Chapter 54

"Rumble..."

From Ling Dao's body, a thunderous sound emanated. The long swords around him trembled. A vast amount of heaven and earth essence energy converged here, and above Ling Dao's head, the tenth essence energy vortex slowly formed.

"Ten... ten... essence energy vortices?"

Even the Sword Pavilion elder stuttered. The most he had ever seen was when Xia Xin Yao broke through, and five essence energy vortices appeared above her head. In the history of the Sky Splitting Sword Sect, the most was six essence energy vortices.

But now, above Ling Dao's head, ten essence energy vortices actually appeared, something that had never happened before. What ten essence energy vortices represented, even the Sword Pavilion elder was unclear, but Ling Dao had certainly created a miracle.

Six essence energy vortices still left a chance for future generations to surpass. But Ling Dao's ten essence energy vortices were simply a source of despair for those who came after. The more profound the accumulation, the more essence energy vortices would form when breaking through to the True Qi Realm.

In his previous life, when Ling Dao broke through, he only formed seven essence energy vortices. Now, with ten essence energy vortices, even he was somewhat surprised. But thinking about his single-handed strength of thirty thousand pounds, he felt reassured. The Savage Extermination Technique was far superior to the Ling Family Sword Canon.

"Good, finally broken through!"

Ling Dao's face lit up as he felt a thread of true qi condense within his body. Although this thread of true qi was very weak, it was like a spark that could ignite a prairie fire. As long as there was the first thread of true qi, more true qi would be produced in the body in the future.

After taking eleven Condensing Qi Pills, he finally broke through to the True Qi Realm. If he couldn't break through, everyone present would have been heartbroken. After all, those were eleven Condensing Qi Pills, and they couldn't be wasted.

The ten essence energy vortices continuously absorbed essence energy, then continuously washed over Ling Dao's physical body. Breaking through to the True Qi Realm, a martial artist's physical body and strength would be greatly enhanced. Especially being washed by heaven and earth essence energy, this was an extremely rare opportunity.

With the experience from his previous life, Ling Dao naturally wouldn't miss such a great opportunity. He secretly circulated the Savage Extermination Technique at an unprecedented speed, aiming to enhance himself even more. The essence energy of the entire Sword Pavilion seemed to converge here.

"Remarkable! Our Sky Splitting Sword Sect can actually produce such a person. Could it be that heaven pities our Sky Splitting Sword Sect?"

Among the nine ninth-rank forces and three tenth-rank forces in Anshan County, the Sky Splitting Sword Sect was the weakest. For so many years, no outstandingly brilliant strong individuals had appeared. But today, the Sword Pavilion elder saw hope.

Breaking through from the Physical Body Realm to the True Qi Realm and forming ten essence energy vortices, this alone was enough to shock countless people. The Sword Pavilion elder clenched his fists tightly, his expression excited, and he wanted to howl to the sky. To avoid disturbing Ling Dao, he had to endure it.

"This matter must be reported to the Sect Master!"

The Sword Pavilion elder had already decided to close the Sword Pavilion tonight and report this matter to the Sect Master. If the Sect Master knew about this, he would definitely cultivate Ling Dao vigorously, as the potential Ling Dao displayed was truly immense.

"Very good, I didn't expect this breakthrough to be so significant. Now, with just one hand, I probably have fifty thousand pounds of strength, right?"

After the Blood Condensation Realm, Ling Dao's strength had increased very slowly. Unexpectedly, this breakthrough directly increased his strength from thirty thousand pounds to fifty thousand pounds. After all, he had just broken through to the True Qi Realm.

The True Qi Realm is divided into four stages: early, middle, late, and peak. The Physical Body Realm is also divided into these four stages: early is body tempering, middle is bone refining, late is blood condensation, and finally, the peak.

"Congratulations, Senior Brother, for breaking through to the True Qi Realm!"

"With Senior Brother's abilities, even in the Inner Sect, you will surely thrive!"

Breaking through to the True Qi Realm allows one to become an Inner Sect disciple of the Sky Splitting Sword Sect, which is completely different from the status of an Outer Sect disciple. Inner Sect disciples have their own independent courtyards and receive steel swords, and they can access the second floor of the Scripture Hall.

"Everyone, work hard. In the future, you will surely become Inner Sect disciples too!"

Ling Dao smiled, bid farewell to these Outer Sect disciples, and left the Sword Pavilion. After successfully breaking through, what he most wanted to do was go to Jiang Ren's courtyard and have a few drinks with him, and then talk about becoming an Inner Sect disciple tomorrow.

...

After Ling Dao left, the Sword Pavilion elder found ways to send the disciples away. That night, he went to the main hall of the Sky Splitting Palace. For other Outer Sect disciples breaking through, there was no need to report to the Sect Master, but Ling Dao's breakthrough was different.

"Reporting to the Sect Master, I have important news to report!"

The Sword Pavilion elder held a high position in the Sky Splitting Sword Sect and could see the Sect Master, Duan Zhenghui, directly. If it were another elder, they might have to report slowly, but the Sword Pavilion elder didn't need to do so.

"Oh? I wonder what matter is important enough for you to report in person?"

Duan Zhenghui ordered someone to offer a seat to the Sword Pavilion elder and asked curiously. For ordinary matters, the Sword Pavilion elder could send someone to report, so there was no need to come in person. Now, his late-night visit must be for something extremely important.

"Today, the Senior Brother of the Outer Sect disciples broke through to the True Qi Realm in our Sword Pavilion!"

The Senior Brother of the Outer Sect disciples naturally referred to Ling Dao. Duan Zhenghui's expression immediately became serious. The reason he remembered Ling Dao was not because of anything else, but because Ling Dao had superior talent.

"The breakthrough of an Outer Sect disciple, why did the elder come to report it to me personally?"

Even to the Sword Pavilion elder, Duan Zhenghui didn't mention that Ling Dao had superior talent. The Sword Pavilion elder smiled; it was normal for Duan Zhenghui to ask this. In the past, he wouldn't have come to report when other disciples broke through.

"Because this disciple is different. When he broke through to the True Qi Realm, ten essence energy vortices condensed above his head. Sect Master, you must understand what ten essence energy vortices mean, right?"

The Sword Pavilion elder's words made Duan Zhenghui's expression change. Fortunately, the number of vortices formed doesn't necessarily correlate with talent. The fact that Ling Dao had superior talent must not be known by others; the fewer people who know, the better.

"Ten essence energy vortices?"

Duan Zhenghui lightly tapped the armrest of his chair. On the surface, he was extremely shocked, but in his heart, he could accept it. After all, the Sky Splitting Sword Sect had never seen someone with superior talent, so surpassing others was understandable. Unfortunately, he didn't know that someone with superior talent would only form seven or eight essence energy vortices when breaking through.

"This disciple must be cultivated with great emphasis, otherwise, he will surely be struck by heaven and lightning!"

(PS: Six thousand flowers for an extra chapter!)