Both Yu and Guo beamed with delight. Lu Fang becoming a third limit fighter meant more than gaining strength; simply by submitting an application, he could obtain Center City citizenship. In the future, they would be able to open a legitimate martial arts gym of their own.
Furthermore, having one of their own reach this level meant he could assist them, significantly raising the likelihood that they too might attain this rank down the line.
Lu Fang was just sensing all the internal changes coursing through his body when a chime came from his boundary credential. Glancing at the caller, he connected at once. Chen Chuan's voice came through: "Senior Lu, congratulations."
Lu Fang said with a touch of excitement, "Junior, you're back?"
Chen Chuan said, "I've been back for a day. I didn't want to distract you, so I didn't reach out earlier." He added, "Remember the breathing technique I taught you? Go back and recuperate with it."
"All right, Junior." Lu Fang paused, then said with utter sincerity, "Thank you!"
Lu Fang was deeply grateful to Chen Chuan. Without the medicine Chen Chuan had provided, he never could have reached this day. Moreover, Chen Chuan had been helping him all along; now that he had become a third limit fighter, he could finally pull some weight and lend a hand.
Once the call ended, he saw both seniors watching him. Senior Yu asked enviously, "Was that Junior Chen?"
Lu Fang nodded. "It was him."
Senior Guo said with admiration and a sigh of wonder, "Junior Chen is a martial artist now. He's probably the most remarkable figure ever to emerge from Yangzhi Wuyi since its founding. Yet even with his current status, he hasn't forgotten to pull you up, Junior Lu. Junior Chen truly values sentiment and loyalty to old friends."
Senior Yu nodded repeatedly. In truth, Chen Chuan was now the benchmark of Yangzhi Academy. Lately, quite a few former underclassmen and classmates had contacted him, hoping to introduce some juniors coming to Center City and asking him to look after them. Each time, they couldn't help but mention Chen Chuan. Likely spurred and inspired by him, he estimated that more and more Wuyi students from Yangzhi would head to Center City in the days to come.
Senior Guo clapped Lu Fang on the shoulder and said, "Junior, let's head back. We're going to celebrate properly today!"
"Right!" Senior Yu said excitedly. "And we should break the news to our juniors and classmates so everyone can share in the joy!"
Meanwhile, Chen Chuan yielded the field screen to Nian Qian and headed into his study. He got in touch with Chang Dong, who briefed him on the branch's situation. Everything had been normal during his month-long absence, though Chang Dong passed along a message saying headquarters had sent him a telegraph of appreciation.
This was an expression of gratitude from Chang Shuyu over in Shannan Dao, who had reported to headquarters affirming and thanking him for his substantial cooperation.
While a letter of appreciation held little practical value in itself, it would bolster one's internal standing within the Purist Faction and carry more weight in having a say. Other members would also be more inclined to cooperate or engage in internal trades with someone who held such credit, making it easier to enlist their help when needed.
After listening, Chen Chuan acknowledged it, then mentioned that he would be focusing entirely on cultivation for a period of time to give Chang Dong advance notice. At the same time, he asked Gao Yanjun to come over to his place to help prepare and regulate his ingredients and nutrients.
Before noon, he received the ingredients delivered by the Municipal Council. Once Gao Yanjun arrived, inspected them, and confirmed there were no issues, he resolved to begin his all-out cultivation that very day.
Since the team members had been returning to duty one after another over the past two days, he had previously opened access to the Fumu field resources to them for their training. He, on the other hand, entered his private training room, commencing a period of cultivation akin to the secluded retreats of the old era.
From early February to late March, he did not step outside once, pouring himself heart and soul into his cultivation.
And his devotion yielded fitting returns. Over these nearly two months, he mastered two more forms each of both the Grand Firmament Forms and the Grand Radiant Light Forms, while also taking the opportunity to consolidate the moves he had learned previously.
Each individual form of these two grand series, taken on its own, constituted a complete set of offensive and defensive maneuvers.
Taking the Grand Firmament Forms as an example, each form corresponded to a specific region of mutated tissue. In executing the movements, the practitioner could draw forth even greater power than normal; combined with the corresponding Grand Radiant Light Form, where mind and body coalesced into one, its might grew even more formidable.
Once consecutive forms could be linked together fluidly, it meant the practitioner could mobilize a greater volume of mutated tissue and mental strength with higher efficiency. Combat power naturally rose in kind; the more forms mastered, the more pronounced this effect became.
Previously, it had taken him roughly a month to complete a single form. Achieving these results in less than two months was largely thanks to having no shortage of diverse ingredients and high-energy nutrients, complemented by the effects of the relic incense burner.
Practicing each form consumed a tremendous amount of physical energy. If replenishments flowed without interruption and one's body could withstand the strain, cultivation progress could naturally accelerate.
In the end, resources were everything.
The formation of combat prowess among most martial artists of the new era was underpinned by vast logistical supply systems.
In the old era, the realm-conquering generals had likewise required an entire nation to sustain them. Perhaps only those martial artists who lingered in the Confluence for extended periods did not need such backing, yet they were usually a rare few—and throughout the old era, they had been the ones most prone to disaster.
Chen Chuan conducted a self-examination. Under repeated tempering, his spirit and body had made noticeable leaps, and in tandem with that, his second self had grown substantially as well.
After clashing with several martial artists, his second self had reached the level of the third limit over these past months, though advancing further was proving rather slow. Drawing close to his current standing as a martial artist would likely still take time, but engaging against suitable opponents could accelerate the pace.
By now, his previous reserves were virtually exhausted. Going forward, the only supplies available to him were those provided monthly by the Municipal Council. While the quantity was passably adequate for now, as his strength continued to rise, it would fail to keep pace with the massive consumption of his training.
He gave it some thought; it was time to make a trip to the Confluence.
He had previously looked into the matter: martial artists venturing into the Confluence basically had two destinations. One was to join the local garrison or apply to garrison the Ring of the World, lending armed support there.
The garrison itself was tasked with clearing out Confluence creatures in the surrounding vicinity; unless they were large or mid-sized beasts, firearms and explosives made extermination far easier. At the same time, the government operated squads dedicated to hunting and collecting Confluence creatures, allowing martial artists stationed there to replenish fresh ingredients every day.
Stationing at the Ring of the World offered even better perks, but going there required signing a long-term garrison agreement, making it difficult to leave freely. Furthermore, one might be called upon to reinforce local regions at a moment's notice as demanded by higher authorities, just like Senior Wan.
The other approach was for the martial artist to venture deep into the Confluence to hunt on their own. This was not done blindly by picking a spot at random; they would confirm and coordinate with the garrison and the government beforehand to gather intelligence, then establish that particular zone as their hunting ground.
Naturally, if no one competed with him and he had no fear of hostile parties, he could expand his hunting territory considerably.
For instance, here in Jibei Dao, the old imperial forces had collapsed and their military presence had withdrawn accordingly, while Yao Zhiyi oversaw the garrison and would not contest him over anything. Thus, if Chen Chuan chose this path, this vast expanse could theoretically become his hunting grounds.
That made the choice between the two methods clear.
So upon concluding his seclusion, he submitted an application to the Government Affairs Department and the Martial Arts Council to head into the Confluence. For the Government Affairs Department, it was merely routine procedure; it was entirely standard for martial artists to enter the Confluence, whereas remaining long-term in Center City was an exception.
As for his official post, the deputy directors could handle nearly everything, provided he delegated instructions in advance.
The Martial Arts Council generally only verified his whereabouts; as long as he operated within a reasonable, designated scope, they would not intervene.
Thus, within a single day, the applications to both entities were approved.
Around this time, Nian Qian's annual leave was drawing to a close. Therefore, Chen Chuan did not rush to set off for the Confluence, intending to wait a few days to make preparations for his departure while also settling household affairs and handling some business for the Security Defense Department.
On March 27, he joined his aunt's family at the airship mooring mast to see Nian Qian off on his airship. After returning, he packed his gear. At 4:30 the following afternoon, he bid farewell to his aunt, Nian Fuli, and the two little ones, then brought Chaoming, grabbed his suitcase, and took the elevator down to the underground tunnel at the very bottom of the villa.
Finding an off-road vehicle here, he drove along the dedicated passage into the Confluence. More than ten minutes later, he emerged from the tunnel and reached this section of the Confluence.
At the exit stood a small fortress and checkpoint guarded by an elite armed force. Nearby was an airship mooring tower where an airship was already docked, having received advance notice.
The off-road vehicle stopped in the fortress parking area. As Chen Chuan stepped out, a fortress officer immediately barked, "Salute!" Soldiers positioned throughout the fortress raised their hands in salute.
Chen Chuan returned the salute.
Another officer strode over, snapped a salute, and called out loudly, "Commissioner Chen, the airship has been prepared according to your specifications and is ready for takeoff at any moment. Will you be departing now, sir?"
Chen Chuan nodded. "We leave now. First, make a stop at the garrison."
Before delving deep into the Confluence, he decided to pay a visit to Principal Yao. There had been a matter he asked Principal Yao to investigate last time, and clues had reportedly been uncovered. If confirmed, he might take this opportunity to settle the matter once and for all.
Chapter 872