Chen Feng never imagined it.
It turned out that Absolute Sword Peak, among the seventy-two peaks, was ranked at the very bottom. The entire peak only had three people: his master, Wang Yuandao, the old servant Yang Tao, and himself.
It was utterly desolate.
On other peaks, it was said, there were at least hundreds of disciples, if not more.
What made things even more absurd was that Wang Yuandao admitted his lifespan was nearing its end—he only had about ten years left.
For a moment, Chen Feng felt like he had boarded a sinking ship.
“Master, what will happen to Absolute Sword Peak if your lifespan runs out?” Chen Feng asked suddenly.
“If my lifespan ends and you haven’t inherited the position of Peak Lord, Absolute Sword Peak will be removed from the sect,” Wang Yuandao replied with a faint smile. “So, I hope you can take over as Peak Lord within the next ten years.”
“Uh… Master, what are the requirements to inherit the position of Peak Lord?” Chen Feng asked again, a bit dazed.
“You must achieve Transcendent Realm cultivation and pass the Peak Lord Trial,” Wang Yuandao replied, still smiling. Seeing Chen Feng’s bewildered expression, he continued, “The path of cultivation begins with the foundation of Body Refinement. After that come the stages of Aperture Refinement, Vein Forging, Qi Sea, Divine Wheel, Essence Condensation, Origin Returning, and Rebirth. Only then will you reach the Transcendent Realm.”
Chen Feng felt dizzy.
Truly dizzy.
He was just a rookie stuck in Body Refinement, yet now he was being told to aim for the lofty heights of the Transcendent Realm.
Ten years!
Could he even reach the Transcendent Realm in ten years?
Even with the Divine Creation Talisman in his possession, Chen Feng wasn’t confident in the slightest.
“Disciple, nothing is impossible if you put your heart into it,” Wang Yuandao said with a smile. “Do your best with all your might. Even if you fail in the end, you will have no regrets.”
“Well, if you have further questions, ask Yang Tao in detail later. For now, I will explain the path of cultivation to you,” Wang Yuandao said. “The Body Refinement Stage is the foundation of martial cultivation. The more solid the foundation, the greater the benefits for advancing to higher realms in the future.”
“The Body Refinement Stage doesn’t just have nine transformations but actually consists of thirteen transformations.”
Chen Feng was stunned.
Thirteen transformations?
“After the standard nine transformations, you enter the Greater Circulation of Energy, which involves refining your strength up to nine more times.”
“At the eleventh transformation, refining your strength at least three times will result in a body as tough as steel, granting you defenses comparable to beasts of the same level.”
“At the twelfth transformation, refining your strength at least six times will produce a body akin to tempered steel, resulting in golden skin and jade-like bones, exceeding the durability of beasts of the same level.”
“At the thirteenth transformation, refining your strength nine times will grant you the power of a dragon or flood serpent, potentially unlocking hidden potential within the human body and awakening destiny-defying abilities.”
“Disciple, you’re currently at the early stages of the ninth transformation, but your refined strength is already comparable to the peak of the ninth transformation. Your foundation is decent,” Wang Yuandao said as he assessed Chen Feng’s cultivation. “Next, you need to elevate your cultivation to the peak of the ninth transformation. Then, you must master the Greater Circulation of Energy and refine your strength nine times.”
“Master, I think I can already freely convert my strength…” Chen Feng said cautiously.
“Oh?” Wang Yuandao’s eyes narrowed, a trace of surprise flashing through them. “Show me.”
Chen Feng immediately began converting three different types of strength within his body.
“Now try merging the three strengths into one and circulating it through your entire body,” Wang Yuandao instructed.
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Chen Feng gave it a shot. Although it was a bit difficult at first, he soon managed to circulate the combined strength smoothly. As the energy coursed through his body, he felt a slight tingling sensation in his organs, muscles, bones, and skin. It wasn’t uncomfortable—on the contrary, it was quite soothing.
“Good.” Wang Yuandao’s smile grew wider.
“Without guidance or exceptional talent, most cultivators in the Body Refinement Stage never achieve the tenth transformation. Even with talent and guidance, it takes significant time to master energy conversion and the Greater Circulation of Energy. How did you manage it?” Wang Yuandao inquired.
“Master, I thought that strength from the skin, muscles, and organs all originates from the same source—blood energy. If they share the same root, why can’t they be converted into one another?” Chen Feng answered truthfully. “After countless attempts, I eventually figured it out.”
“Congratulations, my lord, on finding such an exceptional disciple,” Yang Tao said with a laugh.
“Chen Feng, first elevate your cultivation to the peak of the ninth transformation. Then, I will teach you the Chaotic Heaven Technique to refine your strength further,” Wang Yuandao instructed. He produced a jade bottle. “Inside are three Primordial Essence Pills, which should suffice to help you reach the peak of the ninth transformation.”
“Master, I absorb pills very quickly,” Chen Feng said as he accepted the bottle.
“Oh? How fast?” Wang Yuandao asked, intrigued.
Chen Feng immediately opened the bottle, taking out a single golden pill. Its translucent appearance made it look more like a work of art than medicine. Without hesitation, he popped it into his mouth, chewed it, and swallowed.
He was taking a gamble—a gamble that Wang Yuandao wouldn’t be able to detect the presence of the Divine Creation Talisman within him.
Otherwise, staying on Absolute Sword Peak, constantly under Wang Yuandao’s watchful eye, would eventually lead to exposure. Better to test it now than live in constant fear.
As Wang Yuandao observed him, his eyes narrowed, a sharp gleam flashing in them as if he were examining Chen Feng’s body inside and out.
“What astonishing speed of absorption…”
Wang Yuandao was genuinely taken aback, but he didn’t detect the Divine Creation Talisman.
Chen Feng marveled at the effects of the pill. “One Primordial Essence Pill is equivalent to five standard Essence Pills. Incredible!”
He immediately consumed the remaining two pills, refining and absorbing them. His blood energy surged, and his strength reached its peak.
The ninth transformation, perfected!
“Excellent. Your ability to refine and absorb pills so quickly, without leaving any impurities behind, is truly miraculous. Your refined strength rivals that of those who achieve it through years of arduous training,” Wang Yuandao said with a hearty laugh. “With such talent, I will dedicate all my resources to cultivating you. Someday, you’ll stand above even the most gifted prodigies.”
“Master, I swear, one day I will crush those so-called prodigies beneath my sword,” Chen Feng replied confidently.
“Well said! A true swordsman must aspire to suppress all beneath their blade,” Wang Yuandao laughed with satisfaction.
He hadn’t expected much when he initially chose Chen Feng as his disciple—just someone with decent swordsmanship to carry on his legacy. But this unexpected talent and determination gave him newfound hope.
“Disciple, let’s go to the training hall. I will now teach you the Chaotic Heaven Technique,” Wang Yuandao said, his eyes blazing with hope as he led Chen Feng to a tower-like pavilion. “The Chaotic Heaven Technique is the foundational chapter of our sect’s most revered scripture, the Chaotic Heaven Dao Canon. Only true disciples may learn it.”
“The Chaotic Heaven Technique refines strength into something vast, pure, and overwhelming—unstoppable, unbreakable.”
“You must first transform your strength into Chaotic Heaven Strength. Then, refine it once to achieve the tenth transformation of Body Refinement.”
Wang Yuandao explained and analyzed the technique in detail. With the Divine Creation Talisman enhancing his comprehension, Chen Feng memorized the content perfectly after hearing it just once. It felt as though the knowledge had been engraved into his mind and transformed into an innate understanding.
He immediately began circulating his strength throughout his body, using the techniques of the Chaotic Heaven Technique to refine and transform it.
“Just one explanation, and…” Wang Yuandao sensed the changes in Chen Feng's energy—a purer, more overwhelming force—and couldn’t hide his shock. “Such extraordinary comprehension…”
“Master, I’ve already converted my strength into Chaotic Heaven Strength and completed the first refinement,” Chen Feng said, his voice brimming with joy. His strength had increased several times over, becoming far more potent.
Wang Yuandao laughed heartily. “Excellent! The other seventy-one peaks have no idea what they missed.”
"Disciple, here are Blood Condensation Pills to restore your energy as you refine your strength further. Aim to complete the eleventh transformation within a year, forging a body of steel and bone. Then, you’ll be ready to enter the Hidden Dragon Secret Realm to seize its opportunities."
“What is the Hidden Dragon Secret Realm?” Chen Feng asked.
“If you reach the eleventh transformation within a year, I’ll tell you all about it,” Wang Yuandao replied with a smile.
As Chen Feng prepared for the next stage of his cultivation, Wang Yuandao and Yang Tao couldn’t help but exchange meaningful glances.
The future of Absolute Sword Peak suddenly seemed much brighter.
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