Stepping into the Initial Realm

According to the cultivation manual, those with superior aptitude only need a month or so to master the first level.

Yet, Lu Yuan only took the time it takes to drink a cup of tea.

This level of comprehension is truly heaven-defying!

He merely guided the spirit energy into his body, and under the traction of the technique, the spirit energy completed a full cycle.

No force, no straining, not even any effort.

It was just like having autopilot turned on.

Feeling the mist-like spirit energy surging within his body, he noted that although the quantity had increased, the quality was uneven.

As the technique stated: impure spirit energy is like a dull blade.

It must be refined.

Lu Yuan focused his mind, attempting to refine the spirit energy.

However, the spirit energy refused to be controlled; it was like a mass of mist—the tighter he gripped it, the faster it dissipated.

With a thought, he activated the Heaven-Opening Power.

In an instant, the spirit energy in his body jolted violently, as if gripped tightly by an invisible giant hand.

Compression, hammering, refining...

The sparse spirit energy was kneaded together, and the thick spirit energy became even denser.

After a wisp of spirit energy was refined, only one-tenth of its size remained, yet it was ten times purer than before.

After the time it takes to burn an incense stick, the spirit energy in his meridians transformed from a thin mist into raindrops.

Second level, Spirit Energy as Rain!

Lu Yuan did not stop.

The spirit energy continued to circulate through his meridians, being refined by the Heaven-Opening Power over and over again.

Every new wisp of spirit energy that entered his meridians was ruthlessly ravaged by that invisible hand, stripping away the dross and leaving only the essence.

The raindrops grew more numerous and dense, beginning to merge and collide.

Eventually, they gathered into crystal-clear dewdrops flowing through his meridians.

Third level, Spirit Energy as Dew.

Lu Yuan exhaled a breath of turbid air, the corners of his mouth curling up slightly.

In one hour, he had traversed a path that would take someone with superior aptitude an entire year to complete.

Using the Heaven-Opening Power to cultivate the Myriad Transformation Infinite Art was truly promising.

He steadied his mind and continued to refine.

Two hours later, the dewdrops shattered and gathered into a stream.

Fourth level, Spirit Energy as Liquid.

Four hours later, the spirit energy became even thicker, turning into a paste.

Fifth level, Spirit Energy as Slurry.

Six hours later, the spirit energy was refined into a gelatinous state.

Sixth level, Spirit Energy as Glue.

Eight hours later, the spirit energy became heavier and sluggish.

Seventh level, Spirit Energy as Lead.

Ten hours later, the spirit energy existed between solid and liquid, warm and restrained.

Eighth level, Spirit Energy as Jade.

Twelve hours later, the spirit energy rearranged itself, condensing into crystal-clear Spirit Crystal.

Ninth level, Spirit Energy as Crystal.

It was done!

In twelve hours, he had cultivated the Myriad Transformation Infinite Art to perfection.

Walking a path in one day that others could not finish in a lifetime was simply inconceivable.

However, upon closer reflection, it made perfect sense.

Those obscure and difficult passages, those insurmountable bottlenecks—others might be stuck on them for a year or more.

But with Lu Yuan's current comprehension, he could see the optimal path at a glance, making his cultivation journey completely smooth sailing.

Coupled with the indestructible nature of the Heaven-Opening Power, what was originally a slow, grinding process of refining spirit energy was now completed in one go.

With the two effects of his traits stacked, cultivating was like stepping on his own feet to take flight on the spot.

That was why he had cultivated the Myriad Transformation Infinite Art to perfection in just one day.

Lu Yuan opened his eyes, and two beams of spiritual light shot out from the depths of his pupils, illuminating the four walls.

BOOM--

A powerful aura surged from within his body, like a volcano that had been dormant for a thousand years suddenly erupting.

The aura swept out in all directions like a biting gale.

The tables, chairs, and benches in the room shattered, sending splinters flying.

The walls were covered in dense cracks, as if they had been crushed by an invisible, immense force.

Lu Yuan retracted his aura, the brilliant Spirit Crystal within his meridians shimmering like a sea of stars.

Initial Realm!

He had stepped into the Initial Realm!

A single Mortal Shedding Pill had built a skyscraper from the ground up.

From this day on, he was also an Initial Realm martial artist.

He stood up and stretched his limbs, his entire body emitting a series of crisp pops like roasting beans.

As the Spirit Crystal flickered, the vast spiritual power within his body surged and churned, his aura pouring out like a mountain-toppling sea, dozens of times more formidable than some veteran Initial Realm practitioners.

"The Myriad Transformation Infinite Art cultivated to perfection is truly extraordinary."

Lu Yuan was in a great mood and fetched water to wash up.

Now that he had entered the Initial Realm, it was time to accept a mission.

Qingzhou Demon Suppression Division, infirmary.

The air was thick with the scent of medicinal herbs mixed with a faint, lingering smell of blood.

Lin Chen had been beaten by Lu Yuan yesterday and remained unconscious.

Fortunately, when he was admitted to the Demon Suppression Division, Lin Man'er had accompanied him as a family member; otherwise, he wouldn't even have anyone to look after him.

At this moment, Lin Man'er's eyes were red and swollen, and she looked at the figure standing by the bed with a face full of sorrow.

"Lord Zhou, my brother has excellent aptitude. After five years of martial arts training, he finally made it into the Demon Suppression Division, only to be beaten into a coma by Lu Yuan. I beg you to seek justice for us!"

Lin Man'er fell to her knees with a thud, trembling as she wept.

She had no other kin in the Qingzhou Demon Suppression Division, and Zhou Tong was the only person she knew who could help her.

"Get up and speak."

Zhou Tong reached out to help the woman up, his brows furrowing.

After the selection in Yun'an County concluded, he had been away on a mission, and he hadn't expected to hear news of Lin Chen's serious injury the moment he returned to the Demon Suppression Division.

Lin Chen was a newcomer he favored; he had already reached the sixth level of the Mortal Realm before the entrance examination, yet he had fallen at the hands of Lu Yuan twice in a row.

How could this be possible?

After a moment of silence, Zhou Tong asked, "What exactly happened? Tell me the truth."

Lin Man'er's account was unclear; she hadn't been present on the day of the examination and had no idea of the actual situation.

It was only when Lin Chen woke up for a brief moment while the physician was treating him that she learned the perpetrator was Lu Yuan.

Zhou Tong frowned and continued to ask, "In yesterday's entrance examination, what grade was Lin Chen awarded?"

"Grade B!" A look of joy immediately appeared in the depths of Lin Man'er's eyes. "A clerk came by yesterday; he said that once Lin Chen's injuries heal, he should go to the Administrative Hall to register."

"Lord Zhou, that Lu Yuan must have been jealous of my brother, which is why he took advantage of Lin Chen's weakened state after the examination to beat him into such a serious condition. He is trying to ruin my brother!"

Zhou Tong nodded; he had suspected the same.

Otherwise, how could a mere second-level Mortal Realm practitioner beat Lin Chen into such a serious state?

This Lu Yuan was truly vicious.

At this thought, a cold light flashed in Zhou Tong's eyes.

He had never thought much of Lu Yuan, but he hadn't expected Lu Yuan to take advantage of someone's vulnerability to severely injure a Demon-Suppressing Guard who had already passed the examination.

Did the Disciplinary Hall not care about this?

Fine, if the Disciplinary Hall wouldn't handle it, he, Zhou Tong, would!

He took out two taels of silver, placed them by the bedside, and said in a deep voice:

"Rest assured, I am an Initial Realm martial artist and a Demon-Suppressing Guard of seven years; I have the authority to reward merit and punish wrongdoing among newcomers."

"For this matter, Lu Yuan must be severely punished!"

"Thank you, Lord Zhou, for seeking justice for my brother!" Lin Man'er was moved to tears.

Zhou Tong nodded, as if having made a decision, and strode out of the infirmary.