Cultivating Immortality in a World of Chaos

Chapter 9: Breaking Through Blood Qi

In Great Liang.

Outside Blackstone City.

Within a secluded, uninhabited woodland, a streak of azure light danced according to Fang Xi’s will, performing intricate maneuvers with ease.

Swish! Swish!

Over a wide area spanning dozens of meters, compelling sword qi filled the air. A blade’s shadow, resembling a jade leaf, could be faintly seen weaving through the trees. As it swept past, branches parted like soft tofu, revealing smooth cross-sections.

Thud!

The sword effortlessly pierced into a nearby rock, embedding itself three inches deep, showcasing its unparalleled sharpness.

Moments later, the Qinghe Sword hovered before Fang Xi, akin to a swimming azure fish gliding through the air.

With a gesture, he grasped the Qinghe Sword’s hilt and murmured, “As expected, there were some obscure points during magic power circulation. It wasn’t an issue with the Control Art but rather deficiencies in the magical artifact’s formation markings!”

Every cultivator typically mastered the ‘Control Art’, which served as a technique for wielding magical artifacts.

For high-end flying swords, there might even be specialized sword arts tailored to them.

However, such options were clearly beyond Fang Xi’s reach.

Even mastering just the Control Art required him significant effort and dedication.

Indeed, without any magical artifacts prior, practicing this art would have been futile.

Now, holding the Qinghe Sword, Fang Xi felt genuinely invincible within Blackstone City.

“The sensation of controlling this sword is reminiscent of piloting model planes from my previous life; even spending all those spirit stones was worth it.”

After convincing himself it was worth the expense, Fang Xi set aside the Qinghe Sword and began practicing his boxing techniques.

“White Cloud Palm!”

During his recent training in the southern wilderness, he felt increasingly adept at controlling his internal blood and qi. Tonight, he stood on the brink of breakthrough!

Thud! Thud!

Fang Xi’s palms moved swiftly, striking forcefully against an ancient cypress tree before him.

Crack!

Bark splintered, revealing a clear imprint of his palm.

Standing with hands lowered, Fang Xi sensed the gradual movement of his blood and qi, now firmly under his control.

“Huff, huff!”

He panted heavily as beads of sweat evaporated from his skin surface.

“Finally, I’ve achieved the first transformation of blood and qi!” Fang Xi’s eyes gleamed.

He could feel his blood circulation slightly accelerating, while within his limbs and bones, an indescribable surge of strength flowed.

This wasn’t just blood; it was more profound - the power of vital energy!

Under this enhancement of vital energy, his skin, bones, and muscles all experienced a significant boost!

“The entire body is strengthened, but most crucially, my hands!”

Fang Xi gazed at his palms, confirming that ordinary weapons would require considerable force to cut through his skin.

“As expected, the enhancements from Qi and Blood martial arts truly differ from those in the cultivation world.”

He was immensely satisfied; if the first transformation yielded such results, the second and third transformations would undoubtedly be even more impressive.

With these advancements, a dojo master’s realm could truly soar, rivaling a Qi Refinement stage body refinement cultivator. Additionally, it would save vast resources typically needed for physical tempering!

The next day.

Fang Xi followed Mu Piaomiao as they entered Baiyun Dojo.

Located in the western part of Blackstone City, within a residential area, Baiyun Dojo stood quietly amidst its surroundings.

Although called a dojo, it was essentially a large courtyard complex. The front yard accommodated apprentices paying to learn martial arts, while the rear served as living quarters for Mu Canglong’s family.

“Eldest Senior Sister!”

“Eldest Senior Sister!”

It was clear that Mu Piaomiao enjoyed considerable popularity here, with numerous disciples greeting her along the way.

Smiling, Fang Xi accompanied Mu Piaomiao into the rear courtyard.

“This time, my father has decided to accept you as his formal disciple due to your exceptional talent!” Mu Piaomiao turned, her eyes seemingly filled with admiration. “I must admit, I underestimated you earlier. Breaking through to the first transformation of blood and qi in less than a month… You undoubtedly possess remarkable aptitude for the martial path.”

As she spoke, a hint of confusion surfaced, and she murmured to herself, “Has Yuanhe Mountain’s admission standard become this high already?”

In her view, Fang Xi’s aptitude clearly marked him as a minor prodigy.

Fang Xi had no intention of explaining further. He followed Mu Piaomiao into the rear courtyard, where he found Mu Canglong seated on a grand armchair. Several robust disciples attended to him nearby.

Mu Canglong calmly held a purple clay teapot, sipping from its spout with a composed demeanor.

“Greetings, Master!”

Fang Xi stepped forward, bowed respectfully, and presented the apprenticeship gift prepared by A-Fu, the old housekeeper.

“Hmm.”

Mu Canglong leisurely took another sip of tea before speaking. “Breaking through to the first transformation of blood and qi within a month suggests that your body is highly suited for the White Cloud Palm technique. Practice diligently; do not waste this natural talent.”

“Many thanks, Master.”

Fang Xi bowed once more before rising to his feet.

“The White Cloud Palm at the Baiyun level primarily focuses on strengthening palm strikes through sandbag training. However, after achieving the first transformation of blood and qi, additional exercises can be incorporated.”

Mu Canglong’s lips curved slightly as a burly disciple, with a straightforward appearance, voluntarily stepped onto the training ground and plunged both hands into a cauldron filled with burning iron sand.

“Burning Method! This is part of the cultivation path for reaching two transformations of blood and qi. It must be accompanied by specialized secret medicines and mantras unique to our dojo.” Mu Canglong began explaining further.

As he spoke, the disciples behind him listened attentively.

Watching this scene, Fang Xi felt his lips twitching slightly. Clearly, even some formal disciples hadn’t received such detailed instruction, likely relying instead on their senior siblings to teach them these techniques.

Only someone as ridiculously wealthy as Fang Xi could casually attend Master Mu’s lessons for free!

Mu Canglong had many responsibilities; after instructing Fang Xi to continue his training on his own, he promptly returned to his quarters.

Meanwhile, Mu Piaomiao introduced Fang Xi to the other disciples.

Mu Canglong had numerous formal disciples, with Mu Piaomiao being the Eldest Senior Sister. Among them were Second Senior Brother Wu Ji, Third Senior Brother Tang Xuan, Fourth Senior Sister Liu Taotao, and so on…

Third Senior Brother Tang Xuan was the one who had demonstrated the forging technique earlier.

As for Second Senior Brother Wu Ji, he was exceptionally handsome with a warm and friendly smile.

The Fourth Senior Sister, while not strikingly beautiful, possessed captivating long legs.

Fang Xi briefly observed the rest of his fellow disciples, discreetly committing their names to memory.

“Shidi, to enhance your palm strength, it’s best to mix medicinal solutions with the iron sand,” Mu Piaomiao said, her gaze fixed intently on Fang Xi as if looking at a mountain of gold.

True to form, Fang Xi grandly waved his hand, “Let’s start with a hundred portions, just to be prepared!”

Hisss!

Predictably, gasps echoed around the dojo.

“Fang-shidi truly exudes wealth.” Liu Taotao’s eyes sparkled, seemingly ready to pounce if not for Mu Piaomiao’s presence nearby.

“Shidi, with your ample resources and these potions, you might achieve the two transformations of blood and qi within three months,” Mu Piaomiao remarked neutrally as she continued to guide Fang Xi around the dojo.

After touring the facility, Fang Xi seemed somewhat unenthusiastic. “I wonder if there’s a faster way to practice the White Cloud Palm? I’ve heard…that the dojo occasionally obtains demon meat from some source?”

“Fang-shidi is well-informed indeed.” Mu Piaomiao glanced at Fang Xi, slightly surprised, then shook her head seriously. “In martial training, one must not rush ahead recklessly. Demon meat is still too dangerous for you at this stage…” She paused before revealing more information, “The dojo only acquires demon meat sporadically through channels in the black market. Usually, it’s reserved for Father’s own cultivation, or occasionally used when nearing the third transformation threshold…”

Upon hearing this, Fang Xi immediately turned his gaze towards Mu Piaomiao.

As an accomplished practitioner with three transformations of blood and qi, she undoubtedly had access to demon meat.

He couldn’t help but wonder how the demons’ meat in Great Liang compared to the beasts’ meat in the cultivation world?

Despite being financially strapped in the cultivation world, Fang Xi had not entertained the idea of selling demon meat there yet.

After all, with his flying sword at hand, he could even dare to challenge Mu Canglong in Great Liang. However, within the southern wilderness’s cultivation world, he was still considered a novice. It was crucial for him to maintain a low profile.

This led to vastly different approaches in his actions across both worlds.

‘But Eldest Senior Sister underestimates me too much,’ Fang Xi thought to himself.

Based on his calculations, if he trained diligently in this cultivation world, his progress through the two transformations of blood and qi would be astonishingly swift.

Eventually, as his strength grew, accessing resources like demon meat would come naturally without needing elaborate schemes.

This approach promised greater stability compared to plotting meticulously.

However, it required some time to bear fruit.

Being young and a cultivator, Fang Xi possessed the patience to wait.

In the southern wilderness’s cultivation realm,

winter gave way to spring.

The snow around Qingzhu Mountain had completely melted, revealing vibrant emerald greenery brimming with life.

Amidst the bamboo grove, Fang Xi wore only a coarse short-sleeved shirt, seemingly unaffected by the early spring chill.

His muscles bulged prominently, exuding strength and masculinity. With his flourishing blood qi, he now appeared vastly different from the once frail youth.

“After a year of hard work, it’s time to harvest the jade bamboo rice.”

Gazing at the six-fraction plot of bamboo grove, Fang Xi felt a farmer’s joy akin to a bountiful harvest.

This spirit rice was sown in summer, fertilized in autumn, endured the harsh winter, and finally harvested in spring - markedly different from ordinary crops.

Through diligent labor throughout the year, he estimated a yield of two to three bushels of spirit rice, which was quite satisfactory.

Moreover!

With relentless day-and-night cultivation, possibly aided by the abundant spiritual energy in the southern wilderness, his progress in Qi and Blood martial arts surged rapidly.

By now, he had already surpassed the two transformations of blood and qi and stood just a step away from achieving the third transformation!

‘Once I reach the three transformations of blood and qi, I can start accessing resources for demon meat.’

Fang Xi gazed at the bamboo grove, momentarily lost in thought: “Perhaps within the cultivation world, joining certain circles might help explore channels for selling demon meat in the future…”