100,000 Proficiency

[Killed a demon, gained 500 General Proficiency]

Pfft!

As he pulled the iron spike from the fish demon's body, the emerald green blood immediately gushed uncontrollably from the wound, splashing onto the ground and flowing everywhere.

"This is the last cell."

Ning Xiu took a breath, looking with satisfaction at the General Proficiency displayed on his status panel: 106800.

One hundred and six thousand eight hundred. This was the most General Proficiency Ning Xiu had ever obtained.

Once he used up all this General Proficiency, his strength would undoubtedly receive a massive boost.

Over 200 cells, almost all of them containing malevolent spirits, oddities, and demons of Ninth Rank or higher. If it weren't for the Demon Subduing Prison, a place specifically for imprisoning such beings.

It would have been impossible for Ning Xiu to kill so many malevolent spirits in one go, unless he went to the front lines.

Executing over 200 cells of malevolent spirits in one go was something that had never been done before in the Demon Subduing Prison.

Firstly, the jailers were unwilling. Their stamina and ability to resist the infiltration of evil qi weren't enough. An old jailer would at most execute twenty-odd malevolent spirits a day; any more was too strenuous.

Secondly, few Demon Subduing Captains would voluntarily come to the Demon Subduing Prison to do such dirty, tiring work. It yielded no benefits or rewards. Anyone who did it was purely volunteering.

Therefore, the feat Ning Xiu accomplished today, without exaggeration, would undoubtedly become a legend among the jailers of the Demon Subduing Prison.

'A certain Iron Horse Demon Subduing Captain possessed a peculiar habit, finding pleasure in executing malevolent spirits and demons. He killed two hundred demons in a single day, earning the title of Butcher of Blood.'

Placing the blood-stained iron spike back on the execution table, Ning Xiu pushed open the cell door and walked out. He had enough General Proficiency; it was time to return and attempt to open his Martial Apertures.

He walked to the main hall, greeted the jailer chief, and then quickly left the Demon Subduing Prison.

Watching his retreating back, the jailer chief couldn't help but remark, "He cleared out all over two hundred cells? This kid definitely has some kind of fetish."

After returning to his residence, Ning Xiu summoned his status panel.

[Pure Yang Extreme Fist: Ninth Layer (45/5000)](+)

[Golden Bell Shield: Ninth Layer (30/5000)](+)

[Spiritual Eye Qi Observation Technique: Fifth Layer (34/3000)](+)

[Great Sun Profound Scripture: Tenth Layer (1/6000)](+)

[Heavenly King Vajra Art: Second Layer (6/3000)](+)

[Fivefold Hammer Force: Unranked (0/100)](+)

General Proficiency: 106800

When Ning Xiu had perused the Great Sun Profound Scripture in the Three Saints Hall, he learned that this cultivation technique only had ten layers. Beyond the tenth layer was perfection.

Internal Energy Cultivation was the key to opening Martial Apertures. The deeper a martial artist's internal energy, the greater the success rate when attempting to open a Martial Aperture.

Raising the Great Sun Profound Scripture to perfection first would greatly aid him in opening his Martial Apertures.

With 6,000 points of General Proficiency poured in all at once, the Great Sun Profound Scripture instantly reached perfection.

Ning Xiu immediately felt the internal energy within his body become even more solidified, almost indistinguishable from liquid.

Internal energy turning into liquid was the ultimate manifestation of Martial Dao Seventh Rank. Once his Martial Apertures were opened, Sixth Rank would be a natural progression.

"Ugh!" Ning Xiu's body trembled. He could clearly feel all his internal energy flowing through his meridians towards his chest, forcefully compressing into a ball.

Within his body, a certain place seemed to be slowly tearing open, with all his internal energy surging towards it, gradually filling and mending the torn area.

Ning Xiu quickly took off his robes and saw that his chest area was emitting a clear white light from within. At the same time, thin blood-red lines covered his entire chest.

Martial Apertures were closed bodily orifices that humans were born with, containing the infinite potential of the human body.

However, if these Martial Apertures were not opened, that potential could not be released, and ordinary people would remain ordinary.

Tearing open the bodily orifices that had been closed for so many years would cause pain that even a Martial Dao Seventh Rank martial artist could not endure.

Within a few breaths, Ning Xiu was covered in sweat. The cold sweat constantly seeping from his body, coupled with the intense pain, made him want to faint at any moment.

But this step was extremely crucial. Maintaining a clear consciousness was a must; otherwise, if he fainted, all his efforts would be in vain.

Ning Xiu could only endure the discomfort in his body, sit cross-legged on the ground, and circulate the Great Sun Profound Scripture. Simultaneously, he spent 11,000 points of General Proficiency to raise the Golden Bell Shield to the eleventh layer.

The Golden Bell Shield was a hardening skill that also had body-tempering effects. Raising the Golden Bell Shield's realm at this moment would help Ning Xiu open his Martial Apertures to some extent.

As expected, when the Golden Bell Shield was raised to the eleventh layer, Ning Xiu immediately felt the tearing pain in his chest somewhat alleviate, allowing him to concentrate on circulating the Great Sun Profound Scripture to impact the bodily orifice in his chest.

Closing his eyes, Ning Xiu then fully immersed himself in opening his Martial Apertures.

When cultivators train, they emit auras. Based on the strength of these auras, others can discern their power.

The Great Dao had always been described as having nine ranks, with three major tiers and nine minor tiers. The three major tiers were Upper, Middle, and Lower. There was a world of difference between each tier, with significant gaps in strength.

Therefore, when cultivators attempted to break through to a major tier, it was also called "crossing tiers."

During this process of crossing tiers, the aura emitted by the cultivator unconsciously became the strongest. Those with extraordinary talent or exceptional cultivation techniques would even manifest their auras, creating celestial phenomena.

After Ning Xiu closed his eyes, calmed his mind, and centered himself, his internal aura began to spread. Above the courtyard, a golden-edged red sun gradually appeared.

These wondrous sights quickly caught the attention of nearby Demon Subduing Captains, who all stopped in their tracks and looked up.

"What is that? How can there be two suns in the sky?"

"A manifestation of aura, someone is advancing a rank."

"Such powerful talent. I've heard that manifesting as flying beasts, birds, or even plants is already a rare phenomenon, but this person actually created a second sun in the sky."

"Just who could this esteemed individual be?"

The Demon Subduing Captains were filled with curiosity and, for a moment, all wanted to visit the residence of the person advancing a rank.

As long as they didn't disturb the person, standing outside the house and waiting to observe wouldn't cause any issues.

However, just as the golden-rimmed great sun appeared in the sky, several Bronze Leopard Demon Subduing Captains flashed out from the Fifth Examination Hall and quickly proceeded to the courtyard where the person advancing a rank resided, sealing off all entrances and exits.

Many Iron Horse Demon Subduing Captains who had just arrived were blocked outside by them, not allowed to enter.

"A colleague is advancing a rank, do not approach and disturb them."

"Step back, don't be so curious."

"Are you all idle? If you have missions, go do them. If you don't, go help at the Demon Subduing Prison to execute Malevolent Spirits, don't linger here."

One by one, the Bronze Leopard Demon Subduing Captains guarded the courtyard gate and shouted. Under their reprimands, the situation was easily brought under control.

But a manifestation of aura and celestial phenomena were extremely rare occurrences. How could everyone easily give up witnessing such a scene? They all hid in places where their superiors couldn't see them, discussing the matter while looking at the sky.

"Hey! Look quickly, the phenomenon has changed again!"

"Eh, it really has."

As a few people exclaimed, everyone saw.

The golden-rimmed great sun in the sky began to emit crimson flames in all directions. These crimson flames burned the sky and eroded the clouds.

Soon, the sky above the Demon Subduing Bureau transformed into a magnificent scene of burning clouds, filling the entire sky. This sight, let alone for the various Demon Subduing Captains within the Demon Subduing Bureau, Even the common folk in Chaotian Capital looked up from high places with curiosity.

"What a beautiful sky scene, what's happening?"

"Beautiful as a painting. Quick, wife, grind the ink for your husband, I want to capture this beautiful scene."

"Today is definitely a great day. Looking at this sky scene, it's truly heaven's blessing."

Chaotian Capital was in an uproar, and the Demon Subduing Bureau was also not calm.

Su Qianqian walked out of the Fifth Examination Hall, stood at the entrance, and looked in the direction of the great sun hanging in the sky, muttering somewhat uncertainly, "That place seems to be Ning Xiu's residence."

Qin Daorong was practicing in the courtyard of the Demon Subduing Bureau. Seeing the great sun and the burning clouds, he looked up and smiled, "Another talented individual has emerged. The Demon Subduing Bureau's fortune prospers."

The fiery clouds burned the sky, the great sun hid within the clouds.

These dual phenomena were already awe-inspiring and deeply moving.

But what no one expected was that an hour later, the phenomena appeared again.

From within the great sun, a furious Heavenly King, clad entirely in crimson, stepped out. His long hair was like fire, his tiger eyes were majestic, and he raised the golden-rimmed great sun with both hands, standing like an Immovable Wisdom King amidst the fiery clouds, high in the sky.

At this, everyone fell silent.

Triple phenomena, who on earth is this person?

The furious Heavenly King was at least ten zhang tall, standing conspicuously in the sky. However, within five breaths, all the phenomena vanished.

The sky returned to its original appearance.

The phenomena dissipated, and the rank advancement was successful.

Ning Xiu had no idea of the immense impact his opening of Martial Apertures had today. He was completely immersed in the insights gained after opening his Martial Apertures.

Within the Martial Apertures, it was like another vast, boundless, and infinite world. It contained the infinite potential of the human body, and how much could be excavated from it depended entirely on one's own fortune.

"A manifestation of aura in broad daylight at the Demon Subduing Bureau. I wonder which Demon Subduing Captain has broken through again."

"Every time the Demon Subduing Bureau produces a strong individual, it is a blessing to our Great Shang."

"I've lived in this Chaotian Capital for over thirty years, and this is the first time I've seen such a massive phenomenon."

The entire Chaotian Capital was discussing Ning Xiu's manifestation of aura all day long. In tea houses, wine shops, inns, and at the ends of streets and alleys, the topic was everywhere, with extremely high popularity.

The Demon Subduing Bureau was also not calm. Although the phenomena had disappeared, many Demon Subduing Captains planned to visit their colleague who had advanced a rank.

With triple phenomena, this person possessed the potential to reach the Upper Three Ranks. This was a significant connection to make.

However, the Demon Subduing Bureau had already made arrangements, with Bronze Leopard Demon Subduing Captains constantly guarding the large courtyard, preventing anyone from entering.

This display showed how much they truly valued Ning Xiu and the absolute need to keep his identity a secret.

One day later.

Qin Daorong walked into the courtyard. Two Bronze Leopard Demon Subduing Captains were already waiting outside Ning Xiu's room.

"Has he not woken up yet?" Qin Daorong asked.

"Sir, there has been no movement."

Qin Daorong said, "The period of enlightenment for those who manifest phenomena is generally longer than for other rank advancers. It's understandable. When he wakes up, remember to arrange for him to move to a different residence, so that no one knows who the person who caused the phenomena is."

"Yes."

After an unknown amount of time, Ning Xiu slowly emerged from his state of deep concentration.

It felt like he'd had a great sleep when he was most exhausted. Ning Xiu felt refreshed and comfortable all over.

The only thing that might be considered unusual was that he was incredibly hungry.

"How much time has passed?" Ning Xiu wondered, looking at the angle of the sun outside.

However, this wasn't the time to dwell on that. Ning Xiu focused inward, sensing the changes within his body. He easily discovered a vital point in his chest, slowly rotating like a vortex.

Once his internal energy entered the vital point, it was instantly transformed into strands of silver light that fed back out.

In terms of purity, this silver light was at least three times more potent than his original internal energy.

Internal energy transitioning from a misty liquid, then from liquid to silver light – this qualitative change was the biggest difference between the middle three ranks and the lower three ranks of the Martial Dao.

Ning Xiu clenched his fist and executed the Pure Yang Extreme Fist. Instantly, three inches of silver light appeared on the surface of his fist, wrapping around it like a layer of armor.

Internal energy projection was a characteristic of the middle three ranks of the Martial Dao.

From now on, Ning Xiu could imbue his internal energy into weapons or channel it into others, causing immense destruction.

"My vital aperture is open. I am now Sixth Rank Martial Dao," Ning Xiu said joyfully.

After a brief test of projecting his internal energy, Ning Xiu withdrew his focus and turned his attention to the proficiency panel.

After upgrading the Great Sun Profound Scripture and the Golden Bell Shield, he still had 89,800 points of general proficiency, which was still quite ample.

Next, he needed to accompany Monk Zhengwu to Cloud Mist Mountain. That place was far from Chaotian Capital, and the influence and protective capabilities of the Demon Subduing Bureau would continuously decline the further they got from Chaotian Capital.

It was possible they might encounter powerful Malevolent Spirits or demonic creatures along the way. Strength was never a bad thing; the more, the better.

"The Golden Bell Shield, this hardening skill, has a maximum of twelve layers. It's crucial for me, and I should have perfected it long ago, but I've always been short on general proficiency."

Ning Xiu looked at the Golden Bell Shield, which was already at level eleven and only needed 7,000 points of general proficiency to reach level twelve. He immediately added the proficiency points.

Instantly, the text for Golden Bell Shield changed.

[Golden Bell Shield: Level Twelve (Internalized)]

Upon reaching level twelve, the panel displayed "Internalized" instead of the evolution Ning Xiu had anticipated.

This was beyond Ning Xiu's expectations. What effect did "Internalized" have? As he clicked it, the Golden Bell Shield skill on the proficiency panel began to dim, eventually disappearing completely.

[Divine Ability: Golden Bell Body Protection]

A mysterious incantation suddenly appeared in Ning Xiu's mind. With a thought, a golden bell, existing between reality and illusion, instantly materialized around him.

This golden bell was three feet taller than Ning Xiu, perfectly enclosing him within it.

No one could have imagined that internalizing the Golden Bell Shield skill, cultivated to the twelfth layer, would evolve into such a martial divine ability that could be activated with a single thought.

This was far more useful than the original Golden Bell Shield.

Ning Xiu dismissed the martial divine ability and began to upgrade the Pure Yang Extreme Fist. It was currently at the ninth layer. Ning Xiu directly added 5,000 points of general proficiency.

Originally, when he used the Pure Yang Extreme Fist, his body would turn crimson, but this would only spread from his palms to his arms. After upgrading to the tenth layer, this crimson skin spread to his shoulders. From a distance, Ning Xiu's entire right arm appeared crimson, which was quite extraordinary.

This crimson color was because the Pure Yang Extreme Fist cultivation enhanced the martial artist's blood energy, making their body robust and their skin turn red. This showed how vigorous Ning Xiu's blood energy was.

Ordinary lone spirits would likely be vaporized into nothingness by his blood energy just by getting close to him.

Consuming 6,000 points of general proficiency, Pure Yang Extreme Fist level eleven.

The crimson skin expanded again, this time covering Ning Xiu's neck, face, and chest, turning them all crimson.

With black eyes and a red face, anyone unaware of what was happening might mistake Ning Xiu for a malevolent spirit when he used the Pure Yang Extreme Fist.

Consuming 7,000 points of general proficiency, Pure Yang Extreme Fist level twelve.

His left arm turned completely crimson, and the crimson skin also appeared below his waist.

"Does this Pure Yang Extreme Fist have no upper limit? How is it still not perfected at level twelve…" Ning Xiu muttered.

He had indeed consumed a lot of general proficiency on the Pure Yang Extreme Fist; it was like a bottomless pit.

The other skills were also waiting eagerly for him to upgrade them.

"One more level, and if it's still not perfected, I'll stop," Ning Xiu decided. He spent another 8,000 points of general proficiency on the Pure Yang Extreme Fist.

[Pure Yang Extreme Fist: Level Thirteen (Internalized)]

Seeing that the suffix finally had no proficiency requirement, Ning Xiu breathed a sigh of relief. He had finally filled this bottomless pit.

Internalized!

Like the Golden Bell Shield, the text for Pure Yang Extreme Fist slowly faded, finally disappearing from the proficiency panel.

[Divine Ability: Blood Qi Furnace]

Upon activating this divine ability, Ning Xiu's entire body instantly turned crimson, emitting scorching blood energy like a furnace. This divine ability was specifically effective against sprites, beguilers, malevolent spirits, and demonic creatures.

Two skills had been internalized and transformed into divine abilities.

The proficiency panel suddenly became much quieter.

[Spiritual Eye Qi Observation Technique: Level 5 (34/3000)] (+)

[Great Sun Profound Scripture: Level 10 (Evolving)]

[Heavenly King Vajra Art: Level 2 (6/3000)] (+)

[Fivefold Hammer Force: Untrained (0/100)] (+)

Universal Proficiency: 61800

"After the Great Sun Profound Scripture reaches completion, it doesn't enter the body but evolves. The Pure Yang Extreme Fist also evolved from the Primordial Yang Fist. Currently, only the Golden Bell Shield hasn't evolved and entered the body directly.

Perhaps different cultivation methods possess different potentials. Those with great potential can evolve once, while those without potential enter the body directly," Ning Xiu mused.

He then chose to evolve the Great Sun Profound Scripture.

As an internal energy cultivation method, the Great Sun Profound Scripture was very important to Ning Xiu. If he lost it, he would have to find a higher-grade internal energy cultivation method at the Three Saints Hall to continue improving his strength.

Fortunately, the Great Sun Profound Scripture could evolve further, saving him the trouble of finding a new internal energy cultivation method at the Three Saints Hall.

Because there was a significant difference between lower-grade internal energy and mid-grade internal energy, changing to a new internal energy cultivation method was necessary when crossing grades.

The internal energy cultivated in the lower three grades would be refined through the Martial Apertures and converted into the internal energy of the new cultivation method, causing no impact on the martial artist at all.

Soon, the Great Sun Profound Scripture completed its evolution.

What would be a good name for the evolved internal energy cultivation method? Does anyone have any suggestions?

I'm a cultural desert and can't think of anything.

Please help.