CHAPTER 35: CHAPTER 35: TRUE INTENTIONS

"This Jin Tai really knows how to deal with people."

Looking at the jade Bodhisattva that had been carried into the yard early in the morning, Qi Xiu stared at the two large chests before him.

It had been three days since Wu Changqing was executed.

In these three days, Qian Yuchuan had fully taken over the entire Qian Family.

Qian Yuzhe, who had been imprisoned by Wu Changqing, had fallen into an autistic state due to prolonged fear and depression. Beyond eating and drinking, he hardly had any other emotions.

And to please Ye Wen, whom Qi Xiu was impersonating, Jin Tai instructed Qian Yuchuan to deliver all of Wu Changqing’s belongings, including that jade Bodhisattva, to Qi Xiu’s residence.

The Taibao Sect didn’t practice Spells, so Wu Changqing’s belongings were of little value to them. At most, they would be sold at the Ghost Market for some money. But now that they had taken over the enormous industry of the Qian Family, they were not short on money for the time being. Rather than doing that, it was better to give them to Qi Xiu and earn some favor with an easy gesture.

Besides, there was another thing that greatly satisfied Qi Xiu. Jin Tai had taken the initiative to propose a trade for the leftover fragments of the Frigid Waterfall Genuine Skill. However, the fragments in Jin Tai’s hands were still incomplete. Even with what Qi Xiu had, they still lacked a third of the content to complete the Frigid Waterfall Genuine Skill. But Jin Tai also said they had already found a clue to the whereabouts of the last part of the fragments. When the time came, they would likely invite Qi Xiu to help retrieve the last part and share it.

...

"I haven’t felt this relaxed in a long time."

Standing in the yard and looking up at the clear Sky Dome above, basking in the bright sunshine, Qi Xiu stretched languidly.

With Wu Changqing dead and the bounty on his head canceled, the Taibao Sect had been repeatedly extending olive branches, and the relationship between the two entered a honeymoon phase. Other than that Demon lurking outside, its whereabouts unknown, all the unstable factors that Qi Xiu had been worried and cautious about had been resolved.

Next, it’s time to continue improving my skills.

Sitting on a stone bench in the yard, Qi Xiu held a teacup, looking at the proficiency panel.

[Calligraphy (Second Realm): 35.3%]

[Black Sand Palm (Second Realm): 13.2%]

[Swallow Soar (First Realm): 39%]

[Observing the Sun to Strengthen Spirit Technique (First Realm): 15.7%]

[Culinary Arts: 66.2%]

[Alchemy (First Realm): 27.1%]

[Acupoint Striking from Afar (First Realm): 76%]

...

The Black Sand Palm has broken through to the Second Realm, stepping into Qi Condensation. The next stage beyond this should be the limit for all martial arts, excluding True Cultivation Powers—True Intent!

With his gaze slightly downcast, looking at the teacup in his hand, Qi Xiu’s right hand slowly emitted wisps of black qi. Under the erosion of the Black Sand Palm poison, the teacup was corroded into fine black sand in the blink of an eye, flowing away with the water.

Watching the fine sand on the ground, Qi Xiu’s right hand opened slightly. An extremely vague outline began to surface in his mind. At the same time, an obscure and weak power released from the center of his palm. Under the influence of this power, the black sand that was slowly flowing downward on the ground seemed to be summoned; it gently lifted off the ground as if to fly into Qi Xiu’s hand.

"Sigh..."

Relaxing his breath, Qi Xiu showed a trace of fatigue on his face, and the obscure power in his palm disappeared instantly, causing the suspended black sand to fall back to the ground.

True Martial Chart! So this is the barrier that divides first, second, and third-tier martial arts.

The mysterious outline, extremely vague in his mind, flickered intermittently, and Qi Xiu’s eyes sparkled.

After Black Sand Palm broke through to the Second Realm, he had an epiphany in his mind about this extremely vague and indistinct mysterious chart. Then, after the great battle with Wu Changqing, he completely digested his previously accumulated foundation, causing the proficiency of Black Sand Palm to surge by 10%. Only then was a corner of this chart’s veil of mystery lifted.

All martial artists know that martial arts can be divided into first, second, and third tiers. Third-tier martial arts are the least effective and can only be practiced to the Tempering Power Realm because they lack the core breathing techniques and cannot condense Qi. Second-tier martial arts are intermediate, capable of stepping into Qi Condensation, but the higher the quality of the second-tier martial art, the faster the Qi recovery rate. For instance, after releasing a full-force Qi Condensation palm strike with his Black Sand Palm, it would take ten breaths for the black Qi to recover. But Jin Tai’s Hunyuan Monument Smashing Hand only needed seven breaths.

And what second-tier martial arts are missing is the core essence called the True Martial Chart. Only with the True Martial Chart could one comprehend True Intent. From then on, martial arts began to possess Divine Marvel Power.

As it stands now, as long as one ascends realms, the missing breathing techniques and True Martial Chart from the martial arts can all be completed and comprehended. If I were to practice Black Sand Palm up to the Fourth Realm, would that also mean I could break the limit of this martial art... and complete it into a True Cultivation Power!?

As Qi Xiu scrutinized the True Martial Chart in his mind, he felt increasingly certain of this possibility.

If that’s really the case, perhaps I should temporarily focus all my cultivation efforts on Black Sand Palm.

Stroking the edge of the stone table, Qi Xiu silently pondered. He considered it for a long time, until the medicinal soup in the kitchen had boiled dry. The cauldron was burnt until it cracked, making a sharp SNAP. Only then did Qi Xiu snap back to reality.

Forget it, what’s the use of getting entangled in this dilemma? Since I’ve already made up my mind, why not brave it and give it a try? Shrinking back timidly, constantly looking before and after—how could Qi Someone behave in such a way?

...

In the following days, Qi Xiu devoted himself entirely to the practice of Black Sand Palm. He would rise with the crowing of the rooster and only sleep when all was silent at night. The days were monotonous, yet he found joy in them.

However, after Black Sand Palm broke through to the Second Realm, the progress in proficiency slowed by a great deal. Even using Red Blood Medicine Wine wasn’t producing satisfactory results. So, during the rest intervals in his Black Sand Palm practice, Qi Xiu bought a large number of medical books, secret medicines, and pills from the Ghost Market. He tackled both tasks simultaneously, furiously improving both Black Sand Palm and Alchemy proficiency. As his Alchemy proficiency continuously improved, he utilized his Alchemy Skill to concoct secret medicines that aided his Black Sand Palm practice, allowing both skills to advance side by side.

...

Just like that, over twenty days flashed by in the blink of an eye. The kitchen was filled with a dozen or so cauldrons of various sizes, smoke-blackened and constantly heated. The accumulated herbs nearly filled half the courtyard. The large amount of herbal residue stuffed in jute bags carried an odor so bitter and unpleasant, it could make one roll their eyes just from a single whiff.

"No, no, no, this Bamboo South Sky herb, although warm, is fundamentally toxic and dry. No wonder I broke out in pimples and got constipated for two days after taking it. This prescription is too cold in nature... Since Bamboo South Sky isn’t suitable... Beichuan Flower? Right! Yes, Beichuan Flower! This herb is cold on the outside but warm on the inside, regulating yin and yang. It can not only enhance the main medicine’s potency but also neutralize the toxicity of the Hua Chanyi."

Draft papers were scattered all over the floor, where a disheveled man with a shaggy beard and ragged clothes was sprawled, his collar open. Despite his beggar-like appearance, the man’s eyes were deep and bright like the full moon. As if struck by an excellent idea, the man’s eyes shone with brilliance. He wet the brush in his mouth and swiftly penned a prescription on paper. Despite his disheveled appearance, his handwriting was surprisingly beautiful.

Rising from the ground in one motion, the man took the prescription and headed to the kitchen. But after rummaging through the chaotic kitchen for a while, he slapped his forehead in sudden realization. He had forgotten—the herbs he’d bought were all used up the day before.

Returning to his room, Qi Xiu grabbed his wallet, ready to go out and purchase more herbs, but he caught a glimpse of himself in the mirror. He paused for a moment and looked down at his attire, which could have been mistaken for that of a beggar. Qi Xiu laughed heartily.

I’ve unwittingly turned into Brother Sharp!

Shaking his head, Qi Xiu tied up his disheveled hair, shaved his beard, and changed into a set of clean clothes before leaving the house.

...

"Have you heard? That invincible Golden Flower Maternal Sect that took over Yuantuo Mansion met their match in Qingliu County. They besieged the city for twenty days, and not only did they fail to break through, they were chased and run off for hundreds of miles—a total disaster."

"I heard about it from Liu this morning. They say County Magistrate Li Jiufang summoned a torrential river from nowhere, directly flooding the Golden Flower Maternal Sect’s army. The large army, tens of thousands strong, was annihilated in an instant. Apart from a few hundred lucky escapees, the rest were washed away."

"Darn, flooding tens of thousands of people, is Li some kind of god descended to Earth?"

In the pharmacy, Qi Xiu’s expression flickered slightly as he overheard two shop assistants whispering to each other.

Li Jiufang? Flooding an army?