Chapter Twenty-Six: Advancement to the Martial Apprentice Realm

As for the Profound Ice Manual, the technique was severely incomplete, containing only the cultivation instructions for the first level. It took Liu Pan merely two breaths to commit this first layer fully to memory. The jade slip, as it left his brow, immediately turned to a pile of powder.

Opening his eyes, Liu Pan’s gaze held a trace of surprise. Though the Profound Ice Manual was incomplete, as a writer of fantasy novels—one who had even “invented” many cultivation techniques—he sensed something unusual within this fragmentary method.

The Profound Ice Manual was classified as an ice-based art in the Hall of Techniques, yet after memorizing the first level’s instructions, Liu Pan perceived that this was not a simple ice technique. Ice was a mutation of the water element, sometimes referred to as the cold element. But though ice evolved from water, the two were, in fact, quite different.

Simply put, ice was ice and water was water; apart from sharing a common origin, they had little in common. It was like the separation of Yin and Yang from the primordial Taiji—both arose from the same source, but each represented a fundamentally different force.

It was precisely because he understood the substantial difference between ice and water that Liu Pan was so puzzled by the peculiar nature of the Profound Ice Manual. In reality, a water cultivator could employ ice-based techniques, but only by separately cultivating ice arts. Conversely, an ice cultivator wishing to use water abilities would also need to practice water arts.

Yet the Profound Ice Manual seemed to blend both ice and water, like the mingling of the two in a single substance.

His heart beat with excitement. Truth be told, Liu Pan had never expected that, as a mere supporting character, he could find such an unusual martial technique in the Hall of Techniques.

After calming himself, Liu Pan closed his eyes, silently recited the essentials and cautions of the Profound Ice Manual’s cultivation, then focused his thoughts. A faint teal energy within his dantian began to circulate along the meridians described in the manual.

As the spiritual energy coursed through his meridians, Liu Pan set aside the Brahma Wood True Scripture he had previously cultivated without hesitation.

A quarter of an hour later, Liu Pan’s body trembled slightly, and he opened his eyes.

“What’s going on?” he murmured, a look of bewilderment crossing his face. He scanned himself up and down, still finding it hard to believe. In just that short time, he had not only mastered the first layer of the Profound Ice Manual, but his cultivation had also broken through the ninth rank of Martial Apprentice and stepped into the Martial Disciple realm.

The key to cultivating any technique was to open the meridians; only with unobstructed channels could energy flow freely to complete a cycle.

To cultivate the Profound Ice Manual, one had to first open the specific meridians recorded within. What startled Liu Pan was that he felt no obstruction at all; after only one attempt, everything flowed as naturally as water, and he had successfully completed the first layer.

Scratching his head, Liu Pan simply could not make sense of it. The same thing had happened when he cultivated the Brahma Wood True Scripture—no blocked meridians. He hadn’t paid it much mind at the time, attributing it to chance; after all, some people were simply born with one or two clear meridians.

But if, when cultivating the Brahma Wood True Scripture, he had merely chanced upon unblocked meridians, how could it be explained that now, with the Profound Ice Manual, all required meridians were clear? Was it mere coincidence again?

He studied his hands in genuine confusion. In his predecessor’s memories, each meridian typically required effort to open during cultivation.

In other words, this body should not possess so many unobstructed meridians. Why, then, since he had taken possession of it, had he never encountered any blockage?

Unable to find an answer after prolonged reflection, Liu Pan simply decided not to dwell on it. After all, having clear meridians was no bad thing; on the contrary, it saved him a great deal of time.

Closing his eyes and steadying his mind, Liu Pan sensed the distribution of energy within his dantian and confirmed that he had indeed entered the Martial Disciple realm.

Within his dantian, the energy that had previously been scattered now, as if drawn by some force, gathered into a vortex at the center. The formation of this energy vortex marked the advancement to the Martial Disciple level.

Though surprised by his rapid breakthrough, Liu Pan soon accepted it. After all, with his Extreme Cold Physique, cultivating a technique suited to his body’s attributes made advancement only natural.

He spent a few moments stabilizing his realm, then, after some thought, left the hut and made his way down the eighth peak.

Glancing back in the direction of the house where he had stayed the previous night, Liu Pan couldn’t help but let a faint smile tug at his lips. Who could have imagined that in less than a day on the eighth peak, he would have broken through?

As for Liu Kuang, after encountering Lin Dong and his group that morning, Liu Pan no longer worried about his safety. He had already decided to keep his distance, and now his advancement provided a good reason to do so.

At the Sunward Sect, stepping into the Martial Disciple realm, though still an outer disciple, meant much improved living conditions—still not on par with inner disciples, but far above ordinary outer disciples.

Descending the eighth peak, Liu Pan headed straight for the Outer Hall. In the Sunward Sect, the Outer Hall managed all matters concerning outer disciples.

Having registered here upon entry, Liu Pan felt no unfamiliarity. Even if he hadn’t, he doubted he would have felt lost.

Upon entering the Outer Hall, Liu Pan’s gaze fell immediately upon a large notice board. Before it, many outer disciples were gathered, scanning its surface as if searching or waiting for something.

Their behavior did not surprise Liu Pan. At the Sunward Sect, any disciple wishing to obtain techniques, elixirs, or other resources needed to complete sect-issued tasks and accumulate merit.

The large board in the hall was the task posting for outer disciples. Those examining it were mostly seeking suitable assignments.

“Firewood chopping task at Leafy Peak. Rewards required.”

“Water-carrying task at Leafy Peak. Rewards required.”

“Gardening task at Azure Sun Peak. Rewards required.”

“Patrol task at Horizon Peak. Rewards required.”

Liu Pan glanced at the various tasks on the board, the corners of his mouth twitching with suppressed amusement. Who would have guessed that without accepting a single task, he would already have advanced to the Martial Disciple level? It was truly something to celebrate.

Due to his performance in the entry disciple trials, Liu Pan had already gained some small measure of fame in the sect. Thus, as soon as he arrived in the Outer Hall, people took notice of him. Still, the whispers remained just that—no one approached to converse.

Clearly, though he was now somewhat known, he was still a new disciple with few acquaintances, so it was natural that no one came to greet him.

Liu Pan cared little for such formalities. Turning his head, he noticed three counters to one side of the hall. Two had lines of disciples waiting; the third was empty, with even the disciple behind it dozing off from boredom.

Liu Pan knew well enough what these counters were for. They served as the Outer Hall’s reception—whether to accept tasks, report completion, or handle miscellaneous affairs, everything was processed here.

Without hesitation, Liu Pan strode to the unattended counter. Naturally, some people noticed his actions, and a buzz of conversation began.

“Isn’t that Liu Pan? I didn’t expect him to come for tasks the very next day after the entry trials. He’s really diligent.”

“Heh, diligent maybe, but I doubt he’s very bright. A newcomer, not even asking around, just heads straight to a counter. Look which one he chose if you want to see if he’s foolish.”

“Counter Three? Should we warn him?”

“Warn him? Let him learn the hard way. We can just watch the show.”

Liu Pan paid no attention to the murmurs around him—he could hardly hear them, and even if he did, he wouldn’t care. He had come to Counter Three with purpose.

Behind Counter Three, a drowsy young disciple was barely awake. Liu Pan rapped on the desk and said, “I’ve broken through to the Martial Disciple realm. I’m here to register.”

His voice was not loud, so most people didn’t hear, but the disciple at the counter caught every word.

When Liu Pan had approached, the young disciple had already taken notice, recognizing him from the entry trials. Seeing Liu Pan come to the counter, a trace of mischief appeared in his eyes.

Most knew Liu Pan had been at the ninth level of Martial Apprentice, and this young disciple was no exception. Out of envy and other petty feelings, he had intended to play a trick on Liu Pan.

After all, who would expect someone to break through the very morning after the entry trial? The odds were vanishingly small.

But events unfolded quite against his expectations.

Hearing Liu Pan’s words, at first the young man paid little attention, but as their meaning sank in, his eyes widened and he scrutinized Liu Pan from head to toe, swallowing hard. “Wait here; I’ll notify Elder Bai immediately.”

With that, he stood up and hurried from behind the counter into the back courtyard.

As the young disciple departed, the entire hall seemed to fall silent, and many eyes stared at Liu Pan in astonishment.