Chapter 3: Cultivation Breakthrough

Only Dustin Li truly understood the transformation happening within him.

By all logic, he was weaker than Joshua Zhang. His cultivation was lower, his internal energy was inferior, and his martial skills paled in comparison. But after refining his first-rank cultivation technique, his strength had surged, pushing him beyond the second rank. It was as if he had transcended his previous limits, his power now rivaling—if not surpassing—that of a second-rank martial artist.

Even in a direct confrontation, his inner energy was no longer at a disadvantage.

And after merging with the Life and Death Bead, Dustin had gained a terrifying ability—his attacks could directly harm an opponent's lifeline.

Life and death were two extremes. The energy of life could nourish and repair, while the energy of death could corrode and destroy. Dustin's inner energy could shift between the two at will.

Such a phenomenon defied all common sense.

Thus, when Joshua Zhang's seemingly invincible Iron Eagle Claw clashed with Dustin's fist, the results were devastating. A sickening crack filled the air—Joshua's fingers shattered instantly.

A direct injury would typically damage the lifeline, but when the lifeline itself was struck, the damage manifested as brutal physical trauma.

Boom!

Dustin stomped forward, sending dust flying as he reared back his Bull Fist, his aura like that of a raging beast.

The excruciating pain in his mangled hand caused Joshua to recoil, his confidence shattering alongside his bones. Panic flickered in his eyes as he stumbled backward.

"Get lost!"

Dustin's leg whipped out, slamming into Joshua's chest. The impact sent him soaring like a broken kite.

Crack!

Another bone snapped—two of Joshua's ribs shattered on impact. He crumpled to the ground, staring up in disbelief.

Just yesterday, he had led a group to beat Dustin into the dirt. And today… the tables had turned.

"Ahh!"

"Ahhh!"

"AHHHH!"

Agonized screams rang through the training grounds. The students of the Martial Hall stood frozen in stunned silence. The tension was so thick that even the sound of a needle dropping could have been heard.

"Am I seeing things?" someone finally muttered.

"That's really Dustin Li? He just took down Joshua Zhang, Juan, and Amari?"

Gasps erupted across the crowd.

Juan's arm twisted at an unnatural angle, his bones dislocated and his meridians damaged beyond recognition.

Amari lay unconscious, his ribs fractured from the impact.

And Joshua Zhang—the proud, arrogant Joshua—was in the worst condition of all. His right hand was completely crushed, two of his ribs were broken, and his breath came in ragged gasps.

For as long as anyone could remember, Joshua and his friends had always been the ones delivering beatings. Yet today, in front of their peers, they had been utterly humiliated.

And worst of all?

The one who had done this to them was Dustin Li—a boy they had mocked, bullied, and dismissed as nothing but a worthless insect.

"Y-You… y-you're dead!" Joshua gasped, his face contorted in hatred. "You dare lay a hand on me? You're finished!"

Dustin's gaze turned icy. "You still don't understand, do you?"

He stepped forward and brought his foot down hard—crunch!

Joshua's left wrist snapped.

A pained wail barely escaped his lips before his body convulsed, and he blacked out.

Dustin exhaled slowly, his expression unreadable.

He had made an enemy of Joshua Zhang—a young master from a powerful family. There would be consequences.

Still, he remained unfazed. As long as his cultivation grew at an unstoppable pace, he would earn the favor of Invinciblean Martial Hall, and even the Zhang family wouldn't dare touch him.

Because in Xandoria County, everyone knew that behind every major martial hall stood the shadow of Salmoris Gate—one of the thirteen ruling sects. In this land, their power was absolute.

Three Days Later

The Martial Hall was vast, and every student had their own private residence. Within the solitude of his quarters, Dustin's earlier excitement had begun to fade.

"Joshua Zhang has an older brother… a student of the Intermediate Class," he reminded himself.

Invinciblean Martial Hall was divided into three levels:

Junior Class (ages 10-13) – Most students ranged from the 1st to 4th level of Body Refinement.

Intermediate Class (ages 14-16) – Students here had at least reached the 5th level of Body Refinement.

Senior Class (ages 17-18) – Reserved for the most elite, with students needing to reach the 8th level to remain enrolled.

Dustin was only thirteen. Under normal circumstances, his previous cultivation speed wouldn't have allowed him to break into the 5th level before his fourteenth birthday. His family had already exhausted their resources trying to nurture him, only to be met with disappointment.

But things had changed.

"Three months until the annual assessment… I must reach the Fifth Level by then."

That was his first true goal.

Thus began his closed-door training.

Joshua Zhang's elder brother, Jude Zhang, had tried to hunt him down, but the rules of the Martial Hall were absolute—students' residences were strictly off-limits. Anyone caught intruding would face severe consequences.

There was a reason these rules were so strictly enforced.

Years ago, a noble heir from Novaridge City had suffered a humiliating defeat in the Martial Hall. Enraged, he had gathered his men and ambushed his opponent's residence during a cultivation session. The victim's energy had gone berserk, causing him to explode from within.

Three days later, that noble family was erased from existence.

No one had dared to break the rules since.

Breakthrough

Within his room, Dustin could feel the changes in his body.

Each breath absorbed the vitality of heaven and earth, refining the Life and Death energy within him. His physique grew stronger, his cultivation speed accelerating tenfold compared to before.

His body was like a bottomless abyss, devouring every ounce of energy.

On the second day, he broke through to the Third Level of Body Refinement.

On the fifth day, he reached the Fourth Level.

However, he quickly discovered that even with his enhanced cultivation technique, the improvement rate had slowed.

"First-rank techniques are too weak… I need a second-rank technique."

Luckily, Martial Hall rules granted students at the Fourth Level of Body Refinement permission to enter the Book Collection Pavilion to select a second-rank cultivation method.

And so, Dustin stepped out of his quarters, ready to take the next step.

But the moment he did—

"You finally dare to show your face!"

A voice filled with venom echoed across the courtyard.

Dustin turned. A young man in golden robes glared at him, his aura oppressive.

"And where," Dustin sneered, "did this dog come from?"

The young man's expression darkened. "You dare insult me?"

"You call me a pariah. Why wouldn't I call you a beast?" Dustin smirked. "Do you think being born into privilege makes you superior?"

The young man's fury boiled over. His inner energy surged—a powerful seventh-level Body Refinement aura flooding the courtyard.

Gasps rippled through the crowd.

"That's Jude Zhang!"

"He's already at the Seventh Level… Dustin is doomed!"

Jude sneered. "You broke my brother's hands and ribs. Today, I'll return the favor—tenfold."

His energy flared.

Dustin's eyes narrowed.

Seventh Level…?

Fine.

Let's see who breaks first.