CHAPTER 68: CHAPTER 65: THE PATH BEYOND MARTIAL ARTIST

"Leaving behind secret skills before the battle, it seems he knew this battle was certain death."

Lin Qi looked at the disappearing holographic image on the smart watch and couldn’t help but sigh.

Secret skills are not only precious, they’re not something any martial artist can learn, let alone create these skills.

In Chasing Light City, those who can create their own Apprentice Level martial arts are considered genius-level figures. As for Martial Artist Level skills, anyone who can create them is a genius among martial artists.

Don’t be fooled by how easily Luo Wushang and others create Martial Artist Level skills; that’s because they can revive infinitely and can try as many times as they want.

For people in the world of Gao Wu, creating martial arts means risking serious injury, and with Martial Artist Level skills, even a minor mistake could cost their lives, just like One Leaf Floating Cloud.

To create a perfect Martial Artist Level martial arts really requires a genius.

Even Meng Changtian claimed he created the secret skills himself, which shows how incredible he was, yet such a genius still died in the monster tide.

The dangers of the Gao Wu world truly offer no guarantees even for martial artists.

"Is it the three forms of Liaoyuan?"

Lin Qi opened the recorded data on the smart watch and started reading attentively.

Lin Qi was always curious about the legendary secret skills in Chasing Light City, not just because of their rarity but more about how much stronger they are compared to ordinary martial arts that kept those who mastered them clinging to them desperately.

Two hours later.

Lin Qi closed the smart watch and took a deep breath.

"Strong! Too strong!"

Only after reading did Lin Qi understand the terrifying nature of secret skills.

Compared to ordinary martial arts, secret skills indeed form a complete system. According to Meng Changtian, the three forms of Liaoyuan he created are Middle Tier Martial Artist Level secret skills, which once fully mastered, can unleash the power of High Tier Martial Artist Level skills.

And once martial arts reach Martial Artist Level, they are divided into Initial Tier, Middle Tier, and High Tier, with tremendous gaps between each tier.

Like Thunder Light Palm classified as Initial Tier Martial Artist Level martial arts, the First Layer of Thunderbolt Realm can double the speed and strength of hands and includes penetrating force.

Middle Tier Martial Artist Level martial arts, in the First Layer, can typically enhance the strength by three times.

The First Layer of High Tier Martial Artist Level martial arts increases strength by four times; the differences in strength enhancement between each tier are quite obvious.

Of course, the more powerful the martial arts, the greater the learning difficulty and the harsher the requirements.

If the Initial Tier Martial Artist Level martial arts like Thunder Light Palm can be mastered by a Basic Apprentice, then Middle Tier Martial Artist Level requires an Intermediate Apprentice, and reaching High Tier may need an Extreme Apprentice.

The three forms of Liaoyuan, once mastered, allow the First Layer to unleash four times the strength, and learning these secret skills doesn’t require an Intermediate Apprentice, a Basic Apprentice can already master them.

However, learning the three forms of Liaoyuan requires something external.

Energy Crystal Stone!

This is an energy material that only develops in small amounts within Energy Ore Veins, unavailable for sale throughout Chasing Light City, exceptionally precious.

Without Energy Crystal Stone, it’s impossible to learn the core of Liaoyuan Secret Technique, the Liaoyuan Cultivation Technique.

The three forms of Liaoyuan secret skills include Liaoyuan Spear Technique, Liaoyuan Step Technique, and Liaoyuan Cultivation Technique that complement each other; learning separately can only achieve the effect of Middle Tier Martial Artist Level martial arts.

However, compared to the inability to learn Liaoyuan Cultivation Technique without Energy Crystal Stone, what truly opened Lin Qi’s eyes was the Liaoyuan Cultivation Technique itself.

As a Martial Artist Level training technique, it far surpasses the Fitness Breathing Technique that even an elementary school student can learn, and even explains the path beyond martial artists.

If the Fitness Breathing Technique absorbs external dispersed energies to stimulate muscle cells throughout the body, rapidly improving physical fitness.

Then the Martial Artist Level training technique is on another level.

Although Lin Qi only obtained half of the Fitness Breathing Technique, which is split into six layers, he only had the first three, their essence is the same, merely more complex breathing techniques better stimulating muscle cells throughout the body.

The first three layers stimulate up to the Extreme Apprentice as the limit; the latter three layers are for preparatory martial artists, stimulating up to their limit, considered a fundamental training technique.

The Liaoyuan Cultivation Technique differs entirely, with only three layers, the first for below martial artists, the second and third for martial artists.

Meng Changtian explained that normal Martial Artist Level training techniques employ Energy Ore as an auxiliary for training, especially at the Martial Artist Level where Energy Ore must be used.

This is because after reaching the Martial Artist Level, martial artists begin to stimulate the internal organs, making them strong, thus further enhancing the body’s strength, hence absorbing dispersed energy from breathing techniques is insufficient, while more concentrated energy like Energy Ore is required to stimulate cells.

Different training levels enhance internal organs to different extents, with higher levels providing more thorough enhancement, greatly aiding the martial artist’s future path.

The Middle Tier secret skill of Liaoyuan Cultivation Technique provides training effects comparable to High Tier Martial Artist Level training techniques, in Chasing Light City, it’s difficult to find better training techniques, only the Energy Crystal Stone is hard to obtain.

After reading this, Lin Qi understood why major cities have to be built on large Energy Ore Veins; below martial artists, Energy Ore isn’t a necessity, but after becoming a martial artist, it becomes essential.

Without Energy Ore, a city cannot grow stronger.

The consequence of not being able to grow stronger is eventual destruction by monster tides!

Regarding the significance large factions in Chasing Light City place on Energy Ore Veins, Lin Qi initially thought it was to accelerate enhancement, but now realizes that without Energy Ore, no enhancement can occur, explaining the deadly struggles among wilderness factions for ore veins.

"Fortunately, I secured a 20% stake in one go; otherwise, after becoming a martial artist, Energy Ore really would become a significant problem." Lin Qi slightly rejoiced, then glanced towards the system prompt at the bottom of the visual field, "What’s this situation?"

System: Congratulations to the host for discovering the Middle Tier Martial Artist Level training method, which far exceeds the training method practiced by the host. Would you like to integrate this training method to optimize the existing one?

System: Host permission level is one, unable to use training method integration and optimization permission. Please promptly increase the permission to level two.

"Training methods can be integrated and optimized?" Lin Qi looked at the system prompt and was momentarily stunned.

He originally thought this Martial Arts Transmission System was already impressive, capable of absorbing players’ learning achievements; once his training method reached its limit, he only needed to find a stronger version for players to practice.

Unexpectedly, the system can directly integrate and optimize more advanced training methods, which is somewhat extraordinary.

It means that as long as he has enough training methods, he can continuously optimize his own, ensuring a solid foundation for the martial artist’s path and raising future potential ceilings.

Though he could absorb players’ memory inheritance via the Martial Arts Transmission System, fundamentally, it was still him training, not a direct system boost, so building a foundation is crucial.

Otherwise, if his foundation is too weak, despite absorbing memory inheritance, he might find it difficult to continue on the path.

"Level two permissions?" Lin Qi looked at Martial Arts Hall repairing 61.7%, already his fastest repair speed, "It seems like I need to motivate these players further, and increase the Martial Arts Hall repair task rewards, and release the Liaoyuan Spear Technique and Liaoyuan Step Technique."

"Liaoyuan Spear Technique first book for ordinary disciples at 3,000 points and 200 contribution to exchange, Liaoyuan Step Technique first book needs to be an Inner Sect Disciple, exchangeable for 50,000 points and 1,000 contribution, this should keep the players focused on training Leopard Shadow Step for a short while."

Upon thinking this, Lin Qi quickly organized a first book of Liaoyuan Spear Technique and Liaoyuan Step Technique, posted up updated Martial Arts Hall exchange items, and enhanced Martial Arts Hall repair task rewards by 50%, then left contentedly.

As Lin Qi left the announcement board, the players passing by curiously approached it one by one.

In the players’ eyes, Lin Qi, this NPC, wouldn’t casually approach the board; if he did, something significant must be happening.

As players gathered at the board and saw the latest updates, they were momentarily amazed.

"Spear Technique!"

"And it’s Middle Tier Martial Artist Level Spear Technique! Am I dreaming?"

"Oh, heavens! The Martial Arts Hall actually released martial arts for weapon usage!"