturally has a branch of the Wanshang Pavilion here. So many people choose to challenge the masters on the rankings at the Wanshang Pavilion. At this moment, the square outside the Wanshang Pavilion was already packed with people. Having been bored for so long, how could they miss out on a good show? Moreover, many powerful families from Xunyang City had also come out. Do you think Yuan Nongbai can succeed in the challenge? Someone in the crowd asked. He can definitely do it! Yuan Nongbai is a disciple of the academy, at the ninth level of the True Qi Realm. How could he possibly lose to Feng Qinghe? I dont think so. If Yuan Nongbai were that capable, why hasnt he made it onto the rankings yet? Thats a good point; not every genius in this world is interested in the Potential Dragon Rankings. True. Many people nodded in agreement. Besides, Yuan Nongbai is a disciple of the inner academy of Changle. His strength should surpass that of Feng Qinghe. In the eyes of the public, the academys training capabilities were always impeccable, far superior to any sect. What kind of outdated thinking is that? Nowadays, the sects are not that much weaker than the academy. Someone rebutted, Just look at the major rankings; the positions occupied by sect masters already account for one-third, if not more! At this remark, the crowd fell silent for a moment. Indeed, looking at the rankings, the power of the sects had far surpassed previous times. They could no longer view things with old perspectives. Not far from the square, in a tavern. The normally lively third floor was empty at this moment. Only seven people were seated here. From their attire, one could tell they were of extraordinary status. How interesting. I didnt expect there to be a post-event feast today. Among the seven, a handsome young man in a python robe slowly put down his teacup, a faint smile gracing his lips. Yuan Nongbai must be a junior of the Yuan family, right? The handsome young man turned his gaze to a middle-aged man beside him. This was the head of the Yuan family, one of the top martial artists in Xunyang City. At this moment, however, he was sitting respectfully, and upon hearing the question, he quickly stood up, smiling as he said, The young generation is quite ambitious; I hope I havent disturbed the Ninth Prince. How could it be? Im just here to appreciate the talents of the Yuan familys juniors, the Ninth Prince replied with a smile. He had been in Xunyang City for several days. Unfortunately, the most important Blood-Courage Marquis was not present. According to secret information, it would take a while longer, so he had to focus his attention on other noble families. Though the Seven Counties of Changle were far from the imperial capital, they were near the eastern seas and south of the witchcraft regions, which fostered a strong martial culture and produced many strong individuals. It was worth his effort to win them over. Upon hearing this, the other family heads exchanged glances, feeling some dissatisfaction. How had they not thought of this? Since they had decided to side with the Ninth Prince, they should have sent their juniors to gain face. The noble families of Xunyang City had never been very interested in the rankings, especially the Potential Dragon Rankings, as they didnt lack for such trivial things. No wonder Yuan Nongbai had suddenly shown up today to put on such a show. What a deep scheme! Sear?h the N?vel(F)ire.et website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. It is said that Feng Qinghes master is a Supreme Elder of the Xuantian Sword Sect. Yuan family head, be careful not to choose the wrong opponent. The head of the Wang family said with a hint of caution. A month ago, my son encountered someone ranked fifteenth on the Potential Dragon Rankings during training and won effortlessly. The head of the Yuan family stroked his beard, speaking confidently and proudly, Its just that it hasnt been made public. Upon hearing this, the head of the Wang family fell silent. Feng Qinghe was only ranked seventeenth; if he could easily defeat someone ranked fifteenth, then Feng Qinghe should pose no problem. It could be said that he was truly a cunning old fox. Thinking things through and preparing adequately. Around the square, more and more people gathered. Luo Mu and Cheng Qingman had also arrived. Junior Brother Luo, Junior Sister Cheng! Lin Rufeng waved at them. Jiang Hai was also there. The two of them had just been out shopping when they heard someone was challenging the masters on the Potential Dragon Rankings, and naturally, they couldnt miss it. What a coincidence. As the four of them gathered, Cheng Qingman remarked. Yeah, who would have thought it would actually be Yuan Nongbai? Lin Rufeng said excitedly, Isnt he always focused on his training and uninterested in the rankings? Why would he actively challenge someone? Im not sure, Cheng Qingman shook her head. Do you think Yuan Nongbai can win? Lin Rufeng asked. Within the inner academy, Yuan Nongbais strength is beyond doubt; he is one of the top-tier disciples. Perhaps only Junior Brother Luo can match him. Cheng Qingman said. Yuan Nongbai also practiced a middle-grade Xuan-level martial skill! I dont know much about Feng Qinghe, so I cant make a judgment. Cheng Qingman continued. I hope Yuan Nongbai can win. The opponent he chose, any other genius from different families would have been fine, but it had to be Feng Qinghe. Doesnt he know that Feng Qinghe is backed by the increasingly influential Xuantian Sword Sect in recent years? If he loses, it wont just be his face that he loses. Jiang Hais words hit the mark, leaving both Cheng Qingman and Lin Rufeng momentarily stunned. Indeed. In this light, it seemed this wasnt going to be a simple challenge. As Luo Mu listened, he looked toward the square. At this moment, two figures landed in the square. The previously raucous crowd gradually quieted down. Because the main event was about to begin. Yuan Nongbai, you have quite the guts to dare challenge me. Feng Qinghe, carrying a long sword on his back, had a gaunt face. His narrow eyes resembled those of a venomous snake, giving the impression that he was very hard to deal with. Enough with the nonsense; today, Ill take your position. Yuan Nongbai held a wide-bladed sword, which looked like a massive door plank. He actually had no interest in todays challenge, but his father insisted that he choose Feng Qinghe, so he had no choice. It was said that the Ninth Prince harbored a deep hatred for sect powers. If he could defeat a genius from a sect, then Yuans familys standing in the Ninth Princes eyes would significantly increase. This was about the future of his family and even his own future. Moreover, he had longstanding grievances with Feng Qinghe, so he might as well settle them today. Even the one ranked fifteenth had been easily defeated by him. Let alone Feng Qinghe, who was ranked seventeenth. Thus, todays battle held no suspense. Chapter 27 - Prosperity Leads to Decline Chapter 27: Prosperity Leads to Decline Arrogant as ever. Feng Qingshan sneered. The world believes that only the academy is the true sanctuary for cultivation. As long as one is a disciple of the academy, they must be stronger than others. Today, he would take this opportunity to defeat Yuan Nongbai and prove to the world that the academy is a thing of the past. At the same time, he would promote his own sect. He believed his master would surely reward him handsomely in the future! In Xunyang City, where aristocratic families abound, there were countless geniuses; half of them chose the Xuantian Sword Sect, which provided an enormous influx of fresh blood. This was enough to sustain a sect for a hundred years, or even a thousand! Let the competition begin! The steward of the Wanxiang Pavilion stepped forward, expressionless, raising his right hand high before bringing it down forcefully! Boom! In an instant, Yuan Nongbai made his move. The ground beneath his feet exploded. His body moved like a thunderbolt. In no time, he was before Feng Qingshan. In his hand, the wide-bladed sword resembled an ancient mountain, incredibly heavy, and just lifting it created a suffocating sensation. If it struck, one would surely be split in two. However, Feng Qingshans expression remained unchanged, even revealing a hint of coldness. He simply leaped back lightly, dodging the blades edge. Then, his long sword was unsheathed from behind. Countless sword shadows surged forth. The power of the blade was overwhelming. Yuan Nongbai raised his eyebrows. He quickly withdrew his sword to block. Clang! Clang! Clang! In an instant, sparks flew. The power of the sword shadows was so great that it forced him to retreat several steps. Mid-tier Profound Rank sword technique. Yuan Nongbai said slowly. Both he and Feng Qingshan were at the ninth level of the True Aperture Realm, and only such a sword technique could push him back a few steps. He was already prepared for this. Generally speaking, those who made it onto the Hidden Dragon List had all cultivated mid-tier Profound Rank martial techniques. The difference lay in their levels of attainment. What surprised him was that Feng Qingshans sword technique had not only reached perfection but was also quite remarkable among the mid-tier Profound Rank techniques. Its power would not be lower than his sword technique. In fact, it might even be stronger. Surprised? Theres even more to astonish you! A smirk appeared at the corner of Feng Qingshans mouth. The moment he finished speaking. Feng Qingshans figure began to blur, leaving behind multiple afterimages. In an instant, he closed the distance to Yuan Nongbai. Not good! Yuan Nongbais expression changed drastically. He hadnt expected Feng Qingshan to be this fast. This was definitely a high-level movement technique! At least a mid-tier Profound Rank! Feng Qingshan had mastered two mid-tier Profound Rank martial techniques! For a True Aperture Realm martial artist, such martial techniques were extremely difficult to cultivate, so even a genius like him had only practiced one. Feng Qingshans talent was comparable to his; how could he have mastered two? In an instant, Yuan Nongbai was overwhelmed with mixed emotions, and the confidence he had initially felt vanished! Boom! Although Yuan Nongbai barely avoided the attack, he was still struck on the arm by a sword. Blood gushed forth instantly. Feng Qingshan would not miss the opportunity to strike a drowning man; using his movement technique advantage, he launched continuous attacks, every sword Qi interwoven. Finally Bang! Yuan Nongbais large frame was sent flying out of the square, crashing heavily to the ground, on the verge of collapse. Seeing this scene, the previously quiet surroundings erupted in an uproar. Many people displayed incredulous expressions. Yuan Nongbai had actually lost! And he lost so quickly. They had thought it would be a thrilling battle! Who would have imagined it to be completely one-sided! Both at the ninth level of the True Aperture Realm, Feng Qingshans strength utterly crushed Yuan Nongbai. The winner is Feng Qingshan of the Xuantian Sword Sect! The steward of the Wanxiang Pavilion announced expressionlessly. The disciples of the academy are nothing special. Feng Qingshan flicked his right hand, sheathing his long sword, his gaze sweeping across the crowd, a smirk playing at the corners of his mouth. Upon hearing these words, Cheng Qingman and the others were instantly filled with rage. Within the empire, the academy had always been a sanctuary for cultivation, revered by all. As disciples of the academy, the three naturally shared honor and disgrace. They would not allow others to belittle them. So, this is the expert from the Hidden Dragon List? A bit stronger than I expected. Luo Mu squinted slightly. He had actually mastered two mid-tier Profound Rank martial techniques. Although his movement technique wasnt perfect, it had reached a small level of success; otherwise, he wouldnt have been able to force Yuan Nongbai to retreat step by step. From the perspective of martial skill attainment, Feng Qingshan was on the same level as him. But he had an even stronger trump card: the blade momentum! S~ea??h the ovelFire.et website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. The martial momentum that all martial artists dream of! Once blade momentum was unleashed, defeating Feng Qingshan would be but a single strike. Inside the tavern. Crash! A wine cup shattered on the floor. The head of the Yuan family wore a grim expression. Just a moment ago, he had confidently guaranteed and even bet with other family heads that Yuan Nongbai would defeat Feng Qingshan within ten moves. But who would have thought the reality would be the complete opposite! Victory and defeat are common occurrences in battle; theres no need for Yuan family head to overthink it. Just relax, the Ninth Prince took a deep breath. A smile appeared on his face. As a member of the royal family, he naturally wouldnt let such trivial matters affect him; even if they did, he wouldnt show it in front of others. Thank you for your understanding, Your Highness. In the future, I will urge my son to cultivate even more diligently, the head of the Yuan family said, feeling relieved upon hearing that the Ninth Prince did not blame him. Yet deep inside, he felt immense regret. Had he known this would happen, he wouldnt have meddled. He had simply shot himself in the foot. The main reason was that he had not expected Feng Qingshan to be hiding his strength. He was completely different from what the intelligence had suggested. Now, sects are truly flourishing, the Ninth Prince said slowly, standing with his hands clasped behind his back, As you mentioned, your son and Feng Qingshans talents are nearly equal, yet their strengths differ greatly. This shows that the Xuantian Sword Sects training of geniuses has surpassed that of the academy. Under heaven, all lands belong to the king; at the edge of the earth, all subjects belong to the king, a family head stood up and said, No matter how strong the sect is, there are limits. They must submit to the rule of the empire. Upon hearing this, the Ninth Princes lips curled up. Although it was flattery, he enjoyed it. The sects A cold glint flashed in the Ninth Princes eyes. The rise and fall of power is a cycle; the academy may no longer be the best choice. You might consider the Xuantian Sword Sect, Feng Qingshan proclaimed loudly in the square. As these words left his mouth, the uproar intensified once again. To openly belittle the academy was quite rare. Yet no one could refute it. After all, Yuan Nongbai was still lying on the ground; no, he was already unsteadily getting to his feet. But he looked pathetic, his body covered in bloody sword marks. Damn it! Cheng Qingman clenched her fists. Anger surfaced on her beautiful face. Her father and even her ancestors had mostly studied at the academy, including her, so she held deep feelings for the academy. Hearing others insult it like this was naturally unbearable. However, she was currently only at the sixth level of the True Aperture Realm, and even Yuan Nongbai was no match for Feng Qingshan, let alone her. Chapter 28 - Didn’t Anyone Tell You Not to Speak Too Soon? Chapter 28: Didnt Anyone Tell You Not to Speak Too Soon? Bullshit! Lin Rufeng was quick-tempered and blurted it out. This immediately attracted a lot of attention. Including Feng Qingshan. Sar?h the N?vel?ire.net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. In an instant, everyone around turned to look. Its an academy disciple! The standard academy attire quickly revealed his identity. Feng Qingshans gaze turned slightly cold. Since you have a different opinion, why not step up and compete? Upon hearing this, Lin Rufengs expression changed slightly. With his strength, how could he possibly be Feng Qingshans opponent? He would probably be defeated in one move! Afraid, are you? Feng Qingshan sneered, It seems that academy disciples can only rely on their words. You! Lin Rufeng immediately tore the white cloth from his spear. Since the other party had said such things, he couldnt endure it any longer! Even if he was destined to lose, he had to step up! However, at that moment, a hand rested on his shoulder. Lin Rufeng instinctively turned his head. It was Luo Mu. Just a small fry; theres no need for Senior Brother Lin to take action, Luo Mu said with a smile. Hiss! Upon hearing this, a gasp rose around them. Small fry He really dared to say that. Junior Brother Luo. Cheng Qingmans eyes flashed with concern. Anger aside, she was still clear-headed about reality. In terms of martial arts foundation, Luo Mu and Feng Qingshan were not much different. Both had mastered two mid-tier Profound Rank martial skills. One was perfected, and the other was at a small success level. But Luo Mus cultivation level was only at the fifth level, while Feng Qingshan was at the ninth. There was a gap. It was basically very difficult for him to defeat Feng Qingshan. Its fine. Ill be back soon. Luo Mu gave her a reassuring look. Deep down, he actually didnt want to get involved in this mess. It would be best to stay out of it. However, he was still an academy disciple. When he went out, he represented the academy. Since the other party had spoken so brazenly, he couldnt just turn a blind eye. Rather than waiting for Lin Rufeng to be defeated, it was better for him to step up right away and resolve this. With that thought, he gently tapped his toes and landed on the square, facing Feng Qingshan from a distance. Outer palace disciple? Only at the fifth level of the True Aperture Realm? Feng Qingshan initially thought he was facing a formidable opponent since he had dared to call him a small fry. But upon closer inspection, he was almost stunned. What? An outer palace disciple? And only at the fifth level of the True Aperture Realm! Where does he get his confidence? In an instant, the crowd erupted with disbelief. Even Yuan Nongbai, at the ninth level of the True Aperture Realm, had lost. What chance did a fifth-level True Aperture Realm disciple have? What could he possibly use to win? Why would he think he could win? It seems I need to reconsider the younger generation; the disciples from the academy are indeed hard to describe. Many shook their heads. Inside the tavern. The dramatic scene also drew the attention of the Ninth Prince and others. This is nonsense. The head of the Yuan family snorted coldly, Even my son lost; this outer palace disciple actually dares to challenge Feng Qingshan. Truly unaware of the skys height and the earths depth! Indeed, I wonder where this young man got his courage, other family heads nodded in agreement. However, the Ninth Princes face showed interest. In his understanding. No one should dare to pull such a stunt. Unless they had some confidence. In that moment, he couldnt help but feel curious. His gaze fixated on Luo Mu. Let me tell you, Junior Brother Luo is quite impressive. Dont underestimate him! Seeing the surrounding people mock and ridicule, Lin Rufeng immediately rebutted. After all, if he hadnt been unable to hold back his words, Junior Brother Luo wouldnt have had to step up. So his position must be unwavering. Indeed, be careful; you might be surprised by the outcome. Jiang Hai added. Go for it, Junior Brother Luo! Cheng Qingman waved her hands. Once I defeat you, the aristocratic families of Xunyang City may become even more disappointed in the academy. From this perspective, I should thank you, Feng Qingshan said softly. Didnt anyone tell you not to speak too soon? Luo Mu placed his right hand on the hilt at his waist, his expression calm as he spoke slowly. Too soon? Feng Qingshan laughed heartily, You cant seriously think you have a chance of winning against me? You talk too much. Luo Mu shook his head slightly, then looked at the steward of the Wanxiang Pavilion, Changle AcademyLuo Mu, challenging Feng Qingshan. Do you accept the challenge? The steward looked at Feng Qingshan. Of course! Feng Qingshan snorted. Changle Academys Luo Mu challenges the Xuantian Sword Sects Feng Qingshan! Begin! The steward was very decisive, with no unnecessary words. Ill finish you with one sword! Feng Qingshans gaze turned icy as he unsheathed his sword and used all his strength. Although he appeared dismissive, he didnt underestimate his opponent. Just a fifth-level True Aperture Realm martial artist dared to step up. Either he was insane, or he had hidden trump cards. So he had to take this seriously; even a lion uses all its strength when hunting a rabbit! Canglan Sword TechniqueTide! Feng Qingshan slashed with his sword, and the sword Qi surged forth like a rushing tide toward Luo Mu! Is Feng Qingshan taking this too seriously? That sword is nearly full power! Someone exclaimed in surprise. He remembered that Feng Qingshan had used a similar technique against Yuan Nongbai earlier. But now, his opponent was just a fifth-level True Aperture Realm martial artist. What pressure! My blood finally starting to boil! Faced with this sword, Luo Mus lips gradually curled upward. His previously calm demeanor began to change. Chapter 29 - A Hundred-Meter Blade Light! Chapter 29: A Hundred-Meter Blade Light! To be honest, up to this point, he had never encountered an opponent who could put pressure on him. But now, he finally had. Yet it was only a slight pressure. Are you scared? Seeing Luo Mu remain motionless, many people couldnt help but think this way. Feng Qingshan felt the same. Just kneel down! A smile appeared on Feng Qingshans face. Perhaps he had worried too much; this guy was simply unworthy of mention. However, the next second. A terrifying, even fearsome, blade Qi surged into the sky from the square! Luo Mu had made his move! The blade light shimmered like snow, incredibly domineering, directly shattering the overwhelming sword Qi! The ground even cracked, a chaotic mess! What?! Feng Qingshans expression changed instantly. This scene was completely beyond his expectations. Sear?h the N?velFire(.)net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. It left everyone around in shock. What a powerful blade technique! It can actually clash head-on with Feng Qingshans sword Qi! Someone exclaimed. This must be a mid-tier Profound Rank blade technique, and it has reached perfection! No wonder he dared to challenge Feng Qingshan; he has some confidence to back it up! Others reacted quickly. Excitement began to build. It seemed the academy was still very strong; contrary to Feng Qingshans claims that it was declining, even an outer palace disciple could master a mid-tier Profound Rank technique. This demonstrated the academys profound heritage. Interesting. In the tavern, the Ninth Princes eyes brightened. Every academy has an inner and outer palace. If it were a top-ranked academy, he could understand. But Changle Academy was ranked lower. He hadnt expected such talent to exist in the outer palace. After all, mastering mid-tier Profound Rank martial skills wasnt something an ordinary True Aperture Realm martial artist could achieve. At the very least, it required the talent of an inner palace disciple. I underestimated him. The head of the Yuan family cleared his throat. Just a second ago, he had been skeptical, only to be slapped in the face the next moment. Today truly felt like he hadnt consulted the almanac before going out. Everything was going wrong. Mid-tier Profound Rank blade technique. No wonder you dared to challenge me; you truly have hidden trump cards. Feng Qingshans expression gradually returned to normal, a strong coldness surfacing between his brows. At the same time, he was glad he hadnt underestimated his opponent. Otherwise, he might have been caught off guard. But do you really think that just one blade technique can compete with me? Feng Qingshan formed a sword flourish. His aura became increasingly powerful. Just in terms of realm, I have a four-level advantage over you! You talk too much. Luo Mus expression was calm as a deep well. A full hundred strands of Life-devoid Blade Qi surged into his spiritual blade. Previously, Luo Mu hadnt dared to do this, as ordinary weapons couldnt withstand the power of blade Qi and would surely shatter. But now, he had no such concerns. The spiritual blade could withstand it! And using the spiritual blade to unleash it would make the blade Qi even stronger! Slash! Without any hesitation, Luo Mu unleashed his blade! Boom! A terrifying blade light, nearly a hundred meters long, erupted and slashed down toward Feng Qingshan! The wind howled, and the air exploded. This was the Overlord Blade Stance. The strongest move from the ! Domineering beyond measure. Wherever the eye could see, it was a single life-devoid strike! This! Feng Qingshans pupils constricted. This blade strike was even more ferocious than the previous one! Its power was on a completely different level. If he were struck, he would either die or be severely injured! No way, I absolutely cannot be struck! Feng Qingshan could sense the terrifying intent of death contained in the blade light. If he was touched even slightly, the vitality in his body would be devoured! Boom! The blade struck down. The square trembled, dust flying everywhere. A figure leaped out from the dust. It was Feng Qingshan. He naturally couldnt withstand the strike head-on and used his agility to dodge. This blade technique is absolutely at the top tier among mid-tier Profound Rank techniques; its even more profound than the Otherwise, it wouldnt have such power! For the first time, a serious expression appeared on Feng Qingshans face. This blade technique is too ferocious! A hundred-meter-long blade light? Is this something a True Aperture Realm martial artist can unleash? One would think a Spirit Sea Realm martial artist was battling! The surrounding crowd gasped in astonishment. Spirit Sea Realm martial artists cultivate true energy, which can be unleashed outside their bodies. Hence, they often showcase exaggerated martial prowess! But now the user was merely at the True Aperture Realm! Hearing the voices around them, Cheng Qingman and the others instantly showed expressions of pride. The was one of the strongest mid-tier Profound Rank martial skills in the academy, mysterious and profound. Once mastered, it allowed for a full hundred strands of Life-devoid Blade Qi, capable of either dispersing attacks or merging into a single strike, with power not inferior to that of an ordinary top-grade weapon! Junior Brother Luo could be considered the only one among the current academy disciples who had mastered it! No matter how powerful the blade technique is, it has to hit me to matter! Feng Qingshan didnt panic in his heart. His movement technique had already reached a small success, allowing him to toy with opponents at will. For example, just now with Yuan Nongbai. He couldnt even touch him and had been repeatedly forced into a corner, looking for openings to attack. Whoosh! Another blade struck. Feng Qingshan had long prepared and dodged in advance. At the same time, he charged toward Luo Mu. This outer palace disciples blade technique is strong, but if he cant hit Feng Qingshan, its essentially useless, many people began to see the clues. Indeed, Feng Qingshans movement technique is too agile. Its like a spirit ape; he cant be touched at all. Over time, Feng Qingshan will definitely find an opening and break through. It seems the ultimate victor will still be Feng Qingshan. As everyone discussed, Feng Qingshan seized an opening when Luo Mu launched his blade and closed the distance. Its time for you to lie down! A cold smile appeared on Feng Qingshans face. He hadnt been forced to dodge like this in a long time! He had to defeat Luo Mu decisively! Only then could he wash away the humiliation! Clang! However, just as the sword edge came close, a crisp sound of metal clashing rang out. Sparks flew! Impossible! Feng Qingshans expression changed instantly, revealing disbelief. His long sword had actually stopped, unable to touch the skin, blocked by a faint red aura! That was Body Shield Qi! Feng Qingshan took a cold breath. Then, he instinctively locked eyes with Luo Mu. But what met him were only Luo Mus indifferent eyes and the cold blade light! Chapter 30 - Such a Niche Script Chapter 30: Such a Niche Script A blood-red cut appeared across Feng Qinghes chest. It wasnt deep, but it wasnt shallow either. In an instant, blood flowed out in a steady stream. Feng Qinghes reflexes were quick enough, and he immediately leapt backward. Otherwise, this cut would have certainly caused serious injury! Blood droplets fell, crisp and melodious. This made the surroundings fall into silence. Did I see that correctly? Was that physical ? Someone gasped. As Feng Qinghe seized the opportunity and moved in closer, everyone thought the outcome was already decided. Who would have thought that the outer academy disciple actually had a trump card, with a physical body so strong that it manifested , directly blocking Feng Qinghes attack. He retaliated with a slash, injuring Feng Qinghe. Fantastic! Given the lack of a definitive stance, the onlookers naturally hoped for more twists in the battle. Otherwise, if everything were predetermined, it would be too boring. I remember you need to at least cultivate a middle-grade Xuan-level body refinement technique to the minor achievement stage to possibly generate physical , someone commented. Indeed, I never expected this mere outer academy disciple not only mastered a perfect mid-tier sword technique but also practiced a mid-tier body refinement technique! This is truly astonishing! The crowd was in shock. A persons energy is limited, especially at lower realms, where its impossible to cultivate too many martial arts. A mid-grade Xuan-level technique is already the limit; let alone two. Unless the individual has exceptionally outstanding talent. But such people are exceedingly rare! Humph, Ive said it would amaze you all! Cheng Qingman crossed her arms. Jiang Hai and Lin Rufeng also raised their heads slightly, feeling proud. The three of them were well aware of Luo Mus situation; during the incident at the stronghold, Elder Lin had revealed some information. However, at that time, the demonic cultivator couldnt force Luo Mu to show all his strength. So, the three of them didnt have a very intuitive sense of it. They couldnt accurately gauge his abilities. But now, it was clear that Junior Brother Luos strength was no less than Feng Qinghes, placing him on the same level! Even if he couldnt win, he would definitely not lose! Indeed. In the tavern, the Ninth Prince couldnt help but lightly clap and nod slightly. An outer academy disciple actually mastered two middle-grade Xuan-level martial arts, one at perfection and the other at minor achievement; this was truly unexpected. Yuan family head, this young man is even more exceptional than your son, the head of the Wang family remarked. Upon hearing this, the head of the Yuan family opened his mouth to respond but couldnt find the words. This was a tangible, undeniable gap that was impossible to refute. I didnt expect you to have such a powerful physical body! Feng Qinghe glanced at the wound on his chest. His eyes twitched, and a cold light flickered within. How long has it been?! He had almost forgotten the last time he was injured! If it were by someone at a higher realm, it would be understandable, but the person before him was merely at the fifth level of the True Qi Realm. Your reflexes are quite good. Luo Mu observed the dripping blades tip; had it been anyone else, they would have been split in half by now. Yet Feng Qinghe managed to narrowly evade. It could only be said that he truly deserved his status as a top contender on the Potential Dragon Rankings. He was the real deal, with no exaggeration. It seems I truly underestimated you. If our realms were equal, I wouldnt have absolute confidence in victory, but right now, the one who will win is still me! Feng Qinghe tapped his chest a few times, forcing the bleeding to stop and staving off the impending lethargy. His expression had become serious. After all, his cultivation was somewhat higher; his abundant energy and blood were sufficient to sustain a prolonged battle. When his opponents energy was exhausted, that would be his opportunity! Though this approach wasnt particularly glorious, he had no other choice at the moment. Youre quite confident, Luo Mu shook his head slightly. Well, the testing is about done; its time to end this. Having finally encountered a skilled opponent, Luo Mu naturally wouldnt finish too quickly. He needed to test a few things, such as the power of his sword technique and the limits of his . The likes of the Demonic Cult and its minions were simply too weak to qualify for testing. Only talents like Feng Qinghe could suffice. Testing? Feng Qinghe was taken aback. His expression then darkened. What he meant was that he was being treated like a sharpening stone?! This kid is far too arrogant to think of Feng Qinghe as a sharpening stone! Currently, it seems Feng Qinghe still holds the advantage, the onlookers couldnt help but cast side glances. Feng Qinghe was indeed injured, but that was only due to carelessness; he was unaware that Luo Mu possessed such a powerful physical body. Now that he was serious, he could still win with his cultivation advantage. Even if he couldnt win, the outcome would likely end in a draw. Sear?h the N?velFire(.)net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. Then let me see what other trump cards you have! Feng Qinghe seethed with rage, transforming into several afterimages as he charged toward Luo Mu. His speed was incredibly fast, almost impossible to capture. Luo Mu took a deep breath and slowly closed his eyes. When he opened them again A domineering and unparalleled aura suddenly erupted from his body, enveloping the entire square! Everyone felt as though a mountain was weighing down on them. Their shoulders suddenly felt heavy, and their steps became difficult; breathing became somewhat labored. Feng Qinghe, on the other hand, came to a sudden halt. He felt as if he were stuck in a quagmire, coming to a complete stop. How is this possible?! Feng Qinghe was stunned, and his pupils dilated, filled with deep disbelief and even horror! As a major sect disciple, how could he not understand the source of this terrifying aura?! You actually comprehended ! Feng Qinghe exclaimed in shock. His face turned pale. This was the mysterious power that all martial artists dreamed of obtaining. After cultivating for so long, he hadnt just failed to comprehend it; he hadnt even brushed the edges of it! Yet the person before him had actually grasped ! For a moment, Feng Qinghe was stunned, his mind going blank! In the tavern, the Ninth Prince rushed to the railing. Shock flickered in his light golden eyes. It was actually ! If it were a Spirit Sea Realm martial artist, he might understand it because reaching that level would elevate their comprehension of martial arts. For a prodigy, grasping the great momentum of martial arts wasnt exceptionally difficult. But comprehending it at the True Qi Realm was truly rare. Even among the top-ranking disciples in the academy, it was extremely limited. At first, he thought it was an ancient legacy, but upon closer inspection, there were no signs of powerful bloodlines. This was entirely the ability of an ordinary person. I didnt expect such a prodigy to exist among the Seven Counties of Changle! A joyful smile appeared on the Ninth Princes handsome face. His hands involuntarily gripped the railing tightly. After a brief silence, the crowd erupted into an uproar. One after another, they gasped. It was beyond belief. Who knew what they had just witnessed! It was the rumored ! The outer academy disciple named Luo Mu possessed ! My heavens, is this really an outer academy disciple? Hes simply an inner academy prodigy! Someone murmured. In the eyes of the public, only prodigies from the inner academy could possibly comprehend the great momentum of martial arts. No, perhaps he should be called the prodigy among prodigies! After all, the person before them was only at the fifth level of the True Qi Realm and hadnt even set foot in the Spirit Sea Realm! This completely refreshed their understanding! Cheng Qingman and the others were also thoroughly stunned. They gaped in astonishment. Are you kidding me? When did Junior Brother Luo comprehend ? Wasnt he at perfection level just six days ago? The profundity of middle-grade Xuan-level martial arts was vast and profound. After reaching perfection, maintaining high-intensity practice could indeed help a martial artist comprehend the great momentum of martial arts. But that was merely a small help. The most crucial factor was still the martial artist themselves. Junior Brother Luo are you even human? Lin Rufeng swallowed hard and said with difficulty. To comprehend in six days was truly a niche phenomenon. Every character was familiar, but combined, it was filled with strangeness. Compared to Junior Brother Luo, perhaps we should call ourselves the outer academy disciples. Jiang Hai came back to his senses, feeling a bit bitter. Inner academy disciples had always been proud, but at this moment, their pride was entirely swept away, leaving not a trace behind. Chapter 31 - Eye Contact Chapter 31: Eye Contact It didnt even take six days. Cheng Qingman rubbed her slightly stiff cheeks and murmured softly. Others didnt know, but she understood particularly well. Because in the last five days, Luo Mu had not practiced his blade at all; instead, he had devoted himself entirely to enhancing his cultivation. So, after Luo Mu perfected his blade technique, he only took a little over a day to comprehend the blade momentum. Truly inhuman. After thinking for a long time, Cheng Qingman could only come up with this one adjective. On the square. Feng Qingshan remained frozen in place. The emergence of the blade momentum had completely shattered his beliefs. Once a martial artist possesses martial momentum, their strength can be said to increase nearly tenfold. Thats a rather rough and simple way to put it. In reality, it was even more exaggerated. Overlord Blade Stance! Luo Mu didnt waste any time; gripping his spiritual blade, he slashed down. The hundred-meter blade light reappeared! However, compared to before, it was even more powerful, seemingly approaching a tangible form. Before the blade light arrived, the square was already marked with dense blade scars, as if swept over by countless blade Qi! Feng Qingshan suddenly snapped back to reality. For the first time, a surge of fear welled up within him! This blade he could not evade! Nor could he block it! It was a certain death blade! Am I going to die? The thought seemed absurd to Feng Qingshan. Throughout his training, he had never been pushed to this extent by a martial artist of the same realm, nor had he ever thought anyone could achieve it. But now. I concede! Feng Qingshan shut his eyes and yelled! The blade light immediately halted, suspended just an inch before his forehead. It then transformed into motes of light and dissipated. That terrifying, abyss-like aura also vanished without a trace, as if it had never existed. Everyone felt their bodies relax. No longer feeling the burden. Is this the martial momentum? Its truly terrifying. Being in it affects both the body and the mind, leading to a significant drop in strength, while the possessor receives a tremendous boost. The disparity is evident. The crowd couldnt help but marvel. Arent you going to announce it? Luo Mu sheathed his blade and looked at the steward of the Wanxiang Pavilion. The steward was suddenly brought back to reality. For the first time, a different expression appeared on his usually calm face. It was one of shock. As the steward of the Wanxiang Pavilion, he had seen and experienced a lot. But to comprehend martial momentum at the True Aperture Realm S~ea??h the N??eFire.et website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. This was truly exceedingly rare! The winner is Luo Mu of Changle Academy! The steward announced loudly. As soon as the words fell, discussions erupted among the crowd. Who would have thought it would end like this! Indeed, an outer palace disciple not only mastered two mid-tier Profound Rank martial skills but also possesses blade momentum. Such martial arts heritage is truly unbelievable. If I hadnt seen it with my own eyes, I wouldnt have believed it! It seems the academys training capability remains unquestionable. If we have any juniors in the future, we must find a way to send them to the academy. Exactly! Just as Luo Mu turned around, Feng Qingshans voice rang out. Luo Mu. What do you want? Luo Mu responded casually without turning his head. Just because youve won this time doesnt mean youll win every time. One day, I will surpass you, defeat you, and wash away todays humiliation! Feng Qingshan gritted his teeth. Then work hard. If you dont chase me down with everything you have, Im afraid that when you look back, you wont be able to see me anymore. Luo Mu smiled slightly and walked away. You! Feng Qingshan clenched his fists. He wanted to say something to retort, opened his mouth, but couldnt utter a word. A True Aperture Realm martial artist with martial momentum It was clear how terrifying his understanding was. And what about him? He was almost at the Spirit Sea Realm but couldnt even glimpse martial momentum. Hmm? Luo Mu suddenly halted his steps. For some inexplicable reason, he felt something. Following that feeling, he looked over and saw a tall youth standing in the tavern not far away. The youth was dressed in luxurious clothing. His skin was as white as snow. Especially his face, so handsome it was hard to describe, even beautiful. The youth was looking at him. In his light golden eyes, there was a bright gleam. The two exchanged glances across the distance. The youth smiled at Luo Mu and gently nodded. Luo Mu furrowed his brows, puzzled, but nodded back. He then withdrew his gaze and walked toward Cheng Qingman and the others. It seems His Highness has taken a liking to this young man, the head of the Wang family approached. When the blade momentum had appeared, even they had been shocked. Such talent was simply astounding. None of their own juniors could compare. Of course. The Ninth Prince spoke without hesitation. He had left the imperial capital and traveled all this way not only to win over the marquises of Changles Seven Prefectures but also to scout some talented prodigies. Should we bring him over? The head of the Wang family asked. No need; we already crossed paths just now. Besides, I remember that the academys grand ceremony is in a month, right? We will meet again then. A smile appeared on the Ninth Princes lips. The sunlight shone on his profile, creating a kind of stunning beauty. Junior Brother Luo, youve kept it too deep. You actually comprehended blade momentum! Lin Rufeng exclaimed excitedly. Yeah, thats martial momentum! Even among the prodigies of the inner palace, few possess it, and you are still only at the True Aperture Realm! Jiang Hai nodded. Its just the reward for diligence. Luo Mu smiled. Upon hearing this, the two were taken aback. Indeed, it seemed to be true. Talent is just a prerequisite. Even geniuses must work hard. Otherwise, they wouldnt achieve much. And they had personally witnessed how diligently Luo Mu practiced. Describing it as working day and night wouldnt be an exaggeration. Perhaps this was the reason Luo Mu could comprehend blade momentum so quickly! It seemed they needed to work even harder. Otherwise, the gap between them and Luo Mu would continue to grow until it became unbridgeable. Lin Rufeng, you should thank Junior Brother Luo properly. If he hadnt stepped in today, you would surely have lost! Cheng Qingman spoke. Of course! Then you have to treat us! Sure! Alright, Ill help you choose the most expensive tavern in Xunyang City! Chapter 32 - Summary and Investment Chapter 32: Summary and Investment As night fell, Luo Mu returned to his courtyard. He sat on a stone bench, gazing at the bright moonlight and began to recall everything that had happened today. Sar?h the Novel?ire(.)ne*t website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. Especially his battle with Feng Qinghe. With present, he could naturally have ended it in an instant. But in order to test some things, he had to spend a bit more time. Clearly advantageous, but there are also many shortcomings, Luo Mu thought deeply. Firstly, regarding the , the sword technique was exceptionally powerful, not inferior to ordinary upper-grade Xuan-level techniques, but its speed was a bit slow. When faced with someone like Feng Qinghe, who excelled in body techniques, it was hard to keep up and easy to dodge. I need to cultivate a fast sword technique or a body technique, he concluded. Next was the . With a slight thought, a light red emerged around his body. This was merely the initial , so Feng Qinghes sword technique could actually break through it. However, he concentrated the dispersed into one point, significantly enhancing his defensive power, thereby blocking that sword strike. If I cultivate it to perfection, even if the is dispersed, I could easily block attacks. Luo Mu pondered. The benefits of a strong physical body had already been fully demonstrated in these battles. Even if his speed wasnt sufficient, as long as his body was strong enough, he could respond to changes with steadfastness, and even seize opportunities to counterattack. Once I return to the academy, Ill exchange for some Pure Yang Essence. With a bit of luck, reaching perfection shouldnt be a problem. From the stronghold mission, he had earned around seventy thousand contribution points. That should allow him to exchange for plenty of Pure Yang Essence. Additionally, to enhance my , I need to cultivate more Xuan-level sword techniques. Luo Mu stood up. The had already reached its limit; further practice would be meaningless. As he organized his thoughts, he realized there were still many areas for improvement. Moreover Luo Mu recalled the conversation during dinner at the tavern. He had inquired about the inner academy situation. Cheng Qingman had said that with his current martial arts foundation, even if he stepped into the Spirit Sea, he could only rank within the top thirty in a short time. The Changle Academy encompassed seven major counties; one could imagine how many prodigious geniuses there were. In this session, there were estimated to be around thirty individuals in the inner academy who had comprehended the great momentum of martial arts. And these individuals had already broken through to the Spirit Sea Realm, practicing upper-grade Xuan-level martial arts. Their strength was extremely formidable. This is the gap between the inner and outer academies, Luo Mus gaze sharpened. In the outer academys hidden martial arts building, there were no upper-grade Xuan-level martial arts; the highest was only middle-grade. Upper-grade martial arts were only second to Earth-grade. One could imagine how precious they were; even the academy wouldnt easily impart them. Certain conditions needed to be met first. This also meant that, in terms of martial arts, he wouldnt easily catch up. Suddenly, there was a knock at the courtyard door. Luo Mu raised an eyebrow. At this late hour, who would come to see him? Could it be Cheng Qingman again? He opened the door, and sure enough, it was her. Cheng Qingman was carrying a pile of manuals. Without waiting for Luo Mus consent, she dashed into the courtyard and placed all the manuals on the stone table. Im exhausted! Cheng Qingman lightly wiped the beads of sweat from her forehead, picked up a teacup, and drank it down in one gulp, regardless of whether Luo Mu had used it. Whats this? Luo Mu asked, surprised. Uncle Gong said that after comprehending , I need to learn more sword techniques to enhance it, so I went to my familys treasury to search for some, she explained. Unfortunately, my father and ancestors were all rough types, either using axes or hammers. The sword techniques are pitifully few, and the grades arent particularly high. Junior Brother Luo, you can make do with these for now. Cheng Qingman sighed. Sword techniques? Luo Mu was taken aback, then walked closer, his pupils narrowing. On the stone table lay a total of fifteen sword technique manuals. They were all starting from Xuan-level. Ten were lower-grade Xuan-level, and five were middle-grade Xuan-level. If this were in the academy No, one couldnt compare this with the academy; the prices of martial arts there were heavily discounted. It was a student benefit. In the outside world, even lower-grade Xuan-level techniques would be considered extremely precious. They would be treasured as clan martial arts by many families. Yet now, Cheng Qingman had brought out a total of fifteen in one go. Senior Sister Cheng, is there anything you need help with? He was currently in need of sword techniques and naturally wouldnt ignore them, so he got straight to the point. Why does Junior Brother Luo say that? Are we not friends now? Friends should naturally help each other! Cheng Qingman plopped down on a stool, resting her chin on her hands, her smile bright. Im helping you now, and in the future, if I encounter trouble, I believe Junior Brother Luo will definitely help me too. At this point, her intentions were quite direct. It was an investment in your future. Upon hearing this, Luo Mu smiled. Senior Sister Cheng has so much confidence in me; arent you afraid of putting in effort for nothing? Of course I have confidence! Im in the inner academy and have seen many geniuses, even prodigies, Cheng Qingmans eyes squinted into beautiful crescents. Though some people are stronger than you now, I believe that with a bit more time, surpassing them will be a piece of cake! In the future, youll definitely become a top-tier powerhouse like my father. No, perhaps even stronger! Luo Mu was momentarily taken aback. He hadnt expected Cheng Qingman to hold him in such high regard. But upon reflection, it seemed reasonable. After all, comprehending the great momentum of martial arts at the True Qi Realm was indeed rare, and anyone would not easily overlook it. Thank you, Senior Sister Cheng. Luo Mu pondered for a moment, then smiled. Fifteen Xuan-level sword techniques, five of which were middle-grade Xuan-level. This was quite a generous offering. Even if he exchanged them in the academy, his current contribution points would be far from enough. Hehe! Upon receiving Luo Mus response, Cheng Qingmans eyes sparkled with delight. Although she was talented, she hadnt fully inherited her parents abilities; one could only say she was an ordinary genius, so her future achievements were limited. But that didnt matter. If she couldnt be the main support, she could still lean on someone else! Especially someone with such a bright and promising future! Well, I wont disturb you any longer! Cheng Qingman stood up. She knew that Luo Mus thoughts were probably all on the sword manuals now. Staying too long wouldnt be meaningful. Take care. Luo Mu nodded. His gaze was indeed focused on the manuals. Seeing this, Cheng Qingman rolled her eyes playfully. She carefully closed the door. Cheng Qingman clasped her hands behind her back, her slender fingers intertwined. She began humming a tune, and her smile grew even brighter. Tonights moon was truly round! Chapter 33 - Deriving Martial Arts! Chapter 33: Deriving Martial Arts! In the courtyard, Luo Mu excitedly sat down and began to flip through the manuals one by one. It was truly a case of a pillow arriving just when he felt sleepy. He had just been thinking about enhancing his when Cheng Qingman came over with the sword manuals. A total of fifteen sword techniques. Each one had its own characteristics and was entirely different from the . Once he mastered all of them, his would definitely grow considerably! The only regret was that there were no upper-grade Xuan-level techniques. Thinking of this, Luo Mu suddenly paused his movements, and a spark of inspiration lit up in his mind. Why couldnt he create one himself? No, strictly speaking, it should be ! Creating something out of nothing would undoubtedly be very difficult, but deriving would be much simpler. After all, he already had a foundation, a framework, and a main body. He quite liked the . Unless necessary, he didnt want to change it. If he could elevate it to upper-grade Xuan-level, then there would be no need for a replacement! Now that Ive comprehended , Ive truly entered the realm of swordsmanship; I definitely have the qualifications to derive! Luo Mu murmured. If he hadnt comprehended , he wouldnt have dared to entertain such thoughts. Upper-grade Xuan-level techniques are so profound and intricate. How could they be easily derived?! But after comprehending , it was as if he had opened a door; his understanding of sword techniques had jumped several levels. Moreover, even reading counts as cultivation; how could deriving not count? Luo Mu slightly raised his chin. This was also the most important source of confidence that allowed him to attempt deriving martial arts! Trying to elevate the to upper-grade Xuan-level would undoubtedly be challenging and would require a long time. But with critical hit rewards on his side, as long as he got a few high critical hits, he could significantly shorten the required time. Ill give it a try! Luo Mu resolved and immediately settled down, carefully examining the fifteen sword manuals on the table. Since he intended to derive, it wouldnt be a simple linear enhancement based on existing foundations; he would certainly need to branch out, adding more elements or compensating for weaknesses. For example, among the fifteen sword manuals, Sarch* The N?velFire(.)net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. there was one called , which perfectly addressed the slow speed issue of the . Thus, he needed to thoroughly absorb the content of these fifteen manuals. He could only derive upward after absorbing the essence of each. Additionally, if successful, he wouldnt need to practice so many sword techniquesjust the upgraded would suffice. Time passed quickly. Before long, it was morning, and the sunlight streamed through the window, illuminating the side of Luo Mus face. He slowly put down the sword manual in his hands, a smile spreading across his face. He had initially thought it would take two to three days to fully digest these sword manuals, but it only took one night. This was thanks to . As mentioned earlier, after comprehending , his ability to understand and grasp sword techniques had drastically improved. He no longer felt lost as he had in the beginning, where he would finish reading and be confused, not knowing what it all meant. Plus, there were the critical hit rewards. So in just one night, he had absorbed it all. The emphasizes speed; when practiced to perfection, one can slash out nearly a hundred times in a breath! The focuses on the enhancement of sword power, where each subsequent slash surpasses the last; by the tenth slash, the power can increase to ten times! In front of Luo Mu lay a sheet of paper. It was filled with notes, each capturing the essence of every sword techniquenot merely simple records but covering all the details. Next, I can try to derive! Luo Mu took out a blank manual. He slowly closed his eyes. With complete focus, he immersed himself and began the derivation. An hour later You have concentrated your efforts and focused all your energy, deeply deriving the , triggering a critical hit and obtaining thirty times the rewards! The system prompt sounded. A smile immediately appeared on Luo Mus face. Indeed, his thoughts were correct; deriving also counted as cultivation. In an instant, a wealth of information and content flooded his mind. But he was still far from success. Continue! Luo Mu thought no more. At this time, outside the courtyard, Cheng Qingman, Jiang Hai, and Lin Rufeng had arrived. Today was the day they had agreed to leave Xunyang City and return to the academy. However, after knocking for quite a while, there was no response. Junior Brother Luo hasnt gotten stuck again, has he? Jiang Hai said. He used the word stuck. It felt like the only word that accurately described it. Probably. Cheng Qingman nodded. Yesterday, she had given Luo Mu so many sword manuals at once. Given Luo Mus obsession with martial arts, he would indeed get stuck in them! What should we do? Jiang Hai shrugged. You two can go back first, Cheng Qingman said. Ill wait a bit longer for Junior Brother Luo. Alright. Jiang Hai and Lin Rufeng nodded. Both had other matters to attend to, so they couldnt linger here for too long. You also need to keep an eye on the time; dont let Junior Brother Luo miss the academys grand ceremony. Lin Rufeng remarked. With Junior Brother Luos strength, he would surely shine at the academys grand ceremony. Notable figures from the Seven Counties of Changle would be present. If he missed it, it would be a tremendous loss. Dont worry. Cheng Qingman replied. Mm. Then the two turned and left. I wonder if my father will attend the academys grand ceremony? Cheng Qingman crossed her arms. The academys grand ceremony was not merely a competition among students. It held great significance. The Great Zhou Dynasty had seven academies directly under the court, and students who performed exceptionally at the ceremony could enter various departments within the dynasty. However, most people would choose to join the military. Because the military was slightly more straightforward, away from the court; as long as one achieved military merit, there would be opportunities for nobility and even the title of king. He should. Cheng Qingmans gaze drifted. For such a grand event, her father wouldnt miss it. She remembered hearing her father complain long ago. Saying there were no capable people under him, and they were all useless. At that time, I must properly introduce Junior Brother Luo to my father! Cheng Qingmans lips curled up, her smile radiant. Chapter 34 - Upper-grade Xuan-level, I Understand You So Well! Chapter 34: Upper-grade Xuan-level, I Understand You So Well! As the moon set and the sun rose, time flowed like water. In a daze, three more days passed. Luo Mu was still in his room, surrounded by piles of paperssome intact, some crumpled, and some shredded to bits. His eyes were bloodshot. With a pen in hand, he hovered it in mid-air. In stark contrast to the chaos around him, the table in front of him was remarkably clean and tidy. Only one manual remained. Originally blank, it was now filled to the last few pages. The previous content had all been completed. It was evident that the derivation was almost finished. S~ea??h the Novl?ire.n(e)t website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. You have focused your attention, free of distractions, and deeply derived the . A spark of inspiration has emerged!!! You triggered a critical hit, gaining a hundredfold reward! In an instant, a surge of overwhelming information flooded his mind. It was dense and intricate. And Luo Mu finally grasped the last crucial point. With the pen falling onto the paper, he finished writing the remaining content. Luo Mu leaned back. The tense nerves finally relaxed. After about a dozen breaths, hearty laughter slowly filled the room. Luo Mu straightened up. He picked up the manual on the table, his face full of excitement. Finally he had completed it! He successfully derived the to upper-grade Xuan-level! And based on his assessment, within the upper-grade Xuan-level ranks, the should also be considered a top-tier existence. Because the current had virtually no shortcomings! He had incorporated the essence of the fifteen sword manuals into it! One hundred slashes in a breath, amplification of sword power, and so on. Of course, the most important aspect remained the itself. Originally, he could only condense one hundred strands of , but now he could produce a thousand, or even more! The exact amount depended on his physical bodys capacity to endure. However, Luo Mu estimated that it could reach a maximum of three thousand strands! These were the techniques Luo Mu had derived. They were simpler than before, yet much more powerful! A hundred-meter radius around him would be filled with , forming a domain. Any opponent within it would be subject to an omnidirectional assault from the . This was a type of area attack. It was suitable for clearing fields. However, this technique consumed a considerable amount of energy. Luo Mu estimated he would need to step into the Spirit Sea Realm to use it recklessly. After all, the quality of true energy was far superior to that of blood energy. All would merge into a single strike, powerful and overwhelming, containing the momentum to sweep across the world. In a single breath, it could unleash at least one hundred slashes, sufficient to deal with agile martial artists. An advanced version of the . The would merge and be concealed within the sheath, suppressed infinitely, and then burst forth when at its limit! Its power far surpassed that of the ! With the previous foundation, its not too difficult to practice. Luo Mu closed the manual, a smile appearing on his face. The sword techniques were all derived by him. Naturally, there were no doubts regarding the training content. Like before, the focus was primarily on condensing , which was the essence of the sword techniques. One hundred strands indicated the entry level. Three hundred strands indicated initial insight. Five hundred strands represented minor success. Seven hundred strands indicated great success. As for perfection, one thousand strands would suffice, though it hadnt yet reached the upper limit. Additionally, practicing the techniques was necessary. The current techniques were extremely intricate; merely understanding them wasnt enough; he would need to continuously practice. How long has it been? In the world of cultivation, time was irrelevant. Even though Luo Mu had kept an eye on the clock, he felt a bit dazed. It should be around three days. Luo Mu stood up. He stretched his body, and immediately, a series of crisp cracking sounds resonated from his bones, akin to frying beans. Deriving a sword technique to upper-grade level in just three days; I doubt anyone would believe it if I told them. Luo Mus lips curled into a smile. Of course, all this was thanks to the little assistance from the system. His earlier conclusions were also correct. The longer he practiced, the deeper his mind was immersed, the greater the probability of high critical hits appearing! In these three days, he had neglected sleep and food, completely focused on deep derivation. The occurrence of hundredfold critical hits reached a staggering thirteen times! Among them, there was even one instance of three hundredfold! Otherwise, he wouldnt have succeeded in the derivation so quickly. Also, the spark of inspiration is incredibly important. Luo Mu stored the manual away, placing it into his storage ring. Whether in martial arts cultivation or technique derivation, the concept of a spark of inspiration was prevalent. What is a spark of inspiration? Its when, at a certain moment, you seem to enter a marvelous state, akin to enlightenment. In this state, your thoughts flow like a fountain, far exceeding your usual capacity. For instance, just now, he had been fortunate enough to experience a spark of inspiration, and the system also triggered a hundredfold critical hit. It was equivalent to experiencing a spark of inspiration a full hundred times. The rewards were unimaginably exaggerated. Thus, he was able to instantly complete the final key point of the sword technique. A spark of inspiration is extremely rare. It completely depends on luck. Therefore, for an ordinary person to derive martial arts is nearly impossible, even if they were to devote a lifetime to it. Taking a deep breath, Luo Mu cleared his mind, walked to the side, quickly washed up, then picked up the spirit blade and headed outside. He remembered it was three days ago that they had left. However, he had been entirely absorbed in martial arts derivation. Thus, he had forgotten. He also wondered if Cheng Qingman and the others had already left. After wandering around the Marquis residence and following the direction given by a servant, Luo Mu finally found Cheng Qingman. At this moment, Cheng Qingman was sitting on a swing. In her right hand, she held a spirit fruit, occasionally taking a small bite, while her left hand held an ancient text, which she was perusing with great interest. A gentle breeze blew, stirring Cheng Qingmans hair. Her features were stunning, her skin as white as snow. Especially her long legs. Under the sunlight, she radiated a beauty that was hard to describe. Previously, Luo Mu had focused solely on cultivation, leading him to not take a serious look at Cheng Qingman. Now, he suddenly felt a sense of awe at her beauty. Junior Brother Luo? As if sensing something, Cheng Qingman looked up, and upon seeing Luo Mu, she paused for a moment, then a look of surprise appeared on her face. Youre out now! Sorry, I Before Luo Mu could finish, Cheng Qingman interrupted him, even blinking her eyes. Its nothing! Besides, were friends now, right? Friends should naturally help each other! Cheng Qingman plopped down on a stool, resting her chin on her hands, her smile bright. Im helping you now, and in the future, if I run into trouble, I believe Junior Brother Luo will help me too. At this point, her intentions were quite direct. It was an investment in your future. Upon hearing this, Luo Mu smiled. Senior Sister Cheng has so much confidence in me; arent you afraid of putting in effort for nothing? Of course I have confidence! Im in the inner academy and have seen many geniuses, even prodigies, Cheng Qingmans eyes squinted into beautiful crescents. Although some are stronger than you now, I believe that with just a little more time, surpassing them will be a piece of cake! In the future, youll definitely become a top powerhouse like my father. No, you might even be stronger! Luo Mu was momentarily stunned. He hadnt expected Cheng Qingman to hold him in such high regard. But upon careful thought, it seemed normal. After all, comprehending the great momentum of martial arts at the True Qi Realm was indeed rare, and anyone would not easily overlook it. Well then, thank you, Senior Sister Cheng. Luo Mu contemplated for a moment and then smiled. A full fifteen upper-grade Xuan-level sword techniques, among which five were middle-grade Xuan-level. This was quite a generous offering. Even if he were to exchange them in the academy, his current contribution points would not be nearly enough. Hehe! Upon receiving Luo Mus response, Cheng Qingmans eyes sparkled with delight. Although she was talented, she hadnt fully inherited her parents abilities; one could only say she was an ordinary genius, so her future achievements were limited. But that didnt matter. If she couldnt be the main support, she could still lean on someone else! Especially someone with such a bright and promising future! Well, I wont disturb you any longer! Cheng Qingman stood up. She understood that Luo Mus thoughts were likely completely focused on the sword manuals. Lingering would serve no purpose. Take care. Luo Mu nodded. His gaze was indeed focused on the manuals. Seeing this, Cheng Qingman rolled her eyes playfully. She carefully closed the door. Cheng Qingman clasped her hands behind her back, her slender fingers intertwined. She began humming a tune, and her smile grew even brighter. Tonights moon was truly round! Chapter 35 - The King’s Chasm, Traces of the Blade King! Chapter 35: The Kings Chasm, Traces of the Blade King!The flavor is pretty good. Luo Mu took it and took a bite. This spiritual fruit had a natural fragrance that seemed to invigorate the spirit and relax the body and mind. After three days of high-intensity cultivation, his spirit inevitably felt a bit fatigued. But at this moment, he felt much more relaxed. Ready to head back? Cheng Qingman asked. Yeah, its about time. Luo Mu nodded. There was still a lot to do once they returned to the academy. Ill take you somewhere along the way. Cheng Qingman said mysteriously. Where? Luo Mu raised an eyebrow. Youll know when we get there. Its not far and its on the way. Cheng Qingman spat out the fruit pit and planted it in the nearby flower bed. Alright. Luo Mu nodded. He trusted that Cheng Qingman wouldnt do anything meaningless. Half a day later. The vast earth stretched out, the mountains undulating, with a wide river weaving through them. The river flowed fiercely, its sound like muffled thunder, rushing eastward. The mountains on either side towered high, and from time to time, resonant beast roars echoed through the air. Kings Chasm? Luo Mu looked at a stone tablet not far away, on which these three words were inscribed. Legend has it that a thousand years ago, two kings fought here, shaking the heavens and the earth, and in the end, one of them was slain, Cheng Qingman explained. Thats why its called Kings Chasm. However, thats not the main point. The important thing is that the battle between the kings left behind many traces, which contain the essence of martial arts. Some people have comprehended the martial momentum by observing these traces. Cheng Qingman said. Upon hearing this, Luo Mu inhaled sharply. The fact that residual battle traces could allow someone to comprehend martial momentum? How terrifying must the kings strength have been? Every year, many people come here, but most leave empty-handed. One reason is that many traces have long since weathered away, and few remain; the other is that comprehending martial arts is difficult and requires extremely high comprehension and luck. Cheng Qingman jumped onto a large rock. By the way, one of the kings fought with a blade. Uncle Gong said that since you comprehended the blade momentum, your comprehension must be excellent. So you could come and give it a try; perhaps you might gain something! The Blade King, huh. Luo Mus eyes suddenly glowed with enthusiasm. He hadnt expected such a great place to exist in Fengdu County! Look, there are quite a few people. Cheng Qingman pointed ahead. Luo Mu followed her gaze. In the distance, there was a canyon with a raging river running through the center, and on the left mountain peak, there were many large, deep traces left behind. Although they were still quite far away, he could distinguish them. One type was blade marks, while the other was fist prints! However, fist prints were very rare. There were still eight or nine blade marks. Lets go! Unable to contain himself, Luo Mu rushed toward the canyon. The marks left by the Blade King, if he could gain even a little from them, it might significantly enhance his blade momentum! This would surely be faster than cultivating mid-tier Profound Rank blade techniques! Wait for me! Cheng Qingman quickly followed. In no time, Luo Mu reached the foot of the mountain. The mountain soared high. It was about a thousand meters. On the mountain, there were nine blade marks. However, eight of them had almost been eroded by time. Their forms were no longer complete. Only one remained intact. It was located halfway up the mountain. And it was the largest of all the blade marks. At this moment, many people were sitting cross-legged in front of the blade mark, their eyes wide open, staring at it intently without daring to blink. Luo Mu counted; there were about a hundred people. All of them were blade practitioners. The atmosphere was very quiet. One could even hear the sound of the wind howling. No one spoke; they were all immersed in their own worlds, focusing on comprehending the essence of the blade marks. It seems theres no room left. Luo Mu raised an eyebrow. Or rather, there were no good spots left. However, just as this thought crossed his mind, one person stood up. It was an older blade practitioner. He looked dejected. His eyes were filled with disappointment. It was clear. He had gained nothing from the blade marks. sea??h th N?vel?ire.net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. I traveled so far only to return empty-handed. It seems my life is destined to be stagnant. The old blade practitioner mumbled. He staggered past Luo Mu. The path of martial arts is indeed this cruel; without sufficient talent, one would forever miss out on reaching greater heights. Luo Mu retracted his gaze and walked to the old blade practitioners former position. Everyone was engrossed in their comprehension. So, there was no concern about others taking up space immediately. Junior Brother Luo, I cant wait for you any longer. The grand ceremony is approaching, and I need to return to the academy to prepare. Cheng Qingman said. Alright, thank you, Senior Sister Cheng. Luo Mu nodded. If it werent for Cheng Qingman, he wouldnt have known about a place like Kings Chasm. He would have missed out completely. Ill see you at the academy then. Cheng Qingman smiled sweetly. She truly wanted to accompany Luo Mu; firstly, to deepen their relationship and feelings, and secondly, she had a good impression of him, and it wouldnt hurt to develop it further. However, the academys grand ceremony was too important. She had to prepare well. Otherwise, if she performed poorly, her father would have a hard time explaining it. And she would lose face in front of her father among so many people. After she walked away, Cheng Qingman paused for a moment, quietly speaking a few words to the nearby woods. The branches and leaves in the woods swayed, seemingly responding. Blade marks. Luo Mu arrived at the old blade practitioners spot. This position was quite good, very forward; he could reach out and touch the blade marks. Lets begin. Let me see what kind of mysteries are contained within the traces left by the Blade King. Luo Mu took a deep breath. His gaze was like a torch, immersing himself in the blade marks before him. Chapter 36 - Opening the Ming Blade Sect! Chapter 36: Opening the Ming Blade Sect!The cold wind howled. Before the massive blade mark, there was a serene quiet. Occasionally, someone would stand up regretfully and turn to leave. Luo Mus right hand touched the blade mark. This way of feeling could be more profound. Had it been before, he might have been like most people, unable to comprehend anything, finding the marks before him indistinguishable from ordinary ones. But now, he possessed the blade momentum. Thus, the starting point was completely different. In his eyes, the originally ordinary blade mark seemed to gradually come to life, beginning to vibrate, twist, and even rotate! Faintly, there were also vague sounds echoing! One stream is first-rate, the blade is first-rate! The blade is first-rate, the person is first-rate! Indeed its first-rate! The voices were deep and resonant, like an ancient bronze bell, ringing loudly. Whether it was an illusion or not, Luo Mu felt a robust figure seemingly appearing in his mind. His left arm was empty. In his right hand, he held a blade. After one slash the earth cracked the heavens collapsed! This slash! Luo Mu breathed heavily and fervently. Up to now, he had never seen such an exquisite blade technique that could influence the heavens and earth! But it was too profound! Even now, it would be difficult for him to grasp even a trace of its intricacies in a short time! However, Luo Mu did not feel discouraged. This was just the beginning. There was still time and opportunity. As long as he continued to delve into his comprehension, he would surely gain something! Approximately three hours later. Luo Mus originally motionless body suddenly trembled, and his pupils enlarged and contracted briefly. He temporarily exited his state of comprehension. Finally, he had grasped a hint. The blade momentum within him had also risen a bit. Indeed, this blade mark could help martial artists comprehend blade momentum and enhance their understanding of it! Ding! S~ea??h the Novl?ire.n(e)t website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. You focused wholeheartedly, delving into the traces of the Blade King. You had an epiphany, triggering a critical hit and gaining a forty-fold reward! The systems notification echoed in his mind. At the same time, a wealth of insights flooded in. It was equivalent to comprehending it forty times. His blade momentum surged dramatically. So fast! Luo Mus lips curled upward. Before coming here, his blade momentum was at ten percent, but now he had already reached halfway. Accumulating that, with about two hundred times the reward, he estimated he would reach twenty percent blade momentum! Continue to comprehend! Luo Mu was filled with excitement. He immersed himself back into his understanding. Time flew, and in the blink of an eye, five days passed. In the Kings Chasm, the river continued to rush eastward, occasionally crashing against the banks, stirring up countless waves. Its sound was like muffled thunder. It was as if the roar came from the heavens and the earth. Before the blade marks, people came and went every day. The number remained close to a hundred. Luo Mu still sat cross-legged there. His gains had been quite good. The blade momentum within him had already risen to thirty percent! But he knew the blade marks still had room for comprehension; he was far from reaching his limit. He had finally stumbled upon such an excellent place for cultivation. How could he waste it? He had to grasp it fully! Isnt that a disciple from Changle Academy? Someone with sharp eyes recognized Luo Mu by his clothing. Yeah, hes been here for five days, not eating or drinking, and hasnt even stood up to stretch. Someone nodded, admiration evident in their tone. Not everyone could persist for so long. Firstly, the body couldnt take it, and secondly, mental fatigue made it impossible to concentrate. Thus, most people, after comprehending for two or three days without any gains, would leave in frustration. Occasionally, those well-prepared would stay a bit longer. This is why these people noticed Luo Mu before the blade marks. If he can persist for so long, it seems he has gained something. Upon hearing this, many people showed envy in their eyes. The traces left by the formidable Blade King, regardless of how great or small the gains, would surely be invaluable. Its a pity that the recruitment conditions for the academy are too strict; otherwise, I would genuinely want to join the academy to learn. Someone lamented. Unlike sects, the academy was directly under the imperial court, offering generous welfare and treatment. It was said that even mid-tier Profound Rank martial skills could be learned. As they chatted, the ground suddenly began to tremble slightly. Everyone hurriedly looked toward the sound. Their pupils constricted. They saw over twenty people walking toward them in unison. Each of them carried double blades on their backs. Their expressions were serious. Its the Opening Ming Blade Sect! Someone recognized them. Instinctively, they took a step back. The disciples of the Opening Ming Blade Sect all carried double blades, and their uniforms were standardized, making them easily identifiable. What are they here for? Surely to comprehend the blade marks. No sooner had this thought crossed their minds than the group from the Opening Ming Blade Sect had already approached closely. The leader, with sharp eyes and long black hair tied in braids, scanned the crowd. He couldnt help but frown. Because there were too many people. Moreover, there were no good spots available. The nearest spots to the blade marks were all occupied. Ten breaths of time; get out of here quickly! This person took a deep breath, his voice cold. Why should we? Someone instinctively retorted. The blade marks left by the king were recognized as ownerless property, as decreed by the governor of Fengdu County. Thus far, no faction had claimed them for themselves. Martial artists who came to comprehend them had always followed the rule of first come, first served. If there was no space, they would wait. Because of the blade in my hand! Without any visible motion, the blade was already drawn. With a horizontal slash through the air, the speakers right arm was severed, blood spraying out! You! Everyone was instantly shocked and furious. This was too domineering! Only nine breaths left; if you dont leave, dont blame me for being merciless with my blade! Next time, it will be your heads! Qi Yun sheathed his blade. His expression was cold and indifferent. Seeing everyone hurriedly retreating to the sides, Qi Yun nodded in satisfaction. He relished the feeling of being feared, where everyone viewed him as a fierce tiger or a wolf; it truly made one feel euphoric. However, he wasnt just randomly driving people away. The martial artists present today were mostly at the Body Refinement Realm, with a few at the True Aperture Realm at most. And he was already at the ninth level of the True Aperture Realm. He was quickly approaching the Spirit Sea Realm. Many of his junior brothers were also at least at the sixth level of the True Aperture Realm. So there was no need to hold back. He could simply chase people away! Every so often, the sect would send disciples to the Kings Chasm to observe the traces of the Blade King. And today was his turn to lead. Senior Brother, theres still one person who hasnt left. A junior brother behind him said. Qi Yun turned to look. He saw that there was still one person sitting in front of the blade marks. Seems to be an academy disciple, but just from the outer palace. The junior brother seemed to have identified something through the clothing, and his voice dropped a little. What are we afraid of? Let him leave; so what if hes an academy disciple? Qi Yun said coldly. Since the establishment of the Martial Alliance, sect powers had gained a backbone, and there was no need to fear the academy too much now. Moreover, he was just an outer palace disciple. Even if they killed him, it wouldnt necessarily lead to any major consequences! Chapter 37 - Thousand fold Critical Hit!!! Chapter 37: Thousand fold Critical Hit!!!Upon hearing this, the junior brother no longer hesitated. He walked forward directly. The sects nowadays are truly too arrogant, even daring to drive away the academy disciples! Seeing this scene, many people gasped in disbelief. Under heaven, is there not a kings land? At the shores of the land, are there not kings ministers? Even outer academy disciples represent the imperial academy. Throughout history, no sect force would dare to underestimate academy disciples. Before the blade mark, Luo Mu had his eyes tightly closed, his right hand constantly touching the blade mark. At this moment, he was extremely fortunate to once again enter a state of inspiration. In his mind, various thoughts surged like a geyser, and the mysteries within the blade mark were continuously absorbed by him. The within him was rapidly rising. Ding! You are focused, free of distractions, and deeply comprehending the traces of the Sword King. A spark of inspiration appears!!! Triggering a critical hit, you have gained a thousandfold reward!!! Just as the disciple of the touched Luo Mus shoulder, Luo Mu had just finished the state of inspiration, and at the same time, the systems prompt echoed in his mind. How much? Luo Mu opened his eyes directly, disbelief flashing across his face. The next second, it felt as though a great Dao was roaring in his mind, an unimaginable torrent of insights surged in! It was vast and boundless, profound and far-reaching! All were the deepest truths of sword techniques! And Luo Mus within also instantaneously skyrocketed! Forty percent! Fifty percent! Fifty-five percent! Sixty percent! Sixty-five percent! Seventy percent! Until eighty percent! It finally slowed down! The explosive rise in was so overwhelming that Luo Mu could not contain it and directly burst forth from his body! The terrifying shot into the sky! It enveloped a radius of several hundred meters! The mountains swayed, and the rivers surged. Everyone present felt their shoulders sink as if carrying a mountain. Those with lower cultivation even knelt on the ground, unable to stand up. The disciple from the who had touched Luo Mu fell directly to the ground, half his body sinking into the earth! This sudden scene left everyone in shock. After a moment, they finally regained their senses. This is Someone exclaimed, their voice filled with astonishment. Because only the great momentum of martial arts could possess such a terrifying intimidation! Making all martial artists bow their heads! Upon hearing this, the sounds of gasping filled the air. It was hard to believe. And that Qi Yuns face had dramatically changed. Are you kidding me? An outer academy disciple at the True Qi Realm actually possesses At this moment, Qi Yun could hardly be unaware that he had kicked a metal plate. Once a martial artist possesses the great momentum of martial arts, they are nearly invincible in the same realm; even if everyone present were to join forces, the outcome would only be death! Did he comprehend this from the blade mark? Someone said enviously. How could this possibly be a recently comprehended Another person struggled to swallow, I once had the fortune to see a strong person with the great momentum of martial arts, who had it at sixty percent, but even that persons martial arts momentum is not comparable to this one! Once this statement was made, the entire audience was shocked again. If sixty percent is not comparable, then this persons must be above sixty percent! In other words, before this person came to the (Kings Gorge), they had already comprehended the great momentum of martial arts. They had simply enhanced it above sixty percent by observing the blade mark. This is the depth of the academy? A disciple at the True Qi Realm can possess , and the level of is so exaggerated! Many felt an immense shock. In the eyes of the world, how difficult it is to comprehend the great momentum of martial arts! Its not something a True Qi Realm disciple can possess. Even the most prodigious individuals must reach the Spirit Sea Realm first. But what they were witnessing now shattered that perception! A gust of wind blew, and the terrifying suddenly vanished without a trace. The outer academy disciple seemed to have completely awakened. He slowly stood up. Though alone, his mere silhouette brought an overwhelming sense of pressure! Many even felt drenched in sweat. Luo Mu took a deep breath. He hadnt expected that this critical hit would actually reach a thousandfold!!! Moreover, it was a thousandfold under the state of inspiration! The rewards were beyond imagination! He had jumped directly from thirty percent to eighty percent! The increase in becomes increasingly difficult as one progresses. Without triggering a thousandfold critical hit, Luo Mu did not know how long it would take to reach this level. What sheer luck! Yet this luck had almost been interrupted! As the saying goes, to cut off someones path to wealth is no different from killing their parents. Whats more, it was an unprecedented thousandfold critical hit during a moment of inspiration! Thinking of this, Luo Mus gaze instantly turned cold. Although he had been immersed in comprehension, he would still sense any major disturbances. Thus, he had a rough idea of what was happening behind him. Luo Mu slowly turned around. In front of him lay a person; after retracting his , this person appeared as if they had been granted a great pardon. They attempted to stand up, but due to being so close, they were gravely injured, with countless bones broken. He lifted his head and met Luo Mus gaze. In an instant, it felt as if he had fallen into an icy cavern. Those cold eyes filled with killing intent made him instantly smell the scent of death. Was it you who just touched me? Luo Mu spoke. His tone was indifferent. I Before the person could finish, the flash of a blade appeared. A head flew off, rolling on the ground until it came to a stop at Qi Yuns feet. His eyes widened in shock, filled with fear. Blood gushed from his neck, quickly staining the ground red. This scene made everyone instinctively retreat. Though they knew there would be blood todayafter all, no one wanted to be disturbed during their comprehensionthey had not expected it to come so swiftly. Lin Junior Brother!! Among the group from the , someone with a close relationship immediately cried out in sorrow. Qi Yuns eyes twitched. It seemed this outer academy disciple had a terrible temper. Turning around to kill someone immediately. Friend, this matter was our fault, I apologize to you. Now that youve killed someone, how about we settle this? Although filled with anger, Qi Yuns mind was still clear. He had no ability for revenge. Rushing in would only lead to his death! Preserve the green mountains, and you need not fear a shortage of firewood. As long as he could leave alive today, there would surely be opportunities for revenge in the future! Are you not going to avenge your junior brothers death? Clearly, you are the one who sent him here. Luo Mus expression remained calm. Arent you afraid that hes down there, lonely and desolate? Upon hearing this, Qi Yuns hands instinctively clenched. He detected the killing intent. It seemed that todays matter would be hard to resolve! Friend, we shouldnt act impulsively; we should turn our hostility into friendship. This would benefit both sides. After all, my has some reputation and status in Fengdu County. Now Qi Yun could only rely on the sect. He tried to intimidate Luo Mu. However, Luo Mu showed no sign of hesitation or doubt. On the contrary, S~ea??h the Novel?ire(.)ne*t website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. his eyes seemed to shine with interest. The , Ive heard of it. You wield dual blades, following a path of fast blade techniques. If thats the case, Ill give you a chance to live. I wont use . If you can survive for ten breaths, I will let you go. Luo Mu said slowly. Directly killing them would serve little purpose; it was better to extract value and maximize it. Currently, he hadnt seen dual blade techniques, and if he gained any insights, it might lead to further comprehension. Upon hearing this, everyone present was stunned. No ? Wasnt that akin to self-crippling? No, it was like crippling both arms! Without , this outer academy disciple would only be at the True Qi Realm level. Meanwhile, the had twenty-three members! One at the True Qi Realm Ninth Layer! Above Sixth Layer, there were still five. Such strength was not something a Fifth Layer could contend with. This is what you said! Qi Yun regained his senses and hurriedly responded! The existence of was too domineering, but without , he didnt feel he would be weaker than this person! Of course. Luo Mu smiled slightly. Junior brothers, did you hear that? Qi Yun shouted. We heard! All the disciples gritted their teeth, their eyes filled with hope for survival. Ten breaths! They only needed to hold out for ten breaths! They could definitely do it! Ten. Luo Mu began to count down. Kill! All the disciples charged at Luo Mu. Their dual blades swinging wildly. However, Luo Mu struck first. In an instant, countless blade shadows flickered, sweeping through everything! The disciples of the sword sect who had just been charging forward abruptly halted. They even maintained their attacking stances! But the next second All of them shattered! Crushed organs and blood flowed everywhere, the rich scent of blood quickly spreading around! Seeing this scene, someone immediately couldnt help but vomit. Every one of them revealed expressions of fear and shock. Heaven knows what they had just witnessed! With just one strike! Twenty-three martial artists, including many at the True Qi Realm Sixth Layer and above, died in an instant! There was no chance for struggle or resistance! Chapter 38 - Your Blade is Too Slow! Chapter 38: Your Blade is Too Slow!The cold wind blew, but it could not disperse the rich scent of blood. Before the blade mark, the ground was already soaked in scarlet. Blood gathered, forming small streams that soaked Qi Yuns shoes. His complexion was pale, and his body trembled. One slash! Just one slash! All of his comrades were dead! No, it wasnt just one slash! It was in an instant that nearly a hundred slashes were delivered! Otherwise, there wouldnt even be complete corpses left! At this moment, he finally understood why this person dared to say he didnt need the blade momentum! It turned out he possessed such a terrifying blade technique! It was undoubtedly an extremely rare high-tier Profound Rank technique!!! Yet he was practicing nothing but a low-tier one. Nine. The voice sounded again. Like a nightmare, it jolted Qi Yun awake. His scalp tingled, and cold sweat trickled down his back. Luo Mu held his blade and took a step forward. Each step made Qi Yuns heart tremble. Eight. Ahhhh! sea??h th novlF~ire.net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. Qi Yun could no longer withstand the oppressive feeling. He drew his blade and charged at Luo Mu. Double Moon Blade Technique: Moonshadow Frost! As the team leader and the only True Aperture Realm ninth level, Qi Yuns strength was naturally unquestionable. The blade in his hand was clearly stronger! It posed a greater threat! Not bad. Luo Mus eyes glinted slightly. But it was only not bad. Clang! Clang! Clang! In just half a breaths time, the two blades clashed dozens of times. How is this possible?! Qi Yuns heart trembled. The Double Moon Blade Technique was not only fast but also bizarre; many angles of attack were exceptionally tricky. Yet under his full exertion, it was all blocked! Too slow. A cold voice echoed as Qi Yun instinctively made eye contact with Luo Mu. That indifferent gaze filled Qi Yun with both fear and anger. All along, he had looked down on others; he had never been so belittled! However, just as he prepared to attack again, Luo Mu struck! The blade light surged, so fast that everyone present could hardly see it! Qi Yun held his double blades to defend. But he simply couldnt keep up! He could only keep retreating, his body riddled with countless wounds. Blood flowed incessantly. Swish! In the fourth breath, Luo Mus blade swept across Qi Yuns neck. Qi Yun halted his movement. The long blade slipped from his hand. He raised his hand, touching his neck in fear and disbelief, where it felt warm. Your blade is so slow, yet you dare to act so domineering? Youre wasting time. Luo Mu sheathed his blade and brushed past Qi Yun. He had thought that this True Aperture Realm ninth-level blade technique would be somewhat interesting, but after the encounter, it was just so-so. It had average value. The sect will definitely avenge me! Qi Yun managed to say with difficulty. His voice was filled with resentment. He wanted to turn his head for one last look at Luo Mu, but his vision suddenly spun. Then he plunged into eternal darkness. The headless body collapsed heavily to the ground. Whoosh! More than twenty streams of gray mist surged out from the ground covered in blood and flesh, merging into Luo Mus body, gradually transforming into blade Qi. Ding! You used the No Life Blade Classic, continuously killing twenty-four people, triggering a critical hit and gaining twenty-fold rewards! In an instant, the amount of blade Qi surged dramatically. The total number had already reached two hundred! He was not far from the initial glimpse. Additionally, he had gained some new insights into the Extreme Blade Technique. Not bad. Luo Mu nodded slightly. These people werent killed for nothing; there had been some gains. He then glanced at the others and leisurely left. After the thousand-fold critical hit, the mysteries within the blade marks had been completely grasped, with not a trace remaining. Therefore, there was no need to linger here any longer. It was a pity that the other blade marks had been severely damaged, and their martial essence had dissipated; otherwise, he might have been able to directly elevate his blade momentum to perfection here! As for Qi Yuns last words, Luo Mu paid no mind at all. A mere Opening Ming Blade Sect, which couldnt even compare to the Xuantian Sword Sect, dared to threaten a disciple of the academy. If the Opening Ming Blade Sect dared to come to the academy to cause trouble, then tomorrow, the map of Fengdu County would forever erase the Opening Ming Blade Sect! Although the academy had an academic nature, remaining quite quiet and low-key most of the time, if someone truly provoked it, it would make the world understand what a behemoth truly was! After Luo Mu left, the crowd finally relaxed, each wiping the cold sweat off their brows. That was terrifying! Without even using blade momentum, he could easily slay a True Aperture Realm ninth-level martial artist. If he had unleashed it, wouldnt he be able to kill even those at the Spirit Sea Realm? Regarding this, everyone hesitated for a moment but ultimately agreed! The Spirit Sea Realm would also have to die! After all, that was eighty percent blade momentum! It was not just ten or twenty percent! The further one went with the blade momentum, the harder it became to comprehend, but likewise, the power increased significantly! It was incredibly frightening! This is the academy. Someones voice revealed their shock. Even an outer palace disciple is this extraordinarily powerful; dont be fooled by the news of various sects rising everywhere. Its merely that the academy is relatively low-key. Indeed. What had happened today had truly taught them a lesson. The academy was far from declining; it remained an unshakeable giant! If they had any offspring in the future, they would still need to find a way to send them to the academy! Leaving Kings Chasm. Luo Mu mounted his spiritual horse and headed toward the academy. What puzzled him was that the spiritual horse, tied up in such a conspicuous place, hadnt been taken by anyone. If I step into the Spirit Sea Realm, then the gap between me and the inner palace prodigies will be almost nonexistent. Luo Mus gaze was deep. Cheng Qingman had said that the top-ranked prodigies in the inner palace had basically entered the Spirit Sea Realm and practiced high-tier Profound Rank martial skills, possessing martial momentum. Now, he had bridged the gaps in every aspect one by one. In certain areas he was even stronger! For example, eighty percent blade momentum! That was not something just anyone could possess! Even comprehending it was so difficult, let alone elevating it to such a high level! Once unleashed, its power was incredibly terrifying. Luo Mu felt he could easily slay martial artists at the first or second levels of the Spirit Sea Realm. This wasnt an exaggeration; it was the truth. According to Cheng Qingman, even those in the inner palace who possessed martial momentum were basically at one or two percent. Only the current top five ranked might be higher, as they often secluded themselves, with no one knowing their exact comprehension level. Since he had already reached this stage, Luo Mu naturally couldnt set his sights on just the top one hundred. But ratherfirst place! Not only would it come with the most generous rewards, making it impossible to refuse, but also all the various subsequent benefits that first place brought! Shaking his head slightly, Luo Mu dispersed his distractions. The immediate priority was to return to the academy, focus on his cultivation, and break through his realm. Calculating, there were still about twenty-two days left. Fully immersed. He should have a chance to reach the Spirit Sea Realm. Unbeknownst to him, he arrived at a shaded area. Whoosh! The spiritual horse gradually came to a stop, and Luo Mu narrowed his eyes. He saw not far ahead. Two figures stood on the branches. They were enveloped in black robes. Their faces and figures were obscured, but their eyes were tightly fixed on him. Chapter 39 - I Gave You Opportunities, But You Didnt Cherish Them Chapter 39: I Gave You Opportunities, But You Didnt Cherish Them His gaze was unwavering, without the slightest shift. It remained fixed on him. Clearly, the target was him. Luo Mu jumped down from the spirit horse. The spirit horse cleverly walked aside. After a brief assessment, he found that the two blocking his path were not particularly strong. They were only at the True Qi Realm Ninth Layer. Just like that disciple from the Sword Sect. What puzzled Luo Mu was that he shouldnt have offended anyone. Any grievances had been dealt with on the spot. Just like earlier. Even if someone were to seek revenge later, it wouldnt happen so quickly. Changle Academy, outer academy disciple, Luo Mu. One of them spoke up, True Qi Realm Fifth Layer, yet you have comprehended the great momentum of martial arts; your talent can be called monstrous. Upon hearing this, Luo Mu raised an eyebrow. It seemed they were indeed waiting specifically for him, even knowing his name. Who are you? Luo Mu placed his right hand on the hilt of his sword. As the saying goes, those who come are not good, and those who are good do not come. These two didnt even show their faces. It seemed they were not decent people. Moreover, he sensed a familiar smell from them, similar to those demonic martial artists from the previous base. If you want to know, just walk forward. My elder has been waiting for a long time. The person replied. What if I dont go? Luo Mu narrowed his eyes slightly. Life is full of choices. Some choices, if seized, can benefit you for a lifetime. The persons mouth curved slightly under the mask, We come with sincerity; why not try trusting us just this once? As the words fell, the atmosphere in the woods suddenly fell silent. The only sound was the subtle munching of grass by the spirit horse nearby. A gust of wind blew, sending leaves swirling to the ground. Boring. Luo Mu took a deep breath and lightly uttered these two words. The next second! The long blade was drawn! Terrifying blade light instantly swept through the entire forest path. The long blade returned to its sheath! In less than half a breath, its position seemed as though it had never moved. Before the two could react, they shattered into pieces on the ground. I gave you opportunities, but you didnt cherish them. Luo Mus gaze was indifferent. It was nonsensical to block his path without clear communication and to act mysteriously. He had no patience for that. Additionally, the smell on these two was very similar to the previous demonic martial artists at the base; it was undoubtedly demonic. That made it even more impossible to walk forward. Who knew if there were traps or anything? With the demons appearing here, it was likely there were no good intentions, so he should act directly! Good courage! A powerful aura surged from the front! Startled, the spirit horses legs went weak and it fell to the ground. Luo Mu remained standing. But his long black hair was blown wildly by this aura. A figure appeared ahead. Surrounded by dense black energy. Wherever the black energy touched, whether the ground or the trees, it would corrode, creating a shocking sight. Indeed, its the demonic path! Luo Mus eyes darkened. And it was in the Spirit Sea Realm! Spirit Sea Realm martial artists cultivate true energy. And due to the nature of their techniques, demons would generate equally powerful demonic energy. Luo Mu hadnt expected there would actually be demons in the Spirit Sea Realm. Were these demons blocking the path because of the base incident? That seemed unlikely. All the demonic martial artists in the base had been killed, with not a single survivor, so news about him wouldnt spread. Wait. Luo Mu recalled the words of the two from earlier. They mentioned the great momentum of martial arts. He had displayed the great momentum of martial arts back in Xunyang City. Our sect comes with goodwill, yet you dare to draw your blade and kill? The figure spoke. The surrounding demonic energy slightly thinned, revealing its true form. It was a middle-aged man. His skin was pale and bloodless. On his left cheek was a red moon tattoo. The Red Moon Demon Sect! Luo Mus eyes narrowed slightly. Within the imperial territory, there are three major demon sects. The Red Moon is one of them. They worship the legendary Red Moon Demon God. Those from the previous base belonged to the Red Moon Demon Sect, but they werent true followers. But this person before him was. His face bore a significant tattoo. The tattoo wasnt casually done; it was said to possess special powers. Im asking you a question! The middle-aged mans voice turned icy, laced with killing intent! These two were not ordinary subordinates. They were his disciples! Yet, in just a moment of distraction, they were directly killed! Without any chance to react! Those two couldnt even speak clearly; living in this world is a waste of air, a waste of resources. Helping you deal with them is a kindness. How can you blame me? Luo Mus lips curled up slightly. Sharp-tongued! The middle-aged mans expression darkened suddenly. After all, he knew what kind of character his disciples had. Sometimes they liked to say half a sentence and leave half unsaid. But he hadnt paid too much attention. Who would have thought that he would encounter someone so impatient today! Dont think that just because youve comprehended the great momentum of martial arts, youre invincible, the middle-aged man stopped thinking further; his voice grew icy, Even if you can contend with ordinary Spirit Sea Realm martial artists, I am not a beginner in the Spirit Sea; I am at the Fourth Layer! Suppressing you is merely a matter of raising my hand! Now, Ill give you two choices! The first is to join our sect and accept the magic seed; then todays matter will be forgotten, and we will be colleagues from now on. The second The middle-aged man took a deep breath, Then you die! Upon hearing this, Luo Mu instantly understood. These demons blocking the way today were entirely because of how outstanding he had performed in Xunyang City! They had come halfway to snatch him from the academy. It was not about the base matter. What puzzled Luo Mu was when did these people start following him? If they had been following him since he left Xunyang City, then they should know what happened at Zhan Wang Xia today. With a solid eighty percent , plus the , unless this person also had the great momentum of martial arts, even a Spirit Sea Realm Fourth Layer would likely die on the spot. Tell me your choice! The middle-aged man had little patience; the deaths of his two disciples filled him with killing intent. He didnt care much for his disciples. Instead, they were puppets! He had trained them for so long, intending to turn them into puppets! Yet now they had been reduced to ashes! With the saying of factions, I have grown up in the light. Luo Mu shrugged. A smile appeared on his face. Stubborn and unyielding, then die! The middle-aged man understood. The killing intent in his eyes was no longer concealed; he charged at Luo Mu. The demonic energy surged like black clouds pressing down on the city. Luo Mu took a half-step back with his left leg, his body leaning slightly forward, taking a stance to draw his sword. At the same time. A full eighty percent surged forth! It pressed down on a radius of several hundred meters! Large ancient trees could not withstand this aura, toppling down, and the ground was covered with dense blade marks! The middle-aged man, who had previously shown a face full of killing intent, instantly stopped in his tracks. He felt as if he had fallen into a swamp. What is this? The middle-aged man looked up, disbelief in his eyes. He knew Luo Mu had comprehended . But according to the intelligence, it was only a ten percent . Perhaps it could contend with martial artists who had just entered the Spirit Sea. S~ea??h the N?vel?ire.net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. But it absolutely could not contend with him, a Fourth Layer in the Spirit Sea Realm! But now! This was definitely not just a ten percent ! At least it was eighty percent! Chapter 40 Chapter 40: Blade Technique Reached Perfection! Eighty percent. For a moment, the elder of the Demon Sect thought he was hallucinating. He believed he was under an illusion. But after rubbing his eyes and sensing carefully, it was incomparably real! It was indeed eighty percent blade momentum! But how could this be?! Even the leaders of the Demon Sect at the Profound Dan Realm might not have such high comprehension! Yet the current holder was merely at the True Aperture Realm fifth level! The elder of the Demon Sect instinctively took a step back, his former confidence vanishing without a trace! He was confident that he could easily suppress Luo Mu, who had one percent blade momentum. But with eighty percent, that was absolutely impossible! The difference between the two was like heaven and earth! In fact he was very likely to die! Not far away. Luo Mu gripped the hilt of his blade. Two hundred strands of No Life Blade Qi were all concealed within the sheath, suppressed to the limit. The Draw Blade Style. Currently, it was the strongest move in the No Life Blade Classic. Although there were still few strands of No Life Blade Qi and he hadnt yet reached the limit of a thousand or more, with the amplification of eighty percent blade momentum, it was already extremely terrifying! Slash! The sound echoed through the forest like a thunderclap. Luo Mu drew his blade. It was difficult to describe what kind of slash this was. It was like an endless river of blade Qi surging forth from the sheath, crossing the void and pouring down for thousands of miles, carrying a terrifying momentum that swept across the heavens and the earth. It descended directly upon the elder of the Demon Sects head! This! The elder of the Demon Sects pupils contracted sharply. He never expected that Luo Mu not only had a terrifying understanding of blade momentum but also possessed such a formidable blade technique! This was absolutely not the power of a middle-tier Profound Rank technique! At least it was of high-tier quality! Scarlet Moon Shines, Illuminating Silence! Without time to think, the elder of the Demon Sect unleashed his defensive technique. After all, he was at the Spirit Sea Realm, so he still had time to react. However, being in the midst of the blade momentum made him feel like he was stuck in a quagmire, unable to evade. He could only choose to take it head-on! The scarlet moon tattoo on his face lit up. He could clearly feel that his strength had increased somewhat. A red semi-circular shield appeared around the elder of the Demon Sect, enveloping him within. Boom! The blade light struck down! The shield trembled violently! Had it blocked? The elder of the Demon Sect felt a rush of joy, but his expression changed drastically. Wherever the clash occurred, dense cracks appeared, spreading out like a spider web! sea??h th n?velFire.net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. Crack! In just half a breath, the shield shattered completely! The terrifying blade light descended! No! The elder of the Demon Sect screamed in despair. He had worked so hard to reach the Spirit Sea Realm, with a future even potentially leading to the Profound Dan Realm! But now he was about to be slain by a mere True Aperture Realm warrior! It was simply unacceptable!!! Boom! The ground trembled violently, dust and smoke swirling, sand and stones flying. When the dust settled, only a huge, deep fissure remained at the scene. The elder of the Demon Sect was trapped within. His body had been cleaved in two, but even so, he had not died immediately. The scarlet moon tattoo on his face flickered. It seemed to be surging with a peculiar and strange power. This power tried to pull the elder of the Demon Sects split body back together. However, the No Life Blade Qi was refined from the death intent of living beings. In addition to possessing the overwhelming power that a blade technique should have, it could also devour vitality! This caused the elder of the Demon Sect to not last long enough to reassemble his body. The vitality had already been completely consumed. Before ones eyes, the elder of the Demon Sects unwilling gaze completely lost its luster. This is the Demon Path? Truly bizarre. Luo Mu looked at the elder of the Demon Sect in the fissure and frowned slightly. His body had been split in two. Yet he still wasnt dead. If it werent for his No Life Blade Qi being able to devour vitality, given this person a little more time, he might be able to stand up again. It should be due to that tattoo or the Scarlet Moon Demon Technique. Luo Mu pondered in his heart. In this vast world, there are all kinds of wonders, and heroes and talents are as numerous as the fish in the river; I must always maintain a vigilant and respectful heart. I must not become arrogant, or I might easily meet my downfall. This scene completely settled Luo Mus previously slightly unsettled state of mind. Whoosh! A thick gray mist flew out from the body of the elder of the Demon Sect, merging into Luo Mus body. The death intent provided by a Spirit Sea Realm powerhouse was immense, far surpassing that of a True Aperture Realm. Thus, it directly gave Luo Mu an additional forty strands of No Life Blade Qi. Ding! You used the No Life Blade Classic and killed a Spirit Sea Realm powerhouse, triggering a critical hit and gaining a hundred-fold reward! In his mind, the systems prompt sounded. A hundred-fold? Luo Mu was overjoyed. That was equivalent to killing a full hundred Spirit Sea Realm martial artists! Wouldnt that allow him to achieve perfection directly? No, it meant reaching the limit! Boom! In an instant, the death intent within his body surged dramatically, continuously transforming into No Life Blade Qi, directly causing the amount of No Life Blade Qi to explode to one thousand! But upon reaching one thousand, it stopped. The death intent had not fully transformed; on the contrary, there was still much more left. It seems that my physical bodys bearing capacity has reached its limit. Luo Mu raised his arm. He saw the skin underneath flickering with blade light, which was the dense No Life Blade Qi! The No Life Blade Qi was transformed within the body and nourished with Qi and blood. So the practitioners body must be strong! It seems I need to quickly train the Profound Yang Overlord Body Technique to perfection; only then can I withstand more No Life Blade Qi, and at that time, it will be a full three thousand strands of No Life Blade Qi! Luo Mus eyes blazed with fervor. He now had enough death intent; he just lacked the strength of his physical body. Thinking of this, Luo Mu squatted down. He severed the head of the elder of the Demon Sect and searched for a storage ring, but temporarily didnt open it to check. He planned to organize it after returning. He didnt let the other two heads go either. When he acted, he still accurately avoided the skulls, ensuring they were distinguishable. Chapter 41 Chapter 41: Rewards from the Academy! Shortly after Luo Mu left, a figure slowly appeared. With his hands crossed inside his sleeves, though his hair was completely white, his eyes still gleamed with vigor. Had Luo Mu been there, he would have recognized this person immediately. It was Uncle Gong! The butler from Cheng Qingmans estate! Eight-tenths blade momentum, and that life-severing blade technique. Uncle Gong murmured to himself, gazing in the direction Luo Mu had left. Even for him, he couldnt suppress the look of shock in his eyes. Throughout his life, he had encountered many geniuses and prodigies, but never someone who grew at such a terrifying speed. To think that after only five days of observing in the King-Slaying Gorge, Luo Mu had elevated his blade momentum from one-tenth to eight-tenths! If not for the severe damage to some of the other blade marks, he might have even reached full mastery. It was truly incredible. No wonder Miss sent me to protect him in secret. This boy is indeed worthy of such attention. Uncle Gong glanced at the bloodstains that covered the ground. In truth, the demonic sect members had begun tailing Luo Mu shortly after he left Xunyang City. But as soon as Uncle Gong revealed a sliver of his aura, they mistook it for a powerful expert cultivating in the gorge and chose not to enter. Had they seen Luo Mus eight-tenths blade momentum, they wouldnt have dared to block his path today. Even without the eight-tenths blade momentum, just one-tenth would have been enough for this boy to avoid death at the hands of that demonic elder. Uncle Gong crouched down and touched the cracks on the ground. Even though the blade energy had already dissipated, S~ea??h the n?velFire.net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. a lingering deathly aura still filled the area. This blade technique seems to be from Chang Le Academys , but the power is unusual. Its already reached upper-grade mystic level. With this technique, he can contend with Spirit Sea realm cultivators. Uncle Gong couldnt help but nod in approval. Still in the True Aperture realm, yet possessing such a profound martial foundationthis was nothing short of extraordinary. There were many geniuses and monsters in this world, but only a rare few ever truly grew to their potential. The fact that Luo Mu survived today, even managing to slay a Spirit Sea realm cultivator, meant he wasnt just a short-lived genius. His potential was boundless, and his future was bright. Miss has always had a good eye. A faint smile appeared on Uncle Gongs face. Half a day later, Luo Mu finally returned to the academy. Though his body relaxed slightly, the tension didnt entirely fade. Knowing that the Crimson Moon Demonic Sect had their eyes on him, he couldnt afford to lose his sense of danger. This time, they had sent a Spirit Sea realm expert. Next time, who knew what level of master they would send? He needed to become stronger, and quicklynot just for the upcoming Academy Grand Ceremony, but to survive. The Treasure Pavilion, a place within the academy dedicated to exchanging contribution points for cultivation resources. Luo Mu made a beeline for it. Earlier, in the base, he had earned nearly seventy thousand contribution points. Now, after killing two True Aperture ninth-stage cultivators and one Spirit Sea fourth-stage elder, he estimated his total would be close to two hundred thousand. Of course, this was only his rough guess. He wasnt sure of the exact amount. Hello, I have some materials to exchange for contribution points. Luo Mu spoke up. Alright, the Treasure Pavilion disciple replied with a nod. Luo Mu reached into his storage ring and pulled out a pile of severed heads! The heads filled the entire counter! The thick, nauseating scent of blood instantly permeated the entire pavilion. Visibly, the disciples expression shifted from calm to shock, then to outright horror. He even took a step back in fear. There were other people inside the pavilion as well, and all of them were dumbfounded by the sight. My heavens, how could there be so many heads? They look like the heads of demonic sect cultivators! This guy actually killed so many demonic sect members! The sounds of gasps filled the air. Though these demonic cultivators had already been dead for some time, thanks to being stored in Luo Mus ring, their fierce, lingering auras still indicated that they had been True Aperture realm cultivators. That one is True Aperture first-stage, and this one is third-stage Luo Mu calmly introduced each head to the disciple, treating them like treasures. The difference in contribution points between stages was significant, and Luo Mu was still in dire need of resources, so he couldnt afford to waste a single one. Every bit counted. Oh, and this onekilled just today. A demonic elder, Spirit Sea fourth-stage. Luo Mu specifically placed the elders severed head in front of the disciple. The head had been split in half, now pieced back together. Gulp! The disciple instinctively swallowed hard, struggling to comprehend what he had just heard. A demonic elder? Spirit Sea fourth-stage? Was he serious?! A Spirit Sea realm expert wasnt someone a True Aperture fifth-stage could kill! The disciple instinctively doubted Luo Mus claim, but the lingering demonic aura on the severed head didnt lie. This is indeed a Spirit Sea fourth-stage head. A voice suddenly spoke. The disciple immediately stepped aside and bowed, Steward! A man in white robes approached. His temples were graying, and his aura was incredibly stronghe was clearly a Spirit Sea realm cultivator. A clean, precise blade technique, splitting the head in two. Did you really kill him? The steward glanced at Luo Mu. Just luck. Luo Mus expression remained calm, offering no further explanation. A Spirit Sea fourth-stage demonic elders head is worth one hundred thousand points. In total, youve earned two hundred thousand contribution points. The steward made no effort to dig deeper into how Luo Mu managed it. As long as the heads were from demonic sect members, nothing else mattered. Two hundred thousand! The other cultivators in the pavilion couldnt hide their envy. They wished it had been them standing there. Demonic sect members heads were valuable, but taking them wasnt easy. Each one was cruel and ruthless. One small mistake, and youd be the one lying dead. When would they ever manage to save up two hundred thousand points? Whats your name? The steward asked casually. Luo Mu. Luo Mu? The stewards head snapped up, and he studied Luo Mu more closely. Luo Mu found the stewards reaction odd, as if the man had heard of him before. So its you. That explains everything. The steward smiled for the first time. Is there anything you want to exchange for? Luo Mu was confused, but he didnt dwell on it. He nodded. How much for ? One thousand points per unit. Hiss! It was expensive. In the academy, martial arts techniques were relatively cheap because of the academys benefits, but cultivation resources were sold at full price. Each unit cost one thousand points. To fully cultivate , it would take at least three to four hundred units. The cost was astronomical. Fortunately, Luo Mus critical hits helped him save on resources, so he didnt need as many units as others. Give me ten units. Luo Mu decided after some thought. As long as his luck didnt turn sour, ten units should be enough. Alright. The steward made the deduction. Anything else? A . Luo Mu requested. The that Cheng Qingman had given him would only allow him to reach True Aperture eighth-stage, so he needed additional resources to break through to the ninth stage. The was similar to the , designed specifically to open more apertures. However, the was far stronger, and much more expensiveeighty thousand points per pill. Not something just anyone could afford. Thats all for now. Luo Mu left himself with two thousand points in case something came up later. Understood. The steward nodded and left to retrieve the items. When he returned, he carried three jade boxes. The first box contained ten units of . The second held the . As for the third box Luo Mu didnt recognize it. Was it a bonus for spending so much? This is a reward from the academy for challengers. The steward smiled, A grade-three ! Chapter 42 Chapter 42: The Nine Li Poison Scripture, The Secret Record of Human Puppetry Linghai Pill? Upon hearing these three words, Luo Mus breathing became heavy. The Linghai Pill is a Tier 3 treasure pill! Its one tier higher than the Breaking Yuan Pill and the Marrow Pill! Its purpose is to increase the success rate of True Aperture Realm warriors in breaking through to the Spirit Sea Realm. It can increase the success rate by at least 30%! Thirty percent. It doesnt sound like much, but its already incredibly high! In the outside world, one Linghai Pill could fetch an unimaginable price. Even in the academy, it would cost around four to five hundred thousand contribution points to exchange for one! I almost forgot about this. Luo Mu took a deep breath to calm himself, and a smile appeared on his face. To encourage students to cultivate, the academy naturally has many reward systems. For example, simply being listed on various leaderboards comes with rewards. He hadnt expected that the reward for just making it onto the Hidden Dragon List would be so generousa direct reward of a Tier 3 Linghai Pill! Of course, this might have something to do with his high ranking, after all, he ranked 17th. At this moment, Luo Mu also understood why the deacon had suddenly raised his head when Luo Mu mentioned his name earlier. It was entirely because of the Hidden Dragon List. With the Myriad Phenomena Pavilion present, news of leaderboard changes always spread quickly, and the academy had already received the information. A few days ago, I went looking for you, but you werent at your residence, the deacon said with a smile. I was out, just returned today, Luo Mu replied as he put away the three jade boxes. Keep up the hard work in your cultivation. The grand ceremony is approaching, and the Outer Palace is counting on you all, the deacon encouraged. I will do my best, Luo Mu smiled and then turned to leave. Deacon, who is he? Why was he given a Linghai Pill? Isnt that reserved for those ranked in the top twenty on the Hidden Dragon List? a disciple from the Treasure Pavilion asked, puzzled. And those who make it into the top twenty are usually Inner Palace disciples. The deacon glanced at him and said, Youll know in a few days. He had only just received the news himself, so it hadnt yet spread throughout the Outer Palace. But it wouldnt take long. The Outer Palace had finally produced a genius who had achieved martial momentum while still in the True Aperture Realm. How could they pass up the opportunity to promote this? With this kid, we at least have more confidence for the grand ceremony, the deacon thought to himself. The Outer Palace had been in decline for far too long. In recent years, fewer and fewer students had made it into the top 100, and they were close to falling below two digits. This year, the Inner Palace had produced many prodigies, and there was real concern that the Outer Palace might not even keep a two-digit representation, dropping to just onethe worst situation possible. The Outer Palace students were mostly commoners, and their cultivation resources couldnt compare to the noble heirs of the Inner Palace. If their performance was too poor, the resources allocated to the Outer Palace in the future would inevitably be reduced. This was a worrying trend. Returning to his residence, Luo Mu found it in disarray. It wasnt that anyone had broken in, but rather that it had been left this way before he left. The mess was the result of his intense training. Luo Mu only cared about efficiency and cultivation, so naturally, he didnt pay attention to cleanliness or tidiness. He opened a window to air out the room and then sat cross-legged on the bed. He didnt immediately open the items he had exchanged from the Treasure Pavilion. Instead, he took out the storage ring he had obtained from the demon cult elder. When a person dies, the spiritual imprint in their storage ring disappears with them, turning it into an ownerless item. Luo Mu dripped a drop of blood on it to claim ownership, and then his consciousness entered the ring. His eyebrows immediately raised slightly. As expected of a storage ring belonging to a Spirit Sea Realm expert, it contained quite a lot of items. Though he didnt know how valuable they were. Yuan Stones, huh? In a corner of the storage ring, Luo Mu saw a pile of grayish-white stones. Yuan Stones! These stones contain the energy of heaven and earth! When human warriors open their nine apertures and unite them, they can absorb the energy of heaven and earth into their bodies. This energy, along with their blood essence, gathers in their dantian, opening the Spirit Sea and producingTrue Qi! The quality of True Qi is far superior to that of blood essence. Martial arts driven by True Qi are vastly different in power compared to those driven by blood essence. The gap between the two is enormous. Thus, unless there is an absolute advantage in other areas, a True Aperture Realm warrior cannot possibly defeat a Spirit Sea Realm expert! Luo Mu, of course, was one of the rare exceptions! Not bad, thirty pieces. Luo Mu nodded in satisfaction. With these, once he stepped into the Spirit Sea Realm, he wouldnt be lacking in cultivation resources for a while. He continued inspecting the other items. There were quite a few medicine bottles, but most of them were empty, their contents already used up. The only ones that werent empty seemed to be filled with poison. Luo Mu didnt open them, fearing that he might fall victim to the poison. The Nine Li Poison Scripture (Initial Chapter), The Secret Record of Human Puppetry, The Seven Fiends Nether Palm. Luo Mu found three manuals. He casually flipped through them, and his interest was piqued. Sear?h the n??el Fire.nt website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. The Nine Li Poison Scripture, as the name suggests, contained a vast collection of poisons, most of which Luo Mu had never even heard of. No wonder the demonic path is so adept at using poison. Theyve even created a dedicated poison scripture! And this is just the initial chapter. I wonder whats in the middle and final chapters? Could it be the methods for creating these poisons? Luo Mu thought about it and decided that he would study it thoroughly when he had the time, memorizing it all. He would undoubtedly encounter more demonic path experts in the future. Knowing the enemy is the key to winning a hundred battles! The Secret Record of Human Puppetry, as the name suggests, was a secret technique for creating human puppets. However, the materials used were not common metals or minerals, but humans! This technique was cruel and difficult for anyone outside the demonic path to accept. Moreover, the success rate was rather low. But once a human puppet was successfully created, not only could it perfectly retain its original strength, but it would even become slightly stronger than before. Luo Mu rubbed his chin. Although it was brutal and bloody, it wasnt something he couldnt accept. Better to keep itwho knows when it might come in handy? Lastly, The Seven Fiends Nether Palm wasnt anything specialjust a low-tier Xuan-class demonic martial art. There was no need to cultivate it. It wasnt even worth selling. After sorting through the storage ring, Luo Mu withdrew his consciousness. Now, it was time to start cultivating seriously! He needed to increase his cultivation as quickly as possible, aiming to break through to the Spirit Sea Realm in one go! Chapter 43 Chapter 43: Three Barriers in One Word Time flies like a shuttle, and days pass like a blink. Unknowingly, ten days had already passed. Only twelve days remained until the Grand Ceremony of the academy. Now, Changle Academy had become bustling beyond imagination. Students were everywhere. Some had just come out of seclusion, while others had rushed back after traveling abroad. Usually, the academy feels a bit quiet. Who knew that when the Grand Ceremony starts, everyone would pop out! someone remarked, amazed. Our Changle Academy is situated at the center of the seven counties. Anyone wanting to practice martial arts will likely consider the academy first. How could there not be many people? But cultivation is personal, and everyone has their own methods, so not everyone stays in the academy all the time. Thats true. Many nodded in agreement. By the way, have you heard the recent news? What news? It seems our Outer Palace has produced an extraordinary figure who comprehended the Martial Daos momentum at the True Aperture Realm, fifth level, and broke into the top twenty of the Hidden Dragon List! Are you joking? Someone at the True Aperture Realm comprehended the Martial Daos momentum? Even those monsters in the Inner Palace cant do that. Why would I lie to you? Go check the Hidden Dragon List yourself! His name seems to be Luo Mu. Hes not lying. Its true. I heard about it from my teacher. Hiss! Upon hearing this, gasps of surprise echoed all around. Generally speaking, no matter how monstrous ones talent is, they must reach the Spirit Sea Realm before comprehending the Martial Daos momentum. This is because every major realm advancement brings about a qualitative change in the understanding of the Martial Dao. And the True Aperture Realm is just the early stage of the Martial Dao. The foundation is not strong enough to support such comprehension. Yet, someone had managed to do it! And from the Outer Palace, no less! Who said Outer Palace disciples are completely inferior to Inner Palace ones? This Brother Luo Mus talent is no less than those in the Inner Palace, maybe even stronger! Indeed! Everyone nodded immediately, and excitement gradually appeared on their faces. Since the academy had an Inner Palace and an Outer Palace, conflicts between the two were inevitable. Its a pity Brother Luo Mus realm is still a bit lowonly at the True Aperture Realm. If he steps into the Spirit Sea Realm, he might even break into the top thirty! Someone commented. Sear?h the N?velFire(.)net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. Yeah, although he comprehended the Martial Daos momentum at the True Aperture Realm, his opponents wont all be at the True Aperture Realm. Those Inner Palace monsters have long reached the Spirit Sea Realm, and they also possess the Martial Daos momentum. It doesnt matter. At least, hell have no problem staying in the top hundred! Our goal has always been to keep a two-digit ranking, not worrying about specific placements! After all, the top thirty were mostly from the Inner Palace, and the Outer Palace could barely get a foothold. Not long ago, the strongest disciple in the Outer Palace was defeated by someone ranked thirty-fifth in the Inner Palace. That incident had left the Outer Palace feeling down for a long time. But thanks to Brother Luo Mu, the Outer Palace had finally regained some confidence in another area. At the back mountain of the academy. Atop a majestic peak. Clouds rolled in all directions, creating a spectacular view. A figure sat cross-legged there. Bare-chested, his firm and well-toned muscles were exposed. What was most extraordinary was the thick red mist floating around his skin, ebbing and flowing with his breath. Sometimes gathering, sometimes dispersing. It looked like clusters of fiery clouds. At one moment! The figure abruptly opened his eyes. A powerful aura surged outwards, sweeping the surroundings, sending sand and stones flying. Perfected! Luo Mu smiled faintly and stood up. This was the accomplishment of Three Barriers in One Word. Ten days of immersive cultivation had yielded tremendous results. First was his cultivation base. With the help of the remaining Silver Stripe Grass and Yuan Marrow Pill, he successfully stepped into the ninth level of the True Aperture Realm. Second was the Xuanyang Overlord Body Technique. Although there were no exceptionally high critical strikes, after using up ten portions of Extreme Yang Essence, he managed to cultivate it to perfection. Both his physical strength and external gang energy had significantly improved! Luo Mu tested with his spirit bladepreviously, the spirit blade could cause a tearing sensation in his flesh, but now it couldnt even break his gang energy with full force! It would be directly bounced off! Third was the Lifeless Blade Sutra. As his physical strength improved, the excess death aura in his body had all been transformed into Lifeless Blade Qi. A total of three thousand strands! His blade technique had reached its peak! Luo Mu wasnt sure exactly how strong he was now. But if he encountered the same demonic elder from before, he wouldnt even need to use the blade momentum. Just using the blade technique alone, he could easily slay him! Even if it was a Martial Dao momentum user of the same realm. As long as their mastery didnt exceed twenty percent, Luo Mu could defeat them purely with his blade technique! It should be noted that the Lifeless Blade Sutra he had developed was a fusion of fifteen blade techniques, almost without any weakness. Its power was so exaggerated that even among upper-tier Xuan-class techniques, it was undoubtedly top-tier! Ordinary upper-tier techniques couldnt compare at all. Even with a one or two percent enhancement from the Martial Daos momentum, they would still be lacking. My condition is perfect. I can now aim for a breakthrough to the Spirit Sea Realm! Luo Mu sat down cross-legged once again. A fiery gleam appeared in his eyes. The Spirit Sea Realm. The third realm of cultivation. Whether in the academy or outside, this realm already marked someone as a formidable expert! Many rulers of powerful factions hadnt even reached this level. Take his family, for instance. The strongest member was his uncle. At the seventh level of the True Aperture Realm. Unknowingly, Luo Mu had already surpassed his uncle, about to reach a realm that only their ancestors had ever stepped into! The Spirit Sea Realm! Lets begin! Luo Mu took a deep breath and retrieved a jade box from his storage ring. Inside was the Linghai Pill! It could increase the success rate of his breakthrough by thirty percent! With his average talent, Luo Mu had already started struggling by the time he reached the third level of the True Aperture Realm. Without the Linghai Pill. Relying on himself alone, his success rate for breaking through might be less than twenty percent. But now, the odds were fifty-fifty. Opening the jade box, a rich medicinal fragrance surged out instantly. Just inhaling a little made Luo Mu feel the blood in his body heat up. As expected of a Tier 3 treasure pill. Without hesitation, Luo Mu swallowed the pill. Simultaneously, he guided its energy with his intent. Boom! Inside his body, the nine apertures he had already opened suddenly lit up like stars, shining brightly. They began to resonate with each other, forming bridges of light that gradually connected. Boom! In the next moment. Luo Mu felt his body tremble violently. It was as if his Heavenly Eye had opened, or some deeply hidden barrier had been unlocked. Both his physical body and spirit were now completely exposed to the heavens and earth. It was an indescribable sensation. And in this state, Luo Mu finally saw the legendary Yuan Qi of heaven and earth. It looked no different from regular mist, but it floated more ethereally. Draw it in! Without wasting time, Luo Mu controlled his nine apertures to start absorbing the Yuan Qi that drifted around him. Yuan Qi had no owner. It was easily drawn into his body by the suction from the apertures. And it gradually flowed towards his dantian. At the same time, his own vital energy also began to flow. One white, one red. Like two surging rivers, mighty and unstoppable. In his consciousness, his dantian was a hazy, chaotic space. It was one of the most mystical parts of the human body. It had the nature of containing all things. Boom! Though Yuan Qi appeared ethereal and harmless, the moment it touched his vital energy, it became fiercely violent. The same was true for his vital energy. The two forces clashed like lions and tigers, refusing to yield to each other. There was no way for them to fuse. However, at that moment. The Linghai Pill took effect. Its essence transformed into countless blue radiances, calming both forces. Gradually, they were absorbed by the dantian! And deep within the dantian, they began to merge. Evolving into an even stronger power! Chapter 44 Chapter 44: Stepping into the Spirit Sea, Heavenly Water Primordial Lotus! Time ticked by, second by second. Unknowingly, five hours had passed. Luo Mu remained seated cross-legged, his eyes tightly shut. At this moment, there were significant changes taking place inside his dantian. What had once been a dried-up dantian had now transformed into a bright, glistening lake. Its done! Luo Mu opened his eyes, a trace of relief flashing across his face. He had nearly failedjust a little more, and as he was about to succeed, his dantian suddenly became unstable. Thankfully, it ended without danger. Ding! You concentrated deeply, staying focused on your breakthrough, and triggered a critical hit, receiving a thirtyfold reward! In his mind, images of breaking through appeared thirty times in succession. Some were successes, while others were failures. Most of them were failures. It seems that starting from the Spirit Sea realm, the failure rate of breakthroughs far exceeds the success rate. Luo Mus gaze flickered slightly. This was the effect of his average aptitude. In this world, ones aptitude wouldnt completely limit their potential, but it would affect the speed of cultivation and the chances of successfully breaking through. Strictly speaking, as long as one had infinite lifespan and sufficient resources, anyone could theoretically reach the peak. But unfortunately, humans arent immortal beings. For an ordinary person, living past seventy was already considered a long life. Even Spirit Sea realm cultivators only lived a little over a hundred years. Only those who step into the Earth-Opening realm, where their body is remolded and their essence transformed, could greatly extend their lifespan. Shaking his head slightly, Luo Mu cleared his thoughts. For him, average aptitude didnt matter. After thirty attempts, as long as one succeeded, it was enough. However, if he had the chance to improve his aptitude, he wouldnt pass it up. After all, the better ones aptitude, the more cultivation rewards they could receive on a daily basis, making it very important. Taking a deep breath, Luo Mu slowly stood up. He gazed at the sky, a smile spreading across his face. Finally the Spirit Sea realm! This was the realm he had once yearned for. He never thought he would reach it in less than two months. Now, there was no longer any obvious gap between him and the prodigies of the Inner Academy. Lets test the power of my true qi. With just a thought, the calm spirit sea within him suddenly stirred. He assumed a stance as if preparing to draw his blade. Without using his blade momentum, he relied solely on his true qi and blade technique. Slash! A hundred-meter-long blade light swept across, striking a nearby small mountain peak. Boom! The mountain trembled. The entire peak exploded into countless fragments that tumbled down the slopes. Not bad. Luo Mu sheathed his blade, nodding in satisfaction. As expected of true qi. The power of a blade technique performed with true qi was far beyond what blood energy could achieve. There are twelve days left until the Academy Grand Ceremony. Time to continue training. Luo Mu withdrew his gaze. The spirit stones he had obtained from the demonic sect elder would be enough to support his Spirit Sea realm cultivation for the time being. Buzz! Just as Luo Mu was about to sit back down, a rainbow light shot into the sky from a distance, then quickly dissipated into glowing dots. Rainbow mist? Luo Mu was startled, and the term suddenly surfaced in his mind. He remembered from a miscellaneous studies class that his teacher once mentioned when a high-grade spiritual herb was nearing maturity, a rainbow mist phenomenon would appear. This was due to the herbs internal medicinal power being so immense that it became difficult to contain. I didnt expect to encounter such a fortuitous event. A smile appeared on Luo Mus face. Up until now, he had never come across any heavenly treasures or the like. This was his first time. Lets go check it out. Although he wasnt sure what kind of spiritual herb it was or what its effects were, since a rainbow mist had appeared, it was undoubtedly something valuable. After dressing properly, Luo Mu quickly dashed toward the location where the rainbow mist had emerged. After a short while, Luo Mu arrived at his destination. It was an ancient, medium-sized pool. The water was icy cold, radiating a chilling aura. In the center of the pool, a white lotus bud was on the verge of blooming. Heavenly Water Primordial Lotus? Luo Mu searched his memory, and related information soon surfaced. The Heavenly Water Primordial Lotus was a third-grade spiritual herb, typically feeding on the vital energies of heaven and earth. On the day it matured, it would produce at least six lotus seeds. Sar?h the N?vel(F)ire.et website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. Each lotus seed was pure essence of vital energy. The effects of cultivating with them far surpassed that of spirit stones. Not bad. Luo Mus eyes sparkled with excitement. It seemed his luck was turning lately. To stumble upon such a rare spiritual treasure With this, his Spirit Sea realm cultivation would have a steady supply of resources. However, from the looks of it, the Heavenly Water Primordial Lotus wasnt fully mature yet. It would likely take another seven to eight days. During that time, the rainbow mist phenomenon would continue each day, making it impossible to hide. It might even attract others. However, this area was fairly deep in the back mountain of the academy. Not many people would venture here. Roar~ Just as Luo Mu was contemplating, a deep roar sounded behind him. Luo Mu raised an eyebrow. He had almost forgottenaside from humans, the back mountain was filled with demonic beasts. Heavenly treasures were just as irresistible to them as they were to humans. Swish! Without hesitation, Luo Mu drew his blade and slashed. The demonic beast approaching him was instantly cleaved in half. Having now stepped into the Spirit Sea realm, dealing with a second-level demonic beast was a trivial matter. A Flame Lion. Luo Mu approached and identified the beast. The blood of a Flame Lion was quite valuable, rich in fire-elemental energy, making it highly desirable to cultivators who practiced fire-element cultivation methods. Perhaps I could use this as bait and wait for more to come. A smile played at the corners of Luo Mus lips. Most people wouldnt dare attempt such a thing, since the back mountain was considered the territory of the demonic beasts, and their numbers were vast. If one were to be surrounded, it could easily result in death. But Luo Mu was unafraid. With his current strength, he could easily handle whatever came his way. Chapter 45 Chapter 45: Martial Suppression! Congratulations, Senior Brother! Your sword force has reached 30%, greatly enhancing your strength. At the grand ceremony, you will surely defeat Fang Tian and avenge your past humiliation! In the forest, three figures emerged from the shadows. Among them was a man dressed in gray, carrying a long sword on his back, exuding a powerful and sharp aura. Indeed, Fang Tian only had an advantage due to his weapon. Now that Senior Brother has mastered 30% of the sword force, not only will he easily defeat Fang Tian, but he might even break into the top thirty! Another person clenched his fists and spoke with conviction. For a long time, the top thirty of the grand ceremony had been dominated by the inner palace disciples, leaving no room for the outer palace to compete. This often subjected the outer palace disciples to mockery and ridicule from the inner palace. The top thirty Xie Yunbais gaze lowered slightly. He was currently the recognized number one among the outer palace, at the third stage of the Linghai Realm, and one of the few outer palace disciples who had comprehended martial force. While his junior brothers had great confidence in him, Xie Yunbai knew all too well the strength of the inner palace geniuses. Not long ago, even the disciple ranked thirty-fifth in the inner palace had managed to defeat him. How could he hope to challenge those ranked even higher? Though his sword force had made a breakthrough, Xie Yunbai did not have absolute confidence in entering the top thirty. Suddenly, in the distance, a beam of light shot into the sky, blossoming like fireworks before vanishing. A rainbow of light! one of the junior brothers exclaimed in surprise. This phenomenon signaled the appearance of a high-grade spiritual herb in the area! Senior Brother, this might be your opportunity! the other junior brother said excitedly. They had initially come to the back mountain to hunt specific beasts and practice their techniques, but now they had unexpectedly encountered this rare sight. Lets hope for good fortune, Xie Yunbai smiled, a flicker of anticipation in his eyes. If this was indeed a spiritual herb that could aid his cultivation, it would allow him to further strengthen himself before the grand ceremony. With that thought, the three swiftly headed toward the source of the light. At the ancient pool, the forest had long disappeared. The surroundings were desolate, with only broken ancient trees scattered aroundalong with a mass of beast corpses! The thick scent of blood had stained the soil beneath them red. When Xie Yunbai and his companions arrived, they were stunned, their eyes filled with shock. What happened here? one junior brother gulped, instinctively taking a step back. He was only at the seventh stage of the True Aperture Realm, yet the beasts before him were all at least level two, with some even reaching level three! However, they all lay dead on the ground, lifeless. Senior Brother, look! the other junior brother suddenly pointed ahead. In the middle of the ancient pool stood a white lotus, swaying gently, emitting a potent medicinal fragrance. The petals trembled as if on the verge of full bloom. The Tianshui Yuan Lotus! Its the Tianshui Yuan Lotus! the junior brother exclaimed with joy. Xie Yunbais heart raced, his breathing growing rapid. Outer palace disciples, born into humble families, lacked the abundant resources of noble houses. Much of their cultivation relied on themselves. This Tianshui Yuan Lotus was equivalent to nearly a years worth of cultivation resources for Xie Yunbai! Wait! Xie Yunbais eyes narrowed as he noticed someone near the edge of the pool. It seems theres someone by the pool. Sarch* The ovlFire .net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. Upon hearing this, Xie Yunbai shifted his gaze and his eyes widened. He had been too distracted by the beast corpses and the lotus to notice the figure standing by the pool. It was a tall figure, dressed in outer palace disciple robes, though they were now stained with blood. The wind gently blew, lifting his black hair, revealing only his back. Despite seeing just his silhouette, Xie Yunbai inexplicably felt a wave of pressure. Senior Brother Xie, did this person kill all those beasts? the junior brother asked, his voice tinged with fear. Most likely, Xie Yunbai nodded, though his expression remained calm. While the number of beasts was considerable, and even included some level three creatures, Xie Yunbai believed he could have done the same. The Tianshui Yuan Lotus was far too valuable for him to simply give up. After all, when it came to treasures from the heavens, it was the capable who claimed them. Yet something puzzled himsince when did the outer palace have someone this strong? Even the most prominent outer palace disciples should not have been able to single-handedly kill this many beasts. Junior Brother, what is your name? Xie Yunbai asked. As a disciple at the third stage of the Linghai Realm, addressing this individualwho was only at the first stageas a junior brother was entirely appropriate. The figure remained silent, still standing there with his back to them, hands clasped behind him. How dare you! One of the junior brothers, feeling slighted, took a step forward to defend Xie Yunbais honor. But in that instant, the figure stirred. He turned slightly, casting a single glance at the three of them, his expression indifferent. Boom! It was an indescribable gazewithin it seemed to be countless blades of light, like an endless river of sword energy, terrifying and domineering, sharp and ruthless! Even a stray ripple from this river would be enough to shred them apart. The two junior brothers collapsed to the ground in fear. Xie Yunbai instinctively sensed danger and tried to summon his sword force, but what normally came to him so easily was now entirely out of his control. The sword force retreated deep into his body! This Xie Yunbais pupils constricted as he gasped. As the current top disciple of the outer palace and a prodigy at the Linghai Realm, he knew all too well what this meantMartial Suppression! When there was a gap of three levels or more in martial force mastery, one would be temporarily suppressed when confronting a superior opponent. Xie Yunbais sword force had reached 30%, which meant this persons blade force was at least 60%! But how was this possible? A 60% martial force was exceedingly rare even in the inner palace, with only a handful of disciples able to achieve it. How could an outer palace disciple possess such mastery? Chapter 46 Chapter 46: Mature! This junior brother, please forgive us; well be leaving right away! Xie Yunbai suddenly came to his senses. He quickly cupped his hands in apology, then grabbed his two junior brothers and turned to flee! They didnt stop until they had crossed over a dozen majestic peaks. Panting heavily, they leaned against a nearby tree, gradually sliding down until they sat on the muddy ground. Senior brother, that guy is terrifying! Just a single glance made me not even want to think about fighting back. Yeah, I felt like I was about to burst apart! The two junior brothers were still shaken, filled with lingering fear. They had never before encountered such a horrifying gaze. Senior brother, youre not his match either? The two junior brothers looked at Xie Yunbai, wondering how their senior, the strongest person in the Outer Academy with a three-tenths sword momentum, could feel such fear. Just moments ago, their senior brother seemed to have thought nothing of it, turning to flee with them at breakneck speed. The speed they displayed was something they had never seen before! Hearing their words, Xie Yunbais cheeks flushed slightly. Indeed, he had been stunned. Even his strongest trump card, the sword momentum, had been directly suppressed. How could he have dared to stay there? While this was the academy and the opponent wouldnt use lethal force, he still didnt want to engage in a conflict and risk being injured. After all, the Academy Grand Ceremony was approaching. He had to maintain his condition. Not quite, Xie Yunbai shook his head. The two junior brothers exchanged glances, their expressions filled with disbelief. Their senior brother, the best in the Outer Academy, would so readily admit to being inferior? They hadnt even fought yet. My sword momentum was suppressed. Xie Yunbai spoke plainly, showing no hesitation. Suppressed? The two junior brothers gasped in shock. Those two simple words carried a heavy weight! They recalled their teacher saying that only a difference of over thirty percent in martial momentum could lead to such suppression. Since Xie Yunbai had three-tenths of sword momentum, it meant that guy had Shock appeared in their eyes. Over six-tenths! It seems our Outer Academy is indeed filled with hidden dragons and crouching tigers, with such experts among us! Xie Yunbai rubbed his face and stood up. His expression began to show signs of joy. He didnt care about the title of being the strongest in the Outer Academy; what he truly valued was if there were those stronger than him. Because only those stronger than him had the opportunity to break into the top thirty and shatter the historical records of the Outer Academy, clearing away the previous disgrace! This time at the Academy Grand Ceremony, its certain we can achieve something! Xie Yunbai raised his head slightly, clenching his fists. Seeing this, the two junior brothers also reacted, their gazes filled with excitement. Thats right. With six-tenths of blade momentum, there was no doubt they could reach the top ten, let alone the top thirty! By the ancient pool, Sear?h the N?velFire.nt website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. Luo Mu withdrew his gaze. He had just gained some insight, falling into contemplation. Of course, he didnt let his guard down completely. So when someone approached, he sensed it immediately. I didnt expect to encounter someone with martial momentum. Luo Mus gaze shifted slightly. Moreover, this person had a solid grasp, boasting three-tenths. However, in the face of Luo Mus eight-tenthsno, now it was nine-tenths of blade momentumit was still insufficient. He could directly suppress this person within two or three breaths. During the eight days he waited for the Heavenly Water Primordial Lotus to mature, every day, demonic beasts had been attracted to the area. He didnt waste this opportunity and began training in the techniques from the . These techniques were incredibly refined, containing the essence of blade techniques. Once fully mastered, they would greatly enhance his blade momentum. As a result, after much effort and critical hits, his blade momentum naturally rose to nine-tenths! This person must be among the top tier in the Outer Academy, Luo Mu thought. Though he usually immersed himself in cultivation and wasnt clear about the specifics of the Outer Academy, he had a general understanding. Those who could comprehend martial momentum in the Outer Academy were probably just three or four, or even fewer. And three-tenths? He was likely the strongest among them. Whew~ A gust of wind blew by, causing the Heavenly Water Primordial Lotus in the ancient pool to tremble. Luo Mu snapped back to attention, his focus shifting to the Heavenly Water Primordial Lotus. Cultivating in the Spirit Sea realm mainly involved absorbing the vital energies of heaven and earth to enhance the quality of true qi. Thus, a treasure like the Heavenly Water Primordial Lotus, which contained the essence of vital energy, offered an excellent cultivation effect. Its almost mature. Luo Mus eyes were fixated. He had already waited for eight days and had no idea how many demonic beasts he had killed; both of his storage rings were nearly filled with materials. All for the sake of this Heavenly Water Primordial Lotus. After about ten breaths, the Heavenly Water Primordial Lotus finally matured completely, its petals stretching outward to reveal the lotus pod inside. The lotus pod resembled a jade platform, gleaming and radiating light. On top of the lotus pod, there were exactly Nine seeds! Luo Mu was taken aback, then delight spread across his face. Although the Heavenly Water Primordial Lotus could produce a maximum of nine seeds, the probability was extremely low; usually, it yielded six or seven. Eight was already quite rare. Luo Mu didnt expect this Heavenly Water Primordial Lotus to produce a full nine seeds. His luck was truly exceptional! Without further thought, Luo Mu took out a jade box and quickly harvested the lotus seeds, placing them inside for safekeeping. Once the Heavenly Water Primordial Lotus matured, the seeds had to be harvested immediately; otherwise, over time, the seeds would gradually dissipate, reverting back into vital energy to return to the world. Nine seeds should be enough to carry me through the Spirit Sea realms cultivation journey. As long as the critical hit multiplier is high enough. Luo Mu stored the jade box away, his eyes shining brightly. Consuming one lotus seed, even with a tenfold critical hit, would be equivalent to using ten seeds! With nine seeds, that was equivalent to ninety seeds! Even with his average aptitude and low absorption rate, he could make up for it with sheer quantity! Its time to head back. Luo Mu turned around. There were four days left until the Academy Grand Ceremony. He would stay at the academy during these four days, continuing his cultivation while adjusting his state. Chapter 47 Chapter 47: The Ninth Prince and Blood Brave Marquis As the time approached, the Chang Le Academy became increasingly lively. The academy ceremony was not just a grand event for the academy but also attracted the attention of the entire Chang Le Seven Prefectures. Many noble families, including princes and aristocrats, had already arrived at the academy to prepare for the ceremony. However, unlike previous years, this time, a true big shot had come! Have you heard? A member of the royal family is coming to this ceremony! Of course Ive heard! And its not just any royal, but the Ninth Prince of the current emperor! Wow! The Ninth Prince! Shockwaves rippled through the academy. The Ninth Prince, being the emperors ninth son, was obviously of extraordinary status. Chang Le Academy, being the least among the seven great academies and located in the extreme south of the empire, far from the imperial capital, usually had no royal family willing to visit. But this time, not only was there royal presence, but it was also the Ninth Prince! I must perform well! I hope to catch the Ninth Princes attention! Dream on! In our academy, probably only the top-ranking students have the chance to be noticed by the Ninth Prince. The harsh reality silenced many. If one could enter the service of the Ninth Prince, their future would be unimaginably bright! Nobility and resources would come easily. Forget about the Ninth Prince; there are other nobles to consider, especially the Blood Brave Marquis. Serving under him wouldnt be any less favorable than serving the Ninth Prince! Exactly! The name of the Blood Brave Marquis is well-known not just in our Chang Le Seven Prefectures but also resonates loudly in the imperial capital, having been summoned by the current emperor before. Inside the inner palace. Father! The voice brimmed with surprise. Cheng Qingman pushed open the door and saw a familiar figure. Standing nearly ten feet tall, he had a robust build and a square face with thick eyebrows and large eyes. A gruesome scar ran from his right temple to his left jaw. Although his cultivation was concealed, he still emanated a terrifying aura, akin to an ancient ferocious beast that had merely retracted its claws and fangs, but once unleashed, it would surely make the heavens change color. Maner. Cheng Tiancang smiled slightly. I thought you would only arrive on the day of the ceremony. Cheng Qingman approached excitedly. With my dear daughter participating in this ceremony, I naturally had to come early! Otherwise, if I were late, Id surely be nagged for a lifetime! Cheng Tiancang laughed. Good for you to understand! Cheng Qingman raised her chin slightly. By the way, I heard from Uncle Gong that you have befriended a prodigy from the outer palace who comprehended the martial arts trend at the True Aperture Realm. Cheng Tiancang continued. Yeah! Sar?h the N?velFire(.)net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. Mentioning Luo Mu, Cheng Qingman immediately nodded, His name is Luo Mu; his talent is terrifyingly exceptional! Its rare for me to truly admire someone. Hes the only one. I didnt expect that even among the outer palace disciples, such a person could emerge. Cheng Tiancang said slowly. Comprehending the martial arts trend at the True Aperture Realm was astounding. If it were a bloodline user, it might be understandable due to the inheritance of ancestral powers. But for commoners, it was a bit exaggerated. Even during his youth, he could barely comprehend it at the Spirit Sea Realm. Look Cheng Qingman gazed at Cheng Tiancang with some anticipation. Cheng Tiancang smiled gently. He knew very well what Cheng Qingman was thinking. She merely wanted to help elevate him and bring him under her wing. Do you think someone like him needs my assistance? Cheng Tiancang shook his head. A talent like him will shine on its own. Just like this times academy ceremony, look at how many big shots are coming, even the current Ninth Prince. If he performs well, hell have his own path to greatness. My point is for you to meet him early. Dont you need people under you? Cheng Qingman said. What I need is manpower, while the Luo Mu you mentioned is a potential dragon. Once he emerges from the depths, he will surely soar for miles and wont remain with me for long. Cheng Tiancang patted Cheng Qingmans shoulder. Upon hearing this, Cheng Qingman opened her mouth but couldnt find the words. It seemed that this logic was sound. Luo Mus talent was too extraordinary, and his cultivation speed was terrifying. Perhaps years from now, he might even catch up to her father. You did well by befriending such a prodigy ahead of time; it will benefit our Cheng family immensely. Cheng Tiancang smiled. Hey! Cheng Qingman didnt think too much and a smile blossomed on her beautiful face. By the way, I heard that the Ninth Prince is also here. I didnt expect that such a noble royal family would come to our Chang Le Seven Prefectures. Because that person is close to death. Cheng Tiancang said casually and directly. Upon hearing this, Cheng Qingmans pupils constricted. With her keen insight, how could she not understand the meaning behind these words? She quickly realized why the esteemed Ninth Prince would come to Chang Le Seven Prefectures. It turns out it was For a moment, Cheng Qingman sensed the winds of change approaching. In a world of great contention, such things are inevitable. Cheng Tiancang turned to look at the sky, where the clouds were bright red, as if ablaze. Chapter 48 Chapter 48: The Ceremony Begins! Dong! The ancient bell tolled deep within the academy, its sound rippling outwards like waves, resonating far and wide. This was the Dao Bell. It was not an ordinary morning bell; it only rang when important matters occurred. And today marked the beginning of the Academy Grand Ceremony. Bang bang bang! Doors were pushed open one after another. Excited disciples of the academy poured out, each one brimming with energy, ready to present their best selves. For the vast majority of the academys disciples, the ceremony was a pivotal turning point in their fate. As long as they performed excellently, they would be noticed and subsequently receive focused training, ushering in a brand new life! Dong! The Dao Bell continued to ring, its sound deafening. Everyone began to make their way toward the grand plaza in the inner academy. In a room, Luo Mu slowly opened his eyes. He exhaled a breath of impure air, a smile spreading across his face. As expected of the Heavenly Water Primordial Lotus; in just four days of cultivation, he had surged to the third stage of the Spirit Sea realm. His strength had increased considerably. Is it starting? Luo Mu rose, washed up briefly, and donned a black robe. In the bronze mirror, a handsome and resolute youth appeared. Not bad. Luo Mu nodded in satisfaction before turning to leave the room. Outside, the sunlight was bright and dazzling, casting golden rays on the path before the door, resembling a road of gold. In the inner academy plaza, the area had been significantly expanded due to the formations enhancement. It was now large enough to accommodate over ten groups of disciples battling simultaneously. Tall platforms surrounded the plaza, specifically prepared for distinguished guests. Below were thousands of spectator seats. Representatives from the seven counties of Chang Le would sit here. At this moment, while not every seat was filled, it was almost there. Even with the sound-dampening formation, the atmosphere was still somewhat boisterous. Master Chen, I heard your son recently ranked seventy-seventh on the Hidden Dragon List; congratulations! Elder Li, you flatter me. Seventy-seventh is hardly worth mentioning. I heard this time, not only is there a royal presence, but its also the current Ninth Prince. When did royal nobility start visiting our remote area? Lets not belittle ourselves. Although the seven counties of Chang Le are far from the imperial capital, our strength is not to be underestimated. We deserve the attention of the royals, especially the bloodline valiant Marquis, Cheng Tiancang! Upon mentioning Cheng Tiancang, many peoples eyes gleamed with admiration. Hailing from humble beginnings, yet rising to such heights was indeed extraordinary. As they conversed, more and more disciples arrived at the inner academy plaza, each one visibly awed by the grand spectacle. Such a large event was truly rare. In the spectator seats, there were representatives from various noble families and even those in power. On those high platforms, the presence was even more significant. Each platform represented a noble house! Isnt that the Wang of Anshan from Fengdu County? Someone pointed out. The Wang of Anshan was the oldest royal family in Fengdu County, and their title was hereditary, with no restrictions attached. Even if the descendants were incapable, they could still inherit the title and enjoy endless glory. However, the Wang of Anshan, the Li family, had always been low-key and rarely appeared in public. They only sent representatives to events as grand as the Academy Grand Ceremony. Wang Fugong, Han Lin Wang Li Yang Hou, Zhong Dan Hou, Wu Yang Hou People gazed around, taking in the sight with bated breath. They hadnt expected that there would be so many noble families in the seven counties of Chang Le. However, the Great Zhou Dynasty had stood for over a hundred thousand years, so this number wasnt particularly large. It was said that surrounding the imperial capital, one could find noble families at every turn. They must be representatives from various noble families. Or perhaps the family heads. The term family head sounded like it conferred great power, but in reality, they were merely responsible for handling daily affairs within their families. The true core members rarely wasted time on such trivial matters. Thus, one couldnt feel particularly formidable energy from these individuals. They even seemed somewhat bland. Look! Li Jianyi is here! Someone suddenly exclaimed with excitement. Not far away, a figure approached, carrying a long sword on his back, his gaze calm. He had long, brown hair, and his eyes were also brown, quite distinct from ordinary individuals. Li Jianyi. Currently ranked first among the inner academys prodigies. Half a year ago, he had no rivals left. He chose to enter seclusion afterward. No one knew how strong he was now. As he walked, disciples continually stepped aside, allowing him to stand at the center of the plaza. Li Jianyis expression was indifferent, showing no interest in glancing at the people around him. Half a year ago, he had already been invincible within the inner academy, focusing solely on refining his sword momentum until today. As if sensing something, Li Jianyi looked towards a high platform. That was in the direction of the Wang of Anshan. A rare smile appeared on his face. He sensed his fathers presence. This time, he was determined to defeat everyone once again! To honor his fathers lineage! Li Jianyi, long time no see. A voice called out from behind him. Sear?h the Novel?ire(.)ne*t website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. A young man dressed in green approached, also carrying a sword on his back, arms crossed. He was chewing on a blade of grass. Li Jianyi did not respond, seemingly uninterested in anyone. The young man was unbothered, as if he had already grown accustomed to it. Be careful; Ive made significant progress. If youre careless, you might truly lose to me. Huang Yuntian said softly. He was currently ranked second in the inner academy. Li Jianyi still didnt reply, which left Huang Yuntian feeling somewhat helpless. Though he was already used to it, being repeatedly ignored still left him somewhat displeased. Have you heard? There seems to be an even more monstrous genius in the Outer Academy, who has comprehended martial momentum at the True Aperture realm! Huang Yuntians eyes gleamed with curiosity. Hearing this, Li Jianyis eyes widened instantly, his brows furrowing slightly. He had been in seclusion and hadnt heard about this. He could be considered one of the most outstanding disciples since the academys establishment. Having just stepped into the Spirit Sea realm, he had comprehended sword momentum. But at the True Aperture realm? That was something he hadnt achieved either. Seeing this, Huang Yuntians lips curled into a smile. He knew this piece of news would surely stir Li Jianyis heart. But you dont have to worry. Its just that he comprehended it early. Hes probably still lingering in the True Aperture realm. Even if he reaches the Spirit Sea realm, his understanding of martial momentum cant possibly compare to ours. Huang Yuntian chuckled. Chapter 49 Chapter 49: That Blade in Xunyang City, He Cant Forget Now, his sword momentum had reached the six-tenths realm. If that disciple dared to appear before him, he would probably be unable to use his blade momentum and would be directly suppressed! As for Li Jianyi, he had already possessed six-tenths of sword momentum half a year ago. No one knew how high he had reached by now. The most critical point was that the Wang of Anshan was no ordinary noble family; they were aristocrats! Born with a noble bloodline, they could inherit and utilize the powers of their ancestors. Although he had just claimed he could defeat Li Jianyi, it was merely bravado. The number of disciples in the plaza continued to increase, and the same went for the high platforms. Representatives from numerous noble families had arrived, and the high-ranking officials of the academy were taking their seats one by one. Wang Sanjiu, are you ready for the grand ceremony? Is the Outer Academys top hundred down to single digits? A middle-aged man in a white robe said with a smile, glancing toward the high platform not far away. That was where the elders of the Outer Academy were seated. Zhang Xuan, speaking so soon; be careful not to get slapped in the face. Wang Sanjiu snorted coldly. If Luo Mu were here, he would certainly recognize him as the elder from the Cangwu Tower. S~ea??h the Novl?ire.n(e)t website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. Shall we place a bet? Zhang Xuan proposed. A bet on what? Wang Sanjiu was unyielding. This is a fourth-grade spiritual herb, Xuanwang Ginseng. Zhang Xuan took out a jade box and placed it on the table. Just a fourth-grade herb; I have plenty. Wang Sanjiu took out one as well. A fourth-grade spiritual herbZang Linghua. Upon hearing this, Zhang Xuans eyes brightened. The technique he was currently cultivating required a Zang Linghua. It seems I might have a pleasant surprise during this ceremony, Zhang Xuan said leisurely, implying that he was confident in securing this spiritual herb. Hmph. Wang Sanjiu replied coldly. During this time, he had naturally heard the news about Luo Mu. He hadnt expected that the young man he had only met twice would grow to such heights! Having comprehended martial momentum at the True Aperture realm was indeed astonishing. Even within the inner academy, there was no one who could surpass him! It was just a pity that Luo Mus time for growth was still too limited. He was probably still lingering in the True Aperture realm. Even if he barely made it to the Spirit Sea realm, he wouldnt be able to compete with those who had entered the Spirit Sea early in the inner academy! Nonetheless, he was sure that a spot in the top hundred was guaranteed! Suddenly, the earth trembled. A beam of light, like a divine bridge, extended from deep within the academy. It fell upon the largest high platform in the plaza. As the light dissipated, several figures appeared on the platform. It was none other than the Grand Elder of the academy. The higher-ups in the academy were often elusive, rarely seen or encountered. Only during such grand events would they make an appearance. Behind the Grand Elder, there was also a young man clad in a python robe, handsome and exuding nobility. His skin was as white as snow. If it werent for the obvious Adams apple, one might mistake him for a girl. Greetings, Grand Elder! Everyone in the academy immediately stood up, bowing in respect. This included representatives from noble families and the disciples below. The sound reverberated through the plaza like a wave. The Grand Elder was the second most powerful martial artist in the academy, right after the Palace Master. Few knew the specifics of his cultivation level. Everyone, please be seated. The Grand Elder had a kindly demeanor, with a gentle expression. His long white beard nearly brushed the ground. The Palace Master is in deep meditation and is currently cultivating in the outer world, so I will preside over this ceremony. The Grand Elder surveyed the crowd, and those who made eye contact instinctively lowered their heads. It was a feeling of pressure that couldnt be described in words. It felt as though making eye contact for even a second could shatter ones spirit into nothingness! Luo Mu felt similarly. Luo Mu was shaken internally. It definitely wasnt just that. It must be the Earth-Opening realm, or even beyond it! Additionally, this is His Highness, the Ninth Prince, who has come from the imperial capital. The Grand Elder introduced. The Ninth Prince stepped forward, appearing in everyones view. The Ninth Prince! Many people became excited. Royalty. How many people would go a lifetime without seeing someone from the royal family, let alone a prince of such stature! Some female disciples immediately showed infatuation, wishing they could offer themselves in marriage and bear children. Greetings, Your Highness the Ninth Prince. The uproar began again. Everyone, please be seated. I have heard that Chang Le is filled with many skilled warriors. Now that I see, it is indeed true. With all of you here, the southern border will be stable for many years to come. The Ninth Prince smiled slightly. His words instantly brought smiles to everyones faces, especially those from noble families. While words might not always ring true, pleasant talk is always appreciated. Luo Mu was momentarily stunned. Feeling a sense of familiarity, he quickly remembered. It was the young man he had locked eyes with in Xunyang City. At that time, he had felt an extraordinary aura from him. He never expected that he was actually the Ninth Prince. Its about time; let the ceremony begin. The Grand Elder looked up, not selecting a specific moment, and waved his hand. As his voice fell, the atmosphere suddenly became heated. Both the noble families and the disciples were eager and ready to go. This grand ceremony was unlike any before. Previously, those who ranked at the top only received the academys generous rewards or entered military service, starting as a school lieutenant! A school lieutenant was a rank just below that of a general. It was already very high. But if one could serve under the Ninth Prince, then their future would certainly be more than just a school lieutenant or a general. Titles of marquis or even king were not impossible! In a dynasty that had stood for nearly a hundred thousand years, all sorts of resources had long been monopolized. Ordinary people wanting to rise had to seize opportunities. On the high platform, the Ninth Princes gaze wandered. Are you looking for someone, Your Highness? The Grand Elder glanced at him. Just looking around, the Ninth Prince smiled. Unfortunately, there were too many disciples below, and he couldnt find the person he had been thinking about for so long. Thats Li Jianyi from the Wang of Anshan. In terms of both aptitude and talent, he stands at the top. He is currently the number one disciple in our Chang Le Academy. The Grand Elder remarked. Mm. The Ninth Prince nodded. But he merely glanced casually. Li Jianyis talent and strength were indeed commendable, but