The next day, Chu Ming rode the Blue Star Horse and arrived at the foot of the Cyan Yang Sect’s mountain. He returned the Blue Star Horse to the stables before heading up the mountain. Along the way, he saw many injured disciples and found out through inquiry that they had been helping to fend off the beast tide.
After a check, Chu Ming entered the Cyan Yang Sect.
Many disciples were coming and going. Due to the frequent beast tides, numerous tasks related to resisting the beast tide had appeared, resulting in a very busy Task Hall these days.
"Elder, I am here to submit the tasks!"
Chu Ming walked to the Task Elder’s counter, respectfully bowing. The Task Elder nodded, and Chu Ming presented the heads of the three leaders of Black Cloud Stronghold, along with the required materials from the demon beasts.
The Task Elder counted the items, and upon confirming that everything was correct, he rare smiled in satisfaction, saying, "Not bad!"
He then took out a bag of spirit stones from a nearby cabinet and handed several contribution points vouchers to Chu Ming. Chu Ming placed all these items into his storage ring and left.
Having completed seven tasks consecutively, Chu Ming did not need to accept any new tasks for the next two months. He wanted to digest his earnings this time and cultivate the Fire Essence Body Tempering Technique. In ten days, he would challenge the Cyan Yang Tower again, aiming to enter the top ten.
If he could enter the top ten, he could receive twenty thousand contribution points monthly without completing any tasks. Of course, with his current strength, earning twenty thousand contribution points in a few days was manageable.
Watching Chu Ming’s departing figure, a disciple quietly pulled another disciple and said, "Isn’t that Senior Brother Chu Ming? I didn’t expect him to return so quickly after accepting seven tasks."
"Are you sure you didn’t make a mistake?" the disciple next to him asked skeptically. Completing seven tasks is something even those ranked in the top fifty of the Cyan Yang List might not manage, let alone in just twenty days.
"Are you kidding? With my eyesight, would I mistake him? That was definitely Senior Brother Chu Ming!" he said confidently.
The other disciple was somewhat convinced, murmuring, "It seems there will be significant changes in the Cyan Yang List this time."
Chu Ming did not immediately return to his courtyard but instead went to another place—the Martial Arts Pavilion.
Standing in front of the Martial Arts Pavilion, Chu Ming slowly walked in. This time, he came to the Martial Arts Pavilion mainly to select a low-tier profound level fist technique. Mastering such a technique would immediately boost his body refining power beyond his spiritual power.
The disciples of the Cyan Yang Sect were constantly coming in and out. Outside, the beast tide was occurring, but for the disciples within the sect, they were absolutely safe.
"Senior Brother Chu!"
"Senior Brother Chu!"
Seeing Chu Ming, some disciples immediately bowed and greeted him. Chu Ming nodded and walked to the Guardian Elder, offering his identity iron token. The Guardian Elder glanced at it and then lowered his gaze.
Chu Ming followed the stairs to the second floor, where all profound level martial techniques were kept. Looking at the rows of bookshelves, many disciples were browsing quietly. No one would choose to make noise in the Martial Arts Pavilion.
Chu Ming walked to a bookshelf dedicated to fist techniques, where more than a dozen martial techniques were displayed. Browsing the names and descriptions, he frowned.
Iron Sand Fist, Nine Sounds Fist, Barbarian Bull Fist, Fierce Tiger Fist, Flying Dragon Fist.....
Each profound level martial technique had its own strengths and inclinations. Martial artists needed to choose a technique that suited their circumstance; a suitable technique could often unleash power beyond the technique itself.
After reading a few fist technique introductions, Chu Ming shook his head and put them back. These martial techniques either didn’t suit him or contradicted his cultivation technique.
For example, one fist technique secret manual, Surprise Wave Fist, when practiced, allowed the user to release continuous waves of punches, overwhelming opponents by sheer persistence. Ordinary martial artists facing it would be dragged down with no chance to counterattack.
However, Chu Ming cultivated the fire attribute’s Fire Burning True Skill. Practicing Surprise Wave Fist would clash with it, reducing its power to that of top-tier yellow level martial techniques, rendering it useless to Chu Ming.
Browsing another martial technique, Chu Ming’s eyes lit up. This one seemed suitable—its attributes matched his cultivation technique, and its power was impressive.
Blast Flame Fist, a low-tier profound level martial technique. The fist’s explosive flame incinerates all, its power immense. Mastering it to perfection could thoroughly burn an opponent. Note: Cultivator’s power must exceed twenty tiger power.
Chu Ming did not choose immediately but read through all the martial techniques on the bookshelf, discovering that Blast Flame Fist best met his criteria.
Chu Ming copied the martial technique at a desk, then returned the book to its place, and registered at the Guardian Elder’s desk downstairs.
Returning to his courtyard, Chu Ming entered a state of cultivation. First, he took out a red middle-grade Body Tempering Pill from his storage ring and consumed it, then took out Blast Flame Fist and began practicing the techniques combined with the Fire Essence Body Tempering Chapter mantra.
Blast Flame Fist was more formidable than Chu Ming’s previous Tyrant Fist. The effects were even more pronounced with the consumption of the Body Tempering Pill.
In just a moment, Chu Ming could feel his heart rate slowing down, yet the rhythmic pounding seemed like loud drums in his ears. He could even hear the slow flow of his blood.
Moreover, he could hear the crisp cracking sounds from his bones, a tingling sensation blooming in his muscles, as if numerous ants were crawling over them.
After completing one round of the fist technique, Chu Ming felt a sticky sensation on his skin. Looking down, he noticed a layer of black impurities had formed on his body, causing discomfort. Finding a wooden tub filled with water, Chu Ming jumped in.
Once the black impurities were washed away, he felt his skin had become noticeably cleaner.
Thus, he practiced the fist technique while consuming Body Tempering Pills, cultivating the Fire Cloud Body Forging Chapter, completely absorbed in cultivation.
On the third day, a surge of fiery energy erupted from Chu Ming’s fist, evaporating the surrounding air. The spiritual power seemed to react in a chain, exploding and sweeping in all directions.
Blast Flame Fist mastery, complete!
Despite reaching mastery with Blast Flame Fist, Chu Ming did not cease cultivating. With seven or eight days remaining until the Cyan Yang Tower challenge, he believed his Fire Element Body Forging Chapter’s third layer breakthrough was imminent.