The Third Layer of All Four Inner Arts

When Jiang Tingxue stepped onto the edge of the crimson stone platform, Ye An had already begun cultivating.

His breathing was steady and deep, and a layer of bright crimson Origin Energy surrounded him.

Seeing him like this, Jiang Tingxue did not disturb him.

She found a spot on the other side of the platform, about twenty feet away, and slowly sat cross-legged.

Twenty feet separated them. Ye An was still as stone, Jiang Tingxue quiet as water, each immersed in their own martial path.

Ten days later.

Fire Origin Energy still seethed throughout the Blazing Fire Grotto, its crimson glow flickering across the walls and vaulted ceiling.

Ye An's breathing suddenly grew labored. Even the air he exhaled had turned visibly pale red.

It was a sign that too much fire-attribute Origin Energy had accumulated in his meridians and was about to exceed what they could bear.

If he stayed any longer, his gains would diminish, and he might even burn his meridians.

Ye An slowly opened his eyes. I can't stay here. I need to go somewhere else and let it settle.

He rose and was about to leave the platform when a cool voice came from beside him.

"Why didn't you compete for the position of Chief Disciple back then? Why wait until the Cangwu Grand Competition to use your true strength?"

Jiang Tingxue had asked the question weighing on her mind as soon as she noticed he had stopped cultivating.

Ye An paused and looked back. She was not pressing him; her expression held only earnest, stubborn puzzlement.

"You were only at Mid Qi Condensation then, but you must already have begun learning White Tiger Hall's Martial Arts."

"Your true fighting strength wasn't much weaker than mine or Shen Jingfeng's. You had every chance of becoming