C13 Iron Sheet Was Hidden in His Pants

A mere sip of the origin fluid entered Han Feng's body, causing his Internal Strength to surge and roil uncontrollably.

His complexion shifted from a ghostly pale to a flushed crimson.

"Nine Flames And Strange Fire Art, suppress it!"

Han Feng quickly engaged the Nine Flames And Strange Fire Art to refine the potent energy.

His Internal Strength careened wildly, threatening to rupture his meridians, but as it slammed against their walls, a unique energy emerged, reinforcing and expanding the meridians, preventing any breach.

This protective energy, too, originated from the origin fluid.

When tranquility was restored, dawn had broken.

Opening his eyes, Han Feng felt invigorated. Sensing the surge in his Internal Strength, he was overtaken by a sense of elation. "Incredible! I've ascended to the Peak of the Early Mortal Rank!"

Before, his Internal Strength had barely crossed the halfway mark at just over fifty.

Yet, this modest draught of origin fluid had propelled his Internal Strength to a full hundred, signifying the Peak of the Early Mortal Rank and saving him nearly half a month of training.

And to think, this was from a mere 1% pure Lower-class Lower-grade Spirit Stone.

Han Feng marveled, "Worthy of a Spirit Stone that only Human-rank Martial Cultivators can assimilate and refine. Truly remarkable."

"Now at the Peak of the Early Mortal Rank, my next venture is to step into the Middle Mortal Rank and unlock the eight Main Bloodlines."

"Regrettably, with morning upon us, I must head to the training field."

"My Claw Condensation Technique is barely approaching minor proficiency, a Basic Upper-grade Martial Skill that reveals its true might only in the Late Mortal Rank. When will I reach the Perfection Stage, I wonder?"

After Yu Lao provided a bucket of water for a refreshing bath, Han Feng made his way to the training field and commenced practicing the Claw Condensation Technique in earnest.

To his delight, he found his movements more fluid and incisive than ever before.

In just a short time, the might of the Claw Condensation Technique had surged several notches.

Han Feng mused, "It's clear now that the level of one's cultivation foundation plays a role in mastering martial skills. Just yesterday, I was barely approaching the Small Completion Stage. Today, having reached the peak of the Early Mortal Rank, I've practiced the technique only a few times and have truly achieved the Small Completion Stage."

"With another breakthrough, and given my aptitude, the Great Completion Stage of the Claw Condensation Technique won't be far off."

"At this point, Han Lin is leaning on his strong cultivation foundation, yet he's only just nearing the Small Completion Stage. The rest are even further behind."

"With my current cultivation and the Claw Condensation Technique at the Small Completion Stage, I might stand a chance against a Middle Mortal Rank expert with one Main Bloodline open, maybe even defeat them. And I could hold my own against a Martial Cultivator with two Main Bloodlines."

"But if I were to unleash the mortal fire, even someone like Han Lin, with three Main Bloodlines at the Middle Mortal Rank, would be easily bested or even slain by me!"

Han Feng was, as usual, the earliest to arrive. As he was wrapping up his training, the other Han family youths began to trickle in.

Their looks towards Han Feng had changed, though.

In a mere seven days, Han Feng had achieved what took Gu Ba three years.

Another week had passed, and no one could tell how far Han Feng's cultivation had progressed.

Many Han family youths were convinced that within a month or two, Han Feng might step into the Middle Mortal Rank, a level they couldn't hope to match.

Unable to compete, they opted to curry favor instead.

Before long, several youths had gathered around Han Feng, striking up conversations.

Han Feng responded with gracious smiles.

Soon after, Han Lin arrived at the training field.

Han Feng gave Han Lin a quick look, his eyes narrowing sharply. "Han Lin's presence has changed; could it be that he..."

Shortly after Han Lin's arrival, Instructor Lin made his entrance.

Scanning the area, Instructor Lin immediately picked up on the distinct change in Han Lin's aura, a sharp energy pulsing around him.

Drawing on his vast experience, Instructor Lin deduced the situation and exclaimed with a look of delight, "Han Lin, have you made a breakthrough?"

Han Lin burst into laughter and exclaimed, "Instructor, you've got quite the eye—I've successfully opened up four Main Bloodlines."

Instructor Lin responded with a chuckle, "That's only because your realm isn't stable yet, causing your aura to leak out unconsciously. Otherwise, even as a Human-rank Martial Cultivator, I wouldn't have been able to discern it with mere eyesight."

Han Feng inwardly acknowledged the truth of this, and the expressions of the other youths shifted noticeably.

Having unlocked four Main Bloodlines meant that Han Lin was halfway through the Middle Period of Mortal Rank. At the age of fourteen or fifteen, when youths experience rapid growth, his cultivation speed was bound to increase. It wouldn't be long before he unlocked the fifth and possibly the sixth Main Bloodline.

With the aid of a Pill or Spirit Creatures, stepping into the Late Period of Mortal Rank before turning fifteen wasn't out of the question.

The Late Period of Mortal Rank is essentially a phase of accumulation, where Internal Strength is gradually converted into Attribute Genuine Qi.

Once he amassed enough Attribute Genuine Qi, he could unlock all twelve meridians and ascend to Human Rank.

In the Han family, and indeed all of Renzhong City, those of Human Rank are considered elite.

The thought of Han Lin reaching such a status within a couple of years brought a mix of envy and jealousy to the faces of many youths.

Their gazes then turned to Han Feng, and their already complex expressions deepened. Neither Han Lin nor Han Feng were individuals they could easily measure up to.

Han Feng sighed to himself, "A master of four Main Bloodlines, even with the aid of mortal fire, might not secure a victory. Overcoming a three-year gap is truly no small feat."

"But with the All Creatures Fire Cauldron at his disposal, his success is imminent."

Out of the blue, Han Feng felt a malicious stare. Turning, he locked eyes with Gu Ba.

A wry smile flickered across Han Feng's lips. "Has Gu Ba's wound healed already?"

"I just hope he doesn't seek another sparring match with me."

Regrettably, Han Feng's hopes were soon to be dashed.

"Han Feng, I challenge you to a duel!" Gu Ba declared through clenched teeth, his face twisted with intensity, as the moment of competition drew near.

The onlookers wore expressions of schadenfreude mixed with pity—Gu Ba was in for another round of misfortune.

Han Lin's face darkened upon witnessing the scene. "Is Han Feng really going to resort to the Ass Breaking Finger again? He's completely tarnishing the reputation of the Han family's main bloodline."

Instructor Lin could only facepalm, at a loss for words.

Once Han Feng accepted the challenge, Gu Ba boasted triumphantly, "Han Feng, I haven't been idle these past few days in bed. My Internal Strength has advanced, and I've developed countermeasures to your tactics. You won't be able to use that vile move to beat me today."

A flicker crossed Han Feng's face. "I had intended to defeat you honorably, but since you've brought it up, I'm inclined to make you relive your past mistakes."

Han Feng was at a loss for words with Gu Ba, who was truly asking for it with his provocations. It left Han Feng with no choice but to employ that particular technique—otherwise, it would be an admission of inferiority.

In a swift motion that left the crowd in awe, Han Feng vanished and reappeared behind Gu Ba. The disparity in their cultivation was so great that Gu Ba couldn't even muster a response.

Of the many young spectators, only about ten could perceive Han Feng's rapid movements.

As Han Feng launched the Ass Breaking Finger, he was stunned to find it thwarted.

Gu Ba burst into laughter, "I've got an iron plate hidden in my pants. Your modest Internal Strength won't be piercing through that!"