Martial World

by Srtyi

Lin Ming, a talented man for martial arts wanted to audition for Tian Yun Wu Fu with a girl named Lan Yunyue, she was his childhood friend since young and they both have a small crush on each other. But on the day of audition, Lan Yunyue did not come, which left Lin Ming in curiosity. He later found out that a guy who is rich and talented, named Zhu Yan helped Lan Yunyue.

3. 64

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Chapter 64 – Complex Craft

"What sort of spear would this young hero like to purchase? And what sort of price are you aiming for?"

"Do you have any rare treasures here?" Lin Ming opened his mouth to ask.

"Treasure spears?" The sales clerk didn't expect that this young man would surprise him again with such an astonishing question. A treasure spear was expensive, it often cost 10 to 20 thousand gold taels, and high quality spears sometimes even 30 to 40 thousand. Was this young man that wealthy?

The reality was Lin Ming did not currently have that much gold on hand, but if he was given time he could plan for it.

"Young hero, our shop currently does not have any treasure rank spears on hand. If you would like to take a look at treasure-rank swords or sabers, we have a wide variety that you could choose from.

"…" Lin Ming felt a little disappointed at this turn of events. He hadn't thought that even the Divine Weapon Hall wouldn't have any treasure spears. There just were just too few treasure spears.

The sales clerk continued, "For a treasure-rank spear, there are just too few of those and the demand for them isn't low. Two months ago we had a spear, but it was already reserved in advance and sold.

"Oh? From what I know, there aren't many martial artists in the Sky Fortune Kingdom who use spears. Are these treasure-rank spears really that marketable?"

"Mm. Yes, they are a very hot commodity. There aren't many martial artists that use them, but… the army will. Some generals will purchase a treasure-rank spear, but because there aren't enough treasure rank spears, even generals with illustrious careers and many meritorious military services do not have a treasure-rank spear. If this young hero wishes to purchase a treasure-rank spear in the Sky Fortune Kingdom, it will be very difficult."

So that's how it was. Lin Ming immediately understood that the spear was the best weapon to use in the army. Since ancient times, as long as they were a famous military leader, 80% of them would use a spear in battle. The other 20% would use weapons like the large guandao, trident, halberd, and other weapons that were similar to a spear. There weren't many famous generals who relied on a sword or saber to lead an army.

When marching an army to war, frequently one would be riding a war horse. During these times a sword or saber was just too short and limited in its range atop a horse. Therefore one had to use a halberd, pike, spear, or weapons like a spear that had good reach. With a spear in hand, even if they fell into a swarming mob of enemies, they would be able to kill their way through. A ten foot long spear could aggressively kill all enemies in a large circle. This was something that the sword, saber, axe, or other weapons could not hope to hold a candle to.

Therefore the style that could sweep away an army of a thousand was in the sole possession of the spear!

That's why the generals of Sky Fortune Kingdom, even if they had cultivated as a martial artist with a sword, and fought with a sword, had no choice but to learn the spear.

"Well, for the treasure-rank spear, I'll come back later when they have a good one on sale. A high quality spear will probably cost several tens of thousands of gold taels, and I don't have that much money at the moment. The gold I spent before came from Mister Muyi, and though the inscription symbols are very expensive, I don't think he needs any more. I've been troubling Muyi so often, several ten thousand gold taels is not a small number; I shouldn't approach him about this. Also a treasure-rank spear is difficult to use, and my martial arts cultivation isn't that high at the moment. Even if I had a treasure-rank spear, I wouldn't be able to display its full strength."

Thinking this, Lin Ming said, "Then consider that matter settled. Could you bring me to look at some spears, a good spear.

"Very well. Young Hero, please wait a moment." The sales clerk turned around and took out a thick spear shaft from a wooden chest. The spear shaft was an inky pitch black and seven feet long.

When a store sold a spear, often the spear shaft and spearhead were sold separately. The spear shaft was placed in a wooden chest to protect it against erosion. The spearhead was soaked in a vat of tung oil to preserve it and guarantee that it would always be luminous and reflect the light. The customer would come choose the appropriate spear shaft and spearhead that they liked, and the two objects would be composed together to form the final product.

"Young Hero, please have a look." The sales clerk said as he handed over the spear shaft to Lin Ming.

Lin Ming hefted the spear shaft in his hand. Its weight was probably somewhere around 30 jins, and was not made from metal. With a flex of his hand, Lin Ming could tell that the spear shaft was quite flexible. Lin Ming had no doubt that if he dropped this spear shaft in a full moon arc, it could crack open an animal's skull.

Although this spear shaft wasn't made of metal, the damage it could cause on a person's body was equivalent to what a metal pole could do.

"How much is this spear shaft?" Lin Ming inquired.

"1200 gold taels."

Even though his heart was prepared, Lin Ming was still flabbergasted when he heard the ridiculous pricing. The spear shaft was just too expensive! It had to be known that a normal treasure-rank sword would only be several thousand gold taels. This spear shaft was not a treasure!

The waiter saw Lin Ming's astonishment and explained, "This spear shaft was made from black iron wood. It was carefully selected from several hundred year old high quality black iron wood that was soaked in spring water for 7 weeks, each week 7 days for 49 days to let it be reborn. Afterwards, it was boiled in a giant wok with explosive oil for three days. All the bark was stripped leaving only the hardest and most durable wood core, and then mixed and twisted with the silk from a Golden Silkworm, then wrapped around with cloth from a Golden Silkworm that was soaked for three years in tung oil.

"Whether it is the black iron wood or the Golden Silkworm silk, both are precious materials that are hard for a sword or saber to damage. In addition to special crafting process technologies involved, this spear shaft will absolutely not be cut off in battle, even if it meets a treasure rank sword. This young hero may feel relieved that you will not be disarmed in any way whatsoever."

Hearing the sales clerk's passionate explanation, Lin Ming also felt his heart jump. He hadn't thought that this common spear shaft would unexpectedly have such a complex and advanced crafting process. Golden Silkworm silk was inferior, and cheaper than Sky Worm silk, but it was as an absolutely expensive material. The black iron wood was also very expensive, and it was even from a tree that was several hundred years old.

Moreover, if there was a single mistake in the manufacturing process then it would have been ruined. For instance, if there was a problem in soaking it in boiling oil, then the black iron wood would be ruined. The spear shaft also had to be straight and rigid, like a perfect ruler. If there was even the slightest diverging angle, it would be eliminated. This caused the spear shaft's value to increase many times.

No wonder it was so expensive. Even if a common person did not eat or drink, and worked hard for his entire life, he would still not be able to afford one. If this kind of spear shaft was given to the normal folk, it would be passed down through generations as a precious family heirloom.

The sales clerk said, "The most expensive part of a spear is the shaft. If a spear is good, then 80% of the reason would be because of the shaft and 20% because of the head. The spear head crafting process is comparatively simple; a good spear head is also only around a few hundred gold taels. This young hero, even if you chose a spear head made from cloud vein wrought iron, it would only be 800 taels of gold. The total price will not be over 2000 gold taels. What does the young hero think of this?

Lin Ming played with the thick shaft as he held it in his hands. He felt a slight sense of something like love towards it and found it hard to put down. Not to mention the shaft's elasticity and durability, it absolutely felt like a first-rate product.

What a pity it was too light!

"Do you have anything heavier? For instance, a spear shaft that's several hundred jins."

"Oh?" The sales clerk was slightly surprised. For a spear shaft that was several hundred jins in weight, to be able to wield it with dexterity like you were dancing, you would need at least many thousands of jins of strength. Did this youth have such a strong body?

But even with his doubts, the sales clerk pulled out another spear shaft that was made from pure darksteel. This spear shaft was quite thick and was seven feet long and weighed more than 400 jins. The sales clerk had obviously practiced moving this, as he strained a bit in taking it out but somehow managed it in the end.

"This spear shaft is 800 gold taels."

Darksteel was expensive, but to produce a pure darksteel spear shaft was a relatively simple production process, therefore the metal spear shafts were also cheap.

"Young Hero, please be careful, it is very heavy." The sales clerk felt some trepidation as he handed the darksteel spear shaft to Lin Ming. But he was shocked to see that Lin Ming gripped it like an ordinary wood club, and did so while looking very relaxed.

The sales clerk's eyes jumped. This young man had great strength! He was simple a vicious beast in human form.

Lin Ming held the spear shaft in his hands and thought over it, then he asked, "Do you have anything heavier?"

Heavier? He wants something heavier?

The sales clerk said, "We do have heavier options but the price is also very expensive."

"It's all right." In order to avoid any future unnecessary troubles, Lin Ming flashed the gold banknotes in his chest pockets. Right now he still had 8000 gold taels. As long as it wasn't as expensive as a treasure-rank spear, he would be able to afford it.

The sales clerk saw that thick wad of golden banknotes and was surprised. Such a thick stack of banknotes! This young man is really rich! He respectfully said, "Young Hero, please come with me."

With that, the sales clerk walked up to the second floor.

Note: This is what it means by saber. Not the version you're probably thinking of (not the Fate Stay/Night character either).

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Chapter 65 – The Heavy Spear, Penetrating Rainbow

When they entered the second floor, there was suddenly far less people. There was a huge space with only a few customers milling around. A pessimistic middle-aged man wearing a long, grey robe was sitting behind the counter drinking a cup of tea.

The sales clerk gave a respectful salute to the middle-aged man, then walked over and said a few words in his ear.

"Oh? This young hero must choose such a heavy spear?" The middle-aged asked with interest as he looked at Lin Ming, "How heavy a spear were you looking for?"

"800 jins."

"800 jins?" The middle-aged man's eyes flashed a glint of light. "An 800 jin spear would take at least 4000 jins of strength to use. Can you?"

Lin Ming said, "Even if I can't freely wield it now, I will be able to later."

"How bold! I will look for a spear for you."

The middle-aged man stood up and moved to the side. A moment later, he returned, carrying a long wooden chest. Although he appeared as if he was taking light steps, Lin Ming discovered that every step the middle-aged man took on the wood paneled floor would cause a creaking sound. The wood panels were unable withstand the weight of the load that the man was carrying.

The wooden chest in his hands was clearly very heavy!

The middle-aged man placed the wooden case on the counter and flipped open the lid. Inside was an eight foot spear wrapped in a thick cloth.

The middle-aged man unraveled the cloth strip, suddenly revealing a dark purple shaft and a deep red spear head. On the dark purple shaft's body was engraved two characters that were written in inscription symbols – "Penetrating Rainbow."

The two plain words combined with the massive spear made it feel as if there was a boundless gas rushing out.

Good spear!

The middle-aged man said, "This spear is named the Penetrating Rainbow. Its shaft is eight feet long and the head is eight inches long. It is a half-treasure."

"Mmm? Half-treasure?"

The middle-aged man said, "Only the spearhead is a treasure, the spear shaft is not, thus it is a half treasure."

Lin Ming was suddenly enlightened. The crafting process that went into the spear shaft was complex; therefore it was too difficult to place an array on it. But the spearhead was the same as a sword or a saber, so it was easy to set an array on it and make it into a treasure.

But alas, it was impossible to connect his true essence through the spear shaft due to it lacking an array, so its power was greatly reduced.

The middle-aged man said, "Although the spear shaft is not a treasure, but if comparing the toughness, it could be equal to an ordinary human-step low-grade treasure."

The difference between a treasure and an ordinary weapon was that that a treasure was inscribed with an array, and thus one could channel their true essence into it. It was not a fact that a treasure would be more durable or solid than an ordinary weapon.

This weapon could not concentrate true essence. During an actual fight, as soon as martial skills were displayed, the disparity between the two would be evident. The treasure would be a step more powerful than an ordinary weapon.

The middle-aged man continued, "This spear shaft was forged with dark purple elastic iron, and the spearhead was made from cloud vein wrought iron. Both sides of the spear's edge have been mixed with profound gold and are incomparably sharp. The spearhead and spear shaft originally came as a pair, they cannot be separated. The total weight is 820 jins."

Dark purple elastic iron?

When Lin Ming had attended the lecture, he had heard the elder talk about this strange metal. This wonderful metal was unmatched in weight and also had a high degree of elasticity to it. It was even used to make strong bows. With a bow made from it, combined with the sinews from a high-level vicious beast to make the bowstring, it could easily project an arrow 2000 steps away and pierce fine steel plates!

If this dark purple elastic iron was used to make a spear shaft, even the thick spear shaft would be able to bend into a half-moon and snap back with enough force to crack open a tree. If a martial artist with 5000 jins of strength shook it, even the light vibration from the oscillations alone could kill a person.

However, for all its thousands or tens of thousands of good points, dark purple elastic iron had to be hammered innumerable times during its molding in order to forge it. It was impossible to inscribe an array upon it, as an array could not be hammered. Therefore this metal could not be used to make treasure weapons.

Even so, dark purple elastic iron was cherished and loved by many refiner masters, because it was just too great and fitting a material to make a spear or strong bow with.

Lin Ming took this spear made from dark purple elastic iron into his hand. He shook it a bit, and all along the spear shaft it began to quiver. But the quivering was not too intense, because Lin Ming's strength was insufficient and could not shake the dark purple elastic iron.

Even so, the middle-aged man was suddenly startled. This young boy! What an abnormal strength! If he could still shake the spear like that, his strength must not be less than 3000 jins! And he was only at the peak of the Second Stage of Body Transformation, what a good physique he had!

Lin Ming made a few spear movements with his hand. Even if he was able to raise a 820 jin spear easily into his hand, he could not wave it around with a high degree of fluidity. If he fought with such a weapon, even if Lin Ming had the 'True Primal Chaos Formula' supporting him, it would quickly exhaust his strength.

But Lin Ming did not worry. Soon he would break through his bottleneck, and this weight would be just right in his hands.

"How much is this spear?"

"9000 gold taels!"

9000… Lin Ming wasn't too surprised. This spear was worth the price. The cloud vein wrought iron treasure spear head's price was 3000 gold taels and the dark purple elastic iron spear shaft's price was 6000 gold taels. Both of these prices were absolute bargains.

Lin Ming pulled out all the gold banknotes he had on him, and even the gold purple VIP card, and placed them on the counter. The Divine Weapon Hall was part of the Allied Trade Assocation, thus the VIP card could give him a 10% preferential discount benefit and cause the price to become 8100 gold taels. Even so, with all the gold Lin Ming had on his body, he was still missing 50 gold taels.

The middle-aged man saw this VIP card and his eyes brightened. "Young hero, are you someone from the Marshal Quarters?"

Lin Ming thought about it, hesitated, and said, "No, it's just from my friend at the Marshal Quarters."

Although Lin Ming lightly said this, the middle-aged man knew that this young boy was definitely some important personage of the Marshal Quarters; otherwise it would be impossible for him to have a VIP card, much less have one given to him. He said with a smile, "So that's how it is. Since this young hero is an honored guest of the Marshal Quarters, for this spear, 8000 gold taels is good enough."

"Many thanks." Lin Ming was not too sentimental. 100 gold taels, was not much of anything, to either him or the Divine Weapon Hall.

The sales clerk bound the weapon in the cloth strip and placed it back inside the box. Lin Ming carried the box on his back, and after saying goodbye, returned to the back mountains.

The shaft was made from dark purple elastic iron, and the treasure-rank spear head was made from cloud vein wrought iron. Such a wonderfully superb spear, it simply made Lin Ming too excited!

After he arrived at the back mountains, he went to an open space. Because he was carrying a 820 jin spear, as soon as Lin Ming stepped on the grass with his feet, each step made a dent in ground.

Feeling a heavy pressure on his back, Lin Ming's heart filled with a surge of heroic pride. He aimed at a big stone, and suddenly the spear cleaved downwards. There was only a 'bang' sound as that giant stone was immediately pulverized by the heavy spear. Because of the spear shaft's elasticity, Lin Ming didn't feel any intense shaking in his hand. This was an advantage of the dark purple elastic iron. If this was a pure darksteel spear shaft, then this vibration would cause his thumb and forefinger to be numb. If the rebound force were any larger, then maybe his entire hand would be numbed.

"Ha! What a good spear!"

Ling Ming recklessly waved the spear around. He didn't know any spear techniques, and simply followed the same routine as his fist techniques. With an 820 jin spear in hand, his spear dance was a little haphazard. Lin Ming practiced for a quarter of an hour, and gradually felt his arm begin to swell, and his strength was somewhat weakening.

"This spear is heavy!"

At this time, in front of Lin Ming, a bright flame burst into life. Mmm? Sound transmitting talisman?

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Note: henceforth, "Martial Quarters" will be changed to "Marshal's Quarters." We'd been using the former, but apparently it was a typo (since martial and marshal sound basically the same).

Chapter 66 – Martial House's Resources

At this time, in front of Lin Ming, a bright flame burst into life. Mmm? Sound transmitting talisman?

"In a quarter hour, arrive at the Seven Profound Martial House's martial stage! The Martial House shall be allocating resources to disciples based upon their ranking in the ranking war!"

The Martial House's resources!

With his heart full of delight, Lin Ming strapped the long spear to his back and flew down the mountain as quickly as he could. Although he was moving at his fastest speed, he was still 30% slower than before because he was carrying such a heavy spear on his back. Before, he might have jumped his way through the tree branches with impressive force and agility, but at the present he could only run through the thick, knee-high grass, each step flattening the foliage underneath him, while he carried the spear on his back.

But this failed to cause distress to Lin Ming. In fact, he was even more excited! Carrying such a heavy spear was also a form of practice!

After a quarter of an hour, Lin Ming arrived at the martial stage at the Seven Profound Martial House. Instructor Hong Xi had already arrived there long before, and most of the 20 new students of the Earth Hall had also arrived. Seeing Lin Ming come, Hong Xi lifted a hand and tossed a jade slip to Lin Ming.

"Resource details are inside. Look yourself."

"Yes, Instructor." Lin Ming poured his soul force into the jade slip. Inside was a detailed map of the Seven Profound Martial House, and the sections of resource locations at the Martial House were outlined in detail.

Inside the illumination of the jade slip were killing arrays used by martial artists to cultivate. They were the Golden Soldier Hall, Wood Puppet Lane, Lava Cave, Boulder Slope, Icy Pond Waterfall, Violent Wind Tunnel, and Thunder Valley. These seven were known as the seven major element killing arrays of metal, wood, water, fire, earth, lightning, and wind.

These seven major killing arrays were constantly in operation all year round, and they consumed a massive amount of true essence stones.

Although the killing arrays were constantly in activation, they could only allow 12 people to cultivate at a time together. The Seven Profound Martial House had too many disciples; it was impossible to allow all of them to come as they pleased, so the only method to allocate time was for disciples to gain it for themselves by struggling their way up the Ranking Stone. Disciples that weren't on the Ranking Stone were not eligible to enter, and disciples followed the rankings to be allotted time

According to Lin Ming's ranking, every month he could practice at any killing array for three days.

In addition to this cultivation practice, Lin Ming was also qualified to enter the Seven Profound Martial House's depository and select a low-grade human-step cultivation method and two low-grade human-step martial skill manuals. Lin Ming could not bring the cultivation method and martial skill jade slips outside of them Seven Profound Martial House, but he could bring them out of the depository and back to his own residence to study them in his own time.

"Martial skill and cultivation methods, and also arrays to cultivate at, these are the most valuable resources that the Seven Profound Martial House can provide. Martial skills can increase a martial artist's combat prowess and versatility, the cultivation method is the fundamental of martial art, and being able to practice in a killing array can speed up a martial artist's cultivation and enable them to achieve twice the results with half the effort. Many disciples come to the Seven Profound Martial House for these three resources. "

"Out of these three resources, the most important is the cultivation method manual. But, I have the 'Chaotic Virtues Combat Meridians', so the cultivation methods they have here are of no significance for me. What I need most right now is a martial skill and a cultivation room. It's a pity that I can only practice three days per months, it just isn't enough time. I have to rise as fast as I can on the Ranking Stone."

Lin Ming outlined everything he needed in his mind, then withdrew his soul force from the jade slip.

Hong Xi said, "Everyone has finally arrived. Now all of you follow me, we are going to the depository."

The Seven Profound Martial House's depository was a pavilion that was divided into the inner and outer rooms. Only core disciples could access the inner pavilion; the outer pavilion was for the rest of the disciples.

The inner pavilion contained top-secret cultivation methods and skill manuals that were left behind by masters and sages of the Seven Profound Valleys. These manuals and jade slips were not permitted to be handed to outsiders, under great penalty. Lin Ming was only able to enter the outer pavilion at the moment.

Although the outer pavilion's cultivation method manuals were a grade lower than the inner pavilion, they had a much larger collection and higher level of variety then the inner pavilion did. Inside were several thousand jade slips that had been collected and accumulated by the Seven Profound Valleys over 600 years. Occasionally, a Seven Profound Valleys disciple would undergo a mission, and on the way, they would come into disputes with other martial artists and kill them. These martial artists often had cultivation method jade slips on them. Although these jade slips were useless to the disciples of the Seven Profound Valleys, they were able to sell them to the sect and this would increase the number of cultivation method jade slips that the Seven Profound Valleys had. However these cultivation methods were not the legitimate original methods of the Seven Profound Valleys, therefore they would distribute these to the regional Martial Houses so that the disciples there could study them.

Even so, all these cultivation methods were extremely precious within the Sky Fortune Kingdom. Out of the 20 new Earth Hall disciples, many of them had never practiced a cultivation method, so once they came into this outer pavilion and saw such a vast collection of options to choose from, many people grew breathless and colored with excitement.

After Lin Ming arrived at the depository, he handed his jade slip in his hands to the warden elder who guarded the outer pavilion. Not only did this jade slip contain the distribution information on resources, but it also served as a record of Lin Ming's data and results.

The warden elder examined the jade slip with his soul force, and then said to Lin Ming, "You may proceed. You may choose a cultivation method and two martial skills. You may bring the three jade slips out of the depository but they cannot leave the Seven Profound Martial House. Also… if there are too many people wanting a jade slip, you will need to reserve an appointment, and the length of time you can study it is based upon your rank on the Ranking Stone."

It was too difficult and troublesome to duplicate a cultivation method's jade slip; therefore each copy was rare and unique. Some cultivation methods were much more popular and coveted than others, and if many other disciples chose to study that specific one, then there would be a conflict in time and resources. To arrange the reservation time, that would depend on one's own ranking. Therefore the low ranking disciples often didn't choose a well-known or prominent cultivation method; otherwise they would not have many opportunities to study it.

"The Seven Profound Martial House really is where strength reigns supreme. Here, ranking is all that matters." Lin Ming sighed with feeling, and then walked into the depository.

At this time, there were many disciples gathered in the depository, but none of them were making even the slightest sound. If one carefully listened, they could hear that these disciples were even holding their breath for the space of half an incense stick of time, as they were single mindedly studying the cultivation methods in the jade slips.

"So many masters…" Lin Ming lightly breathed. The Seven Profound Martial House was really a den of crouching tigers and hidden dragons. Zhu Yan was a top-tier talent who ranked among the best in Green Mulberry City, but here at the Seven Profound Martial House he was only able to be in the top 30.

Hong Xi said, "Start to choose. Don't be anxious, there is plenty of time. Make your choice wisely. Jade slips that don't have a mark are the most basic of skills and cultivation methods. Those with marks on them have a grade. Red marks are low-grade of the human-step, and purple marks are medium grade of the human-step. Near each jade slip is a record that shows how many people have chosen that one. If your ranking is too low, I suggest you to not choose one that is too favored, otherwise, since time is assigned according to your ranking, you may not have much of an opportunity to study it."

According to the regulations of the Martial House, between ranks 100 to 200, they could only chose a low-grade human-step cultivation method manual. Lin Ming's ranking was relatively high, so he could chose a popular cultivation method.

However not even mentioning low-grade human-step cultivation methods, even if it was a high-grade human-step cultivation method, Lin Ming would be completely uninterested in it. But, he still had to appear as if he wanted one.

So he began to browse around all the shelves. Near each cultivation method was a label that was made of symbol paper which had the names of the disciples who had chosen that cultivation method. The popular cultivation methods often had 4 or 5 names, but the less popular ones often didn't have any names at all.

The gap between various low-grade human-step cultivation methods was just too great, thus the disciples who were over rank 100 learned cultivation methods far superior to those below them.

Lin Ming looked for a while, and suddenly moved as he saw Zhang Cang's name.

"Shadowless Art! I guess this is the cultivation method that Zhang Cang cultivates."

As soon as Lin Ming looked at the label, he was stunned to see seven names written on it. This cultivation method was truly welcomed by all!

Lin Ming sank his soul force into the jade slip and saw the overview of these cultivation method pop into his mind.

'The 'Shadowless Art'. Heavy offense, light defense. The cultivator's true essence density and purity would be extremely high; they could even compare with a martial artist a whole stage above. This is truly one of the best and most outstanding low-grade human-step cultivation methods among its peers; it is not too far from being a middle-grade human-step cultivation method. However this cultivation method is not easy to practice, and those that reach the Large Success stage are too few, thus please be prudent in your choice.'

Seeing this overview, and reading that it was too difficult so one had to practice it with caution, Lin Ming only smiled and laughed. All of those in Earth Hall over rank 100 were talents, the more difficult it said it was to cultivate, the more those brave and arrogant geniuses would desire it. This cultivation method was also one of the best ones within its rank, how could they not want it?

But certainly, in this cultivation method, Lin Ming had no interest.

He continued to look around, and was preparing to casually choose one, but then his footsteps paused as he wandered near a bookshelf in a corner.

"Spear arts?"

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Chapter 67 – Unknown-Grade Martial Skill

"Mmm? There is a cultivation method that contains spear arts too? That Wang Yanfeng's 'Nine Paths of Truth' was a cultivation method that had sword skills. It seems some cultivation methods are particularly focused on certain types of weapons and they will have techniques related to them."

Lin Ming reached up for a jade slip on the shelf named 'Foundation Spear Technique'. Although the two word foundation didn't have a glorious appearance of something of high quality, Lin Ming didn't mind. He sunk his soul force into the jade slip and saw the summary for this 'Foundation Spear Technique."

'The 'Foundation Spear Technique' is the foundation for all spear skills. It teaches the straight thrust, the wide sweep, the flower dance, the killing circle, and other such primary spear skills. It does not contain any spear martial skills, and is one of the simplest low-grade human-step cultivation methods.

Seeing this, Lin Ming remembered Wang Yanfeng's 'Nine Paths of Truth' when they had fought. Wang Yanfeng had used the 'Nine Paths of Truth' and his true essence had transformed into nine shimmering green runes on the blade of the sword. This martial skill was incomparably gorgeous and pleasing to the eye. Compared to the exquisite beauty of the 'Nine Paths of Truth', the 'Foundation Spear Technique' just seemed too commonplace and ordinary. It only had the simplest style of spear skills, and that was why it was called the simplest kind of low-grade human-step cultivation method.

But Lin Ming didn't think that there was anything wrong or bad with simplicity. The more complex a cultivation method was, the more mistakes and flaws there would be, and spending a massive amount of time to practice this sort of cultivation method wasn't necessarily wise as later he would have to throw it away. If that was the case, then it would be best to practice the most basic foundation skills. Learning the straight thrust, the wide sweep, the flower dance, the killing circle, and other such basic skills could never go wrong, as they related to all future spear techniques.

As long as he practiced this simple style to the Large Success stage, he would be able to display its greatest strength. Lin Ming also had the top-grade Body Transformation manual, the 'Chaotic Virtues Combat Meridians' to make up for any disparity in martial skills.

"I'll take this one!" Lin Ming decided. He glanced at the side label of the 'Foundation Spear Technique' and saw that it was completely absent of any names. The word 'Foundation' really caused others to not be able to feel any interest towards it, in addition to it being spear related, which not many others practiced.

"It's great that no one cultivates this; now I don't have to reserve time."

After choosing this spear art, Lin Ming began looking to choose his movement technique.

He glanced over the available ones, 'Lost Steps', 'Heaven Passing Ladder', 'Cloud Hanging Rope', 'Seven Star Drifting Cloud', 'Swan Feather', and so forth. Each of these cultivation manuals were dazzlingly impressive and had kick-ass names.

For instance, the 'Swan Feather Fall', it was said that after cultivating it to the Large Success stage, then one could use their true essence to fly unhindered into the deep blue sky, as if they were on a feather from a soaring swan.

As for the 'Seven Star Drifting Cloud', it was said that after reaching the Large Success stage, one could take seven steps at once, without being able to tell where it began and where it ended. It was as if every foot was passing on the seven stars of the Big Dipper, and one would be able to tread on clouds and achieve godly speed within those seven steps.

However, Lin Ming shook his head as he examined all these. He wandered around the corner and chose a cultivation method named the 'Foundation Movement Technique'.

Lin Ming's idea was very simple. Reading between the lines of these movement techniques, they used some special way to circulate true essence and coordinate it with the strength of the leg and foot muscles, and thus create a method to move around. Although cultivating these movement techniques would make it possible to increase one's speed by several times, once he had a high-grade movement technique, then he would have to discard his old method and practice from a fresh start. Lin Ming did not want to waste his time on some low-grade human-step movement technique; although they had awesome sounding names that were sweet to the ear, they were ultimately manuals that were discarded as trash by the Seven Profound Valleys and ultimately wound up here.

He selected his movement technique, and now it was time to choose a martial skill. In truth, the martial skill was similar to the movement techniques; once he had learnt something superior, the old one would eventually be replaced. But as of right now, Lin Ming lacked a true attack method, so he was prepared to select one that was good and combine it with his spear skills.

Lin Ming's requirements were many. He didn't want anything fancy or pompous. He didn't want something flashy but lacking in substance. It had to be something that could be used in various situations, something that didn't use deceit or illusions to strike, something that wasn't low power, and something that could be used with the spear…

Lin Ming examined almost all of the martial skills and couldn't find one that matched his criteria.

No wonder, the outer pavilion's martial skills were trash that were eliminated by the Seven Profound Valleys. The Seven Profound Valleys was responsible for reviewing jade slips once they received them. The elders responsible definitely had great insight; how could anything left over be good?

While he continued to search as he felt some disappointment, Lin Ming suddenly stopped.

"Mmm? Why are there broken jade slips here?" Lin Ming found that hidden on a bookshelf were placed a number of broken jade slips.

"Are these also cultivation methods and martial skills?" Lin Ming randomly picked up a jade slip piece and seeped his soul force into it and the summary appeared in his mind: 'The high-grade human-step martial skill. Martial skill is unknown. Loss rate is 90%.'

Once a jade slip had been broken into pieces, most of the information inside would also be lost. No matter whether it was a cultivation method or martial skill, once the loss rate reached 90% there would be no way for even the most talented of talents to be able to practice it.

Lin Ming continued to look and found that most of these broken jade slips were high-grade human-step cultivation methods, and there were also several low-grade ones mixed in too. This was normal, after all, if it was only a low-grade cultivation method or martial skill, in addition to it being incomplete, then it definitely would have been thrown away long ago. Why would it be kept here?

But too bad, even if it was a low-grade Earth-step cultivation manual, compared to the top-rank 'Chaotic Virtues Combat Meridians' which came from the Realm of the Gods, it would be like comparing the heavens and earth. It was also incomplete, so what sort of value would it have for Lin Ming?

"Although these cultivation methods are high-level, the talented disciples will not choose these because they are just impossible to practice. I have the 'Chaotic Virtues Combat Meridians', there is just no point in wasting my time attempting these martial skills."

Lin Ming did not care too much about this and was just about to give up looking, when he suddenly saw something in the corner of his eye and turned. It was a jade slip with a martial skill named the 'Body Tearing Bone Shattering First'. This martial skill was missing its opening section, and therefore could not be given a grade. It was only the elder who was responsible for evaluating the jade slips that had placed it as a low-grade Earth-step martial skill.

'Body Tearing Bone Shattering Fist' was really a vulgar name; compared to elegant and appealing names like 'Swan Feather Fall', 'Cloud Hanging Rope', and other such grand atmospheric cultivation method names, it was simply a dirty beggar. But Lin Ming actually knew that the martial skill and cultivation method names were chosen by the creator. Some weaker cultivators were stuck at certain bottlenecks and could no longer progress, these weaker martial artists would spend their entire life creating a set of cultivation methods or a martial skill, and even though it was limited in ability, they would rack their brains to think of a charming and magnificent name.

Superb martial skills and cultivation methods would never depend on the grandeur of their name to attract attention. This 'Body Tearing Bone Shattering Fist' could be said to be completely honest with its plain and vulgar words.

However, Lin Ming noticed this manual not because of its name, but because of the effect its attacks would have on the enemy body. On the jade slip it described; 'The skin would show no wound, but the interior would be destroyed, therefore it is named the 'Body Tearing Bone Shattering Fist.''

The skin would show no wound, but the interior would be destroyed!

Lin Ming suddenly remembered the soft rigidity concept described in the 'Chaotic Virtues Combat Meridians', Strength Training's 'Flow like Silk'.

Strength Training's so called 'Flow like Silk' referred to complete control of one's strength and was the 'Chaotic Virtues Combat Meridians' Strength Training's Large Success stage. With 'Flow like Silk', as soon as one punched an iron wood tree, the bark would be fine, but the core would be turned into cotton fibers.

Because there were missing sections in the memories of the elder, Strength Training's 'Flow like Silk' had been a bit fuzzy and incomplete; therefore Lin Ming had not reached the absolute threshold of that stage.

"This 'Body Tearing Bone Shattering Fist' is a bit similar to 'Chaotic Virtues Combat Meridians' Strength Training's 'Flow like Silk'. As they say all living things are connected to each other, perhaps the 'Body Tearing Bone Shattering Fist' also has the same principles behind it as 'Flow like Silk'.

Lin Ming continued to examine the 'Body Tearing Bone Shattering Fist'. Although this martial skill had many missing sections, the parts that were there were still able to give Lin Ming many enlightenments.

"Let true essence vibrate along the fist. If the vibration frequency is consistent, then resonance will occur, and this vibration can be transmitted to the interior of the enemy, and destroy their body's… so that's how it is! The senior who created this 'Body Tearing Bone Shattering Fist' must have had a very deep and comprehensive understanding of the relation between true essence and its utilities in strength!

"Although the Realm of the Gods' cultivation methods are absolutely exquisite and peerless, it can't be said that the skills of the Realm of the Gods are all things that the people of Sky Spill Continent cannot dream of or come up with. The history of Sky Spill Continent's inheritances and legacies has already surpassed ten thousand years. For ten thousand years there have been many peerless talents and monstrous geniuses. For them to achieve the same results in certain aspects of the Realm of the Gods is nothing strange!" Thinking like this, Lin Ming chose this martial skill manual, and thus his set of one cultivation method and two martial skills was completed.

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Chapter 68 – Lin Ming's Wonderful Selection

As Lin Ming brought up his three jade slip choices of 'Foundation Spear Technique', 'Foundation Movement Technique', and 'Body Tearing Bone Shattering First', to register with the warden elder, he saw that that there were several people waiting at the counter. They were Wang Yanfeng and several others. Hong Xi was waiting at the side, and checking which cultivation methods and skill manuals they had chosen.

As the instructor for the newbie disciples of the Earth Hall, Hong Xi was only responsible for their general direction and had no specific obligation or duty to help them any further. However, this cultivation method choice was very important, so Hong Xi came here, fearing that the disciples in his care would make a bad decision and choose a cultivation method poorly suited for them.

"Wang Yanfeng, you've determined that you choose these three jade slips?" The warden elder inquired.

"I do." Wang Yanfeng affirmed and nodded.

"You chose the 'Divine Yang Power', 'Swan Feather Fall', and 'Thundercloud Strike'; these three manuals are very difficult to cultivate, particularly the 'Swan Feather Fall'. It is very exacting in its true essence precision. If we are talking about reaching the Large Success boundary when you will be able to fly, it will be exceedingly difficult for you. Are you sure about your choice?"

"Elder, I have already thought about this clearly." Wang Yanfeng had his own plans. His family had the movement technique 'Seven Despairing Steps'. However, the 'Seven Despairing Steps' was just a fraction worse than the 'Swan Feather Fall'.

But he would not give up the 'Seven Despairing Steps'. The 'Seven Despairing Steps' would be the martial skill he would use to accelerate and move in short distances, but the 'Swan Feather Fall' was able to make one's body light like a swallow and was good for long distance movement. Both complemented each other and filled the other's weaknesses, therefore he chose the 'Swan Feather Fall' as it suited him the most.

As for the 'God Yang Power', its difficultly was not as high. This was because his ranking was too low, otherwise he would have chosen a cultivation method that was more difficult and had greater rewards in power, such as the 'Shadowless Art'.

"Alright." The warden elder reluctantly shook his head and registered the jade slips for Wang Yanfeng. These young geniuses all had aspirations that were higher than the sun. They would often choose the most powerful cultivation method and martial skills as soon as they could; however, such powerful martial skills and cultivation methods were not trifling in their difficulty.

However, it was hard to question them about this. Young geniuses never considered the difficulty of a martial skill or cultivation method when selecting them, in fact, it could be said that they liked to use the difficulty as proof of their budding talent.

But what they had forgotten was that in the Seven Profound Martial House, everyone was a talent. In the cultivation method, if there was a note that said 'EXTREMELY HARD TO PRACTICE' that was naturally directed at these clueless talents! It's true that you are a genius, but how can you compare with all these other geniuses?

After Wang Yanfeng were the two brother-in-arms Wang Mang and Li Tie. These two also had an outstanding display on the Ranking Stone and so their choices in martial skills were similarly not easy.

"You've decided on these three cultivation methods and martial skills?"

"We've decided."

"Okay, then next… mmm? Lin Ming?"

"Yes." Lin Ming placed three jade slips onto the counter. Wang Yangfeng, Wang Mang, and Li Tie were naturally unable to not glance at them, and this included even the curious Hong Xi. Lin Ming's strength was evident to those that had met him, and they wanted to know what kind of ancient and supreme martial skill he had chosen.

Wang Yanfeng gazed at the three jade slips on the counter. "This Lin Ming, his ranking is 126. He might choose 'Shadowless Art', or even the 'Absolute Nine Yang', or some other top level cultivation method. My strength is already behind him; if I suffer a loss even in cultivation methods, it will be even more difficult to catch up. I will only be chasing his shadow my entire life."

Because he had suffered setback after setback, Wang Yanfeng no longer mentioned or even thought of Lin Ming's talent when gauging his strength. In his opinion, Lin Ming was a freakish existence that disregarded the talent barrier, and was the strongest match he had met in his life so far.

Even though Wang Yanfeng had some apprehension about which cultivation method Lin Ming chose, the warden elder's next words left him dumbfounded.

"The 'F…Foundation Spear Technique', 'Foundation Movement Technique', and an incomplete 'Body Tearing Bone Shattering Fist'… are… are these the three manuals you have chosen?"

These were the three sets of cultivation methods and martial skills? What even was this 'Body Tearing Bone Shattering Fist'? Wang Yanfeng had never even heard of it. But he did know the 'Foundation Spear Technique' and 'Foundation Movement Technique'. Wang Yanfeng had also passed by these two manuals when he was looking. These two set of foundation cultivation method and movement techniques might even be the most basic, simple, and ordinary low-grade human-step manuals in the depository. Why would Lin Ming choose these?

Does he have no confidence in himself? That's not right. His heart of martial arts was so firm, how could he not have confidence and belief in his abilities?

The warden elder was unable to understand this choice. This foundation cultivation method manual was only ever selected by disciples of the Human Hall. In all the years the warden elder had worked here, he had seem disciples who had aimed to high and chosen a cultivation method that was far too difficult for them, and although mighty, inevitably were unable to master it and had wasted all their time. This kind of phenomenon was nothing unusual with talents and geniuses. However, this was the first time he had seen a new first place disciple of the Earth Hall choose a cultivation method that was too simple, as if they were afraid to cultivate at all.

And that low-grade Earth-step martial skill 'Body Tearing Bone Shattering Fist' was incomplete, it in fact was only graded that as a reference value, it was simply completely impossible to practice. Did this Lin Ming know that? What was he thinking?

The Earth Hall instructor Hong Xi was standing on the side, and he also couldn't understand. He had come here today to help direct and guide these new disciples to choose a suitable cultivation method. He hadn't thought that the first one to go astray would be Lin Ming. He opened his mouth and warned, "Lin Ming, have you clearly thought about this?"

Lin Ming nodded and said, "I thought about it. I want to build a firm foundation so I chose a foundation cultivation method and a foundation movement technique."

Hong Xi said, "Good. It's not wrong to want to form a solid foundation. You chose the 'Foundation Spear Technique' and the 'Foundation Movement Technique'. But this 'Body Tearing Body Shattering Fist' is missing more than 70% of its manual. Even if it is an unabridged low-grade Earth-step martial skill, it still needs extremely high perception and talent to practice; much less it is also missing 70% of it! Let alone you, even the elders of the Seven Profound Martial House would find it impossible to gain an understanding of it to cultivate, otherwise do you think that a low-grade Earth-step manual would be randomly found in the middle of nowhere in the outer pavilion? Would you like to change your selection?

Lin Ming replied, "I just wanted to meditate and ponder on it; not cultivating it is not a problem. Also, I want to look at it to see if I can obtain some inspirations."

Obtain some inspirations?

Hong Xi frowned. Lin Ming was a 15 year old youth whose cultivation was only at the peak of the Second Stage of Body Transformation. And he wanted to be 'inspired' by a low-grade Earth-step martial skill that was missing 70% of its contents? He was nothing but a moron who had gone too far in his idiocy, but his ambition was aiming at the top.

"Lin Ming, you really have to guard against the mindset that you are going to get lucky. Don't take chances like this. Even peerless monstrous geniuses would not be able to cultivate the 'Body Tearing Bone Shattering Fist'. The opportunity to select a martial skill is very valuable; if you choose this, you will have wasted a chance. Although you will later enter the top 100 rankings and have opportunities to choose more, even one less martial skill is a huge pity!

Lin Ming smiled and said, "Thank you Instructor Hong. I have already thought about this and am clear in my decision."

"Good, then do as you like." Hong Xi shook his head. These geniuses were just too stubborn. They wouldn't change unless they endured grief. So he would let him do this and then eat his regret. If he didn't suffer, then he wouldn't remember this.

Like this, Lin Ming selected his cultivation method and martial skill jade slips. His name was written on a jade slip note, and then he received three keys. These three keys were actually three small ash grey stones, and at the top of each was a red marking.

Each key corresponded to a set of manuals. Once a new disciple chose a cultivation method, the jade slip would be sealed on a shelf for storage. Without the key to open the array, even if they entered the depository, they would not be able to look at anything.

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Chapter 69 – Strength Training 'Flow like Silk'

In a quiet, secluded clearing at the back mountains, Lin Ming sat in his yard on a stone table. He was meditating in tranquility, as spinning autumn leaves slowly fell around and on his shoulders. In the peacefully quiet autumn morning, Lin Ming had risen out of bed before sunrise to breathe in the fresh mountain air and get his mind into its optimum condition.

Lin Ming had placed the 'Body Tearing Bone Shattering Fist' jade slip on the stone table. This was an incomplete Earth-step martial skill. Even if Lin Ming had the 'Chaotic Virtues Combat Meridians as reference to help guide him, he still needed an extremely high level of perception to be able to fuse the two.

Perception had nothing to do with one's martial talent, but it did touch on one's soul talent a bit. Lin Ming's soul talent was primary fourth-grade. Martial artists' soul talents were generally low; Lin Ming's soul talent could be considered top-tier in the Sky Fortune Kingdom, and was equal to superior fourth-grade talent in cultivation.

Lin Ming was adjusting his mind and emptying his useless thoughts. He was ready to use the entire day to perceive and understand the 'Body Tearing Bone Shattering Fist'.

He sank his soul force into the jade slip, and in Lin Ming's mind appeared the incomplete scripture of the 'Body Tearing Bone Shattering Fist'.

"This 'Body Tearing Bone Shattering Fist', the very beginning is incomplete…"

The 'Body Tearing Bone Shattering Fist' was missing 70% of its information. If this debilitating flaw was only in the second half of the manual, then an unrivalled talent might be able to practice a small part of it. But currently, the missing sections started at the beginning, moreover, the flaws also passed through the entire heart mantra, which made this simply impossible to practice.

"No wonder this 'Body Tearing Bone Shattering Fist' was lying out on the corner and no one asked for it. Even though the concept of vibrating one's own true essence was simple, there wasn't even an explanation on how to begin practicing the hand movements. The passage from the introduction which describes this is missing!"

However, in Lin Ming's memories from the elder's soul fragment, there was a vaguely basic and fuzzy memory of what Strength Training's 'Flow like Silk' was like.

Lin Ming took these two sets of manuals as one and began to reflect upon them together. He began to have a faint feeling as if he was just tracing the beginning of Strength Training's 'Flow like Silk'.

"Breathing…" Lin Ming mumbled as he pondered, "The true essence vibrations' start is… breathing!"

In the soul fragment's memories, he had learned that the human body was composed of millions upon millions of tiny units. Whether it was the skeleton, or muscles, or blood, or anything else, they were formed from these small units that were smaller than dust. However, they actually had a very complex structure, and played different roles in the human body. When cultivation had reached a high enough realm, true essence would condense in the eye, and their vision would be improved to the limit of limits, and they would be able to discover these tiny units.

Each of these tiny units was alive. Each could breathe!

The average person's body's tiny units would have a breath disorder from all these tiny units breathing at different times, but if they managed to reach the Large Success stage of Strength Training's 'Flow like Silk', they would be able to control the breathing rate of these tiny units so that they were consistently unified, and it would then resonate…

This was the beginning of Strength Training's 'Flow like Silk', and was also the beginning of true essence vibration!

According to that elder's memories, when a human was first conceived, in their mother's womb they would be just a tiny unit that would grow. At that time, because the tiny unit is just one, their breathing frequency was consistent, and thus an embryo's breathe was purest at that moment.

Lin Ming was suddenly enlightened.

Was it possible that the senior who created the 'Body Tearing Bone Shattering Fist' had also discovered the secret behind the tiny units of the human body? This 'Body Tearing Bone Shattering Fist' was missing its beginning portion. The grade of low-grade Earth-step was assigned to it by an elder at the Seven Profound Valley who was responsible for examining the jade slips before deciding where they went. Now, it seemed that it hadn't been wholly accurate.

It was very possible that this was an even higher order cultivation method.

But adjusting the whole body's tiny units so that their breath was consistent was not a simple matter. The 'Body Tearing Bone Shattering First' was completely missing this part in its instructions. Lin Ming could only diligently try to recall bits and pieces from the fuzzy memories he had.

"Adjust the body through true essence to control the breathing of the tiny units, and finally achieve the goal of changing the tiny units' breathing rate until they are consistent."

Lin Ming sat down cross-legged and began to revolve the true essence within his body. He unendingly tried to match his own breathing with that of the tiny units inside his body.

Once. Twice. Lin Ming felt his breath become longer and longer. Gradually, he felt his own breathing begin to enter a subtle boundary. He began to feel his consciousness fade away, and his body become empty nothingness. The uncountable tiny units within his body began to move along with Lin Ming's breath as if they were vibrating. He felt a scalding, burning sensation as if he were being swept away by a tide.

Lin Ming was in constant meditation and reflection; like this, he sat in the courtyard for an entire day.

That day, Lin Ming was like a still pond. Leaves fell on his shoulders, his head, and his arms, but Lin Ming remained motionless throughout. It wasn't until the sun set over the mountains that Lin Ming woke from his long period of contemplation and slowly opened his eyes.

"This true essence vibration and Strength Training's 'Flow like Silk' boundary are just too mysterious. I have used an entire day but only managed to finally touch upon a clue. This true essence vibration involves the hidden secrets of the human body; the average person would simply not think of this. It is too fantastic!"

Although he hadn't progressed much, Lin Ming had clearly seen the approximate direction to go. If he slowly perceived this through mediation, he would sooner or later be able to find out the mystery!

Lin Ming put away the jade sleep. Strangely, though he hadn't eaten the entire day, he didn't feel any hunger in his belly at all.

Martial artists before the Pulse Condensation Period had to eat meals and drink water just like the average man. Even someone at the Pulse Condensation Period could only stand hunger a few more days that a normal man, if they didn't eat for a long time, they could also starve to death.

"I'm also not hungry at all. It seems the tiny units in my body have already breathed in true essence and are full. Strength Training's 'Flow like Silk' is too wonderful! It's only today that I realize that perhaps the so-called strength of Strength Training's 'Flow like Silk' is not physical strength at all, but true essence strength. If I practiced true essence strength until I could freely wield it at will, then this would be the Large Success of Strength Training's 'Flow like Silk'.

Lin Ming was unable to restrain a sigh filled with emotion. The 'Chaotic Virtues Combat Meridians' were broad and profound. Over the countless long years, the Realm of the Gods' sect seniors had been unendingly revising and cultivating the 'Chaotic Virtues Combat Meridians'. Each method inside was the sum of endless experience and had been time-tested. He had practiced it until now and had reached this level of cultivation, but it was only the tip of the iceberg.

"This is as far as I go today. Tomorrow I'll have a look at the Seven Profound Martial House's seven large cultivating rooms. I wonder what sort of mysterious effects these places will have on cultivation."

In the time that Lin Ming had practiced Strength Training's 'Flow like Silk', Zhang Cang and Zhu Yan had walked together into the Seven Profound Martial House depositories. "This Lin Ming just chose a cultivation method. But with only one month, his practice will be inadequate regardless." Zhu Yan said as he held a purple jade slip in his hand. This color represented a middle-grade human-step cultivation method.

Zhang Cang said, "I wonder what kind of cultivation method that boy will choose."

Zhu Yan sneered, "This Lin Ming is too confident in his own strength. When he was at the First Stage of Body Transformation, he had threatened to overtake me. He will certainly choose some popular cultivation method that is difficult to cultivate. If so, even if his perception is good, I will let him have no time to practice…"

The popular cultivation methods needed an appointment in order to see them. But a time reservation's length was arranged according to one's own ranking. Sometimes a cultivation method had 5 to 6, or even 6 or 7 disciples waiting in line to study it. At this time, the allocated time would depend on ranking to be given out. If your ranking was low, then you would be at the end of the line and see very little of it.

But usually, of these 6 to 7 people, there were always several that were senior disciples. They had already studied these cultivation methods for a long time, to the extent that improving their own cultivation method by seeing the jade slip was useless. What they needed was more and more practice and actual combat.

However there was also no stipulation that said that senior disciples could not continue taking advantage of the jade slip. As long as Zhu Yan abused his relationships with people, Lin Ming would have to frequently let other people borrow the jade slip, and Lin Ming would not have the jade slip to practice.

Obstruction was within the regulations of the Seven Profound Martial House. Zhu Yan could not flagrantly deal with him, but he could do something that would hinder and disgust him.

Zhang Cang and Zhu Yan went looking through the bookshelves for Lin Ming's name. They examined the jade signs for names. Naturally, the first ones they looked up were 'Shadowless art', 'Absolute Nine Yang', and other such top heart mantras and cultivation methods. However they could not find Lin Ming's name among any of these. They retreated and thought for a moment, then continued looking through the lower-level cultivation methods, but still hadn't found Lin Ming's shadow.

"Mm? What's going on?" Zhu Yan frowned slightly.

Zhang Cang suddenly said, "Zhu Yan, here, I found it."

Zhu Yan walked over and saw Lin Ming's name on a very short note. Mmm? The note only had one name?

Zhu Yan was slightly stunned. That this note only had one named proved that this cultivation method was a skill that received very little attention.

"Foundation Spear Technique?"

This Lin Ming actually chose this cultivation method? What the hell was he thinking?

"I also found the second."

Hearing Zhang Cang, Zhu Yan looked again. This time, he was shocked once more. "Foundation Movement Technique?!?!"

Lin Ming had chosen the 'Foundation Spear Technique' and the 'Foundation Movement Technique'?

Zhu Yan was mind boggled. This was inconceivable.

Seeing Lin Ming had chosen these cultivation methods, Zhang Cang said, "Zhu Yan, you really overestimated this Lin Ming. After he attained the rank 126 on the Ranking Stone I thought that he was some sort of impressive character, but it seems like only his luck is good. He had some sort of fortuitous encounter, so his strength rapidly increased. But sooner or later that will be useless. Look at these two sets of manuals, relying on these, how could he possibly hope to face other experts?"

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Chapter 70 – Icy Pond Waterfall

Seeing Lin Ming had chosen these cultivation methods, Zhang Cang said, "Zhu Yan, you really overestimated this Lin Ming. After he attained the rank of 126 on the Ranking Stone, I thought that he was some sort of impressive character, but it seems like only his luck is good. He had some sort of fortuitous encounter, so his strength rapidly increased. But sooner or later that will be useless. Look at these two sets of manuals, relying on this, how could he possibly hope to face other experts?"

Zhang Cang believed that with Lin Ming's talent, even if he practiced the 'Foundation Spear Technique' and 'Foundation Movement Technique', there was no way that he would have any decent results with it. If he insisted on practicing these garbage skills, the only thing that would grow was the disparity between them!

"Haha, he is self-aware that his qualifications are inferior to others, so he dares not select a cultivation method that is difficult. This kind of person that lacks any semblance of self-confidence, what martial skills could he possibly cultivate?

Hearing Zhang Cang's derisive words, Zhu Yan frowned as his brows knitted tightly. He laid down the jade slip and said. "Zhang Cang, I advise you not to have a low opinion of your opponent and underestimate him. Maybe this Lin Ming lacks confidence, but don't forget, he broke Ling Sen's record for passing the Dream Trial that tested one's heart of martial arts in the entrance exam.

When Zhu Yan said this, Zhang Cang stopped talking. When he had first participated in the Dream Trial, it had taken him three quarters of an hour. He had done far worse than Lin Ming. He knew what it meant to pass that hurdle in less than a incense stick worth of time.

"Let's continue looking. I want to see what sort of martial skill he chose."

They pair turned to look again, and after a long time, they only found Lin Ming's name on an incomplete jade slip's note.

"Missing 70% of its contents, 'Body Tearing Bone Shattering Fist'?" Usually Zhu Yan was calm, but after seeing this note with Lin Ming's name, his eyes widened. Was this Lin Ming insane?

He didn't know what grade or rank this 'Body Tearing Bone Shattering Fist' was, but he estimated it to be a low-grade Earth-step skill. With a manual of this grade, even if it was at the Seven Profound Valley main sect, it would be a martial skill that wouldn't be passed down to outsiders. If there was even the smallest chance at all that someone could find inspiration from this, it would absolutely be impossible for this to be found in the depositories of the Seven Profound Martial House!

Having seen this martial skill, Zhu Yan didn't hesitate to give up. Let alone himself, even if it was the Seven Profound Martial House's Heavenly Abode's number one talent Zhang Guanyu, and also core disciples like Qin Xingxuan and so forth, they would not be so presumptuous to consider this 'Body Tearing Bone Shattering Fist'. That was simply biting off more than they could chew!

This Lin Ming was just too crazy. If he had just chosen the 'Foundation Spear Technique' and the 'Foundation Movement Technique', then Zhu Yan might have guessed that there was some profound and immeasurably deep meaning behind these choices, but since he chose 'Body Tearing Bone Shattering Fist', Zhu Yan only thought that Lin Ming was a half-baked idiot.

"This Lin Ming, not only are his qualifications poor, but it seems he has some problems in the head. Only if he had the mind of a pig would he choose a martial skill like this." Zhang Cang quipped. This time Zhu Yan didn't argue; he just didn't know what this Lin Ming was thinking.

Zhu Yan said, "Zhang Cang, although the martial skills and cultivation methods Lin Ming chose aren't normal, there is no need to not be careful. There's nothing wrong with not taking an opponent lightly. This Lin Ming is still rank 126 on the Ranking Stone. The reason is he should have eaten the Golden Snake Scarlet Pill and the Crimson Gold Dragon Marrow Pill, and was able to absorb these two pills so well that it even startles me…"

"Rest assured, he is not my match by far. After 20 more days, it will be the day of the match. I will completely and thoroughly defeat him."

"Mmm. Not only must you win, but you have to destroy his confidence. Let him suffer humiliation as much as you can within the rules. You can even severely wound him and disable him. Even if his body was cured with some rare and precious medicine, it would still leave behind a hidden injury and affect his future martial arts cultivation. This Lin Ming relied on some fortuitous encounter to want to fight with me and he wants to take my woman, I will grind him under my foot and make him unable to ever recover!" Zhu Yan said this with a cold eye. He subconsciously gripped his fists as if he were crushing Lin Ming into dust.

The Seven Profound Martial House's cultivation rooms were divided into the seven major killing arrays that each represented metal, wood, water, fire, earth, wind, and lightning. They were the Golden Soldier Hall, Wood Puppet Lane, Icy Pond Waterfall, Lava Cave, Boulder Slope, Violent Wind Tunnel, and Thunder Valley.

These seven major cultivation rooms were not normal magic arrays, but true killing arrays. A magic array could only create illusions in the mind. No matter how real these illusions seemed, they weren't like killing arrays and could only kill a person in their mind. Once they awoke, the illusion would be broken, and it could thus not serve to cultivate Body Transformation. Only a true killing array could be used to cultivate and achieve the body's potential.

Of these seven major killing arrays, each could have 12 people practicing on them at once. Because the killing arrays' activation and maintenance consumed a large quantity of true essence stones, many times more than magic arrays, the spots were limited. Therefore the time allotted was based upon one's ranking on the Ranking Stone.

If one was lower than rank 180 on the Ranking stone, they could practice for half a day every month.

If they were between rank 150 and rank 180 they could practice for an entire day.

As for ranks above 150, there were many stipulations, and the time allotted was accurate to the hour. For ranks higher than 50, the time was increased every ten ranks, and as for the final top three ranks, they could practice for ten days every month. Factoring in rest and time to cultivate, they could be practicing inside a major killing array whenever they wanted to.

Lin Ming had checked his jade slip. His own rank was 126. He could either practice for two days all day, or he could take 24 hours and divide at as he liked. If he did, Lin Ming would have to make an appointment and then come at that time. Naturally that spot would be emptied for him for that period. But if he didn't arrive for his appointment, then his time for that period would still be used.

The seven major killing arrays were located at seven different places within the Seven Profound Valleys. To get there, at the center of each array was a total transmission array. All disciples' practices were arranged by the transmission array's administrative office.

"All new students, you have the chance to enter any one you like for one hour. This time does not calculate into your total time. Before entering the killing array, you may let the elder responsible for the arrays help you choose an appropriate difficulty. Here is a reference chart with approximate difficulty levels and their relative rankings. You may have a look." The elder responsible for the transmission array slowly said. He then registered everyone's scores, and slowly passed them a reference chart.

Lin Ming look at the chart. His own rank was 126. This corresponded to a seventh level of difficulty.

Out of the metal, wood, water, fire, earth, wind, and lightning arrays, which one should he choose?

As Lin Ming hesitated, Hong Xi said, "I'm warning you, these seven major killing arrays are the real deal. If you mess up inside you will be severely injured. So do not choose a difficulty level that is too high, or more than you can handle. Also, of the seven major killing arrays, do not choose the Thunder Valley. The others are okay. If you have any Soul Gathering Pellets you should consider taking one. Although you only have one hour of test time inside, this time is also precious. This practice may be able to stimulate your body's potential."

Lin Ming just happened to have a Soul Gathering Pellet on himself. He listened to Hong Xi's advice and ate it.

And he couldn't choose the Thunder Valley? Was the Thunder Valley too difficult? Or were there other reasons? Lin Ming didn't ask, but instead finally decided upon the Icy Pond Waterfall!

The seven major cultivation arrays created the realm using the local environment, and their designs were specialized to the terrain and topography of the land. The construction design was very ingenious.

Lin Ming chose the Icy Pond Waterfall. Originally it was a natural waterfall of the Zhou mountains, but after being transformed by the array, the pouring water of the waterfall now contained a formidable pulse and energy. The pond that lay underneath the waterfall also became incomparably and extraordinarily cold, with a bone-piercing chill.

As he arrived at the canyon where the Icy Pond Waterfall was, Lin Ming could distantly hear a sound like thunder as if an underground earthquake was happening. The Zhou mountain waterfall was the highest waterfall in the Sky Fortune Kingdom, and the height from top to bottom was 300 feet. The current of water above directly impacted down below, and the strength of the water was similar to being hit by a sledgehammer. The deep pond below was a result of then thousand years of that waterfall impacting below; the depth of the pond had already reached 1000 feet. Under that terrifying water pressure, even a master at the Pulse Condensation Period would shrink back at the sight.

As Lin Ming arrived at the Icy Pond Waterfall, there was giant curtain of water as if the entire pond was steaming. This was from the torrential downpour and immeasurable amount of water that was splashing dozens of feet into the air. The rumbling sound of the waterfall even faintly shook Lin Ming's heart with its resonance.

"Great waterfall!" Lin Ming shouted with his heart filled with emotion. This was the first time that he had seen such a marvelous wonder of nature.

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Chapter 71 – Cultivation Method Complete

As Lin Ming walked before the waterfalls array, a deacon was there waiting, who appeared to be around 20 to 30 years old. The deacon had already been given advance notice. He said to Lin Ming, "Junior Apprentice Lin, you may go in. There is a one hour time limit. The array was especially for new disciples today. The difficulty has already been set at level seven. Are there any questions?"

'Mmm, what a troublesome fellow senior apprentice!' Lin Ming thought, but he did not care too much. This seventh level of difficulty corresponded to the ranks 110 to 130. His ranking of 126 was near the bottom of that. He would start from the foundation, and then come back again for a more difficult challenge later.

"You can enter, although you just barely suffice to enter the seventh level of difficulty – your cultivation is limited. If you cannot handle being inside, come out to rest. Generally, one cannot stay inside for too long. If you are in there longer than your body's limits, you may end up damaging your health." The deacon senior-apprentice reminded Lin Ming.

"Thank you fellow Senior Apprentice. If I cannot bear it, I will say so."

"Mmm, good." The deacon senior apprentice said as he opened the array.

Looking in from the outside, the Icy Pond Waterfall was an ordinary waterfall, just a massive one. But as he made a few strides towards it, the scenery suddenly changed. Lin Ming arrived at a new space, and was unable to sense anything from the outside.

Although the Icy Pond Waterfall was a killing array, it also contained an illusory magic array inside. Because of this, 12 people could practice in the array at the same time and yet not be able to see anyone else. This was because the illusory magic array would isolate one from all 11 other people as they cultivated, after all, no one was willing to cultivate next to others that were watching.

Lin Ming turned around for a moment, and behind him had already become a completely dark, jet-black world. It was as if the waterfall was suspended in the starry night sky. The icy pond of the waterfall was a thousand feet wide and deep blue like glacial ice. Although it wasn't too far from the waterfall, it was unusually quiet and still, and not a single waterline was seen. There was a dense fog that floated over the surface and covered half of the icy pond.

"Just look, you can feel the chilling cold. This cold air is even frostier than the winter north wind!" Lin Ming took a deep breath, revolved his true essence to the limit, and then plunged into the frigid pond.

"Good cold!"

After jumping into the icy pond, Lin Ming felt the freezing cold. He had no doubt that if this was in the outside world, the water would already have frozen over. But in the Icy Pond Waterfall array, this frigid water actually remained liquid, it was just amazing.

Lin Ming circulated the 'True Primal Chaos Formula' to the extreme. His muscles also continuously trembled, as they were trying to give off a feverish heat in order to resist the cold.

"This water, how does it feel a little like mercury?" Lin Ming began attempting to dive, but found out that the water contained a bewildering resistance. As he splashed some water around, it was just as if he was playing with mercury. The water was obviously much thicker and denser than ordinary water, and also more sticky. If this was a normal pond, then if he exhaled deeply all the air in him, he would naturally sink into the water. But in this icy pond, it easily felt as if as if he were being pulled downwards; even swimming forward was slower.

"It was said that this icy pond was a thousand feet deep. I don't know who could have possibly measured it. With my current condition, let alone diving a thousand feet, even a few dozen feet would be extremely difficult. The man who could dive all the way down is truly a master!"

The deeper the icy pond was, the colder it would be. The chill felt as if it had a faint spiritual intellect to it. It was as if it were trying to worm its way into his skin through his pores, sneak into his blood, and penetrate to his marrow and freeze it. Lin Ming didn't doubt that if someone who didn't know martial arts came in here, they would instantly be frozen to the point where they would be unable to move, their blood would then turn to ice also, and they would die.

"My hands and feet are already starting to freeze, what an amazing fierceness." Lin Ming had already submerged himself 30 feet down. At that depth, Lin Ming felt countless cold needles stabbing his body. Because the cold here was to the extreme, the cold feeling became an aching pain. He was unable to dive further than here; otherwise he would be in danger.

"Although I cultivate the 'True Primal Chaos Formula' and my true essence is much more condensed than a normal martial artist's, my cultivation is still too weak. Others that can come to the seventh difficulty level are usually those at the Third Stage of Body Transformation or above."

"Mmm? Is that a stone platform?" Lin Ming found that several dozen feet away, there was a flat stone outcropping on the wall. He made an effort to swim over, concentrated his true essence, and then stood on the stone platform.

Martial artists could take deep and long breaths. Although Lin Ming had not achieved the Viscera Training stage, with one breath he could stay underwater for about the time it took to burn an incense stick. He sat down cross-legged on the stone platform and began to use his full energy to revolve the 'True Primal Chaos Formula'.

As everything all around him was unusually quiet, it was as if Lin Ming had entered into a separate space and time that had paused. Even as the chilly water of the icy pond flowed past him, Lin Ming could only hear his long and slow rhythmic heartbeat like a pendulum that was swinging back and forth, without a trace of chaos.

At that moment, it seemed as if Lin Ming's soul had risen from his body. His body had not even the tiniest bit of sensation, he didn't have a shred of perception, and had completely become absorbed in a trance-like state. Each and every inch of his muscles were resisting the chilly water. His true essence didn't seem to be completely under his control; it was as if it was revolving by itself. It was like it had fused to the inertia in his body, and the circulation of true essence in his body was running down incomparably exquisite lines. It was far more accurate than Lin Ming's revolution of true essence and was also several times faster!

Lin Ming had just reached 'True Primal Chaos Formulas' first layer's Large Success stage and the speed at which he could revolve his true essence had increased. But now, it had even hastened more than before. It could be said that this was double the threshold of the 'True Primal Chaos Formula'. It was a pity that this circulation speed was not something that Lin Ming could consciously drive, but was being done automatically which he could not achieve.

After an unknown amount of time, Lin Ming suddenly woke up from this trance state. "Mm? What's the matter with me?"

There was a slight tightness in his chest from holding his breath. Lin Ming exercised his true essence and surfaced from the water, gasping for breath. As he breathed in the icy air, this air was also similarly bone-chilling, and when he breathed in the air, it coated the edges of his mouth with a layer of frost.

Lin Ming recalled the state he had been in a moment ago. That feeling was similar to the feeling of all the tiny units in his body resonating together as was described in the "Body Tearing Bone Shattering Fist', the marvelous boundary when the breathing of his entire body and all its tiny units would be consistent. If a normal martial artist's breathing exercises were due to their conscious decisions and thoughts, then Lin Ming's breathing just down was as if the tiny units in his body had all breathed spontaneously, as if Lin Ming's consciousness was separate from it. His true essence has deferred to its instinct and revolved completely of its own will, and its revolution route could be called perfect!

Lin Ming returned to that stone platform, as he wanted to reproduce that state. However, he couldn't realize this state again.

"Mmn!? The 'True Primal Chaos Formula' seems to have improved further and achieved the Perfect stage! When Lin Ming revolved the 'True Primal Chaos Formula' to resist the cold, he impressively discovered that his true essence circulation speed had increased by 40%. This was the Perfect stage of 'True Primal Chaos Formulas' first layer!

Large Success is easy; Perfect is hard! Lin Ming thought that he would achieve the Perfect boundary of the first layer of 'True Primal Chaos Formula' faster than normal, but he did not think that he would achieve it so quickly!

"Was this because of the state I was in a moment ago?" Lin Ming's heart jumped crazily.

It was said that sometimes a martial artist would enter a mysterious state, for instance what they called 'sudden enlightenment' and so on. The ancient books had recorded that a martial artist would sit under a Bodhi tree, and meditate under a cliff for one night. Overnight their hair would turn white, they would awaken and discover that their cultivation method had reached the Large Success stage, and their cultivation had progressed by leaps and bounds! There were even ancient legends that said one could obtain enlightenments and become an immortal, and break from the mortal void.

Perhaps just now he had entered a similar state to that 'sudden enlightenment' or some other marvelous boundary!

Sadly, he had only been in that state for a very short time. Even so, he had obtained enormous benefits from it.

A martial artist's strange conditions were elusive. It had nothing to do with a martial artist's talent, only a martial artist's heart, consciousness, and other mysterious and profound things. Although Lin Ming's talent was ordinary, but concerning the heart of martial arts, he did not lose to any other talent in the history of Sky Fortune Kingdom!

Since he was unable to enter that state again, Lin Ming continued to use the chilling water of the icy pond to temper his body, along with circulating his true essence. The efficacy of the Soul Gathering Pellet was also stimulated. Lin Ming's inner true essence gradually flowed from his muscles to the edges of his viscera…

True essence covering viscera was the symbol of the boundary of the Third Stage of Body Transformation, Viscera Training!

Lin Ming had accidently half-stepped into the realm of the Third Stage of Body Transformation. The breakthrough was only a matter of time!

A martial artist that practiced Body Transformation to the Second Stage of Flesh Training would have true essence moisten their muscles and perfuse the surface with it. In the Third Stage, Viscera Training, the true essence would cover the internal organs and protect them. Onwards to the Fourth Stage and Fifth Stage, the true essence would penetrate deeper and deeper into the body, until it would alter muscles and forge bones.

Nevertheless, in practice, it was impossible to cover each and every inch of a martial artist's flesh and blood with true essence.

Generally, a martial artists would pour true essence into their muscles. This sort of force-feeding mechanism was limited in its ways. A spot of muscle that absorbed too much true essence would arrive at a bottleneck. On the other hand, because of oversight, some muscle areas would not be moistened or exposed to true essence at all. Like this, it would leave behind an 'empty point' in the body.

But in actual combat, every 'empty point' was also an exploitable weakness. Also, later in the future when one tried to reach the peak of Body Transformation, the Pulse Condensation Period, these 'empty points' would become a huge hindrance.

But it was different in the icy pond. The icy pond stimulated each and every inch of the body's flesh. The cold chill entered through the pores and stimulated the whole body; muscle, blood, and even the marrow!

To deal with this kind of cold, one had to revolve true essence and tremble the muscles to resist. This required that each tiny unit in the body would resist the cold too, and absorb true essence!

Gradually, every inch of blood and flesh would be tempered by true essence, and thus remove the 'empty point'!

Realizing this, Lin Ming took a deep breath. It was no wonder why all these years the Pulse Condensation Period martial artists of Sky Fortune Kingdom had almost all come from the Seven Profound Martial House. They had such mysterious and profound resources, in addition to outstanding talent and outstanding cultivation methods. To reach the breakthrough to the Pulse Condensation Period was just far easier than it was for a normal martial artist. Not even mentioning the likes of Ling Sen, Ta Ku, and other top-tier talents, even if it was only a third-grade talent, as long as they spared no effort in supporting them with rare and precious medicines, they could also break through to the Pulse Condensation Period!

"Before, if I had chosen to enter the first-level Sky Fortune Martial House, even if I had the 'Chaotic Virtues Combat Meridians' I still would not be able to train each and every inch of my flesh and blood! Just this icy pond has such miraculous effects. The other cultivation rooms must also have other mysterious effects. These seven major killing arrays are just too precious!"

"I must increase my rank as soon as possible so that I can freely enjoy the resources of the seven major killing arrays!"

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Chapter 72 – Large Success of the Spirit Cure Symbol

Chapter title is a spoiler, you can highlight it to read it now, or see it at the bottom.

"Mmm? I have a question. What if this seventh level of difficulty is not suitable for my ranking?"

The deacon senior apprentice gave a wry smile and said, "You ask that, but you do not need to stay inside. The icy pond has a chilly pervading cold. If you go in for a quarter hour you will be frozen stiff. Coming out to rest is also normal. Junior-apprentice Lin you went in and didn't come out. While it's impressive that you persisted inside, please be sure you do not damage the health of your body."

"Thank you Senior Apprentice Brother for your advice; I truly did have some problems supporting myself inside." Lin Ming casually said in a perfunctory tone.

"No need to be polite. My name is Xie Dong. Two years ago, I was also a disciple of the Seven Profound Martial House. I graduated, but afterwards I stayed at the Seven Profound Martial House to be a deacon. Junior Apprentice Brother, you have such strength at such a young age, really you have boundless prospects in the future. Senior Apprentice, I, although I am considered somewhat stupid, have some accumulated experience and knowledge in cultivating. If later Junior Apprentice Brother has any questions or unclear areas, feel free to ask me.

Xie Dong's cultivation had paused at the peak of Bone Forging. For Pulse Condensation Period martial artists, as long as they were willing to devote their life in service to the Sky Fortune Kingdom, they would be given a title. Naturally they would not remain here to be a deacon. Xie Dong had already heard of Lin Ming's name, and now that he met him, he saw that this young man's strength was as the rumors said. Although Lin Ming's talent was reported to be ordinary, Xie Dong believed that for Lin Ming to create such miracles at 15 years of age, he definitely would be able to do so again in the future. Thus this gave birth to a wish in his heart to become friends with Lin Ming.

"Thank you Senior Apprentice Brother." Lin Ming courteously said a few words, and then excused himself and left.

The day was getting late. After Lin Ming returned to his residence, he grabbed the spear, Penetrating Rainbow, and shot straight towards the martial arts room. He had to digest the day's harvests.

The days at Seven Profound Martial House were boring and fulfilling. Every morning, Lin Ming would wake up before sunrise and get out of his bed. He would sit in the courtyard by himself and breathe the pure air of the early morning. After he adjusted his body's condition and mind to an empty state, he would begin to cultivate Strength Training's 'Flow like Silk'.

After unifying with the 'Body Tearing Bone Shattering Fist', Lin Ming would compare the martial skill to the memories in his mind. He discovered more and more of the marvelous of this true essence vibration. This was not solely an ingenious method to utilize strength; in a way it could be said to compare favorably with the 'sudden enlightenment' state. If he was able to grasp this boundary, then his profit from it would be boundless!

Lin Ming often sat like this for the entire morning. He would not eat or drink or even move a single half-step. In the evening, he would eat a bit and take a short rest, and then he would head to the Icy Pond Waterfall to temper his body in the freezing waters. Lin Ming could only cultivate in the killing array for 24 hours a month. Each minute of these 24 hours was precious. For Lin Ming to save time, he only spent a half hour in the Icy Pond Waterfall before he came out. But for Lin Ming, even a half hour as an enormous advantage.

During the night, Lin Ming would start to practice his medicinal inscription symbol, because although Lin Ming had more options to cultivate and practice, the time that he had to practice his inscription symbol had reduced. However, because Lin Ming had achieved the Perfect first layer of the "True Primal Chaos Formula', his rate of improvement hadn't slowed down by much.

In the process of practicing the medicinal inscription symbol, Lin Ming also practiced the 'True Primal Chaos Formula'. The consumption of true essence stones was very quick; every day he would have to consume at least one true essence stone.

Lin Ming entered his tenth day at the Seven Profound Martial House.

Late at night, as stars flickered in the sky of the Zhou Mountains, there was a deep silence. Lin Ming sat in a log cabin in the back mountains, his fingers moving as if they played a beautiful melody on a zither in the air. Each movement formed a colorful inscription symbol as they floated and overlaid each other.

Within these last ten days, after undergoing countless defeats time and time again, Lin Ming had finally lowered the error rate to 31%. With the increase in his true essence from the Perfect first layer of the 'True Primal Chaos Formula', Lin Ming was just barely able to support the time it took to draw up the medicinal inscription symbol.

As each material was dragged flying into the air by Lin Ming's true essence, they were guided together under the influence of his soul force, where they formed dazzling lines and symbols. Lin Ming's forehead slowly became covered in beads of sweat, however, his expression gradually revealed an excited color.

"Fourth-level vicious beasts blood, last inscription symbol…completed! I've finally completed it!"

In the moment Lin Ming withdrew his true essence, there was a flash. The several dozens of floating inscription symbols and lines beamed with light as they reflected off of each other in midair, and finally condensed into a sublime flame image. This was the 'Lower Spirit Cure Symbol'; it was finally finished!

Lin Ming took a piece of symbol paper and the medicinal symbol branded itself onto the symbol paper. For this little thing, Lin Ming had spent a tremendous amount of time and money. When all was complete, Lin Ming gratefully took that small slip of symbol paper and felt its energy fluctuations. He had an enormous feeling of complete satisfaction.

How could he not be excited? As long as used this medicinal inscription symbol on either of those two top quality pills, their efficacy would be multiplied by several times!

Those two pills were originally top quality goods that had no market price; what kind of concept was it was to increase its efficacy by several times? Perhaps now, even the Seven Profound Valleys would value it as precious!

It had to be known that after a pill's efficacy doubled, that pill's value would increase by ten times, or even several tens of times!

This was because whenever a martial artist took a pill, their body would grow resistance. For instance, when Lin Ming had taken the Golden Deer Pill, the first one he ate had the best effect. The second Golden Deer Pill only had half the effect as the first one, and third only had half the effect of the second. Therefore even if Lin Ming was wealthy, he had only bought six Golden Deer Pills; three for himself and three for Lin Xiaodong. This was because once he had too many, the effects would be negligible and there might even be no effect. Even if he had eaten ten thousand, the last 9999 pills combined would be inferior to the first!

The Golden Snake Scarlet Pill and the Crimson Gold Dragon Marrow Pill were also like this. But if a pill's efficacy doubled, then its grade would also be increased and it would be the same as taking a higher-grade pill. Its effects would increase over the original by several times!

Understanding these truths, Lin Ming was naturally excited in his heart. But he did not immediately use this medicinal inscription symbol. Instead, he put it away, then took a good, deep bath. Afterwards he sat in meditation and breathed, adjusting the breathing of all the tiny units in his body, and adjusting his mental condition to its top form.

Lin Ming was very clear on what would happen. If he ate this pill, he would surely undergo a breakthrough to the next stage, Viscera Training. This was a very major event, and if something went awry, his internal organs would suffer damage. But this Golden Snake Scarlet Pill's efficacy was increased several times, it had become a genuine, dangerously potent drug. Once something went wrong, his body would not be able to support the extreme effects of the pill, and his organs would burst and he would die.

Therefore before taking the pill, Lin Ming had to guarantee that his mind and body were at optimum condition, without even the tiniest flaw.

Lin Ming practiced full breathing for half an hour, then took up a true essence stone and revolved the Perfect first layer of the 'True Primal Chaos Formula', letting his body's true essence slowly restore and return to peak condition.

After all conditions had reached the peak of what they could be, Lin Ming pricked his ears to listen. After practicing the 'True Primal Chaos Formula', Lin Ming's keen perception had risen by several fold. It was late at night now, and all was quiet. In a radius of a hundred feet he could hear nothing but the call of insects. After determining that there was nobody lurking nearby, Lin Ming took the Golden Snake Scarlet Pill along with the 'Lower Spirit Cure Symbol'.

"The 'Crimson Gold Dragon Marrow Pill' is far more formidable. If its efficacy increases by several times I may not be able to withstand its effects. I will start with this 'Golden Snake Scarlet Pill'!"

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Chapter 73 – Viscera Training Time

Chapter title is a spoiler, highlight it to read it now or see it at the bottom.

Lin Ming took a deep breath, and then crumbled the 'Lower Spirit Cure Symbol' in his hands. At that time in the dark room, a beacon of light lit up as the flame symbol blazed to life. A wreath of flames wrapped around the Golden Snake Scarlet Pill, and this continued for several blinks of the eye, before it finally coalesced into beautiful lines of fire and formed a tiny flame brand on the golden red colored pill. A brilliant flash of light lit up the entire room for a brief moment, and finally the room was restored to darkness.

Done.

Lin Ming slowly raised the pill and placed in into his mouth, then swallowed.

With such a potent and dangerous pill like this, after eating it, it was impossible to be relaxed like when he had taken the Golden Deer Pills. The effects of the drug would suddenly leap in his body, and attack him like a violent, fierce storm. This utterly painful process was what Lin Ming had psychologically prepared for.

The pill was cool like a piece of ice as it easily slid down his throat and into his stomach. There it subsided quietly, without anything occurring.

Lin Ming knew that this was only because the pill had not melted. He silently revolved the 'True Primal Chaos Formula' in his body.

After a quarter hour, Lin Ming's body began to turn cold, and a chilly current converged in his blood and spread through his whole body along his bloodstream. His body felt as if it were lost in the Icy Pond Waterfall of the seven major killing arrays. The deep arctic chill broke out in all directions of his body.

Cold sweat dripped down from Lin Ming's forehead, and flowed past his arms and shoulders. It was as if Lin Ming's body had become a leaking water bag.

The Golden Scarlet Snake was a cold-blooded animal. Its nature was that of the extreme cold elements, and the snake's gall bladder was where all this frosty cold air converged in its body. To cultivate with a pill made with this snake gallbladder was to feel an incomparably intense frosty chill!

To suppress this wintry chill in his body, Lin Ming began to revolve the 'True Primal Chaos Formula' again. However, it was as if his true essence had been frozen, and his entire body was shivering with cold trembles, and the operation of his cultivation art slowed significantly.

At the Icy Pond Waterfall, Lin Ming had felt the numbing chill of the icy pond enter through his pores and permeate his body, but this Golden Snake Scarlet Pill was eaten directly! The cold energy melted in his insides and infused through even his marrow!

If this was a normal Golden Snake Scarlet Pill, Lin Ming would have easily been able to resist this bone penetrating chill with his thick and deep true essence. However, Lin Ming had used the 'Lower Spirit Cure Symbol' to enhance the efficacy of this Golden Snake Scarlet Pill by several times. If another martial artist with this cultivation had eaten it, they would probably have already died from having their blood freeze.

Facing such potent side-effects, even with Lin Ming's amazingly strong will, he found it hard to resist!

If true essence was like water that flowed through the pipe, this chilling cold was freezing that water! The circulation of true essence was blocked everywhere!

Lin Ming's mind was clear on this, if he could not supply the flow of true essence to his entire body, then some parts of his body would freeze, and they would begin to necrotize and rot.

Although Lin Ming was able to defend the majority of his body with true essence, if even a small part of his body necrotized from freezing, then it would be a waste of the efficacy of the pill. Not only that, but if with those injuries, even if he managed to prevent a permanently debilitating disability, he would also need to temper his body with true essence again and would waste a massive amount of time.

Thinking this, Lin Ming clenched his teeth and forcefully stimulated his true essence to vibrate through his entire body. With the vibration of true essence throughout his entire body, he would break the chilling cold which had halted the flow of true essence in his body.

Originally Lin Ming thought that his whole body would be in agonizing pain, and he would be in a situation where he would find it difficult to focus and concentrate his consciousness to cause all the tiny units in his body to achieve true essence resonance. However Lin Ming didn't think that at this moment he would smoothly enter into that elusive state of Strength Training's 'Flow like Silk'!

This was because the frost chill had penetrated into his marrow, and all the countless tiny units in Lin Ming's body had to spontaneously resist this invasion of cold energy. Together, they shared hatred for a common enemy!

"In breaking down this pill, my body actually had this sort of change?" Lin Ming was too busy to be joyful about this. He started to urge his true essence to break past the frost chill that had gathered in his body. At the same time, these tiny units in his body also independently began to absorb true essence and temper his body.

This change wasn't only on the surface of his muscles, but also in his organs.

True essence Viscera Training!

Lin Ming had already touched the threshold of the Third Stage of Body Transformation, but after taking this Golden Snake Scarlet Pill, Lin Ming was finally able to take that final step and pass into and officially enter the Third Stage of Body Transformation

In the Third Stage of Body Training, true essence would temper the organs and protect them. One's fighting capacity would increase, and not only that, but a martial artist's internal organs would be moistened by true essence. The heart and lungs would be strong, and blood and vitality would be rich. Breaths would be long, and endurance would greatly increase. With the muscles under the irrigation of such rich blood, one's strength would also gradually increase!

After the breakthrough into Viscera Training, true essence began to pass into his internal organs. Lin Ming felt the pressure on him plummet at the same time. The impedance of the cold energies on his true essence's circulation was also broken one at a time. The cold, chilling energies within his body were dispersed and absorbed by him to use to temper himself.

At this point, Lin Ming had survived the cold air's attack on his body. The Golden Snake Scarlet Pill's efficacy had been perfectly absorbed.

The only step left over was the consolidation process.

After about two hours, Lin Ming opened both his eyes. He let out a long breath, but because this breath was too cold, as soon as it touched the outside air, it immediately turned the water humidity in the air into a white fog. This single breathe of Lin Ming's had unexpectedly formed a straight, gassy arrow in the air that reached out five to six feet.

Breathing in was like a serpent, breathing out was like an arrow; this was exactly the sign of Viscera Training. However, not all Viscera Training martial artists could achieve this step. Some martial artists' Viscera Training was not thorough or complete, and their true essence only covered a small part of their body's internal organs, or might even just be on their surface, and not throughout. With martial artists like these, even though they were also at the Viscera Training stage, their strength was far weaker than those whose Viscera Training was complete.

Strength Training, Flesh Training, Viscera Training, Altering Muscle, Bone Forging, Pulse Condensation; these six stages were all the basis for the foundation for every step ahead of them, and had to be done step-by-step in an orderly fashion. Drawing an analogy, if a martial artist's Flesh Training was not thorough and complete, and then the true essence on the surface of their muscles would be limited. This limited true essence would be a major weakness and flaw that would cause even more problems down the road in Viscera Training. As a result, with each mistake on each step, it would be worse and worse, and finally it would be impossible to step into the Pulse Condensation Period. This was the fundamental reason that the majority of martial artists in the Sky Fortune Kingdom were unable to achieve the Pulse Condensation Period for their entire lives.

Therefore, with the Sky Fortune Kingdom's martial artists, even if they were at the same stage, there would be massive disparities between their individual strengths. To the disciples of the Seven Profound Martial House, jumping past these challenges was not an unusual occurrence. If instead you couldn't do that, then that was simply just too disappointing.

For seven days after reaching the Third Stage of Body Transformation, Lin Ming didn't go anywhere. He stayed in his dwelling to digest the remaining effects of the Golden Snake Scarlet Pill, and to consolidate his cultivation. During this time, Lin Ming had completely and cleanly consumed all the rest of his ten true essence stones.

Seeing these true essence stones that had completely lost their luster, Lin Ming forced a smile and shook his head. These things, he feared he would need hundreds, if not thousands, and even that might not be enough. If he wished to reach the higher levels of martial arts faster, then these true essence stones were essential! But if he wanted to exchange for more true essence stones, then he would need unbelievably massive sums of gold. It was most probably a futile attempt to get that much gold by selling 'Overwhelming Rune' inscriptions.

'The date of the match with Zhang Cang is getting closer and closer. I wonder how much my strength has increased. How high can I reach on the ranking stone?'

Lin Ming was faintly anticipating the next ranking war at the Ten Thousand Killing Array assessment. He didn't have an opponent now to test his strength, so he could only go to the strength measuring room.

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Chapter 74 – Steady Spear At The Waterfall

When Lin Ming arrived at the strength measuring room, it was the afternoon, and there were only four or five people inside testing their might. Lin Ming walked over to an obscure corner, took aim at the stone column, and freely let loose a punch!

"Peng!"

The stone pillar began to fiercely rock as the light beam jumped up and down crazily. Finally it stabilized at almost four feet.

3900 jins!

It was only a casual punch, and yet it had this result.

With this result, Lin Ming was quite satisfied.

Initially, during the Strength Trial at the entrance examination, the Heavenly Abode's elder senior apprentice Ling Sen had come to demonstrate for them. He had also casually punched the stone column which had a 4900 jin result.

Lin Ming remembered this moment crystal clear, thus this time he intentionally had also casually punched the stone column to see how vast the gap between him and Ling Sen was still.

"Lin Sen is at the peak of the Fourth Stage of Body Transformation, and is a half-step to reaching the Bone Forging stage. I am just at the early Third Stage of Body Transformation, but the difference is only 1000 jins… after I achieve the Fourth Stage of Body Transformation, my strength will definitely surpass his!

"But, a martial artist cannot just look at strength only. Strength is my strong point, but I can't let the other aspects fall behind…"

With that in mind, Lin Ming took a deep breath and wholly relaxed his body. He stood there with his eyes shut for a moment, and subtly adjusted his breathing. The tiny units of his body gradually became consistent in their breathing rhythm, and had achieved a slight resonance frequency. Then, Lin Ming jerked his eyes open, sent his strength rolling up from his thighs to his waist, and instantly erupted forwards from his static condition.

Bang! The fist pounded the strength measuring stone column like a malicious steel weight. And the vibration did not end! The light beam first shot up to 4200 jins, then oscillated up and down between 4200 jins and 4300 jins, back and forth!

When a normal martial artist measured his strength on the stone column, the light beam would flash several times, rise high and then fall. But Lin Ming's fist actually caused the light beam to fly up and down between 4200 jins and 4300 jins for over 20 breaths of time!

This was true essence vibration, the effect which was achieved by cultivating Strength Training's 'Flow like Silk'!

"My fist strength is between 4200 jins and 4300 jins. But using this 'Flow like Silk', I can actually send my fist strength into my opponent's body and attack his vital organs. Also it continually attacks! A martial artist who didn't completely undergo Viscera Training would just die. Even a martial artist at the Large Success of Viscera Training, or even a powerhouse of the Altering Muscle stage would be severely wounded and spit blood after receiving my fist!"

"The 'Chaotic Virtues Combat Meridians' had recorded that the 'Flow like Silk' stage was both a marvelous and purely terrifying destructive power! What a fearsome cultivation method! But the nameless senior who left behind the 'Body Tearing Bone Shattering Fist' only managed to achieve the formidable destructive power, and didn't find out how to resonate all the tiny units in the body. Like that, it would be useless for cultivation; it really was incomplete."

It was the 21st day since Lin Ming had arrived at the Seven Profound Martial House.

In the early morning, Lin Ming carried his long spear, Penetrating Rainbow, to the Icy Pond Waterfall of the seven major killing arrays. The deacon who was responsible for managing and protecting the array, Xie Dong, saw Lin Ming arrive and greeted him with a smile. "Junior Apprentice Brother, you are here quite early. You are truly diligent."

"Good morning Senior Apprentice Brother." Ling Ming politely greeted. Lin Ming preferred to come to the Icy Pond Waterfall in the mornings and evenings, because during these times there were fewer people who reserved an appointment, and he could usually make an appointment during this time whenever he wanted.

"After a quarter hour the array will open again. This Junior Apprentice Brother will be at the third position, seventh level of difficulty." Xie Dong said.

"Mmm…so, I want to adjust the difficulty today to the eighth level." This was the first time Lin Ming had come to the Icy Pond Waterfall after reaching the Third Stage of Body Transformation. The truth was, at the seventh level, Lin Ming could dive deep to reach an area that was cold enough. However this time Lin Ming carried the Penetrating Rainbow with him. The Penetrating Rainbow was 820 jins; if he dived too deep, it would be difficult to swim back up.

"Mmm? Eighth level of difficulty? Xie Dong said with surprise. The eighth level of difficulty corresponded to between rank 80 and rank 110. Lin Ming even wanted to challenge this difficulty? Xie Dong wanted to urge Lin Ming not to advance so recklessly, but at this moment he noted differences in Lin Ming's true essence fluctuations. "Junior Apprentice Brother, you broke through?"

Xie Dong certainly remembered that the last time Lin Ming had come here, he was only at the peak Second Stage of Body Transformation. He didn't think that he would reach the Third Stage of Body Transformation so quickly.

"Mm. I just broke through recently."

"Haha, congratulations. But Junior Apprentice Brother, you just broke through, strength growth is actually a very slow and steady process and takes time to accumulate. Are you sure that you want to enter the eighth level of difficulty?"

"Mmm. I've already decided. I won't change my mind."

"Alright." Xie Dong shrugged and complied with Lin Ming's request.

After a quarter hour, Lin Ming carried the Penetrating Rainbow and moved towards the Icy Pond Waterfall. Xie Dong looked and discovered that Lin Ming's footsteps were very heavy. Every time Lin Ming stepped on the mountain valleys grass, it would leave a deep impression in the ground.

Xie Dong's eyes narrowed in suspicion. His vision focused on the long box that Lin Ming was carrying. "Such a long box is probably a spear or a halberd or something like that. For each step to make such a deep impression in the ground, that must be a very heavy weapon, at least 700 or 800 jins. For this Junior Apprentice Brother Lin to choose such a heavy spear or halberd as his choice of weapon, how rare!"

As Lin Ming entered the array, he placed the Penetrating Rainbow on his back and jumped into the icy pond.

The eighth level of difficulty icy pond's chilliness was really turned a notch, but with Lin Ming's new breakthrough, this cold was just about right for him.

Before, when he had dived into the icy pond, when he was submerged in the water he could feel that the icy pond had a formidable resistance similar to mercury. But now, shouldering the 820 jin heavy long spear on his back, Lin Ming actually plummeted straight down!

Fiercely revolving his true essence, Lin Ming slowed down in the water. He kicked his legs together and with the Penetrating Rainbow long spear on his back, he arrived at a rock protrusion near the surface of the icy pond.

Leveraging the rock, he sprung upwards. Lin Ming jumped onto a second rock protrusion and continued this several times into he arrived under the waterfall.

The Icy Pond Waterfall not only had the icy pond, but it also had a waterfall. The waterfall was equally incomparably cold, and not only that, but there was a current of water that crashed downwards from a height of 300 feet. That force's strength was no less than 1000 jins!

Under this waterfall was a giant rock that was immersed in the water. It was for martial artists who wished to cultivate under the waterfall. This giant rock was specially left there by the master who had created this Icy Pond Waterfall, otherwise how could there be such a rock underneath that raging waterfall, it would have already been worn down and broken into pieces by the years of endless impact!

"What a tremendous crushing force!" Lin Ming tried to stand up atop the rock, but discovered that it was very difficult to steady himself. Although Lin Ming had taken his time to find a small place that wasn't too affected by the waterfall, the Icy Pond Waterfall water here was especially heavy, and the flushing of it underneath his legs and over his body caused him to not be able to stand up straight.

"Hah!" Lin Ming directly thrusted his spear into the rock. He gripped onto the Penetrating Rainbow's spear shaft and came to a stop. A thousand jins of water impacted down on Lin Ming's upper back and shoulders. The pain felt as if iron hammers were continuously pounding on his back, and it was as if his body was being torn apart. Moreover, this waterfall was also incomparably cold, and because of the rate of water flow over him, the heat of his body dispersed even quicker. Even as Lin Ming revolved the 'True Primal Chaos Formula' he could feel the chilling cold unceasingly penetrate even into his marrow, as if he was being stabbed with countless, painful needles.

Lin Ming grasped the long spear and adjusted all the breathing of the tiny units in his body. He adjusted his body to touch the 'Flow like Silk' boundary, and then used this vibration of true essence to barely stand firm.

With each breath he took, Lin Ming's inner true essence circulation started to become peaceful, and he found himself more and more stable, until he could finally stand up straight.

Lin Ming withdrew the Penetrating Rainbow from the rock. He did not sweep out with his spear, or thrust with his spear, or make any movement with his spear. Instead, he simply stood there with his spear in hand.

The spear was the king of a hundred soldiers. It could sweep, cut down, dance like a flower, thrust straight; although these spear moves seemed simple, but to practice to the Large Success stage was not easy at all! Spears were difficult to learn, and even harder to master!

A spear was a long weapon. An inch longer, and inch stronger, the spear followed this rule. Spearplay's Large Success involved the coordination of true essence and martial skill to display its truly terrifying striking power and killing scope. Therefore all the generals that fought on a battlefield used the spear or a halberd. A sword could only be used by the military strategist.

But in reverse, an inch shorter would be an inch weaker. Although swords and sabers were inferior to a spear's striking power and their killing rage was smaller, they won in accuracy. And more so a dagger! That was why many assassins used daggers! This advantage was easy to hide. A dagger was fast, accurate and easy to fatally strike an opponent! That was why it was unheard of for an assassin to carry around such an obvious weapon like a spear.

That's why to practice a spear, the first goal was accuracy!

Lin Ming had been deboning for years. Regardless of whether it was a saber or a spear, he was already very accurate. In the Ten Thousand Killing Array, he had the accuracy to cut the spider's silk as it rapidly flew at him. However, this was in a situation where there was no resistance at all. In actual combat and facing an enemy's martial skills, the energy flow of true essence would be wreaking havoc everywhere. To use a spear to break that energy flow and thrust towards the enemy's weak point was not easy.

Therefore, the first step of practicing a spear was neither the spear skills nor the spear moves, but to keep the spear steady at all times!

At this time, Lin Ming gripped the Penetrating Rainbow with both hands. His hands were wrapped around the latter half section, and 70% of the shaft was soaked in the crushing force of the waterfall, as it resisted the unending 1000 jins impact!

Penetrating Rainbow was originally 820 jins. The spear shaft was eight feet in length, and the spearhead was eight inches. With such a long spear, in addition to its weight, to maintain steadiness underneath the maddening force of a 300 foot waterfall drop, was easier said than done!

Even with Lin Ming's arm strength of 4200 jins, the end of the spearhead was wobbling up and down, as if confused!

"It's really heavy!"

Lin Ming gritted his teeth. He stayed like this awhile, until he began to feel his arms go numb, and the spear tip was starting to be pressed downwards by the force of the waterfall.

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Chapter 75 – Day of the Gambling Match

Lin Ming was simultaneously controlling his arm strength and also revolving his true essence to resist the bone-chilling cold of the waterfall. Even if he had the 'True Primal Chaos Formula' supporting him, it was not something he could support!

His arms began to shiver and blue veins started to clearly stick on out his forearms. After half an incense stick of time, there was a dull thumping sound as Penetrating Rainbow's spear point struck the rock, it was finally pushed down by the endless waterfall. Lin Ming half knelt on the rock, gasping for breath in big gulps. He felt as if both of his lifeless arms weren't his anymore. He tried to stand, but found that the true essence in his body had been mostly consumed.

"Splash!" The waterfall was rushing down the rock and swept him off. He raised his spear and stabbed the rock, steadying his body in the water.

"About a quarter hour. It seems that's my limit. What a pity, if I had true essence stones I would be good. I could quickly restore my true essence and continue practice. My gambling match with Zhang Cang is approaching. Even if I win his true essence stones, I can only use them for a while until they're gone. Afterwards I have to try to find a solution to this."

Time passed day-by-day. Lin Ming practiced his spear for two hours every day in the Icy Pond Waterfall. While practicing the spear, he also tempered his body at the same time. The efficacy of the Golden Snake Scarlet Pill had been completely absorbed by him at last. Although Lin Ming's cultivation had paused at the early Third Stage of Body Transformation, he had thoroughly consolidated this stage.

After eight days passed, Lin Ming had used up all 16 hours of practice time that he had saved up. On the last day, Lin Ming was already able to carry the Penetrating Rainbow and stand under the waterfall with one breath for one hour. From the beginning, his long spear would be nearly motionless, but only half an hour later would there be a small vibration.

After, two days passed. It was exactly one month since Lin Ming had arrived at the Seven Profound Martial House. Lin Ming rose from bed early like he usually did. He stood before the wooden door of his residence under the canopy shade of the century-old trees. He grasped the spear, Penetrating Rainbow, in his hand and stretched out both hands in front of himself while holding it. Like this, he held 820 jins completely and evenly perpendicular to his body.

At the spear point of Penetrating Rainbow, he had placed a small porcelain bowl. This bowl was filled to the brim with water. Under Lin Ming's deep and steady strength, this bowl of water hadn't even lost the tiniest amount of water. It was as if it were placed on a flat tabletop.

Since he had exhausted the remaining hours he could use the seven major killing arrays for, and could not go to the Icy Pond Waterfall, Lin Ming had practiced with these self-created methods.

Lin Ming practiced until it was almost noon. He ate a very simple meal and took a small rest, then he carried Penetrating Rainbow and went straight to the Seven Profound Martial House's martial stage. Today was the day he had his gambling match with Zhang Cang…

Although it was already the fall season, the high noon sun was blazing intensely hot. This was the time of day at which Yang energy was thickest in the air. The most sinister baking sunlight was at three quarters to noon. The average person would usually opt to not go out at this time, and instead stay at home and take a nap. However, right now at the Seven Profound Martial House's martial stage was actually gathered a large crowd of people.

Most of these people were disciples from the Seven Profound Martial House's Earth Hall and Human Hall. There were also some disciples of the Heavenly Abode that had arrived. Although at this time the sunlight was smolderingly hot, these people's faces didn't have the slightest hint of sweat. It was as if the skies were clear and they were leisurely looking around with an unflustered appearance. Obviously none of these disciples were mediocre.

Today was the day that the four people, Lin Ming, Zhang Cang, Wang Yanfeng, and Liu Mingxiang, had their gambling match. In this group of four, two of them were the first and second place of the new disciples that had taken the entrance exam, and the other two were strong old disciples. This stunt was enough to arouse the attention and interest of many disciples in the Seven Profound Martial House.

The disciples of the Human Hall had come to take a look at the liveliness and have some fun, but the disciples of the Earth Hall and Heavenly Abode had come to take a look at their future rivals. Whether it was Lin Ming or Wang Yanfeng, their later rankings would certainly rise. Even a disciple of the Heavenly Abode would not look down upon them. Of course, that was a matter for later. Right now, their strength was still in its infancy.

"There isn't much suspense in the outcome of these matches. In the past battles that the new disciples participated in, the newbies almost never won against the old disciples, much less this time; they are up against Liu Mingxiang and Zhang Cang who are both experts. Lin Ming and Wang Yanfeng really do not have any hope at all." A disciple of the Heavenly Abode slowly said as he looked at the sundial near the martial stage.

"Indeed. But don't underestimate this Lin Ming. When he first entered the Martial House, I didn't care about him at all, but in the last Ten Thousand Killing Array assessment he was able to reach rank 126. This is an extraordinary result. This time he is up against Zhang Cang. If he were matched against Liu Mingxiang, then that Liu Mingxiang would not do well and might possibly fail miserably."

"You think that Liu Mingxiang would lose to Lin Ming? Come on, Lin Ming's talent is limited. Although he managed to get a high ranking in the Ten Thousand Killing Array, he is still far from Liu Mingxiang. He may have taken the two top-quality pills that were rewarded from the entrance examination and absorbed some of the effects, but do you think that in a month he would be able to overtake Liu Mingxiang?"

"Talent? You are only staring at Lin Ming's talent? No matter what sort of fortuitous encounter Lin Ming had, or what sort of precious pills or herbs or medicines he had, the strife that he was able to manifest so far has completely disregarded his talent. Those who look down on him just because of his talent will suffer a loss!" A disciple of the Heavenly Abode firmly said.

"Hehe, you sure think highly of that Lin Ming. Last time I went to the depository, I specifically paid attention to the cultivation method that Lin Ming chose…" The Earth Hall disciples deliberately dragged out his tone as he saw how much attention he had attracted, "This Lin Ming chose the cultivation methods for 'Foundation Spear Technique' and 'Foundation Movement Technique'. He also had some incomplete 'Body Tearing Bone Shattering Fist' martial skill that he picked up. With just these, how much progress could he have with just one month? Before this, he was able to obtain rank 126 because he took the rare and precious Crimson Gold Dragon Marrow Pill and Golden Snake Scarlet Pill at the same time. Even a pig would find its cultivation increased. This Lin Ming's talent is limited. He cannot practice higher-grade cultivation methods and martial skills. Depending on these two foundation manuals, on what basis would he be able to surpass Liu Mingxiang?"

Lin Ming had raised a ruckus at the Ten Thousand Killing Array, so it was very easy for him to arouse the interest of the other Martial House disciples. Many people had taken a look at the cultivation method that Lin Ming had selected. This matter was very easy; his name was the only one on the jade slip note, and those who wanted to see could see it.

"What? 'Foundation Spear Technique' and 'Foundation Movement Technique'? Lin Ming chose those two? How could that sort of cultivation method have any sort of formidable might? I thought for sure that he would choose something like the 'Shadowless Art' or the 'Absolute Nine Yang' and so on…"

"Ha, 'Shadowless Art'? 'Absolute Nine Yang'? Those cultivation methods are certainly good but do you think an average person can cultivate them? Have you forgotten Lin Ming's talent? I think that fellow's perception is also limited; all he knows is his own self-knowledge, therefore he chose these two sets of simple skills to learn. Wait and see, this Lin Ming's rising halo will be put down!" The disciple's tone and smirking expression indicated that he took pleasure in Lin Ming's misfortune. Lin Ming had only been at the Seven Profound Martial House for a short time, and yet his ranking was already ahead of this man. This really made him feel sick in his heart.

At this time, there was a commotion in the ground. A distant group of people parted to make way. Two men, both about 20 years old, walked up side by side.

One of the two was a gaunt and pale looking man. His facial expression was cold and resolute. A black, heavy sword was strapped to his back. Although he was just walking, his entire manner seemed as if it were a razor. He was like a cold treasure sword that had been drawn out. It really gave those around him a huge feeling of pressure as he walked past them.

The other man was robust and tall, with a vigorous expression. His whole body was thickly corded with muscles, and he carried an eight foot long dark purple staff on his back. Each step this person took was steady and silent. If each footprint was measured, it would be discovered that the spacing between every two steps was completely consistent. It was six feet every time, no more and no less! This was the result from cultivating the top movement technique from the Seven Profound Martial House's depositories, the 'Six Foot Step'!

"Ling Sen!"

"Ta Ku!"

"These two people also came to watch the match!"

Among those who came to watch the gambling match, most were disciples of the Earth Hall. Disciples of the Heavenly Abode had come, but most of them were around rank 50 and 60. This was around the very end of the Heavenly Abode rankings. They had come out of fear that they would be pushed out by those in the match today, so they came to take a look at the situation.

But Ling Sen and Ta Ku were the top two unshakable existences on the Ranking Stone. They also came to see an internal gambling match of the Earth Hall?

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Chapter 76 – Ling Sen, Ta Ku

In the Seven Profound Martial House, Ling Sen, Ta Ku, and Zhuang Guanyu were the three existences that held absolute authority. Even the several core disciples could not compare with their fame and reputation. After entering the Seven Profound Martial House, starting from the third year, these three people had been situated in the top three ranks of the Ranking stone and had maintained that until the present. There was not a single person yet who had been able to pressure them from those coveted positions!

The Ranking Stone only showed one's rank, they did not display the score. Therefore, of these three top-tier geniuses, no one knew how many more points they had achieved over the fourth ranked disciple. There were rumors that Zhang Guanyu had more than ten thousand points over the fourth place disciple, but whether these rumors were real or fake, no one knew.

In brief, Ling Sen, Ta Ku, and Zhuang Guanyu were three people of immeasurably deep and profound strength. They whispered that Ling Sen, who was half a step into the Fifth Stage of Body Transformation, could compare with the strength of a martial artist at the Pulse Condensation Period!

Such a dominant and compelling person, who could they possibly pay attention too?

It was impossible for it to be Zhang Cang or Liu Mingxiang. Although they were strong, but in the past two years they had not managed to crack into the Ranking Stone's top 100. They were absolutely not anyone that Ling Sen or Ta Ku would bother paying attention too. Wang Yanfeng was also unqualified. Although he had a superior fourth-grade talent, but in Ling Sen and Ta Ku's eyes, he was also an insignificant existence that had barely entered the top 180 for the first time. He was just pathetic. So the only youth here worth concerning over, it could only be Lin Ming!

They must have come to take a look at him. During the first Ten Thousand Killing Array assessment he had participated in, he had managed to reach rank 126. Even that Zhang Guanyu was inferior to him in this regard. They came to see just who this young man was!

At this moment, in the crowd, Zhang Cang and Liu Mingxiang had also arrived. But because Ling Sen and Ta Ku were here, their limelight had been completely snatched away. No one even paid attention to these two who were in the gambling match.

Zhang Cang wasn't narcissistic enough to think that these two people, Ling Sen and Ta Ku, would come here to a gambling match to watch him. They were certainly here to check out Lin Ming. As Zhang Cang realized this, he felt very uncomfortable in his heart. Even if he did win, Ling Sen and Ta Ku's focus wouldn't be on him!

"Humph! How dare you look down on me! I will let you know that your judgment was stupid and wrong!" Zhang Cang secretly clenched his fists.

Liu Mingxiang also gritted his teeth, "Zhang Cang, not only do we have to win, but we have to win cleanly and perfectly. In five moves we will step these reckless kids underneath our feet, otherwise others will really think we are worthless trash!"

"Humph. I will leave a memento on that Lin boy's body. I will let him regret this gambling match!" As he said this, Zhang Cang traced the hilt of the slender knife in hand, and his cold eyes flashed. This was also a request of Zhu Yan; not only attack his heart of martial arts, but leave him a severe wound that would hinder his future cultivation.

By now, Ling Ming and Wang Yanfeng had also arrived. Today, Lin Ming came dressed in black clothes, and carried an eight foot long dark purple spear on his back. This 820 jin spear, Penetrating Rainbow, did not bend Lin Ming's back in the slightest. His posture was like the Penetrating Rainbow, he was standing just as straight!

Although his cultivation was only at the Third Stage of Body Cultivation, the thick true essence combined with his domineering manner, gave birth to a feeling among the crowd that this young man was truly unshakable!

"This Lin Ming, good!" Ta Ku opened his mouth to say. "That spear he is carrying, it looks like the shaft is made from dark purple elastic iron, just like my staff. With such a pole, the spear weight is definitely above 800 jins. The shaft contains a horrific strength. If he dares to use this weapon, then he must be very self-confident in his own strength."

Ta Ku's weapon was a staff. It was a weapon which very few martial artists used. Not many of them used spears either, but you could still see them in the army. But a staff had no use in the army. Only some temples that did not speak of taking lives would use them.

A staff was known as the virtuous man among soldiers. Ta Ku's staff was 860 jins, and the staff body was made from dark purple elastic iron. Two golden bands made from cloud vein wrought iron circled both tips. Although it was not a treasure, if it was used to hit a human, there would be a horrific force.

Describing the power of top staffs and clubs, they were described as 'a hit is a wound, a touch is death'. This was because a staff body contained a terrifying trembling crushing force! If they were struck they would be wounded, but if they were directly pounded, even iron armor would explode open!

Therefore, for this kind of staff-like weapon, a treasure staff's might was instead inferior to one made from dark purple elastic iron!

The spear was equally wonderful in certain aspects like the staff, but the style was more complicated and diverse.

Ta Ku used a staff. To someone like Lin Ming who used a spear, it gave birth to warm feelings. After all, these two weapons were similarly rare.

"What a pity. He's up against Zhang Cang. I cannot see this Lin Ming's situation. I don't know if in the future he will soar into the skies, or if he will vanish into the masses. But right now, he is not Zhang Cang's match. Do you think that this Lin Ming can exchange several moves with Zhang Cang?" Ta Ku turned to his side and asked Ling Sen.

Ling Sen looked at Ta Ku and responded with a question, "You've determined that Lin Ming will lose?"

"Oh? You really think that this Lin Ming can win?" Ta Ku thought that he had already given Lin Ming a high appraisal. Ignoring his talent, he could be a possible rival. But he didn't think that that Ling Sen would give an even higher appraisal!

The reason that Ling Sen was paying attention to Lin Ming was partly because he had achieved rank 126 on his first Ten Thousand Killing Array Assessment, and partly because Lin Ming's heart of martial arts in the Dream Trial had managed to break his record! This was the proof that Lin Ming's heart of martial arts had already surpassed him!

Ling Sen's innermost feelings and thoughts were firm and resolute like iron. He had no desires and was also just. But that didn't mean he was without flaws. His flaw was his killing heart. Ling Sen's bloodlust was too great, his deathly aura was too heavy, and it was difficult for him to eliminate the evils within his heart.

Certainly, Lin Ming also had a flaw. There was not a single person in this world that did not have a flaw in their heart, so it only depended on whose flaw was smaller.

Ling Sen's talent was an inferior fourth-grade. In the Seven Profound Martial House where geniuses gathered, this talent could only be considered decent. What he actually relied on to achieve his current position at the Seven Profound Martial House, was his formidable heart of martial arts. He had seen his own shadow in Lin Ming, and wanted to have a look at him and see whether he could create a miracle.

Ling Sen said, "I'm not sure if Lin Ming will win or lose, but what I know is that when Lin Ming was in the Ten Thousand Killing Array, his cultivation was at the peak Second Stage of Body Transformation. Now he is already at the Third Stage of Body Transformation."

"Mm? It seems so."

Unless the gap in strength was too large, a martial artist could tell another's cultivation at a glance. Naturally, Zhang Cang and Liu Mingxiang also noted Lin Ming's growth.

"This boy, he has such dog-sh*t luck. He actually made a breakthrough during this time!"

"It's because of the efficacy of the Crimson Gold Dragon Marrow Pill and the Golden Snake Scarlet Pill. If he ate these two miracle pills together, the drug's efficacy would slowly release into his body. It's not too strange that he would breakthrough to the next stage, otherwise it would have been impossible to reach Rank 126 on the Ranking Stone. Zhang Cang, you have to be careful. Don't be careless and suffer a loss."

"Humph. You think too highly of him. He cultivates the 'Foundation Spear Technique' and the 'Foundation Movement Technique'. There is no depth at all in these skills. Even if he practiced them to the Large Success stage, they wouldn't have any power. Only because he has no self-confidence would he be an idiot and choose these two manuals. My knife skill is quick. Compared to his unwieldy spear, he won't even be able to touch the hem of my clothes!"

By now, the sundial's shadow was at quarter to noon. Time was up!

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Chapter 77 – When I Need to Draw it, I Will Draw it

Liu Mingxiang was the first to jump on stage. He pointed his longsword at Wang Yanfeng and said with a smile, "Wang Yanfeng, come up to die!"

"Humph." Wang Yanfeng coldly snorted and fearlessly walked on stage. Today was the day that he and Liu Mingxiang's match had also been decided upon.

"This Wang Yanfeng has some backbone after all." Lin Ming could see that Wang Yanfeng wasn't faking his confident manner. The gap between Wang Yanfeng and Liu Mingxiang was just too wide. Even if Wang Yanfeng's talent was gifted, it was impossible for him to catch up to Liu Mingxiang in just one month. But confronted with even the slimmest chance of victory, he also faced this with a courageous manner. This was quite a rare and commendable feat.

Wang Yanfeng drew out his own treasure sword, and poured his true essence into it. The green runes of the 'Nine Paths of Truth' came shimmering alive one at a time. Its brightness and solidity was many times more than when he had fought with Lin Ming.

During this month, Wang Yanfeng had cultivated like a madman with nothing to lose. Although he hadn't been able to reach the peak of the Third Stage of Body Transformation, his true essence Viscera Training had reached a much more thorough and complete degree, and he had consolidated his cultivation at the Third Stage of Body Transformation.

Seeing Wang Yanfeng's 'Nine Paths of Truth' swordsmanship, Liu Mingxiang smiled, "Looks like you've made a little progress, but it's a pity, you're still far short of reaching me."

"Now die!" Liu Mingxiang shouted. He drew his sword and slashed at Wang Yanfeng. As it cut through the air, his sword turned purple-gray and began to glitter with a strange phosphorescent light.

Peng peng peng! Liu Mingxiang's sword let loose three strikes. The treasure-rank sword howled with a piercing sound as Liu Mingxiang sent his true essence flowing into it.

Wang Yanfeng stepped back slightly, the symbols of the 'Nine Paths of Truth' began to dazzle with light on the sword blade. With a stroke of his sword, Liu Mingxiang's sword wind was split apart and weakened. With another cut of his sword, Wang Yanfeng broke apart Liu Mingxiang's first sword wind slash.

Cha cha cha! Wang Yanfeng wielded his sword as he stepped backwards. He cut down Liu Mingxiang's sword wind again and again and again. By the end of this terrible onslaught, the wind strokes had shredded his clothes to tatters, but Wang Yanfeng's step was calm, and though his true essence was rapidly fluctuating, it wasn't chaotic.

"You have some decent skills, but you are far from ready! 'Heavenly King's Crushing Chakram Blade'!"

Liu Mingxiang took a step forward. The haze of true essence around his body began to glow with a rich purple light. It billowed off of him like a cloud of steam. His three foot long sword began to glow with a glorious light that ran up the blade's length. True essence congealed together and formed a rapidly spinning Dharmic Wheel at the end of the sword point.

"'Heavenly King's Crushing Chakram Blade'! This is a high-level martial skill from the depository. Practicing it is beyond difficult, but this Liu Mingxiang actually succeeded in doing so!"

"Wang Yanfeng is in danger!"

Lin Ming narrowed his eyes as he looked at this martial skill 'Heavenly King's Crushing Chakram'. It was true essence that had formed a strange self-contained system. Just looking at it, there appeared to be no flaw, but Lin Ming had discovered that Liu Mingxiang was forcefully using this martial skill; he had only reluctantly managed to use this 'Heavenly King's Crushing Chakram'. In Lin Ming's eyes, he could see that there were too many flaws in the circulation of true essence in the treasure sword.

If Wang Yanfeng wanted to win, his only path was to rush forward right now and interrupt Liu Mingxiang from supplying his sword with true essence. However, Wang Yanfeng was not an inscription master and he did not know the 'Overbearing Soul Tactic', and thus it was impossible for him to see the path of true essence in Liu Mingxiang's sword.

At this time, Wang Yanfeng moved. Although Liu Mingxiang's aura was intimidating, Wang Yanfeng had resolved to swim against this stream! He was clear; this was his only chance. He must attack before Liu Mingxiang's Dharmic Wheel had condensed to its top form, and defeat his 'Heavenly King's Crushing Chakram'!

Wang Yanfeng brandished his sword. His target was not the 'Heavenly King's Crushing Chakram', nor was it the weak spots in the flow of true essence of Liu Mingxiang's treasure sword. Instead, the point he would strike was Liu Mingxiang's chest. Wang Yanfeng's sword infused with true essence and it seemed as if lightning was flashing up its blade, carrying with it the crashing sound of wind and thunder. This was the martial skill 'Thundercloud Strike'!

This move was the high-grade martial skill that Wang Yanfeng had chosen at the depository!

At that time, Wang Yanfeng had chosen three manuals at the depository; 'Divine Yang Power', 'Swan Feather Fall', and 'Thundercloud Strike'. These three cultivation methods and martial skills were not simple at all; even with Wang Yanfeng's outstanding talent, it would be impossible for him to learn them in a short period of time.

'Divine Yang Power' was a skill used to enhance one's cultivation. It would take more than one night and day or even a month with this to improve one's cultivation and strength. The 'Swan Feather Fall' was a movement technique, but it also could not increase his combat prowess immediately. Therefore Wang Yanfeng had used most of the remaining month to cultivate the "Thundercloud Strike'. Now, his 'Thundercloud Strike' had finally shown some results, and he believed that with this move he would create a miracle!

"Naïve! You've only practiced the 'Thundercloud Strike' for one month, how could you even think of comparing it to my 'Heavenly King's Crushing Chakram'!?" Liu Mingxiang shouted. The longsword that held the 'Heavenly King's Crushing Chakram' slashed down. The spinning Dharmic Wheel fell down as if it were a black hole that could swallow all of life.

Bang! The 'Thundercloud Strike' and 'Heavenly King's Crushing Chakram' smashed into each other. The intense collision of true essence became a ballooning force of air pressure, as if it were the epicenter of a tide that was rushing outwards. In the air, lightning flashed and the sound of thunder drowned out all noise. Wang Yanfeng and Liu Mingxiang were both tossed backwards flying upside down!

Liu Mingxiang cartwheeled several times in the air before he finally managed to stab his sword into the ground and stabilize himself. Blood roiled in his chest, almost sending him tumbling; he was almost seriously injured in that last collision.

However, Wang Yanfeng's situation was miserable. His body was tossed backwards like a rag doll for several dozen feet before he hazardously slammed into a big tree. His leg was stained crimson from an injury. He opened his mouth and coughed up blood.

"Wang Yanfeng lost!"

"Predictable. But it's already very impressive that he could force Liu Mingxiang to this degree."

"How can a new disciple beat an old disciple? Isn't everyone here a talent? We have stayed here at the Seven Profound Martial House for several years, if we lose to a new disciple, then the years that we spent here cultivating are all useless! This Lin Ming will also absolutely lose! These newbies, we don't beat them around and they think that they can ride on our heads! An old disciple of the Earth Hall said with disdain as he curled his lips.

Wang Yanfeng supported himself with his sword as he fell down on one knee. His wiped away the blood on his lips with his left hand. He coldly stared at Liu Mingxiang, and with a wave of his arm, threw five true essence stones at him!

"What you took from my hand today, I will demand double in the future!"

Wang Yanfeng fiercely spat out these words. Each word was heard by all as it echoed on every surface. He turned and propped himself up with his sword, and dragging his broken leg, left step by step.

Lin Ming gazed at Wang Yanfeng as he left. He couldn't help but feel a sense of admiration towards him. Wang Yanfeng just had horrible luck. Ever since he entered the Seven Profound Martial House, he had suffered setbacks again and again, and was repeatedly frustrated and defeated. Arrogant geniuses had their breaking point, and would find it impossible to recover from all these disasters. But this Wang Yanfeng had persevered through all this, it really was worthy of admiration.

"Lin Ming, come up, it's your turn! You are going to share the same fate as that loser!" After Liu Mingxiang had left, Zhang Cang stepped onto the stage. Zhang Cang's Ranking Stone rank was 103. His strength was most likely far superior to Liu Mingxiang!

Lin Ming carried Penetrating Rainbow strapped to his back onto the stage and stood opposite to Zhang Cang.

The match between Wang Yanfeng and Liu Mingxiang was only the appetizer. This match between Lin Ming and Zhang Cang was the main play that most of the people present had come to see!

Among these people, the new disciples naturally hoped that Lin Ming would use everything he had to win. Even if he lost, he couldn't lose too horribly. But the old disciples wished that Zhang Cang would win with an overwhelming superior victory, and teach these new disciples who believed themselves to be infallible, the gap between the new and the old!

Seeing Lin Ming come on stage, Ling Sen and Ta Ku immediately stood at attention. The reason why Lin Ming had reached rank 126 on the ranking stone would immediately become clear!

Before the match officially begun, Zhang Cang took out a slender, thin saber. The handle of the saber didn't have a hilt guard; the saber blade was directly linked to the hilt. The saber blade was two feet and eight inches long, and no wider than three inches. The blade edge was thin like paper, and it could be seen with a single glance that this saber was to be wielded at the extreme limits of speed.

Without a doubt, this saber was a treasure. In the Seven Profound Martial House, if a disciple was in the top 100 ranks, even if they were not part of an aristocratic family, they could easily be recruited into a major power and receive certain perks. To them, giving away a treasure was simply nothing!

"Draw your spear, Lin Ming. I want to take a good look at exactly how well you've practiced the 'Foundation Spear Technique'. Have you reached Small Success? Such a simple cultivation method, one month should be enough to reach Small Success."

Zhang Cang's smiled sardonically. Let alone Small Success of the 'Foundation Spear Technique', it would be no threat to him even if it were Perfect. Since Ling Sen and Ta Ku paid so much attention to Lin Ming, then he would jump over Lin Ming by maliciously stepping him underneath his foot!

Zhang Cang let his true essence flow into his slender saber. He saw Lin Ming standing still and his brow wrinkled. "Are you going to draw your weapon?"

Lin Ming slowly responded, "When I need to draw it, I will draw it!"

"What did you say!?" Zhang Cang's heart burned with rage. To think that as a superior disciple of the Earth Hall, he was actually looked down upon by a new disciple of the Martial House. Moreover, this Lin Ming's strength was less than his. He simply didn't know what it meant to die! "You will draw it when you need to draw it? Good. Good! Very good! Today I will have a very good look and see if you even have the chance to draw your spear!"

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Chapter 78 – Empty Hand Meets The Naked Blade

"This Lin Ming, he's too crazy!"

"He's facing Zhang Cang and not immediately bringing out his weapon. Zhang Cang's saber is famous for its speed, and Lin Ming's weapon is actually a heavy spear. That kind of weapon is originally slow, and he's also carrying it on his back. I bet he will be too dazzled by Zhang Cang's cutting force to even respond. He might lose without even having the opportunity to draw out his weapon!"

Ta Ku also quietly shook his head. "This Lin Ming is too careless; does he want to use his empty hand to meet the naked blade? Zhang Cang's saber is a treasure that can slice apart hairs. After he pours his true essence into it, it will be able to cut through iron like mud. Even if Lin Ming were at the Large Success of Bone Forging, it would be impossible to receive it with his bare hand!

Ling Sen silently looked at Lin Ming. Although he didn't understand Lin Ming's reasons, but he knew, with Lin Ming's heart of martial arts, he wouldn't be someone who was arrogant and underestimated his opponent. He must have some idea of what he was doing; he would see what was happening soon enough.

"Since you want to die so much, let me help you!" Zhang Cang fiendishly grinned. From his still condition, he suddenly and violently moved. His body on the martial stage turned into a black phantom, and the sounds of ta ta ta footsteps could be heard; it was like pouring rain hitting a lotus leaf.

This was fast to the extreme! This was the top movement technique – 'Seven Star Drifting Cloud'!

Zing! Suddenly, the chilling sound of a blade vibration was heard ringing in the air. Zhang Cang's saber rushed out from a cunning angle straight upwards from the bottom of Lin Ming's ribs!

The saber wasn't using any martial skill; however it was still a thin, narrow, treasure saber that Zhang Cang had poured his thick true essence into. The speed was too extreme, almost to the point of disbelief. This was truly an impeccable, irresistible saber!

Even a martial artist skilled in movement would not be able to dodge this blade faster than the knife. Even a light weapons master would find it difficult to block Zhang Cang's knife that attacked from such a cunning angle at the armpit's side!

Much less with Lin Ming's movement abilities, which were only from the 'Foundation Movement Technique'. His spear was also insufficient in terms of speed, and this spear was actually strapped onto his back!

How could he dodge this? Ling Sen's pupils had dilated; his full concentration was completely on Zhang Cang's saber. He could not predict what would happen next!

But at this moment, Lin Ming suddenly stretched out his right hand and reached out to that slender saber with his palm!

Seeing this, Ta Ku's eyes immediately widened like a full moon. This Lin Ming was too insane!

Hand against knife! Empty hand meets the naked blade!

That blade was a treasure saber that had true essence poured into it! Did this Lin Ming not want his hand anymore!?

The corners of Zhang Cang's mouth twitched. He grinned like a demon. 'Using a hand to block? Haha, if I do not cut off your hand, then my 12 years of saber practice are all in vain!'

In that split second, no one should have been able to respond in time. But Lin Ming's palm had already touched Zhang Cang's saber.

In that moment, the countless tiny units in Lin Ming's body breathed in a complete, consistent rhythm. True essence resonated as the exhalation and inhalation became one. This true essence was like a gushing tide!

True essence vibration; this was Strength Training's 'Flow like Silk'!

For an instant, that intense true essence vibration was transmitted onto that slender saber. The saber unexpectedly began to violently tremble! At that moment, Zhang Cang's true essence was washed out of the blade and replaced with Lin Ming's true essence!

Zhang Cang's grin suddenly froze. He only felt his hand go numb; he almost couldn't hold the saber!

"What!?" This turn of events was too sudden. Before he could figure out what was happening, Lin Ming's fist had already punched out. The fist directly impacted towards Zhang Cang's chest. Although this fist seemed ordinary, it was actually filled with vibrating true essence, and was the so-called 'Body Tearing Bone Shattering Fist'. If this fist made solid contact, at best Zhang Cang would only be left with half a life!

Zhang Cang had been in the army for many years. The long time that he had spent killing and slaughtering on the battlefield had formed a natural intuition towards danger. Facing Lin Ming's fist, Zhang Cang's instinct told him that this fist was an inconceivable danger! He immediately moved his feet and fiercely used the Large Success of 'Seven Star Drifting Cloud'. Zhang Cang's body suddenly and violently drew back and avoided that danger hidden within Lin Ming's fist.

But although he had managed to dodge the fist, Zhang Cang had been scratched by the fist wind. With just the little fist wind touching his body, Zhang Cang felt as if his heart jumped, his lungs shrank, and his stomach was affected and moved by some strange frequency. It made the blood in his body violently surge and up well, and he wanted to spit blood!

"This… what is happening…?" Zhang Cang was frightened because of the reversal of blood in his body, and he staggered a little before almost stumbling onto the ground. He took a few steps back, and only by using his saber could he support himself to stand.

Seeing this exchange, the audience could only foolishly look on. Just what had happened in that split second a moment ago? Lin Ming's empty hand had blocked Zhang Cang's saber! Then a punch had shot out, and with only the fist wind, Zhang Cang was forced back a few steps and almost collapsed on the floor!

The old disciple of the Earth Hall subconsciously rubbed his eyes. He almost thought that he was going blind.

"Heavens! Did I see this correctly? Is Lin Ming really a human? Are his arms and legs made from iron? Is he invulnerable? How could an empty hand meet the naked blade!?"

"Zhang Cang dodged that punch. How was he forced back several steps?"

"How is it possible? Lin Ming was only rank 126 on the Ranking Stone one month ago. In this short time, how could he become so fierce?"

"No kidding. When he had entered the Seven Profound Martial House, he was not much stronger than Wang Yanfeng, but several days later at the Ten Thousand Killing Array ranking war, Wang Yanfeng only got to around rank 170, but Lin Ming was rank 126!"

As soon as these words spread, there was nothing but quiet. Everyone felt a foreboding chill in their hearts. This speed of improvement was simply too horrifyingly monstrous!!

Before, the old disciple of the Earth Hall had looked down on Lin Ming for studying the 'Foundation Spear Technique' and 'Foundation Movement Technique'. He still did not dare to believe what had happened a moment ago. He continued muttering under his breath, "It's not right… not right… something's wrong… what he cultivates is the 'Foundation Spear Technique'… this is impossible…"

"Big Brother, did you clearly see that fist just now?" Ta Ku asked Ling Sen who was standing on his side. His face had an imposing expression.

Ling Sen wrinkled his eyebrow. "I didn't clearly see. Lin Ming's hand that touched that saber must have some profound and abstruse mystery inside. But it wasn't so exaggerated. The palm touched the saber body but not the blade edge, therefore his palm was uninjured. But this Lin Ming is truly too bold. With such a fast saber, he still dared to do that! If something went wrong, then he would have lost his hand!"

Ta Ku said, "Even if it's just the flat part of the blade, with just a palm, the blade edge would definitely hurt the hand if he tried to grab it, not to mention that Zhang Cang's saber was infused with true essence. It can cut iron like mud. This Lin Ming dared to do this; he must have absolute confidence in himself. No wonder Lin Ming said he would only draw his spear when he needed to. He simply believed that Zhang Cang was not worthy of his spear!"

As Ta Ku said this, he could feel his heart tremble. When he had first arrived at the Seven Profound Martial House, with only a month of time, there was no way that he could challenge disciples who were rank 100 on the Ranking Stone.

Lin Ming's palm had been just like Ling Sen had said. He did not touch the saber's edge. Lin Ming's strikes had always been accurate and precise. It was only with the support of Strength Training's 'Flow like Silk' and protection from the vibration of true essence that Lin Ming had dared to use his hand to block the saber!

By now, Zhang Cang had already moved several dozen feet away from Lin Ming. There was already a faint horror and alarm that was creeping into his eyes. That palm and fist that Lin Ming had displayed a moment ago had left an unfathomably deep feeling in his heart!

Zhang Cang's advantage was in close-quarters combat. To deal with a weapon like a long spear, close-quarters combat was the best way to win. But now he didn't even have a smidgen of confidence to face Lin Ming's fist and palm.

Clenching his teeth, Zhang Cang gripped his saber hilt with both hands. "Lin Ming! You truly gave me a good surprise! But don't think you'll win, you will meet my strongest blow!"

Even if he could not fight in close-range combat, Zhang Cang also had a martial skill!

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Chapter 79 – Flood Dragon Goes to Sea

Even if he could not fight in close-quarters combat, Zhang Cang also had a martial skill!

With a shout, Zhang Cang's aura suddenly erupted. True essence flooded into the slender saber, and that dazzlingly bright saber began to be covered with a dark red sheen the color of blood!

"It's the 'Sunset Cut'!"

"This Zhang Cang actually managed to cultivate this high-grade saber martial skill!"

The entire audience's eyes were wide with awe. This match that should have been an easy victory for Zhang Cang had turned into a fierce struggle between two evenly matched opponents. Now even with Zhang Cang utilizing the 'Sunset Cut', no one present thought that Lin Ming would lose.

Zhang Cang lifted that slender saber above his head. A burst of light the color of fresh blood surged from Zhang Cang's saber. Zhan Cang's surroundings had been illuminated by a deep red brilliance that converged together into a blooming sunset glow. This phantasmal image continuously streamed into Zhang Cang's body.

Seeing this, Lin Ming slowly drew the spear that he had carried on his back. He had crossed the threshold of Strength Training's 'Flow like Silk' that allowed him to let his empty palm meet a naked blade, but he hadn't reached the level of empty palm meeting martial skill.

He held the spear with one hand, his forearm parallel to the spear shaft, and his elbow pressing against the spear end. This 820 jin Penetrating Rainbow that was eight feet eight inches long was kept steadily horizontal. The spear stood motionless, as if he were a general cast in iron. This was a basic starting stance of the 'Foundation Spear Technique' – 'Iron Bridge Blocks the River'.

"Lin Ming brought out his spear!"

"This is a starting stance of the 'Foundation Spear Technique'! Heavens! It really is the 'Foundation Spear Technique'!? This Lin Ming wants to use the 'Foundation Spear Technique' to resist the 'Sunset Cut'? He's too crazy!

Everyone's eyes widened without exception for fear of missing a single detail of this fight. If Lin Ming had been using a top-tier martial skill, they would not have anticipated this so much!

'Foundation Spear Technique' to 'Sunset Cut'! What will the result be?

From this point on, none of them dared looked down any longer at Lin Ming's 'Foundation Spear Technique'. Because of Lin Ming's domineering aura, this set of foundations that were the most simple spear skills had become deep and inscrutable as well!

The 'Foundation Spear Technique' was not some profound high-grade cultivation method. In the entirety of spear arts, it was only the most basic foundation for spear moves. It was because this most basic foundation had been combined with Lin Ming's terrifying 4200 jin strength, and with the thick true essence from the 'True Primal Chaos Formula', and the boundary of Strength Training's 'Flow like Silk', that the power of this spear had reached such an intensely horrifying level!

Zhang Cang clenched his teeth. The muscles of his face had been complete twisted and made him unrecognizable. With his current strength, he barely managed to utilize this 'Sunset Cut'. This was pushing his limits.

"Lin Ming, go die!"

Zhang Cang gave a loud shot and the slender saber in his hand released an inexhaustible rose-red cloud. The air around him began to resound with deep rolling sound as if a fierce current were rushing back and forth. The wind of this red saber formed a billowing red cloud that seemed as if it would blot out the sky. Some of the nearby disciples of the Human Hall had weak cultivation, and their faces discolored as they could not withstand the berserk pressure of this strike.

Too strong!

These disciples of the Human Hall gushed with a feeling that they had no way to resist this strike. If they stood in front of this blow, it was possible that just the pressure and aura of the rose-red cloud would overwhelm and crush them!

Turbulent red energy surged forwards like and endless raging sea. In contrast, Lin Ming's 'Iron Bridge Blocks the River' was simple and unsophisticated; there was not even a half point of gaudiness to it!

He was as strong as he was, 'Iron Bridge Blocks the River'!

"Since you want to see my 'Foundation Spear Technique', that's good, I've only practiced one move of the spear arts – 'Flood Dragon Goes to Sea'!"

Lin Ming shouted and suddenly thrusted out the Penetrating Rainbow. This so-called 'Flood Dragon Goes to Sea', was in truth, simply a plain straight thrust!

The long spear had many styles. It could chop, dance, point, circle, sweep, and many other such moves. But the most basic, was the thrust!

The thrust was the spear's soul!

A 820 jin heavy spear, a single thrust had the potential to crack open a mountain. An eight foot spear; breaking through all!

With just a simple straight thrust, Lin Ming's aura skyrocketed. Turbulent mountain rivers appeared around him and converged from all directions. They melted together and flowed into Lin Ming's body.

Lin Ming had practiced this 'Flood Dragon Goes to Sea' less than a thousand times. However he had done so underneath a waterfall. Lin Ming had practiced day after day until he had reached the stage where his spear was completely steady.

Zhang Cang's 'Sunset Cut' blotted out the skies above, just as if it were a turbulent and mighty current flowing in the air. But no matter how raging the current was, it could not match up to a waterfall created in an array that was setup by a Xiantian master. How could this possibly shake Lin Ming's spear?

Iron snowflakes began falling from the red clouds that were spread all over the sky. They were melting apart as if they were fading clouds. Lin Ming's spear had a majestic and boundless aura, breaking through all!

The slender saber relied on speed to win. No matter how or when, if it competed head-on with a spear, it would be defeated without a doubt!

Bang!

The red clouds dissolved. Zhang Cang spat a mouthful of blood and flew backwards. He hit the ground with a cruel thud. It couldn't be seen whether he was alive or dead.

Lin Ming withdrew his spear. He stood at the center of the stage. At this moment, he was similarly straight just like his spear, the Penetrating Rainbow, with a sharp and unshakeable aura!

"This is too terrifying, this Lin Ming really won."

"'Foundation Spear Technique'… 'Foundation Spear Technique' has that much power behind it? Lin Ming really used the 'Foundation Spear Technique' just now? I want to learn it too!"

"You want to learn it? You really think the 'Foundation Spear Technique' is really so fierce? This is just because that Lin Ming is way too strong, so anything he does will be strong. The move he just used was the 'Foundation Spear Technique's' 'Flood Dragon Goes to Sea', but it is plainly just a straight thrust. If you want, you can enroll in the army. The soldiers practice this every day and I've never seen a soldier use it in such a kick ass way. This straight thrust is nothing fancy at all, but under Lin Ming, this simple move can break the 'Sunset Cut'.

"Someone who just entered the Viscera Training stage against someone who was a half-step into the Altering Muscle stage, and Lin Ming won. It's not strange to defeat someone a stage ahead, but what is scary is that the one he beat is Zhang Cang. Zhang Cang is also an extreme talent that can beat those a stage ahead. If Zhang Cang left the Martial House, it wouldn't be impossible for him to defeat someone at the peak of the Altering Muscle stage.

"Have you noticed that from when Lin Ming came on stage to when he won, he hasn't moved a single step…"

It wasn't known who said this, but the audience looked to where Lin Ming stood. Sure enough, after Lin Ming came onstage, he had used a palm, a fist, and a spear thrust. But he had not moved a single step!

Realizing this, even the disciples of the Heavenly Abode felt a chill crawl down their spines. Although Lin Ming's ranking was far away, sooner or later he would enter the Heavenly Abode. With such a future rival pursuing them from behind, it made them all feel nervous and uneasy.

Liu Mingxiang faced Lin Ming and felt his throat twitch as he took a dry gulp. He was completely scared, and his one consolation was that at the start of all this, Zhu Yan had looked for Zhang Cang, and not him. Otherwise, the one lying motionless on the ground would be him.

He felt Zhang Cang's pulse and found that he was alive and his life wasn't threatened. However, his whole body was covered in severe injuries and several bone fractures. Even if he had top medical treatment, not to mention any permanent damage, he would still be bedbound for over half a month!

Lin Ming was not a murderer. In the Seven Profound Martial House, it was strictly prohibited to kill the opposite party in a gambling match. As for the heavy injuries from the collision, there was some suspicion, but Liu Mingxiang did not dare to investigate. In a panic, he carried the unconscious Zhang Cang on his back and prepared to leave. But at this moment, Lin Ming said, "True essence stones? 20 of them!"

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Chapter 80 – Rudimentary Martial Intent

Initially, when Lin Ming and Zhang Cang had made their gambling match, Zhang Cang had bragged, and said that if he lost he would pay 20 true essence stones. Thinking back on this, it really made Liu Mingxiang's heart cry.

Zhang Cang didn't have 20 true essence stones on him. Liu Mingxiang hadn't brought such a large number of true essences stones here either. He gently placed Zhang Cang down and rifled through his clothes, and gathered up what they both had, but was still missing five. So he turned and borrowed from the people around and finally scrounged up 20.

After giving them to Lin Ming, Liu Mingxiang placed Zhang Cang back on his back and left as if he were running away.

"Lin Ming won, and from beginning to end, from when he used his palm to this spear move, he only used his left foot to tread the ground. His right foot hadn't moved. Truly it is a worthy reputation of the 'Iron Bridge Blocks the River', it is unshakable!" Ta Ku felt the long staff on his back, and his eyes flashed with a hint fighting spirit. Although Lin Ming was still incapable of being his match right now, perhaps that time where he could stand as his equal wasn't too far off in the future.

Ling Sen said, "Zhang Guanyu will regret not coming to see this match. After this battle, Lin Ming will draw high-level attention across the Sky Fortune Kingdom to himself in the Martial House. If we wait for him to grow up, he will really be a powerful rival. If we do not diligently train, perhaps this young junior apprentice will crawl up past our heads."

"It's only interesting if there's competition. Competition is always competing with you; I just don't have the confidence. But this Lin Ming, he will be perfect to be my match."

"It is true that he will become a rival of mine in the future."

"Big Brother, I find it strange, how could Lin Ming progress so quickly? In the last Ten Thousand Killing Array assessment he reached rank 126, which should have been because he ate the Crimson Gold Dragon Marrow Pill and the Golden Snake Scarlet Pill and digested their efficacy. But this time, how could his strength rise so dramatically?"

Ling Sen responded, "Everyone's encounters of good or bad fortune are not clear. If I'm not guessing wrong, this Lin Ming should have comprehended a special cultivation state, a martial intent similar to my 'Ashura'. Also, this Lin Ming's heart of martial arts is above mine! It's nothing unusual if he had managed to comprehend a martial intent like my 'Ashura'."

Ta Ku's complexion changed and in exhaled a puff of cold air, "His is stronger than Big Brother's 'Ashura'?"

Ling Sen's talent was only an inferior fourth-grade. In the Seven Profound Martial House, there existed many other geniuses whose martial talent surpassed him, especially in Ling Sen's generation, which was truly an astonishing one that brimmed with natural talent. For instance, there was Ta Ku, whose talent was just shy of fifth-grade, or Zhang Guanyu, who was a true fifth-grade talent.

However, regardless of whether it was Ta Ku or Zhang Guanyu, they had been firmly pressed down by Ling Sen!

Most people, including Lin Ming, had assumed that Ling Sen had some sort of fortuitous encounter, or that he had eaten some sort of precious raw material, but that was not the truth. The truth was, Ling Sen had comprehended 'Ashura'.

'Ashura' was a particular and unique cultivation state. When a martial artist cultivated, sometimes they would enter into some wonderful and marvelous state, which could be considered a certain type of ideal 'martial condition', the most famous of which was the 'sudden enlightenment'. This state was widely recorded in the ancient texts.

Legends said that three millennia ago, there was once a great elder who had sat underneath a Bodhi tree and meditated for seven days and seven nights. When he awakened, he had shattered several fetters of martial arts and had become an immortal Buddha, piercing the martial void!

Though the legends were recorded in the ancient texts, no one knew whether they were true or false. But in reality, there were martial artists that were truly able to enter certain states of cultivation. Although this state didn't have something so exaggerated as 'sudden enlightenment', it could greatly increase the cultivation speed of a martial artist. The martial artists that had comprehended these states often had a heart of martial arts that were a cut above everyone else!

Depending on a person's heart of martial arts, or some elusive quality of their soul, these states of cultivation would have different conditions. These conditions could only be comprehended as ideas, they could not be expressed. Many shockingly talented individuals, such as Qin Xingxuan, have not managed to comprehend such a particular state of being.

But Lin Ming, when he had been submerged in the Icy Pond Waterfall, he had touched upon this fleeting state of cultivation. His true essence had revolved of his own will and had taken a route in his body according to its most basic instincts. This path of circulation was close to being perfect and was several times faster than Lin Ming's own speed. While cultivating under this condition, Lin Ming had achieved the Perfect first layer of the 'True Primal Chaos Formula'.

Of course, although Lin Ming had stumbled onto this state, it was because of his formidable heart of martial arts. But, not every martial artist who had an outstanding heart of martial arts could comprehend a 'martial intent'.

Before now, the only person in the Seven Profound Martial House who had comprehended a 'martial intent' had been Ling Sen.

His 'martial intent' was 'Ashura'! Once he had entered the state of 'Ashura', Ling Sen's consciousness would awaken to the Ashura battlefield. There, he would experience countless life and death battles. In these battles, he would die many times, and he would also be reborn many times. What was most fearful was that Ling Sen's comprehensive instinct, which he learned from being on the edge of life and death, would be integrated into his soul!

A martial artist could obtain unimaginable advantages in every life or death battle; their cultivation progress would truly be quickened! However, there weren't any martial artists that could do it like Ling Sen, because no one could guarantee whether or not they would live or die in the next moment.

Therefore Ling Sen had a truly substantial murderous aura. Regardless of whether it was battle talent of battle instinct, he was far above other martial artists at the same level of cultivation. In the entire Sky Fortune Kingdom, Ling Sen was invincible within those of his level, to the point that his real combat strength approached a martial artist at the Pulse Condensation Period.

Certainly, such a thick murderous aura had advantages that were accompanied by disadvantages. Although this aura had taken Ling Sen's combat prowess to a formidable new degree, it had also crushed his feelings and gradually enabled him to become a cold-blooded killing machine. That was why in the Dream Trial he had broken through all the trials in the blink of an eye, except the one that tested the evils in his heart. To break through that, Ling Sen had used most of an incense stick of time, and this was because the killing nature of his heart was too heavy.

It was because Ling Sen's 'Ashura martial intent' was so heaven defying, that when Ling Sen had said that Lin Ming's own cultivation state might even surpass his own 'Ashura', that Ta Ku was surprised.

"Don't be so dramatic. Even if it is a person whose heart of martial arts was superior to everyone else, only a chosen few can comprehend 'martial intent'. Would this Lin Ming, who is only a 15 year old boy, be able to already comprehend something so fierce like Big Brother's cultivation state?"

Ling Sen said, "This is the only explanation. Lin Ming's heart of martial arts is much stronger than mine, so his comprehension of 'martial intent' might also be stronger than mine. Lin Ming's progress this month was too amazingly quick; I think it is due to this special cultivation state. When just understanding this cultivation state, his power should increase by leaps and bounds, but it will stabilize and gradually slow down."

"So that's how it is. This Lin Ming is more and more interesting! He's worth waiting for to grow up. I will certainly fight with him then!" As Ta Ku said this, he subconsciously cracked his knuckles together.

Ling Sen said, "In just several days it will be time for the next assessment of the Ten Thousand Killing Array. This Lin Ming will definitely participate. Want to take a look?"

"Good idea. Always cultivating is just too boring. Let's take a look at this Lin Ming and see how high he'll be able to go."

The Seven Profound Martial House opened the Ten Thousand Killing Array every month. The last time Lin Ming had participated was 27 days ago.

Lin Ming would naturally participate in this month's Ten Thousand Killing Array assessment. A higher ranking meant more resources.

At first, just some time in the Icy Pond Waterfall had benefitted Lin Ming greatly. With six other major arrays, what sort of astonishing advantages would they have to practice in them? Lin Ming was looking forwards to seeing. In particular, Hong Xi had once recommended that he not enter Thunder Valley, so there should be something special there.

Lin Ming did not know yet, but what had helped him break through to the 'True Primal Chaos Formula's Perfect first layer was exactly that cultivation state known as 'martial intent', which Ling Sen had said was in its formative stage.

Sky Fortune City, in a top-class pavilion –

First Taste Pavilion was a restaurant that shared the honor of being one of the top dining establishments, along with the Great Clarity Pavilion. At this time, in an elegantly furnished room on the second floor, Zhu Yan was eating lunch, and opposite of him, wearing a snow white dress, was Lan Yunyue.

Lan Yunyue ate quietly, the silence in the room created a stiffening and awkward atmosphere.

Zhu Yan took a sip of soup made from the flesh of a flood dragon. He set the small, gold-threaded bowl onto the table and took up a snow silk napkin to wipe his mouth. He suddenly asked, "What are you thinking?"

"Nothing. I'm not thinking of anything." Lan Yunyue hurriedly shook her head. In front of Zhu Yan, she felt as if some invisible pressure was bearing down on her. Between the two of them, it didn't seem as if they were lovers, but instead an emperor and his concubine. In the presence of the emperor, a concubine would always be cautious and scared.

Lan Yanyue clearly knew that even if Zhu Yan liked her, he could also leave her. If he wanted to, there would be any number of women rushing at his doorstep and he could pick any one of them. This was the disparity in their positions brought about by the difference in their strength and status.

Zhu Yan smiled, and although he seemed friendly, there was actually a deep cold hidden in his eyes. He knew what Lan Yunyue was thinking about; today was the day of the gambling match between Zhang Cang and Lin Ming, it was impossible that Lan Yunyue didn't know.

She was worried that Lin Ming would be severely wounded, and in fact, Zhu Yan really had looked at what Zhang Cang could do in the context of the rules. Zhang Cang would leave behind a debilitating mark on Lin Ming's body. This was the best way to hinder his future martial arts cultivation.

Of course, this was just the beginning. He would deal with Lin Ming one step at a time. He would destroy his martial arts cultivation, and then let him spend the rest of his life as an invalid.

Zhu Yan fiddled with a snow-white porcelain spoon in the bird's nest soup before him as he waited for Zhang Cang to transmit some good news to him. However, at that time, a sound transmitting talisman hadn't yet been lit.

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Chapter 81 – Strength Training's 'Flow Like Silk'

Zhu Yan fiddled with a snow-white porcelain spoon in the bird's nest soup before him as he waited for Zhang Cang to transmit some good news to him. However at this time, a sound transmitting talisman hadn't yet been lit.

As lunch was winding down, there was a knock on the door.

"Come in." Zhu Yan said.

The door slowly opened, and Zhu Yan's old servant respectfully walked over. This old servant was at the Viscera Training Stage. He bent over to whisper into Zhu Yan's ear.

As Zhu Yan heard, his complexion abruptly changed!

Peng!

The small gold-threaded bowl in his hand was broken in half by him! "What did you say!?"

Lan Yunyue jumped in fear, but the old servant was used to these reactions. The old servant took half a step back and said once more, "Young master, Zhang Cang was defeated by Lin Ming in three moves. He was severely wounded to the point of spitting blood, and still remains unconscious."

With such an unexpected result, Zhu Yan was startled and angry, but Lan Yunyue was completely and utterly shocked. Lin Ming actually won? And he defeated Zhang Cang in three moves? He was injured bad enough to make him spit blood?

How could this be? She had been originally been worrying that Zhang Cang would be too cruel with his hand, and did not think that the results would be so bizarre.

Zhu Yan seemed somber and terrifying. Although he had already given Lin Ming a high appraisal, he didn't that in just one month after coming to the Martial House, Lin Ming would be able to defeat Zhang Cang who was ranked around 100 on the Ranking Stone. If he gave him more time, would this Lin Ming even climb over his own head?

Before now, Zhu Yan had only treated this Lin Ming as an amusing pastime, a cute little prey that he could tease if he were bored. Lin Ming's talent was inferior, his strength was inferior, and even his family background was inferior. If he had just eaten some valuable and rare material or had some fortuitous encounter, he wouldn't have thought for a second that Lin Ming could threaten him. Even when it came to coping with Lin Ming, he didn't want to lower himself to personally doing it, so he had set up traps for him and placed obstacles in his path. None of them had stopped him! And right now, Zhu Yan had a deep, foreboding sense of crisis!

Lin Ming's growth was just too quick! It was unimaginably fast! Four months ago, he was only at the First Stage of Body Transformation, a pathetic little martial artist who was worrying about how to obtain medicine to cure his wounds. But the next time they had met, he was already the first place candidate of the entrance exam!

Even this did not cause Zhu Yan any concern, but what he did not expect was that in just the span of one month, he had defeated Zhang Cang!

This Lin Ming absolutely had a problem!

There was no mistaking his talent; he was undoubtedly a medium third-grade martial talent.

To progress so quickly in such a short time, what kind of valuable material could he have eaten!?

Or… has he been relying on his heart of martial arts, and actually managed to comprehend a special state of cultivation?

If it was the former, then it wasn't anything to fear. But if it was the latter…

Thinking of this, Zhu Yan subconsciously clenched his fists, and his knuckles cracked. His heart flowed with a strong sense of unease. This Lin Ming would likely become the enemy of his entire life!

"I must kill him before he grows any further! But… if he stays in the Seven Profound Martial House, even if I use my aunt's influence, there's nothing I can do. How should I handle this…?"

At the Seven Profound Martial House's back mountains, a round and bright moon was hanging in the sky as stars twinkled around it.

It was a late autumn night, and the sky was a unique, limped dark blue. It gave one a clear and lofty feeling as they gazed at the wonders of nature.

Under the luminescent curtain of night, Lin Ming stood on a cold rock. His held a spear in one hand, and his forearm was parallel with the shaft. His elbow pressed into the spear end, and the long spear was extending horizontally from his body. This was the basic stance of the 'Foundation Spear Technique' – 'Iron Bridge Blocks the River'.

However this time the spear shaft wasn't straight, but slightly curved downwards as it trembled lightly. Lin Ming had hung a 100 jin boulder onto the end of the spear point, and it was the stone that was bending down the long spear.

Although the boulder was only 100 jins, because it hung on the tip of the spear, the true weight of it was ten times that. In addition to the weight of Penetrating Rainbow, the total amount that hung on Lin Ming's arm was above 4000 jins. With Lin Ming's early Third Stage of Body Transformation, supporting this weight of over 4000 jins as it was pulled down by gravity was already his limit.

As Lin Ming held the spear in his right hand, his left hand was grasping onto a true essence stone. His eyes were closed shut as he circulated its true essence throughout his entire body. This pure true essence flowed continuously into his body where it subtly transformed Lin Ming's circulation system.

Martial artists usually cultivated the body, rather than their true essence. True essence was water, and the body was a reservoir. Martial artists would constantly cultivate by forging their bodies to build up their strength. Their true essence capacity would then become increasingly large. Therefore no matter how one consumed true essence, even if it was to the very last drop, it would not affect cultivation. As long as they cultivated for one or two days, their body would be restored to peak condition. However, as for the body, once the body suffers damage, then there would even be the possibility that their martial arts cultivation would drop an entire stage.

If Strength Training and Flesh Training stage martial artists' bodies were like small water puddles, then Viscera Training stage would be comparable to a pond. Altering Muscle and Bone Forging would be like a lake, and after that would be the Pulse Condensation Period, where the meridians would condense, and true essence circulation would accelerate, and the body would be like roiling rivers and raging streams. If all the true essence of the body gathered together and flowed at the same time, it would turn into a vast ocean. This would be the Houtian and Xiantian stages.

With the true essence stone's true essence transforming the body, it was just like a reservoir that had water forcefully poured into it. This would broaden and expand the reservoir. This sort of cultivation method had far less side effects than using pills, but the difference was that it was much slower, and the requirement of resources was much higher.

In two days, Lin Ming had already used three true essence stones. As Lin Ming's cultivation grew, the rate at which he would consume true essence stones would only become faster and faster, and it was possible that not even the Seven Profound Martial House could sufficiently supply enough.

"Even if I was a Heavenly Abode disciple like Ling Sen or Ta Ku, who are the top ranked, I might still not have enough true essence stones to cultivate."

According to the regulations of the Martial House, new disciples of the Seven Profound Martial House would receive true essence stones according to their results on the entrance exam. Afterwards it would depend on one's rank on the Ranking Stone. If one's rank was lower than 150, one could receive one true essence stone each month. Rank 120 to 150 would receive two true essence stones per month. Rank 100 to 120, three essence stones per month, and rank 72 to 100, four true essence stones per month… even at the rank of Ling Sen and Ta Ku, they would only receive a dozen or so every month. Although it was many more than an ordinary disciple, if one wanted to depend on true essence stones to cultivate, they would not have enough for daily use.

"How many true essence stones would a core disciple like Qin Xingxuan receive per month? How many can a true disciple of the Seven Profound Valleys receive?

To the common folk of the Sky Fortune Kingdom, a large sect such as the Seven Profound Valleys was simply like a distant mirage, and equally as elusive. This distance from Sky Fortune Kingdom to the Seven Profound Valleys was said to be 100,000 miles. With such a vast distance between them, even if one rode a top-quality horse day in and day out, and swapped horses at every location, it would still take more than half a year of time to cover!

To the common folk who depended on their feet to travel the wide world, a distance of 100,000 miles was enough for them to walk an entire life.

Shaking his head, Lin Ming no longer thought about such remote matters. He had to concentrate on his immediate concern; the next Ten Thousand Killing Array assessment. Lin Min would certainly participate and strive for a good result. The higher he was, the more resources he could attain!

There were only three days left until the ranking war would begin. To sharply increase his strength in these next three days was unrealistic, unless… Lin Ming ate the Crimson Gold Dragon Marrow Pill.

If Lin Ming wasn't planning on using the medicinal inscription symbol to increase the effects of the Crimson Gold Dragon Marrow Pill, then he would have already eaten it. But if the medicinal inscription symbol were placed on, the Crimson Gold Dragon Marrow Pill's efficacy would multiply several times over. Lin Ming had taken the Golden Snake Scarlet Pill and the efficacy hadn't been fully absorbed and wasn't completely purified yet. If he ate the Crimson Gold Dragon Marrow Pill during this time, then a light consequence would be that the drug efficacy would be wasted. A heavy consequence would be that the true essence he refined would not be pure, and it would cause the foundation of his cultivation to destabilize. It wasn't worth such a dangerous risk just for a ranking assessment. He intended to use the few days he had left to consolidate the realm of Strength Training's 'Flow like Silk'. He continued to practice his spear skills. As for tempering his body with true essence, he would first reach as high a ranking as he could to receive more time at the seven major killing arrays, and then he would decide how to proceed.

Bang!

Lin finally couldn't hold it any longer, and the 100 jin boulder dropped to the ground, forming a dust cloud as it hit. Lin Ming grabbed ahold of the spear with his left hand, aimed at the boulder, and thrust his spear forwards!

Peng! There was a loud bang as the metal struck stone. An incredible scene occurred; not only was the boulder pierced by Lin Ming's spear, but the boulder was also shattered into pieces, as if explosive gunpowder had been detonated in the center of the stone. The stone blew up into tiny fragments and scattered all around!

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Chapter 82 – Powers Far and Wide

Seeing all the scattered stones, Lin Ming let loose a light breath.

The 'Flow like Silk' recorded down in the 'Chaotic Virtues Combat Meridians' was at a stage far more profound and advanced than the 'Body Tearing Bone Shattering Fist'. The highest boundary of the 'Body Tearing Bone Shattering Fist' could only touch the threshold of 'Flow like Silk'. If he achieved Large Success in Strength Training's 'Flow like Silk', then with that spear thrust, the boulder would have exploded into fine powder, and scattered into the air with just a gust of wind!

At this point, Lin Ming was able to use his empty hand to block Zhang Cang's slender saber and use his own true essence to disperse Zhang Cang's true essence. If his 'Flow like Silk' was able to go a step futher, then Lin Ming might even have been able to use his empty hand to block a martial skill. His vibrations would shock the gathering of true essence and scatter all of it that had condensed into the martial skill, just like that boulder!

If the true essence scattered, then there would be no martial skill. No matter how unpredictable a martial skill an opponent had, or how gorgeous and magnificent, as long as their cultivation was not too far from Lin Ming's, then he would be able to shatter it with a single move! It could be said to be a single move that could break through a thousand variations!

"This Strength Training's 'Flow like Silk' is just too heaven defying!" Lin Ming sighed with emotion. The longer and farther he cultivated, he discovered more and more how truly terrifyingly powerful the 'Chaotic Virtues Combat Meridians' really was. He had only reached the Perfect first layer of the 'True Primal Chaos Formula' and reached the beginning stages of 'Flow like Silk', and other such starting skills. If he managed to cultivate these to the Large Success stage in the future, and learned even more ingenious and wonderful skills, there was no telling how strong he would become.

In the memories of that elder, he remembered that once he reached the Large Success stage of the 'Chaotic Virtues Combat Meridians', he would be able to open the Eight Inner Hidden Gates and the Nine Stars of the Dao Palace in his body. Once that happened, his vitality would be like a rainbow that passed through the world, every roar would be like giving birth to thunder, and every fist would be enough to destroy moons and sink stars. A martial artist who had reached this stage had never appeared within the history of the Sky Spill Continent, and probably never would.

"This time I defeated Zhang Cang and the commotion from it wasn't small. My strength has risen too dramatically these past few months; it really is a bit too high profile. But if I want to maintain this indomitable spirit, then I have to struggle for resources in the Seven Profound Martial House. With such exposure, I might have drawn others' attention to me who want to see if I'm hiding anything. But if they really want to check me, then they will probably only find that there is some master behind me…"

The gambling match between Lin Ming and Zhang Cang originally hadn't seemed like it was an important matter, but now, the truth was that the details about this match had spread like the wind across the Seven Profound Martial House, and subsequently been passed on to the information network of every major power in the Sky Fortune Kingdom!

The name Lin Ming had also appeared on every major power's internal meeting's conference table!

Lin Ming. 15 years old, Seven Profound Martial House Earth Hall dsciple. Current Rank, 126. Weapon: Spear!

To defeat Zhang Cang who was rank 103 on the Ranking Stone wasn't considered a great deed, but the one who defeated Zhang Cang was Lin Ming! Lin Ming had only been in the Seven Profound Martial House for one month; this really was cause for startle! This was an even more terrifying growth speed than any old disciple of the Seven Profound Martial House!

It had to be known, that even if it was Ling Sen, Ta Ku, or Zhang Guanyu, they would not have such strength with only one month at the Seven Profound Martial House!

And what was most astounding, was that Lin Ming had defeated Zhang Cang with the 'Foundation Spear Technique'. From beginning to end he had used a single spear move – 'Flood Dragon Goes To Sea'!

Although this move, 'Flood Dragon Goes To Sea', had a resounding and impressive name, the reality was that it was just a single plain straight thrust. In an army of several hundred thousand soldiers who thrust the spear together, they would let out a shout in unison, and the imposing aura that would emanate from them would be like a flood dragon that was rushing out the sea, that was why the move had such a name.

However, that indomitable aura was from an army of several hundred thousand thousand soldiers wielding spears together. It was unheard of for just a single person to have such a display of grandeur that their spear would be where a 'Flood Dragon Goes To Sea', but Lin Ming had actually achieved this state!

The competition was witnessed by many experts. An amateur would go to enjoy the fun, but an expert would go to observe the truth. Ta Ku had personally affirmed the potential of Lin Ming's spear thrust.

Ta Ku was the top-tier talent who had been the second-ranked disciple on the Ranking Stone for years, so his words carried a certain importance. But Ta Ku had not mentioned that before that spear thrust, Lin Ming had also used his palm and fist that had an elusive force to them. Even Ling Sen, who Ta Ku deeply admired, was at a total loss of what it meant.

Many people had seen that fist and palm. However, not many of them were able to see that there was a profound and mysterious force that was contained within. Even if they did see this abstruse force, they would still not associate it with the "Body Tearing Bone Shattering Fist', because there were some differences between Lin Ming's fist and palm, and the 'Body Tearing Bone Shattering Fist'. Beyond that, most importantly, no one dared to believe that Lin Ming would be able to comprehend it; a jade slip that was missing 70% of its contents, and use that to succinctly complete the 'Body Tearing Bone Shattering Fist'.

Because of this bright halo that surrounded Lin Ming, the common talents and geniuses began to be pushed into his shadow.

Results were everything. No matter Lin Ming's talent, or if he was just a 15 year old boy, his achievements were an established fact, and he was already pressuring the likes of Ling Sen and Ta Ku. Who could know whether or not Lin Ming would obtain even more glorious achievements than Ling Sen and Ta Ku in the future?

All the major powers, influences, and organizations would naturally not miss this kind of rising talent. However, the Seven Profound Martial House had a rule that any family, even the Royal Family, could not entering the Martial House during the school period and attempt to recruit disciples. This was in order to avoid affecting the normal teachings of the Martial House and the disciples' cultivation.

Therefore, some major powers and great families' scouts would hover around the Seven Profound Martial House year-round, and wait for Lin Ming to leave school!

Not only were they waiting for Lin Ming, but they were also keeping an eye on the new Ten Thousand Killing Array ranking war. They were waiting to see; just how high could Lin Ming reach this time?

Of course, they would also appropriately look at all the other new disciples of the Earth Hall. At the last assessment, they hadn't seen anything, but after a month of class, if one were a true blue genius, they would inevitably stand out.

It was only that under the light of Lin Ming's rising and shining bright halo, the other disciples could only take a modest supporting role. Even the champion of the Yuelu City elite competition, the Wang Family's number one talent, Wang Yanfeng, could only be as such.

Lin Ming had already been at the Seven Profound Martial House for 34 days, and it was time for the second Ten Thousand Killing Array assessment, as had been scheduled.

The Ten Thousand Killing Array was in a valley that was covered by seemingly arrogant sword bamboo. Because this bamboo had been nourished over a long time with effort, the bamboo was tall and straight, and its leaves' edges were sharp.

The ashlar square was located in the center of this sword bamboo grove. In the center of the ashlar square was an altar. At this time, many people were already gathered here and milling around. Most of these people were disciples of the Earth Hall. Of the 20 new Earth Hall disciples that had been here last month, only 7 or 8 of them had come again.

In order to not have disciples come to the Ten Thousand Killing Array just to see if they could chance their way up another rank, and to not waste time in vain, the Seven Profound Martial House had a stipulation. This stipulation was that each time one wanted to challenge the Ten Thousand Killing Array; one had to mortgage a single true essence stone. If they could not rise at least 5 ranks, then their true essence stone would not be given back.

For a new disciple of the Earth Hall, they would only receive one true essence stone per month. This was the amount of true essence stones it took to enter the Ten Thousand Killing Array. Therefore those disciples that didn't have the confidence to advance at least 5 ranks would not come participate in this assessment, as a true essence stone was simply far too valuable for them.

The pair of Wang Mang and Li Tie did not make an appearance today. The last time, these two people had relied upon their mercenary and fighting backgrounds to reach rankings in the 160's, but that was already their limit. Even if they wished to progress 5 ranks, it would not be easy in such a short period of time.

In the crowd were not only disciples of the Seven Profound Martial House who had come to participate in the assessment, but also outside personnel who had come to the Seven Profound Martial House. They had gathered in a corner of the valley and were distantly looking on at the situation at the Ten Thousand Killing Array. These were intelligence operatives, detectives who had been sent by the major powers. Their job was to report to their masters the change in Lin Ming's ranking as soon as possible.

According to the regulations of the Seven Profound Martial House, areas such as the Ten Thousand Killing Array and the Exquisite Pagoda, or the seven major killing arrays, were restricted areas within the Seven Profound Martial House. Unauthorized people were not allowed to enter or wander around.

That intelligence operatives could arrive at the mountain valley showed that their masters' hands and eyes could reach the sky and were of the highest authority. For instance, the group of four ash-clothed men who were quietly waiting in the sword bamboo grove, their lord was the current dynasty's crown prince!

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Chapter 83 – Struggle of the Princes

That these four ash-clothed men could enter the Seven Profound Martial House and directly view the ranking war was by the virtue of the Crown Prince's relations. This was already the limit; they could not break the customs of the Seven Profound Martial House and contact Lin Ming in private at the Martial House, and try to win over talents.

In the Sky Fortune Kingdom, the Seven Profound Martial House was an aloof existence that was not under the jurisdiction of imperial authority. They were even without any legal restraints at all. This was mainly because the Seven Profound Martial House was under the subordination of the third-grade sect, the Seven Profound Valleys. The Seven Profound Valleys was a terrifying colossus that dominated the imperial authority! To put it bluntly, the Seven Profound Valley could easily abolish any crowned ruler of a country within a surrounding area of 200,000 miles!

If one didn't obey orders, the Seven Profound Valleys could directly send out 3 or 4 Xiantian masters. These masters could enter and leave the Royal Palace with no resistance, and simply sever the emperor's head as if it were just another day.

To take a broader view of the entire Sky Fortune Kingdom, the most powerful warriors such as Qin Xiao, Muyi, and others, were around the middle Houtian stage. But this kind of person was already exceedingly rare, and most of them were gathered clustered together at the Seven Profound Martial House. Who they helped would be hard to say. With only a handful of middle Houtian stage masters to resist three or four Xiantian level powerhouses, how could they even think of retaliating?

So once the emperor revolted against the orders of the Seven Profound Martial House, he could only wait to die. Then the Seven Profound Valleys would appoint the Seven Profound Envoy to set up a new emperor. If the entire royal family were to revolt, then the Seven Profound Valleys might even exterminate the emperor's entire clan!

With such a terrible existence that was beyond all common sense, the Sky Fortune Kingdom, including all nearby countries, regarded the Seven Profound Valleys as a sacred, inviolable temple and carefully tread around them without the least bit of resistance. And every countries' precious medicines and true essence stones had to be sent in chests and given to the Seven Profound Valleys. They even had to send out manpower and labor to help the Seven Profound Valleys in mining.

As long as the Royal Family obediently followed all orders, and gave the resources, then the Seven Profound Valleys would not interfere in the internal affairs of the nation, and would even occasionally help them get rid of rebellions.

Of course, there was also a limit to their restrictions. If a monarch was dissolutely wicked and evil, or the government was incompetent, or the common folk could not live and would constantly rebel, then the Seven Profound Valleys would give up on the current government and set up a new dynasty.

The significance of the Seven Profound Valleys setting up Seven Profound Martial Houses in each country was for searching for talents and geniuses to bring to the Seven Profound Valleys, but it was also to monitor the various nations and to preside over them.

The main duty of the Martial House Master was not the daily teachings of the Martial House, but was instead taking care of the responsibility for the mining and acquiring of the country's resources, such as true essence stones, rare and precious medicines, vicious beast blood, and other resources and materials that were constantly shipped back to the Seven Profound Valley

The Martial House Master and the Seven Profound Envoy had enormous authority in the Sky Fortune Kingdom. The Martial House Master was responsible for the gathering and collection of resources and management of the Seven Profound Martial House, and the Seven Profound Envoy was responsible for overseeing the Imperial authority. Their status even dominated that of the emperor!

It could be said that the Seven Profound Valleys was a gigantic blood sucking vampire that drew in all the resources of numerous countries in a 200,000 mile radius. However, this blood sucking vampire was just far too powerful, so no country dared to revolt. In fact, to the ruler of these countries, they would gladly sacrifice their country's cultivation resources in exchange for stability in their land. To mortals, inexhaustible wealth, bevies of beautiful women, and supreme authority were perhaps more appealing than some true essence stones.

So facing the Seven Profound Martial House, the Royal Family did not dare to interfere, and also had to be careful around them.

But as long as there were people, there would also be relations and connections. The Seven Profound Martial House was built in the Sky Fortune Kingdom after all, and it was appropriate to spare the Royal Family a few conveniences, such as allowing some of the emperor's relatives and juniors to enter the Human Hall as an exception. For instance, at present they had allowed two princes to send scouts into the Seven Profound Martial House to observe and watch the Ten Thousand Killing Array's ranking war.

"Keep your spirits up; do not lose to the lackeys of the Tenth Prince!" The head of these four ash-robed men said. He appeared over 40 years old and looked completely ordinary.

"Yah!" The other three people said.

If the Crown Prince had sent people, then the Tenth Prince, who was competing for the throne, would naturally send some too.

The ones who need the support of powerhouses the most, was often not the large families, or the chamber of commerce, but the generals and princes!

The generals guarded the borders and frontiers. When they marched to war, they needed powerhouses to deal with the enemies and accomplish missions. They also needed to be strong enough to protect themselves and avoid assassinations.

As for the princes, they competed for the landscape of the state, and also needed the support of powerhouses to sweep clean all of their enemies!

Therefore, how could the people of the Crown Prince and Tenth Prince be absent?

Before Lin Ming, the ones who had received the most attention in the Seven Profound Martial House were Ling Sen, Ta Ku, Zhang Guanyu, and several core disciples.

Of the Martial House core disciples, if there were no ominous accidents in the future, they would undoubtedly enter the Seven Profound Valleys. Afterwards, they might stay at the Seven Profound Valleys, or even be appointed as a Seven Profound Martial House Master, or sent on other causes for the Seven Profound Valleys.

If they stayed in the Seven Profound Valleys, then their existence would be aloof and distant, and their relations with the Sky Fortune Kingdom would not be too big. But if they became a Seven Profound Martial House Master or a Seven Profound Envoy, then that would be extraordinary!

In the Sky Fortune Kingdom, the status of the Seven Profound Martial House Master and the Seven Profound Envoy exceeded the emperors!

It can be said that if a prince managed to win over a core disciple who one day might become a Martial House Master or a Seven Profound Envoy, then their chance of inheriting the throne would increase by 50%!

If they won over a core disciple who had already become a Martial House Master or a Seven Profound Envoy, then the matter of them inheriting the throne could already be considered settled.

However, all of the Seven Profound Martial House core disciples besides Qin Xingxuan had come from ancient martial families that had come to cultivate. They did not even belong to the Sky Fortune Kingdom; there was simply no hope in attempting to win them over.

Moreover, since they did not belong to the Sky Fortune Kingdom, in the future it was most probable that they would not return to the Sky Fortune Kingdom, regardless of whether they became a Seven Profound Envoy or a Martial House Master. As for Qin Xingxuan, she was in a similar situation. With a sixth-grade talent, she had resolved to pursue the Xiantian path, and most likely would later stay at the Seven Profound Valleys.

Since there was no chance of winning over core disciples, what was left over were naturally the top Ranking Stone masters of the Heavenly Abode.

However, it was a pity that Ling Sen and Ta Ku were people of the military. They were talents of the southwest armed forces of Eighth Prince Yang, and had no chance of being won over.

As for Zhang Guanyu, this person's family background was the chamber of commerce. The chamber of commerce had been able to exist for a very long time to the present day. A behemoth that could stand so long naturally had a self-preservation instinct to not stick their head out in places they shouldn't, so they would never under any circumstances participate in battles of the throne.

For matters like this such as where struggling dragons fought to snatch the throne, if they succeeded they would be able to make a name for themselves, but the chamber of commerce was already fabulously wealthy. They simply did not need any rewards of titles. Instead, if they overreached their influence and failed, then their entire family's properties would be confiscated, and all nine generations of their family would be put to death. So Zhang Guanyu would not join any major powers, and instead devote his life to only the chamber of commerce.

In this time where the throne was changing, suddenly appeared Lin Ming who came out like a dazzling supernova. Even if Lin Ming's talent was limited, he might surprise everyone in the future. Some of the princes would spare no expensive in winning over Lin Ming. If this miracle continued, then in the end he would become a preeminent master who would surpass Ling Sen and Ta Ku.

As for becoming a core disciple, they had never considered this. After all, Lin Ming's qualifications were just too ordinary.

A quarter hour before the Ten Thousand Killing Array was about to start, the ash-robed leader of the four detectives under the Crown Prince's command suddenly moved his face, and whispered, "Lin Ming came."

"Cheer up!"

"Yah!"

"For this mission, we must be successful, we cannot fail! Even if we do not win over Lin Ming, we absolutely cannot let him fall into the hands of the Tenth Prince, otherwise, we will bring our heads to the Crown Prince!"

"Yah!"

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Chapter 84 – Gathering of Masters

A few breaths after that ash-robed detective said those words, Lin Ming appeared in a corner of the bamboo grove. That detective's eye was like a hawk that was sizing up its prey, Lin Ming. "Really young, not even 16 years old. His face still appears to be a little naïve, but if I look carefully, I can see that there is a shocking sharp and proud aura on his forehead. This face and aura, is certainly not something that comes from a little pond!"

"That is a 820 jin long spear called the Penetrating Rainbow. Yesterday I specially went to the Divine Weapon Hall to ask the storekeeper who sold this spear. That a 15 year old youth would choose such a heavy weapon that is difficult to learn, his boldness and courage is really praiseworthy."

"If the day ever arrives that a prince tries to stage a coup d'état on the Crown Prince or plot a rebellion, then Lin Ming can take hold of this Penetrating Rainbow to protect our lord the Emperor. This spear, with a single sweep, can take the lives of several scores of people. This Lin Ming, I absolutely must win him over for his highness the Crown Prince!"

When Lin Ming arrived carrying the Penetrating Rainbow, he almost instantly attracted the gaze of everyone present. Some of these stares were particularly burning, as if they were imprinting the image of him into their mind.

After Lin Ming studied the 'True Primal Chaos Formula', his perception was exceptionally keen. He followed this scalding gaze to see an ash-robed man standing in a corner of the sword bamboo grove.

The ash-robed man slightly hesitated, "Did he sense me?"

His location was very distant and blended in, there was no reason that he should be spotted in the crowd where everyone was looking at him. Unfortunately, he was noticed, because he felt that this stare was significantly different.

"This Ling Ming, his observation of others is as if he has some kind of special sensor. It's just too inconceivable. Is his soul force much stronger than others?" The ash-clothed man said as he secretly noted this characteristic. Later, he would prepare a report with all of the information for the Crown Prince.

After Lin Ming arrived, he chose a place to sit down and laid the Penetrating Rainbow flat on his knee. He closed his eyes and meditated as he controlled his breathing.

The other disciples of the Martial House frequently cast their vision over to him. Even some of the disciples of the Heavenly Abode felt a faint fear towards Lin Ming's growing strength. Although as of now his strength was inferior them, maybe soon he would catch up very quickly.

The Seven Profound Martial House regulations stated that as long as an Earth Hall disciple entered the top 80 ranks of the Ranking stone, they would have the opportunity to send out a single challenge to any disciple of the Heavenly Abode. Once they won, then they would displace that disciple and become a new disciple of the Heavenly Abode! The loser would be eliminated.

The number of disciples of the Heavenly Abode was fixed at 72 members. In these 72 people, there were changes every month. At the end of every ranking war every month, it was normal for 2 or 3 challenges to be sent out.

The disciples of the Earth Hall were always aiming to push out disciples of the Heavenly Abode. After all, the difference in treatment between disciples of the Earth Hall and the Heavenly Abode was just too big. Once they entered the Heavenly Abode, they would immediately receive an extra reward, including top-quality pills, 15 true essence stones, and 30 hours of time to use the seven major killing arrays.

Lin Ming would reach the top 80 this time or next time, and then challenge one of them!

So how could these people not be worried? Nobody wanted to be expelled from the Heavenly Abode. Not only did this mean losing the massive amount of resources, it was also a huge loss of face.

By now, the crowd was in a tumultuous uproar.

"Li Yan, Wu Weidao, Zhu Yan…three masters in the top 50 rankings suddenly appeared!"

"This time's Ten Thousand Killing Array assessment is really a gathering of masters…"

As the crowd talked, Lin Ming's eyes fell upon Zhu Yan. Together with Zhu Yan, was of course Lan Yunyue.

Lan Yunyue had just entered the ashlar square where she stopped. She hid in a corner of the sword bamboo grove, obviously not willing meet Lin Ming and be put in that embarrassing and awkward situation.

Lin Ming did not even spare Lan Yunyue a glance. His eyes were locked on Zhu Yan.

'Zhu Yan, you have finally appeared. I've already been at the Seven Profound Martial House for more than a month, and this is my first time seeing you!'

Zhu Yan also looked at Lin Ming. Very few people knew of the ongoing feud between them, so their stares were not brought to anyone's attention. This was also because Li Yan and Wu Weidao were similarly looking at Lin Ming. This newer generation disciple would possibly become a powerful rival after all, paying attention to him was normal.

Zhu Yan only looked at Lin Ming in a deadpan manner, having no expression on the surface, as if he did not know who Lin Ming was. He looked at Lin Ming for a moment, then turned away.

However at that moment, Lin Ming actually felt that within Zhu Yan's eyes was hidden a cold and murderous intent.

His battle with Zhu Yan had started because of Lan Yunyue, but now, it no longer had anything to do with Lan Yunyue. Lin Ming regarded Zhu Yan as a hurdle in his road of martial arts that he had to cross over in order to continue forward.

But Zhu Yan, because of his repeated defeat and frustrations, regarded Lin Ming as a thorn in his side that had to be removed, otherwise his heart of martial arts would never be whole, and it would always have a thorn!

At the start, both sides only wanted to step on the other, and step on them so that they could never stand up from the failure. But now, they wanted to directly destroy the other party, in particular Zhu Yan, who was already planning on how to kill Lin Ming.

"Look! Bai Jingyun and Murong Zi, they are also two masters in the top 50 rankings!"

"There are more and more masters coming. This time's Ten Thousand Killing Array ranking war is truly a convergence of dragons."

With the appearance of Bai Jingyun and Murong Zi, they had all captivated the eyes of everyone present. They caused a stir that was even larger than Lin Ming. Lin Ming had only drawn everyone's eyes, but these two Bai Jingyun and Murong Zi made all of the male disciples too excited and uncomfortable to stand, and sent their fighting spirits soaring to the sky. The reason for this was because these two people were extremely beautiful women.

There weren't originally many female disciples at the Seven Profound Martial House. Female disciples with formidable strength, superb temperament, and the looks of a goddess were even fewer. Girls like Bai Jingyun and Murong Zi were really the cream of the crop when it came to girls. In the entire nation, it would be impossible to find many like them!

The two women were collectively referred to as the 'Seven Profound Proud Pair'. It could be said that a thousand myriad graces were set in one body. Many sons of the major powers and large families had hopes to kiss their perfumed hair, however, they always returned in utter failure.

As beautiful, proud women, they were very arrogant and were not necessarily willing to marry and become a man's wife. Even if they did, they would look for a dragon among men. Status and wealth were not enough; they also wanted strength with a good, moral character!

Zhu Yan and others like him were insufficient. Even the princes who wished to marry the two girls as their royal concubines were unable to do so.

After the two girls arrived, Bai Jingyun looked at Lin Ming and then sat down on a clean grass patch in a clearing of the bamboo grove, along with Murong Zi. They discussed some secretive girly things, and no longer cared about other people's attention.

Before the aftermath of the arrival of Bai Jingyun and Murong Zi had cleared, there was another stir among the crowd.

"Ling Sen! Ta Ku! Heavens! My heavens! Those two also came today!"

For Ling Sen and Ta Ku, there was no longer any significance in participating in the Ten Thousand Killing Array assessment. Their rankings were unshakable, and they were already at the first and second place; there was nowhere for them to advance in the rankings.

"They are not necessarily here to participate. They probably came to watch the ranking war."

"Mmm. There is the possibility… this time too many masters have appeared. The rising star Lin Ming is shining too brightly, it's natural for them to pay attention to him."

Lin Ming silently looked at Ling Sen. Although was the third time they'd met. The first time they had met, Lin Ming hadn't felt just how terrible and frightening a person Ling Sen was. With the improvement of his cultivation, he increasingly felt Ling Sen's fearsome aura.

Although Ling Sen's cultivation could be compared equally with Qin Xingxuan, Lin Ming truly believed that Qin Xingxuan was not Ling Sen's match. This Ling Sen was a complete cold-blooded killing machine, simply a murderous beast!

On the field, more and more masters began to gather. As the Ten Thousand Killing Array assessment was about to start, nine masters in the top 50 rankings had already arrived. This number was already quite high. In the entire year, only at the final examination that took place at the end of the school year would one see a scene like this where all the top masters had gathered.

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Chapter 85 – Murong Zi, Bai Jingyun

"The assessment shall officially begin. All those present who wish to participate in the assessment must pay one true essence stone to enter the Ten Thousand Killing Array."

Before the deacon senior apprentice who was in charge of the Ten Thousand Killing Array finished his words, Wang Yanfeng was already the first one to jump onto the altar.

"The Wang Yanfeng, he really gets braver the more he's frustrated."

"I wonder how many ranks he will be able to rise this time."

The audience under the stage was discussing Wang Yanfeng's previous assessment performance. Before, he had had managed to attain rank 168, but after his assessment was over, several others had already surpassed him, and they had pushed Wang Yanfeng down into the 172nd position.

Wang Yanfeng calmed his mind in meditation as he sat down on the Ten Thousand Killing Array altar. He had realized that today, he would only be playing a small role. Even in the next year or two, this would not be his stage. All he could do was steadily fight, one step at a time.

"The assessment shall begin!"

A cover of light fell down on the stage, and Wang Yanfeng began his killing. Most of the 12 people on stage were around rank 120. As the assessment began to wind down, Wang Yanfeng was the third to be defeated. His final ranking was rank 145.

"This Wang Yanfeng managed to pass rank 150."

"This is only temporary; he will be pushed down later. However, being able to enter the top 150 ranks in the second month is very good."

Wang Yanfeng truly was a very good talent, however, Lin Ming's halo was simply too abundantly bright, and he was completely neglected.

"Second Round. If you wish to participate in the assessment, come on stage." The deacon senior apprentice said once again.

As the 12 positions emptied, a young girl in purple clothes flew onto the stage like a gust of wind. She stood firmly on a spot. This girl was Murong Zi.

"Sister Jingyun, let's finish the assessment early."

"Alright." Immediately, Bai Jingyun also appeared on stage.

Some from the crowd called out in excitement and alarm. These two beautiful and arrogant women were 17 and 18 years old. Putting their heavenly appearances and temperaments aside, these two girls' martial arts talent could be considered in the top ten of Sky Fortune Kingdom's younger generation. Moreover, these two also had outstanding family backgrounds; others could only sigh at them as if they were the clouds above them.

Murong Zi had attended the Seven Profound Martial House for two years, and her ranking was 36. Bai Jingyun had been at the Martial House for three years, and her ranking was 26. These results, especially Murong Zi's, were just as good as Zhu Yan's!

When beautiful women came to the assessment, it was always very easy to attract the attention of many. Even the many spies turned their heads, as the major powers that they worked for, such as the Tenth Prince, had always wished to marry these two girls.

Certainly, compared to these two girls, Qin Xingxuan was a far more splendid existence. But Qin Xingxuan was too distant an ideal. She had resolved to pursue the road to being a Xiantian master. A Xiantian master was truly a legend from stories; mortals could not even hope of touching them. To marry Qin Xingxuan was only a fool's dream, thus Murong Zi and Bai Jingyun became increasingly wanted by all men.

If they married them, then not only would they enjoy the bliss of being their husband, but they would also receive a big boost in their life from their support. With this and so many other advantages, who wasn't moved by this?

If they could marry them together, that would simply be the pinnacle of life. Not even the royal princes dared to dream so greedily!

The light cover of the Ten Thousand Killing Array fell over them, and the assessment of these two girls officially began. Some male disciples of the Human Hall were staring at these two girls' bodies as they were bathed in light, and their fists tightened and lips mumbled, as if they were even more anxious than them about this assessment.

Seeing this, Lin Ming had a slight feeling in his heart. When someone knew perfectly well in his heart that they could not obtain something, and that something had nothing to do with them, then they might even more earnestly pay attention, and even worry. This was the sorrow of the irrelevant person.

Irrelevant person… even if they entered the Seven Profound Martial House, if they could not bloom like a spring flower in this talented crowd of steep competition, then they would eventually become an irrelevant person regardless!

Six incense sticks' worth of time had already passed. On the altar, Murong Zi lightly coughed, and her small face paled as she came down from the stage. This scene alone made all of the numerous staring males grip their hands with a worried expression. If they could suffer this pain for Murong Zi, they would gladly endure it.

Murong Zi's final ranking was 28. This ranking was truly startling!

Shortly after, Bai Jingyun also stepped down from the altar. Her final ranking, rank 22!

These two proud and beautiful women were becoming increasingly dazzling. If another year passed, it would be possible for them to even enter the top 10!

All the scouts quickly lit their sound transmitting talismans and reported to their masters. This matter was enough to be brought to the attention of the princes.

These two girls were really the highest quality of women. However it was a pity that no matter how the princes' hearts were moved, they could not force themselves upon them. They feared the power behind them, and although their own influence wasn't small, they had to respect and obey the orders of the Royal Family.

These princes could simply not disregard the Seven Profound Martial House. No one, no organization, not even the Royal Family, had the courage to force a disciple of the Seven Profound Martial House. If they aggressed the rules of the Seven Profound Martial House and bullied a disciple, that would be tantamount to treating the Seven Profound Valleys with contempt. The terrifying power of the Seven Profound Valleys was enough to bring the Royal Family trembling to their knees in fear!

"The third round of the assessment shall begin. Those disciples who wish to participate, come onstage." The deacon senior apprentice announced once more.

After the positions were vacated, Zhu Yan shot Lin Ming a subtle glance, and then slowly stepped onto the stage.

"Zhu Yan went on stage!"

With his talent, Zhu Yan was not necessarily in the top ten geniuses of his generation, but the differences weren't far off. He was 17 years old, with a superior fourth-grade talent. He had attended the Seven Profound Martial House for two years, and his Ranking Stone rank was 39. The result was only inferior to Murong Zi.

Certainly, to reach this point, Zhu Yan had to expend much more effort and time than the playful and not so serious Murong Zi.

Therefore this talent was truthfully somewhat bad.

With Zhu Yan's strengths and talents, he had certainly attracted the attention of many major powers. However, Zhu Yan was doomed to never be a person who could be wooed and won over.

The Zhu Family household head's daughter was Zhu Yan's aunt. She had married into the Royal Palace and had later become a royal concubine empress. She was the mother of the enormously influential Tenth Prince!

So Zhu Yan had been doomed to be a person of the Tenth Prince.

According to Sky Fortune Kingdom's rules of succession, the son of a concubine could not be an heir. However the Emperor was not young, and the Empress had no child, therefore the Emperor had set the first son of the Royal Concubine Empress, the Third Prince, as heir and Crown Prince. The Third Prince began reading and writing at an early age, but his martial arts talent was only a mere second-grade. His strength was limited, and though he had a good and kind heart, it was not possible for him to safely inherit the throne.

But the Tenth Prince's, martial talent was the highest among all of the Emperor's sons at an inferior fourth-grade. In addition to this hard work, his cultivation was also very high. In his twenties, the Tenth Prince had commanded troops at the border and had become renowned as a valiant warrior who had repeatedly won many military exploits. He was then given the title of the Cloud King, and bestowed a Purple Gold Crown, and a royal robe with a four clawed dragon.

In the Sky Fortune Kingdom, not every emperor's son would be conferred a grand title. There were two different titles, the first was a prince, and the second one was a duke. The prince was a first rank title, for instance the Tenth Prince's Cloud King, and they could also possess territories and have such power equal to a national treasure like the royal jade seal. But the duke was only a second rank title, and they could only possess a manor.

Concerning power and influence among the ruling parties and opposition parties, The Tenth Prince's might was even superior to the Crown Prince.

It was anyone's guess of whose hands the throne would fall into in the future.

Once the Tenth Prince ascended the throne, then Zhu Yan would be a younger cousin of the emperor. Zhu Yan's mother was only a concubine of the Zhu Family, and could only be known as a concubine's son. But his aunt was actually the Royal Concubine Empress, and she was related to him through his father. Although their blood relation was a bit distant, with Zhu Yan's outstanding strength, he would definitely be able to obtain the valuable trust of the new emperor!

"Assessment start!"

After Zhu Yan entered the Ten Thousand Killing Array, people immediately lit an incense stick to measure the time.

Incense sticks began burning out one after the other, and soon the fifth incense stick was half gone. Zhu Yan only now had a slightly weakened complexion. As the sixth incense stick was lit and almost burnt through, Zhu Yan let out a cough and was sent out from the Ten Thousand Killing Array.

Final ranking, 32!

Lin Ming quietly looked at this rank and didn't think it was surprising. Zhu Yan had already been in the Seven Profound Martial House's Heavenly Abode for more than half a year. At that time, his cultivation was only at the peak Third Stage of Body Transformation, but now he had broken into the Fourth Stage of Body Transformation. It wasn't unusual for his cultivation to increase by leaps and bounds.

"32! Last month my rank was 126!" Lin Ming traced the shaft of the Penetrating Rainbow he carried on his back and unconsciously licked his lips. "Then, I will go on stage, to see how wide the gap is between myself and Zhu Yan."

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Chapter 86 – The Limit of Killing Speed

The several detectives sent by the princes immediately burnt their sound transmitting talisman. The Crown Prince was informed of Zhu Yan's status; after all, Zhu Yan was one of the important figures who served under the banner of the Tenth Prince.

Murong Zi saw Zhu Yan's ranking and curled her lips in disgust. She wasn't too satisfied or happy with this Zhu Yan sticking to her footsteps like melted candy.

"Humph, next time I will leave him in my dust." Murong Zi said with some satisfaction.

"Haha, then you must work diligently. Your talent is better than Zhu Yan; it's almost fifth-grade." Bai Jingyun said with a smile.

"That doesn't mean anything. In the entire Seven Profound Martial House, not counting the core disciples, only Zhang Guanyu is a fifth-grade talent. But that fellow Zhang Guanyu is just an oily playboy with nothing in his head. I don't like him very much. Well… Sister Jing, are you concerned about Lin Ming?" Murong Zi discovered that Bai Jingyun had been watching Lin Ming.

"Mm. He is going to go on stage now."

"There is nothing about him that's worth paying attention to. His talent is limited, he just happened to have a spot of good luck and ate some valuable material, and that's why he has his current strength."

Bai Jingyun shook her head and said, "Luck is also a kind of strength. Isn't being born with a good cultivating martial talent also a kind of luck? Being born in an aristocratic family is similarly also a kind of luck. Like that, you and I can be considered very lucky people also. Nobody can say that Lin Ming won't be able to continue this streak of good luck. Also, he wasn't so strong when he had entered the Seven Profound Martial House. It must be the Crimson Gold Dragon Marrow Pill and the Golden Snake Scarlet Pill that allowed his cultivation to progress so quickly. Perhaps his physique is particularly suitable for absorbing the efficacy of precious medicines…"

As Bai Jingyun was speaking, Lin Ming had already stepped onto the altar.

The eyes of everyone present turned to Lin Ming. They wanted to see whether or not this Lin Ming would be able to create a new record today, and have his name written down as the miracle among the new disciples of the Seven Profound Martial House.

The operatives sent by the major powers also rallied their spirits. In these groups of people were intelligence veterans as well as seasoned lobbyists. They were waiting for Lin Ming to leave the Seven Profound Martial House, and then persuade him with their eloquence to support their master.

The cover of light from the Ten Thousand Killing Array came down, and Lin Ming's entire body was bathed in a glow. In the next moment, he was transported to a vast, white world.

Like last time, there were a variety of weapons that were presented all around him. The sabre, the sword, the spear, it had it all.

"Spear. Spear shaft, 8 feet. Spearhead, 8 inches. Dark purple elastic iron spear shaft, cloud vein wrought iron spear point, total weight 820 jins!"

Lin Ming devised the weapon in his mind, and in the next second, a dark purple colored long spear almost the same as the Penetrating Rainbow appeared in Lin Ming's hand.

Lin Ming's casually shook the spear in his hands, and the dark purple long spear began to hum. The strength of the vibration that flowed down the spear shaft could easily crush rocks!

At this time, in front of Lin Ming, a dozen phantom shades appeared in front of him. These phantoms included martial artists and vicious beasts. The majority of their strength was at the early Second Stage of Body Transformation to the early Third Stage of Body Transformation. There was even one who was at the peak Third Stage of Body Transformation.

To the present Lin Ming, these opponents were nothing at all!

Lin Ming steadied his feet and took his stance. His right hand held the spear horizontally, and his elbow was pressed up tight against the spear's end. This stance he exhibited now was the 'Iron Bridge Blocks the River'.

"Roar!" The dozen phantom shades rushed forwards together. These were just phantom illusions, but they had the ability to coordinate, and they dispersed into a semi-circle around Lin Ming, and then lunged at him at the same time!

Generally a martial artist, even if they were a master, being encircled by so many bloodthirsty enemies, could only evade first, and then dodge left and right in the crowd and defeat them one at a time. Because unless there was a great disparity in strength, nobody was able to simultaneously deal with the attacks of a dozen enemies that came from all directions!

However, to Lin Ming, he was able to completely disregard all these attacks!

With a cry, his left hand slapped the spear's end, and his right hand gripped the spear shaft and suddenly sent it flying out horizontally. The long spear lashed out like a dragon's tail; it could sweep away an army of a thousand!

As the spear swept out, the dark purple long spear hit the first enemy's body. This was a first-level vicious beast. Because of Lin Ming's formidable strength, as the spear head smashed into the vicious beast, the spear bent like a bow. Then, with a popping sound, the spear shaft straightened, and the vicious beast's spine was directly crushed!

The momentum of the dark purple long spear did not lessen, and it swept on and hit the second vicious beast's body!

"Cha!" The vicious beast was torn in half!

Followed by the third!

Lin Ming's strength was more than 4000 jins. Combined with an 820 jin dark purple long spear, a single sweep contained an invincible surging might. In that moment, of the dozen enemies, more than half were all swept away by Lin Ming's spear!

"Roar!" Of the dozen phantoms, only the vicious beast with strength equal to the peak Third Stage of Body Transformation was able to dodge Lin Ming's long spear. In that moment, it suddenly accelerated forward like a meteor and charged at Lin Ming's chest.

Lin Ming's long spear was out, and his defenses were open. He had no weapon to defend against the sharp fangs of this second-level vicious beast!

As Lin Ming saw these sword-like fangs come forward to stab into his neck, Lin Ming cried out. His right hand held onto the spear, and his left hand was suddenly formed into a fist.

"Body Tearing Bone Shattering Fist!"

"Peng!"

Lin Ming's fist pounded into that vicious beast's chest, and with a loud crack, the body of that giant vicious beast which weighed several hundred jins was instantly split apart!

Lin Ming's whole body was bathed in blood. His right hand drew back his long spear. He turned his body and gripped the spear in both hands. A red full moon suddenly appeared at the end of the cloud vein wrought iron spear point.

"Killing circle!"

"Pah pah pah pah!" Suddenly what seemed to be like several leather blood bags exploded in the air, showering the entire area with rich red blood. All of the remaining enemies had blown up!

From when these vicious beasts and martial artists had thrown themselves forward, to when Lin Ming had made his strike and completely destroyed all of them, the time had been no more than two breathes!

Lin Ming had used two spear moves and one fist. The Ten Thousand Killing Array did not even have the time to create new phantoms!

The entire illusory magic array had been completely cleared by Lin Ming!

This killing speed was completely abnormal!

After two blinks, there was a distortion in the space, and new phantom shades appeared. This time, whether it was a vicious beast or a martial artist, their strength was a level higher than before!

"He who strikes first has the advantage!"

Lin Ming did not even wait for these phantoms to stabilize their form and had already shot towards the nearest one. "Flood Dragon Goes to Sea!"

The dark purple long spear thrust out with indomitable momentum.

"Pah!" The peak Third Stage Body Transformation martial artist was pierced by Lin Ming's spear!

With a wave, Lin Ming threw the corpse off of his spear. His spear seemed filled with an epic spirit, the eight feet eight inch dark purple long spear was just like a dark purple flood dragon that swam in a sea of bloodshed. Everywhere the spear went, blood would flow!

To sweep away an army of a thousand, there was only the spear!

In the chaos and midst of battle, the spear was the absolute best weapon!

Of course, the prerequisites were that one must have thick and vast true essence, as well as the physical strength to support such a terrifying rate of strength consumption.

"Killing circle!"

Lin Ming wielded his spear, and three vicious beasts were blown flying backwards, their hands cracked open. At this point, Lin Ming's muscles corded and his veins bulged like twisting worms. Lin Ming was rapidly revolving the 'True Primal Chaos Formula' in his body, and with every breathe, the air current condensed into a large snake that floated in the air.

Only with the Perfect first layer of the 'True Primal Chaos Formula' together with the true essence provided from the Third Stage of Body Transformation, was Lin Ming able to kill the enemies with such demonic speed!

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Chapter 87 – Sweeping Away All

"I wonder just how long this Lin Ming can persist inside." Outside of the Ten Thousand Killing Array, everyone's focus was turned towards Lin Ming. Even several of the Heavenly Abode disciples who ranked in the top 70 who were on the altar with Lin Ming were ignored.

"He'll last for at least four incense sticks of time, maybe even half of a fifth. Zhang Cang is able to last until three and a half incense sticks. Since Lin Ming defeated Zhang Cang, his advance to the top 100 rankings is assured. Even the top 90 or 80, is not impossible!"

"Advancing to the top 100 is absolutely no problem, but to reach the top 80 is not so easy. Those are the rankings approaching a disciple of the Heavenly Abode, the spots are highly competitive. If you can enter the top 80 then you are eligible to challenge a disciple of the Heavenly Abode, and even have the possibility of entering!"

"If that's true, then someone who is able to enter the Heavenly Abode after being at the Seven Profound Martial House for only a month is just inhuman."

"There were people that were able to enter the top 90 in their ranking war, but those people were over 20 years old. They had all reasons they couldn't enter the Seven Profound Martial House earlier. For a 15 year old to advance into the top 100 in just the second round, as far as I know, that hasn't happened for the last 100 years!"

"Mmm, in these past ten years only Qin Xingxuan has had the ability to do this, but she was directly promoted to a core disciple… it has little to do with us…"

A single incense stick burnt through, then two, then three…

As the fourth incense stick lit up, Lin Ming's face flushed with blood on the Ten Thousand Killing Array's stage.

"Mmm, something's not right, Sister Jingyun. It seems that Lin Ming might not be able to last much longer. The fourth incense stick has just started to burn, if this continues, he can only barely advance to the top 100." Murong Zi's eyesight was very good. She managed to see through the translucent light of the array and see Lin Ming's circumstances clearly. Lin Ming's breathing now held a slight disorder; that was the manifestation of consuming too much true essence.

Bai Jingyun frowned. They had thought that Lin Ming might be able to last until the fifth incense stick burnt through, but not it seemed that it would be a bit uncertain. Maybe just the fourth incense stick would be his limit.

"Lin Ming was weakened, it might have been that he was too careless in the Ten Thousand Killing Array at the start, and he was injured at the beginning?"

If one were injured at the start, then each time they fought would consume more strength and energy, and having a bleeding wound was extremely fatal. With something like that occurring, then their ranking would not only fail to rise, but instead fall, and cause the amount of resources they received every month to drop. Martial artists that entered the Ten Thousand Killing Array were always mindful about this, and were careful to avoid mistakes as much as possible.

"Being able to not be injured so early is also an aspect of strength, Big Sister, I think that this Lin Ming is not as fierce as you thought." Murong Zi pursed her lips and remained unconvinced of Lin Ming. She had always been told that she was an infant prodigy since childhood. Now that she had been shown up by someone two years younger than her, she was naturally dubious of such a young boy.

"Oh? Not that fierce? Good, well then, if Lin Ming's strength is really so poor, and he can only insist for four incense sticks of time, then my little sister, how long were you able to last when you had been in the Seven Profound Martial House for one month?"

Murong was at a loss for words. When she had just entered the Seven Profound Martial House, she she had been unable to pass reach the top 150 rankings in her first assessment. The second time she had not reached the top 140; her performance was simply too far from Lin Ming's. She simply turned her chin and looked towards the assessment, pretending she hadn't heard.

The truth was that the time of a Martial House disciple's greatest progress on the Ranking Stone was during the end of the school term. During this time, many disciples would graduate, and those masters that were eyesores would be gone. The top rankings would naturally empty, and those new disciples would be arranged in their places.

Therefore even if a Seven Profound Martial House disciple's strength was disappointing, their ranking would jump up the longer they stayed at the Martial House.

Seeing Murong Zi act so childishly, Bai Jingyun smiled and didn't pursue the matter. Even if Lin Ming could only persist for four incense sticks of time and reach the top 100, that was still a result to be proud of! In the Seven Profound Martial House, the number of monstrous geniuses who had reached this level could be counted on one hand!

"Big Brother, this Lin Ming doesn't seem as if he can last much longer." Ta Ku said to Ling Sen as he rubbed his chin.

"Mmm, but even with four incense sticks of time, that result is also astonishing."

"Hehe, but of course. He uses a spear, and not only that, but it is a heavy spear. The spear has many usages. This Lin Ming's spear probably has some very epic and grand fighting style. In a giant group battle, this fighting method can be called a fierce way to kill enemies! However, the average person wouldn't dare to use it, because strength is consumed too quickly. That's why even amazingly fierce generals find it impossible to cut down tens of thousands of people. In the Ten Thouasnd Killing Array, even if they used a spear, they would not dare to fight constantly and would try to delay the time and recover their strength. The enemy will just emerge one after the other incessantly, and each time they come they are stronger." Ta Ku used a staff. A spear and a staff were different, but had similar methods. Naturally he knew of the advantages and disadvantages of such a weapon.

"Let's wait and see how long Lin Ming can last."

In the Ten Thousand Killing Array, Lin Ming's spear sent a sword-wielding martial artist flying backwards. His face was covered in blood, "Ah, it seems as if I've overdone it in killing!"

Lin Ming looked forward at a knight approaching him. The black armored knight grasped a long halberd, and rode a fully armored warhorse, his face revealing an imposing expression.

Bone Forging stage martial artist!

Lin Ming madly swept his purple black spear into a group. Being able to kill one enemy with one move was already highly efficient, but Lin Ming was actually able to kill several!

That's why, as the third incense stick was ignited, there were already Bone Forging stage martial artists appearing!

They were at a cultivation higher than Lin Ming by two whole stages!

Lin Ming fought with the black armored knight just now several times. It was strong, and moved well on its armored horse. When it dashed at him on that giant rushing horse, Lin Ming was unable to find any advantage.

For the talents of the Seven Profound Martial House, generally they were able to fight opponents who were a stage above them. For instance, the peak Third Stage of Body Transformation Zhang Cang was able to fight those who were at the peak Fourth Stage of Body Transformation.

But Lin Ming, even within all the talents at the Seven Profound Martial House, was still able to fight those a stage above him. He had won against Zhang Cang with just his early Third Stage of Body Transformation. This black armored knight was at the early Bone Forging stage, and Lin Ming was just able to barely come to a draw with him. With so many other enemies around, Lin Ming was not able to take advantage of the fact that the enemy was an illusory phantom. Their inflexible minds and rigid attack patterns had many weaknesses, but at present, surrounded by so many enemies that emerged one after the other and endlessly attacked, Lin Ming was in serious danger!

Bang!

As soon as Lin Ming and the black armored knight exchanged blows again, although the dark purple elastic iron spear had strong superior cushioning properties, Lin Ming still felt his hands tingle with numbness.

The black armored knight's horse reared up at Lin Ming, but Lin Ming had already bounced backwards, and flipped around a couple of times in midair.

"Roar!" A second-level vicious beast took advantage of this moment when Lin Ming was airborne with no balance and rushed at him. Two paws that were sharp like knives were coming towards Lin Ming's chest.

Lin Ming only heard shouting in his ears. He gripped the dark purple long spear and used its 820 jins of weight to stop his inertia in the air and balance himself. He took a deep breath, and the airflow from his nose was like a streaming long snake. He looked towards the oncoming vicious beasts and threw a fierce punch!

"Body Tearing Bone Shattering Fist!"

Poh! The vicious beast's body exploded from behind with a giant hole. The gooey flesh and blood and internal organs were all blown out from the back of the hole!

One punch kill!

Lin Ming tumbled into the group of vicious beasts. Before he caught his breath, all of the vicious beasts in his immediate surroundings had already been killed!

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Chapter 88 – The Final Spear

Lin Ming tumbled into the group of vicious beasts. Before he caught his breath, all of the vicious beasts in his immediate surroundings had already been killed!

"Hoh!" A spear swept out, and the dark purple long spear curved like a full moon. An 800 jin heavy vicious beast was split in half and sent flying away. A martial artist's sternum collapsed, and all five internal organs burst open on the scene.

However the number of vicious beasts was too many, and their attacks were too brutal. Also among them were cunning martial artists who appeared and vanished like ghosts. After Lin Ming sent this spear out, his body was wounded two more times. A sword has been thrust straight into his stomach; the wound had damaged his organs!

If not for the fact that he had achieved the Viscera Training stage and true essence had permeated into all his organs at the icy pond, then this sword would have already caused him to lose most of this battle strength!

"The pressure is too big!" Lin Ming's whole body was bloodied. There was the enemies' blood, and there was his blood. The dark purple long spear had turned completely crimson, and wet with blood. However because the spear shaft had undergone a special non-slip treatment, he could still firmly grasp the spear without a greasy feeling.

After Lin Ming had just massacred five enemies a moment ago, another five immediately appeared, one of which was equivalent to the cultivation of the Bone Forging Stage!

"This Lin Ming looks increasingly worse. I don't think he will be able to last past the fourth incense stick." Some of the disciples under the stage said.

The fourth incense stick was almost burnt through, but on stage, Lin Ming had just coughed; he was obviously injured.

In the middle of a group of enemies, he might have been able to persist, but once injured, his battle prowess would drop, and he would not be far from death.

"He's already missed the expectations, but he still should be able to advance to the top 100 rankings."

"Mmm. He's a new disciple after all; it seems four incense sticks is his limit."

The people talked with less expectation and shock in their words than before. When a man repeatedly creates miracles time and time again, those miracles are soon taken for granted.

On the other hand, if he was unable to perform a miracle, even if his result was far superior to others, he might not even receive cheers, but boos instead.

For instance, if Ling Sen's legend of being the top ranked number one was broken, then his position in the eyes of others would fall by several degrees. Even if he was still one of the top masters of the Seven Profound Martial House, his bright halo would already be lost, and people would talk behind his back, saying 'This Ling Sen isn't that great', and other such nonsense.

The incense stick slowly burnt, and when the last weak spark unwillingly turned to ashes, the fifth incense stick was lit.

Four incense sticks had burned out!

At this time in the Ten Thousand Killing Array, Lin Ming had already taken 12 wounds, three of which were wounds to his internal organs. Lin Ming had luckily reached the stage of being able to breathe like a snake, and also had the Perfect first layer of the 'True Prima Chaos Formula' supporting him, otherwise he would have already lost all his battle strength.

"Die!"

Lin Ming's spear swept out at a martial artist's leg, and then he dived forwards and punched the martial artist's chest. To save true essence, he did not use the overwhelming 'Body Tearing Bone Shattering Fist'. Still, a punch with more than 4000 jins of might behind it hit the vital part of the martial artist's heart and caused his heart to stop. The martial artist died while violently spasming on the floor.

At the same time, there was a humongous roar. A giant illusory phantom appeared in the world of the Ten Thousand Killing Array. Lin Ming turned around to look, and a hundred feet away stood a bear-like monster that towered more than ten feet tall. The whole body of this monster was covered in thick black fur, and looking at its massive body, it most likely weighed more than several thousand jins!

"Third-level vicious beast!"

Lin Ming let loose a gasp. Although this giant black bear was only a weak kind of third-level vicious beast, it was still a third-level vicious beast. That meant it was at least equal to a martial artist that had reached the Large Success stage of Bone Forging!

With this kind of vicious beast, Lin Ming could do nothing to it at all with his current strength. Not only that, but with this beast appearing, it meant that later on would appear more martial artists and vicious beasts that would at least be this dangerous!

Lin Ming knew crystal clear that he didn't have much time remaining!

He turned his head again and he saw the black knight that he had battled for several rounds. He lifted his spear and rushed towards it!

True essence concentrated in the entirety of his body. Lin Ming was like a horse racing ahead at full speed. As he ran, all of the tiny units in his body began to breathe in rhythm. Lin Ming's internal true essence began to rapidly vibrate!

Because of the intense vibrations, all of Lin Ming's muscles swelled. He held the spear with an arm that was thicker by several inches, and the blue veins on his arm were bulging. With a ripping sound, the clothes on Lin Ming's body began to tear apart, and all his clothes became tattered and fell off around him. Lin Ming's body was like a shooting star!

The black armored knight lifted his halberd high in the air and cleaved downwards. Facing the cold, dense halberd, Lin Ming did not dodge or evade. He waiting for the split second the halberd came down, and focused true essence into both of his feet. The intense true essence vibrations disintegrated the ground underneath him; with every one of his steps, rocks shattered and came jumping into the air. He had reached the pinnacle of his speed, and then surpassed that! Together with his long spear, he was like a black arrow that flew towards the black armored knight!

"Pah!"

Lin Ming abruptly arrived before the black armored knight before his halberd had fully come down, and thrusted his spear forwards!

"Flood Dragon Goes to Sea!"

The spear from the bottom up pierced the neck of the horse, broke through its armor, and then continued straight through the chest of the black armored knight!

Under the overwhelming vibrations, the black armored knight's armor was broken like thin paper. The cloud vein wrought iron tip of the long spear had pierced all the way through the black armored knight's chest. The savagely potent vibrations were sent into the black armored knight's body, and the knight uncontrollably shook. The knight began to bleed profusely from its head, and then immediately horribly died on the ground. The vibrating true essence had already liquefied all of its internal organs!

However, with that last killing strike towards the black armored knight, Lin Ming had exhausted all of his true essence in a single breath. Even his own muscles could not bear the intensity of the true essence vibration, and he suffered enormous damage to his entire body. It was difficult to even move, as a huge group of vicious beasts rushed at him from all angles. At this point, his battle had ended!

On the Ten Thousand Killing Array's altar, Lin Ming let out a cough. His face whitened and he was sent out.

On the altar, there were still three people in the assessment. The strength of the participants for this month's Ten Thousand Killing Array inspection was on a much higher level than last month's.

"Just a bit over four incense sticks, a tad better than I thought he would do. What's his ranking? Murong Zi said with a smile and a laugh. She turned her eyes over to the Ranking Stone.

"Rank 89 Gu Yu is still not finished on the alter. This Lin Ming was eliminated a step earlier than him. His result should be no more than rank 90."

"Mmm, this result shouldn't be too far…"

The people were in a heated discussion, and they began to focus on the changes in the Ranking Stone. Zhu Yan stood in the middle of these people and turned a deaf ear to their discussions. He was fixated on the Ranking Stone, and his face was like a gloomy black lake.

The scouts sent by the princes also turned their focus to the Ranking Stone. They had come today for this reason. Some of them had even already prepared the sound transmitting talisman.

Most people were looking at the row that listed ranks 90 through 100. But this time, the sixth row of the Ranking Stone had a fluctuation. This simple and minor change was destined to be written down in the history of the Seven Profound Martial House, even in the history of the Sky Fortune Kingdom.

Lin Ming, 62.

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Chapter 89 – The Result That Defies Heaven's Will

"62!?"

"My heavens!"

Under everyone's burning hot gazes, these two simple characters of Lin Ming, inserted in the middle of a row of names, was utterly dazzling!

62!

In his second assessment, he had soared into the top 72 rankings! The Heavenly Abode had 72 people altogether. This meant that Lin Ming's strength already sufficed to enter the Heavenly Abode!

15 years old, entering the Seven Profound Martial House for one month, cultivation of the early Third Stage of Body Transformation, and he had the qualifications to enter the Heavenly Abode!

For the last 100 years, three martial artists had appeared who had entered into the top 100 during their second round of assessment. But if talking about someone who could enter the Heavenly Abode during their second assessment, there had never existed anyone like that!

All of the disciples present, and the scouts sent by the princes, stared wide-eyed at the Ranking Stone. Murong Zi incredulously covered her mouth in disbelief. The scouts were so shocked, they had forgotten to immediately report the results via their sound transmitting talismans.

This defied the heavens' will!

This was an absolutely monstrous genius who surpassed Ling Sen, Ta Ku, and Zhang Guanyu!

"No… it's impossible! He only managed to pass through four incense sticks of time, he should only be past the first 100 rankings, how could his ranking possibly be so high!?" The Heavenly Abode martial artists said. Their rankings were in the 70's and above. With Lin Ming rising into the middle of them, that meant there was the possibility that one of them would be squeezed out of the Heavenly Abode.

"Was there a mistaking in the Ten Thousand Killing Array's Ranking Stone?"

"How could that be possible? It was an illusory magic array engraved by a Xiantian master."

"Even a Xiantian master could make a mistake…" Some people were unconvinced. No one wanted to be kicked out of the Heavenly Abode.

"Shut up, it's impossible for there to be an error in the Ranking Stone. That Lin Ming could kill his way into the top 72 with only four incense sticks of time is because the speed at which he killed his enemies in the Ten Thousand Killing Array is much quicker than martial artists at his level!"

The deacon who was responsible for the Ten Thousand Killing Array spoke up. This person was a graduate of the Seven Profound Martial House and had already broken through to the Pulse Condensation Period. In the Seven Profound Martial House, he was not only a deacon but also an instructor.

Much quicker than martial artists at his level?

Hearing the deacon's judgment, it was as if all the air in the surroundings had been sucked out. In the Ten Thousand Killing Array, the enemies overwhelmed to the point of blotting out the sky. Wave after wave of enemies would come, each wave more formidable than the last. The assessment would cause one to not be able to catch their breath; everyone would try to slow down in order to find an opportunity to restore their true essence. Therefore everyone who entered the Ten Thousand Killing Array would kill enemies at the same time and so their ranking could be judged by how long they took.

If Lin Ming slaughtered at such a speed, then without a doubt he would consume his strength faster, and die faster!

It was just too abnormal!

Murong Zi was still covering her mouth, finding herself at a loss for words. It was only after a moment that she turned to Bai Jingyun and said, "Big Sister Jingyun, you were right… this Lin Ming is simply a farm animal, I don't know what kind of food he was fed growing up…"

She was very clear on the significance of this ranking. Beyond the top 62 rankings, there were about a dozen students who were set to graduate at the end of the year. Even if Lin Ming stayed at the same ranking, he could enter the top 50 at the end of the year. He could even leap past the top 50 rankings!

But how could Lin Ming stay at the same rankings? He might even enter the top 30 by the end of the year and become her own competition!

Bai Jingyun snorted and then smiled, "Little girl, mind your manners. You are just envious of others."

"Humph, why would I envy him? I just have to take things a little more seriously, and then we will see if I am surpassed by him!" Murong Zi raised her small fists. Before now, she had just wanted to play around all the time. Before, at the Dream Trial during the entrance exam, Murong Zi's result was an absolute mess. It was only by taking risk after risk did she cross each hurdle.

"Damnit! Hurry up and report this to his highness the Crown Prince faster! Damn me, this result has really turned me into a blind dog!" The lead detective under the command of the Crown Prince burst out at his group like an exploding chestnut!

"Yes, yes, we will immediately send the report. A little guy whose head had been knocked around hurriedly whispered the information, and then lit the sound transmitting talisman in his hands…

Meanwhile, the followers of the Tenth Prince also burnt their sound transmitting talisman. The man who led them looked at the four Crown Prince's men in the bamboo grove, an evil smile curving on his face.

"What a bunch of idiots. They are still making a futile effort to struggle. Time is on our side, his Highness will inevitably win. What kind of trash can the Crown Prince put out? For this Lin Ming, his Highness has already especially prepared a set of human-step scriptures and a top-quality treasure!"

At this time, the Crown Prince Yang Lin was in the Eastern Palace. He was playing chess with his mentor, Mister Muyi.

"Haha, what was your highness thinking? That chess move was wrong." Muyi smiled as he moved a piece and took another one. Yang Lin's bottom left side of the board had already become a lost cause.

Yang Lin smiled as he shook his head. "Teacher, I have never won playing against you. Whether I lose early or I lose late, the difference is not big."

"Haha, even if you say that your strength is inferior, you cannot lose your backbone or fighting spirit. Chess is like a battlefield, even if your technique is inferior; someone who dies on the battlefield remains a hero as he was before. But if he surrenders and is captured and then killed, it is only a shame."

"Teacher's lesson is wise."

To Muyi, Yang Lin had no superiority as Crown Prince. In the Sky Fortune Kingdom, a middle Houtian stage master was someone that even the emperor had to give three points of respect to. More so because the current government and court were turbulent, Muyi was the most important person that Yang Lin relied on.

"Tell me, what's on your mind?" Muyi asked as he put a pawn down on the board.

Yang Lin said, "I visited my father, the emperor today. His body seems to be worse than before…"

"Mmm…" Muyi thought silently. He knew that if Yang Lin was worried about anything, it was the throne change due to the old emperor's deteriorating condition. He did not have too many forces on his side, and now he had to consider the power and strength of the other princes. The Tenth Prince, the Cloud Prince, was ambitious; he probably would not be willing to stay just a prince. But if comparing the influence in the court, their supporters, and even individual strength, Yang Lin was far from the Cloud Prince. Once a struggle began, he might not come out as the victor.

In the struggles of the throne, once one was defeated, their fate could be imagined. Yang Lin was already the Crown Prince; even if he didn't want to struggle, he had no choice but to do so. Otherwise, he would lose his life! So these days, Yang Lin has been heavy-hearted, and had not dared to show his hand.

Muyi said, "Your highness. I had just said that chess is like a battlefield. You cannot lose your backbone or your fighting spirit. Your highness, if you lack confidence, then the subordinates under your control will also be anxious. These subordinates of yours have already resolved to follow your highness, and have handed over their lives and their families' lives. If your highness loses, then the Cloud Prince will surely show no mercy, and will thoroughly cleanse the government. When that time comes…"

Muyi did not say it, but in all the ancient changes of the throne, they were often accompanied by massacres and the thick smells of blood and death. At those times, things like affection and friendship would all be nothing but a joke.

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Chapter 90 – Cloud Prince

Muyi slowly shook his head. To be fair, Yang Lin was far too kind; his temperament was not suitable to be the head of state. Although the charming stories from ancient times had told of many benevolent emperors who ruled their counties, that benevolence was only a single facet of their character. For instance, they would show one side to the officials, one side to the common people, and one side to their enemies. They would not be lenient or relent when it came to killing. Those who were too friendly and passive were not suited to be rulers.

Yang Lin said, "In the current Seven Profound Martial House ranking war, there appears to be some talent participating in the assessment. I sent Zishan and the others over because I wanted to win him over, but… I'm not entertaining any hope. My tenth younger brother has been at the battlefield in all directions for many years. He has captured the aristocrats of many neighboring countries and acquired massive amounts of wealth, jewelry, beautiful women, and cultivation method manuals… especially the rare cultivation manuals, these are particularly tempting to martial artists. I don't think that I can offer anything comparable to what my tenth younger brother can."

When the world was at peace, everyone would come to one for advantages, but when the world was in turmoil, one had to go to others for advantages. If a ruler wanted to win over talents, they needed to give corresponding rewards. Therefore, a prince's wealth was also an important standard of their strength. Otherwise if you could not put out anything valuable, why would anyone die for them?

"Oh? Talent? Who?" Muyi's heart moved. He already had a faint guess.

"Lin Ming, 15 years old. This time he might enter the top 100 rankings in the Seven Profound Martial House."

"Lin Ming?" Muyi smiled. "Your highness please rest assured, Lin Ming will not be won over by the Tenth Prince."

"Oh? Why do you say this?"

"Little Brother Lin and I are friends between generations. Moreover his background is a bit mysterious; he has a formidable master behind him. He only went to the Seven Profound Martial House for some exercise and experiences. Even if the Cloud Prince were to put out some good cultivation method, it may not even be seen in Lin Ming's eyes. And also… does your highness remember one month ago when I asked your highness to help rescue a friend? This was at the start of fall and was also the same day as the Seven Profound Martial House entrance exam. He was framed and almost put in prison…"

"What… the… Teacher, do you mean to tell me that it was Lin Ming?" Yang Lin was quick thinking, he immediately understood what Muyi wanted to say.

"Haha, yes, he was Lin Ming. Although I do not have much contact with little brother Lin, but I can tell you that I feel he is a very righteous and good person. Although at that time your highness Crown Prince's help wasn't much, Lin Ming should remember this kindness. Although Your Highness might not win him over, he also will not become a subordinate of the Cloud Prince and oppose Your Highness."

"This, this is really a pleasant surprise."

The Crown Prince lit up with an happy expression. Although the emperor's body was getting worse every year, but under the care of precious medicines and the physicians' martial arts conditioning, it would not be a problem to live 5 or 6 years, or even 7 to 8 years more. Such a long time was already enough for a talent to grow.

Although there were quite a few Pulse Condensation martial artists in the Sky Fortune Kingdom, most of them were gathered at the Seven Profound Martial House. Others were bestowed titles by the government, and were basically in the military.

The ones who could be utilized by the princes were less and less, because few people wished to wade into the turbulent waters of the throne change. Once they made a mistake and bet on the wrong horse, they would be beyond redemption!

On Yang Lin's side, not calculating Muyi, there was only a single Pulse Condensation martial artist, who was already over 50 years old. But looking at the Seven Profound Martial House, there was Ling Sen, whose cultivation was already at the peak Fourth Stage of Body Transformation, and whose true combat strength approached the Pulse Condensation Period!

Give him a few years, and he could also reach that stage!

This Lin Ming could become the next Ling Sen!

Lin Ming was a reputed rare talent at the Seven Profound Martial House that would only appear every few dozen years. If he decided to join a side, the power and influence he would gain would increase a step.

Therefore this competition for Lin Ming, although it appeared to be minor, was actually very significant!

At this time, a red flame lit up in front of Yang Lin.

Pure gold! An urgent sound transmitting talisman!

"Your highness, Lin Ming's result is in. His ranking is 62!"

"What!?" Yang Lin stood up on the spot. 62!!!

As the Crown Prince, he knew what it meant to achieve a ranking of 62 on the second assessment! Even Ling Sen was inferior to this!

Ling Sen was already an abnormal existence. With his cultivation of peak Fourth Stage of Body Transformation, he was able to approach the strength of the Pulse Condensation Period, and this Lin Ming was even more aberrant!

He immediately sent out another sound transmitting talisman. Although he knew that it was impossible for Zishan and the others to make such a huge mistake, he had to confirm this matter.

"How is it?" The sound transmitting talisman sends the sound directly to the receiver's mind. Muyi had not heard anything.

Yang Lin took a deep breath and said, "Teacher, this Lin Ming's result was rank 62."

"What? 62?" Muyi was slightly perturbed for a moment but immediately relaxed. Of course, since Lin Ming was the disciple chosen by such a great master, how could he be a small fish in a pond? Ling Sen, Ta Ku, and others like them could be considered talents in the Sky Fortune Kingdom, but if compared to the disciples of the large sects that were taught by the highest masters, they were far worse.

Even if Lin Ming was able to reach rank 62 on his first assessment, it would not be an exaggeration!

Muyi believed that since Lin Ming had an extraordinary master behind him, then he must have a surprisingly good ability. Even if Lin Ming were to defeat Ling Sen in a few more months, Muyi at most would be astonished for a brief moment, and then also believe that this was normal.

While Yang Lin received the sound transmitting talisman, the Tenth Prince also received one. The Tenth Prince did not care much for Lin Ming's strength, as he had many more masters under him than the Crown Prince did. What he cared about was Lin Ming's influence. Lin Ming was the eye of the storm in the Sky Fortune Capital City and a rising star in the martial artist circles. His talent was to the degree that it could only be found every few dozen years in the Seven Profound Martial House!

If such a character were to join him, then without a doubt his subordinates' morale would greatly increase. There were even more people who were waiting to see the situation before thinking of joining him. If Lin Ming were to join, it would no doubt be easier.

But now, after hearing the news from the sound transmitting talisman, the Tenth Prince's complexion immediately changed.

To enter the Seven Profound Martial House for only one month and for this to only be his second assessment, and also to only have cultivation at the early Third Stage of Body Transformation, yet he was still able to reach rank 62 on the Ranking Stone!

This ranking had completely outstripped Ling Sen!

The Seven Profound Martial House had never had a record like this for a hundred years!

For one to be able to advance into the Seven Profound Martial House's Heavenly Abode with just a peak Third Stage of Body Transformation could be considered a talent among talents if they managed to reach around rank 70. But Lin Ming had actually reached rank 62! And his cultivation was a full half-step lower! This was simply a monstrous genius!

It was possible that Lin Ming would become a master who far exceeded Ling Sen! Disregarding the considerable influence he would have in pulling other martial artists over to his side, his combat prowess was enough to give the Tenth Prince a shock!

Don't forget, Lin Ming was only 15 years old and his cultivation was at the early Third Stage of Body Transformation; there was immense room for improvement!

"Haha, the heavens help me! As soon as this rare talent that hasn't been seen in a hundred years of the Seven Profound Martial House joins me, then the martial artists of Sky Fortune City will hear this and come shaking in their boots to join me!

"Your Highness, any orders?"

"Prepare 50,000 gold taels immediately, two boxes of the finest jewelry, a dozen of the finest outstanding virgin beauties under 16 years of age, a hundred servants, and have them wait at Chunyuan Mountain Villa. Also, prepare 500 acres of fertile farmland and the title deed of Chunyuan Mountain Villa!"

The man heard this and was secretly scared. Such rewards, was he for real!? Who was this for!? A villa, 50,000 gold taels, and two boxes of the finest jewelry were more than enough to win over a general!

The Tenth Prince was positive that he had this. In fact, he also had a secondary reward that gave him the most confidence. It was a set of rare human-step manuals that he had looted from an aristocratic family. With this, he had won over many martial artists.

"Yang Lin, Yang Lin, you will lose to me. What you can put out is not even a tenth of what I can. I want to see how you will struggle when you are fully pressured by me. I don't need that old fogy to die; I will make the first move and catch you off guard!"

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