Seventh Tempering? The Notary!

Back then, Zhang Teng had said that indestructible vajra was roughly equivalent to the third tempering.

What did the first tempering mean?

It meant that when she fought Zhang Teng, he had never used his actual power as an immortal cultivator. He had defeated her entirely through his indestructible golden body.

That also meant her understanding of immortal cultivators was limited to Zhang Teng's descriptions.

Even the direction of her speculation about this new school's strength might have been wrong.

At that moment, the new school, which had already seemed clear to Mu Qingyue, was once again draped in a veil of mystery.

Still.

Mu Qingyue understood that hearing was unreliable; seeing was believing.

So she decided that once she reached the Martial Arts Grounds, she would spar with Zhang Teng.

"Xiao Liuzi, there's something I'd like to ask."

After a moment's thought, Mu Qingyue began her inquiry.

"What is it?"

Xiao Liuzi looked at Mu Qingyue with an earnest expression.

"I remember that it hasn't been very long since I last parted ways with Zhang Teng."

"He went from the first tempering to the fifth tempering in such a short time? Does your immortal cultivator school progress that quickly?"

Looking at Mu Qingyue's curious gaze, Xiao Liuzi could not help sighing.

"Miss Mu, I haven't even gotten started yet, so I don't know whether the normal pace of cultivation is fast."

"But in my eyes, Senior Brother Zhang is a genius!"

Mu Qingyue nodded without saying anything more.

Elsewhere.

At the Martial Arts Grounds.

Zhang Teng was practicing his punches in the Martial Arts Grounds.

Ever since incorporating the aperture points breathing method, he had discovered that combining movement with stillness made his cultivation progress faster.

Before long, Zhang Teng stopped.

An apprentice from the Martial Arts Grounds handed him a cloth to wipe away his sweat.

Tieniu also walked over, his face wreathed in smiles.

"Congratulations, Senior Brother! You've reached the sixth tempering!"

After concluding his practice, Zhang Teng's expression grew grave.

"I can feel that the first six temperings were relatively easy, but the seventh tempering is difficult! It's not just about tempering the Dao body. It seems I also need to condense my spirit."

"Condense your spirit?" Tieniu was somewhat surprised. "Is it difficult?"

"It's not so much that it's difficult. Mainly, progress will be very slow," Zhang Teng explained. "The first six temperings involve absorbing Heaven-and-Earth Spiritual Power to directly temper the flesh, sinews, bones, and internal organs."

"The seventh tempering tempers the spirit. Your spirit needs to resonate with Heaven-and-Earth Spiritual Power before it can be tempered, so not only is it much harder, you also need to enter a state of 'oneness with heaven.'"

At this point, Zhang Teng smiled.

"But after starting to attempt spirit refining, I discovered that I already have some control over Heaven-and-Earth Spiritual Power! Junior Brothers, once I reach the ninth tempering, I'll be able to perform Heavenly Gate Opening for you."

At those words, delight spread across the disciples' faces.

"That's wonderful!"

"Once our heavenly gates are opened, we'll be able to cultivate too!"

Just then.

Lin Bei walked out and coughed softly.

The disciples immediately reacted and hurriedly greeted him.

"Greetings, Master!"

Lin Bei nodded.

"Why are you all gathered here instead of practicing your punches?"

Tieniu hurriedly said, "Master, Senior Brother Zhang just reached the sixth tempering of his Dao body and was explaining the seventh tempering to us, so all the junior brothers came over to listen."

"The sixth tempering already?"

Lin Bei looked at Zhang Teng.

Zhang Teng said, "I broke through just recently and tried the seventh tempering."

Lin Bei nodded in satisfaction.

"Keep working hard. I look forward to the day you reach the ninth tempering."

"Yes, Master!"

Only after Lin Bei left did Zhang Teng sigh in admiration.

"Just what you'd expect of Master!"

"What is it?" Tieniu looked at Zhang Teng in confusion.

"When I was standing beside Master just now, I could sense that the Heaven-and-Earth Spiritual Power around him was in a very special state of symbiosis."

With admiration on his face, Zhang Teng said, "Simply put, Master wasn't cultivating, but Heaven-and-Earth Spiritual Power was constantly increasing his cultivation."

"What kind of realm is that!"

Tieniu looked stunned.

"Your words put me to shame, Senior Brother!"

"Why?" Zhang Teng was somewhat puzzled.

"To tell you the truth, I gained insight into the Zhou Tian Acupoints Breathing Method, allowing my body to absorb spiritual power instinctively and increase my cultivation."

Tieniu answered honestly.

"I was feeling rather pleased with myself, thinking I'd blazed a new trail in immortal cultivation! Only after hearing your explanation did I realize that Master's realm had long since surpassed mine by who knows how much! What I called a pioneering achievement might be nothing more than a paltry trick in Master's eyes."

Zhang Teng burst out laughing.

"Why trouble yourself needlessly, Junior Brother? After all, that's Master!"

At that moment.

Off to one side, Lin Bei appeared to be calmly drinking tea, but inwardly, he was reveling in delight.

These disciples of his were so good at filling in the blanks that they seemed completely unaware his achievements depended entirely on them!

Still, that set Lin Bei's mind at ease.

Has that boy Zhang Teng finally started the seventh tempering? It looks like he should be able to fully consolidate it before challenging the Zhang Clan.

Lin Bei had already reached the seventh tempering himself, and was even close to completing the eighth tempering.

By the time Zhang Teng reached the seventh tempering, he should be able to reach the ninth.

When that happened, Lin Bei would finish inventing the framework for "Dao-method wielding"...

Watching Zhang Teng and Tieniu practice their punches, Lin Bei felt deeply gratified.

Zhang Teng, in particular, had been exceptionally diligent in his cultivation lately.

After all, Lin Bei had already begun the seventh tempering when his Tai Chi Breath-Absorbing Art underwent its third limit-breaking.

Now, his Tai Chi Breath-Absorbing Art had undergone its fourth limit-breaking, yet he was less than two temperings ahead of Zhang Teng.

That alone showed how diligently Zhang Teng had been cultivating lately.

Just then.

An apprentice's voice came from nearby.

"Master, Xiao Liuzi is back, and he's brought someone from the Central Hall."

Lin Bei raised an eyebrow.

Someone from the Central Hall is here? That means they've accepted Zhang Teng's application for a challenge letter and sent someone to notarize it.

As the apprentice spoke.

Xiao Liuzi and Mu Qingyue walked in.

The moment she entered the Martial Arts Grounds, Mu Qingyue visibly jolted!

The one who startled her was neither Zhang Teng nor Lin Bei, but Tieniu.

She had met Tieniu not long ago.

He had been nothing more than an ordinary person.

But now? She could actually sense a powerful aura coming from him.

It was practically stronger than that of a martial artist in the bone refining realm.

How long had it even been?

For a martial artist to reach bone refining, they had to expend enormous amounts of effort, resources, and time.

"Tieniu, have you gotten started?" Mu Qingyue could not help asking.

At that moment, she suddenly began to realize how ignorant she had been to think she understood the immortal cultivator school well enough!

Now, she only felt that she truly knew nothing about immortal cultivators!

"Miss Mu, you're here?"

Upon seeing Mu Qingyue, Lin Bei immediately greeted her with a warm smile.

"Please, have a seat!"

Xiao Liuzi showed considerable tact and poured the tea.

"Master Lin, we meet again! Our Central Hall has accepted Zhang Teng's application for notarization."

Mu Qingyue smiled as she returned his greeting.

"This time, I'm the notary!"