Dead End

"Senior Brother Meng, is this footwork included in the latter three layers of the White Ape Mountain-Suppressing Technique?"

A personal disciple asked Meng Wentao.

The surrounding disciples all looked over as well.

Among the Inner Courtyard disciples, Meng Wentao was one of the few personal disciples who had stepped into the True Martial Third Layer and cultivated the complete White Ape Mountain-Suppressing Technique.

"That should be a martial art taught by the Zhou Clan."

Meng Wentao's expression was solemn as he slowly shook his head.

Tang Mu's talent made him feel an indescribable pressure.

Not only did he step into the True Martial Realm in a single month, but his comprehension in martial arts was also this formidable; he was simply a monster.

As expected, his initial decision had been correct.

Joining the City Guard as soon as possible was the best strategy.

If he waited until next year, the opportunity would have long since passed.

"As expected, the White Ape Combat Method is merely a foundational martial art."

A sharp light flickered in Jiang Chen's eyes.

The footwork Tang Mu had just displayed was definitely some kind of high-level martial art.

That level of explosive speed and rhythmic variation was several tiers above the White Ape Combat Method.

Judging by the reactions of the Inner Courtyard disciples, they clearly did not recognize that martial art either; it was likely that only geniuses recognized by the Zhou Clan had the opportunity to cultivate it.

This made his desire to become stronger grow even more intense.

"Alright, disperse."

Zhou Rongfeng waved his hand, signaling the Inner Courtyard disciples to leave.

He then walked toward Tang Mu with a face full of smiles, completely devoid of his usual sternness.

Tang Mu, however, remained as shy as ever, clearly not yet fully accustomed to his new status.

"Senior Brother Sun."

As the Inner Courtyard disciples scattered in twos and threes, Jiang Chen found Sun Wu and the others.

"Junior Brother Jiang, you've finally returned."

Seeing Jiang Chen, Sun Wu said a few words to Zhou Yu and the others before smiling and walking up to greet him.

Calculating the time, Jiang Chen's Aperture Breaking Pill should be almost used up.

"Senior Brother Sun, I have to trouble you again."

Jiang Chen didn't waste words and took out six thousand taels in silver notes.

"It's just a small favor, no need to talk about trouble."

Sun Wu smiled, then looked at Jiang Chen: "Junior Brother Jiang, what stage has your cultivation reached?"

In the past, he could easily perceive Jiang Chen's cultivation level, but today, he couldn't gauge the depth.

In such a situation, either the other person's cultivation was far higher than his own, or they had cultivated some kind of secret technique.

"I have just opened the Fourth Aperture!"

Jiang Chen dispelled his Qi Concealment Technique, and his martial Blood Qi surged.

"The Fourth Aperture?!"

Sun Wu was both shocked and delighted.

He was delighted by Jiang Chen's progress in cultivation.

Jiang Chen was a genius he had discovered, so naturally, the stronger he was, the better.

What shocked him was Jiang Chen's speed of cultivation.

Judging by the time, Jiang Chen's cultivation speed was actually increasing at a steady rate?

It only took him seven or eight days for the First Aperture, and it seemed he had only used seven or eight days for the Fourth Aperture as well.

How was this achieved?

One must know that the polishing of the Seven Apertures becomes increasingly cautious the further one progresses, and the difficulty increases exponentially.

After all, the Seven Apertures are extremely fragile, and the slightest carelessness could lead to disability.

Yet Jiang Chen seemed to have no such concerns, advancing triumphantly all the way.

"Junior Brother Jiang, is there anything wrong with your body?"

Sun Wu asked immediately.

"I can eat and sleep well; I'm doing great."

Jiang Chen laughed.

"The polishing of the Seven Apertures must be handled with extreme caution; one must not seek momentary speed at the cost of leaving behind permanent physical defects."

Sun Wu felt relieved upon hearing this, yet he promptly offered a reminder.

"I understand."

Jiang Chen nodded.

For other martial artists, the polishing of the Seven Apertures naturally required the utmost care.

But he was different.

Not only did he possess the internal vision of the Myriad Dao Chart, but he also had the perception of the Soul Seal, so he would naturally not make any mistakes.

"Xiaoyu, what are you looking at?"

On the Martial Arts Arena, after Zhou Rongfeng finished explaining the mistakes in Tang Mu's recent combat, he noticed Zhou Yuqing looking in a certain direction and asked curiously.

"Father, do you remember the Junior Brother Jiang I mentioned to you a few days ago?"

Zhou Yuqing withdrew her gaze.

The person she had been watching was none other than Jiang Chen, who was leaving with Sun Wu.

She had wanted to take the opportunity to call out to Jiang Chen and introduce him to her father, but unfortunately, Jiang Chen had already walked too far away.

"You mean that clansman of Jiang Xuan?"

Zhou Rongfeng was naturally well-informed about the affairs of the Martial Arts Hall.

Among the Inner Courtyard disciples, Jiang Xuan's talent was considered quite outstanding; although he was not on par with Zhou Yuqing or Meng Wentao, he was far superior to others with average bone structure.

If he could step into the True Martial Realm, he would be worth his focused cultivation.

As for Jiang Chen, he couldn't even be bothered to remember the name.

With only ordinary bone structure, even if he entered the Inner Courtyard, his potential was limited.

"Father, although Junior Brother Jiang has ordinary bone structure, his comprehension is truly astonishing. I feel that if he is cultivated properly, he might be able to enter the True Sun Sect in the future."

Seeing her father's indifference, Zhou Yuqing voiced her assessment of Jiang Chen's potential.

"If he can make you value him so highly, I believe his comprehension is extraordinary, but it is impossible for him to obtain a spot in the Upper Sect!"

Zhou Rongfeng shook his head slightly.

No matter how outstanding one's comprehension is, it cannot compensate for the mediocrity of one's bone structure.

"Why?"

Zhou Yuqing was puzzled.

One of the reasons the Upper Sect established the City Guard was to select martial arts geniuses.

In other words, as long as one stood out in the City Guard, they were fully qualified to obtain a spot to enter the Upper Sect.

"Because in the history of the True Sun Sect, they have never accepted a disciple with ordinary bone structure."

Zhou Rongfeng stated.

This was also the reason why he had no interest at all after hearing that Jiang Chen had ordinary bone structure.

Whether Jiang Chen had reached the Three Qi and Blood Gates in half a year, or if it had truly taken him only two months, it did not matter.

Bone structure determined how far one could go on the path of martial arts.

And for ordinary bone structure, the ceiling was already set.

At the stage of the Three Qi and Blood Gates, one could still keep up through resources and hard work.

Once at the True Martial Realm, even with the aid of resources, progress would remain difficult.

With that level of potential, let alone entering the True Sun Sect, there was no foothold for him even in the City Guard.

"But Sister Yun Xi, isn't she of ordinary bone structure?"

Zhou Yuqing brought up an example.

"That is correct. That girl Yun Xi is indeed of ordinary bone structure, and she did indeed enter the True Sun Sect, but she did not enter the True Sun Sect through the selection process."

Zhou Rongfeng smiled.

"Not through the selection? Could it be because Sister Yun Xi is from the Duanmu Clan?"

Zhou Yuqing was confused.

Was it not said that the rules of the Upper Sect were extremely strict, and that to enter the sect, one must pass through layers of selection?

If one failed the selection, could even the disciples of the great clans in the prefecture city not enter the True Sun Sect?

"This has nothing to do with the Duanmu Clan. The real reason is that Yun Xi's grandfather died for the True Sun Sect, which is why the True Sun Sect granted her special treatment."

Zhou Rongfeng revealed the inside story.

The Duanmu Clan was indeed a powerful clan in the prefecture city.

But compared to the True Sun Sect, they were more than a level behind.

Capable of making deals with the imperial court and controlling the entire Anning Prefecture, the foundation of the True Sun Sect was far beyond what any noble family or clan could compare to.

Naturally, the True Sun Sect would not make an exception for the Duanmu Clan.

Let alone the Duanmu Clan, even the top-tier, long-established families of the prefecture city would not receive such treatment.

"So, does that mean Junior Brother Jiang has no hope at all?"

Zhou Yuqing felt immense regret.

Given Jiang Chen's comprehension, his future achievements would certainly not be lacking.

Yet now, because of his innate talent, the path to the Upper Sect was severed!

"It's not that there's no hope; there isn't even a shred of it."

Zhou Rongfeng sentenced Jiang Chen to death without hesitation.

In his eyes, the potential of an ordinary innate talent meant that, let alone coveting a spot in the Upper Sect, even the City Guard would not pay him any mind; he would remain like this for the rest of his life.