Chapter 2

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Chapter 2: You Are a Pervert

The Yanluo River flowed from east to west, its currents rushing. Even at its narrowest point, it spanned over fourteen to fifteen meters, with a bridge stretching across it.

By the time Zhang Yang reached the other side, Xue Feishuang and her hundred riders were still more than thirty meters away from the bridge.

The riders stared at him in shock.

Along the way, they had both intentionally and unintentionally tried to catch up to Zhang Yang to verify his claim of "shaking off the wolves."

Instead, they found themselves left behind.

As he dashed across the bridge, Xue Feishuang waved her hand, and to Zhang Yang’s astonishment, the bridge suddenly detached from the banks and collapsed a short distance away.

"Is this martial arts?" Zhang Yang watched in envy.

Xue Feishuang smiled and asked, "Do you want to learn martial arts? I can teach you."

"Really?" Zhang Yang was overjoyed.

"However, you must tell me about your background," Xue Feishuang replied.

"Of course! The people in my town say that every sect is very strict about accepting disciples. They check your background and assess your potential and character," Zhang Yang said.

Xue Feishuang examined him, feeling a mix of emotions. She had never seen such extraordinary potential—he could run faster than her horse, hear from great distances, and had exceptional eyesight. As for his character, if he lacked integrity, would he have warned them about the wolves?

Zhang Yang introduced himself, "I live in Qingshan Town. I’m an orphan, sixteen years old. My grandfather, who adopted me, passed away earlier this year…"

He rambled on.

Finally, he added, "You can check my potential to see if I’m suitable for cultivation."

"Alright."

Xue Feishuang personally examined him.

Her method was simple; she placed her hand on Zhang Yang’s shoulder. A force flowed from her palm into his body, coursing through him. She confirmed that Zhang Yang had indeed never cultivated before—his Dantian was completely empty.

"How is it? Can I cultivate?" Zhang Yang asked eagerly.

Xue Feishuang pondered for a moment before saying, "Your potential is outstanding, and I can take you as my disciple."

"Take me as a disciple?" Zhang Yang was surprised.

"My master is the Grand Elder of the Thousand Thunder Sect, one of the top experts in the Southern Region. Do you wish to become her disciple?" Xue Feishuang asked.

Zhang Yang exclaimed in delight, "Really? I can actually join?"

Xue Feishuang nodded. "Yes, really."

Zhang Yang cheered in excitement.

At first, he had little hope of joining the Thousand Thunder Sect. Just being part of the sect would at least secure his meals. But becoming a disciple of a great master? That was beyond his wildest dreams. And with this imperial general as his senior sister, would he ever have to worry about food again? No, he had bigger aspirations—he had dreams of becoming powerful.

Under Xue Feishuang’s guidance, he knelt and bowed to the east, completing the simple initiation process.

Once it was done, Xue Feishuang said, "I have a remarkable set of skills called the Divine Strength Technique. It focuses on power, making it particularly suitable for men. I will impart it to you now. Once you reach the Dust Washing Realm, I will teach you the Diamond Dragon Strength, which perfectly complements the Divine Strength Technique."

"I’ll listen to you, Senior Sister," Zhang Yang said. "By the way, Senior Sister, what is the Dust Washing Realm?"

Xue Feishuang then explained the fundamentals of martial arts cultivation.

The martial arts realms, from lowest to highest, followed a structured path of progression. The first realm was Qi Transformation, where practitioners learned to absorb and refine energy. Next came the Dust Washing realm, a stage focused on purifying one’s essence and removing impurities. Beyond that was Returning to Origin, where martial artists harnessed the power of the five elements to unify their true essence.

Following these foundational stages, warriors reached Touching the Sky, a realm where their strength extended beyond mortal limits. Ascending to Heaven came next, marking a significant leap in power as one began to defy natural constraints. Opening the Sky was a stage where practitioners could manipulate vast forces, paving the way for even greater mastery.

The advanced realms included Small Boundless and Great Boundless, where warriors achieved near-limitless potential, transcending conventional martial boundaries. Finally, at the peak of cultivation lay Ascending the Heavens and the ultimate stage, Transcending Life and Death, where one could break free from mortality itself and attain true immortality.

A total of ten realms existed.

Among them, the Qi Transformation Realm had nine minor levels.

The Dust Washing Realm consisted of three minor levels.

The Returning to Origin Realm involved absorbing the energy of the five elements, ultimately unifying them into the true essence of the five elements—hence, it had six levels.

In short, each realm had its own unique characteristics.

After her explanation, Xue Feishuang began teaching Zhang Yang the Divine Strength Technique, providing key insights.

Zhang Yang started to feel like a genius.

As the principles of the Divine Strength Technique entered his ears, he found that he understood every word and every sentence completely—even though it was his first time learning about cultivation.

So, as he listened, he instinctively began to cultivate on his own.

Xue Feishuang considered stopping him but decided against it. Given Zhang Yang’s extraordinary potential, she believed he should experience challenges early on, while he was still new to cultivation.

Before long, Yuluan leaped across the Yanluo River and approached, reporting, "General, the wolf pack is coming. Just as Zhang Yang said, there are at least five thousand of them."

Xue Feishuang’s expression darkened. "We changed our route to this place, yet the wolf pack is still pursuing us. Someone is trying to stop me from completing the title battle."

"It must be the Yun family," Yuluan replied.

As they spoke, Zhang Yang began to sense a surge of energy within himself.

Following the method of the Divine Strength Technique, strands of heavenly and earthly energy flowed through his pores, gathering in his Dantian and condensing into essence. This marked his first step into the martial arts—Qi Transformation.

With the formation of essence, he reached the first level of Qi Transformation.

Soon, he felt a slight tremor in his Dantian, and the essence within him doubled in size.

Breakthrough—Qi Transformation second level.

Then came a series of vibrations, like distant thunder.

Qi Transformation third level!

Qi Transformation fourth level!

Qi Transformation fifth level!

…

Qi Transformation eighth level!

Qi Transformation ninth level!

In mere moments, he effortlessly reached the peak of the Qi Transformation realm. But his cultivation did not stop there.

The condensed essence within him let out a thunderous hum, purifying itself, growing purer and more refined—another breakthrough.

Early stage of the Dust Washing realm.

The Dust Washing realm involved cleansing the essence and removing impurities, refining one’s inner energy to an even higher level.

Boom!

Mid-stage of the Dust Washing realm!

Boom!

Late-stage of the Dust Washing realm!

This was the peak of the Dust Washing realm—the final step before reaching the third major realm of martial arts, Returning to Origin.

At this point, Zhang Yang felt his cultivation slow down. Though his essence had become incredibly pure and transparent, he could no longer absorb the natural energy of heaven and earth as before. He had reached a bottleneck—advancing further required the energy of the five elements: metal, wood, water, fire, and earth. Without absorbing the energy of metal, he could not step into the Returning to Origin realm.

"Haah…"

Zhang Yang exhaled deeply and opened his eyes. A pleasant sense of fullness spread through his Dantian, his newly strengthened essence surging with power.

Only then did he notice the distant howls of wolves.

Looking up, he saw that the opposite riverbank was swarming with fierce wolves. Some attempted to leap across, their bodies tensing before they sprang through the air. Most failed and plunged into the rushing waters below, while the few that managed to cross were swiftly cut down.

The river had become a natural barrier, holding back the bulk of the wolf pack.

"Senior Sister, teach me the martial technique—the Diamond Dragon Strength," Zhang Yang said eagerly.

Xue Feishuang furrowed her brows and replied sternly, "Junior Brother, you must not be impatient in your training. I know your talent is extraordinary—you were able to absorb heaven and earth’s energy and condense essence within just half an hour of cultivation. However, learning martial techniques requires a strong foundation. Normally, one must reach at least the fifth level of Qi Transformation before attempting them. Moreover, the Diamond Dragon Strength is no ordinary technique; it requires mastery of the Divine Strength Technique first. You must cultivate to the Dust Washing realm before learning it. I told you this before, and I expect you to remember it."

"I…" Zhang Yang started to protest.

"No arguments," Xue Feishuang interrupted. "Listen to your Senior Sister. She is doing this for your own good."

Without waiting for a response, she turned and moved to a higher vantage point, observing the wolf pack on the opposite bank.

Zhang Yang sighed, about to speak again, when Yuluan approached.

"Your talent in martial arts is impressive, but no matter how gifted you are, you must understand that cultivation is not something you can rush," Yuluan chided. "You’ve only been cultivating for half an hour, and you’re already whining about learning an advanced martial technique? And not just any technique, but the Diamond Dragon Strength? Do you take martial arts so lightly?"

She crossed her arms and gave him a pointed look.

"If it weren’t for my general’s patience, I would have taught you a lesson myself. Cultivation is a step-by-step process—it demands dedication, perseverance, and discipline."

Zhang Yang frowned, feeling frustrated. It was as if no one believed him.

Tilting his head, he muttered, "I’m already in the Dust Washing realm."

A heavy silence fell over the camp.

Then, Yuluan burst into laughter.

Xue Feishuang’s expression darkened.

Some of the hundred riders glanced at Zhang Yang in amusement while they continued fending off the wolves.

Zhang Yang sighed. Feeling helpless, he focused on the Divine Strength Technique, channeling his essence into motion.

Boom!

A powerful surge of energy erupted from his Dantian, sweeping through his body and outward. The very air around him rippled under the force, distorting within a meter’s radius.

Xue Feishuang, Yuluan, and the hundred riders all turned toward him, their eyes widening in shock.

"I am in the late stage of the Dust Washing realm!" Zhang Yang declared.

"No!" Yuluan shook her head.

Zhang Yang’s face darkened. What now?

But Yuluan simply smirked and said, "You’re not just talented—you’re a freak!"