Yuan’s Ascension

The clash at Ninecloud Mountain had a profound impact on Wu Yuan, introducing him to the brutal reality of this world. More importantly, it gave him a fresh understanding of the Middle Land. If a first-rate Adept could master Power Surge, then how about those martial arts experts whose fame shook a continent, or those who stood at the pinnacle of the world? Their battle skills would only be even more formidable!

While the legendary Heavenly Rankers might not possess Xianxia or mythical abilities like moving mountains and oceans or plucking stars and moons, they can effortlessly split mountains and part rivers. They are nothing short of 'deities that walk the land'. How powerful are their martial skills?

Wu Yuan recalled the novels he had read in the martial academy's library. At first, he doubted their authenticity. But now? He had no more doubts.

Solely in terms of martial skills, the pinnacle of martial strength in this world likely surpassed Wu Yuan's previous estimates.

And this spiritual liquid. Wu Yuan lowered his head to look at the green jade vial beside him. Uncertain of what this mysterious fluid was, he referred to it as ‘spiritual liquid’. Its effects were astounding. The Life Energy Liquid, a technological marvel of the Human Federation, paled in comparison. Wu Yuan did not believe this to be a result of technological disparity.

It's the material, a by-product of the fundamental differences of worlds. It's just like how the materials that make up divine weapons surpass any alloy of the Human Federation.

Such a gap could not be bridged by technological research.

If such a treasure could only be found in the possession of Heavenly Rankers, that would be understandable. But a second-rate Adept possessing such a treasure? This means that similar natural treasures are abundant in the Middle Land!

In theory, some large factions could even supply a few martial arts prodigies with such treasures in bulk. Although the utilization efficiency of these young prodigies might be low, they can make up for it with sheer quantity.

Previously, Wu Yuan had brimmed with confidence in his abilities. But after getting a taste of this mystical spiritual liquid, he was no longer certain that his foundation was stronger than that of most elite martial artists in this world.

The reason was simple. In terms of perception, martialskill, and perhaps bodily control, Wu Yuan might be superior. However, the top prodigies of this world might have been nurtured with countless precious resources since childhood, forging near-perfect physical foundations.

At the moment of Wu Yuan's transmigration and awakening, he was already fourteen. Even though his body's predecessor had practiced harshly, and he had strived to nourish his body during these past months, many aspects of his physique were already set in stone. It was nearly impossible to change them. This could result in a genetic gap from birth.

I transmigrated into a fourteen-year-old body, not a four-year-old one. It is destined never to reach absolute perfection.

Of course, he also felt fortunate.

At the very least, this was not the body of a 60-year-old. At the very least, this body's predecessor laid a decent foundation. My aim is to strive for perfection in the next four years!

I have reached a high phase of cultivation. I can control my body, pushing it to its near-utmost limit of growth. But energy is needed for growth! The purer, the better.

Whether it was consuming ordinary meat, eating a body tempering pill, or nourishing the body with this spiritual liquid, all of these could supply him with energy. Wu Yuan could also expel nearly all the impurities.

However, he could not expel them completely. In this world, there was no absolute perfection. Thus, the fewer impurities contained in the things Wu Yuan consumed, the better. By doing this, he could minimize the buildup of impurities in his body, which, in turn, would reduce obstacles to his physical development and his future progress in Marrow Cleansing and Blood Transfusion cultivation.

Regular meat and body tempering pills don't differ much in terms of impurities. Wu Yuan shook his head. They only differed in terms of the amount of energy contained.

If he hadn't obtained this mysterious spiritual liquid, Wu Yuan would have continued cultivating with body tempering pills contentedly. But now that he knew it existed, he could not ignore it.

This spiritual liquid doesn't contain a single trace of impurities? When Wu Yuan first noticed this, he was deeply shocked. At least, with Wu Yuan's current level of control over his body, he couldn't detect any impurities in the spiritual liquid.

Too pure!

It ignited an instinctive desire within Wu Yuan. Moving from frugality to luxury was simple, yet transitioning from luxury back to frugality was a difficult path.

I had planned to cultivate uneventfully until I reached the age of eighteen, when my golden years of physical development ended, before venturing forth into the world. Perhaps by then, I could command a strength of 30,000 or even 40,000 catties!

Such strength was truly frightening. Cultivating in such a manner was also extremely safe.

But now? Wu Yuan picked up the jade vial, staring at the scant remains of the spiritual liquid inside.

If I consistently supplement my cultivation with something similar to this spiritual liquid, by the time I reach eighteen, my physical constitution could improve by an additional twenty percent at least. Wu Yuan estimated roughly.

Twenty percent didn't seem much. In these few months alone, Wu Yuan's physical strength had multiplied nearly tenfold! However, it must be understood that this was his prime period of progress. When his body's development approached its limit, it would be extremely difficult to increase his strength by even a hundred catties. A difference of twenty percent likely amounted to a disparity of tens of thousands of catties in strength!

In my past life, my physical constitution was too weak, making it difficult to attempt the Hundred Acupoints Divine Technique. But in this life? There is clear hope! A hint of longing was evident in Wu Yuan's eyes.

The plan needs to be altered. I need more spiritual liquid to aid my cultivation. Wu Yuan made up his mind.

However, spiritual liquid wouldn't just fall from the sky.

There are two methods.

One is to go and search for it myself, which offers more freedom and no constraints. However, the world is vast and a single person has limited time and energy, where should I go looking? The second method is to join a powerful force and utilize its resources.

A martial arts expert could take on more than 10,000 opponents. Why did they still choose to establish factions? One important reason was to collect resources more efficiently! There was strength in unity.

By allying with a faction and showcasing my talent, I can naturally secure more resources. At the very least, I can swiftly uncover the secrets of this world. Furthermore, I will one day journey across the land to explore all corners of this world. If I join a faction and attain a high position, it will greatly assist my mother and my clan.

At different stages of life, one’s perspectives changed. When Wu Yuan had just regained consciousness, he had retained the values of a law-bound society from his past life. But now, his thinking gradually aligned with the martial artists of the Middle Land.

The Cloudstride Sect is one option. If the Cloudstride Sect doesn't suit my tastes, then I will seek out the sacred martial arts sects of the Dong Continent or the Wu Continent.

The Cloudstride Sect was located closest to him. And as a native citizen of the Cloudstride Sect, of which his father was once a military officer, Wu Yuan could easily earn the sect's trust.

As for the Wu Continent and the Dong Continent?

The Wu Continent was the birthplace of the foremost martial sect in the world, the Wu Sect [1]. Established by the Martial King, its legacy spanned thousands of years. The continent hosted numerous other great martial sects, and welcomed individuals from foreign continents without discrimination.

The Dong Continent stood second only to the Holy Continent in terms of prosperity, and housed a multitude of factions. The headquarters of the Starcom Consortium, for instance, was located in the Dong Continent.

However, in comparison to the Cloudstride Sect, earning their trust would prove far more challenging for Wu Yuan.

Moreover, the journey to the Dong Continent or the Wu Continent will be long and arduous. It would take me a considerable length of time just to get there, and I wouldn't be able to look after my clan. Wu Yuan shook his head lightly.

Great Jin was also an option. As the most powerful nation in the world, it had substantial resources, and openly welcomed martial artists from all corners of the world. Unfortunately, because of his father's death, Wu Yuan harbored a subconscious feeling of dislike for the Great Jin Empire.

Moreover, if I rise to power in the future, the history of my family's last eight generations will be thoroughly checked. Should it be discovered that my father was killed by Great Jin's army, would they still trust me unconditionally? Would anyone believe that I am loyal to the royal family of Great Jin?

It was unrealistic! Loyalty was of utmost importance in any force. It was especially crucial in this world of martial arts where individuals could attain terrifying strength. If a faction raised a Heavenly Ranker, just for him to turn on them, it would be an absolute nightmare!

No rush. The remaining spiritual liquid is enough for another month of cultivation. I should think things over first.

Wu Yuan quickly tidied up his belongings in the courtyard, making sure nothing was left behind.

After leaving the courtyard, Wu Yuan didn't return home. Instead, he headed to the martial academy.

Having placed fourth in the previous martial academy major tournament, he no longer had to attend any courses. However, as a disciple of the martial academy, it was important to make the occasional appearance.

Moreover, Wu Yuan had decided to join a major power, and the Cloudstride Sect was his first choice. Making contact with the sect through the martial academy was a good strategy.

After reaching the martial academy, he received a piece of news.

"The Headmaster and Instructor Huan have been searching for me these past few days?" Wu Yuan was puzzled.

1. not the same Wu as Wu Yuan ?