Translator: CinderTL
"I won't change my goal," Jiang Ye said, his gaze unwavering.
He knew it would be difficult.
But giving up at the first sign of hardship was simply not in his nature.
Zhang Jianwu's expression shifted slightly. He had long recognized Jiang Ye's stubbornness.
Every person who perseveres with unwavering effort possesses such tenacity.
Once they set their sights on a goal, they refuse to waver easily.
Yet even after Zhang Jianwu had explicitly warned him of the near-impossible challenge ahead, Jiang Ye remained steadfast. This surprised him.
"Very well," Zhang Jianwu said, a sudden smile spreading across his face. His admiration for Jiang Ye deepened.
Faced with such daunting odds, the young man's resolve remained unshaken.
Zhang Jianwu grew increasingly convinced that this young prodigy was destined to leave his mark on the cosmic martial arts world.
"Jiang Ye, you've impressed me," Zhang Jianwu said, draining his teacup in one gulp. "Since you're so determined, I'll guide you toward a clear path!"
Jiang Ye's eyes lit up as he straightened in his seat. "Director, please elaborate."
Zhang Jianwu looked at him intently. "If you can achieve your first breakthrough before the College Entrance Examination, participate in the 'Cosmic Divine Path' trial."
"Undergo strength certification."
"Once you pass the certification, your strength will skyrocket in an incredibly short time."
"At that point, it's even possible to improve by twenty or thirty points overnight," he added with a smile.
Jiang Ye's pupils constricted sharply.
His mind reeled.
Zhang Jianwu wasn't surprised by Jiang Ye's reaction. After all, improving by twenty or thirty points overnight was an absurdly exaggerated claim.
What he didn't know was that Jiang Ye was thinking about something else entirely.
"Cosmic Divine Path?" The dream Jiang Ye often had flashed before his eyes.
In that dream, he had also seen those three words.
The man who might be his biological father had carried him toward a magnificent golden palace.
Above the palace entrance, the words "Cosmic Divine Path" were inscribed in gleaming characters.
"Director," Jiang Ye said, snapping back to reality, "what exactly is this 'Cosmic Divine Path' trial you mentioned?"
Zhang Jianwu smiled faintly and explained, "To be precise, the Cosmic Divine Path isn't a trial in the traditional sense. It's more like a certification agency."
"However, it does operate through trials."
"Only by passing the corresponding trials will you be recognized by it," Zhang Jianwu explained slowly.
Jiang Ye listened intently.
"The Blue Star Federation recognizes seven major shackles on the human body, also known as the Seven Breakthroughs," Zhang Jianwu explained. "Each time you break through a shackle, you can complete the corresponding certification trial on the Cosmic Divine Path."
Jiang Ye found this intriguing.
According to this explanation, whether it was the first, second, third, or even the highest seventh breakthrough, all could be certified on the Cosmic Divine Path?
Wait a minute...
Why did this sound so familiar?
Wasn't this his Martial Dao Heavenly Ladder?
Realizing this, Jiang Ye couldn't help but ask, "What exactly is the Cosmic Divine Path? Is it just a road?"
"No," Zhang Jianwu replied, shaking his head. "The Cosmic Divine Path is a mysterious space accidentally discovered after Blue Star connected with the cosmos."
"Within that space, there is indeed a road, but this road... leads to the stars!"
"Its origins remain unknown, but we know it's incredibly ancient. Humanity has yet to fully understand its mysteries."
He chuckled. "Do you know why our martial dao is now called cosmic martial arts? And why martial artists are called cosmic martial artists?"
Jiang Ye pondered thoughtfully.
Jiang Ye had always believed the term "cosmic martial arts" originated from cosmic energy.
But now it seemed the truth was far more complex.
"Could it be because of that path within the Cosmic Divine Path?" Jiang Ye speculated.
Zhang Jianwu nodded. "Exactly! It's because of that path!"
"Anyone who ascends that path and passes the strength certification will receive the Cosmic Blessing!" A hint of longing flashed across his face.
"Cosmic Blessing?" Jiang Ye's expression froze.
"The Cosmic Blessing comes from the cosmos, from the deepest reaches of the vast Cosmic," Zhang Jianwu said in a low voice.
"After receiving the Cosmic Blessing, both your strength and potential will undergo a quantum leap."
"That's why martial artists who achieve their first breakthrough are called cosmic martial artists."
"In reality, to the Federation, only martial artists certified through the Cosmic Divine Path can truly be considered cosmic martial artists!"
"They have earned the recognition of the cosmos!"
Jiang Ye held his breath.
Zhang Jianwu's words stirred a sense of awe and longing within him.
To receive cosmic certification, cosmic recognition!
What greater honor could a martial artist aspire to?
"So, this is the true origin of cosmic martial artists," Jiang Ye murmured, his heart racing.
Zhang Jianwu smiled. "If you can obtain the Cosmic Blessing, I'm sure gaining admission to Penglai University will be no challenge at all."
Jiang Ye held his breath and asked, "Director, can someone who has just achieved their first breakthrough pass the trial?"
Logically, such a trial should be quite challenging. Otherwise, wouldn't everyone be able to pass?
Zhang Jianwu shook his head. "The Cosmic Divine Path doesn't assess your cultivation realm, but rather your combat prowess relative to your peers."
"As long as your combat strength meets the standard, whether you've just broken through to the first breakthrough or reached its peak, you'll be certified."
Jiang Ye nodded.
"The difficulty is definitely considerable," Zhang Jianwu sighed. "I've heard that even for the first breakthrough certification, the success rate is less than one in five."
"But that's still a long way off for you."
He looked at Jiang Ye and said, "Even if you wanted to attempt the trial, you'd first need to reach the first breakthrough. Strive to achieve it as soon as possible."
Jiang Ye nodded. "Yes."
For him, the Cosmic Divine Path was indeed an opportunity. But whether he could succeed would depend on what happened after his first breakthrough.
"Come," Zhang Jianwu said with a smile, raising his glass. "To your wish being fulfilled in three months!"
"To my wish being fulfilled!" Jiang Ye raised his glass as well.
Clink!
After the meal, Zhang Jianwu drove Jiang Ye to the Shadow Hunting Bureau to visit Jiang Dahai.
Jiang Dahai was still on duty at the bureau.
"Dad!" Jiang Ye called out as he entered the security room.
"Xiao Ye?" Jiang Dahai rushed forward to greet him. "What are you doing here? Weren't you on a mission?"
"It's already finished," Jiang Ye replied.
"And who is this?" Jiang Dahai asked, glancing at Zhang Jianwu with a puzzled expression.
"This is our school's grade director, Director Zhang," Jiang Ye introduced.
"Director Zhang, it's an honor to meet you," Jiang Dahai said, quickly extending his hand.
Zhang Jianwu chuckled warmly. "Brother Jiang, you've raised a remarkable son!"
Jiang Dahai's heart skipped a beat. Could his son have gotten into serious trouble?
"Director Zhang, my son is still young and doesn't always think things through," Jiang Dahai blurted out instinctively.
Zhang Jianwu looked momentarily surprised.
Then he shook his head with a smile. "You've misunderstood. Jiang Ye has actually performed a great service for Ancheng Third High School!"
How valuable was a Reserve Star Professional Cadre?
Across the entire West Mountain Province, with its hundreds of millions of residents, only a few dozen such cadres emerged each year.
Yet here was one from Ancheng, a small, unremarkable city, and Ancheng Third High School, a school with no particular reputation!
Jiang Ye's achievement would undoubtedly make headlines in Ancheng.
After understanding the full story, Jiang Dahai stared at Jiang Ye in shock. "Xiao Ye, is this really true?"
Jiang Ye shook his head with a smile. "Would the director ever lie?"
"Good, good, that's wonderful," Jiang Dahai said, his voice choked with emotion.
Jiang Ye had truly exceeded expectations this time.
He had brought glory to their school and to Ancheng!
This was news of monumental proportions!
Once Jiang Dahai had calmed down, Jiang Ye said, "Dad, we're heading back tomorrow. You should go home soon too."
"Alright, I'll be back in a few days," Jiang Dahai grinned. "Don't worry, I've been here this long without any trouble. If I just hang on a little longer, I'll get that fifty thousand yuan bonus."
Jiang Ye shook his head helplessly.
He understood his foster father's feelings.
Fifty thousand yuan was a substantial sum.
Without further comment, Jiang Ye exchanged a few more words with his foster father before turning to leave with Zhang Jianwu.
As night fell, the two would spend one more night in Qingyang City.
Back at the hotel, Jiang Ye didn't rest.
He assumed a horse stance and resumed practicing the Star Martial Advancement Method.
This cultivation technique emphasized both internal and external cultivation. In addition to daily internal energy refinement, it required rigorous physical training.
Huff! Huff!
Jiang Ye punched his palm, and a vast surge of energy erupted like a tidal wave, powerful and forceful.
My Star Martial Advancement Method is still at 46%, Jiang Ye thought to himself. To achieve Small Success within the next three months, I must seize every moment.
Reaching Small Success in the Advancement Method is the prerequisite for achieving the first breakthrough.
At that point, his Guanyuan Acupoint would be capable of storing a hundred thousand strands of stellar energy.
After undergoing several more cosmic temperings, he could completely propel his life's evolution, shattering the shackles that bound him.
Time flowed onward.
Before he knew it, it was one in the morning.
Jiang Ye halted his cultivation, his body steaming with sweat.
[Star Martial Advancement Method: Entry (46%) → (47%)]
Once the hundred thousand subsidy is disbursed...
My cultivation speed should increase further, Jiang Ye calculated mentally. Reaching Small Success within three months won't be a problem.
He rose and headed to the bathroom for a hot shower.
By half-past one in the morning, Jiang Ye wasn't entering the Martial Dao Heavenly Ladder this time. Instead, he lay down on his bed.
Tonight, he decided to consciously fall asleep.
Jiang Ye wanted to see what the 'Cosmic Divine Path' in his dreams truly was.
(End of the Chapter)