Elder Huo

Because Jiang Chen cultivated the Sky Devouring Demonic Dragon Art, the circulation of the technique constantly strengthened his physical body.

Jiang Chen's physical body was far more powerful than cultivators of the same level, making the Draw Sword Slash very suitable for him to practice.

If it were combined with the Sky Annihilation Strike secret technique, his original strength would be multiplied by five, and then further amplified by the ten-fold enhancement of Sky Annihilation Strike, resulting in a fifty-fold bonus.

The power of a single slash like that was unimaginable. With Jiang Chen's current strength, if he unleashed Draw Sword Slash and Sky Annihilation Strike simultaneously, there wouldn't be many people in the Martial Master Realm who could withstand it.

Unless the opponent was a Martial Grandmaster Realm expert.

"This one it is." Jiang Chen chose Draw Sword Slash.

Next, Jiang Chen also selected a second-tier palm technique martial skill, Blazing Flame Palm, which could condense true qi into flames, delivering explosive damage to enemies.

There was also a second-tier movement technique, Soaring Wave Steps.

And a second-tier saber technique martial skill, Great Desolate Saber Art.

Great Desolate Saber Art was a powerful martial skill characterized by grand, sweeping movements.

Each second-tier martial skill cost two hundred spirit stones.

Draw Sword Slash, Blazing Flame Palm, Soaring Wave Steps, and Great Desolate Saber Art totaled four techniques, costing Jiang Chen eight hundred spirit stones.

"A total of eight hundred spirit stones," Elder Huo said.

Jiang Chen then paid the spirit stones and began copying the techniques on the side. After he finished, he returned the original martial skill books to Elder Huo.

"Jiang Chen, I heard recently that your cultivation was crippled. It seems that was just a rumor," Elder Huo suddenly said.

Jiang Chen's heart tightened, worried that his secret had been discovered.

The secret of the Sky Devouring Pearl must not be revealed to others. If such a heaven-defying cultivation technique became known, it could easily lead to a deadly calamity.

Jiang Chen's dantian had been replaced by the Sky Devouring Pearl; the Sky Devouring Pearl was Jiang Chen's new dantian.

"That was just the kid's good luck. My dantian wasn't broken, so my cultivation is still intact," Jiang Chen replied.

"Hmm, that you could escape that ordeal shows your fortune is not bad. It seems you like using sabers. I have a saber technique here, ranked fifth-tier. If you can help me accomplish one task, I will impart it to you, how about it?" Elder Huo said.

"A fifth-tier martial skill!" Jiang Chen gasped.

A fifth-tier martial skill was definitely the stuff of legends in Qingyue Town.

The Elder Huo before him actually possessed a fifth-tier martial skill.

Mind you, openly speaking, the strongest martial skills of the three great families were only fourth-tier, and there were very few of them, perhaps only two or three, which were treated like treasures.

Now, Elder Huo was claiming to have a fifth-tier martial skill, how could Jiang Chen not be astonished?

"My strength is limited. Even if there's a fifth-tier martial skill, I wouldn't be able to cultivate it," Jiang Chen said, not immediately agreeing.

The reward offered for a fifth-tier martial skill meant the condition wouldn't be easy to fulfill.

Elder Huo looked at Jiang Chen with appreciation. He was surprised that Jiang Chen could remain so clear-headed when faced with the temptation of a fifth-tier martial skill.

If it were anyone else, they would have eagerly asked about the conditions just to obtain the fifth-tier martial skill.

"My fifth-tier martial skill is rather special. It only requires the Martial Artist Realm to cultivate. It has a total of twenty-five stances. Martial Artist Realm cultivators can practice five stances, Martial Master Realm five stances, Martial Grandmaster Realm five stances, Martial King Realm five stances, and Martial Emperor Realm five stances. Each major realm is suitable for practicing five stances. It's much stronger than your Great Desolate Saber Art," Elder Huo said.

"Martial Emperor Realm." Jiang Chen's heart trembled. This Elder Huo possessed such an astonishing fifth-tier martial skill. Could he be an unparalleled expert?

However, Jiang Chen couldn't sense Elder Huo's realm at all; he seemed to have no aura.

Either Elder Huo truly had no cultivation, or his realm surpassed the Martial King Realm, reaching the Martial Emperor Realm or above, which was why Jiang Chen couldn't detect it.

Jiang Chen could detect the cultivation of cultivators who were no more than three major realms above his own.

But then he thought it was impossible. How could a mere Jiang Family possibly have a Martial Emperor Realm expert guarding it?

That was simply unrealistic.

"I wonder what conditions Senior requires?" Jiang Chen asked.

"How about this: in the Great Desolate Mountain Range, there is a place called Snake King Valley. There is a spiritual herb there called Red Snake Flower. If you collect one hundred stalks and bring them back, and you complete the task, I will give you the fifth-tier saber technique martial skill, how about it?" Elder Huo said.

"Snake King Valley." Jiang Chen was startled.

Snake King Valley was a valley inhabited by numerous snake-like Demonic Beasts. It was rumored that there was a fourth-tier great snake within, equivalent to a human Martial Grandmaster Realm expert. Ordinary people dared not enter, fearing they might encounter this Snake King.

These snake-like Demonic Beasts all respected the fourth-tier Snake King and gathered in Snake King Valley.

Snake King Valley was well-known in Qingyue Town.

He hadn't expected Elder Huo to send him to such a dangerous place.

"Senior, this is too dangerous," Jiang Chen refused.

If the Snake King were a third-tier Demonic Beast, Jiang Chen would definitely dare to go, but a fourth-tier... Jiang Chen was a bit timid. After all, he only had one life.

It wasn't worth risking entering Snake King Valley for a fifth-tier martial skill.

Besides, this was just Elder Huo's promise; he didn't know if Elder Huo truly possessed a fifth-tier martial skill.

"I know you doubt the truth of my words. How about this: I will teach you the first five stances of the martial skill first as a deposit. When you return after completing the task, I will teach you the remaining twenty stances, how about it?" Elder Huo said.

"I'll take a look at the martial skill first before making a decision," Jiang Chen replied.

If he could obtain the first five stances of the martial skill and confirm its power, then he might consider risking entering Snake King Valley.

"Alright, these are the first five stances of the martial skill," Elder Huo said, taking a small booklet from his person and handing it to Jiang Chen.

Jiang Chen took it and, after a moment of reading, his face showed shock. This was indeed a high-tier martial skill, no doubt.

"You don't need to doubt it. I can guide your cultivation, try its power," Elder Huo said.

Following that, under Elder Huo's guidance, Jiang Chen successfully cultivated the first five stances.

Jiang Chen was overjoyed. This was indeed much more powerful than the Great Desolate Saber Art, and it greatly tempted Jiang Chen.

Elder Huo was also shocked by Jiang Chen's talent. He had only explained it twice, and Jiang Chen had grasped the essentials and successfully cultivated it.

Such comprehension truly startled Elder Huo.

Back then, Elder Huo himself had needed more than ten pointers before he began to grasp the basics.

But Jiang Chen, after just two explanations, directly mastered the essentials and got started.

However, despite his inner shock, Elder Huo showed no outward reaction.

"Not bad, mastering the first five stances in such a short time," Elder Huo said calmly.

"Elder Huo, I, Jiang Chen, accept this condition. I will bring back one hundred Red Snake Flowers," Jiang Chen said.

"Good, then I will await your good news. Snake King Valley is dangerous, you must be careful," Elder Huo said.

"Okay," Jiang Chen nodded.

With that, Jiang Chen left the Martial Arts Pavilion and headed home.

Watching Jiang Chen's retreating figure, a sharp glint flashed in Elder Huo's eyes.

"I never expected such a genius with such high comprehension to be in the mere Jiang Family," Elder Huo thought.

He still needed to prepare many things before re-entering the Great Desolate Mountain Range. His next target: Snake King Valley.

As long as he found one hundred Red Snake Flowers, the fifth-tier martial skill would be his. Thinking of this, Jiang Chen was excited.

A fifth-tier martial skill, a skill that countless people dreamed of?

This also made Jiang Chen feel that Elder Huo was no ordinary person.