"The foremost body refining technique of the Divine Continent!"
Ye Tian's face was filled with astonishment upon hearing this. Although he could discern the formidable nature of this body refining technique, he never anticipated it would possess such lofty status.
It is important to note that the Divine Continent is vast and boundless, and in comparison, the eighteen kingdoms of the Northern Sea are but minuscule specks.
Yet, here appeared a body refining technique that boldly claimed to be the greatest in the entire Divine Continent.
Ye Tian found it difficult to believe; although he was puzzled, he sensed that the elder before him was not one to deceive.
"Young man, it seems you have not heard the legends surrounding the Nine Turns Battle Body. This technique was created by a Martial God. It consists of nine layers, and should you master the ninth layer, you would ascend to the ranks of a Martial God. Tell me, can such a body refining technique not be deemed the greatest in the Divine Continent?" The elder guarding the Battle Hall chuckled, seemingly aware of Ye Tian's doubts.
Inhaling sharply, Ye Tian could not suppress his astonishment. "If that's the case, does that not imply it is a divine-level technique? How could you carelessly leave such a technique here?"
"Ha!"
Before the elder could respond, Wu Dao, standing nearby, chuckled lightly and shook his head. "Brother Ye, divine-level techniques are not necessarily precious. Take the Martial God who created this body refining technique for instance; in his quest for a successor, he publicly disseminated the Nine Turns Battle Body throughout the continent. At that time, nearly everyone possessed a copy of it. Do you think others would still regard it with reverence?"
"Is that truly the case?" Ye Tian was utterly astonished.
"Eh?"
The elder guarding the Battle Hall looked at Wu Dao with surprise, perplexed. "You are a Martial Master of the seventh rank? How did you manage to pass the assessments? Furthermore, your strength may be lacking, but your knowledge is quite extensive."
"Hehe, I am an adventurer, having traversed many places, hence I have come across various rumors!" Wu Dao replied with a grin.
Ye Tian, however, found it hard to believe him; this fellow was quite enigmatic and surely had an extraordinary background.
The elder appeared to lose interest in Wu Dao, instead patiently advising Ye Tian, "Young man, you possess commendable talent; do not squander it on this technique. Wait for the arena competition. Once you enter the inner sect and take an elder as your master, you will be taught powerful techniques."
"But elder, did you not say that the Nine Turns Battle Body is the greatest body refining technique of the Divine Continent? Such an exceptional technique, how could I not learn it?" Ye Tian replied with a smile.
"You..." The elder guarding the Battle Hall was momentarily at a loss for words, then huffed in annoyance, pointing at Wu Dao, "Since you are aware, you explain the reason to him."
Ye Tian immediately turned his gaze to Wu Dao.
"Brother Ye, the elder advises you because the Nine Turns Battle Body is indeed exceedingly difficult to master. However, I have faith in your talent; I believe you can succeed," Wu Dao said with a smile.
"Arrogance!"
The elder guarding the Battle Hall was thoroughly exasperated, glaring at them. "What do you mean by 'difficult to master'? For thousands of years, aside from the forebear who created this technique, no one else has successfully cultivated it. Moreover, this technique comprises nine layers, each more challenging than the last. It demands an exceptionally high talent for martial souls and martial skills. Countless geniuses have emerged on the Divine Continent, yet they have all been unable to master this body refining technique. And you dare to say he can succeed?"
"Uh... Hehe!" Wu Dao chuckled awkwardly.
Ye Tian immediately understood the elder's good intentions but still shook his head, saying, "Thank you for the elder's reminder, but I firmly believe I can succeed. After all, I am young and have ample time. If necessary, I can always switch to another body refining technique later."
"Sigh, young man, if you do not cherish your time now, you will regret it later. Very well, I shall say no more. This technique requires ten thousand contribution points for exchange."
The elder guarding the Battle Hall shook his head. Having served in the Battle Hall for many years, he understood that these talented individuals were often overconfident, and it was nearly impossible to convince them with mere words.
However, seeing Ye Tian's talent, he felt a sense of fondness.
Then, the elder warned, "The techniques exchanged in the Battle Hall must not be shared with others, even if they are also disciples of the Divine Star Sect. Do you understand?"
"Understood! However, this incomplete technique still demands ten thousand contribution points," Ye Tian said, feeling a pang of regret as he handed over his identity token, knowing that such a sum could have been used to exchange for a profound-level martial skill.
"You foolish boy, what do you know? This is a divine-level technique. If not for the immense difficulty in cultivation and its widespread circulation, even one hundred thousand contribution points would not suffice to acquire it," the elder shot him a glare.
Ye Tian smiled sheepishly, securing his identity token, and respectfully bowed to the elder before departing with Wu Dao.
...
After leaving the Battle Hall, Ye Tian returned to the courtyard with Wu Dao, procuring some fine wine from the thirteenth prince, and the two indulged in revelry.
"Brother Wu, you mentioned that the Nine Turns Battle Body is widely circulated. Why is it that the Divine Star Sect only possesses the first layer?" After a few drinks, Ye Tian inquired, puzzled and eager to obtain the subsequent techniques upon learning of the Nine Turns Battle Body's prowess.
Wu Dao chuckled in response, "Brother Ye, indeed, this technique was widely known thousands of years ago, even ordinary citizens possessed complete copies. However, as time passed, many could not even master the first layer, wasting their efforts. Consequently, after several millennia, this technique has become quite rare on the Divine Continent. But fear not; it is, after all, a divine-level technique, and some major powers must have preserved it, so your chances of acquiring the complete version are quite good."
"Mm!"
Upon hearing this, Ye Tian felt a wave of relief wash over him.
As for the difficulty of cultivating the Nine Turns Battle Body?
Ye Tian was confident. The elder guarding the Battle Hall had also mentioned that mastering the Nine Turns Battle Body required a potent martial soul talent and exceptional martial skills.
The martial soul talent was not an issue; he possessed the Devouring Martial Soul, which had already reached the azure level and could continue to improve. Thus, this condition posed no problem.
Regarding martial skill talent, Ye Tian held great confidence in himself; after all, he had mastered the profound-level martial skill "Starlight Hand" to perfection in less than a month.
Moreover, he had comprehended a tenth of the Blade Intent in just a few years.
Such martial skill talent, if not deemed formidable, would leave Ye Tian at a loss for words.
...
That night, after Wu Dao departed, Ye Tian returned to his room and began cultivating the Nine Turns Battle Body.
Taking a deep breath, Ye Tian slowly closed his eyes and commenced his practice according to the operational route of the Nine Turns Battle Body. Gradually, a faint golden aura began to shimmer on his skin, so subtle it was nearly imperceptible.
Boom!
Suddenly, the spiritual energy of heaven and earth surged towards Ye Tian's abode like a flood that had burst its banks.
The golden radiance surrounding Ye Tian intensified from faint to brilliant, dazzlingly illuminating the entire room.
Soon after, this golden light began to retract, yet Ye Tian's skin transformed into a golden hue, as though coated in gold.
The surrounding spiritual energy continued to pour towards Ye Tian, causing even the courtyard where he resided to become more saturated with spiritual energy than elsewhere.
On the following morning, as the first rays of sunlight streamed in, Ye Tian slowly opened his eyes, revealing a pair of clear orbs that glimmered with a hint of gold.
"No wonder no one has successfully cultivated the Nine Turns Battle Body; this technique demands an endless supply of spiritual energy to refine the body. Even with my azure martial soul talent, I find the first layer challenging."
"And in this Great Yan Nation, how many possess an azure martial soul? Even if there are some, they would not squander their time on this, for with such talent, cultivating other techniques would yield rapid progress. Why bother with the Nine Turns Battle Body?"
"Moreover, this is merely the first layer; the subsequent layers will likely be even more arduous!"
Ye Tian pondered, a flicker of hesitation crossing his eyes.
Though he had made smooth progress in cultivating the Nine Turns Battle Body, enhancing his strength significantly overnight and increasing his physical robustness, the thought of the remaining eight layers filled him with trepidation.
After all, he possessed an azure martial soul, and only individuals with blue or purple martial souls surpassed him.
With such martial soul talent, barely achieving the first layer was a feat; what of the subsequent layers? Even reaching the purple martial soul may not guarantee success.
"Well, regardless, I currently possess only the first layer. To cultivate the Ten Meridians Blood Dan, a martial spirit-level body is essential. I must master this first layer of the Nine Turns Battle Body; as for the future, I shall address it when the time comes!"
After a moment's contemplation, Ye Tian shook his head and exited his room.
At that moment, the thirteenth prince, Lin Fei, and Yun Shuiyao had returned from their baptism in the Spirit Pool and were conversing in the courtyard, clearly having reaped significant rewards.
"Junior Brother Ye, I have ascended to the Martial Spirit level!" Lin Fei exclaimed, his face alight with excitement, a powerful aura emanating faintly from him, a result of his recent promotion to Martial Spirit, still unable to contain his newfound strength.
"So have I!" the thirteenth prince chimed in, a similar potent aura enveloping him.
Only Yun Shuiyao's aura was restrained, appearing like an ordinary person, yet Ye Tian knew she was the strongest among the three.
Yun Shuiyao, possessing exceptional talent, had long ascended to the Martial Spirit realm, and after the Spirit Pool's baptism, her cultivation had deepened further, possibly reaching the second level of Martial Spirit.
"Congratulations to you all!" Ye Tian seated himself, rubbing his nose, and lamented, "You three are all Martial Spirits now, while I remain merely a Martial Master."
Though he had condensed seven Blood Dans, his true essence rivaled that of a Martial Spirit stronghold.
Even his physical body, after cultivating the Nine Turns Battle Body, had approached the level of a Martial Spirit.
Yet, Ye Tian's realm remained at the pinnacle of Martial Master, merely a half-step into Martial Spirit.
"Haha, had you not mentioned it, we might have forgotten! By the way, what exactly did you practice in the Spirit Pool? It caused such a commotion that the elder guarding the pool had to personally intervene and throw you out," Lin Fei teased, a playful grin on his face.
The thirteenth prince and Yun Shuiyao leaned in, curiosity evident on their faces.