Elder Mo sneered inwardly.
Did I even need to ask?You're the lowest-ranked teacher in the academy—of course you can't answer questions about Fifth Layer cultivation.
Running all the way back here just to "take a look" at Fifth Layer techniques—if that wasn't vanity, then what was?
"Hmph," Elder Mo snorted coldly."Tomorrow, I'll report him to the Principal. This reckless fellow must be dismissed."
A teacher obsessed with face rather than foundation would only poison the academy's atmosphere.
Zhang Xuan, of course, had no idea that his name had already been added—twice—to Elder Mo's mental blacklist. Even if he knew, he wouldn't know whether to laugh or cry.
After all, those "excuses" were only to avoid trouble.
In truth, his cultivation had already reached that level.
Without an appropriate cultivation technique, one simply couldn't advance further.
Zhang Xuan quickly reached the final row of shelves.
Among academy teachers, the strongest were only at Martial Artist Fifth Layer. Anyone who stepped into the Sixth Layer: Open Acupoint Realm would automatically be promoted to elder status.
Because of this, the Teachers' Compendium Pavilion didn't store any Sixth Layer techniques. Fifth Layer manuals occupied the final row.
"As expected, far fewer than Fourth Layer techniques," Zhang Xuan murmured.
The Fourth Layer section had contained nearly three thousand volumes. Here, there were barely a thousand.
That was normal. The higher one climbed, the fewer who could follow. Although the academy's legacy was long, teachers capable of reaching the Fifth Layer were rare. Naturally, the techniques and notes left behind were fewer as well.
Without wasting time, Zhang Xuan pulled out a manual and began reading.
Two hours later.
Every Fifth Layer technique on the shelf had been flipped through.
Within his mind, the Library of Heaven's Path quietly formed more than a thousand corresponding books.
Zhang Xuan smiled faintly.
Mission accomplished.
He bid farewell to Elder Mo and returned to his residence. From behind, Elder Mo watched his casual manner and scolded inwardly once more.
Pretentious.
Back in his room, Zhang Xuan repeated his familiar process, selecting all the incorrect passages.
Before long, a new book appeared in the Library.
This time, it bore a clear title:
Heaven's Path Divine Art
Zhang Xuan took a slow breath and began cultivating.
The Martial Artist Fifth Layer: Cauldron Strength Realm was an extension of the Skin & Bones Realm. Its core principle was simple—perfect coordination between True Qi and the physical body.
The higher the coordination, the greater the strength.
Following the descriptions within the Heaven's Path Divine Art, Zhang Xuan calmed his spirit and carefully guided his limpid, water-like True Qi from the dantian through his body. He synchronized its rhythm perfectly with his muscles and bones.
This cultivation method—refined from over a thousand techniques—was terrifyingly efficient.
True Qi and flesh merged rapidly.
His strength surged.
Cauldron Strength Realm — early stage!Intermediate stage!Advanced stage!Peak!
Rumble!
After another two hours, Zhang Xuan's body trembled violently.
He opened his eyes in disbelief.
"Martial Artist Fifth Layer… peak?"
He had thought Fifth Layer would require long-term accumulation. Never had he imagined that, using the Heaven's Path Divine Art, he could reach peak strength in just two hours.
Before transmigrating, cultivation had been as difficult as ascending the heavens. Now, it felt as natural as eating or drinking.
In a single night, he had gone from Martial Artist Third Layer to Fifth Layer peak.
If he possessed a Sixth Layer technique—if he knew which acupoints to open—he might have already broken through.
But he didn't dare.
The Open Acupoint Realm was dangerous. The human body possessed 108 acupoints, of which only around 72 could be opened. The order varied by physique. One wrong step could permanently block future progress.
Without guidance, reckless advancement could ruin a lifetime of cultivation.
Satisfied, Zhang Xuan decided to stop.
"Unless absolutely necessary, I shouldn't expose my cultivation."
He knew too well that talent invited jealousy. As the academy's "trash teacher," suddenly possessing Fifth Layer peak strength would only invite endless trouble.
Better to keep it secret.
Still, curiosity tugged at him.
"How strong am I now?"
He returned to the strength-measuring stele.
Bang!
Light flashed.
8 cauldrons.
"Eight cauldrons?" Zhang Xuan's eyes gleamed.
Ordinary Cauldron Strength Realm peak cultivators possessed four cauldrons of strength. Each opened acupoint added one more.
His strength already rivaled an Open Acupoint Realm expert who had opened four acupoints.
"As expected of the Heaven's Path Divine Art."
Satisfied, Zhang Xuan prepared to eat and rest.
Then—
His ears twitched.
"Someone's here?"
His senses, now vastly enhanced, detected hidden figures not far away. Their gazes were fixed squarely on his dormitory.
"They haven't noticed me yet."
He stood behind the strength stele, having suppressed his aura completely.
Who would come looking for trouble at this hour?
Searching his memories, Zhang Xuan frowned. His previous self had been insignificant—no enemies worth sneaking around at night.
Strange.
Suddenly, a thought struck him.
Everyone in the academy believed he was only a Martial Artist Third Layer waste. If he appeared now with Fifth Layer peak strength, it would shock the heavens.
And worse—invite investigation.
Whoever these people were, they must not recognize him.
Making a quick decision, Zhang Xuan tore a strip of cloth from his robe and masked his face.
Under the starlight, he moved soundlessly forward.
Despite lacking combat techniques, his control over his body—tempered by the Heaven's Path Divine Art—was exquisite. Using terrain and shadows, he approached within ten meters of the intruder without being detected.
The man wore night-travel clothes and concealed his face as well.
From behind a tree, a low whisper drifted over.
"Boy, you only have yourself to blame. How dare you lay a hand on our young lady?"
Zhang Xuan frowned.
That voice… it sounds familiar.
He was certain he had heard it before—but where?
Before he could recall, the man shifted, advancing toward Zhang Xuan's dormitory. At the same time, a cold glint flashed in his hand.
A dagger.
The night grew tense.