C22 The Three Directions of Cultivation

Chu Mingxiang accurately counted, "Twenty-five moves."

Indeed, their exchange had surpassed twenty-five moves.

Once more, their fists collided, sending Chu Yangxiang reeling back six or seven steps.

With a slight smile, Chu Yangxiang remarked, "Young Master Tong is truly formidable."

The match had concluded.

Tong Zetian fixed his gaze on Chu Yangxiang. He had boasted that no one from the Chu Family could withstand ten of his moves, yet Chu Yangxiang had blocked twenty-five without sustaining any injuries.

"If I launch another ten strikes, I could end your life," Tong Zetian declared icily.

Chu Yangxiang offered a faint smile in response. "There's a competition in Xuanwu County in a year, and an Imperial Competition in two. Save your skills for those events."

Tong Zetian's smile was frosty. "By then, you won't be as fortunate as you were today."

"We're leaving."

Tong Zetian could indeed best all the young members of the Chu Family, but Chu Yangxiang's performance had stripped him of any sense of triumph.

The Chu Family retained one hundred Xuanwu Silver Coins, one hundred Yellow Rank Profound Qi Pills, and five Demonic Beast Pills. Their primary takeaway was the revelation of a genius within their ranks.

Respect filled the eyes of many within the Chu Family as they looked upon Chu Yangxiang.

Chu Qingyong burst into hearty laughter, giving a thumbs-up as he exclaimed, "Bravo! Accept the Tong Family's reward. Today, you've made the Chu Family proud. Let's throw a grand banquet to celebrate."

Chu Yangxiang accepted without hesitation, knowing that resources were what he needed most at the moment. The Martial God Heavenly Technique required a multitude of resources, far more than other methods.

Despite expending all his resources, he had yet to break through to the Three-star Martial Warrior level.

The Heaven-martial Godly Tortoise had explained that there were three paths of cultivation on the continent.

The first was Body Tempering, which fortified the physique.

The second involved cultivating Profound Power.

The third was Cultivation Spirit, which was categorized into seven levels.

Chu Yangxiang's Martial God Heavenly Technique, a top-tier Body Tempering method of Heaven Rank Top Grade, was practiced by the Xuanwu Divine Beast. Demanding an immense amount of resources, its effectiveness was undeniable.

"The Tong Family boasts geniuses, and so does the Chu Family. You'll need to redouble your efforts in the future to outshine him."

"Indeed. The Tong Family has come to bestow resources upon the Chu Family."

"The disciples of the Chu Family must also diligently pursue their cultivation; we've fallen far behind."

Chu Yuexing gave Chu Yangxiang a cold glance, harboring his own plans.

The banquet was underway.

After a few drinks, Chu Yangxiang took his leave from the Patriarch.

Several elders and the leaders of the four great factions watched Chu Yangxiang's departing figure, feeling a surge of emotion. It appeared that the Chu Family's future prosperity hinged on him.

Upon returning home, Chu Yangxiang found his parents waiting for him to join them for dinner. Chunhong and Xiaocheng stood to the side.

Chunhong exclaimed with joy as Chu Yangxiang arrived, "The Young Master has returned."

Xiaocheng and Chunhong gazed at Chu Yangxiang with admiration. Following today's battle, the young master had truly made a name for himself.

Tong Zetian had bested Chu Tianxiang in just two moves and Chu Xiaoxiang in four. Both Chu Xiaoxiang and Chu Tianxiang had been cultivating for three years.

The young master had surpassed the Patriarch's direct descendants after only two months of cultivation. His innate talent inspired their awe.

Chunhong brought Chu Yangxiang his meal, setting it down with utmost respect.

Hu Yewan chuckled as she offered him a helping of vegetables. "You need to be more strategic during the martial arts competition. Don't take unnecessary risks; you're my only son."

"He battles for the honor of the Chu Family," Chu Tianwen said, beaming.

"You men are enamored with vanity. All I wish for is Xiangxiang's happiness," Hu Yewan said, giving Chu Tianwen a playful look.

Chu Yangxiang relished the feeling of the moment. In his parents' eyes, he would always be their child, no matter what. He was grateful for their improved quality of life, free from the toils of the past.

After the meal, Chunhong and Xiaocheng tidied up. Chu Yangxiang, with a smile, suggested, "Autumn is approaching. Mother, perhaps you should get Chunhong and Xiaocheng a couple of new outfits for the season. They're part of our family, after all."

The two servants tidying up the kitchen paused as they overheard Chu Yangxiang's words, a shiver running through them. Their hearts swelled with warmth.

Exchanging glances, their eyes glistened with unshed tears. Each had a past they couldn't forget, and finding a family that cared for them was the greatest fortune of their lives.

They were determined to serve such a family with all their might.

"Alright," came Hu Yewan's cheerful response.

"Mother, don't worry about spending money. We're not poor anymore. We can afford a little extra expense."

That evening, Chu Yangxiang remained seated cross-legged in the large basin, where he had crushed two Yellow Rank Profound Qi Pills. Each pill was worth at least one gold coin.

From the day's battle, he had acquired a hundred Profound Qi Pills.

Grasping a Yellow Rank Demonic Beast Internal Pill in each hand, his body radiated with surges of orange light. Starlight from above gently infused his form, while the Profound Qi from the universe also stealthily poured into him. The energy from the Profound Qi Pills in the basin meandered along his Tortoise Shell Pattern. The Yellow Rank Profound Qi Pill's energy was more than tenfold stronger than that of a second-grade pill. The energy from the Demonic Beast Internal Pills in his hands transferred into his body.

The day's battle had been incredibly beneficial. Advancing through the Martial Skill Stage had expanded his perspective. Every move made by someone at the Perfection Stage was ingeniously flawless.

Tong Zetian had opened his eyes to the world's untapped potential. From the legends and articles he had studied at school, he understood that this world was filled with innumerable geniuses.

Take Zhenhai City, for instance, where a fifteen-year-old reaching Profound Warrior Five-star was quite impressive. In Xuanwu County, a prodigy might achieve Profound Master Two-star. In the Nine States Empire, they could reach Profound Master Eight-star. Within a sect, they might become a Profound General. And on the Xuanwu Mainland, the geniuses could aspire to the level of Profound Sect.

Legends tell of mighty beings who could ascend and reach the realm of Profound Ancestor or even Profound Sovereign by the tender age of fifteen.

Talent, resources, cultivation techniques, martial skills, and innate dispositions... These elements contribute to the disparities among individuals.

He knew that relentless effort was his only chance to stand a chance against the prodigies of the Nine States Empire in two years' time.

The Heaven-martial Godly Tortoise had repeatedly urged him to train at Hyphosis Mountain, yet he had always declined. His first reason was the lack of advancement to a Three-star Martial Cultivator, leaving him vulnerable to the numerous Demonic Beasts there. Secondly, he could only leave once his parents' situation was secure. Lastly, he aimed to gather all possible information about Hyphosis Mountain.

Now, with all the information from Hyphosis Mountain collected and his parents' lives settled, today's victory had put him in the spotlight of the Chu Family. For the foreseeable future, his parents would no longer suffer harassment from the residents of the Chu Family Courtyard. As soon as he achieved the rank of a Three-star Martial Cultivator, the path to Hyphosis Mountain would be clear.

He eagerly anticipated the day he would climb Hyphosis Mountain.

From behind the window, Hu Yewan watched the children practicing in the courtyard, a pang of sorrow touching her heart.

"The child wants to train on Hyphosis Mountain. What are your thoughts?"

Hu Yewan inquired with a touch of melancholy.

"He must have his reasons for wanting to go to Hyphosis Mountain. We're not Martial Cultivators; we don't understand the intricacies. Let him make his own way. To grow stronger, he must embark on such a journey," Chu Tianwen reassured his wife.

"I understand, it's just hard for me to let him go."

"I'm just as concerned as you are. But we can't let our love for him become a cage that traps his future. Have faith that he will succeed."

Chu Yuexing pulled out a sheet of paper and penned: "Today, the boy received one hundred silver coins from the Tong Family, one hundred Yellow Rank Profound Qi Pills, and five Yellow Rank Demonic Beast Internal Pills. Should he depart, and you complete the task, I'll reward you with an additional two hundred Xuanwu Silver Coins."

After finishing his letter, Chu Yuexing approached the messenger pigeons and selected one. He secured the letter and glanced in the direction of Chu Yangxiang's residence, a sinister expression crossing his face. "Kid, don't resent me for my ruthlessness. You've stood in the way of my becoming the Patriarch, and I am determined to claim that title."

Watching the pigeon fly off, Chu Yuexing sneered coldly. "Black Panther, I trust your Profound Warrior Group will execute this mission undetected."

His plan was set. If Black Panther succeeded in killing Chu Yangxiang, Chu Yuexing would then eliminate Black Panther at their meeting place. Next, he would lead his men to destroy Black Panther's Profound Warrior Group, avenging Chu Yangxiang. By doing so, he would emerge as the Chu Family's hero.

Additionally, he would conveniently acquire all of Black Panther's amassed wealth, ridding Zhenhai City of a menace and securing his own fame.

Pleased with his triple-strike strategy, Chu Yuexing couldn't help but admire his own cunning.

Meanwhile, a gentle hum of Profound Power resonated through Chu Yangxiang's meridians, bringing a wave of comfort throughout his body. He shuddered as he made the breakthrough to Profound Warrior Three-star.

A surge of energy coalesced into the Tortoise Shell Patterns on his body, which had taken on an orange-yellow hue, predominantly yellow.

Following a thunderous boom, Chu Yangxiang's entire body glowed yellow.

The combined power of two Yellow Rank Demonic Beast Internal Pills, two Yellow Rank Profound Qi Pills, and an array of other resources had finally propelled his Profound Power and martial prowess to the Three-star level. His strength was now comparable to that of a Profound Warrior Nine-star.

Chu Yangxiang rose to his feet, his eyes alight with excitement. After a lengthy journey and the consumption of countless resources, he had at last ascended to this new level of mastery.

It was time for him to journey to Hyphosis Mountain for further cultivation.

Practicing the South Bear Fist and wielding the Swallow Sky Halberd, he refined his technique with the Lord-halberd. Chu Yangxiang was immensely satisfied with his near-perfect realm.

At noon, Chu Yangxiang left a letter for the head of the Chu Family. He informed his parents of his departure and placed the Swallow Sky Halberd, along with his daily necessities, into the Xuanwu Nine Horn Cauldron.

Stepping out of the Chu Family's grand entrance, Chu Yangxiang was on the cusp of beginning his cultivation journey at Hyphosis Mountain.

Exiting through the towering gates, he passed by the imposing stone lions, each as tall as two men, and acknowledged the Profound Warriors standing guard with a nod.

With a casual air, he then ambled westward, as if he were simply out for a leisurely walk.