Chapter 5: Entering the Ninth Rank

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“Spring and Autumn Technique is one of the three major martial arts methods in the army. Though it doesn’t compare to the secret family techniques of noble clans or martial sects, it is undoubtedly the most suitable technique for independent practitioners among the lower third rank. Its internal energy is profound and enduring. I, Changsun Ji, never break my word. Now that the undead have been cleared, any martial cultivator who joins the Martial Camp may come to receive it.”

“However, don’t forget that if the White Lotus Sect besieges Qinghe County, you must obey my orders. Otherwise, my long blade is not just for show.”

“Hmph, this is a chance given to you all. How far you can cultivate depends on your own fortune.”

“Remember, starting tomorrow, all registered martial cultivators must report to the Martial Camp and be ready to follow orders at any time. Anyone who disobeys or dares to defy orders will be executed.”

The reason undead appeared in Qinghe County is simple.

It’s purely because of the White Lotus Sect’s life-saving talisman water.

The elderly and weak who consumed too much of the talisman water were left with the White Lotus Sect’s mark in their spirits, which eventually erupted.

If Changsun Ji and his men were to clear these undead alone, it would undoubtedly take a lot of time.

But with all the martial cultivators in Qinghe County joining forces against the undead,

In less than half a day, thousands of undead were completely eliminated.

For scattered practitioners in such a remote place as Qinghe County,

The allure of the Spring and Autumn Technique was simply irresistible.

Changsun Ji did not break his promise. After registering all martial cultivators, he distributed the Spring and Autumn Technique to them.

Among the crowd, Yang Le also received a copy of the Spring and Autumn Technique.

“Ninth rank today.”

Returning home, Yang Le opened the Spring and Autumn Technique, examined it carefully, found no issues, and immediately began cultivation.

He endured the exertion, directing the scattered energy within his body to flow through the meridians according to the formula.

A warm current instantly surged into Yang Le’s dantian.

With a click, the dantian, once barren like wasteland, now showed its first stream of warmth.

Half an hour later...

Yang Le gathered his energy like a pill, achieving ninth rank!

“Strength surged to a thousand jin, energy concentrated under the skin, capable of withstanding blades with some difficulty but noticeably tougher; sword aura sharper than before…”

“Indeed, only at ninth rank in skin cultivation can one be called a true martial artist!”

Awakening from his latent cultivation state, a gleam of brilliance flickered in Yang Le’s eyes.

The gap between ninth rank skin cultivation and tenth rank quasi-martial artist was considerable. After some calculation in his mind,

Today, I kill the old me...

Flying leaves can be slain!

Of course, breaking through to ninth rank was a gain.

More importantly, through the Spring and Autumn Technique, Yang Le understood the entire martial hierarchy of Great Qian.

This was something the incomplete manuals circulating in the market could not provide.

Tenth rank was merely the entry into martial cultivation.

Compared to ordinary people, it was only a difference in physique.

Only upon reaching ninth rank skin cultivation could one be called a true martial artist, with strength reaching a thousand jin and resilient skin.

Beyond that, the realms included the lower three ranks of bone forging and meridian clearing.

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Changsun Ji himself had reached the meridian clearing stage.

Though meridian clearing was still among the lower three ranks on the martial path,

In the army, such a person was like a one-man army capable of a thousand feats.

If settled in a small clan, they could easily become an elder with support.

Revered as a master.

This shows how precious it is to cultivate the Spring and Autumn Technique up to the meridian clearing stage.

Yang Le searched his past memories.

Before the Spring and Autumn Technique appeared, the highest level martial technique in Qinghe County was the Zhengfeng Jue from the Zhengfeng Martial Hall, which could only reach eighth rank bone forging.

Previously, Yang Le had considered apprenticing at the Zhengfeng Martial Hall to learn that technique.

Though this choice was completely contrary to his original plan, it was not a loss.

“Open the panel.”

Host: Yang Le.

Martial Cultivation: Ninth rank skin cultivation.

Titles: Sword Disciple, Dual Sword Style, Sword Dao Mastery.

Title Library: Zero File (Sword cultivation titles up↑).

Today's Title: 0/1.

Compared to before, two new titles appeared on the panel.

Under the blessing of Sword Dao Mastery, the probability of sword cultivation titles appearing increased.

Martial cultivation had reached ninth rank.

After reviewing his current attribute panel,

Yang Le closed the system, grasped his longsword, and walked into the courtyard to begin training.

The undead chaos in Qinghe County had ended.

The city was temporarily stabilized, but the White Lotus Sect threat outside the city was unresolved.

The most important matter before Yang Le was to grow stronger.

Only by growing stronger could he survive this chaotic era.

...

“General, what use are these reckless fools? Even if you personally intervene, or even if I do, I can kill them casually.”

“Secret correspondence from Prefect Zhang has arrived, instructing us to seize the opportunity to take that girl to Cizhou. Without these reckless fools sacrificing themselves to stall the White Lotus Sect, how can we leave?”

“I will prepare for the evacuation of Qinghe County. But the Spring and Autumn Technique is a military secret method—if you spread it out like this…”

“You don’t really think I would spare these martial cultivators, do you? Those who are about to die won’t be able to spread the Spring and Autumn Technique.”

“You’re right, I was overthinking.”

Inside the county government office, after seeing Deputy Officer Li Bing off, Changsun Ji pondered for a moment before rising and heading to the rear office.

A spark of excitement flickered in his eyes.

“This desolate land of Cangzhou has one advantage—there’s enough flesh and blood to cultivate from...”

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Thinking of the flesh and blood stockpiled in Qinghe County’s government,

Changsun Ji’s melancholy expression shifted slightly.

His irritation vanished, replaced by a face full of joy.

...

“With the blessing of four swords, the power of the Seven Sword Moves increased by 150%.”

“Though ninth rank, eighth rank might not be impossible to kill...”

The next day, after rising and washing up, Yang Le reported to the Martial Camp.

Arriving neither too early nor too late, many martial experts from Qinghe County had already gathered.

Among the crowd, two men full of vigor began sparring under everyone’s watchful eyes.

One was an elder named Duan Qiren, head of the Zhengfeng Martial Hall.

Having switched to cultivating the Spring and Autumn Technique yesterday, he leapt into eighth rank.

The other was Xue Zhilong, former head constable of Qinghe County, also a top expert.

He had cultivated his family’s incomplete technique “Bull Shaker,” reaching ninth rank, but after switching to the Spring and Autumn Technique, he also advanced to eighth rank bone forging.

Amid the crowd’s cheers,

Xue Zhilong and Duan Qiren could not resist stepping onto the stage to spar.

The power of bone forging intimidated the crowd from approaching.

Though it was only sparring, not a fight to the death, the gusts from their blows kept others at bay.

But to Yang Le...

He had a feeling he could kill them effortlessly.

Yes, even if both attacked him at the same time,

Yang Le felt he could kill them casually.

Their speed was too slow. The moment he drew his sword,

The so-called eighth rank would not even have time to react.

For a moment, Yang Le wondered if he was simply too strong or if the martial artists of this wild land were too weak.

Such an eighth rank...

He, at tenth rank cultivation, seemed able to handle them easily.

“Ding, today’s title has refreshed...”

After observing for a while and finding no significant difference in the surrounding martial cultivators’ strength, Yang Le lost interest and found a secluded place.

He opened the title interface.

It was time to choose today’s title again. Yang Le was curious what titles he might gain under the blessing of Sword Dao Mastery.