Break Limit

"Not bad."

Lin Xianghong smiled, then said, "In a few months, it'll be your grandfather's five-hundredth birthday. I'll take you to see him. If you catch his eye, it might just make up for your inadequate bone structure."

"Really?"

Lin Shuyao's face lit up with surprise. Her comprehension was as high as Ninth Grade, but her bone structure was only Third Grade. If she could make up for that shortcoming, her future prospects would skyrocket.

And her grandfather was no ordinary man—he was a Divine Treasury Realm powerhouse. Even if he had only broken through by force and exhausted his potential into the Pseudo Divine Treasury Realm, he was still a ceiling-level expert in Tian Heng City.

Although her grandfather had broken through inside the Dark Domain and was trapped in the Level 2 Dark Domain, unable to leave, the resources a powerhouse like him possessed were beyond ordinary imagination. Even heavenly treasures that could reshape bone structure might not be absent from his collection.

"Don't get too excited too soon. You have over a hundred uncles and aunts, and I'm not the most outstanding among them."

Lin Xianghong shook his head and said calmly, "Those treasures that reshape bone structure are coveted by many. Winning his recognition won't be easy."

"This final exam is your chance. You must secure a spot to enter the Dark Domain, then use the Cosmic Source Energy there to train the Spirit Stream Technique to perfection."

"Beyond that, as far as I know, this Dark Domain Expedition for your No. 3 High School also holds a special opportunity, one that's quite useful for a Beginner External Martial Arts Breakthrough."

"External Martial Arts Breakthrough?"

Lin Shuyao's expression shifted, a flicker of shock crossing her face before she quickly understood. "Is this because of that person?"

"Mm." Lin Xianghong nodded. "Top-grade Bone Structure is far too rare. Your No. 3 High School hasn't seen such talent in years."

"Your school's Principal Qian specially applied to the City Government for this opportunity, hoping to help them achieve an External Martial Arts Breakthrough."

"This opportunity is significant. If you can show enough strength, you might get a share of it too."

With that, Lin Xianghong took a deep breath and said, "Whether it's internal or external martial arts, stopping at perfection only marks you as ordinary."

"To cultivate a King Body that's invincible at the same level—even just a Quasi-King Body—only a Merit Body Breakthrough offers a sliver of a chance."

"You say tutoring pays you three hundred a day?"

During dinner, Father Chu looked at the contract in his hand, suspicion clear on his face.

For an Apprentice Level martial artist, three hundred a day was already an extremely high income. After all, Father Chu's yearly earnings were only ten thousand Federal Coins, and Chu Kuang could make that much in a single month.

"Mm, the contract is here in black and white."

"And my Basic External Martial Arts have already broken through to the Perfection level."

Chu Kuang smiled. He didn't plan to hide his income or cultivation level. He was worried that his father, short on money, might take risks in the Dark Domain to earn resources for him.

Although Father Chu was an Apprentice Level Perfection martial artist, he had lost an arm. If he ventured into the Dark Domain for resources, the danger would be immense.

"External Martial Arts Perfection?"

Father Chu reached out and squeezed his shoulder, estimating his Life Level before letting out a slight sigh of relief.

But he still hesitated, then said thoughtfully, "Your vitality has indeed increased a lot. It seems you really have broken through."

"Still, three hundred per lesson is too high. Do you have some connection with the Lin Family?"

"Lin Shuya's older sister is my classmate."

Chu Kuang said thoughtfully, though he too was surprised by his own tutoring fee.

Hearing this, Father Chu sighed. "You owe them a considerable favor. You'll need to think about how to repay them in the future."

"I'll teach Lin Shuya everything I know. That way, I'll earn this tutoring fee." Chu Kuang said calmly.

"Mm."

Father Chu said no more, silently picking up his bowl to eat.

Chu Kuang thought his father was feeling down after being hit by his income, so he didn't say anything to provoke him further. He just finished his meal in silence and said, "Dad, I'm going to practice."

"You're still going?"

After Chu Kuang left, Father Chu and Mother Chu argued again in the bedroom.

Mother Chu was agitated now, her eyes red as she said, "Our eldest has great comprehension. He can already earn money. Why do you still have to take risks?"

"Precisely because he's a genius, I have to support him with everything I've got."

"A step ahead means every step ahead. The three years of high school are the most critical. If he can get into a First-Tier Martial University, he'll have a much better chance of breaking through to the Transcendent Realm and even the Extraordinary Realm later."

Father Chu's tone was firm, brooking no argument. "The Dark Domain is full of treasures. A single spirit herb can be worth thousands or tens of thousands. One trip in, and I can earn at least ten to twenty thousand. With luck, I could make tens of thousands, even a hundred thousand."

"Not only does our eldest need money for training, but we also need to accumulate resources for our second child. This is a rare opportunity."

"Old Brother Li has already agreed to let me join him in the Dark Domain. For a cripple like me, if I miss this chance, who would ever let me into their team again?"

"But..."

"No buts!"

The man's voice was utterly resolute, carrying a hint of dominance yet laced with hidden tenderness. "I may have lost an arm, but my blade is not dull."

"And I'm heading to the Gushen Star Frontier Zone. If... if I really die in there, the Federation will still send compensation to you..."

"Stop talking!"

Mother Chu trembled all over, tears glistening in her eyes.

The Pioneer Zone refers to a Dark Domain that has not yet been fully developed, and it is often the most dangerous kind of Dark Domain.

Father Chu said nothing more. He simply reached out and pulled the woman into his embrace, only to realize that with just one arm left, he could no longer hold her completely tight.

"..."

"How many more days until the Iron Armor Technique breaks through to Great Completion?"

"My Life Level won't advance much during this time. Maybe I should head into the Star Realm and try my hand at the Tian Heng City Ranking Tournament?"

Chu Kuang had no idea what Father Chu was planning. What he wanted right now was to break into the top three thousand of the Tian Heng Star Realm Ranking Tournament and get his hands on that one hundred thousand yuan Interest-Free Loan.

With that thought in mind, Chu Kuang linked up to the virtual device and plunged his consciousness into the Star Realm.

In an instant, he felt his awareness cross through the boundless void, arriving in a world of illusion.

Then, all that illusion solidified completely, transforming into a starry city brimming with a sci-fi atmosphere.

"Tian Heng Star Realm."

A thought flickered through Chu Kuang's mind. This Tian Heng Star Realm was merely the lowest-level Star Realm.

Above it lay the second-level Star Realm of Tian Yuan C Star, but that one demanded higher mental strength—generally requiring a Life Level above six to gain entry permission.

Setting that thought aside, Chu Kuang swept his awareness across the entire starry city and found that there weren't too many people here—only about tens of thousands of active figures.

He wasn't surprised by this. The Tian Heng Star Realm was only a first-level Star Realm, and its active users were mostly local martial artists from Tian Heng City, primarily students.

Those martial artists with Life Levels above six were mostly active in the second-level Star Realm of Tian Heng C Star.

"Let's start with the ranking tournament."

Dismissing that thought, Chu Kuang directly opened the ranking tournament interface.

Since it was his first time participating, his ranking started from the very bottom—87921st place in the Tian Heng Star Realm's first-year high school division.

"Over eighty thousand places. Looks like most of my class has already tried the ranking tournament."

A thought surfaced in Chu Kuang's mind, and he decisively opened the matchmaking. The first match was quickly arranged.

Not long after matching, Chu Kuang was teleported onto an arena. On the opposite side, a fair-skinned, pretty girl gradually solidified into form.

At the same time, a translucent light screen appeared above Chu Kuang's head.

[Chu Kuang] [School: Tian Heng Third Middle School] [Rank: 87921] [Win Rate: N/A]

On the other side, a similar information panel appeared above the girl's head.

[Su Ling] [School: Tian Heng Seventh Middle School] [Rank: 79534] [Win Rate: 100%]

"From Third Middle School. Looks like this is his first time in the Tian Heng Ranking Tournament."

Taking a careful look at the light screen above Chu Kuang's head, the girl named Su Ling relaxed slightly.

It had been over eight months since the start of the first year of high school. Anyone with a Life Level above five had basically already participated in the ranking tournament. Someone like Chu Kuang, only joining now, probably had a Life Level no higher than five.

"Third Middle School's overall strength is better than Seventh Middle's, but since he's only joining the tournament now, his strength probably isn't much to speak of."

"My Life Level is 5.5. The teacher said I have a chance to break into the top ten thousand. I shouldn't run into anyone too strong before a ten-win streak."

Su Ling steadied herself, drew a slender sword, and said, "Student Chu, please en—"

"Ding—"

Before she could finish, the countdown hit zero.

In that instant, Chu Kuang moved without expression, lunging forward like a hunting leopard, his long spear thrusting straight out in a single, fierce strike.

The attack seemed plain and unadorned, but its speed was astonishing, carrying an unstoppable momentum straight at Su Ling.

"Not good!"

Su Ling's heart lurched. She tried to dodge, but it was too late. In haste, she could only raise her slender sword to block.

Unfortunately, parrying a long spear with a slender sword was like a mantis trying to stop a chariot. Her sword was sent flying in an instant, and the spear pierced straight through her chest, carrying her entire body backward and pinning her to the wall.

"Chu Kuang, wins!"

As the AI announced the result, the data above Chu Kuang's head refreshed instantly.

[Chu Kuang] [School: Tian Heng Third Middle School] [Rank: 87921] [Win Rate: 100%]

[Rank: 79534]

[Win Rate: 100%]

This ranked match was over. Chu Kuang's figure was instantly teleported out of the arena.

He didn't rest either. He casually queued for another match and was about to wait for the next battle to begin when he noticed a message icon flashing on the screen.

He opened it and found it was from Su Ling: "You... have no martial virtue. You attacked without even letting me finish speaking."

"In the Dark Domain, enemies won't wait for you to finish speaking before they strike."

Chu Kuang casually replied, then blocked messages from strangers.

On the other side, Su Ling was still sending messages, only to find that her outgoing messages were being rejected.

"Damn it. Once I digest the gains from my breakthrough, I will absolutely wash away this shame."

In an instant, Su Ling's face flushed slightly. Remembering how this man had pierced her chest with a single spear strike, she clenched her fists in hatred.

Her external technique had just broken through to Great Completion. Her Life Level still had considerable room to grow. It would likely soon reach 5.8, and that would be her chance for revenge.

Chu Kuang had no idea what Su Ling was thinking. He had only blocked stranger messages because he didn't want to be disturbed.

And as for defeating Su Ling in a single move, he wasn't particularly surprised. Low-level martial artists had insufficient vitality, making it easy for a match to be decided in one or two moves.

If they reached the Mortal Transformation Realm and cultivated a Martial Dao True Body, a cultivator's vitality would increase dramatically. At that point, if Life Levels weren't too far apart, it would take at least dozens of moves to determine a victor.