Wang Li rested for an entire day.
During that time, he made sure to eat his fill, replenishing the energy he had exhausted during half a month of seclusion. Though the process had been taxing, he showed no signs of complaint.
After a brief recovery, he returned to cultivation once more.
This time, however, the seclusion lasted even longer—no less than a week.
When he finally stepped out, although hunger still lingered, the aura surrounding him had undergone a subtle yet undeniable transformation.
Time passed swiftly.
Days turned into weeks, and before he realized it, two full months had gone by.
During this period, Wang Li successfully fused all seven techniques into a single, unified art—the **Mountains and Seas Art**.
Yet something unexpected occurred.
Within the manifestation of the Mountains and Seas, a faint flame began to burn.
Unknowingly, the technique itself had undergone a profound change.
---
After completing the fusion, Wang Li devoted himself to further cultivation. However, he soon discovered that his progress had nearly come to a halt.
"It seems this is my limit for now," he muttered. "Fusing the essence of the seven techniques is already the extreme. Without breaking through to the Martial Genesis Realm, advancing further is nothing but a pipe dream."
Having reached this conclusion, he didn't hesitate.
He took out a small bottle, uncorked it, and poured the pale golden blood into his mouth.
Immediately after, he retrieved the seven-colored flower and consumed it.
The moment the medicinal effects took hold, his consciousness sank into a mysterious state.
His mind became exceptionally clear.
His thoughts accelerated.
His comprehension soared.
Within this wondrous state, Wang Li finally perceived the bottleneck that blocked his path—the Genesis Gate.
He did not act rashly.
Instead, he calmly absorbed insight after insight, steadily deepening his understanding of the Mountains and Seas Art.
Meanwhile, the immense energy from the pale golden blood surged within his body like a roaring dragon.
He could feel it clearly.
With a single decisive move, he could shatter the bottleneck.
But he remembered Wang Lu's warning—never act impatiently when breaking through.
So he endured.
He allowed the energy to accumulate further while refining the intent of his technique.
He wanted to break through in one strike.
---
As his perception sharpened, the Genesis Gate gradually became clearer.
At the same time, the Mountains and Seas Art no longer felt as obscure as before. His comprehension rose steadily.
Even so, advancing beyond the entry level remained difficult.
But even at entry level, an Earth Grade technique was far beyond anything a Yellow Grade technique could compare to—especially one like the Mountains and Seas Art, born from the fusion of multiple Earth Grade techniques.
Behind Wang Li, a massive phantom slowly emerged.
Mountains loomed high, yet seemed to fade into nothingness, their pressure more terrifying than ever. The seas below were eerily calm—but beneath that calmness lurked boundless destruction and darkness.
Clearly, this was influenced by the Heavy Water Scripture and the Origin Demon Scripture.
Above the mountains and seas, a vague, colossal figure floated.
At its apex hovered a circular ring of yellow flames, radiating intense heat.
---
High above, Wang Lu stood among the clouds, looking down.
Her gaze flickered with undisguised envy.
"This disciple of mine may lack talent," she murmured, "but his comprehension… is monstrous."
She could clearly see through the room, observing the fusion of all seven Earth Grade techniques.
Even at just entry level, the intent formed from their fusion was extraordinary.
More importantly, its manifestation hinted at the embryonic form of a world.
Turning her gaze toward Netherpeak, she caught a falling snowflake in her palm.
"So… it's about to open again."
Her lips curved slightly.
"Disciple, if you can enter the Netherworld after reaching the Martial Genesis Realm… that will be a true baptism of blood."
---
Within the sect, many areas remained inaccessible to outer disciples.
Opportunities required strength.
Outer disciples had yet to truly step onto the martial path. Their access was limited—like the Spiritual Plane, which only allowed them to earn contribution points in exchange for three Earth Grade techniques.
Even then, they had no real control over those points.
Only by stepping into the Martial Genesis Realm and becoming inner disciples could they gain autonomy—and access to sect missions.
Missions meant contribution points.
Contribution points meant resources.
Resources meant power.
That was why Wang Li was so obsessed with breaking through.
Without strength and status, opportunities would simply pass him by.
---
Back in his chamber, under Wang Lu's watchful gaze, the Mountains and Seas Art suddenly surged—
From entry level…
To mastery.
At the same time, the divine blood within his body began to refine at an astonishing speed, transforming into torrential waves that surged with the force of a tsunami.
Crack!
A sharp sound echoed from within his body.
The intent of the Mountains and Seas Art merged with the divine essence and slammed into the Genesis Gate.
Boom!
With a single strike, the gate shattered.
Before Wang Li could react, a wave of indescribable sensation flooded his mind.
A mysterious force erupted from within the shattered gate, spreading throughout his body at incredible speed.
Transformation began.
His Qi and blood evolved first, ascending into a higher form of existence.
Then came his body itself—expanding, strengthening, transforming beyond mortal limits.
It was as if the interior of a vessel was being enlarged while the exterior remained unchanged.
"So this is the Martial Genesis Realm…"
Opening the Genesis Gate meant tapping into the hidden potential of the human body.
Wherever that mysterious force passed, faint phantoms of Mountains and Seas formed within him.
At that moment, his power no longer relied on external manifestations.
Everything had turned inward.
His strength now came from his own inner heaven and earth.
With a simple movement of his arm—
Crack!
The walls around him fractured.
"This power…"
Wang Li's eyes gleamed.
"This is on a completely different level."
---
The pressure from his body continued to rise… until it finally stabilized.
At that instant, he understood.
He had reached the peak of the third stage of the Martial Genesis Realm.
Just one more step—and he could enter the fourth stage.
But the fourth stage required more than comprehension.
It demanded vast amounts of energy.
Unless he obtained treasures like divine blood again, breaking through would not be easy.
---
Stepping outside, Wang Li paused.
Under the moonlight stood a beautiful figure.
It was Wang Lu.
Instead of greeting her formally, Wang Li casually sat on the stone steps and grinned.
"Master, what's with the act? Trying to look mysterious?"
Wang Lu's expression froze.
Her carefully crafted demeanor shattered instantly.
"You—!"
She turned to glare at him, only to find him watching her like he was enjoying a show.
"Good disciple," she said stiffly, "I came to inform you of an opportunity for inner disciples. Unfortunately, you're not one yet. You'll have to wait for the selection in two years."
She turned as if to leave.
"Master, wait!"
Wang Li sprang up immediately.
"I was joking! How could someone as graceful as you act mysterious? Clearly, it was the moonlight confusing this disciple's eyes!"
Wang Lu paused.
Looking at his completely shameless expression, she fell silent.
'…This brat is even more shameless than me.'
For a moment, she didn't know whether to praise him—or beat him.