Chapter 309: Chapter 307: Lou Yi’s Transformation (Part 1) Over three years, the situation among the new disciples of Lou Yi’s cohort had solidified. You Qingyi, Wang Wenbai, and Rong Xuejian consistently held the top three positions. Among them, You Qingyi almost occupied the first place without wavering, while Rong Xuejian and Wang Wenbai took turns at the second position. A healthy competition formed among the three of them. During the third year of their entry, they successively broke through to Qi Cultivation Fourth Level, becoming higher-status Inner Sect Disciples. This speed, when compared to all Outer Disciples in the past decade, was considered impressive and ranked among the top. All three were noticed by elders in the sect and accepted as disciples, moving out of Disciple Peak, becoming a celebrated story among this cohort of newcomers. Below You Qingyi, there were several Mid-grade Spirit Root disciples who broke through to Qi Cultivation Third Level, not far from Qi Cultivation Middle Stage, with hopes to advance to the Inner Sect. However, there is a significant barrier between Qi Cultivation Third Level and Fourth Level, which many find difficult to cross in their lifetime. Yet, the newcomers were at their bold and aggressive prime upon entry, none willing to retreat in the face of difficulty. Each was ambitious, determined to achieve a breakthrough to Qi Cultivation Middle Stage. As for Lou Yi, he had thoroughly blended into the crowd by this time. The seasonal exam did not list his rank, and after Wang Wenbai left Disciple Peak, mentions of him became scarce. If mentioned at all, it would be nothing more than the term ’barbarian’. In these years, due to the discovery of new secret realms, and the contests for the spirit veins and Heavenly Materials and Earthly Treasures within these realms, The conflict between the Corpse-Driving Sect and the Red Sun Sect intensified greatly, casualties in numbers surpassing those of the previous ten years combined. It is imaginable that before a final outcome emerges, The major cultivation sects would have to continually send in disciples. The laws within the new secret realms differ drastically from the outside, limiting cultivation levels such that only cultivators below the Foundation Establishment Stage can enter, with Qi Cultivation Stage disciples as the main combat force. To meet the new situations and challenges, the Corpse-Driving Sect released new sect rules: To temper disciples’ cultivation, the threshold for taking tasks was lowered to Early Stage of Qi Cultivation. Outer Disciples could take on tasks originally meant for Inner Sect Disciples, but an Inner Sect Disciple must participate, and their cultivation should not be lower than Qi Cultivation Third Level in principle. Inner Sect Disciples could undertake tasks originally meant for True Disciples, but a True Disciple must participate, and the cultivation should not be lower than Qi Cultivation Sixth Level in principle. True Disciples could take tasks originally meant for Foundation Establishment Early Stage, but a Foundation Establishment Cultivator must participate, and the cultivation should not be lower than Qi Cultivation Ninth Level in principle... Once these regulations were announced, the entire Corpse-Driving Sect was in an uproar. Especially for disciples in the Early Stage of Qi Cultivation, who had been confined within the sect unable to venture out, monotonous and dull lives had made them weary. But some discerning people in the sect could see that this was accelerating the disciples’ cultivation, clearly gearing towards a bloody strategy akin to nurturing gu insects. The Corpse-Driving Sect’s recruitment of new disciples in the past two years also saw relaxed requirements. Many who previously could not enter the sect due to having a Lower-Grade Spirit Root could now join effortlessly. Whether this was good or bad for them was uncertain; it was only wondered how many could ultimately transform successfully. "The strong become stronger, the weak remain weak," an elder lamented. And after the new sect rules were released, many disciples who were either extraordinarily talented or had strong backgrounds began to shine brightly. Inner Sect Disciple Qi Jiaoxue joined a True Disciple task, severely injuring a Late-Stage Qi Refiner from the Red Sun Sect in a confrontation within the new secret realm, and returned to the sect to receive an additional contribution reward of two hundred points. Inner Sect Disciple Zhou Jiasheng participated in a True Disciple task, daringly seizing a Purple Blood Ganoderma that breakthrough-urgent for the sect from many late-stage Qi Cultivators of the True Blood Sect, and received an extra contribution reward of two hundred points upon returning to the sect. True Disciple Qiu Shaojie survived a chase by a Foundation Establishment Great Cultivator, shocking the cultivation realm around the Zhao Kingdom... As for Lou Yi’s batch of disciples, some began to shine brilliantly as well. You Qingyi had just broken through to Qi Cultivation Middle Stage and participated in an Inner Sect Disciple task. Aggressively slaying an equal-tier cultivator of the Red Sun Sect, earning a contribution reward of one hundred points. Rong Xuejian cleverly resolved crises in the Ancient Cultivation Cave Mansion full of mechanisms, obtaining a high-grade cultivation technique passed down by Ancient Cultivators. Upon returning to the sect, he received a contribution reward of two hundred points. As for Wang Wenbai, he remarkably participated in a True Disciple task. Collaborating with his senior brother Yan Zechen, they defeated a Peak of Qi Cultivation expert from the Red Sun Sect, earning a contribution reward of two hundred points. "Damn, I really envy that damn Wang Wenbai, getting a huge wave of contributions, having a grandfather as an elder is really good!" Chubby Dai Xiang, indignantly expressed in front of Lou Yi, his words filled with envy. "Having a good grandfather is also part of one’s strength," Lou Yi said with a smile, "However, this smooth progression early on may not necessarily be a good thing. You and I step by step solidly cultivating, there may yet be a chance to catch up later." "Ah, if I had such an elder grandfather, I’d also be willing to steadily cultivate," chubby Dai Xiang still felt a bit restless. In these two years, due to Lou Yi’s unremarkable strength and offending Wang Wenbai, only Dai Xiang and Rong Xuejian were still willing to communicate with him. However, since Rong Xuejian broke through to Qi Cultivation Middle Stage, he was accepted as a disciple by an elder at Wendao Peak. Recently, busy with cultivation, the chances to connect were less than before. Now on Disciple Peak, the one who communicated most with Lou Yi was this Dai Xiang. The chubby fellow was quite forthright and straightforward, almost saying whatever came to mind. To Dai Xiang’s complaints, Lou Yi merely smiled, not feeling any special envy. After all, in these years, he had undergone significant changes, far from being as simple as the external rumors suggested. Parting from Dai Xiang, Lou Yi went alone to the fields in Zone Wujiu. What met his eyes was a lush, knee-high paddy field, full grains, with each blue-colored Spirit Rice resembling small teeth glistening in the sunlight. Lou Yi glanced towards the distant wasteland, his eyes sparking with faint red light, and his perspective on the world transformed dramatically. All plants, soil, and stones turned a dull grey, but the insects on the grass and the birds flying in the sky emitted different depths of yellow or red light. Lou Yi spread open his ten fingers. ’Shoo shoo shoo shoo!’ Ten strands of red energy as thin as threads shot out from his body. Each one traveled along different angles and curved trajectories in the air, rapidly hitting insects hundreds or thousands of meters away. Making their bodies explode like tiny fireworks, turning into blood mist. Over these three years, Lou Yi had not remained stagnant, having achieved an extraordinary level of control over Body-Breaking True Strength. Even the former top figure of Wangjiang, Meng Konghua, would likely be greatly impressed upon seeing it, feeling inferior. ’Shoo shoo shoo shoo!’ Another few rounds of long-distance shots. In just a few dozen moments, he easily collected over a hundred points of energy. Lou Yi stopped his hands, ceasing further killing. Killing too many would affect these insects’ egg-laying, which was detrimental to further energy collection—this was a lesson learned from the blood and tears accumulated over the past three years. At this moment, his Qi-Blood had risen to a level that even he found shocking. Above the sky, a plump black bird happened to fly by. Its sharp eyes were fixed intently on Lou Yi’s Spirit Field, glowing with greed. Lou Yi, without hesitation, threw a punch towards the sky. ’Boom!’ Like thunder exploding. An air column of milky white, thick as a thigh, visibly formed in front of his fist. Like a pillar reaching the sky, it hit the blackbird hard, easily turning it into debris. "Such a little bird, daring to covet my Spirit Rice." Lou Yi shook his head helplessly. His current power was terrifying, the air column formed merely by compressing air had substantial destructive force. Not to mention killing a small bird, even a Great Circulation or Full Cycle Martial Artist could be easily crippled or killed. ’The basic strength is eighty-eight thousand pounds. After all, two different Martial Arts reached complete perfection, even the path forward is unclear.’" ’As for Divine Sense, the changes are more profound.’ "Cry!" Sensing Lou Yi’s summon, the eagle in his mind cried out excitedly. ...