Studying Movement Techniques, Nie Wuya Reappears

Chapter 41: Studying Movement Techniques, Nie Wuya Reappears

The hustle and warmth of the New Year, like a ray of warm sun in winter, was brief yet precious. On the first day of the Lunar New Year, after exchanging New Year's greetings with the members of the Seventh Squad, Li Yifan returned to his quiet courtyard. The solitude after the excitement didn't make him uncomfortable; instead, it brought a sense of peace, a return to his true self. Strengthening his power was the most solid foundation for facing future storms. He decided to use these few precious holiday days to thoroughly master the introductory level of an important auxiliary skill—the Netherworld Ghost Shadow Steps, obtained from Li Heng's storage ring.

Inside the quiet room, sandalwood incense curled upwards. Li Yifan sat cross-legged, adjusted himself to his optimal state, and took out the cold-to-the-touch, coverless manual. Opening the inner pages, the distorted and strange ink characters—Netherworld Ghost Shadow Steps—and the annotation "Yellow Grade, top-tier, stealthy movement, like a ghost, like a phantom" met his eyes again.

"A Yellow Grade top-tier movement technique..." Li Yifan's gaze was sharp. He knew the importance of a high-grade movement technique, especially in life-or-death combat. Superior movement skills could often decide victory or defeat, even life or death. Li Heng's ability to repeatedly escape the pursuit of the Xuntian Guard owed much to this peculiar movement technique.

He calmed his mind, cast aside distracting thoughts, and began to study the manual word by word, sentence by sentence. Unlike his previous cursory glance, this time he strove to understand every detail. However, as he read deeper, a look of surprise gradually appeared in his eyes.

This Netherworld Ghost Shadow Steps manual actually recorded an extremely pure movement technique! Its core lay in a series of exquisite and incredible footwork patterns, body-shifting techniques, and accompanying unique methods of force application and qi circulation. The manual explicitly stated that this movement technique was self-contained and did not rely on a specific internal energy cultivation method! Whether it was Yin-Cold True Qi, Yang-Strong True Qi, or even balanced and peaceful internal qi, as long as one followed its specific qi circulation method, channeled true qi into specific meridians and acupoints in the legs, and combined it with unique muscle force techniques, the ghostly effect could be achieved!

"So that's how it is!" Li Yifan's mind suddenly cleared. His previous worries about attribute conflicts were unfounded! The Netherworld Ghost Shadow Steps were not bound to the Phantom Demon Technique; it was an independent, extremely profound movement technique! Li Heng was able to unleash its full power because his own true qi was yin-cold, and he combined it with the illusionary effects of the Phantom Demon Technique, creating a "1+1>2" outcome. But even without the aid of Yin-Cold True Qi, the movement technique itself was enough to be ranked as a Yellow Grade top-tier!

This was undoubtedly fantastic news! It meant he could cultivate this top-tier movement technique without any obstacles!

Amidst his excitement, Li Yifan became even more focused on studying the manual. This movement technique was indeed profound, with tricky and strange footwork trajectories. Many turns and landing points completely defied common sense but subtly adhered to some natural principles. The accompanying qi circulation methods were also extremely detailed and complex, requiring the true qi to be divided into several streams, impacting and nourishing dozens of secondary meridians and acupoints in the legs with specific rhythm and intensity, thus erupting with astonishing speed and agility. The techniques for concealing one's presence and creating afterimages were even more exquisite, not simply hiding, but achieving an effect of "blending into the environment" or "deceiving perception" by controlling breathing, muscle tremors, and even true qi fluctuations.

On the first day, Li Yifan was completely immersed in deciphering and memorizing the manual. With his powerful mental strength, he firmly imprinted hundreds of footwork diagrams, qi circulation routes, and key points of force application into his mind, constantly simulating them in his consciousness. It wasn't until late at night that he had all the details of the first three basic footwork stages memorized by heart.

On the second day, as the first light of dawn broke, Li Yifan got up and began to practice. Following the qi circulation method described in the manual, he carefully guided a stream of pure Nine Yang True Qi, splitting it into several fine threads, and slowly injected it into the specific meridians of his legs. Nine Yang True Qi was extremely yang and powerful, slightly different from the yin and soft qi circulation method described in the manual. It was a bit sluggish at first, but with his precise control over true qi, he continuously adjusted its intensity and flow rhythm, gradually adapting it to the new path.

Then, he took his first step.

"Chh!" The foot landed strangely, and his center of gravity shifted instantly, bringing a strong sense of awkwardness. But he was prepared; he used his waist and hips to exert force, stabilizing himself. He carefully felt the sensation of true qi flowing through the meridians, as well as the sequence and angle of muscle force application.

Once, twice, ten times... Sweat quickly soaked his clothes. Every step, turn, sudden stop, and burst was accompanied by muscle soreness and extreme concentration in controlling his true qi. He strictly followed the manual's requirements, not pursuing speed, but only aiming for every movement to be precise, and the true qi circulation to be smooth and unimpeded.

By evening, after tens of thousands of repetitions and adjustments, the first three basic footwork stages had become much more proficient. His figure flickered and moved within the quiet room, his speed increasing, his footsteps landing silently, and his turns becoming tricky and unpredictable. He had already begun to take on a ghostly form. Although he couldn't yet create solid afterimages, when moving at high speed, blurry phantoms trailed behind him.

Just as he completed a set of fluid footwork and his body silently settled in the center of the quiet room like wisps of smoke, he suddenly felt something. It was as if an invisible barrier had been broken, and many key points of this movement technique suddenly became clear. Although it was only at the most rudimentary level, he had truly entered the hall.

With a thought, he brought up his status panel:

[Martial Skills]:

Netherworld Ghost Shadow Steps (Yellow Grade, top-tier) - Beginner (1/2000)

He succeeded! After two days of sleepless study and arduous practice, he had finally managed to cultivate the Netherworld Ghost Shadow Steps to the "Beginner" level! Although the proficiency was only at the starting 1/1000, it meant he had grasped the correct cultivation method and crossed the most difficult threshold.

For the next five days of the holiday, Li Yifan's life became extremely regular. Most of his time was devoted to improving the proficiency of the Netherworld Ghost Shadow Steps. He no longer confined himself to the quiet room but moved to the courtyard, practicing to his heart's content in a larger space. His footwork became smoother, his turns more bizarre, and his instantaneous burst speed increased. He became increasingly skilled at channeling true qi into the meridians of his legs, even beginning to try incorporating a trace of the scorching characteristic of Nine Yang True Fire into the moment of burst, because he knew that only what suited him best was the best; the effect of the same technique varied from person to person! On the panel, his proficiency slowly but steadily rose from [Beginner (1/2000)] to [Beginner (85/2000)].

At the same time, he did not neglect his foundation. Every day, he would spend time circulating the Nine Yang Burning Heaven Technique, consolidating his late-stage muscle refining cultivation, and nurturing the wisp of Nine Yang True Fire that had reached minor completion. Although the progress was slow, his foundation became increasingly solid.

Five days passed in a flash.

On the seventh day of the Lunar New Year, the festive atmosphere had not entirely dissipated, but the Qing Province Xuntian Guard headquarters had already returned to its usual solemnity and busyness. The morning bell rang, signifying the official end of the holiday.

Li Yifan changed into a brand-new Xuntian Guard black uniform, fastened his captain's waist token, and with high spirits, headed to the training ground where the Seventh Squad was located. The squad members had already assembled. Seeing Li Yifan arrive, they all straightened their backs, their eyes filled with reverence and anticipation. After the captain's return from seclusion, his aura was even more unfathomable, a fact everyone could sense.

"Captain!" they all saluted in unison.

Li Yifan's gaze swept over the familiar faces, and he nodded, "The New Year has passed. Everyone should focus on their duties, train diligently, and not slack off."

"Yes!"

After the routine roll call and morning drill, Li Yifan was about to lead the squad on a routine patrol mission when a personal guard of Commander Wang hurried over.

"Captain Li, the Battalion Commander requests your presence at the public office immediately. He has something important to discuss."

Li Yifan's heart stirred, sensing that something might happen. He instructed Qian Xiaoliu to temporarily lead the patrol and then quickly followed the guard towards Commander Wang's public office.

Inside the public office, the atmosphere was heavy. Commander Wang sat behind his desk, his brows furrowed. Xuntian Envoy Zhao Kuang was also present. Unlike his usual stance with arms crossed, he was sitting to the side, tapping his fingers on the table, his expression terrifyingly grim.

"Your subordinate, Li Yifan, pays his respects to Battalion Commander, Envoy Zhao." Li Yifan saluted.

"Yifan is here, sit." Commander Wang gestured to a chair below him. After Li Yifan sat down, he said gravely, "The New Year has just passed, and we should have let you rest for a few more days, but the situation is urgent and brooks no delay."

He picked up a dossier on his desk but did not hand it to Li Yifan. Instead, he said directly, "Three days ago, the entire family of the wealthy Zhang in Fuchang County, over thirty people, were all murdered overnight. Their deaths were tragic, their blood essence dried up."

Li Yifan's heart tightened; he immediately thought of the Corpse Demon Old Monster, Nie Wuya!

Commander Wang continued, "The evil aura left at the scene is identical to that of the 'Corpse Demon Old Monster,' Nie Wuya! This scoundrel dares to commit such a heinous bloodbath within my Qing Province territory; it's simply lawless!"

At this moment, Zhao Kuang slammed the table, suddenly stood up, his voice like thunder, filled with suppressed rage, "This old ghost! Last time I let him escape by luck, and now he dares to slaughter civilians! If I don't avenge this, I, Zhao Kuang, swear I'm not human!"

He turned to Li Yifan, his fierce eyes wide, radiating killing intent, "Yifan! This mission, I, myself, will lead the team! You, and your Seventh Squad, will all be assigned to the action group and accompany me to Fuchang County! I want to hunt down this Corpse Demon Old Monster and tear him to shreds!"

Commander Wang nodded and said to Li Yifan, "Yifan, Xuntian Envoy Zhao is personally taking command. Your Seventh Squad will be responsible for assisting in reconnaissance and tracking. You have had dealings with Nie Wuya and have some understanding of his aura and methods; this is your advantage. This journey is perilous, so you must obey Envoy Zhao's command in all actions and not act rashly!"

Li Yifan immediately stood up, cupped his fists, and said solemnly, "Your subordinate understands! I will do my utmost to assist Envoy Zhao in apprehending this villain!"

He understood that in this mission, the leader was the enraged Zhao Kuang. His role and that of his squad were more inclined towards assistance and reconnaissance. Facing the Blood Refining Realm Corpse Demon Old Monster, this was undoubtedly the most prudent arrangement. But it also meant that most of the real pressure and risk fell on Zhao Kuang's shoulders.

Zhao Kuang walked up to Li Yifan and patted his shoulder heavily. His tone softened slightly but still carried a steely edge, "Kid, get ready. Gather your men, and we depart from the training ground in one hour! Have the brothers check their equipment. This time, it's a tough fight!"

"Yes! Envoy!" Li Yifan responded in a deep voice, a fighting spirit rising in his heart. The first major task of the New Year had arrived. This time, he would no longer be fighting alone but would follow a strong individual to face a ferocious demon!