C44 He Tested the Bone Crushing Hand

In just a few days, he had made a breakthrough from four to seven Main Bloodlines, marking a significant leap in his progress.

This was all thanks to the All Creatures Fire Cauldron, along with the aid of a Level 3 Devil Core and a Lower-grade Spirit Stone.

Han Feng checked the Internal Strength within his body and couldn't help but frown. "The Internal Strength in my seven Main Bloodlines is still not stable. I had previously mastered seventy to eighty percent of the Internal Strength in six Main Bloodlines, but this recent breakthrough has set me back considerably."

"With the little time I have left, I must devote all my energy to mastering the Internal Strength and the Bone Crushing Hand."

Being at the top of the Lower-grade, the first-grade Aptitude is the pinnacle within its class, with Medium-class Aptitude lying just above it.

Possessing a Medium-class Aptitude means that, with the right Cultivation Methods, advancing to the Mystic Rank would be a breeze.

Yet, to elevate from Lower-class to Medium-class Aptitude, one requires access to a higher-level Spirit Spring, specifically the one formed from the origin fluid processed by the Blue Luan Jade Fire.

As it stands, that's beyond his reach.

In essence, until he can advance the Nine Flames And Strange Fire Art to its second level, Han Feng's aptitude will remain capped at the first-grade Lower-class, with no prospects for improvement.

Upon re-entering the House of Time to train in the Bone Crushing Hand, Han Feng immediately noticed a difference.

A trace of delight shone in his eyes. "I had assumed that reaching the Great Completion Stage before the Family Trials would be my upper limit. Now, it appears that achieving the Perfection Stage is within the realm of possibility."

It had taken him just over a month to attain the Perfection Stage in the Claw Condensation Technique.

Armed with that experience, Han Feng found that he could expedite his training in the Bone Crushing Hand. Coupled with the advantages of the House of Time and his improved aptitude, he rapidly advanced the once-daunting Bone Crushing Hand to the Great Completion Stage and was now on the cusp of the Perfection Stage.

On the afternoon before the Family Trials, within the First Layer of the Nine Flames Heavenly Fire Tower, Han Feng's aura had finally settled into a steady rhythm.

"My cultivation of the Seven Main Bloodline's Internal Strength has finally stabilized. With my current level of cultivation, plus the near-perfect mastery of the Claw Condensation Technique and the Bone Crushing Hand Martial Skill, I should be able to hold my own against an opponent in the early stages of the Mortal Rank."

"If I were to employ mortal fire in my attacks, I could take down adversaries in the middle or even late stages of the Mortal Rank."

"And even if I'm up against someone at the peak of the Mortal Rank, just a step away from the Human Rank, I'm confident I can give them a good fight!"

Within the Mortal Rank, the middle stage is notoriously the most challenging and time-consuming to progress through, with the largest disparity in strength.

The early and late stages of the Mortal Rank, however, are not as difficult to advance in, and the gap in power isn't as pronounced as it is in the middle stage.

Han Feng exited the room and made his way to a specific location within the Han family estate.

The Han Family Beast Training Field.

Here, Devil Beasts captured by the Han family were held, ranging from Level-one to Level-four.

Capturing a Level-five Devil Beast was no easy feat, so the Han family had none.

These Devil Beasts were intended for individuals like Han Feng to battle against.

Yet, these beasts had lost their will to fight and couldn't hold a candle to their counterparts in the wild. Despite Han Feng's dissatisfaction, he had no alternative.

The Family Trials were set for tomorrow, and with the afternoon already upon us, there simply wasn't enough time to venture to the Jade Peak Mountain Range.

"What can I do for you?"

The Han family guard, tasked with overseeing the Devil Beasts, approached Han Feng with a deferential tone.

Previously, these guards wouldn't have given Han Feng a second glance. But now, they wouldn't dare to overlook him.

Only the cream of the crop within the Han family earned the right to compete in the Family Trials. These individuals were destined to become at least mid-stage Human Rank Martial Cultivators, if not advance to the late stage.

Considering that the Han family currently had only about a hundred members at the Human Rank—most of whom were at the early stage—the middle stage of Human Rank was already a remarkable achievement, to say nothing of reaching the late stage.

These guards had their own backgrounds, yet when measured against the future mainstays of the Han family, they paled in comparison. Provoking these rising stars would spell their doom.

With the Nine Flames Heavenly Fire Tower in his possession, Han Feng set his sights on conquering the whole of the Great Jin Nation. In this vast nation, only those who achieved Heaven-rank as Martial Cultivators were recognized as true powerhouses.

"Select a Level 3 Devil Beast for me," Han Feng requested. "I'd like to put my Martial Skill to the test."

The guard hesitated, cautioning, "Level 3 Devil Beasts are formidable. Are you certain about this?"

The guards were under the impression that Han Feng's Internal Strength was limited to four Main Bloodlines.

Han Feng reassured with a smile, "Don't worry. These aren't the same as the Devil Beasts from the mountain ranges."

Considering this, the guard realized that the Level 3 Early Period Devil Beasts in the family, having lost their fighting spirit, were only as strong as the Level 2 Devil Beasts from the mountains, posing little threat.

Soon, the guard led Han Feng to an enormous cage housing a massive Leopard Devil Beast.

"This is a Cloud Leopard, a Level 3 Mid Phase Devil Beast. It's been in captivity for three years, captured when it was still in the Early Period," the guard explained.

Han Feng nodded, grasping the situation. A Level 3 Mid Phase Devil Beast was on par with a Martial Cultivator who had unlocked six Main Bloodlines. But with its spirit broken, it was more akin to one with five Main Bloodlines.

Upon opening the cage, Han Feng stepped inside. The Cloud Leopard gave him a languid look, too lethargic to even lift its head.

Han Feng frowned at the creature's lack of energy. As he moved closer, the Cloud Leopard watched him with increased alertness but remained motionless. Surprisingly, it began to back away as Han Feng approached, showing no inclination to attack.

A stern look crossed Han Feng's face as he released a surge of Killing Intent. Though such an aura might be trivial to Instructor Lin and his peers, it was a different story for the Cloud Leopard at Level 3 Mid Phase.

The beast yelped in alarm, its wary gaze turning to fear. It continued to retreat, growling at Han Feng in a panic.

As Han Feng closed in once more, the Cloud Leopard could no longer contain itself and lunged at him. With a swift sidestep, Han Feng was instantly at the beast's side, his hand reaching out to grasp it.

"Bone Crushing Hand!"

A piercing wail erupted from the Cloud Leopard as it crumpled to the ground, its body going limp. The roar of the Cloud Leopard faded, growing fainter until it was silenced altogether.

"Nearly ninety percent of its bones are shattered. I am just one step shy of reaching the Perfection Stage."

Stepping out of the enclosure, Han Feng inquired, "Have any new Devil Beasts been captured? This Cloud Leopard was far too weak."

The guard looked on with deep reverence. A mid-stage Level 3 Devil Beast, even one without the will to fight, was still a formidable creature.

Han Feng had dispatched the Cloud Leopard with such ease. Within the entire Han family, how many youths under fifteen could achieve such a feat?

And on the main training field, among the fifteen to twenty-year-olds, surely a good number would struggle to match this.