For three consecutive days, Jiang Chen stayed in his courtyard, never stepping outside. He ignored all the outside noise and commotion, refusing every visitor.
After breaking through to the fifth level of the Spirit Realm, Jiang Chen's martial arts inspiration had experienced an explosive surge. This forced him to dedicate a great deal of time to digest the burst of potential brought by the breakthrough.
His Heavenly Eye Divine Pupil and Wind-listening Ear broke through continuously, soaring directly to the fifteenth level.
His Heart of Rock became even more stable, reaching the twelfth level.
Through relentless effort, his Seven Apertures Spiritual Resonance also entered the seventh level.
As for his set of Kurong Shenquan, with the advancement of his cultivation, insights into the fist's intent flowed in continuously, faintly challenging the perfection of the Nine Witherings and Nine Flourishings realm.
The eight blade intents of his Blue Sea Reversal Blade also poured in one after another.
The feeling of inspirational explosion left Jiang Chen immensely excited. If not for being in his secluded chamber, he likely would have started practicing long ago.
However, martial arts cultivation could also be consolidated through mental simulation.
Jiang Chen immersed himself in the world of martial arts, freely releasing his inspiration and digesting the fruits of his breakthrough.
...
However, while Jiang Chen had not stepped outside for three days, the outside world was abuzz with discussion, and various rumors continued to spread.
"See? This so-called worldly genius crumbles at the slightest blow. One small setback, and he self-destructs."
"It seems he really was just a shooting star—a flash in the pan. Can someone with such poor mental fortitude really be called a genius? What a joke."
"Could it be this guy couldn't handle the blow and killed himself in his courtyard? Hahaha, these worldly ants have it tough. Don't you think we're being a bit too cruel?"
"Cruel? What a joke! If your mental strength is poor, you don't deserve to walk the martial path. To survive in the martial world, you must accept this cruel reality."
"Suicide? Unlikely, but he'll probably be utterly broken. Forget it, no need to mention ants who can't even pass this mental test."
These so-called geniuses critiqued from the sidelines, wearing expressions of aloof superiority.
"Petty people," Chu Xinghan muttered upon hearing these discussions, shaking his head. Their behavior was truly pathetic. With such a mindset, they were destined to be mere cannon fodder on the path of martial arts.
Chu Xinghan did not believe it. With Jiang Chen's character, he would not be broken so easily. He recalled how, during the battle at the Second Crossing Pass, Jiang Chen had risked death to kill Long Juxue.
A man with such resolve would not be so easily defeated. This minor setback probably meant nothing in his eyes.
"Not coming out for three days? Could it be that this lad has transformed his anger into motivation and decided to train with all his might?" This thought flashed through Chu Xinghan's mind.
Thinking about it, it made sense. After all, Jiang Chen had already scored nearly two thousand points, firmly placing him in the upper tier. There was absolutely no worry about demotion.
Perhaps Jiang Chen was using this opportunity to train diligently, motivated by shame.
During these three days, Tang Hong had visited outside Jiang Chen's courtyard at least ten times, pacing by the gate each time but ultimately not going in.
Every day after completing his challenge missions, Tang Hong would come to check on Jiang Chen's courtyard gate.
Though he wasn't worried that Jiang Chen would do something foolish, his absence for several days made Tang Hong feel uneasy.
"Those despicable rats are all gossiping behind his back. Hmph, the boss I, Tang Hong, acknowledge isn't so easily knocked down!" Tang Hong scoffed at the outside rumors.
He didn't think his boss was suffering a breakdown from a setback. With his boss's mental fortitude, which easily overshadowed Tang Hong's own, how could he be unable to handle such a minor blow?
"That day, the boss told me to leave, saying he needed to train. Could his training have led to a breakthrough?" Tang Hong stood outside Jiang Chen's courtyard, pacing back and forth.
He rubbed his large hands together impatiently, his thatch-like hair tousled as he scratched it now and then, looking thoroughly disheveled.
Yet, this burly, bear-like figure standing on the main path outside Jiang Chen's courtyard made the passing genius disciples give him a wide berth, afraid of angering this unpredictable force.
Everyone knew Tang Hong was not someone to cross.
Those who had been bad-mouthing Jiang Chen were especially unwilling to run into him, fearing they'd be caught and beaten. Tang Hong had never been one to stay out of trouble.
If he went on a rampage, no one could stop him. In a situation like this, who would dare to provoke him?
Still, people couldn't help but wonder: Was there something wrong with Tang Hong's head? Instead of clinging to the powerful Tie family of the Treasure Tree Sect, he acknowledged a worldly martial artist as his boss.
It was like a prince in a mortal kingdom, ignoring noble connections to fraternize with commoners.
To most, it seemed like his brain had been squeezed in a door.
Though these so-called smart people might be superior in petty cleverness and schemes, how many possessed Tang Hong's greater wisdom?
Tang Hong might be straightforward, but that didn't mean he lacked the discernment to judge people.
The day they met, they clashed, but why had Tang Hong willingly acknowledged Jiang Chen as his boss? It wasn't merely because of a bet.
It was because Jiang Chen had effortlessly outmatched him in both mental strength and alchemy.
Furthermore, in terms of martial talent, when Tang Hong had probed him twice before entering the Spirit Tower, he hadn't gained the upper hand.