《Data Cultivation System》


 Chapter 1

    Translator: Atlas Studios Editor: Atlas Studios


    ¡°The fist is like a powerful arrow, the back is like a bow, the waist is like the tendons of a dragon, and the meaning is like a ferocious tiger. The essence is boiling, and the Qi is released from the beginning¡­¡±


    The crisp sound was not loud, but it was filled with determination. The moon was bright and the stars were sparse. At the lakeside of a small valley, the sky was reflected in the lake. There was a youth of about thirteen or fourteen years old practicing his fist techniques by the lake. He kept chanting the incantation of the fist techniques and his movements were quite smooth. Clearly, he had already practiced this set of fist techniques thoroughly. Although his strength was not enough, his movements were still somewhat charming.


    Although the young man had a strong physique, he was still young. He exerted all his strength in a set of fist techniques. In less than an hour, he had practiced the fist technique from beginning to end. He was already sweating profusely and panting like an ox.


    Zhuge Xiang squatted by the lake and scooped some cool lake water to wash his face. He was a little depressed. He had practiced this set of Qi Nurturing Fist for a whole year, but he still had not successfully comprehended the Qi Sense. There was still half a month before the annual recruitment meeting. If he could not comprehend the Qi Sense in the last half a month, then he would only be an ordinary person in this life, an ordinary person who ran around every day to feed himself.


    Speaking of Zhuge Xiang¡¯s background, it was quite miserable. He had been alone since he was young and had been begging with an old beggar. He had lived a life without stopping until a year ago, when he was begging in a rich family. Not only did his master not help him, but he even let the dog kill the old beggar.


    With hatred in his heart, Zhuge Xiang stole a dagger at night and sneaked into that wealthy family and killed all 13 members of that family. Then, a young man appeared and asked Zhuge Xiang if he wanted to become a superior person, if he wanted to eat meat and did not have to worry about food. When Zhuge Xiang said yes, he followed the young man and came to the Asura Sect.


    The Great Qin Empire had a population of two billion and a territory of tens of thousands of miles. The martial arts culture was very strong, and the nine great sects stood in great numbers. They could even rival the imperial family of the empire. The Asura Sect was one of them, and its strength could be seen from this.


    Every year, the Asura Sect would recruit 100,000 youths between the ages of 12 and 15 from the secular world. They would go up the mountain to train hard and practice this set of Qi Nurturing Fist. The Qi Nurturing Fist itself did not have any combat power, but it could effectively stimulate the essence in the body, refine essence into Qi, and comprehend the sense of Qi. Zhuge Xiang was one of the 100,000 youths.


    Zhuge Xiang had been in the Asura Sect for almost a year. There was only half a month left before the next batch of youths ascended the mountain.


    On that day, Zhuge Xiang¡¯s group of disciples would be assessed. Those who successfully comprehended the Qi Force would be accepted into the sect and become official disciples of the Asura Sect. Otherwise, those who were lucky would be able to stay in the Foreign Affairs Department and become servants in the businesses controlled by the sect, allowing them to ensure their livelihood. Those who were unlucky would be chased down the mountain and their lives would be up to fate.


    Zhuge Xiang was used to suffering. He could not bear to think about those poor days. As the saying went, good people were bullied. In fact, in Zhuge Xiang¡¯s opinion, the weak were bullied, just like the old beggar who was bitten to death by a dog for no reason. This made Zhuge Xiang realize the importance of being strong. Then, he had to grasp this once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to become a disciple of the Asura Sect. He definitely could not let it go.


    Even if he was lucky enough to enter the Asura Sect¡¯s Foreign Affairs Department, it was still hard for Zhuge Xiang to accept being ordered around by someone.


    ¡°Also, as time goes on, there will be more and more people who have successfully comprehended the Qi Sense. After practicing for a year, I should be almost about to comprehend the Qi Sense. I can¡¯t fail in the last half a month.¡± Thinking of the tragic death of the old beggar and thinking that this was the only chance in life, Zhuge Xiang rested for a while, perked up, put on the posture of Qi Nurturing Fist, and continued¡­


    Having willpower was a good thing, but out of the hundred thousand youths that the Asura Sect recruited every year, only one in a hundred could successfully comprehend the Qi sense within a year. Moreover, Zhuge Xiang was not in his best state. He practiced this Qi Nurturing Fist ten times in the middle of the night. In the end, his body and willpower had completely exceeded the limit. He lay by the lake and could not even move a finger, but he still did not feel like he had comprehended the Qi.


    After resting for half an hour, Zhuge Xiang had recovered some of his strength. He stood up and was about to leave. Although cultivation was very important, the first level of the path of cultivation was to refine essence into Qi. The source of Qi was the essence of the body. Therefore, if one wanted to comprehend Qi, the quality of the body was very important. Naturally, one had to know how to balance work and rest. Otherwise, if one did not know how to control themselves and cultivated bitterly, it would be impossible for one to comprehend Qi. Every year, there were many people in the Asura Sect who had exhausted their bodies or even died of exhaustion.


    He stood up and was about to leave, but Zhuge Xiang¡¯s body suddenly stopped. From the corner of his eye, he happened to see the reflection of the moon in the lake. It was actually missing a piece.


    He raised his head and looked at the night sky. The full moon was like a plate, but when he looked at the reflection of the moon in the lake, he could see that a piece was missing at the edge. What was going on? Why was a piece of the moon missing in the lake? Could it be that there was some rare treasure?


    At the thought of this, the curious Zhuge Xiang took off his clothes and dove into the lake. Under the reflection of the moon, he stared at the gap.


    As Zhuge Xiang got closer and closer, he could barely see clearly. The reason why the reflection of the moon in the lake was missing was actually because there was a ball of black light in the lake that overlapped with the reflection of the moonlight. That was why the moonlight was missing a piece.


    Black light? Why was there black light in the lake? If Zhuge Xiang was not standing at the bottom of the lake at night, the moonlight from the lake would have coincidentally overlapped with the black light. He believed that no one would be able to discover this black light in the dark lake at night.


    After diving into the lake, the surface of the lake calmed down for a moment before Zhuge Xiang finally popped his head out. He raised his hand and a black ring was lying on his palm. Under the moonlight, it emitted a ball of black light.


    After swimming to the shore, Zhuge Xiang lowered his head and looked at it. This black ring was made of an unknown metal, but it gave people a very strange feeling. It emitted a black light and was obviously not an ordinary item.


    ¡°Could this be the legendary Dharma artifact that was left behind?¡± Zhuge Xiang thought to himself as he looked at the ring in his hand.


    Official disciples of the Asura Sect could all obtain a Dharma artifact. These Dharma artifacts often had strange abilities. They were fundamentally different from the sabers, spears, swords, and sticks in the ordinary world. To Zhuge Xiang, they should at least be a Dharma artifact if they could emit black light.


    Dharma artifacts that only official disciples of the Asura Sect could have? Zhuge Xiang thought for a moment and could not hold back the curiosity in his heart. He stretched out his finger and put on the black ring.


    As the black ring was put on, the ring seemed to come alive all of a sudden, accompanied by a prickling sensation. Zhuge Xiang could not help but cry out in pain. He reflexively wanted to take off the black ring, but it seemed to have taken root in his flesh, and he could not take it off at all.


    The pain became more and more intense. Zhuge Xiang, who was already exhausted, felt that he was gradually losing consciousness.


    Just as Zhuge Xiang¡¯s consciousness fell into darkness, he could vaguely hear a mechanical voice in the depths of his mind. ¡°Scanning bones, blood, irises¡­ Qualifying¡­ Countdown: 20 seconds¡­ System default¡­ Binding successful¡­ Welcome to the Super Game System.¡±


    If you find any errors ( broken links, non-standard content, etc.. ), Please let us know via our discord so we can fix it as soon as possible.

 Chapter 2

    Translator: Atlas Studios Editor: Atlas Studios


    Zhuge Xiang opened his eyes in a daze and looked around. He was shocked to find that he was lying on his bed and not by the lake.


    Puzzled, Zhuge Xiang sat up on the bed and lowered his head. There was a black ring on his finger that seemed to have taken root in his flesh and was firmly placed on his finger. There was a feeling of blood connection, as if this black ring had already become a part of him.


    Just as Zhuge Xiang was examining the ring on his finger, a message suddenly appeared in his mind. It was about this black ring. As if it was instinctive, Zhuge Xiang understood the strangeness of this ring.


    This ring was called the Super Game System. He did not know where it came from, but due to the limitation of strength, it could not be fully developed. However, what Zhuge Xiang knew now was that he had activated the character section and could see his own information. In addition, he could fight monsters to level up. If he defeated the target, he could obtain experience points (EXP) as a reward. There was also the possibility of various items dropping. It might be equipment, artifacts, medicinal ingredients, or even skill books.


    ¡°What a magical ring! Is this the legendary Dharma treasure that surpasses Dharma artifacts!?¡± Zhuge Xiang was both surprised and delighted after learning about the game system.


    He could actually obtain such a magical thing under his fortuitous encounter. As long as he maxed out the EXP, he would automatically break through. There was no so-called bottleneck at all. Just this function alone would probably make even the elders of the Asura Sect envious, right?


    Instinctively, Zhuge Xiang opened up his profile page and some basic information about him appeared in his mind: Zhuge Xiang, male, fourteen years and eight months old, ordinary person, EXP: 80/100.


    Looking at the information on his character page, Zhuge Xiang secretly frowned. Looking at the situation on the character page, it seemed that once his EXP reached 100 points, he would be able to successfully comprehend Qi force. However, after almost a year of bitter cultivation, he only had 80 points. The possibility of him raising his EXP to 100 points in the next half a month was very slim.


    Although Zhuge Xiang was overjoyed by the adventurous encounter of the Super Game System, when he looked at his character page and his EXP, his joy disappeared. No matter how good the magical equipment was, it would be redundant if he could not allow himself to comprehend the Qi force and become an official disciple of the Asura Sect within half a month.


    ¡°Zhuge Xiang, you¡¯re awake. Cultivation has to be done step by step. If you work too hard, it will backfire. If I didn¡¯t realize that you didn¡¯t come back and happened to find you by the lake, you might have been eaten by the demon beasts by now.¡± Just as Zhuge Xiang looked up his profile, the door was pushed open and a tall and strong youth walked in with a concerned look in his eyes.


    The young man who walked in seemed to be about fourteen or fifteen years old. However, he was 1.7 meters tall and had a strong physique. He looked like he was eighteen or nineteen years old and had a simple and honest expression on his face. This young man was called Niu Geng. He was a simple and honest young man. There were three people staying in each room. Niu Geng was Zhuge Xiang¡¯s roommate.


    ¡°So you were the one who brought me back. Thank you very much.¡± Looking at this tall and strong young man, Zhuge Xiang suddenly understood why he was in the room and thanked him sincerely.


    ¡°Hehe¡­¡± Niu Geng scratched his head in embarrassment at Zhuge Xiang¡¯s gratitude. ¡°Li Bin said that we all live under the same roof. This is fate. It¡¯s only right for us to help each other.¡±


    ¡°Li Bin?¡± Upon hearing this name, a look of displeasure flashed across Zhuge Xiang¡¯s eyes. He said, ¡°I told you not to get too close to Li Bin. He¡¯s not worth getting to know.¡±


    Li Bin was another roommate. However, Zhuge Xiang disagreed with his personality. He had a distant cousin who had already comprehended Qi Force. He felt that he was superior to others, as if he was the one who had comprehended Qi Force. Because Niu Geng was honest and straightforward by nature, he was often ordered around by him. However, Niu Geng always felt that they were roommates and that it was only right for them to help each other. Usually, Li Bin would find an excuse to order Niu Geng around.


    ¡°Alright, Zhuge Xiang, don¡¯t be too prejudiced against Li Bin. We¡¯re all friends¡­¡± Niu Geng did not care at all. He obviously did not feel that he was at a disadvantage.


    Zhuge Xiang was a little disappointed. It was true that he was a loyal person, but it showed that he was magnanimous to be able to take a loss. However, if the other party deliberately targeted him and bullied him, he would be a fool if he still accepted it.


    However, after such a long time, Zhuge Xiang also knew Niu Geng¡¯s temper. He knew that Niu Geng would not listen to him, so he shook his head and did not say anything else.


    At this moment, a short and thin man pushed open the door and entered. He looked to be about 14 or 15 years old. He had a sharp chin, round cheeks, and a pair of sparkling eyes. It was obvious that he was a sly individual. He was Zhuge Xiang¡¯s other roommate, Li Bin.


    ¡°Haha, you¡¯re all here. Let me tell you a piece of good news. My younger brother, Zhao Feiyun, has only comprehended Qi for two months, and managed to understand the basics of the Ghost Steps martial arts in the Martial Storage Pavilion. Even the manager said that my younger brother is a rare talent.¡± Seeing Zhuge Xiang and Niu Geng in the room, Li Bin laughed loudly and said. His expression was full of bragging.


    Zhuge Xiang did not reply to Li Bin¡¯s words. Any reply would only fuel his arrogance.


    As long as one successfully comprehended Qi Force within a year, they could choose a martial art from the Martial Arts Library before the test in a year. This also prevented the disciples from slacking off before the test.


    There were four levels in the realm of martial arts. Beginner level, advanced level, mastery, and perfection. Li Bin¡¯s cousin, Zhao Feiyun, was able to master a martial art in two months. It was indeed not bad.


    ¡°Zhao Feiyun is really amazing. He can master a martial art in two months.¡± Niu Geng¡¯s eyes widened slightly as he praised from the bottom of his heart. Then, he looked as if he had been deeply stimulated. ¡°I have to train harder too. There¡¯s still half a month before the assessment. I have to strive to comprehend Qi Force before that.¡±


    ¡°You guys continue chatting. I¡¯m going to cultivate.¡± There was no need for formalities. Zhuge Xiang really could not stand Li Bin¡¯s smug look. After saying this lightly, he was about to leave.


    Asura Sect was a fiendish sect to begin with and was particular about repaying kindness and enmity. They meant it if they liked or hated something or someone. They were straightforward.


    Zhuge Xiang was obviously impatient, which made Li Bin secretly angry. However, Zhuge Xiang was a hot-blooded person and was not as easy to bully as Niu Geng. Li Bin really did not dare to go overboard with him. However, he thought about it and realized that he was about to comprehend Qi and become an official disciple of the Asura Sect. In the Asura Sect, apart from those who had comprehended Qi, who else could he not provoke?


    At the thought of this, Li Bin was emboldened. He, who usually only dared to bully Niu Geng, stopped Zhuge Xiang this time and said, ¡°Don¡¯t be in a hurry to leave. I have another piece of good news to tell you. My brother, Zhao Feiyun, knows that there is a Blood Spirit Fruit that is about to ripen. When the time comes, he will pluck it and give it to me to help me comprehend Qi Force. In half a month, I will definitely be able to become an official disciple of the Asura Sect.¡±


    ¡°Really? Congratulations,¡± Niu Geng said to Li Bin happily. It was obvious that he was happy for him.


    ¡°Then congratulations, but you don¡¯t have to deliberately stop me to talk about this, right?¡± Zhuge Xiang¡¯s expression was neither warm nor cold. He did not even look up.


    Zhuge Xiang felt that he had nothing to say since he was so proud of himself. However, Zhuge Xiang really could not stand such a person who used his power to intimidate others. Since he looked down on him, there was no need for him to greet him with a smile. Cultivators of the demonic path were all about acting on their own accord.


    The Blood Spirit Fruit was one of the rare spiritual fruits in the world. It contained a huge amount of blood essence. It was a great supplement for cultivators at the refinement stage, especially for people like Zhuge Xiang who had yet to comprehend Qi. The huge amount of blood essence would have an immeasurable effect on them.


    In the training of 100,000 disciples, if there was only a 10% chance of comprehending Qi force on their own, then the success rate would increase to at least 90% after consuming a Blood Spirit Fruit.


    Originally, Li Bin did not want to reveal the Blood Spirit Fruit, but Zhuge Xiang¡¯s attitude made him angry. He did not hesitate to reveal the news of the Blood Spirit Fruit just to show that he was sure to become an official disciple of the Asura Sect. Li Bin was still waiting for Zhuge Xiang to suck up to him, but he did not expect that Zhuge Xiang¡¯s attitude did not change at all. He still looked down on him.


    ¡°Of course I didn¡¯t stop you to talk about this. It¡¯s just that the room is so messy. Don¡¯t you know how to tidy it up? Uneducated fellow.¡± Li Bin¡¯s breathing quickened. He looked at the messy room and seemed to be making use of the situation. He spoke without thinking.


    ¡°Who are you calling uneducated? Do you want to die?¡± Li Bin¡¯s words caused Zhuge Xiang¡¯s expression to turn cold. He stared at Li Bin with a cold gaze. To Zhuge Xiang, who was born a beggar, the phrase ¡®uneducated¡¯ was something that Zhuge Xiang found hard to accept.


    His cold eyes were like venomous snakes. Li Bin could not help but take a few steps back in shock. He had never seen Zhuge Xiang look so terrifying. He opened his mouth but could not say anything.


    ¡°Alright, alright. We¡¯re all roommates. Living in harmony is the most important thing. Don¡¯t ruin the harmony.¡± Niu Geng, who was beside him, came out anxiously to resolve conflict.


    Niu Geng¡¯s intervention made Li Bin come back to his senses. He was actually frightened by Zhuge Xiang¡¯s gaze. In his embarrassment and anger, Li Bin was stubborn to the end and was even more unwilling to apologize. ¡°So what if I¡¯m talking about you? Look at your messt room. I, Li Bin, am ashamed to live under the same roof as you.¡±


    Zhuge Xiang¡¯s eyes were bloodshot as he glared at Li Bin. ¡°Li Bin, I want to duel with you!¡±


    If you find any errors ( broken links, non-standard content, etc.. ), Please let us know via our discord so we can fix it as soon as possible.

 Chapter 3

    Translator: Atlas Studios Editor: Atlas Studios


    The Asura Sect was one of the demonic sects. They were born to fight and were strengthened through battles. Even after death, they had to transform into an Asura and continue their own path of battle in the Asura World. This was the purpose of the Asura Sect. Therefore, the most advocated thing in the Asura Sect was to use battle to resolve any conflicts.


    Originally, Li Bin could only bully the honest Niu Geng. He did not go overboard with Zhuge Xiang. He only received a promise from his cousin, Zhao Feiyun, that he had successfully comprehended Qi Force and would definitely become an official disciple of the Asura Sect in the future. Therefore, Li Bin was much more courageous today. He especially could not stand Zhuge Xiang¡¯s lukewarm reaction, so the conflict between the two of them was particularly obvious.


    Everyone has a trigger point. To Zhuge Xiang, who was born a beggar, being uneducated was akin to provoking his trigger point. Therefore, Zhuge Xiang proposed a duel with Li Bin.


    In a sect like the Asura Sect that advocated settling grudges with force, almost no one would reject a duel once it was proposed. Otherwise, in the entire sect, not only would the disciples of the same sect look down on that person, even the masters and elders would look down on him or her.


    Li Bin¡¯s expression froze. He did not expect Zhuge Xiang to propose a duel.


    In the Asura Sect, even if he killed the other party in a duel, it would only be a small punishment. Looking at Zhuge Xiang¡¯s bloodshot eyes, Li Bin felt extremely regretful. There was no turning back now. As long as he obtained the Blood Spirit Fruit, he would definitely become an official disciple of the Asura Sect. However, he had yet to obtain the Blood Spirit Fruit. Like Zhuge Xiang, he was just an ordinary person who had not comprehended Qi.


    ¡°Why? Don¡¯t you dare? Indeed, dogs that like to bark don¡¯t have the ability to bite.¡± Li Bin hesitated and did not dare to accept the challenge. How could Zhuge Xiang not see it? He sneered with a mocking expression.


    ¡°You and I are both ordinary people who haven¡¯t comprehended Qi. What are you so proud of? I¡¯ll take it.¡± After being provoked by Zhuge Xiang, Li Bin was a young man after all. He was hot-blooded and agreed immediately. Although he did not have the confidence to win, in Li Bin¡¯s opinion, Zhuge Xiang had not comprehended Qi either. There was no need for him to be afraid.


    ¡°Take my punch!¡± Just as Li Bin agreed, Zhuge Xiang, who had been secretly prepared, did not waste any time and launched a decisive attack. He unexpectedly threw a fierce punch at Li Bin.


    Although Zhuge Xiang had yet to comprehend the Qi Force, he had trained hard in the Asura Sect for a year. Although the Qi Nurturing Fist did not have much combat strength, he had already mastered the fist technique, making his attacks still imposing.


    A battle was a battle. Naturally, he had to seize every opportunity to launch a fierce attack. In his haste, Li Bin only had time to raise his hand to block. However, a punch landed on his wrist with full force. Li Bin was forced back a few steps, and his wrist was numb.


    Zhuge Xiang capitalized on Li Bin¡¯s weakness and sought to end his life. In the heat of battle, there was no room for hesitation. Observing Li Bin being forced back, Zhuge Xiang instinctively knew how to further exploit his advantage. He stomped his feet forcefully and pounced aggressively, resembling a lion hunting a rabbit. He refrained from using fancy moves or tricks, opting instead to deliver another straight punch with 100% strength.


    BANG!!!


    Li Bin was once again knocked back by the force of the punch. His back collided with the room¡¯s wall, jolting his internal organs. With no escape route in sight, Zhuge Xiang continued his onslaught with successive straight punches.


    ¡°You¡¯ve gone too far!¡± Li Bin¡¯s ferocity ignited upon seeing Zhuge Xiang¡¯s third punch heading his way. He roared and retaliated with a straight punch of his own.


    As the saying goes, one wrong step leads to another. Li Bin had already faltered at the outset, and if he allowed himself to be suppressed once more, mounting a comeback would prove challenging. Therefore, Li Bin chose to counterattack, fighting recklessly and risking his life. Perhaps there still remained a glimmer of hope for a reversal.


    However, how could Zhuge Xiang, who possessed a thorough understanding of expanding advantages and gaining the upper hand, allow him to turn the tables so easily?


    The two fists collided without restraint, while another fist poised for attack. The three fists overlapped, reaching the pinnacle of momentum. One other fist was about to retaliate. It was obvious who was stronger and who was weaker. The recoil force halted Zhuge Xiang¡¯s momentum. As for Li Bin, because he was leaning against the wall, he had completely absorbed the impact. His entire face was pale, clearly indicating internal organ injury.


    A cold glint flickered in Zhuge Xiang¡¯s eyes. Seizing the moment when Li Bin was injured and momentarily immobilized, Zhuge Xiang lifted his leg and ruthlessly kicked Li Bin¡¯s abdomen.


    The human body, whether it was the head, chest, or limbs, all had bones and had a certain resistance to attacks. However, there were no bones in the abdomen to support it, making it susceptible to severe damage upon receiving a heavy blow. The repercussions inflicted were several times greater than in other areas.


    Under Zhuge Xiang¡¯s forceful kick, Li Bin felt as if his intestines were about to rupture. He clutched his stomach and curled up on the ground like a shrimp. He vomited out the gastric juices and bile. It was obvious that he no longer had the strength to continue the fight.


    Ignoring Li Bin¡¯s pain, Zhuge Xiang seized his neck and nearly lifted him off the ground. With his back against the wall, Zhuge Xiang¡¯s palms tightened like steel hoops. It cut off Li Bin¡¯s oxygen supply and left his face as pale as a sheet of paper.


    ¡°Zhuge Xiang, stop!¡± A duel held great sanctity among the Asura Sect members. No one was allowed to interfere until the outcome was determined. Thus, although Niu Geng worried about his two roommates, he dared not disrupt the fight. However, now that Li Bin had lost his ability to fight and Zhuge Xiang was on the verge of killing him, Niu Geng could not hold back any longer and cried out.


    Zhuge Xiang ignored Niu Geng¡¯s pleas. His eyes were filled with ferocity as he approached Li Bin¡¯s face. ¡°How is it? Are you convinced yet?¡±


    Li Bin¡¯s stomach was in turmoil and his neck was being strangled. It was difficult for him to breathe. In the face of imminent death, Li Bin dared not hold onto his defiance. He could only nod remorsefully and apologize for provoking Zhuge Xiang.


    ¡°Ding! Defeated an ordinary person, Li Bin. 10 EXP earned. Obtained the Iron Secret Potion.¡±


    Just as Zhuge Xiang defeated Li Bin and demanded his submission, a mechanical voice suddenly echoed in Zhuge Xiang¡¯s mind, causing him to pause for a moment. Almost simultaneously, Zhuge Xiang raised his hand, revealing a pill. It was a pale yellow pill, about the size of a soybean, emitting a peculiar fragrance.


    Iron Secret Potion: When consumed, it increases physical defense by 150 points. Duration: One minute.


    Just as Zhuge Xiang lowered his head to look at the potion in his hand, a series of information suddenly appeared before his eyes. Zhuge Xiang, who was already familiar with the rules of the game system, was secretly delighted. His intuition had been correct. Defeating opponents not only rewarded him with EXP but also dropped items.


    Having diligently cultivated in the Asura Sect for a year, Zhuge Xiang had only gained 80 EXP. However, defeating Li Bin instantly granted him 10 EXP? One battle was equivalent to one and a half months of hard work.


    The 10 EXP excited Zhuge Xiang. He was still short of the last 10 EXP before he could advance to the next level. He finally had hope of achieving the Qi Nourishing stage and attaining the official disciple status within the Asura Sect.


    ¡°I cannot accept this duel. I¡¯m not ready yet, and you suddenly attacked. I cannot accept this,¡± Li Bin suddenly shouted at Zhuge Xiang, feeling that the pain had significantly subsided.


    Despite being defeated by Zhuge Xiang and humiliatingly apologizing to him, Li Bin was unwilling to accept it. In his perspective, both he and Zhuge Xiang were individuals who had not comprehended Qi. If Zhuge Xiang had not struck when he was unprepared, he would not have lost at all.


    ¡°You¡¯re not convinced?¡± Zhuge Xiang¡¯s eyes lit up when he heard Li Bin¡¯s words. He was in need of opponents to fight against to earn EXP. ¡°Then what do you want?¡±


    ¡°I want to fight you again. Three days from now, there will be an official duel in the martial arts arena. Do you dare to come?¡± Li Bin stared fiercely at Zhuge Xiang, issuing the challenge.


    ¡°Li Bin, Zhuge Xiang, why do you have to do this? We¡¯re all roommates living under the same roof,¡± Niu Geng could not help but say when he saw that the two of them seemed to have completely fallen out and even wanted to fight in front of the public.


    Zhuge Xiang ignored Niu Geng¡¯s remark. Lacking experience, he had no intention of refusing and readily agreed to the challenge.


    If you find any errors ( broken links, non-standard content, etc.. ), Please let us know via our discord so we can fix it as soon as possible.

 Chapter 4

    Translator: Atlas Studios Editor: Atlas Studios


    ¡°You¡¯re really too impulsive. And to make matters worse, you actually mentioned the news about the Blood Spirit Fruit. If the information gets leaked, aren¡¯t you afraid that someone will snatch it away¡­?¡±


    In a bright and tidy room, a 13 or 14-year-old youth wore a disappointed expression as he spoke to Li Bin. This youth was none other than Zhao Feiyun, Li Bin¡¯s cousin, who had comprehended the Qi force three months ago.


    Among the 100,000 disciples of the Asura Sect, those who had not yet comprehended Qi were confined to small rooms shared by three people. However, once they comprehended Qi and entered the first level of the Qi Nurturing realm, they would become official disciples of the Asura Sect. Their living conditions, including food and accommodations, would improve. Someone like Zhao Feiyun already had the privilege of living alone in a spacious room.


    Although Li Bin stood before his cousin, he did not dare to argue. He could only offer an awkward smile. ¡°You didn¡¯t see the expression on Zhuge Xiang¡¯s face. He¡¯s just a person who hasn¡¯t comprehended Qi yet, but he¡¯s so arrogant, as if he¡¯s worth millions. Besides, you¡¯re the only family member I have in the Asura Sect. You have to help me.¡±


    ¡°Don¡¯t worry. Aunt told us to help each other when we first arrived at the Asura Sect. I¡¯ll definitely assist you,¡± Zhao Feiyun nodded. He appeared mature for his age and spoke helplessly, ¡°Are you asking him to fight in three days? Time is a little tight. Actually, you can wait until you consume the Blood Spirit Fruit before taking any action.¡±


    He paused for a moment, observing Li Bin¡¯s awkward expression. He realized it was futile to mention this now, so he changed the subject. ¡°However, as long as you make good use of it, defeating someone who hasn¡¯t comprehended Qi Force in three days shouldn¡¯t be a problem.¡±


    ¡°I¡¯ve already started grasping the basics of the Ghostly Steps in the past few months. Even though you haven¡¯t comprehended Qi and can¡¯t tap into its true essence, after practicing for three days, it will be difficult for someone who hasn¡¯t comprehended Qi to even touch the edge of your clothes. After three days, give it your all. The fewer people who know about the Blood Spirit Fruit, the better.¡±


    As Zhao Feiyun¡¯s expression turned ominous towards the end, Li Bin felt elated and nodded, as if he could already envision Zhuge Xiang being defeated. ¡°Haha, with you teaching me the Ghostly Steps? In three days, I¡¯ll definitely beat him until he¡¯s searching for his teeth on the ground.¡±


    Under Zhao Feiyun¡¯s guidance, Li Bin diligently practiced the Ghostly Steps in preparation for the upcoming battle in three days. Meanwhile, Zhuge Xiang made his way to the lakeside. Without a second thought, Zhuge Xiang knew that Li Bin would seek help from Zhao Feiyun. However, he did not pay much attention to it. No matter whom Li Bin sought assistance from, Zhuge Xiang remained focused on his cultivation.


    Why had Zhuge Xiang returned to the Asura Sect? The reason was simple. He did not want to live as a beggar, and the Asura Sect provided him with abundant resources. By becoming an official disciple of the Asura Sect, he could rise above others and control his own destiny. He no longer needed to fear being arbitrarily killed like the old beggar he once was.


    However, as Zhuge Xiang approached the lakeside, he halted in his tracks. The lake was quite distant from the Asura Sect¡¯s main base, nestled in a rather secluded area. Yet, today an uninvited guest occupied its surroundings.


    Her dress fluttered in the wind. With fair skin akin to snow and a graceful figure, a young girl in a white gauze dress was engaged in cultivation near the lake. As she elegantly waved her fair and jade-like hands, faint blue light rippled out, enveloping the area.


    It was evident that she was practicing a set of palm techniques. The gentle palm movements resembled the flowing blue waters of the lake¡ªunassuming yet all-pervasive. Although they appeared unremarkable, each of her actions seemed to harness the essence of Qi. Even the sand and stones on the ground responded to the Qi¡¯s flow, swirling alongside. It seemed that once immersed in this practice, one would find it difficult to extricate themselves.


    ¡°Lu Yuling?¡± Looking at the uninvited guest by the lake, Zhuge Xiang was slightly taken aback.


    Lu Yuling held great influence within the Asura Sect and was widely known by all. Why did the 100,000 disciples toil in cultivation for a year? It was to comprehend Qi and ascend to the rank of official disciples. As for Lu Yuling, he had successfully comprehended Qi half a year ago. Among the 100,000 disciples of Zhuge Xiang¡¯s generation, Lu Yuling stood as a distinguished prodigy¡ªa shining star among them.


    Zhuge Xiang¡¯s attention was drawn to her graceful figure and the aura that came with practicing the palm technique. Unbeknownst to him, she had already concluded her practice. Lu Yuling let out a long breath and then cast a slightly furrowed glance at Zhuge Xiang. ¡°You¡¯ve been watching for quite a while. It¡¯s time for you to reveal yourself, isn¡¯t it?¡±


    Peeking at other people¡¯s cultivation was taboo. Realizing that he had been secretly observing her practice, Zhuge Xiang felt a tinge of embarrassment. He emerged awkwardly but spoke with a straightforward tone. ¡°I apologize. Your palm technique had me engrossed. I usually train alone by the lake, and I didn¡¯t anticipate someone else coming today.¡±


    ¡°I see. I noticed that this secluded lake had a serene ambiance and abundant moisture, making it an ideal environment for cultivating the Clear Wave Palm. Little did I expect it was already occupied,¡± Lu Yuling replied, her previously furrowed brows relaxing in relief.


    As Lu Yuling gazed at Zhuge Xiang, she found herself in a predicament. The Clear Wave Palm was a martial art she had recently begun practicing, and a relaxed state of mind was crucial during cultivation. Discovering this small lake by chance today, with its tranquil setting and ample moisture, she deemed it the perfect place to refine her Clear Wave Palm technique. However, it appeared that the spot had long been claimed.


    Logically speaking, he should have left, but he could not bear to part with such a good place. This was a matter that concerned his strength and cultivation. To a cultivator, what was more important than his cultivation?


    After hesitating for a moment, Lu Yuling could not bear to leave just like that. She pondered for a while before asking, ¡°I noticed there are very few people at this small lake. Are you the only one cultivating here? Would you mind if I stayed to cultivate as well?¡±


    ¡°Ah!?¡± Lu Yuling¡¯s proposal to stay and cultivate caught Zhuge Xiang off guard. ¡°You want to stay and cultivate too? But isn¡¯t it considered taboo to observe others¡¯ cultivation? Moreover, you¡¯re a highly regarded talent in our group.¡±


    With a bright smile, Lu Yuling shook her head and replied, ¡°This set of Clear Wave Palm is merely a martial art from the Martial Arts Library. Anyone who has comprehended Qi Force can learn it. It¡¯s not an exclusive secret technique. What I appreciate is the favorable cultivation environment this place offers for the Clear Wave Palm. I only hope that my presence won¡¯t disturb you.¡±


    ¡°I don¡¯t mind. This place is quite spacious,¡± Zhuge Xiang responded with a smile. He had no hidden secrets to protect and had no fear of others discovering anything. Furthermore, although the small lake was not large, it could accommodate a few individuals to cultivate.


    Zhuge Xiang also had a good impression of Lu Yuling. It was not only her looks and strength, but also her kindness. After all, the Asura Sect was a fiendish sect. In the eyes of the Asura Sect, it was not strange for a fellow disciple to snatch a treasured cultivation ground that they had their eyes on. They were ruthless and might even kill him.


    The Asura Sect pursued the supremacy of martial arts. As long as one was strong enough, there was no reason. Lu Yuling had taken a fancy to the cultivation environment of this small lake. With her ability and status, she had no intention of snatching it. She only suggested staying behind to cultivate.


    Just like that, another person appeared by the quiet lake. However, the two of them were rather far away and did not want to disturb each other. When practicing the Qi Nurturing Fist, Zhuge Xiang would occasionally glance at Lu Yuling¡¯s Clear Wave Palm. Her beautiful figure, mysterious palm technique, and some mysterious rules were hidden in it. After carefully observing, Zhuge Xiang seemed to stumble upon something by chance. During idle moments, he would mimic Lu Yuling¡¯s movements and try to replicate them.


    Despite lacking Qi force and possessing no secret manuals, Zhuge Xiang merely learned to move based on Lu Yuling¡¯s actions. Nevertheless, the Clear Wave Palm was undeniably a genuine martial art for combat. After practicing it several times, Zhuge Xiang noticed that although his physical fitness had not improved significantly, his attacks became more fluid. The execution of the Clear Wave Palm flowed continuously, surpassing his previous straight punches.


    Lu Yuling immersed herself in cultivating the Clear Wave Palm and did not comment on Zhuge Xiang¡¯s imitation. However, as nightfall approached and they prepared to leave, Lu Yuling kindly reminded Zhuge Xiang, ¡°Your main objective should be comprehending Qi force, not focusing on combat martial arts. While imitating the Clear Wave Palm might temporarily enhance your combat prowess, without Qi force, no matter how proficient your martial arts, it¡¯s like an empty shell.¡±


    ¡°I know that. It¡¯s just that I have other plans.¡± Zhuge Xiang responded, appreciating Lu Yuling¡¯s good intentions. However, the outcome of the duel in three days hinged on his ability to comprehend Qi force. For Zhuge Xiang at the moment, increasing his combat strength held greater importance than practicing the Qi Nurturing Fist.


    With his clear gaze, Zhuge Xiang¡¯s words were evidently sincere. Lu Yuling¡¯s eyes filled with surprise. Was imitating her Clear Wave Palm more significant to him than comprehending Qi?


    Presumably, Zhuge Xiang would not joke about his own future. Since it concerned the other party¡¯s secret, Lu Yuling did not say anything else. She bade farewell and left. As for Zhuge Xiang? It was not a bad thing to have such a beautiful woman by his side. He had secretly learned a few moves of the Clear Wave Palm and his combat strength had improved. Coupled with the secret metal potion that he had dropped, Zhuge Xiang was even more confident in the duel in three days.


    No matter what, encountering Lu Yuling by the lake proved beneficial for Zhuge Xiang. With anticipation for the impending duel, Zhuge Xiang also departed from the lake.


    If you find any errors ( broken links, non-standard content, etc.. ), Please let us know via our discord so we can fix it as soon as possible.

 Chapter 5

    Translator: Atlas Studios Editor: Atlas Studios


    For two consecutive days, Zhuge Xiang dedicated himself to imitating Lu Yuling¡¯s Clear Wave Palm by the lake. Lu Yuling showed no signs of disapproval toward Zhuge Xiang¡¯s imitation. As she had mentioned before, the Clear Wave Palm was a martial art accessible to disciples only after comprehending Qi Force. It was not a unique secret technique. In addition to taking breaks, Lu Yuling would occasionally point out errors in Zhuge Xiang¡¯s execution of the Clear Wave Palm, which greatly accelerated his understanding of the technique.


    Although Zhuge Xiang could not use the essence of this palm technique without Qi force, at least in terms of movements and moves, he was already familiar with it.


    During these two days, Lu Yuling did not disturb him during his cultivation. Moreover, despite being aware of his identity, Zhuge Xiang had no intention of trying to curry favor with her. After all, humans thrived in communities. Hence, during their breaks, Lu Yuling engaged in conversations to alleviate boredom.


    Every day, the two of them would cultivate by the lake until late at night before leaving. Zhuge Xiang, who had not comprehended Qi, naturally did not dare to slack off. On the other hand, Lu Yuling, who had long comprehended Qi, was equally hardworking. She let Zhuge Xiang understand that even if she was talented, her achievements were the result of her own hard work.


    ¡°Senior Sister Lu, I¡¯m taking my leave. Please help yourself.¡± Zhuge Xiang bid farewell to Lu Yuling, even though it was only evening. The sky was adorned with crimson clouds.


    Having witnessed Zhuge Xiang¡¯s diligence over the past few days, Lu Yuling was taken aback by his early departure. Had something happened? She looked at him in surprise. However, Lu Yuling preferred not to pry into others¡¯ thoughts. She nodded, indicating her understanding.


    On the way back, Li Bin¡¯s footsteps were light and his face was flushed with excitement. These few days, he had been carefully taught by Zhao Feiyun. Although he had not comprehended Qi and could not obtain the true essence of the Ghostly Steps, he still remembered the footwork. However, Li Bin believed that he could not even touch the hem of his clothes when dealing with Zhuge Xiang.


    He reached into his pocket and took out a packet of medicinal powder. Li Bin¡¯s eyes were filled with coldness. Then, he smiled coldly and carefully placed it close to his chest.


    It was a packet of Gut Cutting Powder. If one took it, the poison would not immediately come into effect. It would only cause one to lose consciousness and make their limbs go weak. It would only completely act up a day later. One¡¯s tendons and bones would be broken and one would die an unnatural death. Naturally, there was no such poison in the Asura Sect. This was something that Zhao Feiyun had spent a lot of effort to obtain.


    In Zhao Feiyun¡¯s opinion, he had to be fully prepared for everything. With this bag of Gut Cutting Powder and his Ghostly Steps, Li Bin did not believe that he could not win even if he did this. Moreover, in order to prevent the news of the Blood Spirit Fruit from being leaked, he could not let him live. Niu Geng was no exception.


    At the thought of Niu Geng, Li Bin smiled. Li Bin appreciated such a straightforward man. As long as he said that they were all friends and that it was only right for them to help each other, he would be happy to help him. Li Bin was a little reluctant to lose someone to serve him.


    However, after he consumed the Blood Spirit Fruit and became an official disciple of the Asura Sect, the sect would naturally arrange for maidservants. Li Bin felt relieved. Official disciples of the Asura Sect only needed to cultivate. They would have maidservants to take care of their daily lives. This was the benefit that disciples of large sects could enjoy.


    Niu Geng had also finished his training early today. He got some food from the dining hall where the Asura Sect disciples ate and returned to his room. There was a hint of worry etched on his face, clearly indicating his concern about the conflict between Zhuge Xiang and Li Bin.


    In his opinion, they were all living under the same roof, and that was a rare fate. They were supposed to be friends, so there was truly no need for things to escalate to this point.


    ¡°Niu Geng, you¡¯re here? That¡¯s great.¡± At that moment, the door was pushed open. When Li Bin saw Niu Geng, he looked delighted. He held a small wine gourd in his hand, its contents unknown.


    ¡°This is the Spiritual Fruit Pulp I just got from my brother. You and Zhuge Xiang can split it equally. I¡¯ve been thinking about it for the past few days. We¡¯re friends, after all. There¡¯s no need to make things so awkward. Besides, you¡¯ve been serving me tea for the past year, and I haven¡¯t been able to give you anything in return.¡± Li Bin wore a guilty expression as he handed the small wine gourd to Niu Geng.


    ¡°Spiritual Fruit Pulp?!¡± Niu Geng¡¯s eyes widened at Li Bin¡¯s words.


    As a large sect, the Asura Sect¡¯s living conditions were very good even for reserve disciples like Niu Geng. They could indulge in as much fish and meat as they wanted and drink as much good wine as they wanted. However, this Spiritual Fruit Pulp was a rare thing. Other than the disciples who had comprehended Qi Force, Niu Geng and the other reserve disciples could only receive a small cup every month.


    The Spiritual Fruit Pulp was refined from dozens of spiritual fruits and spiritual herbs through a complicated process. Although it could not help people to comprehend Qi force, it was easy for hardworking people to leave some hidden injuries in their bodies through cultivation. The function of the Spiritual Fruit Pulp was to eliminate the hidden injuries in their bodies to prevent them from accumulating and affecting their future cultivation path. It could be seen how precious the Spiritual Fruit Pulp was. Although it was only a small wine gourd, Niu Geng could feel that this gourd was more than what he had obtained in a year.


    ¡°You said it yourself. We¡¯re friends, and Zhuge Xiang isn¡¯t one to hold grudges. Let¡¯s resolve the misunderstanding. This Spiritual Fruit Pulp is too precious. You should keep it,¡± Niu Geng expressed, hoping for a reconciliation between Zhuge Xiang and Li Bin. Though the spiritual fruit pulp held great value, Niu Geng did not desire it for himself.


    Li Bin¡¯s expression darkened as he pretended to be unhappy. ¡°Why? Do you look down on my apology? If you consider me a friend, don¡¯t reject my good intentions.¡±


    ¡°Alright then.¡± Seeing Li Bin¡¯s reaction, Niu Geng nodded. He could only accept it helplessly. He opened the lid of the wine gourd and a refreshing fragrance filled the air.


    Niu Geng inhaled deeply and looked intoxicated. However, he was not in a hurry to drink it. Instead, he smiled honestly. ¡°This Spiritual Fruit Pulp is mainly a witness to you and Zhuge Xiang burying the hatchet. I think I¡¯d better not drink it.¡±


    ¡°Don¡¯t you treat me as a friend?¡± Li Bin said with a straight face, looking displeased.


    ¡°Alright, then I¡¯ll take advantage of it. I¡¯ll go and find Zhuge Xiang and drink with him now.¡± Since Li Bin had good intentions, Niu Geng did not insist further. He carried the Spiritual Fruit Pulp in his wine gourd and went to look for Zhuge Xiang happily.


    ¡°By the way, don¡¯t mention that I gave him the Spiritual Fruit Pulp. I still have a competition with Zhuge Xiang tomorrow, and I want to gauge his true strength when he¡¯s giving it his all. I don¡¯t want him to hold back,¡± Li Bin instructed upon seeing Niu Geng happily searching for Zhuge Xiang.


    ¡°It¡¯s mine. Don¡¯t worry, I won¡¯t say anything.¡± Niu Geng looked serious as he patted his chest and promised. Then, he turned around excitedly and left the room.


    After Niu Geng rushed out of the room, he did not see the cold glint in Li Bin¡¯s eyes as he said coldly, ¡°Hehe, if you know about the Blood Spirit Fruit, you can¡¯t let any of you off.¡±


    Li Bin had no concerns about Niu Geng wasting the Spiritual Fruit Pulp, nor did he worry about him denying Zhuge Xiang access to it. Having spent a year together, Li Bin was well acquainted with Niu Geng¡¯s honest and straightforward nature. The Spiritual Fruit Pulp contained the Gut Cutting Powder. Once consumed, it would lead to certain death.


    After about two hours, Niu Geng still had not returned, but Zhuge Xiang returned first. They both glanced at each other and then averted their gaze, choosing to ignore one another. Just as this occurred, Niu Geng returned, brimming with excitement.


    ¡°Zhuge Xiang, I looked for you outside. I didn¡¯t expect you to come back first. I obtained some Spiritual Fruit Pulp, shall we split it?¡± Niu Geng looked at Zhuge Xiang and said happily. He waved the wine gourd containing the Spiritual Fruit Pulp in his hand.


    ¡°Spiritual Fruit Pulp?¡± Zhuge Xiang¡¯s eyes widened as he looked at the Spiritual Fruit Pulp in Niu Geng¡¯s hand. Zhuge Xiang could not believe that he actually had such a small gourd. As he spoke, Niu Geng had already picked up the cup and poured three cups. During this process, Niu Geng had asked Li Bin if he wanted some, but Li Bin shook his head and declined.


    Would he give up such a good opportunity to take advantage of him? Zhuge Xiang looked at him in surprise. He felt that he was really abnormal today. However, Zhuge Xiang did not think too much about Niu Geng¡¯s trust. It was good that he did not drink it, lest it was wasted. Zhuge Xiang and Niu Geng drank the Spiritual Fruit Pulp one cup at a time.


    ¡°This Spiritual Fruit Pulp is really delicious. When I become an official disciple of the Asura Sect, I¡¯ll be able to drink it every day,¡± Zhuge Xiang remarked, wiping his mouth.


    Zhuge Xiang was only a reserve disciple, but he was already able to have a great life. Upon becoming an official disciple, he would receive even better treatment. He would lead a carefree existence, surpassing others. This was the driving force behind Zhuge Xiang¡¯s cultivation and his reason for joining the Asura Sect.


    Li Bin, who was beside him, saw him drink the Spiritual Fruit Pulp with Gut Cutting Powder. When he heard his words, a vicious and cold smile appeared on his face. Official disciple? In your next life, drink the Gut Cutting Powder. You would definitely not live past tomorrow¡­


    If you find any errors ( broken links, non-standard content, etc.. ), Please let us know via our discord so we can fix it as soon as possible.

 Chapter 6

    Translator: Atlas Studios Editor: Atlas Studios


    The next morning, Zhuge Xiang and Li Bin stood face to face in the Asura Sect¡¯s martial arts arena. Today was the day of their official duel. The two of them did not have much fame in the Asura Sect, so not many people watched their duel.


    There were only a few spectators below the martial arts arena. They were just people who had woken up in the morning to train and curiously watch others fight. Those who had not comprehended Qi could be said to have cultivated the Qi Nurturing Fist. How good could such a person be in a duel?


    ¡°Hehe, Zhuge Xiang, I¡¯m going to make you lose terribly today¡­¡± Looking at Zhuge Xiang who was standing in front of him, Li Bin laughed coldly and confidently.


    However, when he saw Zhuge Xiang¡¯s calm expression, Li Bin was puzzled. Didn¡¯t he drink the Spiritual Fruit Pulp from the Gut Cutting Powder in front of him yesterday? Now, he should be feeling weak and dizzy, right? But was he acting normal?


    ¡°Show me what you¡¯ve got. I also want to see what you¡¯ve learned from Zhao Feiyun. You are a defeated general and yet still dare to be so arrogant.¡± Zhuge Xiang did not even raise his eyes when he heard Li Bin¡¯s threatening words. If he could use his mouth to fight, why would he need to cultivate?


    Zhuge Xiang¡¯s calm attitude made Li Bin¡¯s brows tremble. To Li Bin, the most unbearable thing was Zhuge Xiang¡¯s disregard for him. In his anger, Li Bin¡¯s voice became sharper. ¡°Zhuge Xiang, do you know that I hate your attitude the most? Your contemptuous look makes me want to step on you.¡±


    ¡°Contemptuous?¡± Zhuge Xiang looked at Li Bin¡¯s exhausted expression calmly. He smiled contemptuously and said, ¡°If you want me to think highly of you, the decision isn¡¯t mine, but yours. You haven¡¯t comprehended Qi Force, but you look smug all day long. You even treat Niu Geng¡¯s loyalty as a weakness and think that you¡¯re smart. What do you think makes you worthy of my respect?¡±


    ¡°B*stard! I¡¯m going to kill you!¡± Li Bin could not refute Zhuge Xiang¡¯s words, so he flew into a rage out of humiliation. In his rage, Li Bin used a strange and mysterious footwork and pounced towards Zhuge Xiang.


    Zhuge Xiang¡¯s eyes were fixed on Li Bin, who was pouncing at him. Zhuge Xiang also displayed the opening stance of the Clear Wave Palm. His attack was like a venomous snake flicking its tongue. His palm pressed towards Li Bin¡¯s chest at a tricky angle.


    However, it was obvious that Li Bin¡¯s Ghostly Steps had been effective these few days. When he launched the attack, Li Bin¡¯s foot slipped and his body swayed. He managed to dodge Zhuge Xiang¡¯s palm.


    ¡°Oh¡­¡± As soon as the two of them started fighting, many people below the martial arts arena cried out in surprise.


    Originally, people who had not comprehended Qi should fight like ordinary people. They did not have Qi and did not master any martial arts moves. However, when they attacked, Li Bin¡¯s Ghostly Steps was clearly extraordinary. The footwork that he had dodged just now was clearly not a coincidence.


    ¡°Hehe, although I haven¡¯t comprehended Qi, I¡¯ve already walked the thirty-six steps of the Ghostly Steps more than a thousand times in the past few days. It¡¯s impossible for you to even touch the corner of my clothes.¡± The screams of the disciples below the martial arts arena boosted Li Bin¡¯s pride.


    Zhuge Xiang frowned slightly when he saw Li Bin¡¯s unpredictable movements. Although Li Bin could not obtain the true essence of Ghostly Steps, just these footwork alone was hard to grasp. Relying on the agility of Ghostly Steps, it was very difficult for Zhuge Xiang to catch him. He attacked six to seven times in a row, but Li Bin nimbly dodged all of them.


    Li Bin¡¯s Ghostly Steps made him nimble and agile. Zhuge Xiang could not even touch the corner of his clothes. This made the audience below discuss animatedly. On one hand, they were amazed by Li Bin¡¯s Ghostly Steps. On the other hand, they felt that Zhuge Xiang would definitely lose.


    Zhuge Xiang frowned at Li Bin¡¯s Ghostly Steps, but Li Bin was also full of doubts about Zhuge Xiang¡¯s condition. Didn¡¯t he drink the Gut Cutting Powder? Why didn¡¯t it act up until now? Moreover, when he exercised, the blood flow would increase and it would be easier for the effects of the Gut Cutting Powder to take effect. However, after so long, Zhuge Xiang still did not show any abnormalities.


    ¡°What¡¯s wrong? Is this what you learned from Zhao Feiyun?¡± said Zhuge Xiang sarcastically as he stared at Li Bin. He had attacked several times but failed.


    Zhuge Xiang¡¯s sarcasm was the most difficult thing for Li Bin to accept. Although he wanted to wait for the Gut Cutting Powder to take effect before making a move, with the Ghostly Steps in hand, Li Bin believed that even without the Gut Cutting Powder, he would definitely win.


    After temporarily suppressing the doubts of the Gut Cutting Powder, Li Bin used Ghostly Steps and strangely appeared behind Zhuge Xiang. He threw a punch at Zhuge Xiang¡¯s back. ¡°I wanted to play with you more, but since you can¡¯t wait any longer, I¡¯ll send you to hell.¡±


    As if he did not notice the strangeness of the Ghostly Steps, Li Bin¡¯s punch landed heavily on Zhuge Xiang¡¯s back. With a dull thud that sounded like a drum, Zhuge Xiang¡¯s face turned pale. It was obvious that this punch had shaken his internal organs.


    After succeeding in his attack, Li Bin smirked smugly. Just as he was about to retreat, Zhuge Xiang¡¯s palm suddenly appeared in front of Li Bin. The angle was tricky and his attack was extremely swift.


    Li Bin¡¯s pupils constricted as he looked at the palm that had suddenly appeared. He could not believe it. How was this possible?! How could his palm keep up with his Ghostly Steps?


    ¡°You¡¯ve lost!¡± Zhuge Xiang¡¯s face appeared in front of Li Bin. His eyes were filled with coldness as he calmly spat out those words. His palm pressed on Li Bin¡¯s chest, one move after another.


    If Ghostly Steps was said to be strange and unpredictable in terms of movement, then the characteristics of the Clear Wave Palm were links.


    There were not many moves in the Clear Wave Palm, but once it was used, it was like a strange technique. One attack after another was like mercury flowing to the ground, unstoppable. As long as one was struck by the first palm, it was almost as if one was entangled by threads, and it was difficult to escape the subsequent attacks.


    Although Zhuge Xiang had not comprehended Qi Force and had only learned some moves from the Clear Wave Palm, the opponent he was facing was only Li Bin, who had yet to comprehend the Qi Force. Even though the Ghostly Steps was very mysterious, under the control of Zhuge Xiang¡¯s Clear Wave Palm, Li Bin felt as if he was entangled by a spider web. Zhuge Xiang¡¯s attack after attack was difficult to dodge.


    ¡°This is a set of palm techniques! Impossible! How did he learn a set of palm techniques!¡± At this moment, no matter how stupid Li Bin was, he knew that Zhuge Xiang¡¯s attacks were a set of palm techniques. He could not believe it. In the Asura Sect, one would not be able to come into contact with martial arts without comprehending Qi force.


    Just as Zhuge Xiang had said, Li Bin was bound to lose. It was destined when he was hit by Zhuge Xiang¡¯s palm. Or rather, it was destined when his fist hit Zhuge Xiang.


    The Ghostly Steps was very strange. Even though the Clear Wave Palm was very powerful, he had no choice if he could not hit him. Therefore, Zhuge Xiang had the idea of exchanging injuries for injuries. He deliberately provoked Li Bin to take the initiative to attack. The moment his attack landed on him, he seized the opportunity and quickly attacked.


    Zhuge Xiang had no choice but to do this. Perhaps he was gambling. If he succeeded, he would be able to win as long as he hit the first palm. However, if he failed and was punched by Li Bin to escape the attack range of the Clear Wave Palm, it would be extremely difficult for the injured Zhuge Xiang to turn the tables.


    Therefore, using his body as bait to lure Li Bin into attacking seemed like a matter of seconds, but it was enough to determine the outcome of the battle. Since Zhuge Xiang had won the bet, he had not practiced the Clear Wave Palm for nothing these few days.


    Bang, bang, bang¡­


    One palm after another, the continuous attacks landed on Li Bin¡¯s body. After completing all 24 moves of the Clear Wave Palm and enduring more than 20 attacks, not only was he unable to counterattack, but he was also unable to escape. Li Bin spat out blood and collapsed on the martial arts arena.


    ¡°You¡­ Didn¡¯t you drink the Spiritual Fruit Pulp from the Gut Cutting Powder? Why?¡± Lying on the ground, he spat out blood and looked dispirited. It was obvious that Li Bin¡¯s injuries were very serious, but he was still holding on to his last breath. Clearly, he could not understand this. The Gut Cutting Powder from the Spiritual Fruit Powder was personally added by him, and Zhuge Xiang also drank it in front of him. Why was he completely fine?


    However, his injuries were serious. Before Zhuge Xiang could reply, Li Bin¡¯s head tilted and he fainted. As for Zhuge Xiang, he frowned. Gut Cutting Powder? Spiritual Fruit Pulp?


    ¡°He won? As expected, those who dare to accept the challenge have some skills. One has mastered footwork, and the other has mastered a set of palm techniques¡­¡± Zhuge Xiang won, and this stunned many people watching the battle below. Then, they came to a realization. Zhuge Xiang dared to accept Li Bin¡¯s challenge. It turned out that he had also learned a set of palm techniques.


    Under the martial arts arena, Niu Geng also smiled from the bottom of his heart. It was obvious that he was very happy to see Zhuge Xiang win.


    ¡°Defeated Li Bin. Obtained 11 EXP. Current level: Qi Nurturing Level 1. Obtained 1 skill point.¡±


    After Li Bin fell unconscious, the mechanical voice sounded again. Immediately after, Zhuge Xiang felt that his exhausted body was like a clear spring that had suddenly appeared in a field that had been dry for several years. He could clearly feel a gust of energy growing and flowing through his veins, quickly dispelling the fatigue in his body. The system¡¯s voice also diverted Zhuge Xiang¡¯s attention from the Gut Cutting Powder¡­


    Huff huff¡­


    Zhuge Xiang stood on the martial arts arena. The coarse fabric on his body fluttered even though there was no wind. His black hair was also flying. A faint aura was emitted from his body. Although the aura was weak, it could be clearly felt.


    ¡°Qi! He has comprehended Qi! He has managed to comprehend Qi through a battle!¡± Below the stage, everyone cried out in surprise, their eyes filled with envy.


    ¡°Qi! This is Qi! I¡¯ve finally succeeded!¡± Zhuge Xiang clenched his fists and felt the circulation of Qi in his body. He was extremely excited. After a year of hard work, he had finally obtained results. With Qi, he would be an official disciple of the Asura Sect in the future.


    If you find any errors ( broken links, non-standard content, etc.. ), Please let us know via our discord so we can fix it as soon as possible.

 Chapter 7

    Translator: Atlas Studios Editor: Atlas Studios


    To the 100,000 disciples of the Asura Sect, Qi strength was their common pursuit. Zhuge Xiang believed that their desire for Qi strength would not be lower than anyone else¡¯s. The background of a beggar, the death of an old beggar for no reason, and the fragility of their lives made the young Zhuge Xiang understand the importance of strength. Thus, his desire to be above others was incomparably strong.


    The Asura Sect was a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity for him, and Qi was his only pass to the sect. Fortunately, he had finally succeeded today. He could clearly feel the Qi flowing through his veins. Zhuge Xiang was extremely excited. The appearance of Qi not only meant that Zhuge Xiang had seized this opportunity, but also that he had truly stepped into the world of cultivators.


    ¡°He broke through. He managed to break through in a battle. Could this be the genius that the sect talked about in battle?¡± Under the martial arts arena, the few spectators widened their eyes with envy and even more shock. They knew that people who could break through in battle were more likely to be valued by the sect.


    Asura Sect was a sect that advocated martial arts. In the world of cultivators, there were countless geniuses. Some had very strong comprehension of martial arts, some had special physiques and bloodlines, and some were born with faster cultivation. However, in terms of which geniuses were the most popular in Asura Sect, they were undoubtedly combat geniuses.


    A year¡¯s worth of training and only comprehending Qi strength in the last ten days. In the eyes of the Asura Sect, this kind of talent was not very impressive. However, to be able to break through in battle, the meaning was different.


    Legend had it that the founder of the Asura Sect was once a person with low talent in the world of cultivation. If others cultivated for a year to increase their cultivation realm, then it would take him three to five years. If others could comprehend a martial art in a month, it might take him half a year. Such a person was originally destined to be mediocre, but it was the opposite. By chance, the founder of the Asura Sect offended a stronger person and broke through in a great battle. After that, it was even more unstoppable. In just 500 years, his cultivation had reached the peak of the world of cultivation. He was known as a rare battle genius. He fought no less than 10,000 battles and grew stronger with each battle.


    It was precisely because of this that the Asura Sect¡¯s reverence for battle was not something that other sects could compare to. Similarly, to be able to break through during battle, such a combat genius was more valued by the Asura Sect.


    Although he had only broken through in the last ten days of the one-year deadline, the amount of Qi he had comprehended during the battle was enough to make him comparable to those disciples who had comprehended Qi a few months ago.


    It was indeed gratifying to have comprehended Qi Force, but standing on the martial arts arena for others to admire was not something that Zhuge Xiang liked to do. He did not even look at Li Bin as Zhuge Xiang left the martial arts arena. Someone from the Asura Sect would come and treat an injured disciple.


    Zhuge Xiang was overjoyed that he had comprehended Qi Force, but he quickly calmed himself down. He knew that there was still a long way to go.


    Among the 100,000 disciples who cultivated, there were at least thousands who could become official disciples. Moreover, the Asura Sect had 300,000 official disciples. He had only just obtained the qualifications to become an official disciple. The path of cultivation was only the beginning. In the future, he would really have to work hard.


    After calming himself down, Zhuge Xiang adjusted his position and walked towards the Martial Storage Pavilion. Although there was a one-year deadline for the breakthrough of 100,000 disciples, naturally, not all of them would break through within a year. Therefore, some simple cultivation methods were placed in the Martial Storage Pavilion. As long as a disciple had comprehended Qi Force, they could go and learn at will. Of course, it was to avoid biting off more than they could chew. The Asura Sect had a clear rule that one could only learn two martial arts for each cultivation level.


    For example, Zhuge Xiang could only learn two martial arts when he was in the Qi Nourishing stage. Now that he had broken through, he could learn one extra martial art. In addition, he needed to reach the fifth level of the Qi Nourishing stage before he could learn the other martial art. This rule was also to not let the disciples forget the importance of cultivation when they increased their combat methods. After all, without cultivation as the foundation, no matter how powerful their attacks were, they were useless.


    Next to the Martial Arts Library was the Foreign Affairs Department, which specialized in the cultivation and living of 100,000 disciples. Zhuge Xiang passed the test and received the identity token which represented his comprehension of Qi strength. He then entered the Martial Storage Pavilion. When he entered, the guard told him the rules of the Martial Storage Pavilion very seriously. It was nothing more than the rule stating that he could only learn one martial art. There was a way to cultivate Qi strength in it and he was not allowed to make a fuss.


    The Martial Storage Pavilion was not very big, only about 70 to 80 feet in radius. There were not many people inside, and most of them were looking for experience in Qi cultivation. After all, one could only learn one martial art. As for breaking through to the fifth level of the Qi Nourishing stage within a year and obtaining the ability to learn a second martial arts? It was impossible to find such a genius.


    Zhuge Xiang took a look at the cultivation method of Qi force but did not remember it. With the Super Game System, Zhuge Xiang knew very well that the fastest way to increase his strength was to fight and continuously fight to gain experience.


    The main purpose of coming to the Martial Storage Pavilion was none other than martial arts. Zhuge Xiang walked to the platform where the martial arts secret manuals were placed and carefully scanned through them. The Martial Storage Pavilion actually did not have many martial arts secret manuals. There were only a dozen or so martial arts secret manuals. After all, this Martial Storage Pavilion was only used for the disciples who had comprehended Qi Force within a year to continue to cultivate excessively. After the assessment briefing, these disciples would be brought to the official sect of the Asura Sect and would be specially taught systematically.


    There were martial arts manuals, sword techniques, fist techniques, leg techniques, and so on on the platforms. Zhuge Xiang had also seen the Clear Wave Palm and Ghostly Steps. These martial arts had their own merits. Zhuge Xiang did not know what to do for a moment. When he saw the martial arts manual of the Clear Wave Palm, Zhuge Xiang picked it up and flipped it open. After all, this was the only martial art that Zhuge Xiang had some understanding of.


    ¡°Ding¡­ discovered skill book, Clear Wave Palm. Requires cultivation level of Qi Nourishing Level 1. Requires one skill point. Do you want to learn it?¡±


    Just as Zhuge Xiang flipped open the martial arts manual of the Clear Wave Palm, a mechanical system notification suddenly sounded in Zhuge Xiang¡¯s mind, stunning him.


    Skill point? Zhuge Xiang knew about this. When he had just defeated Li Bin and comprehended the Qi Force, the system had notified him that he had one skill point. However, Zhuge Xiang did not know what this skill point was for. Now that he knew, it seemed that he could learn the Clear Wave Palm just by using this skill point?


    To be able to gain experience from defeating the enemy and directly increase one¡¯s cultivation realm, and to be able to acquire something like a secret steel potion, it was a remarkable achievement. In Zhuge Xiang¡¯s opinion, the Super Game System was already very powerful. However, could this skill point actually allow him to learn a martial art in an instant? This was something that Zhuge Xiang could not dare to imagine. One must know that comprehending a martial art and reaching the initial stage usually took at least a few months of dedicated cultivation.


    Zhuge Xiang was shocked, but he did not choose to cultivate the Clear Wave Palm. The special effect of this Clear Wave Palm was to trap the enemy and make them feel as if their feet were stuck in mud. Its pure attack power was not outstanding. To Zhuge Xiang, who needed to win battles to increase his cultivation, choosing the Clear Wave Palm was not very suitable. After putting down the Clear Wave Palm, Zhuge Xiang started to check the other martial arts.


    Zhuge Xiang was slightly tempted by the Ghostly Steps. When he fought with Li Bin previously, Zhuge Xiang deeply understood the awkward situation of not being able to get close to his opponent.


    Battles between Qi Nourishing Realm cultivators were extremely dangerous. Although Qi Nourishing Realm cultivators had comprehended Qi Force, their bodies were not much stronger than ordinary people who had not comprehended Qi Force. Qi Force increased their attack power, but their body¡¯s resistance to attacks did not increase significantly. Therefore, it was impossible for Qi Nourishing Realm cultivators to use their bodies as bait in battles.


    Although the Blood Lightning Slash only had one move, Zhuge Xiang was also very interested in this martial art. Among the offensive-style martial arts in the martial arts library, this martial art had the highest attack power. It aligned perfectly with Zhuge Xiang¡¯s requirements.


    Zhuge Xiang was also highly tempted to learn the Bloodthirst Technique. Despite the price of damaging his body, it had the potential to significantly increase various attributes in a short period of time, such as the body¡¯s resistance to attacks, movement speed, and attack speed. However, this martial art was extremely perilous to cultivate.


    As Zhuge Xiang examined these three martial arts, he found himself indecisive. Each of them possessed its own merits, especially the Bloodthirst Technique. While its early-stage improvements were somewhat modest, it grew immensely powerful as the cultivation deepened. From a long-term perspective, its value surpassed that of the other martial arts in the library.


    ¡°It appears that you have indeed comprehended Qi Force. However, I strongly advise against cultivating the Bloodthirst Technique. More than 80 fellow disciples have lost their lives due to it this year alone,¡± a clear and familiar voice sounded from behind Zhuge Xiang as he carefully examined the Bloodthirst Technique.


    Turning around, Zhuge Xiang saw Lu Yuling standing there in a white dress. The hem of her dress was slightly raised, resembling a radiant white lotus flower. Her exquisite and beautiful face, like moonlit jade, was so captivating that one could hardly gaze upon it directly.


    ¡°Senior Lu, do you know anything about this Bloodthirst Technique?¡± Although they had been together for a few days, Zhuge Xiang was still a little dazed by Lu Yuling¡¯s elegance. However, he quickly reacted and asked. His primary objective was to enhance his strength, and he had no ulterior motives.


    ¡°The Bloodthirst Technique is a secret technique that activates one¡¯s blood essence and Qi strength. It easily clouds one¡¯s consciousness and is highly invasive. Due to its elusive nature, many disciples lose consciousness during cultivation to the point where they deplete their blood essence entirely. Although it is the most powerful martial art in the Martial Storage Pavilion, dozens, or even hundreds, of disciples perish each year while attempting to cultivate it. Only one in a hundred can successfully master the Bloodthirst Technique,¡± Lu Yuling explained to Zhuge Xiang while carefully observing the Bloodthirst Technique in his hand.


    With a success rate of merely one in a hundred and dire consequences upon failure, the risks associated with cultivating the Bloodthirst Technique were evident. Thus, despite being the most formidable martial art in the Martial Arts Storage Pavilion, only a few dared to undertake its cultivation. After all, comprehending Qi Force and becoming an official disciple of the Asura Sect was no easy feat, and risking one¡¯s life was unnecessary. Therefore, out of the thousands of disciples who had comprehended Qi Force, only around 80 individuals dared to make the attempt. The success rate for mastering the Bloodthirst Technique was apparent.


    ¡°I see.¡± Zhuge Xiang nodded in understanding after obtaining the information about this Bloodthirst Technique. However, he had already made his decision in his heart.


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 Chapter 8

    Translator: Atlas Studios Editor: Atlas Studios


    ¡°Ding! Discovered skill book ¡°Bloodthirst Technique¡±. Requires Level 1 Qi Nourishing Realm. Requires one skill point. Do you want to learn it?¡±


    The mechanical notification from the system resonated in Zhuge Xiang¡¯s mind. With his decision firmly made, Zhuge Xiang chose to learn the skill.


    No abnormal phenomena occurred, but suddenly, Zhuge Xiang felt a profound sense of enlightenment deep within his heart. It was an instinctual feeling. Zhuge Xiang realized that he had successfully learned the Bloodthirst Technique. Although he had only acquired its initial stage, he had truly mastered it.


    Without batting an eyelid, Zhuge Xiang set aside the secret manual of the Bloodthirst Technique and contemplated for a moment. Then, he picked up the secret manual of the Blood Lightning Slash and utilized his skill points to instantly acquire the Bloodthirst Technique. Apart from Zhuge Xiang himself, nobody else was aware of this development. Therefore, in accordance with the Asura Sect¡¯s rules, Zhuge Xiang could continue learning another martial art. His chosen path was the Blood Lightning Slash.


    The Blood Lightning Slash was one of the martial arts that was favored in the Hidden Martial Arts Pavilion. Despite consisting of only one move, it possessed the highest attack power among the available martial arts. Furthermore, due to its simplicity, cultivation of the Blood Lightning Slash was relatively easier compared to other techniques. With the augmentation provided by the Bloodthirst Technique, Zhuge Xiang anticipated that the power of the Blood Lightning Slash would undoubtedly become even more formidable upon successful cultivation.


    Seeing that Zhuge Xiang had decided to set aside the Bloodthirst Technique, Lu Yuling did not say anything. She turned around and left. Zhuge Xiang did not pay attention to her departure. His attention was all on the secret manual of the Blood Lightning Slash.


    There was only one move, and the secret manual of the Blood Lightning Slash consisted of merely two to three pages. Zhuge Xiang effortlessly memorized the flow of Qi, the cultivation method, and the necessary precautions. Regarding the Qi cultivation method, Zhuge Xiang skimmed through it briefly before leaving the martial arts library, ready to commence his cultivation of the Blood Lightning Slash.


    Despite already comprehending Qi Force, all disciples who had achieved this milestone would partake in a major competition during the assessment, with everyone watching. On one hand, it aimed to select outstanding disciples for focused nurturing. On the other hand, it served as motivation for the subsequent disciples to cultivate diligently.


    If Zhuge Xiang could attain a high ranking in the competition, the sect would reward him generously. Hence, he wished to cultivate the Blood Lightning Slash diligently before the competition, knowing that time was limited. The reason he chose the Blood Lightning Slash, which consisted of only one move, was due to its relative ease of cultivation.


    While en route, Zhuge Xiang composed himself and examined his Bloodthirst Technique skill. In the skill tree, the icon representing the Bloodthirst Technique skill gleamed brightly. As Zhuge Xiang immersed himself in it, information about the Bloodthirst Technique flooded his mind.


    Bloodthirst Technique (Beginner): Increases attack, defense, speed, and attack speed by 30%. Duration: 1 minute. However, afterward, you will enter a weakened state, the severity of which is dependent on the intensity of the Bloodthirst Technique. Effective during the Qi refinement and transformation phase.


    Zhuge Xiang found the information about the Bloodthirst Technique highly satisfying. Although the initial increase was only 30%, it was understandable considering it was at the beginner level. As the technique advanced to higher levels, it would achieve mastery and possibly even perfection, significantly enhancing its effects.


    Furthermore, the crucial point was that the 30% increase applied to all of his attributes. This comprehensive boost in strength was quite significant.


    ¡°Effective during the Qi refinement and transformation period?¡± Zhuge Xiang grasped the concept behind this condition. After spending a year in the Asura Sect, he had gained some understanding of cultivation.


    In the path of cultivation, there were three major realms. The Bloodthirst Technique served the purpose of forcefully absorbing the essence, blood, and Qi of the body to enhance various attributes. Naturally, it would only be effective during the Qi refinement and transformation period. In the Qi Refinement realm, the power of blood and Qi within the body was insufficient to augment one¡¯s strength. Furthermore, if the Bloodthirst Technique were always effective, it would be considered a divine skill.


    The Qi Nurturing Phase consisted of six stages: Qi Nourishing, Body Tempering, Meridian Opening, Air Splitting, Innate, and Reverting. Zhuge Xiang currently resided at the first stage, Qi Nourishing. Thus, his cultivation journey had just begun, and he remained unaware of the subsequent stages.


    Although the Bloodthirst Technique primarily served to convert essence into Qi, Zhuge Xiang was only at the first level of the Qi Nurturing Realm. The process of converting essence into Qi alone would require a considerable amount of time. Nonetheless, Zhuge Xiang found great satisfaction in having the Bloodthirst Technique at his disposal.


    ¡°Hmm? That¡¯s Li Bin and Niu Geng?¡± Just as Zhuge Xiang calmed himself down and studied the Bloodthirst Technique, two figures suddenly caught his attention. Not far away, Niu Geng supported Li Bin and the two of them walked towards the back mountain of the Asura Sect.


    ¡°The two of them?¡± Looking at their backs, Zhuge Xiang¡¯s mind instinctively recalled what Li Bin had said in the martial arts arena. Why was he fine after consuming the Gut Cutting Powder¡¯s Spiritual Fruit Pulp? Curious, Zhuge Xiang secretly followed them.


    With 100,000 disciples in the Asura Sect, the buildings were numerous and scattered. As Li Bin and Niu Geng walked deeper into the mountain, the number of people around gradually dwindled. Curiosity getting the better of him, Zhuge Xiang continued to trail the two. He could not comprehend their purpose or why Li Bin, with his severe injuries, was venturing out instead of recuperating.


    After more than an hour of walking, they arrived at an isolated location in the back mountain. Li Bin, bearing the weight of his heavily injured body, appeared even more fatigued. Clearly growing impatient, he questioned Niu Geng, ¡°Didn¡¯t you claim to have found a hundred-year-old ginseng in the back mountain? Where is it? Hurry and find it so that I can recover from my injuries.¡±


    After looking around and confirming that there were few people in the back mountain, Niu Geng suddenly smiled at Li Bin, revealing a newfound sharpness in his eyes behind his honest face.


    ¡°Ah!¡± A scream was heard. Li Bin was obviously frightened by Niu Geng¡¯s sharp gaze. He took a few steps back and fell to the ground. After a year of interaction, Li Bin believed he understood Niu Geng¡¯s temperament quite well. However, that piercing gaze just now made him feel as though Niu Geng had become a stranger.


    Just as Li Bin fell to the ground, he suddenly felt a sharp pain in his abdomen. A black aura emerged from his body and his body felt numb. It was as if thousands of poisonous bugs were gnawing at him. In agonizing pain, Li Bin came to the realization that he had been poisoned.


    ¡°Niu Geng, why? Why are you doing this?¡± Clutching his stomach, Li Bin¡¯s face turned pallid. He gazed up at Niu Geng in disbelief.


    Unthinkable as it was, the person he had been toying with, Niu Geng, had actually turned on him and intended to kill him. Li Bin had never anticipated this moment, and now he understood that the so-called hundred-year-old ginseng was merely an excuse to deceive him.


    ¡°Why? Hehe¡­¡± Li Bin¡¯s question elicited a sense of amusement from Niu Geng. A mocking smile appeared on his honest face. ¡°I happen to be an expert in poisons myself. Didn¡¯t you realize that Zhuge Xiang was unharmed in the martial arts arena today?¡±


    ¡°It¡¯s you!¡± Niu Geng¡¯s words made Li Bin react instantly. No wonder Zhuge Xiang, who drank the Spiritual Fruit Pulp in front of him, was fine. At that moment, everything became clear to Li Bin.


    ¡°That¡¯s right, it¡¯s me. When you offered me the Spiritual Fruit Pulp, I could tell that there was Gut Cutting Powder in it just by its scent. I have no involvement in your conflict with Zhuge Xiang or your attempt to poison him. However, do you remember how you responded when I suggested that I would give the Spiritual Fruit Pulp to Zhuge Xiang alone?¡±


    At this moment, Niu Geng¡¯s expression became complex, blending pity, sarcasm, and anger from feeling betrayed. His tone grew sharper. ¡°You clearly intended to trap me in one fell swoop. For a year, I treated you and Zhuge Xiang as rare friends. Even though you constantly bossed me around and treated me like a servant, I never felt resentful. But how did you repay me? By trying to kill me!¡±


    Hiding in the dark, Zhuge Xiang also widened his eyes. The Niu Geng before him seemed unfamiliar. Like Li Bin, he was also deceived by Niu Geng¡¯s honest appearance. He did not expect that under his honest appearance, there was actually such a ruthless heart.


    At the same time, Zhuge Xiang silently thanked his luck that Niu Geng had no intention of dealing with him. Otherwise, that gourd of Spiritual Fruit Pulp laced with Gut Cutting Powder would have been sufficient to end his life.


    When his life was in danger, Li Bin¡¯s poison intensified. His face was filled with black smoke as he pleaded desperately. He even mentioned that they were all friends in the past and tried to use emotions. However, Niu Geng¡¯s heart had turned to stone by this point. In fact, he was utterly disillusioned by Li Bin¡¯s attempt to poison him to death.


    From begging to cursing to despair, Li Bin ultimately succumbed to the poison.Throughout the entire ordeal, Zhuge Xiang remained hidden in the shadows, silently witnessing the entire process.


    Li Bin had died from the poison. No one knew what Niu Geng was thinking. He stared at Li Bin¡¯s corpse in a daze for a moment before turning around. His tone carried a deep sense of fatigue as he said to Zhuge Xiang¡¯s hiding place, ¡°Zhuge Xiang, come out. I know you¡¯ve been there.¡±


    After being discovered by Niu Geng, Zhuge Xiang had no intention of hiding anything. He walked out calmly and looked at Niu Geng. He sighed and said, ¡°I really didn¡¯t expect that among the three of us in the room, you¡¯re actually the one with the greatest endurance. It seems that Li Bin and I were mistaken.¡±


    If you find any errors ( broken links, non-standard content, etc.. ), Please let us know via our discord so we can fix it as soon as possible.

 Chapter 9

    Translator: Atlas Studios Editor: Atlas Studios


    Niu Geng was not happy with Zhuge Xiang¡¯s praise at all. Instead, he sat down on the grass beside him with a look of fatigue. Then he asked an inconsequential question, ¡°Zhuge Xiang, why did you come to the Asura Sect?¡±


    Without waiting for Zhuge Xiang¡¯s response, Niu Geng continued, his eyes filled with nostalgia. ¡°I used to be a servant in the Tang Sect in Sichuan. The Tang Sect has always been renowned for its mechanisms and poison techniques. Despite being just a lowly servant, I was influenced by their knowledge and gained some understanding of mechanisms and poison techniques. However, being a servant, no one held me in high regard, and I didn¡¯t have any friends. Fortunately, Miss didn¡¯t despise me for my servile position¡­¡± said Niu Geng in a low voice. It was evident that he had a tale to tell, and Zhuge Xiang listened attentively beside him, taking on the role of a sympathetic listener.


    Niu Geng¡¯s story was simple yet touching. It turned out that he had no friends in the Tang Sect of Sichuan and was naturally withdrawn. However, the Ninth Miss of the Tang Sect was naturally cheerful and treated Niu Geng, a mere handyman, with respect. As a result, despite being just 13 or 14 years old, Niu Geng fell in love for the first time. It was unclear whether it was due to romantic feelings or simply having a single friend, but his steadfast heart was devoted to her.


    However, more than a year ago, the Sichuan Tang Sect had arranged a marriage for the Ninth Miss. The Ninth Miss strongly objected, and Niu Geng naturally stood up against it as well.


    He, Niu Geng, was just a handyman. He dared to act recklessly. Predictably, he faced criticism. In order to silence him, the Tang family sentenced Niu Geng to death. However, in the final moments, the Ninth Miss secretly allowed him to escape. Before leaving, she advised Niu Geng to be more joyful and make more friends.


    ¡°The Ninth Miss told me to make more friends, and I wanted to gain formidable strength to return to her. That¡¯s why I joined the Asura Sect. I treated both you and Li Bin as friends. No matter how much I suffered, I never felt anger. But in the end, Li Bin wanted to kill me¡­¡± Niu Geng¡¯s voice grew soft. As he reached the end of his sentence, a deep sense of helplessness laced his tone. On one hand, memories of the Tang Sect weighed heavily on him, and on the other hand, there was the betrayal of Li Bin.


    Zhuge Xiang had seen the sacrifices that Niu Geng had made over the past year. If he was really a foolishly loyal person, it would not be a big deal. However, now that he had revealed his true colors, Zhuge Xiang knew that this seemingly honest and foolishly loyal Niu Geng¡¯s heart was as clear as a mirror. Naturally, Zhuge Xiang also knew how tolerant Niu Geng had been over the past year for the sake of his so-called friend, Li Bin. However, in the end, Li Bin even wanted to kill him. It was no wonder that this situation had dealt a significant blow to Niu Geng.


    ¡°All I wanted was a few friends. I didn¡¯t do anything wrong to him. I never complained, even when serving him tea and water. Why does he still want to kill me?¡± Niu Geng¡¯s voice trembled as he lowered his head.


    ¡°True friends should support and help each other. People like Li Bin, who only take from you and betray you without hesitation, cannot be considered real friends. Don¡¯t you still have me? Haven¡¯t we always been friends?¡± Zhuge Xiang comforted Niu Geng, gently patting his shoulder.


    Zhuge Xiang himself was taken aback by Niu Geng¡¯s ruthlessness. However, in this moment, he realized that Niu Geng was also a pitiable person.


    Zhuge Xiang did not doubt Niu Geng¡¯s words. After all, with Niu Geng¡¯s knowledge of poisons, both Zhuge Xiang and Li Bin would not dare to provoke him if he wished to harm them. Yet, he had willingly served and obeyed them for over a year. This fact alone proved the genuineness of Niu Geng¡¯s words.


    ¡°When you give without hesitation, the person who ultimately betrays you cannot be considered a true friend.¡± Niu Geng contemplated this sentence carefully. There was a pensive expression on his honest face, clearly showing that the sentence had deeply touched him.


    Zhuge Xiang sat down beside Niu Geng, his tone soft as he spoke, ¡°You asked me why I came to the Asura Sect, right? In truth, I was once a beggar, begging on the streets alongside an old beggar¡­¡±


    Zhuge Xiang¡¯s story captured Niu Geng¡¯s attention as well. Hearing about the old beggar¡¯s tragic fate of being killed by a dog, Niu Geng sympathized with Zhuge Xiang¡¯s hardships. When he learned that Zhuge Xiang had secretly killed 13 people from a wealthy family at night, Niu Geng was both amazed by Zhuge Xiang¡¯s ruthlessness and relieved, leading him to offer praise.


    ¡°Therefore, my goal for coming to the Asura Sect is very simple. I want to gain great power and become someone superior to others. I also want to have enough food to eat and live comfortably here.¡±


    This was Zhuge Xiang¡¯s reason for joining the Asura Sect. It was straightforward yet profound. His initial intention was purely driven by the absence of basic worries in this place. With such a motivation and background, it was no wonder that Zhuge Xiang¡¯s ambition for cultivation was unparalleled.


    ¡°You¡¯re doing well. You have already grasped Qi Force, but I have yet to achieve it.¡± As they had been conversing openly for a while, the gap between them had subtly widened. Niu Geng sighed, clearly feeling the mounting pressure as the test was approaching in ten days.


    ¡°Don¡¯t worry about that. Have you forgotten about the Blood Spirit Fruit? I¡¯ll get it for you. You assisted me with Li Bin¡¯s Gut Cutting Powder before. Now it¡¯s my turn to help you. We are friends, and friends should support each other.¡± Upon hearing Niu Geng¡¯s sigh, Zhuge Xiang stood up and revealed a radiant smile. He looked at Niu Geng sincerely.


    ¡°Support each other? Friends?¡± Looking at Zhuge Xiang¡¯s sincere eyes and bright smile, Niu Geng was speechless for a moment.


    He had always been the one who had given in to Li Bin, and in the end, he had been betrayed. This was the first time that Zhuge Xiang had given in to him. He touched his chest and a warm feeling flowed through his heart. At this moment, Niu Geng vaguely understood the true meaning of being a friend¡­


    In the middle of the night, within the Asura Sect compound, in Zhao Feiyun¡¯s courtyard, his face turned pale. At the center of the courtyard, Li Bin, who was carried on a stretcher, had a dark expression. Clearly, he had succumbed to the poison. The few disciples nearby, who had yet to grasp Qi force, lowered their heads, afraid to make a sound.


    ¡°Zhuge Xiang! I will kill you!¡± Zhao Feiyun¡¯s face turned ashen, and his expression was so dark that one could almost see water dripping from it. Staring at the lifeless body of Li Bin, Zhao Feiyun let out a stern shout. His intense hatred and murderous intent caused the disciples carrying the stretcher to tremble.


    ¡°Hmph, has that fellow already comprehended Qi Force today? That¡¯s even better. I¡¯ll make him beg for death in front of everyone.¡± After his roar, a fierce gleam appeared in Zhao Feiyun¡¯s eyes as he spoke maliciously. Then, he glanced at the few disciples who had yet to grasp Qi force and commanded, ¡°Go and inform Zhuge Xiang that in twelve days, I want to engage in a life-and-death battle with him in front of everyone.¡±


    As he watched his disciples hurriedly depart, Zhao Feilong ordered someone to bury Li Bin¡¯s body and returned to his room alone. ¡°There are still twelve days remaining. I must achieve another breakthrough before the competition, advancing to the second level of the Qi Nourishing stage, in order to attain a better ranking.¡±


    Zhuge Xiang and Zhao Feiyun harbored hatred towards him, but they didn¡¯t consider him a significant threat. They believed that someone who had just grasped Qi force stood no chance against Zhao Feiyun, who was on the verge of breaking through to the second level of the Qi Nurturing Realm. Furthermore, twelve days was not sufficient for him to master any martial arts, and his Ghostly Steps skill remained at the beginner level.


    ¡°A life-and-death battle? Fine, but let¡¯s make it more interesting by adding some rewards. Go back and inform him that the Blood Spirit Fruit is ready,¡± Zhuge Xiang responded calmly, halting his cultivation of the Blood Lightning Slash. He was not surprised by Zhao Feiyun¡¯s proposal. Instead, he instructed Zhao Feiyun to prepare the Blood Spirit Fruit without utilizing it.


    ¡°Don¡¯t worry, I won¡¯t lose.¡± Seeing how worried Niu Geng was, Zhuge Xiang interrupted him before he could say anything.


    No matter what, for the past year, Li Bin had always been showing off to Zhao Feiyun. Under his subtle influence, Zhao Feiyun¡¯s strength had deeply embedded itself in Niu Geng¡¯s mind. However, Zhuge Xiang remained confident in his own abilities.


    With the Bloodthirst Technique, his ongoing cultivation of the Blood Lightning Slash, and the secret steel medicine he had yet to employ, Zhao Feiyun was preparing for the competition¡¯s rankings. Zhuge Xiang, on the other hand, was doing the same.


    If you find any errors ( broken links, non-standard content, etc.. ), Please let us know via our discord so we can fix it as soon as possible.

 Chapter 10

    Translator: Atlas Studios Editor: Atlas Studios


    It was still by the small lake where Zhuge Xiang stood. He slightly lowered his body, resembling a poised cheetah ready to pounce. His limbs were bent, and his muscles bulged, displaying a tense and explosive posture.


    The flow of blood essence quickened, causing the Qi within his body to surge. Zhuge Xiang could distinctly hear his heartbeat accelerating, as if it were on the verge of leaping out of his chest. His heart¡¯s blood production function hastened, replenishing the oxygen and blood essence required by his body.


    The Blood Lightning Slash represented the culmination of all the energy within him, erupting from a single focal point. In this moment, the explosive power sustained the circulation of the Blood Lightning Slash¡¯s Qi. Zhuge Xiang intensely focused on delving into the profundity of the technique.


    With each accumulation of strength, the Qi within Zhuge Xiang¡¯s body grew denser and denser. When it reached a critical threshold, his body seemed unable to bear the burden. He raised his palm and morphed it into a knife-like shape. Simultaneously, Zhuge Xiang propelled himself forward with a leg kick, transforming into a swift shadow as he ferociously slashed out with his palm knife.


    Faint sounds of wind and thunder could be vaguely heard. A blood-red light flashed at the edge of his palm, as the palm blade sliced through the air¡¯s barrier. Its formidable power exerted an oppressive force, capable of cleaving even a tree trunk as thick as a bowl.


    After executing the palm strike, Zhuge Xiang¡¯s aura diminished, and the surging blood and Qi gradually subsided. The striking power of the Blood Lightning Slash was undeniable. Combined with its high-speed surprise attack, once it landed on the target, it pierced through like a sharply penetrating arrow.


    A week had passed, leaving five days until the assessment. Zhuge Xiang was uncertain if he had successfully cultivated the Blood Lightning Slash. With sufficient accumulation of strength, he could barely unleash a trace of its power. He should have grasped the technique, but executing the Blood Lightning Slash required ten breaths¡¯ worth of accumulated strength. In a real battle, who would afford him the time to accumulate that much strength?


    Furthermore, despite the Blood Lightning Slash boasting the strongest attack power among the martial arts in the library, it consumed a substantial amount of Qi. Given Zhuge Xiang¡¯s recent comprehension of Qi, he would deplete half of his Qi reserves after using the technique.


    Taking a deep breath, Zhuge Xiang exhaled unsteadily. His gaze shifted towards Lu Yuling, who gracefully danced by the lake. In her hands, she grew increasingly adept at the Clear Wave Palm. Her movements flowed smoothly, resembling a celestial steed¡ªeffortless and elegant.


    However, Zhuge Xiang understood the hidden danger concealed within this beautiful form. When the Clear Wave Palm was executed, it wove an invisible web like spider silk. Once ensnared within its aura, escape became arduous, akin to moths trapped in a spider¡¯s web.


    ¡°Your Blood Lightning Slash can be considered successfully cultivated. However, due to Qi limitations, it requires an excessive amount of time to gather Qi,¡± Lu Yuling remarked after completing her set of Clear Wave Palm. Her composed tone revealed her attentiveness towards Zhuge Xiang¡¯s cultivation of the Blood Lightning Slash.


    Although Lu Yuling and Zhuge Xiang had exchanged few words in the past, the disparity between a disciple who had comprehended Qi and one who hadn¡¯t was immense. It was akin to the difference between heaven and earth, or even two separate worlds. Subconsciously, both parties were aware of this distinction, even if they did not pay much attention to it.


    However, since Zhuge Xiang had attained Qi Force, their interaction had noticeably increased. They engaged in more frequent conversations, at the very least. Despite Zhuge Xiang¡¯s cultivation level being slightly lower than Lu Yuling¡¯s, they were both disciples who had comprehended Qi Force. As such, they were qualified to regard each other as equals.


    ¡°Yes, that seems to be the reason,¡± Zhuge Xiang agreed. After analyzing the Qi circulation in the Blood Lightning Slash for five days, he believed that he had mastered it. However, it still took an extensive amount of time to gather enough Qi to activate the technique. It appeared that Lu Yuling¡¯s assessment was accurate¡ªit was indeed a limitation of his Qi. Zhuge Xiang believed that as his cultivation progressed and his Qi grew stronger, the performance of the Blood Lightning Slash would also improve, becoming more powerful and faster.


    After speaking, Lu Yuling fell silent without further elaboration. However, it seemed that he had thought of something. After contemplating for a moment, he appeared to have made a decision. He said to Zhuge Xiang, ¡°There are still a few days until the assessment. During that time, we should head to the headquarters deep in the Endless Mountains. A few days ago, I stumbled upon a 100-year-old Lingzhi that was about to mature in a forest. However, it was guarded by a medium-grade fox demon close to one-star strength. With your Blood Lightning Slash and my Clear Wave Palm, we should be able to defeat it.¡±


    The Asura Sect¡¯s base was situated within the expansive Endless Mountains, stretching for 1,800 miles. The headquarters resided in the deepest part of the mountain range. As for Zhuge Xiang and the others, they were merely in the branch of the Asura Sect, located at the edge of the Endless Mountains. It served as a training ground for the sect¡¯s disciples. Once they passed the assessment, all Qi-comprehending disciples would be sent to the headquarters in the heart of the Endless Mountains.


    ¡°100-year-old Lingzhi,¡± Zhuge Xiang was slightly taken aback upon hearing Lu Yuling¡¯s words. He was well aware of what Lingzhi was.


    Ginseng, Lingzhi, Chinese Knotweed, Vermillion Fruit¡ªthese spirit herbs and fruits held great benefits for refining the blood essence and Qi of the body. Refining essence into Qi involved absorbing the essence of the body and transforming it into Qi. Therefore, when these spirit herbs and fruits reached maturity, they became invaluable to cultivators who had comprehended Qi. A hundred-year-old Lingzhi was already a rare and precious spirit herb.


    Just a one-star mid-grade demon fox, Zhuge Xiang muttered to himself. Cultivators were at the stage of refining essence into Qi, just like demons. The first cultivation stage for both involved refining essence into Qi. However, demons in this stage were collectively referred to as demon beasts, as they retained their complete beast forms.


    The refinement of essence into Qi was divided into six smaller stages: the Qi Nurturing stage, the Body Tempering stage, the Meridian Opening stage, the Air Splitting stage, the Innate stage, and the Reverting stage. Demon beasts were also divided into six smaller realms, each further divided into upper, middle, and lower grades. A demon beast close to one-star mid-grade cultivation possessed the strength corresponding to the third to fourth level of the Qi Nurturing stage. It was no wonder Zhuge Xiang had to seriously consider it. Although a hundred-year-old Lingzhi was valuable, it was not easy to obtain.


    Although Qi Nourishing cultivators had comprehended Qi Force, their physical bodies¡¯ ability to withstand attacks didn¡¯t improve significantly. Carelessness could even lead to being knocked out by an old lady¡¯s stick, serving as a classic example of high attack and low defense. Unless their strength broke through to the Body Tempering stage and utilized Qi Force to fortify their bodies, their physical defense remained limited.


    The same applied to demon beasts. A one-star demon beast¡¯s physical defense wasn¡¯t particularly robust. With the attack power of his Blood Lightning Slash, Zhuge Xiang might be able to kill it if used effectively. However, it was equivalent to the cultivation of the third or fourth level of the Qi Nurturing realm. The speed and attack power of the demon fox must be truly formidable. If he failed, the consequences would be unimaginable.


    Zhuge Xiang also understood Lu Yuling¡¯s thoughts. After the assessment, he would be departing in a few days. Naturally, he was reluctant to let go of such a hundred-year-old Lingzhi. Moreover, if he succeeded and obtained the assistance of the Lingzhi, he would undoubtedly achieve a higher ranking in the competition. Being nurtured by the sect, it would create a virtuous cycle of growth.


    Zhuge Xiang was not afraid of a demonic beast that was close to the mid-grade one-star level. However, Zhuge Xiang was not blinded by benefits either. He just looked at Lu Yuling seriously and said, ¡°Senior Sister Lu, I want to know how strong you are. Moreover, once the 100-year-old Lingzhi is successfully picked, how should we distribute it?¡±


    With a faint smile, Lu Yuling didn¡¯t find anything objectionable in Zhuge Xiang¡¯s question. His willingness to inquire about these matters before making a decision demonstrated his decisiveness and generosity. ¡°A few days ago, I broke through to the third level of the Qi Nurturing Realm. My Clear Wave Palm has reached the advanced level. As for the distribution of the Lingzhi, you¡¯ll receive 30%, and I¡¯ll take 70%.¡±


    ¡°The third level of the Qi Nourishing stage!?¡± Lu Yuling¡¯s words made Zhuge Xiang¡¯s eyes widen slightly.


    Among the 100,000 disciples, most were still diligently striving to comprehend Qi strength. Yet, she had already reached the third level of the Qi Nurturing stage. A genius who could grasp Qi strength in just half a year truly lived up to her reputation. As for the 30-70 split, Zhuge Xiang was quite satisfied. He even profited from it. His cultivation at the first level of the Qi Nurturing stage was solely used to assist Lu Yuling, and obtaining the third level was already a substantial gain.


    ¡°Alright, let¡¯s give it a try.¡± Although there might be a disparity in strength between Lu Yuling and the fox demon, it shouldn¡¯t be too significant. If he executed his Blood Lightning Slash effectively, it shouldn¡¯t pose a problem. Zhuge Xiang nodded and agreed.


    ¡°There¡¯s no time to lose. Let¡¯s go now.¡± Lu Yuling¡¯s tone remained calm, but he was a decisive individual. Once he made up his mind, he wasted no time in taking action. With only five days remaining, he still needed to rely on the Lingzhi to enhance his cultivation. Aware of the limited time, Zhuge Xiang nodded, and the two of them departed from the lake.


    If you find any errors ( broken links, non-standard content, etc.. ), Please let us know via our discord so we can fix it as soon as possible.

 Chapter 11

    Translator: Atlas Studios Editor: Atlas Studios


    Although the branch of the Asura Sect that Zhuge Xiang and the others were in was only at the periphery of the Endless Mountains, they would still encounter some ferocious beasts like jackals and wolves along the way. Although these ferocious beasts were very threatening to ordinary people, after a year of hard training, Zhuge Xiang, who had comprehended the Qi Force, did not need to spend much effort to kill them. There was a huge gap between comprehending Qi Force and comprehending Qi Force.


    Although these ferocious beasts could only give Zhuge Xiang a mere five or six experience points, no matter how small a mosquito was, it was still beneficial.


    It was worth mentioning that after Zhuge Xiang had comprehended Qi Force, he needed a total of 800 experience points to break through to the second level of the Qi Nourishing stage. Because he needed to level up, when he encountered ferocious beasts, Zhuge Xiang volunteered to rush up.


    Disciples of the Asura Sect, like Lu Yuling, often ventured deep into the Endless Mountains to look for ferocious beasts and demonic beasts to train themselves. However, seeing that Zhuge Xiang was in such high spirits, Lu Yuling was naturally happy and relaxed. Moreover, for her, who was at the third level of the Qi Nourishing stage, training these ferocious beasts was useless.


    Although they encountered many ferocious beasts along the way, they were not in any danger. After walking for more than half a day, the two of them casually made some roasted meat and ate it. In the evening, they finally saw the hundred-year-old Lingzhi. Along the way, they killed more than ten ferocious beasts and Zhuge Xiang also obtained more than a hundred EXPs.


    In the dense forest, a small mountain that was no more than 100 feet tall stood tall. At the foot of the mountain, in an empty space, in the corner of a huge rock, there was a grayish-white Lingzhi. Its color was almost the same as the stone. If one did not look carefully, it would be very easy to overlook it. Hiding in the dark, Zhuge Xiang and Lu Yuling had both discovered that Lingzhi. From the looks of it, it had already completely matured.


    However, beside the Lingzhi, there was a small cave on the stone wall of the small mountain. At the entrance of the cave, a yellow-furred fox was lying down and pretending to sleep. Its thin body looked like it did not have enough qi and blood. However, this fox was very big. If it stood up, it would probably be as tall as an adult¡¯s waist. The main difference between demon beasts was that its size completely exceeded the restrictions of its race.


    ¡°Strange, this fox seems to be injured. Not only did its aura not increase compared to a few months ago, but it even decreased,¡± Lu Yuling said in a low voice as he hid in the dark and looked at the fox demon lying at the entrance of the cave.


    ¡°Isn¡¯t it better that the aura has decreased? The lingzhi is already ripe. Let¡¯s quickly pluck it and leave. We don¡¯t have much time.¡± Zhuge Xiang shook his head at Lu Yuling¡¯s doubts. Such doubts obviously could not be thought of out of thin air. Besides, if he had the time to think about this, he might as well snatch the lingzhi away first.


    ¡°Okay.¡± After thinking for a moment, Lu Yuling could not think of any reason. When he heard Zhuge Xiang¡¯s words, he nodded and ignored him. He revealed himself and pounced towards the fox demon.


    Wild beasts were usually more vigilant than humans. Although Lu Yuling¡¯s movements did not make a sound, when she approached, the fox demon still woke up. With a fierce roar, it moved like a rabbit to welcome her. Its sharp fox claws and fangs shone coldly under the setting sun.


    Initially, Lu Yuling was only on par with this one-star mid-grade demonic beast. In fact, he might even be slightly inferior to it. However, for some reason, this fox demon seemed to have been injured long ago and its strength had decreased. Therefore, when they fought, Zhuge Xiang could tell that this fox demon¡¯s strength was slightly inferior to Lu Yuling¡¯s.


    However, Lu Yuling¡¯s Clear Wave Palm mainly focused on ¡°entanglement¡±, so its attack power was not very powerful. Although her strength was slightly superior, this fox demon was an existence that specialized in agility. Although the Clear Wave Palm suppressed the fox demon, it was not easy to win in a short period of time.


    In order to prevent any accidents from happening, Zhuge Xiang took advantage of the fact that Lu Yuling had suppressed the demon fox and pounced forward. He wanted to pluck the 100-year-old Lingzhi first.


    However, Zhuge Xiang sighed in his heart when he was plucking the lingzhi. The demon fox¡¯s strength had dropped, and his role became even less significant. He was only responsible for plucking the lingzhi. Even Zhuge Xiang felt ashamed to receive 30% of the benefits.


    Seeing that Zhuge Xiang was picking the Lingzhi, the fox demon also became anxious. Its attacks became much sharper and it kept shouting angrily. However, Lu Yuling¡¯s strength was still there. He was at the third level of the Qi Nourishing stage. Even if he had just broken through a few days ago, he could not be underestimated. Moreover, the Clear Wave Palm was mainly about ¡°entanglement¡±, so it was not a problem to suppress him.


    ¡°Roar!!!¡± A fox¡¯s fierce roar sounded without any warning. It approached from afar. The fox¡¯s roar was originally a little sharp, but this fierce roar was like a tiger¡¯s roar in the forest. It was filled with a vigorous aura.


    This sudden roar made Zhuge Xiang and Lu Yuling¡¯s expressions change. At the same time, the fox demon that was suppressed by Lu Yuling raised its head and let out a sharp roar, echoing the deep roar.


    ¡°Oh no! This fox demon has companions, and they seem to be stronger than it!¡± Lu Yuling and Zhuge Xiang looked at each other and could see the seriousness in each other¡¯s eyes.


    ¡°Blood Lightning Slash!!!¡± Zhuge Xiang lowered his body slightly and his muscles bulged. His blood essence surged and his Qi Force surged. Zhuge Xiang¡¯s palm turned into a knife as he stared fixedly at the fox demon that was being suppressed by Lu Yuling.


    Lu Yuling naturally saw Zhuge Xiang¡¯s reaction and understood what he meant. Demon foxes were known for their speed and agility. Hearing the roar coming from afar, he knew that the demon fox that was rushing over must be even faster. At this moment, even if he ran, he might not be able to escape. Instead of being chased by two demon foxes later, he might as well kill one now.


    The Clear Wave Palm moved one move after another. Qi Force wrapped around the demon fox like a spider web, causing its movements to become slower and slower.


    After seven to eight breaths of time, the veins on Zhuge Xiang¡¯s face bulged like earthworms. Just as his body was about to collapse, the gathered Qi Force suddenly erupted. Zhuge Xiang turned into a swift shadow and pounced towards the demon fox that was entangled by Lu Yuling¡¯s Clear Wave Palm.


    There was a faint sound of wind and thunder, and a ghastly blood-red light appeared at the edge of Zhuge Xiang¡¯s palm. With a ferocious strike of his palm, Zhuge Xiang ruthlessly chopped the demon fox¡¯s neck. A crisp sound was heard. It was none other than the sound of the demon fox¡¯s neck breaking.


    Regardless of whether they were Qi Nourishing stage cultivators or one-star demonic beasts, they had only just comprehended Qi Force and Demonic Qi. They had just embarked on the path of cultivation. Although their attack power had become stronger under the influence of Qi Force and Demonic Qi, their bodies had not been strengthened. It was a classic example of high attack and low defense.


    Zhuge Xiang¡¯s Blood Lightning Slash, which was the Martial Storage Pavilion¡¯s strongest offensive martial art, had used up half of its Qi Force and directly hit the weak spot on the demon fox¡¯s neck, achieving the effect of a one-hit kill.


    With a scream, the Demon Fox fell to the ground. Its neck was broken and twisted at a strange angle. It was breathing weakly. Clearly, it was not going to make it. After letting out a low cry and twitching a few times, it stopped moving.


    ¡°Ding! Killed a one-star low-grade demon fox. Obtained 133 EXP. Obtained Blood Refined Saber. Obtained Blood Recovery Pill x1.¡±


    As the fox demon was killed, a mechanical system notification sounded in Zhuge Xiang¡¯s mind. It was as high as 133 EXP, which stunned Zhuge Xiang. The EXP gained from killing this fox demon was actually so high. It seemed that it was because he had killed someone above his level.


    Moreover, not only did it give him 133 EXP, but it also dropped a pill and a weapon?


    Following the system¡¯s notification, a saber appeared in Zhuge Xiang¡¯s hand and a light red elixir appeared in his other hand. He lowered his head and looked at it. The information of the saber and the elixir appeared naturally.


    [Blood Refined Saber (One-star dharma artifact): Requires Level 1 of the Qi Nourishing stage, Attack level: 12-16. Blood-sucking level: 10%, Weight: 10, Duration: 12/16.]


    [Health Recovery Pill: No level requirement, Continuous HP recovery, HP Recovery rate: 10 per second, Duration: 10 seconds.]


    HP was the so-called health points value. In Zhuge Xiang¡¯s character panel, his HP was 100 points. After comprehending Qi Force, his HP was only 110 points. This HP Recovery Pill could recover 100 HP. Clearly, the effect was good.


    From killing the Demon Fox to the system notification that the equipment dropped, to the Blood Refined Saber and the Blood Regeneration Pill in his hand, all of this seemed to have taken a long time, but in fact, it had only been for a moment.


    After killing the fox demon, Zhuge Xiang and Lu Yuling did not stay any longer. They turned around and wanted to escape. Without looking at the fox demon chasing after them, the two of them knew that the other party must be very powerful.


    However, just as the two of them moved, they stopped because a huge dark yellow fox appeared in front of Zhuge Xiang and Lu Yuling. This fox was the size of a calf. Zhuge Xiang, who was only 14 years old, was only about the same height as this fox.


    ¡°Mid-grade one-star, equivalent to the fifth level of the Qi Nourishing stage.¡± Looking at this dark yellow fox and sensing the thick demonic aura emitted from its body, although Lu Yuling¡¯s tone was still calm, her eyes were unprecedentedly solemn.


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 Chapter 12

    Translator: Atlas Studios Editor: Atlas Studios


    Zhuge Xiang looked at the corpse of the demon fox beside him. This one-star medium-grade demon fox¡¯s eyes were filled with strong killing intent. Thick Demonic Qi spread out, making it difficult for Zhuge Xiang to breathe.


    Previously, the demon fox was only a one-star low-grade demon fox. It was equivalent to the third level of the Qi Nourishing stage. Moreover, it was also injured and needed the two of them to work together to kill it. This one-star mid-grade demon fox was several times more terrifying at its peak strength. The front legs of the demon fox were slightly bent, and it looked like it was about to pounce on Zhuge Xiang. It made Zhuge Xiang feel as if a blade was hanging above his head.


    It was no wonder. In terms of cultivation level, Zhuge Xiang was only at the first level of the Qi Nourishing stage. Lu Yuling, the gifted girl, had only recently broken through to the third level of the Qi Nourishing stage. However, this fox demon¡¯s strength was comparable to the fifth level of the Qi Nourishing stage. The difference between two levels was not so easy to make up, even if the body of a fox demon at this level was not very strong.


    ¡°Let¡¯s do it!¡± Although the demonic aura of the fifth level of the Qi Nourishing stage made it difficult for Zhuge Xiang to breathe, the speed of the demon fox made Zhuge Xiang know that he could not escape at all. At the very least, he could not escape. Therefore, he gathered his thoughts and raised the Blood Refined Saber in his hand, preparing to fight.


    Lu Yuling looked at Zhuge Xiang with a hint of surprise in her eyes. She did not see how Zhuge Xiang took out his Blood Refined Saber. Moreover, what surprised her the most was that he had only comprehended Qi Force for a week. He was only at the first level of the Qi Nourishing stage, but he actually dared to face a demon fox that was comparable to the fifth level of the Qi Nourishing stage fearlessly.


    ¡°Senior Lu, how long can you hold it back?¡± Zhuge Xiang asked as he tightened his grip on the Blood Refined Saber. His eyes were fixed on the demon fox that was as big as a calf.


    ¡°Since you have such fighting spirit, I¡¯ll give it a try with you. If I go all out, I can hold it back for about 20 breaths.¡± He smiled calmly, but his eyes were solemn. Lu Yuling clearly had no intention of escaping.


    ¡°20 breaths?¡± She looked at Lu Yuling in surprise. Although she had broken through to the third level of the Qi Nourishing stage, it was still not enough to hold the demon fox back for 20 breaths, right?


    However, although he was surprised, Zhuge Xiang did not say anything. It was obvious that she had her own secrets. Although they were not very close, Zhuge Xiang knew that Lu Yuling was not someone who would joke about such things.


    ¡°Twenty breaths, I can give it a try!¡± Holding the Blood Refined Saber in his hand, Zhuge Xiang stuffed the secret steel medicine that he had been reluctant to use into his mouth. As the medicinal effects took effect, Zhuge Xiang could feel that his body seemed to be wearing a suit of armor that was as hard as iron, but his movements were not affected at all.


    Iron Secret Potion: Upon consumption, increases physical defense by 150 points. Duration: 1 minute.


    After consuming the Iron Secret Potion, Zhuge Xiang¡¯s defense immediately increased by 150 points. At the same time, his legs bent slightly, and the blood essence and Qi Force in his body suddenly seemed to boil. A blood-red Qi Force that could be seen with the naked eye spread out from his skin. Because of the boiling blood, Zhuge Xiang¡¯s eyes turned red. It was the Bloodthirst Technique.


    The Bloodthirst Technique increased all attributes by 30% in a short period of time. With the activation of the Bloodthirst Technique, the blood essence and Qi Force in his body boiled. Zhuge Xiang¡¯s spirit also fell into an excited state. He actually let out a roar like a wild beast and pounced forward. The Blood Refined Saber that was filled with blood-red Qi Force turned into a red stream and slashed at the demon fox¡­


    ¡°Bloodthirst Technique!? He has mastered the Bloodthirst Technique!?¡± Looking at Zhuge Xiang¡¯s condition, Lu Yuling¡¯s eyes widened slightly.


    Mastering the Bloodthirst Technique in a week? When Zhuge Xiang was choosing martial arts in the Martial Storage Pavilion, Lu Yuling was also by his side. He knew very well that Zhuge Xiang would never have mastered the Bloodthirst Technique a week ago. Moreover, he had only comprehended Qi Force for a week. Even if he wanted to cultivate it in the past, he had no ability at all.


    It was already very rare for him to barely master the Blood Lightning Slash in a week. However, at some point, he had secretly mastered the most dangerous Bloodthirst Technique in the Martial Storage Pavilion. He looked at Zhuge Xiang in surprise. Lu Yuling realized that he really did not know much about this junior of his who he had been with for 10 days. Although she was surprised, she was still a genius. After slight hesitation, Lu Yuling rushed forward.


    In the demon fox¡¯s opinion, Zhuge Xiang was even more threatening than Lu Yuling. He did not dodge or evade. The demon fox raised its claws and grabbed at Zhuge Xiang. Its sharp toenails shone with a cold light. It was equivalent to a fifth level Qi Nourishing stage demonic aura. It believed that it could easily tear apart even a steel plate.


    ¡°Slash!¡± The Blood Refined Saber slashed down with all its might. Zhuge Xiang did not dodge the demon fox¡¯s attack because he wanted to test the 150 points of defense of the Iron Secret Potion and the 30% increase of the Bloodthirst Technique. It was almost 200 points of defense.


    ¡°Oh no, has he become unconscious?¡± Looking at Zhuge Xiang and the demon fox fighting desperately without even dodging their attacks, Lu Yuling¡¯s eyes narrowed. He believed that Zhuge Xiang was like most people who cultivated the Bloodthirst Technique, he was losing consciousness.


    If this continued, although Zhuge Xiang could hurt the fox, he would definitely die. However, he was still a step too late. It was too late for Lu Yuling to save him.


    The demon fox¡¯s claws, which were shining with cold light, ruthlessly slapped on Zhuge Xiang¡¯s chest. Its sharp toenails slashed across Zhuge Xiang¡¯s chest. However, the scene of opening up his stomach that he had imagined did not happen. Zhuge Xiang¡¯s rough clothes were torn apart, but there were only a few traces of blood on his chest. Fine droplets of blood seeped out. This claw actually barely broke through his defense. It was obvious that it was a superficial wound.


    Zhuge Xiang felt a sharp pain in his chest as if he had been pricked by a few needles. It was not a serious injury, but it had barely broken through his skin. On the character page, his 110 health points had only decreased by 5 points. This injury was almost nothing. However, Zhuge Xiang¡¯s Blood Refined Saber struck the front leg of the demon fox ruthlessly.


    Although Zhuge Xiang was only at the first level of the Qi Nourishing stage, his attack power was still very terrifying with the enhancement of the Bloodthirst Technique. The demon fox was huge. Although its physical body was much stronger than ordinary foxes, it had not reached the level of a two-star demon beast. Its physical body¡¯s resistance to attacks was not too strong. Amidst its screams, Zhuge Xiang¡¯s saber left a deep wound on its front leg. Dark red blood stained its dark yellow fur and dripped to the ground.


    With this slash, Zhuge Xiang could clearly feel a weak aura surging into his body through the Blood Refined Saber. The superficial wound on his chest was instantly healed, and the five HP that he had lost on the character page was instantly replenished. The passive effect of the Blood Refined Saber was 10% blood-sucking effect, and 10% of the damage caused to the target would be converted into his own HP.


    ¡°Die!¡± Zhuge Xiang¡¯s confidence was boosted. He completely ignored the problem of defense and dodging. With the 30% increase in speed and attack speed, Zhuge Xiang slashed again.


    Zhuge Xiang was full of fighting spirit, but there was a deep sense of fear in the fox demon¡¯s eyes. It could shatter even a rock with one claw, but it was completely useless against this human. The fox demon was deeply afraid of Zhuge Xiang. It really could not understand why this human, who did not have a strong aura and could even be said to be very weak, had a body that was harder than steel.


    ¡°Clear Wave Palm¡­¡± Although Lu Yuling was also shocked by the defensive ability of Zhuge Xiang¡¯s physical body, she also knew that she could not be distracted during a battle. She activated the Clear Wave Palm and locked onto the demon fox with her Qi Nourishing stage third level aura.


    ¡°Kill, kill, kill!!!¡± He was in a state of excitement and he did not need to worry about getting injured. He did not even need to use the Blood Rejuvenation Pill. The Blood Rejuvenation Saber in Zhuge Xiang¡¯s hand was getting faster and faster. Was there anything more exciting than dealing damage without any worries?


    The Clear Wave Palm wrapped around the demon fox. The blood-red Qi Force on Zhuge Xiang¡¯s body spread out like a blood-soaked Asura. The Blood Refined Saber carried a dangerous aura. Under the enhancement of 30% attack speed, it turned into a scarlet saber light.


    Fortunately, this demon fox was an agile demon beast. If it was a slow demon beast like a bull or a bear, it would have been killed by now. However, even so, there were seven or eight more wounds on the demon fox¡¯s body. Blood was flowing, and it looked unprecedentedly miserable. This was equivalent to a demon beast at the fifth level of the Qi Nourishing stage. How could it still be as high-spirited as when it first appeared?


    His injuries were getting more and more serious. With Lu Yuling and Zhuge Xiang joining forces, this fox demon realized that its powerful demonic aura had no room to be unleashed. Especially Zhuge Xiang, he was like a piece of steel that could not be bitten off. Hence, in just ten breaths of time, this fox demon had the intention to retreat.


    ¡°Oh no!¡± Zhuge Xiang¡¯s heart tightened when he saw that the demon fox was about to escape.


    At this time, wouldn¡¯t it be a waste of a huge amount of EXP if it escaped? Although it suppressed the demon fox, it was equivalent to a demon fox at the fifth level of the Qi Nourishing stage. It was too difficult to stop it.


    ¡°Zhuge Xiang, Blood Lightning Slash!¡± Realizing that the fox was about to escape, Lu Yuling shouted anxiously. At the same time, wisps of white threads as thin as hair appeared from her slender body. As she waved her Clear Wave Palm, they wrapped around the fox¡¯s body and restricted its movements.


    Threads of silk wrapped around the demon fox¡¯s body with the Clear Wave Palm. Although the demon fox at the fifth level of the Qi Nourishing stage was very powerful, Lu Yuling¡¯s body was dragged along and the Clear Wave Palm was also affected, from the looks of it, it was not a problem to restrain it for a short period of time.


    ¡°So her previous confidence was because of these threads?¡± Looking at the threads wrapped around the fox and Lu Yuling, who was doing his best to restrain the fox, Zhuge Xiang finally understood why she was confident that she could hold the fox back for 20 breaths.


    He did not dare to waste any more time. His blood Qi surged and poured into the Blood Lightning Slash. The 30% attack speed bonus allowed Zhuge Xiang¡¯s Blood Lightning Slash to accumulate power even faster.


    Seeing that Lu Yuling was about to lose control and that she would be dragged away by the demon fox if she did not let go, Zhuge Xiang stomped his feet and the soil flew everywhere. He turned into a blood-red shadow and slashed at the demon fox¡¯s neck with a bright saber beam. It was the Blood Lightning Slash¡­


    If you find any errors ( broken links, non-standard content, etc.. ), Please let us know via our discord so we can fix it as soon as possible.

 Chapter 13

    Translator: Atlas Studios Editor: Atlas Studios


    Being entangled by the Clear Wave Palm and the tough threads, the demon fox found it arduous to escape within a short span. Capitalizing on this opportunity, Zhuge Xiang activated the Blood Thunder Slash, empowered by the Blood Refined Saber and the Bloodthirst Technique. A scarlet saber light sliced towards the neck of the one-star mid-grade demon beast with rapid thrusts.


    Zhuge Xiang emitted a blood-curdling scream as blood spurted out. His Blood Refined Saber mercilessly cleaved into the demon fox¡¯s neck. The sensation coursing through his hand informed Zhuge Xiang that he had completely severed the demon fox¡¯s cervical vertebrae, leaving only a layer of flesh and blood connecting its neck.


    The demon fox fell to the ground and whimpered a few times. Its limbs convulsed, and the mid-grade one-star demon fox ceased all movement. As the demon fox perished, Lu Yuling swiftly produced a small jade bottle and, using a dagger, sliced open the creature¡¯s chest. Half a bottle of warm blood essence was carefully collected from the heart meridian and stored away. Only then did Lu Yuling breathe a sigh of relief. Lowering his head, he meticulously stowed away the resilient threads wrapped around the demon fox.


    Unfazed by Lu Yuling¡¯s actions, Zhuge Xiang, who was about to deliver the final blow to the demon fox, knew it was time for him to reap the rewards. The system¡¯s upgrade arrived as promised.


    ¡°Ding! You have slain a one-star mid-grade demon fox. Received 450 EXP. Obtained skill book ¡°Violent Steps.¡± Obtained Super Spiritual Energy Elixir.¡±


    The system¡¯s notification startled him. This one-star mid-grade demon fox had actually granted him a substantial amount of 450 EXP? This confirmed Zhuge Xiang¡¯s earlier speculation. It appeared that the EXP gained from slaying monsters above his level would be significantly boosted.


    While a fox demon at the third level of the Qi Nourishing stage had yielded just over 100 EXP, a fox demon at the fifth level of the Qi Nourishing stage had rewarded him with over 400 EXP in total. However, it made sense. With Lu Yuling¡¯s unwavering assistance, his eruption of the Bloodthirst Technique, the Blood Refined Saber, and the Iron Secret Potion, he had barely managed to vanquish it. It was only natural for him to earn 450 EXP.


    Zhuge Xiang tore a piece of his rough clothing and fastened the Blood Refined Saber to his back. Finally, he had a moment to examine the skill book and elixir in his hand. They were equivalent to the items dropped by a fifth-level Qi Nourishing stage demon fox, evidently superior.


    Regrettably, he couldn¡¯t employ the skill book at present. It indicated that he needed to reach the third level of the Qi Nourishing stage before learning its contents. Zhuge Xiang stowed it in his pocket. However, when his gaze fell upon the Spiritual Energy Elixir, Zhuge Xiang found himself uncertain whether to laugh or cry.


    Spiritual Energy Elixir: Requires the user to be at the first level of the Qi Nourishing stage. Consuming it grants immense strength. All system skills have no cooldown time and require no consumption. Duration: 30 seconds.


    Judging by its appearance, this medicinal pill possessed significant power. Skills could be used continuously without any cooldown or consumption concerns. However, it imposed limitations on system skills. For instance, the Blood Lightning Slash and the Bloodthirst Technique were both martial arts techniques from the Martial Storage Pavilion. Until now, there were no system skills available. One needed to reach the third level of the Qi Nourishing stage to learn the Violent Steps.


    Zhuge Xiang stowed away the Violent Steps and the Spiritual Energy Elixir. He experienced an unprecedented sense of weakness. Zhuge Xiang longed to lie down and rest at that moment. The side effects of the Bloodthirst Technique had begun to manifest, and his body had entered a state of weakness.


    ¡°You are exceptionally strong. It seems that you will undoubtedly astonish the world during the competition in five days,¡± Lu Yuling remarked as he collected the blood essence of the demon beasts and retrieved his threads. Approaching Zhuge Xiang¡¯s side, he gazed at him with his beautiful eyes and spoke in a clear voice. He was speaking the truth. He had broken through to the Qi Nourishing stage during the battle. Within half a month, once his combat prowess erupted in the grand competition, his skills would surely astonish everyone.


    ¡°Don¡¯t flatter me. The Bloodthirst Technique is my trump card. As for the defense I displayed just now, it was due to the fortuitous acquisition of a medicinal pill. I only have one,¡± Zhuge Xiang responded, shaking his head in response to Lu Yuling¡¯s praise. Then, he retrieved a 100-year-old Lingzhi, tore off approximately 30% of it, and tossed the remaining portion to Lu Yuling.


    Upon catching the Lingzhi thrown by Zhuge Xiang, Lu Yuling nonchalantly tore off a bit more and handed it back to Zhuge Xiang. The 100-year-old Lingzhi was now split nearly evenly between them. Meeting Zhuge Xiang¡¯s questioning gaze, Lu Yuling casually remarked, ¡°You contributed as much as I did this time. Let¡¯s divide it equally. There¡¯s no need to refuse.¡±


    ¡°Alright,¡± Zhuge Xiang agreed without hesitation. He was a straightforward person, and Lu Yuling¡¯s words made sense, so he accepted without reservation. Zhuge Xiang held the Lingzhi and examined it closely as information about the Lingzhi appeared before his eyes.


    100-year-old Lingzhi (Incomplete): A relatively rare spirit herb that can be used to create medicinal pills. Consuming it directly grants 500 EXP. It is effective for cultivators above the first level of the Qi Nourishing stage.


    Could half of the 100-year-old Lingzhi provide him with 500 EXP if consumed directly? Zhuge Xiang was highly satisfied with this. Unfortunately, it was only beneficial for individuals above the first level of the Qi Nourishing stage. Otherwise, if he gave some to Niu Geng, he should be able to comprehend Qi Force.


    Although it might be more valuable to use it for pill refinement in the future, Zhuge Xiang needed 500 EXP immediately. Without hesitation, he opened his mouth and swallowed the Lingzhi in his hand.


    By this point, Zhuge Xiang had already acquired 100 EXP from killing the beasts along the way. Slaying a one-star low-grade demon fox granted him over 100 EXP, and defeating a mid-grade demon fox awarded him 450 EXP. After gaining 500 EXP from the Lingzhi, Zhuge Xiang¡¯s total EXP had reached 1,200. The EXP required for the next level was less than 800 EXP. Undoubtedly, with the aid of the Lingzhi¡¯s effects, Zhuge Xiang felt the Qi Force in his body suddenly circulating, as if it had pierced through a thin layer of rice paper and become several times denser. The system notification made it clear to Zhuge Xiang that he had advanced to the second level of the Qi Nourishing stage, gaining nearly 400 EXP in th#e process.


    Zhuge Xiang, male, 14 years old, second level of the Qi Nourishing stage. Remaining skill points: 1. Health: 120/120. Current EXP: 380/2,000.


    As Zhuge Xiang examined his character page, he realized that reaching the third level of the Qi Nourishing stage required a total of 2,000 EXP points. This left Zhuge Xiang feeling somewhat helpless. With only five days remaining, he was unsure if he could successfully advance to the third level of the Qi Nourishing stage. However, as his level increased, Zhuge Xiang noticed that the weakness caused by the Bloodthirst Technique had completely vanished.


    ¡°He broke through?¡± Lu Yuling was well aware of Zhuge Xiang¡¯s breakthrough and the fluctuations in his Qi Force. Despite only comprehending Qi Force for about ten days after consuming half of the 100-year-old Lingzhi, Zhuge Xiang had already achieved another breakthrough. This rapid rate of growth was truly astonishing.


    It appeared that the intense battle was the true cause of his breakthrough. The legends were accurate. Although combat geniuses may have mediocre cultivation aptitude, they became stronger the more they fought. They could indeed surpass other geniuses through life-and-death battles. Lu Yuling pondered over Zhuge Xiang¡¯s breakthrough.


    ¡°Alright, let¡¯s return.¡± Zhuge Xiang and Lu Yuling had no intention of lingering. They turned around and prepared to leave.


    After fighting for such a long time, the sky had already darkened. Despite the half-moon illuminating the night sky, the forest remained shrouded in darkness.


    However, at that moment, faint cries reached their ears. Looking toward the sound, they noticed a little fox crawling out of the cave where the low-grade demon fox lay. It stumbled along, appearing incredibly adorable.


    ¡°This is a little fox?¡± Seeing this little fox cub walk out of the cave, Zhuge Xiang and Lu Yuling finally understood. No wonder the strength of the low-grade fox demon had decreased so much. It turned out that it was because of it had given birth. Looking at this little fox, if no one paid attention to it, it would definitely become the food of other ferocious beasts.


    ¡°So, this is a little fox?¡± Zhuge Xiang and Lu Yuling finally understood upon witnessing the emergence of the fox cub from the cave. No wonder the strength of the low-grade fox demon had diminished significantly¡ªit had given birth. Observing the little fox, they realized that if left unattended, it would inevitably become prey for other ferocious beasts.


    ¡°Senior Lu, do you want to raise this little fox? Since it¡¯s born from a demon beast, its aptitude is undoubtedly impressive.¡± Zhuge Xiang didn¡¯t wish to witness the cute little fox being devoured by other ferocious beasts, but he didn¡¯t have the time or inclination to care for it. He turned to Lu Yuling and inquired.


    If you find any errors ( broken links, non-standard content, etc.. ), Please let us know via our discord so we can fix it as soon as possible.

 Chapter 14

    Translator: Atlas Studios Editor: Atlas Studios


    Five days flew by, and the assessment day arrived. This time, the Asura Sect had enlisted another 100,000 new disciples, among them Zhuge Xiang. All the disciples who had already comprehended Qi Force had received a prior notification from the sect, informing them of their participation in the competition on the assessment day.


    For this competition, the sect had prepared a total of 17 valuable items. Some were pills capable of advancing one¡¯s cultivation by a year, others were two-star Dharma artifacts, and there were even martial arts techniques surpassing those found in the Martial Storage Pavilion. The array of prizes was truly enticing.


    The first-place winner would have the privilege of selecting five items from the seventeen options. The second-place winner could choose three, while the third-place winner could choose two. The remaining individuals ranking fourth to tenth would each be entitled to one selection. The rewards offered by the sect were exceedingly generous, with all the items being of exceptional quality. However, considering that only the top ten disciples would be chosen out of the thousands participating, it was evident how fierce the competition would be.


    Assessment day buzzed with excitement. Nearly 200,000 disciples filled the area, the ones from the previous batch who had not yet comprehended Qi Force feeling somewhat disheartened. As for the disciples from the subsequent batch, they were filled with curiosity and anticipation for the competition.


    Boohoo¡­


    Asura Sect¡¯s horn sounded. It was a treasured Dharma artifact of the sect, capable of being heard within a radius of hundreds of kilometers. The horn served as the signal for all the competitors to gather. All the disciples who had been training in the Endless Mountains could hear it. Naturally, since they were aware of the assessment date, these disciples hadn¡¯t strayed too far. Most of them had already assembled at Asura Sect¡¯s base.


    ¡°Is the battle about to commence?¡± In the vicinity of a serene lake in the Endless Mountains, the flickering afterimages suddenly vanished, revealing the figure of a young man¡ªZhao Feiyun. He gazed at Asura Sect¡¯s base, a ferocious glint shimmering in his eyes.


    Zhao Feiyun had been fortunate. While training in the Endless Mountains, he had fortuitously encountered an outer sect steward of the Asura Sect who had passed away over a decade ago. Though the steward had only reached the Meridian Opening stage, the pair of Dharma artifact boots and a short Dharma artifact knife he left behind had significantly bolstered Zhao Feiyun¡¯s abilities.


    Zhao Feiyun had already reached the second level of the Qi Nourishing stage. Coupled with the two Dharma artifacts, he not only had absolute confidence in killing Zhuge Xiang, but he also aspired to secure a spot in the top five of the competition.


    While those ranked below fourth place would only receive one prize, those at the top had the advantage of choosing first. This was a significant benefit. The farther back they were, the more prizes they would obtain, some of which might not even be suitable for their needs.


    ¡°Blood Lightning Slash!¡± Zhuge Xiang swung the Blood Refined Saber in his hand, transforming it into a crimson streak of saber light. He swiftly slew a demon wolf equivalent to the second level of the Qi Nourishing stage in front of him, earning 50 EXP. Upon hearing the sound of the horn, he turned his gaze toward the Asura Sect base, knowing that the major battle had commenced.


    For five consecutive days, Zhuge Xiang had spent his time in the Endless Mountains, slaying demonic beasts and ferocious creatures to accumulate EXP. However, he refrained from engaging monsters above his level, resulting in no increase in his EXP. Moreover, killing ordinary ferocious beasts only granted him one or two EXP. This made Zhuge Xiang realize that vanquishing monsters above his level provided him with more EXP, while slaying beings much weaker than him yielded minimal gains. Consequently, in those five days, he had managed to amass just over 1,000 EXP, leaving him approximately 500 EXP short of reaching the third level of the Qi Nourishing stage.


    In the past five days, it seemed that Zhuge Xiang had exhausted all the luck he had accumulated. No valuable items dropped from the creatures he defeated. The two Energy Recovery Pills were used to replenish his Qi Force. The sole noteworthy acquisition was a pair of boots that increased his movement speed by 30%. It appeared that killing monsters above his level not only increased his EXP but also improved the drop rate of items.


    Previously, when he had killed the demon fox, he had gained a skill point from leveling up. After careful consideration, Zhuge Xiang decided to allocate it to the Bloodthirst Technique, directly advancing it to the advanced level. Once utilized, the Bloodthirst Technique would enhance all his attributes by 50%. Although augmenting the Blood Lightning Slash would greatly increase his attack power, Zhuge Xiang believed that in the long run, raising the level of the Bloodthirst Technique sooner would make his trump card even stronger.


    ¡°A major battle? Is my goal to secure first place?¡± Anticipation lit up Zhuge Xiang¡¯s face as he quickly made his way back. With the 30% movement speed boots, Zhuge Xiang¡¯s swiftness had noticeably improved.


    It was no wonder that Zhuge Xiang harbored such thoughts. Despite currently being at the second level of the Qi Nourishing stage, he possessed the Blood Refined Saber and a pair of mobility-enhancing boots. With two one-star Dharma artifacts and two skills, including the Bloodthirst Technique at the Advanced level, he might even emerge victorious against a disciple at the third level of the Qi Nourishing stage.


    Furthermore, if luck favored him, Zhuge Xiang could earn 500 EXP points in the competition, elevating him to the third level of the Qi Nourishing stage and propelling him forward. Thus, it was not impossible for him to secure first place in the competition.


    ¡°The major battle has begun? I wonder how much that fellow¡¯s strength has improved in the past few days,¡± remarked Lu Yuling upon hearing the sound of the horn. Anticipation gleamed in his eyes, but he quickly shook his head. Having recently advanced to the second level of the Qi Nourishing stage, any improvements he made would likely be insignificant. Nonetheless, Lu Yuling held high expectations for Zhuge Xiang, clearly regarding him as a formidable contender.


    One by one, the disciples still training in the Endless Mountains hurried back. Some had just comprehended Qi Force, some were geniuses like Lu Yuling, while others carried conflicts and intended to settle them through duels witnessed by all. The disciples of the Asura Sect harbored the least fear of combat. Despite knowing that entering the top ten would be a challenge, they remained fervent about the competition.


    Underneath the colossal stage of the Asura Sect¡¯s performance, nearly 200,000 disciples gathered. As they stood on the stage and looked down, a massive crowd unfolded before them. Given the nature of the competition, it was impractical for thousands of disciples to step onto the stage individually. Hence, the extensive martial arts arena was divided into 32 platforms.


    Having trained for a year, the 100,000 disciples included many who had yet to comprehend Qi Force. However, the sheer numbers proved to be a challenge. After some rough calculations, it was estimated that over 5,000 disciples had achieved Qi Force comprehension this year. Thus, the first place on each of the 32 dueling platforms had to secure a spot in the top 32.


    ¡°Alright, that will be all. Before the competition, according to the rules, disciples who have conflicts may engage in combat on the stage. Of course, let¡¯s try to avoid any fatalities,¡± the host explained, outlining the basic rules.


    A duel between demonic sects, particularly the Asura Sect, held great significance. They merely emphasized the intention to minimize casualties. Orthodox sects, in contrast, would likely urge participants to halt when necessary and even intervene if danger loomed. However, the Asura Sect operated differently. In a duel, life and death were left to fate.


    As soon as the host concluded his speech, he descended from the stage. Instantly, many disciples who had long harbored grudges could not resist jumping onto the stage. It was evident they had already made prior arrangements. Simultaneously, Zhao Feiyun, leveraging the advantage of Ghostly Steps, was the first to ascend the stage, bellowing, ¡°Zhuge Xiang, come out!¡±


    Beside Niu Geng, Zhuge Xiang smiled at him upon hearing Zhao Feiyun¡¯s challenge. ¡°Alright, you have your Blood Spirit Fruit. It¡¯s not too late to comprehend Qi Force now.¡±


    ¡°Be cautious. I¡¯ve heard that Zhao Feiyun has already made a breakthrough to the second level of the Qi Nourishing stage,¡± Niu Geng expressed his concern, unable to conceal his worry on his face. Despite being aware of Zhuge Xiang¡¯s advancement to the second level, he remained deeply concerned about his friend¡¯s well-being.


    ¡°Don¡¯t worry, what can he do to me? My objective this time is to secure first place,¡± Zhuge Xiang assured Niu Geng, nodding with determination. With those words, he leaped onto the arena and positioned himself in front of Zhao Feiyun. Carrying the blood saber on his back, he stood tall and resolute, resembling an unwavering standard.


    ¡°Zhao Feiyun? I hope he can force Zhuge Xiang to use some tricks.¡± Below the arena, Lu Yuling¡¯s calm eyes lit up as he watched Zhuge Xiang go on stage.


    Although Zhuge Xiang had already exhausted his arsenal of trump cards during the battle against the fox demon, in Lu Yuling¡¯s opinion, it was unlikely that he hadn¡¯t made any improvements over the past few days. As for whether Zhuge Xiang could emerge victorious, Lu Yuling harbored no doubts. She simply wished that Zhao Feiyun could pose a challenge to Zhuge Xiang.


    If you find any errors ( broken links, non-standard content, etc.. ), Please let us know via our discord so we can fix it as soon as possible.

 Chapter 15

    Translator: Atlas Studios Editor: Atlas Studios


    ¡°For you to achieve a breakthrough during battle, you are truly a combat-oriented prodigy. You are the type that the sect favors the most. It¡¯s a shame that you committed an unforgivable mistake and invited death upon yourself.¡± Standing before Zhuge Xiang on the dueling platform, Zhao Feiyun¡¯s gaze conveyed the certainty of facing a deceased individual. It appeared as if he held complete control over the situation.


    His unwavering confidence was not unfounded. Being at the second level of the Qi Nourishing stage, equipped with a pair of boots embedded with one-star Dharma artifacts and a pair of short knives possessing the same, he was confident in securing a place within the top five. Naturally, he did not consider Zhuge Xiang, who had only comprehended Qi Force a mere half a month ago, to be his equal. Such was common sense.


    However, could Zhuge Xiang, who had a Super Game System, be deduced using common sense?


    Zhao Feiyun¡¯s composed tone and air of control evoked repulsion. Nonetheless, Zhuge Xiang remained unaffected by his words. He calmly grasped the Blood Refined Saber resting on his back and spoke with composure, ¡°Did you bring the Blood Spirit Fruit?¡±


    The Blood Spirit Fruit served as the prize for their duel. No declaration of victory was necessary. However, Zhuge Xiang¡¯s words radiated more confidence than Zhao Feiyun¡¯s. His serene demeanor suggested that he already had the Blood Spirit Fruit within his grasp.


    ¡°The Blood Spirit Fruit is here. What kind of reward can you offer?¡± Zhao Feiyun queried Zhuge Xiang, reaching into his pocket and producing a thumb-sized fruit.


    ¡°There¡¯s no need to say anymore. You can¡¯t win¡­¡± Seeing that Zhao Feiyun had brought the Blood Spirit Fruit over, Zhuge Xiang showed no intention of wasting any more time. He brandished the Blood Refined Saber in his hand, unleashing a scarlet saber light with the amplified power of the Dharma artifacts boots. Even the nearly 200,000 spectators failed to sway his state of mind.


    ¡°Arrogant!¡± Zhao Feiyun was enraged when he saw Zhuge Xiang pouncing at him. He raised the short knife in his hand to counter Zhuge Xiang¡¯s attack. Being at the second level of the Qi Nourishing stage, Zhao Feiyun firmly believed he could defeat Zhuge Xiang.


    The short saber and the Blood Refined Saber clashed. Although they were both at the second level of the Qi Nourishing stage, Zhao Feiyun had recently achieved this breakthrough. On the other hand, Zhuge Xiang was merely 500 EXP away from advancing to the third level of the Qi Nourishing stage. Moreover, there was no doubt that the short saber possessed greater attack power than the Blood Refined Saber.


    During the forceful collision, Zhao Feiyun felt a powerful impact surging towards him. He couldn¡¯t help but take two steps back. The web between his thumb and index finger, gripping the short knife, tingled slightly, leaving him wide-eyed in disbelief.


    Impossible! Could this individual, who had only comprehended Qi Force for half a month, surpass him, a practitioner at the second level of the Qi Nourishing stage, in terms of attack power and EXP? Was it possible that this person possessed a two-star Dharma artifact?


    Regardless, Zhao Feiyun was astounded to discover that he, positioned at the second level of the Qi Nourishing stage, was actually inferior to Zhuge Xiang in terms of pure strength. Although it was difficult to accept, it remained an undeniable truth.


    Seeing that Zhao Feiyun was forced back by him and could not control his body for a moment, Zhuge Xiang stomped his feet and wanted to follow up with another attack. However, Zhao Feiyun had cultivated the Ghostly Steps, granting him remarkable agility that surpassed others. Moreover, he had acquired a pair of boots capable of enhancing his movement speed. Utilizing the Ghostly Steps, he moved like a slippery loach, effortlessly evading Zhuge Xiang¡¯s blade.


    ¡°Although I don¡¯t know why your attacks are so powerful, I practice the Ghostly Steps and possess a pair of Dharma artifacts that boost my movement speed. You won¡¯t even come close to touching my clothes. Your defeat is inevitable.¡±


    Using the Ghostly Steps, he made a series of mistakes and retreated thirty to fifty feet. Zhao Feiyun stared intently at Zhuge Xiang. Although Zhuge Xiang¡¯s attack power shocked him, Zhao Feiyun was still full of confidence in his victory.


    Without uttering a word, Zhuge Xiang pursed his lips slightly. It seemed as though he tacitly agreed with Zhao Feiyun¡¯s statement, but he refused to give up. He raised his Blood Refined Saber and continued his relentless onslaught. However, with Zhao Feiyun¡¯s utilization of the Ghostly Steps, Zhuge Xiang found himself unable to even graze the fabric of Zhao Feiyun¡¯s attire.


    Among all the martial arts techniques in existence, speed was the one invincible attribute. Despite Zhuge Xiang possessing greater attack power than Zhao Feiyun, his superior strength proved futile against the advantage of speed.


    Although Zhao Feiyun¡¯s attack power was slightly inferior, the physical resilience of a cultivator at the Qi Nourishing stage was not significantly higher than that of an ordinary person. Hence, considering the present circumstances, Zhuge Xiang was evidently at a disadvantage.


    Nevertheless, Zhuge Xiang¡¯s duel continued to captivate the attention of the majority. His cultivation level at the second level of the Qi Nourishing stage was already impressive, and the fact that both participants wielded two Dharma artifacts resulted in a higher combat prowess compared to the other dueling platforms.


    Zhuge Xiang and Zhao Feiyun possessed distinct characteristics¡ªa penchant for high attack power and exceptional speed, respectively. Each of them had their own strengths. However, in a Qi Nourishing stage duel, superior attack power was more advantageous than sheer speed.


    ¡°Did Zhuge Xiang truly comprehend Qi Force only half a month ago? How could he exhibit such remarkable strength in such a short period? Even Zhao Feiyun, equipped with two Dharma artifacts, was pushed back by him?¡± Many disciples who had comprehended Qi Force below the stage found themselves drawn to the battle between the two combatants. Although Zhuge Xiang appeared to be at a disadvantage, his combat prowess earned the admiration of onlookers.


    ¡°Perhaps his enhanced attack power is attributed to the Dharma artifacts and saber he wields, right? It¡¯s hard to believe that he could achieve a breakthrough to the second level of the Qi Nourishing stage in just half a month.¡± Such thoughts circulated among some observers, causing many to nod in agreement. Compared to the notion of Zhuge Xiang achieving another breakthrough within a mere half month, they were more inclined to believe that he possessed a Dharma artifact capable of significantly augmenting his attack power.


    ¡°He has indeed comprehended Qi Force for half a month. It seems to be accurate. Haven¡¯t you noticed? Until now, Zhuge Xiang hasn¡¯t employed any martial arts techniques. It¡¯s evident that half a month isn¡¯t sufficient for him to master a martial art. While his cultivation can be enhanced with the aid of elixirs, there are no shortcuts when it comes to mastering martial arts.¡± Some astute observers were quick to notice Zhuge Xiang¡¯s battles. They recognized that he relied solely on straightforward attacks without the application of any martial arts techniques.


    ¡°Hahaha, Zhuge Xiang, you can¡¯t even touch the corner of my clothes. What good is high attack power? However, my speed qualifies me to eliminate you.¡± With the augmentation of the Dharma artifacts, Zhao Feiyun¡¯s Ghostly Steps became even more elusive. A smug smile adorned his face. For Qi Nourishing stage cultivators, speed was a significant advantage. This was precisely why the Ghostly Steps held such popularity in the Martial Storage Pavilion.


    Zhuge Xiang laughed arrogantly and remained silent. Despite relying on the swift movements granted by his Dharma artifacts to evade vital attacks each time, he had already sustained six or seven wounds. It was evident that he couldn¡¯t shake off Zhao Feiyun¡¯s pursuit, fueling his arrogance even further.


    ¡°Zhuge Xiang¡­¡± Niu Geng clenched his fists tightly, his face filled with nervousness. It seemed as if he desired to rush forward and assist.


    ¡°The outcome has been determined¡­¡± Lu Yuling¡¯s anticipation gradually faded as she gazed at Zhao Feiyun¡¯s smug expression. Initially, she had hoped that Zhao Feiyun would push Zhuge Xiang to his limits. However, she now understood that the result of this duel had already been sealed.


    As the saying went, one would lose if one defended for a long time. Although Zhuge Xiang had dodged many vital points, his speed was still inferior to Zhao Feiyun¡¯s. The Ghostly Steps circled around Zhuge Xiang and Zhao Feiyun finally discovered a fatal flaw.


    Zhao Feiyun seized this opportunity and stabbed the dagger in his hand towards Zhuge Xiang¡¯s back like a venomous snake. The cold blade was enveloped in an aura of death. This flaw was very big. He had already figured out Zhuge Xiang¡¯s speed. Zhao Feiyun knew that Zhuge Xiang would not be able to dodge this attack. He had won.


    Zhao Feiyun was not the only one who believed this. Even the spectators below the dueling platform shared the same conviction. The limitations of Zhuge Xiang¡¯s speed were readily apparent. Given his velocity, he would undoubtedly be unable to react in time to counter this strike. Zhao Feiyun was surely going to emerge triumphant¡­


    However, would the ending truly unfold in this manner? It was undoubtedly implausible. Setting aside the Blood Lightning Slash for now, even if Zhuge Xiang had not had enough time to accumulate Qi, he had yet to utilize the Bloodthirst Technique. Once he activated the Bloodthirst Technique, which augmented all his attributes by 50%, Zhuge Xiang¡¯s overall combat strength would double or even triple at the very least.


    Bloodthirst Technique!


    Zhuge Xiang¡¯s Bloodthirst Technique was activated at the critical moment. Numerous pores on his crimson Qi Force surfaced, appearing even denser than before. Furthermore, faintly visible were ghastly faces formed by the blood-red Qi Force. They contorted in agony, ferocity, and madness¡­


    While the countenance created by the scarlet Qi Force was not inherently aggressive, at first glance, it appeared peculiar and eerie. With the Bloodthirst Technique in motion, Zhuge Xiang sensed an inexhaustible surge of strength coursing through his body. It was no joke that all his attributes had increased by 50%.


    ¡°Kill!¡± Zhuge Xiang¡¯s speed, attack speed, and attack power were all increased by 50%. Suddenly, it seemed as though the Blood Refined Saber in Zhuge Xiang¡¯s hand had vanished. The abrupt surge of velocity and power left everyone stunned.


    Zhuge Xiang transformed into a blood-red shadow. In an instant, he materialized behind Zhao Feiyun. The scarlet Qi Force dissipated, and the Blood Refined Saber was slowly sheathed. The spectacle from earlier seemed almost illusory.


    However, a ghastly slash materialized on Zhao Feiyun¡¯s countenance as he let out a cry. Bright red blood, mingled with a white substance, gushed from his head to his neck. Zhao Feiyun¡¯s eyes widened, and the smug and arrogant expression froze on his face as his body collapsed like a mountain¡­


    Below the dueling platform, everyone¡¯s eyes were wide open. The scene that had just erupted in an instant had given them all a fright. Initially, they had presumed Zhuge Xiang to be inevitably defeated, but they had not anticipated his sudden surge. The reversal from a seemingly fatal situation was too unforeseen.


    Among the nearly 200,000 present, Lu Yuling was perhaps the sole individual unruffled by the outcome. Witnessing Zhuge Xiang swiftly slay Zhao Feiyun, she remained unperturbed. However, a tinge of surprise flickered in her eyes. The appearance of blood-colored Qi Force and a spectral visage seemed to be phenomena exclusive to the Advanced level of the Bloodthirst Technique¡­


    If you find any errors ( broken links, non-standard content, etc.. ), Please let us know via our discord so we can fix it as soon as possible.

 Chapter 16

    Translator: Atlas Studios Editor: Atlas Studios


    The Bloodthirst Technique had already reached the advanced level, and once activated, all attributes would increase by 50%. Originally, with Zhuge Xiang¡¯s abilities, he wouldn¡¯t have any difficulty in killing Zhao Feiyun if he activated the Bloodthirst Technique. However, the technique had some mild side effects. Additionally, Zhao Feiyun was also skilled in the Ghostly Steps, making it time-consuming to pursue and kill him while escaping.


    Therefore, Zhuge Xiang deliberately displayed weakness in the initial stages of the battle to ensure he could eliminate Zhao Feiyun with a single strike and save the time required to activate the Bloodthirst Technique. While he could recover during the larger battle in his spare time, if his combat strength was significantly reduced during the weakened period caused by the Bloodthirst Technique, the gains would not outweigh the losses.


    ¡°Ding! Killed a cultivator at the second level of the Qi Nourishing stage. Obtained 55 EXP. Obtained Frost Headband.¡±


    As Zhao Feiyun fell, the system notification appeared as promised. Zhuge Xiang was not disappointed with the 55 EXP, as there was no bonus for killing monsters above his level. However, the drop of equipment brought him great joy. Obtaining equipment was a significant boost to his strength.


    However, Zhuge Xiang was not in a hurry to look at the information on the Frost Headband. Seeing that the host and staff had come up and were about to clean up Zhao Feiyun¡¯s corpse, Zhuge Xiang hurriedly went over and took out the Blood Spirit Fruit from Zhao Feiyun¡¯s arms. He said to the host on the arena, ¡°This Blood Spirit Fruit is the prize for my duel with him. Can I take it?¡±


    In a duel between disciples of the same sect, the items belonging to the fallen participant were typically taken back by the sect according to the rules. However, Zhuge Xiang and Zhao Feiyun had previously stated that the Blood Spirit Fruit was a prize, and according to the rules, the sect would not confiscate the prize from such a duel.


    The host had no intention of complicating matters for Zhuge Xiang. He nodded and indicated that he could take it. However, the Dharma artifacts for the boots and dagger had to be surrendered to the sect. They couldn¡¯t be considered spoils of war for Zhuge Xiang.


    With the Blood Spirit Fruit in his grasp, Zhuge Xiang descended from the arena. Amid the envious gazes of numerous disciples, he handed the Blood Spirit Fruit to Niu Geng. Most of the nearly 200,000 disciples had yet to comprehend Qi Force, and they understood the value of a Blood Spirit Fruit. Consequently, their envy towards Niu Geng intensified.


    ¡°Alright, we¡¯re friends. If you¡¯re too polite, you¡¯ll seem distant. Hurry up and eat it. The most important thing is to comprehend Qi Force.¡± Seeing that Niu Geng was so excited that he wanted to thank him, Zhuge Xiang interrupted him first.


    Following Zhuge Xiang¡¯s words, Niu Geng refrained from further comments. He nodded and found a secluded spot near the martial arts arena to sit down. Placing the blood-red Blood Spirit Fruit into his mouth, he focused on his Qi Force comprehension. Zhuge Xiang, carrying the Blood Refined Saber on his back, stood guard beside Niu Geng, while simultaneously keeping an eye on the battles taking place on the distant thirty arenas.


    More than 5,000 disciples had comprehended Qi Force, but the majority of them were at the first level of the Qi Nourishing stage. Only a small number had reached the second level, with one in every ten miles. As for the third level, aside from Lu Yuling, Zhuge Xiang had not encountered anyone who had reached that stage. However, he believed that among the few geniuses, at least one would have achieved the second level. It was just that he had not witnessed them stepping onto the stage thus far.


    With an average distribution of more than 5,000 disciples who had comprehended Qi Force across 32 dueling platforms, each platform accommodated approximately 170 to 180 disciples. If they aimed to advance in the group and secure first place, they would likely need to engage in seven to eight consecutive battles.


    There were no geniuses that he needed to pay attention to, so Zhuge Xiang retracted his gaze after taking a look. Niu Geng¡¯s face was red, which was the sign of blood essence boiling. It was obvious that he had reached the critical moment of comprehending Qi Force. Zhuge Xiang could not help him. He lowered his head and looked at it. Wrapped around Zhuge Xiang¡¯s hand was a sky-blue headband, meticulously woven from top-quality silk, adorned with intricate ice and snow patterns, exuding a magnificent allure. As he inspected it, the information regarding the Frost Headband appeared before his eyes.


    Frost Headband (One-star Dharma artifact): Defense 8-10. Active skill only: Reduces the movement speed of enemies within a 10-meter radius by 20%. Lasts for 10 seconds. Cooldown: 600 seconds.


    Good stuff! Zhuge Xiang could not hide his joy when he saw the information on this frost headband.


    To Zhuge Xiang, what type of opponent did he fear the most? It was an adversary who practiced the Ghostly Steps. Their ethereal form and incredible speed posed a considerable challenge. If Zhao Feiyun had not cultivated the Ghostly Steps but instead focused on other martial arts, there would have been no need for Zhuge Xiang to feign weakness. The Blood Lightning Slash would have swiftly ended the battle.


    While the duration of the headband¡¯s effect was limited to 10 seconds, it was already a fairly long period in the midst of a battle. A mere 10 seconds could bring about drastic changes. With the enemy¡¯s speed reduced by 20% and Zhuge Xiang¡¯s pair of Dharma artifact boots enhancing his speed by 30%, he might be able to keep up even with the Ghostly Steps.


    The frost headband was precisely what Zhuge Xiang needed at that moment. Its value surpassed that of two-star or even three-star Dharma artifacts.


    Zhuge Xiang secured the frost headband around his forehead. Waves of cool air emanated from it, bringing a sense of clarity to his mind. A subtle breeze enveloped his body, rendering it difficult for others to notice.


    Zhuge Xiang understood that this was the defensive effect of the headband. Attacks passing through this invisible defense would be weakened. This defensive effect resembled the blood-colored Qi Force manifested by the Bloodthirst Technique, enhancing his defense.


    Just as Zhuge Xiang tied the frost headband to his forehead, a weak Qi Force appeared without any warning. He turned his head and looked at Niu Geng, who had opened his eyes at the same time. Zhuge Xiang revealed a genuine smile. ¡°Congratulations, Niu Geng. You have finally broken through to Qi Force.¡±


    ¡°Yes, I have to thank you for the Blood Spirit Fruit.¡± Niu Geng looked at Zhuge Xiang gratefully and said sincerely.


    What was the purpose of coming to the Asura Sect? It was to acquire formidable strength. He hoped that one day, he could return to his hometown in glory. Zhuge Xiang¡¯s Blood Spirit Fruit granted him the privilege to stay in the Asura Sect and become an official disciple. Although Niu Geng didn¡¯t express it aloud due to his straightforward nature, he deeply engraved this gratitude in his heart.


    Niu Geng, having comprehended Qi Force, proceeded to locate the relevant staff for verification and registration. As for the competition? Niu Geng had no intention of participating. Despite having recently comprehended Qi Force and possessing superior abilities compared to ordinary individuals, he had not trained in any combat martial arts. Joining the competition would only invite trouble.


    Soon, all the disciples on the dueling platform where Zhuge Xiang was situated had their matches. More than half of the disciples had been eliminated. Finally, it was Zhuge Xiang¡¯s turn for his second fight. Why did he mention that half of them had been eliminated? It was because in the Asura Sect, there were only victors. A draw was considered a failure.


    Previously, the Bloodthirst Technique had been activated instantly, so it did not have much impact on Zhuge Xiang. Additionally, in this round, he had only encountered disciples at the first level of the Qi Nourishing stage, and he had only cultivated a set of sword techniques. Zhuge Xiang¡¯s level was suppressed, and with his Dharma artifact boots and Blood Refined Sabers, martial arts practice became futile. He easily emerged victorious, securing his third and fourth wins. He had been fortunate, as he faced no pressure at all, having encountered only disciples at the first level of the Qi Nourishing stage.


    Despite the majority being disciples at the first level of the Qi Nourishing stage, after four consecutive rounds, there were only approximately 300 disciples remaining across the 32 arenas. After encountering disciples at the first level of the Qi Nourishing stage in three consecutive rounds, many people believed that Zhuge Xiang had been exceptionally fortunate. However, Zhuge Xiang was not pleased with this situation.


    With the level suppression, he managed to defeat a disciple in the first level of the Qi Nourishing stage with his current strength. He only gained 10 EXP. As expected, the EXP suppression was significant when fighting against lower-level opponents. After three consecutive rounds, he had only accumulated 30 EXP. It seemed that the chances of breaking through to the third level of the Qi Nourishing stage in the big competition were becoming even slimmer.


    However, as the battles progressed, the remaining disciples grew stronger. Finally, in the fifth round, Zhuge Xiang encountered a formidable opponent.


    Ji Wuxue was the most popular and gifted among the 100,000 disciples. He posed a strong competition for the first place on the dueling platform. Having comprehended Qi Force five months ago, he was not much weaker than Lu Yuling. With a black sword strapped to his back, he stood on the dueling platform like an unsheathed blade.


    ¡°Your strength isn¡¯t bad, but it¡¯s a pity that you¡¯re no match for me,¡± Ji Wuxue declared coldly. As a skilled swordsman, there was no hint of disdain or joy on his face. His words sounded like a simple statement of fact.


    Before Zhuge Xiang could respond, Ji Wuxue¡¯s black sword leaped into his hand. Then, a blood-red Qi Force emanated from his body. His eyes turned terrifyingly red, as if he were possessed by the Blood Asura. His aura became even more ominous and formidable. This was the Bloodthirst Technique.


    ¡°Your Bloodthirst Technique has already reached an advanced level. While I may not be on par with you, I broke through to the third level of the Qi Nourishing stage a month ago. In terms of cultivation, you are inferior to me¡­¡± Ji Wuxue activated the Bloodthirst Technique and fixed his intense gaze on Zhuge Xiang. The black longsword in his hand transformed into a swift black lightning bolt, striking from a tricky angle that made it seemingly impossible to dodge. It was another sword technique, but not the one found in the Martial Storage Pavilion.


    Although the Asura Sect stipulated that one could not cultivate a second martial art until reaching the fifth level of the Qi Nourishing stage, the sect did not intervene if disciples obtained martial arts techniques from outside training. Clearly, after cultivating the Bloodthirst Technique, Ji Wuxue had acquired another set of sharp sword techniques elsewhere.


    Being at the third level of the Qi Nourishing stage, possessing formidable sword techniques, and wielding the Bloodthirst Technique, Ji Wuxue presented a serious challenge for Zhuge Xiang. This opponent far surpassed Zhao Feiyun. However, Zhuge Xiang felt even more thrilled. The stronger the opponent, the more EXP he would gain from defeating them. Moreover, the drop rate of items would also be higher. The risks and rewards were proportionate¡­


    If you find any errors ( broken links, non-standard content, etc.. ), Please let us know via our discord so we can fix it as soon as possible.

 Chapter 17

    Translator: Atlas Studios Editor: Atlas Studios


    Zhuge Xiang versus Ji Wuxue. The moment the two stepped onto the dueling platform, they captured the attention of many onlookers.


    There was no need to explain who Ji Wuxue was. He was a genius disciple who had comprehended Qi Force five months ago and was on par with Lu Yuling. Furthermore, he possessed a strong spirit of adventure. For the past five months, he had been hunting and slaying demon beasts in the Endless Mountains, rarely returning to the sect.


    No one knew the extent of Ji Wuxue¡¯s strength after five months of killing. However, a few months ago, he had successfully cultivated the Bloodthirst Technique, which had brought him great fame.


    Among the disciples who had comprehended Qi Force, only a few had the courage to cultivate the Bloodthirst Technique, despite its reputation. Over 80 of them had perished during the cultivation process. Ji Wuxue was one of the rare disciples who had successfully mastered it.


    Based on appearances, he had not only mastered the Bloodthirst Technique but also acquired a formidable sword technique. When these two factors were combined, the equation was far from simple addition. It could be said that Ji Wuxue was among the contenders with a genuine chance of winning the competition.


    However, Ji Wuxue was undeniably strong, and Zhuge Xiang was no weak opponent either. Although they had faced disciples in the first level of the Qi Nourishing stage in three consecutive rounds, everyone vividly remembered the initial duel with Zhao Feiyun.


    The strength that erupted in that critical moment had undergone a significant reversal. Who could guarantee that he would be able to unleash his full power at that particular time? Moreover, Ji Wuxue¡¯s words confirmed everyone¡¯s suspicions. It was indeed the Bloodthirst Technique, and it had reached an advanced level.


    At this moment, almost everyone¡¯s gaze was fixated on the battle between the two. Although this was only the middle and late stages of one of the dueling platforms, the quality of this battle was not inferior to the battles for the top eight. The clash between the Bloodthirst Technique at the third level of the Qi Nourishing stage, just entering the beginner stage, and the Bloodthirst Technique at the second level of the Qi Nourishing stage, already at the advanced level, held great significance. This martial art was renowned throughout the refinement and qi transformation stage. How formidable was it? Everyone eagerly awaited the answer¡­


    Ding¡­


    Under the influence of the Bloodthirst Technique, Ji Wuxue¡¯s swift sword strikes were formidable. However, Zhuge Xiang¡¯s speed was not lacking either. He activated his own Bloodthirst Technique, boosting all his attributes by 50%. With a horizontal swing of his Blood Refined Saber, he intercepted Ji Wuxue¡¯s sword, resulting in a crisp sound of metal clashing.


    Reciprocation was only proper. Despite Ji Wuxue being at the third level of the Qi Nourishing stage, Zhuge Xiang¡¯s Bloodthirst Technique had increased his attack power and speed by 50%. After blocking the sword, he swiftly retaliated by slashing his Blood Refined Saber back at an astonishing speed.


    As the saying goes, swords embody agility while sabers possess unyielding strength. Sword techniques are renowned for their speed, while sabers are known for their power and weight. However, at the advanced level, with a 50% increase in attack speed, Zhuge Xiang¡¯s saber strikes not only retained the characteristics of strength and weight but were also incredibly swift. Disciples in the Qi Nourishing stage could still discern it, while those who had not grasped its essence could only perceive a flash of blood-colored saber light.


    Ji Wuxue had long been aware of Zhuge Xiang¡¯s advanced level Bloodthirst Technique and was naturally prepared. His black longsword also intercepted Zhuge Xiang¡¯s attack. The two of them tested each other¡¯s strength and simultaneously took a few steps back.


    Silence enveloped the area. Everyone held their breath, their gaze fixed upon the duo on the dueling platform. This was especially true for those disciples with ambitions of competing for the championship. They did not even dare to blink, for regardless of who emerged victorious, both contestants were formidable opponents in their eyes. They yearned to witness the strength of their potential rivals.


    Though the combatants were merely exchanging moves, the danger involved was evident. Setting aside their attack power, their lightning-fast attack speed alone was awe-inspiring. If any other person were to step forward, be it with swift sword techniques or fearsome saber strikes, they would be unable to fend them off.


    ¡°How about we determine the winner in three moves?¡± Ji Wuxue¡¯s expression remained cold as he spoke. However, a discerning eye could detect a tinge of seriousness in the depths of his gaze. He coldly observed Zhuge Xiang and proposed the idea.


    Decide victory in three moves? Zhuge Xiang nodded in agreement with Ji Wuxue¡¯s suggestion.


    Although the Bloodthirst Technique was formidable, it had its limitations. Through their previous exchanges, both combatants realized that their attack power and speed were evenly matched. If they continued to battle, the Bloodthirst Technique would remain active for too long. Regardless of who emerged victorious, it would greatly impact their subsequent matches. Therefore, they agreed to decide the winner in three moves, allowing the victor to be in better condition for the battles to come.


    On one hand, Ji Wuxue acknowledged Zhuge Xiang¡¯s strength and knew that he couldn¡¯t swiftly end the battle. On the other hand, Zhuge Xiang had to possess enough confidence for Ji Wuxue to agree to the proposal.


    The agreement to determine the winner in three moves heightened people¡¯s nerves. Although it would be regrettable for those aspiring to compete for the championship if both contestants didn¡¯t sustain significant injuries, the decision to settle the match in three moves clearly indicated that both would unleash their full strength. At this moment, it was an event that could not be missed.


    ¡°Three moves?¡± Lu Yuling smiled and looked at Zhuge Xiang with anticipation. Would he be able to emerge victorious against Ji Wuxue? After all, he had only comprehended Qi Force for half a month. If he could win this battle, it would undoubtedly astonish the entire Asura Sect.


    ¡°Yama Sword Technique, Fang Thrust.¡± Ji Wuxue undeniably possessed the skills of a skilled swordsman. Seeing Zhuge Xiang¡¯s agreement, he wasted no time and made his move. A black sword light flickered like black lightning. The dense sword intent aimed directly at Zhuge Xiang¡¯s forehead. Even before the sword reached its target, a faint tingling sensation had already spread across Zhuge Xiang¡¯s forehead.


    Fang Thrust. This sword technique lacked elaborate angles or profound maneuvers. It was simply a straightforward thrust. However, it was incredibly swift¡ªso swift that it made it challenging for people to react.


    In what seemed like an instant, the cold tip of the sword was already in front of Zhuge Xiang¡¯s eyes. Zhuge Xiang¡¯s pupils constricted violently. He had never seen such a fast attack. Such a fast sword dared to ask for three moves to determine the victor. Ji Wuxue indeed had something to rely on.


    With the 50% speed boost from the Bloodthirst Technique, coupled with a 30% increase in speed from his boots, Zhuge Xiang launched his counterattack. He twisted his waist and tilted his head. Although he couldn¡¯t completely evade the sword, he managed to avoid a vital point. He felt a pang of pain on his forehead, and Ji Wuxue¡¯s sword had cut open the skin between his eyebrows. Blood trickled out¡­


    ¡°Reverse Form, Swallow¡¯s Return,¡± striking the enemy with a single blow. Ji Wuxue and Zhuge Xiang crossed each other¡¯s paths. Yet, almost simultaneously, a cold voice resounded, and a chilling sword aura locked onto Zhuge Xiang¡¯s heart.


    He turned his body and a black sword light appeared. The blood-colored Qi Force enveloping the Bloodthirst Technique reappeared like a phantom. Amidst the high-speed movement, not only did Ji Wuxue halt his own body, but he also unleashed a rapid attack that was no less formidable than a sudden stab in an impossible situation¡­


    This sword strike caught Zhuge Xiang off guard. By common logic, a high-speed thrust would require a certain distance to be traversed before halting to launch an attack. However, Ji Wuxue¡¯s Swallow¡¯s Return seemed to defy the laws of inertia.


    Blood spurted out. Zhuge Xiang¡¯s heart had indeed been avoided, but this sword had pierced through Zhuge Xiang¡¯s chest, his back, and his body. Although Zhuge Xiang¡¯s heart remained unscathed, the injury inflicted by the sword was severe, reducing his combat capabilities by at least half. With such an outcome, turning the tables would be as challenging as ascending to the heavens¡­


    Ji Wuxue indeed had his own advantage. Despite the agreement of three moves, Zhuge Xiang was unable to mount any counterattack against Ji Wuxue¡¯s swift sword techniques. After just two moves, he suffered severe injuries and was on the verge of death. This battle posed an unprecedented level of danger for Zhuge Xiang.


    ¡°Ji Wuxue won¡­¡± many people began to discuss. Indeed, although their abilities were similar, Zhuge Xiang, who was severely injured, had his combat ability reduced by more than half.


    Even Lu Yuling frowned slightly. Although she was very confident in Zhuge Xiang, at this moment, she could not think of any trump cards that Zhuge Xiang could use to turn the tables.


    Blood trickled from the corner of his mouth, but Zhuge Xiang paid it no heed. His bloodshot eyes remained fixed on Ji Wuxue. He knew all too well that if he didn¡¯t take action, he wouldn¡¯t have a chance against Ji Wuxue¡¯s razor-sharp sword. He brandished the Blood Refined Saber and slashed at Ji Wuxue¡¯s arm.


    It was a desperate move. If Ji Wuxue tried to twist his wrist and kill Zhuge Xiang, his arm would undoubtedly be severed. Losing an arm would be a significant setback for a swordsman. Hence, Ji Wuxue had no choice but to withdraw his sword and retreat.


    Viciousness. This was how Ji Wuxue felt about Zhuge Xiang. Not only was he ruthless to the enemy, but he was also ruthless to himself. When his life was in danger, Zhuge Xiang¡¯s first reaction was not to retreat to protect himself, but to risk his life.


    As the saying goes, if he were to retreat, Ji Wuxue would surely press the attack. With his severely injured body, it would be arduous for him to turn the tables. However, if he staked his life, he stood a chance.


    Seeing Ji Wuxue retreat, Zhuge Xiang did not chase after him. He crouched slightly, resembling a poised cheetah ready to pounce. The surging Qi Force within his body surged into the blood-red saber. The ghastly face formed by the crimson Qi Force was terrifying to behold.


    Originally, the Blood Lightning Slash required seven to eight breaths of Qi to accumulate. After Zhuge Xiang advanced to the second level of the Qi Nourishing stage, his Qi Force became denser, reducing the time required to four to five breaths. Additionally, with the advanced Bloodthirst Technique, his Qi Force grew even more formidable, and his attack speed increased by 50%. Now, he needed a mere two breaths.


    The Blood Lightning Slash gathered power, and an unprecedentedly sharp saber intent emanated from Zhuge Xiang¡¯s body. Everyone recognized it as his offensive martial art.


    Ji Wuxue¡¯s expression changed upon being locked onto by Zhuge Xiang¡¯s terrifying saber intent. Zhuge Xiang¡¯s attack power was already remarkable, and now, with the accumulated saber intent, it would be devastating. Ji Wuxue once again lunged toward Zhuge Xiang. He displayed resolute decisiveness, determined to disrupt Zhuge Xiang¡¯s move.


    Ji Wuxue¡¯s decision was swift, but would Zhuge Xiang allow him to interrupt his attack? Zhuge Xiang stared at Ji Wuxue¡¯s charging figure like a cheetah. Zhuge Xiang shouted inwardly, activating the effect of the Frost Headband. An invisible force spread, causing Ji Wuxue¡¯s speed to suddenly decrease by 20%.


    Ignoring Ji Wuxue¡¯s shocked gaze, Zhuge Xiang looked at Ji Wuxue who had already rushed in front of him and shouted. With a kick of his feet, he went up to meet the attack¡ªBlood Lightning Slash!


    If you find any errors ( broken links, non-standard content, etc.. ), Please let us know via our discord so we can fix it as soon as possible.

 Chapter 18

    Translator: Atlas Studios Editor: Atlas Studios


    Zhuge Xiang did not even take the Blood Recovery Pill to treat his injuries when he was severely injured. Instead, he seized the time to accumulate Qi and activated the Blood Lightning Slash. Though it was challenging to accumulate Qi in the midst of battle, especially in a duel, it was undeniably a skill with outstanding attack power.


    With Ji Wuxue¡¯s decisiveness, Zhuge Xiang would not have been able to successfully accumulate his Qi in two breaths. He was just a little bit off. He was just slightly off. However, at this critical moment, the frost headband¡¯s effect made it impossible for Zhuge Xiang¡­


    The frost headband¡¯s effect was triggered, causing Ji Wuxue¡¯s speed to suddenly decrease by 20%. While in the eyes of most people, Ji Wuxue¡¯s speed remained quite fast, Lu Yuling and a few genius disciples could clearly sense the impact on Ji Wuxue¡¯s speed.


    At this crucial moment, why did Ji Wuxue¡¯s speed decrease? The eyes of many genius disciples narrowed. Was Ji Wuxue deliberately holding back? Clearly not. Otherwise, his sword wouldn¡¯t have ruthlessly pierced through Zhuge Xiang¡¯s chest. The result was evident. Zhuge Xiang possessed an incomprehensible method that affected Ji Wuxue¡¯s speed.


    ¡°Does he really have a trump card?¡± A strange gleam flashed in Lu Yuling¡¯s eyes. She looked as if she had expected this.


    Despite his severe injuries, with Ji Wuxue¡¯s speed reduced and Zhuge Xiang¡¯s Blood Lightning Slash already activated, Lu Yuling knew that the outcome had been determined. Zhuge Xiang¡¯s rise to fame was unstoppable, and he had become renowned in a single battle¡­


    The Blood Lightning Slash brought with it a surging saber intent that bore down on Ji Wuxue like a mountain. Ji Wuxue¡¯s speed was affected and decreased by 20%. Zhuge Xiang¡¯s Bloodthirst Technique increased his speed by 50%, and his Dharma artifacts boots increased his speed by another 30%. He was moving nearly twice as fast. Coupled with the terrifying attack power of the Blood Lightning Slash, Ji Wuxue resembled a rabbit facing a wild lion that had unleashed its full strength under Zhuge Xiang¡¯s onslaught.


    Blood Lightning Slash. The sound of wind and thunder could be heard. Scarlet Qi Force poured into the Blood Lightning Slash, making the faces on the Blood Lightning Slash look sinister. Ghost faces that were either in pain or crazy condensed on the Blood Lightning Slash¡­


    Ji Wuxue was shocked. He was also stunned by Zhuge Xiang¡¯s attack. Throughout the competition, Zhuge Xiang had never employed the Blood Lightning Slash. He hadn¡¯t anticipated that Zhuge Xiang had not only mastered the Advanced level of the Bloodthirst Technique but had also cultivated the most offensive martial art¡ªthe Blood Lightning Slash.


    Although he hastily blocked Zhuge Xiang¡¯s attack with his sword, he had concentrated all of Zhuge Xiang¡¯s convictions and placed everything on the Blood Lightning Slash. How could it be so easily blocked?


    Despite being a one-star Dharma artifact, the black longsword could not withstand Zhuge Xiang¡¯s Blood Lightning Slash. With a cry, a long and deep saber mark appeared on the black sword¡¯s surface. It was unstoppable. Zhuge Xiang¡¯s saber ruthlessly struck Ji Wuxue¡¯s chest.


    While Zhuge Xiang managed to block the attack with his black longsword, the impact of the Blood Lightning Slash caused Ji Wuxue to scream in pain as he was sent flying. The sound of bones breaking could be heard clearly. It was evident that Zhuge Xiang had broken at least a few ribs in Ji Wuxue¡¯s chest. He spat out a mouthful of blood and flew backward, tracing a beautiful parabolic arc in the air¡­


    His internal organs were shaken, and several of his ribs were fractured. Ji Wuxue, lying on the ground, had clearly lost the ability to continue fighting. Without waiting for Zhuge Xiang to ruthlessly finish him off, Ji Wuxue endured the pain and hurriedly shouted, ¡°I admit defeat!¡±


    Whoosh!!!


    The scarlet Blood Refined Saber halted just in front of Ji Wuxue¡¯s forehead, refraining from delivering the final strike. In a duel, the Asura Sect of the demonic sect would undoubtedly fight to the death. Zhuge Xiang, who had nearly perished under Ji Wuxue¡¯s sword moments ago, naturally wouldn¡¯t show any mercy. However, since Ji Wuxue had already admitted defeat, there was no need for Zhuge Xiang to kill him mercilessly.


    Ji Wuxue¡¯s heart trembled as he gazed at the Blood Refined Saber poised before his forehead, feeling the intense and dense Saber Qi. Simultaneously, he felt relieved that he had promptly admitted defeat. Otherwise, his head would have been separated from his body.


    Zhuge Xiang sheathed his Blood Refined Saber and slung it over his back. He dispelled the Bloodthirst Technique and sensed a sense of weakness. Zhuge Xiang turned around and departed, admiring Ji Wuxue¡¯s decisiveness.


    Though this battle had appeared extremely perilous, with its twists and turns, from their initial exchange of moves to the pact of three moves, the time taken for Zhuge Xiang to activate the Bloodthirst Technique was only seven to eight breaths.


    Despite feeling weakened by the aftereffects of the Bloodthirst Technique, Zhuge Xiang should be able to recover 70-80% of his combat strength after resting for a while.


    After the duel concluded, the host took the stage and announced Zhuge Xiang¡¯s victory. Simultaneously, the staff hurriedly carried Ji Wuxue away to treat his injuries. Despite his defeat, Ji Wuxue¡¯s exceptional swordsmanship had lived up to his reputation as a genius. Naturally, the Asura Sect highly valued such a prodigy.


    ¡°Ding! You have defeated Ji Wuxue, who is at the third level of the Qi Nourishing stage. You have received 150 EXP and Blocking Blade.¡±


    As Ji Wuxue admitted defeat, the system notification came as promised. 150 EXP? Zhuge Xiang was very satisfied.


    Back then, the demon fox, which was equivalent to the third level of the Qi Nourishing stage, had also granted him over 130 EXP. Although Zhuge Xiang was only at the first level of the Qi Nourishing stage and had killed monsters two levels higher, he had received assistance from Lu Yuling at that time. This time, he had defeated the opponent alone. It was normal for him to gain more EXP.


    As Zhuge Xiang descended from the dueling platform, he lowered his head and examined it. A black dagger materialized in his palm. It measured about five inches in length and was completely black. It appeared to be made of gold, yet not gold. He was unsure of the material it was crafted from. The streamlined body shape bestowed upon it a peculiar sense of beauty. It felt comfortable to hold in his hand.


    Blocking Blade (Level 3 Dharma artifact): Attack 2-5. Active skill: Can block any single attack from a Qi Transformation Stage cultivator. Cooldown time: 1 day.


    Zhuge Xiang gasped upon seeing the three-star Dharma artifact. The power of the one-star Dharma artifacts, the Blood Refined Saber, and the frost headband, had already been impressive. But a three-star Dharma artifact? Wasn¡¯t this pushing him to a godlike level?


    However, Zhuge Xiang felt disappointed when he noticed the meager attack power. Yet, his excitement was rekindled upon seeing the active effect of the Blocking Blade.


    It could withstand any single-target attack from a cultivator at the Qi Nourishing stage? This effect was truly formidable. One must understand that the Qi Nourishing stage was not the only stage within the Qi Nourishing stage. There were also the Body Tempering stage, the Meridian Opening stage, and even the Reverting Stage. Could it withstand any single-target attack? Although it did not enhance Zhuge Xiang¡¯s combat abilities, this Blocking Blade significantly boosted his survivability.


    If not for the long cooldown time and the fact that it could only block single-target attacks, he believed that this block blade would be at least four or five stars in quality.


    Although it did not greatly increase his combat prowess, the quality of this Blocking Blade was indeed befitting of a three-star Dharma artifact. Zhuge Xiang felt genuinely pleased to suddenly obtain such a three-star Dharma artifact.


    After stepping off the stage, Niu Geng and Lu Yuling congratulated Zhuge Xiang on his victory. As they walked past, the disciples below the dueling platform instinctively made way, showcasing their recognition of Zhuge Xiang¡¯s power as the dark horse. The strong were respected.


    The crowd parted automatically, clearing a path for him. This was a treatment that Zhuge Xiang had never imagined before. Undoubtedly, Zhuge Xiang relished this sensation. Why had he come to the Asura Sect? His goal was crystal clear. He aimed to surpass everyone else.


    Zhuge Xiang walked to a relatively distant spot where he could still observe all the battlegrounds, and he sat down. Channeling his Qi Force, Zhuge Xiang began to heal his injuries. He was still in a weakened state. Although Ji Wuxue¡¯s sword had pierced through his chest and caused an injury, Zhuge Xiang had only lost 40 health points. With the Blood Lightning Slash, he had already regained a small amount of health by relying on the 10% blood-sucking effect of the Blood Refined Saber.


    Zhuge Xiang was not in a hurry to use the Blood Recovery Pill. This was a life-saving item at a critical moment. He casually got some medicine to stop his injuries. Zhuge Xiang was waiting for the duel to begin.


    Despite his injuries and the weakened effect of the Bloodthirst Technique, which had reduced all of Zhuge Xiang¡¯s attributes by 15%, there were no disciples left on the dueling platform who could pose a threat to him after defeating Ji Wuxue. There were still 20-30% more duels to come, and in Zhuge Xiang¡¯s mind, these disciples had already become his targets for bloodsucking and injury recovery¡­


    Overall, the earlier Zhuge Xiang encountered Ji Wuxue, the more advantageous it was for him. The sooner he activated the Bloodthirst Technique, the weaker he would be. This would provide Zhuge Xiang with enough time to recover from his injuries.


    If Zhuge Xiang were to face Ji Wuxue in the final battle, the weakened state of the Bloodthirst Technique would have a significant impact on him. Moreover, the Blood Regeneration Pills would have been depleted long ago. It would be a waste to use the Blood Regeneration Pills, which could recover 100 HP, when he had lost just over 30 HP¡­


    Indeed, no one could pose much of a threat to Zhuge Xiang in the subsequent battles. With the Blood Refined Saber, frost headband, and his prestige from the previous battle, the three disciples he encountered later, all at the second level of the Qi Nourishing stage, were no match for him. Zhuge Xiang put in considerable effort to make these disciples faint from the wounds inflicted by his saber. They had over a hundred health points, but now they probably had only about ten left.


    However, the effect was evident. Zhuge Xiang had gained approximately 300 health points and 10% of the blood-sucking attribute from the three disciples. The 30 or so health points he had lost were almost fully recovered. The wound on his chest was nearly healed, to the point that if someone peeled off his clothes and looked, they would only see a scar from the sword wound.


    Without any mishaps, Zhuge Xiang successfully qualified and became one of the top 32. The first-place winners from the other dueling platforms also appeared one after another¡­


    Including Lu Yuling, the first batch of disciples from the Asura Sect who had comprehended Qi Force five months ago were all formidable opponents for Zhuge Xiang. Now that they had made it to the top 32, it could be said that there were no weaklings remaining.


    However, this only made Zhuge Xiang even more excited. A powerful opponent meant a significant amount of experience points. If he could continue to advance smoothly, he believed that he would soon reach the third level of the Qi Nourishing stage. At that time, Zhuge Xiang would be even more confident in securing the first-place position.


    If you find any errors ( broken links, non-standard content, etc.. ), Please let us know via our discord so we can fix it as soon as possible.

 Chapter 19

    Translator: Atlas Studios Editor: Atlas Studios


    The top 32 had already been determined. In the center of the arena, Zhuge Xiang and the other top 32 stood together. After a morning of intense battles, these disciples who were not even in the Qi Nourishing stage had expended a significant amount of energy.


    As the top 32 were announced, a man around 30 years old walked onto the stage and declared that the morning duels would conclude at this point. The remaining battles would be held one after another, not simultaneously. It was getting late, and after lunch, the major battles would resume.


    For Zhuge Xiang and the others, having two hours of rest was more than they could ask for. Of course, the nearly two hundred thousand disciples below were also hungry. A high-quality duel was what everyone desired to witness, especially the preparatory disciples who had recently arrived at the Asura Sect and were about to participate in the special training. They were filled with anticipation and hoped to stand out in this competition within a year¡¯s time. However, with only thirty-two disciples out of a hundred thousand, the odds were one in a million. Most of these individuals were destined to be disappointed.


    ¡°Zhuge Xiang, are you alright?¡± Niu Geng approached Zhuge Xiang with concern as he walked off the stage. Although he couldn¡¯t see any visible issues with Zhuge Xiang during the subsequent battle, the fact that Ji Wuxue¡¯s sword had pierced through his chest earlier indicated that such a severe injury wasn¡¯t easy to treat.


    ¡°I¡¯m fine,¡± Zhuge Xiang replied, holding his chest with his hand. There was a hint of pain between his brows, but it vanished in an instant. He shook his head and reassured Niu Geng.


    Niu Geng noticed the fleeting pain between Zhuge Xiang¡¯s brows. He grabbed Zhuge Xiang and said, ¡°No, you have such serious injuries. As a friend, I won¡¯t let you participate in the afternoon competition. None of the top 32 are average. It¡¯s too dangerous for you to compete with such severe injuries. Let¡¯s go and treat your wounds.¡±


    ¡°Come on, Niu Geng, trust me. I¡¯m really fine.¡± Zhuge Xiang was being pulled by Niu Geng, but he shook his head firmly, wearing a determined expression. It was evident that he was determined to participate in the afternoon competition. Niu Geng and Zhuge Xiang¡¯s exchange attracted the attention of many onlookers. Several candidates in the top 32 smirked, as they were well aware of Zhuge Xiang¡¯s injuries. No matter how hard he tried to hold on, in their opinion, the threat posed by the seriously injured Zhuge Xiang had significantly diminished.


    These individuals were observing Zhuge Xiang, just as Zhuge Xiang, as part of the top 32, was also observing them. The top 32 were indeed extraordinary individuals. Among them, twelve were at the third level of the Qi Nourishing stage. As for the others, even if they were at the second level of the Qi Nourishing stage, their combat prowess could not be underestimated. They possessed their own unique techniques.


    It went without saying that the twelve disciples at the third level of the Qi Nourishing stage were all geniuses who had comprehended Qi Force within half a year of joining the Asura Sect. Not only did they possess abundant Qi Force, but due to their early comprehension of Qi Force, their martial arts realm was also very advanced. Most importantly, nobody knew if they had any other hidden trump cards.


    ¡°Zhuge Xiang, congratulations on gaining fame after today¡¯s battle¡­¡± On their way to the dining hall, while Zhuge Xiang and Niu Geng were playfully pulling each other, a gentle female voice interrupted. They turned their heads and saw Lu Yuling approaching.


    ¡°Thank you, Senior Lu. Who wouldn¡¯t know about your talent? Moreover, you¡¯re also beautiful, making you the ideal woman in the eyes of many senior brothers.¡± Zhuge Xiang responded with a smile to Lu Yuling¡¯s praise. As his strength grew, Zhuge Xiang was now on par with Lu Yuling and could even joke with her.


    ¡°Oh? Including you?¡± Lu Yuling did not dislike Zhuge Xiang¡¯s teasing and asked instead.


    ¡°As a normal boy, I, Zhuge Xiang, am no exception. But for me right now, strength is the most important thing.¡± Zhuge Xiang¡¯s generous personality shone through. When it came to matters of love, he did not hesitate to speak his mind.


    Lu Yuling smiled. She was quite satisfied with Zhuge Xiang¡¯s answer.


    For her, cultivation was her top priority at the moment. It was too early for love. If Zhuge Xiang expressed his interest in pursuing her, Lu Yuling would keep a respectful distance. Did he like her? It was not a surprising answer. Lu Yuling was well aware of her charm. If Zhuge Xiang claimed not to like her, it would be insincere.


    Looking into Zhuge Xiang¡¯s clear eyes, Lu Yuling suddenly beamed with a bright smile. ¡°If all men in the world were as honest and straightforward as you, it wouldn¡¯t be so bad to be liked by others.¡±


    Suddenly, Zhuge Xiang¡¯s keen senses detected a few hostile gazes directed at him. He discreetly turned his head to take a glance. They were the gifted disciples of this batch, also ranked among the top 32. Observing Lu Yuling¡¯s helpless expression, Zhuge Xiang understood that her hidden message was that these individuals liked her, but they were not open or direct enough. Their actions only served to annoy her.


    ¡°You¡¯re not doing this on purpose, are you? Inciting their hostility towards me? So that you¡¯ll have one less competitor? They say a woman¡¯s heart is the most treacherous. The ancients didn¡¯t deceive me. You¡¯ve schemed against an injured person like me,¡± Zhuge Xiang said, looking at Lu Yuling helplessly.


    ¡°Injured? Are you really injured? When I mentioned dealing with the Demon Fox, you were hesitant until you knew the strength of the Demon Fox and me. Someone like you, who values your life so much, would you really be impulsive enough to participate in the top 32 matches with such severe injuries?¡±


    Lu Yuling shook her head in response to Zhuge Xiang¡¯s words. It was clear that she didn¡¯t believe him. What she meant was that the conflict between him and Niu Geng might deceive others, but not her.


    ¡°Don¡¯t you know that no one ever married a woman who is too smart?¡± Zhuge Xiang wasn¡¯t surprised that Lu Yuling saw through his act. After spending half a month together, Lu Yuling had gained some understanding of his personality. Similarly, Zhuge Xiang also had some understanding of her. In Lu Yuling¡¯s eyes, Zhuge Xiang was a formidable competitor, and the feeling was mutual.


    The three of them chatted casually and arrived at the dining hall. They picked some food and settled down in a secluded spot. Due to Lu Yuling and Zhuge Xiang¡¯s reputation, others refrained from disturbing them.


    In front of Zhuge Xiang, Lu Yuling felt that she did not have to be as guarded as she was with other male disciples. That was because male disciples who were closer to him often had inappropriate thoughts, leading to romantic entanglements that hindered their cultivation.


    Regarding Zhuge Xiang¡¯s personality, he was honest and straightforward. Lu Yuling could feel at ease when interacting or conversing with him. Perhaps they were similar in that their primary focus was cultivation. Lu Yuling wasn¡¯t afraid that Zhuge Xiang would neglect his cultivation due to what he referred to as improper thoughts.


    In the eyes of everyone, Lu Yuling was like a solitary figure in the sky¡ªarrogant, elegant, and untouchable. No one dared to offend her. Many who believed they were talented and worthy of pursuing Lu Yuling had encountered numerous obstacles. However, today, Lu Yuling was chatting and laughing with Zhuge Xiang. This made those who had ulterior motives toward Lu Yuling hostile toward Zhuge Xiang.


    Sensing the hostility around him, Zhuge Xiang wasn¡¯t afraid. Instead, he felt secretly delighted. With the Super Game System, Zhuge Xiang was afraid there wouldn¡¯t be any challenges. It was a good thing that others showed hostility. Winning the battles would make him stronger. As for the possibility of failure? Zhuge Xiang had never considered it.


    Although many people harbored hostility towards Zhuge Xiang, no one dared to provoke him openly. After all, Zhuge Xiang was not weak, and wasting Qi Force before the big battle was unwise. However, at that moment, a familiar male voice suddenly called out from behind Zhuge Xiang, grabbing his attention.


    ¡°What¡¯s the matter? Are you still not satisfied? Do you still want to fight me?¡± Zhuge Xiang narrowed his eyes as he looked at the person standing behind him. Niu Geng nervously stood up, clearly hoping to prevent any disturbance.


    It turned out that the person standing behind Zhuge Xiang was Ji Wuxue, who had been carried away earlier for treatment. Although Ji Wuxue¡¯s face was still pale and he hadn¡¯t fully recovered, it seemed that his injuries had stabilized.


    ¡°Today, I lost. I¡¯ll seek revenge in the future, but now is not the time,¡± Ji Wuxue shook his head and produced a blood-red pill. ¡°This is a Blood Ginseng Pill, a healing medicine from the sect. The wound from my sword should be quite serious, right? This pill should help you heal.¡±


    ¡°Ah?¡± Zhuge Xiang¡¯s eyes widened when he saw the pill Ji Wuxue handed to him. He hadn¡¯t expected Ji Wuxue to approach him, not seeking revenge, but instead offering to help heal his injuries. Apparently, this pill was intended for the sect¡¯s use in healing Ji Wuxue¡¯s own injuries, but he kept it and gave it to Zhuge Xiang.


    Ji Wuxue understood the shock in Zhuge Xiang¡¯s expression and spoke frankly, ¡°Although I lost to you, I hope that you can achieve a higher ranking in the competition and prove that my defeat wasn¡¯t unjust. If you were to be defeated by someone else immediately, it would tarnish my reputation.¡±


    Shaking his head, Zhuge Xiang declined Ji Wuxue¡¯s kind gesture. ¡°I can promise you that I will definitely secure first place in this competition. As for the pills, I don¡¯t need them. My injuries are already fine.¡±


    Zhuge Xiang paused for a moment before adding, ¡°Furthermore, I want to say that individuals like you are not truly suited for a demonic sect like the Asura Sect.¡±


    Since Zhuge Xiang expressed his confidence, Ji Wuxue didn¡¯t say anything else. He turned around and left without commenting on Zhuge Xiang¡¯s evaluation of him.


    After sitting back down, Niu Geng remarked, ¡°Although Ji Wuxue is ruthless, he¡¯s still a righteous person. He¡¯s worth befriending.¡±


    ¡°He¡¯s a true swordsman, but such a personality is not suitable in the demonic sects.¡± Niu Geng¡¯s words made Zhuge Xiang shake his head. Then, he looked at Niu Geng. Actually, with his honest and straightforward personality, he was not suitable either.


    The incident in the dining hall served as a minor interlude. After lunch, they rested and regained their peak condition. Zhuge Xiang and the others headed to the dueling platform where the remaining competitors had already gathered. The afternoon competition for the top 32 officially began.


    If you find any errors ( broken links, non-standard content, etc.. ), Please let us know via our discord so we can fix it as soon as possible.