Chapter 33: The Fifth Layer of the Acquired Realm

  Zhongxi Peak, Xinxue Mountain Villa, Seventh Dormitory.

  Ancient people sat with their legs crossed.

  For the next twenty plus days, there is only one thing to do, which is to cultivate internal energy.

  Inner strength, inner strength, still inner strength.

  The power under the ancient super is the initial stage of the fourth layer of Renmai in the post-heavenly realm. What I am doing now is to fill up this meridian, and finally break through the Du Meridian, which means reaching the fifth layer of the Du Meridian in the post-heavenly realm.

  Gu Chao quietly started practicing Tai Shan Yuan Qi Gong.

  Long exhale, long inhale, long exhale, long inhale, long exhale, long inhale.

  Short exhalation, short inhalation, repeat for seven cycles.

  Three long and seven short, this is the gate of Tai Shan Pai Yuan Qi Gong.

  This time's cultivation of internal energy is much more enjoyable than any previous one, with a steady stream of yuanqi being absorbed into his body. If the original absorption of heaven and earth's yuanqi was like a small, intermittent trickle, then now it's like a babbling brook, constantly flowing into his body.

  Ancient superiors can also be clearly felt, most of which are provided by the original energy wood in their own bosom. The original energy wood itself can continuously produce original energy and is a rare species in the world.

  The effect of practicing internal force now is really much, much faster than without the Primordial Wood. No wonder it's so precious - it's not precious for nothing! The effect is simply exhilarating to the extreme. Gu Chao absorbed these heavenly primordial energies, constantly filling them into his Ren Meridian. The internal energy in his Ren Meridian grew more and more abundant.

  Gu Chao has put down his mind and is now focusing on cultivating his inner strength. Time is slowly passing by.

  Time flies, and more than 20 days have passed in the blink of an eye. For these 20 days, Gu Chao has been cultivating his inner strength all along.

  At this time, the Ren channel was basically full of internal energy. It was time to break through the barrier. Gu Chao took a deep breath and the rolling internal energy in the Ren channel flowed like a small stream. At the same time, more internal energy was absorbed into the Ren channel, filling it up tightly.

  Boom!

  At last, the gate of Ren Mai and Du Mai could no longer withstand such pressure and burst open with a loud noise.

  At this moment, some of the inner energy surged into the Governor Vessel.

  Gǔ chāo xīn zhōng chǎn shēng míng wù, zì jǐ zhōng yú dào dá le hòu tiān jìng wǔ céng dū mài jìng.

  Translation:

  Ancient super heart produced enlightenment, he finally reached the fifth layer of the post-heavenly realm, the governor vessel realm.

  Haha, it's great, I've finally reached the fifth layer of the Post-Heaven Realm, and most of this is thanks to the efforts of the Yuanqi Wood.

  Gu Chao thought to himself that his current inner strength had reached the early stages of the Five Layers of Duzong Realm in the Post-Heavenly realm. At the same time, in terms of martial skills, he had already elevated the 72 Routes of Knife Techniques to the Great Completion realm, and his current strength was quite formidable. Now, he just wanted to have a thrilling and satisfying exchange with a master, to get it out of his system.

  Actually, since the 72nd Road Knife Method was practiced to perfection, Gu Chao had a fight with two senior brothers from Can Xue Mountain Villa - Li Tong and Zhao Fan. However, that battle didn't last long and was easily settled. This war intent had been suppressed during the more than 20 days of internal energy cultivation, but now that the year-end mid-term exam is about to begin, it's finally going to erupt.

  Everything is ready, just waiting for the mid-year exam to start.

  Bang!

  The dormitory door was opened.

  Gao Ren and Luo Tao walked in, covered in sweat and exhausted but exhilarated.

  Gao Ren burst out laughing: "Gu Chao, this time we entered the mountains to cultivate, and our progress has been tremendous. My internal energy is now at the early stages of the fifth layer of the Post-Heaven Realm." This time he spent over a month cultivating in the mountains, raising his internal energy from the fourth layer to the fifth layer of the Post-Heaven Realm. In fact, when facing various demonic beasts, his knife skills had also improved significantly, but still not as good as Gu Chao's at the time of his minor completion a month ago, so he didn't mention it.

  "I've also made a lot of progress, my internal energy is now at the late stage of the fourth layer of the Post-Heaven Realm." Luo Tao laughed, just over a month ago he was at the initial stage of the fourth layer of the Post-Heaven Realm, and now he's at the late stage, having made significant progress. His trip to Yingxia Peak for cultivation had indeed not been in vain.

  "That's congratulations to you all then, my strength has also increased quite a bit."

  Not just Gu Chao, everyone is constantly improving their strength for the year-end mid-term exam. The year-end mid-term exam is one of the truly critical assessments. Although it's not as important as the outer sect disciple exam, it's still very crucial. A good performance in the year-end mid-term exam means you've learned well over the past half year, and for the other nine mountain estates, it means you've learned well over the past year.

  In addition, there are two more meanings in the year-end college entrance examination.

  At the end of the year, after the mid-term exams are over, everyone has to go home for Chinese New Year. The usual monthly test scores can be left behind, and it's not a big deal if you didn't do well. However, the year-end exam scores must be brought back home. Who wouldn't want to bring back good grades and have a happy new year, rather than being scolded and ridiculed by relatives? A person lives for their reputation, just like a tree relies on its bark.

  Secondly, the biennial Outer Disciple Grand Competition is a real test, and those who perform well in the Outer Disciple Grand Competition can enter the Inner Disciple. As for the year-end mid-term exam, its purpose is that only those who perform well in the year-end mid-term exam have the opportunity to participate in the Outer Disciple Grand Competition, otherwise they will not be qualified for the Outer Disciple Grand Competition. That's why the year-end mid-term exam is so important, and no one wants to lose this battle.

  It is precisely because of these two meanings that the year-end college entrance examination is so grand.

  。。。。。。

  With only two days left until the end of the year's mid-term exam, Gu Chao walked on the mountain path between Zhongxi Peak. The atmosphere at Zhongxi Peak was now completely different from usual. Normally, Zhongxi Peak had a very relaxed atmosphere, but now it was tense with anticipation for the upcoming big exam. As he walked along the road, he couldn't help but hear people discussing the top experts in their own mountain estates. The end-of-year mid-term exam was still divided by mountain estate, so people generally only discussed the top experts from their own estate. Various names of top experts were mentioned, and among the list of top experts from Xue Xue Mountain Estate, Mu Rongying was naturally mentioned the most, followed by Zhang Tao, Fang Yin, Lin Yuan, and others. Gu Chao's name would never be mentioned - his recent ranking had always been 59th, which didn't count for much in Xue Xue Mountain Estate.

  Gǔ Chāo was walking in the mountains when he saw a young girl in green clothes ahead. The girl looked like she was 18 or 19 years old, with a tall and slender figure, a melon-shaped face, and a white belt tied around her waist that accentuated her slim waist. As the girl walked, she naturally exuded an extremely powerful aura, to the point where Gǔ Chāo felt that this girl's entire body was affecting him. This aura was too strong, it was an unprecedented feeling, as if in front of this person, he was insignificant like an ant. This kind of power was truly unimaginable!

  Who is this girl in green? Gu Chao stared at the girl in green, but she didn't seem to care. To her, Gu Chao was too weak and insignificant, a normal person wouldn't even notice an ant, let alone her. She was used to being the center of attention wherever she went, and now it wasn't just Gu Chao who was staring at her, all the outer sect disciples around them were also staring.

  "That's Wei Qingqing, ranked tenth among the top ten masters, so young and beautiful?"

  "Nonsense, Wei Qing is not just beautiful, she's also incredibly powerful. Among the outer sect disciples, she ranks 10th, and with one move from her, all of us would be defeated instantly."

  "It's too awesome, if I could marry such an awesome and beautiful wife that would be great."

  "Keep dreaming."

  "Unexpectedly, Wei Qing also returned to Shan to participate in the year-end Zhongkao."

  "She doesn't seem to be returning to the mountain for the year-end exam, probably has other things going on. The top ten masters don't need to participate in the year-end assessment, they only appear at the outer door disciple competition."

  Gu Chao listened to the discussions beside him and only then did he know that this person was actually Wei Qingqing, ranked tenth among the top ten masters. Among the outer door disciples were hidden dragons and crouching tigers, and being ranked tenth was already so formidable, with such a strong aura, it was admirable. However, the top ten masters of the outer door were truly high and above, not even needing to participate in the year-end mid-term exam.

  One day, I will also become one of the top ten masters of the outer sect, and maybe even stronger!

  (I've posted this chapter ahead of time, don't forget to vote for me with your recommendation tickets tomorrow.)