บท 4: Promotion to Outer Disciple

Jiang Heng could clearly see that the steward's index finger was seemingly enveloped in an invisible energy, which directly embedded itself into the identity token. Then, it began to move like a scorpion.

"So, this is what they call True Qi? An ordinary steward possesses such formidable power!" Jiang Heng's expression became slightly serious.

Based on the common knowledge he had learned in the custodian court, the first stage after entering the realm of martial cultivation was called the Body Refining Realm. It was vastly different from the mortal realm of body tempering that came before it.

In the mortal realm, one simply refined the physical body to enhance strength, but in the Body Refining Realm, it involved refining the body internally to strengthen one's qi and blood.

The Body Refining Realm had ten minor stages, and when cultivated to perfection, it not only significantly increased external strength and physical endurance but also transformed the internal tendons, bones, blood, marrow, and energy centers. The human body underwent a leap in evolution.

At this stage, one's strength could reach up to 100,000 jin, almost equivalent to a hegemonic figure in the mortal world, capable of facing tens of thousands alone.

The second stage of martial cultivation was the refinement of a stronger and purer internal energy within the body – True Qi, hence known as the True Qi Realm.

As for how much stronger it was, the stewards at the custodian court had never explicitly mentioned it, but it was evident that it was considerably more powerful than the peak of the Body Refining Realm.

In the Great Dalu Sect, such a formidable True Qi Realm was unexpectedly held by an ordinary steward.

The steward took out two new outer disciple uniforms, along with the freshly marked identity tokens, and handed them to Jiang Heng. At the same time, he called out to someone inside the room, "Xiao Fang, come here!"

A young custodian boy in gray clothing quickly approached, respectfully bowing towards the steward.

"Xiao Fang, take this newly promoted senior brother to choose an empty courtyard."

"Yes, Lord Steward!"

Xiao Fang came up to Jiang Heng, bowed respectfully, and said, "Senior brother, please follow me."

In the instant he lowered his head, Jiang Heng clearly saw surprise and envy in Xiao Fang's eyes.

The promotion from custodian to outer disciple was quite fair, but opportunities were not abundant. Typically, they were busy with chores, leaving little time for cultivation. Youngsters like Jiang Heng were rare in this regard.

Either one had exceptional talent and became an outer disciple upon entry, or their talent was lacking, and they might not promote until they were in their twenties.

Guided by the custodian Xiao Fang, Jiang Heng toured around the outer disciple branch while receiving a brief introduction to its layout.

There were practice grounds, a cafeteria, the monthly welfare distribution hall called "Enlu Hall," the scripture repository where various martial and miscellaneous books could be studied, and the martial arts teaching hall for personalized instruction and guidance, among other facilities.

Each one was introduced in turn until they reached the residential area.

Jiang Heng casually chose an uninhabited courtyard as his place of residence.

After Xiao Fang handed him a thin handbook, he respectfully departed.

"The benefits of being an outer disciple are truly excellent!" Jiang Heng couldn't help but marvel as he glanced at the handbook in his hand.

As an outer disciple, not only did he not have to do chores, but he also had a standalone courtyard, received monthly welfare, and had access to the books on the first floor of the scripture repository.

Compared to the treatment of custodians, it was like heaven and earth.

At this moment, the sky was just beginning to brighten.

Jiang Heng tidied up his courtyard a bit and then began his rigorous practice.

The invisible force of qi and blood surged wildly!

Columns of qi, like dragons, enveloped his body, constantly rising. The surrounding air was stirred up, forming a slight storm with a howling sound that filled the air.

He only stopped when his stomach growled loudly, signifying his hunger.

As Jiang Heng withdrew his fists and stood upright, his qi and blood finally calmed down, and the air in the courtyard gradually returned to calm.

He opened the system panel to check his progress.

[Host]: Jiang Heng.

[Cultivation]: Body Refining Realm, First Stage (883/10,000).

[Primary Cultivation Technique]: [Primordial Genesis Art (Heavenly Grade)] (Initial Stage).

[Martial Techniques]: None.

[Secret Techniques]: None.

[Potential Points]: 500.

Jiang Heng stared at the panel and fell into deep thought once again.

"This series of cultivation, my cultivation hasn't improved at all."

"It seems the system has converted all the results of my cultivation into potential points, so cultivation won't increase my cultivation level anymore."

After some thought, Jiang Heng resisted the urge to improve his cultivation and headed out.

First, he had a hearty meal in the cafeteria and then arrived at the Scripture Repository.

The Scripture Repository was a separate five-story building with a simple and sturdy design, guarded by two solemn-faced disciples at the entrance.

After showing his identity card, Jiang Heng entered the building.

The scene on the first floor immediately caught his eye.

On both sides of the walls, there were tall bookshelves filled with various books.

The bookshelf on the left had a label that read 'Secret Techniques,' while the one on the right had a label that read 'Miscellaneous Studies.'

In one corner of the hall, there was a square table with a servant in blue sitting quietly behind it.

In the other corner was a spiral staircase leading upward.

When Jiang Heng entered, he only gave it a glance and paid it no further attention.

Jiang Heng first went to the bookshelf on the right and started reading some books on martial arts knowledge.

Before this, Jiang Heng, as a young man, had lost his parents and was entrusted to live in an ordinary family in the mundane world, so he had very little opportunity to learn about martial arts.

Later, he joined the Dalu Sect and became a miscellaneous disciple. It had been just over a year, and he only had a vague understanding of martial arts.

But now.

Through a wealth of books, Jiang Heng finally gained a deeper understanding of martial arts and a more concrete impression of this world.

Martial cultivation.

After the mortal realm, there were martial realms.

The first four major realms were known as the Body Refining Realm, True Qi Realm, Innate Realm, and Spirit Sea Realm.

Each realm was further divided into ten smaller realms.

In a top-tier sect like the Dalu Sect:

The first realm, Body Refining Realm, was for outer disciples.

The second realm, True Qi Realm, was for inner disciples.

The third realm, Innate Realm, was for core disciples.

The fourth realm, Spirit Sea Realm, was for elders.

Beyond this, there was no information available.

But it was evident that there were more than just one major realm above this.

Above the elders, there was the sect's master.

Above the sect, there was the existence of a holy land.

"This world is incredibly deep," Jiang Heng couldn't help but exclaim.

In his previous life, he was a fan of novels and had read countless fantasy novels. Concepts like "True Qi" and "Innate" seemed to be everywhere in those novels. However, in this world, these concepts were as powerful as superheroes!

Let's not even talk about anything else, just the first realm, the pinnacle of the Body Refining Realm, had the strength of a hundred thousand jin!

According to the subsequent settings, even if we only compared strength, the pinnacle of the Innate Realm would have at least the strength of tens of millions of jin.

With such terrifying strength, if one were to throw a punch at supersonic speeds...

Perhaps the bald Superman from Jiang Heng's previous life's comics wouldn't even come close.

After some contemplation, Jiang Heng calmed down.

With the system he possessed, he would eventually stand at the pinnacle of this world!

He moved to the bookshelf on the left and began to browse various secret techniques.

Nine-Bend Sword, Goose Formation Technique, Six-Harmony Whip, Diamond Palm, Prajna Palm, Open-Mountain Fist, and so on—there was a dazzling array of techniques that made one's head spin.

All of these were martial arts manuals for the Body Refining Realm.

Suddenly, Jiang Heng's expression changed.

He remembered that the system seemed to be able to infinitely upgrade martial techniques.

According to the hierarchy of martial techniques in this world, from low to high, they were categorized as Yellow, Profound, Earth, Heaven, and the legendary Divine level.

Could it be that ordinary martial techniques could eventually be upgraded to Heaven or even Divine level techniques?

If so, that would be quite impressive!

At this moment, Jiang Heng's eyes lit up as he saw a manual of secret techniques.

[Bronze Statue Technique (Yellow Level)].

After reading some books, Jiang Heng gained a sufficient understanding of martial techniques.

Martial techniques were mainly divided into three categories: Primary Martial Techniques, Martial Arts Techniques, and Secret Techniques.

According to Jiang Heng's understanding:

Primary Martial Techniques were primarily used for daily practice to gain experience and increase character levels, such as the [Primordial Genesis Technique].

Martial Arts Techniques were like active skills, enhancing various aspects of attacks, movement, defense, and so on.

Secret Techniques were cultivated through special methods, granting passive attributes to oneself.