Condensing the Second Strand of Qi and Blood Force!

Chu Fan stood in the room, settling into the stance of Twelve Forms Boxing, as steady as an old tree rooted deep in the earth.

After regulating his breathing for a moment, he slowly closed his eyes.

At first, he followed the method he had used to condense the first strand of Qi and Blood, sinking his intent into his Dantian and stirring the Blood Qi throughout his body.

Cao Shi had once said that condensing the second strand of Qi and Blood was far more difficult than condensing the first.

As for the third strand, its difficulty was several times greater than that of the second.

Only someone with such vigorous Blood Qi as Zhao Tianxing would begin condensing the second strand the very next day after forming the first.

For anyone else, they would rest for at least three days, or as long as seven or eight, before daring to try.

Chu Fan was not sure whether he could succeed tonight.

But his Twelve Forms Boxing had already reached Major Accomplishment, and his ability to circulate Qi and Blood surpassed even Zhao Tianxing's.

If he did not give it a try, he would never be at ease.

After spending some time, Chu Fan sensed the Qi and Blood Force scattered through his Limbs and Bones. He then opened his eyes and slowly began performing Twelve Forms Boxing.

As his fists moved, strand after thin strand of Qi and Blood Force was drawn toward his Dantian.

But the moment there was any movement, he sensed that something was wrong—

The few strands of Qi and Blood in his Dantian seemed to have become sluggish.

No matter how he urged them, they only circulated slowly, showing not the slightest sign of merging together.

"Why was it this difficult?"

Chu Fan's expression tightened slightly.

When he had condensed the first strand of Qi and Blood, it had also taxed his mind, but it had been nowhere near as sluggish as today.

At this moment, he felt as if invisible obstructions had formed within his Meridians. Drawing in new Qi and Blood Force was like rowing against the current; every step forward cost several times more mental effort!

Chu Fan did not dare slacken. He immediately recited the mantra of Twelve Forms Boxing in silence and increased his punching speed by thirty percent.

His Shoulder and Neck sank slightly, carrying the steady intent of the Bear Form;

His Fingertips trembled faintly, yet held the nimble charm of the Snake Form...

After reaching Major Accomplishment in Twelve Forms Boxing, his control over the Blood Qi within his body had long surpassed that of ordinary martial artists.

Intent moved with form, and Qi turned with intent.

Chu Fan silently circulated his cultivation method, gathering the scattered Qi and Blood Force All over the body into his Dantian, bit by bit.

At first, the new Qi and Blood Force was as thin and weak as silk, flickering in and out through his Meridians. The slightest lapse would cause it to collapse.

Fortunately, he forcibly suppressed it, and only then did this new Blood Qi barely take shape.

As the new Blood Qi joined in, the strand of Qi and Blood Force that had barely formed in his Dantian gradually grew stronger as well.

Chu Fan focused his mind and calmed his breath. Using the wondrous state of "Form and Intent Unite" from Twelve Forms Boxing, he carefully guided the new Blood Qi. Like a craftsman carving Uncarved Jade, he did not dare show even half a trace of impatience.

Blood-colored Moonlight shone through the window and fell across him, adding a touch of sinister eeriness to his figure.

Only when the Qi and Blood Force had successfully condensed to the thickness of a hemp rope did Chu Fan let out a breath of relief and begin driving it swiftly through his body.

His punches grew faster and faster...

Previously, he had performed Twelve Forms Boxing to draw Blood Qi into his Dantian.

But now, he performed the forms to temper this newly condensed Blood Qi.

If there was even the slightest error in this step, the Blood Qi would collapse, and all his prior efforts would be washed away!

After practicing Twelve Forms Boxing several times that morning, Chu Fan had not moved again until nightfall—for the sake of restoring his body to its best condition so he could condense this second strand of Qi and Blood.

Tempering this new Blood Qi now felt to him like reining in a Runaway Horse.

The surging Blood Qi coursed through his body, and wherever it passed, his Meridians seemed ready to burst apart!

When he had condensed the first strand of Qi and Blood last time, he had never suffered such pain.

It was as though countless giant pythons were crashing about and tearing through his Meridians...

The slightest lack of strength, or moment of distraction, would force him to start all over again!

Pah!

Pah!

Chu Fan increased his punching speed again. His fist wind tore through the air, producing sharp sounds.

More than two hours passed...

Chu Fan was drenched in sweat, and his hands and feet had begun to tremble slightly.

If not for his vigorous Blood Qi and his foundation of Major Accomplishment in Twelve Forms Boxing, he would likely have been utterly exhausted and given up halfway through!

"Just a little more!"

Gritting his teeth, Chu Fan guided the first strand of Qi and Blood Force already within his Dantian closer to the new Qi and Blood Force.

Under his control, the two forces first tested each other, then slowly intertwined—like two Swimming Dragons circling and weaving together within his Dantian!

The process remained difficult.

The new Qi and Blood Force seemed resistant. Every time it merged with the old Qi and Blood Force, Chu Fan had to forcibly reconcile them through the method of Circulating Qi and Blood from Twelve Forms Boxing.

He constantly changed his Moves: at times, he was as fierce as a Tiger Pounce, driving the Blood Qi onward;

At times, he was as gentle and unhurried as Snake Entanglement, dissolving the sluggishness between the Blood Qi.

Another incense stick's worth of time passed...

A faint weng suddenly sounded from within Chu Fan's Dantian.

After the two streams of Blood Qi merged and separated again, they unexpectedly formed a Taiji pattern!

A warm current rose from his Dantian and flowed through his Limbs and Bones. Wherever it passed, his Meridians felt unblocked, and strength sprang forth on its own!

"It worked!"

A sharp gleam flashed through Chu Fan's eyes.

He could clearly feel that the Qi and Blood Force within his body was several times stronger than before!

His control over Qi and Blood Force had also become increasingly effortless!

He stretched his limbs and felt as if he had inexhaustible strength throughout his body.

With every movement of his hands and feet, he could clearly sense the Blood Qi surging within him, perfectly fitting the profound intent of Twelve Forms Boxing!

But performing the forms for so long and Circulating Qi and Blood had also depleted his Blood Qi and drained his spirit...

If his Twelve Forms Boxing had not reached Major Accomplishment, granting him an ability to Circulate Qi and Blood far beyond ordinary people, this second strand of Qi and Blood might not have formed tonight.

With that thought, Chu Fan no longer even had the strength to test his new Blood Qi...

He fell onto the bed and immediately slept like the dead.

Early the next morning.

The repeated sounds of thump, thump, thump from the courtyard startled him awake.

Chu Fan climbed out of bed, placed both hands on the windowsill, and looked outside—only to see Zhao Tianxing grabbing Stone Locks and tossing them back and forth.

"Did you take the wrong medicine? Throwing Stone Locks around at dawn!"

Chu Fan could not help cursing.

Zhao Tianxing threw a Stone Lock to the ground, making even Chu Fan's room seem to shake twice before he said, "You used to be the earliest one up. Why were you so late today?"

This kid had also tried condensing the second strand of Qi and Blood last night, so how was he still looking so full of vigor?

Chu Fan asked, "Did you condense your second strand of Qi and Blood?"

Zhao Tianxing laughed heartily. "Nope, I failed!"

He could still be so happy after failing. Sure enough, he was completely carefree... Chu Fan could not help rolling his eyes.

But failure was normal.

Cao Shi had already warned them that after condensing the first strand of Qi and Blood, it was best to rest for several days before trying again.

Even with his Twelve Forms Boxing at Major Accomplishment, he had nearly failed last night. Though he had succeeded in the end, he still had not recovered—he was groggy, as if he had not slept for three days and nights.

Zhao Tianxing waved a hand. "I'm going out to practice archery! After resting for two days, I'll try condensing the second strand of Qi and Blood again."

At that, he asked mysteriously, "Do you know where I practice archery?"

Why would I care where you practiced? Chu Fan ignored him and turned to leave.

But Zhao Tianxing refused to let it go. He chased after him to the window and said, "I'm going to practice in the woods southeast of the Seven Star Gang branch—Senior Sister Qingxue practices her saber there every day!"

Chu Fan paused slightly at those words. He turned and glanced at him, his voice carrying a touch of helplessness. "Go if you want, but be careful. Don't let her split you in two with a single slash."

Zhao Tianxing chuckled and strode out with his bow and arrows on his back.

Chu Fan washed his face with cold water, and only then did he feel a little more alert.

After loosening up his limbs, he walked into the courtyard and stood still.

[Cultivation: Foundation Establishment First Stage, Blood Nourishment 99%]

Once he condensed the third strand of Qi and Blood, the Blood Nourishment realm would truly be complete.

After glancing at the panel, Chu Fan clenched his Right fist. Blood Qi circulated over his fist, faintly giving off a layer of pale red radiance...

This was proof that his strength had risen greatly after condensing the second strand of Qi and Blood!

When Blood Qi merged together, it could twist the strength of the entire body into a single rope, a single burst of force...

That was why martial artists possessed such tremendous power. Their Fists and Palms could Split Stone, and with bare hands, they could tear Tigers and Leopards apart!

Chu Fan stepped back with his right foot and threw a series of punches into the empty air ahead!

Pah!

Pah!

Clear Sounds of breaking through the air erupted.

His fists rubbed against the air as though they were squeezing and crushing it apart!

He had merely condensed the second strand of Qi and Blood, yet Chu Fan felt as if he had crossed into an entirely new level!

If condensing the first strand of Qi and Blood had allowed him to wrestle with a Black Bear...

Then after condensing the second, he could slap a Black Bear to death with one hand!

A gleam of anticipation flashed through Chu Fan's eyes, and he became ever more confident in the martial path ahead.