"Purple Gold Shuttle."

"Liyang Purple Bone."

"After merging, what change will the Sixth Rank ’Purple Gold Shuttle’ undergo? Can the ’Fifth Rank Purple Gold Secret Technique’ activate the ’Sixth Rank Purple Gold Shuttle’?"

Yan Chuan was both hopeful and apprehensive.

The ’Sixth Rank Purple Gold Shuttle’ must be stronger, that’s beyond doubt.

But now that Yan Chuan is in Five Blessings City and is also supposed to give martial arts lectures for the Independent Practitioner Alliance, if the newly developed and initially mastered ’Fifth Rank Purple Gold Secret Technique’ cannot drive the enhanced ’Sixth Rank Purple Gold Shuttle’, Yan Chuan’s original speed comparable to a Fifth-Rank Divine General might regress. Only after he creates the ’Sixth Rank Purple Gold Secret Technique’ and can initially activate the ’Sixth Rank Purple Gold Shuttle’ will he regain his speed advantage and advance further.

After the enhancement of the ’Sixth Rank Purple Gold Shuttle’, until the development and initial mastery of the ’Sixth Rank Purple Gold Secret Technique’, Yan Chuan will be in a ’weakened’ phase.

"Five Blessings City and the Independent Practitioner Alliance are not safe."

"The ’Sixth Rank Purple Gold Secret Technique’ might be the true skill, and it may not be completed in a short time. During this period, if I’m unable to use the ’Purple Gold Shuttle,’ my speed and survival abilities will surely decline significantly."

Yan Chuan hesitated.

Strengthening has its drawbacks.

But if he doesn’t strengthen—

The ’Fifth Rank Purple Gold Shuttle’ can be used mostly when I become a Fourth-Rank or Fifth-Rank Divine General. By that time, the ’Purple Gold Battle Boots’ will no longer be a lifesaver but a mere enhancement. If I don’t make a breakthrough in ’Wave Riding Micro Steps,’ the speed limit of the ’Purple Gold Battle Boots’ will only just meet the Fifth-Rank Divine General’s threshold."

"Not impressive enough."

"The ’Purple Gold Armor’ is the same; its defensive capability is roughly comparable to a third-rank physique."

Yan Chuan’s cultivation is still far from the fourth and fifth ranks.

But ’Wave Riding Micro Steps’ is on the verge of a breakthrough.

Regarding physique, with sufficient Fire Bud Crystals, the third-rank physique isn’t too distant.

So, the ’Fifth Rank Purple Gold Shuttle’ won’t be useful for too long. If it’s not strengthened in advance, later on, when Yan Chuan achieves a third-rank physique and extraordinary lightness skills, temporary strengthening would still cause delays if the derivation skill is not ready.

"Actually, strengthening isn’t the key."

"Developing the ’Sixth Rank Purple Gold Secret Technique’ is the key."

After contemplating for a while, Yan Chuan finally decided to wait a little longer: "Until I gain a firm foothold in the Independent Practitioner Alliance, achieve a third-rank physique, and reach the peak of ’Wave Riding Micro Steps’ in the Eighth Realm, I won’t need the ’Fifth Rank Purple Gold Shuttle,’ but my survival ability will be decent. That’s the time to strengthen and further develop."

Yan Chuan kept his composure, splitting his focus to continue studying the ’Fifth Rank Purple Gold Secret Technique’ and ’Fifth Rank Purple Gold Shuttle.’ The secret technique, in combination with the surprise weapon, just in the first layer of its five forms, possesses the power of an ordinary fifth-rank odd weapon. Once he masters the second layer, it ranks among the best of fifth-rank odd weapons, and when it reaches the third layer, it’s already a solid sixth-rank prowess.

This is the prowess of the ’Purple Gold Shuttle.’

Though it’s difficult.

It’s truly powerful.

...

In the times that followed, Yan Chuan became even busier.

Martial arts lectures.

Rigorous cultivation.

Insight meditation.

The martial arts lectures encompassed many directions —

Heavenly Ladder City.

Tan Valley Army.

Seventeen major cities within the Tan Valley Realm.

Jinze Region’s nascent Independent Practitioner Alliance.

Yan Chuan did not take a day off, and every day, at least one to two hundred Divine Generals and at least hundreds of thousands of military and civilian audience listened to Yan Chuan’s martial arts lectures.

Mutual Teaching and Learning!

The feedback was fierce!

Yan Chuan constantly improved, seemingly endlessly.

While he was busy here.

In the ’North Mansion,’ apart from the Monkey King Avatar staying put honestly, everyone else was also busy with their own things—

Tan Yunqing helped Tan Dou cultivate the ’Eight Desolates and Six Harmonies, Only I Am Venerated,’ pushing palace to activate blood, manipulating acupoints, seemingly connecting himself to Tan Dou in ’Life and Death Dual Cultivation.’ Like father, like son; as Tan Yunqing trained, it was as if Tan Dou was also cultivating even though he was in a coma.

Tan Yunqing cultivated for two, carrying a heavy burden, visibly tired and exhausted, the vibrant Innate Grandmaster astonishingly appeared old to the naked eye.

It seemed that this ’Life and Death Dual Cultivation’ not only helped Tan Dou in cultivation but seemingly truly shared life and longevity, as if Tan Yunqing was shortening his life.

A father’s love is like a mountain, worthy of respect.

Lu Yuru comprehended the ’Three Heavenly Swords,’ refined ’Fire Bud Crystal,’ refined ’Fifth Rank Peak·Jade Dew,’ and refined ’Fifth Rank Peak·Essence Fire.’ Her swordsmanship, physique’s strength, and soul resilience were all improving, far exceeding the peak state, undeniably unmatched below the Innate, steadily approaching Innate.

She possessed the Wisdom Eye, frequently taking walks outside, occasionally scoring lucky finds. Although she hadn’t mastered a unique skill, her wealth accumulation grew rapidly, surpassing many Divine Generals. After her Proving Dao to Innate, she had a hopeful and unstoppable rise.

Ding Xiang bound the second slot of her ’Mind Reading Technique’ to the formation array master ’Zhonghang Lu’ within Five Blessings City. After her ’Mind Reading Technique’ upgrade, she could not only bind more individuals but also dramatically expand the range, no longer needing exceptionally close proximity. As long as both she and Zhonghang Lu were in Five Blessings City, Ding Xiang could ’read minds’ and steal Zhonghang Lu’s accumulation in the field of formation arrays.

Ding Xiang learned formation arrays rapidly!

As for Situ Fei –

...

"To do a good job, one must first sharpen one’s tools." Situ Fei found Ding Xiang, "The ’Point Array Talisman Pen’ can delineate array patterns, the ’Mixed Furnace’ can refine formation array foundations, and the ’Circulation Cycle Array’s three hundred sixty-five array flags can simulate various basic formations to help you clarify your thoughts."

"Sister Bodhisattva—" Ding Xiang knew that Situ Fei always treated her well, but the ’Point Array Talisman Pen,’ ’Mixed Furnace,’ and ’Circulation Cycle Array,’ although only third rank, are treasures for beginners studying formation arrays, each priced over 1 Primordial Pill, and together at least 5 Primordial Pills.

Sister Bodhisattva wasn’t wealthy either, so where did she get the Primordial Pills to buy these?

Ding Xiang shook her head: "Sister Bodhisattva, I can’t accept this."

Situ Fei treated her well usually, she could accept that. But when it comes to treasures and Primordial Pills, Ding Xiang knew the limit; she wasn’t a ’gold-digger’ and wouldn’t accept Situ Fei’s favor while being distant from her, that’d be shameless. Ding Xiang had principles and bottom lines.

However—

"They’ve already been bought." Situ Fei smiled: "They can’t be returned."

Ding Xiang blinked, looked at the ’Point Array Talisman Pen’ and other three treasures, and then looked at Situ Fei, reluctantly saying: "Sister, you can’t spend recklessly next time!"

They’ve already been bought.

Take them first.

"Fortunately, I have ’Mind Reading Technique’ to stealthily learn Zhonghang Lu’s formation knowledge and grow rapidly. When I achieve mastery in formations and start earning money, I’ll repay Sister Bodhisattva tenfold or a hundredfold!" Ding Xiang was particularly inept at refusing, especially when it came to refusing the seemingly pitiful Situ Fei.

"Oh!"

Situ Fei smiled upon hearing this, handing over the three treasures to Ding Xiang.

Then—

[Expenditure: 5 Primordial Pills 422 Essence Stones.]

[Return: 10 Primordial Pills 844 Essence Stones.]

"Double return!"

"What’s going on with that?"

Situ Fei looked at the return of twice as many Primordial Pills and Essence Stones, and then at Ding Xiang’s joyful acceptance of the ’Point Array Talisman Pen’ and other treasures, feeling no need to question further, for Ding Xiang’s smile sweetened her heart: "As long as my junior sister is happy."

...

In the Mountain and Sea Realm, while Yan Chuan and the first-generation Sword Discussion Heavenly Prides focused on their diligent cultivation —

The Fifteen States of Great Yan.

The annual Cang Mountain Sword Discussion had already begun, once again creating a storm.

By late March, the provincial competitions in each state concluded one after another, with Heavenly Prides from each state moving north, south, east, and west, heading towards Ci State’s Cang Mountain to participate in the second ’Cang Mountain Sword Discussion.’

Although this is only the second time the ’Cang Mountain Sword Discussion’ has been held, thanks to the great influence of the first edition and the numerous Innate proofs among the first batch of Heavenly Prides over the past year, the ’Cang Mountain Sword Discussion’ holds tremendous repute and influence. Compared to the first Sword Discussion when all the outstanding individuals on the ’Hidden Dragon’ and ’Chufeng’ lists weren’t present, this second ’Cang Mountain Sword Discussion’ is truly a gathering of countless Heavenly Prides under thirty from the Fifteen States of Great Yan.

If the first edition made an unprecedented impact.

Then this second edition features more Heavenly Prides, more experts, and a larger scale.

The ’Human List’ of the past year shows this, too. Before the first edition, you could make the list with a Limit-breaking Seventh Grade, be it ’Hidden Dragon’ or ’Chufeng.’ But this year, the peak is just the threshold, and the demand for Absolute Skills has increased, requiring more recognition to reach the forefront. As for the top, such as those on the ’Hidden Dragon List’ like Ban Xianfu, Luo Qi, etc., further advancement beyond recognition is necessary to stand firm.

Heavenly Prides overflow.

The competition is fierce.

On one hand, many of the Cang Mountain Heavenly Prides from the last edition have proven their Innate Dao.

On the other hand, the court’s rewards are indeed generous and enticing.

After the first edition.

The second edition attracts even more participants.

At the eye of the storm, Cang Mountain resembles a fairyland.

Traveler Department headquarters at Book Box Peak.

Tian Jing was flipping through intelligence reports from various places —

"March 25th, Jian Province’s competition ended, and disciples under Yan Chuan—Yu Jinpeng, Jin Yutang, Wei Quan, and Che Qi—advanced."

"March 28th, Peng State’s Evil Valley, Yu Jinpeng and Jin Yutang teamed up to eliminate the Top Ten Villains."

"April 2nd, Qingzhou’s Nanyang Mountain, Jin Yutang challenged the Mountain King Sect, ranked thirty-eighth on the ’Sect Ranking,’ specifically ranking ninety-ninth on the ’Hidden Dragon List’ with ’Little Flower Spear’ Wang Pu, and won in battle."

"April 7th, Hui State’s Purple Beard Mountain, Yu Jinpeng consecutively battled ’Purple Beard Sect’s Purple Beard Four Talents’ led by ’Thousand Mechanism Sword’ Xu Yue, ranked seventeenth on the ’Sect Ranking,’ and ’Thousand-Handed Sword Ape’ Yin Ye, ranked one hundred and sixth on the ’Hidden Dragon List,’ and won both battles."

"April 11th, Xiang Province’s Pingyu City, Yu Jinpeng and Jin Yutang joined forces to sweep the ’Academy Rankings’ ranked 144th Pingyu School’s ’Twenty-one Fast Swords,’ defeating Pingyu Ten Elders’ first Guo Lianxiang."

"April 12th, Xiang Province’s Wangxian Mountain, Yu and Jin challenged ’Yuhai Sect,’ ranked twenty-eighth on the ’Sect Ranking,’ consisting of the ’Four Cranes,’ ’Four Mu,’ and ’Four Yi,’ securing consecutive wins in Three Battles."

"April 15th, Ai Province’s Hengnong City, the two defeated six Inner Courtyard Elders from ’Hengnong Academy,’ ranked seventy-second on the ’Academy Rankings.’"

"April 18th, Hezhou’s Xia Stone City, Yu Jinpeng punched and subdued ’Xia Shi Academy,’ ranked one hundred eightieth on the ’Academy Rankings.’"

"On the same day, Hezhou’s Jinlu Mountain, Jin Yutang challenged the ’Shuiyun Sect,’ ranked thirty-fifth on the ’Sect Ranking,’ consecutively defeating five Elders, ultimately forcing back the Shuiyun Sect Leader ’Wuwei Swordsman’ Yang Xishan."

"April 21st, Mei State’s Tiantong Mountain, the two challenged ’Eight Sounds Pavilion,’ ranked thirty-third on the ’Sect Ranking,’ confronting the ’Divine Ghost Eight Heroes’ and won, washing away the shame of their master Yan Chuan’s defeat back in the Eight Sounds Pavilion!"

"April 25th, Mei State’s Tianpeng City, Yu Jinpeng and Jin Yutang went to the ’Tianpeng Academy,’ ranked fourteenth on the ’Academy Rankings,’ consecutively defeating twelve academy prodigies and two Inner Courtyard Elders, ultimately besting the ’Elder Tianluo’ by half a move!"

...