Holding the Heavenly Wind Secret Scroll in his hands, Fang Xi began trying to absorb its essence and incorporate it into his own Primordial Chaos True Skill.
"Hmm... refine the Spinal Dragon and thrust straight into the Mud Pill Palace. At that point, one reaches the Microcosmic Realm..."
After reading the description of the second step for Martial Masters, Fang Xi pondered deeply. "The Microcosmic Realm? The Mud Pill Palace?... So after breaking through the Mud Pill Palace, the second step for Martial Masters allows one to finely control the entire body and observe one's insides? Isn't that the same as the effect of my Spiritual Awareness?"
"Which means I reached this realm long ago... So for me, this second step is no different from not having one at all?"
"Cultivation truly surpasses Martial Arts by far... In that case, as long as I condense Fist Intent, I can quickly advance to become a second-step Martial Master..."
"As for the third step for Martial Masters, steel sinews and iron bones, I should also be able to quickly pass it by buying some pills that assist with bone refinement..."
"So, what I lack is the fourth step—uniting the spirit and energy?"
Using the resources of another world to rapidly break through the realms of Martial Arts was also something Fang Xi had learned from experience.
At this moment, he focused his attention on the sections concerning first-step Martial Masters in the Heavenly Wind Secret Scroll.
"Fist Intent is mysterious beyond words... Generally speaking, it represents a certain pinnacle of Martial Arts. If a member of the Huang Family learns the Heavenly Wind Secret Scroll, they only need to master the secret technique within it and practice constantly before they can gain some insight..."
"My Primordial Chaos True Skill was merely created from scratch, and no corresponding secret technique has yet emerged... Therefore, as long as I create a secret technique unique to the Primordial Chaos True Skill, I'll most likely be able to comprehend Fist Intent... This is the benefit of creating a school of Martial Arts on one's own!"
At this thought, Fang Xi set down the secret manual and took a jade bottle from his storage pouch.
After pulling out the stopper, he poured out a Qi and Blood Pill and stuffed it into his mouth.
"If the realms of Martial Artists and Martial Masters are like constructing a building, then a Martial Artist's physical qualities are the foundation, the base... The stronger the foundation, the greater the achievements!"
"Some exceptionally gifted Martial Artists can even defeat Martial Masters across realms! That's because their physical qualities are simply too powerful..."
"Therefore, replenishing qi and blood is also very important."
After swallowing the Qi and Blood Pill and feeling its medicinal power spread, Fang Xi walked out of the room and into the courtyard, where he began practicing Martial Arts.
Speaking of which, it was rather amusing.
At first, after he killed the Second Miss Huang, the entire city had hunted him down.
But after he killed Huang Yuanwu and dealt the Huang Family a heavy blow, although the wanted notice was still posted, the frequency of the citywide searches had instead dropped to almost nothing.
Even when he casually chose an abandoned residence, no one came to disturb him.
Clearly... those who wore shoes were all afraid of provoking this barefoot madman!
"Since I have the chance, I'll continue practicing!"
Fang Xi immersed himself in improving the Primordial Chaos True Skill.
To him, this was the most important goal.
As for the people from the White Cloud Martial Arts School and the others, they were all insignificant side matters...
"Primordial Chaos... Primordial Chaos..."
In the courtyard, Fang Xi wore only close-fitting short garments as he casually swung his fists and feet.
Every move looked utterly casual, like the clumsy techniques of a farmer.
But if a Martial Master had been present, they would have felt that every move seemed to contain supreme principles, leaving one endlessly savoring its meaning.
"A secret technique is the pinnacle crystallization that naturally emerges after Martial Arts have been practiced to the point of perfection!"
"My Hun Yuan Art draws from a hundred schools, but they don't coordinate well with one another, so I've been unable to create a secret technique... But it doesn't matter."
With the aid of the Qi and Blood Pill, Fang Xi's physique grew stronger once again.
And at this moment, the secret technique he had originally been unable to create finally showed a glimmer of hope!
While circulating his power, he seized a spark of inspiration and began striking out scattered moves.
"It failed..."
"Not like this..."
"The circulation of True Energy is wrong..."
"That move still needs adjustment..."
The sun set and the moon rose; the moon sank and the sun rose again. Time passed bit by bit without him realizing it.
Fang Xi was like a stonecutter, constantly carving away at the massive stone of the Primordial Chaos True Skill, allowing the jade hidden within to reveal itself to the world bit by bit.
Finally...
When the morning glow first draped itself over Fang Xi, his eyes suddenly flashed. He raised his right arm, brought his five fingers together into a palm, and slowly pressed it toward the front.
"Secret Technique—Primordial Chaos Limitless!"
Boom!
Terrifying True Energy erupted, blasting a small mountain before him into dust.
Rubble cascaded down!
Amid the stones filling the sky, Fang Xi stood upon the earth, the slowly rising morning sun behind him. "As the sun rises, as the Origin begins! This is my Fist Intent!"
After pondering out the secret technique of the Primordial Chaos True Skill, Fang Xi naturally comprehended Fist Intent, took one step forward, and became a first-step Martial Master!
Not only that!
His True Energy seeped into his Spinal Dragon, causing the great dragon to swim flexibly, controlling his entire body. It then effortlessly traveled upward along the Conception and Governor Vessels, breaking through the heavenly spirit and into the Mud Pill Palace!
"The second step for Martial Masters, the Microcosmic Realm, was something I reached long ago. Therefore, this step cannot become an obstacle either."
In an instant, Fang Xi took two steps along the road to becoming a Martial Dao Grandmaster!
"As for the third step, steel sinews and iron bones, it requires using the Microcosmic Realm as a foundation and tempering the bones and great sinews with True Energy every day, transforming them into something incomparably tough... It's a task that demands steady, painstaking effort."
"Although Daliang has very few spiritual medicines capable of accelerating this process, the Cultivation World has quite a few pills that assist in refining bones and sinews..."
"As for the final step, uniting the spirit and energy... it's a kind of insight and the most troublesome of all."
Fang Xi no longer had any doubts about his path.
As long as he completed these four steps, he could break through to become a Martial Dao Grandmaster, a True Gang Martial Saint!
Even in the Green Bamboo Mountain Market, a third-level Body Refining Cultivator could be considered a notable figure.
Southern Barrens Cultivation World.
After Fang Xi crossed over, he immediately checked the Protective Talisman.
Seeing that the talisman was still operating and that there were no signs that anyone had touched the other small mechanisms, he could not help but breathe a sigh of relief.
"As expected... Situ Qingqing's target wasn't me. It was most likely Chen Ping!"
"But how did Chen Ping attract the attention of the Situ Family?"
"Forget it. It has nothing to do with me."
"Though, over in Sanyuan City, causing trouble and then running away... that was exhilarating!"
After breaking through to the second-step Martial Master realm in Daliang this time, he followed the information he had previously obtained from the Monster Hunting Tower and went nearby to kill a Tiger Yao. He planned to sell it for spirit stones in the Southern Barrens and, while he was at it, buy pills that assisted in refining bones and great sinews.
Such pills were relatively unpopular. Most were prepared for Body Refining Cultivators, and they were quite expensive.
Fang Xi actually had another plan in mind.
Hunting yaoguai alone in Daliang was simply too slow.
Perhaps... he should compete with the Monster Hunter Association, or even directly swallow up its forces!
That way, he could enter the field Fang Xi was best at—scattering money!
He could purchase Yao Beast Meat in Daliang with gold and silver, then sell it in Green Bamboo Mountain in exchange for spirit stones. He would use most of the spirit stones himself, collect gold and silver with the rest, and transport them back to Daliang, forming a virtuous cycle!
"Unfortunately... although the Monster Hunter Association claims to be independent, nine-tenths of it is still backed by the government. There's most likely a Martial Dao Grandmaster among them... I can launch a surprise attack and leave, but I can't stay there at all times..."
With a trace of regret, Fang Xi arrived at the Green Bamboo Mountain Market.
This time, he had changed into a purple robe. Beneath his veil was the appearance of a young master, created by using True Energy to pull his sinews and lengthen his bones.
A breeze swept past, carrying wisps of chill.
Several ordinary plants beside the market had already turned somewhat yellow.
"Before I knew it, late autumn has arrived... I'll soon be eighteen as well..."
Fang Xi caught a fallen leaf and suddenly felt somewhat wistful.
But when he thought of his current situation, he was still far from being able to leisurely stop.
He gave a light laugh, crushed the withered leaf in his hand, and entered the formation completely.
Pill Cauldron Pavilion.
"Fellow Daoist, are you looking to purchase pills that assist in tempering bones and great sinews?"
Zhuo Luting remained as graceful as before. Every frown and smile carried an even gentler, more refined air.
After hearing Fang Xi's request, she pondered for a moment before introducing the products. "Our pavilion has the 'Jade Bone Pill,' a First-grade High-rank pill. It has the best effect for tempering bones... As for the great sinews, you can use 'Tiger Leopard Tendon Strengthening Paste.' Apply it to the areas where the great sinews need to be refined, and it can make them both firm and supple..."
"Not bad, not bad..."
Fang Xi asked in a low voice, "But I wonder... how much do they cost?"
He had already prepared himself to pay a painful price.
Sure enough, Zhuo Luting said with a beaming smile, "Jade Bone Pills cost thirty spirit stones per bottle, while Tiger Leopard Tendon Strengthening Paste costs twenty spirit stones per box. Fellow Daoist can first purchase one of each to try..."
"That expensive?"
Fang Xi put on a troubled expression.
"Not expensive, not expensive. You should know that the Jade Bone Pill is an auxiliary item only occasionally used by third-level Body Refining Cultivators... And the raw materials for the Tiger Leopard Tendon Strengthening Paste are difficult to find. It requires precious materials from first-grade Tiger Yaos and Leopard Yaos." Although Zhuo Luting smiled very gently, she firmly refused to offer a discount.
Fang Xi secretly rolled his eyes. "I only have a few spirit stones..."
Just as Zhuo Luting's expression turned cold, Fang Xi continued, "I wonder if you accept materials as payment at a discounted value?"
"This... our pavilion generally doesn't accept materials unless they're spirit herbs." Zhuo Luting thought for a moment before answering.
"What about Yao Beast materials?" Fang Xi took a tiger bone from his storage pouch. He had personally heard Zhuo Luting say that some medicinal pastes required Yao Beast materials. Surely she could not deny that now?
"A Yao Tiger?"
Zhuo Luting took out a small mirror that looked somewhat familiar to Fang Xi and shone it at the Yao Tiger.
Buzz, buzz!
Two faint rings of white light appeared.
"Fellow Daoist can actually hunt a First-grade Mid-rank Tiger Yao!" Zhuo Luting's expression immediately became much more respectful. She lightly bit her red lips. "I can give Fellow Daoist a fair price..."
A moment later, Fang Xi walked out of the Pill Cauldron Pavilion and happily patted his storage pouch.
The Jade Bone Pills and Tiger Leopard Tendon Strengthening Paste were lying intact inside. In addition, there were thirty more spirit stones.
"Sure enough, selling Yao Beasts is the way to earn spirit stones! What a pity..."
Fang Xi lowered his eyes. He had already sold Yao Beast Meat at the Hundred Skills Tower, to Di Qi, at the Rogue Cultivator market, and at the Pill Cauldron Pavilion.
So far, there had not been any problems. But if someone could contact all four places at the same time, they might discover some clues.
Moreover, the manager of the Green Bamboo Mountain Market would notice, if they carefully calculated, that the market had recently been seeing Yao Beast materials far too frequently...
If I continue acting without restraint, this probability will become abnormal, attract attention, and invite danger...
Just as Fang Xi was considering whether he should lie low for a while, the corner of his eye caught a flash of green.
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