Translator: CinderTL
Invite her to dinner? Jiang Ye blinked in surprise. He hadn't expected her to care about that.
He was about to reply when Chen Zilu suddenly remembered something. "Let's talk on our phones later," she said. "Someone might be eavesdropping here."
With that, her figure gradually faded away.
"Eavesdropping?" Jiang Ye thought, startled. He quickly exited the virtual space as well.
In the mysterious observation room:
"Did you hear that?"
"What did that girl just say?" the shorter observer exclaimed. "She's going on a date with that kid?"
"Am I seeing things?"
The shorter observer's face was a mask of astonishment, bordering on disbelief.
"It's not a date, she just said he's treating her!" the taller observer retorted impatiently.
"Come on, a guy and a girl alone together? That's practically a date!" the shorter observer insisted.
"Even putting that aside..."
"Chen Zilu not only helped Jiang Ye reach Major Success, but she also pointed out dozens of flaws in his spearmanship."
"When has she ever been this nice to a guy before?" the shorter observer gossiped eagerly.
"Stop gossiping so much."
"It's their private business. Why pry?" The taller observer shook his head. "Jiang Ye, on the other hand, is a promising talent."
"Mark him down as a priority," the tall observer said.
"If his performance continues to improve, we can give him a spot at that place," the tall observer added.
"You mean the Stellar Sea the Federation just discovered?" the short observer asked, puzzled. "His current performance is nowhere near the required level, is it?"
"Heh, how ignorant," the tall observer scoffed, shaking his head. "I just checked—Jiang Ye possesses a Primitive Aptitude!"
"If he had a Nascent Aptitude or Dao Bone Aptitude, he'd be unremarkable."
"But a Primitive Aptitude? No one can predict his potential," the tall observer murmured, deeply impressed.
At that moment, he didn't know that Jiang Ye had already awakened a Nascent Aptitude.
If he had known, his astonishment would have been even greater.
After all, it was universally accepted that innate talents couldn't be changed. A Primitive Aptitude evolving into a Nascent Aptitude? That would shake the world to its core.
Inside the main villa:
Buzz!
Jiang Ye had just risen from the virtual cockpit when his phone vibrated.
"It's Senior Sister," he said, picking up the device.
Ding! A holographic projection materialized.
A breathtakingly beautiful young woman stood alone, wearing a moon-white, flowing chiffon dress that billowed around her slender legs.
"Senior Sister," Jiang Ye greeted her.
"Your spearmanship has reached Major Success."
"All that's left is your cultivation realm," Chen Zilu said with a smile. "Once you reach your second breakthrough, Senior Sister has a gift for you."
"A gift?" Jiang Ye blinked in surprise.
He shook his head helplessly. "Senior Sister, we haven't even settled how I'll repay you yet, and you're already talking about gifts."
He had been genuinely planning to repay Chen Zilu for her past kindness.
During the latter half of high school, he had secretly sought her guidance every day, and she had patiently helped him without complaint.
At the time, Jiang Ye hadn't fully appreciated the extent of her sacrifice.
But after entering university, he realized he had been taking up Chen Zilu's after-class cultivation time.
Chen Zilu was a student at White Dragon University, and her part-time teaching role was secondary to her primary focus: cultivation.
Despite Jiang Ye's constant interruptions, Chen Zilu had never once mentioned it.
Apart from the 30,000 federal currency she had lent him in their second year of high school, which he had long since repaid, all her other assistance had been entirely selfless and uncompensated.
Even her current help was immeasurable in monetary terms.
Sometimes, Jiang Ye found himself puzzled. Why was Chen Zilu so kind to him?
Was it just because he had chatted with her every day back then?
Could those conversations have sparked something more?
But she was the daughter of a transcendent family, and so beautiful. She shouldn't lack people to talk to.
In terms of looks, Chen Zilu was the most outstanding girl Jiang Ye had ever met.
Even Shen Changxi couldn't compare.
"Didn't I already say?" Chen Zilu said with a smile, "Treat me to a meal. That'll be your thanks."
"Just a meal isn't enough," Jiang Ye replied, shaking his head.
"Then what else do you want?" Chen Zilu asked, suddenly curious.
"Let me think."
"After dinner, we could do something else?" Jiang Ye suggested with a grin. "Whatever Senior Sister wants, I'll follow her lead."
Chen Zilu gave him a strange look. Are you sure you're talking about showing gratitude?
"Just dinner," Chen Zilu said, shaking her head slightly. "My cultivation schedule is very tight."
In truth, even taking the time for a meal was quite difficult for her.
Since returning to school, her cultivation plan had been extremely demanding.
"Alright," Jiang Ye agreed without pressing further. He could tell Chen Zilu had her own priorities.
"I'm not rejecting you. Your thoughtfulness is enough."
"As for the rest," Chen Zilu said, her captivating eyes meeting his, a warm smile playing on her lips, "don't overthink it. The best way to thank me is to focus on improving yourself."
"Alright," Jiang Ye nodded.
"Well, I'm off to cultivate now," Chen Zilu said, winking her beautiful eyes at him.
"Take care, Senior Sister," Jiang Ye replied, watching her stunning figure gradually fade away.
A moment later, Jiang Ye stood alone, gazing at his status panel:
[Great Sun Spear Technique: Major Success (2%)]
"Sparring with Senior Sister not only helped me break through to Major Success in my spearmanship," Jiang Ye mused, "but it also instantly boosted my progress by 2%."
"Most importantly, she pointed out dozens of flaws in my technique," he realized. "Once I refine those, my spearmanship should improve significantly."
With this thought, Jiang Ye couldn't help but sigh in admiration.
"Senior Sister is truly amazing!"
Without Chen Zilu's help, Jiang Ye would have remained stuck in his current bottleneck for at least another ten days or half a month. If he were unlucky, it might have taken months to break through.
Unfortunately, Chen Zilu couldn't enter the Virtual Combat Space every day to practice with him.
For Jiang Ye, the benefits were immeasurable.
But for Chen Zilu, sparring with Jiang Ye offered her no real advantage.
The gap between their strengths was too vast.
"Still too weak," Jiang Ye murmured, shaking his head slightly.
If his strength had already caught up to Chen Zilu's, he wouldn't need to worry so much, and they could have been ideal sparring partners.
But as things stood now? The difference was far too great.
"No need to rush."
"Once I break through to the second breakthrough, I'll be able to access the fourth layer of the Martial Dao Heavenly Ladder," Jiang Ye thought to himself. "By then, both my innate talent and strength should experience a leap forward."
Over the past few weeks, Jiang Ye had attempted to climb to the fourth layer.
But without exception, he had failed.
Stepping onto the fourth layer proved far more challenging than he had imagined.
Jiang Ye estimated that only by reaching the second breakthrough level could one truly set foot on the fourth layer of the Martial Dao Heavenly Ladder.
"From the first breakthrough to the second breakthrough..."
Jiang Ye's heart filled with anticipation. "I hope the fourth layer of the Martial Dao Heavenly Ladder will bring some surprises."
With his thoughts clarified, Jiang Ye's mind regained its composure, and he began planning his cultivation regimen.
"Next, I'll focus on diligent cultivation."
"I'll aim to advance my life level to the second breakthrough within two months," Jiang Ye resolved. "Besides the mandatory monthly cosmic tempering, cultivation resources will also be essential."
"For example, the Cosmic Marrow Cleansing Fruit."
The Cosmic Marrow Cleansing Fruit, used to catalyze transformations in one's life level, was an essential cultivation resource alongside cosmic tempering!
Jiang Ye opened his phone and navigated to the school's exchange page.
Low-Grade Profound Cosmic Marrow Cleansing Fruit: 10,000 merit points per 100g
Mid-Grade Profound Cosmic Marrow Cleansing Fruit: 30,000 merit points per 100g
High-Grade Profound Cosmic Marrow Cleansing Fruit: 100,000 merit points per 100g
"So expensive," Jiang Ye muttered, shaking his head.
At the profound tier, even Zhao Qingli's prices offered no discounts.
Having grown accustomed to sourcing supplies from Zhao Qingli, Jiang Ye immediately dialed her number.
Beep...
The call connected.
Whoosh~ A girl materialized on the screen, clad in a colorful silk gown, her skin as pale as snow.
"Jiang Ye," the girl said, her expression aloof. But the moment she saw Jiang Ye, a faint smile bloomed on her delicate face.
"Class Monitor," Jiang Ye greeted with a grin, "I'm here to restock."
"So soon?" Zhao Qingli asked, surprised. Jiang Ye had just contacted her a few days ago.
"Ah, I've been training too hard lately. Need to replenish my energy," Jiang Ye sighed, shaking his head.
"Be careful," Zhao Qingli frowned. "Too much of a good thing can be harmful."
"Don't worry, I know my limits." Jiang Ye waved his hand dismissively. "Class monitor, give me five million worth of low-grade profound Cosmic Marrow Cleansing Fruits."
"You..." Zhao Qingli shot him a speechless look. He'd just claimed to know his limits, and now he was casually throwing around five million.
Even if you're rich, you shouldn't spend money like this!
He was even more reckless than she was now!
Who could have imagined that the poor kid she once looked down on would become so extravagant?
"Alright," Zhao Qingli nodded. "I'll have them for you tomorrow."
"Anything else?" she asked, looking at Jiang Ye.
"Nope," Jiang Ye shook his head.
"Oh." A flicker of disappointment crossed Zhao Qingli's eyes.
Suddenly, Jiang Ye added, "Oh, right, there's one more thing."
"Hmm?" Zhao Qingli looked up at him.
"Five million worth of mid-grade profound martial ginseng, too," Jiang Ye added.
"Got it," the girl muttered, pursing her lips.
What am I even expecting? Zhao Qingli thought to herself. Every time this guy contacts me, it's just to restock his supplies!
How many times has this happened? And he still hasn't learned.
Frustrated, Zhao Qingli patted her chest and turned to end the call.
"Wait!" Jiang Ye suddenly called out again.
Zhao Qingli turned back to face him. "What else do you want to buy?"
"Your time for a meal," Jiang Ye said with a smile. "Is that possible?"
"What do you mean?" The girl's expression froze.
"I promised to treat you to a meal before, but I haven't been able to make good on it," Jiang Ye said with a smile. "Do you have time?"
"I—" A fiery blush spread across Zhao Qingli's snow-white cheeks.
"I'll think about it and get back to you later!" she said hurriedly, her holographic projection dissolving in a flash.
Jiang Ye watched her disappear.
Moments later, his phone buzzed with a message.
It was Zhao Qingli's reply.
Jiang Ye opened the message, and as expected, she had agreed.
First, I'll treat the class monitor, Jiang Ye planned inwardly. Then I'll have dinner with my senior sister.
Should I just invite the class monitor and senior sister together?
The thought flashed through Jiang Ye's mind, but he immediately sensed a dangerous aura and shook his head.
I can't save time on this. I have to keep them separate!
"Hmm, and Yun Qing'er too," Jiang Ye mused. "I should thank her properly later."
She had helped him several times.
Jiang Ye always repaid kindness and disliked owing favors.
The martial dao knows no constraints. This was Jiang Ye's guiding principle. If he left debts unpaid, his conscience would trouble him.
"But adding Yun Qing'er will make the schedule even tighter."
Time management is truly an art, Jiang Ye thought inwardly.
Time flew by, day after day.
Jiang Ye's life returned to its usual calm routine.
Apart from the day he went out to eat, his life remained unchanged: consistent and unwavering cultivation.
Even that meal wasn't without its rewards.
While with Chen Zilu, Jiang Ye learned about his senior sister's interests.
"Senior sister likes studying ancient artifacts?" Jiang Ye asked, somewhat surprised.
Jiang Ye quickly came to terms with it.
As a young lady from a prestigious family like Chen Zilu, she naturally lacked nothing materially. Such an interest was perfectly normal.
Learning of Chen Zilu's passion, Jiang Ye's anticipation for his upcoming advanced studies at Bai Long University surged.
After that day, he returned to his primary focus: cultivation.
Every morning, starting at six, he practiced the Great Sun Spear Technique and Nine Luminaries Star-Treading.
Every evening, he relentlessly challenged himself on the first three levels of the Martial Dao Heavenly Ladder.
Every month, he underwent a Primordial-Tier Cosmic Tempering.
The cycle repeated endlessly.
Time flew by.
In the blink of an eye, nearly two months had passed.
Inside the massive training hall, Jiang Ye, clad in jet-black battle armor, wielded his spear with the fluidity of a swimming dragon.
Whoosh! Whoosh!
Boom! The spear, like a dragon, roared with piercing whistles, unleashing a storm of spear light.
Each strike carved deep furrows into the surrounding walls.
Fortunately, the training hall was constructed from cosmic materials.
No matter how severe the damage, it could be restored in an instant.
Otherwise, the sheer power of his spearmanship would have shattered the entire training hall.
Boom!
Jiang Ye had channeled his energy to its peak, his Essence, Qi, and Spirit surging as he thrust his spear forward once more.
Whoosh! As the spear's radiance erupted, a dazzling Great Sun materialized.
Rumble!
The Great Sun slammed into the wall, instantly carving a crater over ten meters deep. The terrifying shockwave shook the entire training hall.
"Not bad," Zhu Honglie, who had been observing from the side, finally spoke.
"Great Sun Spear Technique, thirty-eighth form—you've almost mastered it," Zhu Honglie said with a smile. "Your progress is remarkable. You've mastered two forms in just two months."
"Teacher," Jiang Ye said, withdrawing his spear and bowing respectfully to Zhu Honglie.
Remarkable progress?
He didn't feel that way at all.
Jiang Ye glanced at his system interface:
[Low-Martial Achievement System]
[Physique: Profound Physique (Low-C)]
[Innate Talent: Nascent (Reconstruction) (3/10)]
[Cultivation Technique]
[Star Martial Cultivation Method: Perfection]
[Eight Trigrams Thunderclap Fist: Perfection]
[Star Martial Advancement Method: Perfection]
[Nine Luminaries Star-Treading: Small Success (75%)]
[Great Sun Spear Technique: Major Success (15%)]
[Heavenly Tribulation Fist: Small Success (55%)]
[Achievements]
[Martial Arts Grandmaster, Patriarch's Friend, Martial Dao Grandmaster, Peak Disciple, Po Jun]
[Martial Dao Heavenly Ladder]
[Third Layer]
Over the past two months, Jiang Ye had relentlessly practiced his spearmanship, but his progress remained minimal, improving by only 15%—a rate so slow it could be described as glacial.
In contrast, his progress with the Nine Luminaries Star-Treading and the newly learned high-grade profound fist technique, the Heavenly Tribulation Fist, had been significantly more pronounced.
The difficulty of advancing the Great Sun Spear Technique after achieving Major Success had indeed skyrocketed exponentially.
"Jiang Ye, don't be discouraged by the slow progress," Zhu Honglie said, sensing his thoughts. "The Great Sun Spear Technique, once mastered to Major Success, isn't suitable for continuous breakthroughs."
"You haven't even reached the second breakthrough yet. Achieving this much progress in two months is already astonishing."
Jiang Ye nodded. He understood the principle.
After achieving Major Success in spearmanship, its power increased exponentially. He could now instantly kill ten of his former selves with a single strike. Naturally, the difficulty of further advancement would also skyrocket exponentially.
'Speaking of the second breakthrough,' Jiang Ye thought to himself, 'tomorrow's Primordial-Tier Cosmic Tempering should allow me to break through.'
He was acutely aware of his current life level.
Only a sliver of distance remained between Jiang Ye and the final shackles.
January 20, 2327.
Jiang Ye once again entered the Primordial-Grade Cosmic Refinement Pool.
The same Star Envoy Wang who had guarded the pool last time was on duty.
"About to break through?" Star Envoy Wang sensed it the moment he saw Jiang Ye.
With his cultivation realm and insight, he could perceive the faint divine aura emanating from Jiang Ye.
This aura only manifested in those on the verge of shattering the shackles of their life level.
The metamorphosis of one's life level was a profound mystery.
During this process, countless wondrous transformations occurred, changes that even Jiang Ye himself might not fully comprehend.
Yet Star Envoy Wang recognized them instantly.
"Heh, what a truly remarkable young man," Star Envoy Wang mused inwardly. "In just half a year since enrolling, he's progressed from the mid-stage of the first breakthrough to nearly achieving the second."
He had personally invested a considerable amount of Primordial Stellar Energy into Jiang Ye.
If Jiang Ye were to rise to prominence, Star Envoy Wang would be delighted.
"I wonder if he'll successfully achieve his second breakthrough this time?" Star Envoy Wang gazed at Jiang Ye, a hint of anticipation in his eyes.
(End of the Chapter)
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