79: Sudden change

"You..." Yang Kai was about to ask, but was interrupted by Zhao Hongyu waving his hand.

"This matter involves a secret of our Hongwu Peak, and it is inconvenient to disclose it. From now on, I will no longer be some Body Refining Genius. This is the path others have arranged for me, a bright path." Zhao Hongyu's tone carried mockery, and his eyes seemed to hold a hint of disdain.

Upon hearing this, Yang Kai stopped asking questions and said, "I do not know the reason you made today's move, but I have noted this favor, and I will surely repay it in the future."

Zhao Hongyu waved his hand again and said, "I hope you can Break the shackles of the Nine Revolutions Primordial Body Refining Art and reach that Realm that countless people dream of. If you can do that, consider this favor repaid." After speaking, he bowed to Elder Teng and walked away into the distance.

As the duel ended, Elder Teng also dismantled the temporary stage. After a spatial shift, Yang Kai and Elder Teng remained in the Martial Arts Arena, while Zhao Hongyu disappeared.

"It seems this kid is also going down that path. Is the path of Body Refining truly severed? Even this kid's Genius must follow suit?" Elder Teng muttered to himself. Clearly, as an older person with considerable seniority within the Flowing Cloud Sect, he knew some inside information.

"Oh? Does Elder Teng happen to know the inside story?" Yang Kai asked curiously.

"This is indeed a secret of Hongwu Peak. Back then, Hongwu Perfected Person's Body Refining Cultivation was stuck at the eighth revolution of the Nine Revolutions Primordial Body Refining Art, unable to Breakthrough. When his Lifespan was nearing its end, he created a Cultivation Technique that could be called miraculous, capable of converting his Cultivation Realm into vital energy and strength. Hongwu Perfected Person practiced Dual Cultivation, and his Immortal Cultivation Realm had reached the Peak level on the continent at that time. Nearly sixty to seventy percent of that Dao fruit was converted into fuel to assist in Breaking through the Body Refining Bottleneck. But even so, Hongwu Perfected Person failed to Breakthrough this barrier. Instead, his Immortal Cultivation Realm fell, his Lifespan was prematurely exhausted, and he immediately passed away. This incident has since become a taboo within Hongwu Peak, which no one is allowed to mention."

"Tens of thousands of years have passed, and Hongwu Peak has produced a few astonishing talents who actually modified Hongwu Perfected Person's Cultivation Technique to convert Body Refining Cultivation into Immortal Cultivation foundation. The original intention was to reduce the difficulty for Disciples with ordinary Body Refining Genius when switching methods. Over the years, countless people have gradually perfected it, and it is now a quite mature Cultivation Technique. However, Hongwu Peak's rule has always been that the chief Disciple must specialize in Body Refining. Even Celestial Yang Reverent is a famous Body Refiner across the continent. But looking at this kid's expression, he must be forced to Cultivate this technique, converting his entire Body Refining Cultivation into nourishment for his Immortal Cultivation. It is truly a pity; this kid's Genius is definitely not inferior to Celestial Yang Reverent's. His future achievements were limitless." Elder Teng sighed deeply, speaking with some regret.

Yang Kai remained silent. Various conspiracy theories instantly flashed through his mind, such as Zhao Hongyu not being the direct Bloodline of Hongwu Peak and being suppressed, and so on. But no matter what, this outcome now seemed unavoidable. It was truly a pity that a brilliant new Body Refining star was about to fall like this.

However, Yang Kai quickly dispelled such emotions. He did not have time to feel pity for others, so under the arrangement of Elder Teng, Yang Kai began the final ten battles of his hundred-win streak.

Feeling as if a thousand-pound burden had been lifted, Zhao Hongyu returned to Hongwu Peak in a relaxed state. He arrived at the Hongwu Great Hall where Celestial Yang Reverent cultivated, knelt in the center of the hall, and softly called out, "Revered Master, I have returned."

"Are the matters concluded?" A loud voice echoed in the hall. The originally pitch-black hall suddenly brightened. It turned out that not only Celestial Yang Reverent was waiting inside, but several Elders of Hongwu Peak were also present.

"You! You! How could you just give away that precious Divine Phoenix Blood Essence to an outsider? Do you know how much effort the Peak Revered Master expended to acquire that Blood Essence? Even if you did not want to use it, keeping it within the Peak to reward an outstanding junior later would have been better! How can you face the fervent expectations of everyone at Hongwu Peak?" A bald Elder said, expressing his deep disappointment.

"That's right, Hongyu. Although you could not rely on this Blood Essence to Breakthrough to the next Body Refining Realm, if you refined this Blood Essence during Foundation Establishment, you could still gain some characteristics of the Divine Phoenix, which would greatly benefit your future Cultivation. You are tearing down your own wall." The other Elders also discussed animatedly. Zhao Hongyu did not defend himself; instead, he bowed his head, waiting for something.

"Enough. It is done, so what good is discussing it now? Hongyu, have you completely let go now?" Celestial Yang Reverent's loud voice covered all the noise, and he asked.

"Replying to Revered Master, this Disciple has now let go of the obsession with Body Refining and can Breakthrough to Foundation Establishment." Zhao Hongyu answered calmly.

Celestial Yang Reverent looked at Zhao Hongyu, seemingly seeing into his heart, and sighed slightly, saying, "Hongyu, the three great Body Refining Realms are Body Tempering, Kaiyuan, and Wanxiang. You are now standing at the Peak of Body Tempering, already able to glimpse the Kaiyuan Realm. But Breaking through from Kaiyuan to Wanxiang is harder than Ascension to heaven. Not only me, but even your ancestor Hongwu Perfected Person was trapped in this Realm back then. Body Refining is a dead end. I have diligently researched over the years and finally perfected this essence-refining-into-Qi method again. As long as you convert your Body Tempering Peak Body Refining Cultivation into Immortal Cultivation foundation before Foundation Establishment, you will surely establish a supreme Dao Foundation comparable to Heavenly Foundation Establishment! Whether it is Body Refining or Immortal Cultivation, they are just paths and means. Longevity and Ascension are the ultimate goals. Do you understand?" Celestial Yang Reverent spoke earnestly.

"This Disciple understands. This Disciple is willing to Cultivate this essence-refining-into-Qi method and will specialize in magical power from now on, certainly living up to the expectations of Revered Master and all the Elders." Zhao Hongyu said solemnly, his expression serious.

"Good! Announce externally that our Hongwu Peak will close its gates starting today, and no one is allowed to enter or leave. Elders, proceed according to the plan formulated earlier."

Everyone affirmed, and then disappeared into the hall, leaving only Zhao Hongyu sitting cross-legged within. Elder Teng had already helped him recover his condition earlier; now he was just conducting necessary checks and preparations.

Just as Yang Kai was constantly fighting in the Martial Arts Arena, and Zhao Hongyu and the others were in secluded Cultivation attempting to Breakthrough their Realm, and the Flowing Cloud Sect was calm, a piece of news, like a giant rock smashing into a tranquil lake, stirred up ripples that continuously spread outwards.

"By the decree of the Sect Revered Master, the Flowing Cloud Sect Inner Sect Disciple assessment will begin in three days. All Peaks must adhere to the Sect rules, selecting talents for the Sect. Any Outer Sect Disciple may participate. If the assessment is failed, they may apply to other Peaks to undergo the assessment, until the entire assessment period concludes!"