112: Military commander

This was a genuine and exceptional enhancement.

The power surging within the refined essence of his internal source strength was noticeably reduced, yet its quality and might had significantly improved.

If one were to say that each strand of power before was like a tributary, then now, it was as if the riverbanks had widened, the tributaries had grown, and they were beginning to transform into true rivers.

Qin Jin constantly sensed the changes within himself.

At this moment, with a slight thought, his spirit, enveloped by Votive Power, entered the Spirit Void to observe and interact with the source of all these changes.

That fragment containing the fire of life.

As his spirit entered it, the surroundings instantly dimmed.

A moment later.

Just like the first time he explored the mountain and river fragment, a scene appeared in Qin Jin’s mind.

On an incredibly vast and boundless land, the earth served as the base, the sky resembled a furnace lid, and heaven and earth formed a melting pot.

Divine fire was born in the world, and countless divine ores and rare treasures, radiating brilliant light and possessing profound meaning at a glance, fell into the divine fire to be refined.

Outside this heaven and earth melting pot, looking from afar, there were extraordinary figures, seated cross-legged above the firmament, too numerous to count at a glance, here to support heaven and earth and maintain the divine fire.

Vaguely, there were also countless figures, seemingly scattered across the world, making gestures of prayer and sacrifice.

The scene abruptly ended there.

“This is—”

“The scene from the initial forging of the mountain and river Great Cauldron!”

“Heaven and earth as a melting pot, the Tiancang Immortal Dynasty dispatched its entire force, leveraging the power of the Immortal Dynasty to forge this Celestial Treasure.”

“No wonder, compared to the complete form of that great cauldron, the insignificant fragment in my hand still has such astonishing effects.”

“The first fragment I obtained showed the destruction of the mountain and river Great Cauldron, but this second fragment reflects the rebirth of the mountain and river Great Cauldron.”

The scene faded.

Qin’s perception entered the interior of the new fragment.

Similar to the initial fragment, its interior was a desolate space, but it was much larger than the space inside the first fragment, and in the dark edges, sporadic flames rose, adding a touch of light to the boundless darkness.

In the sky, broken bronze chains remained stationary.

Power evolved into Divine Intent.

Qin stood in this desolate heaven and earth, his gaze directed towards those sporadic flames.

“The mountain and river fragment can carry living beings.”

“When this great cauldron was complete, its interior must have contained an incredibly vast space, like a world unto itself!”

“Moreover—”

“Since it could accommodate living people, with the methods of the Tiancang Immortal Dynasty, how could the interior of the great cauldron be so desolate? It’s likely that at that time, the world within the mountain and river Cauldron was filled with the singing of birds and the fragrance of flowers, truly a paradise.”

Thoughts flowed in his mind.

Qin Chi focused on observing those sporadic flames, and after confirming no other discoveries, his perception withdrew from the place.

As time passed, the fire refinement neared its end.

At a certain moment.

Qin’s tightly closed eyes opened, divine light flowing within them.

With a thought, his professional panel appeared before him.

[Source Index: 547.6]

“Significant improvement.”

Qin Jin sensed himself: “There’s no feeling of saturation at all; I can still bear more source strength, which means that every subsequent transformation will have a very astonishing effect.”

“Martial Artist entering the Congenital Realm, talent replenished—”

Qin Jin understood clearly: “As Teacher Gu said, the physique is the container, and source strength is the liquid within it.”

“It seems now that my container is extremely vast.”

“However, this might not only be due to my physique, but also related to my Dao Foundation.”

“The Dao Foundation forged by the Heavenly Azure Method has indirectly broadened the path of a Martial Artist.”

With a shift in thought.

His mind entered the Spirit Void.

Upon entering the Spirit Void, a sense of completeness arose in Qin’s mind.

This indicated that after this tempering, the strength of his Spirit Void had reached perfection.

Within the entire Spirit Void, the number of creations evolved by spiritual power had decreased, but they became more real.

“After refinement, the Spirit Void can accommodate more spiritual power.”

“Now that the Spirit Void is complete, after replenishing spiritual power and adjusting my state, I can attempt to break through to the third realm of the Heavenly Azure Method, the Cavern Heaven Realm.”

“A Cavern Heaven can be established independently, but if aided by a treasure, the Cavern Heaven will be even more extraordinary, and it’s more likely to give birth to unique Cavern Heaven Treasure Techniques.”

“The choice of such a treasure is similar to when forging the Dao Foundation; its ultimate choice is limited by the strength the Spirit Void can bear.

If one is too ambitious, it might lead to the Spirit Void shattering.”

Qin’s perception swept over the two fragments within the Spirit Void.

The most valuable things he possessed were these two items.

However.

Qin had never even considered using them.

The mountain and river fragments were too extraordinary; just the bronze chains within their internal space were startling, and Qin didn’t believe he could bear the consequences of their power erupting.

Moreover—

He had witnessed the rebirth and destruction of the mountain and river Cauldron, and understood many hidden secrets.

This Celestial Treasure carried great karma and was not suitable.

Thoughts flowed in his mind, and at this moment, Qin’s imagination ran wild.

“Is the azure lightning dark halberd considered a treasure?”

“I haven’t personally experienced the process of establishing a Cavern Heaven yet.

If this process itself doesn’t affect the treasure, and directly makes it the foundation of the Cavern Heaven, then I won’t even need space expansion equipment in the future; I can just transform on the spot.”

Qin Chi’s eyes flickered.

“After successfully opening a Cavern Heaven and becoming familiar with the process, I’ll consider it then.”

With a change of thought, the character [Enlightenment] appeared within the Spirit Void.

This was a gift from the Enlightenment Stele; its ability to enhance comprehension was extremely unique.

“According to the Enlightenment Stele, this is a divine ability granted by heaven and earth when it was born, but its enhancement of comprehension is quite gentle, not an offensive power.”

“The first Cavern Heaven treasure will tentatively be it.”

“Let’s see if there are any other gains during the preparation period.”

The third realm of the Heavenly Azure Method.

Compared to martial arts, the first few realms of the Heavenly Azure Method have clearer methods for breaking through, but breaking through also comes with danger.

One must adjust their state and prepare thoroughly.

With a slight thought, his voice resonated in the minds of his tribesmen, summoning the core members of the Si Huo Tribe who were in the tribe.

Qi Chuan, Xia Yanh Tiger, Ding Yang.

During this time at the academy, following the Breathing Method list left by Teacher Gu, he also gradually learned and mastered them according to the list, in addition to his classes.

Ordinary Breathing Methods are often neutral and peaceful, without special affinities.

However, every Martial Artist is distinctly different, and they may even be inherently suited to a certain attribute.

Therefore, higher-level Breathing Methods also show compatibility with different attributes.

After Qin Jin summoned the few individuals, he used Votive Power to project two Breathing Methods into their minds.

One leaned towards the fire attribute, and the other towards the earth attribute.

After imparting the Breathing Methods, Qin Jin used source strength to communicate with the fragments, allowing them to undergo a fire refinement as well, enhancing themselves.

These two fragments were originally discovered by the tribesmen of the Si Huo Tribe, and Qin Jin would not be stingy in the slightest.

All tasks completed.

It was late at night.

Within the Si Huo Tribe, many lights had been extinguished, and it, along with this great wilderness, fell into slumber.

In the main hall.

The Spirit Void inhaled and exhaled spiritual power, and Qin’s spirit also rested.

Martial Arts Department.

Inside the cultivation room of the villa.

Qin Chi sat cross-legged, his gaze directed forward.

In front.

A calligraphy scroll hung on the wall, and the character ‘Martial’ on it shone with shimmering light.

The calligraphy scroll gifted by Martial God Su!

This was a gift from a Martial God; how extraordinary it was.

After Qin Jin broke through to the Congenital Realm, he unearthed new functions from it.

At this moment, in Qin’s eyes, faint reflections of clashing blades and swords appeared, as if someone was fighting within his pupils.

But the actual situation was that his source strength had entered the ‘Martial’ calligraphy scroll, and he was currently in the spiritual world contained within this scroll.

This was somewhat similar to the trial crystal he used to temper his spirit back at Teacher Chu’s base.

However, a gift from a Martial God was immeasurably more extraordinary.

The space within this ‘Martial’ character was shaped like an arena.

Qin’s source strength entered it, and now, with the help of the scroll, it transformed into his own likeness, wielding a large halberd.

At the other end of the arena.

A character resembling a black stick figure, whose weapon changed constantly, was currently charging towards Qin Jin.

The two figures clashed on the spiritual level, constantly colliding, which also served to temper his source strength.

In Qin Chi’s perception.

The stick figure’s weapon changed continuously, and every movement, like a ‘Martial’ character, constantly changed its form and angle, filled with a unique sense of beauty.

Qin Jin wielded the great halberd against his opponent, gaining experience in facing different weapons, and at the same time, observing the changes in the ‘Martial’ stick figure, he gained insights and learned a great deal.

Boom.

After another clash, Qin Jin originally intended to continue, but at that moment, sensing something, the reflections of clashing blades and swords in his eyes receded, and he withdrew from the calligraphy scroll.

With a thought, the professional panel appeared before him.

Currently.

He already possessed seven professions.

And now, behind [Cultivator], the eighth profession flickered, gradually taking shape.

[Weapon Master]

Qin Jin pondered, examining the specific information below.

[Weapon Master]

[Halberd: Lv1 (1%)]

“There really are professions related to ancient weapons.”

Qin Jin’s eyes lit up slightly.

Long ago, he had such a thought, and now, that thought had been confirmed.

“Weapon Master.”

“In the professional panel’s evaluation, my mastery of the Halberd reached Lv1, generating a new profession.”

“It seems that professional levels all start from Lv0.”

“This should also be an integrated profession.

If I need to learn other weapons in the future, once I gain some mastery, new subcategories will appear below it.”

Thoughts flowed in his mind, Qin straightened his body and stretched.

He looked out the window.

Because he was at his residence, his personal terminal was worn on his wrist.

He now spoke aloud: “Candle Kite.”

A moment later.

Candle Kite’s small figure appeared.

“When do my student missions begin?”

“Please wait.”

Candle Kite’s voice was gentle: “The mission content has been determined; you can depart soon.”

Qin Chi nodded.

Student missions!

In the Star Sea era, how could a Martial Artist merely cultivate?

Only by truly experiencing the tempering of blood and fire could one forge an extraordinary path in martial arts.

Newly enrolled students, after a period of study and familiarization with the academy, would subsequently receive irregular student missions, mostly involving several students teaming up and executing them under the leadership of a supervising instructor.

The supervising instructor would not directly participate in the mission, serving as the students’ last line of defense, ensuring their safety.

However, as an academy primarily focused on martial arts, Martial Abyss has always been a place of conflict.

Since its establishment, there have been students who perished during missions.

Martial arts.

After all, it’s not child’s play.

Candle Kite said “soon,” so Qin simply stopped cultivating and prepared his luggage in the room.

Qin had already learned about the student missions in advance through Candle Kite.

The various missions were complex and unique, involving different directions, including but not limited to [exploration], [combat], [intelligence gathering], and so on.

Upon completing missions, students could earn academic credits and related academy rewards.

Moreover.

The mission locations were all on other planets.

Zhi Xia Star, as the core of the Corridor Star System, the Gaia Planet, rarely experienced unusual events.

If one day, something truly happened here, it would certainly be beyond the ability of Martial Abyss students to resolve.

Thanks to the Starfire Federation’s well-developed infrastructure, the colossal stargates built within the Star Sea, combined with extraordinary jump technology, allowed missions to cover an extremely wide range.

According to Candle Kite, in the past, some student teams even traveled to other star systems to carry out missions.

After confirming that everything was ready, Qin Jin also carried the Martial God calligraphy scroll with him and quietly waited.

Before long, Candle Kite’s voice rang out.

Her usual relaxed attitude towards Qin Jin was replaced by a rare seriousness, and she solemnly said: “S-rank student Qin Jin.”

“Please proceed to this location for assembly.”

Her voice rang out.

Before him, a holographic map appeared, focused on a certain location within the academy.

Qin Jin quickly scanned the map, memorized the location, and immediately set off.

With the spatial expansion device, he didn’t need any extra preparation.

Inside, he wore the combat uniform provided by the academy.

Summer had already passed, and he wore a blue casual outfit over it as he swiftly left the villa.

If combat was required, the outer clothing would directly tear apart, revealing the combat uniform.

After leaving the villa.

Qin Chi saw many students departing at this moment, heading to various parts of the academy.

This was the [Mission Period].

Classes were temporarily suspended, and students left the academy to carry out missions.

It was said that for second and third-year students, missions would also undergo many changes.

The assembly point was located in the western part of the academy, very close to the academy’s internal starship docking area.

As Qin Jin approached, he could see starships taking off from the ground and climbing into the sky from afar.

Those were the starships escorting students to their missions.

“Only an institution like Martial Abyss would have such strength.”

With a slight thought.

Qin Chi arrived at the assembly point.

A figure stood there, having already arrived before him.

It was… Han Miao!

The girl’s attire was quite casual too; she wore a black bucket hat pulled low over her delicate eyebrows, making the black veil covering her eyes appear as if it extended from the hat.

“Qin Jin!”

She specialized in mental abilities, so she immediately sensed a familiar person approaching.

The voice she shaped with her mind sounded a little surprised: “Are you also here for assembly?”

“Are we teammates?”

“You didn’t go on a solo mission?”

She was clearly a bit surprised.

“I didn’t expect it either.”

Qin Jin shook his head.

Student missions were divided into solo missions and cooperative missions.

As the first Martial Artist of this cohort to break through to the Congenital Realm, Qin Jin’s combat power far surpassed his peers.

If he were with others, mission allocation would be difficult, so he had originally thought he would undertake a solo mission.

He hadn’t expected to have teammates.

Just as the two were conversing.

Silently.

A figure appeared not far from their side.

She did not conceal her presence, and upon her appearance, both Qin Jin and Han Miao noticed her and looked over.

“Take this.”

Before Qin Chi could even get a clear look at the newcomer’s face, a long-handled weapon was thrown towards him.

He reached out and quickly caught it.

His gaze shifted.

Qin Jin’s eyes lit up slightly, and he called out: “Teacher Gu.”