My Martial Dao Has No Bottlenecks

The other Masters drifted away without a single glance at the disciples on the field. The Black-robed Steward watched them all with a cold, indifferent gaze.

"If any of you wish to become a disciple, you may go to a Master’s residence and present a formal request. After seven days, if no Master is willing to accept you..."

"You will be transferred to the Outer Courtyard."

His words caused an immediate uproar.

These were all prodigies from their respective cities. Who among them was willing to be treated with such contempt?

Instantly, the crowd seethed with indignation!

...

「The next day.」

Liang Cheng arrived at the Instructor Hall as arranged.

The Instructor Hall, located on the North Slope of Xuankong Mountain, was a seven-story tower. Its body, constructed from massive, bluish-black stones, exuded an ancient and imposing aura.

After presenting his White Jade Token, the disciple guarding the tower respectfully allowed him to pass.

"Senior Brother Liang, the Master is waiting for you in the Quiet Chamber."

On the Third Layer was Chen Xuanfeng’s cultivation Quiet Chamber.

The room was spartan, containing only a meditation cushion, a low table, an incense burner, and a long, sheathed saber hanging on the wall.

The scabbard was dark red, its hilt wrapped in fine black cord. Though it remained sheathed, a faint Evil Qi emanated from it.

Chen Xuanfeng, who was sitting cross-legged on the cushion, saw Liang Cheng enter and motioned for him to sit.

"Liang Cheng, do you know why I was so keen on taking you as my disciple?"

Chen Xuanfeng got straight to the point.

"I do not know. Please enlighten me, Master."

"Because you are a genius."

Chen Xuanfeng’s gaze fell on the Zhenxian Saber at Liang Cheng’s waist. "During the battle in the Trial Valley, your Wind and Thunder Slash... it has already reached the Perfection Realm, has it not?"

"It has."

A sharp glint flashed in Chen Xuanfeng’s eyes. "Do you have any idea how difficult it is to master an Inner Cultivation Saber Technique to the point of Perfection in a place like Central Origin Island?"

Liang Cheng shook his head.

’After all, his cultivation had always been smooth, completely free of bottlenecks.’

"It’s as difficult as ascending to the heavens!"

Chen Xuanfeng’s tone turned solemn. "Throughout the Four Islands Alliance, including the three cities of Central Origin Island, Martial Dao inheritances are crude and resources are scarce. They only know how to judge heroes by their Cultivation level."

"Anyone who can train a Combat Technique to the Minor Success Realm is considered quite good, and those who reach Great Success are few and far between. They treat Combat Techniques as mere tools, seeking only functionality, not true mastery."

"But when you get down to it, it’s because their talent is limited. They’re incapable of grasping the subtle nuances!"

He paused, then sneered. "This is a classic example of shortsightedness—relying solely on brute force and innate talent, thinking a higher Cultivation level can crush all opposition."

"But what they don’t understand is that while Cultivation is the Dao Foundation, Combat Techniques are the means of Dao Protection. To protect and ultimately achieve the Dao, neither can be lacking. In fact, Combat Techniques are the true arena where a Martial Artist contends for the Dao!"

Liang Cheng’s mind reeled upon hearing this.

Chen Xuanfeng continued, "The Main Courtyard gathers prodigies from fifteen cities across the four islands. In terms of Root Bone, it’s unlikely anyone is much weaker than the next. As for Cultivation Realm, everyone can make progress with enough resources and hard work. Breaking through bottlenecks, however, is a matter of personal Karma."

"But with the Realms of Combat Techniques, Minor Success means you have a basic grasp, Great Success means you’ve comprehended the essence, and Perfection... Perfection means you are touching the very edge of the Dao Protection Method!"

He stared at Liang Cheng, enunciating each word, "At the Penglai Sect’s Immortal Ascension Conference, prodigies will gather to fight for a few precious spots. In that arena, who can guarantee their own victory?"

"Therefore, those with a higher mastery of their Combat Techniques will have a wider path on the Martial Dao ahead of them."

Chen Xuanfeng lowered his voice. "Achieving Perfection in a Combat Technique represents extraordinary comprehension. After a Martial Artist reaches the True Gang Realm, that same comprehension will bring an incredible, unexpected advantage when it’s time to break through the Mortal Realm and step into the Pill Realm!"

"It is a manifestation of your Dao Foundation, and it will determine the entire future of your Martial Dao!"

Chen Xuanfeng leaned forward slightly. "You come from Central Origin Island, yet you managed, all on your own, to cultivate the Wind and Thunder Slash and Fierce Bull Force to Perfection. You also achieved Great Success with the Profound Yin Sword Technique, and even your Hard Skills are exceptionally refined."

"That level of comprehension and perseverance is far more precious than your Cultivation level or Root Bone. There are many disciples in the Main Courtyard with excellent Root Bone, but I chose you because I recognized the Spiritual Seed you possess!"

Liang Cheng took a deep breath and said with great solemnity, "This disciple is grateful for your teachings."

Chen Xuanfeng nodded in satisfaction. With a light flick of his sleeve, an invisible wall of air sealed the room from the outside. Liang Cheng’s expression flickered. ’Such a technique... it’s profound beyond measure.’

Chen Xuanfeng then changed the subject. "However, there is one more matter I need to discuss with you."

"The Main Courtyard’s investigation into Fu Chenzhou’s attempt to ambush and kill you has concluded."

At these words, Liang Cheng’s gaze sharpened.

"Fu Chenzhou claims that during that period, he was in secluded cultivation in a secret chamber within Cyan Mist City. He has three Elders and a Steward from the City Lord’s Mansion to vouch for him."

Chen Xuanfeng’s tone was flat. "Of course, their testimony isn’t necessarily credible, but we have no evidence to prove he ever left the city. The matter has become a dead end."

Liang Cheng fell silent.

’He wasn’t surprised by this outcome.’

Chen Xuanfeng looked at Liang Cheng. "But you are my Direct Disciple. If you want the Main Courtyard to act, I can join forces with several other Masters and pressure Cyan Mist City into handing over Fu Chenzhou, making an example of him."

He paused again. "Or... you can wait until you are powerful enough to settle this score yourself."

Liang Cheng’s head snapped up, and he spoke slowly, "I want to get my revenge myself."

"Good!"

Chen Xuanfeng clapped his hands and laughed heartily, his eyes filled with approval. "Now that’s what I expect from a disciple of Chen Xuanfeng! To contend on the Martial Dao, one must possess such spirit!"

His expression turned serious. "Very well. In that case, the Main Courtyard will no longer involve itself. But remember this: inside the Main Courtyard, no one will be able to harm you. Outside of it, however, you must rely on yourself."

"I understand."

Chen Xuanfeng then dispelled the soundproof Barrier, his expression turning stern.

"Now, let’s discuss your Cultivation."

Chen Xuanfeng adopted the air of a teacher once more. "I heard from the Steward at the Scripture Collection Tower that you chose the Mixed Element Gang Body. That technique requires slow, patient effort, so don’t be hasty. We don’t need to discuss it for now."

Liang Cheng didn’t mention that he had already reached the Beginner Level with the Mixed Element Gang Body and was, in fact, progressing at an astonishing rate.

"As for the Third Layer of the Broken Wave Technique, the Main Courtyard has ample resources. Since you’re still in the True Essence Realm Early Stage, you shouldn’t hit a bottleneck anytime soon, so continue to refine it."

"However, that Wind and Thunder Slash of yours..."

He rose to his feet and took the dark red long saber down from the wall.

"When I was young, I was known as the Mountain-Breaking Saber. Today, I will teach you a Saber Technique."

SHIIIING—!

The long saber left its scabbard. The body of the blade was as red as blood, while its edge gleamed like fresh snow.

Chen Xuanfeng used no True Essence. He simply stood, saber in hand, and executed a slow Horizontal Slash.

The slash was extremely slow and utterly unadorned, yet it caused Liang Cheng’s pupils to shrink to pinpricks.

He felt as if he were watching mountains crumble and great rivers being severed. An indomitable will, one that could sunder all things, rushed directly at him!

The blade paused in midair before Chen Xuanfeng smoothly sheathed it.

"This saber can sever anything. I am passing this Saber Technique to you today. Do not disappoint me."

He handed a Cultivation Technique Secret Manual to Liang Cheng, who accepted it with both hands. "Thank you, Master."

"Henceforth, if you reach an epiphany in your Cultivation, you can enter secluded cultivation in the secret chambers of the Instructor Hall. Each is inscribed with its own Spirit Gathering Array, which doubles the concentration of Spiritual Qi."

"However, this requires Contribution Points. One month of seclusion costs three thousand Contribution Points, so don’t apply unless you absolutely have to. The Main Courtyard itself is built on a massive Spirit Gathering Array, which is more than sufficient for your daily Cultivation."

Chen Xuanfeng hung the long saber back on the wall and turned to Liang Cheng. "Do you have any other questions? I can answer them for you now."

Liang Cheng thought for a moment before asking the question that Bai Hong, back at the Martial Arts Academy, had been unable to answer.

"I once heard the head of the Martial Arts Academy speak of achieving the state of a ’Martial Dao God.’ I would like to ask, Master, what does that Realm mean?"

Chen Xuanfeng glanced at Liang Cheng. "That question is far too advanced for you. Wait until you’ve entered the True Gang Realm, and I will explain it to you then."

"Then I have no other questions for now."

"Very well. You may go. Return here on the first day of each month, and I will assess your cultivation progress."

Liang Cheng bowed deeply and exited the Quiet Chamber.