Several large trees stood in this corner of the Martial Training Ground, their dense canopy of palm-sized leaves creating a sense of isolation from the rest of the training area.
The refined iron sword gleamed, each strike slicing through the air with a piercing shriek.
Chen Zong began his practice by performing the Phantom Shadow Sword Technique, Willow Sweep Sword Technique, and Eagle Strike Sword Technique ten times each. He then practiced the True Sword Eight Forms twenty times before finally moving on to the first layer of the Dividing Light Sword Technique.
The first layer consisted of seven sword movements, requiring perfect coordination between hands, body, footwork, and eyes. Individually, these movements possessed little inherent power; their primary purpose was to mobilize Qi Blood Power throughout the body, guiding it along specific pathways to unleash a final explosive force.
This was the essence of Human-Rank Martial Arts training.
Chen Zong swung his sword repeatedly, meticulously refining each of the seven movements of the Dividing Light Sword Technique's first layer. He strove for flawless execution and seamless transitions between each motion.
"Human-Rank Martial Arts are all about manipulating Qi Blood Power," he mused. "Each technique has its own unique method of channeling this power, resulting in distinct effects and destructive capabilities."
"The seven movements of the first level of the Dividing Light Sword Technique are guiding forms," Chen Zong thought. "Their purpose is to familiarize me with the flow of Qi Blood Power until it becomes second nature, allowing me to unleash the full force of the technique without needing the sequence."
After three days of relentless practice, Chen Zong had thoroughly grasped the theory of the first level of the Dividing Light Sword Technique. The only remaining hurdle was mastering the physical execution. This required relentless training, an unavoidable step for anyone seeking mastery.
"Dividing Light Shadowing!"
With a low shout, Chen Zong executed the seven sword movements in rapid succession, completing them within two breaths. His Qi Blood Power surged, flowing through his body in a peculiar pattern before erupting outward.
He thrust his sword forward!
The blade unleashed a dazzling arc of light that instantly split into two distinct streams, each piercing the air to the left and right. Both were solid strikes, leaving luminous trails that lingered for a full breath before fading.
"Still not enough," Chen Zong mused inwardly. "True mastery requires the ability to channel Qi Blood Power as naturally as gripping the sword and unleash Dividing Light Shadowing with a single strike. I'm not even at the entry level yet. As expected, Human-Rank Martial Arts are far more difficult to master than Foundation Establishment Martial Arts."
He resumed his training, drilling the sensation of Qi Blood Power flow into his muscle memory until his arms ached and felt weak.
After returning to his quarters for a brief rest, Chen Zong immediately resumed practicing the Fierce Tiger Art.
He had already consumed all three Beast Blood Pills, and without them, the enhancement of his Qi Blood Power was excruciatingly slow.
"I need to find a way to acquire more of these pills," Chen Zong mused after finishing his practice.
Upon formally becoming a martial artist, he gained access to the Clan Hall's Contribution Point system. These points were invaluable, allowing him to exchange them for cultivation privileges for Martial Arts Techniques, weapons, and medicinal pills.
A single Beast Blood Pill cost ten Contribution Points, and newly initiated martial artists typically started with none.
Logically, Chen Zong should have been a prime candidate for the Clan Hall's preferential nurturing. By tempering his Blood Qi seven times, he had shattered the Chen Clan's previous record and established a new benchmark. Such exceptional talent should have warranted prioritized cultivation resources. However, the clan's philosophy dictated otherwise.
Regardless of talent or status, all newcomers were treated equally upon entering the Clan Hall. The Chen Clan believed that true tigers would inevitably display the majesty of the king of beasts, while the mediocre would fade into obscurity.
For a tiger to become king, it must endure fierce battles; for a person to become exceptional, they must undergo rigorous trials.
Moreover, Chen Zong had kept his seventh Blood Qi Tempering a secret. Elder Xing still believed he had only managed six cycles.
"Whether I want more Beast Blood Pills or to cultivate better Martial Arts Techniques, it all comes down to Contribution Points," Chen Zong mused.
"There's more than one way to earn them. If I were strong enough, I could hunt demon beasts and exchange their materials for points at the Clan Hall. But that's clearly premature for me right now."
Having only recently broken through to the fourth layer of the Qi Blood Realm and just begun cultivating Human-Rank Martial Arts, both my cultivation and strength are rapidly improving. This isn't the right time to venture out.
"In that case, the second option is to find missions within the Clan Hall."
"Perhaps I should check the Main District."
The Main District housed the Mission Hall, where tasks were listed on a board. Any Clan Hall disciple could accept these missions and receive Contribution Points upon completion.
Chen Zong carefully scanned the mission board on the wall.
"Find Silver Thread Root. Note: Silver Thread Root is a second-grade medicinal herb worth 20 Contribution Points."
"Find Golden Luo Flower. Note: Golden Luo Flower is a third-grade medicinal herb worth 40 Contribution Points."
"Find Silver Three-Leaf Ginseng. Note: Silver Three-Leaf Ginseng is a fourth-grade medicinal herb worth 80 Contribution Points."
Most of the missions involved gathering medicinal herbs.
Medicinal herbs are classified into nine grades based on their age. First-grade herbs are between ten and twenty years old, second-grade herbs are between twenty and thirty years old, third-grade herbs are between thirty and forty years old, and so on. Ninth-grade herbs are between ninety and one hundred years old.
When a medicinal herb reaches one hundred years of age, its medicinal properties undergo a qualitative transformation, making it a Precious Medicine.
Searching for medicinal herbs often requires venturing deep into remote mountains and forests, a time-consuming endeavor.
Other missions involve hunting specific demon beasts and retrieving certain body parts, which can be exchanged for Contribution Points.
Chen Zong temporarily dismissed both herb-gathering and beast-hunting missions.
With few options remaining, he carefully reviewed the available missions before finally settling on one.
"Forging Hall Apprentice: Earn 10 to 100 Contribution Points per month based on performance."
"Are you sure you want this mission?" The Mission Hall administrator stared at Chen Zong with surprise.
"Is there something wrong with it?" Chen Zong asked.
"Many have taken this mission before, but none lasted even a month before being dismissed without earning a single Contribution Point," the administrator replied. "I strongly advise you to choose another one."
"Is there a particular reason?" Chen Zong asked again.
"Heh, the elder of the Forging Hall has quite a temper and sets exceptionally high standards," the administrator chuckled. "It's difficult to meet them."
"Thank you for the warning," Chen Zong replied. "But I'd still like to give it a try. Retreating without even trying isn't my style."
"Suit yourself." The administrator registered Chen Zong, then retrieved a black iron badge and handed it to him. "This is your Forging Hall apprentice badge. Take it to Elder Lie at the Forging Hall, and he'll assign you specific tasks."
"Thank you for your help," Chen Zong said, accepting the badge and departing.
The badge was shield-shaped, with a raised character for "Forge" on one side and a hammer emblem on the other.
Just how bad is his temper? Chen Zong wondered as he strode toward the Forging Hall. And how high are his standards?
The Forging Hall, located in the Main District, wasn't far from the Mission Hall.
The black doors of the Forging Hall were tightly shut. Chen Zong knocked.
"Who's there?" a voice called out. The door swung open, revealing a young man in his early twenties with an honest face. His suspicious gaze settled on Chen Zong. "Who are you? What do you want?"
"I'm a new apprentice," Chen Zong said, holding up his iron badge.
"Oh, another one daring to take on this task," Chen Wuhou remarked, swinging the door wide open to let Chen Zong in. "I'm Chen Wuhou. I've been here for six months."
"That's Chen Qi," Chen Wuhou said, gesturing toward another man in the Forging Hall with a chuckle. "He's been here for three months."
Chen Qi, who was polishing a long blade, glanced at Chen Zong without expression.
"Greetings, Clan Brothers. I'm Chen Zong," Chen Zong introduced himself.
"I don't care about your name. You'll be kicked out soon enough," Chen Qi retorted coldly.
"Heh, don't mind him, Clan Brother. That's just his temperament," Chen Wuhou said, smoothing things over. Chen Zong simply smiled, unfazed.
"Clan Brother Wuhou, where is Elder Lie?" Chen Zong asked.
"Just a moment. Elder Lie is forging a sword in the smithy," Chen Wuhou replied, gesturing toward the tightly sealed black iron door ahead.
Chen Zong settled in to wait. After Chen Wuhou poured him a cup of water, he joined Chen Qi in meticulously polishing his blades, leaving Chen Zong to observe.
The swords and blades here ranged from Common Iron Grade to Fine Iron Grade, but he saw none of the rarer Precious Iron Grade.
About half an hour later, the heavy iron door swung open, releasing a wave of scorching heat that rapidly raised the room's temperature. A figure, not tall but powerfully built, strode out.
The man's skin was burnished bronze, his eyes like copper bells, and his black hair and beard were slightly curly. His bare arms revealed muscles forged like steel, radiating terrifying power that instantly overwhelmed Chen Zong. It felt as if a single glance could suppress him, a single flick of the finger shatter him.
"Elder Lie, this is Chen Zong, a new apprentice," Chen Wuhou said respectfully, setting down his longsword as the elder emerged from the Forging Hall.
"Elder Lie," Chen Zong said, offering his black iron badge.
"Skinny arms and legs—another useless brat. You'd better scram now and save me the aggravation," Elder Lie snapped, barely glancing at the badge before scrutinizing Chen Zong as if trying to see through him.
"You haven't even given me a task yet. How can you judge my worth?" Chen Zong retorted fearlessly.
"Heh, the kid's got some backbone. Fine. Since you're so eager for a task, here's one: forge a piece of Common Iron within ten days. Succeed, and you stay. Fail, and you're gone," Elder Lie growled, as if amused by Chen Zong's defiance. "Chen Wuhou, teach him the Four Essentials of Blacksmithing."
"Yes, Elder," Chen Wuhou replied respectfully.
"Chen Qi, once you've finished cleaning the swords, deliver them to the shop," Elder Lie ordered before striding away.
He certainly has a fiery temper, Chen Zong thought to himself, unfazed. I've heard far worse.
"Forging a piece of Common Iron in ten days is impossible," Chen Wuhou said, shaking his head. "Even mastering the Four Essentials of Blacksmithing takes at least a month. Clan Brother, I advise you not to waste your time. It's better to withdraw from the mission at the Mission Hall."
"I still want to try," Chen Zong replied earnestly. "Please teach me the Four Essentials, Clan Brother Wuhou."
"If you insist, follow me," Chen Wuhou relented, leading Chen Zong into the Forging Hall.
The hall was vast and stiflingly hot. Three massive furnaces stood in a triangular formation, but only the largest one roared with intense flames. Two apprentices took turns operating the bellows and feeding firewood to maintain the blazing inferno.
"Clan Brother Zong, I'll explain the Four Essentials of Blacksmithing first. Once you understand them, you can begin forging the Common Iron," Chen Wuhou said, guiding Chen Zong to an unlit furnace. He picked up a piece of iron ore and began demonstrating the techniques.