Day one, two, three, four...

A week, two weeks, three weeks...

A month, two months, three months...

Time sped by, and Qin Fen lived a life almost identical every day. Wake up, intense training, eat, self-study, and sleep when tired.

This almost hermit-like existence, when fully immersed in dedication, gradually made one forget the passage of time and lose awareness of space.

Occasionally, Di Shitian Aqi Ya and Ferrero, both Grand Elders, would appear in the Asura training grounds, bringing batches of medicinal pills suited to the young disciples.

As apprentices to the Grand Elders, the disciples of the Sacred Martial Hall certainly received a generous supply of medicinal pills.

However, in the eyes of the Sacred Martial Hall, not a single one of these pills was meant for Qin Fen, because they had not yet passed the so-called initiation trial.

This situation, naturally, posed no obstacle for Caesar and the others.

Every time they received medicinal pills, they would pool them together and redistribute them evenly, meaning Qin Fen inevitably received his share.

The various profound techniques in the Hall of Ultimate Skills suitable for the group were slowly imparted by the two Grand Elders. Unbeknownst to them, the martial foundation of the disciples grew stronger, while Qin Fen, still temporarily not an official apprentice, could only observe from the sidelines.

Of course, the perception of the two Grand Elders was exceptionally keen. When teaching martial arts, they noticed an added flicker of doubt in Qin Fen’s expression and proceeded to explain and analyze the concepts for him with even greater depth and detail.

Completely devoted to the martial path, Qin Fen had unknowingly undergone intense training for nearly half a year. Not only had his activity level soared, but his star-level strength advanced at an astonishing pace, and his own understanding of martial arts was continuously refined.

His eleven-star strength rose to twelve stars, and not long after, his twelve-star strength broke through to thirteen stars.

Asiura Fenghua Danyu watched Qin Fen meditating quietly. This young man hadn't lingered long at the thirteen-star level before making another astonishing breakthrough, surging forward with powerful momentum straight into fourteen-star strength.

In less than half a year, Qin Fen had violently pushed himself to the peak of the fourteen-star level. This rate of advancement was so extreme that even the Mad Martial Artist, were he to witness it, would have to concede defeat.

The true essence from the General Compendium of World Martial Arts flowed slowly within his body. Qin Fen felt it clearly: today, during his cultivation, the true essence was much harder to propel than at any previous time, as if some strange obstruction was blocking his way.

This was not the first time Qin Fen had felt this sensation.

Every time his star-level strength was on the verge of a breakthrough, the true essence during cultivation would become incredibly sluggish, as if every single strand of essence was weighed down by a stone weighing ten thousand pounds.

These last few days had felt like this, and today the sensation was even clearer.

Another breakthrough is coming! Qin Fen held firm to his unwavering martial heart, not allowing himself to become overly excited by the impending breakthrough, which could lead to a lapse in concentration.

Charge the barrier! Qin Fen’s extensive experience with breaking through barrier implied he knew that if his spirit wavered at this moment, not only would the breakthrough fail, but he might even lose complete control of his martial heart.

For the breakthrough of star-level strength, no external force could provide assistance. Large beads of sweat gradually broke out on Qin Fen’s forehead, his expression solemn, like an ancient stone Buddha unmoved for a thousand years.

“This is…?”

Fenghua Danyu’s eyes, shimmering like autumn water, flashed with immense surprise. This particular state of Qin Fen during his training over the past six months was not unprecedented.

Every time! Every single time Qin Fen was about to break through a star level, he entered this exact unique state!

“Fifteen stars?”

Fenghua Danyu’s delicate cheeks twitched repeatedly. She hadn't been this shocked even when Qin Fen shocked everyone by surging from eleven to twelve stars in less than ten days during his training period.

Fifteen stars. Countless martial artists with immense potential were forever stuck at this bottleneck, never able to pass it.

A fourteen-star martial artist wishing to reach fifteen stars must complete the Marrow Cleansing Nirvana first.

How long had it been since Qin Fen reached the fourteen-star level? Even though his activity level had already reached the value of ten thousand! That had absolutely no bearing on Marrow Cleansing Nirvana, which required lengthy experience and gradual comprehension.

Could it be that he didn't need to complete Marrow Cleansing Nirvana? Fenghua Danyu shook her head repeatedly; that was absolutely impossible! No martial artist could defy this iron law; breakthrough to fifteen-star strength was unattainable without undergoing Marrow Cleansing Nirvana.

Could it be that he had completed Marrow Cleansing Nirvana? Fenghua Danyu’s expression grew even graver. The Marrow Cleansing Nirvana was a special existence truly understood only through experience, never fully articulated. She had only briefly described the feeling of it to him a few days ago—could he have completed it so easily?

The first trace of bitterness appeared in Fenghua Danyu’s smile. She had seen many genius martial artists, but never one like this. Even the Mad Martial Artist or any other high-level expert in the Sacred Martial Hall had struggled immensely at the Marrow Cleansing Nirvana.

This barrier, regarded as a nightmare by countless genius martial artists… Fenghua Danyu sighed with a hint of powerlessness. It was truly the first time she had seen someone advance to the fifteen-star level so effortlessly.

“Ah!” Fenghua Danyu sighed again. When Ferrero and Aqi Ya visited last time, they had worried that Qin Fen’s upcoming encounter with Marrow Cleansing Nirvana would become the ‘Dragon Lock’ binding this mighty dragon.

Now, it seemed those worries were nothing more than wasted emotion.

Fenghua Danyu’s delicate cheeks showed a faint, mischievous smile again. When Ferrero and the others came next time, they would surely be scared pale!

Snap…

Qin Fen’s clothes suddenly billowed outward, accompanied by the sharp sound of a whip cracking through the air. Sweat, at that moment, was shaken off his skin along with the inflation of his garments.

In the windless space, his clothes puffed up automatically! Caesar’s eyes lit up, a joyful smile spreading across his handsome face as he looked at his companions, who showed similar delight.

What did this mean? It meant Qin Fen’s true essence could now be projected externally. The prerequisite for external projection of true essence was reaching the fifteen-star level!

Fifteen stars… Fenghua Danyu’s heart fluttered. She immediately understood what Qin Fen had just accomplished. He might have set an unprecedented record among all martial artists—the youngest martial artist to reach the fifteen-star realm!

The youngest? Fenghua Danyu pondered for a few seconds, confirming her deduction once more.

“That’s right! He must be the youngest!” Fenghua Danyu nodded firmly. “Mu Xing Qing Long was rumored to be very young, but it’s not certain he was that young, and even if he was, it’s doubtful he broke through to fifteen stars faster than Qin Fen.”

Hoo…

Qin Fen slowly got up, exhaling a long stream of breath that was almost visible as a sharp arrow of air. When his eyes reopened, the usual blade-like sharpness was gone, replaced instead by maturity, composure, and restraint.

“Qin Fen, congratulations!”

Caesar cheered, and several young men sprang forward, instantly burying the sweat-drenched Qin Fen on the ground.

Fenghua Danyu clicked her tongue repeatedly, her curiosity about Qin Fen growing even stronger. Every young martial artist present desired to explore the limits of martial arts, and there was a fierce competitive desire among them, evident in their daily training.

If you are strong, I must be stronger! If you are ruthless, I must be more ruthless!

In such intense competition, although hostility might seem natural, they shared a bond of loyalty, lacking any trace of jealousy—only wholehearted striving.

Whenever someone achieved a significant breakthrough, the congratulations were filled only with genuine happiness, devoid of any false bitterness.

Strange, truly strange.

Fenghua Danyu didn't notice that a sweetness never before present in her smile had begun to surface.

In this increasingly artificial society, Fenghua Danyu knew well that whether among fellow martial artists in the Sacred Martial Hall or so-called friends in the outside world, upon hearing of an acquaintance’s promotion or financial gain, the congratulations and offers to treat them were often masked by insincere smiles, concealing intense jealousy once they turned away.

“Sigh…”

Fenghua Danyu felt jealousy toward Qin Fen for the first time. It wasn't envy of his terrifying activity level, nor of his effortless conquest of barriers others found insurmountable, but envy of the loyal friends surrounding him.

“If only I had a group of friends like this.”

Fenghua Danyu quietly turned and walked to the side. If one’s life contained such friends, what more could one ask for!

Laughter and roughhousing temporarily replaced the brutal atmosphere of intense training.

Fenghua Danyu quietly watched them play for nearly ten minutes before clapping her slender hands. “Are you done celebrating? Then back to training! Don't think making history as the youngest eleven-star martial artist is anything special. I heard the Little Madman is already charging toward sixteen stars, and the deadline for the six-month training is approaching. If you don’t want to look too pathetic then, speed up your training.”

The Mad Martial Artist has reached sixteen stars? Qin Fen stood up from the ground, a touch of seriousness entering his expression. This opponent was fundamentally different from the others; he held almost no inherent advantage against him.

The profound foundation he had accumulated over the past six months had almost been fully utilized. Losing that deep foundation meant losing the ability for most level-skipping challenges; at least, that capability had weakened significantly.

Back when he was eleven stars, he had fortunately defeated a fourteen-star opponent. Now, as a fifteen-star martial artist, Qin Fen knew the outcome against a seventeen-star martial artist would be a one-hundred-percent defeat.

The higher one ascended the star levels, the more geometrically the strength gap between each level increased.

Describing the difference between each star level as a chasm might not even be enough.

Caesar nodded slightly, looking at Qin Fen with a hint of worry. This monster might be a rare one among fifteen-star martial artists, but was the Mad Martial Artist not also an exceptionally talented martial artist? Qin Fen possessed some ability to challenge those above his level—and did the Mad Martial Artist not possess the same?

The joy of Qin Fen’s successful breakthrough was largely extinguished by Fenghua Danyu pouring cold water over their heads.

“What are we afraid of?” Qin Fen clapped the silent Yang Lie on the shoulder. “Don’t forget, I possess a monstrous strength that very few martial artists have.”

Monstrous strength…

Fenghua Danyu’s cute lips twitched repeatedly. This monstrous strength was undoubtedly Qin Fen’s biggest trump card in combat. As his star level increased, his strength grew terrifyingly and rapidly.

If martial artists of the same level fought Qin Fen, the chances of winning were almost nil. With the same quality and quantity of true essence neutralizing each other, Qin Fen’s power would be fully displayed—terrifyingly immense.

Fenghua Danyu had once sparred with him when he was fourteen stars. The result was that after just one punch, she was sent flying backward. If she hadn't adjusted her strength in time, it wouldn't have been impossible for her body to crash straight through the walls of the building.

“Monstrous strength, is it?” Fenghua Danyu’s smile curved at the corner of her eyes, and the others instantly felt as if they had fallen into an ice cellar. This kind of smile indicated that the Demoness was about to employ her strange methods for the training experience.

It didn't take long before muffled groans echoed from the training room where Qin Fen was located. Even Qin Fen, known for his endurance, was constantly groaning, nearing the point of screaming. Xue Tian, who was just about to push the door open, wisely retracted the hand he had placed on the handle.

“Looks like the demoness is in a great mood today. I better not go in and provoke her for now.” Xue Tian leaned against the outer wall, pulled out a notebook from his robes, and began reading leisurely. “Inviting the Division Elders really is amazing; he gets something new every time. I wonder how much I can learn from this? But Master Fexi Luo didn't look too good today; is he unwell?”

“Achoo!” Ferrero sneezed in his office, a look of helplessness on his face as he sat on his cushion.

When it came to Xue Tian, Ferrero had to admit he had misjudged the young man.

The Twelve Forms of the Blade and Sword he initially gave Xue Tian, Ferrero predicted he would take over half a year to master.

Unexpectedly, half a month later, Xue Tian requested leave from Asura and asked to be taught new martial arts.

Ferrero naturally didn’t believe that something others couldn’t master in years, Xue Tian had learned completely in half a month. He immediately demanded a test.

In the subsequent test, Ferrero had to concede that while Xue Tian might not be as monstrous as Qin Fen, he was definitely not an ordinary genius.

“This is the Thirty-Six Forms of the Heavenly Gang Blade and Sword which I created by further studying the Twelve Forms of the Blade and Sword. I estimate you won't be back to see me for at least a year… no! Maybe not for half a year…”

Ferrero’s words still echoed in his mind when Xue Tian reappeared a month later.

“Learned it again? Good! This is the Seventy-Two Forms of the Earthly Fiend Blade and Sword which I created based on the Thirty-Six Forms of the Heavenly Gang Blade and Sword. This time, you must take at least half a year to learn it.”

Must quickly changed to maybe.

Ferrero gently rubbed his forehead. Xue Tian had just visited again. The One Hundred and Eight Forms of the Heavenly Gang and Earthly Fiend Blade and Sword still hadn't taken Xue Tian half a year to master. This time, Ferrero even gave him his own treasured notes on the Twin Ultimate Blades and Swords, just to ensure the young man wouldn't return for a while.

“Hoo…”

Ferrero felt like he was on the verge of a breakdown. If Qin Fen was a monster who could take others' knowledge and then apply it to create something new, Xue Tian was a super learning machine. He could quickly, flawlessly, and completely learn and internalize all the creator's insights.

“The things I got this time are excellent; I really need to study them thoroughly.” Xue Tian leaned against the wall, his eyes shining with keen interest. “The more excited I get by something, the faster I learn it. Even if I can’t yet perform at the level of the techniques, I can quickly grasp the essence.”

“Xue Tian, you’ve been loitering outside long enough! Do you plan on staying up late tonight? Preparing for a midnight snack session?”

Asura’s voice came through the door. Xue Tian immediately put away his notebook, put on a sweet smile, pushed the door open, and bowed low, saying, “Not at all, not at all. I just realized I forgot to buy a gift for Sister Danyu when I took leave this time, and I’m blaming myself.”

Xue Tian had mastered the art of knowing when to retreat from a losing battle to the fullest extent. Even Qin Fen had described the experience of the midnight sessions as agonizing, akin to being flayed alive a hundred times.

Time rushed forward again amid everyone’s dedicated training. Before they knew it, another half year had passed.

Qin Fen completed a full cycle of his journey and slowly opened his eyes. Caesar and the others were already standing beside him, smiling.

Today was the last day of intense training. For the first time, everyone finished all their exercises early. Xue Tian even greeted Asura and slipped away after finishing his drills.

For these six months, apart from Xue Tian’s occasional brief excursions during training breaks, the others had never left this nearly enclosed space. They were all accustomed to Xue Tian’s sudden disappearances.

The door to the training chamber slowly opened sideways as Qin Fen opened his eyes, welcoming the long-absent sunlight.

The brilliant sunshine spilled across Fenghua Danyu’s back, momentarily creating the illusion of a celestial fairy descending from the heavens.

However, this illusion flashed through the minds of the young martial artists only briefly. Six months of rigorous training, coupled with Asura Fenghua Danyu’s strange training methods, led them all to secretly agree that she was a demoness wearing an angel’s disguise.

“Alright! You may leave now.”

Fenghua Danyu cleanly stepped aside, gesturing delicately for them to exit.

Qin Fen was slightly stunned. After six months of training and constant proximity, some bonds had inevitably formed among them.

Finishing the intense training felt like students completing a phase of schooling and preparing to step out of the campus gates.

At times like these, people’s emotions often carry a tinge of sadness. Even if the relationship with the teacher wasn't particularly close before, the atmosphere of parting could make it sentimental, recalling only the good memories.

Yet, this woman, at the moment of parting, offered no words of reminiscence. Her swift actions were almost too abrupt for them to accept.

“What? You don't want to leave?” Fenghua Danyu smiled charmingly, stretching her wrists. “Do you want me to train you for another half year?”

Before Fenghua Danyu finished speaking, several muffled, earth-shattering roars echoed in the room, followed by a rapid series of sounds like arrows shooting through the air near the doorway.

The strong gusts of wind lifted Fenghua Danyu’s waterfall-like hair, which floated slightly, complementing her slightly mischievous smile, revealing yet another facet of beauty.

However, this captivating beauty couldn't hold them. In an instant, the young martial artists burst out of the training chamber.

Qin Fen looked at Caesar and the others next to him using their agile movements, smiling wryly. Fenghua Danyu’s training over so long had significantly improved everyone, yet her very last sentence after the training finished managed to incite the group, causing them to exert more speed than ever before.

Having been fully committed to the training for half a year, looking back now at the training environment, Qin Fen felt chills run down his spine. The feeling of wishing for death was far worse, many times over, than being beaten to death.

“Heh heh…” Fenghua Danyu lightly covered her crimson lips with her jade hand, a faint mist gathering in her small eyes. “You all really give me something to be proud of.”

Bang!

The door to the training chamber closed. Fenghua Danyu’s long hair floated up, and her clear voice sounded again. “Training this batch has made me temporarily lose interest in training others. I’m in a bad mood, a bad mood! A very promising newcomer arrived a few months ago. If his performance isn’t satisfactory, I’ll train him to death.”

Emerging from seclusion! Qin Fen sprinted quickly through the streets of the Sacred Martial Hall, the whistling wind sounding like sirens in his ears. A feeling of an untamed wild horse spread rapidly within him.

The Mad Martial Artist had reached sixteen stars; did he have new developments now? Qin Fen’s mind raced, contemplating several matters. He had heard that a newcomer had arrived at the Sacred Martial Hall several months ago, entering at the ten-star level, and had been formidable since his very first confrontation, even beating up the person sent to enforce the glorious tradition, sending him straight to the hospital.

Indeed, martial artists in this world must never be underestimated! Qin Fen looked up at the blazing red sun, his fists unconsciously clenching tightly. After studying at the Sacred Martial Hall for a while longer, he planned to leave! There was one thing he absolutely had to do.

He pulled out the antique cell phone and quickly dialed a familiar number that hadn't been used in a very long time.

“I am very dissatisfied…”

Listening to the familiar voice coming through the receiver, an indescribable emotion stirred in Qin Fen’s heart. During his seclusion, apart from occasionally hearing news of the outside world from Ferrero, he hadn't been able to make a single call out. He had certainly neglected Song Jia over these past six months.

Behind the words "I am very dissatisfied," there were no words from Song Jia as usual, but rather a string of soft sobbing sounds.

Qin Fen’s heart sank slightly; half a year, even for a secluded training session, was quite a long time for...

“I know you were in secluded training…” Song Jia’s sobbing continued, her words coming out brokenly: “But I still feel uneasy inside.”

Qin Fen stopped running, standing perfectly still to listen to Song Jia pour out her heart.

After ten minutes, Song Jia finally managed to stifle her sobs. A hint of happiness had crept back into her tone: “What? You’re out of seclusion? “En, Fifteen-Star level.” “Fifteen-Star level? That fast? I am very satisfied!”

The rare “I am very satisfied,” or “I am very dissatisfied”—Qin Fen merely shrugged, leaning close to the communicator, and murmured softly, “No matter what Qilin thinks of me, I’m paying a visit in a few days to formally propose marriage.”

“Ah…”

From the other end of the line came Song Jia’s sharp gasp. Joy, surprise, delight, astonishment, shyness… a chaotic whirlwind of ineffable emotions, all expressing the profound stirring of her deeply affected heart.