C18 Ten Times the Cultivation Speed Halfstep Emperor!

"I'm certain! Master, please strike me, do it now!"

Li Hongshan nodded vigorously, moving his head as if he were pounding garlic, and even leaned his face in closer.

At this point, even Shen Jun, no matter how oblivious, understood what his two disciples were getting at.

These two simpletons must have mistaken him for some kind of lingering soul or divine consciousness, about to save them and then vanish swiftly.

For their foolishness alone, they deserve a proper reward!

Just as Shen Jun was about to strike, the system notification sounded once more.

"Reunion with disciple 1/81, reward: tenfold increase in cultivation speed (Host version)."

"Reunion with disciple 2/81, reward: one hundred years of cultivation (Disciple version)."

"PS: Host version is exclusively for the host's use, Disciple version is exclusively for the disciple's use."

This was the system reward Shen Jun had longed for!

Tears welled up in Shen Jun's eyes.

Having defied destiny, he was already of the highest caliber, and now with a tenfold increase in cultivation speed, he was set to soar.

Shen Jun had been irked by his disciples surpassing his cultivation level, but now it seemed it wouldn't be long before he outstripped them.

However, the other reward left Shen Jun somewhat perplexed.

A hundred years of cultivation for his disciple?

This was Shen Jun's first encounter with such a reward. How should it be utilized?

"The host can bestow the cultivation base reward upon touching a disciple in need of power transmission."

Typical of the system: straightforward and forceful.

Well, if that's the case... would indirect contact suffice?

"Yes!"

The system confirmed.

Hehehe... this was going to be interesting.

A mischievous plan took shape in Shen Jun's mind.

"Little Yu, your master is about to commence the beating."

"Master, I'm ready!" Lee Hongyu looked up, his face brimming with anticipation.

"Very well!"

Shen Jun lifted his hand high, and a golden whip materialized in his grasp.

The whip was extraordinary, enveloped in the essence of the Great Dao.

As the whip swayed gently, it sent ripples through the fabric of the surrounding space.

Wang Jingyu's eyes widened in shock.

"This is... the High Dragon Whip! Master, where did you unearth this? We had thought this supreme treasure had taken on a spirit and departed with you!"

"Wait... something's not right. Even a remnant soul couldn't wield a Spiritual Treasure... Could it be?! Master, have you...?!"

Both disciples were dumbfounded.

Indeed, neither a discarnate soul nor a divine sense avatar could manipulate their original body's magical items.

So, what was going on with the divine needle and now the High Dragon Whip?

There could only be one explanation!

"Stop guessing. Your master has truly returned to life," Shen Jun said with a light chuckle, his gaze affectionate as he looked at his two foolish disciples.

"Master!!"

They both shouted in unison, tears and laughter mingling as they rushed toward Shen Jun.

"Quiet!" Shen Jun stepped back, skillfully avoiding them.

Wang Jingyu and Lee Hongyu instantly calmed down.

Shen Jun let out a cold huff and continued, "You two, one of you focuses on formations and the other on construction. To be frank, you're both support staff in our sect."

"And you dared to confront a sword cultivator of the same level head-on?!"

"Have you forgotten all my teachings?!"

"Get ready! It's time for the whip!"

With that, Shen Jun flicked the High Dragon Whip.

Eight hundred years ago, this very treasure served as his teaching rod.

"Yes, Master!"

Tears sprang anew in the eyes of Wang Jingyu and Lee Hongyu.

Both the High Dragon Whip and their master's stern voice were all too familiar to them.

It had been... eight hundred long years.

Crack!

Whack! Crack!

The High Dragon Whip struck with measured force, and Shen Jun was filled with both frustration and compassion.

Had he not been there today, his two foolish disciples might have truly met their end.

Not to mention that Zheng Changyu alone was a formidable challenge for them.

The mere presence of that Emperor's Divine Clone could have effortlessly crushed them!

A beating from him was merely painful, but from someone else, it could be lethal!

The High Dragon Whip, a Divine Weapon bestowed by the system, was designed to target the divine soul, sharing a unique similarity with the Seven-colored Divine Needle.

While it was true that Shen Jun couldn't bring himself to be too harsh on his own disciples, the High Dragon Whip in his hands was wielded with the gentleness of a bamboo stick.

The system reward he had recently received was discreetly infused into the High Dragon Whip.

With each strike, a year's worth of cultivation was transferred.

The sight of two God Stage demons kneeling and taking their punishment obediently left the onlookers too terrified to even breathe loudly.

Who would dare make a move?

Not to mention the enigmatic young master.

If those two demons thought someone was mocking them, that person would be obliterated after their punishment!

The High Dragon Whip continued its relentless dance.

Wang Jingyu and Lee Hongyu wisely let go of their protective Spiritual Force, bracing themselves with their physical resilience alone.

Despite the pain, they felt an overwhelming sense of happiness.

They had awaited this discipline for eight hundred years.

Soon, they realized something astonishing.

Their cultivation was soaring at an incredible rate!

Exchanging a quick glance, they understood—this was undoubtedly the work of their master.

"Master, you've just been resurrected—this shouldn't be happening!"

"Master, please withdraw your cultivation; your disciples don't need it!"

They were deeply worried, fearing that Shen Jun might deplete his vital energy.

After all, bestowing one's head and imparting cultivation was an act that could take a serious toll.

"Still squirming? Stay put, or I might just strip you both before the next lash!" Shen Jun gave them a stern look and reassured them, "Don't worry, I have everything under control."

The sound of the whip cracking continued.

Each disciple received fifty lashes, along with fifty years of cultivation.

Though Shen Jun didn't exert his full strength, the High Dragon Whip did its work, leaving their clothes in tatters and their backs marked with streaks of blood.

It might have appeared frightening, but to a God Stage Expert, these were merely superficial injuries.

A half-cycle of Spiritual Force would heal them completely.

Despite being whipped in front of a crowd, neither God Stage Expert felt any shame.

Instead, they looked at Shen Jun with eyes filled with gradual emotion and deep respect.

They were all children Shen Jun had found and raised himself.

In the terms of this world, they were Shen Jun's "disciples."

He was both their teacher and father figure.

"Rise," Shen Jun said with a smile as he stowed the High Dragon Whip.

The two obeyed and got to their feet.

As they stood up straight, both hesitated for a moment.

Then, an immense amount of spiritual energy began to converge around them, eagerly rushing into their bodies!

In less than fifteen minutes, there was a thunderous boom as their auras dramatically intensified!

They had made a breakthrough!!

Both were at the peak of the ninth level of the God Stage, having been trapped at this bottleneck for over a hundred years.

The fifty years' worth of Spiritual Force that Shen Jun had provided gave them the final push they needed!

This level was between the Sovereign Realm and the God Stage.

Practitioners referred to this state as the Half Emperor!

A Half-step Sovereign!

- - -

The stages of cultivation are divided into: Qi Condensation, Xiantian, Vajra, Divine Ability, Profound Heavens, Concentration, Half-Saint, Great Saint, and God Stage.