My martial arts have no bottlenecks.

Chapter 133 Mysterious Spirit Realm

Inside the stone house in the Mysterious Spirit Realm.

Liang Cheng sat cross-legged on the futon.

The Hunyuan Gang Body-Mind Technique circulated, illuminating all 108 acupoints, greedily absorbing the dense spiritual mist in the room.

Pale golden energy flowed and washed through the meridians and skin, tempering every inch of flesh and bone.

As spiritual energy flowed through his body and his vital energy refined his acupoints, his mind became calm and his vital energy surged and swelled. A pale golden light protected his body, making him appear increasingly restrained and profound.

He was even more adept at cultivating the Broken Wave Technique.

The almost liquid spiritual energy in the secret realm flowed into his meridians on its own without him having to exert any effort to guide it.

The third level of the Broken Wave Technique operates efficiently, rapidly transforming this pure energy into surging water-elemental true essence. The true essence within the body surges and grows stronger like a tide, with the sound of waves faintly heard as it circulates.

Only when his mind and spirit felt exhausted and the speed of his true energy circulation began to decrease did he slow down the circulation of his cultivation technique to nourish himself.

After that, Liang Cheng didn't waste any more time.

He drew his Strike Blade and honed it through repeated, tedious practice, ignoring the soreness and numbness in his arms. He tried to understand the subtle differences in the transmission of power and find the perfect fit between the blade and his body.

After sunset, take a short rest and take a fasting pill to conserve energy.

Then he resumed his cultivation.

The next day, the cycle repeated itself.

Day 10 —

Day 20 —

Time slips away in an extremely monotonous cycle.

However, Liang Cheng himself has made steady progress, accumulating experience step by step.

Under the daily erosion of spiritual energy and internal energy, the light golden internal energy in the acupoints of the Hunyuan Gang Body gradually transforms into dark gold.

Under such a high concentration of spiritual energy during cultivation, the acupoints of the body gradually break through new ones, slowly merging and circulating throughout the body.

The effects of practicing the Broken Wave Technique are even more pronounced.

In such a rich spiritual environment, the total amount and purity of true essence increased rapidly, and its circulation became smooth and free. The rhythm of the ebb and flow became more and more obvious and vast, and the control of true essence became as easy as using one's own limbs.

Through countless refinements, the sword's techniques have become less and less tangible, its strikes more concise and direct, each strike imbued with an even stronger will to sever.

On the thirtieth day, the final training session was completed.

Liang Cheng slowly opened his eyes, a glint of light flashing in them.

He stood up, feeling the vast true energy surging within his body, and the solid, restrained protective aura beneath his skin.

With a thought, a dark golden protective aura instantly appeared, its inner radiance profound and as solid as a mountain.

He casually flicked a finger at the protective barrier, causing only minor ripples, demonstrating its exceptional defense.

Then he drew his sword and casually slashed forward.

"laugh--!"

A condensed, pale golden blade of light flew out from the blade, and a hard blue stone several feet away split open, its cut surface as smooth as a mirror.

[Primordial Body: Great Completion (7656/20000)]

[The Third Level of the Broken Wave Technique: Mastery (8652/30000)]

[Severing Mountain Blade: Minor Completion (1654/12000)]

After a month of intensive training, focusing intently on solidifying his foundation in all aspects, his strength underwent another qualitative change, while his progress with the Broken Mountain Blade was steady and moderate.

However, the Duanlang Technique and Hunyuan Gang Body made rapid progress, but unfortunately, they only lasted for a month before the repulsive force of the secret realm arrived.

Liang Cheng sheathed his sword, took one last look at the Spirit Mist Valley, his eyes calm and resolute, and then turned and stepped into the light curtain.

After coming out, he bowed to the elderly steward, but the man didn't even look up. Liang Cheng then turned and left.

Then the old man opened his eyes, a hint of confusion in them.

Such a dramatic change in January?

Even though the spiritual energy in the secret realm is abundant and the cultivation effect is outstanding, it is the first time I have seen such obvious progress after guarding the secret realm for thirty years.

However, he quickly calmed himself down and closed his eyes.

He's a disciple of the main academy after all, so who cares?

After leaving the secret realm behind the mountain, Liang Cheng did not linger and went straight to the Hall of Transmission.

Chen Xuanfeng was brewing tea in the courtyard when he saw Liang Cheng enter. His gaze lingered on Liang Cheng for a moment, then a hint of barely perceptible approval appeared on his face.

"good."

Chen Xuanfeng gestured for him to sit down and poured him a cup of spiritual tea, pushing it towards him.

-

"After a month of arduous training in the secret realm, your body has become solid and your true essence has become as deep and turbulent as the tide. The speed of your progress is no less than that of your senior brother back then, given the thickness of your foundation. You can already start making some preparations for breaking through to the True Qi Realm."

Liang Cheng accepted the tea and said respectfully, "Disciple understands. I have indeed felt my true essence filling up during my recent cultivation. However, haste makes waste, and cultivation requires time to come."

Hearing this, Chen Xuanfeng became even more satisfied.

"It's good that you have this mindset."

"By the way, next month is the end of the year. According to the tradition of the main academy, disciples may return to their hometowns to visit relatives around the end of the year. Do you plan to stay at the main academy for secluded cultivation, or go home to visit your family?"

Just then, Ye Zhi Qiu walked in from outside and said with a smile, "Junior brother, why don't you come back to Bibo City with me? City Lord Zhou has mentioned it several times, and the Ye family will definitely welcome you with open arms."

Liang Cheng pondered for a moment, then shook his head.

"Thank you for your kind offer, Senior Brother. This is my first year at the main academy, and I would like to return to Linwu City on Zhongyuan Island to spend the New Year with my mother."

Chen Xuanfeng nodded: "That's fine. Filial piety is commendable. Besides, martial arts also requires a balance of relaxation and exercise. Going back for a visit would be good."

"Just remember that the spiritual energy in the secret realm is too dense. If your cultivation advances too quickly in a short period of time, your foundation may become unstable. You must concentrate on consolidating your strength in the next few days and avoid being greedy for quick results."

He was unaware that Liang Cheng possessed the destiny of a mayfly, and had already laid a perfect foundation for his path, progressing step by step until success came naturally. Therefore, he offered his advice.

"Your disciple will remember your teachings."

Liang Cheng agreed, but he knew his own situation. What he had gained in the secret realm had been thoroughly solidified by his destiny, and there was no worry about it being superficial. However, he would not say it out loud.

After taking his leave from the Chuan Gong Hall, Liang Cheng did not return to his residence, but went directly to the Foreign Affairs Hall.

He is now at the top of the list of heroes, with a generous monthly allowance, and his contribution points, accumulated over time, are quite considerable.

His eyes locked onto one item in the redemption list.

Condensing Qi Pill.

This elixir possesses pure and potent medicinal power, making it an essential resource for those attempting to break through to the True Qi Realm. Consequently, its price is extremely high, priced at 30,000 contribution points.

Without the slightest hesitation, Liang Cheng immediately exchanged the currency.

Previously, the Condensing Qi Pill he obtained from Fu Chenzhou, under the dual effects of the Mayfly Destiny and the fragment of "True Meaning of Crossing the Sea," was more like a potent tonic for him, greatly accelerating his cultivation progress.

Combined with the lingering spiritual energy from the secret realm that hasn't completely dissipated within the body, the effect should be even better.

After exchanging for the Condensing Qi Pill, he immediately returned to his secluded courtyard and entered the quiet room.

Liang Cheng swallowed the Condensing Qi Pill. The pill melted instantly upon entering his mouth, transforming into a powerful and violent energy that surged throughout his body.

The Broken Wave Technique within the body accelerated its operation on its own. Guided by the incomplete True Meaning of Crossing the Sea, this medicinal power merged with the remaining pure spiritual energy within the body, jointly promoting the growth of true essence.

He was so immersed in this steady improvement that he lost himself in the moment.

However, news of his exchange for the Condensing Qi Pill at the Foreign Affairs Hall spread like wildfire.

"Have you heard? Senior Brother Liang Cheng just came out of the Profound Spirit Secret Realm and went to the External Affairs Hall to exchange for a Qi Condensation Pill!"

"A Qi Condensation Pill?! Isn't that only used for breaking through to the True Qi Realm? Is he going to break through to the True Qi Realm so soon?"

"After a month of training in the secret realm, I'm afraid I've truly touched the threshold, but this speed is too fast!"

"The top-ranked member of the Heroes List is indeed extraordinary!"

The news spread quickly, attracting much discussion and attention.

Some were envious, some were amazed, and there were also some sour doubts.

This news naturally reached Chen Xuanfeng's ears as well.

He was handling the affairs of the Chuan Gong Hall when he heard this, and his hand holding the scroll paused slightly, his brows furrowing.

"Exchange for Qi Condensation Pills?"

He put down his book, a hint of worry flashing in his eyes. "Too hasty!"

In his view, Liang Cheng was indeed exceptionally talented, but he was still young. After a month of cultivation in the secret realm, his cultivation had greatly increased, and it was time for him to spend time consolidating his foundation.

Exchanging for the Condensing Qi Pill at this moment clearly indicates an intention to strike while the iron is hot and break through to the True Qi Realm in one fell swoop.

This is certainly a spirit of enterprise, but it also carries the risk of being too hasty and failing to achieve the desired results.

"He's still a young man at heart, unable to bear loneliness."

Chen Xuanfeng sighed inwardly, but in the path of martial arts, some stumbles can only be known by experiencing them firsthand.

He only hoped that Liang Cheng would back down when faced with difficulties, and not force his way through, so as not to damage the foundation.

Three days passed in the blink of an eye.

Just as the outside world was speculating whether Liang Cheng could successfully take that crucial step, the door to the quiet room opened.

Liang Cheng came out.

His aura was calm and his eyes were clear. There were no energy fluctuations from a violent breakthrough, nor did he show any signs of weakness or injury. He seemed to be no different from when he entered the meditation room three days ago.

Almost the instant he emerged from seclusion, Chen Xuanfeng appeared in courtyard number 42 in a flash.

His gaze was like lightning, quickly sweeping over Liang Cheng's entire body to sense his aura.

Ok.

Still at the True Essence Realm.

Chen Xuanfeng secretly breathed a sigh of relief, but then a complex emotion arose within him.

He breathed a sigh of relief because Liang Cheng obviously did not force his way through the barrier. That complex feeling, perhaps a little regretful, was that Liang Cheng had not successfully broken through to the True Qi Realm.

He walked up to Liang Cheng, patted him on the shoulder, and spoke gently, but with a hint of admonition.

"The Realm of True Qi cannot be rushed. You have a solid foundation and boundless potential, and you will surely be able to reach this realm. Right now, you should focus on consolidating your strength and not be so impatient."

Liang Cheng was slightly taken aback, then realized that his master had misunderstood.

Unable to explain, he could only bow and say, "Disciple understands, thank you for your guidance, Master."

Chen Xuanfeng nodded, gave a few more instructions, and then left.

However, the news that Liang Cheng had "failed to break through to the True Qi realm after three days of seclusion" spread like wildfire among the disciples.

"It failed again as expected—"

"How easy is it to break through to the True Qi Realm? How old is he? Trying to break through to the late True Yuan Realm is a bit too presumptuous."

"Cultivation in the secret realm is indeed fast, but it's all for nothing if your foundation is unstable. Elder Chen must have warned him about this long ago."

"Alright, let's curb his arrogance and prevent him from thinking that he can really rise to the top overnight just because he got a chance in a secret realm."

Yunhai City, the secret chamber of Jubaoxuan.

Qian Wanjin held a newly received communication jade talisman in his hand. His fat face first showed astonishment, then his lips twitched upwards uncontrollably, and finally he burst into a hearty laugh.

"Hahaha—hahaha! We failed! We actually failed!"

He stood up and paced back and forth in the thickly carpeted room, his eyes sparkling with excitement and a sense of relief.

"Liang Cheng, oh Liang Cheng, you are still too young and too impatient!"

-

He muttered to himself, as if trying to convince himself, "A month of cultivation in the secret realm, and you think you can just break through to the True Qi realm? Do you really think you're some once-in-a-millennium genius? Now look what's happened, the attempt failed, and I'll definitely suffer a backlash; the internal injuries will probably be quite severe!"

He walked to the window, looked down at the bustling street scene of Cloudsea City through the one-way crystal glass, and his eyes gradually turned cold.

After the sea monster tide, although Yun Yizhou, the head of the main building, did not say it to me openly, his words revealed indifference and estrangement during our several meetings.

"Since you've taken charge of this matter, you must handle it properly. You know the rules of Jubao Pavilion."

Every word was like a needle, piercing his heart.

He knew that the original poster's meaning was crystal clear.

Liang Cheng's matter was caused by Qian Wanjin, and he must resolve it himself.

If another mishap occurs, dragging Jubaoxuan down with it, the first one to be thrown out to take the blame will be Qian Wanjin.

During this period, he felt extremely uneasy.

News from Bibo City indicates that Liang Cheng not only survived, but also performed exceptionally well during the beast tide, joining forces with Ye Zhi Qiu to slay a fifth-tier ferocious beast!

Although it was a collaboration with others, their strength and speed of growth were enough to make him tremble with fear.

Then came the unsolved case of Fu Chenzhou's mysterious disappearance in Qinglan City.

Others might have guessed why, but Qian Wanjin almost immediately connected it to Liang Cheng.

This boy is vengeful and acts decisively and ruthlessly. Fu Chenzhou ambushed and killed him back then, how could he let it go?

The way he disappeared so cleanly and efficiently, leaving no trace, is very much like Liang Cheng's style!

"If this child is not eliminated, he will surely become a great threat!"

Liang Cheng's progress was so rapid that it frightened him.

He must eliminate them as soon as possible before they become too powerful.

Previously, he had been struggling to find a suitable opportunity. Liang Cheng was either at the main hospital or had people like Ye Zhi Qiu or Chen Xuan Feng around him, so he had no way to make a move.

Until he learned that Liang Chengnian was planning to return to his hometown to visit relatives!

The sea route from Linwu City on Zhongyuan Island to Yunhai City on Canglan Island is long and traverses complex and dangerous waters.

This is undoubtedly a golden opportunity.

But he was still hesitant.

Liang Cheng's strength is unknown, and if the assassination fails, the consequences will be unimaginable.

Now, the news of his failure to break through to the True Qi Realm was like the last straw, breaking the balance in his heart and completely solidifying his determination to take action.

"Cultivating in secret realms is inherently prone to instability of foundation. His greed for quick results and reckless advance, forcibly attempting to break through, must have resulted in severe damage to his vital energy and internal organs!"

A cold glint flashed in Qian Wanjin's eyes. "Liang Cheng is currently mentally and physically weakened, making him his most vulnerable moment!"

"On the way home, away from the main hospital, this is a godsend!"

He turned around abruptly, walked back to the table, and spread out a nautical chart.

The finger moved slowly across the surface, eventually stopping at a sea area marked "Anliu Reef Group" between Yunhai City and Zhongyuan Island.

This place is riddled with reefs, has turbulent currents, and is often shrouded in fog. It is a notoriously dangerous spot, but also an excellent location for raiding and ambushes.

"Right here."

Qian Wanjin tapped his fingertip hard, a ruthless look on his face.

"We can't wait any longer; we must strike decisively and eliminate this threat forever!"

He took out a specially made black communication talisman and imprinted the command into it.

"The target appears to be suffering from internal injuries and is returning home for the New Year. We can probe around the reefs in the southeastern channel. Once we confirm that the target is in poor condition, we must act immediately, conceal our movements, leave no survivors, and handle the situation cleanly."

He activated the communication talisman, then slowly sat back in his chair, letting out a long sigh of relief as if a heavy burden had been lifted from his shoulders.

"If you have someone to blame, blame yourself for being too prominent and blocking my way."

Qian Wanjin chuckled coldly, picked up the tea that had long since gone cold from the table, and drank it all in one gulp.

As the year draws to a close, the atmosphere inside the main hospital is filled with a festive mood and anticipation of returning home.

Ye Zhi Qiu knocked on Liang Cheng's courtyard gate and said with a smile, "Junior brother, we're setting off tomorrow. Do you have time to accompany me to Yunhai City today? We should bring back some local specialties from Canglan Island for our elders and friends."

Liang Cheng thought for a moment and realized that he did need to buy some gifts to take back to Linwu City, so he nodded and agreed: "Thank you for leading the way, Senior Brother."

The two left the main hospital and stepped into the bustling city of Yunhai.

The streets were decorated with lanterns and colorful streamers, and the crowds were even more lively than usual.

Ye Zhi Qiu, familiar with the place, led Liang Cheng through several reputable old shops, selecting some pearl ornaments unique to Yunhai City, as well as several boxes of the local specialty "Yunwu Ling Tea".

"That's about it."

Ye Zhi Qiu weighed the gift boxes in his hand and smiled, "Shall we go to Jubaoxuan again? They happen to be having a small auction today, maybe we can find some interesting little trinkets, not necessarily valuable, just something novel."

Liang Cheng has no objection.

The two then turned towards the Jubaoxuan building in the city.

Today's auction was not large in scale, mainly consisting of medicinal herbs and pills of good quality, as well as a few weapons of decent grade.

For Liang Cheng now, it doesn't hold much appeal.

Ye Zhi Qiu did manage to buy a lustrous jade pendant that could gather moisture to nourish the skin, saying he would give it to the women in his family when he got back.

The auction ended uneventfully, and the two walked out with the crowd.

As soon as they stepped out of the auction hall, a familiar figure greeted them with a smile. It was Qian Wanjin, the manager of Jubaoxuan Yunhai City.

"Young Master Ye, Young Master Liang! Your presence today greatly honors Jubao Pavilion!"

Qian Wanjin's face was full of enthusiastic smiles, and his gaze lingered on Liang Cheng for a moment before he asked casually, "Do you two find me pleasing to the eye? If you have any needs, please feel free to ask, and I will do my best to satisfy them."

Ye Zhi Qiu politely cupped his hands in greeting: "Manager Qian, you're too kind. We're just browsing casually. My fellow apprentice and I don't have anything we urgently need."

"I see."

Qian Wanjin's smile remained unchanged, but his gaze shifted to Liang Cheng, and his tone became even more friendly.

"Young Master Liang is a promising young man, currently ranking first on the list of heroes, with a bright future ahead. We've heard that you'll be returning home to visit your family soon. Would you like our humble establishment to find some rare and unusual items?"

Liang Cheng's heart skipped a beat, but he said calmly, "Thank you for your concern, Manager Qian. I don't have any needs at the moment."

"Not at all, young master. If you need anything while returning home, my humble abode can prepare some. The price is negotiable, and it will certainly make you look good. After all, there may not be such good things in Linwu City."

He spoke solicitously, appearing to be concerned for Liang Cheng's well-being.

Liang Cheng's eyes darkened slightly, and he said calmly, "Thank you for your kindness, Steward Qian. The gifts are ready, and I dare not trouble you any further."

.

"Oh, that's good, that's good."

Qian Wanjin did not insist, and remained all smiles, "In that case, I will not bother you two any longer."

He personally escorted the two to the door, and only after their figures disappeared around the corner did the warm smile on his face slowly fade, and his eyes became deep and unfathomable.

On the way back, Liang Cheng remained silent for a moment.

"Senior brother," Liang Cheng frowned slightly, "Qian Wanjin seemed certain that I was going to return to Linwu City on Zhongyuan Island. How did he know that?"

Ye Zhi Qiu, however, did not take it seriously: "It's common for the head of the hospital to return to their hometowns at the end of the year. It's not surprising that you guessed it. Do you suspect that he has ulterior motives?"

Jubaoxuan wouldn't dare offend our main hospital!

"I can't quite put my finger on it, but I just felt that his enthusiasm today was somewhat unusual. Maybe I'm just overthinking it."

"However, it's always better to be safe than sorry."

Ye Zhi Qiu patted him on the shoulder.

"He really dares to have some wicked thoughts—" A cold glint flashed in Ye Zhi Qiu's eyes. "My disciples from the main academy are not pushovers to be bullied."

Liang Cheng nodded and said no more.

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