"Junior Brother Chen, congratulations on breaking through the Skin Realm," Tao Ping said with a smile.
He had broken through in such a short time, without the slightest hint of difficulty. It was clearly a sign of abundant qi and blood built up through solid accumulation.
The senior and junior brothers around them all offered their congratulations.
Those struggling bitterly to nourish their qi and blood couldn't help showing envy in their eyes.
The senior brothers who had already broken through also offered their goodwill. After all, Chen Yuan had done it in just two and a half months, which showed he had good talent.
But Xu Heng had already set the bar so high that Chen Yuan paled in comparison. Naturally, there were no gifts or anything of the sort.
Sun Chengjie and the other two also smiled. Chen Yuan had set a fine example for them.
Xue Anping admired him even more.
To break through even while his emotions were in turmoil—his usual hard work had certainly paid off!
The Zhou Brothers' faces turned incomparably ugly.
They had assumed Chen Yuan was unlikely to break through and had even wanted to kick him while he was down.
After all, they had been practicing martial arts for nearly five months, and their family savings had been drained, yet they still hadn't reached the threshold of a breakthrough.
Who could have imagined that Chen Yuan would break through so easily? How were they supposed to face anyone now?
"I was lucky to break through. Thank you, Senior Brother, for protecting me," Chen Yuan said, cupping his hands.
Tao Ping gave a small nod. "It had nothing to do with me. This was the result of all the hard work you've put into martial arts. From now on, you can collect one Blood Qi Pill from the Dining Hall. Consider it a small reward."
It had long been a tradition at Huo Academy to reward disciples who broke through the Skin Realm with one Blood Qi Pill.
He continued, "Junior Brother Chen, I'm sure you've felt it too. Breaking through the Skin Realm allows your qi and blood to flow through your skin, making it as tough as oxhide and greatly increasing your defenses. You can also begin Skin Refining to further strengthen your skin's toughness, while continuing to build up your qi and blood in preparation for breaking through the Bone Realm."
Chen Yuan nodded.
After more than two months of martial arts practice, he had gained a basic understanding of the Four Realms and Three Forces of Martial Arts.
The Skin Realm focused on defense, the Bone Realm strengthened the whole body, the Muscle Realm enhanced strength, and the Marrow Realm made one's strength flow without end.
The saying "Copper Skin, Iron Bone, Golden Muscle, and Jade Marrow" described the result of tempering each realm to its utmost.
Not far away, Song Qiao teased, "Junior Brother Xu, your good friend has broken through. Aren't you going to congratulate him?"
Xu Heng replied coolly, "For him, it's quite an achievement. Other people can offer their congratulations. We're not cut from the same cloth, after all."
He genuinely didn't think breaking through in two and a half months was anything worth congratulating.
With that, he turned away and paid no further attention.
Song Qiao gave a sardonic laugh. "True enough. All sorts of people gather at Huo Academy, yet their circumstances are worlds apart."
Some people could spend their whole lives achieving nothing.
Others were destined for greatness the moment their bone structure was tested.
The crowd of well-wishers dispersed.
Tao Ping smiled. "Junior Brother Chen, shall I help you get used to the force of the Skin Realm?"
Chen Yuan nodded. "Thank you, Senior Brother. There's one more thing I'd like to ask of you."
Tao Ping raised an eyebrow. "Oh? What is it?"
Chen Yuan explained, "Senior Brother Tao, I'd like you to keep an eye out for a temporary post for me."
Tao Ping handled temporary appointments at the academy. Master Huo had personally entrusted him with the task, and he had both reliable information and a wide network of connections.
But now he looked troubled. "Junior Brother Chen, it's not that I don't want to help. I understand your predicament, but there are strict requirements for temporary posts. You need to have broken through the Skin Realm and comprehended the Clear Force."
It wasn't hard to understand Chen Yuan's urgency. The Gu Family had just withdrawn their support, so he naturally needed to earn enough to cover next month's training expenses.
But only initiated martial artists could take temporary posts. That was an ironclad rule.
The Skin Realm focused on defense, while the Clear Force focused on offense. Only when offense and defense complemented each other could one develop effective combat strength.
Chen Yuan said nothing. He planted his feet, bent his knees, lowered his shoulders, and threw a straight punch. His entire right arm crackled at once, and a fierce gust of force followed.
He withdrew his hand and cupped his fists. "Senior Brother, I've already entered the Clear Force."
Tao Ping's pupils shrank sharply amid the succession of crisp cracks. He stared at Chen Yuan in disbelief, his voice trembling.
"Junior Brother Chen... you've already comprehended the Clear Force? When did this happen?"
It wasn't that it was inconceivable—it was just too sudden. Chen Yuan had comprehended it without a word, then abruptly announced, "I've already entered the Clear Force."
What was that if not a scare?
Chen Yuan smiled faintly. "I was lucky enough to comprehend it yesterday."
Tao Ping gave Chen Yuan a deep look and sighed.
"Junior Brother Chen, you've really been hiding your light under a bushel. You've certainly made me see you in a new light."
He had actually comprehended the Clear Force before breaking through the Skin Realm. That was quite rare.
Everyone knew that the Clear Force was harder to comprehend than the Skin Realm. Even Xu Heng had broken through the Skin Realm before comprehending the Clear Force. Reversing that order required exceptional insight.
But as far as Tao Ping knew, Chen Yuan's insight wasn't particularly outstanding. Otherwise, Master Huo would have mentioned it long ago.
Chen Yuan lowered his head slightly. "Maybe something just clicked. I suddenly understood it."
Tao Ping pressed his lips together, his eyes wandering.
Something clicked? Could Chen Yuan be one of those late bloomers?
Well, never mind. Let it be.
He cleared his throat and said solemnly, "Good. Since you've comprehended the Clear Force and broken through the Skin Realm today, you're now an initiated martial artist. I'll keep an eye out for a temporary post for you. Your allowance of Blood-Qi Pills will also increase to two."
His voice wasn't loud, but he made no effort to hide his words. They instantly reached the senior and junior brothers who had just dispersed. One by one, they wondered if they'd heard wrong. Chen Yuan had comprehended the Clear Force?
They gathered around again.
Chen Yuan couldn't help smiling wryly. He had deliberately waited until they'd dispersed before saying anything. He hadn't expected Senior Brother Tao to make such a spectacle of it. He really didn't want to show off like this.
After all, showing off and keeping a low profile were as incompatible as fire and water. He didn't want his Dao of Survival Points docked again.
He looked up and met Tao Ping's meaningful smile.
You little rascal, trying to scare me, huh? You think you're the only one who can show off? Not a chance!
Chen Yuan immediately understood the look in his eyes and sighed repeatedly to himself. All I want is to be a man of the Dao of Survival. Senior Brother, you've led me astray!
"Senior Brother Tao, did Junior Brother Chen really comprehend the Clear Force? Don't joke with me. Didn't he just break through the Skin Realm?"
"How could that be possible? Who comprehends the Clear Force before breaking through the Skin Realm? That's complete nonsense!"
"Senior Brother Chen! Is what Senior Brother Tao said true? Did you really comprehend the Clear Force? When did you do it? That's incredible!"
Questions came pouring in from every direction, their tones urgent. They were plainly full of doubt and curiosity.
How could the Clear Force be so easy to comprehend?
Some among them had broken through the Skin Realm a year or even a year and a half ago, yet still couldn't comprehend the Clear Force. Unable to become initiated martial artists, they couldn't take temporary posts either. Their lives were miserable.
Hearing this news was like the sky falling in on them.
Besides, Chen Yuan had only Grade D-Upper talent. He had become an initiated martial artist in two and a half months. Even someone with Grade C-Upper talent usually couldn't manage that, could they?
All sorts of doubts swirled through their minds. Their eyes fixed on Chen Yuan, brimming with barely contained curiosity.
Tao Ping pressed down on the commotion with a gesture and chuckled. "What's so hard to believe? Come, Junior Brother Chen. I was just going to help you get used to the force of the Skin Realm. Show the others what you can do, too."
At that, the crowd wisely retreated to the perimeter, leaving the two of them some space.
They widened their eyes, eager to see just what sort of fighter Chen Yuan was.
Chen Yuan shook his head with a wry smile. What else could he say?
He cupped his hands. "Chen Yuan requests Senior Brother's guidance."
Tao Ping stood calmly in place. "Come at me with everything you've got. The stronger you look, the more confidently I can raise the price when I find you a temporary post."
At the mention of the price, Chen Yuan instantly found his motivation. He raised his hands into the Eagle Catch stance and lunged forward with a Darting Step.
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