Rapid Improvement (Seeking Collection)

"To be fair, although Eagle Claw Iron Shirt is only an Acquired martial art, it combines the defensive and damage-resistant capabilities of Iron Shirt with the fierce attacks of Eagle Claw Grappling Hand. It's already a decent martial art, unfortunately... Hua Wu's mastery is mediocre."

Uncle Niu had long since lost all hope, not even wanting to bring up the martial artist circles or have Hua Wu walk that path. He hadn't properly taught him much at all. Hua Wu had actually stolen the Eagle Claw Iron Shirt techniques.

Hua Wu was also a simpleton. Once he became an adult, he ran off to live alone and didn't know how to swallow his pride to go back and ask for guidance when he encountered problems.

The result was that after practicing for over a decade, he had only barely reached the Minor Accomplishment stage through sheer willpower.

"Youngsters don't listen to advice and end up taking the long way around. If you had a good coach, you could have at least reached the Great Accomplishment stage."

Zhong Shenxiu, possessing Hua Wu's memories, naturally knew how hard the latter had worked at martial arts.

"It's a pity, though. Some things aren't achievable through diligence and effort alone."

Zhong Shenxiu sat down cross-legged, recalling the contents of the White Bone Daoist Scripture.

The cultivators in that world didn't bother with the Acquired stage, starting directly from the Innate.

The White Bone Daoist Scripture's introductory technique was the White Bone Yin Demon Art, which cultivated White Bone True Qi and was paired with a set of White Bone Grappling Hand techniques, making him almost unrivaled in the martial world.

Meditation, entering samadhi...

Zhong Shenxiu performed this step with practiced ease.

The next step was the crucial one: sensing the world's spiritual energy.

If this world had no spiritual energy, he would be completely stuck, just like in the famous Jianghu world of Young Master Shenxiu, where peak Acquired was the limit!

Inhale, exhale, inhale, exhale...

Zhong Shenxiu's breathing gradually deepened.

He didn't know how much time had passed when his spirit stirred, sensing the spiritual energy in the void. It was faint, but undeniably present!

"It seems the ancient era of this world has a higher energy level than the Wuxia world I transmigrated to."

As Zhong Shenxiu's thought arose, all other thoughts vanished. He continued to sit cross-legged, refining essence into qi.

Strands of spiritual energy entered his body, flowing through the pathways of the White Bone Yin Demon Art, transforming into a type of True Qi with a colder nature.

White Bone True Qi!

As soon as this True Qi was formed, it began circulating along his internal meridians, looping round and round until it was completely consumed.

"This White Bone True Qi seems to be very beneficial for strengthening tendons and forging bones."

Zhong Shenxiu stood up, his bones cracking loudly. He then looked at his body and saw a lot of greasy dirt, so he quickly went to the bathroom to fetch water and wash up.

After leaving the bathroom, he wiped the water droplets from his hair and saw his reflection in the mirror: a young man in his early twenties with a peaceful face and a smile as bright as sunshine.

"Finally, I've entered the Innate stage again."

He casually practiced his martial arts, specifically the White Bone Grappling Hand.

Since this grappling hand technique was included in the Daoist scripture, it naturally possessed extraordinary qualities. Every move and stance was delivered from an incredible angle, insidious and vicious. Paired with the White Bone True Qi, it had a unique lethality.

When the White Bone Grappling Hand appeared as a skill in the Heavenly Show System, Zhong Shenxiu nodded in satisfaction:

"Since there are no spiritual energy limitations here, I can begin."

With a thought, he nudged the idiotic system:

[Do you wish to spend 1 Heavenly Show Point to upgrade the White Bone Yin Demon Art?]

"Yes!"

[White Bone Yin Demon Art upgraded!]

[White Bone Yin Demon Art: Level 2]

[Do you wish to spend 1 Heavenly Show Point to upgrade the White Bone Yin Demon Art?]

"Yes!"

[White Bone Yin Demon Art upgraded!]

[White Bone Yin Demon Art: Level 3 (Cannot be upgraded further)]

[Detected that Eagle Claw Iron Shirt can be integrated into White Bone Grappling Hand. Do you wish to merge?]

"I'll skip this one. It doesn't give much experience anyway."

Zhong Shenxiu glanced at his attributes in the Heavenly Show System, which now read:

[Name: Hua Wu (Zhong Shenxiu)]

[Eagle Claw Iron Shirt: Minor Accomplishment]

[White Bone Grappling Hand: Novice]

[White Bone Yin Demon Art: Level 3 (Cannot be upgraded further)]

[Heavenly Show Points: 1 (5%)]

[Gate of Ten Thousand Doors: To be opened]

"Finally, this moment has arrived."

Zhong Shenxiu took a deep breath, his focus remaining on the White Bone Yin Demon Art.

This Innate martial art had been honed to its peak by him. The White Bone True Qi surging within his body was even beginning to remodel his bones, sending waves of tingling sensations through him.

This was the marrow-cleansing effect that came with mastering the art, its benefits immeasurable.

But Zhong Shenxiu paid it no mind.

With a gentle mental nudge, a response appeared:

[Consume 5 Heavenly Show Points to combine with the White Bone Meditation Method and upgrade the White Bone Yin Demon Art to White Bone Mana?]

"Five Heavenly Show Points? Is this the price for having the complete subsequent cultivation method, following the White Bone inheritance path, and breaking through from Innate to Gang Sha?"

A slight smile curved Zhong Shenxiu's lips, which soon turned into unrestrained laughter.

Throughout history, how many martial artists had faltered at this step, forever barred from the immortal path?

Even with the cultivation method, they were often held back by talent, comprehension, or even luck, stuck at a certain bottleneck, unable to advance for years, decades, or even until old age!

But these obstacles, as long as he had enough Heavenly Show Points, were as if they didn't exist!

"I've truly seen a sliver of hope for eternal life, and I want to grasp it."

Zhong Shenxiu said to himself.

Bang bang!

A few seconds later, fierce knocking echoed through the door.

"Who is it?"

Feeling the atmosphere broken, Zhong Shenxiu opened the door, his expression displeased.

"I'm your neighbor, Luo Xiaoqing. We've met a few times before."

At the door stood a stylish young woman with headphones around her neck.

Luo Xiaoqing frowned. "Do you know how much noise you used to make every day hitting that sandbag? I tolerated it... But you went too far just now? Laughing so loudly, it's practically disturbing the peace. Do you believe I'll report you to the landlord?"

Zhong Shenxiu recalled his vigorous practice of the White Bone Grappling Hand and his triumphant laughter upon discovering the hope for eternal life. He apologized sincerely. "My apologies, it was my fault. Let me treat you to a big meal at Sea Star Pavilion as compensation."

"Oh?"

Luo Xiaoqing sized Zhong Shenxiu up. "You seem a bit different. Are you trying to hit on me?"

"It's purely an apology," Zhong Shenxiu smiled gently. "Besides... aren't you a streamer? If you're live, what can I do to you?"

"That's true." Luo Xiaoqing confirmed that this Hua Wu was indeed trying to hit on her.

However, the seafood at Sea Star Pavilion was just too delicious.

She couldn't resist and chuckled, "I'll give you a chance then."

"That's great."

Zhong Shenxiu happily hailed a taxi and took Luo Xiaoqing to Sea Star Pavilion. He directly ordered the most expensive set meal, the "Ocean Feast," priced at 1999 star dollars.

The two ate heartily, enjoying themselves immensely.

After the meal, Luo Xiaoqing patted her stomach contentedly. "It would be great if I could eat like this every day. Let's settle the bill."

Zhong Shenxiu silently pushed his wallet forward. "All the money I have is in here."

Luo Xiaoqing suddenly felt a prickle of unease. She opened the wallet and looked.

"Ah!!!"

A wail erupted from the private room. "Only thirty-three dollars and eighty cents?! Exactly? Are you kidding me?"

"This is all the money I have... I spent the rest on your taxi."