Heaving a sigh of relief, Lu Ping slowly withdrew his cultivation, re-absorbing the newly breakthrough bloodline spiritual power back into his bloodline. He discarded the spent spirit stone in his hand, feeling his powerful heart beating strongly. Lu Ping felt as if he could hear the blood rushing through his veins.
A pair of eyes suddenly opened in the darkness, like two profound stars shining brilliantly in the night sky. Lu Ping smiled faintly as he surveyed everything in the room. Sure enough, having broken through to the seventh level of the Qi Refining Stage, his eyes now possessed the ability to see in the dark. Of course, this ability still seemed quite weak; Lu Ping's vision could only clearly discern everything within this small room.
He fetched a bucket of water and washed away the layer of dark red impurities that had been expelled from his body after the bloodline breakthrough. Lu Ping lay down on the wooden bed, finally able to get a good night's sleep tonight.
Having come to this world six years ago, Lu Ping had not found anything he couldn't adapt to. Especially after learning about this wondrous world, Lu Ping felt his adventurous spirit strongly stimulated instead.
Over the years, Lu Ping had diligently studied everything about this world. Although his innate talent was ordinary, he had painstakingly cultivated to the seventh level of Qi Refining, and today, he had finally succeeded in breaking through.
As for his own bloodline, the elders didn't know why it had awakened late but developed so quickly and powerfully. Though he himself had a guess, he dared not reveal it to anyone.
The next morning, after three tolls of the golden bell, True Spirit Branch Academy immediately became bustling with human voices. Seven teams of fifty second-level disciples swiftly emerged from their quarters, rushing towards the seventh platform of Chaoyang Peak, facing the rising sun. One could only see figures moving like wild horses, incredibly fast. If any martial arts masters were to witness this, they would surely gape in astonishment.
The speed of these people might not compare to top masters of lightness skill, but seeing thousands of people covering the mountain, each and every one demonstrating such lightness skill, one couldn't help but wonder what those martial arts masters would think. If these people were to emerge into the world, the martial arts world would surely be thrown into great chaos!
Lu Ping moved neither fast nor slow, appearing leisurely amidst the crowd. Arriving at the seventh platform, he saw two figures already there in the distance, apparently First Senior Brother and Second Senior Brother. Both of them had reached the ninth level of Qi Refining, just a step away from Blood Fusion Foundation Establishment, after which they could become inner disciples of the True Spirit Sect. In the True Spirit Sect, the Qi Refining Stage was also called the Blood Refining Stage, and the Foundation Establishment Stage was also called the Blood Fusion Stage. This was because the cultivation methods in the outer seas, including the North Sea and East Sea, differed somewhat from internal energy cultivation; they often combined Qi refining with integration into the bloodline, stimulating potential, achieving the Golden Core, and eventually breaking the core to form a Nascent Soul, and achieving a Dharma Aspect.
Just as everyone was about to reach the platform, three more figures surged past everyone and leaped onto the platform. These were Third, Fourth, and Fifth Senior Brothers, who had already reached the eighth level of Qi Refining.
Seeing that everyone had arrived at the platform, First Senior Brother Yao Yong shouted loudly:
"Form ranks!"
Everyone rushed to their designated positions. In an instant, the formation was neatly arranged. Lu Ping stood in the second position of the second row from the left. In other words, Lu Ping was the twelfth disciple in the formation.
Yao Yong shouted again:
"Blood Fusion Bone Transformation Fist, begin!"
Everyone struck an opening stance and simultaneously roared:
"— "Hah!""
The *Rongxue Huagu Quan* has seventy-two forms. The first thirty-six forms are for tempering oneself and stimulating the true spirit power in one's bloodline, while the latter thirty-six forms are for protecting one's life and killing enemies, making it a life-preserving martial art.
After completing a set of the fist technique, Lu Ping's body felt warm. This was indeed due to his cultivation reaching the seventh level. Previously, after finishing the *Rongxue Huagu Quan*, he would find his forehead slightly sweaty and be panting continuously, but now it was merely a warm-up.
Lu Ping looked towards Senior Disciple Brother Yao Yong, who shouted loudly again:
"Respectfully welcome the Immortal Elder!"
Just outside Chaoyang Peak, a streak of red light flashed, and three figures had already arrived before the stone steps on the platform.
Below the platform, the disciples all bowed and said:
"Greetings, Immortal Elder Liu!"
A middle-aged cultivator, standing among the three, with a dignified appearance, casually waved his hand and said:
"Dispense with the formalities. Your cultivation can be considered diligent. The assessment for second-level disciples of the True Spirit Branch Academy is about to begin. All of you, if you don't wish to become outer sect disciples..."
After Immortal Elder Liu finished speaking, the people in the first three rows of the squad had varied expressions but were generally calm. The latter two rows, however, began to whisper and chatter, showing worry, disappointment, despair, and
Lu Ping paid no mind to these expressions, merely standing silently in his new position.
Elder Liu glanced at Lu Ping and said with a smile:
"As per tradition, when a disciple's cultivation level rises, they may challenge fellow disciples of the same rank to claim a higher position, thereby gaining access to better cultivation resources."
The four Qi Refining Level Seven disciples on the left simultaneously looked towards Lu Ping. Lu Ping bowed to Elder Liu and said:
"I have just broken through in cultivation and need to consolidate it further. I am no match for any of you senior disciples, so I forfeit my right to challenge."
Everyone thought to themselves:
"As expected!"
This Lu Ping, every time his cultivation advanced, had never challenged a fellow disciple of the same rank. If it weren't for the annual ranking competitions for the squad positions, Lu Ping would likely be at the very bottom of disciples at his level.
Lu Ping didn't seek trouble, but that didn't mean trouble didn't find him. Several times, newly advanced disciples challenged him and failed, leading everyone to realize that Lu Ping was not to be trifled with, and challengers gradually became fewer.
Lu Ping was able to rank twelfth in Qi Refining Level Six, mostly because after many challengers failed, he was passively pushed up by others.
"In that case, Lu Ping will be the tenth senior disciple in our seventh squad!"
Elder Liu's declaration settled the matter.
"Greetings, Tenth Senior Brother!"
"Welcome, Tenth Junior Brother!"
After Lu Ping returned the greetings, Elder Liu said sternly:
"Alright! The trivial matters are done. All disciples, begin your quiet meditation and cultivation!"