Chapter 215: Bright as Day
Chen Ping’an reached out, his fingers slowly uncurling as if to embrace the entire world.
HUMMM~
Driven by the Seed of Profound Light, an indescribable power surged within his body. Suddenly, he clenched his fist, fingers locking tightly.
At that moment, the air seemed to ignite. A low, powerful rasping sound filled the space, as if the air itself was being torn apart before a storm, shattering the tranquility.
BOOM!
A thunderous, deafening boom shook the air, causing the surrounding dust to dance in its wake.
As the air howled and surged, Chen Ping’an felt an unprecedentedly powerful force flowing through his body. This power seemed capable of penetrating all obstacles, smashing all barriers, and leading straight to the peak.
As he felt the immense power churning around him, a sense of boundless ambition surged through Chen Ping’an.
’The Celestial Gate reopened. Spiritual Qi flooded my crown. I devoured Spirit and refined Fiend to strengthen my Profound Light.’
Profound Light Middle Realm! Bright as Day!
After many days of arduous cultivation, he had finally taken this step.
Realm: Profound Light - Bright as Day
Martial Arts: Iron Cloth Shirt Perfection, Flying Locust Stone Perfection, Public Door Thirteen Blades Perfect, Thirteen Grand Protectors Cross Training Perfect, Golden Bell Shield Perfection, Gale Blade Technique Perfection, Eight Steps Chasing Cicada Perfection, Flying Star Swordsmanship (Great Success) (161/400), Great Vajra Palm Mastery (121/400), Vajra Unbreakable Divine Skill (Minor Achievement) (9/640)
...
Vajra Unbreakable Divine Skill at Minor Achievement also meant that Chen Ping’an had entered the realm of the Unbreakable Copper Body.
Immune to Water and Fire, Invulnerable—these were just the basics!
Reaching this step meant that, to a certain extent, Chen Ping’an had already broken the limits of his mortal flesh.
After stepping into the Profound Light Middle Realm, the length of time Chen Ping’an could maintain the full power of his Vajra Unbreakable Divine Skill increased from the original fifteen minutes to nearly an hour.
This breakthrough allowed Chen Ping’an to operate with much more ease and flexibility in actual combat.
Unbreakable Copper Body!
With this to rely on, Chen Ping’an now had the confidence to clash head-on with an Absolute Master of the Profound Light High Realm!
Of course, confidence was just confidence. Before they truly fought, it was still unknown just how far Chen Ping’an could go!
After entering the Profound Light Middle Realm, the Seed of Profound Light between his brows shone brilliantly. Its size hadn’t changed much, but the light it emitted was on a completely different level.
The True Qi within Chen Ping’an’s body had also completely liquefied.
Both its destructive power and endurance saw a significant increase.
HUMMM~
The Golden Light gradually faded, revealing the form of a young man. ’I’ve been too conservative all this time,’ he thought. ’It’s time to show some of my strength.’
’Profound Light Middle Realm!’
’Revealing that I’m at the Third Stage of Inner Qi, a Martial Arts Realm approaching Perfection, shouldn’t be too out of line!’
’I’ve done everything I can. Now, let’s see how the Weishui Garrison reacts.’
...
Meanwhile, within the Weishui Garrison, a heated discussion about Chen Ping’an was underway. Yet amidst the intensity, there were also faint sparks of excitement.
In fact, some news from within White Stone City had reached the desks of relevant personnel in the Weishui Garrison before Chen Ping’an had even submitted his report. The discussions about him had started back then.
"Hunker down and defend? Such cowardice! How can someone like that be a member of our Garrison Commandant’s Office?"
"The situation is dire. What Chen Ping’an did was an act of desperation!"
"Elder Li is right. If he had launched an all-out attack and stirred up a huge conflict, I’m afraid White Stone City wouldn’t even be able to hold on to the little peace it has now!"
"I must disagree, Elder Mu. The Garrison Commandant’s Office is a pillar of authority. How will the outside world view us after such a timid retreat? Furthermore, if he’d launched a full-scale counterattack, the enemy might not have dared to escalate! The Weishui Garrison is still standing, after all!"
"That’s right."
"He’s so timid and hesitant. He’s ruining the Weishui Garrison’s reputation with his cowardice!"
"..."
While the Weishui Garrison could understand Chen Ping’an’s earlier conservative response, they were still extremely displeased. Those with ties to the Fang and Fu Family factions, in particular, were vocally critical of his cautious approach.
Later, when news came that Chen Ping’an had paid a visit to the Chu Family, these same people who had criticized him for his cowardice changed their tune.
"He visited the Chu Family? In a situation like this? That Chen Ping’an is incredibly reckless and foolish!"
"He’s reckless, all courage and no strategy. In my opinion, this man is a liability and cannot be used!"
"Exactly! Chen Ping’an’s actions will put our Garrison Commandant’s Office at a severe disadvantage. We should immediately draft a formal reprimand, issue a punishment, and see how he responds!"
"Agreed!"
"..."
In the end, however, these numerous arguments were quashed. And it was amidst this backdrop that Chen Ping’an’s official dispatch arrived at the Weishui Garrison at almost the exact same time as the latest intelligence gathered by their spies.
The dispatch and the intelligence report passed through several hands before finally reaching Liu Yuanhua, the Vice County Commander of the Weishui Garrison, a position equivalent to Deputy Commander-in-Chief.
Liu Yuanhua stared at the dispatch from Chen Ping’an, his head bowed in silence for a long time.
"Commander Liu... is there some important news?"
One of the commanders at the meeting asked, his face etched with confusion.
"Everyone, it seems we need to reassess Chen Ping’an’s value."
The few who had just been advocating for Chen Ping’an’s harsh reprimand were startled.
’What’s going on?’
’What did the dispatch say?’
As they were wondering, Liu Yuanhua placed the dispatch on the table, its contents laid bare for all to see.
Third Stage of Inner Qi!
Overpowered several experts at the Perfect Second Level of Inner Qi!
Not yet twenty-one years old!
As they read each key detail, everyone present gasped.
The Third Stage of Inner Qi... before twenty-one?!
If this was true, then this Chen Ping’an’s talent was even more terrifying than Weishui’s number one prodigy, Liu Ziming!
At the same age, even Liu Ziming hadn’t reached such a level!
Within the Weishui Garrison, the discussion about Chen Ping’an continued. But the fallout from this matter was far from over.
...
「Weishui South Town Patrol Office.」
"Miss, this is a letter from Young Master Chen!" Xiaodie walked into the room, holding a black-covered letter. The envelope was sealed with wax, showing it was unopened.
Mu Wanjun was bent over her desk, her fine brows furrowed in concentration as she handled official business. Only when she heard Xiaodie’s voice did she look up.
"A letter from Ping’an!"
They had exchanged letters twice since Chen Ping’an’s transfer to White Stone City.
She had mostly written to express her concern for his situation in White Stone City, adding a special note that if he ever ran into trouble or needed her support in any way, he shouldn’t hesitate to ask.
In his replies, Chen Ping’an had described the situation in White Stone City and thanked her for her concern.
For the most part, their correspondence consisted of pleasantries—a way to stay in touch and offer modest words of care and encouragement.
She never expected that in just a month or two, Chen Ping’an would be promoted from Deputy Commander to Commander-in-Chief. Moreover, rumors were already trickling in that he had broken through to the Second Stage of Inner Qi and possessed formidable combat prowess.
To be honest, Mu Wanjun had been stunned for a long time when she first heard the news.
’The Second Stage of Inner Qi!’
’I had thought that since Chen Ping’an began his martial arts training so late, his future achievements would be limited, regardless of his astonishing talent.’
’But I never imagined he would reach this stage in such a short time!’
Starting from nothing, Chen Ping’an had advanced with fierce determination, breaking past the Qi Blood realm to enter the Inner Qi realm, and now he had even reached the Second Stage of Inner Qi. His Martial Arts Realm was now on par with her own, placing him firmly among the top eight of the younger generation in all of Weishui County City!
Mu Wanjun sighed in admiration, then took the letter from Xiaodie’s hand and began to read.