With a single thought, the circulating cultivation method suddenly changed. Only Gu Yuan dared to do this, because of the special nature of the Yuan Shi Zu Qi Zhang, which could integrate all martial arts cultivation methods in this world. He had no fear of qi deviation and backlash. If an ordinary martial artist dared to do this, they would explode and die within minutes, with blood flowing from all seven orifices.
Gu Yuan began the process of transforming his true qi. The entire cultivation chamber fell into silence.
Qinchuan Prefecture, Qin Mountain!
On a mountain peak thousands of meters above sea level, a rock formation protruding outwards formed a suspended platform.
A person stood upon it, exceedingly tall and imposing, at least nine feet in height. He wore a black martial robe, his dark hair fluttering in the wind, and a great halberd extended from his muscular arm.
His face was resolute, yet a wild and untamed aura emanated from his brow. His eyes were tightly shut, his chest rising and falling continuously. White streams of qi entered and exited his mouth and nose. The spiritual energy within a hundred-mile radius of Qin Mountain began to converge here, being drawn into his body through every pore with the intensity of a whale's gulp.
The qi meridians within his body began to circulate the spiritual energy madly, channeling it into his dantian, where it formed a continuously rotating vortex.
The instant the vortex took shape, the man opened his fierce eyes, a black glint flashing within them. Behind him, stars seemed to faintly appear, as if governing the fortune and misfortune of the mortal world.
A long roar echoed through Qin Mountain. Many disciples in black martial robes on the mountainside immediately ceased their actions, their eyes looking towards the peak with reverence.
—
Xiajing, on the outskirts of the city, within a luxurious villa complex.
A young man with an exceptionally stern face was meditating, his eyes closed. If Gu Yuan were present, he would be greatly astonished, for this was Xuanyuan Tianxia, the top prodigy from the martial arts examination!
His spiritual energy circulated rhythmically around him, vaguely resembling a majestic white divine dragon.
The dragon's form grew increasingly solid, eventually transforming into a dragon shadow that directly entered Xuanyuan Tianxia's body from the crown of his head.
Above his villa, spiritual energy continuously condensed, eventually forming a five-clawed divine dragon that roamed freely through the clouds, exuding an aura of nobility.
This caused many members of the Xuanyuan family to come out and investigate. The younger members looked on with awe, while the older ones displayed expressions of relief and deeply hidden hope.
—
Above Tianhai City's eastern district, the phenomenon of a hundred birds paying homage to a phoenix appeared. Qichuan Prefecture! Liangguang Prefecture! Qilu Prefecture! Dongsan Prefecture! And so on, grand phenomena manifested in every location. These were only those that were discovered; there were undoubtedly more in unknown places.
Even in the regions beyond the passes, where fierce beasts resided, there was a scene of myriad beasts converging. This caused the border guards to strengthen their vigilance, lest fierce beasts launch an attack!
This phenomenon also alerted the true powers that be.
In an unknowable location within Tianxia, projections appeared and took their seats. None of them spoke.
The projection seated at the head of the table, seeing that most had arrived, began to speak, "Everyone, you must have already learned of the various phenomena that have occurred. I will not elaborate further to save time. This is the phenomenon caused by all the genius prodigies participating in this year's martial arts examination breaking through to the True Qi realm. The meaning behind this is likely clear to all of you."
Those who were not fully aware of the situation couldn't help but utter gasps of surprise, partly at the number of geniuses simultaneously breaking through to the True Qi realm and producing such phenomena, and partly due to a deeper reason.
Someone slowly spoke, "It seems the great era of contention is truly upon us. Furthermore, the ascension of heaven and earth is a matter that concerns our entire human race. Once these children complete the martial arts league and most of them reach the Qi Sea realm, we will open our race's passage!"
"Indeed, we have been developing in secret for so many years. It's time to show those alien races the might of our human race!" said a robust man exuding fiery red true qi.
Many nodded in agreement upon hearing this. It was true, humanity should bare its fangs.
The man in the leading position remained silent, as if he also agreed with the sentiment. However, as the overseer of the entire Tianxia human race, he had to consider it cautiously.
He then stated, "I understand everyone's intentions. I will discuss this with the Elder Council. I will inform you of the outcome. Please strengthen your tasks and do not make any mistakes. The meeting is adjourned!"
As soon as his voice fell, the projections began to dissipate. The man exuding fiery red true qi wanted to say something more, but seemed to recall something, sighed slightly, and then vanished in a flicker of flames.
Finally, only the man in the leading position remained in the empty space. Looking at the vacant expanse, he couldn't help but sigh leisurely, before also disappearing. His sigh still echoed in the space.
Returning to the First Martial Arts University, within the cultivation tower's chamber.
Gu Yuan was enveloped in purple lightning, making him resemble an ancient thunder god.
Finally, the lightning faintly depicted a divine form behind him, radiating immense power. However, the master of the lightning was unaware of what was happening behind him.
The lightning-formed mouth curved upwards slightly, as if a gaze emanated from the divine form, constantly scanning Gu Yuan. Finally, it seemed to show a satisfied smile before dissolving into wisps of lightning and disappearing from the chamber.
The lightning surrounding Gu Yuan slowly flowed into his body. He opened his eyes, and a flicker of electric light flashed in the chamber. Gu Yuan stood up, feeling the vortex composed of lightning within his dantian, a satisfied smile appearing on his face.
He could transform the vortex in his dantian into one composed of primal qi with a mere thought, so he had no worries. Cultivating the "Nine Heavens Purple霄 Divine Thunder Method" was no different from cultivating the "Yuan Shi Zu Qi Zhang," allowing him to proceed with confidence.
Gu Yuan pulled out the key to the room, which also served as the formation control hub. He opened the door and looked at Di Liu, who was sitting cross-legged outside. With a smile, he said, "Teacher Di, I have successfully broken through to the True Qi realm."
Di Liu had already stood up, stretching his body with a crackling sound of bones. Sensing the lightning aura surrounding Gu Yuan, he nodded with satisfaction and praised, "Not bad. You finally have some combat power now."
Gu Yuan returned the key to Di Liu, who put it away and closed the door to the cultivation chamber, then led Gu Yuan to return the key.
On the way, Di Liu said to Gu Yuan, "Your breakthrough took about a day and a night. It's been reported online that contestants from many other prefectures have also broken through to the True Qi realm, and the number is not small. Be prepared, winning the championship in the martial arts league won't be easy."
Gu Yuan nodded, "I will work hard!"
Di Liu gave him a sideways glance, "Martial arts isn't just about hard work, it also requires influence, understand? Bring me your weapons. Didn't you obtain a top-grade blood-tempered gold from the Central Prefecture Treasury last time? Give it to me. I'll find a refining master at the school to forge it for you to increase its power. Oh, and bring your great bow as well. This is all arranged by the principal, so there will be no extra cost for the upgrades."
Gu Yuan was somewhat surprised, not expecting to upgrade his weapons for free. He had been wondering where to find someone to upgrade his equipment. Upon hearing Di Liu's words, he immediately produced all his weapons: the Heavy Profound Scarlet Refinement, Autumn Water, and a piece of blood-tempered gold.
Di Liu waved his arm, collecting them into his storage space. Since they did not yet possess the mark of being bonded to a spirit artifact, they could be directly placed into another person's storage space, provided Gu Yuan did not resist.
"Alright, if you have nothing else, go to the Scripture Pavilion to learn new martial arts techniques for combat. By the way, are you still practicing your 'Seven Fierce Killing Fist'?" Di Liu suddenly asked.
Gu Yuan shook his head, indicating he was no longer practicing the "Seven Fierce Killing Fist."
Di Liu sighed softly, "Alright then. Hurry up and strengthen yourself, young man. Great events are about to unfold, and those without strength will only perish."
Leaving behind an enigmatic statement, he quickly departed.
Gu Yuan stood in place, looking at the rapidly departing figure, his mind lost in thought.
Great events are about to unfold, what great events? Gu Yuan's eyes flickered.
Finally, he shook his head and decided to focus on strengthening himself. He would go learn new martial arts techniques immediately!