Chapter 50: Chapter 50: To Celestial Martial City

SLOSH! Within Shen Haoran’s Dantian, the ocean of Spiritual Power churned with waves. This splashing Spiritual Liquid flowed along his meridians throughout his body, slowly fusing into his bones and flesh.

As the Spiritual Liquid seeped in, Shen Haoran could clearly feel his meridians and bones becoming tougher and wider. Moreover, a vast power began to gradually gather within his body, and his entire being seemed to have been elevated!

Sensing the benefits of the Spiritual Liquid, a powerful suction force uncontrollably erupted from Shen Haoran’s body, startling Elder Yan and Ji Lingxuan outside.

Fortunately, the Spirit Sea in Shen Haoran’s Dantian only stirred for about ten minutes before it quieted down. The suction force in his body also gradually weakened until it disappeared.

The moment the suction force inside him disappeared, Shen Haoran’s tightly shut eyes snapped open. In that instant, his black hair floated up behind him without any wind, his robes billowed out on their own, and a fierce aura several times stronger than before erupted from within his body! 𝑓𝓇𝘦ℯ𝘸𝘦𝑏𝓃𝑜𝘷ℯ𝑙.𝑐𝑜𝓂

Sensing this powerful aura from Shen Haoran, Elder Yan said with a wide smile, "Congratulations, you have become a true Spirit Pupil! You have also officially begun your path to becoming one of the strong!"

"Congratulations, Brother Haoran!" Beside him, Ji Lingxuan also smiled sweetly.

Shen Haoran’s aura lasted for a moment before finally subsiding. After exhaling a breath of turbid air from his body, he turned to look at the smiling Elder Yan and Ji Lingxuan, and he too grinned, the joy on his face impossible to hide.

’It’s been a year. A whole year since I left the Shen Family to train. This past year, I’ve teetered on the brink of life and death every day, pushing through my Cultivation day and night. Only I know how much I’ve suffered! But every effort has its reward. Today, I’ve finally advanced to become a Spirit Pupil!’

’Becoming a Spirit Pupil means I’ve finally broken away from the common ranks! Although Spirit Pupils are still the lowest level of Martial Artists, only by becoming one do I qualify to climb to a higher Peak, to be called one of the strong! What’s more, I’m still young—only sixteen! I have plenty of time to strive for those legendary realms!’

He clenched his fists, feeling the surging, immense power within him. ’Now I finally understand how huge the gap is between a Spirit Pupil and a Spiritualist! The most obvious difference is the sheer volume of Spiritual Power! A Spiritualist only has a single Spirit Pill in their body as a source of Spiritual Power, but a Spirit Pupil has an entire ocean of it in their Dantian! The difference is anything but small. If I hadn’t relied on that Profound Tier High Level Martial Skill and this body’s incredible constitution back then, defeating Xue Qinghe would have been a complete fantasy!’

"Brother Haoran, a Spirit Pupil’s strength isn’t just about having abundant Spiritual Power, you know. There’s also this..." As she spoke, pale blue Spiritual Power materialized over Ji Lingxuan’s arm, quickly enveloping it completely.

"This...?" Seeing this, Shen Haoran was puzzled. ’What’s the use of that?’

"You could call it a hallmark of a Spirit Pupil. A Martial Artist who has advanced to the Spirit Pupil realm can use their Spiritual Power to envelop a part of their body, achieving the effect of strengthening or defending that area!" Ji Lingxuan explained.

"Strengthen, or defend?" Shen Haoran murmured. He then copied Ji Lingxuan, mobilizing the Spiritual Power in his body. In no time, gray Spiritual Power enveloped his entire arm!

"It really works!" With his arm enveloped in Spiritual Power, Shen Haoran could clearly feel that the strength in his arm had grown, and its defense was much sturdier!

"However, a Spirit Pupil Martial Artist can only envelop one part of their body. Once you break through to the Spirit General realm, you’ll be able to envelop your entire body, and the power will be immense! That’s why only those at the Spirit General realm and above can truly be considered strong!" Ji Lingxuan continued.

"Oh~ is that so?" Shen Haoran looked at his arm, filled with longing for what Ji Lingxuan described. He wished he could break through to the Spirit General realm right this second!

"Alright, now’s not the time to be thinking about that. You two should hurry to Celestial Martial City and prepare to search for the Primordial Spirit of the Fire Element!" Elder Yan reminded them at just the right moment.

"Right, right, right, the Primordial Spirit of the Fire Element is more important right now!" Shen Haoran reluctantly withdrew the Spiritual Power from his arm.

"Then let’s part ways here. You two head straight east. You should reach Celestial Martial City in about two days!" Elder Yan said, pointing to the east.

Hearing this, Shen Haoran was surprised. He then asked, "Part ways? Elder Yan, you’re not coming with us?"

"That’s right. I have a personal matter to attend to. I’ll come find you in Celestial Martial City after I’ve taken care of it. Don’t worry, it won’t take too long!" Elder Yan said with a smile.

"Er... alright! It’s just that you’ve been with us this whole journey, Elder Yan. It’ll be a little strange for you to leave now!" Shen Haoran said, scratching his head a bit sheepishly.

"Heh heh, a true eagle doesn’t live under the wings of its parents and teachers. The sky is vast; one day, you will soar on your own!" Elder Yan said in a solemn, meaningful tone.

"Alright, stop being so sentimental. Get going! Remember, when you get to Celestial Martial City, learn to keep a low profile. Try not to get into conflicts. That place is a melting pot, with every kind of person imaginable. Be careful!" Elder Yan instructed. With that said, he departed on his own.

"Let’s get going, too!" Watching Elder Yan leave, Shen Haoran let out a long breath and gestured for Ji Lingxuan to head east with him.

...

Two days later, they stood before a massive city.

"Celestial Martial City!" Above the city gate, three large words were carved, exuding an ancient, unadorned aura and a magnificent presence.

"Tsk, tsk... So this is Celestial Martial City? It’s so much bigger than our Cyan Mountain City!" Shen Haoran said, clicking his tongue.

However, when Shen Haoran looked around, his face immediately darkened. Everyone entering the city was staring at the two of them—or no, to be precise, they were staring at Ji Lingxuan next to him, their eyes wide and unblinking, practically drooling!

It wasn’t their fault, though. Ji Lingxuan’s beauty was enough to make even a celestial fairy from beyond the ninth heaven feel inadequate, let alone these people entering the city. When had they ever seen such an exquisite beauty? In the face of her looks, they had collectively lost their composure!

But Shen Haoran was not happy. He had spent half a year with Ji Lingxuan, and they had both risked their lives for each other! He had already come to see Ji Lingxuan as his woman. ’How could I possibly feel good about a crowd of men staring at my woman like this?’

At that thought, Shen Haoran took a few steps forward, shielding Ji Lingxuan behind him and blocking the lecherous gazes of the men around them.

Seeing Shen Haoran actually getting jealous, Ji Lingxuan covered her mouth and giggled, a sweet feeling blooming in her heart.

Shen Haoran’s frame was rather slender, after all, so he could only block the view for some of them. One man, upon seeing Ji Lingxuan’s demure appearance as she giggled behind her hand, felt the blood rush to his head. Two streams of blood shot from his nostrils, and he actually fainted!

"You’re laughing! You’re still laughing!" Shen Haoran saw the fainted male Martial Artist and turned to scold her.

Seeing Shen Haoran’s scolding expression, Ji Lingxuan’s playful side emerged. She put on a pitiful look, her big eyes welling with tears as she looked at him and said aggrievedly, "I’m sorry, Brother Haoran. I didn’t mean to!"

"You..." Seeing Ji Lingxuan act like this, even someone with Shen Haoran’s good temperament almost lost his composure. He quickly turned his head away, grabbed the mischievous Ji Lingxuan by the hand, and started walking into the city, saying as he went, "You little minx, you just wait. We’ll see how I deal with you once we’re inside the city!"

"Hee hee..." Watching Shen Haoran turn bright red because of her, Ji Lingxuan couldn’t help but giggle. ’As for "dealing with me," all I’ll have to do is act cute again, and Shen Haoran will definitely be helpless against me!’

Shen Haoran was completely unaware of Ji Lingxuan’s dark thoughts at that moment; he just pulled her toward the city gate. Along the way, he felt countless waves of killing intent aimed at him! ’If looks could kill, I’d probably be minced meat by now!’

"Sigh. Beautiful women really are trouble..." At this, Shen Haoran could only let out a helpless sigh...