Three Trials

"Have you heard? Junior Brother Tang has become a personal disciple!"

"A personal disciple? Does that mean Junior Brother Tang truly possesses superior-grade bones?"

"It must be true, otherwise he wouldn't have been taken in as a personal disciple so directly!"

Within White Ape Martial Hall, the news of Tang Mu's promotion to personal disciple spread rapidly, immediately sparking widespread heated discussion.

"I also heard that Senior Brother Tang will be able to step into the True Martial Realm within a month!"

"Step into the True Martial Realm in a month? That's impossible, right?"

"Exactly, even with superior-grade bones, it shouldn't be that terrifying!"

"Don't disbelieve it; this came directly from Senior Sister Zhou Yuqing herself."

"Hiss! Just what kind of monster is this..."

When Zhou Yuqing's remarks were spread, the commotion among the martial hall disciples grew even louder.

To be able to step into the True Martial Realm in a month—this talent was frighteningly strong.

One must know that among the outer courtyard disciples, eighty to ninety percent would never be able to enter the True Martial Realm in their entire lives.

From this, one could see just how shocking and world-shaking the talent of superior-grade bones truly was.

"Hoo!"

In a corner of the martial hall, Jiang Chen was as usual, isolating himself from the outside clamor and meditating quietly.

Absolute focus was an important ability he had honed in his previous life.

One could even say that this counted as a form of talent.

With the aid of the medicinal power from the high-quality Aperture Breaking Pill, the turtle shell of his first aperture was being worn down methodically.

Judging by the progress, it was just as he had expected: he would be able to break the aperture in seven days.

Just like that, four days passed amidst the clamor and heated discussions.

At noon, in the cafeteria.

"Jiang Chen, why haven't you been to the training grounds these past few days?"

Just as Jiang Chen had finished getting his food and sat down, Luo Yang leaned over and asked with great curiosity.

The Jiang Chen of the past was famous for his relentless work ethic.

He rose earlier than the chickens and slept later than the dogs, living like an indefatigable cockroach.

But during this period, Jiang Chen's figure was nowhere to be seen on the training grounds.

If he hadn't been able to run into him at the cafeteria, he would have suspected that Jiang Chen had gone home.

"I've had some things to attend to."

Jiang Chen smiled, not mentioning the matter of practicing the breathing technique.

In the half-year since joining the martial hall, Luo Yang had never slacked off, yet he was still at the Second Qi and Blood Gate.

As for himself, despite having wasted so much time, he had caught up from behind and was about to enter the Three Qi and Blood Gates.

If Luo Yang knew, he would likely be greatly discouraged.

"By the way, have you heard? Senior Brother Tang has already reached the Second Qi and Blood Gate."

While chatting, Luo Yang brought up Tang Mu again.

The person currently in the limelight at the martial hall was none other than Tang Mu.

The intensity of the buzz surrounding him even threatened to overshadow the year-end Martial Exam.

"Condensed qi and blood in three days, stepped into the Second Qi and Blood Gate in four days..."

Jiang Chen's expression shifted slightly.

It seemed the rumors from the inner courtyard were not false.

With Tang Mu's talent, he could enter the Three Qi and Blood Gates in half a month and break into the True Martial Realm in a month.

To be honest, this talent of superior-grade bones was truly enviable.

If he didn't have the Myriad Dao Chart to assist him, he feared he wouldn't even have the qualifications to look up at his back.

"I also heard some news that concerns your family."

Immediately after, Luo Yang added.

"Concerns my family? What is it?"

Jiang Chen asked.

Could it be that the Green Wolf Gang was making moves again?

Ever since Senior Brother Tang became a personal disciple, Jiang Xuan has returned to the Jiang Clan. According to the speculations of the inner courtyard disciples, Jiang Xuan is preparing to break through to the True Martial Realm.

One had to admit, Luo Yang's sources were truly well-informed.

"Jiang Xuan? The True Martial Realm? Heh, it seems he's been stimulated."

Upon hearing that it concerned Jiang Xuan, Jiang Chen set his mind at ease.

He did not care much about Jiang Xuan.

While a medium-grade root bone was not bad, it no longer caught his eye.

This was not arrogance, but fact!

It had taken Jiang Xuan four or five months to reach the perfection of the Three Qi and Blood Gates.

As for him, he had begun to assault the Three Qi and Blood Gates after only a month or so.

To put it bluntly, his comprehensive talent was already stronger than Jiang Xuan's.

"Cultivate."

After lunch, Jiang Chen did not waste time and sat cross-legged in meditation once more.

The martial arts qi and blood, fused with the Aperture Breaking Pill, continued to wear down the barrier incessantly.

In the blink of an eye, another three days passed.

BOOM!

Late that night, Jiang Chen, who had been sitting like an old monk, suddenly shuddered.

Immediately, an extremely tyrannical surge of qi and blood roiled within his body.

"I've broken through!"

Jiang Chen opened his eyes, waking from his meditative state, his pupils as brilliant as stars.

[Myriad Dao Chart]

[Dao Master: Jiang Chen]

[Cultivation Method: White Ape Breathing Method · Perfection]

[Cultivation: Three Qi and Blood Gates · First Aperture 0%]

[Martial Arts: Stone Moving Method · Perfection]

[Talent: Soul Seal · Tier 1 (7/10)]

[Origin: 0 points]

On the Myriad Dao Chart, the cultivation column had changed to the Three Qi and Blood Gates.

"So this is the Innate Qi."

As Jiang Chen looked inward, he could clearly see the Innate Pure Qi, most true and pure, emerging within the first aperture and merging with his martial arts qi and blood.

The level of purity was far beyond what the essence of the five viscera and origin energy could compare to.

And with the fusion of the Innate Qi, his martial arts qi and blood began their second transformation.

Back at the Second Qi and Blood Gate, when fusing the essence of the five viscera, his martial arts qi and blood had expelled impurities.

Now, fusing with the Innate Pure Qi allowed the purity of his martial arts qi and blood to reach a higher level, gradually attaining a state of innate flawlessness.

"This aura... why does it feel a bit like Heaven and Earth Spiritual Qi?!"

Jiang Chen captured a trace of a familiar aura from his transforming martial arts qi and blood.

It was remarkably similar to the Heaven and Earth Spiritual Qi he had absorbed deep within the mountains and earth veins in his past life.

So, when Primordial Pure Qi merges into martial arts qi and blood, does it transform into Innate Spiritual Qi?

One had to admit, the martial arts system of this world was truly profound and unfathomable.

[Cultivation +1]

Driven by the breathing method, the Primordial Pure Qi continuously merged into his martial arts qi and blood, and a line of ethereal text drifted across the Myriad Dao Chart.

[Cultivation: Three Qi and Blood Gates · First Aperture 1%]

Immediately following, an increase appeared in the cultivation column.

"Senior Brother Sun was right; once the aperture is successfully broken in the Three Qi and Blood Gates, cultivation becomes effortless."

During the first and second qi and blood gates, it took immense effort to make any progress.

But now, at the Three Qi and Blood Gates, he only needed to easily fuse energy; this was far easier than the previous two gates.

[Cultivation +1]

Before long, another line of ethereal text drifted by.

"At this speed, I can completely refine the Innate Pure Qi within a day."

Jiang Chen was in a great mood.

Seven days to break the aperture, one day to refine.

This meant that in just eight days, he could cross the first aperture.

In other words, in less than two months, he would be able to reach the perfection of the Three Qi and Blood Gates.

This cultivation speed was much faster than that of Jiang Xuan, on whom the Jiang Clan pinned such high hopes.

More importantly, he would have over three months of ample time to prepare for the True Martial Realm.

Before the Martial Exam, stepping into the first stage of the True Martial Realm was already a certainty.

If luck were on his side, he might even have a chance to catch a glimpse of the second stage.

This was not mere wishful thinking.

For him, as long as the medicinal energy kept up, anything was possible.

Amidst the silent, arduous cultivation, the eastern horizon gradually turned pale.

"Hoo!"

As the morning light broke, Jiang Chen, who had been sitting cross-legged for half the night, slowly exhaled a breath of turbid air.

[Cultivation: Three Qi and Blood Gates - First Aperture 30%]

On the Myriad Dao Chart, the progress of the first aperture was already nearing one-third.

"Time to test the power."

Arriving at the training ground, Jiang Chen walked up to the Iron Wood Stake, curled his five fingers into a fist, and struck out rapidly.

Clang!

A clearly visible fist print appeared on the Iron Wood Stake.

"Seven hundred units of force!"

Seeing that fist print, the light in Jiang Chen's eyes grew even brighter.

After fusing with the Primordial Pure Qi, his martial qi and blood had undergone another transformation.

What followed was a comprehensive enhancement of his strength, speed, defense, and reflexes.

Whoosh, whoosh, whoosh!

Immediately, Jiang Chen began to execute a set of fist techniques on the training ground.

The sound of his punches was deafening, and his strikes were fierce.

This was the Ancient Martial Fist from his past life; every move was lethal and extremely savage.

He was practicing this set of techniques now to familiarize himself with his transformed martial qi and blood.

It remained the same principle.

A martial artist's combat strength depended on their proficiency with their martial qi and blood.

"Time to go find Senior Brother Sun."

After about an hour, Jiang Chen, his body steaming with heat, retracted his fists and stood straight.

At this time, Sun Wu should have already arrived at the Martial Arts Hall.

After a quick wash and change of clothes, he walked briskly to the inner courtyard.

"Senior Brother Sun."

Sure enough, the ever-diligent Sun Wu had arrived at the Martial Arts Hall early.

"Junior Brother Jiang? Why are you looking for me so early in the morning? Don't tell me you've already broken through the aperture?"

Seeing Jiang Chen approach, Sun Wu said with a smile.

This was naturally a jest.

After all, it had only been a few days since he bought a high-quality Aperture Breaking Pill from the Ghost Market.

Given Jiang Chen's ordinary aptitude, there was no way he could have broken through the aperture so quickly.