Chapter 192: Breakthrough, Primordial Realm Eighth Layer!

As for reputation, Chen Mu doesn't lack it.

Rank 107 on the Hidden Dragon Ranking is still on the list.

But the Earth-Origin Pill, Chen Mu is somewhat interested in.

Breaking through to the Earth Altar Realm is far harder than breaking through to the Primordial Realm.

"Passing the Divine Bridge" opens the body's mysterious passageways, the awakening of the brow's consciousness sea—not merely strength of spirit can ensure a smooth opening.

Whether opening up the mysterious passageways, awakening the consciousness sea, or finally constructing the dantian and consciousness sea bridge, all are fraught with risk and numerous obstacles.

Disciples of major sects even have someone stand guard beside them.

Lone cultivators rely first on talent, second on luck, third on various auxiliary breakthrough treasures.

The Earth-Origin Pill is one of them.

The Wu Di Bureau naturally has Earth-Origin Pills, but to exchange for one requires vast merit, and it's not immediate—you must wait in line.

Chen Mu last captured Pei Renguang, and this time he captured Lin Kuan.

The accumulated merit, even if never exchanged before, is still insufficient to obtain one Earth-Origin Pill.

Capture one more "Pei Renguang," and it might be enough.

The top three in Wudicheng receive Earth-Origin Pills as rewards—Chen Mu still very much wants them.

Of course, killing monstrous beasts and collecting the cards is also an attraction.

Lastly, representing the Wu Di Bureau in the competition should come with benefits too!

Taken together, these are why Chen Mu chose to accept.

……

"Good!"

Upon hearing this, Master Sikong Lei clapped his hands and said, "Since you represent the Wu Di Bureau, the Bureau won't be stingy. Here are ten Xuan-Yuan Pills as participation rewards."

Master Sikong Lei spoke, pulling a white jade porcelain bottle from his robe and handing it to Chen Mu.

He continued, "When the 'Dragon-Tiger Wind-Cloud Martial Gathering' ends, if your rank makes the top ten, you'll receive One High-Grade Spirit Weapon. If you make the top three, you'll receive One Low-Grade Mystery Weapon!"

"What about first place?"

Chen Mu smiled as he took the bottle, secretly thinking: just as expected.

Ten Xuan-Yuan Pills—this is no small amount!

He had just acquired one High-Grade Spirit Weapon, so he didn't care much.

But a Mystery Weapon is rare.

Zhao Fuzhou, backed by the Grand Protector Niu Dashan, doesn't even possess a Mystery Weapon.

Of course, that was before—he lacked the strength; possessing a Mystery Weapon then would have been a disaster.

Now, Zhao Fuzhou is qualified to wield a Mystery Weapon.

"First place also grants a True Art, and the chance to become a disciple of the Grand Protector," Han Zhidong sighed.

As he spoke, he wore an envious expression: "Becoming a disciple of the Grand Protector is a rare opportunity, impossible to seek."

"Haha, even now, two Grand Protectors have expressed interest in Chen Mu and wish to take him as a disciple."

Master Sikong Lei chuckled, "One of them is Grand Protector Dongfang Lie—Grand Protector Dongfang, you know him, right?"

"I know," Chen Mu nodded. "He's the master of Brother Zhao Fuzhou and Brother Lu Tang."

Dongfang Lie is one of the five Grand Protectors of the Wu Di Bureau.

"Correct."

Master Sikong Lei nodded. "The reward of a Mystery Weapon was promised by Grand Protector Dongfang. Since you know Zhao Fuzhou and Lu Tang, strive to win first place in the 'Dragon-Tiger Wind-Cloud Martial Gathering'—then, when you become Grand Protector Dongfang's disciple, you and Zhao Fuzhou and Lu Tang will be fellow disciples."

"I believe in you, Inspector Chen—you can do it!" Han Zhidong encouraged.

"I'll do my best," Chen Mu replied cautiously.

The "Dragon-Tiger Wind-Cloud Martial Gathering," hosted by Wudicheng, targets the entire realm—the nineteen provinces—all martial geniuses under twenty.

The Hidden Dragon Ranking only considers battle records and cannot encompass all martial geniuses across the realm.

Some devote themselves entirely to cultivation, some rarely fight, some possess immense combat power yet remain undiscovered by the Tianji Sect.

Most of these people come from major sects!

They know of Wudicheng's decennial grand gathering.

Unlike poor-region geniuses who emerge from backwater towns and don't even know where Wudicheng is or have heard of it.

Thus, Chen Mu's opponents will only be disciples of major sects.

Competing with them for ranking, top ten is within his grasp, top three is worth striving for.

First place—he has no confidence.

Boasting isn't his style.

Securing top ten, striving for top three—that's enough!

……

There are still over two months until the "Dragon-Tiger Wind-Cloud Martial Gathering" begins.

Wudicheng lies on the shore of the Eastern Sea.

Chen Mu has little time—he must depart within half a month, heading to the northernmost dock at the border of Shannan and Jiangnan Provinces, boarding a large ship to sail down the Tianmen River.

This is the fastest route.

Half a month is enough time for Chen Mu to arrange his affairs.

The afternoon after Lin Kuan was captured, he was taken with Xie Ning and others to the execution ground and beheaded publicly.

Chen Mu collected three True Qi Cards, seven Internal Power Cards, two Skill Cards, and three Cultivation Cards.

After handling Lin Kuan, Master Sikong Lei left.

Han Zhidong also led his people away.

Chen Mu did not leave immediately; he stayed at the inn that night.

He took out card after card of True Qi, used them to gain energy, propelled the Duan Tianhe Scripture's operation, and converted it into his own True Qi to elevate his cultivation.

When the True Qi cards were exhausted, he took out a True Yuan card worth two years and four months and used it.

Boom~

The maximum single burst of energy spontaneously arose within his body; in an instant, the surge shook his flesh and bones, rattled his organs.

In his dantian space, the existing True Qi spun wildly, forcing the "Yin Sword" of the Two Yin-Yang Sword Qi hidden within the dantian to shoot out into the night sky.

The surging energy churned the dantian, stimulating his body with a sensation of bursting.

Chen Mu remained silent, activating the Duan Tianhe Scripture to rapidly absorb and convert it into his own True Qi.

Again and again, wave after wave.

Finally, all the energy transformed into Duan Tianhe True Qi, and the True Qi formed a vortex, spinning at high speed on its own.

As it spun, it continuously compressed and refined the True Qi.

Chen Mu clearly sensed that a portion of the Duan Tianhe True Qi had become semi-liquid.

The vortex formed itself — a precursor to liquefaction.

Eighth Stage Innate!

He achieved breakthrough without using a single Xuan Yuan Pill.

Chen Mu calmed his breath, deeply satisfied within.

Eighth Stage Innate — only one final step remained before True Yuan liquefaction.

At this realm, the "Yin Sword" of the Two Yin-Yang Sword Qi should be able to conceal six blades within the dantian!

As he thought this, Chen Mu cultivated, gathering the Dark Sword and storing it within the dantian space.

The first one took shape, hovering above the True Qi vortex.

From initial instability, it gradually stabilized.

It took roughly two minutes.

Chen Mu did not pause; he continued refining the "Yin Sword."

The second, third, fourth…

Thud thud~!

Suddenly, someone knocked on the door from outside.

Chen Mu's aura stalled; he halted his cultivation.

"Lord Chen, are you asleep?"

A soft, alluring woman's voice sounded outside the door.

Lu Ziyi?

Chen Mu's brows lifted; he suppressed his aura, rose from the ground, walked over, and opened the door.

Indeed, Lu Ziyi stood outside — though unlike last time, she now wore a veil; even so, her eyes remained utterly captivating.

"What do you want?" Chen Mu asked calmly.

"May I come in and speak?"

Lu Ziyi blinked her beautiful eyes, her voice sweet and seductive.

"Put away that act of yours."

Chen Mu gave a light rebuke, turned, walked to the table, picked up the teapot, poured himself a cup of tea, and sipped it while gazing at Lu Ziyi.

Lu Ziyi entered the room, closed the door, and spoke.

"My lord, are you planning to go to Wudicheng next?"