Realm-Hopping Martial Master-Chapter 395 - 249: Lu Qingling: I Overpower Brother Jiang_2

"You really dare to dream! I’ve heard that most Inner Sect Disciples just practice Cultivation Techniques and Divine Skills with the Preaching Elders and can’t truly become a master’s disciple. Even being admitted to one of the thirty-six peaks is only for practicing specialized Cultivation Techniques and Divine Skills. Only the most talented among them can catch the eye of the Myriad Phenomena Daoist Monarch and achieve a status comparable to that of an ordinary Nirvana True Monarch."

"True Master Yuan Dan, Nirvana True Monarch, Myriad Phenomena Daoist Monarch—each Realm represents a different heaven. For Furnace Fire Realm Cultivators like us, we are just ordinary Cultivators."

The Outer Disciples were discussing animatedly. At this moment, the subject of their discussion, Ye Huang, was clenching his fists tightly, his face filled with disbelief. He stood on the Divine Power Square, looking at the glaring name ’Jiang Shu’ on the Divine Skills Leaderboard, his pupils radiating anger and panic.

He couldn’t understand, couldn’t figure it out. Why? Why had Jiang Shu climbed the Divine Skills Leaderboard in just two short years?

At this time, shouldn’t he still be practicing his third Divine Skill? Shouldn’t his Realm still be in the Early Stage of the Furnace Fire Realm?

How, in the blink of an eye, had not only he himself but even his biggest backer been trampled underfoot by Jiang Shu?

"He must have had some fortuitous encounter outside." Compared to Ye Huang, Ye Jiankong appeared incredibly calm, his gaze aloof. Throughout his journey, he had slain countless foes and fought numerous enemies. Battles where he was outnumbered, and those where he emerged victorious despite being weaker, also occurred from time to time.

The quantity of Divine Skills doesn’t represent strength!

In his estimation, this young man Jiang Shu must have stumbled upon the inheritance site of a Primordial Pill Realm True Master and refined a Divine Power Pill while carrying out tasks outside.

Hundreds of years of Cultivation, stolen in a single day.

Such fortuitous encounters did indeed happen occasionally in the Cang Mang Domain.

Perhaps Jiang Shu was such a child of great fortune. But this child of fortune should never have become so arrogant as to look down on everyone. Would a mere fellow who gained temporary fame through a stroke of luck really believe that Divine Skills mastered by refining someone else’s Divine Power Pill possessed the same combat power as Divine Skills cultivated by oneself?

A True Master Yuan Dan’s Cultivation is systematic.

Another’s system might not suit oneself. Some Cultivators who rely on refining Divine Skills from a senior’s Divine Power Pill to step into the Primordial Pill Realm seem to take a shortcut, but in reality, they completely seal off their own grand path of Cultivation. Expecting to step into Nirvana and survive the three tribulations of wind, fire, and lightning with an unsuitable system? A fool’s dream!

"We’ve seen enough, let’s go. Recently, I’ve been delving into a Divine Skill. In a month, when I’ve achieved entry-level mastery, I will also command thirteen Divine Skills." Ye Jiankong responded to the unspoken challenge from afar. His voice was light, yet it resounded in every corner of the Divine Power Square, ensuring all present Outer Disciples heard him loud and clear.

"Since Junior Brother Jiang wishes to offer a challenge, then I, Ye Jiankong, shall deign to offer some pointers."

"Divine Skills, after all, are always cultivated by oneself!"

He patted Ye Huang on the shoulder. Having met this nephew of his several times, he knew well that his nephew’s talent was not poor, merely that his temperament was slightly lacking.

Hopefully, this time, it will allow him to mature. As for Jiang Shu, there was no need to be overly concerned. Mastering Divine Skills by refining a Divine Power Pill was already a divergent path. He would use an overwhelmingly decisive battle to prove that a sheep in tiger’s skin is, in the end, still just a sheep.

A month’s time might feel very long for the commoners in the mortal dynasties, who could only earn a few Copper Coins when the month was over. For a Disciple from Chores Peak, it meant the completion of a mission. For Outer Disciples, however, a month was far too short; some couldn’t even familiarize themselves with their Divine Skills.

Luo Yu, for example, had no mind for Cultivation during this month. He constantly sought news, pacing back and forth in front of Jiang Shu’s residence.

"I really don’t know how Brother Jiang manages to continue his Cultivation. Maybe only by being like this can one reach such a Realm. People outside are talking nonsense, saying things like refining a Divine Power Pill. Even if they gave us a Divine Power Pill from a True Master Yuan Dan, it would still take time for us to refine it! Besides, even after mastering the Divine Skills, our Realm wouldn’t have improved. Brother Jiang’s Realm has reached the Late Stage of the Furnace Fire Realm—that’s the most terrifying part!"

Watching Luo Yu muttering incessantly, Xue Xuan felt somewhat calmer. Although he also knew that Divine Skills refined from a Divine Power Pill inherently had inadequacies compared to those personally cultivated. Moreover, Jiang Shu had broken through two minor Realms from the Early Stage of the Furnace Fire Realm in less than two years; his foundation might not be stable. But that didn’t stop him from believing in Jiang Shu.

He had genuinely witnessed Jiang Shu’s journey. In the Hundred Dynasties Battle, Jiang Shu had emerged victorious despite being the underdog, ultimately securing first place. After entering the Sect, he had particularly focused on the Martial Arts compendium, reshaping his foundation, and became the first among his peers to advance from a servant disciple to an Outer Disciple.

Jiang Shu’s every achievement had defied his expectations. So, this time would undoubtedly be the same. True geniuses can never be measured by common standards!

Spiritual Cranes soared, and streaks of light arrived at the Outer Sect. Some of the senior brothers on the Divine Skills Leaderboard were emerging from seclusion one by one. News of Jiang Shu’s arranged battle with Ye Jiankong spread far and wide.

「A month later.」

Outside the Divine Power Square, numerous Outer Disciples stood suspended in mid-air, a dense crowd filling the space. In the center of the square, two Primordial Pill Realm Outer Sect Deacons acted as judges, presiding over the competition. The Cultivators on the Divine Skills Leaderboard were already considered half a step into the Primordial Pill Realm. Excessive combat, if it damaged their Origin, could be a significant loss for the True Martial Sect. Therefore, it was necessary to have Primordial Pill Realm Deacons present to oversee the situation.

At that moment, with indifferent expressions, they exchanged glances and communicated via spirit transmission. Within a few breaths, they had settled on a small wager.

In their view, both Ye Jiankong and Jiang Shu had the potential to win. Ye Jiankong’s advantage lay in his stability: he had mastered thirteen Divine Skills he cultivated himself, and his Lifebound Treasure had been nourished for twenty years. Having fought countless battles against those at the same Realm, his place on the Divine Skills Leaderboard was truly well-deserved. Jiang Shu, on the other hand, held an edge in his unpredictability. While it seemed he had refined a Divine Power Pill, no one knew the full extent of his Divine Skills. Moreover, Divine Skills were not just about quantity but also quality. If the system of Divine Skills from the Primordial Pill Realm expert whose Divine Power Pill he presumably refined was also well-suited to Jiang Shu, it would be like adding wings to a tiger. Furthermore, they knew Jiang Shu possessed the Heavenly Mechanism Puppet Technique. He might even summon puppets to fight, allowing him to use multiple attackers against one. It was not impossible for this to counter a Lifebound Treasure. The chances of victory for either of them seemed to be fifty-fifty.

The Deacons’ wagers focused on quality items. The bets among the Outer Disciples, however, were primarily focused on quantity. As one Outer Disciple acted as the bookmaker, many others eagerly placed their bets. Besides enjoying the spectacle and learning from the experience of Divine Skills combat, they also hoped to profit.

"I still feel Senior Brother Ye is a bit stronger. You know, Senior Brother Ye now also possesses thirteen Divine Skills! With an equal number of Divine Skills, Senior Brother Jiang isn’t likely to have much of an advantage, not to mention Senior Brother Ye’s much deeper foundation. I’ve bet on Senior Brother Ye winning—staked half my fortune on it! I hope Senior Brother Ye doesn’t let me down this time."

"Me too. Although they say Senior Brother Jiang is blessed with great fortune and powerful talent, he has cultivated for too short a time—less than two years. If Senior Brother Jiang had cultivated for just one more year, I would definitely bet on him winning!"

"I’m betting on Senior Brother Jiang! Right now, I only know three of Senior Brother Jiang’s Divine Skills: the Kunpeng Swallowing Technique, the Heavenly Intent True Self Body, and the Heavenly Mechanism Puppet Technique. None of these are weak! How could a genius capable of cultivating such Divine Skills ruin his own grand path of Cultivation by refining a Divine Power Pill? What if that pill’s system is also suitable for him?"

The betting ratio gradually reached seven to three.

Just as everyone was placing their bets and eagerly anticipating a grand battle on the Outer Sect’s Divine Skills Leaderboard, a somewhat cool voice interjected.

"I’m betting on Senior Brother Jiang. My stake: one Spirit-rank Treasure."

Lu Qingling’s eyes lowered slightly as she gazed at the Divine Power Square, which was somewhat empty aside from the Outer Sect Deacons. In her mind, she couldn’t help but recall the scenes that had transpired in the Underground Abyss.