Indestructible Vajra Body Descends Upon Zhou Manor

"The Hundred Refinements Golden Body Technique has reached the seventh level. My realm has also broken through to the seventh level of the Acquired Realm, making me a First-rate Martial Artist."

Zhou Qing murmured to himself.

The cultivation of body-tempering techniques differed somewhat from orthodox Internal Arts.

Though both cultivated internal force,

the internal force cultivated through body-tempering techniques was used to strengthen the body, physique, and blood qi. To break through to the seventh level of the Acquired Realm and become a First-rate Martial Artist required bone-cleansing and marrow-washing. Each completion raised one's realm by a level.

After three rounds of bone-cleansing and marrow-washing, one would truly be reborn and remade.

For orthodox Internal Art cultivation, breaking through to the seventh level of the Acquired Realm and becoming a First-rate Martial Artist required "opening an aperture."

Opening an aperture meant opening the ancestral aperture between the brows.

Once the ancestral aperture between the brows was opened, one could strengthen one's spiritual awareness and thereby grasp the power of the mind, allowing one to comprehend "Momentum."

Sword Momentum, Blade Momentum, Fist Momentum, and so on.

This was the power wielded by First-rate Martial Artists. Put simply, it was the power of the mind, while first-rate martial techniques were applications of that mental power.

Although Zhou Qing had not opened the ancestral aperture between his brows after cultivating the Hundred Refinements Golden Body Technique to the seventh level, his body had been hammered and refined a thousand times. Every tempering of his physique was likewise a tempering of his will.

Thus, his mind was exceptionally powerful as well.

His heart was iron, his will steel—firm as a boulder. Ordinary attacks against the mind and will could not shake his spirit at all.

Put simply,

opening the ancestral aperture between the brows through orthodox Internal Arts could strengthen the power of the mind, increasing its "quantity." Zhou Qing had not opened that aperture, so the "quantity" of his mental power had not increased. Yet through the process of being hammered and refined a thousand times, his mental power had undergone a transformation in "quality" ahead of time.

Therefore, although Zhou Qing could not use mental power against enemies, once the Hundred Refinements Golden Body Technique reached the seventh level, the mental forces unleashed by orthodox First-rate Martial Artists—their Sword Momentum, Blade Momentum, and the like—could not affect him either.

"I still need to cultivate an orthodox Internal Art."

After closing the panel, Zhou Qing pondered.

The Hundred Refinements Golden Body Technique was a first-rate body-tempering technique. It primarily raised the fundamental attributes of the body, such as strength, defense, and blood qi. Moreover, his dantian sea of qi, the twelve regular meridians, and the eight extraordinary meridians had all been expanded and reinforced. It could be said that he had laid down an exceptionally solid foundation.

When he fought now, whether he used the Traceless Blade Technique or Swallow Dips Water, he relied on the internal force of the Spring Return Technique.

If he cultivated another orthodox first-rate Internal Art, the two would stack together. Among those of the same realm, he would be practically invincible.

"A first-rate Internal Art!"

Zhou Qing already had a plan in mind.

Back at the inn in Qiuye Town, he had heard a group of martial wanderers discussing how Blood Hand Butcher Li Baichuan had massacred Cold Moon Villa. Shen Qingyue, a survivor from Cold Moon Villa who had entered the Canghai Sect, had issued a bounty.

Whoever could kill Blood Hand Butcher Li Baichuan would be rewarded with her family's inherited Profound Ice Heart Method, a first-rate Internal Art.

Of course, that was only one path toward obtaining a first-rate Internal Art.

Even if Zhou Qing intended to deal with Li Baichuan, he would have to raise the Hundred Refinements Golden Body Technique to the ninth level and become a Peak First-rate Martial Artist first.

Besides that path,

he could also try his luck at the Black Market.

However, he definitely could not go to the Black Market in Anqing Prefecture. Eagle Wolf Guard would certainly be lying in wait there. Going to the Black Market in Anqing Prefecture would be walking straight into a trap. He could not even visit the Black Markets in the various prefectures of Wanzhou; he had to stay far away from Wanzhou.

Besides that, if he could obtain enough silver, he could also purchase a first-rate Internal Art at an auction.

As for where the silver would come from, Zhou Qing had already made his calculations. Before leaving Anqing Prefecture, he had to settle some grudges in Black Stone County once and for all.

Yet to be cautious, and to guard against the Eagle Wolf Guard having arrangements in Black Stone County, Zhou Qing remained deep in the mountains for another ten days.

Ten days meant ten points of Dao Source.

"Increase the Hundred Refinements Golden Body Technique!"

Zhou Qing consumed Dao Source and entered arduous cultivation.

You focused on cultivating the Hundred Refinements Golden Body Technique, tireless and single-minded. You cultivated day and night. After two years of arduous cultivation, the Hundred Refinements Golden Body Technique broke through from the peak of the seventh level to the eighth level. You completed a second round of bone-cleansing and marrow-washing, attaining a bodily state where your bones were like vajra and your blood like lead and mercury. Every punch and kick carried tens of thousands of jin of force.

After ten years of arduous cultivation, you cultivated the Hundred Refinements Golden Body Technique to the peak of the ninth level. You completed three rounds of bone-cleansing and marrow-washing. The Indestructible Vajra Body reached completion; your blood qi surged like a furnace, and your mental will was like vajra refined a hundred times—indestructible.

Hundred Refinements Golden Body Technique / Ninth Level (Traits: Indestructible Vajra, Blood Qi Furnace, Rebound 100%, Force Dissipation 50%, Indestructible)

A glint of golden light flashed through Zhou Qing's eyes.

Through allocating Dao Source and ten years of arduous cultivation, he had pushed the Hundred Refinements Golden Body Technique to its limit. The Indestructible Vajra Body had reached completion—impervious to blades and spears, untouched by water and fire.

Ordinary methods could not break through his defense at all.

If Zhou Qing faced Zhao Sheng with his current strength, then even if Zhao Sheng unleashed sword radiance, he absolutely would not be able to injure him. He would even have his sword radiance shattered outright by the rebounding force of the Indestructible Vajra Body.

At the same time, Blood Qi Wolf Smoke had transformed into Blood Qi Furnace.

His five viscera had been strengthened, their power linking together to form a furnace, while his blood qi was as scorching as molten lava. Even gold and stone could be smelted.

The Blood Qi Furnace granted Zhou Qing formidable refining and absorption abilities. Even if he swallowed a stone, he could refine it.

Swallowing gold and turning stone to ash was no legend.

The Force Dissipation trait had also risen from 10% to 50%. Of any force he endured, half could be shed directly. Meanwhile, his mental trait of being firm as a boulder had transformed into being indestructible.

Firm as a boulder could only withstand the power of Momentum at the beginner and minor accomplishment levels, whereas indestructible could withstand Momentum at the major accomplishment level.

"This feeling is incredible!"

Zhou Qing picked up a small stone from the ground and gently squeezed it. The stone in his hand turned into powder.

An Indestructible Vajra Body, blood qi like fire, boundless strength.

His five viscera were tough, his organs like iron; he could swallow gold and grind stone to ash.

This power made Zhou Qing feel as though he had transformed into a humanoid ferocious beast. Every movement of his hands and feet contained immense might.

Even a Peak Second-rate Martial Artist could not withstand a single punch from him.

"With the Hundred Refinements Golden Body Technique at the ninth level, I need not fear even a Peak First-rate Martial Artist now!"

Zhou Qing silently assessed.

He was extremely satisfied with the increase in his strength.

"It is time to return to Black Stone County."

Zhou Qing left the mountain cave where he had stayed for half a month.

Now that his strength had greatly increased, it was time to return to Black Stone County and deal with the enemies who had caused him trouble.

Night had fallen, and the moonlight flowed like water.

Using his lightness skill, Zhou Qing vaulted over the city wall. He did not disturb the county soldiers dozing atop it and slipped silently into the city.

"So this is Zhou Manor!"

Before long, Zhou Qing arrived at Zhou Manor. Looking at the grand residence before him, a chill flickered through his eyes.

Though Zhou Manor was not among the foremost powers of Black Stone County, it was still a prominent household. It had over a hundred guards, with patrols keeping watch through the night.

Especially after learning that Zhou Qing had slain Zhao Sheng of the Eagle Wolf Guard, the Shadowless Sword, Master Zhou had arranged for four guards to stand watch at the main gate each night.

It was deep into the night.

The four guards were all yawning, their faces heavy with sleepiness.

Zhou Qing walked straight toward Zhou Manor.