C15 The Nine Flames and Strange Fire Art Had Leveled up

Upon hearing about the availability of Level 1 and Level 2 Pills, everyone's breath quickened with anticipation.

The Han family had truly spared no expense, using up a significant amount of their resources.

"I have to secure a spot in the top ten for training."

"Absolutely. And I'm determined to claim one of those ten spots in the trial as well."

"Indeed, it's not just about being recognized as the cream of the crop among the Han family's youth; it's about the tremendous leap in strength we'll achieve in a short time."

The crowd buzzed with conversation, their fighting spirits ignited.

Of course, more than a few wore wry smiles, fully aware that without having reached the Middle Period of Mortal Rank, they stood no chance.

In contrast, a handful of others radiated confidence.

Among them was Han Lin.

Han Lin had successfully opened four Main Bloodlines, making his Internal Strength cultivation foundation the most formidable among the group.

Next to Han Lin, Han Gu and Han Lieh wore markedly different expressions.

Han Lieh was tinged with both anxiety and excitement.

Han Gu's face, however, was etched with disappointment.

Han Lin was the clear frontrunner with his four Main Bloodlines, but close behind were two others who had opened two Main Bloodlines each. Further down the line, there were about a dozen who had opened one. This meant that out of the fourteen or fifteen contenders, four or five would inevitably be eliminated.

Han Lieh, having opened one Main Bloodline, stood a good chance of making the top ten in training if he could just avoid the stronger competitors in the upcoming sparring session in half a month.

Even if he didn't make it into the trial's top ten, his cultivation foundation would see significant improvement, and he'd gain valuable experience battling Devil Beasts.

That's why Han Lieh was anxious; nothing was guaranteed.

Han Gu was at the Peak of Early Period of Mortal Rank. Without a breakthrough in the next half month, his chances of making the top ten in training were slim to none.

Han Feng's eyes narrowed slightly as he observed the Middle Period of Mortal Rank expert in the crowd. Far from feeling anxious, his fighting spirit surged even more powerfully.

In half a month, all eyes will be on the outcome!

The surge of combat spirit from Han Feng turned heads and sparked a flurry of conversations.

"Han Feng is freakishly strong. He might actually stand a chance in half a month."

"How could that be? If advancing to the Middle Period of Mortal Rank were that easy, our Han family would be brimming with experts at that level."

"Why not? In just half a month, Han Feng's Internal Strength has clearly reached Upper-grade within the Early Period of Mortal Rank. He wouldn't have shattered those iron underpants so effortlessly otherwise. Who's to say he won't break through to the Middle Period of Mortal Rank after half a month?"

The speaker was uncertain.

If they only knew that Han Feng's cultivation foundation had not just reached the Upper-grade of the Early Period of Mortal Rank, but the very peak, they would be even more astounded.

Instructor Lin paused, a sigh in his heart, "It's a shame about Han Feng. The timing is off. Even if he scrapes into the top ten for training, making it into the trial's top ten is another matter."

"Let it be. At least he can improve his strength. I won't try to persuade him otherwise."

Han Lin and the others felt a chill. Gu Ba's cautionary tale was a clear warning—if they were to face Han Feng, they'd need to be extremely vigilant.

Instructor Lin spoke with gravity, "I neglected to mention earlier that the ten participants in the trial will also receive a Basic Upper-grade Martial Skill from the family, boosting their chances of success."

"And the victor of the trial will not only be awarded the Human Origin Fruit by the City Lord but will also receive a Human Rank Lower-grade Martial Skill."

The revelation left everyone momentarily breathless.

After all, the entire Han family possessed only a little over twenty Human Rank Lower-grade Martial Skills.

Instructor Lin clapped his hands, "For the next half a month, I'm stepping back. The training grounds are yours to use as you please. Your training is in your hands. You're dismissed!"

Within Han Feng's room.

With a swift motion, Han Feng arrived at the First Layer of the Nine Flames Heavenly Fire Tower.

Upon entering the Nine Flames Heavenly Fire Tower, an indistinguishable phantom of Han Feng was left behind, as real as his physical form.

Han Feng inhaled deeply, optimizing his condition to its peak. He softly recited, "My strength has now reached the peak of the Mortal Rank's Early Period. In my possession are five Lower-grade Spirit Stones with 2% purity and three with 3% purity."

"At present, I can only generate mortal fire at the initial stage of the Nine Flames And Strange Fire Art's First Layer, which isn't enough to fully refine the five 2% purity stones, let alone the three with 3% purity."

"For now, I'll focus on further cultivation."

As time flew, eight days passed in a flash. Han Feng remained at the peak of the Mortal Rank's Early Period, without advancing to the Middle Period.

Yet, the initial stage of the Nine Flames And Strange Fire Art's First Layer had become more stable, and he had made a slight advancement.

A gleam sparked in Han Feng's eyes. "Now, I can refine those five Lower-grade Spirit Stones."

"However, if I were to use all five to bolster the cultivation of my Internal Strength, at best I'd reach the second Main Bloodline, perhaps not even peaking at the first."

"It would then require a considerable amount of time to cultivate the Nine Flames And Strange Fire Art sufficiently to refine the remaining three stones."

"Rather than that, it's better to dedicate them to advancing the Nine Flames And Strange Fire Art itself. By enhancing the First Layer more quickly, I can refine the remaining three higher-purity Spirit Stones. This approach might seem slower at first, but in the long run, it will greatly benefit me, accelerating my progress in later stages."

"Moreover, I must aim to acquire a Level 2 Pill. Given my current mastery of the Nine Flames And Strange Fire Art, I doubt I could refine a Level 2 Pill without further improving the First Layer."

"After all, Level 2 Pills are intended for those in the Mortal Rank's Middle Period."

With this strategy in mind, Han Feng was resolute.

Scarlet flames of mortal fire danced in his palm as he directed them beneath the All Creatures Fire Cauldron. Then, he carefully placed the five Lower-grade Spirit Stones inside.

Two days later, Han Feng had successfully transformed five lower-class lower-grade spirit stones into origin fluid.

This batch of origin fluid amounted to five small cups, roughly ten times the volume of the previous refinement.

Upon inhaling the potent fluid, Han Feng's complexion flushed crimson. He immediately commenced the practice of the Nine Flames And Strange Fire Art, allowing the robust energy of the origin fluid to surge through him, propelling the art towards new heights.

After another two days, Han Feng remained seated in a tranquil, cross-legged position, his aura stretching out steadily.

Continuous assistance from the origin fluid had advanced the first layer of the Nine Flames And Strange Fire Art even further, nearing the initial peak of the layer.

Should he attain this early peak, he would be capable of refining all lower-class lower-grade spirit stones.