In the next three days, Xu Nian followed Emperor Ye Tian's instructions and did nothing else but practice wielding the hammer.
Initially, he could barely lift the hammer by harnessing both Gang Qi and Dragon Energy, but as he continued to practice, he was able to lift the hammer just with the circulation of Gang Qi, although with great difficulty, and barely swing it.
Xu Nian's arms bulged with veins, muscles coiling like serpentine dragons, as he swung the hammer in his hands towards a copper tripod not far in front of him.
A bell-like booming sound shook the heavens as the massive three-thousand-pound copper tripod was displaced by five meters, slamming into the wall beside it, making the wall tremble with cracks spreading all over it.
Xu Nian, leaning on the hammer, gasped for breath, but his face was filled with joy.
The three days of cultivation had not been in vain; Xu Nian's control over his physical body had reached an even deeper level.
Moreover, as he continued to swing the hammer, the Gang Qi inside his body kept circulating.
Now, there were signs of a breakthrough in his Divine Demon Refining Body, and it probably would not be long before he could break through to the Ninth-star of the Star Realm.
Of course, what mattered most was the power of the hammer. With one blow, the terrifying force was such that even a Three-star Silver Moon Battle Sect member might not be able to withstand it.
However, that was under one condition; that the Three-star Silver Moon Battle Sect stood still and let him hit them, for with his current speed of swinging the hammer, it was simply impossible to strike a Silver Moon Battle Sect member.
"It's about time to head out," Xu Nian whispered to himself.
The Academy's grand competition was to take place in County Capital Tianfeng City in four days, and it would take at least three days from Qinglin Academy to Tianfeng City. The remaining day was meant for rest, so today should be the day to depart.
Thinking this, Xu Nian prepared to put the hammer into his storage ring and make his way to Qingtian Hall.
However, Emperor Ye Tian's figure appeared in front of Xu Nian, and he spoke sternly, "Don't put it away, carry it on your back. From now on, whether you eat or sleep, you must carry it with you."
"Carry it on my back?" Xu Nian almost cried out in alarm.
He could imagine himself walking around with a hammer on his back; people would surely think he was a fool.
Besides, with the hammer being so heavy, how could he walk at all while carrying it?
"What? Do you have a complaint?" Emperor Ye Tian glared at Xu Nian and asked.
"No objections!" Xu Nian hastily replied with a forced smile, but he was crying on the inside.
"I've prepared a leather case for you; it will make carrying it a bit easier," Emperor Ye Tian said. After speaking, he tossed a beast-hide case to Xu Nian, which was just the right size to wrap the entire hammer.
Seeing this case, Xu Nian breathed a sigh of relief.
Fortunately, with this case, others would not be able to tell he was carrying a hammer, and thus he would not attract too much attention.
Xu Nian wrapped the hammer up, changed into a set of clean clothes, and then put the hammer on his back.
As soon as he hoisted the hammer onto his back, Xu Nian felt a terrifying pressure; it was as if a huge mountain was resting on his shoulders, leaving deep footprints on the ground with every step he took.
And every so often, Xu Nian had to stop to rest because the hammer was simply too heavy.
The thought of having to carry the hammer for several hundred miles made Xu Nian feel like slamming his head against a wall.
Yet he could not disregard Emperor Ye Tian's words.
He knew Emperor Ye Tian wanted him to cultivate in this way, but whether such a method was effective, only a ghost would know.
When Xu Nian, with the Meteorite Iron Hammer on his back, hurried to the academy's square, Dugu Jingcheng and Chen Xifeng were already there, surrounded by many students who had come to watch and see them off.
Upon seeing Xu Nian approach, excitement showed on everyone's faces, and the female students, in particular, clasped their hands over their hearts, their cheeks flushed and their heartbeats quickening.
Xu Nian tried his best to stay composed, but Chen Xifeng and Dugu Jingcheng still noticed his erratic breathing.
"Junior Brother Xu, what's the matter with you?" Chen Xifeng asked with curiosity.
"It's nothing, just ran a bit too fast just now. When do we set out?" Xu Nian waved his hand, changing the subject.
Chen Xifeng had no suspicions, believing Xu Nian's words.
Although Dugu Jingcheng was somewhat puzzled, he did not probe further, only giving Xu Nian's beast skin package a surprised glance before turning away.
"The Dean will be here in a moment, let's wait here," Chen Xifeng responded.
Xu Nian nodded. Since parting with the Qin family, he had been in seclusion every day, and Leng Yanran seemed to have her own matters to attend to without disturbing him. So, during this time, he hadn't seen Leng Yanran at all.
Just then, a sound of tearing through the air was heard.
An elegant and graceful figure appeared on the square. Seeing this figure, everyone showed a respectful expression.
Xu Nian also saw this figure, a hint of surprise in his eyes.
Leng Yanran had actually made a breakthrough, advancing from a One-star Marquis Realm to a Two-star Marquis Realm.
Being under thirty and already at the Marquis Level, she was definitely considered to be of genius level, and Yanran's another breakthrough was truly surprising.
The further one got in cultivation, the more difficult it was to advance to higher levels. Normally, a Marquis Level cultivator would need at least five years of accumulation to break through by one star, but Yanran had clearly made her breakthrough in less than three years, which suggested her talent was indeed extraordinary.
Leng Yanran, seeing the surprise on Xu Nian's face, knew he had realized her breakthrough.
After all, Xu Nian had already awakened his Spiritual Sense, and he could see through all realms below the Saint level at a glance.
Not saying much, Leng Yanran addressed Xu Nian and the others, "Let's set off!"
After speaking, she blew a whistle, and a high-pitched cry sounded from the sky. Following that, a huge body landed on the square.
Flying Demon Beasts, the Green-eyed Eagle?
Seeing the Demon Beast that landed on the square, everyone showed a look of surprise.
Xu Nian also showed a hint of surprise. The Green-eyed Eagle was a common means of transport in the Tianhen Empire. It wasn't very strong, only at the Nine-star Star Realm, but it was huge and very suitable for long-distance flying.
Xu Nian hadn't expected they would use the Green-eyed Eagle for their journey this time.
"Let's go!" Leng Yanran spoke indifferently, then was the first to leap onto the eagle's back.
Dugu Jingcheng and Chen Xifeng promptly followed, effortlessly jumping onto the eagle.
At this moment, Xu Nian's expression was one of bitter helplessness as he stood still.
"Xu Nian, come on up!" Chen Xifeng hurriedly called out to Xu Nian.
Upon hearing this, the people around all turned their gaze toward Xu Nian, showing puzzled expressions.
Even Leng Yanran looked curiously at Xu Nian, seemingly not understanding why he stood still without moving.
"Alright, I'm coming!" Xu Nian felt somewhat uncomfortable under everyone's gaze and finally approached the Green-eyed Eagle, climbing onto its back with an extremely awkward posture, to the shock of the onlookers.
Everyone around was stunned, failing to understand what Xu Nian was doing.
But the next moment, they all understood.
As soon as the Green-eyed Eagle flapped its wings once and had barely risen two meters, it plunged back to the ground with a pitiful shriek.
Xu Nian sat on the eagle's back, offering an awkward smile, and apologetically said, "I think I'll get down and ride my own mount!"