C42 Six Main Bloodlines Opened
Han Lieh selected a martial skill that was merely a Medium-grade Basic Upper-grade Martial Skill, standing out starkly among its peers.
According to Han Lieh, his aptitude for comprehension was just average. While he might be considered better than the average person, he paled in comparison to the likes of Han Lin and Han Feng.
Choosing a Basic Upper-grade Martial Skill would require an immense amount of time to master. Given his already marginal talent, opting for an additional Basic Upper-grade Martial Skill would only compound the challenge of advancing to the Human Rank. Who could guess how long it would take him to achieve that breakthrough?
After all, once he reached the Human Rank, Basic Martial Skills would become obsolete.
This line of thinking wasn't wrong—at least Instructor Lin, Han Lin, Han Feng, and others saw it as perfectly logical.
But for the stern Instructor Mu, Han Feng's approach was indicative of a lack of fighting spirit and ambition.
Han Lieh's evident trepidation at the prospect of overcoming the hurdle to the Human Rank, even deliberately choosing a lower-level Basic Martial Skill, suggested his potential was capped. At best, he might reach the peak of the Early Period of the Human Rank.
As a result, Instructor Mu was unimpressed with Han Lieh.
Indeed, if not for Instructor Mu's exacting standards, demanding that her students prioritize perseverance and fighting spirit above all, she wouldn't have managed to elevate the cultivation foundations of Han Rou, Han Yutong, and the other girls above those of the boys.
Despite the disparities, aside from Han Rou's Lower-grade Upper Third Grade aptitude, the girls weren't significantly different from Han Rong and the rest.
Han Yutong's natural ability might not match Han Lin's, but her Internal Strength cultivation was nearly on par.
Soon, it was Han Feng's moment.
"Bone Crushing Hand!"
The choice of the Bone Crushing Hand Martial Skill sent shockwaves across the faces of both Instructor Mu and Instructor Lin.
Instructor Lin exclaimed in urgency, "Han Feng, this Martial Skill comes from our own Han family, and no one has managed to reach the Small Completion Stage in the Middle Period of Mortal Rank. At best, during the Late Period of Mortal Rank, one might approach Small Completion—it's an incredibly difficult skill to cultivate. Why on earth did you pick this Martial Skill?!"
Instructor Lin was seething with anger and even harbored regrets.
Had he known sooner, he would have offered his guidance to Han Feng back at the Martial Arts Pavilion.
Yet, Instructor Mu intervened, her voice deep and serious, "Are you certain you wish to train in this Martial Skill?"
"If you're having second thoughts, I have the authority to let you choose anew!"
Han Lin tugged at Han Feng's sleeve and urged, "Pick something else. The Bone Crushing Hand is notoriously tough to master. In just fifteen days, reaching even the Small Completion Stage is unlikely. At that level, the Bone Crushing Hand won't significantly enhance our strength, and you'd essentially be squandering those fifteen days of training."
Han Feng replied with a smile, "I appreciate the concern, cousin, but my mind is made up. It's just the Bone Crushing Hand, after all. Rest assured, I'll master it and show you!"
Turning to Instructor Mu, Han Feng declared with conviction, "Instructor Mu, I've made my decision. I'm committed to mastering the Bone Crushing Hand!"
Instructor Mu's demeanor was frosty as she responded, "If that's your choice, then live with no regrets."
Despite her chilly tone, a flicker of respect shone in Instructor Mu's eyes.
What did difficulty matter? Shying away from a challenge was no way to cultivate.
Instructor Mu's ten female disciples, sharing her tenacity, suddenly saw Han Feng in a new light. Even Han Rou's gaze held a glimmer of respect.
Instructor Lin watched Han Feng, bemused, before finally managing a wry smile, "Alright then, you're as stubborn as they come. Here's hoping you shatter that record."
Han Feng quipped, "Instructor Lin, when have I ever failed to break a record?"
Caught off guard, Instructor Lin burst into hearty laughter.
Within the first level of the Nine Flames Heavenly Fire Tower, Han Feng extracted a Level 2 Pill and processed it into origin fluid.
This time, Han Feng's power surged, and he effortlessly refined the Level 2 Pill.
Post-consumption, the Internal Strength coursing through the four Main Bloodlines within Han Feng's body reached a new zenith. He stood at the pinnacle, poised to break through and enter the realm of the fifth Main Bloodline at any moment.
At that moment, Han Feng had yet to refine the Level 3 Devil Core.
Upon acquiring the Level 3 Devil Core, Han Feng made a point to research information about it. It was only after his investigation that he realized he had underestimated the complexity of the Devil Core.
Humans cannot directly absorb a Devil Beast's Devil Core; they must employ special techniques to utilize it, such as refining it into a pill.
Many pills that enhance one's cultivation foundation require Devil Cores, and with the right combination of other rare spirit medicines, a single Devil Core could yield several pills of the same level.
The Level 3 Devil Core was a variant type, and even without additional spirit medicines, Han Feng estimated it was at least as potent as three Level 3 Pills.
The origin fluid produced by the All Creatures Fire Cauldron could be utilized with perfect efficiency.
The mere idea of the energy contained in three Level 3 Pills was staggering. Han Feng decided not to refine and ingest them until he had opened his five Main Bloodlines.
Han Feng fed one Lower-class Lower-grade Spirit Stone after another into the All Creatures Fire Cauldron.
The resulting scarlet origin fluid was carefully collected into a jade bottle.
A flicker of resolve shone in Han Feng's eyes as he murmured, "This energy should be sufficient. I am determined to make a successful breakthrough!"
Two days passed.
Thunderous booms resonated from within Han Feng's body, causing his clothes to burst into tatters and fly away.
Sitting there bare, Han Feng remained in a meditative pose as the booming sounds slowly subsided.
He let out a breath and chuckled to himself, "Success. I've opened the fifth Main Bloodline, and my realm has stabilized somewhat. I'd wager Han Lin is at a similar level now."
"Han Lin's face would surely be a picture of conflict if he were here to witness this."
With his cultivation foundation now advanced, Han Feng set about refining the Level 3 Devil Core—a process that took nearly two full days.
Upon seeing the red origin fluid that resulted from the Level 3 Devil Core, Han Feng was thrilled. The fluid filled just one bottle, but its viscosity was extraordinary, a stark contrast to the watery substance he had before.
Han Feng was convinced that even a single drop of this liquid far surpassed the previous one in strength.
He quickly regained his composure and began to ingest it.
The Internal Strength within him roared like a mighty river, ceaselessly surging forward.
A surge of energy, more potent than anything he'd felt before, propelled Han Feng's Internal Strength cultivation to new heights at an astonishing rate.
After one day, his cultivation had reached its peak stability. A day and a half later, he achieved another breakthrough, attaining six Main Bloodlines.
Two days passed, and these six Main Bloodlines also maxed out.
In that moment, Han Feng abruptly ceased his consumption.
Taking in the origin fluid didn't compromise the stability of his foundation—such was the wonder of the All Creatures Fire Cauldron.
Yet, with such a rapid increase, Han Feng's mastery over his Internal Strength was not without flaws.
For instance, whereas a mere 50 units of Internal Strength energy might suffice for an attack, Han Feng might inadvertently expend 70 to 80 units, squandering an unnecessary 20 to 30 units.
This inefficiency could significantly affect his overall combat capabilities.
A glint of resolve shone in Han Feng's eyes. "Now is the time to master the Bone Crushing Hand."
