Rebirth of Bi Gan: A Male Student Traverses the “Investiture of God”

After waking up, Zhang Hao immediately resumed his cultivation with a renewed sense of urgency. He knew that to compete with the top disciples of the outer sect, he needed to make significant progress in his cultivation.

"Lin Yue, apart from Chen Feng and Wang Yao, who are the other top ten disciples of the outer sect?" Zhang Hao inquired, eager to understand the landscape of his potential rivals.

Lin Yue pondered for a moment, "My master once said that the rankings of the outer sect's top ten change every year. For instance, Chen Feng, who you saw the other day, has only recently made it onto the Dragon and Tiger List. Each of them has their own specialties and secret techniques, and none should be underestimated."

Zhang Hao nodded in understanding. He was well aware that every disciple who made it into the top ten of the outer sect had gone through countless challenges and hardships. Their strength was not just about the depth of their cultivation but also their understanding of martial arts and keen sense of combat.

Sitting across from Zhang Hao, Lin Yue held a worn scroll in her hands, gently tracing the text on it. "For example, Li Mu, who ranks fifth, is proficient in formations. He can set up various arrays during battles, making him very unpredictable," she said.

Zhang Hao acknowledged the importance of formations, a field entirely new to him. He recognized that if used correctly, formations could be a significant advantage in combat.

"And what about Wang Yao? Where does she rank among the top ten of the outer sect?" Zhang Hao thought of the aloof inner sect disciple, whose swordsmanship and cultivation had left a deep impression on him.

A flicker of complexity crossed Lin Yue's eyes as she spoke, "Wang Yao's strength is unfathomable, and her swordsmanship is swift and lethal. Among the top ten of the outer sect, her abilities are definitely among the best. Many female disciples in the outer sect aspire to be like her."

Zhang Hao pondered for a moment before asking, "What about the specific strengths of Chen Feng and Wang Yao?"

Lin Yue organized her thoughts and continued, "Both Chen Feng and Wang Yao are half a step into the Orifice Opening stage. Their strength is already on par with any Body Refinement cultivator."

"Chen Feng, like Zhao Gang, is known for his power. His boxing skills are heavy as a thousand jun, and each strike carries the might to shatter mountains and split boulders. Wang Yao, on the other hand, is famous for her swordsmanship. Her swordplay is as ethereal and deadly as a fairy from the Jade Pool."

"Although they are strong, they do not rank in the top two. My master mentioned that the top two spots on the Dragon and Tiger List have remained unchanged for several years. They rarely show their faces throughout the year, only appearing at our grand assembly. Their strength is said to have reached the Orifice Opening stage. They have chosen to remain outside the inner sect for adventure , but under normal circumstances, they would have long qualified to join."

Listening to Lin Yue's descriptions, Zhang Hao couldn't help but feel a surge of interest in these top people of the outer sect. He asked curiously, "Do you think I have a chance to defeat them and become the number one in the outer sect?"

Lin Yue playfully winked and flashed a sly smile, "You, Zhang Hao, won't just be among the top ten of the outer sect; even the inner sect disciples will have to make way for you. With your current strength and talent, if you cultivate diligently, you are bound to dominate in the future."

Zhang Hao felt a bit embarrassed by Lin Yue's praise and grinned, showing his white teeth, "I wouldn't dare compare with those seniors; they have been cultivating much longer than me. However, I am looking forward to witnessing the prowess of the top ten outer sect disciples."

Zhang Hao spent the entire morning in the library, immersed in one book after another. "If I want to defeat the top ten of the outer sect, I must at least break through the Body Refinement stage first," he mused.

Zhang Hao was clear that he needed to reach the Orifice Opening stage to have a chance to compete with them. The Orifice Opening stage is a qualitative leap for cultivators. Those who reach this realm can perceive spiritual energy beyond the reach of ordinary people and gain a deeper understanding of all things in the world. Their bodies, bathed in spiritual energy, become stronger, and their reaction speeds and combat instincts far exceed those of ordinary people.

In the world of cultivators, the Orifice Opening stage is a crucial phase after breaking through from the Body Refinement stage. It signifies the beginning of truly engaging with and utilizing the spiritual energy between heaven and earth. The Orifice Opening stage can be divided into three phases: early, middle, and late, each with its unique characteristics and focus.

In the early phase of the Orifice Opening stage, the main task for cultivators is to sense the surrounding spiritual energy. Their senses become more acute, capturing the fluctuations of spiritual energy in the air, perceiving and absorbing it around them, laying the foundation for further cultivation.

As cultivators enter the middle phase of the Orifice Opening stage, they move beyond merely sensing spiritual energy and begin learning how to mobilize and control it. They can guide the perceived spiritual energy into their bodies and attempt to use it to strengthen their physique, heal injuries, or enhance attacks. Through specific techniques and methods, they gradually master the use of spiritual energy, making it a significant aid in their cultivation and battles.

In the late phase of the Orifice Opening stage, cultivators can introduce spiritual energy into their bodies and form circuits within. The spiritual energy is no longer foreign but integrates with the body. They can wield spiritual energy more naturally and fluidly. During this stage, cultivators significantly enhance their accumulation and application of spiritual energy, greatly improving their combat power and survival capabilities.

Throughout the cultivation process of the Orifice Opening stage, cultivators' understanding of the world and all things within it also changes. They begin to comprehend the laws of nature and the mysteries of life from a deeper level. This profound understanding not only increases their cultivation efficiency but also makes them more composed when facing various challenges.