My martial arts have no bottlenecks.

Chapter 53 Greatly Increased Strength

After half a month of arduous cultivation, the elixirs were exhausted.

[The First Level of the Broken Wave Technique: Beginner (598/600)]

In the quiet room, Liang Cheng sat cross-legged, his blood and qi surging like a tide, and the last barrier of his acupoints was as thin as a cicada's wing.

He focused his mind and channeled his energy to strike hard!

"boom!"

When the acupoints are opened, qi and blood flow freely in a circular pattern!

[Broken Wave Technique, Level 1: Minor Success (1/2500)]

The microcosmic orbit is formed, and the initial force of the waves is condensed!

Liang Cheng opened his eyes, exhaled a breath of stale air, and loosely clenched his five fingers. Three layers of ripples naturally appeared under his skin as he threw a punch from a distance. The three layers of hidden force surged like a tide, creating three sonic booms in the air.

"Now, if I were to face opponents like Wang Li and Liu Meng, I could take their lives within three moves."

Overjoyed, he then checked the progress of the other cultivation techniques:

[Stone Armor Skill (Iron Armor): Minor Success (892/1000)]

【Whirlwind Blade Technique: Mastery (371/2000)】

Ironclad Realm is just one step away from mastery, and the Gale Blade Technique is also progressing steadily. Its strikes are already showing signs of a raging, surging force, becoming increasingly compatible with the Wave-Severing Technique.

Four empty medicine bottles were scattered in the corner of the wall.

After half a month of cultivation, most of the Cold Iron Essence and Red Copper Sand were lost, and the contribution points dropped from nearly three thousand to one thousand five hundred and sixty.

"We still have enough resources to exchange for another batch of pills, so let's go all out and break through to the Great Perfection of Iron Armor."

Thinking of this, Liang Cheng pushed open the door and went straight to the Foreign Affairs Hall.

The Foreign Affairs Hall was still packed with people.

Liang Cheng exchanged enough Cold Iron Essence and Red Copper Sand, and gritted his teeth to exchange for two bottles of Qi and Blood Pills, leaving him with only 430 contribution points.

"Wealth, companions, laws, and land—the ancients were truly right."

He packed his things and turned back to the quiet room.

In the shadows, Zhao Ming stared at his back, his face grim.

……

For the next three days, Liang Cheng devoted all his energy to practicing the Iron Armor Technique, only practicing other techniques after reaching his limit.

Every day, he applied the prepared ointment all over his body. The medicine felt like a branding iron burning his body. He clenched his teeth, and the gray-iron sheen under his skin flowed intensely, repeatedly washing away the scalding.

The third day at dusk.

[Stone Armor Skill (Iron Armor): Minor Success (999/1000)]

Breakthrough imminent!

Liang Chengping calmed his excitement and applied the ointment all over his body. The burning sensation exploded instantly, like magma pouring into his meridians.

"Clang!"

A soft sound came from within his body, as if some shackles had broken. The iron armor around his body instantly connected like a net, and the previously scattered defensive energy became a unified whole. His skin color changed from gray iron to dark black.

[Stone Armor Technique (Iron Armor): Mastery (1/3000)]

With his internal energy focused, Liang Cheng lightly tapped his arm with his knuckles, producing a clear, metallic clang. His muscles rippled, carrying a heavy metallic texture, and his dark skin was faintly visible, as if he were wearing heavy armor.

"Not to mention the disciples of the Earthly Abode, even ordinary disciples of the Heavenly Abode would probably find it difficult to break through my defenses."

He assessed the situation in his mind, but he was not complacent at all. Since there were still resources left, he composed himself and continued to devote himself to cultivation.

Another half month has passed.

Autumn is deepening and the summer heat is fading away.

Liang Cheng pushed open the door and stepped out. His single layer of clothing was already a bit thin, but he was completely unaware of it.

[Broken Wave Technique, Level 1: Minor Success (43/2500)]

[Stone Armor Technique (Iron Armor): Mastery (32/3000)]

【Whirlwind Blade Technique: Mastery (603/2000)】

Now, its strength has been completely transformed, but the price is that its contribution points have been depleted again, leaving only 430 points.

In the path of cultivation, resources are indispensable.

As he stepped out of the courtyard, Yang Wei once said that cultivation requires a balance of intensity and relaxation; sometimes, blindly pursuing arduous cultivation can lead to diminishing returns.

The midday sun was gentle, but the courtyard was noisier than usual, with dozens of disciples in grey and white martial arts robes gathered around the notice board, discussing amongst themselves.

When Liang Cheng got closer, he saw that a new vermilion notice had been posted on it.

"The Autumn Grand Competition will be held three days from now at Chenshi (7-9 AM) in the East Courtyard Martial Arts Arena."

"All disciples of the three dormitories must participate. Those ranked in the bottom fifty of the Human Dormitory Grand Competition will be demoted to outer disciples. Those ranked in the top ten can challenge for advancement. The winner will take their place until the loser is defeated."

Disciples of both the Earth and Heaven academies: those whose rankings drop out are relegated to a lower academy; those who remain undefeated can choose to challenge the top-ranked disciples to regain their place in the rankings.

There was an uproar in front of the notice.

"People who are demoted to outer disciples after the age of fifty? But we've only been here a short time, and our cultivation is already unstable."

"I heard that the outer sect's monthly allowance is only ten points, and their accommodation is in a deserted courtyard outside the city. If they fall out of here, their cultivation progress will be at least three times slower!"

Liang Cheng watched everything quietly, his expression unchanged.

This world is a place where the fittest survive. He fought his way from a small seaside town to the Martial Academy, so why would he be afraid of competition?

Even the smallest mayfly dances with great enthusiasm!

Just then, a calm voice came from beside me.

"Junior Brother Liang."

Liang Cheng turned his head and looked over. Yun Jinghong was standing three steps away, still dressed in white, but her aura was much more refined than it had been a month ago.

"Senior Brother Yun." Liang Cheng clasped his hands in a gesture of respect.

Yun Jinghong's gaze lingered on Liang Cheng for a moment, a sharp glint flashing in her eyes: "It seems that Junior Brother Liang has made astonishing progress recently."

"Senior brother too," Liang Cheng could clearly sense that the sharp aura within Yun Jinghong's body was perfectly integrated, indicating that he had already exchanged for an internal cultivation method and had achieved success in his cultivation.

"I accepted a total of twelve missions, accumulated enough contribution points, and exchanged them for the 'Soaring Cloud Technique'."

Yun Jinghong spoke frankly at this moment, "This technique is exactly what I want to achieve with my swordsmanship. In the grand competition, you and I will eventually have a battle."

At this point, he gave Liang Cheng a deep look: "I hope you won't disappoint me."

After saying that, he turned and left without waiting for Liang Cheng's reply. His steps were light, and he disappeared around the corner of the corridor in a few breaths.

The disciples around them whispered among themselves.

"Yun Jinghong has actually already exchanged for the internal cultivation technique..."

"I heard he's barely had a break this month; he's either on missions or cultivating."

"No wonder his aura has grown so much stronger. He'll probably definitely have a place in the Earthly Realm this time!"

"Liang Cheng is no simple character either. Have you forgotten that he defeated Liu Meng before?"

There was much discussion around him, but Liang Cheng ignored it, simply watching Yun Jinghong leave with a calm expression.

Yun Jinghong is indeed a person of exceptional talent. He was not discouraged after his defeat, but instead became even more diligent than before. Only someone like him is worthy of being his opponent.

He didn't linger any longer and turned to walk towards the dining hall.

With the competition just around the corner, we need to conserve our energy and build up our strength.

……

The Xu family's study.

The steward reported in a low voice: "The Martial Arts Academy's Autumn Grand Competition will be held in three days. As instructed by the master, I have already contacted Zhao Ming."

Xu Zhang nodded slowly: "Liang Cheng was able to kill Xu Qi and the other two in the mine. His strength is beyond that of ordinary disciples of the Earthly Abode. Make sure to make proper arrangements for Zhao Ming."

"Don't worry, sir," the steward said in an even lower voice, "Zhao Ming has already secretly made arrangements. When the time comes, he will 'accidentally' kill someone on the stage, which will be perfectly logical."

Xu Zhang nodded slightly: "Good."

"Father!" Xu Zhi cried out, his eyes filled with venomous resentment. "The Martial Arts Academy Competition will be a grand event, with representatives from all the prominent families in the city attending. I want to see that beast die with my own eyes!"

Xu Zhang glanced at him: "Okay, but remember, no matter what happens, just watch, don't do anything."

"I understand!"

……

When Liang Cheng came out of the dining hall, it was already close to dusk.

The autumn wind swept through the courtyard, carrying a few withered leaves. He looked up towards the east courtyard, where craftsmen had already begun to build the framework for the arena.

The truth will be revealed in three days.