Chapter 9: New Cultivation, Combat and Body Techniques, Ten Thousand Divine Tribulations Move!

Watching the young man leave, Yao Ye's expression was complex, filled with anticipation, support, and a hint of indiscernible disappointment.

"Grandpa Tian, he won't disappoint us, right?"

A figure emerged from the shadows, and Jia Xingtian smiled confidently as he replied, "He won't."

"When I first met him, this kid was very introverted, hardly communicating with anyone. After coming to the imperial city, he has changed a lot. He has become more polite, more mature, and treats everyone kindly. But deep down, he still prefers solitude and hasn't formed a deep bond with anyone, including you, his sister. He hasn't truly acknowledged anyone in his heart."

"A person like him, who can initiate jokes with you today, is enough to show that he genuinely accepts you from the bottom of his heart. That's sufficient. Let nature take its course. There's no need to forcefully pursue more. With him around, even if one day the old man here is gone, the imperial family will remain as stable as a mountain."

"Of course, my dear Yao, you're all grown up now, and it's time for you to consider marriage. If you can have a result with him, this old man would be pleased as well. Haha."

Yao Ye rolled her eyes at this disrespectful grandpa. Although she was young, she was incredibly clear-headed.

Shaking her head slightly, she rejected, "No, things are fine the way they are now."

If Chen Guan really had special feelings for her, he wouldn't have joked about calling her 'mother.' Wouldn't it be better if he made a more serious commitment?

The astute girl perceived his attitude from his words, so she trusted her own judgment.

Unless, that boy is perverted.

Two flowers bloom, each on its own branch. On the other side, Chen Guan had already returned to his own room.

Locking the door, Chen Guan temporarily ignored the additional training resources that Yao Ye had given him. He took out three scrolls from his storage ring and spread them out on the table.

[Intermediate Profound-level cultivation technique - "Supreme Heavenly Heart Refining Technique."] [Intermediate Profound-level combat technique - "Thousand Flame Sword Technique."] [Intermediate Profound-level body technique - "Cloud-Walking Steps."]

There was no doubt that they were all excellent items. These were carefully selected from nearly a hundred cultivation techniques and combat techniques, and if placed in the Wutan City, they would likely cause a fierce battle among the three major families.

This gave a glimpse of the empire's heritage.

Moreover, Chen Guan was certain that the royal family must have even higher-level cultivation techniques and combat techniques, but those were kept as closely guarded secrets.

To be able to obtain intermediate Profound-level techniques was already a sincere gesture from the royal family, and it would be enough for him to use in the short term.

There was not much to say about the "Supreme Heavenly Heart Refining Technique." It sounded grand, but it was overestimating itself if it claimed to refine one's heart to a supreme level.

The "Cloud-Walking Steps" was a great companion for daily travel and killing. After mastering it, Chen Guan's combat power and survival ability would definitely soar.

As the Immortal Cloud Evil Supreme Heaven Opening True Jade God had said, in the world of martial arts, only speed matters. This saying also applied here.

As for the "Thousand Flame Sword Technique," it was Chen Guan's favorite.

Although it was incomplete, with only three moves, it was enough to rival an intermediate Profound-level technique. This showed its value.

What made it even more remarkable was its versatile ability.

The first move, Fleeting Brilliance, was described in a fancy manner in the booklet. But in Chen Guan's eyes, it was a unique technique similar to the Gathering of a Thousand Swords. It could gather countless sword energies behind him and launch an area-of-effect attack, a typical AOE skill with wide-ranging damage.

The only drawback was that its attack power was not very high.

With this move, Mommy doesn't have to worry about me being ganged up on anymore, especially when facing weaker opponents. One skill can clear out a large group.

The number of condensed sword energies depended on one's strength.

The second move, Boundless Vast Sea, was a 1v1 divine skill. It unleashed attacks like surging waves, one strike after another, with each wave stronger than the previous. In theory, as long as one's Qi was not exhausted, it could reach up to thirty-three waves.

This move is somewhat similar to Xiao Yan's Eight Extreme Blasts, but unfortunately, it doesn't come with Dark Qi.

The third move, Ten Thousand Divine Tribulations, condenses a pair of sword wings behind the back. When unleashed, it allows for a brief moment of fleeting flight, with extremely fast speed. The sword wings are exceptionally sharp, and if used unexpectedly, they can produce remarkable effects.

As is well known, without flight combat techniques, only Dou Kings can transform their Dou Qi into wings. This ability makes it extremely difficult for Dou Spirits to surpass their rank and kill Dou Kings. Many geniuses used to be able to easily defeat higher-ranked opponents, but once they reached the Dou King level, they couldn't. The ability to transform Dou Qi into wings was a major reason for this.

However, if one masters the Ten Thousand Divine Tribulations, it becomes different. A Dou Spirit suddenly strikes, and it is not impossible to assassinate a Dou King.

Chen Guan's eyes burned with excitement and excitement. He couldn't wait to learn it and even pinched himself hard to calm down.

With the small amount of Dou Qi in his body, he probably wouldn't be able to condense sword wings, let alone sword energy.

The current priority was to proceed step by step, refine his cultivation technique, and elevate his strength. This way, he wouldn't embarrass himself during the process and become a fool on the spot.

Putting away the body technique and combat technique, Chen Guan carefully read and memorized the meridian circulation and hand seals in the Supreme Heavenly Heart Refining Technique. Only when he thoroughly understood them did he assume a cross-legged position and begin practicing the hand seals.

After making the initial changes, Chen Guan clearly felt the difference between the Profound and Yellow stages. The speed of absorbing and refining Dou Qi had more than doubled compared to before.

After completing one cycle, Chen Guan stopped and took out a high-grade Qi Pill, a special medicine provided by the royal family to assist in cultivation at the Dou Practitioner stage. He swallowed it, and the speed of his cultivation accelerated even more. The joy of taking pills was beyond the imagination of ordinary people, immersing one in it uncontrollably.

One month later.

Inside a single room, accompanied by a muffled sound of "boom," the young man sitting cross-legged opened his eyes. He felt the abundant Dou Qi in his body, unable to conceal the joy on his face.

"I've reached the Four-Star Dou Practitioner level. It's about the time I predicted. Today seems to be the day of the five-year test. Well, it's good to go out and get some fresh air."

The martial arts practice field was particularly lively today. Almost everyone from Chen Guan's batch had to participate in the test. Even the latecomers wouldn't miss this rare event.

As soon as the young man stepped out, he saw a solid wall of people surrounding the square-shaped practice field, making it impenetrable.

"Chen Guan, you finally came out. I thought you weren't interested in such a grand event. Although Captain Yan has exempted the two of us from the test, it's still interesting to watch the excitement."

A familiar voice sounded—it was none other than Zhao Gang, who regarded him as his lifelong rival.

Chen Guan smiled back, feeling that the arrangements made by the royal family were considerate. To avoid drawing attention by enjoying exclusive privileges, they exempted both him and Zhao Gang from the test. It seemed fair and just on the surface.

After all, among their peers, they were both outstanding talents. If neither of them passed the test, then there was no need for anyone else to take it.

"It's good to combine work and leisure. Going out to get some fresh air is nice. You've made great progress recently."

"Hehe, I've reached the Seventh Stage of Dou Disciple. Brother, my talent is not just a reputation. After the test is over, let's have a friendly match and see."

Chen Guan seriously doubted that Zhao Gang had been waiting at the door for half a day just to challenge and show off to him.

But challenging a Four-Star Dou Practitioner with the strength of the Seventh Stage of Dou Disciple? Even Xiao Yan doesn't have your courage!

"Forget it. I have something to do later. We'll do it next time."

Chen Guan politely declined. He didn't want to strike him too hard. After all, he was still a small genius. If he were to decline rapidly and cause the royal family to lose a talented individual, Chen Guan would feel guilty.

"Do you really have something to do?"

"I do."

"Alright then, let's arrange it for another time."

Chen Guan nodded and said they would do it another time. He patted Zhao Gang's arm and walked towards the gate of the training area. He had already seen Yao Ye waving at him from the opposite city tower.

PS: Let me explain the progression from a one-star to a four-star Dou Practitioner in one month. In the original work, Xiao Yan also achieved this speed. Chen Guan has even better talent and a Profound-level cultivation technique. However, the supplementary resources provided by the royal family are definitely not as effective as the ones personally tailored by Yao Lao for Xiao Yan. Adding and subtracting, this speed is just right.

(End of this chapter)