True Force Enters Marrow

Shantytown.

Inside the cellar.

Huuu... Haaa...

Terrifying waves of energy slammed against the walls, rippling outwards... as if forming a swirling current.

Fang Xi's upper body was bare, his chest heaving like a bellows.

With every breath, his Qi and Blood seemed to grow stronger, causing the muscles throughout his body to become like rubber, full of elasticity.

"The principle of the Iron Cloth Skill is counter-shock!"

"Once trained to the Great Accomplishment realm, even if a martial artist wields a blunt weapon, it won't cause much damage!"

Fang Xi took a fierce bite of Taisui Meat, closed his eyes, and meditated on the Divine Intent Diagram of the Iron Cloth Skill.

Time passed, he didn't know how long.

He suddenly opened his eyes: "It's done!"

Iron Cloth Skill Great Accomplishment, another breakthrough in True Force!

This time, he felt as if his entire body was covered in a transparent veil, greatly increasing his defense, especially in the chest and back areas!

These two areas were precisely where the White Cloud Palm and Red Snake Leg had deficiencies!

"Just as I predicted... With the spiritual energy of the cultivation world and the boost from Taisui Meat, my martial arts cultivation progresses at lightning speed! Breaking through is as simple as eating and drinking."

Fang Xi's eyes gleamed slightly.

Of course, this was also because he was already a True Force martial artist. Reaching this level in another martial art would naturally be much easier.

Not to mention, he had Spiritual Awareness to assist in comprehending the Divine Intent Diagram.

"However... the Iron Cloth Skill's overall boost to my True Force is already very small."

After observing himself internally for a while, Fang Xi felt a bit helpless.

The superposition of True Force martial arts wasn't as simple and crude as one plus one.

If the first breakthrough of Red Snake Leg increased True Force by ten, the second breakthrough of White Cloud Palm increased it by at most four or five.

Of course, a four or five percent increase in True Force already doubled his strength.

But... after that, Fang Xi scoured for martial arts and chose the Heavenly Sight Earthly Hearing Skill. After mastering it, the increase in True Force was only about two.

Now, with the breakthrough of the Iron Cloth Skill, the overall increase in True Force was probably less than one...

"In reality, it should be this way. A person's total Qi and Blood is limited, so there must be a limit... Otherwise, wouldn't martial artists become invincible by continuously stacking martial arts?"

"But in fact, this method of mixing martial arts yields diminishing returns, eventually approaching zero... Conversely, the problem of Qi and Blood conflict within a martial artist's body will continuously worsen!"

Suddenly, a few unhealthy shades of crimson appeared on Fang Xi's face, but he quickly suppressed them.

"I use Spiritual Awareness for internal observation and have tried my best to choose mutually non-conflicting martial arts, but I've reached my limit... Continuing like this would be more trouble than it's worth."

Not only that, but Fang Xi also relied on his terrifying internal observation ability to subtly adjust the four martial arts, making their Qi and Blood circulation more coordinated and reducing conflicts.

If a martial artist from the Great Liang World reached his current level, they would most likely be riddled with illnesses...

"Fortunately... after stacking four martial arts, my True Force can now cover most of my body."

In Da Liang martial arts, the Three Changes of Qi and Blood are foundational stages, collectively known as 'Martial Apprentices'!

Comprehending the Divine Intent Diagram and integrating True Force is 'Martial Artist'! This is comparable to the Body Refining First Level, which is the early stage of Qi Refining cultivators!

After True Force comes covering the entire body with True Force, tempering the internal organs, limbs, and bones... waiting for True Energy to be born naturally! This is the True Energy Martial Master!

A True Energy Martial Master is already comparable to a Body Refining Second Level body cultivator, which is a mid-stage Qi Refining cultivator!

Fang Xi is currently trying to achieve full-body coverage with True Force by stacking martial arts, thereby tempering his entire being.

The White Cloud Palm mainly trains the palms and arms, the Red Snake Leg trains the legs, the Iron Cloth Skill covers the main torso, and the Heavenly Sight Earthly Hearing Skill is a more niche technique, an unusual skill that increases eyesight and hearing, with the added effect of tempering the head.

"Unfortunately... I'm still missing a True Energy technique. Mu Canglong was, after all, only a True Force martial artist, and most of his understanding of subsequent operations was guesswork..."

Fang Xi lowered his eyelids: "It's time to slaughter the fattened Yuan He Mountain branch."

Although he had known for a long time that Yuan He Mountain was in the South City Gate district, he had never made a move.

This was mainly because Linghu Yang's martial arts had reached the True Energy Martial Master level, comparable to a cultivator at Body Refining Second Level.

Although he didn't have as many tricks as a cultivator, he wasn't easy to kill.

To be safe, he needed to raise his own strength to its current limit before making any plans.

Moreover... Black Stone City was now a large cage, and Linghu Yang couldn't escape! Therefore, there was no need to rush.

After all, as time passed, the one who would grow the fastest in strength was inevitably Fang Xi!

Green Bamboo Mountain Market.

Pill Cauldron Pavilion.

"Fellow Daoist, are you looking to purchase pills?"

A veiled guest arrived, and Zhuo Luting greeted them with a smile, her expression unchanged.

Cultivators generally preferred to keep their wealth hidden, and many concealed their appearance.

"I wish to purchase a type of pill medicine that primarily addresses several issues with the circulation of Qi and Blood within the body..."

Fang Xi spoke in a rough voice, explaining his requirements.

His physique had been further strengthened by several breakthroughs in Martial Arts, making him quite different from before.

Coupled with the mask, unless Zhuo Luting was a Foundation Establishment Great Cultivator, she absolutely wouldn't recognize him.

Although, it seemed like it wouldn't matter even if she did recognize him...

Zhuo Luting listened to his request, her smile unwavering. "The guest wishes to purchase a pill medicine to resolve conflicting Qi and Blood? Our pavilion does not have such a medicine..."

"It doesn't?" Fang Xi felt a faint disappointment.

Just then, Zhuo Luting continued with a smile, "Although we don't have it, if it's merely to resolve Qi and Blood conflicts for a Qi Refining Body Cultivator, Fellow Daoist can certainly commission our pavilion's alchemist to tailor-make a pill medicine for you... though the price..."

"I don't have that many Spirit Stones."

Fang Xi sighed.

In reality, he had known about this solution for a long time. For example, he could have asked a pharmacist at the Pill Cauldron Pavilion to examine him, diagnose him personally, write a prescription, and then have an alchemist refine a suitable pill. Such minor Qi and Blood conflicts could be resolved with ease.

However, firstly, he wasn't a direct descendant of a Foundation Establishment family, so he didn't have the face or the Spirit Stones for such a service.

Secondly, a thorough physical examination would inevitably expose his peculiarities, and he might even have to hand over his cultivation techniques, which was absolutely unacceptable.

Therefore, he no longer hesitated and turned to leave.

Just then, Zhuo Luting spoke again, "If Fellow Daoist isn't seeking a complete cure, I might have a method to alleviate the symptoms!"

"Oh? What method is that?"

Fang Xi stopped, his eyes gleaming as he stared intently at Zhuo Luting.

"According to your description, the Qi and Blood conflict is a minor issue. As long as one's foundation is deep, it won't cause much trouble. Just as water can extinguish fire, a single drop cannot douse a mountain blaze..." Zhuo Luting explained, "Our pavilion has the 'Qi and Blood Pill,' a Grade 1 Mid-tier medicine, primarily for Body Cultivators. It increases the cultivator's vital essence and blood, strengthening the foundation... If one's foundation is already solid and deep, even with minor issues, it won't affect future progress. However, this merely masks the problem, it doesn't cure it, and the issue will inevitably become more severe in the next major realm..."

"Qi and Blood Pill?"

Fang Xi's voice remained steady, but his mind raced.

This Qi and Blood Pill could increase a person's total Qi and Blood capacity. In the Great Liang World, it was a supreme divine medicine for improving Martial Arts aptitude!

In other words, if Fang Xi had taken a Qi and Blood Pill back then, he might not have been considered a Martial Arts prodigy...

This female cultivator makes sense...

If my total Qi and Blood increases, I can at least practice a few more martial arts...

As long as my physical foundation is deep, even if there are Qi and Blood conflicts within me, as long as I can suppress them, it won't be a major issue...

What if I break through to Martial Master before the hidden danger erupts?

After careful consideration, Fang Xi nodded in agreement. "What is the price of this Qi and Blood Pill?"

A Grade 1 Mid-tier pill medicine would surely cost more than a Clear Spirit Pill.

He already had a bad feeling about it.

As expected, a hint of excitement appeared on Zhuo Luting's face, and she opened her red lips. "Five Spirit Stones per pill."

"Damn the Pill Cauldron Pavilion... they're robbing us of Spirit Stones..."

In the shantytown, Fang Xi looked at the blood-red pill in his hand, his entire face falling.

To afford this single Qi and Blood Pill, he had not only spent all his savings and sold all his stored Spirit Rice but also borrowed four Spirit Stones from Chen Ping, Di Qi, and others.

He had agreed to repay them in a month, and with interest, a total of five Spirit Stones!

"Damn it, once I have Spirit Stones, I'll take Qi and Blood Pills one after another and just discard them..."

Fang Xi vowed inwardly, then swallowed the Qi and Blood Pill in one gulp and closed his eyes to refine it with his Magical Power.

Soon, he felt the pill's effects, a warmth spreading throughout his body.

The previous tension in his limbs and bones disappeared, replaced by a sense of relief.

"As expected, the Qi and Blood Pill works!"

A hint of joy appeared in Fang Xi's eyes.

"The so-called Qi and Blood conflict is like having several ferocious beasts in a house. If the territory is too small, conflicts and friction are inevitable, leading to fights that could collapse the house..."

"The principle of the Qi and Blood Pill is to reinforce and enlarge the room... Although the beasts are still there, the house is less likely to collapse..."

"Since the beasts still exist, it's a case of treating the symptoms, not the root cause."

After a long while.

Fang Xi stood up and looked at the black, foul-smelling impurities seeping from his body, mixed with blood. He gave a wry smile and went outside to fetch water to wash himself clean.

Once he felt refreshed in body and mind, he changed into clean clothes and lay on a bamboo chair, gazing up at the night sky. "How long has it been... since I put everything aside and truly looked at this starry sky."

With the Spiritual Awareness of a cultivator and the pill, the so-called dead end was a joke to him.

But it wasn't until now that Fang Xi felt a sense of true relief.

In this stillness, he seemed to hear a gurgling sound like a flowing stream.

When Fang Xi focused, he realized the stream sound came from within his own body; it was... the sound of his Qi and Blood flowing.

Crack! Crack!

A series of explosions erupted from his body, each joint popping like bursting beans, his bones and muscles singing in unison!

"This is... True Force entering the bones, beginning the marrow refinement?"

Fang Xi's eyes lit up.

True Force had now reached an extremely high level, just one step away from spontaneously generating True Strength!