Burying Oneself in Hard Cultivation

"Yang Chuan, you also played an indispensable role in Area 8 ranking second."

Lin Chuan smiled, "Therefore, I've decided to reward you with 200 Spirit Crystals."

"Thank you, sir!"

Yang Chen was extremely excited. He truly hadn't expected Lin Chuan to bestow such a generous reward upon them. With these 200 Spirit Crystals, he wouldn't have to be so frugal anymore and could immediately proceed with his cultivation plan.

Lin Chuan nodded, handing the bag of Spirit Crystals to Yang Chen. He then patted his shoulder, "I have high hopes for you. You must work hard, boy, and don't disappoint me."

"Yang Chen will never forget his original intentions."

Satisfied, Lin Chuan then looked at Wei Xiao, who was eagerly awaiting his turn. He said with a smile, "Wei Xiao, you haven't disappointed this Steward either. I've decided to reward you with 150 Spirit Crystals. Cultivate diligently and don't forget the sect's nurturing."

"Wei Xiao will never forget your kindness!"

Wei Xiao happily took the bag containing 150 Spirit Crystals, his joy almost overflowing.

Although it was less than what Huang Tianyu and Yang Chen received, 150 Spirit Crystals was still a substantial amount for him, enough to make his cultivation in the Blood Martial Realm smoother.

"You all have done very well too!" Lin Chuan looked at the remaining disciples, "Therefore, I've decided to reward each of you with 60 Spirit Crystals. I hope you won't forget your original intentions and will strive for excellence!"

Zhu Xi and the other disciples who ranked lower were overjoyed. 60 Spirit Crystals was enough for them to rapidly improve their strength in the coming months.

However, Xue Cang felt a pang of regret. If he had still been in the top ten, he would have at least received Wei Xiao's 150 Spirit Crystals, not to mention Yang Chen's 200.

Just two days made a difference of 90 Spirit Crystals in rewards – a huge loss.

After all the rewards were distributed, Lin Chuan announced loudly, "There are only three months left until the cultivation rankings conclude. I hope you will defend the honor of Area 8. Can you do it?"

"Yes!"

"Junior Brother Yang, here are the resources you need!"

In Yang Chen's residence, Wang Feng handed Yang Chen a storage bag with a beaming smile. It contained resources worth 160 Spirit Crystals.

"Thank you for your hard work, Senior Brother."

Yang Chen took the storage bag and carefully counted its contents.

Less than an hour had passed since the end-of-month summary. After receiving the Spirit Crystals, he had immediately contacted Wang Feng and exchanged all his Spirit Crystals for Qi and Blood Pills, Spirit Calming Incense, and other resources.

This storage bag itself had cost him 50 Spirit Crystals.

"You're too kind, Junior Brother! I should be thanking you for your strong support!"

Wang Feng's words were sincere. He had expected Yang Chen to only buy one Qi and Blood Pill like last time, but this time he had given him a huge surprise!

The total transaction exceeded 200 Spirit Crystals, and he could earn at least 10 from it. To earn 10 Spirit Crystals just by running an errand, how could he not be happy?

He truly regretted his past decision. If he had truly fallen out with Yang Chen over Zhou Tao's matter, these Spirit Crystals would never have come his way.

Yang Chen chuckled, "Senior Brother, you flatter me. We each get what we need; there's no need to thank each other."

The prices in Nineteen Peaks town were similar to Wang Feng's, but Wang Feng's delivery service saved him travel time. It was only reasonable for him to earn a fee for his efforts.

After a brief chat, Wang Feng took his leave.

Once he was gone, Yang Chen, not daring to waste a moment, immediately began cultivating.

He didn't lack cultivation resources now; what he lacked was time. Zhou Han's threat still echoed in his ears, and he dared not slacken in the slightest.

Therefore, even though he had acquired a new sword technique today, he had no time to practice it.

If you can't find the book by its title, try searching for the author. Perhaps the title has been changed!

The night passed without incident.

A new day dawned, signifying the start of a new month.

Yang Chen arrived at the spirit field area early. After a patrol, he devoted himself entirely to cultivation.

Two days later, Xu Qingqing broke through to the Blood Martial Realm, moving up one spot to fourteenth place.

After that, there were no more explosive breakthroughs. On the cultivation rankings, someone would typically break through every four to five days.

Time flew by as Yang Chen focused solely on his cultivation.

Eighteen days later, Yang Chen sat cross-legged on the ground, his aura visibly surging.

[Realm: Blood Martial Second Level, Punching Force: 23,513 kg]

"As expected! The breakthrough came faster than I anticipated."

A hint of joy flickered in Yang Chen's eyes. It had only been twenty days since he broke through to the Blood Martial Realm, and he had already advanced one level. This speed would be astonishing if it were known.

"If this trend continues, I should have no problem breaking through to Blood Martial Third Level before the new disciples arrive."

Yang Chen was very satisfied with this rate of progress – advancing from Quasi-Martialist to Blood Martial Third Level in a year. While Blood Martial Third Level was not exceptional within the Sun Moon Sword Sect, it was still considered powerful in the outside world.

Although Labor Disciples were at the bottom rung of the Sun Moon Sword Sect, anyone who entered the sect at least had a martial aptitude of Grade Seven, making them minor prodigies. Coupled with the monthly resources provided, almost all of them could break through to the Blood Martial Realm.

This did not mean the Blood Martial Realm was common; on the contrary, it was a realm of powerhouses in the outside world.

Outside martial artists often had lower aptitude and might not even consume a single Qi Strength Pill in a year. Their cultivation speed could not compare to that of Sun Moon Sword Sect disciples.

Many people spent their entire lives struggling to reach the late Qi Martial Realm, let alone the Blood Martial Realm. Therefore, even in prosperous areas like Fulong County City, those in the Blood Martial Realm were considered formidable individuals who could hold their own.

In short, if Yang Chen were to go to a county town now, he wouldn't necessarily be the strongest, but he would at least be someone who could shake the town with a stomp of his foot.

While happy, Yang Chen didn't become complacent. The Blood Martial Realm was still the lowest tier in the Sun Moon Sword Sect. His current strength wasn't even enough to rank in the top three among disciples of the same generation, so there was nothing to be proud of.

Burying himself in diligent cultivation was the way to go!

Unknowingly, the eleventh month reached its end.

On the year-end summary day, the cultivation rankings board had changed significantly compared to last month. Now, the top twenty individuals all possessed Blood Martial Realm cultivation.

Zhang Zhixian, who held the top spot, was leading once again, now at Blood Martial Fourth Level. Gu You and Huang Tianyu followed closely with Blood Martial Third Level strength.

Ranked fourth was a disciple named Cai Yang, with Blood Martial Second Level cultivation.

And in fifth place was Yang Chen!

This ranking once again caused a huge stir. Many disciples lamented that while others' cultivation speed slowed down after entering the Blood Martial Realm, Yang Chen's had exploded.

Yang Chen wasn't lost in others' praise. He continued to cultivate diligently every day, almost to the point of neglecting food and sleep.

Another five days passed like this. Just as Yang Chen was planning to push himself to Blood Martial Third Level in one go, he received a message from Wang Feng.

Wang Kui failed his Outer Sect assessment!

Upon hearing this news, Yang Chen was stunned for a moment.

He hadn't seen Wang Kui in a long time, and he hadn't expected him to have failed the Outer Sect assessment.

He felt regret for Wang Kui, who had strived for five years only to be defeated during the promotion assessment.

Suddenly, he thought of Zhou Han.

He remembered Wang Kui mentioning once that Zhou Han was from the same batch as him. Did this mean Zhou Han had also attempted to join the Outer Sect?