Breaking Through the Heart Aperture, Learning Martial Skills

After passing these two major Checkpoint, there is still one last Perilous Pass.

And it's also the most difficult and Perilous Pass — the Heart Aperture!

The reason why the Heart Aperture is the most difficult hurdle is because it is the last major aperture.

In the process of guiding the Vitality Torrent to impact the major acupoints throughout the body, occupying each major acupoint can reshape a part of the body, thereby stimulating more Vitality Power.

This force becomes stronger as time goes on.

So much so that even before completing the breakthrough, it had already surpassed the limits that Third Tier Cultivator could control.

On the one hand, this brought immense benefits.

Power far exceeding that of the third tier will bring unprecedented changes to cultivators.

Those old, weak body parts were directly destroyed by the Vitality Torrent, melted into pure qi and blood, and then devoured and absorbed.

Then, driven by the Cultivation Method, completely new flesh, blood, and bones regenerated.

The magnitude of this change is so drastic that it cannot be described simply as a complete Moulting and Bone Rebirth.

On the other hand, such behavior is extremely dangerous from beginning to end, akin to walking a tightrope over a cliff.

That massive, violent Vitality Torrent, far beyond the control of cultivators, was a double-edged sword.

Since it has the power to bring about transformation, it also has the power to bring about destruction.

If handled improperly, it can easily spiral out of control.

Therefore, the further one progresses, the more major acupoints are opened, and the stronger the Vitality Torrent becomes.

The difficulty and danger of manipulation have also increased significantly, further testing the cultivator's guidance abilities.

That's right. At this point, cultivators are no longer able to precisely control this power and can only carefully guide it using their Cultivation Method.

Therefore, for safety reasons...

The time required to Acupoint Charging often starts with several attempts a day at the beginning, gradually slows down to one attempt every few days, and then eventually takes more than ten days to attempt one.

By extending the breakthrough time as much as possible, the risk of this force getting out of control can be reduced.

However, simply delaying the process will not solve the underlying problems.

As time goes by, the cultivator's vital energy and blood will also be continuously depleted.

Although before breaking through, cultivators often try their best to increase their Total Vitality by taking spirit medicine that can restore qi and blood.

However, all of this will eventually have an upper limit, and it won't be particularly high.

This means that if a cultivator is too cautious during the breakthrough process and takes too long, their Vitality Consumption.

Then it's easy for a lack of follow-up strength to occur.

While this eliminates the worry of losing control, it also signifies the failure of the breakthrough and leaves the patient with the aftereffects of significant Vitality Loss.

In milder cases, it can shorten one's lifespan by decades or even a hundred years; in more severe cases, it can lead to immediate death.

Moreover, Xiao Chen faces even greater physical exhaustion than ordinary Body Cultivator.

Because he Clever Trick back then, fusing his Life Core with his Natal Flying Sword.

Therefore, now that the time for breakthrough has come, not only does he need to consume his own qi and blood, but the Wind Thunder Pair Swords hidden in his Life Core are like two bottomless pits.

Every day, it absorbs a large amount of vital energy to help him complete the leap.

Fortunately, Xiao Chen has a unique advantage in this regard.

If you only look at the Total Vitality, he is almost no different from Fourth Tier Body Cultivator.

This means he is long-lasting enough.

Even if an extra supply of Natal Flying Sword is needed, one can still confidently extend the breakthrough time, guide it slowly, and complete the preliminary preparations before attempting the Acupoint Charging.

However, having ample preparation time does not guarantee success.

They still had to get through this final, Heart Aperture -Life and Death Pass.

Once you cross that threshold, the world will be your oyster.

If you can't get over it, then everything is over.

Facing this challenge tests a cultivator's faith and courage, at least according to the cultivation method.

It just so happens that although Xiao Chen is cautious in his actions, he is actually quite bold.

The key is that even if he fails, he still has Hextech as a safety net, so he doesn't have to worry about the worst outcome, which naturally gives him more confidence.

After thorough preparation, they immediately launched an assault on this final, Perilous Pass.

The mighty torrent that had passed through the 107 major acupoints immediately rushed into the Heart Aperture with unparalleled momentum.

"Bang!"

An unprecedented, terrifying roar, almost capable of shattering Divine Soul, exploded from Xiao Chen's chest!

That was the beating of his heart after it had been pushed to its limit!

Then, all was silent.

Under immense pressure, Xiao Chen's heart stopped beating.

Then all the fury, all the roar, all the power slowly and inevitably began to dissipate.

One breath, two breaths, three breaths...

Xiao Chen's blood and qi almost stopped flowing, and his aura began to decline rapidly.

The flame of a person's life flickers like a candle in the wind, seemingly about to be extinguished in the next breath, plunging into eternal darkness.

Gradually, even his sea of consciousness seemed to be affected.

Xiao Chen's Divine Sense began to stagnate, as if he had fallen into a deathly silence.

If this situation continues, his consciousness will completely succumb.

There is a great terror between life and death!

Only those who, when faced with dire circumstances, remain steadfastly convinced that they can overcome the challenge and maintain an unwavering belief can succeed.

"Thump!"

After an unknown amount of time, a heartbeat, even more magnificent and louder, like a thunderclap, suddenly exploded!

The heart that had stopped beating has been restarted in a completely new way!

A Vitality Torrent, several times purer than before, erupted from the depths of his heart like a volcanic eruption.

The aura that had plummeted to rock bottom rebounded instantly, multiplying several times over.

An immense pressure erupted, almost soaring into the sky.

At this moment, all 108 acupoints around Xiao Chen's body, which had been fully opened, simultaneously erupted with dazzling crimson spiritual light.

The light penetrated flesh and blood, illuminating the entire cave abode.

In that instant, all the major acupoints in Xiao Chen's body were seamlessly connected, without any further obstruction.

Even with the activation of the Heart Aperture, the intensity of that Vitality Torrent almost doubled again.

However, controlling it no longer feels strenuous; in fact, it feels effortless.

With a unique rhythm, it circulated along the 108 major orifices.

Each cycle brings ultimate refinement and nourishment.

In terms of speed alone, it is already several times faster than at any time in the past.

In the past, Xiao Chen might have found it difficult to bear, but now he felt no pressure at all.

Because he had already become a true Fourth Tier Body Cultivator.

"Whew!"

Xiao Chen let out a long breath, and the air he exhaled immediately turned into a strong wind inside the cave abode.

He almost truly believed just now that he might not make it to the final hurdle.

Fortunately, his belief remained unshaken at the critical moment, and he did not develop a fear of failure or death.

He believed that even if the breakthrough failed, he wouldn't actually die, but would instead trigger the Night's Edge to escape danger.

It was precisely this absolute belief that enabled him to successfully overcome this final hurdle and break through this Major Bottleneck.

"Finally, we succeeded. I feel like we weren't prepared enough this time."

Xiao Chen couldn't help but sigh, "Looking back, if this breakthrough process had been repeated a hundred times, I might have failed two or three times."

"The main issue is that the handling of the Perilous Pass points in Heart Aperture is not ideal."

"When we try to overcome Major Bottleneck next time, we should learn from this experience and prepare as many auxiliary measures as possible."

"Ideally, the entire breakthrough process should proceed smoothly, steadily, and without any major setbacks."

Regardless, this successful breakthrough is a good thing.

Xiao Chen slowly stood up, stretched his muscles and bones on the spot, and began to adapt to the surge in power that came with his breakthrough.

Now that he has advanced to the fourth level in Body Cultivator, not only are his bones as smooth as jade, but even his flesh and blood are faintly glowing.

If someone were to stand a little further away and look at him, they would notice that his body was radiating a warm, golden luster.

Even in broad daylight, it's not hard to notice if you look closely.

"From today onwards, I too am a walking Luminous Pearl."

Xiao Chen naturally noticed this as well, but he quickly and deliberately suppressed the radiance.

This thing has no practical use; it's simply one of the representative characteristics of Fourth Tier Body Cultivator.

To put it bluntly, cultivators who need it can use this method to remind others – I am Fourth Tier Body Cultivator, and I am not someone to be trifled with.

But Xiao Chen didn't need such a reminder.

Firstly, he was Nascent Soul True Lord, whose status was no less than that of Body Cultivator.

Secondly, if we keep the news that he has broken through to the level of Body Cultivator a secret, we can use it as a trump card in a battle.

It can be surprisingly effective if the enemy is unaware of it.

He had previously used this method to achieve unexpected victories on many occasions, and naturally, he continues to maintain this good habit.

"I feel like I've gotten a little taller."

Xiao Chen also noticed that after breaking through to the fourth level, his figure became more slender and well-proportioned.

It may not look like much has changed, but it has actually grown several inches taller than before, almost half a head taller.

At the same time, if you observe carefully...

It can also be seen that even after the glow faded, his skin was still more solid and firm than before, just like a fourth-order spirit ore that had undergone preliminary processing.

Naturally, he also possessed defensive capabilities almost identical to those of Semi-finished Spirit Mine.

Under such circumstances, even if Xiao Chen stood still and allowed the Golden Core cultivator to attack him, it would be difficult for the opponent's Law Technique to harm him.

Even when using sharp weapons like Flying Sword, the flesh alone can neutralize most of their power.

This is all without any proactive resistance.

If Xiao Chen wanted to, he should be able to clamp down on Golden Core cultivator's Flying Sword using only his muscles, creating an effect similar to disarming him.

Of course, aside from bullying lower-level cultivators, this is still a considerable improvement even when facing Nascent Soul Magic Cultivator.

As long as he uses his true essence to form a defensive layer with his skin and flesh, he can withstand Fourth-Order Spell head-on with almost no effect.

Of course, considering that Xiao Chen's current Body Cultivator level is only at the Nascent Soul Early Stage stage.

Facing Top Nascent Soul Magic Cultivator and their Custom Spirit Tool still presents considerable pressure.

Therefore, it's best not to directly confront the attack head-on, but rather to coordinate with Law Technique for a more appropriate defense.

Of course, a better option would be to cultivate a fourth-tier martial art and fully utilize the advantages of Body Cultivator.

Xiao Chen had been prepared for this.

Back when he was still with the Heavenly Dipper Sect, he had already acquired a fourth-tier yellow-level martial skill and a sword Sword Art.

However, now that he possesses the <Iron Like Body Tempering Art> left behind by the Black Iron Venerable, he naturally chooses to cultivate this superior Cultivation Method.

Even the <Sky Burning Extreme Force>, which I had already set my sights on but hadn't been able to start cultivating due to insufficient cultivation level, can now be attempted for beginners.

In this way, it won't take long.

Xiao Chen can quickly enhance his defensive capabilities and gain two more different offensive methods, greatly enriching his strategies against enemies.

Anyone who thinks he only knows Fire Method is in for a surprise.

"Hmm, something seems a little different from before?"

Since he was already in the cave abode, Xiao Chen decided to take another look at the Inheritance Stone Tablet in the square before starting to cultivate the <Iron Like Body Tempering Art>.

However, after he broke through to the fourth level, he saw those stone tablets again.

However, they were surprised to find that the feeling was very different from what they remembered.

The most obvious point is the Martial Dao True Intent preserved in the stone tablet.

Back when he was still a third-tier Body Cultivator, Xiao Chen had already sensed a powerful aura from the words written by the Black Iron Venerable himself on the stone tablet.

However, that is, after all, just a lingering Artistic Conception within the words.

It only confirmed to him that it was genuine, but didn't evoke any further feelings in him.

However, Xiao Chen has now reached the fourth level in Body Cultivator, and his strength has greatly improved.

Theoretically speaking, the gap between him and the Black Iron Venerable has narrowed considerably.

After all, there used to be a difference of two Major Realm, but now there's only one.

The problem lies here: when Xiao Chen stood in front of the stone tablet again, he discovered that the overwhelming power had not weakened at all, but had become even more fierce than before.

As he stared intently at the words, studying them carefully.

At one point, you could even feel the surging Battle Intent emanating from it.

"Hiss~!"

Xiao Chen gasped, "This isn't right."

"Why does it feel like the gap has actually widened?"

His current mood was like seeing a mountain peak in the distance, but it didn't seem very high.

It wasn't until we reached the foot of the mountain and looked up again that we realized the mountain wasn't low at all, and was even quite majestic.

And unlike before.

After noticing the difference, Xiao Chen quickly had a sudden realization.

The problem actually lies neither in the Qi and Blood Concentration, nor in the Cultivation Realm.

The real difference lies in the varying degrees of understanding and insight the two sides have regarding the path of Body Cultivator.

It's easier to understand from the perspective of Cultivator of Magic; it's essentially about different levels of understanding of one's own Great Dao.

"However, judging from my intuition, it shouldn't have reached the level of 'Tao' yet."

Xiao Chen pondered the stone tablet for a long time and finally made a more comprehensive discovery.

The Black Iron Venerable is indeed powerful, but he is far from reaching the level of 'entering the Dao through martial arts'.

The Martial Dao True Intent he left behind in the stone tablet is actually his understanding of martial arts and a strong belief he upheld during his past cultivation process.

The fusion of the two leaves behind a Battle Intent and a distinctive character.

Just as a great calligrapher can use the characters on their brush to convey a certain mood or Artistic Conception to future generations across a long period of time.

The Black Iron Venerable may have studied calligraphy, or he may not have studied it at all, but he possesses an extremely powerful Martial Dao True Intent.

This Battle Intent had seeped into his very bones, becoming almost an integral part of him.

Therefore, when leaving behind his legacy, his Martial Dao True Intent were naturally imbued in the words he wrote.

"Great, that's a good thing!"

Xiao Chen was not discouraged by this; on the contrary, he was very happy. "In this way, I can come here more often in my spare time and meditate for a while longer."

The two Major Realm apart, so it's perfectly normal for there to be an objective gap in their skill levels for the time being.

He didn't feel inferior because of this; on the contrary, he became even more excited.

Xiao Chen believed that he could achieve the same level in the future, and even surpass the Black Iron Venerable.

Therefore, the stronger the opponent is, the more powerful they will become in the future, which is surely a good thing, isn't it?

Therefore, in order to adapt to the new power and to better understand the Martial Dao True Intent.

Xiao Chen simply stayed in front of the stone tablet for three whole days.

During this period, in addition to reviewing past martial arts techniques and improving control over their own power, they also observed the stone tablets and tried to understand the Martial Dao True Intent within them.

The reason for choosing this somewhat leisurely approach is to relax and unwind.

This breakthrough didn't actually take him too much time.

Although Xiao Chen did intentionally slow down the speed of his breakthrough, he did not rush to achieve Acupoint Charging.

But in the end, it only took him ten and a half months, which wasn't particularly long.

This is mainly because he is confident enough, so although his movements are slow, they are decisive and his overall speed is not slow.

In other words, there are still at least two months before the opening of the Vast Sea Secret Realm.

With Hextech's help, Xiao Chen quickly mastered Yellow-grade Technique, and his learning of Yellow-level martial arts wouldn't be much slower.

He has plenty of time, so there's no need to rush.

So, after three days of observation and relaxation, I decided to take the time to observe.

Xiao Chen then officially began cultivating the Nascent Soul Chapter of the Iron Like Body Tempering Art ".

Sure enough, he successfully mastered the basics in just two days and reached the level of the tenth level.

In this Cultivation Method, the Black Iron Venerable imitated the process of iron smelting, dividing different levels of cultivation into ten forgings, a hundred forgings, and a thousand forgings.

Even if one has mastered the Ten Forging Techniques, their physical body is equivalent to a fourth-tier Spirit Robe, making them impervious to ordinary Law Technique.

When facing an enemy, this ability is sufficient to block or weaken the first three rounds of Law Technique. If you can quickly get close during this period, you already have a certain chance of winning.

If one can achieve a hundred refinements, that would be considered a minor success, at which point the physical body would be almost equivalent to a fourth-tier spirit shield.

By then, not only will we be able to withstand Law Technique, but we can also directly withstand Custom Spirit Tool.

If one can undergo a thousand refinements, then the Cultivation Method can be considered to have reached its peak.

At that time, his physical strength alone will surpass most defensive Spirit Artifact in the world, and he will basically be able to roam freely in the Nascent Soul stage.

However, this stage is extremely difficult.

Even though Black Iron True Lord himself had only cultivated to the level of Nine Hundred Refinements, he was already able to travel around as a rogue cultivator and protect himself.

Considering the cost-effectiveness, Xiao Chen did not continue cultivating.

Instead, he switched to the <Sky Burning Extreme Force> and mastered the basics in three days.

It's worth mentioning that this martial art is actually divided into a total of thirty-six moves.

However, the most powerful and lethal move among them is also called the Sky Burning Extreme Force.

Xiao Chen naturally focused on practicing this move.

After all, what he valued from the very beginning was the powerful explosive force that this move brought.

"Thump!"

Xiao Chen threw a punch, and even though there were dozens of feet between them, the Thick Rock Shield that was being used as a temporary target still trembled violently.

"Truly worthy of being called an explosive martial skill!"

His eyes immediately lit up. "It feels like if it could actually hit someone, even at a beginner level, its power would be no less than the Cloud Shattering Mountain Merging Palm."

"It would be good if this martial art skill could be mastered to its highest level, no, even just to a minor degree."

"With Hextech enhancements, I'll have a huge advantage in close-quarters combat."

A crazy thought even popped into Xiao Chen's mind, "What if I could cultivate this <Sky Burning Extreme Force> to its Great Accomplishment Realm?"

"Would it be possible to exchange blows with Spirit Transformation Venerable at very close range?"

The reason he thought this way was because the explosive power of this martial art was truly formidable.

However, after calming down a bit, Xiao Chen took the initiative to dismiss the thought, "Xiao Chen Xiao Chen, what are you thinking about all day long?"

"He learned a martial art and immediately started thinking about fighting at the Major Realm."

"Isn't this tantamount to deliberately taking a risk?"

"Instead of wasting that time and energy, you'd be better off thinking about how to break through to the Spirit Transformation."

"Even if you're going to fight someone of a higher level, you should go down to someone of a lower level."

Although initially, influenced by the newly acquired power, he became slightly arrogant.

However, Xiao Chen quickly adjusted his mindset.

For him, perhaps he can be more aggressive on a specific issue, after all, Hextech does give him a lot of leeway.

However, overall, we should still adhere to the principle of stability as the fundamental approach.

As the saying goes, "Despise the enemy strategically, but take the enemy seriously tactically."

Moreover, to be fair, given Xiao Chen's current conditions, breaking through to the Spirit Transformation is almost just a matter of time.

If it weren't for the need to ensure a high success rate, he could have gone into seclusion right now and tried to break through to the Spirit Transformation directly using the Mixed Color Phoenix Flower.

Theoretically, there's a 20% success rate.

However, Xiao Chen thought the success rate was too low, so he didn't do that.

He now controls two Cultivation World, especially the New Cultivation World, which is clearly a level higher than this one.

Of course, we can't miss out on such an advantage.

The next step is to exert effort from both ends simultaneously, aiming to achieve a 100% success rate in breaking through.

"Speaking of which, I should have finished forging my Complete Fusion Spirit Tool by now."

Thinking of the New Cultivation World, Xiao Chen also remembered the spear he had commissioned from Shattered Gold True Monarch.

Now that the breakthrough is complete, it's time to go and take a look over there.

However, he didn't rush to set off, but instead stayed in the Black Iron Cave Residence for another three days.

He also began to master the sword Sword Art he obtained from the Heavenly Dipper Sect.

Then they left the cave abode and found a secluded place to travel.