Cangwu Altar Master Baleful Lord

Time flew by and it was already early April. Ye An went to the Main Hall as usual to collect the Cangwu Spirit Liquid.

There weren't many changes this time; it was just like March.

After distributing the Cangwu Spirit Liquid, everyone had already left the Main Hall.

Just as Ye An picked up the five Jade Bottle and was about to leave, Zhao Xuanji's voice rang out from the main seat. "Ye An, please stay for a moment."

Only two people remained in the hall at that moment.

Zhao Xuanji didn't beat around the bush. After the other three left, he directly asked, "What's the Azure Dragon Origin-Returning Art to Origin Technique?"

Ye An did not deny that he had practiced the Martial Arts of the Azure Dragon Hall, replying, "I haven't been practicing the First Layer for very long."

Zhao Xuanji nodded, then asked, "Do you know what 'Gathering Essence' means?"

"I understand a little."

Zhao Xuanji spoke again, "True Essence transforms into Origin Energy; this is the Gathering Essence."

"Reaching this level marks the entry point into the world of martial arts!"

"Generally speaking, internal energy cultivation techniques at the Qi Condensation Realm only possess one type of True Essence, while my Four Halls Martial Arts each have two attributes. The more True Essence attributes an internal energy cultivation technique acquires, the more difficult and powerful it becomes to improve."

"One type of True Essence is ordinary, two types are the foundation for the long-term prosperity of sects and Sect, and three types are the core Martial Arts of the Three Upper Sects of the Great Yu."

"As for internal skills with four attributes, I have never heard of them."

"When martial artists reach the Qi Condensation Realm, they typically choose one cultivation method, and if they have talent, they will also choose an internal energy cultivation technique. For example, the Sect Master myself..."

At this point, Zhao Xuanji was still quite pleased with herself.

"The main internal energy technique I learned was the Azure Dragon Origin-Returning Art, but at the time I believed myself to be exceptionally talented, so like you, I also practiced another internal energy Martial Arts. As a result, I often couldn't sense the opportunity for a breakthrough. In the end, I settled for a less desirable one and chose another ordinary Qi Condensation internal energy Martial Arts, which could only increase one type of True Essence."

"After breaking through to the Gathering Essence, I mastered the three Origin Energy: wood, wind, and metal." Zhao Xuanji said this with a proud air, but then fell into regret.

"At that time, I was also thinking of improving the Black Tortoise Sea-Suppressing Art, but I found that the Water-Earth True Qi was constantly depleting."

"Ye An, do you understand what I mean?"

Having said that, Ye An had a general idea of what was going on.

Zhao Xuanji further advised, "When cultivating two internal skills during the Qi Condensation Realm and then breaking through to the Gathering Essence Realm, if either skill is not simultaneously mastered, the True Essence that has not been transformed into Origin Energy Qi will be devoured by the newly emerging Origin Energy, wasting time in vain."

"I know you have high comprehension, but high comprehension doesn't mean you can succeed in every breakthrough. Even if your Azure Dragon Origin-Returning Art has reached the peak of the third level, it's the same as not cultivating at all if you don't break through in both internal energy techniques at the same time."

"So..."

After listening, Ye An clasped his hands and said, "Sect Master, rest assured, this disciple understands."

Zhao Xuanji glanced at Ye An suspiciously, only to find Ye An looking back at him with sincere eyes.

That's enough, I've said all I wanted to say.

Breaking through to the Gathering Essence level in Martial Arts is no easy feat, let alone doing two at the same time!

Zhao Xuanji felt that Ye An's "sincere" gaze meant he understood her meaning, but as for whether Ye An would give up cultivation, Zhao Xuanji didn't think so.

"You decide for yourself." Zhao Xuanji didn't press further, waving her hand. "Go."

After bowing respectfully and leaving the Main Hall, Ye An returned to his residence.

[Black Tortoise Sea-Suppressing Art - Qi Condensation Chapter (Second Level): 1112/1500]

[Black Tortoise Mountain-Suppressing Palm - Part 1 (Micro): 1256/1500]

Ye An looked at the progress of Martial Arts in the Black Tortoise Hall, and combined it with what Sect Master Zhao Xuanji had just said.

Now he finally understood why the Black Tortoise Inner Art had improved more slowly recently, but when Ye An looked at the other three Martial Arts and internal skills...

However, he discovered that although he hadn't actively cultivated, the other three internal skills were slowly increasing in power.

Although it was a small increase, it did increase by a few points.

Could it be because the four symbols share a common origin?

Ye An thought to himself.

If you only focus on cultivating the Black Tortoise Sea-Suppressing Art, you may not be able to reach the second level of the other three skills even after reaching the third level of perfection.

If Ye An were to directly Gathering Essence, then the other three internal cultivation techniques would be wasted.

Ye An didn't want to see this outcome.

Having attained the status of a "Sage of Martial Dao," the most difficult thing is simply breaking through Four Inner Arts simultaneously.

But Ye An doesn't have this problem!

The world has given him this opportunity, Ye An will not give it up.

Overthinking is pointless!

Ye An closed his eyes and began to refine his True Essence, aiming to break through to the later stage of the Black Tortoise Inner Art first.

Meanwhile, west of Cangwu Prefecture, in a secluded mountain valley.

At one of the strongholds of the Cangwu Sub-Altar of the Heaven Overturning Cult Sect, the sect leader sat in the main seat, which was shrouded in shadow.

Cangwu Prefecture refers to this branch leader as -- the Baleful Lord!

The Baleful Lord was a burly man, his face hidden in the shadows, only revealing a pair of dark red eyes.

He was originally just Qi Condensation Rogue Cultivator, but he successfully Gathering Essence using the Secret Art of the Heaven Overturning Cult.

Over the years, because he never trusted anyone, no one knew what he really looked like.

However, the Secret Art of the Heaven Overturning Cult violate human morality and natural law. Although he is now in the Late Essence Gathering, he is still unable to reach the later stages.

Below stood three Deputy Altar Masters, with Black Crow standing at the very front.

The Baleful Lord's voice came from the shadows, carrying an undeniable sense of oppression. "How is Number One doing?"

Black Crow bowed slightly, his tone respectful. "Reporting to the Altar Master, Number One's physique has been fully activated, but the Secret Method still needs some time to fully integrate. Based on the current progress, it will take approximately three more months before the Secret Art can be used."

Upon hearing this, the altar master tapped his temple with an unseen hand in the darkness. "About three months... accelerate his training, feed him all the Blood Pill, Secret Art, and precious medicines!"

He glanced at the crowd, his dark red pupils gleaming faintly in the dim light. "The most populous place in Cangwu Prefecture is undoubtedly Cangwu Prefectural City, but it is also where the core martial arts forces of Cangwu Prefecture are gathered."

He extended his finger and tapped the Cangwu Prefecture map three times with his dark red True Essence.

Bedrock City, Crosswater Town, Black Iron Fort!

"These three places are the most densely populated areas Cangwu Prefectural City. The three cities are connected by trade routes, and villages and towns are interspersed among them."

"If we could turn one of these places into Blood Sacrifice ground for our Heaven Overturning Cult, our cultivation levels would surely rise significantly!"

The Baleful Lord's voice deepened once more. "Once Number One has fully adapted to the Secret Method, have all the cult leaders and deacons mobilize! Attack from three directions simultaneously!"

"I don't believe they can hold out at the same time!"

Black Crow's eyes flickered slightly. If they could truly capture one of these locations, he might be able to touch the Gathered Origin Realm and become a Gathered Origin Realm expert. "Don't worry, Altar Master, the two Deputy Altar Master Iron Mask Snake Bone and I, have already begun collecting information on the locations of these three places. This time, our Heaven Overturning Cult will surely achieve a great victory!"

The Baleful Lord sat in the main seat, bowing low, looking at the Black Crow below. "Alright, but you must take good care of Number One and make sure he is absolutely safe!"

"Yes."

A Deputy Altar Master suggested, "Sect leader, there's Demon Suppressing Guard in Bedrock City, and troops stationed in Black Iron Fort, but Crosswater Town's defenses are weak..."

The Baleful Lord interrupted him, "Therefore, all three routes must be attacked simultaneously! This will force them to be unable to attend to all of them."

"You must remember, our goal is not necessarily to capture any particular town, but simply to use them as resources for our purposes."

His gaze swept across the faces of the three Deputy Altar Masters: "Once Number One is completely assimilated, I will tell you where you will go."

"When the time is right, it will be the time for my Cangwu Sub-Altar to flourish!"

Several Deputy Altar Master responded loudly in unison, "Yes!"

After everyone had left, the Baleful Lord sat alone in the main seat.

Now, if he wants to break through again, he needs too many lives and vital Qi and Blood.

This is the path of the Heaven Overturning Cult; everyone has the right to kill them.

The Baleful Lord didn't care; for him, the feeling of improving his cultivation was simply fantastic!

The dark red Firelight flickered on and off on his face, and it was impossible to tell whether his expression was cold or hot.