Breakthrough: Third Heaven

Feng Chen tucked the medicine packet into his robes and left Hundred Herbs Hall, but he did not rush home.

Sooner or later, he would have to face Wang Batian!

Wang Tianping and Wang Tianfan's father was a Body Tempering, Third Heaven expert.

Since he had the time, he might as well probe the Wang Clan Martial Hall's foundations. Knowing oneself and knowing the enemy could never be wrong.

The Wang Clan Martial Hall was renowned throughout Green Mountain Town, one of its three great martial halls. He could ask anyone for directions.

Feng Chen followed the main street for a short while and found it near the center of town on South Street.

It was a vast residence, with two stone lions half a man tall standing at the entrance. Their bluish stone bases and rough-hewn carvings radiated an imposing air.

The vermilion gates stood open, and above them hung a broad plaque lacquered in gold, bearing the four bold, vigorous characters: Wang Clan Martial Hall.

Through the gates, he could see the training ground within. Several wooden practice dummies stood on the flagstone courtyard, while weapon racks lined the walls, bristling with sabers, spears, swords, and halberds.

At that moment, quite a few people had gathered outside the residence. Most were nearby residents and passing pedestrians. None dared approach too closely; they only stood across the street, craning their necks to peer inside as they murmured among themselves.

"Have you heard? Something seems to have happened at the Wang Family Martial Hall."

"How could I not have heard? The news has spread everywhere. It seems that Instructor Wang Batian's two sons are dead."

"It's more than just something happening. Early this morning, Instructor Wang led more than a dozen men out of town. Every one of them carried blades and spears, and their faces were black as iron."

"What are they going for? Revenge?"

"Isn't that obvious? The murderer seems to be in a place called Green Mountain Village."

"Who has such a death wish that they dared touch people from the Wang Clan Martial Hall in Green Mountain Town?"

"You don't know the whole story."

"Though the Wang Clan Martial Hall is a major force in town, they have enemies too. The Zhao Clan Martial Academy has fought the Wang Family for years, and the Black Tiger Gang is no lamb either. Who knows whether one of their rivals did it?"

"Besides, who knows how many desperadoes hide in the Black Mountain Range? Heaven knows which faction they provoked."

Feng Chen stood outside the crowd, his expression unchanged, but he already understood.

Wang Batian had led men out of town early in the morning. He had most likely learned that his sons had been killed and gone to Green Mountain Village to investigate.

His heart tightened slightly, then quickly calmed.

Luckily, he had left a day early. If he were still living in that village, a hunter at Body Tempering Second Layer would never have escaped Wang Batian's notice.

When the time came, even without evidence, a bigger fist would be evidence enough.

Fortunately, he had left in time.

He stood there a while longer. Once he confirmed that he could hear no further clues unfavorable to himself, he lowered the brim of his hat, turned, and hurried back along the way he had come.

When he pushed open the courtyard gate, Lin Qing'er was sitting beneath a tree sorting vegetables. Seeing him return, she rose and came to greet him.

Feng Chen briefly told her what had happened at the Wang Clan Martial Hall. Wang Tianping and Wang Tianfan's father had already taken men to Green Mountain Village to investigate his sons' deaths. By now, that village had likely been turned upside down.

He told Lin Qing'er not to leave the house for the next few days and to wait until the storm had passed.

After hearing this, Lin Qing'er's expression also grew tense, and she nodded heavily.

Feng Chen went to the kitchen, opened the five portions of High-Grade Blood-Qi Medicinal Herbs he had just bought, and placed them in a clay pot to simmer.

He did not remain idle during that hour either. While watching the heat, he helped Lin Qing'er sort the vegetables.

Once the herbs were done stewing, dark brown medicinal liquid bubbled in the clay pot, releasing a rich medicinal fragrance.

After waiting for the soup to cool slightly, Feng Chen raised the bowl and gulped it down. A fierce current of heat immediately exploded from his stomach, surging through his limbs and bones as the qi and blood within him once more roared and boiled like scorching magma.

He immediately entered the cultivation room, assumed the Giant Strength Stance, closed his eyes, and focused all his mind on refining the medicinal power and breaking through the barrier to the Third Heaven.

His burning qi and blood tempered his muscles and bones. Every wave of medicinal power washing through him brought subtle yet tangible transformations to his body.

Ding dong. Detected that the host is cultivating diligently. Destiny Talent A Thousand Miles a Day has activated.

As the notification sounded, his cultivation speed abruptly soared.

The medicinal power within him seemed to be violently shoved by an invisible hand. Its refinement efficiency surged, and his qi and blood rushed so swiftly that they nearly let out a roar.

Another half hour passed.

Ding dong. Congratulations, host. You have successfully broken through to the Body Tempering, Third Heaven realm. Please check your status.

Along with the talent notification, an immense understanding of breakthrough surged into the depths of his consciousness like floodwaters bursting through a collapsed dam.

The qi and blood within his body suddenly rose by a tremendous step at the instant of breakthrough!

In an instant, his meridians were filled with newly born, vigorous qi and blood, like a parched riverbed welcoming flood-season waters. Every inch of his muscles, bones, skin, and flesh greedily devoured this new strength.

A moment later, Feng Chen finished absorbing the insight and slowly opened his eyes.

He lowered his head, spread open his palm, and slowly clenched it.

The instant his fingers closed, the muscles in his arm bulged like steel cables twisted taut. Veins coiled over his skin, and his joints cracked sharply.

He could clearly feel the power of this punch!

It was more than a notch stronger than when he was at Body Tempering Second Layer.

Not only had his strength increased, but his five senses had sharpened further. He could even vaguely hear two women chatting in the neighboring courtyard through the wall.

"So this is the Body Tempering, Third Heaven? It really is far stronger than the Second Heaven."

A look of emotion appeared on Feng Chen's face.

Over these days of cultivation, he had gone from an ordinary man to the First Heaven, then the Second Heaven, and now the Third Heaven. He had come to understand more and more deeply the enormous gap between every realm of martial arts.

Now, he had finally stepped onto the threshold of the Third Heaven.

He sank his consciousness into his sea of awareness and examined his Destiny Talent template.

Rapid Mastery

Host: Feng Chen

Cultivation Arts: Giant Strength Art (Perfection), Tiger Fist (Perfection), Great King Fist (Not Initiated 0/100)

Realm: Body Tempering Third Level (Your strength is formidable among those at the Body Tempering Third Level)

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