Turtle-Snake Spirit Breath Viscera Refinement Secret Method, Demon Flesh

In the washroom

Name: Li Xijun

Age: 17

Realm: Apprentice Level 7

Blood Essence Level: 7.6

Spirit Level: 19.3

Spirit-Refining System: Spirit Condensation Realm (93%)

Martial Arts System: Tendons and Bones Realm (100%)

Cultivation Methods:

Azure Dragon Heaven-Reaching Method: (Mastery 30%)

Spirit-Refining Detailed Explanation Orifice-Sensing Method (100%)

Visualization Method "Twenty-Four Rank White Lotus Salvation Chart" (Mastery 30%)

Subduing Tiger Bone Refining Method (Master 100%)

Martial Skills

True Martial Thirty-Six Forms (Master 30%)

Basic Saber Technique: (Proficient 35%)

Basic Sword Technique: (Proficient 65%)

Unifying the Heavens (0%)

The True Martial Thirty-Six Forms and the Tiger Demon Bone Refining Fist had unexpectedly remarkable effects in tempering and harmonizing the physical body.

Having reached the limit of unarmed combat, Li Xijun had naturally begun training with weapons in recent days, aside from cultivating the True Martial Killing Move, Void Shock.

However, he had not expected that the Basic Sword Technique and Basic Saber Technique he had casually practiced in his spare time would so easily surpass the beginner level and reach such high proficiency.

"No wonder they say that before cultivating Outer Scenery Moves, weapons are essentially extensions of one's limbs. Once you integrate and control the strength of your skin, flesh, tendons, and bones, returning to saber and sword training is like standing on high ground—effortless. If I put in a little more effort, I'll probably reach the mastery level in less than a week."

"Of course, the most important thing now is going to the Life-Slaying Martial Hall first."

"Whether it's the great opportunity Old Master Zhang mentioned or a method for Viscera Refining, both are good things."

The next instant, Li Xijun vanished.

When he reappeared, he had already changed clothes and arrived on the main street of Jinmen leading to the Life-Slaying Martial Hall.

However,

as he passed the chamber of commerce this time, he saw quite a few people gathered there, their discussions buzzing without end.

After finding a high spot, Li Xijun saw numerous eye-catching banners hanging along the chamber of commerce street, as well as all kinds of pamphlets being handed out.

The Seven Gods Church funded the East-West Continent Number One Martial Arts Tournament; preliminary matches would officially be held next year.

Western Continent Chamber of Commerce: This event promoted the exchange of martial arts between the two continents, allowing a direct comparison of superior power systems, races, and civilizations.

Church of the God of War: The sick men of the Eastern Continent—martial artists all walk the path to the chopping block.

Standing beneath those enormous banners was a tall, blond, blue-eyed young man in knightly armor marked with the emblem of the Church of the God of War.

His muscles were distinctly defined and powerful. Standing nearly two meters tall, he wore a brilliantly sunny smile as he looked down arrogantly at the surrounding crowd, seemingly enjoying the feeling.

Li Xijun looked at the scene, then recalled the Black Night Church's wanton actions from before.

The market instincts he had honed over the years in the A-share market made him smell an impending sense of crisis.

Was this a test before war? Or something else?

After pondering for a moment, he stopped dwelling on it.

After all, he was merely a small fry who had achieved Greater Bone and Tendon Refinement. Even if he sensed something, there was nothing he could do.

Li Xijun unconsciously quickened his pace and entered the Martial Arts Hall within the Martial Hall Main Residence.

Before he even pushed open the door, he heard Old Master Zhang's thunderous rebuke:

"Although martial arts have only five realms, they are the easiest to enter. They strengthen the physique and invigorate the spirit. The Power of the People a martial artist brings to Dasheng is more than ten times that of an ordinary person."

"These foreigners have never ceased plotting our destruction. This move is another attempt to suppress the spirit of Dasheng's people, glorify their so-called civilization, and diminish Dasheng's Power of the People."

"They talk about civilization and progress, but I saw the massacres, arson, looting, forced conversions to the Seven Gods, and the seizure of faith back then with my own eyes."

The Blood-Exchange Martial Sage's fury made the atmosphere in the entire Martial Arts Hall seem to freeze, and several disciples stood trembling at the side, scarcely daring to breathe.

Yet after his anger subsided, he took several large gulps of tea from his bowl and let out a heavy sigh.

"Alas! In recent years, they've become increasingly unruly. Damn it! Damn it that Dasheng has no gods, and martial arts have no path forward!"

The atmosphere in the entire Martial Arts Hall grew even more oppressive.

Fortunately, Li Xijun pushed the door open at that moment.

As the Clear Wind outside swept in, Meng Qifeng, Yu Xiangyang, and the others suddenly perked up and looked toward him.

Zhang Fuhu, who had just sighed heavily, examined Li Xijun's body and immediately had a brilliant gleam flash through his eyes.

Bang!

With a slap of his palm against the table, the longsword hanging on the wall suddenly leaped up and flew into the air.

In the next instant, he flashed before Li Xijun. The sword in his hand transformed into a silver serpent, and dozens of streaks of silver light struck Li Xijun's chest in rapid succession.

Li Xijun had realized something the moment Zhang Fuhu made his move. He neither dodged nor evaded, merely surging his blood essence until the clothes on his upper body fell away on their own, leaving him bare-chested as he took the attack head-on.

Clang! Clang clang clang!

The fierce sounds of metal striking metal echoed through the room.

Meng Qifeng and the others immediately widened their eyes, staring at the youth before them, who had not taken a single step back.

When the flash of sword light faded, not even the faintest white mark had been left on his body. Though they had long been mentally prepared, they still gasped in amazement.

"Steel tendons and iron bones, impervious to blades and spears, untouched by water and fire. Junior Brother has achieved Greater Bone and Tendon Refinement."

Yu Xiangyang felt the impact most keenly.

Only a few months ago, he had watched Li Xijun learn fist techniques bit by bit.

Yet now Li Xijun had already achieved Greater Bone and Tendon Refinement and was on the verge of entering the Viscera Refinement Realm to catch up with him.

It made Yu Xiangyang wonder what he had even been doing all those years.

"More than that. Master struck every major vital point and the weak areas of the bones and tendons, yet Junior Brother Li showed not the slightest flaw. His first two realms have truly been cultivated to perfect completeness."

Meng Qifeng had the most experience teaching disciples, and at a glance, he could see that Li Xijun's skin, flesh, tendons, and bones had been refined almost perfectly.

"You truly achieved Greater Bone and Tendon Refinement in three months. What Duke Boyan wrote in his book about completing Viscera Refining in October was really..."

Zhang Fuhu was momentarily lost in thought as well.

Ever since Dasheng began fully promoting martial arts and spirit refinement, he had seen quite a few martial arts geniuses over the years.

But someone like Li Xijun, who crossed the Skin and Flesh Realm and Tendons and Bones Realm in four months, was simply unheard of.

Moreover, since Li Xijun could achieve Greater Bone and Tendon Refinement in such a short time, his spirit-refining cultivation should have reached the minor accomplishment stage of Spirit Condensation as well.

That made him a supreme prodigy cultivating both soul and physical body.

Thinking of something, Zhang Fuhu looked at Li Xijun with blazing eyes and said,

"Since you have achieved Greater Bone and Tendon Refinement, I'll teach you the Viscera Refinement secret art today. As for the silver you owe, consider the five hundred taels you donated before as your tuition."

With a wave of his hand, he dismissed all the other disciples.

After sweeping his gaze around and confirming there was no sixth ear listening, he spoke solemnly.

"Though the 'Subduing Tiger Bone Refining Method' is exquisite, it is only a method for skin, flesh, tendons, and bones. Even if it were leaked, it would not shake the foundations of my Life-Slaying Martial Hall."

"However, the 'Turtle-Snake Spirit Breath Viscera Refinement Secret Method' that comes next is a supreme secret art that allows one to transcend the ordinary. If it were leaked, even if this old man had to give up his life, I would kill every person who stole it."

"Xijun, I ask you to swear upon your soul that you will never pass this Viscera Refinement method to another person for the rest of your life."

Li Xijun had never intended to pass it on to anyone else, so he naturally agreed at once.

He immediately swore an oath before Zhang Fuhu.

Zhang Fuhu showed no courtesy either. Only after hearing Li Xijun's oath did he nod in satisfaction and begin reciting the mnemonic verses, coded phrases, and key points of the Viscera Refinement secret art.

Listening to the dizzying layers of coded terminology and indirect expressions from Zhang Fuhu, Li Xijun was fortunate that his Spirit Level was high, his memory was flawless, and his comprehension exceptional. Only then could he understand and memorize it after hearing it once.

"You were indeed fast in the Skin and Flesh Realm and Tendons and Bones Realm, but the Viscera Refinement Realm involves the body's internal five organs and six viscera. The slightest carelessness can result in severe injury or death. Even if you're lucky, you may suffer internal organ damage and find it difficult to make any further progress in strength."

After giving his usual warning and admonition, Zhang Fuhu slowly explained,

"The key to Viscera Refining lies in two things: breathing and eating!"

"Breathing means using the 'Heavenly Serpent Breath Emission Art' and the 'Spirit Turtle Breathing Method' to guide blood essence through the six viscera and five organs."

"As for eating, you must begin consuming demon flesh."

Those words immediately invigorated Li Xijun.

This world also had supernatural creatures, though Dasheng generally called them demons.

Furthermore, the demon flesh in this world differed from the mythological creature meat served in the Main World cafeteria.

The meat served in the Main World cafeteria came from the lowest-grade mythological creatures. It was merely exceptionally nutrient-rich and contained no Spiritual Power, because Apprentice Realm martial artists could hardly absorb Spiritual Power before Mortal Shedding. Eating it would do more harm than good.

But demon flesh in this world was an essential resource for Viscera Refinement Realm martial artists. After consuming it, one could greatly replenish blood essence and strengthen the interior of one's body to the utmost limit.

In other words, demon flesh could accelerate the growth of his Blood Essence Level. It was more useful than Blood Essence Potions, Qi and Blood Great Pills, and the like.

Seeing Li Xijun's eyes light up, Zhang Fuhu, who knew this disciple's financial means, did not keep him in suspense.

He began explaining the specific cultivation process of the Viscera Refinement Realm.

"The first step of the Viscera Refinement Realm is to use the breath of the 'Heavenly Serpent Breath Emission Art' to guide blood essence in washing and refining the intestines, stomach, bladder, and triple burner, strengthening the six viscera that process grain and water within your body."

"Once your six viscera are strong enough to digest and absorb large quantities of demon flesh and strengthen your interior to the utmost limit, you can use the 'Spirit Turtle Breathing Method' to guide the overflowing blood essence and slowly 'refine' the five organs."

"Once the five organs are refined, Inner Breath will arise naturally. A person will be like a ferocious tiger, easily possessing three thousand jin of strength. If Inner Breath is used, its power will increase by several tenths."

"I'll first teach you the Heavenly Serpent Breath Emission Art from the Turtle-Snake Spirit Breath Viscera Refinement Secret Method."

After speaking, Zhang Fuhu removed his upper garment. He first opened his mouth wide and had Li Xijun clearly observe where his tongue rested, then closed his mouth, lightly clicked his teeth together, and began demonstrating the Heavenly Serpent Breath Emission Art.

"Whoooooosh—hiss. Hiss. Hiss."

Zhang Fuhu's abdomen sometimes swelled like a giant ball, while at other times his belly and back seemed pressed together. His stomach and intestines rippled continuously in waves with the rhythm of his breathing.

Of course, the most important part was using the blood essence circulating through the body as one to continuously stimulate and lightly wash the triple burner, large and small intestines, gallbladder, and stomach.

Li Xijun memorized every detail and began trying it under Zhang Fuhu's guidance.

After practicing for an hour,

Gurgle gurgle.

As his stomach and intestines were continuously washed and stirred by blood essence, Li Xijun kept expelling turbid and stale air from his body.

Only when he felt that his six viscera had reached their limit did he stop.

At the same time, a message appeared before his eyes right on schedule.

Your Martial Arts System: Viscera Refinement Realm has increased from 0% to 1%.

Your Turtle-Snake Spirit Breath Viscera Refinement Secret Method realm has increased from Beginner 0% to Beginner 5%.

Seeing Li Xijun's performance, Zhang Fuhu could not help nodding in satisfaction.

"Once you have learned the Heavenly Serpent Breathing Method, remember that you must not eat ordinary food."

"The best option is demon flesh, followed by Medicinal Cuisine, then Qi and Blood Great Pills. Only by eating well enough can you strengthen your interior to its limit and begin refining the five organs internally."

"However, you have only just begun. A strip of demon meat this size will be enough."

Zhang Fuhu held up his little finger to indicate the amount, then tossed Li Xijun a token-like badge and said,

"The black market east of the river sells demon flesh. Bring this, and someone will naturally understand."

"However, consuming demon flesh has considerable effects on the spirit. Do not be greedy."

"Ordinary Viscera Refinement Realm martial artists who cannot afford Spirit Nourishing Incense need at least ten to twenty days between meals to settle the effects on their spirits. Even with Spirit Nourishing Incense, they still need ten days to recover their spirits."

"Therefore, it is common for martial artists to spend several years in Viscera Refining. It is even more common to struggle for years to save enough money for Spirit Nourishing Incense and demon flesh during breakthroughs, only to die on the path of Viscera Refining."

At this point, the old master could not help recalling how, when he had first entered Viscera Refinement, he had traveled the world in search of cultivation resources, meeting friends and beauties along the way and experiencing one exhilarating life-and-death adventure after another.

In the end, he let out a faint sigh.

"Now, just by not lacking silver, you are already progressing far faster than ordinary martial artists. Even Little Yu and Little Meng back then could not compare."

"Precisely because of this, even though you possess minor accomplishment in Spirit Condensation, you must never rush. If your soul is damaged because of it, there will be no remedy."

Li Xijun accepted the token and nodded in acknowledgment.

"Mm, I'm reassured by your temperament. What you did regarding Su Qiuzhen and Deng Gao suited this old man's taste very well."

Zhang Fuhu put his broad robe back on.

Those words sounded like casual conversation, but they made Li Xijun pause slightly. He immediately bowed and spoke sincerely.

"This disciple only acted for my own—"

"There is no need to explain such matters. What martial artist does not kill? I bring it up suddenly today because I want to temper your mindset, make you more humble and sincere. After all..."

Zhang Fuhu had already finished dressing. He smoothed his beard, and his tiger-like eyes became filled with vigor.

His entire bearing suddenly changed. He became the famous Blood-Exchange Martial Sage of Jinmen, strode up to Li Xijun, and waved his hand.

"Today, your master will take you to meet a truly great opportunity. Whether it is you or this old man, we must ensure that we present our most sincere selves. Remember, do not tell even the slightest lie before that person."