C9 Mission of the Sect!

If I can't cultivate the Qiankun Spell, wouldn't all my efforts be in vain?

"You're simply too weak at the moment to unlock it for cultivation. Only by reaching the Ten-thousand Elephants Stage and harnessing the Power of Ten-thousand Elephants can you manage to peruse it. Sadly, I've encountered a great disaster and lost 99% of my power, so I'm unable to assist you in unlocking it," the Young Man In White said, ending with a sigh.

"You are the Qiankun Emperor's Life-bound Magic Artifact. Who could possibly harm you?"

At Zhang Chen's inquiry, a flicker of fear passed through the Young Man In White's eyes. "Such beings are beyond the comprehension of a mere mortal. Their power eclipses that of immortals. The Qiankun Emperor himself was utterly vanquished by these entities..."

Zhang Chen involuntarily sucked in a breath of cold air. To surpass immortals—what an awe-inspiring existence that must be!

"Rest assured, since you've become my master, I am bound to assist you. I need you to help me regain my strength so we can seek vengeance for the Qiankun Emperor!"

Zhang Chen shuddered at the thought. He was expected to avenge the Qiankun Emperor? Had the Artifact Spirit of the Universe Diagram lost its mind?

"Don't overthink it now. We'll address these matters later. Your current priority is to bolster your own strength! You don't want to be killed before you even have a chance to practice the Qiankun Spell," the Young Man In White said with a chuckle, sensing Zhang Chen's apprehension.

"How can I enhance my strength if I can't cultivate the Qiankun Spell?" Zhang Chen muttered, furrowing his brow.

"That's easy. Despite the great calamity I've suffered, I can still activate some of the Universe Diagram's powers to help you refine your physique. But you must aid me in regaining my strength," the Young Man In White explained.

Zhang Chen was ecstatic at the prospect and quickly agreed.

"Very well, now that you've initiated the Bone Refining Technique, I'll assist you in condensing your Qi and blood. Let's focus on getting you to the Martial Master Stage first. Otherwise, if Zhang Lin and Zhang Jing reach the Martial Master Stage before you, they will surely come after you for revenge."

Upon hearing the Young Man in White's words, Zhang Chen's spirit withdrew from the Universe Diagram. He held his breath, concentrated intensely, and gathered his Qi and blood. He then activated the Qiankun Spell to circulate it in a specific pattern within his body. Gradually, Zhang Chen began to feel an intense heat throughout his body, a clear sign that the Bone Refining Technique was taking effect.

Suddenly, the Universe Diagram, which had merged into his body, absorbed all of Zhang Chen's Qi and blood. This startled him; he feared the Universe Diagram might turn against its master. But in the next moment, the Universe Diagram returned his Qi and blood, even more refined than before!

Slowly, Zhang Chen's bone marrow started to pulsate, generating new Qi and blood, which was then absorbed and replenished by the Universe Diagram.

At the Martial Warrior Stage, one's Qi and blood are not potent enough to condense the internal organs. Only by training to the point where the strength permeates the bone marrow can one advance deeper into cultivation and begin to solidify the internal organs. This meant that Zhang Chen had now reached the Martial Master Stage!

For several days, aside from eating and sleeping, Zhang Chen devoted himself to cultivation with the aid of the Universe Diagram.

Meanwhile, Zhang Yuner continued her seclusion, and having dealt with Zhang Lin and Zhang Jing, Zhang Chen had ample time to focus on his training.

With each breath, Zhang Chen's internal organs would contract and expand, growing incredibly strong.

Opening his eyes, he glanced at a robust tree trunk in the distance. In a swift motion, he punched and shattered it. By the time the tree trunk hit the ground, Zhang Chen was back in his original spot.

"My current strength is comparable to that of Chief Instructor Zhang Xiao!" he said to himself, admiring his handiwork with satisfaction.

In the nearby medicinal field, Zhang Lin and Zhang Jing were gathering herbs when they witnessed the scene. They were so astounded that their jaws nearly dropped.

"How is this possible? He's only been training for a few days, and he's already reached the Martial Master Stage!"

"Indeed! Despite taking the Blood Nourishing Pills given to us by our elder sister daily to refine our bodies, we've yet to reach the Martial Master Stage. How did he manage it?"

Without consuming grains, one's body would remain free of impurities, enabling rapid advancement in martial arts to the point where the Peak of The Master Stage could be achieved and the Energy Master Stage glimpsed. Such privileges were beyond the reach of an Outer Disciple. Only an Inner Disciple like Zhang Yuner had the privilege of receiving such benefits from the Spiritual Pill Hall.

"Why? Why can't we make a breakthrough despite our painstaking efforts, while this kid's cultivation progresses so swiftly?" Zhang Jing couldn't hide her jealousy as she watched Zhang Chen from a distance.

"It's no wonder our elder sister took him to the Ten-thousand Elephants Palace. She must have seen his innate talent for cultivation..."

Although Zhang Lin's assumption was incorrect, it inadvertently spared Zhang Chen a lot of unnecessary complications.

"What are you two doing here?" Noticing their stares, Zhang Chen approached the medicinal field and inquired.

Upon seeing Zhang Chen, the siblings tensed up and quickly explained, "We're delivering these medicinal herbs to the Spiritual Pill Hall to exchange for Blood Nourishing Pills for our Senior Sister!"

Even as Inner Disciples, they couldn't simply take Blood Nourishing Pills from the Spiritual Pill Hall without offering something in return. They were expected to contribute to the sect, and Cloud Water Peak's task was to cultivate medicinal herbs.

Zhang Chen was aware that the Ten-thousand Elephants Palace's Tianshu Mountain housed many palaces, each with its own duties, and the Spiritual Pill Hall's role was to collect herbs grown by disciples from various peaks to craft Medicine Pills for the sect.

Having spent many days in the Ten-thousand Elephants Palace without visiting Tianshu Mountain, Zhang Chen saw a chance to expand his knowledge.

"I see! Well, as I'm free from cultivation duties today, allow me to make the delivery!" Zhang Chen offered, looking at the pair.

Hearing this, they readily agreed, loading the prepared medicinal herbs onto the Divine Steed and briefing Zhang Chen on the exchange details.

As Zhang Chen mounted the horse, Zhang Lin seemed eager to speak, but Zhang Jing quickly silenced him.

"Ning Feihong, a disciple of the Spiritual Pill Hall, has a feud with our elder sister. We were concerned about encountering difficulties while delivering the herbs, but who would have thought this youngster would volunteer himself for the task?" Zhang Jing watched with a cold smirk as Zhang Chen rode the Divine Steed toward Tianshu Mountain.

Zhang Chen was aware of the bad blood between Ning Feihong and Zhang Yuner, yet he was oblivious to the fact that Ning Feihong was a disciple of the Spiritual Pill Hall.

"No need to question it, Zhang Yuner will surely share the Blood Nourishing Pills I traded for with Zhang Lin and Zhang Jing. If I could take a Blood Nourishing Pill daily, coupled with the assistance of the Universe Diagram, I'm certain I could advance to the Master Stage much more quickly. Then, I might even have a shot at becoming an Inner Disciple!" As the Divine Steed soared toward Tianshu Mountain, Zhang Chen gazed at the bags of medicinal herbs flanking him and pondered how he could secure the Blood Nourishing Pills for his own cultivation.

The Universe Diagram aided in purifying his Qi and blood, mirroring the effects of the Blood Nourishing Pill, but it fell short in replenishing them. He had to stimulate his bone marrow daily to generate new Qi and blood for his practice. With the Blood Nourishing Pills, his cultivation would undoubtedly be more efficient.