"Fairly speaking, although Eagle Claw Iron Shirt is only a Houtian Martial Art, it combines Iron Shirt's defensive and impact-resistance abilities with Eagle Claw Grappling Hand's fierce attacks. It's already a decent Martial Art. Unfortunately... Hua Wu's grasp of it is mediocre."
Uncle Niu had long since grown disheartened. He did not even want to mention the Martial Artist circle anymore, nor did he want Hua Wu to take this path. He had barely taught him properly at all. Hua Wu had learned Eagle Claw Iron Shirt through stolen lessons.
Hua Wu was a fool as well. Once he came of age, he ran off to live on his own, and whenever he ran into problems, he never knew to swallow his pride and go back to ask for advice.
The result was that after practicing for more than a decade, he had only just reached minor mastery by relying on sheer stubborn determination.
"Young people never listen to advice. They take too many detours. Otherwise, with a good coach, you could at least have reached the level of major mastery."
With Hua Wu's memories, Zhong Shenxiu naturally knew how hard the man had worked at Martial Arts.
"It's just a pity that some things can't be achieved through diligence and hard work alone."
Zhong Shenxiu sat cross-legged and recalled the contents of the White Bone Daoist Scripture.
The cultivators of that world did not bother with Houtian at all. They started directly from Xiantian.
The White Bone Daoist Scripture's entry technique was also the White Bone Yin Demon Art. By cultivating White Bone True Qi and pairing it with the White Bone Grappling Hand, one would be nearly unmatched in the martial world.
Meditation, Entering Samadhi...
Zhong Shenxiu was extremely skilled at this step.
The next step was the crucial one: sensing Heaven and Earth Vital Energy.
If this world had no Heaven and Earth Vital Energy, he would be stuck right there. Just like in the martial-arts world where Young Master Shenxiu had made his name, the pinnacle of Houtian would be an insurmountable barrier!
Inhale, exhale. Inhale, exhale...
Zhong Shenxiu's breathing gradually became long and deep.
No one knew how much time had passed when his mind stirred. He sensed Heaven and Earth Vital Energy in the void—weak, but undeniably present!
"Looks like this world's ancient era had a slightly higher power level than the martial-arts world I transmigrated to."
With that thought arising, Zhong Shenxiu banished all other thoughts. He continued sitting cross-legged and cultivating, Refining Essence into Qi.
Strands of Heaven and Earth Vital Energy entered his body, coursed along the pathways of the White Bone Yin Demon Art, and transformed into True Qi with a somewhat chilly nature.
White Bone True Qi!
The instant this strand of True Qi was born, it began circulating through the meridians in his body, again and again, until it was completely exhausted.
"This White Bone True Qi seems to be highly beneficial for strengthening the tendons and bones."
Zhong Shenxiu rose to his feet. His entire skeleton cracked explosively. Then he looked down at himself and saw quite a bit of greasy grime, so he hurried to the bathroom, drew some water, and washed.
After leaving the bathroom, he wiped the droplets from his hair and saw a young man in his twenties reflected in the mirror. His features were mild, and his smile was as radiant as sunlight.
"I've finally entered Xiantian again."
He casually performed his Martial Arts, practicing White Bone Grappling Hand.
Since this grappling technique had been recorded in the Daoist scripture, it naturally possessed extraordinary qualities. Every move and stance struck from an inconceivable angle, sinister and vicious. Combined with White Bone True Qi, it possessed a unique and terrifying lethality.
When White Bone Grappling Hand also appeared as a skill in the Heavenly Show System, Zhong Shenxiu nodded in satisfaction.
"Since this place has no Vital Energy barrier, I can begin."
With a thought, he tugged at the idiot system.
[Consume 1 Heavenly Show Point to improve White Bone Yin Demon Art?]
"Yes!"
[White Bone Yin Demon Art improved!] [White Bone Yin Demon Art: Second Layer] [Consume 1 Heavenly Show Point to improve White Bone Yin Demon Art?]
"Yes!"
[White Bone Yin Demon Art improved!] [White Bone Yin Demon Art: Third Layer (Cannot Be Improved)]
[Detected that Eagle Claw Iron Shirt can be integrated into White Bone Grappling Hand. Integrate?]
"Forget it. There's barely any experience to gain from it anyway."
Zhong Shenxiu glanced over, and the attributes in the Heavenly Show System had become:
[Name: Hua Wu (Zhong Shenxiu)] [Eagle Claw Iron Shirt: Minor Mastery] [White Bone Grappling Hand: Entry Level] [White Bone Yin Demon Art: Third Layer (Cannot Be Improved)] [Heavenly Show Points: 1 (5%)] [Gate of Ten Thousand Doors: Awaiting Activation]
"Finally, the moment has come."
Zhong Shenxiu drew a deep breath, and his thoughts once again settled on the White Bone Yin Demon Art.
This Xiantian Martial Art had already been raised to its peak by him. White Bone True Qi surged turbulently through his body, even beginning to transform his bones and sending waves of tingling numbness through him.
This was the marrow-cleansing effect brought about by mastering the technique. Its wonders were endless.
But Zhong Shenxiu paid it no mind.
He lightly tapped with his thoughts, and feedback immediately came through.
[Consume 5 Heavenly Show Points and use White Bone Meditation Method to transform White Bone Yin Demon Art into White Bone Dharma Power?]
"Five Heavenly Show Points? Is this the price of possessing the complete subsequent Magic Incantation and following the White Bone inheritance path from Xiantian to Gangsha?"
The corners of Zhong Shenxiu's lips curled upward, gradually turning into carefree, hearty laughter.
Throughout history, how many martial artists had fallen at this step, spending their entire lives with no hope of entering the immortal gate?
Even those who obtained the Magic Incantation were often limited by aptitude, comprehension, opportunity, and other problems. They became stuck at some bottleneck, unable to advance, for years or decades. Some might even die of old age without breaking through!
But as long as he had enough Heavenly Show Points, all those barriers were as good as nonexistent!
"I've truly seen a glimmer of hope for immortality. I want to seize it."
Zhong Shenxiu said this to himself.
Bang, bang!
A dozen seconds later, a ferocious pounding came from the door.
"Who is it?"
Feeling that the atmosphere had been ruined, Zhong Shenxiu opened the door with an unpleasant expression.
"I'm your neighbor, Luo Xiaoqing. We've met a few times before."
Outside the door stood a beautiful, fashionably dressed woman with headphones hanging around her neck.
Luo Xiaoqing frowned. "Do you know that you used to make noise by punching the sandbag every day? I put up with it... but you went too far just now, didn't you? You laughed so loudly too. You're disturbing the neighbors! Do you believe I'll complain to the landlord about you?"
Remembering his broad movements while practicing White Bone Grappling Hand, along with his unrestrained laughter after discovering hope for immortality, Zhong Shenxiu apologized sincerely. "I'm sorry. It was my fault. Let me treat you to a feast at Sea Star Pavilion as an apology."
"Huh?"
Luo Xiaoqing looked him up and down. "I feel like you've changed a little. You're not trying to hit on me, are you?"
"It's simply a sincere apology." Zhong Shenxiu smiled warmly. "Besides... aren't you a streamer? Once you start streaming, are you really afraid I'll do anything to you?"
"That's true." Luo Xiaoqing confirmed it: this Hua Wu really was trying to hit on her.
However, the seafood at Sea Star Pavilion was simply too delicious.
Unable to resist, she smiled. "Then I'll give you a chance."
"Wonderful."
Zhong Shenxiu happily hailed a taxi and took Luo Xiaoqing to Sea Star Pavilion, where he directly ordered the most expensive table of seafood, a Feast of Sea and Sky priced at 1,999 Star Yuan.
The two of them devoured the food with great gusto, eating until they were both delighted.
After the meal, Luo Xiaoqing patted her stomach in satisfaction. "It'd be wonderful if I could eat like this every day. Let's pay the bill."
Zhong Shenxiu silently pushed his wallet forward. "All my money is in here."
Luo Xiaoqing suddenly felt a chill crawl over her scalp. She opened the wallet and looked inside.
"Ah!!!"
A wail rang out through the private room. "There's only thirty-three yuan and eighty cents?! Even the coins are all accounted for? Are you messing with me?"
"That's all the money I have... I spent the rest on bringing you here by taxi."
Before you continue