Chapter 53: The Might of the Divine Image

The examiner brought Jiang Qin and Su Lingwei to the Logistics Department.

He didn't go in, but called out toward the interior: "Long Lao, I've brought the people."

A reply came from inside, old but resonant: "Yes, yes, let them in."

The examiner gave the two a look, signaling they could go in, then turned and left directly—he still had to report the results of the assessment.

Jiang Qin and Su Lingwei walked into the office.

The moment they entered, they saw an old man sitting cross-legged by the window drinking tea. Dressed plainly, with a head of snow-white hair, yet the whole person had an indescribable air of spirit.

Wang Lao glanced at Su Lingwei, then set his gaze on Jiang Qin, and could not help sighing:

"The young people nowadays are more and more outstanding—Spirit Sea Peak… not bad, not bad! Both of you are good seedlings."

Then the old man waved his hand, and a register appeared before the two of them.

"This register records the S-Class Martial Techniques possessed by our Shanghai Spirit Suppression Bureau, along with some descriptions. You may take a look first; if you find one suitable, I'll have it brought to you. If there's anything you don't understand, you may ask me."

"Thank you, Wang Lao." Jiang Qin replied politely.

This old man looked like a master at first glance, and was the person in charge of the Logistics Department of the Shanghai Spirit Suppression Bureau. Building a good relationship was never wrong—perhaps he was a hidden powerhouse just like Lin Laotou.

Su Lingwei took the booklet and began flipping through it curiously.

"Red Dragon Strength: Uses a special body-tempering method to refine the meridians and bones throughout the body. Upon entry, one gains a thousand jin of force; mastered, one gains the strength of a single dragon (100,000 jin)."

"Heavenly Spirit Breathing Method: A special breathing method originating from the elven race of another realm, capable of increasing the efficiency of absorbing Spirit Energy by at least ten times. Note: This method requires a powerful physical body—choose with caution!"

"Blood Burning Secret Technique: Burns blood to transform it into combat power, causing a short-term explosive surge in strength. Prolonged use will cause the blood within the body to dry up. It is a life-risking technique—use with caution!"

"Spirit Rhinoceros Finger: One finger extended, mountains and rivers split. Only those above the Spirit Sea Realm may learn it."

……

The booklet recorded over forty types of S-Class techniques, ranging from breathing methods to offensive and movement martial techniques.

However, Jiang Qin chose to completely ignore breathing methods.

With his talent, even without practicing a breathing method, his speed of absorbing Spirit Energy exceeded that of ordinary Martial Artists by dozens of times.

In the end, his gaze settled on an Ancient Martial Arts Method.

After watching the battle between Chen Xiaohu and Han Wenqing earlier, he had clearly recognized the terrifying power of Ancient Martial Arts Methods.

One should know that before, Chen Xiaohu was merely thick-skinned and tough, with strength and speed only slightly greater than an ordinary Spirit Sea Martial Artist. Yet after cultivating an Ancient Martial Arts Method, his strength could actually match that of Han Wenqing at Spirit Sea Peak.

Don't think Han Wenqing was being toyed with by him.

But if placed outside or in the other three Academies, Han Wenqing would absolutely rank among the top experts.

Soon the two had each selected the martial technique they fancied.

When Wang Lao saw that Jiang Qin had actually chosen an Ancient Martial Arts Method, his expression was quite surprised: "The Nine Changes of the Golden Body is not easy to practice. No matter how talented you are, there's no shortcut. With your talent, if you cultivated an S-Class Martial Technique, you'd be able to enter the door very quickly. Are you really not going to think it over some more?"

Jiang Qin, however, shook his head and said calmly: "S-Class Martial Techniques are indeed powerful, but at my current realm, even if I practiced them to mastery, the effect would be limited. An Ancient Martial Arts Method would give me a greater boost."

"Aren't you afraid of hardship?"

"Hardship? I've already eaten more than enough of it. I don't mind taking a little more."

This answer greatly satisfied Wang Lao, and he said no more.

With a casual wave of his hand, the two S-Class Martial Techniques appeared before the two of them.

"You should be clear on the rules. You may cultivate them yourselves, but you may not pass them on to others. Once discovered, you'll be thrown straight into the heavy prison."

"Understood."

"Mm…" the old man nodded and continued:

"The Spirit Pool can be used at any time, but you are already at Spirit Sea Peak, and you cannot improve without breaking through to the Divine Image Realm. So you'd better wait until you break through to the Divine Image Realm before using this opportunity. As for the little girl, it happens to be just right for you—I'll personally take you there later."

The old man explained a few matters, and then Jiang Qin walked out of the Spirit Suppression Bureau alone.

Just as he came outside, he noticed someone standing not far away. He quickened his pace and walked over.

"Principal, you're waiting for me?"

"Mm."

Qin Xiaoyuan smiled faintly and nodded, then said: "It's been almost two months since you came to the Academy, and you'll be leaving Modu again soon. So today I've come alone to give you a special lesson."

He raised his hand slightly, and his figure rose into the air. Jiang Qin beside him was also wrapped in a force, his feet leaving the ground.

The two transformed into streaks of light, advancing rapidly in one direction.

The scenery around them grew sparser, replaced by white clouds. Gale winds roared in their ears, and a scorching sun hung high above.

It was Jiang Qin's first time experiencing the sensation of being carried through the air.

In just a few short minutes, however, Qin Xiaoyuan had brought Jiang Qin out of Modu's territory.

Another ten minutes or so passed.

Only then did the two land on a cliff several hundred meters high.

This area was a primitive mountain forest. Looking around, there were only green trees and rolling mountain peaks everywhere—no trace of human habitation, only the occasional birds darting out from the woods and the roars of wild beasts.

A breeze brushed their faces, full of the breath of nature.

Qin Xiaoyuan said with a smile: "You must already know that the key to breaking through to the Divine Image Realm is obsession. With your talent, you'll be able to break through to the Divine Image in at most two years. So today I'm going to teach you what the combat style of the Divine Image Realm is, as well as the combat styles of subsequent realms."

Saying so, he pointed to a mountain peak several hundred meters away.

"According to the Spirit Suppression Bureau's investigation, that mountain hides a Pantheon Cult stronghold, with roughly several hundred people inside."

"The first combat technique of the Divine Image Realm is condensing a Dharma Image. Though it is but an illusion, with every gesture it can treat a mountain peak as a plaything. The second technique is far more difficult to employ."

"Watch carefully."

Jiang Qin nodded.

Then Qin Xiaoyuan slowly raised his hand, and Spirit Power from all around continuously converged toward him.

Soon a ball of fire appeared in his palm, the heat it emitted making Jiang Qin standing beside him feel unbearably hot.

Upon reaching the Divine Image Realm, one can commune with Heaven and Earth, wielding the elemental power contained within Spirit Power

A person's elemental affinity is determined from the moment of birth—one may possess a single element, or possibly two elemental forces—and Qin Xiaoyuan's elemental attribute is fire.

The fireball's temperature kept rising, and the grass and flowers at his feet visibly withered.

Finally, after the temperature reached a critical point, the energy contained within the fireball began to compress, its form gradually shrinking… until it became a bean-sized crimson glow.

"Watch closely—this is the might of the Divine Image Realm."

As his words fell, Qin Xiaoyuan lightly flicked his finger.

But the crimson glow at his fingertip shot toward the distant mountain peak like a bullet, and then the massive Spirit Power contained within it began to run out of control. The final result was…

"Boom—!!!"

The distant mountain peak was instantly melted by this rampaging flame, and after swallowing the entire mountain, it kept spreading outward—any object within this range could not escape the fate of being melted.

A dazzling crimson radiance flickered between heaven and earth, waves of heat rolling in to wash across the face.

Jiang Qin was stunned on the spot by this brutal force.

Spirit Sea and Divine Image Realm are separated by only a single realm, but the gap between them is worlds apart!