"My cultivation is only this high. Cultivating to the ultimate realm would be as hard as ascending to heaven."
"Besides, I've been stuck at level 98 for many years. Breaking through to level 99 is hardly possible anymore."
"If you manage to master it, Wuchen, remember to tell Grandpa Golden Crocodile. We'll have a good drink together then."
Golden Crocodile Douluo laughed heartily and left the Golden Body Tempering Technique behind before departing, staying no longer.
Having passed on the Golden Body Tempering Technique in his possession, Golden Crocodile Douluo was already immensely satisfied.
When he got back, he would have to have a good talk with the other five enshrined. Shouldn't they show their appreciation too?
After Golden Crocodile Douluo left, the room fell silent once more, and Gu Wuchen began leafing through the Golden Body Tempering Technique.
The Bronze Skin Initiation Realm corresponded to the levels from Soul Scholar to Soul Grandmaster. Golden Qi tempered the skin and flesh, doubling the body's defenses and granting immunity to physical attacks from ordinary Soul Masters.
Gu Wuchen did not read about the realms beyond it. As a Soul Grandmaster, he figured it shouldn't be difficult to complete the Bronze Skin Initiation Realm.
"Little Wuchen, I have to say, the technique that old crocodile gave you is really quite good. It's rare for him to pass on everything he's learned in his life to you."
The Snow Empress appeared and looked over the contents of the technique, nodding repeatedly. "Not bad," she said admiringly. "Wuchen, with all the abilities you have, I don't think you'll have much trouble facing the other two members of the Golden Generation, either."
"Sister Xue, you're like a ghost. How come I can never sense you when you appear?"
Gu Wuchen shuddered in fright.
The Sea of Consciousness was his own, so in theory he should have been able to sense the Snow Empress appearing, but every time, she managed to materialize out of thin air without a sound.
"You don't understand, do you? It's called a surprise. Every time I appear, it's a surprise." The Snow Empress chuckled.
"All right, hurry up and cultivate."
"I'll be right here with you."
Gu Wuchen closed the technique manual and sat cross-legged on the bed. Following the technique's instructions, he first focused his attention and entered the Dustless Ice Heart state.
Then he guided the Soul Power within him, circulating it slowly through his meridians along the Golden Body Tempering Technique's prescribed route.
The power of ultimate ice and cold sealed the meridians throughout his body, perfectly matching the core of the technique. A wisp of dark golden Golden Qi slowly formed in his dantian, washing over and tempering every inch of his flesh again and again.
The technique's circulation route had already been tailored to him, and with the added boost from the Ice Saint Wuchen Right Arm Bone, his cultivation speed far surpassed that of ordinary people.
The Bronze Skin Realm tempering, which would normally have taken months to complete, progressed at a tremendous pace for him.
The night passed in the blink of an eye.
When the sky outside the window began to pale, Gu Wuchen finally brought his cultivation to a slow close.
Golden patterns flashed across his body and vanished, merging completely into his skin and flesh. He had reached full mastery of the Golden Body Tempering Technique's Bronze Skin Initiation Realm.
He opened his eyes and clenched his fists. He could clearly feel the surge of strength within him. His body's defenses had grown stronger, and even his meridians had widened considerably.
"Impressive, Little Wuchen. You reached the initiation realm in a single night. You really didn't disappoint me."
The Snow Empress sat by the bed, all smiles.
"Hurry and get ready, then go to the Elder Hall. I need to go back first."
She had sensed the Ice Empress starting to stir up trouble again.
Gu Wuchen rose, straightened his robes, and headed for the Elder Hall.
Inside the Elder Hall, Qian Daoliu and Golden Crocodile Douluo sat chatting, their conversation always circling back to Gu Wuchen.
Looking up to see Gu Wuchen enter the Elder Hall, Qian Daoliu smiled and beckoned to him. "Wuchen, you're here early. Is something the matter?"
Gu Wuchen stepped forward and greeted them before saying, "Grandpa Qian, I'm planning to challenge Yan and Xie Yue from Spirit Hall Academy. I'd like to ask you to arrange it."
A smile appeared on Qian Daoliu's face. He was not surprised in the least.
Now that Gu Wuchen had beaten Hu Liena, the key to establishing his prestige at Spirit Hall Academy was to defeat all three of them.
Golden Crocodile Douluo spoke first, however, teasing him with a smile. "Wuchen, you've got some nerve. You've only just beaten Hu Liena, and you already dare to challenge two Soul Elders, Yan and Xie Yue?"
Gu Wuchen smiled and said calmly, "I just want to test my strength. I happened to cultivate the Golden Body Tempering Technique Grandpa Golden Crocodile gave me last night, and I've already completed the Bronze Skin Initiation Realm. I also want to see the results of my cultivation."
At those words, Golden Crocodile Douluo shot to his feet, his face full of delight and disbelief.
The next second, he threw back his head and roared with laughter, his voice making the great hall tremble faintly:
"Good! Good lad! You reached the initiation realm in one night! I knew you could do it! I was right about you!"
One night. He had reached the initiation realm in a single night.
Heavens, what enviable talent.
"Did you see that, big brother? I said Wuchen could do it, and he did!" Golden Crocodile Douluo said excitedly.
"Golden Crocodile, just look how happy you are."
Qian Daoliu teased him, then turned to Gu Wuchen. "Wuchen, if you want to challenge them, we can head over now."
"I'll have someone notify the Pope."
Gu Wuchen nodded. "Sorry for the trouble, Grandpa Qian."
Having quickly agreed, Gu Wuchen followed Qian Daoliu all the way to Spirit Hall Academy, while Golden Crocodile Douluo went to the Pope's Palace to inform Bibi Dong.
When they arrived at Spirit Hall Academy, Gu Wuchen had not visited the junior academy in a long time.
They merely passed through the junior academy without stopping, continuing straight on toward the advanced academy.
Among the people there were several students who had met Gu Wuchen before, their faces filled with shock.
"That's the Great Enshrined. Gu Wuchen really is the Great Enshrined's disciple."
"What are they going to the advanced academy for? Is he graduating early and entering the advanced academy?"
Quite a few people began to speculate.
No sooner had the two departed than Golden Crocodile Douluo and Bibi Dong appeared in their sight.
"His Holiness the Pope is here too."
"Come on, let's go take a look!"
So many important figures had suddenly arrived. They had never witnessed anything like this before.
It was undoubtedly a chance for them to broaden their horizons.
When they arrived at the advanced academy, Qian Daoliu had the academy head take them to the Golden Generation's cultivation area.
By the time they arrived, Hu Liena, Xie Yue, and Yan were all sitting on the ground, cultivating in meditation.
Sensing a disturbance in their presence, the three opened their eyes. The moment they saw Qian Daoliu, they immediately bowed in greeting.
"Greetings, Great Enshrined!"
Qian Daoliu stood with his hands behind his back. "There's no need for such formalities. I've brought my disciple here this time to challenge the three of you."
Xie Yue and Yan exchanged surprised looks, then looked at the exceptionally handsome youth beside Qian Daoliu.
A child a full twelve years younger than them was challenging them?
Hu Liena, however, looked at the teasing smile on Gu Wuchen's face, and anger flared up inside her.
I'm done for. I never told my brother or Yan that I'd been defeated twice.
I'm going to lose so much face!
Just as Qian Daoliu finished speaking, Bibi Dong's voice came from behind them.
"Great Enshrined, you certainly were quick. But isn't it a little too much of a joke for a Soul Grandmaster to challenge Soul Elders?"
Bibi Dong came before Qian Daoliu, her expression as unruffled as ever.
"Your Holiness, how can we know without trying? If Wuchen wins, he'll be the captain of the Spirit Hall Academy Team."
Qian Daoliu was supremely confident. He believed Gu Wuchen would surely win.
Bibi Dong smiled faintly. "You're so confident, Great Enshrined. But what if he loses?"
"If he loses, what would you want?" Qian Daoliu asked in return.
He wanted to see what Bibi Dong could do.
Bibi Dong chuckled. "If he loses, Young Master Gu must take me as his master."