Boom!

Accompanied by a thunderous roar like a dam bursting, emanating from within Chen Ku, his entire body's True Qi surged from the "Chong Meridian" and dispersed into his five internal organs and six viscera.

Then it began to condense around the viscera, forming a layer of organ membrane.

"The Fifth Realm, Inner Strength, involves reshaping the body's internal organs and skeletal muscles with one's entire Qi and blood, causing a membrane to form on the surface of each organ and tendon. This allows the Inner Qi to expand, achieving the miraculous feat of enlarging the organs, and compressing or expanding the body shape."

Chen Ku reminisced about the Fifth Realm, Inner Strength, which was not just about refining the organs, but refining the membrane:

"Inner Strength has three stages. The first stage is to form a Qi membrane on the five internal organs and six viscera, followed by the tendons and bones. In terms of realm names, this translates to organ membrane, tendon membrane, and bone membrane. Once all are mastered, it is the Great Perfection of Inner Strength."

He savored the magical experience of breaking through to the Fifth Realm, Inner Strength.

His whole body's pulse became slow, like that of an old tortoise, a direct reflection of an increase in life force and lifespan. In the natural world, creatures with slower heartbeats and pulses generally live longer lives.

This was a fundamental life essence enhancement from the Fourth Realm's advanced Meridian-Opening to the gateway of the Fifth Realm.

Chen Ku circulated the Four Layers of Cultivation Body, integrating four types of True Qi into his five internal organs and six viscera, causing a faint radiance to emerge on their surfaces.

"Although I've initially stepped into the Fifth Realm, achieving organ membrane in one stroke is a painstaking task, not something to rush. Unless... I directly gain insights from a Fifth Realm expert."

He successfully transitioned from the Fourth Realm to the Fifth Realm in less than a week, completing a major breakthrough. Knowing full well he should pause here, as progressing further would be reckless, a mere rush for success, inadvisable.

He gently clenched his fist.

Feeling the changes brought by the Fifth Realm, Inner Strength:

"Qi power has expanded three to four times compared to the Fourth Realm's Meridian-Opening, and the spirit as well. Martial Practitioners, indeed, tread the path of Life and Spirit Dual Cultivation. I feel that with my current spirit, using the Spiritual Heavenly Eye could be doubly effective..."

Thinking of this, he reckoned he could be considered the third Martial Practitioner in the Inner Strength Realm in Baojiao County.

Before he joined Medicine King Hall, only the County Magistrate Shangguan Yun in the entire Baojiao County was an Inner Strength expert of the Fifth Realm.

Later, during a confrontation with the demon people of Peace Path, his master Yang Luochen also successfully stepped into this realm, becoming one of the only two Fifth Realm experts.

Now, counting only the local populace of Baojiao County, he too had achieved a top-three ranking within the city.

He briefly gauged his power.

Chen Ku then stepped out of the room and asked toward the kitchen:

"Is there any meal at home?"

After the breakthrough, his spirit and Qi were full, yet he still missed the taste of food.

Before long, after finishing a meal, he planned to visit Medicine King Hall for a stroll. However, just as he left his courtyard, he noticed everyone in the hall had hesitant looks in their eyes, as if they wanted to say something to him.

"What's going on? What happened?" Chen Ku stepped forward and inquired.

"Young Shopkeeper, you're out." One of the employees immediately explained to Chen Ku: "You don't know, but during your seclusion, several invitations came in, all inviting you, including Miss Sui Qingfang, Young Master Jiang Shaoyou, as well as Di Jianqing from the Prefecture City, Fu Huangfei, Pei Qingzhi, and even Princess Guan Hongluan from Marquis of Han Shou's Mansion... There is even a challenge letter from that Sword Demon Dugu Wuer from Dugu Fort, wanting to spar martial arts with you, Young Shopkeeper."

Listening to so many invitations, Chen Ku felt a stir in his heart, especially with that challenge letter from Dugu Wuer, he speculated a bit about the other's intention.

That Dugu Wuer always wanted to spar with him, Guan Hongluan, and Pei Qingzhi before entering the Martial Arts Heaven and Earth, but after entering, they hardly saw each other.

Adding to his accomplishments in the Martial Arts Heaven and Earth, it's estimated that Dugu Wuer became immensely intrigued by him.

"Decline Dugu Wuer's challenge letter, don't agree."

Chen Ku has always disliked such meaningless challenges; whether won or lost, what's the point?

But regarding other invitations, he viewed them like this:

"As for those other invitations, send each of them a letter in my name. If they wish to drink and be merry with me, let me be the host at Fragrance Pavilion. After all, Baojiao County is our turf; how can we let others treat us?"

"That's all? Got it, I'll do it right away." The employee didn't dawdle.

Chen Ku watched the employee leave with a smile.

He wasn't very interested in fighting, but he was happy to chat with those outstanding talents from the Prefecture City. In a way, this was also laying the groundwork for future networking when he heads to Qiu Dragon Mansion, while also probing them for information about the Prefecture City, preparing for the future journey to Qiu Dragon Mansion.

Moreover,

He intended to sell the Breakthrough Pill worth thirty thousand Martial Destiny he had in hand. If he could trade it to anyone, it would cover the cost of the Fire Extinguishing Pearl.

This would allow him to attempt to enter the core area of Fire Beak Mountain and collect more high-grade Fire Evil Qi.

...

"Oh, Chen Ku is inviting this Commandery Princess to Fragrance Pavilion for a small gathering?"

In the garden estate, upon hearing the news, Guan Hongluan couldn't help but raise her eyebrows slightly, slowly standing up from the red soft couch.

As she stood, the Little Princess's clothes gently fluttered, ruffled by the recent breakthrough to the Fifth Realm's Dragon Subduing Refining God Sword Qi, letting out a light laugh:

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