Having advanced to the second stage of martial arts, I am no longer at the bottom among my peers in the Yun clan. I am now eligible to participate in the "Family Martial Arts Meeting."Yun Che was elated for a long while before gradually calming down.Martial arts are divided into nine stages, each more difficult than the last, ascending in a pyramid-like fashion.It is well known that the first to third stages of martial arts are referred to as the "Strength Refining Stage," and practitioners are known as martial apprentices.Martial apprentices focus on strengthening their bodies and enhancing their vitality to lay a solid foundation for reaching higher realms.The body is the fundamental aspect of all cultivation, so the refinement in the Strength Refining Stage directly impacts later stages.Though martial apprentices are the lowest rank and can only be considered beginners in martial arts, reaching the peak of the third stage is no small feat. At this level, one can possess a strength of around 700-800 jin (350-400 kg), and those with better innate physiques may even exceed 1,000 jin, capable of tearing apart tigers and leopards or splitting apart bears with a single strike.Now that Yun Che had reached the second stage of martial arts, he likely possessed a strength of around 400-500 jin, far surpassing ordinary people. With the right martial techniques and skills, he could easily defeat a dozen ordinary individuals without them even getting close."If I can break through to the third stage of martial arts and gain 700-800 jin of strength, my power would at least double."Yun Che thought to himself.However, what truly excited and inspired him was the prospect of becoming a true martial artist, one who had advanced beyond the fourth stage.The fourth to sixth stages of martial arts are known as the "Qi Condensation Stage," and practitioners are known as martial artists—the true martial artists!Reaching this realm, martial artists experience not only significant enhancements to their physical strength, vitality, and internal energy but also undergo a profound internal strengthening of their organs. They gain the ability to comprehend "martial internal force," transcending mere physical attacks and achieving qualitative leaps in strength, gaining extraordinary abilities.Upon becoming a true martial artist, one breaks free from the mundane world and becomes someone of higher stature.Ever since his days in Qingye Town, Yun Che had set his sights on becoming a true martial artist. Entering the Yun family had made that dream feel a step closer....Having advanced to the second stage of martial arts, Yun Che immediately shared the news with his parents.The second stage of martial arts?His father, Yun Tianyang, and mother, Yun Shi, were both astonished, then quickly sighed in relief.For Yun Che to break through to the second stage at such a young age, without relying heavily on external aid, it was evident that his innate talent was superior to that of most."From now on, you should focus all your efforts on preparing for the 'Family Martial Arts Meeting' in two months. You don't need to place highly, but at least don't embarrass yourself," Yun Tianyang said, showing a faint smile.Yun Shi also smiled with satisfaction, as though a weight had been lifted.They were content with how far Yun Che had come and had no extravagant expectations.However, Yun Che's goals were far from limited to this; he was determined to become a true martial artist and even reach the peak of martial arts."Advancing to the second stage of martial arts, my status within the clan has risen somewhat, and I am now qualified to enter the first floor of the 'Xuanwu Pavilion.'"The "Xuanwu Pavilion" in the clan contained numerous martial arts techniques and cultivation manuals.With that thought in mind, Yun Che immediately made his way to the Xuanwu Pavilion."Brother Feng!"A surprised voice of a young girl reached him midway.The voice held a delicate tone, evoking a sense of long-forgotten familiarity.Yun Che's body stiffened slightly.A young man and woman approached from his side. Both were not very old.The young man in purple robes had a sharp sword-like brow, a tall and straight figure, and eyes that carried a sharp and aggressive air. His cultivation had reached the peak of the third stage of martial arts, which caused nearby family members to feel a great sense of pressure."He is 'Yun Yijian,' one of the top three outer clan disciples!" several people whispered, their expressions filled with wariness and awe.Standing beside Yun Yijian was a young woman dressed in white, around the same age as Yun Che, about thirteen or fourteen. She was beautiful and graceful, clearly a future beauty."Xue Mei."Yun Che glanced at the girl in white robes, a faint, almost imperceptible, sarcastic smile curling at his lips.The girl in front of him was none other than Yun Xue, who had entered the Yun clan with him six months ago.Back in Qingye Town, Yun Xue had admired and adored him greatly. Yet, after entering the Yun family, she had gradually distanced herself from him, and they had become strangers.Upon entering the Yun family, Yun Xue, with her natural beauty, quickly climbed to be among the top three outer clan disciples, alongside Yun Yijian. She had even advanced to the second stage of martial arts half a month ago.At this moment, Yun Xue whispered something to Yun Yijian."Alright, but don't take too long."Yun Yijian nodded, dismissing Yun Che with a glance, barely sparing him a second of attention.Yun Xue walked up to Yun Che and, from a close distance, gazed down at him. Her expression was slightly complicated, and with a soft sigh, she said, "Feng Ge, you have finally broken through to the second stage of martial arts. But Xue'er still advises you not to be too headstrong. In the clan, we start with a low position, and it's difficult to catch up to those favored by heaven—""What exactly do you mean?" Yun Che interrupted her coldly, his expression turning slightly icy.Yun Xue showed a hint of anger on her face, her teeth gritted. "Feng Ge, I'm advising you one last time. You should make peace with Yun Yijian and show him some goodwill. With his help, you can truly integrate into the Yun clan and avoid unnecessary conflicts..."Show goodwill to him?Yun Che snorted coldly and remained silent. In his life, he had never once bowed to anyone.Yun Yijian was naturally aloof and haughty, always looking down at Yun Che with disdain, acting as though he were above everyone else.Upon seeing Yun Che's expression, Yun Xue immediately understood. After all, the two had grown up together, and she knew him well.Yun Xue walked back to Yun Yijian's side and whispered something to him."Hmph! Unaware of his place, a waste."Yun Yijian's cold voice echoed."Waste?"Yun Che's eyebrows shot up.Perhaps noticing Yun Che's defiance, Yun Yijian stopped and said coldly, "I've heard you were a genius from Qingye Town? But here in the Yun clan, you're just a clown! At the Family Martial Arts Meeting, I'll defeat you with a single move!""That suits me just fine. I'll see you at the Family Martial Arts Meeting."Yun Che sneered, then turned and walked toward the Xuanwu Pavilion.He had no interest in engaging in verbal sparring.After all, the Family Martial Arts Meeting was only two months away. At that time, he would let his strength do the talking.As Yun Che's figure disappeared, Yun Xue's eyes flickered, and she felt a strange sensation, an indescribable intuition that something was off."He really thinks highly of himself."Yun Yi jian chuckled disdainfully.He didn't even consider Yun Che as his opponent!There were over fifty disciples in the outer clan who had reached the third stage of martial arts, yet Yun Yijian was ranked third. His strength could not simply be measured by cultivation level.Yun Xue sighed inwardly. Yun Che was simply asking for trouble!She knew well just how formidable Yun Yijian was. Even some exceptional third-stage martial artists couldn't withstand a single strike from him.... ...In no time, Yun Che arrived at the heart of the clan—the Xuanwu Pavilion.The Xuanwu Pavilion was a sacred ground, always under the watchful guardianship of the clan's elders."Branch family disciple?"Inside the Xuanwu Pavilion, the elder in white robes glanced at Yun Che's identity token, his brow slightly furrowing."Greetings, Elder."Yun Che greeted with utmost courtesy, well aware of the formidable power of the clan's elders.Through the senses of his left eye, he perceived a mysterious and formidable force emanating from the elder. A crimson aura, born of blood and flesh, flowed through the elder's meridians, yet it remained detached, capable of striking from a distance and inflicting great harm—shattering gold and iron with ease.Yun Che knew that the elder had perfected the art of "martial internal force." With a single strike, he could unleash the power of thunder, capable of slaying even a hundred of his own in an instant.Typically, only martial artists above the fourth stage could wield such internal force.Yun Che, like Yun Kun and others, had little hope of mastering it anytime soon.Yun Che bowed respectfully, saying, "Elder, I wish to enter the second floor of the Xuanwu Pavilion.""At your age, reaching the second stage of martial arts is nothing extraordinary," the elder remarked indifferently. "However, before you can become an inner disciple, there are distinctions in privileges between the branch and main family members when it comes to access to the Xuanwu Pavilion."Yun Che, though momentarily startled, quickly understood upon recalling the newly established clan regulations."Please, Elder, do continue."He knew full well that without absolute strength, he held no right to bargain.The elder, with a neutral expression, explained, "Disciples at the second stage of martial arts are only permitted to enter the first floor of the Xuanwu Pavilion. The first floor contains numerous low-level martial arts and a few intermediate-level ones. Main family disciples are allowed to take up to two intermediate-level martial arts or four low-level ones for practice, with a duration of two months. Branch family disciples, on the other hand, are only permitted to take one intermediate-level martial art or two low-level ones, with a practice duration of one month."Upon hearing the rules, Yun Che took a deep breath. "I understand, Elder."The regulations of the Xuanwu Pavilion revealed a stark contrast between the treatment of main family and branch family members.In terms of both selection and training time, the branch family was clearly disadvantaged, with nearly double the restrictions compared to their main family counterparts."Very well! You may enter now. Your allotted time is half an hour."With the elder's consent, Yun Che slowly stepped into the Xuanwu Pavilion. It was a place that he had longed for, a dream he had once cherished...