Opening the qi sea and condensing true qi was known as Forcefully Breaking Through the Mystic Pass.
But this pass was not so easy to break through.
How many martial artists had been stuck at this pass, unable to advance even an inch, until their years grew long and their blood and qi declined, leaving them powerless to break through into the True Qi Realm and forced to die with regrets?
Li Yuan had already broken through into the True Qi Realm. This was an earth-shaking event, and word soon spread throughout the martial arts school before extending beyond its walls. More and more people in Jiujiang Commandery learned of Li Yuan's news.
Qi Zhengyang looked at Li Yuan with a face full of smiles. Wisps of Martial Arts True Qi coiled around Li Yuan's body—there was no doubt that he had reached the True Qi Realm.
"Very good. I thought you would still need some time."
"I didn't expect you to break through into the True Qi Realm so quickly. As expected of the senior disciple of my Zhengyang Martial Arts School."
Faced with Qi Zhengyang's praise, Li Yuan remained extremely modest. "It was all thanks to the school master's nurturing. If the school master hadn't taken me in back then, Li Yuan would never have achieved this."
That was the truth. His predecessor had fled here in dire straits, and it was only because he joined the martial arts school that he gained a place to stand. Later, it was thanks to Qi Zhengyang's guidance that he was able to embark on the path of martial arts.
Qi Zhengyang had always been extremely satisfied with Li Yuan.
Li Yuan not only possessed astonishing martial talent, but was also modest, neither servile nor overbearing. That alone was rare.
"Now that you've broken through into the True Qi Realm, it wouldn't be appropriate for you to continue serving as the school's senior disciple."
"From today onward, you will be the school's vice school master."
Li Yuan nodded. "I'll follow whatever the school master orders."
After becoming the martial arts school's vice school master, the benefits and privileges he could obtain were no fewer than those of the senior disciple—in fact, there were even more. Moreover, at Li Yuan's level of strength, money no longer held much meaning.
After all, merely possessing the status of a True Qi Realm martial artist represented an immense fortune. As long as Li Yuan was willing, wealth worth a thousand gold pieces would be within easy reach.
Li Yuan's breakthrough into the True Qi Realm was a major event. Qi Zhengyang summoned all the school's disciples and announced the good news to everyone.
At the same time, Qi Zhengyang announced on the spot that Li Yuan would serve as the school's vice school master.
Naturally, no one objected. A True Qi Realm martial artist possessed more than enough strength to take on the position.
As for the now-vacant position of senior disciple, they would select someone for it another day.
Ever since something had happened to the former vice school master Feng Xiang, Qi Zhengyang had never been as happy as he was today. The Zhengyang Martial Arts School had gained another True Qi Realm martial artist. It was still the same Zhengyang Martial Arts School as before—no one could afford to look down on it.
Li Yuan had only recently broken through, and his realm was still unstable. Qi Zhengyang gave him a few instructions before sending him back to consolidate his realm. That was the most important thing. As for the other matters in the school, Qi Zhengyang temporarily did not let Li Yuan involve himself and become distracted.
A major event like breaking through into the True Qi Realm had to be reported to the Special Capture Division. All the True Qi Realm martial artists in Jiujiang Commandery were registered with the Special Capture Division.
True Qi Realm martial artists were no small fry. They were powerful and precious combat strength. Should the need arise, the Special Capture Division could mobilize every True Qi Realm martial artist at any time.
Naturally, Li Yuan did not need to handle this personally. Qi Zhengyang arranged for a martial arts school disciple to make a trip to the Special Capture Division and register Li Yuan.
After returning home, Li Yuan slowly practiced his boxing forms several times, carefully sensing the various changes in his body. He grew increasingly familiar with the martial realm of the True Qi Realm. True qi circulated throughout his body without the slightest hindrance.
After spending some time adjusting to it, Li Yuan's lips curled up. "It's time to cultivate the Cloud Stream Sword Record."
He fetched the Rune Soldier Longsword from his room, stood in the courtyard, and began practicing the sword art move by move.
The Cloud Stream Sword Record had been created by a martial arts senior who had watched the clouds over the sea rise and vanish, gaining inspiration in his heart.
Its sword techniques changed in countless ways, its sword momentum light and nimble, like clouds and mist, impossible to fathom.
Unpredictable Smoke and Clouds!
Wandering Clouds Without Constancy!
Li Yuan slowly thrust out a sword. Wisps of true qi coiled around the blade, like clouds and mist. The blade drifted unpredictably, making it difficult for anyone to judge how it would change or where it would strike!
He carefully sensed these two sword forms, comprehending the subtle points within them. Insight after insight continuously flowed into his heart.
High-grade martial arts were not easy to practice. They were far more difficult than mid-grade martial arts. Even with the enhancement of the Divine Wisdom talent, they could not be mastered in a single stroke.
After two hours, his system page finally changed.
You continuously practice the Cloud Stream Sword Record The Cloud Stream Sword Record has broken through to the Entry Level!
"Two hours just to reach the Entry Level?"
A wave of surprise rose in Li Yuan's heart.
This speed was truly a little slow, utterly incomparable to the cultivation speed of mid-grade martial arts.
The stronger the technique, the more time it required to cultivate. Yet once mastered, the power it displayed was far beyond anything mid-grade martial arts could match.
At this thought, Li Yuan's heart was relieved.
"No rush. I'll practice it slowly."
In any case, he possessed Divine Wisdom, which increased his cultivation speed by hundreds or thousands of times. No matter how slow it was, he was still much faster than other martial artists.
In the days that followed, Li Yuan diligently cultivated the Cloud Stream Sword Record at home from dawn to dusk. Besides occasionally guiding Dong Yuezhen in her cultivation, he also had to spare some time to deal with visitors who came calling.
The news of Li Yuan's breakthrough into the True Qi Realm had spread completely. Every martial artist in Jiujiang Commandery knew that someone in the Zhengyang Martial Arts School had broken through into the True Qi Realm.
After learning the details, these people discovered that the person who had broken through was not even twenty years old. He was the youngest True Qi Realm martial artist in all of Jiujiang Commandery!
What astounding and peerless talent!
Many people wanted to meet this young prodigy of Jiujiang Commandery. Some even wanted to visit Li Yuan and build a connection with him. If they could befriend such a genius martial artist, the benefits would certainly be considerable!
Thus, over these days, Li Yuan met quite a few people.
Nearly every prominent martial artist and lineage in Jiujiang Commandery came to pay him a visit. All of them expressed sufficient goodwill toward Li Yuan. Some even came to poach him!
Several of the most prestigious and powerful noble families in Jiujiang Commandery subtly revealed their intention to recruit Li Yuan. The terms they offered were extremely generous—even Li Yuan, a True Qi Realm martial artist, was astonished.
Some went even further, bringing the young women of their lineages with them, hoping to form a marriage alliance with Li Yuan.
Any woman who could be brought out on such an occasion possessed top-tier beauty, figure, bearing, talent, and learning, making her difficult to refuse.
But Li Yuan could never leave the Zhengyang Martial Arts School and join another faction. Qi Zhengyang had treated him well. Now that he had achieved success and fame, crossing the river only to tear down the bridge and kick Qi Zhengyang aside was something he could never bring himself to do.
"I'm honored by your esteem, but I've grown used to spending my days with the senior and junior disciples at the martial arts school. For now, I have no plans to move elsewhere."
With an apologetic expression, Li Yuan once again refused a lineage that had come to recruit him.
The man before him was the head of the Zhao Family, one of Jiujiang Commandery's great powers—Zhao Xiong. The Zhao Family was responsible for guarding numerous mines in Jiujiang Commandery, and the benefits they gained from them were enormous. Throughout the commandery, they were an impossible-to-ignore force.
This time, the Zhao Family head had personally come to call and had even brought the Zhao Family's third young lady. It could be said that he had shown ample sincerity. Even so, he had still received a cold shoulder.
Li Yuan's refusal had been very tactful. Zhao Xiong was an old hand, and he immediately followed the slope down. "Ah, Brother Li is absolutely right. I, Zhao, was too rash. I hope you'll forgive me for disturbing you this time."
"It's nothing, nothing." Li Yuan chuckled, not taking it to heart, and the two of them smoothly let the matter pass.
Afterward, Zhao Xiong chatted idly with Li Yuan. Once the atmosphere was no longer so awkward, he found an excuse and took advantage of it to leave.
As she departed behind Zhao Xiong, the Zhao Family's third young lady looked at Li Yuan with a faint trace of resentment in her eyes. Li Yuan held a cup of clear tea, his eyes lowered in composure, and took a light sip, unmoved.
You had to be kidding!
What sort of person was Li Yuan?
Women would only affect the speed of his punches!
After the Zhao Family members left, Li Yuan let out a long breath. This sort of attempt to poach him had already happened several times, and lately their methods seemed to be growing more outrageous. They had even resorted to the beauty trap.
Just as Li Yuan was about to rise and practice his sword, a knock suddenly sounded at the courtyard gate. A blue vein surfaced on Li Yuan's forehead.
"Come in."
But the person who appeared at the gate this time was entirely different from the visitors before. Li Yuan froze. "Master Young Commander?!"
The visitor was none other than Chu Han, the Young Commander of the Jiujiang Commandery branch of the Special Capture Division.
Chu Han entered the courtyard, looked around, and smiled at Li Yuan. "Li Yuan, your place is simpler than I expected."
Li Yuan hurriedly rose to greet him. "I've been busy practicing martial arts and neglected to maintain the house. Please forgive its shabby appearance, my lord."
"Come, sit over here."
The two sat down at the stone table. Li Yuan handed Chu Han a cup of clear tea and asked casually, "May I ask why you've come this time...?"
Chu Han looked at Li Yuan and smiled faintly. "Li Yuan, have you ever thought about joining the Special Capture Division?"
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