Free Web NovelChapter 30: Chapter 30: Breakthrough to the True Martial Realm
Gu Yun sat cross-legged on a meditation cushion, adjusting his condition to its peak.
First, he took out the Thunder Crystal Stone and began to absorb it.
As the Nine Tribulations Thunder Gang Decision circulated, fine wisps of blue energy from the surface of the Thunder Crystal Stone were drawn into Gu Yun’s body.
Under his guidance, the blue energy was not refined by his Spiritual Qi. Instead, it was dispersed to every part of his body.
A tingling, electrifying sensation washed over Gu Yun. He closed his eyes, immersing himself completely, and carefully perceived the changes within.
Three days later, Gu Yun had finished absorbing the Thunder Crystal Stone.
He had now truly reached the Half-Step True Martial Realm Perfection!
He was just one step away from breaking through to the True Martial Realm.
It was as if a thin, transparent membrane stood before him, one that could be easily pierced with a single poke.
Next, Gu Yun retrieved an Inner Core covered in Thunder Power from his Storage Ring.
This Inner Core was about the size of a human head. Tiny blue arcs of electricity constantly flickered across its surface, emitting waves of powerful energy.
Within it was incomparably pure Thunder Power, the essence nurtured by a Demon Thunder Demon Fiend for decades, or even centuries. The Thunder Power was refined to the extreme.
It was perfectly suited for a Thunder Cultivator to use for a breakthrough.
The Inner Core leaped into mid-air, surrounded by the Spiritual Power of his Nine Tribulations Thunder Gang Decision. With a thought, Gu Yun opened a gap in the barrier, guiding a wisp of pure Thunder Power to leak out.
BOOM!
The sound of thunder echoed through Gu Yun’s immortal cave. A pale blue bolt of lightning shot out from the gap like a roaring Flood Dragon, slamming viciously into Gu Yun’s chest.
BANG!
With a dull thud, the lightning exploded the instant it made contact with his body.
It transformed into countless fine blue arcs that danced and coiled madly across his skin. At this moment, that extremely pure Thunder Power was also constantly burrowing into his body, darting back and forth within him.
These arcs of electricity seemed to be strengthening his physical body, creating a sensation that was both numbingly tingly and intensely invigorating.
「Three months later.」
Gu Yun sat cross-legged inside his immortal cave, looking at the Inner Core floating before him, enveloped in Spiritual Qi.
Under his continuous absorption, the Inner Core had shrunk to a third of its original size.
’The final step,’ Gu Yun thought with a hint of excitement.
He opened his mouth, and the Inner Core shrank, transforming into a streak of light that shot into his body.
Gu Yun planned to use the powerful energy released from the instantaneous explosion of this remaining third of the Inner Core to achieve his breakthrough.
Instantly, countless streams of Thunder Power swept through Gu Yun’s entire body like a hurricane.
His skin was enveloped in blue arcs, flickering with bolts of lightning.
Not only that, but his entire immortal cave was filled with wildly dancing blue arcs of electricity.
An indescribably violent power erupted in the surroundings.
A vast, oppressive might spread wantonly throughout the cave. The very air, now wrapped in arcs of electricity, carried a suffocating pressure.
Moreover, this pressure was slowly continuing to expand as time passed.
...
Three more months passed. Gu Yun sat quietly on his meditation cushion.
The vast aura he unintentionally radiated was enough to suffocate an ordinary Spiritual Martial Realm Cultivator.
That’s right. After six months of secluded cultivation, Gu Yun had finally, as he had wished, stepped into the True Martial Realm.
Spiritual Power became True Yuan. He could fly through the heavens and burrow through the earth. His lifespan extended to three hundred years, long enough to watch a Dynasty rise and fall.
This single step opened up a future as vast as the heavens.
He had finally leaped into the ranks of the Cultivation Realm’s mid-tier cultivators, completing a massive jump in status.
With a mere flip of his hand, he could now easily suppress his pre-breakthrough self.
Breaking through to the True Martial Realm was undoubtedly far more difficult for an ordinary cultivator. They could be stuck at the bottleneck for years, decades, or even their entire lives.
Even among the former top ten of the Outer Sect, very few could break through to the True Martial Realm in such a short time.
In this regard, Gu Yun was temporarily one step ahead of them.
Gu Yun couldn’t help but reflect. He had been in this world for over six years and was now almost twenty-two. Through his persistent, unceasing effort, coupled with the help of his Heaven Rewards Diligence skill panel, he had finally broken through to the True Martial Realm.
With a thought, the Skill Level panel appeared before his eyes.
Name: Gu Yun
Realm: True Martial Realm First Layer Early Stage
Cultivation Technique: Nine Tribulations Thunder Gang Decision (First Tribulation: Wind and Thunder Tribulation 4%)
Martial Techniques: Thunder Gang Body (Beginner 5%), Wind and Thunder Saber Technique (Perfection), Mountain-Breaking Fist (Perfection), Wandering Dragon Step (Perfection)
Technique: Three Thousand Thunder Flashes (Beginner 5%), Earth-Bursting Heaven-Shaking (Minor Success 40%), Breath Concealment Technique (Minor Success 60%), Celestial Thunder Technique (Great Success 10%)
Blade Momentum: Minor Success Blade Momentum (82%)
His breakthrough was a success, but Gu Yun didn’t exit his seclusion just yet.
Instead, he remained in his immortal cave, using Spirit Stones to consolidate his cultivation before starting to practice his Martial Techniques.
[You have practiced Celestial Thunder Hand diligently 10 times. You have now learned Celestial Thunder Hand.]
[You have practiced Celestial Thunder Hand diligently 20 times. Skill Level for Celestial Thunder Hand +1%.]
[You have practiced Thunder Gang Body diligently 30 times. Skill Level for Thunder Gang Body +1%.]
...
Not long after, a message arrived via Communication Talisman from his good friend, Li Xingyue. He asked if Gu Yun wanted to attend a Treasure Exchange Conference for new Inner Sect Disciples.
Gu Yun decided not to continue his seclusion and went to find Li Xingyue.
...
Li Xingyue stared in shock at the figure before him, who was exuding a heavy aura as deep as an abyss.
"Senior Brother, you...?! Have you broken through to the True Martial Realm?" Li Xingyue asked, stunned.
Gu Yun nodded and replied, "Just a lucky break."
"Whoa, my heavens! This is way beyond ’a lucky break’! Not even the top ten from the Outer Sect could cross the threshold into the True Martial Realm this quickly. Senior Brother, your talent is truly extraordinary!" Li Xingyue said with a wry smile.
Looking at Gu Yun’s nonchalant expression, Li Xingyue suddenly had the urge to punch him. Unfortunately, with his cultivation at the Spiritual Martial Ninth Layer Peak, he wouldn’t even survive a single saber strike from the man.
Li Xingyue’s shock made Gu Yun realize he should have been concealing his aura. He immediately used his Breath Concealment Technique to suppress his cultivation presence to the level of a Half-Step True Martial cultivator.
"By the way, Junior Brother, where is this Inner Sect Treasure Exchange Conference being held?" Gu Yun asked.
Li Xingyue replied, "At the Lake Heart Pavilion on Poyang Lake, within the Sect’s grounds."
He felt Gu Yun’s abyss-like aura recede, but he wasn’t surprised. ’It’s just a concealment technique. Everyone has one when they’re out and about,’ he thought.
"Senior Brother, it’s time to go," Li Xingyue said calmly.
Gu Yun nodded. With a flash of movement, the two of them vanished.
...
Gu Yun and Li Xingyue arrived at the Lake Heart Pavilion on Poyang Lake. The surrounding scenery was beautiful, with peach blossoms everywhere, giving it the feel of a secluded paradise.
The Lake Heart Pavilion itself was located in the center of Poyang Lake.
A closer look revealed dozens of figures already gathered there.
As Gu Yun and Li Xingyue approached,
someone recognized them.
"That’s Li Xingyue from the Spirit Sword Dao Peak."
"And that’s Gu Yun from the Celestial Thunder Dao Peak."
"Huh?"
Gu Yun’s eyes landed on a man in the distance. He was dressed in an ink-wash profound robe, his expression resolute.
Gu Yun said with mild surprise, "Brother Xiao, long time no see!"
