Chapter 19: Chapter 19: Breaking Through True Power (Request for Collection) _1 Chapter 19: Chapter 19: Breaking Through True Power (Request for Collection) _1 “In the Great Liang Blood Qi Martial Arts, before the Three Transformations of Qi and Blood, one thickens their own Qi and Blood, and can be called a Martial Trainee…”
“Once the peak of the Three Transformations of Qi and Blood is reached, one can comprehend the Divine Intent Diagram, integrate True Power, and step into the realm of a Real Strength Warrior!”
“This is also the limit for the majority of Martial Arts School Principals!”
At the Fang Residence’s backyard.
Fang Xi grasped that hard-won breakthrough inspiration, as the power of Qi and Blood within his body, at its peak, roamed through his limbs and bones, vaguely beginning to combine and form a completely new strength.
He remained calm and composed, pondering over two Divine Intent Diagrams, his Spirit Sense merging with all transformations, searching for a certain opportunity.
‘As an Immortal Cultivator with Spirit Sense, when it comes to comprehending Divine Intent Diagrams, there seems to be an advantage over ordinary martial artists…’
A thought emerged out of nowhere in Fang Xi’s mind.
The next instant, twisted serpent shadows abruptly surfaced in his mind.
The Red Snake Leg Divine Figure!
“I didn’t expect… that the Red Snake Leg would be the first to break through?”
“As expected, comprehending the Divine Intent Diagram is a matter of chance, changing unpredictably…”
The mountains and waters originally in the diagram, as well as the snake shadows, in Fang Xi’s eyes at that moment, were the patterns of the movement of the Power of Qi and Blood…
Even when he was unawares, the violent Qi and Blood within his body began to circulate on their own, following some mysterious trajectory.
Innumerable forces of Qi and Blood twisted and entangled… as if streams of silk were congregating into ropes of steel.
Crack!
As if some kind of shackle had been broken!
Fang Xi turned his gaze inward and discovered a new kind of power within himself!
True Power!
This force was completely different from the ‘Inner Breath’ commonly spoken of in the Cultivation World, based in the limbs and bones, coursing between muscles, and strengthening internal organs.
Because it is genuine, it is called ‘True Power’!
Once True Power was established, the surging Power of Qi and Blood within Fang Xi quickly transformed into True Power.
Then, he let out a satisfying long howl, feeling the skin, hands, and main trunk of his body quickly becoming harder! Especially at the location of his legs, the extent of strengthening far exceeded any other part of his body.
After all, it was the Red Snake Leg that achieved the breakthrough!
This was also the disadvantage of third-rate martial techniques, focusing mainly on one part; even though other areas were also strengthened, they were far inferior compared to those secret profound teachings.
Crack!
Fang Xi instinctively stamped his foot.
Bang!
Under his feet, the bluestone slab caved in like it was struck by a heavy hammer, forming a large pit, with numerous deep cracks spreading out like a spider web in all directions.
Previously, Fang Xi absolutely couldn’t achieve such destructive power with such ease!
“Indeed… there is a wide gulf between True Power and ordinary Martial Trainees of Qi and Blood.”
“No wonder Mu Canglong defeated She Lei so effortlessly; it would be the same for me.”
Fang Xi estimated that his martial prowess had increased at least two to three times, capable of beating ten or more of his past selves before the breakthrough.
As for She Lei, he would merely be an issue of one kick.
Pausing a moment, as if he had just recalled something, a Flying Sword as thin as a Green Leaf appeared in his hand!
— The Green Barley Sword!
Fang Xi held the hilt of the sword, its blade against his own finger.
After a thought, he still rolled up the leg of his pants, pressing the tip of the sword against his skin.
A slight resistance was felt.
He pressed harder, and the Flying Sword was momentarily obstructed, then easily pierced the skin, letting a trickle of fresh blood seep out…
“This defensive strength, indeed, is comparable to that of a body cultivator at the first level of body refining…”
Fang Xi nodded.
A body cultivator at the first level of body refining was comparable to a cultivator at the early stages of Qi Refining!
But this does not mean that one’s body can be tougher than a low-grade magical weapon!
Comparing flesh and blood to metal is inherently foolish.
“To truly be immune to low-grade magical weapons, or to have a body comparable to the strength of a magical weapon, requires at least the fourth level of body refining, which is equivalent to a body cultivator at the Foundation Establishment level. Only then can one withstand slashes from low or mid-grade magical weapons without even losing a hair…”
“A body cultivator at the first level of body refining can momentarily resist slashes from low-grade magical weapons… and with tougher muscles and bones, perhaps entrap a low-grade magical weapon, stronger survivability, greater strength… those are the benefits.”
With these advantages, in close combat, a body cultivator would have the upper hand against an ordinary cultivator.
“This is why my magical weapon, the Flying Sword, poses a considerable threat to the Principal of the Martial Arts School, even to someone like Linghu who is in charge.”
“Moreover, this is equivalent to freely reaping dozens of Spirit Stones to achieve the first level of body refining, such great joy…”
Fang Xi flicked the Green Barley Sword, causing the blade to buzz with a sound like Dragon Chanting.
“With today’s breakthrough, it’s time to kill a few people to ease my mind…”
He looked in the direction of the Red Snake Martial Arts School.
Both Lu She and She Lei had long been on his list, it was just that he had refrained from acting previously.
After all, She Lei was one thing, but Lu She posed some threat.
Now, after the breakthrough, they were no match for him.
‘And… by killing Lu She and others, I can make those behind the scenes at Yuanhe Mountain think that I’ve only uncovered what they wanted me to uncover, heh… they wanted a trap for me? They’ll find out that the same trap doesn’t work the same way on everyone.’
…
That night.
Red Snake Martial Arts School!
“I don’t know what’s gotten into the Principal lately, always talking with several elders all night.”
A disciple on the night patrol yawned as he looked at the building still bright with lights, muttering to himself.
With his superiors working so hard, he had no chance to slack off and sleep.
While he was still bleary-eyed, suddenly something seemed to flash by.
“What was that?”
He quickly lifted his lantern, rubbing his eyes, only to find the surrounding area tranquil, with the occasional sounds of insects stirring.
“Could it be a bat?”
The disciple muttered to himself and continued his night patrol.
Inside the study.
Lu She looked at a scroll of the map, his expression very grim: “This hunting expedition for demons… At first, it was said to be going smoothly, but suddenly Lao Feng and a few others fell, and it was said that there were no traces of their bodies living or dead, troublesome…”
In front of Lu She, there were only several Grandmasters from the Red Snake Martial Arts School, who had all achieved the Three Transformations of Qi and Blood; She Lei was among them.
“Principal… Could Yuanhe Mountain have found no clues?” She Lei asked.
“Hmph, Linghu Yang of Yuanhe Mountain is just a muddled fool!” Lu She cursed angrily.
But after cursing, he fell into deep thought.
This Linghu Yang in charge of Black Stone City, though unapproachable, was not a fool.
His behavior at that time was indeed peculiar.
Could it be… he noticed something?
“If it is really that… I’m afraid we can’t stay in Black Stone City any longer.”
Lu She, holding a candlestick, looked back and forth at the map, contemplative.
Put! Put! Put!
Just then, several light popping sounds suddenly came from the void.
“Ene…”
Before a Grandmaster of the Red Snake Martial Arts School could finish speaking, a Formless Sword Qi slit his throat, causing him to fall into a pool of blood, clutching his throat, unable to utter a sound.
“What kind of martial art is this?”
Lu She was both shocked and enraged!
This kind of Formless Sword Qi almost bordered on the stuff of myth and legend.
Perhaps only a Grandmaster of the legends could achieve such a feat.
But if it really were a Grandmaster, why bother with a sneak attack?
A simple command, and the entire Red Snake Martial Arts School would be leveled.
Bang!
In his shock and anger, a figure rushed into the room, with legs flying everywhere.
“Ugh!”
Among several stifled grunts, the few still intact Grandmasters were swept away, their bones seeming to turn soft and mushy.
Especially She Lei, whose breastbone caved in, clearly beyond saving.
“This is…”
“The Red Snake Leg!”
Lu She’s eyes twitched as he recognized the leg technique of the assailant.
That leg technique, supple as if boneless in mid-air, changing unpredictably, he would never mistake it!
“True Power warrior, who are you?”
Lu She shouted.
“Clamor!”
Fang Xi, in black clothes and masked, moved his right leg, pumping True Power into his thigh, making the muscles bulge like iron, sweeping through enemies like a scythe.
Bang!
Lu She, also at the level of a Martial Arts School Principal, stood on one leg, kicking out.
The two leg shadows tangled like pythons, then rapidly separated.
In the void, only dull thuds could be heard.
“What a pity…”
Fang Xi stood with his hands behind his back, suddenly letting out a sigh filled with regret.
“Why is it a pity?” Lu She glanced discreetly at his own calf, a numbing feeling starting to spread from where their legs had touched.
Reluctantly, he had to admit that the vigor of youth was not to be underestimated!
Moreover, the ferocity of the opponent’s Qi and Blood far exceeded his expectations, causing this Martial Arts School Principal to be at a disadvantage.
“What a pity the Red Snake Leg really has no way forward.”
Fang Xi answered truthfully.
This Principal of the Red Snake Hall – that’s the extent of his prowess, not even a Secret Skill to speak of, weak as they come.
From this, it is evident that after reaching the level of Martial Arts School Principal, the Red Snake Leg indeed has no further cultivation methods.
This made Fang Xi feel quite helpless.
He wanted to advance his martial realm even faster!
After all, isn’t the realm of a Martial Arts School Principal equivalent to one refinement of Body Refining? So, if he could break through to a much higher realm, wouldn’t that be akin to a second Body Refinement?
You should know, in the Green Bamboo Mountain Market, the cost for a single Body Refining is about dozens of Spirit Stones; however, the Spirit Stones needed for a second Body Refining would surely break the hundred mark!
Once successful, one could definitely rival a mid-stage Qi Refining Cultivator!
If he reached that realm, Fang Xi would dare to let himself loose a little more in the Cultivation World.
“Sir, were you once an apprentice in this School, and have you come in pursuit of the follow-up to the Red Snake Leg?”
Lu She’s pupils shrank to pinpoints as he shouted loudly, “It’s a pity… The Red Snake Leg has reached its limit with True Power, unable to train the entire body and transform True Power into True Strength, and thus unable to step into the higher realm of a Martial Teacher!”
“Oh? After becoming a Martial Arts School Principal, the next step is to train the entire body and transform True Power, you say?”
Fang Xi’s eyes brightened.
“Hehe… Sir, you have extraordinary talent, but it’s a shame you have strayed off the path. With the Red Snake Leg fully mastered, Qi and Blood will inevitably conflict with other martial skills, making it impossible to practice the true skills. Your future achievements are limited, ha ha!”
Lu She laughed heartily.
But after the laughter, he felt something was amiss.
His laughter gradually subsided and his expression became more puzzled.
“Are you wondering why, even though you’re shouting so loudly, no one from outside comes to save you, as if they’re all dead?” Fang Xi’s eyes mocked: “It’s a pity… I just won’t tell you!”
Outside the door, a Talisman quietly adhered to the corner.
No matter how much noise erupted within the room, the outside world remained silent…