LV3

In Qing Xing Courtyard, Chen Zihang received Tian Yan.

Tian Yan wore a plain white gown, with an ink-black cloak draped behind her. Her delicate appearance inspired pity.

"Master Tian Yan's talent truly makes me envious. I have always considered myself exceptionally gifted, but only after meeting you today did I realize that there is always a higher heaven beyond the heavens, and greater people beyond people," Chen Zihang said, looking at Tian Yan in praise.

In this world, the title "Master" was not reserved exclusively for men. Some exceptionally talented individuals could also be addressed this way.

"Young Master Chen flatters me. I came from humble beginnings; how could I dare compare myself to you? Everything I have achieved today is thanks to Jia Nan Academy's guidance," Tian Yan said modestly.

Tian Yan had entered Chen Zihang's residence under the identity of a Jia Nan Academy student.

"I had long heard that Jia Nan Academy's teaching was unrivaled in the world, but I had never experienced it for myself. Meeting Master Tian Yan today has truly opened my eyes," Chen Zihang praised sincerely.

Several years ago, Jia Nan Academy had come to Anyang City to recruit students. At the time, the talent Chen Zihang displayed had been sufficient for admission. However, he had some family matters to deal with and thus declined the instructor's invitation.

Still, Chen Zihang had not felt any regret because of it. Now that Tian Yan had said she was from Jia Nan Academy, he merely felt a touch of sentimentality.

Jia Nan Academy was indeed far stronger than the Chen Family. Yet Jia Nan Academy was, after all, an academy, and its resources were distributed among all students. Though the Chen Family could not compare to Jia Nan Academy in resources, it could focus all its resources on nurturing Chen Zihang alone.

It was impossible to say which was better or worse. It all depended on what suited the individual.

However, Chen Zihang believed that staying in the Chen Family was better than attending Jia Nan Academy. He was deeply attached to his family. Perhaps his cultivation would not have progressed as far as it might have at Jia Nan Academy, but over the past few years in the Chen Family, he had earned his relatives' recognition and gained his current standing.

That was what he considered most precious, a treasure no amount of cultivation could exchange for.

"I am willing to follow you, Young Master. I only hope that you will support me in the future," Tian Yan said.

"Of course, of course," Chen Zihang said with great satisfaction.

A Dou Ling was extremely valuable. To this day, Chen Zihang had recruited only three Dou Ling experts of his own, so Tian Yan's voluntary allegiance truly delighted him.

Tian Yan's background was spotless. Under the system's setup, everything could be traced. As for whether there was anything else Chen Zihang did not know, he would need a few more days to investigate.

At such a sensitive time, Chen Zihang also worried that Tian Yan might be a spy sent by another force. Yet he did not dare investigate a Dou Ling openly. If Tian Yan had genuinely come to join him and learned of these matters, it would inevitably chill her heart and make it difficult for him to recruit talent in the future.

After meeting Tian Yan, Chen Zihang arranged a residence for her and left Qing Xing Courtyard.

He would be leaving in another seven days, and it would be difficult to return to Anyang City afterward. During these days, he needed to spend some tender time with Fang Siyao.

Chen Zihang possessed a special eye technique that allowed him to see through disguises. That was how he had exposed Feng Ruoxue's disguise on the street. However, he found no disguise on Tian Yan, which put him somewhat at ease.

Tian Yan was, after all, a newly summoned person and already a fresh face. Whether she wore a disguise or not made no difference. Thus, she had met Chen Zihang with her true appearance.

After Chen Zihang left, Tian Yan merely had a servant guide her on a casual walk around Qing Xing Courtyard, claiming that she was familiarizing herself with the surroundings. She made no unusual moves.

However, Tian Yan possessed an exceptional memory. After walking through it only once, she had memorized the entire layout of Qing Xing Courtyard.

After Chen Cheng arrived at Chen Ye's courtyard, he entered the secret chamber, where Chen Ye activated the formation for him.

Chen Cheng took the poison, entered the pool, and began cultivating.

Today, Chen Cheng's understanding of the Source of Deadly Poison had deepened somewhat, and his cultivation state had become more refined.

Although Chen Cheng's cultivation had not increased, he had made significant progress in other areas.

"Congratulations, Host. Low-Level Combat has upgraded to LV3. You have additionally gained one copy opportunity."

"Your first skill has upgraded to LV3. The system will additionally elevate your current skill to its next realm."

Two voices rang out in Chen Cheng's mind.

With the toxins tempering his body, Chen Cheng's physical improvements had come too quickly. His reaction speed, strength, and speed had all improved, and thus his fighting ability had advanced as well.

Fighting skills were very ordinary abilities, so they naturally improved quickly. Fire Control Art and poison were relatively high-level abilities, making them far less convenient to improve. If he relied on himself, it would be difficult to upgrade them without years of study.

Copy System

Name: Chen Cheng

Cultivation: Six-Star Dou Practitioner

Abilities: Intermediate Fighting Skill, Poison Art, Fire Control Art

Summoning System

Name: Chen Cheng

Cultivation: Six-Star Dou Practitioner

Comprehensive Combat Power: Nine Star Dou Shi

Summoned Characters: Red Serpent, Huang Yaoshi, Yan Lingji, Jiang Yu Yan, Tian Yan

Because his body had strengthened, Chen Cheng's fighting skill had improved. However, this sort of fighting skill had little effect on his Comprehensive Combat Power. It was still not enough for him to deal with a Da Dou Shi, as his attacks could not yet break through a Da Dou Shi's Dou Qi Armor.

"Strange. Just now, I seemed to sense a subtle change in Cheng'er's body, but I can't tell what exactly changed. How odd," Chen Ye said. When Chen Cheng's fighting skill had upgraded, he had indeed sensed some changes in Chen Cheng's body. Yet when he examined him carefully, he could find no cause.

Physical strength was not something that could be sensed through soul power. Only through an actual fight could one discover the difference.

"Cheng'er, the first stage of the Source of Deadly Poison is merely to transform the Dou Qi within your body into Poison Dou Qi of the highest quality. I have set a goal for you to complete this stage within half a year. Once you complete it, your body will become immune to all poisons, and ordinary toxins will be unable to harm you. Therefore, when you encounter other poison masters, you will be able to restrain them."

"The second stage is to use Curse Poison Power to temper your soul power. Only once your soul power grows strong will you be able to use Poison Art with greater ease."

"Soul power is primarily a method used by alchemists, and one's soul strength is generally determined at birth. But the Source of Deadly Poison is also a Cultivation Method for tempering soul power. From lowest to highest, the soul realms are Mortal Realm, Spiritual Realm, Heavenly Realm, and Emperor Realm."

"Through Poison Art, you can temper your soul. Once you reach the Spiritual Realm, the second stage will be complete. I have set a time limit of five years for this stage."

"As for the third stage, it is devouring. Once your body transforms into a poison body, you can increase your cultivation by devouring other poisons. At the same time, when fighting poison masters, you can subconsciously absorb your opponent's toxins for your own use. Yuan'er took fifteen years to reach this stage, while the time I have set for you is eight years."

Chen Ye thought to himself.

Among those still alive, only three cultivated the Source of Deadly Poison. Chen Ye understood this Cultivation Method better than anyone else.

As for the others, even if they had poison-type attributes like Chen Li, they could only cultivate another earth-rank Cultivation Method within the family.

Chen Cheng's displayed talent was far too strong—much stronger than Chen Yuan had been in his youth—so Chen Ye also held high expectations for him.

Chen Cheng did not know what Chen Ye was thinking. While cultivating, he split off part of his attention to communicate with the system.

"Use this replication opportunity. Choose Chen Ye as the target," Chen Cheng commanded.

Chen Cheng had not expected that raising the skill to LV3 would grant him an additional replication opportunity.

"Replicating."

"Replication failed. The host has not obtained any abilities."