Chapter 81

"What happened?"

As the steward in charge of the Boiling Blood Pool swept past the transparent crystal wall, he immediately noticed that nearly two-tenths of the pure blood qi was drifting towards the same cultivation room. This had never happened in the few years he had been managing the Boiling Blood Pool.

The pure blood qi in the Boiling Blood Pool would naturally diffuse and be drawn by the twelve cultivators. Even if the quality of their cultivation techniques and their personal cultivation levels affected the absorption of pure blood qi, it would not be as significant as it was now. This meant that one of the twelve people would monopolize two-tenths of the pure blood qi.

The steward couldn't help but wonder which of the twelve disciples was in that cultivation room.

Chen Zong fully activated the True Sword Heaven-Cutting Technique, attracting a large amount of pure blood qi, which poured into the cultivation room, enveloping him in a red mist. The pure blood qi entered his body through his mouth, nose, and every pore, refining his entire body's blood and qi.

At the sixth level of the Blood Qi Realm, his blood and qi were at their peak, surging through his body like waves, one after another. As the pure blood qi was refined, his strength steadily increased, the waves continuous and unending.

His aura also fluctuated like the tide, gradually building up to the point of breaking through the limit.

Absorb! Absorb! Absorb!

Chen Zong's body, like a dry sponge, absorbed the pure blood qi frantically.

Refine! Refine! Refine!

The third level of the True Sword Heaven-Cutting Technique was pushed to its limit, making his blood and qi sharp like a sword, causing Chen Zong to feel a slight pain, as if sharp objects were piercing through his body.

The gap between the peak of the sixth level and the seventh level of the Blood Qi Realm was more than twice as large as the gap between the sixth and fifth levels. The difficulty of breaking through was greater because it required more blood and qi power.

This was a minor bottleneck in cultivation. It seemed like a thin line, but in reality, it required repeated refinement of blood and qi, and the breakthrough would only come naturally. The pure blood qi in the Boiling Blood Pool shortened this process.

Time flew by, one hour, two hours, three hours... five hours passed.

Inside Chen Zong's body, his blood and qi power had reached the peak of the sixth level, the true limit, and could not be increased any further. He needed to break through.

The seventh level of the Blood Qi Realm, also known as the Small Circulation of Blood Qi, involved forming a natural circulation of blood and qi within the body, specifically in the five organs and six腑 (fu, internal organs). This circulation would gradually strengthen the five organs and six腑 (fu).

Cultivation in the Blood Qi Realm, from the first to the third level, focused on strengthening the muscles. From the fourth to the sixth level, it involved further refining the tendons and bones, making the body stronger and more resilient, capable of withstanding greater bursts of power.

It was important to note that the enhancement and burst of blood and qi power first affected the body. If the body was not strong enough, it would only cause damage.

At the seventh level of the Blood Qi Realm, the refinement of muscles and tendons was basically complete, and the focus shifted to the internal organs.

The five organs and six腑 (fu) were soft and fragile. Even a slightly larger force could shatter them. However, they were crucial to the body, unlike tendons and bones, which, even if injured, would not be fatal.

After forming the Small Circulation of Blood Qi, the blood and qi power would naturally refine the five organs and six腑 (fu), a slow process that often required a long time to show progress. However, actively cultivating with a technique would speed up the process.

With his blood and qi power reaching the peak of the sixth level, Chen Zong, using his exceptional mental willpower, controlled his sharp and sword-like blood and qi, gradually making it flow around his internal organs.

The first attempt should not be too fast. It should be slow, like a small stream slowly flowing. Even so, it brought Chen Zong intense pain.

The blood and qi power at the third level of the True Sword Heaven-Cutting Technique was like a sword, and the internal organs had not been refined, making them very fragile. This feeling was like a sword cutting through the organs, something an ordinary person could not endure.

The pure blood qi continuously seeped in, repairing the internal organs, feeling cool and slightly warm, very comfortable. After the blood and qi power circulated a small cycle, Chen Zong felt his organs had become a bit tougher.

It was not enough. He needed to continue circulating the blood and qi power until it could naturally form a small cycle.

Again and again, each time Chen Zong had to endure the pain of a sword cutting through his organs, but as he repeated the process, the pain gradually lessened, indicating that his organs were becoming more resilient and their endurance was increasing.

When the time was right, the blood and qi power naturally formed a small cycle. Instantly, a massive suction force erupted within Chen Zong's body, absorbing all the pure blood qi around him.

Seventh level of the Blood Qi Realm!

At this point, there were still over five hours left before the Boiling Blood Pool closed. Chen Zong did not stop; he continued to cultivate, striving to further enhance his cultivation.

The power of the True Sword Heaven-Cutting Technique was evident.

After breaking through, his body's capacity to contain blood and qi power reached a new height, allowing him to refine more pure blood qi.

After five hours, the Boiling Blood Pool became quiet, and no more pure blood qi appeared.

"Come out, come out, all of you." The steward's rough voice echoed in each cultivation room.

Chen Zong carefully sensed his cultivation. Not only had he broken through to the seventh level of the Blood Qi Realm, but he had also reached the peak of the initial stage, equivalent to two months of regular cultivation.

"If I could stay for a few days, I might directly cultivate to the eighth level of the Blood Qi Realm," Chen Zong thought, but then he felt a bit greedy. Breaking through to the seventh level and reaching the peak of the initial stage in one go was already quite good.

However, the next time he could enter would be after the current ranking ended, and he could apply for a new ranking, which would likely take a long time.

Leaving the cultivation room and the Boiling Blood Pool chamber, Chen Zong returned along the path.

"The blood and qi power at the seventh level of the Blood Qi Realm is twice that of the sixth level, and the recovery speed is also doubled, making the internal organs more resilient."

The refinement of the internal organs did not directly enhance his strength, but it improved his ability to resist force impacts and toxins. Even if he suffered internal injuries, he could recover faster, greatly enhancing his survival capabilities.

"The progress of the third level of the True Sword Heaven-Cutting Technique has also improved significantly."

This trip to the Boiling Blood Pool for cultivation had clearly shown significant improvement. Chen Zong was unsure of his current strength, but it was evident that he had made substantial progress.

For some martial artists, breaking through in cultivation only brought a moderate increase in strength, while for others, the increase was significant. The difference lay in the mastery and application of power.

Skilled martial artists could better and more precisely apply their power, reducing waste and increasing their strength. Chen Zong was one of these, and each increment in his cultivation brought a noticeable increase in his strength.

"Regardless, at the seventh level of the Blood Qi Realm, I should be hard to find an opponent. I can at least face a regular eighth-level Blood Qi Realm martial artist head-on without using the Heavenly Light Cloud Shadow Sword."

"Next, I need to focus on cultivating to further enhance my cultivation and improve my sword technique. Ideally, I should complete the first level of the Body Forging Technique. Once the Essence Blood Elixir is ready, my cultivation will increase even faster."

Thinking of this, Chen Zong smiled.

Indeed, the decision to enter the Seven Radiant Martial Academy as soon as possible was correct. If he had stayed in the Chen Family Hall in Wind Martial City, his cultivation would likely have only reached the sixth level of the Blood Qi Realm, falling behind.

Cultivation for martial artists is like this: being one step ahead is an advantage, meaning that one might stay ahead in the future. If one falls behind, they might be left behind, and the gap would only widen.

Returning to the 88th small courtyard, he practiced his sword technique, washed up, and went to sleep.

Before dawn, Chen Zong was already practicing his sword technique in the small courtyard. The sword light cut through the early morning mist, the trajectory clear.

Since obtaining the mysterious sword tip and undergoing the Bone Marrow Cleansing, he had been constantly influenced by the mysterious sword tip, though subtly. Over time, this influence had steadily improved him. Combined with the increase in his cultivation and the accumulation and refinement of martial arts knowledge, his cultivation had become smoother.

In the past, it would have taken Chen Zong a long time to master a technique like the Lone Star Sword Technique. Now, he could master it in less than ten days, and the speed of reaching the minor success stage was even faster.

The difficulty of cultivating martial arts techniques had not decreased; what had changed was Chen Zong's comprehension and cultivation speed.

For example, a Strength Cultivation Realm martial artist would naturally grasp a human-grade martial art quickly, and a True Martial Realm martial artist would do so even more swiftly.

After a session of cultivation, the Lone Star Sword Technique had improved slightly.

At the sixth level of the Blood Qi Realm, he could perform the introductory stage of the Lone Star Sword Technique ten times and the minor success stage five times. Now, at the seventh level, with his blood and qi power doubled, he could perform the minor success stage fifteen times. Considering his recovery speed, he could perform it sixteen to eighteen times if he maintained a good rhythm.

The power of the minor success stage of the Lone Star Sword Technique could rival the Subtle Stage of the Light Shadow Sword Technique, but with less energy consumption.

As the sun rose, Chen Zong wiped the sweat from his forehead. Suddenly, the door was knocked on forcefully.

"Who is it?"

"Chen Zong, the Senior Brother-in-Chief has summoned you. Go to the Sword Polishing Hall immediately," the voice outside was rude.

"Is Bai Yushan looking for me?" Chen Zong's brows furrowed. He had a bad feeling about this, but he still had to go. The mentors of each hall generally did not interfere unless it was a major event, so the Senior Brother-in-Chief had significant authority. It would not be wise to confront him without sufficient strength.

Of course, everything had its limits and bottom lines.

Opening the door, he saw a Sword Radiance Hall disciple standing outside, his face cold and his blood and qi power indicating he was at the seventh level of the Blood Qi Realm.

"Let's go," the disciple said coldly.

Ignoring him, Chen Zong locked the door and walked towards the Sword Polishing Hall.

When Chen Zong entered the Sword Polishing Hall, many eyes fell on him, three of which brought a strong mental pressure.

Chen Zong noticed that, besides Bai Yushan, there were many other Sword Radiance Hall disciples present, as well as six others. From their attire, they were from the Blade Radiance Hall and the Earth Radiance Hall, and one from the Punishment Radiance Hall.

Three of them were people he knew.

Xiao Wei from the Earth Radiance Hall, Huang Biao and Meng Yuanchong from the Blade Radiance Hall. These three were staring at Chen Zong with intense anger and hatred, their eyes bloodshot, as if he were their mortal enemy.