Stealthily cultivating in the chaotic world of demons and martial artists

Chapter 28: Chapter 28 Inner Power Intro Marrow (Seeking Recommendations)_1 Chapter 28: Chapter 28 Inner Power Intro Marrow (Seeking Recommendations)_1 Slums.

Within the cellar.

Whoosh… inhale…

Fearsome waves of air slapped back and forth against the walls, rippling outwards… as if to form sweeping currents of wind.

Fang Xi was bare-chested, his chest rising and falling like a bellows.

With each breath he took, his qi and blood seemed to strengthen by a notch, and the muscles throughout his body became elastic like rubber.

“The principle of the Iron Shirt Skill is rebound!”

“Reach the Mahayana Realm, and even if a martial artist wields a blunt weapon, they won’t be able to cause much harm!”

Fang Xi bit into a piece of Taisui meat, closing his eyes and meditating on the Divine Intent Diagram of the Iron Shirt Skill.

Time passed, unknown how long.

He suddenly opened his eyes, “Done!”

The Iron Shirt Skill reached Mahayana Realm, once again breaking through True Power!

This time, he felt like his entire body was covered in a layer of transparent gauze, with greatly enhanced defenses, especially around his chest and back!

These two areas were exactly where the White Cloud Palm and Red Snake Leg had deficiencies!

“Just as I expected… with the spiritual energy of the Cultivation World and the help of Taisui meat, my martial arts have improved rapidly! Breaking through is as simple as eating and drinking.”

Fang Xi’s eyes sparked with excitement.

Of course, this was also because he had long been a True Strength Warrior, and now, advancing another martial art to this level was naturally much easier.

Not to mention the assistance of Spirit Sense in comprehending the Divine Intent Diagram.

“But… the Iron Shirt Skill’s enhancement to my overall True Power is already quite small.”

After introspecting for a while, Fang Xi felt somewhat helpless.

The stacking of True Power martial arts was not as simple as one plus one.

If breaking through with the Red Snake Leg for the first time increased his True Power by ten, then the second breakthrough with the White Cloud Palm increased his True Power at most by about four or five.

Of course, an increase of four or five times in True Power meant his strength had already doubled.

But… after that, Fang Xi scoured for martial arts and chose the Heaven Earth Listening Skill, after mastering it, the increase in True Power was probably only about two.

Now with the Iron Shirt Skill breakthrough, the increase to overall True Power is probably even less than one…

“Actually, it should be this way. The total amount of a person’s qi and blood is limited, so there must be a limit… Otherwise, if martial artists keep stacking martial arts, wouldn’t they become invincible?”

“However, in reality, this mixed martial arts approach yields diminishing returns, eventually approaching zero… Instead, the issue of conflicting qi and blood inside a martial artist will keep intensifying!”

Suddenly, a few unnatural flushes appeared on Fang Xi’s face but were quickly suppressed by him.

“By introspecting with Spirit Sense, I have made every effort to choose non-conflicting martial arts, but I’ve reached the limit… Continuing like this would be counterproductive.”

Not only that, but Fang Xi also used the fearsome ability of introspection to finely adjust the four martial arts, making the blood and qi circulate more coordinatedly, reducing conflicts.

If it were a martial artist from Da Liang World who had trained to his level, they would most likely be plagued with countless illnesses by now…

“Luckily… after stacking four martial arts, True Power now covers most of my body.”

In Da Liang Martial Arts, the Three Transformations of Qi and Blood are foundational stages, collectively called ‘Martial Trainee’!

Comprehending the Divine Intent Diagram and integrating True Power are the marks of a ‘Martial Artist’! Comparable to the first level of body refining, or the early stage of Qi Refining for cultivators!

Beyond True Power, one aims to cover the body with True Power, tempering the internal organs, limbs, and bones… waiting for True Strength to be born naturally! This is the stage of a True Strength Warrior!

A True Strength Warrior is already comparable to the second level of a body cultivator, which is the mid-stage of Qi Refining for an Immortal Cultivator!

Fang Xi now has reached the extent of covering his whole body with True Power through the stacking of martial arts, for an overall tempering.

The White Cloud Palm mainly tempers the palms and arms, Red Snake Leg tempers the legs, Iron Shirt Skill covers the torso, and Heaven Earth Listening Skill is more of a niche skill, aiming to increase visual and auditory abilities, with an additional effect of tempering the head.

“Unfortunately… I’m still one True Strength technique short. Mu Canglong is, after all, only a True Strength Warrior, and most of his knowledge on how to proceed further is conjecture…”

Fang Xi lowered his eyelids, “It’s time to slaughter the fattened branch of Yuanhe Mountain.”

Although he had known about Yuanhe Mountain’s location near the Southern City Gate for some time, he had not acted.

That was mainly because Linghu Yang’s martial arts had reached the level of a True Strength Warrior, comparable to the second level of a cultivator.

Although not as versatile as a cultivator, he was not easy to kill.

For the sake of prudence, he needed to elevate his strength to the current limit before making plans.

Moreover… Black Stone City was now a large prison. Linghu Yang couldn’t escape, so there was no need to hurry.

After all, as time passed, the fastest to grow stronger would inevitably be Fang Xi!

…

Green Bamboo Mountain Market.

Pill Furnace Pavilion.

“Does Sir wish to purchase some pills?”

Zhuo Lvting saw a customer with a veiled face approach and greeted them with a beaming smile, without any change in expression.

Cultivators generally liked to keep their wealth secret; there were many who disguised their appearances.

“I wish to buy a certain kind of pill that mainly addresses several issues with the circulation of qi and blood within the body…”

Fang Xi spoke in a gruff voice, stating his requirements.

He had undergone several martial breakthroughs, which dramatically altered his physique, making it markedly different from before.

Moreover, with his face covered, unless this Zhuo Lvting was a Foundation Establishment Immortal Cultivator, he would have no chance of recognizing him.

Although, it seemed it wouldn’t matter much even if he was recognized…

Upon hearing the request, Zhuo Lvting’s smile remained unchanged, “You wish to purchase a pill to resolve conflicts between different Qi and blood? Unfortunately, our pavilion does not carry such pills…”

“You don’t?” Fang Xi felt a faint disappointment in his heart.

Just then, Zhuo Lvting continued with a smile, “While we don’t have them, if you are only looking to solve the Qi and blood conflict problems for Qi Refining and body cultivators, Sir, you could commission our pavilion’s alchemist to tailor-make a pill for you… It’s just that the cost…”

“I don’t have that many Spirit Stones.”

Fang Xi sighed.

In fact, he had already been aware of this solution, like having an alchemist from Pill Furnace Pavilion check his body, personally diagnose and prescribe, and then allow an alchemist to target and concoct the pills. The minor issue of Qi and blood conflict could easily be resolved.

But firstly, he was not the direct lineage of a Foundation Establishment family, with neither the clout nor the abundance of Spirit Stones.

Secondly, a detailed examination of his body would inevitably reveal his uniqueness and might even require disclosing his cultivation methods to others, which was absolutely unacceptable.

Therefore, without further hesitation, he turned and prepared to leave.

At that moment, Zhuo Lvting spoke up again, “If Sir isn’t seeking a complete cure, Lvting here does have a method that treats the symptoms rather than the root cause!”

“Oh? What do you mean by treating the symptoms rather than the root cause?”

Fang Xi stopped in his tracks, his eyes glowing brightly as he stared intently at Zhuo Lvting.

“According to what you’ve described, the Qi and blood conflict is but a minor issue. If the foundation is strong, it shouldn’t pose much harm. It’s just like water conquering fire, but can a mere drop of water extinguish a mountain fire?” Zhuo Lvting explained, “This pavilion has ‘Qi Blood Pills,’ ranked as medium-grade in the first tier, mainly for body cultivators to use. It can increase the Essence Blood within a Cultivator’s body and enhance their foundation… If the foundation is robust and deep, even slight issues won’t hinder further progress. However, this only covers up the problem and does not cure it. The issue will undoubtedly become more severe in the next major realm…”

“Qi Blood Pill?”

Fang Xi’s voice remained steady, but his mind raced.

This Qi Blood Pill could actually increase a person’s overall Qi and blood capacity. In the Great Liang World, it would be the supreme divine medicine that improves one’s martial talent!

In other words, if Fang Xi had consumed a Qi Blood Pill back then, he might not have ended up being regarded as a martial arts failure…

‘This female cultivator makes sense…’

‘If my overall Qi and blood increase, I could at least practice a few more martial arts…’

‘As long as my body’s foundation is solid, even if there’s conflict within my Qi and blood, as long as I can suppress it, it shouldn’t be too problematic…’

‘Who knows, I might breakthrough to Martial Teacher before the hidden issues flare up?’

After much consideration, Fang Xi nodded and agreed, “How much does this Qi Blood Pill cost?”

A medium-grade first tier pill would certainly cost more than a Clear Spirit Pill.

He already had a bad feeling about this.

Sure enough, excitement flickered across Zhuo Lvting’s face the next moment, and with a soft voice, she said, “Five Spirit Stones each.”

…

“Damn you, Pill Furnace Pavilion… Robbing me of my Spirit Stones…”

In the slum area, Fang Xi looked at the blood-red pill in his hand, his face sagging with defeat.

For this one Qi Blood Pill, he had not only depleted his finances and sold all the Spirit Rice he had stored up for food, but he had also borrowed four Spirit Stones of external debt from Chen Ping, Di Qi, and others!

And he had agreed to repay it within a month, with an additional stone!

“When I have Spirit Stones, I’ll consume one Qi Blood Pill and toss another just for spite…”

Fang Xi vowed silently, then swallowed the Qi Blood Pill in one gulp and closed his eyes to refine it with Magic Power.

Soon, he felt the pill’s energy take effect, warming his entire body.

The previous sensation of tightness in his limbs and body disappeared, replaced by a feeling of profound relief.

“Indeed, the Qi Blood Pill is effective!”

A hint of joy appeared in Fang Xi’s eyes.

“The so-called Qi and blood conflict can be likened to a house filled with fierce beasts. If the territory is too small, friction and contention are inevitable, leading to fights and the possibility of the house collapsing…”

“The principle behind the Qi Blood Pill is to reinforce and expand the room… Although the fierce beasts remain, the house is less likely to collapse…”

“Since the beasts still exist, it’s what is meant by treating the symptoms but not the root cause.”

After a long while.

Fang Xi stood up, looking at the filthy black residue, mixed with blood, seeping from his body, and couldn’t help but smile bitterly as he went outside to fetch water to clean himself.

Feeling refreshed in both body and mind, he changed into clean clothes and lay down on the bamboo chair, looking up at the night sky: “How long has it been… since I put everything aside to properly gaze at the starry sky?”

Armed with the Spirit Sense of an Immortal Cultivator and the Spiritual Pills, the notion of having no way forward was a joke to him.

But it was only in this moment of tranquility that Fang Xi truly felt a sense of relief from having made a firm decision.

In this silence, he thought he heard the babbling of a stream, much like the sound of a small river.

When Fang Xi paid close attention, he realized that the sound of the stream was coming from within his own body—it was the sound of his Qi and blood flowing.

Crackle, pop!

A series of explosive sounds emanated from his body, each joint cracking like popcorn, with sinew and bone resonating in unison!

“Is this… True Power seeping into the bones, beginning Marrow Refinement?”

Fang Xi’s eyes brightened.

With True Power reaching such heights, he was just a step away from True Strength arising on its own!