"Let's try it."
With a cultivation technique free of flaws in hand, Zhang Xuan did not hesitate. Following the method recorded in the Heaven's Path Divine Art, he immediately began cultivating.
The pores across his entire body opened wide, greedily absorbing spiritual qi from the surroundings.
Before the Martial Artist realm, cultivation was divided into four stages:
The First Layer, Gathering Breath, where one gathers inner breath and begins sensing spiritual qi, gaining rudimentary control over its flow within the body.
The Second Layer, Dantian, where the dantian is opened, allowing the body to store spiritual qi. This stage marked the true threshold of becoming a Martial Artist.
The Third Layer, True Qi, where spiritual qi condenses into true qi within the dantian.
The Fourth Layer, Skin & Bone, where true qi circulates automatically, nourishing the entire body and transforming one's physical constitution into that of a genuine expert.
The first three layers formed the foundation. Only upon reaching the Fourth Layer did cultivation truly begin to feed back into the body, allowing a person to shed weakness and grow steadily stronger.
The Hong Tian Nine Layer Formula relied on overflowing true qi from the dantian to gently nourish the flesh, strengthening muscles, bones, tendons, and skin until the effect of Skin & Bone tempering was achieved.
The Heaven's Path Divine Art was different.
It simultaneously used the spiritual qi of heaven and earth to nourish the mortal body, while true qi within the body reinforced it from within. Two forces worked together, converging toward the same goal.
Gugugugu—
Streams of spiritual qi flowed through Zhang Xuan's meridians like running water. True qi followed behind, repairing and reinforcing every path the spiritual qi passed through, filling any gaps left behind.
Creak! Creak!
Before long, under the dual infusion of spiritual qi and true qi, Zhang Xuan's muscles and bones underwent intense tempering. They seemed to have been refined by fine fire—translucent, gleaming faintly, and radiating a soft glow.
Bang!
After circulating countless times, the true qi surged violently. Zhang Xuan felt a shackle snap apart within his body, followed by an overwhelming sense of ease.
It was as if invisible chains that had bound him were suddenly shattered. His entire body felt light and free, every movement effortless—like a cicada shedding its shell and being reborn.
"Martial Artist Fourth Layer… Skin & Bone Realm?"
Zhang Xuan opened his eyes, still in disbelief.
Breaking through the Skin & Bone Realm symbolized shattering the shackles of the mortal body and entering a new state of existence. And yet—how long had he cultivated?
One hour? Two hours at most?
"That smells awful…"
Confused, he glanced down and froze.
A thick layer of black, foul-smelling impurities coated his body.
Skin & Bone tempering expelled impurities from within, cleansing the muscles and marrow. This was rebirth through refinement.
Yet Zhang Xuan had never heard of anyone expelling this much impurity in one go.
Suppressing his discomfort, he quickly fetched a wooden tub and thoroughly washed himself.
Once clean, he discovered that his skin had become smooth and jade-like, crystal clear as a mirror. Old scars and blemishes left by past cultivation were completely gone. At this moment, he looked purer than a newborn child.
"My true qi…"
Still astonished by his physical transformation, Zhang Xuan checked his dantian—and his entire body trembled.
The muddy true qi from before had completely vanished. What remained was clear and pure, flowing like limpid water and emitting a pristine aura.
Without needing confirmation, he knew—
This was Upper-Grade True Qi.
"Not only has my body improved… even the quality of my true qi has risen?"
Zhang Xuan was stunned.
Others took years of slow tempering to stabilize the Skin & Bone Realm. He had done it in less than two hours—and even elevated his true qi quality.
Just what kind of cultivation technique had the Library of Heaven's Path created?
"This is ridiculous…"
He clenched his fists, heart pounding.
"Let's test my strength."
Breaking through the Skin & Bone Realm naturally led into the Fifth Layer: Cauldron Strength Realm. Upon entering it, a cultivator would possess the strength of a cauldron—roughly one thousand kilograms.
Zhang Xuan walked to a nearby strength-testing stone pillar, commonly found throughout the academy.
According to the Heaven's Path Divine Art, after rebirth through Skin & Bone tempering, one should already possess terrifying physical strength.
Calming his breath, Zhang Xuan planted his feet, twisted his waist, and drew back his arm like a drawn bow.
Bang!
His fist smashed into the stone pillar.
Light rippled across the surface.
"Five cauldrons!"
The number appeared clearly.
"…What?!"
Zhang Xuan's pupils shrank. His mind went blank.
Impossible.
Normally, early-stage Cauldron Strength cultivators possessed one cauldron of strength. Intermediate stage had two, advanced stage three, and peak stage four.
He had just entered the Cauldron Strength Realm—and already had the strength of five cauldrons?
That exceeded even peak-stage cultivators.
"This has to be the Heaven's Path Divine Art…"
After a long pause, Zhang Xuan finally regained his composure.
His talent hadn't changed. The only explanation was that flawless cultivation, supreme body tempering, and Upper-Grade True Qi had combined to create this monstrous result.
Terrifying.
"Martial Artist Fifth Layer… only high-ranking teachers in the academy reach this level."
With such strength, he had already surpassed ordinary teachers like Cao Xiong by a vast margin.
"Now I need the Fifth Layer cultivation technique…"
His cultivation speed had outpaced his manuals.
Earlier, he had skimmed through Fourth Layer techniques. To continue, he would need Fifth Layer methods.
"Fortunately, it's not too late. The Compendium Pavilion should still be open."
Scratching his head, Zhang Xuan once again headed toward the Compendium Pavilion.
Soon, he arrived.
"You again?" Elder Mo frowned when he saw him.
This braggart had just left—why was he back already?
"Elder Mo, I'd like to take a look at the Fifth Layer cultivation techniques," Zhang Xuan said awkwardly.
Of course, he couldn't admit he had already broken through. If he did, Elder Mo might dissect him on the spot.
True qi changes between Skin & Bone and Cauldron Strength were subtle. Without deliberately checking, even an expert wouldn't notice.
"Fifth Layer?" Elder Mo's expression darkened. "What nonsense are you up to now?"
Fourth Layer hadn't even been cultivated properly, and now he wanted to look at Fifth Layer techniques?
Absurd.
"Well… I enrolled a student today. His parents asked me questions about Fifth Layer cultivation, and I didn't know how to answer. I'm worried he'll look down on me, so I wanted to prepare in advance…"
Zhang Xuan delivered the excuse he had prepared.
Elder Mo paused, then nodded slowly.
"That's… somewhat reasonable," he said seriously. "You may look—but do not cultivate. If you haven't stabilized the Fourth Layer and recklessly attempt the Fifth, even the gods won't save you from qi deviation."
"Yes, I understand," Zhang Xuan replied quickly.
"Go on, then," Elder Mo waved his hand. "Fifth Layer techniques are on the last row."
"Yes!"
Zhang Xuan hurried inside.
Watching his back, Elder Mo snorted softly.
"False and vain."
Four words summed up his judgment perfectly.