'This is awesome! I got so much for completing this quest. Another Celestial God Armor, plus one hundred gold taels. That should be enough for a while.'
Yi Tianyun was quite satisfied with the reward. His only regret was that the treasures they dropped were a little sparse.
'Then again, it's understandable. They weren't bosses, just regular mobs, so their drops were bound to be limited.'
'Time to check my Attributes. I've already broken through to the Spirit Refining Stage without even realizing it. This pace is pretty good.'
Yi Tianyun merely thought his leveling speed was "pretty good," but if anyone else found out, they'd probably cough up blood from shock.
To go from someone who could barely cultivate to reaching the Spirit Refining Stage in a mere half-month... and he only considered that "pretty good"? This was the work of a monstrous genius!
Player: Yi Tianyun
Level: 11 (First Level, Spirit Refining Stage)
Experience Value: 1573/30000
Madness Value: 698
Cultivation Technique: North Nether Divine Technique (Human Level, Skill Level 378/1000)
Skills: Star Absorption Technique (Human Level, Skill Level 378/1000), Eagle Claw Technique, Falling Feather Sword Technique, Floating Cloud Step
Weapon: Frost Fist (Mortal Iron Grade, Skill Level 329/1000)
Armor: Snow Wolf Battle Boots
Divine Skill: Madness Mode
Neither the Eagle Claw Technique nor the Falling Feather Sword Technique could be upgraded. They were already maxed out at the Human Level. Their inherent skill level was low to begin with, offering no room for further potential. Frankly, using them so much was just a waste of effort.
However, he had few techniques in his arsenal, so he had to make do with what he had. He was still satisfied seeing the Skill Level increase, but he had to admit that it rose quite slowly.
If there hadn't been so few Demon Beasts in these snowy mountains, he would have leveled up long ago instead of gaining just a few hundred Skill Level points.
'It would be amazing if Experience Cards could also increase Skill Level.' Unfortunately, Experience Value was just that—it had nothing to do with Skill Level.
Besides that, he was finally eligible to open the Level 11 Gift Pack. This thing didn't unlock at level 10; it required level 11.
It made sense that the pack would only become available upon entering the Spirit Refining Stage. It was a major cultivation realm, after all, a fitting milestone for such a reward.
While he was busy checking his Attributes, Zhao Hualong and the others below the stage were utterly dumbfounded.
"How is this possible?!"
Zhao Hualong nearly coughed up blood.
'Three consecutive victories, and he's not even out of breath! His only weapon was that pair of gauntlets, and he even used our sect's prized Martial Arts... What is going on?'
Not only were three of his disciples killed, but he had also lost the token for the ruins and the Elixir Pills! It made him want to strike Yi Tianyun dead with a single palm.
But this wasn't the wilderness. Otherwise, he would have risked everything to kill Yi Tianyun right then and there!
"Was that Floating Cloud Step? How does Yi Tianyun know a Martial Art from the Celestial Spirit Sect?"
"What's going on? He used Floating Cloud Step? And it seems like his speed is even greater?"
...
The crowd was shocked, especially the disciples of Merak Palace. Why did he know a Martial Art from the Celestial Spirit Sect?
The main reason Yi Tianyun could move so much faster was that he had equipped the Snow Wolf Battle Boots. While they weren't obvious, they gave him a massive speed boost when he ran—at least doubling it. Naturally, he far surpassed the Body Technique Mo Cheng had displayed earlier.
"Elder Zhao, your Celestial Spirit Sect has lost!"
Shi Xueyun's gaze was icy as she looked at them. The outcome was clear: they had lost.
The disciples of the Celestial Spirit Sect looked indignant. They had been certain of victory, yet Yi Tianyun's appearance had led to their utter defeat!
"He's not a true disciple of Merak Palace! His victory doesn't count!"
"That's right! He's an Outer Disciple at best. It's invalid!"
...
The disciples of the Celestial Spirit Sect were so shameless, actually trying to go back on their word!
Yi Tianyun taunted Zhao Hualong, "Elder Zhao, your disciples are making you lose face!"
"How did you learn our Celestial Spirit Sect's secret Martial Arts?!" Zhao Hualong deflected, his icy gaze fixed on Yi Tianyun.
"I learned it just by watching a few times," Yi Tianyun said casually. "Surely, Elder Zhao, you don't think I snuck into the Celestial Spirit Sect and stole it, do you?"
Shi Xueyun added coldly, "If he really did steal it, that would just prove how pathetic your Celestial Spirit Sect is! Now, Elder Zhao, you have lost. What more is there to say!"
Zhao Hualong's expression was grim. It was too late now; they had already agreed the match would be official. But to have three disciples dead and the slot for the ruins forfeited... the loss was not just painful, it was a profound humiliation.
Zhao Hualong glared at Yi Tianyun, his voice cold. "I don't care how you learned it. From this day forward, you are forbidden from using our sect's Martial Arts!"
This was one of the Celestial Spirit Sect's signature Martial Arts; they couldn't just let an outsider use it as he pleased. But demanding that Yi Tianyun cripple his own cultivation was out of the question.
"I learned this on my own. Whether or not I use it is none of your business."
Yi Tianyun stated calmly, "In any case, I don't really care whether I use a Martial Art of this caliber or not. Are you going to keep clinging to this point and go against the rules of the match? Where are my rewards? And the slot for the ruins?"
Zhao Hualong stared daggers at Yi Tianyun, his eyes overflowing with killing intent!
He immediately tossed the Elixir Pills and a Token over to Shi Xueyun. Then, with a dark expression, he turned and barked, "Let's go!"
Seething with humiliation and rage, he led the others away, leaving the area at once.
Watching Zhao Hualong's retreating figure, Yi Tianyun's eyes flickered. It seemed he had made a bitter enemy.
Still, as he watched the shimmering golden name above Zhao Hualong's head, he had the urge to punch him until he exploded. 'I wonder what kind of Treasure a boss-level character like that would drop...'
"Defeating three disciples from the Celestial Spirit Sect in a row... Tianyun, your cultivation must have reached the peak of the Body Refining Stage by now!"
Shi Xueyun had estimated his strength based on the power he'd unleashed, and that was the level she arrived at.
But that was old news. He was now at the first level of the Spirit Refining Stage!
"Well... it's a little higher than that."
Yi Tianyun rubbed his nose and smiled. He didn't feel right hiding too much from Shi Xueyun.
"You're already at the first level of the Spirit Refining Stage?!"
Shi Xueyun was utterly astounded. 'When in the world did he break through?'