Chapter 4: Mastering the Blade TechniqueThe sun set and the moon rose, repeating the cycle endlessly.

    Unknowingly.

    Half a month had passed in the blink of an eye.

    On top of a massive rock.

    A tall figure sat cross-legged.

    His features were both handsome and resolute.

    His eyebrows were sharp as blades, brimming with an aura of fierceness. His whole demeanor exuded coldness, giving off an impression of unapproachability.

    It was Luo Mu.

    At a certain moment.

    Luo Mu slowly opened his eyes.

    It was difficult to describe his gaze.

    It was as though there were no emotions.

    Only after he blinked did they gradually return to normal.

    Luo Mu glanced around as he spoke.

    Corpses were strewn in piles around him.

    He had slaughtered an entire… demonic beast nest.

    Luo Mu leaped down from the rock, a smile forming on his face.

    At the same time, he raised his right hand.

    On the back of his hand, there was a deep black, blade-shaped mark.

    Gray mist seemed to swirl within it.

    This was—the Absolute Death Blade Qi!

    After half a month of practice, he had lost track of how many demonic beasts he had slain until today, when he finally wiped out an entire nest.

    Only now was the technique perfected.

    Luo Mu shook his head.

    Martial arts cultivation consists of nine realms.

    Body Tempering, True Aperture, Spirit Sea, Mysterious Core, Earth Splitting, Heaven Opening, Divine Ability, Nirvana, and Supreme.

    Body Tempering primarily focuses on refining the body and strengthening the internal organs.

    The True Aperture Realm.

    Involves unlocking nine major apertures hidden deep within the body.

    Each aperture contains a rich amount of primal blood.

    Also known as Innate Blood.

    Once the apertures are unlocked, the primal blood merges with the entire body, enhancing all physical functions.

    Strength, defense, speed, and so on.

    These improvements are far greater than those achieved during Body Tempering.

    When all nine apertures are opened and merged into one, the martial artist undergoes a transformation.

    With the nine apertures united, breaking the shackles, the martial artist can begin absorbing the energy of heaven and earth for further cultivation.

    This is the key to entering the Spirit Sea Realm.

    In the past half-month, besides practicing his blade technique, Luo Mu hadn’t neglected his cultivation.

    He had reached the peak of the ninth level of Body Tempering.

    Only half a step away from the True Aperture Realm.

    But that half-step was challenging.

    Breaking through a major realm requires either a slow accumulation of strength.

    Or using a potent pill to forcefully break through.

    Weak water can’t break down a dam.

    For Luo Mu, the only option was the latter. sea??h thё novёlF~ire.net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.

    He didn’t have time for gradual accumulation.

    And the pills needed to break through were incredibly precious.

    In the past.

    He certainly couldn’t afford them.

    But now.

    Luo Mu glanced at the nearby package.

    It was stuffed with precious materials obtained from killing demonic beasts.

    It should be enough to trade for one.

    Luo Mu grabbed the package, satisfied, and began walking toward the outer palace.

    However, at that moment.

    He suddenly froze, his gaze shifting to the east.

    After practicing the Absolute Death Blade Technique, he had become sensitive to killing intent.

    And from that direction.

    He sensed an overwhelming killing intent, but it didn’t seem to come from a demonic beast. It felt more… human.

    Cheng Qingman clutched her waist, where blood flowed uncontrollably, fury evident on her fair face.

    She had just returned from training in the depths of the mountains.

    As she passed through the area, she saw an inner palace disciple lying on the ground, seemingly gravely injured.

    Without much thought.

    She approached, prepared to help.

    But in the next second, the inner palace disciple suddenly launched a sneak attack.

    Fortunately, Cheng Qingman reacted swiftly.

    Dodging a fatal blow.

    However, her waist had been severely injured. If she didn’t treat it soon, her life could be in danger.

    “No wonder you’re one of the academy’s renowned geniuses. Even in this situation, you dodged my fatal strike and even countered with a palm.”

    The inner palace disciple’s lips were stained with blood.

    Clutching his chest, he stumbled.

    Cheng Qingman was at the sixth level of the True Aperture Realm.

    He was only at the first level.

    A single palm strike had left him gravely injured.

    But compared to Cheng Qingman, his condition was slightly better.

    “You dare to reveal your identity within the academy? Do you think you’ll walk out of here alive?”

    Cheng Qingman said coldly.

    “I had no choice. The higher-ups are pressing me. If I don’t kill an inner palace genius, how can I report back?”

    The inner palace disciple pressed a few points on his chest.

    His complexion improved slightly.

    Cheng Qingman took a stance.

    Their injuries were comparable, and she was at the sixth level. How could she lose?

    But the next second.

    Cheng Qingman’s expression changed drastically.

    Suddenly, she felt her entire body go weak, her strength leaving her.

    That’s when she noticed the dense black lines spreading from her waist.

    “You… you used poison!”

    Cheng Qingman’s body trembled as she dropped to one knee, cold sweat covering her face.

    “You say that like it’s a joke. I’m a martial artist of the demonic path; of course, I use poison.”

    Seeing her condition, the inner palace disciple visibly relaxed.

    “Damn it!”

    Cheng Qingman quickly pulled out an antidote pill and swallowed it.

    But it was ineffective.

    Clearly, this wasn’t ordinary poison.

    The antidote only delayed its spread slightly.

    A cruel glint flashed in the inner palace disciple’s eyes.

    He picked up a nearby sword and prepared to sever Cheng Qingman’s head.

    Cheng Qingman’s face filled with unwillingness.

    She was a genius, her father’s pride, with a bright future ahead.

    But due to a moment of carelessness, she was about to die at the hands of a demonic path disciple.

    At that moment.

    The sound of a branch breaking suddenly echoed.

    “Who’s there?”

    The inner palace disciple’s face changed, looking in the direction of the sound.