"The effects of the Crimson Blood Fruit are truly extraordinary."
After pondering for a moment, Su Yun was astonished.
Just two Crimson Blood Fruits had helped him successfully break through to the Body Refining Eighth Stage.
Of course, that was also because he had absorbed all of their medicinal effects perfectly.
Other martial artists, even if they obtained two Crimson Blood Fruits, would probably only break through one minor stage after refining them.
The next morning.
Pale light hung over the horizon.
Now and then, birds flew past, calling to one another.
Dew dripped from the trees, drop by drop.
Everything looked peaceful and serene.
At one moment, a cold breeze swept by, brushing across Su Yun's face.
By then, he had already returned to the Mystic Blade Sect.
He was heading toward the Mission Pavilion.
Before long, he entered the Mission Pavilion.
"This disciple is here to turn in a mission."
Su Yun took out the green bamboo slip and handed it over.
Then he briefly explained the information he had gathered.
Of course, he selectively left out some details.
He also said that he had found a few Crimson Blood Fruits.
But he had already refined those Crimson Blood Fruits, which was how he had successfully broken through to the Body Refining Eighth Stage.
Otherwise, there would have been no way to explain his increase in cultivation.
"I see."
The elder in charge of registration took the bamboo slip, then glanced at Su Yun's cultivation and nodded, slightly surprised.
When Su Yun had accepted the mission earlier, he had been at the Body Refining Sixth Stage.
To break through two stages in such a short time and reach the Body Refining Eighth Stage—
only a Heavenly Treasure like the Crimson Blood Fruit could have made that possible.
Although the higher-ups of the Mystic Blade Sect had said that each Crimson Blood Fruit brought back could be exchanged for five thousand Contribution Points, disciples naturally had the right to decide what to do with treasures they found themselves.
They could hand them over in exchange for Contribution Points or refine them to improve their cultivation.
Either choice was acceptable.
The sect's higher-ups weren't about to make things difficult for their own disciples over a few Crimson Blood Fruits.
"Su Yun, you've done well. You managed to gather fairly detailed information in a short time."
"However, you didn't bring back the Crimson Blood Fruits. You chose to refine them yourself."
"So I can give you three thousand Contribution Points at most."
The registration elder spoke after giving it some thought.
That was the highest number of Contribution Points he was authorized to award.
Any more would violate the rules.
And Su Yun had managed to seize the Crimson Blood Fruits by himself.
That alone was the best proof of his strength and talent.
So he was naturally willing to cultivate a favorable connection with him.
He would give him as many Contribution Points as he could.
"Thank you, Elder!"
Hearing the registration elder's words, Su Yun smiled and thanked him.
He understood that the elder was trying to show him goodwill.
"Your Contribution Points have been recorded. You may leave now and focus on your cultivation."
The registration elder entered the Contribution Points into Su Yun's Disciple Token, then said with a smile,
"This year's Disciple Ceremony will be different from previous years. I hope you get a good result!"
"Different from previous years?"
Su Yun was surprised.
He was curious, but didn't ask any further.
His goal now was to improve his strength as much as possible.
Ideally, he would break through to the Mystic Profound Realm before the Disciple Ceremony!
That way, no matter what formidable opponent he had to face, he would be better prepared.
After leaving the Mission Pavilion, Su Yun headed toward the small courtyard where he lived.
On the way, he suddenly spotted a familiar figure.
It was Song Que!
At that moment, Song Que was walking ahead with a group of Outer Sect disciples who looked like they came from wealthy or influential families, chatting and laughing.
Judging by the direction they were headed, they seemed to be going to the Inner Sect disciples' area.
"Where is Senior Brother Song taking this group of Outer Sect disciples?"
Su Yun wondered.
"Senior Brother Song!"
He walked over and greeted him.
"Junior Brother Su Yun?"
Hearing someone call his name, Song Que looked back and immediately spotted Su Yun.
He was surprised and was just about to say something when his pupils suddenly shrank!
"Su... Junior Brother Su Yun, your cultivation?"
Song Que's throat bobbed visibly.
His expression was full of shock!
He realized that Su Yun had already reached the Body Refining Eighth Stage!
Two minor breakthroughs in less than two days.
That was simply outrageous!
"Could Junior Brother Su Yun really have found Crimson Blood Fruits in Long River Town?"
Song Que soon seemed to realize something, and his shock deepened.
He knew all too well how tempting a Heavenly Treasure like the Crimson Blood Fruit was.
Once word got out, countless martial artists would surely flock to Long River Town.
The place would be crawling with all kinds of people, a complete mess.
One wrong move, and even a Mystic Profound martial artist like him could end up capsized in the gutter.
That was why he hadn't accepted the mission, out of caution.
He hadn't expected Su Yun to seize the Crimson Blood Fruits despite being only at the Body Refining Sixth Stage.
He had assumed Su Yun would just go gather some information and then return to the Mystic Blade Sect.
He never imagined Su Yun would emerge as the ultimate winner!
And that meant—
Su Yun wasn't just cultivating quickly; his strength was also terrifying.
He even suspected that he might not be able to beat Su Yun now!
"Junior Brother Su Yun really can't be judged by ordinary standards!"
Song Que thought, close to tears.
"Greetings, Senior Brother!"
At that moment, the other Outer Sect disciples beside Song Que noticed that Su Yun's cultivation was higher than theirs, and hurriedly cupped their hands in greeting.
In the Mystic Blade Sect, strength was everything.
Since Su Yun's cultivation was higher than theirs, it was only natural to call him Senior Brother.
And none of the disciples present were the sort of spoiled young masters who went around picking fights.
In fact, even the sect's spoiled young masters only bullied the weak.
If they acted high and mighty in front of someone stronger, unable to judge their own worth—
wouldn't that mean they had something wrong with their heads?
Su Yun glanced at them, nodded, then asked with a smile,
"Senior Brother Song, where are you all headed?"
Song Que didn't hide anything and answered honestly.
Gradually, Su Yun understood.
It turned out that the Outer Sect disciples before him were all descendants of the Wang Family, or of elders and stewards within the sect.
Because their aptitude was limited, they often hit bottlenecks while cultivating the Breathing Technique. Their breathing became uneven, making it difficult to complete a Greater Celestial Circuit perfectly.
There was a Senior Sister Chen in the Inner Sect whose cultivation was impressive. She had studied breathing techniques extensively and had attained great mastery in them.
That was why these Outer Sect disciples all wanted to receive her guidance.
And Song Que was the one who had arranged the connection.
But her guidance wasn't free.
They either had to pay some Contribution Points or offer some resources.
"Junior Brother Su Yun, if you have time, you could come listen to her lecture too. You might find it helpful."
Song Que suddenly said.
Then he added with a smile, "As for the resources you'd have to pay, I can waive them for you."
In truth, he wanted to pay the resources himself to build a closer relationship with Su Yun.
"Then thank you, Senior Brother Song."
Since Song Que was keen to befriend him, Su Yun smiled and accepted rather than turning him down.
Besides, he suddenly recalled the Enlightenment he had experienced with the Bone Forging Vajra Technique.
If listening to a lecture on the Bone Forging Vajra Technique could bring Enlightenment, then could listening to Senior Sister Chen explain the Breathing Technique have the same effect?
Or perhaps improve it in some way?
He felt a little anticipation.
The group continued on their way, and soon arrived at a seven-story purple pavilion.
Song Que pointed to the third floor and said, "Junior Brother Su Yun, Senior Sister Chen is teaching on the third floor. Just go on in."
"I still have to bring another group of Outer Sect disciples here, so I'll take my leave first."
With that, Song Que smiled and left.
After Song Que left, Su Yun and the group of Outer Sect disciples easily made their way into the third floor.
"Although the Breathing Technique is only a basic cultivation technique, it is an important foundation for building the martial path. It can even be considered the origin of cultivation."
"During the Body Refining Realm, practicing the Breathing Technique is crucial."
"Except for disciples with special physiques and exceptional comprehension, the rest of you will need at least half a month to fully understand the Breathing Technique."
"Next, I'll explain the steps of breathing and the key points to keep in mind."
"The human body has twelve meridians..."
As soon as Su Yun walked in, he heard a cool, clear voice.
A dozen or so Outer Sect disciples were already seated cross-legged in the third-floor hall.
Some were deep in thought, while others furrowed their brows, seemingly on the verge of understanding.
Of course, a few were scratching their heads, looking completely bewildered.
At the center of the hall, a cool, beautiful young woman in a green dress sat cross-legged, calmly explaining the lesson.
When she saw Su Yun and the others enter, the woman in green nodded to them, indicating that they should take the vacant seats to one side.
Su Yun found an empty seat and sat cross-legged on a cushion, listening attentively.
Some time later.
A voice suddenly rang out in Su Yun's mind.
"After listening to the explanation of the Breathing Technique, you thought it over and had a flash of insight. You gained quite a bit, and your automatic breathing efficiency increased twofold!"
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