Chapter 38: Ranked as a Sect Heir Candidate

Chapter 38: Ranked as a Sect Heir Candidate

The azure sky stretched endlessly, adorned with white clouds. The Huntian Sacred Mountain stood majestically upon the earth, enveloped in boundless mist and radiant clouds, resembling a celestial paradise.

At the Flying Leaf Cliff training grounds of Juejian Peak, one of the seventy-two peaks— A figure darted through the air, surrounded by howling gales, kicking up swirling dust like a roaring smoke dragon. His legs unleashed terrifying, unparalleled power as a flurry of kicks shattered the air, sending shockwaves rippling outward like surging tides.

The storm of leg shadows suddenly halted—then, a single condensed, overwhelmingly powerful kick tore through the void, shaking the very space itself as if it could shatter mountains.

Under the force of that kick, the air exploded into layers of circular shockwaves, spreading outward like ripples. When they struck the rock wall several meters away, cracks spiderwebbed across its steel-like surface, causing it to slightly collapse.

Nearby, Li Xinyue paled at the sight.

Even though she had successfully completed her first refinement of the Hunyuan Force and broken through to the Tenth Level of the Body Forging Realm, facing the sheer force of that kick would leave her with no means to evade or defend. Her bones would undoubtedly snap.

In the next moment, Chen Feng’s figure flashed several meters forward. His fingers extended like swords, his entire body’s Force surging and concentrating into them, hardening them like tempered steel. With a single thrust, a sharp, ear-piercing crack resounded as if a bubble had been popped. His fingers struck forward with unstoppable momentum, piercing through the steel-like rock wall as effortlessly as tofu.

Pulling his fingers free, Chen Feng examined the holes left behind, a faint smile curling at his lips.

Over the course of three months—though most of his time had been devoted to cultivation—he had still managed to master all eighteen martial arts he had selected from the Wanwu Pavilion.

Among them were fourteen High-grade Sword Techniques, two Top-grade Sword Techniques, one Top-grade Finger Technique, and one particularly unique martial art that could be considered a movement technique, a footwork technique, or even a leg technique.

Simply put, this special martial art combined the traits of movement, footwork, and leg techniques—its name: Wind Demon Hundred Strikes.

As for the Top-grade Finger Technique, it was called Piercing Cloud Sword Finger.

The two Top-grade Sword Techniques were the Three Ultimate Swords of Heavenly Wind and the Eight Lethal Strikes.

The comprehension difficulty of High-grade martial arts far surpassed that of Low-grade, yet they still paled in comparison to Supreme-grade.

Top-grade martial arts were even more challenging to comprehend than High-grade, though they still fell short of Supreme-grade.

Otherwise, Chen Feng wouldn’t have needed three months to fully master all eighteen martial arts. If word got out that he had achieved perfection in at least High-grade martial arts within such a short time, people would likely be stunned.

"With my current cultivation—the Fourth Level of the Huntian Sword Body and Nine Refinements of Force—I can freely wield High-grade Sword Techniques to their full potential. As for Top-grade martial arts, I can only display a fraction of their power..."

"Perhaps only after I break through to the Eleventh Level of the Body Forging Realm will I truly be able to unleash a small portion of a Top-grade martial art’s might."

The higher the grade of a martial art, the more profound and intricate it became—not only was comprehension more difficult, but the training itself grew exponentially harder. Moreover, sufficient cultivation was required to fully manifest its power.

With the aid of the Divine Talisman Of Creation, Chen Feng's comprehension and wisdom had been subtly and continuously enhanced. As a result, grasping martial arts wasn't overly difficult for him. While cultivation posed its challenges, they were manageable. The greatest limitation, however, lay in his cultivation realm.

Normally, those in the Body Forging Realm could at most cultivate mid-grade martial arts. High-grade martial arts required reaching the Aperture Opening Realm to achieve proficiency, while top-grade martial arts demanded the Meridian Forging Realm to fully master and unleash their power. As for supreme-grade martial arts, the requirements were undoubtedly even higher.

Three months ago, Chen Feng had been granted the supreme-grade martial art, the Juejian Thirteen Swords. Through countless battles in the Huntian Battle Tower, he eventually comprehended and mastered the first stance. Yet, even after three months, he had only deepened his understanding of the first stance without progressing to the second. The first stance alone was profoundly intricate, and Chen Feng had yet to refine it to its utmost limit.

"Though it's still just the first stance, it's far more profound than three months ago. With the same amount of force applied, its power has at least doubled," Chen Feng mused silently.

"From now on, I'll temporarily halt martial arts training and focus entirely on advancing my cultivation, striving to break through to the Eleventh Level of the Body Forging Realm as soon as possible."

To enter the Hidden Dragon Secret Realm, one needed at least the Eleventh Level of the Body Forging Realm to ensure safety. Of course, this didn't mean those below the Eleventh Level couldn't enter—higher cultivation simply meant greater security, while lower cultivation increased the risks. Wang Yuandao had stipulated that Chen Feng must reach at least the Eleventh Level before attempting entry.

"The Tenth Level of the Body Forging Realm refines one's force, while the Eleventh Level uses torrential force to temper the skin, flesh, bones, and organs, transforming them into Copper Skin Iron Bones. Once achieved, this in turn nourishes the force, further enhancing it."

"If the Tenth Level reigns supreme within the Body Forging Realm, then the Eleventh Level allows one to transcend major realms and contend with those in the Aperture Opening Realm."

Returning to his pavilion, Chen Feng prepared to temper his entire body with his formidable and abundant force.

"Yuan Hualong, a True Disciple of the Canglong True Hall, has broken through to the Body Forging Twelve Transformations and been promoted as a Sect Heir Candidate!"

A majestic and resounding divine voice erupted from the Huntian Main Peak, spreading like a tidal wave or rolling thunder, swiftly echoing throughout the Huntian Sacred Mountain. Every person within the sacred mountain heard it with absolute clarity.

"Sect Heir Candidate!"

Chen Feng's eyes narrowed sharply, instantly radiating an intimidating brilliance that seemed to pierce through everything.

"Who is Yuan Hualong?"

Chen Feng pondered.

The Huntian Sect's primary structure consisted of the Three Palaces, Nine Halls, and Seventy-Two Peaks.

The Three Palaces were the Huntian Palace, led by the Sect Master; the Yuandao Palace, where the elders gathered; and the Wanfa Palace, dedicated to researching martial arts and even divine abilities. These palaces rarely accepted disciples, but those they favored were invariably extraordinary prodigies with boundless futures.

The Nine Halls were not ordinary divisions like the disciple halls or the Douwu Hall but were established by the nine most powerful figures in the Dao Integration Realm, second only to the Three Palaces. Their recruitment standards were exceedingly strict, far surpassing those of the Seventy-Two Peaks.

...

"Someone has broken through to the Body Forging Twelve Transformations?"

"Incredible! Truly astonishing!"

"Who is this Yuan Hualong?"

"I know! Yuan Hualong is a peerless prodigy who joined the sect last year. Rumor has it he possesses the Saint-Grade Divine Trait, the Black Dragon Battle Physique, unrivaled among his peers. He nearly achieved six drum strikes during the initiation, and his physical prowess is unmatched."

Discussions erupted throughout the Huntian Sect.

The birth of a Body Forging Twelve Transformations cultivator signifies that the Huntian Sect has gained another peerless prodigy with astonishing potential.

It also signifies the possibility of reaching the Body Forging Thirteen Transformations.

If one successfully achieves the Body Forging Thirteen Transformations, they may even unlock the Human Body's Hidden Treasure, thereby mastering Destiny Power. At that point, they would become an unprecedented genius, a monstrous talent, and a future Saint—or even a potential Quasi-Emperor or Emperor.

"A Sect Heir Candidate... the next step is becoming a true Sect Heir."

"It's said that every time a Sect Heir Candidate emerges, a grand celebration is held. I truly wish I could attend."

"Yuan Hualong is a Sect Heir Candidate from the Canglong True Hall, so the celebration will be held there. But Outer Sect Disciples and Inner Sect Disciples shouldn't even think about it—there's no chance of attending."

"Indeed, at the very least, one must be a Core Disciple to even receive an invitation."

...

"Chen Feng, this is an invitation sent by the Canglong True Hall."

Li Xinyue walked in and handed an invitation to Chen Feng.

Chen Feng took it and examined it. The material of the invitation was extraordinary—extremely durable, with a red base adorned with golden dragon patterns that exuded an imposing aura.

Upon opening it, the words seemed to come alive, carrying a vast and mighty pressure that surged toward him, causing Chen Feng's expression to turn solemn.

If one had weaker cultivation or insufficient mental fortitude, they would be instantly overwhelmed.

But not Chen Feng.

First, the protection and constant enhancement from the Divine Talisman Of Creation made his mental resilience far surpass that of ordinary people. Second, mastering any martial art to perfection also tempered his willpower. Third, the excruciating pain of cultivating the Huntian Sword Body had further honed his spirit.

Unfazed by the pressure emanating from the words, Chen Feng read the contents clearly.

The message was simple—an invitation to attend the celebration in the Canglong True Hall for Yuan Hualong's breakthrough to the Body Forging Twelve Transformations and his promotion as a Sect Heir Candidate.

The event was scheduled for three days later.

"A celebration..."

"How intriguing."

"Perhaps at this event, I'll get to see the other prodigies of the Huntian Sect and witness their brilliance firsthand."

Chen Feng's eyes flickered with a cold light, carrying a trace of anticipation.