After registering Lu Ren, the elder in charge of the pavilion solemnly said, "Work hard in your cultivation, don't let your master down!"

"I will do my best!"

Lu Ren replied earnestly and then turned to leave.

Instead of heading to the dormitory, he went to the dining hall to find the head chef to purchase spirit rice.

Lu Ren wanted to buy spirit rice worth three hundred thousand copper coins, but the head chef couldn't provide that much, and since the dining hall needed spirit rice daily, he would have to wait for the chef to restock in a month.

Lu Ren simply handed over the three hundred thousand copper coins to the chef, asking him to make the purchase on his behalf.

Back in his dormitory, Lu Ren opened the Fierce Tiger Fist manual.

The Fierce Tiger Fist is a martial art created by mimicking a tiger. Once mastered, it allows the practitioner to fight like a real tiger, with an impressive aura.

Lu Ren went to the courtyard and began practicing according to the illustrations in the manual. However, he had the form but lacked power, with no real stance.

After practicing for an hour, Lu Ren's movements were still awkward, and he couldn't grasp the essence.

At this moment, Xiao Huohuo walked into the courtyard. Seeing Lu Ren practicing martial arts with such uncoordinated movements, he almost couldn't help but laugh.

"Junior Brother Lu Ren, you're practicing the Fierce Tiger Fist, right?"

Xiao Huohuo said with a chuckle.

Lu Ren stopped his movements, wiped the sweat from his forehead, and said in surprise, "Senior Brother Xiao, how did you know I was practicing the Fierce Tiger Fist?"

Xiao Huohuo smiled leisurely, his fists moving like a tiger pouncing, full of momentum.

Seeing this, Lu Ren was astonished and said, "You've also practiced the Fierce Tiger Fist?"

"My Xiao family also has this martial art. It's considered a foundational technique. I mastered it in half a month. Junior Brother Lu Ren, didn't you just open your Spirit Aperture today? Can't you borrow Mortal Rank, High Grade martial arts? Why are you practicing the Fierce Tiger Fist?"

Xiao Huohuo asked curiously.

Lu Ren explained, "Senior Brother Xiao, you know I have a Trash-Grade Bloodline, so it's impossible for me to practice Mortal Rank, High Grade martial arts. That's why I'm trying the Fierce Tiger Fist!"

"I see!"

Xiao Huohuo nodded slightly and said, "Junior Brother, having a Trash-Grade Bloodline and being able to open your Spirit Aperture is already a miracle. I wonder how long it will take you to master the Fierce Tiger Fist!"

"Senior Brother Xiao, what does mastery mean?"

Lu Ren asked.

Xiao Huohuo replied, "Most martial arts are divided into levels of proficiency: entry, minor accomplishment, mastery, and perfection. Most martial artists only reach mastery. Achieving perfection requires several times more effort!

I have a Fourth-Grade Bloodline talent. I reached entry in three days, minor accomplishment in seven days, and mastery in half a month with the Fierce Tiger Fist. If it were someone like the Saintess, she might reach mastery in just three days!"

Listening to Xiao Huohuo, Lu Ren sighed inwardly, realizing the importance of bloodline talent.

Lu Ren came back to his senses and smiled calmly, "Then I wish Senior Brother Xiao an early achievement of perfection!"

"I don't plan to perfect the Fierce Tiger Fist. With that time, I can practice Mortal Rank, Mid Grade, and High Grade martial arts. The Fierce Tiger Fist is ultimately a transitional technique!"

Xiao Huohuo shook his head and said, "Alright, Junior Brother Lu Ren, keep practicing. With your Trash-Grade Bloodline, even reaching entry is not easy!"

After speaking, Xiao Huohuo didn't disturb Lu Ren further and returned to his dormitory.

Lu Ren continued practicing the Fierce Tiger Fist but still found it difficult to reach entry.

However, having persisted for seventy years to open his Spirit Aperture, Lu Ren was not afraid of difficulties and continued to diligently practice the Fierce Tiger Fist.

For the next few days, Lu Ren focused on practicing the Fierce Tiger Fist, while Xiao Huohuo opened his Spirit Aperture in his dormitory.

They went to the dining hall for meals at regular times and then returned to continue practicing.

***

A month later, Xiao Huohuo finally succeeded in opening his Spirit Aperture. Overjoyed, he saw that Lu Ren was still stuck in the same place, with no progress in his practice, and began to guide him.

But after several attempts, Lu Ren's practice showed no improvement.

Search "pawread dot com" for the original.

"The Trash-Grade Bloodline is too daunting; no matter how I teach, it doesn't work. Even if the Saintess herself taught you, it would be futile!"

Xiao Huohuo shook his head, giving up on guiding Lu Ren.

"Senior Brother Xiao, my talent is indeed too poor, so I won't waste your time. I'll continue practicing on my own. By the way, I have something to do, so I'll head out for a bit!"

After speaking, Lu Ren left directly.

Judging by the time, the dining hall should have restocked by now.

Practicing outside for a month felt like a waste of time to Lu Ren. If he entered the Pagoda Space, he wouldn't feel any regret.

Once in the Pagoda Space, he could practice tirelessly.

His three hundred thousand copper coins could buy sixty bags of spirit rice, enough for him to practice for eighty-two years.

Seeing Lu Ren leave, Xiao Huohuo muttered to himself, "Now that I've successfully opened my Spirit Aperture, I can also go to the Martial Arts Pavilion to borrow martial arts. If I can find a sword manual to pair with the Fire Spirit Sword, even disciples with Fifth-Grade Bloodlines won't be my match!"

With this thought, he excitedly rushed to the Martial Arts Pavilion.

Before long, a burst of laughter came from outside the courtyard.

"Hahaha, I actually found a Mortal Rank, Mid Grade sword art in the Martial Arts Pavilion, the Blazing Fire Sword Art. If I can master this sword art, reaching mastery, I can at least open three Spirit Apertures!"

Xiao Huohuo eagerly rushed into the courtyard, took out the Fire Spirit Sword, and began to swing it excitedly.

***

Deep within the Azure Cloud Sect, in a solemn pavilion.

A dozen elders gathered, eyes closed, seemingly waiting for someone.

Before long, Yun Qingyao walked in. Without waiting for the other elders to speak, she coldly said, "I've been in seclusion recently, creating my own sword art!"

"Elder Yun is actually creating her own sword art?"

An elder with a goatee looked shocked.

The other elders were equally astonished.

Like Yun Qingyao, they had all reached the Divine Sea Realm but had not yet developed the ability to create their own martial arts.

"I'm almost done creating it, just need to perfect it!"

Yun Qingyao finished speaking and sat down in a nearby seat.

"Alright, let's get to the point!"

The elder with the goatee sat up straight and said, "In a month, the Imperial Dao Sect will bring three new disciples to our sect for an exchange. In the past two years, our new disciples have lost to the Lihuo Sect and the Iron Sword Sect. If we lose to the Imperial Dao Sect this time, our Azure Cloud Sect will find it hard to hold our heads high among other sects!"

"I heard the Imperial Dao Sect recruited a genius with a Sixth-Grade Bloodline this time. Before even entering the sect, he had already opened three Spirit Apertures. With him around, our new disciples might not stand a chance!"

Another elder frowned and said.

"Great Elder, is this why you called me here?"

Yun Qingyao asked curiously.

The Great Elder stroked his goatee and said, "Elder Yun, the sect wants you to take on a disciple for this exchange!"

"But the disciple I took on has a Trash-Grade Bloodline and struggles to open his Spirit Aperture. There's nothing I can do!"

Yun Qingyao shook her head.

She had no intention of spending time teaching a disciple. With that time, she could have perfected her self-created sword art.

Moreover, what was there to teach a disciple who showed no ambition?

"Elder Yun, you truly have a discerning eye. Your Trash-Grade Bloodline disciple is remarkable, receiving the blessing of an immortal and becoming the first to open his Spirit Aperture among the new disciples!"

An elder said with envy.

"What?"

Yun Qingyao's face changed slightly, filled with disbelief.

The disciple she had accidentally taken on had actually opened his Spirit Aperture?

---

Proofreader & Editor: Peter Pan