Translator: CinderTL
Jiang Ye couldn't possibly enter the Martial Dao Heavenly Ladder immediately.
For now, he needed to continue his cosmic tempering.
After his first breakthrough, the number of tempering sessions required would only increase.
Cosmic energy was incredibly miraculous, capable of driving the human body's transformation and propelling it to higher levels of existence.
Following the first breakthrough, he would require greater quantities and higher concentrations of cosmic energy for refinement.
"I've already broken the first life's shackles, greatly increasing the upper limits of my meridians and bones."
"Next, I must repeatedly temper my meridians and bones with stellar energy." Jiang Ye closed his eyes.
Meridians and bones formed the foundation of cultivation.
The Star Martial Advancement Method stated: "When bones are aligned and meridians supple, qi and blood flow freely."
"Bones" referred to the entire skeletal system.
"Meridians" encompassed the skin, muscles, and fat layers beneath the body's meridian network.
Together, meridians and bones constituted the fundamental structure of the human body. Originally a closed system, like a set of shackles, cosmic energy struggled to penetrate, hindering transformation.
But after the first breakthrough, these shackles were shattered.
Cosmic energy now flowed freely into the meridians and bones, truly merging with the human body.
From this moment onward, Jiang Ye had truly embarked on the path of cosmic martial arts.
"The cosmic energy in this Purification Pool is far too diluted," Jiang Ye observed. "After my first breakthrough, I need stellar energy of much higher concentration."
The stellar energy here was Primordial Stellar Energy diluted hundreds of times, rendering it insufficient for his cultivation.
However, having already paid 50,000 yuan for the tempering session, Jiang Ye resolved to drain every last drop of stellar energy from the pool.
Though the effects would be minimal, it was better than nothing.
Time flowed.
A day later, Jiang Ye rose from the Purification Pool.
"Ah, that feels good," he stretched his limbs.
After his first breakthrough, such diluted stellar energy no longer caused pain. Instead, it induced a peculiar sense of comfort.
Having undergone a full day of cosmic tempering, Jiang Ye's body was now saturated with warm stellar energy, leaving him feeling pleasantly warm all over.
"This physique upgrade took several hours," Jiang Ye noted, glancing at his status panel.
[Physique: Profound Physique (Upper-Grade D)]
Such a prolonged transformation inevitably signified a monumental change.
"From a mortal body to a profound physique... just how much of an improvement will this bring?"
"What level of strength have I reached now?" Jiang Ye raised his palm.
As he exerted force, a wisp of pale silver stellar energy surged from his Guanyuan Acupoint, following the energy circulation pathways and flowing into his palm.
Compared to before his first breakthrough, this strand of stellar energy had completely fused with his palm, causing the bones to glow with a brilliant silver light.
"My palm feels like it could shatter steel."
Jiang Ye clenched his fist, feeling an overwhelming sense of power.
"Jiang Ye."
Zhang Jianwu flew down, smiling at Jiang Ye. "Finally achieved your first breakthrough?"
Jiang Ye nodded, a hint of excitement flashing in his eyes. "Director, could you take one of my palm strikes? I want to test its power."
"Take one of your palm strikes?"
Without hesitation, Zhang Jianwu nodded. "Come on."
"Alright!"
Jiang Ye raised his right palm.
Buzz~ The silver light on his palm bones grew even more brilliant.
Stellar energy continuously converged, causing his entire right arm to emit a faint silver glow, appearing incomparably radiant.
"Director, be careful!"
Jiang Ye stomped his foot, his entire body erupting with explosive force.
In an instant, a palm struck out.
Boom! The strike left a deep, explosive sound ringing through the air.
Bang!
The two palms collided squarely.
A faint silver arc of energy pierced the air, radiating outward in all directions.
A violent gust of wind erupted, like a sudden gale, causing their robes to billow and crackle.
This power... A flicker of surprise flashed in Zhang Jianwu's eyes.
It was far stronger than he had anticipated!
Logically, someone who had just achieved their first breakthrough shouldn't possess such overwhelming force.
What he didn't know was that Jiang Ye's physique had already reached the upper-tier of Profound Physique Rank D.
At the same realm, the higher one's physique rank, the greater their combat prowess!
"So strong!" Jiang Ye exclaimed, equally thrilled.
He hadn't even activated any combat art techniques.
With just a casual palm strike, he felt a power four to five times greater than before!
"Little rascal," Liu Beimu said, descending with a smile. "You really won't let yourself be shortchanged, will you?"
Over the course of the day, Jiang Ye had absorbed enough stellar energy in the Purification Pool to be worth approximately 50,000 federal currency.
He had already earned back his registration fee.
"Thank you for your assistance, Star Envoy Liu," Jiang Ye said, withdrawing his fist and offering a bashful smile.
He actually wished he could stay longer.
However, considering his upcoming journey to the third level of the Martial Dao Heavenly Ladder and his need to continue practicing the Eight Trigrams Thunderclap Fist, coupled with the Purification Pool's inability to meet his cultivation requirements, he had no choice but to leave early.
"No trouble at all," Liu Beimu chuckled. "I heard you're aiming for Penglai University?"
Jiang Ye nodded.
"Then I wish you success in achieving your goal," Liu Beimu said with a smile. "With the College Entrance Examination just around the corner, may you ride the waves and achieve top honors!"
Jiang Ye clasped his hands in a traditional gesture. "Thank you for your auspicious words."
Beside them, Zhang Jianwu said, "Jiang Ye, it's getting late. I'll drive you home."
"Alright," Jiang Ye replied, his expression shifting slightly. He suspected the director had something he wanted to discuss.
A moment later, Jiang Ye settled into Zhang Jianwu's black sedan.
"Jiang Ye," Zhang Jianwu said, glancing sideways at him, "how close are you to perfecting the Eight Trigrams Thunderclap Fist?"
"Perfection?" Jiang Ye pondered for a moment. "It'll still take some time."
"Do you think you can achieve it before the Cosmic Divine Path Certification?" Zhang Jianwu asked.
Jiang Ye shook his head. "I'm not sure."
His progress with the Eight Trigrams Thunderclap Fist had reached 79% of Major Success.
It seemed like Perfection was within reach.
But the remaining 21% would be far more difficult to achieve than the initial 50%.
Even though Jiang Ye's physique had already advanced to the upper-tier of the Profound Physique, he still felt uncertain.
"What's wrong, Director?" Jiang Ye asked, noticing Zhang Jianwu's expression.
"Nothing," Zhang Jianwu replied, keeping his thoughts to himself.
He had just confirmed with Star Envoy Liu that Penglai University's admission cutoff this year would likely exceed 890 points.
As a Star Practitioner, Star Envoy Liu's perspective and information network far surpassed those of Ancheng High School, making this estimate highly reliable.
With his first breakthrough, Jiang Ye's score could reach 850 points.
Adding the 20-point bonus for being a Reserve Star Practitioner, his total would still only be 870 points—20 points short of the required standard.
With less than two weeks until the College Entrance Examination, unless Jiang Ye could pass the upcoming Cosmic Divine Path Certification, those 20 points would remain an insurmountable barrier.
"Jiang Ye," Zhang Jianwu said with a smile, "for the next few days, just focus on your regular training."
"Don't put too much pressure on yourself during the Cosmic Divine Path Certification."
"Treat it with a calm mind," Zhang Jianwu advised.
"Alright," Jiang Ye nodded.
He knew Zhang Jianwu was worried that excessive psychological pressure might cause him to underperform.
Indeed, as the College Entrance Examination drew nearer, the atmosphere at school grew increasingly tense.
For Jiang Ye, the upcoming Cosmic Divine Path Certification held even greater significance, as it would determine his fate.
Any normal person would feel nervous.
"I hope the third level of the Martial Dao Heavenly Ladder holds some surprises," Jiang Ye murmured, gazing out the window.
Half an hour later, Jiang Ye returned home.
After a quick shower, he hurried back to his room.
"Martial Dao Heavenly Ladder!" Jiang Ye murmured inwardly, his eyes gleaming with anticipation.
In the next moment, his consciousness plunged into darkness.
Amidst endless swirling clouds, Jiang Ye's eyes snapped open once more.
Before him stood a magnificent platinum-gold ladder, its towering presence stretching beyond the horizon.
Jiang Ye rose to his feet and strode toward the ladder.
He effortlessly ascended to the second level.
Then, he began climbing the ten steps leading to the third level.
Step by step, he continued his ascent.
The pressure grew increasingly terrifying, bending his spine as if mirroring the very martial dao he practiced.
Yet Jiang Ye's steps remained firm and unwavering.
Finally, he reached the third level.
[You have ascended to the third level of the Martial Dao Heavenly Ladder.]
[Would you like to immediately begin the third-level assessment?]
(End of the Chapter)
--------------------------------
Translator's Corner
🙏Sorry for the delayed chapters. Had a technical issue. To read ahead please go to the site. It is always updated first.
𝟏𝟒 𝐍𝐨𝐯𝐞𝐥𝐬 | 𝟖.𝟒𝐤 𝐂𝐡𝐚𝐩𝐭𝐞𝐫𝐬 | 𝟏𝟒.𝟐𝐌 𝐖𝐨𝐫𝐝𝐬 [𝐜𝐢𝐧𝐝𝐞𝐫𝐭𝐥.𝐜𝐨𝐦]