Changes in Thought

The battle at Nine Cloud Mountain greatly impacted Wu Yuan, making him truly realize the cruel struggles of this world.

More importantly, it gave him a completely new understanding of this world.

A First-class Expert could control 'Extreme Strength'.

Then, what about those Martial Dao powerhouses who were famous throughout a province or even stood at the pinnacle of the world?

Their combat techniques would only be more terrifying!

"Legendary Heavenly Ranking Experts, while they don't possess the power to move mountains and fill seas, or pluck stars and capture the moon like in immortal hero myths, they can cleave mountains and rivers at will, truly like Land Immortals. Just how strong must their Martial Arts Techniques be?" Wu Yuan recalled some of the legendary novels he had read in the Martial Arts Academy's library.

At the time, he had doubted their authenticity.

But now? Wu Yuan basically didn't doubt them anymore.

The peak martial power of this world, setting aside physical quality, in terms of Martial Arts Techniques, likely surpassed Wu Yuan's previous estimated upper limit.

"And this Spirit Liquid." Wu Yuan lowered his head, looking at the blue jade bottle placed beside him.

He didn't know what this mysterious liquid was, so he could only call it 'Spirit Liquid'; its effects were too astonishing.

The highest technological achievement of the human Federation in his previous life, 'Life Energy Fluid', was far inferior to it.

Wu Yuan didn't believe it was due to technological differences.

"It's the materials, the fundamental difference in the world's foundation and essence," Wu Yuan mused silently. "Just like the materials for Divine Weapons, surpassing any alloy from the human Federation of his previous life."

This kind of gap couldn't be bridged by technological research.

"If such wondrous items are only possessed by Heavenly Ranking Experts, it would be understandable, but Second-class Experts also have such wondrous items?"

"This indicates."

"In the Central Land World, there are many similar Heavenly Materials and Earthly Treasures!" Wu Yuan thought to himself. "If some top-tier major powers were willing, theoretically, they could supply a large number of a few Martial Dao geniuses."

"The utilization efficiency of these young geniuses might be very low, but they can't withstand the sheer quantity."

Before.

Wu Yuan was very confident, but after truly experiencing the magic of the Spirit Liquid, he no longer dared to say that the foundation of the world's most peak Martial Dao geniuses would be weaker than his own.

The reason was simple.

In terms of consciousness, combat techniques, and control over his body, perhaps Wu Yuan was stronger!

But the top geniuses of this world could possibly receive countless precious resources from childhood, forging an almost perfect physical foundation.

Wu Yuan, when he transmigrated and awakened, was ultimately fourteen years old.

Even if his previous self cultivated diligently, and even if he had worked hard to condition his body in the months since his awakening.

But his physique and many other aspects were already set! Difficult to change!

This would create a congenital gap, similar to genetic differences.

"The body I transmigrated into was fourteen years old, not four, so it's destined not to achieve absolute perfection," Wu Yuan thought to himself.

Of course, he was also very fortunate.

At least, it wasn't a sixty-year-old body.

At least, his previous self had laid a good foundation.

"What I need to do is to achieve as much perfection as possible in the next four years!"

"My realm is extremely high, allowing me to control my body and achieve near-limit development."

"But development requires energy!"

"The purer the better, the fewer impurities the better," Wu Yuan pondered.

Eating ordinary meat, using Body Tempering Pills, and nurturing his body with this Spirit Liquid could all supplement energy, and Wu Yuan could expel almost all impurities.

But ultimately, it could only "approach" complete expulsion, not achieve it entirely.

There was no absolute perfection in the world.

Therefore, the fewer impurities the things Wu Yuan consumed contained, the better.

This way, the fewer impurities would deposit in his body, and the smaller the hindrance to his physical development and future marrow cleansing and blood renewal.

"Ordinary meat and Body Tempering Pills have no difference in terms of impurities," Wu Yuan shook his head slightly.

Only the difference in the total amount of energy contained.

This was the reason Wu Yuan had originally cultivated with 'Body Tempering Pills'.

If he hadn't obtained this mysterious Spirit Liquid, Wu Yuan could have continued cultivating with peace of mind.

But having seen it? He couldn't ignore it.

"This Spirit Liquid actually contains no impurities whatsoever?" When Wu Yuan first realized this, he was genuinely shocked.

At least, with Wu Yuan's current level of control over his body, he couldn't detect any impurities in the Spirit Liquid.

It was too pure!

It instinctively made Wu Yuan yearn for it.

It is easy to go from frugality to luxury, but difficult to go from luxury to frugality.

"I originally planned to cultivate peacefully until I was eighteen, pass the golden development age of my body, and then venture out into the world," Wu Yuan thought to himself. "Perhaps, by then, I will possess strength of 300,000 jin or even 400,000 jin!"

Such strength is terrifying.

This kind of cultivation is also very safe.

"But now?"

"If I could continuously use something like Spirit Liquid to aid my cultivation," Wu Yuan picked up the jade bottle, looking at the dwindling Spirit Liquid within.

"By the age of eighteen, my physical fitness could improve by at least another twenty percent," Wu Yuan roughly estimated.

Twenty percent doesn't sound like much.

In the past few months, Wu Yuan's physical fitness has increased nearly tenfold!

But one must understand, this is the most golden stage of progress. Once the body's development approaches its limit and reaches its peak, it becomes extremely difficult to increase strength by even another hundred jin.

A twenty percent difference.

Could very well mean a gap of tens of thousands of jin in strength!

"In my previous life, my physical fitness was too weak, making it difficult to attempt 'Hundred Apertures Connect to God'," Wu Yuan's eyes held a trace of longing. "But in this life? It's entirely possible!"

"My plan must change."

"I need more Spirit Liquid! To aid my cultivation," Wu Yuan had already made up his mind.

Spirit Liquid, such a wondrous item, doesn't just fall from the sky.

"There are two methods."

"One is to find it myself, which offers more freedom and no constraints. However, the world is vast, and I am alone and weak. Where should I search?" Wu Yuan mused. "The second method is to join a major power and leverage their strength."

Wu Yuan understood clearly that while a Martial Dao expert might be able to fight against ten thousand or even more on their own, why would they still establish a vast force?

One crucial reason is to better collect resources!

Many hands make light work.

"By joining a faction and showcasing my talent, I will naturally receive more resources," Wu Yuan pondered. "At the very least, I can quickly learn more about the secrets of this world."

"Moreover."

"I am destined to venture out into the world and travel to all corners. If I can join a faction and hold a high position, it would be a great help to my mother and the rest of my family," Wu Yuan thought things through thoroughly.

At different stages, people's thoughts change.

When Wu Yuan first awakened, he still carried the mindset from his previous life in a society governed by laws. Now, his thinking has become increasingly closer to that of a normal martial artist in the Central Land World!

"Hengyun Sect is one option."

"If Hengyun Sect doesn't suit my preferences, then I will seek out the Martial Dao Holy Sects of Dongzhou and Wuzhou."

Hengyun Sect is the closest.

As a native of Hengyun Sect, and with his father having once been a soldier of Hengyun Sect, Wu Yuan would naturally gain trust more easily.

As for Wuzhou and Dongzhou?

Wuzhou boasts the foremost Martial Dao sect in the world, 'Martial Ancestor Sect', founded by a former 'Martial King' and renowned for thousands of years! It also has numerous great Martial Dao sects, embracing all rivers, and would not discriminate against people from other provinces.

Dongzhou is the second most prosperous and wealthy province in the world, second only to Shengzhou, and also has many factions.

The 'main branch' of Stellar Tower, for instance, is located in Dongzhou.

However, compared to Hengyun Sect, it would be much more difficult for Wu Yuan to gain their trust.

"Furthermore, the journey to Dongzhou and Wuzhou is long. It would take me a considerable amount of time just to get there, and I wouldn't be able to look after my family," Wu Yuan shook his head slightly.

These are backup options.

In fact, the Great Jin Empire is also a choice. As the foremost empire in the world, its resources are undoubtedly abundant, and it publicly welcomes Martial Dao experts from all corners of the world.

It's a pity, though.

Due to his father's death, Wu Yuan inherently dislikes the Great Jin Empire.

"Moreover, if I rise to prominence in the future, my ancestors for eight generations will be investigated. Once they discover my father died at the hands of the Great Jin army, can I still gain unconditional trust? Will they believe I am loyal to the Great Jin imperial family?" Wu Yuan shook his head slightly.

It's unrealistic!

Loyalty is the most valued trait in any faction.

Especially in a world like this, where individual strength can be terrifying, it is even more important.

To cultivate an enemy who becomes a Heavenly Ranking Expert would be a nightmare for any faction!

"No rush!"

"The remaining Spirit Liquid alone is enough for me to cultivate slowly for another month. I'll take my time to think it over."

Wu Yuan quickly tidied up the things in the courtyard, ensuring nothing was left behind.

He left the courtyard.

... Wu Yuan did not go home but headed towards the Martial Arts Academy.

Although he was a top four finisher in the previous Martial Academy Grand Competition and no longer needed to attend any classes, he was still a 'Martial Arts Academy disciple' and had to show his face occasionally.

Moreover, since Wu Yuan had decided to join a major power, with Hengyun Sect as his first choice, approaching them through the Martial Arts Academy was a good strategy.

As soon as he entered the Martial Arts Academy, he received a message.

"Dean, Huan Shi and the others have been looking everywhere for me these past few days?" Wu Yuan was taken aback.