"So this is the power of Gang Yuan True Qi!"
Ye Chen, having killed seven Fire Armored Warriors with a single move, was also overwhelmed with excitement, the surging emotions prompted him to let out a long howl within the "Path of Fire".
The long howl, stimulated by True Qi, reverberated, swirling and echoing non-stop within the entire corridor.
There was a time when he was nothing more than a nominal disciple at Qingyun Sect, bullied by others. Now, with the help of "Meridian Refining Art" and "Gang Yuan Mantra" from the Primordial Star Scripture, he had grown to such an extent!
Even the mighty Fire Armored Warriors could be slain by him in one move!
"Come, the last twenty-nine Fire Armored Warriors!"
Ye Chen's eyes shone with extraordinary brightness, having confirmed the true might of Gang Yuan True Qi, he was absolutely certain that he could annihilate all the Fire Armored Warriors!
With a perfect score, he would breach the first trial of the "Fire and Water Dao" at the Outer Mansion of the Thousand Lotus Cave Abode!
He spread his arms wide and flew straight into the midst of the Fire Armored Warriors; dazzling silver aura burst forth again, drawing brilliant arcs within the entire corridor of the Path of Fire.
Sword unleashed! Bodies severed! Heads fell!
Within the corridor, the Fire Armored Warriors were continuously chopped down and exploded, the surging flame light orbs frantically rushed into Ye Chen's body.
And amidst the flame orbs, the green True Qi, along with the radiant silver Gang Yuan shining, Ye Chen reached a truly exhilarating level of combat feeling. His blood boiled, and the True Qi Vortex within him churned relentlessly.
The moment the last three Fire Armored Warriors were killed, Ye Chen, standing in the "Fire and Water Dao" corridor, was steaming with heat, like an invincible war god, emitting an awe-inspiring aura.
At the same time, as Ye Chen absorbed the massive flame orb True Qi from the last thirty-six Fire Armored Warriors, the True Qi Vortex inside him began a new expansion and transformation.
The five True Qi Vortices expanded rapidly, and when they expanded to a certain limit, the sixth True Qi Vortex was born.
Six Vortices, the sixth layer of True Qi!
After the events at Silent Ridge, the great battle with the Silver Veined Snake Demon at Mirror Lake, the life-and-death battle with Zhou Hai in the unnamed valley, and entering the Thousand Lotus Cave Abode, Ye Chen had finally reached a new realm, breaking through to the sixth layer of the True Qi Realm!
"Twelve layers of the True Qi Realm, and I've finally reached the halfway point."
"At the sixth layer of the True Qi Realm, with my current strength, I can return to Qingyun Sect with absolute confidence to become an Outer Sect disciple!"
There was an indomitable confidence in Ye Chen's eyes.
Just as Ye Chen successfully killed all the Fire Armored Warriors and smoothly advanced to the sixth layer of the True Qi Realm, the giant fire pattern that had blocked his path suddenly dispersed, revealing the way forward once again.
As the giant fire pattern dispersed, two orbs of light flew out from the fire pattern and hovered in the void.
The deep and sonorous voice echoed once more in the corridor: "Congratulations, challenger, for you have successfully killed all one hundred and eight Fire Armored Warriors. As I said before, you will receive a special reward!"
"These two manuals are your special reward. I hope you will comprehend them thoroughly!"
At these words, the two orbs floating in the void slowly approached Ye Chen and finally landed in his hands.
Ye Chen was curious as he looked at the two orbs in his hands.
As the light of the orbs dissipated, two ancient-looking books were revealed.
One of the books bore the title "Wind Thunder Sword Skills", and the other was titled "Wind Thunder Movement".
"Wind Thunder Sword Skills?"
"Wind Thunder Movement?"
Ye Chen flipped through the books, looking at the introduction to these two cultivation techniques within.
At that glance, his heart began to race with excitement.
"Thousand Lotus Cave Abode is indeed a mysterious and powerful abode! The giant fire pattern that could manifest Fire Armored Warriors already evidences its extraordinariness!"
"I had surmised that the special rewards would be extraordinary, but I never imagined they would be so precious!"
In the introductions of these two booklets, it is clearly written what grade these two sets of manuals belong to.
The Wind Thunder Sword Skills are upper-grade Xuan Class Cultivation Techniques, comprising three major subsidiary swordsmanship techniques, named "Wind Sword Skills," "Thunder Sword Skills," and "Joint Attack Sword Skills."
Merely the Wind Sword Skills themselves surpass Yellow Class upper-grade Cultivation Techniques, reaching the level of Xuan Class lower-grade Cultivation Techniques. If all three subsidiary swordsmanship techniques are fully cultivated, this complete set of swordsmanship would directly be at the upper-grade Xuan Class Cultivation Technique level!
Heaven and Earth, the four great grades of Cultivation Techniques: The reward from the first trial of Thousand Lotus Cave Abode's Outer Mansion surpassed Yellow Class Techniques, reaching the level of Xuan Class Techniques and is even the most precious upper-grade Xuan Class Cultivation Technique. Ye Chen was overjoyed!
Not only that, the second manual was equally extraordinary.
Wind Thunder Movement, an upper-grade Xuan Class movement technique, designed to complement the Wind Thunder Sword Skills, likewise comprises three major subsidiary movement techniques, "Wind Movement Skills," "Thunder Movement Skills," and "Wind-Thunder Wings."
Among them, Wind Movement Skills are of lower-grade Xuan Class movement techniques, Thunder Movement Skills are of middle-grade Xuan Class, and "Wind-Thunder Wings" is the final step, which upon successful cultivation, truly completes this upper-grade Xuan Class movement technique!
When Ye Chen saw the introduction to Wind-Thunder Wings, his breathing tensed up. According to the manual, successfully cultivating the "Wind-Thunder Wings" would allow one to transform True Qi into wings, soaring in the sky like a giant bird with speed as swift as whirlwinds, as fast as startling thunder!
This, undoubtedly, was a Flight Divine Ability only Spirit Sea Realm powerhouses could possess, yet this set of "Wind Thunder Movement" techniques was capable of achieving it!
To fly in the sky is the dream of countless martial artists.
Now, Ye Chen had the opportunity to realize this dream!
"During my encounter with the Fire Armored Warrior, I felt that the Yellow Class middle-grade movement technique 'Startling Goose Steps' was somewhat insufficient. Now, I've finally obtained a new movement technique!"
"And it's such a powerful upper-grade Xuan Class movement technique!"
"Wind Thunder Movement, mighty as wind and thunder, one day, I will use Wind-Thunder Wings to soar among the skies!"
Ye Chen carefully stowed away the two manuals close to his body and continued striding towards the pathway of the "Path of Fire."
The test of the first challenge of Thousand Lotus Cave Abode had been passed, and the unknown second challenge still awaited him ahead.
"I wonder what reward Ye Chen received from the Cultivation Techniques?"
Jiang Yao watched Ye Chen, who had tucked away the manuals and was heading deeper into Fire and Water Dao, her delicate face revealing a slight smile with two shallow dimples, utterly charming.
This contestant had performed so perfectly in the first challenge, giving her a pleasant surprise!
This kind of delight, she had never felt with the previous nineteen contenders who had come to face the challenges of Thousand Lotus Cave Abode.
"When I passed this challenge myself, I received a set of True Qi Breathing Secret Method and a set of Flight Combat Skills. It was with the aid of these two manuals that I managed to attempt to break into Spirit Sea Realm at the age of sixteen."
"Perhaps before long, Ye Chen too will, like me, successfully step into the Spirit Sea Realm!"
Thought Jiang Yao in her heart.
Meanwhile, the Three-Eyed Giant Ape, watching Ye Chen head towards the second challenge of the Path of Fire, also revealed a rare smile.
"To receive the special reward left by the master's clone, this youth is indeed extraordinary!"
"In these past three hundred years, less than ten have received the special reward. In recent years, other than the little girl by my side, this youth is the first to gain such an award!"
"I'm truly looking forward to seeing if he can make it through the next two challenges and join this little girl in visiting the Inner Mansion!"
"Speaking of which, it has been a long time since I have seen that old bird demon in charge of the Inner Mansion, I do miss it!"
The Three-Eyed Giant Ape's gaze passed through the deep corridor, looking towards the endless depths of Thousand Lotus Cave Abode, with myriad thoughts flashing through its mind.
"Is this the place for the second challenge?"
After walking in the corridor for the time it takes an incense stick to burn, the path ahead was once again obstructed.
This time, Ye Chen was not blocked by the huge pattern of firelight from before but a piece of jade that was smooth as a mirror.
Standing before the jade, Ye Chen's own reflection could be seen distinctly in it.
"What kind of challenge will this jade set?"
As Ye Chen thought to himself, a voice came through: "Contestant, congratulations on smoothly passing the first challenge and arriving at the second challenge — 'Mirror Light Spirit Wall'!"
This voice was unmistakably the same deep and resonant voice that had rewarded him with the "Wind Thunder Sword Skills" and "Wind Thunder Movement" techniques!