Breakthrough to Martial Artist! First Grade Realm Classifications!

At this rate, the gap between Qin Yan and the top geniuses of this class was rapidly closing!

"Since that's the case, we shouldn't delay!"

Xiao Huo's smile faded, his expression turning solemn and focused.

"Guide that thread of qi within your body now and begin tempering the flesh and skin throughout your body.

I'll protect you throughout the process and ensure nothing goes wrong!"

"Yes, Teacher!"

Qin Yan nodded solemnly.

He walked to a relatively open area in the center of the Pill Chamber.

Taking a deep breath, he prepared to assume the opening stance of the Nine Revolutions Golden Body Spear.

Just then, two bottles of pills flew from Xiao Huo's hand and landed steadily before Qin Yan.

"The bottle on the left contains First-Rank Blood Qi Pills, ten in total.

If you feel your qi running low during the tempering process, take one immediately. It will quickly replenish your expenditure."

"The bottle on the right contains First-Rank Body Tempering Pills, also ten in total.

Take one before beginning the body tempering. It will significantly improve the efficiency and effects of tempering your flesh and skin."

Xiao Huo's voice was steady and clear. "These two bottles of pills count as the gift I'm giving you for becoming my disciple."

Qin Yan's heart jolted.

Both First-Rank Blood Qi Pills and Body Tempering Pills sold for fifty thousand Huaxia Coins each!

They were even more expensive than the Blood Qi Pills he had taken before.

The total value of these two bottles was as high as one million Huaxia Coins!

His teacher was incredibly generous!

"Thank you for your generous gift, Teacher! I will certainly not disappoint your expectations!"

Qin Yan did not make any hypocritical refusals.

He engraved this weighty kindness in his heart and solemnly put away the two jade bottles.

Without further hesitation, he poured out a pill the size of a longan from the jade bottle of Body Tempering Pills. It emitted a strange medicinal fragrance.

He tipped back his head and swallowed it.

The pill dissolved the moment it entered his stomach.

In an instant, it transformed into a gentle yet immense current of heat that surged through his limbs and bones.

The surface of his skin began to grow faintly hot, as though every cell had been awakened.

Now!

Qin Yan's gaze sharpened as he formed the stance of gripping a spear in his hand.

That thread of pale golden qi inside him moved at his command!

Following the method of the Flesh and Skin Chapter of the Nine Revolutions Golden Body Spear, he began to move!

At first, his movements were still somewhat clumsy.

But as the Spear Momentum unfolded and his blood qi coursed along its designated paths, that thread of qi also began to flow slowly through his meridians.

Wherever it passed, his flesh and skin felt a strange mix of tingling itchiness and burning heat.

The medicinal effects of the Body Tempering Pill were thoroughly activated.

They fused perfectly with that thread of "qi" within Qin Yan.

His skin visibly turned crimson at a rapid pace.

Heat steamed from his entire body, white vapor swirling around him as though he had been placed inside a furnace!

Wave after wave of tearing pain and swelling pressure surged from every part of his body.

It felt as if his body were about to burst apart from this immense force!

"Qin Yan, focus your mind!

Guide the qi and prioritize tempering the flesh and skin of your upper limbs!"

Xiao Huo's steady voice rang beside Qin Yan's ear.

His Mental Strength had long since spread out like an invisible net.

It enveloped Qin Yan's entire body, leaving him keenly aware of every minute change within.

Hearing this, Qin Yan immediately did as instructed.

He focused most of his attention on tempering his arms.

Sure enough, once the force was concentrated in one place, the overwhelming sensation of bursting immediately eased considerably.

In its place came a deeper, more focused feeling of tempering.

"Very good! Now, move to your lower body!"

"Temper your soles and ankles. This is the foundation of your strength!"

"Pay attention to the coordination of your waist and abdominal core!"

"Don't neglect the skin and flesh of your third leg either!"

"..."

Xiao Huo's guidance was precise and timely.

His voice always sounded just as Qin Yan was about to make a mistake or run out of strength.

Under his protection, Qin Yan's first full-body tempering was painful, but it remained within controllable limits and progressed steadily.

He could clearly feel his skin becoming tougher.

The strength contained within it was also slowly yet steadily increasing throughout the tempering process.

Time quietly passed amid the torment of pain and the growth of his strength.

Who knew how long had passed? When the last patch of skin and flesh on his body was completely washed over by that thread of qi and medicinal power, finishing its tempering—

"Buzz!"

Qin Yan felt a soft hum ring through his mind.

It was as though some sort of shackle had shattered, and his entire body suddenly felt lighter!

An indescribable sense of comfort spread through his body.

All the pain and exhaustion from before receded like the tide.

In their place came an unprecedented sense of fullness, power, and control!

At that moment, his very level of life underwent a qualitative leap!

"Congratulations, Xiao Yan."

A gratified smile appeared on Xiao Huo's face as he stepped forward. "From this moment on, you are a true First-Rank Martial Artist!"

He had originally estimated that Qin Yan would need at least one or two months to break through. He had not expected this pleasant surprise to arrive so quickly.

"It was all thanks to your protection, Teacher!"

Qin Yan bowed deeply from the bottom of his heart.

Without Xiao Huo's precise guidance and those precious pills, there was no way he could have completed his breakthrough so smoothly and efficiently.

"You and I are master and disciple. There's no need to be so formal."

"Next, you must not slack off. Cultivate diligently and consolidate your realm.

"You must also keep up with your studies on the Alchemy Path. Do not neglect either one."

"I understand, Teacher."

Qin Yan answered earnestly.

"Put those two bottles of pills away. You'll still need them for your future cultivation."

Xiao Huo instructed, "After you return, make the most of your time and thoroughly master everything concerning first-grade spiritual herbs in the Complete Guide to Low-Grade Spiritual Herbs I gave you.

"This is only the foundation. There is still an enormous amount of alchemy knowledge waiting for you to learn."

"Yes, Teacher! This student will take his leave."

After leaving the Alchemy Chamber, Qin Yan returned directly to the manor.

After breaking through to become a martial artist, he felt sticky all over.

A foul odor wafted from him. These were impurities expelled after tempering his skin and flesh.

He immediately rushed to the bathroom on the second floor and washed himself several times until not a trace of the strange smell remained on his skin.

He instantly felt refreshed and comfortable all over.

After changing into clean clothes, Qin Yan went to the Cultivation Room on the third floor.

With a thought, he opened the System Panel, eager to learn the specific changes after his breakthrough:

[Sky-Supporting Qi Pillar: Fifth layer (Perfected)

Level: Early First-Rank Martial Artist

Blood Qi: 110 Cal

Mental Power: 42 Hz

Martial Skill: Nine Revolutions Golden Body Spear, Flesh and Skin Chapter, Second Revolution (77%)

Spear Technique: Third Stage (17%)

Alchemy Path: Complete Guide to Low-Grade Spiritual Herbs (2.6%)

Skill Points: 0

Note: As long as you work hard, there will be rewards.

"My Blood Qi has finally broken through!"

Looking at the 110 Cal Blood Qi displayed on the panel, Qin Yan could not help but sigh.

His Blood Qi had been stuck at 99 Cal for far too long.

Based on what he had learned in class, he knew that the First-Rank Martial Artist realm mainly involved tempering the flesh and skin.

Each tempering increased Blood Qi by 10 points.

A First-Rank Martial Artist needed to complete eight flesh-and-skin temperings to reach the peak of the First Rank—the Bronze Skin realm.

In other words, the peak Blood Qi of a First-Rank Martial Artist was 180 Cal.

Yet he had only completed his first tempering. The road ahead was still long.

Qin Yan thought of his Little Senior Sister, Lu Youyou.

She was already Mid First Grade and was about to break through to the late stage.

That meant she had already completed four flesh-and-skin temperings.

Compared to her, he still had a long way to go.