Chapter 103: Chapter 98: Martial Arts Celestial Ladder, Third Layer
Jiang Ye couldn’t possibly enter the Martial Arts Celestial Ladder right then and there.
For now, he still needed to continue with Star Sky Refinement.
After the First Break, the number of refinement sessions only increased.
Star Sky Energy, incredibly miraculous, can drive the human body to transform, continuously ascending to a higher life level.
After the First Break, more and higher concentration of Star Sky Energy is required for tempering.
"I have already broken the first Life Shackle, significantly enhancing the limits of my bones."
"Next, I need to repeatedly temper the bones and meridians with star energy." Jiang Ye closed his eyes.
The bones and meridians are the beginning of foundation establishment.
The "Star Martial Advancement Technique" states: ’Bones are strong, meridians flexible, with flowing blood and qi.’
Bones refer to the entire skeletal system.
Meridians refer to the skin, muscles, and fat covered by the entire network of meridians.
Bones and meridians make up the most basic human structure, originally a closed system, like a shackle that star energy finds hard to penetrate, thus unable to transform.
But after the First Break, the shackle is unlocked.
Star Sky Energy merges into the bones and meridians, truly integrating with the human body.
From this moment on, one has truly embarked on the path of starry sky martial arts.
"The Star Sky Energy in this Refining Pool is too diluted." Jiang Ye felt it: "After the First Break, I need higher concentration star energy."
The star energy here is primordial star energy diluted hundreds of times.
It can no longer satisfy his cultivation needs.
However, Jiang Ye had already paid fifty thousand yuan for refinement fees, so he must exhaust the star energy here.
Though the effect is minimal, it’s better than nothing.
...
Time passed by.
A day later.
Jiang Ye rose and stepped out of the Refining Pool.
"Comfortable." He stretched his muscles and bones.
After breaking the First Break, such low-concentration star energy no longer brought pain.
On the contrary, it produced a marvelous sense of comfort.
After a whole day of star energy refinement, Jiang Ye’s body was filled with warm star energy.
His whole body felt warm and cozy.
"This body upgrade took several hours." Jiang Ye looked at the panel.
[Physique: Profound Body (Upper D)]
Such a lengthy transformation must surely bring earth-shattering changes.
"From Mortal Body to Profound Body, how much enhancement can this bring?"
"To what level has my current strength reached?" Jiang Ye raised his palm.
As he exerted force, a wisp of faint silver star energy surged from the Guanyuan Acupoint.
Following the cultivation route, it drilled into his palm.
Compared to before the First Break, this wisp of star energy had utterly integrated into his palm, causing his palm bones to radiate a brilliant silver glow.
"It’s as if my palm can smash through steel."
Jiang Ye clenched his fist, feeling incomparably powerful.
"Jiang Ye."
Zhang Jianwu flew down, watching Jiang Ye with a smile: "You’ve finally broken through?"
Jiang Ye nodded, a trace of excitement flashing in his eyes: "Director, can you take one strike from me? I want to see its power."
"Take your strike?"
Zhang Jianwu did not hesitate, nodding: "Go ahead."
"Hmm!"
Jiang Ye raised his right hand.
Buzz~ The silver glow on his palm bones became even more dazzling.
Star energy gathered continuously, causing his entire right arm to emit a faint silvery light, looking extraordinarily radiant.
"Director, be careful!"
Jiang Ye’s feet pressed the ground, and his body suddenly burst with qi force.
In an instant, he launched a palm strike.
"Boom!" The palm created a deep, booming sound in the air.
Bang!!
The two of them firmly clashed palms.
A faint silver arc seemed to penetrate the air, radiating outward.
A burst of force erupted, like a fierce wind, causing their robes to flutter noisily.
"This power..." A glint of surprise flashed in Zhang Jianwu’s eyes.
Stronger than he had imagined!
Logically, just breaking the First Break shouldn’t be so exaggerated.
What he didn’t know was that Jiang Ye’s current physique had reached Profound Body Upper D rank.
In the same realm, the higher the physique, the greater the combat power!
"So strong." Jiang Ye was also pleasantly surprised.
Just now, he had not even activated any combat art technique.
By merely raising his hand, he could already feel a strength four to five times greater than before!
"Little guy."
Liu Beimu also descended, laughing: "You really don’t let yourself suffer any losses."
After an entire day, the star energy Jiang Ye absorbed in the Refining Pool approximately equaled fifty thousand Federation currency.
He recouped his registration fee.
"Trouble you, Star Envoy Liu." Jiang Ye withdrew his fist and stood, smiling shyly.
In fact, he wanted to stay for more days.
However, considering he still needed to go to the Third Layer of the Martial Arts Celestial Ladder and cultivate the Eight Thunder Sounds Fist.
Plus, the Refining Pool here truly couldn’t satisfy his cultivation needs.
He had no choice but to leave early.
"No trouble." Liu Beimu chuckled: "I heard you want to apply to Penglai University?"
Jiang Ye nodded.
"Then I wish you success in your aspirations."
Liu Beimu laughed: "With the college entrance exam approaching, I wish you smooth sailing and a top rank!"
Jiang Ye clasped his hands in thanks: "Thank you for your kind words."
Beside him, Zhang Jianwu said: "Jiang Ye, it’s getting late, let me take you home."
"Alright." Jiang Ye’s expression shifted slightly, thinking the director probably had something to say to him.
...
A moment later, Jiang Ye sat in Zhang Jianwu’s black sedan.
"Jiang Ye."
Zhang Jianwu turned his head to look at him, "How far are you from achieving Perfection in the Eight Thunder Sounds Fist?"
"Perfection?" Jiang Ye pondered for a moment: "It should still take some time."
"Can it be achieved before the Star Sea Divine Path certification?" Zhang Jianwu asked.
Jiang Ye shook his head: "Not sure."
His current progress in the Eight Thunder Sounds Fist was Great Success, 79%.
It seemed close to Perfection, but the difficulty of the remaining 21% was much greater than from 1% to 50%.
Although Jiang Ye’s physique had already improved to Profound Body Upper D, he still felt unsure.
"What’s the matter, Director?" Jiang Ye looked at Zhang Jianwu.
"It’s nothing." Zhang Jianwu did not elaborate.
He had just confirmed with Star Envoy Liu.
This year’s admission score for Penglai University would most likely be above 890 points.
As a Star Professional, Star Envoy Liu’s views and information far surpassed those of An City Middle School, so this news was unlikely to be inaccurate.
Currently, Jiang Ye’s breakthrough puts his score at around 850 points.
Plus the Preparatory Star Profession’s 20-point bonus, that’s only 870 points.
There’s still a gap of 20 points to meet the standard.
Less than two weeks remain until the college entrance exam.
Unless Jiang Ye can pass the upcoming Star Sea Divine Path certification, this 20-point gap would be an insurmountable barrier.
"Jiang Ye." Zhang Jianwu smiled: "Over the next few days, continue your normal cultivation."
"During the Star Sea Divine Path certification, don’t put too much pressure on yourself."
"Treat it with a normal mindset," Zhang Jianwu advised.
"Alright." Jiang Ye nodded.
He knew that the other party was worried he might have too much psychological pressure, affecting his performance.
Indeed.
The college entrance exam was drawing closer.
The school’s atmosphere also grew increasingly tense.
And for Jiang Ye, the upcoming Star Sea Divine Path certification was all the more crucial to his fate.
Anyone would feel nervous.
"I hope the Third Layer of the Martial Arts Celestial Ladder brings a surprise." Jiang Ye silently looked out the window.
...
Half an hour later.
Jiang Ye returned home.
He took a simple shower, then quickly returned to his room.
"Martial Arts Celestial Ladder!" Jiang Ye’s eyes gleamed with anticipation as he silently recited in his heart.
The next moment, his consciousness suddenly sank.
In the endless mist, Jiang Ye opened his eyes once again.
In front of him, a grand platinum-colored heavenly ladder stood majestically, vast and imposing, with no end in sight.
Jiang Ye stood up and headed towards the ladder.
Without any difficulty, he ascended to the Second Layer.
Then, he stepped towards the ten steps of the Third Layer.
One step after another, he continued to climb.
The pressure became increasingly terrifying, even bending his spine, just like the martial path he was walking.
Yet, Jiang Ye’s steps remained resolute.
Finally, he reached the Third Layer.
[You have ascended to the Third Layer of the Martial Arts Celestial Ladder]
[Would you like to initiate the Third Layer’s assessment now?]