Yuan’s Ascension

Within the hall.

"Innocent, and even earn merit?" Liu Ye pondered the general's words.

"Yuanhu Villa is merely a force that Old Yuanhu established, taking advantage of the collapse of the Chu-Jiang Empire. With this force, he unified the Yuanhu Province for just over ten years. But its foundation is weak, far from comparable to our Cloudstride Sect," General Xu stated. As a senior official and a core disciple, he was very clear about the situation in the Jiang Continent, though he couldn't say the same for the overall situation in the Middle Land.

"Old Yuanhu has recruited some experts over the years. However, their numbers are limited, and he's not one to readily place his trust in others. The sole individuals he confides in and truly cherishes are his five direct disciples," General Xu murmured softly.

"According to what we've learned from interrogating the remnants of the Vicious Tiger Gang, the martial arts expert who last faced the mysterious spearman was dressed in beast hide and wielded twin hammers. He should be none other than Old Yuanhu's youngest direct disciple, Beast Mountain Hammer Ming Lie!" General Xu said with certainty.

"First-rate Adept, Ming Lie? I heard that he has yet to reach 30, and is acknowledged as the top genius of Yuanhu Villa!" Liu Ye exclaimed, "He was here?"

First-rate Adepts were few and far between. There were no true first-rate Adepts living in Li City. But at the provincial level, there were quite a few first-rate Adepts.

Beast Mountain Hammer Ming Lie was a famous first-rate Adept in the Jiang Continent for one simple reason - his youth! Being young meant having infinite possibilities.

"There's a 90% chance it's him. This Beast Mountain Hammer must have a special reason for appearing here out of the blue," General Xu said, "Investigate! Mobilize all forces, get to the bottom of it."

"From the time Jiang Dongque and the others jointly lodge the complaint, to the news reaching our sect, and then our sect sending a team here to investigate the matter, it will take at least a month. In five days, if we still can't find anything, compile all the clues and report them to the sect. It will also be considered a meritorious deed," General Xu said.

"Indeed," Liu Ye affirmed. He had been a follower of Xu Shouyi from a young age, demonstrating unwavering loyalty and thus gaining his utmost trust.

...

The Jiang Continent, a confluence of countless rivers, spanned thousands of miles and boasted a population of hundreds of millions. Despite enduring unending turmoil over thousands of years, it had maintained a structure of sixteen provinces.

Yuanhu Province was the southernmost province of the Jiang Continent, situated at the junction of three continents, the other two being the Chu Continent and the Dong Continent.

When the Chu-Jiang Empire first collapsed, the region was plunged into chaos for over a decade. Only about ten years ago, when Old Yuanhu established Yuanhu Villa, did stability finally return.

The headquarters of Yuanhu Villa was located beside the 600-li-wide Yuanhu Lake, nestled against the backdrop of Yuanhu Mountain. It boasted layers of towering pavilions and ancient trees reaching high into the sky, occupying a broad expanse of land. Numerous disciples could be seen refining their skills on a variety of training grounds, a sight that showed off the splendor of a great martial sect.

The grand hall at the highest point of the villa stood majestic and vast. Its decor was simple yet elegant. But today, there were no disciples guarding it.

In the middle of the hall, a one-armed man was kneeling, his head bowed low to the ground. An invisible aura enveloped the entire grand hall.

"You lost the Chu-Jiang Token just like that?" echoed a cold voice in the grand hall, "Ming Lie, you have truly disappointed me."

At the front of the hall stood a man with black hair. He was dressed in a wide red robe and had a lean face, dark skin, and narrow eyes. His demeanor radiated a sense of cold indifference. Most notably, his left eye appeared cloudy, a clear sign of blindness.

He was Old Yuanhu, the master of Yuanhu Villa and the ruler of millions in Yuanhu Province!

"I beg your forgiveness, Master!" Ming Lie bowed his head, sweat trickling down his face.

"Did you recognize the expert you fought?" Old Yuanhu's voice was still cold.

"I could not,” Ming Lie bowed his head, “He wore a bronze mask, first wielding a spear, then a saber. His moves were strange and unfamiliar. I truly could not recognize him."

"I can confirm that his physical constitution wasn't strong, only around the fifth grade. However, his martial skills were quite formidable. He invoked Power Surge repeatedly as if he was not restricted by any physical limits, I believe he has reached the Rigid Yet Supple stage.” Ming Lie stated solemnly.

"Rigid Yet Supple?" Old Yuanhu had maintained his composure until those words reached his ears. In an instant, a cold gleam passed through his eyes. .

"A fifth-grade physical constitution, but at the Rigid Yet Supple stage? Ming Lie!” Old Yuanhu's gaze turned icy, and a bone-chilling aura enveloped the grand hall, “Over the twenty years I've taught you, when did I ever teach you to deceive your master?”

A chill ran down Ming Lie's spine, causing him to shudder involuntarily. “Master, I am puzzled too. But I've spoken nothing but the truth. I dare not deceive you.” Ming Lie gritted his teeth, his head lowered.

Old Yuanhu looked down at Ming Lie. His fingertips danced on his prayer beads, seemingly lost in thought. A strange pressure filled the grand hall, making it difficult for Ming Lie to catch his breath.

Just as he was on the verge of collapsing, Old Yuanhu finally spoke, “Ming Lie, this time, I choose to believe you.” His voice softened slightly.

"Thank you, master.” Ming Lie, having been pardoned, bowed repeatedly.

"Transcribe everything you have said today, and send it to me.” Old Yuanhu calmly instructed.

"Yes, I understand,” Ming Lie nodded continuously.

This was a customary practice at Yuanhu Villa.

"The loss of the Chu-Jiang Token is a minor matter. What's truly pitiful is the loss of your arm,” Old Yuanhu's gaze fell upon Ming Lie's severed arm.

"I have let you down, Master,” Ming Lie hung his head, his eyes filled with resentment and unwillingness.

In the practice of martial arts, the loss of an arm would greatly affect the musculoskeletal system of the rest of the body. Forget stepping into a higher grade, even maintaining one's current strength would be extremely difficult! His lifespan would also be affected, and in life-and-death battles, he would expose more fatal flaws!

"Fortune and misfortune are closely entwined in martial arts cultivation," Old Yuanhu slowly said, "300 years ago, there was a Land Ranker called Song Bo, who lost an arm in battle. After 30 years of hard work, he crafted the One-Armed Immortal Blade and became a Heavenly Ranker, shaking the world!"

"It’s unfortunate that you’ve lost an arm. But you're still young, not even 30 years old. If you focus on your martial path, I see no reason why you can't reach my level in the future." Old Yuanhu solemnly said, “You must not wallow in despair, do you understand?”

"I will heed your words and not disappoint you, Master," Ming Lie promised.

"Mm, you may leave," Old Yuanhu dismissed him.

Ming Lie rose with difficulty. He had yet to heal from his injuries, and blood was still visible at the site of his amputation. He bowed, then slowly exited the grand hall.

Not long after, two figures entered the grand hall, one tall, one short. The taller one was clad in a white robe and appeared quite refined. The shorter one was clad in iron armor, his muscles bulging, resembling a gigantic iron ball.

"Master," the two bowed simultaneously.

"Your junior brother found a Chu-Jiang Token in the Li County of Southdream Province. However, it was stolen from him, and he lost an arm," Old Yuanhu informed them in a cold voice.

"The Chu-Jiang Token?" The refined man in the white robe was startled.

"Our younger brother lost an arm?" The shorter, muscular man was equally shocked.

Their initial reactions to the news were completely different.

"In a while, your younger brother will write up a report detailing the incident. Read it carefully," Old Yuanhu instructed.

"Understood," the two disciples replied in unison.

"Tang Ru, head to Li City with some of your elites for a covert investigation. If you find traces of the Chu-Jiang Token, you must retrieve it," Old Yuanhu looked at the refined man in the white robe.

"Disciple understands," the man in white robes answered.

"Zhu Shan, lead your elites and scour the area in a 500-li radius around Li City. Look for traces of the Chu-Jiang Token," commanded Old Yuanhu.

"Yes," acknowledged the stout, portly man, cupping his fists.

"Remember," Old Yuanhu's gaze swept over his two disciples, "This matter is of great importance. The Cloudstride Sect may discover traces as well and send their experts. Avoid conflict with them if possible, and operate discreetly."

"But if you confirm the location of the Chu-Jiang Token, acquire it at all costs," Old Yuanhu stated, "Afterwards, I'll provide an explanation to the Cloudstride Sect myself."

"Yes," the two disciples acknowledged their instructions with resolute hearts. With their master's backing, their worries were greatly alleviated.

The Cloudstride Sect controlled three provinces and was much stronger than Yuanhu Villa. But with the Great Jin Empire watching them like a tiger, neither would risk starting a war.

...

Six days passed.

In a small courtyard house at the southern end of Li City.

Apart from two trips home to assure his family of his safety, Wu Yuan spent all his time in this courtyard house, fully dedicated to practicing the Tiger Leopard Bone Training Technique. As the quantity of liquid in the jade vial dwindled, Wu Yuan's physical constitution transformed at an unimaginable speed.

His arms supported his weight as sweat covered his body, a faint mist shrouding his figure. Exerting a slight force on his fingertips, Wu Yuan landed silently like a nimble cat. His pores tightened, and he stripped off his soaked shirt to wipe himself with a towel, revealing perfectly chiseled muscles.

Wu Yuan's muscular frame was not overly exaggerated, but instead visually harmonious. It gave one a sense of perfection.

If something gives off a sense of beauty or harmony, it means it is done correctly. Wu Yuan understood this well.

If he overtrained a single muscle or bone, causing it to grow disproportionately large, it might not be beneficial, and instead disrupt the unity of the whole.

In just six days, my physical constitution has increased by more than 50%, reaching its current limit. Any further enhancement would merely be pulling up the seedlings to 'help' them grow [1]. Wu Yuan could distinctly feel the transformation in his musculoskeletal system.

This was unlike training as an adult. Children and teenagers had to cultivate gradually, focusing on nurturing and stimulating their growth. Chasing power blindly would only lead to setbacks.

Some martial artists begin straining their bodies at the age of seven or eight. This affects their subsequent development and they can't grow tall! Wu Yuan walked to one end of the courtyard.

Your growth is stunted despite martial training? It just means you're not training correctly.

This body is only fourteen years old. I've been diligently working on my physical constitution over the past few days with the liquid from the jade vial. However, I'm not only concentrating on building my physical strength; I'm also addressing past deficiencies and nurturing my body. I'm establishing a solid foundation for the coming years of growth. The path of cultivation requires a step-by-step approach.

I still have four more years of rapid physical development! By adhering to the natural laws of heaven and earth, allowing my body to progress, and pushing it to its limits at each stage, my physical condition will naturally continue to improve. Eventually, I may achieve a state I once deemed impossible. At least, the current me has already surpassed my former self!

Wu Yuan clenched his fist and swung a punch. The power in his limbs converged, and the casual punch made the air explode with a bang.

Wu Yuan's one-arm strength surpassed 30,000 catties. In the Human Federation, that would make him the top Grandmaster! If he were to use Threefold Power Surge, that would be 100,000 catties of force.

If I encounter that mysterious expert at Ninecloud Mountain again? Wu Yuan grinned.

I can slay him within three moves!

1. idiom: a farmer was wondering how to make his crops grow quicker. He came up with the idea of pulling them up, and indeed they appeared to have grown taller. Later, his son came to the field and saw that the crops had all died. ?