Chapter 75: Have I Gone Qi Deviant?

[System Log Updated]

“You are soaking in a medicinal bath. Your absorption rate has slightly increased.”

“You are absorbing Qi. Your Qi absorption rate has slightly increased.”

“You are absorbing Qi. The quality of your Geng Metal Primordial Qi has slightly improved.”

“The quality of your breathing technique has slightly improved.”

…

According to the texts, condensing Inner Astral requires a vast amount of Qi, with Astral Qi supported by Primordial Qi and using materials of the same origin.

On Jiang Yan’s body surface, the faint golden hue grew increasingly pure, but gradually, this purity began to change, turning into a kind of black—no, not black, but rather something unclear, intangible, resembling a formless existence akin to Chaos.

“The quality of your Geng Metal Primordial Qi has significantly improved.”

…

Jiang Yan remained completely unaware of this.

“Your Geng Metal Primordial Qi is undergoing mutation.”

The System Log continuously issued prompts, but Jiang Yan was currently in a state of profound mystery, where no external sounds could disturb him.

The pure gold was being tainted, advancing toward an entirely new direction.

It seemed to evolve from singularity to duality, trinity… encompassing all things.

Unbeknownst to him, his body was no longer absorbing only Geng Metal materials of the same origin. Instead, it was simultaneously striving to draw in the “Qi” filtered out by the Spirit Gathering Device.

A layer of Outer Astral gradually formed, not the golden color Jiang Yan had anticipated, but rather turning formless and profound.

“The quality of your Geng Metal Primordial Qi has significantly improved!”

“Your Geng Metal Primordial Qi is undergoing mutation.”

The Outer Astral condensed to the size of a fist. Once fully formed and absorbed, Jiang Yan could directly breakthrough to the fourth rank, Inner Astral.

At that point, with Inner Astral protecting his body, ordinary Martial Artists would find it difficult to harm him.

The manifestation of Inner Astral varied, representing an innovative creation of Blue Star people’s wisdom. At least, Jiang Yan had never seen such a thing among opponents from other planets.

Of course, not seeing it didn’t mean Inner Astral didn’t exist. Other planets might have more focused directions, applying “Qi” elsewhere.

At least from the Void-Splitting Weasel, their cultivation methods were no weaker than the Human Race Martial Dao.

Condensing Outer Astral was an extremely slow process. A day passed, and the Outer Astral barely covered Jiang Yan’s chest.

Afterward, transforming Outer Astral into Inner Astral was equally arduous.

Meanwhile, the System Log continued to pop up with prompts.

“The quality of your Geng Metal Primordial Qi has significantly improved.”

“Your Geng Metal Primordial Qi is undergoing mutation.”

…

The Geng Metal Primordial Qi was no longer solely absorbing Geng Metal materials of the same origin. This change completely defied the common knowledge of Blue Star Martial Way.

Jiang Yan was advancing along an entirely new path of the Martial Way.

And [Heaven Rewards Diligence] meant this path would only grow stronger.

Every individual who made groundbreaking contributions to the Martial Way would be revered as a grandmaster. Jiang Yan was only 18 years old, truly unprecedented and likely never to be surpassed.

Time raced by.

Qin Wufeng, unable to bear the solitude, went to check on Jiang Yan and found the young man condensing Outer Astral. He decided not to disturb him, casually casting a temporary defensive barrier before leaving the villa.

He then went to Zou Han’s residence.

“Sigh, with such intense public opinion online now, I wonder if this kid can handle it.”

As a top scholar on the same level as Jiang Yan, Zou Han also had his own detached villa.

Moreover, back when competing with Demon Capital for Zou Han, Qin Wufeng had also promised Zou Han unlimited resources.

Compared to Jiang Yan, Zou Han was much less of a headache for him. Why? Because he didn’t consume cultivation resources.

He rarely ever used the school’s Spirit Gathering Chamber, as his Family had a dedicated Spirit Gathering Device prepared for him.

Compared to Jiang Yan, who was like a money-sucking beast, Zou Han was practically a living bodhisattva.

“Young Zou, are you alright?”

“Principal Qin, I’m fine.”

“Don’t worry, Divine Capital University won’t stand by and do nothing. We’ve already arranged for people to speak up for you online, and the higher-ups won’t ignore this either. They’re currently discussing drafting relevant laws.”

“Thank you.”

Zou Han seemed indifferent to the outside opinions, but the determination and unwillingness on his face betrayed his true feelings.

“I won’t accept this. I want to challenge the Myriad Realms Ladder again!”

Qin Wufeng fell silent for a moment before speaking. “You can challenge it again, but this time, don’t start a Live Stream or publicize it. If you fail, the public opinion alone could crush you.”

Zou Han clenched his fists tightly and finally nodded in agreement.

Thus, Zou Han once again lay down in the Virtual Game Capsule. Qin Wufeng watched him, his expression as if he had already anticipated something.

Sure enough, half an hour later, Zou Han walked out of the capsule looking utterly dejected.

Qin Wufeng walked over and patted his shoulder. “Don’t overthink it. The top ten thousand and those below it are two completely different worlds. To secure the exemption from challenges, every Player in the top ten thousand is a standout from their respective planets, desperately climbing their way up.

You’re still young, only 23. By the time you’re 25, you’ll definitely have a place in the Myriad Realms Ladder.”

“But I’m at the same Realm as that Void-Splitting Weasel, yet…”

“Sigh, you’ve already fought in the Myriad Realms Ladder. Don’t you know about the monstrous ability of those Prodigies to fight above their level?”

Qin Wufeng was also somewhat helpless.

Although the Myriad Realms Ladder could help students accumulate combat experience, it had one drawback—

It could easily shatter one’s Dao Heart.

Above the millions, there are hundreds of thousands pressing down; above the hundreds of thousands, there are the top ten thousand; and above the top ten thousand, there are the top thousand, the top hundred, and the very first.

No matter how much you grow, there will always be someone stronger above you.

Could anyone possibly expect a student from Divine Capital Martial University to reach first place?

Qin Wufeng wouldn’t dare dream of such a thing, and neither would the Blue Star government.

Across the entire Blue Star, not a single Prodigy had managed to climb into the top ten thousand before the age of 25. Perhaps Zou Han could achieve it, but not now.

As for Jiang Yan…

“Hmm, why am I thinking about that kid Jiang Yan?”

“Never mind. Although I don’t know how that guy climbed to the 50,000th rank, if he continues at his current pace, reaching the top ten thousand won’t be a problem. He might even go further.”

For the first time, Qin Wufeng held such high expectations for a student.

He patted Zou Han’s shoulder again. “Focus on your cultivation. If you want to graduate, just let me know anytime.”

“No need. I once swore I wouldn’t leave Divine Capital Martial University until I reach the top ten thousand.”

“Sigh, you and your stubbornness.”

Qin Wufeng didn’t know what else to say to this mule. After exchanging a few pleasantries, he left Zou Han’s residence.

Two days passed.

Jiang Yan’s body was now fully covered by a complete layer of Outer Astral.

“Next is to condense the Outer Astral within the body, connecting the Inner Astral with the Primordial Qi.”

“But…”

Jiang Yan couldn’t help but twitch the corner of his mouth as he looked at the Outer Astral before him, which was emitting a dark aura.

“This… why is it different from what I expected?”

The Outer Astral before me was as deep as an abyss, dark as ink, utterly silent, devouring all form without a trace.

“Hiss~ Could I have fallen into Qi Deviation?”