With over 30,000 coins of silver in hand, Dustin made his way back to the array device shop.
After days of hunting and fighting in shinwu Mountain, his clothes were tattered, the fabric torn in several places, making him stand out among the wealthy patrons of the store.
The shopkeeper, a middle-aged man behind the counter, barely spared him a glance before sneering, "What do you want?"
"First-order Spirit Gathering Array." Dustin's voice was calm, unaffected by the man's condescension.
The shopkeeper hesitated. "Are you sure? A first-order Spirit Gathering Array costs 10,000 coins of silver." His tone carried disbelief—how could a ragged boy afford such an item?
Dustin didn't bother responding. Instead, he tossed a thick stack of silver coins onto the counter with a flick of his wrist.
The shopkeeper's attitude shifted immediately. His skepticism vanished, replaced by a flattering smile. "Ah, of course! Please wait a moment, young master. I'll fetch it for you right away!"
Moments later, he returned, carrying an exquisite round wooden box. He carefully opened it, revealing a circular disc inscribed with intricate patterns. At its center was a card slot, and on the inside of the wooden lid, simple instructions for use were written.
Dustin studied it for a moment before frowning. "It requires Vitality Stones to activate?"
The shopkeeper chuckled. "Young master, most auxiliary array devices require Vitality Stones to function. Only certain combat-type formations have different energy sources."
Without a word, Dustin placed another 10,000 coins of silver on the counter. "Do you have any Vitality Stones? Give me a few."
The shopkeeper's eyes gleamed with excitement. "Certainly! Please wait a moment!" He quickly ordered an attendant to bring them over.
Soon, another wooden box was presented, inside which lay twenty round, palm-sized ores emanating a faint milky-white glow.
Dustin put away the array disc and Vitality Stones before turning to leave. However, just as he reached the entrance, two familiar figures stepped into the shop.
A young man clad in white robes, exuding an air of arrogance, entered first. His demeanor screamed nobility—cold, distant, condescending.
Beside him was a girl in a flowing blue dress, her delicate features captivating. She had bright eyes, fair skin, and lips like cherry blossoms—undeniably beautiful.
Dustin halted for a brief second.
Emery Liu.
And beside her—Jeth.
Emery's gaze flickered with surprise upon recognizing him. "Dustin?"
Jeth, however, sneered. "Hmph. Look at you—dressed like a beggar. You dare enter this store?"
Dustin ignored him and brushed past without a word.
Jeth's expression darkened instantly. "Stop right there!"
Dustin sighed, turning back with an impatient frown. "What?"
"I'm talking to you. Didn't you hear me?" Jeth's voice was laced with hostility.
Dustin smirked. "And why should I listen?" Without waiting for a reply, he turned away again.
"You bastard...!" Jeth clenched his fists, seething with rage, but Dustin was already gone.
Despite his anger, Jeth knew better than to cause a scene in front of Emery Liu. He swallowed his humiliation and muttered, "Just wait. The annual assessment is in two weeks—I want to see how you'll face Jude Zhang!"
....
After leaving the array shop, Dustin made another stop at a weapon store, selling Kao's sword and Onyx's bow for 800 coins of silver.
He then headed to a medicine store, where he purchased a bottle of Energy Yang Pills for 15,000 coins.
Instead of returning to Martial Hall, Dustin left Novaridge City and ventured back into shinwu Mountain.
The mountain's lush forests, fresh air, and serene atmosphere were far more suitable for training than the stifling halls of the Martial Hall.
Finding a secluded spot, he sat cross-legged and placed the Spirit Gathering Array Disc on the ground. Inserting a Vitality Stone into its center slot, he watched as the engraved patterns lit up, emitting a soft glow.
Immediately, Dustin sensed the surrounding heaven and earth energy being drawn towards him. The effect was palpable—the air itself grew denser with Vitality Essence.
Wasting no time, Dustin retrieved an Energy Yang Pill, swallowed it, and began circulating his Muscle and Bone Refinement Technique.
The essence of the forest, the pill's medicinal energy, and the gathered Vitality all merged within his body, transforming into Life and Death Qi, refining his internal organs.
Time blurred. The sun dipped below the horizon, and darkness enveloped the mountain.
BOOM!
A surge of energy erupted within him. Dustin's eyes snapped open, a brilliant gleam flashing in their depths.
A powerful heartbeat resonated through his chest. His entire body pulsed with newfound strength.
"Seventh Body Refinement—success!"
Dustin clenched his fists, feeling the monumental shift in his power.
He had shattered the bottleneck in just a single day.
Even disciples from noble families, with endless resources and superior cultivation methods, would require six months or more to achieve this breakthrough.
Dustin exhaled slowly, realization dawning upon him.
"It's the Pearl of Life and Death... it's completely transformed my body."
Even consuming just two Energy Yang Pills and utilizing a Spirit Gathering Array, he had compressed months of cultivation into a single session.
And his Muscle and Bone Refinement Technique, now enhanced by the Pearl's influence, was no weaker than a third-rank internal cultivation art.
For the next two weeks, Dustin did not return to the Martial Hall.
He hunted monsters by day, sharpening his instincts in life-and-death battles, and cultivated by night, refining his Qi and physique.
By the time the annual assessment arrived, he had transformed into a different person.
The Martial Hall's grand martial arena was abuzz with noise.
Thousands of students—divided into groups of three or five.
A three-meter-high competition platform stood at the center, upon which sat a crystal-like sphere—a Formation Artifact designed to test a martial artist's cultivation level.
Participants, both anxious and confident, lined up for the assessment.
Dustin arrived late, having first washed, changed into clean robes, and ensured he was presentable. The moment he stepped in, whispers spread like wildfire.
"It's him—Dustin."
"I heard he reached the Fifth Body Refinement months ago."
"He defeated intermediate-class students back then... But can he face Jude Zhang?"
Jude Zhang, standing in the crowd, smirked coldly. His cultivation had reached the Eighth Body Refinement, making him a top-tier student.
Beside him, Joshua Zhang sneered, his grudge against Dustin burning strong.
A loud voice cut through the murmurs.
"Silence!"
A Martial Hall elder in blue robes stood on the platform, scanning the crowd.
"Those participating in this year's assessment—step forward!"
Dustin strode forward, his expression calm and indifferent.
Jude Zhang's eyes locked onto him, filled with cruel amusement.
As Dustin approached the crystal sphere, he placed his palm upon it and infused it with Life and Death Qi.
"BOOM!"
A dazzling burst of light erupted. Gasps filled the arena.
The elder's eyes widened in shock. "Ninth Body Refinement.?!"
Then, he looked closer, his face twitching.
"No... It's the Seventh Body Refinement!"
A dead silence fell over the crowd.
Jude Zhang's sneer froze.