116: Chapter 116 Breakthrough to Second Rank!

In the time that followed, Qin Yan's life settled into a tense and disciplined routine.

Classrooms, the Alchemy Room, the manor... a repetitive cycle between these three points.

He poured all his time and energy into frantic cultivation.

During this period, he took several types of first grade pills recorded in his mind that enhanced spirit.

Such as the "Clear Heart Pill" and "Soul Condensing Pill," he gathered the materials and successfully refined them one by one.

He consumed one of each of these pills every day.

Under the alternating nourishment of multiple pills.

His spirit improved at a steady and considerable pace, increasing by about 1 Hz every two days.

This clear progress gave him immense encouragement.

At night, he practiced the Bone Forging Chapter of the "Nine Revolutions Golden Body Spear" without fail.

And after each daily settlement, he unhesitatingly invested the Skill Points he earned into it.

Pushing the technique's progress bar steadily forward.

Time slipped away quietly amidst such fulfilling and busy cultivation.

In the blink of an eye, it was the night of January 30th.

Inside the manor, Qi and blood steamed, with the faint sound of wind and thunder.

Qin Yan held his long spear, his figure shifting and moving within the limited space.

The spear shadows were like mountains, guarding his body so tightly that not even a drop of water could leak through.

His entire skeleton was washed by the rushing flow of Qi and blood.

Crisp "crackling" sounds continuously rang out, like jade beads falling on a plate or the first stirrings of spring thunder.

On his exposed skin, a faint silver luster flowed unsteadily, appearing mysterious and resilient.

Suddenly, his movement of wielding the long spear came to an abrupt halt!

"Buzz—!"

It felt as if some sort of shackle within his body had been violently burst open.

The Qi and blood, which had already been surging like a river, instantly became violent.

Like a flood breaking through a dam, it surged wildly through his meridians!

A scorching heat wave instantly swept through his entire body!

Qin Yan's face turned red at a speed visible to the naked eye.

The silver luster beneath his skin suddenly became bright and dazzling.

He could even clearly hear his heart pounding like a war drum, "thump-thump!"

It took a full quarter of an hour for this violent surge of Qi and blood to gradually subside.

The flush on Qin Yan's face faded, and he returned to normal.

But his entire essence, spirit, and soul seemed to have undergone a complete baptism, becoming more restrained and profound.

"Finally... I've broken through!"

Qin Yan felt the power within him, which was several times more robust than before.

He could finally no longer suppress the look of excitement on his face.

Second Grade Bone Forging Realm! This was a qualitative leap!

He impatiently summoned his panel to check the changes in his status:

[Level: Early-stage Second-Rank Martial Artist]

[Bone Forging: pieces]

[Qi and Blood: 25 Cal]

[spirit: 56 Hz]

[Martial Skill: Nine Revolutions Golden Body Spear Second Revolution (3%)]

[Spear Technique: Third Stage (96%)]

[Alchemy: First-Grade Alchemist (34%)]

(Second-Grade Alchemist: Unlocks at 70 Hz spirit)

[Skill Points: points]

[Note: As long as you work hard, there will be rewards]

"25 Cal of Qi and blood. I wonder where my current strength ranks in the class."

He thought to himself, his eyes showing anticipation. "It just so happens that tomorrow is the Monthly Exam. It's time to test the results of this month's hard cultivation.

At the very least, I need to move up from that 'tenth place' ranking!"

...

January 31st, Martial Arts Arena No. 1.

The atmosphere of the Monthly Exam was much more solemn than usual, with all the New Students gathered here.

The air was filled with invisible gunpowder smoke.

Everyone was rubbing their hands, ready to prove themselves in this assessment and compete for more resources and a higher ranking.

"Little Junior Brother, you... you've broken through?!"

Lu Youyou approached Qin Yan as usual, but she immediately noticed something unusual.

She found that she could no longer see through Qin Yan's aura!

Before, although Qin Yan's Qi and blood were robust, his realm boundaries were clear.

She could clearly perceive that he was at the limit of the first grade.

But now, Qin Yan's aura was harmonious and restrained, as if covered by a thin veil.

Qin Yan nodded frankly and admitted, "Yeah, I just broke through last night."

Lu Youyou's eyes widened as she sized Qin Yan up.

Then, as if thinking of a possibility, she approached Qin Yan sneakily.

In a voice only the two of them could hear, she whispered, "Be honest, are you the Principal's illegitimate son living elsewhere?

Or do you have some other particularly close relationship?"

Hearing this, Qin Yan's face darkened, and he said irritably, "Little Senior Sister, what nonsense are you talking about!"

Lu Youyou saw Qin Yan's serious, even slightly offended expression.

Knowing her guess was too far-fetched, she sheepishly stuck out her tongue.

But she still didn't give up and continued to ask, "Then... do you know the Principal?"

She really couldn't help but be suspicious!

Qin Yan's breakthrough speed was too fast!

It was so fast it was almost illogical! It was nearly catching up to her!

One had to know that the reason she could have such rapid progress, besides her top-tier talent, was the entire Lu Family backing her!

The top-tier Body Tempering Martial Art she practiced was a secret of the family, practiced by powerful experts for generations with rich experience.

Every night when she returned to the family's manor in the Magic Capital, she could receive personal guidance from the family elders via projection.

They would adjust and optimize every minute problem she encountered in her cultivation.

Only then could she complete the Silver Skin tempering and quickly step into the second grade to begin bone forging in such a short time.

This was the result of massive resources and top-tier teaching!

But what about her Little Junior Brother, Qin Yan?

He came from an ordinary background with limited resources, relying entirely on his own exploration and the school's regular teaching.

His breakthrough speed could actually keep up with hers; in her eyes, this was simply a non-human performance!

And her judgments weren't baseless.

The Principal had also practiced the Nine Revolutions Golden Body Spear back then, and the Principal's surname was also Qin!

Looking at Lu Youyou, who was acting particularly strange today, Qin Yan shook his head helplessly. "I don't know him. I haven't even heard the Principal's name."

He didn't know how much shock his breakthrough speed had invisibly given this Little Senior Sister with a deep background.

To change the subject and gather information, Qin Yan asked, "Little Senior Sister, how many bones have you tempered?"

He wanted to use Lu Youyou's strength to roughly judge the level Lu Qingfeng, who was ranked higher, might have reached.

Hearing this, Lu Youyou's attention was indeed diverted, and she raised her chin with a bit of pride. "49 bones! How about that, impressive, right?

But why are you asking? You're not thinking of challenging me, are you?"

As she spoke, her eyes became strange, filled with curiosity and playfulness.

She suddenly had an urge to beat up her Little Junior Brother while she still could.

"No, just getting an idea."

He naturally wouldn't challenge Lu Youyou.

However, Lu Youyou's answer still gave him a slight shock.