Yuan’s Ascension

These past couple of days, I've been constantly on the move, leaving me with little time to cultivate properly. Wu Yuan coaxed the blood-red mist with his consciousness, merging it seamlessly into his muscles, tendons, skin, bones, and every drop of blood.

How comfortable. The last time Wu Yuan felt the blood-red mist assimilate into his body was when he first unlocked his upper dantian lobe. At that time, he was in a semi-conscious state, and the quantity of blood-red mist was scarce. It couldn't compare to the clarity and intensity he was experiencing now.

From start to finish, Wu Yuan's strength did not seem to undergo significant improvements, but the peculiar changes in his body left him feeling increasingly comfortable and brimming with vitality. His cells were metamorphosing, his DNA continuously evolving! It was just like hammering a piece of iron over and over again. Although its weight remained unchanged, there was a qualitative improvement.

Most importantly, even as the blood-red mist surrounding the black pagoda seeped into his body, Wu Yuan felt no exhaustion or pain.

After a long time, Wu Yuan expelled a long breath and stood up. I’ve absorbed all of the blood-red mist around the black pagoda in one go? This body of his was like a gluttonous beast, ravenously absorbing the blood-red mist until there was none left!

In a few hours, my physical strength has increased by about 500 catties!

Wu Yuan lightly clenched his fist, his sinews exerting force. He could accurately gauge his strength. The blood-red mist did not directly enhance his physical strength, but the optimization of his genes still elevated it indirectly. Now, he could deliver a force of 34,000 catties with a single punch!

Second-grade martial artists, also known as Savant experts, require a minimum single-arm strength of 100,000 catties. Now, if I employ Threefold Power Surge, I will be able to surpass this threshold.

But Wu Yuan knew better. Using such a measure to judge a martial artist's true strength was grossly inaccurate. During the ambush on the boat a few days ago, both Gu Ji and the sword-wielding assassin, who were merely first-rate Adepts, easily unleashed attacks surpassing 100,000 catties in force. This was because cultivating to the third and second grades signified that the body was honed to an advanced level, and such martial artists typically mastered the Power Surge technique.

As one's physicality became stronger, martial skills began to play an increasingly significant role in bolstering overall strength. And the higher one's cultivation grade, the more remarkable the enhancement.

Thus, Wu Yuan was confident that he could defeat the majority of first-rate Adepts. But if he were to encounter a Savant expert, he would need to be careful. Regardless of how competent Wu Yuan was in martial skills, getting struck by 400,000-500,000 catties of force in a moment of carelessness meant getting pulverized into meat paste.

As for Land Rankers? As humans who have reached their biological limits, their martial skills were at least at the Rigid Yet Supple stage. Such powerhouses could burst forth with power far beyond that of a Savant expert.

Even if Wu Yuan's martial skills were slightly superior to a Land Ranker, a single blow from them would be enough to end his life. There was a simple reason for that: the gap in strength was simply too massive. This was also why Wu Yuan was trying to keep as low a profile as possible. He was still too weak, he could not afford to be arrogant just yet.

The blood-red mist is almost exhausted, but my body can still evolve. I must find a solution. A cold glint passed through Wu Yuan's eyes.

Collecting his thoughts, Wu Yuan pulled out a green jade vial from his bundle and swiftly dissolved the remaining drops of spiritual liquid into the water.

The blood-red mist amplifies potential. As for direct enhancement of physical strength, natural treasures like the spiritual liquid are required. Wu Yuan lifted the basin, downing its contents in a single gulp. Originally, I had thought that the remaining spiritual liquid would suffice for a month, maybe two, of cultivation. Yet, to my surprise, I have consumed it all within just ten days.

As the spiritual liquid entered his stomach, a surge of energy erupted forth.

Continue. Wu Yuan resumed practicing the Tiger Leopard Bone Training Technique.

With each rigorous movement, his musculoskeletal system received a profound stimulation, permeating even his innermost organs. Having experienced an increase in its biological limits, his musculoskeletal system greedily absorbed the pure energy under such stimulation.

Wu Yuan's physical constitution continued to improve.

...

East Cloudhill, Southdream City.

As the heart of the Cloudstride Sect in Southdream Province, the vantage point from the mountain granted a sweeping view of the entirety of Southdream City.

Even during the darkest hours of the night, the city remained aglow, its streets teeming with soldiers dutifully patrolling the area. Occasionally, sect disciples could be spotted coming and going.

Within a grand hall nestled on the mountainside, all was quiet.

Gu Ji sat here, eyes shut in meditation.

Creak~ The door swung open, admitting a square-faced man adorned in a black robe with a scroll in his hand.

"Brother Gu, my apologies for the delay," the man in black robes greeted with a smile.

"No need for apologies." Gu Ji's eyes flickered open, his countenance as stoic as ever.

The black-robed figure appeared unperturbed by the darkness around him, seemingly accustomed to it.

"Division Head Luo, how is the situation?" Gu Ji cut right to the chase.

Division Head – those who heard the title would immediately understand the status of this black-robed figure. His standing was as high as the governor of a province.

"In recent days, I have been in communication with the governor, the provincial general, and my fellow division heads. Thorough investigations have been carried out," the black-robed man began. Through the Starcom Consortium, we have confirmed the identity of the assassin - Luo Fu, a first-rate Adept from the Wingborne Sect."

"Luo Fu?" Gu Ji's brows furrowed almost imperceptibly. "The same Luo Fu from the Luo family of Luohuang Province?" He was knowledgeable about the major powers of the world, particularly regarding formidable adversaries of the Cloudstride Sect, which he knew inside and out.

"Yes," the black-robed figure nodded. "As an individual, Luo Fu is not particularly noteworthy. But his uncle, Luo Beixiong, is someone we need to watch out for. He cherishes his nephew very much, and it would not be surprising if he reacts impulsively upon learning of this."

"The Savant expert Luo Beixiong?" Gu Ji felt a hint of pressure weighing on him. While he had confidence in his own abilities, he was well aware of the terror that came with facing a Savant expert - those who possessed the qualifications to be classified among the upper grades of martial artists across the world.

"What does the sect think about this?" Gu Ji inquired.

"I have reported the situation to the sect headquarters and sought guidance from Senior Dong," the black-robed man replied. "But as you know, there are only a limited number of Savant experts in our sect, and each has their own responsibilities to attend to."

Senior Dong was the Savant expert stationed in Southdream Province, the nominal person in charge of the region.

"Unless the Hierarchs intervene, whether Senior Dong is willing to help will depend entirely on his mood," the black-robed man added with a tinge of helplessness.

Gu Ji nodded in understanding. As long as they were only anticipating Luo Beixiong's arrival without concrete evidence, the sect might not immediately dispatch a Savant expert.

"Of course, you need not worry too much," the figure in black reassured him. "The likelihood of Luo Beixiong launching a frontal attack is very low!"

"An overt attack by a Savant expert would mean a total breakdown in relations between the two sects. Following such an event, the Hierarchs would no longer remain idle spectators," the robed man asserted.

For a moment, Gu Ji fell into a contemplative silence.

Following such an event? By the time the attack commenced, it would be too late. What good would the Cloudstride Sect's revenge do then? By that point, Wu Yuan would likely be long dead.

"What is the other matter?" Gu Ji asked.

"That's what I would like to know." The middle-aged man expressed his doubts, "Was that throwing knife truly from a stealth weapons expert? I have made inquiries and it appears that none of the other four halls in my Southdream Province have dispatched such an expert for protection."

"No one?" Gu Ji was taken aback.

"It's impossible for me to be unable to find out who it is, unless the person was sent directly from the sect headquarters." The robed middle-aged man said solemnly.

Gu Ji fell silent for a while before responding slowly, "I don't know about the rest. But I can confirm that there was indeed a stealth weapons expert assisting us then. And I suspect that this expert is at the Savant level!"

"Savant expert?" Now it was the black-robed man's turn to be surprised, "You didn't mention that before."

"This is merely a guess. The expert's skill with stealth weapons is at the first-rate Adept level," Gu Ji shook his head. "But their ability to conceal themselves is terrifying."

"From beginning to end, I did not even catch a glimpse of them, let alone notice their presence," Gu Ji continued. "If they intended to kill me, I believe it would not have been a challenging task."

"I didn't dare openly search for them during the journey, for fear of offending this mysterious expert."

The middle-aged man drew in a sharp breath. So formidable? He knew very well that Gu Ji's strength surpassed that of the average first-rate Adept. It was indeed likely that someone who could instill such fear in Gu Ji was a Savant expert.

"Alright, I shall depart first." Gu Ji stood up and stated. "Division Head Luo, I will leave the decision to include this stealth weapons expert in the report at your discretion. I will personally inform the hall master upon my return to the sect."

"Mm," the middle-aged man nodded.

The doors of the hall flew open, and like a whisper, Gu Ji vanished into thin air. The black-robed man gazed at the dimly lit trees outside the hall, lost in thought.

Is he truly protected by a Savant expert? Which sect senior is it? How much emphasis does the sect place on this Wu Yuan?

Suddenly, he remembered something important. Nearly slipped my mind. I should warn Wu Mao not to pressure Wu Yuan too much.

…

As the first rays of dawn painted the sky, Wu Yuan descended the stairs, feeling rejuvenated. He had spent the night immersed in diligent practice, and slept deeply for two hours.

"Young Master." Gu Ji came to greet him.

"Uncle Ji, you've worked hard." Wu Yuan said with a look of apology on his face, as though oblivious that Gu Ji had been gone for several hours.

"It's my duty." Gu Ji said. "Young Master, the sect has completed its investigation into the assassination attempt on your life. Division Head Luo personally delivered the findings."

"Division Head Luo?" Wu Yuan seemed a bit surprised. In recent days, his interactions with Wu Xiong and Gu Ji had granted him a glimpse into the inner workings of the Cloudstride Sect’s upper echelons.

The Cloudstride Sect was divided into five halls: the Instruction Hall, Inspection Hall, Military Hall, Finance Hall, and Civil Hall. Within each hall, the hall master commanded the highest authority, followed by the deputy hall master.

Following them in the hierarchy were the division heads. Each hall generally consisted of three division heads, each responsible for the affairs of an entire province.

The division heads of the Military Hall were also the provincial generals, each commanding the entire army of a province. The division heads of the Civil Hall served as the provincial governors, managing all administrative duties of their respective provinces. Each division head of the Instruction Hall was the headmaster of a tertiary martial academy. As for the division heads of the Inspection Hall and the Finance Hall? They did not have such fixed roles.

The Division Head Luo that Gu Ji spoke of was the highest-ranked personnel of the Finance Hall in the Southdream Province.

"This is the relevant information, please take a look, Young Master." Gu Ji handed over the scroll.

Wu Yuan reached out and took it, flipping through it quickly. Soon, he had a clear understanding of the situation and closed the scroll.

"A first-rate Adept, Luo Fu? Luohuang Province?" Wu Yuan softly pondered aloud, "What we should be worried about now is his uncle, Luo Beixiong?"

"You are correct, Young Master. Logically, Luo Beixiong should direct his fury over Luo Fu's death to the Cloudstride Sect." Gu Ji nodded. "Common sense tells us that Luo Beixiong wouldn't dare wreak havoc in the Cloudstride Sect's territory. But his only heir is dead, who knows if he’ll go mad?"

Wu Yuan slowly nodded. Theoretically, someone who had command over a province's military power wouldn't act rashly. But people were unpredictable. How mighty were the emperors of the Han Dynasty and the Ming Dynasty during the ancient eras of the Blue Planet? But after their most valued heirs died, their subsequent actions veered on the brink of lunacy. No human could maintain rationality and composure at all times. Only a machine could do that.

"Uncle Ji, what's your take on this?" Wu Yuan asked.

"For safety's sake, after verifying your abilities at the Southdream Martial Academy, it's best that you do not return to Li City, but proceed directly to the sect headquarters." Gu Ji suggested.

Whysee's Thoughts

For reference:

Nine Grades Of Martial Artists In The Middle Land

Raw Physical Strength (single-arm)

ninth-grade

low-tier martial novice

1000 catties

eighth-grade

mid-tier martial novice

2000 catties

seventh-grade

high-tier martial novice

4000 catties

sixth-grade

martial virtuoso

10,000 catties

fifth-grade

third-rate Adept

20,000 catties

fourth-grade

second-rate Adept

30,000 catties

third-grade

first-rate Adept

50,000 catties

second-grade

Savant expert

100,000 catties

first-grade, reach human biological limit

Grandmaster/ Land Ranker

200,000 catties