3: Chapter 3 Breakthrough to the Mid-Stage of Body Tempering, Life-and-Death Enemies

Lin Yuan looked at the soul bodies in the beast fighting pool, suppressing the excitement in his heart.

"Spirit Devouring!"

He gave a low shout in his mind, and the [Spirit Devouring] skill quietly activated. The soul body of a tiger-shaped fierce beast closest to him floated over.

Lin Yuan’s lips parted slightly, and with a gentle inhale, the soul body immediately transformed into a milky-white stream of air that drilled into his mouth.

"Ding! Devoured a Body Tempering Initial Stage soul body, gained 50 ability points--"

"So devouring soul bodies converts into ability points. It seems ability points can be used to enhance my various abilities. Then, I’ll continue!"

Lin Yuan continuously activated the Spirit Devouring skill. One soul body after another floated over and was completely swallowed into his body.

Two minutes later, having devoured all the soul bodies in the beast fighting pool, he smiled slightly with satisfaction, turned around, left that place, and returned to the spectator stands.

After using the Spirit Devouring skill just now, Lin Yuan discovered that the release range of the Spirit Devouring skill was quite far.

Even standing at the edge of the upper-level stands, he could completely devour them; there was no need to go to the lower level anymore.

Returning to the stands, Lin Yuan was extremely excited. After devouring the soul bodies of more than thirty fierce beasts, the ability points on his system panel had now reached 2100 points.

A prompt indicating 'Upgradable' had appeared next to his Martial Arts Level.

"Increase Martial Arts Level!"

Lin Yuan’s heart stirred, and he impatiently chose to upgrade.

Immediately, his entire body shook, and an indescribable sense of power instantly flooded his body.

Gurgling hot currents surged through his body. Lin Yuan’s confidence instantly soared. He felt that with one punch right now, he could kill an ox.

"So strong, is this the Body Tempering Initial Stage realm? Just stepping across the threshold into being a Martial Artist makes one this powerful. No wonder the world yearns to join the ranks of Martial Artists."

"Opening System Panel---"

[Martial Arts]: Body Tempering Initial Stage [Upgradable]

[Combat Power]: 400 [Upgradable]

[ability points]: 1800 points

"Consumed 300 ability points to advance to Body Tempering Initial Stage, Combat Power also increased by 300 points. The Martial Arts Level can still be upgraded, so keep upgrading for me!"

Lin Yuan’s thought moved, and his Martial Arts Level began to increase again.

Another wave of comfort washed over his entire body. Lin Yuan clenched his fist, feeling the power within him.

"So strong, it has increased so much again. Let’s see the Combat Power now."

"Opening System Panel..."

[Martial Arts]: Body Tempering Mid-stage

[Combat Power]: 1200 [Upgradable]

[ability points]: 1000 points

"Body Tempering Mid-stage. My Combat Power has actually reached 1200 points.

The recognized Combat Power standard for Body Tempering Initial Stage is 300 points, while the standard for Body Tempering Mid-stage is 900 points. I actually surpassed the standard for Body Tempering Mid-stage by 300 points. It turns out that an S-rank ability is indeed formidable."

Lin Yuan felt a surge of excitement. He had finally stepped across the threshold into being a Martial Artist.

"Wang Qing, for tomorrow’s Martial Arts Examination qualification test, I hope you won’t disappoint me---"

Lin Yuan revealed a hint of a cruel smile. All the humiliation would end starting from this moment...

"And Liu Ning, what you owe my Lin Family, I will collect it from you sooner or later."

Lin Yuan clenched his fist, his eyes flashing with hatred.

Besides Wang Qing, Lin Yuan had another true mortal enemy: Liu Ning.

The conflict between him and Wang Qing was merely a dispute between classmates.

But this Liu Ning was his mortal enemy, one involving life and death.

The cause of the matter traced back to his biological younger sister, Lin Anran.

Lin Anran was sixteen this year, stunningly beautiful, with an exceptionally gentle and kind temperament.

As soon as she entered No. 6 High School for her first year of high school, she immediately became the universally recognized campus beauty.

But somehow, she attracted the attention of Liu Ning, the school bully from No. 2 High School. A few days ago, after school in the evening, Liu Ning cornered Lin Anran alone in the classroom.

That beast actually attempted to commit an indecent act against Lin Anran right there in the classroom.

Lin Anran refused to submit, even if it meant death, and decisively jumped out of the second-floor window...

Fortunately, her life wasn't in danger, but her legs were shattered, and she might have to spend the rest of her life in a wheelchair...

The Lin Family had already reported the matter to the City Lord's Mansion, but due to insufficient evidence, the City Lord's Mansion could do nothing to Liu Ning.

Liu Ning was a prodigy at the Body Tempering Mid-stage, and the Liu Family was an extraordinary martial arts family.

His grandfather was a powerhouse at Martial Artist Third Rank, and he also had quite a few Martial Artist retainers.

When Lin Yuan and his father went to the Liu Family to demand an explanation, they only received a beating; it was utterly useless.

Previously, Lin Yuan lacked strength and could only swallow his anger, but now that he possessed a life with cheats, he naturally had to seek revenge.

"Liu Ning! Wait until I find a suitable opportunity, and that will be the day you die! --- Cherish your last moments---," Lin Yuan thought inwardly, narrowing his eyes.

A dragon has reverse scales; touching them means death!

He wasn't a reckless person. If he went to find Liu Ning directly now, given the strength of the Liu Family, he wouldn't gain any advantage.

The only way was to wait for Liu Ning to be alone and kill him directly, so the Liu Family couldn't find any evidence.

...

Two hours later, the ten rounds of beast fighting ended, and it was time for dispersal.

Of course, all the fierce beast soul bodies that died today had been completely devoured by Lin Yuan.

His ability point total had increased to 1200 points again, but there was still no prompt to upgrade his Martial Arts Level.

"Tomorrow's selection, Body Tempering Mid-stage cultivation is completely sufficient. Should I save the ability points, or add them to Combat Power?"

Lin Yuan hesitated for a moment, then made his decision.

"I'll increase Combat Power first. If I keep the ability points, there won't be any short-term boost to my strength. It's better to increase Combat Power first; strength is the real foundation."

"System, go all in! Add everything to Combat Power!"

Without further hesitation, all 1200 points were added to Combat Power...

"Ding! Opening System Panel---"

[Combat Power]: 1800 points

[ability points]: 0 points

"Increased Combat Power by 600 points. It seems two ability points can be exchanged for one point of Combat Power.

My current Combat Power is still a bit short of the 2100-point standard for Body Tempering Peak, but among Body Tempering Mid-stage cultivators, I definitely count as strong."

The increase in Combat Power brought tremendous improvements to his physical body, vital energy, and the spiritual energy within him.

This was because the increase in Combat Power wasn't just an increase in attack power, but a comprehensive attribute enhancement.

Lin Yuan nodded with satisfaction. With strength, he had confidence in his heart, and he was sure that he was currently inferior to no genius.

Now, he just had to wait for tomorrow's Martial Arts Examination qualification test...