Heaven rewards diligence; he fought his way through chaos to become a saint.

Ye Ci unleashed a punch, the wind howling, bones and muscles creaking, the explosive sound causing the air to buzz.

The moment he threw the punch, he felt as if the blood and qi that had been accumulating in his body for a long time had broken through invisible shackles and surged out along his meridians.

The cracking sounds between the bones became more frequent, starting with fine crackling sounds and ending with a series of "bang bang" sounds like firecrackers.

"Holy crap! You beat the game!"

The first one to rush over was Wang De, his excitement overflowing, gesturing wildly like a monkey.

"Holy crap, how did you clear the level?! How did you clear it just by standing here?!"

"If you're not going to break through standing up, are you going to lie down and do it?"

The other disciples also gathered around, and after scolding Wang De, they all congratulated Ye Ci.

Congratulations, Senior Brother Ye!

"Senior Brother Ye is already an inner court disciple!"

"Congratulations! You'll have so much more to learn from your master!"

"..."

In the martial arts school, those who have not reached the Ming Jin level are considered apprentices, and they cannot announce their names when they go out.

Once one reaches the Mingjin level, they become an inner disciple, able to learn real skills and report to their master outside the sect.

The difference was so great that the apprentices in the outer academy were all very envious.

"Don't disturb Junior Brother Ye! Let him consolidate his strength first. I'll go inform Master!"

Second Senior Brother Fang Cheng rushed over in a panic. He first stopped the disciples, then told Ye Ci to hold his breath and concentrate to consolidate his realm. He then ran to the backyard, and then rushed back and hurriedly ran out the door.

His master went out today, so he had to hurry and call him back.

Ye Ci didn't rush to speak, but instead closed his eyes and silently examined the changes in his body.

The limbs possess a natural, innate strength that doesn't require conscious effort but rather arises naturally from within.

The skin seemed to have been reforged, becoming firm and elastic, and the muscles became even more toned.

He exudes a sharp and piercing aura.

"Holy shit! This is utter nonsense... There's really such a thing! Let me see..."

Amidst a commotion, a tall figure swaggered in from the direction of the inner courtyard, followed by a group of disciples.

The man was dressed in a black, close-fitting outfit, with the sleeves rolled up to his forearms, revealing his muscular arms; he was clearly not a peaceful person.

This person is Jiang Ding'an, the fifth disciple of Master Yang.

Only young disciples who have reached the Dark Force realm, and who have practiced martial arts in the inner courtyard, will be accepted as personal disciples by Master Yang. As for those who have left the sect for more than ten years, even if they have reached the Dark Force realm, Master Yang will not accept them as disciples.

Therefore, Jiang Ding'an was also a genius disciple. As soon as he stepped into the courtyard, his loud voice made everyone around him tremble.

"Who? Which one broke through?!"

At this moment, someone stepped forward and whispered a few words to Jiang Ding'an. Jiang Ding'an strode over to Ye Ci and shouted gruffly:

"Holy crap! You're Ye Ci? How dare you break through here?!"

Ye Ci slowly opened his eyes: "Where should I stand to break through?"

Jiang Ding'an's eyes widened, he paused for a moment, then slapped his thigh, grinned, and his profanity decreased somewhat:

"Junior Brother Ye, you are truly ruthless! Most people would find a secluded place, prepare sufficient qi and blood medicine, and nourish their spirit before attempting to break through to the Ming Jin realm. But you actually succeeded in breaking through without any deliberate preparation, having practiced since morning!"

"Damn it! I wouldn't have dared to do that back then! Damn... weren't you even prepared?"

"Is there such a thing?!"

Ye Ci rarely communicated with his disciples and was unaware that thorough preparation was required before attempting to enter the gate.

Besides, if it's something that happens naturally, why prepare anything?!

Upon hearing this, the disciples around who had not yet reached the Mingjin level felt both envious and somewhat depressed.

Does he really not know?

This is a big deal!

In the martial arts school, once the disciples sensed a critical point, the second senior brother, Fang Cheng, would teach them in detail how to prepare.

Therefore, when Fang Cheng saw Ye Ci's breakthrough, he was also incredulous. He hurriedly informed Jiang Ding'an and then ran to find his master.

Jiang Ding'an stared wide-eyed at Ye Ci:

"Holy crap! If knocking on the gates isn't important, then what is?! You have to knock on the gates three times each for Ming Jin, An Jin, and Hua Jin. If you fail, you'll never be able to climb any higher in your life! Why didn't Senior Brother Fang tell you this? It's very important... Oh, my name is Jiang Ding'an. Ask me if you don't understand anything in the future."

Seeing that he meant no harm, Ye Ci immediately cupped his hands and said, "Thank you for the reminder, Senior Brother Jiang. I will be more careful in the future."

"Awesome!"

Jiang Ding'an gave a thumbs up: "Many disciples choose to try their luck alone late at night, and if they fail, they simply pack their bags and leave that very night!"

"Damn it, even Xiao Hua's breakthrough happened at night. You...you...By the way, how long have you been practicing?"

Ye Ci calmly replied, "Exactly one month."

Holy crap!

Jiang Ding'an pressed his thumb against Ye Ci's chest, shouting:

"I'm impressed! My master must be blind, how come he didn't notice your genius!"

Wang De muttered to himself, "I was the first to say that Master was blind."

He felt that in this respect, he had already surpassed his senior brother Jiang, his personal disciple.

Thinking it over, he raised his chest and said to the outer disciples around him:

"What did I say before? Didn't I say that Senior Brother Ye would definitely succeed in passing the challenge?"

"Yes, yes, yes." No one argued.

Wang De puffed out his chest even higher, his expression proud and as if he were honored.

Not far away, Xiao Hua, who was following closely behind, flashed a hint of surprise in his eyes, then chuckled and turned to go back to the inner courtyard alone.

Is Ye Ci considered a genius?

In his eyes, they were far inferior to him.

"Hahaha……"

Before long, a hearty laugh rang out; it was Master Yang Huaichuan returning.

He stepped into the courtyard and walked over, patting Ye Ci on the back, his joy mixed with relief:

"You've really surprised me. Just as you said, you broke through to the Ming Jin level in a month. I thought you were arrogant that day, but now I realize I underestimated you."

"Although you studied martial arts in my school, I haven't given you any further instruction since the first day. Your success in passing the challenge is entirely due to your own diligence and hard work. As your master, I almost missed out on such a good disciple!"

Ye Ci clasped his hands and said, "Master, you flatter me. Without your daily meals, how could I have successfully passed the test?"

Upon hearing this, Yang Huaichuan admired Ye Ci even more, knowing that Ye Ci was a grateful person.

What does a meal mean to a martial arts school?

One dose of tonic given to a martial arts master could feed an ordinary person for several months.

Even though Ye Ci relied on his own comprehension and hard work to pass the test, he was still grateful for the meal he had given him.

Such a person is rare!

Ye Ci truly remembered this kindness. Even though Yang Huaichuan didn't believe Ye Ci could successfully pass the test, he still provided Ye Ci with food for free.

I was hungry that day, and it was Yang Huaichuan who provided the food, along with a few slices of meat from my senior brother Fang Cheng.

Yang Huaichuan patted Ye Ci heavily on the back: "Good, good, good! From now on, you will be my inner courtyard disciple. Your room and board will be free for the next year, and you'll even have meat every day!"

"Also, Fang Cheng..."

Yang Huaichuan called out.

Fang Cheng hurriedly stepped forward, first bowing to Ye Ci and saying "Congratulations" before turning to Master Yang and saying:

"Master, please speak."

"When you brew the Qi and Blood Soup each month, set aside a portion for Ye Ci as well, and don't charge her!"

In fact, even inner-court disciples have to pay tuition fees, and medicine and the like have to be paid for, since the martial arts school is not a charity.

Yang Huaichuan's cultivation of talented disciples was also a way to build good relationships.

Therefore, the martial arts school set a condition that students could break through to the Ming Jin level in three months and waive the tuition fee for a year. However, other fees that should be collected still had to be collected.

That blood and qi soup isn't free.

However, this time, Yang Huaichuan treated Ye Ci quite well.