Starting from the pharmacy, he grew into a martial saint among men.

Within the courtyard, the wind howled and the light of blades flashed, like layers of overlapping waves, incredibly fierce.

Chu Hong, wielding a long sword, struck the wooden stake with a single blow.

The accumulated sword force and power suddenly erupted.

The wooden stake snapped in two with a "whoosh," and before it even hit the ground, it exploded into pieces with a "bang," sending debris flying everywhere.

"Not bad, not bad! Young Master Chu's swordsmanship has already reached a minor level of mastery."

Not far away, Gu Jin sat under a big tree, sipping her fragrant tea and praising Chu Hong's swordsmanship.

Chu Hong sheathed his sword, stood still, exhaled a breath of stale air, and sighed:

"The combination of the Returning Void Sea-Suppressing Skill and the Seven Styles of Overlapping Waves has an extraordinary enhancement, making its power several times stronger."

Gu Jin nodded slightly and offered a brief suggestion:

"This is because the foundational techniques and martial arts are compatible. There's no point in saying more now. You'll understand the reason when you reach the Condensation Realm."

She didn't explain much, perhaps because she didn't want Chu Hong to be troubled by more things.

For now, all you need to do is practice martial arts. When you reach a certain level, you will naturally understand its profound mysteries.

Chu Hong didn't press further, and focused his attention again, opening the panel.

Heaven rewards diligence.

[Effect: Reflecting on all methods, diligent study and practice will surely yield results!]

【The Art of Returning to the Void and Suppressing the Sea - Volume 1 (Minor Completion) 3986/4000】

【Seven Forms of Overlapping Waves (Minor Success) 1/4000】

【Nine-Forged Fist (Mastery) 2690/4000】

【Swift Step (Mastery) 213/4000】

【Cold-light legs (Minor achievement) 355/2000】

【Void Palm (Minor Success) 2/4000】

Iron Body Skill (Minor Success) 569/1000

At this moment, he was not far from reaching the level of Transformation Realm.

Perhaps it's because higher-level techniques are more difficult.

After Chu Hong switched to practicing the Guixu Zhenhai Gong, he found that the effects of standing meditation were not as good as before.

As a result, the growth in proficiency has slowed down slightly.

He had secretly calculated that if he were standing in the Hunyuan stance, he would probably have already reached the Transformation Realm by now.

Of course, he wasn't in a hurry. At the current pace, it would only take him a few days to reach the Transformation Realm.

After practicing day and night, he had already mastered the Seven Styles of Overlapping Waves.

Now, he has completed all the puzzle pieces, leaving no flaws whatsoever.

After that, all you need to do is practice hard and work hard to improve your proficiency, and you will be able to gain a foothold in the Azure Dragon Mansion.

Meanwhile, his progress in the Void Palm technique was also not lagging behind. Under Chu Hong's training, it had also reached the minor completion stage.

However, Chu Hong dared not practice this method again.

There was no other reason than that after Chu Hong mastered the Void Palm technique, a purplish-black palm print inexplicably appeared on his chest.

It's about the size of a baby's fist and fits snugly against the chest.

It seemed as if a gentle squeeze could crush his heart.

This matter was not mentioned in the manual of cultivation techniques passed down by his master, and Chu Hong found nothing when he consulted the classics.

They also inquired with Shi Potian, Gu Jin, and others, but no one knew the answer.

This situation made Chu Hong quite uneasy.

Thinking about the situation at Qingming Mountain that Gu Jin had mentioned, he decided to temporarily put aside his cultivation of the Void Palm.

It's never too late to start practicing after you've figured out the situation.

Seeing Chu Hong deep in thought with his eyes closed, Gu Jin did not disturb him.

She quietly placed a small blue porcelain bottle on the stone table, and only spoke after Chu Hong came to his senses:

"Young Master Chu is not far from reaching the Transformation Realm. Here, this is a Qi and Blood Pill that I have allocated for you. With it, you will surely be able to break through to the Transformation Realm soon."

Chu Hong bowed and thanked him.

It seems that this is because he has completely sided with Gu Jin.

These days, Gu Jin often brings him Qi and Blood Pills and other items to replenish his Qi and Blood and support his martial arts practice.

That's precisely why he made such remarkable progress.

However, Chu Hong also knew that such days were numbered.

Once he has completed his training and fulfilled the requirements, he will go to the Azure Dragon Mansion.

At that time, he will have to rely on himself for everything.

In the blink of an eye, several more days of arduous training have passed.

Chu Hong stood in the courtyard with the Zhenhai Pillar, and the Guixu Zhenhai Gong was running at its maximum.

[Proficiency in the "Return to the Void and Suppress the Sea" skill +1]

[The Return to the Void and Suppress the Sea Technique has been upgraded to "Great Perfection"!]

【The Art of Returning to the Void and Suppressing the Sea - Volume 1 (Complete) 1/10000】

The panel popped up another message, and Chu Hong suddenly felt a lightness all over his body as the visible and hidden forces within his body began to merge.

Unlike his practice of blending light and dark energy, his original evolution still had a clear separation between the two.

But this time it's a true integration, where we are intertwined.

When the two are combined, they generate a completely new force, combining strength and gentleness, and harmonizing yin and yang.

This is the essence of transforming strength.

Chu Hong gently raised his hand and flicked his finger.

Suddenly, a burst of energy shot out of his body and 'poof'ed onto the wooden stake.

The wooden stake exploded instantly, turning into dust.

Once the power of transformation is mastered, the body's strength can be released and used to injure others.

At the same time, Chu Hong's Iron Body Skill also underwent a transformation, with invisible energy surrounding his body, making him impervious to ordinary weapons.

Chu Hong tried to use an ordinary knife, striking his arm without applying any force.

Suddenly, an invisible force shot up, instantly shattering the dagger that was about to strike into pieces.

This power of transformation actually possesses a trace of autonomy.

Upon seeing this, Chu Hong was even more delighted.

"It's done!"

"I've mastered the Transformation Realm!"

Feeling the powerful surge of energy coursing through his body once again, Chu Hong exhaled a breath of turbid air.

-----------------

"Did it work?"

"It's done!"

"Young Master Chu, are you planning to set off immediately? You've only just reached the Transformation Realm; it would be safer for you to consolidate your strength for a few more days."

"There is no time to lose; it is the right thing to do to get Miss Gu out of her misery as soon as possible."

"Pfft, Young Master Chu certainly knows how to talk. In that case, let's do it tomorrow. I'll have someone double-check the supplies, and we'll head into the mountains tomorrow. Take this opportunity to reunite with your family and celebrate."

"Alright! Tomorrow then!"

"Furthermore, I'm sure Young Master Chu has already noticed that someone is watching you. Don't let your guard down while you're out! They will definitely come to stop you."

"Don't worry, Miss Gu, I will!"

After Chu Hong reached the peak of his internal energy, he did not tell anyone about this news.

They went straight to the Hundred Herbs Pavilion to meet Gu Jin and set the departure schedule for tomorrow.

Chu Hong knew that Gu Jin thought this operation was rather rushed; how could someone who had just reached the Transformation Realm be about to set off?

But in his view, it was different. With the panel in place, when he reached the stage of mastery, his aura was already deep and his blood and qi were no longer weak.

There's no need to spend more time refining and polishing; just set off.

Moreover, news of his breakthrough to the Transformation Realm has not yet spread, so even if the other side discovers his actions, they will not send a strong enemy to stop him.

Chu Hong estimated that he was at most at the Transformation Realm.

However, being at the same level of Transformation Realm, he was not at all intimidated.

The next day.

The sky was dark and overcast, looking like it was about to rain.

The courtyard behind Baiyao Pavilion.

Chu Hong looked at the wooden box in front of him, his brows furrowing deeply.

"Miss Gu, is it necessary to carry such a large wooden box to Black Dragon Abyss?"

The wooden box wasn't very big, about the size of an ordinary backpack, but it contained many tools and medicine powders that might be needed when going into the mountains.

Gu Jin's expression was solemn as he said in a deep voice, "Young Master Chu, please don't find this offensive."

"I know that the lighter the better when going into the mountains, but Black Dragon Abyss is different. You can use all of these things."

"For example, these insect repellent powders can repel most of the poisonous insects in the Black Dragon Abyss; these are powders that can disguise the scent of poisonous insects. As long as you apply them to your body, you can remain disguised for several hours without being detected by your own kind."

"And here..."

Gu Jin explained the uses of each item to Chu Hong one by one.

These items were all high-quality goods that Gu Jin had spent a great deal of effort to acquire, all to ensure that Chu Hong would not be harmed.

Gu Jin then pointed to the maid beside him: "Xiao Cui is most familiar with the road to Black Dragon Abyss, so she will guide Young Master Chu."

Chu Hong nodded, slung the wooden box over his shoulder, and walked to the carriage outside the courtyard: "Miss Gu, there's no time to lose, let's set off immediately."

"Young Master Chu, please take care on your journey!"

After thinking for a moment, Gu Jin gave another instruction:

"Young Master Chu, there's no need to force things. If the Purple Cloud Grass is truly beyond saving, just abandon it. Your safe return is the priority."

"We...we'll think of another way."