Chapter 41 of 100

Chapter 41

17 min read4,147 words

As the temperature plummeted by over ten degrees, his body trembled, and his paws were almost frozen stiff. Typing was truly a challenge. Fellow disciples, remember to stay warm. I really envy Chen Zong, who can still go on trips now.

In early spring, the chill seemed even more intense, but the sunlight was lively and full of vitality, nourishing all living things and promoting their growth.

On the branches of several large trees, clusters of fresh green leaves sprouted, dripping with dew, their emerald color almost dripping. The light refracted, reflecting human figures, as if there was a tiny person inside practicing swordsmanship.

"Divide the Light and Capture the Shadow!"

A sword slash burst forth, and eight beams of sword light shot forward like arrows, leaving eight clear sword marks.

After practicing the "Divide the Light and Capture the Shadow" several times, Chen Zong's vital energy was exhausted, and he used the second level of the Fierce Tiger Technique to recover.

After recovery, he began to practice the "Divide the Light and Vanish."

The "Divide the Light" sword technique has two levels.

The first level is "Divide the Light and Capture the Shadow."

The second level is "Divide the Light and Vanish."

Without a doubt, the second level is much more powerful than the first.

The first level has seven movements, while the second level has nine movements. The first seven are the same as the first level, but the eighth and ninth movements are different, and they are the essence of "Divide the Light and Vanish."

To practice the second level, one must first reach the Great Success stage of the first level. Initially, Chen Zong didn't understand this, but now he realizes it's not absolute but relative.

In martial arts cultivation, the higher the realm, the deeper the understanding and mastery of that martial art. Reaching the Great Success stage allows one to practice the second level, which means understanding "Divide the Light and Capture the Shadow" to the level of Great Success allows one to practice "Divide the Light and Vanish."

Of course, in most cases, understanding and mastery go hand in hand, but in some rare cases, one understands first and then masters later, without being synchronized.

The difficulty in practicing "Divide the Light and Vanish" lies in the eighth and ninth movements.

Perhaps because Chen Zong adjusted his practice of "Divide the Light and Capture the Shadow" according to his own ideas, the eighth movement posed no difficulty for him, but the ninth movement was a challenge.

The purpose of the guiding movements is to guide the flow of vital energy in a unique way.

The eighth movement is an extension and enhancement of the first seven, but the ninth movement requires a sudden reversal of the vital energy flow, as if turning release into absorption and dispersion into concentration. This completely different flow requires Chen Zong to control the vital energy's transformation in an instant, like making a galloping horse suddenly turn around.

After practicing for some time, Chen Zong still couldn't find the key.

...

The clan hall was not isolated, and information flowed freely.

"Tang Junluo has broken through..." Chen Zong was somewhat surprised when he heard the news, but then he thought it was quite normal.

After all, Tang Junluo had refined his vital energy eight times, and the cultivation speed of martial artists is faster. As the young master of the Tang family, he naturally enjoyed better resources. Breaking through to the fifth level of the Vital Energy Realm in just four to five months was to be expected.

"Then, Li Zhen and Zhao Wangcheng should also be close to breaking through," Chen Zong speculated. Although their vital energy refinement hadn't reached eight times, it had reached the limit of seven times, surpassing his own. As the young masters of two major noble families, they enjoyed even better treatment.

As for the young master of the Chen family, the elder one had already left the clan hall, and the younger one was not yet of age to practice martial arts.

About half a month later, news came that Li Zhen and Zhao Wangcheng had successively broken through to the fifth level of the Vital Energy Realm.

"I'm almost there too," Chen Zong thought to himself.

The third piece of news was that Tang Junluo, Li Zhen, and Zhao Wangcheng had left Fengwu City and entered the Fulong Mountains to hunt demon beasts to hone their skills.

"Demon beasts..." Chen Zong's gaze was distant.

Demon beasts are very dangerous creatures. The weakest demon beast is equivalent to a fourth-level Vital Energy Realm martial artist. They have strong bodies, sharp claws, and remarkable survival abilities, and they possess a certain level of intelligence. Under normal circumstances, martial artists of the same level are no match for demon beasts.

Martial artists who can hunt demon beasts of the same level alone are considered elite martial artists.

"Should I also leave the clan hall and go to the Fulong Mountains to train?" Chen Zong suddenly had this thought.

Previously, he felt the timing wasn't right, but now, he seemed to be influenced by Tang Junluo and the others.

No matter what, he was still a fifteen or sixteen-year-old boy.

"I will go to the Fulong Mountains, but not now," Chen Zong suppressed his inner desire.

The fact once again proved that "Divide the Light and Vanish" was more difficult to practice than "Divide the Light and Capture the Shadow," especially the ninth movement, which required an instant reversal of the vital energy flow. Each attempt failed, and with each failure, Chen Zong felt a disturbance in his vital energy, which was very uncomfortable.

At the forging workshop, Chen Zong could easily forge ordinary iron swords of excellent quality. Elder Li began teaching him how to forge refined iron swords.

...

At the Martial Arts Hall, Chen Zong spent 200 contribution points to obtain the qualification to practice the "Wind Step."

The "Wind Step" has only one level. After pondering it, Chen Zong found that the difficulty of practice was not great, and it should not take long to master the basics.

After that, he had another skill to practice, and Chen Zong began to feel that time was not enough. However, to improve his overall strength, he had to squeeze out time, making the best of a difficult situation.

...

On February 15, 396th year of the True Martial Era.

Under the tree shade, a figure moved swiftly, as if treading on the wind, moving with the wind, and in a blink, appeared three meters away. Another flash, and he appeared another three meters away.

"The 'Wind Step' is indeed easy to practice."

Practicing and using the "Wind Step" both consume vital energy. The levels are straightforward: one step is the basic level, two steps are the minor success level, and three steps are the major success level.

Chen Zong's cultivation is at the fourth level of the Vital Energy Realm. Using the "Wind Step," he can take a step of three meters. Now, he can take two consecutive steps, which is the minor success level.

Practicing the "Divide the Light" sword technique.

His vital energy was once again depleted.

The second level of the Fierce Tiger Technique was used to recover. When his vital energy was fully restored, Chen Zong felt it becoming restless, as if trying to escape his control.

"This feeling..." Chen Zong's expression changed, and he quickly continued to use the Fierce Tiger Technique, using his will to control the surging vital energy.

The restlessness of the vital energy became more intense, but Chen Zong firmly controlled it, like taming a fierce tiger. This might be difficult for ordinary martial artists, but not for Chen Zong.

The restlessness of the vital energy gradually subsided, like a raging river returning to calm, but with a continuous roar of tigers, becoming increasingly full.

Vital energy fullness!

This is the mark of the fifth level of the Vital Energy Realm.

"Finally reached the fifth level of the Vital Energy Realm," Chen Zong smiled. This was within his expectations.

He could clearly feel the fullness of the vital energy flowing in his body, as if it had increased by at least a fold.

Drawing his sword, he used the "Divide the Light and Capture the Shadow" technique, and eight beams of sword light followed, tearing through the air and leaving two-meter-long straight sword marks on the ground.

"Vital energy consumption is about one-tenth, it seems that the breakthrough not only doubled the amount of vital energy but also slightly increased its purity," Chen Zong keenly felt the consumption of his vital energy and concluded.

"Since I have broken through to the fifth level of the Vital Energy Realm, it will take at least a year to reach the sixth level."

"The True Secret Realm is still a mystery."

"The Eight True Sword Techniques are at the peak of perfection but hard to break through."

"The second level of the 'Divide the Light' sword technique is difficult to master."

After thinking about it, Chen Zong realized that he had nothing that could be significantly improved in a short time, meaning he had passed the rapid advancement period and was entering a relatively stable period.

In that case, going out to train was an excellent choice.

"Let's check the mission room for tasks."

Going out to train often has a purpose. Besides improving oneself, completing tasks and earning contribution points is a two-for-one deal.

Chen Zong carefully scanned the mission board, remembering one task after another.

Tasks involving hunting demon beasts for specific body parts and gathering herbs were within the scope of acceptance. Even if they couldn't be completed, there would be no loss.

The last task was to guard the mine.

The Chen family has an iron mine in the Fulong Mountains. Every day, miners extract iron ore, most of which is sold to supply various families in Fengwu City, while a small portion is kept for the clan hall's forging workshop. This iron mine is one of the main sources of income for the Chen family.

Therefore, the mine is very important and must be heavily guarded to prevent attacks and occupation.

Issuing a task to guard the mine is also to provide training for the clan hall's disciples.

The task has a limit of ten people, lasts for three months, and during the task, one cannot leave the mine for an extended period without special reasons, but short-term departures to gather herbs are allowed.

If one is absent for more than five days, the task is considered a failure, and 300 contribution points will be deducted.

However, completing the task earns 1,200 contribution points, which is quite a good deal.

Chen Zong was the last person to accept this task.

"Since you have accepted this task, prepare and come here in the afternoon to gather with the other nine people and head to the mine. Don't delay; missing the time will be considered a task failure," the administrator said solemnly.

"I understand," Chen Zong nodded and left, first going to the forging workshop to inform Elder Li and make some preparations, such as bringing a bag and some dry rations.

After lunch, Chen Zong came to the mission room to wait.

Soon, the other nine people arrived, including disciples from the Heavenly Courtyard and the Earth Courtyard.

Among these nine, Chen Zong saw a few familiar faces.

Chen Zhong, a disciple from the Earth Courtyard of Xiaohu Town, Chen Waixiu, who had come to cause trouble for him at Chen He's behest but left in disgrace, and Chen Kaiyue, who had tried to trick him into giving up his precious iron sword and failed, becoming furious.

Seeing Chen Zong, these three were also very surprised.

"Chen Zong, you also accepted this task?" Chen Zhong couldn't help but ask.

"Hmph, you think having a precious iron sword makes you invincible? You might die under a demon beast's claws," Chen Waixiu still harbored resentment over the day he left in disgrace, speaking sarcastically. Chen Kaiyue stared at Chen Zong, his gaze sharp like a sword.

Chen Zong suddenly felt that this trip might not be too lonely.

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