Chapter 145: Examinations and Advancements

After Sergei and his party left, Lu Yuan continued his reclusive cultivation, completely unconcerned with whether they could uncover anything of note.

Time slipped away just like that.

One morning, more than a month later.

Inside the quiet room of the villa, Lu Yuan, who was in Zen Meditation Sitting, slowly opened his eyes and exhaled a long breath of stale air.

At this moment, his aura was ethereal and hazy, his eyes shimmering with spiritual light, reflecting the mortal world; one look was enough to tell he was no ordinary person.

At the same time, because his Guiding Technique had just ceased, one could faintly hear the sound of rivers rushing within his body, a display of the vigor of his True Qi.

"Two hundred strands of True Qi."

His face carried a look of joy and delight, and he felt a sense of emotion:

"In the two months since my advancement, my cultivation efficiency has been almost comparable to the efficiency of the better part of my previous half-year."

That was correct.

As of today, following the dual advancement of Guiding and Ingestion, plus the ample supply of external elixirs, his True Qi had surged by over sixty strands in just over two months, and his total Dharma Power had officially broken through the count of two hundred.

Such cultivation results could be called a great advancement in Dharma Power for him.

Because the amount of True Qi and Dharma Power did not just represent the length of a mana bar; it also represented a series of effects such as nourishing the physique, expanding the meridians, and feeding back into the soul—it was an almost comprehensive improvement.

Cultivation is just like this: the higher the cultivation base, the fewer the shortcomings, and the more one tends toward becoming a hexagonal warrior.

If he were to go to the palace and fight the Undying Demon Empress now, he would have over seventy percent certainty of being able to execute her on the spot amidst heavy guards, without needing to worry about the issue of insufficient Dharma Power as he did before.

However, the Undying Demon Empress was a massive gift package of Qi Luck for the current Lu Yuan; assassinating her would be too much of a waste of a precious resource. He had to kill her at the right time and under the right circumstances to maximize the gains, so he still had to let her roam for a while.

"Now that I can stably condense one strand of Dharma Power a day, at this rate, I can complete Refining Essence into Qi in at most two and a half years. I wonder what the cultivation efficiency will be like in the next stage."

"Also..."

With a thought from Lu Yuan, the Heavenly Book in his mind sent back feedback:

【Supernatural Power Master】: Lu Yuan

【Mastered Arts】: -

Ingestion (Earth: 5%); - Guiding (Earth: 5%); - Invisibility (Human: 37%); -

Staff Sending (Human: 12%); - Medicine (Human: 40%); - Earth Travel (Human: 30%); -

Generating Light (Human: 34%); - Sword Technique (Human: 32%); - Stone Boiling (Human: 31%); -

Pot Heaven (Human: 20%); - Great Strength (Human: 8%); - Sprouting (Human: 7%); -

Wind Control (Human: 5%); - Obstacle Clothing (Human: 3%); - Dream Grafting (Human: 2%); -

Body Immobilization (Human: 3%); - Nightmare Prayer (Earth: 1%); - False Form (Human: 2%);

【Luck Power】: 9216 units

All eighteen Earthly Fiend Arts had seen varying degrees of progress. Aside from commonly used arts like Medicine, Stone Boiling, and Sprouting, the more obvious ones were Invisibility, Earth Travel, and Generating Light.

After all, he would specifically set aside a period of time every day to frequently expend Dharma Power to increase the proficiency of these few arts, so the improvement was naturally relatively obvious.

Furthermore, regarding the accumulation of Luck Power, although he hadn't done anything world-shaking these days, he was still continuously reaping human sentiment and converting it into Qi Luck now that his name was known throughout the world. Even if he did nothing, he would have dozens to nearly a hundred units of Qi Luck credited to him in the dark every day.

If it weren't for the fact that upgrading the Nightmare Prayer Technique had cost nearly a thousand units earlier, his Luck Power would have already broken ten thousand.

"The one hundred thousand Qi Luck to light up Nine Breaths Serving Qi looks a bit remote. Maybe I should just upgrade a few other important Earthly Fiend Arts first..."

So much Luck Power made Lu Yuan feel a bit itchy for a moment.

Heavenly Gang Great Divine Ability was certainly powerful, but the world's limit was set right there, and since his current cultivation efficiency had greatly increased, lighting up Nine Breaths Serving Qi didn't seem that important.

On the contrary, a bird in the hand is worth two in the bush. With so much Qi Luck, it didn't seem as cost-effective as continuing to improve Guiding, Ingestion, or other Earthly Fiend Arts.

Earthly Fiend Arts are divided into four tiers: Human, Earth, Heaven, and Divine Communication. Guiding and Ingestion were currently at the Earth tier. He had tried communicating with the Heavenly Book to get feedback; upgrading one Earthly Fiend Art from the Earth tier to the Heaven tier only required spending three thousand units of Qi Luck.

Upgrading from the Heaven tier to the Divine Communication stage, where it transforms into a true Supernatural Power, only required ten thousand units of Qi Luck.

Lu Yuan was also very curious about what kind of manifestation an Earthly Fiend Art would have after advancing into an Earthly Fiend Divine Ability.

However, after thinking about it, he still held back for the time being.

After all, if he were to advance, the two Earthly Fiend Arts of Ingestion and Guiding would immediately consume six thousand units of Qi Luck. As a poor man who had suddenly become rich, he really couldn't bear it for the moment. Moreover, there might be times when he would need to consume a large amount of Qi Luck due to changing circumstances in the future, so it was better to wait and see.

However, arts like Generating Light, Sword Technique, Invisibility, and Earth Travel didn't cost much to upgrade from the Human tier to the Earth tier, and the improvement effect was obvious, so he could upgrade those first.

Just as Lu Yuan's thoughts stirred and he prepared to communicate with the Heavenly Book, a bell rang outside.

He suddenly remembered something and immediately went out of the courtyard, where he saw Chen Zhantang, Peng Yidao, and Lin Sheng standing respectfully outside:

"Hall Master, all the Gatekeepers have gathered at the drill ground, waiting for your examination."

Chen Zhantang and the others had joined the hall for over three months. Today was the first examination of all the disciples since the hall opened. Lu Yuan had been busy with cultivation in his reclusion recently and had almost forgotten about this, so he nodded immediately:

"Good, let's go take a look."

Immediately, he took the three teaching Gatekeepers and headed to the drill ground.

Arriving at the drill ground in front of the hall, the sun had already risen. Nearly eighty hall disciples were standing in neat rows, solemn and upright. Upon seeing Lu Yuan arrive, they shouted in unison:

"Greetings, Hall Master!"

The sound wave surged straight into the clouds. All the young Gatekeepers clasped their fists and bowed in salute. Furthermore, after everyone joined the hall, they had shaved off their ugly money-rat tails at Lu Yuan's request, and after these days of cultivation, everyone presented a scene of overflowing spirit and youthful vigor.

Lu Yuan nodded with satisfaction:

"Good, no need for formalities. Let's start directly; let me see the results of your practice over these days."

A grand armchair had already been placed on the stone steps in front of the gate. After Lu Yuan sat down, Peng Yidao immediately stepped forward and shouted:

"All disciples, step forward team by team according to the previously arranged order!"

The group of Gatekeepers scattered with a roar, clearing the middle. Then, a team of teenagers who looked to be only ten or so years old walked onto the open space. They first saluted Lu Yuan on the grand armchair, and then began to collectively perform the Guangwu Body-Forging Fist.

Many of these half-grown youths had some foundation in Martial Arts, and they performed the punches with vigor and were quite proficient; others had a clearly poorer foundation, but after three months of hard training, they were performing them quite decently as well.

Soon, the half-grown youths among the Gatekeepers had finished their drills on the field one after another. Chen Zhantang, Peng Yidao, and Lin Sheng, acting as examiners, would announce the results after each wave:

"Xu Taiming, evaluation: Grade A!"

"Wan He, evaluation: Grade B!"

"Wang Tie, evaluation: Grade D!"

Following the martial arts demonstrations, twenty or thirty names were called out in succession; among this group of youths, some showed joy and pride, while others hung their heads in shame, their reactions varying greatly.

According to the rules set by the hall, only those who achieved a grade above Grade B were qualified to be taught the second stage of martial arts and fist techniques, and to receive better treatment.

And if one received a lower Grade C or Grade D three times in a row, the hall would not expel them, but would simply cease providing training and resources for martial arts, reassigning them to tasks like chores.

Having joined the hall, all were youths and young men harboring dreams, so naturally, none wished to encounter such a situation.

Soon, after the results were announced.

According to age, the next to be evaluated were the young adult Gatekeepers; unlike the youth group, besides demonstrating fist techniques, the young adult Gatekeepers had to spar in pairs according to their age and respective realms, making it much more lively.

Chen Zhantang and the other two Dharma Disciples, who possessed the highest cultivation and strength, still did not participate; following their hosting and direction, the fist technique demonstrations and sparring matches began in full swing.

In order to stand out in this first evaluation, and to gain the favorable attention of the hall master, Lu Yuan, all Gatekeepers and disciples, regardless of age or cultivation level, used all their strength to perform.

With shouts and cries, the sound of Qi energy exploding, and the sight of figures colliding, Lu Yuan nodded slightly as he watched.

The majority of the young adult Gatekeepers had a foundation in martial arts, with some at the first, second, and third realms, though most were at the first or second.

It could be seen that in these three months, basically everyone had studied and practiced diligently, performing the Guangwu Body-Forging Fist with exceptional proficiency; some could even strike with continuous crisp sounds.

Additionally, through the sparring matches, Lu Yuan also discovered several outstanding Gatekeepers and disciples, whom he could focus on cultivating after this evaluation.

Just like that, after about an hour, all the Gatekeepers and disciples finished their evaluations, then stood to the side in formation, drenched in sweat and panting, waiting for the results.

Chen Zhantang and the other two, acting as examiners appointed by Lu Yuan, immediately announced the evaluation results; with the grading of A, B, C, and D, some were happy while others were sad, and those who felt they hadn't performed well beat their chests and stamped their feet in deep regret.

After the results were announced, Chen Zhantang and the others came before Lu Yuan and presented a roster:

"Hall Master, these are the evaluation results. Please take a look to see if there are any errors or omissions that need correcting?"

Lu Yuan did not flip through it, but nodded with satisfaction:

"Not bad. You three have done very well as Dharma Disciples. It is clear that you have been quite diligent in teaching the fist techniques. I did not misjudge you."

In all fairness, after these Gatekeepers and disciples were recruited, aside from creating the techniques and providing Silver Yuan, he had basically not spent much energy; it was these three Dharma Disciples who had been managing and maintaining everything, and their contribution was truly not small.

This praise made the three slightly excited, and they spoke one after another:

"You are too kind, sir."

"It is just a small matter; this is what a disciple should do."

Lu Yuan smiled, then stood up and faced all the Gatekeepers and disciples on the training ground who were still in states of joy or regret, and said:

"In the evaluation just now, some performed outstandingly, while others were relatively mediocre; I have seen it all in my eyes. Those who performed outstandingly should naturally be rewarded, but those who were mediocre should not be discouraged.

The starting points of all of you are not the same; some come from well-off families and have practiced martial arts and weapons since childhood, while others come from poor families and may not even have enough to eat, so it is perfectly normal for there to be a gap.

In Guangwu Hall, regardless of origin or background, as long as you are diligent and hardworking, there will surely be an opportunity to get ahead. Even if your talent in martial arts is poor, if you have literary talent or strategic insight, I will not hesitate to cultivate you.

Starting from next month, everyone must set aside half an hour each month to read books and understand the science and culture of the current Western Powers; additionally, you must set aside three days each month to go to the military camp of the Fan Commandery to familiarize yourselves with firearms and practice marksmanship. Both reading and marksmanship will be included in the hall's evaluations."

Reading? Marksmanship?

As Lu Yuan's voice fell, dozens of Gatekeepers and disciples looked at each other in dismay, a hubbub arising; only those with poor martial arts talent had their eyes light up.

As for the three trusted disciples, Chen Zhantang, Peng Yidao, and Lin Sheng, they exchanged glances, their eyes filled with unconcealable excitement.

Without a doubt, whether it was understanding the science and culture of the Western Powers or marksmanship, this was all about cultivating talent in preparation for raising a banner of rebellion.

With Lu Yuan's current reputation, once he raised the banner, the world had long suffered under the Jin Dynasty; perhaps followers would gather in droves, causing the events of the Shengping Heavenly Kingdom to repeat, dealing a fatal blow to the now precarious Jin Dynasty.

They were all hot-blooded men; how could they not be excited to participate in such an earth-shattering event?

While they were excited, the Gatekeepers on the training ground also reacted; no one dared to ask for the reason, and they simply responded in unison:

"Thank you, Hall Master, for your cultivation!"

"We will certainly not fail your high expectations!"

Lu Yuan did not say much more, just nodded, turned, and left.

Thus, the first evaluation of Guangwu Hall concluded.

He did not concern himself with the subsequent matters.

Lu Yuan went straight back to his own courtyard, then sat cross-legged in the quiet room, communicating with the Heavenly Book in his mind, and silently recited:

"Upgrade, Generating Light!"

As his thoughts stirred, the Heavenly Book in his mind bloomed with immeasurable divine light, and then, like the tolling of a great bell or the creation of Heaven and Earth, insights, realizations, and perceptions surged into his heart, causing him to fall into a state of sudden enlightenment:

"The Profound Heaven Sect of Heaven and Earth, the root of all Qi. Cultivate extensively through ten thousand kalpas, to verify my Supernatural Power. Within and without the Three Realms, only the Dao is supreme. The body has golden light, covering and reflecting my person. Encompassing Heaven and Earth, nourishing all living things. Recite ten thousand times, and the body shall have radiance."

The scriptures and incantations of the Generating Light art transformed into profound insights that surged into his heart; Lu Yuan felt as if he had practiced this Earthly Fiend Art tens of thousands of times, becoming omniscient and omnipotent regarding it.

He did not know how much time had passed.

Lu Yuan slowly opened his eyes, immeasurable divine light contained within them: "So that's how it is..."

With a thought, he had already taken out his Seven Star Dragon Abyss from the Pot Heaven Bag, and then activated the Generating Light art; the blade immediately bloomed with sharp, brilliant golden light, and extended half a zhang long like a sword beam!

In an instant, the Seven Star Dragon Abyss in his hand completely concealed its form, turning into a huge, dazzling sword of light, the sharpness of which made one's eyes feel a strong stinging sensation and discomfort just by looking at it.

"Does this count as enchanting?"

Lu Yuan smiled, then moved his thoughts again; the light on the Seven Star Dragon Abyss faded in an instant, and then a layer of extremely solid golden light emerged from his body, protecting his whole person like a dharma robe condensed from light.

Furthermore, as Lu Yuan moved his thoughts again, strips of light danced on the dharma robe, and a halo of light like a great sun formed behind his head, reflecting his entire person as if a god had descended to the world—divine, majestic, and not to be looked at directly by mortals.

(End of chapter)