My Martial Dao Has No Bottlenecks

A knock sounded, and Liang Cheng opened the door.

Standing outside were four people: the second-ranked Lu Qingzhou, fifth-ranked Qin Hongyu, sixth-ranked Lei Lie, and ninth-ranked Qin Cheng of the Celestial Dormitory.

"Junior Brother Liang, sorry for the intrusion."

Lu Qingzhou smiled and introduced everyone. Liang Cheng stepped aside and invited them in. As they entered the courtyard, Lei Lie was the first to speak. "Those punches of yours today were powerful. That punk Lin Pojun has had it coming for a long time."

Qin Cheng then spoke up, "Lin Pojun’s Burning Flame Technique injures the internal organs. This bottle of Cold Jade Pills can help you dispel the fire element."

"Thank you."

Liang Cheng accepted the Jade Bottle and cupped his hands in thanks.

Qin Hongyu tossed over an Iron Token. "A voucher for my family’s Weapon Forging Workshop. If you provide the materials, they’ll forge a weapon for you for free."

Liang Cheng caught the Iron Token and smiled. "Senior Sister Qin, I was actually planning on having a weapon forged. In that case, I’ll take you up on your offer."

Lei Lie grinned broadly and said, "I’m broke lately, so I didn’t bring anything. I’ll buy you a drink next time!"

Lu Qingzhou said gently, "Junior Brother Liang, you’ve earned a spot in the Martial Refining Pool. Remember, the deeper you go and the longer you can last, the better. It will be beneficial for your Cultivation."

"Thank you for the advice, Senior Brother."

The four of them sat for a short while and exchanged a few pointers on Cultivation before Lu Qingzhou suddenly asked, "Junior Brother Liang, I was wondering, do you have a particular Master in mind?"

Hmm?

Liang Cheng looked puzzled. Seeing this, Lu Qingzhou understood. "If a Celestial Dormitory disciple can make it through the next Autumn Grand Competition and remain in the dormitory, they can choose a Master to study under.

"Lin Pojun was originally supposed to choose a Master this year. After all, Zhou Tianhao was no match for him. But no one expected you, Junior Brother, to appear out of nowhere."

At this point, Lu Qingzhou said no more, but the implication was clear. After chatting for a little longer, they got up and took their leave.

Liang Cheng sat alone in his room. The visit from the four today, while on the surface an exchange of Insights, was in reality driven by their own considerations.

’Lu Qingzhou was making a friendly overture. Qin Hongyu was acknowledging my strength. Lei Lie wanted to befriend me, and Qin Cheng made his stance clear by gifting the pills. The other Celestial Dormitory disciples didn’t show up, which means they all have their own agendas.’

’But choosing a Master is a matter for next year anyway. Lu Qingzhou was probably passing on a message for someone else, but that’s not important. Cultivation is the foundation of everything.’

Afterwards, more people came one after another, presenting calling cards and congratulatory gifts. Liang Cheng refused to see any of them. Otherwise, the endless stream of visitors would leave him with no peace to cultivate.

Only then did things finally quiet down.

***

「Late at night. Martial Arts Academy, Mingxin Pavilion.」

Lü Bingchen was reporting on the Autumn Grand Competition. Dean Bai Hong sat in the center, with the Head of Law Enforcement, Yan Song, to his left, his expression as cold and hard as iron.

Yan Song’s voice was cold and hard. "His combat power is immense, and he is decisive in killing. Regarding the matters of Wang Li and Liu Meng, although there’s no concrete evidence, it seems he is inextricably linked to them."

Bai Hong nodded slightly. "His Root Bone and comprehension are both superior. What’s even rarer is his steady temperament. He knows when to advance and when to retreat, and he is neither arrogant nor rash."

Lü Bingchen also nodded and said, "The Martial Dao is a path of conflict. Gentleness has no place on it."

At this moment, Bai Hong made the final decision.

"Give him the spot for the Martial Refining Pool. Perhaps this kid can give us a surprise. The Martial Arts Academy hasn’t had a disciple reach the True Qi Realm in two years."

Yan Song reminded him again, "However, we had someone investigate this kid’s past. It seems he’s embroiled in the City Lord’s Mansion’s conflicts and also has a feud with the Xu Family. I’m afraid things won’t be so peaceful for him."

"Isn’t that even better? What kind of genius is one who can’t fight their way out of trouble? Back in our day, didn’t we all have our own grudges and enemies?"

"The Dean is right. As long as they don’t use their greater strength to bully the weak, let him be. But if they break the rules... Liang Cheng is a disciple of our Martial Arts Academy."

At this moment, Liang Cheng had truly entered the sights of the Martial Arts Academy’s upper echelons.

***

「Qiao Mansion.」

Qiao Zhi excitedly recounted everything she had seen at the Martial Arts Academy’s Grand Competition today. "Mother, Senior Brother Liang is now a Celestial Dormitory disciple, and his name is known throughout the city! If we can get his help, the Qiao Family’s revival will be just around the corner!"

"You should write to Yang Wei now! Ask him to tell Senior Brother Liang to look after the Qiao Family. Given their master-disciple relationship, he definitely won’t refuse!"

Madam Qiao’s expression was grave. "Zhi’Er, do not mention this matter again."

"Why?!" Qiao Zhi didn’t understand.

Madam Qiao looked at her daughter, a complex sigh in her eyes. "First, Yang Wei has been away from the mansion for many years. Any connection we had has long since faded. Trying to pressure him by using old ties will only earn his contempt."

"Second, Liang Cheng earned his current status with his own two fists. How could a man like that be manipulated by you?"

"Third, the Qiao Family has already fallen this far. If we hold on too tightly to our obsessions, we will only invite disaster."

Qiao Zhi’s face turned pale. She wanted to argue, but Madam Qiao had already stood up. "Uncle Wang, prepare a modest gift for tomorrow. Send it to the Martial Arts Academy in the Qiao Family’s name. That is all. Do not think any more of this."

She walked out of the study, leaving Qiao Zhi standing there in a daze, her fingers clenched so tightly they turned white.

’Who says I can’t revive the Qiao Family?’

***

「Xu Mansion Study.」

After listening to the Steward’s report, Xu Zhang said indifferently, "Just make sure the gift is delivered. There’s no need to insist on a meeting."

He then asked, "What about Zhao Ming?"

"He took the money before, so he agreed to continue passing on information. But he’s terrified of Liang Cheng now and doesn’t dare to make any rash moves."

"It’s better that he’s a coward; that makes him easier to use," Xu Zhang said, tapping on the armrest. "After the Martial Refining Pool, Liang Cheng will definitely start taking missions. There will certainly be an opportunity. Keep a close watch on him."

"Yes, sir."

***

Regardless of the goings-on in the outside world, the opportunity Liang Cheng had been eagerly awaiting—the Martial Refining Pool—had finally arrived.

Liang Cheng walked alone to the forbidden area in the back mountains. A stone gate opened, and a gray-robed pool guardian stood silently just inside, his gaze resting on him for a brief moment.

"I’ll only state the rules once," Elder Mo’s voice was like a grinding stone. "The pool has three sections. The outer section cleanses the sinews, the central section tempers the bones, and the inner section refines the marrow. Which section you enter and how long you stay is all up to you."

"After three days, the stone gate will open on its own."

With that said, he stepped aside to let him pass.

Liang Cheng nodded to show he understood and walked straight inside. The stone gate closed silently behind him.

The passage descended for a hundred zhang before suddenly opening up into a wide space.

The pool was arranged in tiers. The outer pool was shrouded in a faint green mist, the Central Pool was a tranquil azure, and the inner pool was deathly still and black as ink. This was the Martial Arts Academy’s Secret Realm—the Martial Refining Pool.

Disciples promoted to the Celestial Dormitory were allowed to enter once.

Liang Cheng removed his outer robe and walked straight toward the Central Pool.

He stepped into the water.

The water of the outer pool was a faint green, shrouded in mist.

Liang Cheng sank into a cross-legged position within the water. It submerged his body, and a gentle warmth seeped into his skin, slowly traveling along his meridians.

Although Liang Cheng had reached Perfection in the Mixed Element Stance, his natural Root Bone was only average. At this moment, his meridians were like parched land receiving rain, gradually becoming relaxed and flexible under the nourishment of the Spiritual Qi.

Half a day passed. The tingling numbness faded, and without hesitation, Liang Cheng moved on to the Central Pool. The water there was azure and as heavy as lead and mercury.

The moment he stepped in, the bones throughout Liang Cheng’s body began to creak and groan.

The pressure of the water was like a giant hammer forging iron, repeatedly pounding every inch of his bones. Liang Cheng felt as if he had returned to his days of practicing the Stone Armor Skill, gritting his teeth and enduring.

A cold energy surged from his marrow while a searing current invaded from the outside. Under this tempering of ice and fire, the impurities in his marrow turned into a black foam and were expelled from his pores.

At Noon on the second day, Liang Cheng opened his eyes. When he clenched his fist, his knuckles rang out like striking jade. His entire skeleton had been tempered to be like refined steel.

Finally, he looked toward the inner pool. It was as black as ink and as still as the abyss.

Liang Cheng took only three steps forward and felt as if Mount Tai was crashing down on him, making it difficult to even breathe.

This was no longer simple bone tempering, but a complete Purification of Essence and Marrow. A venomous yin-cold energy pierced through his spine and into his skull, while a searing current from the earth’s veins burned his meridians and scorched his organs. Amidst the extreme pain, his consciousness became exceptionally clear.

He actively guided the essence of the pool water into his body, flushing out his internal organs.

BOOM!

It felt as if shackles had shattered within him. The old, impure marrow was completely purged, and new marrow grew like a jade-like slurry. His Qi Blood surged like a mighty river, and faint, jade-like patterns appeared on his skin.

The color of the Martial Refining Pool faded slightly.

Three days were up. The Purification of Essence and Marrow was complete; it could be said he had been completely reborn.

’It’s true that one must always fight to get ahead. The strong only grow stronger!’

Just then, a bell rang outside and the gate opened. Time was up. Liang Cheng burst out from the water.

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