Chapter 121: The Profound Board
Translator: Transn Editor: Transn
“Let’s head out now.”
Duanmu Xingling and Huang Yanchen dissolved into two shadows and left the woods first. They disappeared in an instant.
Zhang Ruochen drew on the Genuine Qi in his body and ran after them at a speed of 50 meters per second.
He quickly caught up to them. The three kept pace with each other.
“You’re only at the Dawn State of the Black Realm, yet you can already reach a speed of 50 meters per second. Once you’ve reached the Completion of the Black Realm, you may be able to reach 70 meters per second.”
After learning about Zhang Ruochen’s immense Spiritual Power and witnessing his Practicing speed, Duanmu Xingling did not think his speed was strange anymore.
“Who would have thought. Not only does Yunwu Commandery have Zhang Tiangui, you can also be considered a prodigy of this generation.” Huang Yanchen stared at Zhang Ruochen. It was the first time she felt that he was comparable to Zhang Tiangui.
Duanmu Xingling said, “Sister Chen, do you think he’ll make it to the top ten of the Profound Board?”
“If he is willing to stay at the Completion of the Black Realm for two years, he’ll definitely make it into the top ten.” Huang Yanchen gave high praise to Zhang Ruochen.
Huang Yanchen had remained at the Completion for three years, and Duanmu Xingling had remained for two. This was not because they were unable to break into the Earth Realm, but rather they wanted to remain at the Completion for a while to consolidate their foundations.
Zhang Ruochen understood Huang Yanchen’s meaning. His Practicing speed was achieved through the use of large quantities of Pills. This forced his cultivation to higher levels.
If he did not spend enough time consolidating, his Genuine Qi would not be pure, and his Realm would not be steady. Even if he did break into the Earth Realm, it would do no good.
Huang Yanchen and Duanmu Xingling were able to quickly reach the Completion, because they also took large quantities of Pills. However, they had been at the Completion for two to three years already. Whether in terms of their Genuine Qi or physical quality, they had been refined to the realm of perfection. They were just waiting for the Intermediate Relic Exploration Test at the start of next year.
Zhang Ruochen asked, “Is it difficult to enter the top ten of the Profound Board?”
“Of course, it’s difficult.”
Duanmu Xingling said, “The Profound Board of the 36 commanderies of the Omen Ridge has a total of 1,200 members. The weakest warrior on the board has a speed of 58 meters per second.”
“I can reach a maximum speed of 64 meters per second. On the Profound Board, I am ranked 368th. Sister Chen can reach 67 meters per second and is ranked 103rd.”
“You don’t have a chance of being in the top ten, unless you can reach 70 meters per second.”
There were 36 commanderies around the Omen Ridge. How many warriors were in the Black Realm?
Yet, the Profound Board only listed the most powerful 1,200. Yunwu Commandery had only 18 people who had made it to the Board, and most of them were elders who had trained for dozens of years. It was too difficult for young people to even think of entering the Profound Board.
It could be said that each Warrior of Division Profound had the power to challenge a warrior of the Earth Realm.
Zhang Ruochen said, “Speed is only one facet of a warrior’s strength. It shouldn’t be the standard for entering the Profound Board.”
“You’re right. However, for a warrior at the Completion of the Black Realm, if they can reach a speed of 60 meters per second, do you think their martial technique or physical quality would be lacking?” Duanmu Xingling asked.
Huang Yanchen said, “A warrior at the Completion who can reach 60 meters per second could kill a similar warrior who has only reached a speed of 55 meters in just seconds.”
Their words made sense, but Zhang Ruochen was not convinced. As far as he was concerned, he was confident he could kill a warrior who was faster than him.
Zhang Ruochen asked, “I’ve heard that Zhang Tiangui once scored third on the Profound Board. What was his fastest speed at that time?”
Huang Yanchen’s eyes glittered, “Zhang Tiangui was a rare prodigy, the pride of the 36 commanderies of the Omen Ridge. He is the only one to have reached third place on the Profound Board at the age of 16. When he was at the Completion of the Black Realm, he could reach a speed of 73 meters per second. This caused a commotion at the time.”
Duanmu Xingling added, “The two elders ranked first and second on the Profound Board could only reach 72 meters per second. It was a pity he suddenly broke through to the Earth Realm. Otherwise, he would have had a chance of coming in first.”
A prodigy like Zhang Tiangui, considered the role model for a generation, naturally did not lack for worshippers.
From their tone, Zhang Ruochen could hear their admiration for him. They were also women, so naturally they would worship the strong.
Zhang Ruochen asked again, “What about senior sister disciple Luo?”
“She is also a prodigy, and just as talented as Zhang Tiangui. She can reach a speed of 72 meters per second and ranks sixth on the Profound Board.” Duanmu Xingling answered.
“Zhang Tiangui? Senior sister disciple Luo? They are all ants to me. Who dares to compare their speed to mine?” Blackie turned as big as a lion and leaped forward. His whole body gleamed black as he turned into a dark gust and overtook the three of them.
“Such a fast cat.” Duanmu Xingling stared at Blackie as if she had discovered a new land. She had not thought Zhang Ruochen’s fat cat could reach such speeds.
“I’ll challenge you!”
Huang Yanchen could not stand being beaten by a cat. She drew on her Genuine Qi and burst out with her maximum speed. She became a blur as she ran after Blackie.
Zhang Ruochen and Duanmu Xingling smiled and shook their heads. They did not join in the chase and continued moving at their regular pace.
After an hour, Zhang Ruochen and Duanmu Xingling arrived at the barren mountains about 200 kilometers out from the Western Campus. They were surrounded on all sides by towering trees which blocked out the sky. It was as if they had entered a wild forest; there was not a trace of humanity around them.
From far away came the cry of a savage beast. A giant golden crab, the size of a water barrel, emerged from a crack in a rock and crawled towards the small river. A Green-Fire Deer was drinking next to the river. Sensing danger, it was about to run away when the giant crab opened its mouth and swallowed it whole.
Zhang Ruochen and Duanmu Xingling heard the rustling of the wind, as they passed through this patch of forest. A powerful gust of chilly wind blew in and made it difficult for them to open their eyes.
From far away, between two large mountains, there was a tiny gap. As straight as a pen, the wind whistled through it at all times of the day.
Zhang Ruochen raised his head and stared at the steep mountain valley. “Is that the entrance to the Devil Wind Valley?”
Duanmu Xingling replied, “Yes, winds blow through Devil Wind Valley year round without pause. Occasionally it even creates Wind Nature Spiritual Crystals.”
Zhang Ruochen and Duanmu Xingling walked towards Devil Wind Valley with difficulty. About half way, they ran into Huang Yanchen and Blackie.
“Which one of you won?” Zhang Ruochen asked.
Huang Yanchen held her arms in front of her chest. Her snow-white chin was raised and revealed a long neck. She was as proud as a white swan.
Blackie replied, “It is because my realm is too low. Otherwise, how could I lose to a female of the human race?”
“You’re not convinced?” Huang Yanchen glared at Blackie.
“Of course not.” Blackie replied.
Huang Yanchen’s eyes narrowed, and her face became cold. Her hand was on the handle of her sword instantly and she swung it still in its scabbard, smacking Blackie.
Blackie flew out and landed in Devil Wind Valley.
“Humankind… little girl… you and I… are… irreconcilable… ”
Suddenly a wind cyclone pulled Blackie into the Valley and he disappeared without a trace. Even his screams were swallowed by the wind.
“Let’s go! We should go in too!”
Huang Yanchen used the Shadow of the Royal Wind Dragon. She took nine steps, moving like the wind, and rushed into the valley with a whooshing sound.
“She has already reached the Beginner level of the Shadow of the Royal Wind Dragon!” Zhang Ruochen exclaimed.
“Sister Chen’s Genuine Qi is already Wind natured, and her physical quality is very compatible with the Shadow of the Royal Wind Dragon technique. She is also very talented. It’s no surprise she has already practiced to the Beginner level so quickly. However, we need to work hard so that we don’t get left too far behind.”
Duanmu Xingling and Zhang Ruochen hurried into Devil Wind Valley.
“Phff!”
Inside Devil Wind Valley, it was very cold. The wind was as sharp as a knife, scratching against their skin. Never mind Practicing, even standing steady was difficult.
The two women had strong cultivations. They took to this, like fish to water, and quickly began practicing.
It was Zhang Ruochen’s first day in Devil Wind Valley, and he had barely accustomed himself to the environment. It was all he could do to stand in the wind and not be blown away.
On the second day, Zhang Ruochen began practicing the nine paces in the wind.
On the third day, he practiced the Shadow of the Royal Wind Dragon to the Beginner level. Duanmu Xingling was slightly slower than him, but also made it to the Beginner level on the same day.
After Duanmu Xingling and Huang Yanchen consumed Blood Pills to recover their energy, they once again entered Devil Wind Valley to practice.
Zhang Ruochen and Blackie stayed outside and did not enter Devil Wind Valley.
Zhang Ruochen threaded a chain through the Time and Space Spinel and hung it around Blackie’s neck, “I’m going to Practice inside the Time and Space Spinel, protect it for me.”
Once he entered the internal space of the Time and Space Spinel, he took out a Triple-purity Genuine Qi Pill. He began to absorb the Pill and raise his cultivation.
After practicing in the Time and Space Spinel for six days, Zhang Ruochen had absorbed 40 Triple-purity Genuine Qi Pills and filled his Qi Lake one third of the way with Genuine Qi.
I still have another 480 Triple-purity Genuine QiPills. If I use another 130 Pills I should be able to completely fill my QiLke.”
Zhang Ruochen took out another Triple-purity Genuine Qi Pill and began to absorb it.
After nearly a month, Zhang Ruochen absorbed 140 Triple-purity Genuine Qi Pills and filled his Qi Lake. He also reached the peak of the Dawn State of the Black Realm.
Zhang Ruochen did not plan to use the eight drops of Half-Saint’s Essence to reach the Medium State. He decided to let his Genuine Qi rest and use this time to practice the Shadow of the Royal Wind Dragon and Sacred Sword Skill.