Transformation Diagram: Starting as a Skinny Dog-Chapter 561 - 361: Climbing the Mountain

At the same time that Chen Ku was severely beating Jiang Hengchu,

Bang!

A wail erupted from the Yan Capital, and blood light soared into the sky. The elder of the Jiang Family, despite unleashing breakthrough-level combat power, was not facing an ordinary Tenth Realm expert, but one of the Four Great Divine Monks from Putuo Mountain.

The divine thought of Monk Tian Hai, like a golden lotus with heavenly flowers falling in disorder, struck forward to kill. In less than half a tea’s time, he severed the arms of the Jiang Family elder, and with one divine thought and heavenly blade, split the soul of the Jiang Family elder.

Ninth Elder of the Jiang Family, Jiang Yanchang, has fallen.

Killed by Monk Tian Hai with the Prajnaparamita Skill above the Yan Capital.

A master of the Ninth Realm Nine Layers has fallen, blood qi filling the sky, the disturbance terrifying.

Even within the Divine Martial Academy, some people could not help but stand up, gravely watching the barefoot old monk, who after killing the Ninth Elder, clasped his hands together.

"Master Uncle Tian Hai is really fierce!"

Chen Ku, turning his head, also witnessed the fall of a Ninth Realm peak Blood Exchange expert. Looking at Jiang Hengchu, who had already been beaten half-dead by him, he wasted no words and placed his hands on his forehead to summon the Champion Marquis’s Immortal Blade, intending to directly cut down Jiang Hengchu’s body, leaving no chance for his soul to re-enter.

But at this moment.

From within the Divine Martial Academy, a golden sunlight appeared, accompanied by the loud shout of a mighty man:

"By the command of the Governor, you two are both pillars of Daji. Having already come under the Divine Martial Hall, you must have the intent to enter it. Sparring is allowed, but you must not harm each other, or else the Divine Martial Hall will not admit either of you."

With the voice,

Chen Ku saw a golden light appear before him, revealing the silhouette of a towering man.

"Tenth Realm Primordial Heaven? A great power!"

Chen Ku sensed the other party’s aura, becoming grave.

Yet, just as his heart was in awe,

another grey light appeared before Chen Ku, standing vaguely by his side to help him resist the imposing aura of the towering man. It was an old Taoist.

Smiling at Chen Ku, he said:

"Do not worry, young one. I am Gu Heng, the Instructor Elder from Qianyuan Mountain. That one is the Deputy Mountain Master from Primordial Yang Mountain. Neither of us will do anything to you. Indeed, it was when you were fighting Jiang Hengchu that the Governor issued the order. He will not sit by and watch any talent fall under his nose."

Chen Ku felt the goodwill from the grey-robed old Taoist.

But his face remained cautious as he looked at the imposing man from Primordial Yang Mountain.

Primordial Yang Mountain? Qianyuan Mountain? Both are great powers among the Nine Great Sect.

Meanwhile,

The thought trembled in his heart:

"The Governor? Is it Governor Yuan Yue? Southwest King Li Shentong? He actually came personally to cut the ribbon for the Divine Martial Hall."

Whoosh!

Just as Chen Ku was about to speak, behind him, a Buddhist light came whistling forward. It was Monk Tian Hai, standing behind Chen Ku, his eyes indifferent yet subtly intimidating toward the Deputy Mountain Master of Primordial Yang Mountain, Gu Huang, simultaneously asking Chen Ku:

"Sect Master, what happened? Do you need the old monk to intervene on your behalf?"

At this moment, hearing Monk Tian Hai call Chen Ku the Sect Master, both the old Gu Heng and Gu Huang looked at Chen Ku with subtle expressions.

Although Putuo Mountain is destroyed,

It was also a sect once, and now... does it really recognize this young man as the Sect Master?

In a certain sense, doesn’t that make his status on par with theirs?

Chen Ku saw Monk Tian Hai posture as if ready to battle the mighty man from Primordial Yang Mountain the moment he spoke, and he immediately responded softly: "Master Uncle, it’s nothing..."

He thought internally:

"It was hard to find Master Uncle Tian Hai as such a support. If he really fights with Primordial Yang Mountain here, with the Southwest King sitting inside, it would be unfavorable to our situation. Let’s endure for now. This is in front of everyone’s eyes, with the Southwest King also speaking. If I insist on killing, it would publicly disrespect their face. Better to stop for now; when the time is right, find a dark and stormy night to secretly deal with Jiang Hengchu."

He was very familiar with sneaky deals behind the scenes.

So, Chen Ku bowed towards the Divine Martial Mountain, saying: "Martial Arts Scholar Chen Ku from Qiu Dragon Mansion, will honor the Governor’s command."

With that said, he put away the Immortal Blade from his forehead.

In the Academic Palace.

"This Chen Ku, when he struck just now, looked ruthless and was clearly intent on eradicating Jiang Hengchu completely, but ended up just backing down."

Some great powers commented on Chen Ku:

"This one is not simple."

Yet they saw,

Sitting in the main Taishi Chair of the Academic Palace, the ’Southwest King’—the most powerful man in the two southwestern provinces—was stroking his beard with a cheerful smile, stating:

"Understanding depth, knowing when to advance and retreat, acting on impulse without regard is recklessness. This young man, at such a youthful age, can control his emotions. Even with thunder in his heart, his face is as calm as a lake, handling things with ease. This is exactly the kind of talent we need as a ’Supreme General’ in our Divine Martial Hall."

The other great powers of the sect nodded in agreement upon hearing this.

If Chen Ku had just ignored Governor Li’s orders and insisted on killing Jiang Hengchu, it would have been a slap in the face to the governor. Essentially, his political life within the Divine Martial Hall would have come to an abrupt end.

On the contrary, now...

The Great Priest of the Dragon Abyss Province Martial Temple beside Li Shentong chuckled:

"This child is indeed outstanding. Before coming to Yan Capital, he thwarted the resurrection plan of Evil God Yellow Heaven in Qiu Dragon Mansion, satisfying the ’Grandmaster’ nomination. However, within the Martial Temple, we are still discussing whether to officially bestow the title of ’Grandmaster’ upon him."

"Is there such a matter? Thwarting Evil God Yellow Heaven’s resurrection plan, that’s indeed a significant achievement."

Li Shentong stroked his beard with a smile and said:

"Today, he once again demonstrated extraordinary talent and combat prowess. I think there’s no need for further discussion; he deserves the title of ’Grandmaster’."

"The Governor speaks truly." The Great Priest of the Provincial Martial Temple nodded with a smile: "Then let us grant him the title of Grandmaster."

The other nine prominent figures present, upon seeing this scene, remained silent, observing solemnly.

Although everyone knows the Martial Temple is a distinct system independent of the Imperial Court’s official hierarchy.

Yet it still depends on the levels being compared.

Faced with the Southwest King Li Shentong, who now governs over two provinces with a population exceeding thirty billion, a single province’s Martial Temple has no standing to claim independence before him.

...

Chen Ku had no idea that his position as Grandmaster was so effortlessly decided upon in a few words by these influential figures.

He merely addressed the Tian Hai Monk: "Master Uncle, I don’t have any major issues here, so you can return to Guanyin Monastery to rest. Once I attain the status of ’Divine Martial Student’, I will visit you."

Tian Hai Monk nodded.

The medicinal effect of the Holy Heart Bodhi Fruit Chen Ku gave him will last for six or seven days. During these days, he indeed needs to make good use of it, perhaps experiencing breakthroughs in his mental state; even if issues can’t be fully resolved, at least he can extend the time he stays clear-headed each day.

After bidding farewell to Tian Hai. 𝒻𝘳𝘦𝘦𝘸ℯ𝒷𝘯𝘰𝑣ℯ𝑙.𝘤𝑜𝘮

Chen Ku glanced at Jiang Hengchu, who had been taken away by Gu Huang of Primordial Yang Mountain, with a flicker of subtle emotions in his eyes.

Beside him, Gu Heng’s smiling voice rang out:

"Chen Ku, I have high hopes for you."

Chen Ku looked at Gu Heng in mild astonishment.

Gu Heng chuckled: "In truth, I’ve been paying attention to you for a long time. This time, it’s a timely coincidence. I’ve been dispatched from Qianyuan Mountain to the Divine Martial Academy as an ’instructor’, tasked with creating ’Qianyuan Hall’ within the Divine Martial Hall. If you’re interested in our Qianyuan Mountain’s martial arts, you’re welcome to attend lectures in Qianyuan Hall."

After speaking, he glanced towards the gate of Divine Martial Mountain, where many young talents had already gathered and continued: "Alright, time is short, the ’trial’ at the mountain gate is about to commence. With your talent, passing the trial won’t be an issue, but... since it’s a trial, there will be competition. The Divine Martial Hall plans to enroll a thousand, establishing ten halls, each having a ’Lower Academy’, ’Upper Academy’, and ’Immortal Institute’."

When the time comes, which institute you’re placed into will depend entirely on your results in this trial. So I suggest that in the forthcoming trial, don’t hold back. Showcase as much of your qualifications and root bone as possible."

After Gu Heng finished speaking.

He turned into a gray light and vanished from sight.

Chen Ku remained somewhat dazed.

He quickly ran through what Gu Heng had said in his mind, pondering, and before long, arrived at the foot of Divine Martial Mountain.

There, an elderly man clad in a Martial Temple University Scholar Robe spoke with a voice that rang far and wide:

"The Imperial Court established the Divine Martial Hall to cultivate future Supreme Generals in the military. Hence, unfortunately, we must exclude talents that do not meet the requirements. Only those who meet the admission criteria may participate in the selection examination.

These three requirements are: under thirty years of age, Seventh Realm cultivation or higher, and of Grandmaster origin.

Anyone fulfilling one of these three requirements may participate in the selection examination.

On this basis, the Martial Temple, together with the nine major sects and the provincial government office, has prepared three trials for the candidates meeting the three criteria. Everyone, please look at these mountain steps..."

The old scholar turned and pointed to the mountain steps:

"Ascending here involves three exams testing your root bone, qualifications, and cultivation in three stages. The exam duration is one month; within this month, the first thousand to pass through all three stages will be admitted to the Divine Martial Hall. Enrollment stops once filled. Now, those wishing to apply for the Divine Martial Hall can prepare to climb the mountain; these long steps are your first selection test."

"It’s both a selection test and a pleasant surprise; even if you can’t reach the top, it will bring benefits to those climbing the mountain."

After the elder scholar finished speaking.

He flew towards the mountain top.

At this moment, below Divine Martial Mountain, tens of thousands from Dragon Abyss, Taiyue, and across the country had gathered.

At a glance, these individuals more or less meet the three enrollment criteria.

Under thirty years of age, Seventh Realm cultivation... and the rare Grandmaster origin.

At this moment, all began moving towards the long steps to ascend the mountain.

"How difficult could climbing be?"

Someone mumbled and rushed up the steps, making it four or five paces before...

A breath or two later, their face turned pale, legs trembling, and they dropped to their knees on the steps:

"Why... can’t I stand up?"