After their wedding night, Yu Yuanchen and Ye Zhilan were officially joined as husband and wife, beginning a new chapter in their lives. As newlyweds, they were naturally deeply in love, inseparable as glue and lacquer. Both inside and outside Dragon City, the grandeur of the Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon Clan's young master's wedding and the tales of this perfect match remained a popular topic of conversation.
However, neither Yu Yuanchen nor Ye Zhilan were the type to indulge in a life of ease. After a month of intimacy, enjoying a rare period of peace and sweetness, the two tacitly adjusted their states of mind and threw themselves back into their respective cultivation and work. True long-term companionship is walking side by side, not binding one another.
Time flowed by like water, silent and steady. In the blink of an eye, more than four years had passed.
During these four years, the situation on the continent appeared calm on the surface, but undercurrents were surging beneath. Every major sect and empire was accumulating strength, waiting for the arrival of the event destined to reshape the continent's power structure: the Seven Sects Selection Conference.
Under the leadership of their young master, Yu Yuanchen, the Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon Clan had entered a golden age of rapid development. The greatest change was not merely an increase in the number of soul masters, but the initial establishment and refinement of an entirely new power system.
Inside the quiet room, Yu Yuanchen slowly opened his eyes. The divine light within his pupils retracted, and his aura became perfectly integrated, as if he had merged with the surrounding world. He opened his palm, and instead of soul power, a blood-colored current—condensed into substance and containing vast life force and power—slowly swirled above it. This was the new system he had spent four years of heart's blood to perfect, combining his own cultivation experience, his past-life philosophies, and his research into bloodline power: the Martial Way!
"The way of qi and blood, named 'Martial', truly reveals its essence of unceasing self-improvement and proving the path through strength," Yu Yuanchen whispered to himself, his eyes flashing with wisdom. Over these four years, he had not only advanced his own cultivation but had also systematically summarized, simplified, and deduced this cultivation system derived from bloodline power, turning it into a complete, universal, and inheritable method.
On the desk in front of him lay dozens of meticulously drawn diagrams and manuscripts. At the core were the incredibly detailed Total Map of Human Meridians, marked with dense acupuncture points and pathways, and the accompanying Detailed Explanation of the Nine Realms of Martial Way.
The Nine Realms of the Martial Way progress step by step:
First Grade, Skin and Flesh Refining: The foundation-building realm. Through specific body-tempering movements, one toughens the skin and muscles, supplemented by stance training to guide qi and blood throughout the body, initially stimulating bloodline activity. It requires consuming large amounts of energy-rich meat (such as ten-year soul beast meat) or taking "Blood Essence Pills" specially formulated by the Ye Family according to Yu Yuanchen's requirements to replenish consumption. Once successful, one's physique far exceeds that of an ordinary person, capable of initially invoking a trace of "Bloodline Power" (Note: qi and blood is the foundation; Bloodline Power is its condensed and sublimated energy form).
Second Grade, Tendon and Bone Tempering (Initial): Using Bloodline Power to circulate the Martial Way Body Tempering Art, one systematically tempers the bones and fascia of the entire body, excluding the skull, to make them resilient. This requires continuous supplementation with Blood Essence Pills and the use of "Meridian Protecting Pills" to protect the meridians and bones from hidden injuries.
Third Grade, Tendon and Bone Tempering (Integrated): Treating the tendons and bones (excluding the skull) as a whole, one performs a second, deeper tempering to make them an integrated unit, greatly increasing their strength. Subsequently, using the body's qi and blood circulation, one carefully includes the skull's tendons and bones in the tempering process, completing the basic forging of the entire body's skeleton. This stage has a heavier reliance on pills.
Fourth Grade, Washing the Five Viscera: Operating secret techniques, one uses gentle and persistent Bloodline Power to wash the heart, liver, spleen, lungs, and kidneys along specific meridian routes. Yu Yuanchen has simplified this; practitioners do not need to comprehend the artistic conceptions corresponding to the organs themselves, but simply follow the steps. This requires higher-grade Blood Essence Pills and specialized "Viscera Protecting Pills."
Fifth Grade, Refining the Six Fu Organs and Opening the Heavenly Cycle: Tempering the six fu organs and fully connecting the five viscera and six fu organs with the body's meridians, forming a "small internal heavenly cycle" excluding the head. The efficiency of qi and blood circulation surges, becoming endless.
Sixth Grade, Tempering the Skull and Consolidating the Divine Court: Utilizing the established small heavenly cycle, one draws upon vast qi and blood to perform a second, more thorough tempering of the skull bones, while initially stabilizing the seat of the spirit (Sea of Consciousness), laying the foundation for subsequent spiritual cultivation.
Seventh Grade, Forging Bone Marrow, Blood like Mercury: Deep within the bones, one tempers the marrow, making it as heavy and condensed as mercury, brimming with life force. The speed of qi and blood regeneration reaches an astonishing level, and one's lifespan increases significantly.
Seventh Grade perfection is the limit of a mortal body. If one can break through, they enter the transcendent realm:
Golden Body Realm: Invoking a trace of the True Meaning of Law one has comprehended (no need for deep insight, just a glimpse is enough), one tempers the entire body, turning flesh, tendons, bones, organs, and marrow into a pale gold. The body becomes flawless and indestructible, possessing immense power in every movement, with a lifespan of over three hundred years. This realm matches the physical strength of an ordinary Power Attack System Titled Douluo after using their Martial Soul Avatar.
• Law Integration into Body (Innate Realm): Deeply comprehending and drawing the laws of heaven and earth to fully integrate into oneself, completing the ultimate transformation of life level. This is equivalent to returning to an innate state, becoming an Innate Being naturally nurtured by the laws of heaven and earth. One can invoke Law Power with every gesture, which is extraordinarily profound. This realm is the beginning of the deification of the physical body! Yu Yuanchen himself successfully entered this realm during these past four years!
Over these four years, Yu Yuanchen did not deliberately pursue rapid increases in soul power level, instead focusing his energy on solidifying his foundation, organizing the Martial Way, and completing the transformation of "Law Integration into Body." However, as things naturally fell into place, his soul power cultivation still grew steadily, reaching Level 98.
His Spiritual Power, following his profound insights into himself and the world, broke through to the incredibly mysterious "Spirit Domain Realm" (though he had not yet begun to construct a spirit domain), resulting in a qualitative change in his perception range and precision. Today, even without using his Martial Soul True Body, he was confident that his "Innate Body," tempered by the Martial Way and refined by laws, was enough to sweep away all existences below Level 98.
Ye Zhilan's progress was equally immense. Under Yu Yuanchen's guidance and the allocation of sect resources, her soul power successfully broke through to Level 85, and her Sacred Heart Immortal Begonia Martial Soul became increasingly miraculous.
The "Beast Taming Research Institute," into which she had poured so much effort, also achieved a breakthrough with the "assistance" of Gu Yuena (the Silver Dragon King's avatar). Although a universal Soul Beast Contract Law was still a long way off, Ye Zhilan used the extraordinary affinity her Sacred Heart Immortal Begonia had for plant-type soul beasts to successfully establish a perfect Symbiotic Contract with a 70,000-year-old Demon Eye Demon Tree!
This Demon Eye Demon Tree, named "Demon Pupil," possessed high intelligence and extreme aggression, but under the natural suppression and patient communication of Ye Zhilan's martial soul, it willingly became her contract partner.
Even more surprisingly, through this deep contract, "Demon Pupil" could transmit a portion of its Origin Power to Ye Zhilan, helping her condense soul rings! Ye Zhilan's eighth soul ring came from this, deep in color and vast in energy.
Furthermore, thanks to this special soul ring, she awakened a powerful domain soul skill—the Immortal Begonia Domain! Within the domain, healing effects were greatly enhanced, and the enemy's status could be significantly weakened, making it one of the highest realms for a Support System Soul Master. (The Sacred Heart Immortal Begonia ultimately originated from the Nine Heart Begonia; its core ability remained healing. Regardless of the soul ring absorbed, the soul skill effects would always lean toward healing, purification, and amplification.)
The results of the institute and Ye Zhilan's increased strength made Yu Yuanchen even more determined to promote the "Martial Way" and explore the path of "Beast Taming." These were potential avenues to greatly enhance the overall strength of the sect and even the human race.
Amidst this day-to-day cultivation, research, and sedimentation, a piece of news that shook the continent was finally officially announced to the world by Martial Soul Hall:
The first Seven Sects Selection Conference would be held in three months in Martial Soul City, the seat of Martial Soul Hall!
When the news spread, the world was in an uproar. Every sect and family that considered themselves powerful began to stir. The ranking of the Upper Three Sects and Lower Four Sects was not only about supreme glory but also meant the right to speak and the distribution of resources for the next hundred years!
Within the Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon Clan, everyone was discussing it heatedly, their emotions running high. With the sect's current soaring momentum, the young master Yu Yuanchen was hailed as the number one person of the younger generation on the continent—or perhaps the "younger generation" label could be removed entirely. The calls for them to claim the title of "Number One Sect Under Heaven" were deafening and almost a foregone conclusion.
Inside the quiet room, Yu Yuanchen stood with his hands behind his back by the window, watching the clouds roll and unfurl in the distance. The Sect Master Yu Boxuan, the Great Elder Yu Qingtian, Ye Kuan, and others were all present, their expressions solemn yet expectant.
"Yuanchen, the Seven Sects Selection is imminent. In your opinion, how should our sect respond?" Yu Boxuan asked in a deep voice. Although he already had his own plans, he still wanted to hear his grandson's opinion.
Yu Yuanchen turned around, his expression calm and ripple-free, as if he were talking about a trivial matter unrelated to himself: "Grandfather, elders, there is no need for excessive preparation, nor is there a need to be deliberately ostentatious. The strength of our Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon Clan is known to all. If they give us the title of 'Number One Sect Under Heaven', we shall accept it; if they do not..."
He paused slightly, the corner of his mouth curling into a faint yet incredibly confident arc: "I will go and take it myself."
His tone was flat, yet it contained an unquestionable, absolute power and dominance!
Four years of secluded cultivation, the Martial Way initially formed, laws added to his body, soul power at the peak of Level 98, Spiritual Power entering the Spirit Domain Realm... Today's Yu Yuanchen had enough confidence to say these words.
He even had a feeling that even if he were to face that unfathomable Great Consecrator of Martial Soul Hall, Qian Chongxiao, who wielded the Angel Sacred Sword, he had full confidence in defeating him within ten moves! Of course, if the other party spared no cost to invoke the Angel Divine Power for support, that would be a different situation, but Yu Yuanchen had his own countermeasures.
His state of mind had become completely calm. Although the continent was vast and heroes emerged in large numbers, there were few who could fight him, Yu Yuanchen, with everything they had. To him, this Seven Sects Selection was more like a ceremony with a predetermined outcome, an opportunity to announce the peak status of the Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon Clan to the entire continent.
"As for Martial Soul Hall..." Yu Yuanchen's gaze was deep, "They wish to use this selection to establish order and consolidate their momentum. As long as they do not touch our sect's fundamental interests, let them be for now. The current focus remains on perfecting the Martial Way, promoting the Method of Soul Cores, and accumulating strength. I wish to become a god, and an orderly continent is more beneficial to me."
Hearing this, everyone felt at ease. With Yu Yuanchen there, the sect had its anchor.
"Since that is the case, we shall follow Yuanchen's words," Yu Boxuan made the final decision. "Our sect will observe the changes and respond to the changing situation with the unchanging."
The meeting dispersed, and Yu Yuanchen remained alone in the quiet room. He walked slowly into the courtyard and looked up at the azure sky, his gaze seemingly piercing through layers of space to see the place where the wind and clouds were about to gather.
"Seven Sects Selection... very well, let this continent truly recognize what is meant by... Thunderous Momentum."
He whispered to himself, his aura natural and integrated, as if he had merged with the world. The storm was coming, and he had been waiting for a long time.
───────────────
Translated by: randomtranslator.com
Proofread by: GodKun-Chan