The Heavenly Spirit Pool

Lu Chuan knew the two wouldn't easily believe him, so he didn't waste words. He directly opened his hands and began circulating the Sky Swallowing Art.

Instantly, a terrifying suction force swept out. The spiritual energy in the room surged towards Lu Chuan. Before him, it coalesced into a vortex about a foot square.

At the center of the vortex was Lu Chuan's right palm.

"This... this is..."

"Proficient level Sky Swallowing Art!"

Lin Lei's previous composure vanished. He flashed forward, grabbing Lu Chuan's wrist and carefully sensing it.

After a moment, Lin Lei suddenly threw his head back and laughed heartily, "Hahahaha..."

"Heaven has not been unfair to my Combat Department! Nor to me, Lin Lei!"

"To send such a peerless prodigy right before my eyes!"

To cultivate the Sky Swallowing Art to the proficient level in less than a month, what did that signify? It meant Lu Chuan had a high probability of awakening the Devouring Physique!

The Devouring Physique was a supreme constitution that could lead to ultimate strength!

Throughout the world, there were no more than a handful of constitutions that could rival the Devouring Physique.

If Lu Chuan could awaken the Devouring Physique, the revival of the Combat Department would only be a matter of time!

Not just the Combat Department, perhaps the entire human race would, because of Lu Chuan, ascend further in the rankings among the Myriad Races!

With such a future, how could Lin Lei not be moved!

Beside them, Chu Feng, amidst his excitement, suggested, "Master, why don't we inform Martial Uncle?"

Chu Feng's Martial Uncle, who was also Lin Lei's senior brother, was the current leader of the Combat Department faction, Song Wanshan!

"Inform my senior brother?"

The smile on Lin Lei's face instantly disappeared. He snorted, "Hmph! Inform him for what? So he can use Lu Chuan as a pawn to play chess with others?"

"The dignified head of the Combat Department doesn't focus on cultivation but spends his days scheming against this person and that. Sooner or later, he'll drag the entire Combat Department down with his schemes!"

"Listen, Lu Chuan's situation must be kept confidential. I don't want the future of my Combat Department to become a sacrifice in someone else's struggle!"

"This..."

Chu Feng hesitated for a moment, then nodded heavily, "I understand, Master."

Listening to their conversation, Lu Chuan's eyes narrowed. It seemed his master and the faction leader weren't exactly on good terms.

But what did that have to do with him? The priority now was to find a way to increase his strength.

Once he had strength, he wouldn't fear any schemes or tricks.

"Lu Chuan, remember this. Before you have sufficient strength, never reveal your comprehension abilities to anyone, understand?" After refusing Chu Feng, Lin Lei instructed Lu Chuan again.

"I understand." Lu Chuan nodded.

Just keep a low profile, I'm good at that.

"Master, since Lu Chuan has already cultivated the Sky Swallowing Art to the proficient level, why don't we send Lu Chuan to the Heavenly Spirit Pool?" Chu Feng suggested, as if a thought had just occurred to him.

"The Heavenly Spirit Pool?"

Lin Lei frowned slightly. "Isn't it too early? I remember when you went, you were already Fifth-Rank."

"It's not too early."

Chu Feng waved his hands repeatedly. "The Heavenly Spirit Pool doesn't have strict requirements for a Martial Artist's realm, only for the proficiency of the Sky Swallowing Art."

"It's the perfect time for Lu Chuan to go."

"Besides, Master, can you bear to give the Heavenly Spirit Pool spot to someone else?"

This statement instantly solidified Lin Lei's resolve. "Fine, take Lu Chuan to the Heavenly Spirit Pool now."

"Hmph! What my father left me, I can let whoever I want use it!"

"Yes!" Chu Feng nodded, then looked at Lu Chuan. "Lu Chuan, come with me."

"Wait up, Brother Feng." Lu Chuan looked at Lin Lei. "Master, my reward..."

This was Lu Chuan's main reason for coming here.

"You rascal..."

Lin Lei couldn't help but laugh. "Do you think I'd shortchange you on Academic Credit?"

"Seeing as you've exceeded the mission requirements, I'll reward you an additional one thousand Academic Credit."

"A total of six thousand Academic Credit. Go back and tally it up yourself."

"Thank you, Master!" Lu Chuan was overjoyed; he hadn't expected such a bonus.

"Can I go with you now?" Chu Feng teased from the side.

"Of course." He chuckled.

Within a mysterious manor in Azure Dragon Academy.

Looking at the manor before him, Lu Chuan couldn't help but ask, "Brother Chu, what exactly is this Heavenly Spirit Pool?"

"It's a treasure trove that can aid cultivation."

Chu Feng explained, "The Heavenly Spirit Pool contains extremely pure and potent spiritual energy. Any martial artist below Fifth-Rank who enters can at least improve by one rank."

"As for us in the Combat Department, if we can enter and absorb the spiritual energy, we can improve by at least two ranks."

"If you're capable enough to drain the entire Heavenly Spirit Pool, you might ascend in a single day and become a Ninth-Rank expert."

"Of course, that's impossible."

"There's a special pressure within the Heavenly Spirit Pool. Even Ninth-Rank experts can't stay in there for too long, let alone you."

"What would happen if someone forcibly stayed inside?" Lu Chuan inquired.

Chu Feng flashed a mysterious smile. "Your soul would be crushed, your physical body refined, and you'd completely dissipate into the world."

Lu Chuan couldn't help but shiver. That dangerous?

"You don't need to be scared. As long as you come out in time, there's no danger," Chu Feng said, patting Lu Chuan's shoulder to reassure him.

"Then how long do you think I can last, Senior Brother?" Lu Chuan asked again.

"Ten minutes, maybe."

Chu Feng thought seriously before saying, "When I went to cultivate in the Heavenly Spirit Pool, I lasted a total of ten... thirty minutes."

"I was already Fifth-Rank back then, so my pressure resistance was definitely stronger than yours now."

"With your current strength, I estimate you'll last about ten minutes."

"But don't get discouraged. These ten minutes are enough for you to raise your cultivation to the Fifth-Rank realm."

Chu Feng took a deep breath, almost letting something slip.

If Lu Chuan knew he had only lasted ten minutes, how could he maintain his senior brother's prestige?

"Ten minutes..."

Lu Chuan was silent for a moment, then looked at Chu Feng. "Senior Brother, I remember you told Master that the Heavenly Spirit Pool doesn't require a martial artist's cultivation level."

"It truly doesn't," Chu Feng replied with a smile. "Even mortals can enter and cultivate, let alone martial artists."

"But if my cultivation level is higher, won't I be able to last longer?" Lu Chuan asked, confused.

"You think too highly of yourself."

Chu Feng rolled his eyes at Lu Chuan. "Have you ever heard the saying, 'Time and tide wait for no man'?"

"Many forces in the academy have their eyes on the Heavenly Spirit Pool. If you don't use it now, the spot will go to someone else in a few days."

"Times have changed. It's already good that Master can secure the Heavenly Spirit Pool. As for the spot..."

"Honestly, even Master can't forcibly keep the spot for you until you've achieved your cultivation goals. You can't just wait to go in."

"The Heavenly Spirit Pool opens only once every three years. If Master can't use it now, he has to give it to others."

"That's why I suggested you come to the Heavenly Spirit Pool now. After all, it's better for our own people to waste a bit than for it to go to outsiders."