C20 Each of Them Cultivate!

After a full day of intense cultivation in the Cultivation Room, Yu Kun had managed to increase his Growth Value by nearly five thousand points.

Previously, Yu Kun would have been able to amass only about three thousand Growth Value points at most. But now, with the Leviathan Egg having evolved into a baby Leviathan, its enhanced devouring ability meant that Yu Kun could absorb significantly more Spiritual Energy, resulting in a five thousand point gain in Growth Value.

Still, when measured against the Growth Value required to advance to the Soul Refining Stage, these five thousand points fell short.

"To ascend from the Intermediate to the High Rank Qi Refining Stage, I needed close to three thousand Growth Value points. But to progress from the High Rank Qi Refining Stage to the Soul Refining Stage, I'm facing a daunting thirty thousand point threshold."

Yu Kun was torn between amusement and frustration.

Despite his hard work in the Cultivation Room, which yielded nearly five thousand Growth Value points, Yu Kun found himself twenty thousand points shy of reaching the Soul Refining Stage.

10371/30000.

Staring at those digits, Yu Kun's head spun.

"Still, as a martial artist, I have the option to hunt mutated beasts and trade them for Spirit Stones. With a bit of luck, if I can take down a few more beasts like that giant python, I could quickly accumulate the three hundred Spirit Stones I need for the upgrade!"

Yu Kun mulled over the idea but decided to hold off for the time being.

Even setting aside his ability to take on such formidable creatures, the sheer strength of that python was a clear indicator of their rarity. Encountering one had been both a stroke of bad luck and a fortunate twist of fate.

Checking the system once more, Yu Kun noted that the baby Leviathan had entered a digestion phase, which would last a bit longer this time—seven days.

"It makes sense for the baby Leviathan to need time to digest after consuming so much and absorbing a vast amount of Spiritual Energy. I'll use this period to focus on my Martial Arts training. With some dedication, I'll be ready to claim my place as an Inner Sect disciple!"

With his plan in mind, Yu Kun stepped out of the Cultivation Room.

The seven days flew by. As Yu Kun devoted himself to mastering his Martial Arts, others were immersed in their own cultivation journeys.

In a quiet corner of the Martial Training Field, Hu Qiu was diligently practicing a form of Martial Arts. Above him, countless sparrows fluttered about. While not mutated beasts, their agility was remarkable, darting around at high speeds, eluding capture with ease.

Yet, Hu Qiu channeled his Astral Energy, unleashing a peculiar Martial Arts technique. An invisible force ensnared the sparrows above, binding them so tightly that no matter how they struggled, they couldn't escape beyond three meters from Hu Qiu.

With steady concentration, Hu Qiu manipulated the Astral Energy, his arms moving in fluid motions. Finally, with a forceful tug, he reeled in the sparrows from the sky. A series of palm strikes later, and the birds lay defeated.

"Excellent! You've clearly mastered the Demon Suppressing Ring to a high degree. You're able to condense and project your Astral Energy up to three meters, capturing any moving target," someone applauded as they entered the Martial Training Field. "If you were to unleash the Demon Suppressing Ring without warning, even I might not be able to evade it."

Wiping the sweat from his brow, Hu Qiu cast a sidelong glance at the newcomer, his face etched with a cool smirk.

"Chen Feng, you're hardly a top contender in the Inner Sect. Out of five hundred and thirty-seven disciples, you rank past five hundred and twenty. When it comes to strength, there's not much between us."

Chen Feng returned the smile. "Yet, I remain an Inner Sect disciple, while you do not. That's the difference that counts."

Hu Qiu let out a derisive snort. "I'll be joining the Inner Sect ranks soon enough. The selection for Elite Disciples to advance is just around the corner, and I'll surely earn my place! I owe you one for teaching me the Demon Suppressing Ring; without it, I'd have no chance against Yu Kun's Movement Technique."

A smug look crossed Chen Feng's face. "The Demon Suppressing Ring is a cherished secret of the Chen family, a Martial Arts developed by my ancestors for capturing mutated beasts. It may only be a Grade Two Martial Arts, but within its three-meter reach, nothing can escape. Yu Kun's Movement Technique won't save him. I don't know where he learned it, but against the Demon Suppressing Ring, he's as good as dead."

Hu Qiu unfurled his folding fan and gently waved it as he spoke, "I'm aware that it's inconvenient for you to confront him, given your status as an Inner Sect disciple. But as an Elite Disciple, I'm well within my rights to take action. Moreover, he's stolen a Space Ring from me, which gives me all the more reason to deal with him. No one can stand in my way. You've given me the Demon Suppressing Ring technique, so I'll handle him on your behalf. It's a fair exchange."

"In that case, I wish you success!" Chen Feng said with a slight smile. "We come from prestigious families, blessed with inherent advantages. He's nothing but a powerless, lowborn commoner. He'll never be able to catch up with us. Now, you're the one who can give him a reality check!"

Nodding, Hu Qiu exited the arena. He swapped his training attire for everyday clothes and departed from the Martial Training Field.

"The Vajra Subduing Devil technique may not be as potent as its second form, but its power is too dispersed to be of much use, except in specific situations. The third form, Vajra Subduing Dragon, is indeed formidable, but my current level of Astral Energy is likely insufficient to execute it. I must reach the Soul Refining Stage and form my Martial Soul to truly harness the Astral Energy and master the second form."

Yu Kun practiced the Vajra Worshipping Moon technique on the Martial Training Field for some time before pausing to reflect. In recent days, his focus wasn't solely on perfecting his Martial Arts; he was also contemplating the path ahead. By now, he had honed the Vajra Worshipping Moon to near perfection, and the Vajra Subduing Devil was beginning to take shape.

Yu Kun was confident that if he were to employ the Vajra Subduing Devil technique today, even without an increase in his realm, he could still leverage the move to vanquish the giant python.

Lost in thought, Yu Kun sensed someone approaching. Looking up, he recognized the newcomer as Hu Qiu.

"He's come to find me so soon? Seems he's after the Space Ring."

Yu Kun's gaze shifted. He glanced at Hu Qiu and remarked, "The Space Ring must mean a lot to you."

"It's merely a Space Ring; it holds no significance," Hu Qiu retorted, casually waving his fan. "The ring and its contents are merely valued at a thousand gold coins. Its loss is trivial to me. However, for a commoner like yourself, such riches are surely beyond imagination."

While Hu Qiu claimed the ring was inconsequential, his words dripped with condescension towards Yu Kun.

Yet, Yu Kun merely offered a slight smile, unaffected by Hu Qiu's disdain.

"It appears that face is everything to a scion of nobility like yourself. Well then, I'll cut to the chase. I have no intention of returning the Space Ring to you."

"I'm aware you won't give it up willingly," Hu Qiu said with an initial smile that quickly faded to a frosty expression.

He delved into his sleeve, retrieved an item, and flung it skyward.

Simultaneously, Hu Qiu proclaimed, "I am Elite Disciple Hu Qiu, and I hold a personal vendetta against Elite Disciple Yu Kun. I implore the sect to grant me leniency and unlock the Death Match Arena, so that Yu Kun and I may settle our score with a fight to the death!"