Back in his room, Zhu Ju finished copying the Wuh Family's "Pure Yang Qi Technique." Staring at the manual before him, the ink still wet, he felt as if he were in a dream.
'Shenn Hu spent decades desperately searching for this, and I just got my hands on it so easily?'
'It's really...'
'A matter of time, a matter of fate!'
Qi Blood Cultivation Methods that could lead one to the Gui Cang Realm, and even higher, were not actually that rare.
It was just that such techniques were mostly monopolized by the top powers of the Martial World and the great Noble Families, making them nearly impossible for outsiders to see.
Just as Wuh Shou had said.
Even within the Wuh Family, one had to reach the Body Tempering Realm in Qi Blood Martial Arts to view the complete "Pure Yang Qi Technique."
It was useless to view it before reaching the Body Tempering Realm, and doing so would only attract unwanted attention.
But once one achieved the Body Tempering Realm, even if others knew you possessed a top-tier Cultivation Method, no one would dare get any ideas.
It wasn't unheard of for a Loose Cultivator to stumble upon a top-tier inheritance by a stroke of luck, but such cases were pitifully rare.
'Wuh Shou had the complete Method because he's the son of the Wuh Family Patriarch. Wuh Zhengyi probably had him memorize it as a bargaining chip to save his own life, just in case he was ever captured.'
'What a pity...'
Shaking his head gently, Zhu Ju's expression grew serious.
'In any case, I have the Cultivation Technique now. The only question is whether it's as effective as the rumors claim.'
The Pure Yang Qi Technique wasn't the absolute pinnacle of Qi Blood Martial Arts, far from comparable to the techniques of the Red Blood Sect or the Five Elements Fist Sect.
However, it did point toward the peak of this world's Martial Arts.
Breaking Limit!
After Gui Cang came the Realm of Breaking Limit—Breaking the Human Body Limit. The most supreme experts in the world were all Limit-Breaking Powerhouses, including the Sect Leader of the Red Blood Sect, Dugu Wuwang.
The strength of a Limit-Breaking Powerhouse varied depending on their Cultivation Technique, constitution, and other factors, but once they achieved that Realm, they were considered a top-tier master in the Martial World.
Theoretically, a Realm existed beyond Breaking Limit—that of the Unparalleled Grandmaster. Unfortunately, in the last thousand years, only one person, Fu Xuan, had ever reached it.
'A heart as pure as a child's, a body that holds Pure Yang... Thankfully, it only requires cultivating a strand of Pure Yang Qi, not a body of a pure-yang child. Otherwise, I'd be in huge trouble.'
Zhu Ju settled into a fist stance and switched from his Health Cultivation Skill to the Pure Yang Qi Technique, attempting to circulate the Qi Blood within his body.
With his understanding and Cultivation in Qi Blood Martial Arts, switching to another Method was not difficult.
A moment later.
HUUUU...
Letting out a long, turbid breath, Zhu Ju slowly ceased his movements, a faint smile gracing his lips.
'As expected of a superior Qi Blood Martial Arts Method. The difference between actively tempering the Physical Body with Qi Blood and letting it happen passively is like night and day. My very first session has already far surpassed the Health Cultivation Skill.'
'Reaching Perfection of my Vital Organs and becoming a Gui Cang Grandmaster is just around the corner!'
Then, his expression grew taut.
'Next...'
'Let's see if Qi Blood Martial Arts can be converted into a Cultivation Method for Inner Qi.'
The top-tier inheritances of this world were extremely similar to Internal Cultivation Methods in their outward effects. If he could convert this to an Inner Qi technique, Zhu Ju would never have to worry about finding top-tier Methods again.
He might even get a chance to obtain a Method that leads directly to the Innate Realm!
After all, the old man had lived his entire life and served San Fen Hall for decades, yet never once had the opportunity to even come close to such a Method.
After a long while.
Zhu Ju set down the manual, his expression complex.
'What a pity!'
In the end, Qi Blood Martial Arts and Inner Qi were fundamentally different. Although they grew more similar at higher levels, their foundations were incompatible, making conversion impossible.
However, while it couldn't be converted into an Inner Power technique leading to the Innate Realm, top-tier Qi Blood Martial Arts had other miraculous uses for tempering the Physical Body. If he could obtain a Method like those from the Five Elements Fist Sect, he could compensate for the shortcomings of his Thirteen Body Refinement and forge the legendary "Water and Fire Immortal Robe"—the hallmark of the Peak of Body Refinement.
At this thought, Zhu Ju gently shook his head again.
It was useless to consider such things before he reached the Gui Cang Realm, let alone Breaking Limit. Once his Cultivation was high enough, he could then try to find a way to obtain one of this world's truly top-tier Qi Blood Martial Arts.
*
*
*
BOOM!
RUMBLE...
Zhu Ju stretched his limbs in the cramped room. The divine light in his eyes was restrained, but his breaths carried the faint sound of a tiger's roar and rolling thunder.
BANG!
As his Fist Momentum shifted, his punches blasted through the air with a sonic boom.
Mixed Element Iron Hand!
Gold-Splitting Hand!
One Foot Soldier, One Inch Iron!
...
Through day after day of Cultivation, Zhu Ju had long since mastered the moves of the Mixed Element Iron Hand, able to adapt them fluidly at will.
And now, it seemed he was on the verge of another breakthrough.
'Shenn Hu once said that with Martial Arts techniques, you first reach the Entry Level, then proficiency. After that comes the integration of move and strength, then strength and Qi. The highest Realm is when the art is cultivated into your very bones, where your every action embodies Qi and Will Integration.'
'And now...'
Zhu Ju's eyes lit up.
'I've touched the threshold of integrating strength and Qi. Soon, I should be able to enter the second stage of Martial Arts techniques. When I fight, I won't have to rely solely on my Hard Skill and brute force.'
KNOCK KNOCK...
A knock came from the door, and a voice called out from the other side:
"Is Young Master Zhu in?"
"Who is it?"
Zhu Ju paused his movements.
"I said not to disturb me for the next couple of days—"
BOOM!
Before he could finish, the door exploded inward, and a figure cloaked in terrifying, Powerful Qi lunged at him.
Before the figure even arrived, an invisible pressure crashed down on him, like the weight of a mountain.
A Gui Cang Grandmaster!
Zhu Ju's pupils shrank as he instinctively raised his arms to block.
The attacker was as fast as a lightning flash, appearing behind him in an instant. A moment later, a sharp, Powerful Qi pierced his Skin and Flesh.
Even with his Thirteen Body Refinement Hard Skill blocking the blow, the Powerful Qi still shattered his gathered Qi Blood as if it were rotten wood. He wasn't, however, grievously wounded by the single strike.
"Oh?"
The attacker's voice was laced with surprise, as if he was astonished by the result of his own attack.
"Golden Flesh and Jade Bone?"
"Haha..."
The surprise quickly gave way to ecstatic joy.
"To think such a thing actually exists in this world! It seems the Young Master can not only be saved, but he can also compensate for his only weakness."
"It's you!" Zhu Ju had now recognized his attacker.
"Elder Ghost."
'Damn it!'
'Didn't Fu Huanlian say he was grievously wounded and wouldn't show his face for the next few months?'
"It is," Elder Ghost replied. He shifted his Body Technique, flashing about like a phantom as his hands struck out in a series of palms and claws.
"Junior, you possess Innate Divine Strength and extraordinary Talent, but it's a pity... you're too slow. Far too slow!"
"Go down!"
THUD!
As his voice faded, Zhu Ju's body went rigid, and he fell backward, stiff as a board.
He didn't know what Method Elder Ghost had used, but the Qi Blood in his body felt as if it were bound by countless chains, leaving him completely paralyzed save for his eyes.
WHOOSH...
The wind howled in his ears.
Elder Ghost carried Zhu Ju as he leaped onto the rooftops and sped toward the city outskirts. Even while carrying another person, his speed was still astonishing.
With his Qi Blood sealed, his body could not muster any strength.
Zhu Ju's eyes darted around as the panic in his heart slowly faded.
As long as he wasn't killed instantly, all he needed was a few breaths to leave this world at any moment.
Just like now.
He could leave whenever he wanted. But since his captor hadn't killed him, he might as well wait and see what was going on.
'Young Master...'
'That Dugu Ming isn't dead yet?'
'As long as this isn't about revenge, I should be fine. But from the way this old ghost is talking, Dugu Ming's injuries can be healed?' Zhu Ju's eyes filled with doubt.
'How is that possible?'
He knew a thing or two about medicine himself, and Dugu Ming's injuries were so severe that not even an Immortal could save him. There was no way he could have survived.
COUGH! COUGH! Elder Ghost faltered, clutching his chest as he let out two soft coughs. A trickle of blood foamed at the corner of his mouth.
Clearly, he was indeed severely injured.
"Xu Qing!"
"Here."
A man appeared nearby, leading a horse-drawn carriage. Elder Ghost threw Zhu Ju into the carriage, and they continued on their way.
After what felt like an eternity, the carriage finally came to a halt.
Zhu Ju's gaze was fixed in one direction, so he had no idea where he was. He only knew that after leaving the carriage, they seemed to have entered the mountains, and then a cave. He could smell a strange, yet familiar, odor.
Herbs!
Blood!
...
"Young Master!"
Elder Ghost dropped Zhu Ju and hurried to the side of a barely breathing Dugu Ming, his voice trembling with excitement.
"Young Master, do not worry. This old servant has brought the man. And... and he possesses the legendary Golden Flesh and Jade Bone."
"R-Really?" Dugu Ming's chest was caved in and his face was deathly pale; he was hanging on by a thread. At those words, his lifeless eyes suddenly shone with a renewed light.
"Go... Golden Flesh and Jade Bone?"
"That's right!" Elder Ghost nodded emphatically.
"It is the legendary Golden Flesh and Jade Bone!"
"This old servant made some special inquiries. Zhu Ju has only been practicing Martial Arts for less than two years, yet his strength is already quite formidable for the Body Tempering Realm. It must be because he was born with Golden Flesh and Jade Bone."
Haaa...
He took a deep breath and said in a solemn voice:
"Young Master, your Martial Arts Talent is one in a million and your potential is superb. Your only weakness is your relatively frail constitution. Now, with the Golden Flesh and Jade Bone to make up for it, you will be able to forge an unsurpassed foundation."
"In the future, forget Breaking Limit—it might not even be impossible for you to become an Unparalleled Grandmaster like Fu Xuan."
"Haha..." Dugu Ming laughed, but the movement aggravated his wounds, causing the corner of his mouth to twitch in pain.
"I never imagined there was someone in this world even more suitable for me than Ye Liuyun. It's all destiny."
"That's right!" Elder Ghost nodded emphatically.
"Even the heavens are looking after you, Young Master. You are destined to achieve supreme greatness."
"Please wait a moment, Young Master. This old servant will go and make the preparations."
Zhu Ju lay nearby, listening to their conversation while trying to break free from his bonds.
Elder Ghost's technique was incredibly profound, somewhat similar to the legendary art of Acupoint striking. He had used a special Method to lock down the circulation of Qi Blood in his body. Without Qi Blood circulating, the body naturally couldn't move, and it would be difficult to break the seal without external help.
It seemed like an inescapable trap.
But they had forgotten one thing: besides cultivating Qi Blood Martial Arts, Zhu Ju had also mastered Strength Methods!
By using the Power of his Skin and Flesh, Tendon and Bone, and Vital Organs, it wasn't impossible for him to break the seal. It would just take some time.