The Four Realms of Martial Arts

That youth was none other than Tian Jie, whom Lin Xuan had frightened away in Leyang City that day.

Tian Jie lay sprawled on the ground, looking at Lin Xuan in a wretched state. For some reason, the image of a black-robed man suddenly surfaced in his mind. At the thought, his entire body shuddered.

Lin Xuan cast him a cold glance, then turned and left.

Behind him, the girl could be heard scolding, "Tian Jie, you useless trash! You ruined the task my brother gave you, and now you even let the person who bullied me get away! You good-for-nothing piece of trash!"

Lin Xuan ignored the two of them and stopped before a room marked 95.

Unlocking the door, Lin Xuan pushed open the heavy iron door and entered.

The room was simple. Aside from a stone bed and a stone table, there was a Golden-thread Bamboo Forest Guard standing off to one side. There was nothing else, but the space was large enough for Lin Xuan to stretch his limbs freely.

Lin Xuan walked up to the Golden-thread Bamboo Forest Guard, took out a Low-Grade Spirit Stone, and inserted it. At once, two points of red light flashed in the guard's eyes, and its body gradually awakened.

The Golden-thread Bamboo Forest Guard's strength ranged from Meridian Condensation Stage Five to Sixth Level of Meridian Condensation. With one Spirit Stone inserted, it had the strength of Meridian Condensation Stage Five; with two, it had the strength of Sixth Level of Meridian Condensation. Each activation could only last one hour.

Since Lin Xuan had only begun practicing Shadowstep, he first chose the strength of Meridian Condensation Stage Five. After several breaths, the Bamboo Forest Guard fully awakened and thrust the bamboo sword in its hand toward Lin Xuan.

Lin Xuan's figure swayed as he executed Shadowstep and began evading the Bamboo Forest Guard's attacks.

Shadowstep had two characteristics. One was speed; the other was that, like a shadow, it could always cling to the enemy. Lin Xuan circled the Bamboo Forest Guard, constantly dodging. Each time, he shifted his body only slightly, barely avoiding the bamboo sword without wasting even a trace of strength.

This was a close-range movement technique that required a martial artist to possess precise control over their strength. At such close proximity to an enemy, one careless mistake could lead to eternal damnation.

Lin Xuan used the Bamboo Forest Guard to practice Shadowstep, weaving in cultivation of the Golden Jade Body Tempering Art. Whenever the spiritual energy throughout his body was exhausted, he cultivated the Eternal Life Art.

Just like that, three days flashed by.

The heavy iron door slowly opened, and a slender figure emerged from within. The youth was Lin Xuan.

After three days, he had already cultivated Shadowstep and the Golden Jade Body Tempering Art to the Foundation Stage. Next, he needed actual combat to improve further.

Martial arts had four realms: Foundation, Minor Achievement Stage, Major Achievement Stage, and Perfection Stage. The effects produced by each realm were worlds apart. For example, with the same martial art, the Minor Achievement Stage could utterly crush the Foundation Stage, while the Major Achievement Stage could utterly crush the Minor Achievement Stage.

It was said that above the Perfection Stage, there was another realm known as the Intent Realm, though few people ever mentioned it.

There was still some distance before my movement technique reached the Minor Achievement Stage, and the Golden Jade Body Tempering Art also needs medicinal herbs. Most importantly, I still lack a sword! Lin Xuan rubbed his forehead, preparing to make another trip to Leyang City.

The outer sect residence area, Lin Xuan's cottage.

A lovely figure sat there alone, her slender legs forming perfect curves. Her large, clear black-and-white eyes occasionally glanced toward the doorway.

When she saw Lin Xuan enter, the girl gave a soft snort.

"Huh? Why are you here?" The moment Lin Xuan entered the cottage, he saw Tang Yu sitting there absentmindedly, her small hand supporting her chin.

"Hehe, did you miss me?" Lin Xuan wore a wicked grin.

"I miss you dying!" Tang Yu rolled her eyes at him and said angrily, "Come somewhere with me."

Lin Xuan smiled as he looked at her slender legs, then suddenly froze. "You broke through?"

"Is that so surprising?" Tang Yu curled her lips. "Are you going or not?"

"Where?"

"Leyang! Don't tell me you country bumpkin have never been there!" Tang Yu mocked.

Lin Xuan: "..."

"I'll go, but let's discuss something first." Lin Xuan smiled, as warm as the sunlight outside the window.

It was the first time Tang Yu had seen such a warm smile on Lin Xuan's face, and her little face could not help reddening. "Y-you, what do you want?"

Lin Xuan seemed not to notice Tang Yu's coy demeanor. He leaned closer and whispered, "Well... lend me some Spirit Stones."

"You! Go die!" Tang Yu had thought Lin Xuan was about to say something moving, but he actually wanted to borrow money. Her little mouth immediately puffed up as she raised her delicate fist and punched at him.

Lin Xuan grinned and dodged aside. Clapping his hands, he said, "Let's go, young miss of the Tang Family."

Leyang City was as bustling as ever. This time, however, Lin Xuan was no longer dressed in black robes. Instead, he stepped into this flourishing city as a disciple of the Profound Heaven Sect.

Lin Xuan had originally been wondering whether to use the Purple-Gold Card given to him by Heavenly Fragrance Market, but Tang Yu had no intention of going there at all. She directly pulled Lin Xuan toward Myriad Treasures Pavilion.

After paying the entrance fee, the two entered side by side.

The interior was adorned with carved beams and painted rafters, extravagance radiating from every corner. Lin Xuan looked around curiously.

"I'll lend you a thousand Spirit Stones. Remember to pay me back!" Tang Yu handed Lin Xuan ten Spirit Notes, then happily ran toward the counter.

Lin Xuan accepted the Spirit Notes and tucked them into his robes before heading toward the weapons section.

All kinds of weapons were displayed on wooden racks, many of which Lin Xuan had never seen before. He picked up a refined steel longsword and flicked it lightly. A crisp ring immediately came from the blade.

Lin Xuan's eyes lit up. As expected of Myriad Treasures Pavilion—even a random sword was an exceptional blade. He had come from Sword Pool Prefecture and had grown up cradling a longsword, so he was exceedingly familiar with them.

"Tch, you really are too young. A mere ordinary treasured sword has you this delighted!" Wine Lord's voice echoed in Lin Xuan's heart.

"Ordinary? Then why don't you give me one?" Lin Xuan said unhappily.

"Hehe, young people should rely on themselves. Don't always dream of pie falling from the sky!" Wine Lord said solemnly. "If you want something good, I can recommend a place."

"You?" Lin Xuan did not believe him. "Do you know of some ancient treasure cave or something?"

"Hehe, do you remember the Demon Pit that kid mentioned last time?" Wine Lord reminded him.

Lin Xuan froze, then immediately cursed, "Damn it! Demon Pit, my ass! I wouldn't go even if you beat me to death!"

"Why does a young man like you have no spirit of adventure at all? Don't worry, with me around, I guarantee you'll be fine!" Wine Lord declared with complete confidence.

Lin Xuan was somewhat tempted. The Demon Pit had always been mysterious, and there were even stones blown in from deep within Taihang Mountain. Perhaps he truly could find something good there.

Wine Lord continued tempting him. "We'll only stay around the outskirts and absolutely won't go deep inside. I did some calculations over the past two days—your opportunity lies there!"

"Opportunity, my ass. You just want me to find stones for you!" Lin Xuan mercilessly exposed Wine Lord's intentions.

"Hehe..." Wine Lord gave two dry laughs. "If you really manage to cut a treasured sword out of a stone, you'll have struck it rich!"

It was impossible for Lin Xuan to say he had no thoughts about it. Even a broken stone could conceal a spiritual root—who knew what might be hidden inside other stones?

Moreover, although the longsword in Lin Xuan's hand gleamed brilliantly, he knew that a sword of such quality could not withstand him using Thunder Movement Swordsmanship. Only a treasured weapon forged from special metals could bear that violent power.

La la la, please keep recommending and adding this to your collections! Also, are there any generous readers who want to send a reward?!!!!!!!!!!