Chapter 111: Fourth-Rank Martial Artist

Within the ruins, the mental energies of Xia Qiuming, Li Tian, Dongfang Kui, and Han Daohong converged above Dragon City.

The four of them exchanged thoughts.

"In my opinion, since the frontline is stable and the Dark Realm has retreated, we need to send one of us back to hold the fort. Moreover, I am uneasy about the Kunlun Secret Realm; it requires someone to truly investigate it. Many of our younger generation have entered, along with the elite youth from various overseas nations. If something were to happen, the consequences would be dire. Setting aside the pressure from overseas, even the talent pool of our own Huaxia youth would suffer a catastrophic interruption." Dongfang Kui’s booming voice erupted. Li Tian, stationed at the Refusal-of-the-North City, picked at his ear and replied: "Old Man Kui, could you keep it down? This is mental transmission; it’s like you’re whispering right into my ear. It’s annoying." Li Tian paused before adding: "However, the old man is right. The frontline is basically stable, and it should be some time before the Dark Realm invades again. We can spare one of us to return. With so many of our juniors in the Kunlun Secret Realm, it is wise to investigate thoroughly."

Han Daohong agreed with this decision, stating: "Indeed. Besides, with no Eleventh-Rank guardian currently in Huaxia, I don't feel entirely secure."

Xia Qiuming paced in Dragon City, deep in thought: "Who shall go?"

Dongfang Kui immediately interjected: "Me. I will go. My injuries have yet to fully heal, and it will take some time. If the Dark Realm were to attack while I am on guard duty, I fear I might not be able to hold them off. I shall return to the rear to recover, and investigate the Kunlun Secret Realm while I’m at it!"

...

That same day, Dongfang Kui, who had been guarding the rearmost city, set off to return to Earth.

...

Five days later.

Yang Fan frowned, staring at the data before him, feeling a bit troubled.

"Host: Yang Fan"
"Level: Third Rank"
"Title: Huaxia Warrior"
"Assets: 6,200,230"
"Qi Sea: 9.8"
"Spirit: 30.1"
"Available Points: 3,333"
"Addable Attributes: Qi Sea Supplement +, Qi Sea +"
"Shop: Not Opened"
"Lottery Chances: None"

Yang Fan looked over his stats and sensed his own body. Since the battle with Kun Yuan, Kun Sha had not bothered them again. Yang Fan had spent these days fully immersed in cultivation. He had reached the peak of the Third Rank. His internal energy could perfectly circulate throughout his entire body. He was only one step away from crossing the threshold—transitioning from external to internal, guiding his energy into his organs to temper them.

Yang Fan’s gaze rested on the "Qi Sea" option that hadn't appeared in a long time. With a thought, he added points.

Instantly, the data shifted!

"Host: Yang Fan"
"Level: Third Rank"
"Title: Huaxia Warrior"
"Assets: 6,200,230"
"Qi Sea: 10"
"Spirit: 30.1"
"Available Points: 3,331"
"Addable Attributes: Qi Sea Supplement +, Qi Sea +"
"Shop: Not Opened"
"Lottery Chances: None"

Following this, Yang Fan felt his dantian Qi Sea begin to surge. A wave of potent spiritual energy suddenly rushed into the Qi Sea, then converted into internal energy. The process was incredibly forceful. The capacity of the Qi Sea was not fixed; it expanded with the growth of one's cultivation. Initially, Yang Fan’s Qi Sea was no larger than a speck of light, but now it was the size of an apricot pit. With this infusion of energy, the Qi Sea became unstable. The once-calm energy within began to boil as the system-augmented energy surged in.

Yang Fan watched the changes in his Qi Sea nervously, and then a sharp pain shot through his abdomen. The pain came and went in a flash. When his Qi Sea finally calmed down, Yang Fan knew he had stepped into the Fourth Rank. He circulated his energy. It first spread to every inch of his skin, then began to permeate inward. When the energy reached his lungs, it stopped.

Fourth Rank, Initial Stage: Energy refining the five organs. The lungs were the first stop.

His title now changed: Fourth Rank Martial Master. Sitting cross-legged, Yang Fan blinked. He had only been cultivating for half a year, and he had already leaped four levels, formally becoming a Fourth Rank Martial Master. He had completed a third of the journey to transcending the Twelfth Rank.

Looking at the changing data, Yang Fan had some thoughts.

"Host: Yang Fan"
"Level: Fourth Rank"
"Title: Huaxia Martial Master"
"Assets: 6,200,230"
"Qi Sea: 10"
"Spirit: 30.1"
"Available Points: 3,331"
"Addable Attributes: Qi Sea Supplement +, Qi Sea +"
"Shop: Not Opened"
"Lottery Chances: 1"

He continued to add points. Since he was already at the Fourth Rank, he might as well go further. As for the lottery, Yang Fan felt he still hadn't recovered from the agony of the body-tempering liquid last time, so he decided to wait. No rush.

One day later, a maid from Kun Sha’s residence arrived, interrupting Yang Fan’s cultivation.

"Host: Yang Fan"
"Level: Fourth Rank"
"Title: Huaxia Martial Master"
"Assets: 6,200,230"
"Qi Sea: 12.1"
"Spirit: 30.1"
"Available Points: 3,311"
"Addable Attributes: Qi Sea Supplement +"
"Shop: Not Opened"
"Lottery Chances: 1"

Looking inward at his lungs, half of them were now covered by his internal energy. Just yesterday, in a split second, Yang Fan had added points up to 12, but once he reached 12, the Qi Sea option disappeared.

Rising to his feet, Yang Fan strode toward the door. Along the way, he wondered what Kun Sha wanted now. During these days in the Kunlun Secret Realm, although they were treated politely, he knew they were being watched. He hadn't felt it when he was Third Rank, but yesterday, after stepping into the Fourth Rank, Yang Fan sensed the lingering gazes from the shadows. However, he didn't care; being on someone else's turf, it was only natural to be watched.

Before long, Yang Fan reached the reception hall. Kun Sha’s residence was vast, but Yang Fan and his companions had only ever visited the reception hall and their guest rooms. They had never been anywhere else. Kun Sha had neither invited them nor forbidden them from exploring, but they maintained the etiquette of guests: if the host doesn't invite you, don't wander around. Especially when the host is an entity countless times stronger than themselves.

When Yang Fan entered the hall, Li Xianyi and the others had already arrived. Kun Sha sat at the head of the table; he looked slightly surprised when he saw Yang Fan enter.

*The kid reached the Fourth Rank.*

They hadn't seen each other for only a few days. Not long ago, the boy was only at the mid-Third Rank, nearing the peak but still with a distance to go. It had only been five days, and he had already entered the Fourth Rank? Kun Li, standing to the side, also looked surprised.

Li Xianyi glanced at Yang Fan, his expression unchanged. For Li Xianyi, anyone capable of participating in the Special Training Program was bound to have some peculiarities.

Once everyone was present, Kun Sha spoke: "Little friends, you have been in my Kunpeng Tribe for these days. I wonder what you think of us?"

Yang Fan and the others exchanged glances before Li Xianyi replied: "We thank the Chief for the hospitality during these days, which allowed us the honor of witnessing such a great tribe. The Kunpeng Tribe possesses immense strength, and the entire populace are cultivators; we are truly impressed. The Chief is also very warm and has not looked down upon us because we are juniors. Everyone in the tribe has treated us with kindness."