Qi Refining Practitioners

The Tiger Head Pattern came starkly into view.

The pattern resembled Hall Master Tian's, yet it was different. The tiger's head seemed a little larger and far more savage.

Only after a long while did Wang Yu draw his gaze away from the Bronze Mirror, feeling both startled and bewildered.

"So you formed the black tiger martial image with nothing but a set of Black Tiger Fist Technique movements!

"The Black Tiger Fist you performed earlier differed considerably from what our hall teaches. Although I couldn't discern its precise mysteries, I could vaguely sense what set it apart. Every alteration addressed a weakness in the original Black Tiger Fist.

"Hmm, it also seems to have greatly improved the technique's shortcomings in mobilizing blood and qi," the hall master said, staring at Wang Yu with a keen gleam in his eyes.

"I did make some adjustments to the Black Tiger Fist, incorporating another cultivation method I learned before. But I truly don't know why that allowed me to form the black tiger martial image," Wang Yu replied after coming to his senses.

"Good, good. That's what I wanted to know. Wang Yu, come inside with me. Ziying, Third, stay here." Hall Master Tian nodded. After the muscles of his upper body rippled, his figure returned to normal. He gave the other two an instruction, then led Wang Yu toward a room beside the courtyard.

The tall woman and Third exchanged bewildered looks. All they could do was remain where they were and wait.

"Wang Yu, you're a Bloodline Awakener with a physical bloodline, aren't you?" Once inside the room, Hall Master Tian found another shirt and put it on, then sat in a chair. With a smile, he said something that left Wang Yu stunned.

How could everyone tell that I'd awakened my bloodline?

"Haha, don't find it strange. First, when you exchanged that punch with me earlier, you mobilized all the blood and qi in your body, naturally revealing a little of your bloodline's aura.

"Second, in eight or nine cases out of ten, only a Physical Bloodline Awakener can form the black tiger martial image without comprehending the black tiger true meaning." Seemingly noticing Wang Yu's surprise, Hall Master Tian offered a smiling explanation.

"So that's why. I have indeed awakened my bloodline," Wang Yu said, understanding at last.

"Was it a tiger bloodline you awakened?" Delighted, Hall Master Tian hurriedly pressed him.

"No, it wasn't." Wang Yu naturally denied it.

"If you could form the black tiger martial image without a tiger bloodline, then that cultivation method you incorporated into the Black Tiger Fist must have quite an extraordinary origin.

"Wang Yu, would you be willing to teach that method to me? In exchange, I can accept you as my personal disciple and teach you our hall's core secret art, the Black Tiger Breathing Method.

"You've already formed the black tiger martial image. If you learn the Black Tiger Breathing Method as well, it will be like giving wings to a tiger. You may even have a chance of reaching the Black Tiger Fist's higher realm, the black tiger baleful body." Hall Master Tian looked slightly disappointed, but immediately spoke to Wang Yu in earnest.

"What is the black tiger baleful body? Could you explain it to me in detail?" After some consideration, Wang Yu asked hesitantly.

"Heh, of course. The Black Tiger Breathing Method has three levels. Mastering the first allows you to comprehend the black tiger true meaning, control your muscles, and form the black tiger martial image.

"Mastering the second allows you to achieve Baleful Intent Refinement into the Body and Blade-Breath Exhalation.

"If you master the third level of the Breathing Technique, you can attain the fist technique's highest realm, the black tiger baleful body. You'll be able to project killing intent, refine qi into gang, and become an army of one," Hall Master Tian declared proudly after a couple of chuckles.

"Is it truly that powerful?"

Wang Yu found it rather hard to believe, but he was still tempted as he asked,

"Given your position, Hall Master, you must know about Immortal Cultivators."

"Of course. I even have a few Immortal Cultivator friends." Hall Master Tian's expression shifted slightly, as though he had guessed something.

"Then I'd like to ask: how many people in the hall have mastered the black tiger baleful body? If I attain it, will I be able to defeat high-level Immortal Cultivators?" Wang Yu asked earnestly.

This time, it was Hall Master Tian's turn to fall silent. Only after a long while did he give a measured reply:

"The Black Tiger Breathing Method actually descends from the Primordial Qi Refining Practitioners' lineage. It isn't easy to cultivate. Even I have only mastered the first level, yet that alone allows me to exchange a few blows with Immortal Cultivators at middle Qi Refining.

"As for the black tiger baleful body, only the Black Tiger Fist Hall's first hall master fully mastered all three levels of the Black Tiger Breathing Method. It's said that, relying on his black tiger baleful body, he once escaped unscathed from a great Foundation Establishment cultivator."

"The Black Tiger Breathing Method is that powerful? Its first level alone lets you contend with Immortal Cultivators in the Qi Refining Realm! And what are Primordial Qi Refining Practitioners? What connection do they have to Immortal Cultivators' Qi Refining Realm? Are they a kind of Immortal Cultivator?" Even more astonished, Wang Yu fired off a string of questions.

"Qi Refining Practitioners aren't Immortal Cultivators. More precisely, theirs is an ancient cultivation method of the human race from the Ancient Era. It flourished for a time in ancient times, but was ultimately supplanted by immortal cultivation.

"First, this method cannot let people summon wind and rain or wield the power of various spells. Second, it cannot prolong their lives or grant eternal youth. The only change it can bring is strengthening and transforming the physical body through 'breathing.'

"But powerful Qi Refining Practitioners of the Ancient Era once used this method to stand against Otherworldly Divine Ability Powerhouses and shelter the entire human race. So what's strange about being able to contend with Qi Refining Realm cultivators after mastering the first level of the Black Tiger Breathing Method?"

"Even the name of immortal cultivation's first realm, the Qi Refining Realm, owes something to commemorating the Primordial Qi Refining Practitioners' great labors and achievements." Hall Master Tian simply explained the entire origin of Qi Refining Practitioners in one breath.

"The Black Tiger Breathing Method has such an impressive origin! But does that mean no one in the Black Tiger Fist Hall after its first hall master has ever attained the black tiger baleful body?" Wang Yu asked hesitantly, silently engraving the words "Primordial Qi Refining Practitioners" in his memory. Meanwhile, towering waves churned through his heart.

He seemed to have discovered a new kind of mysterious supernatural power.

"No. Although ordinary people can cultivate the Black Tiger Breathing Method, mastering it still requires a certain talent, and cultivation is extraordinarily difficult. Apart from the Black Tiger Fist Hall's first master, very few hall masters throughout the generations have even mastered the second level.

"But you've awakened a physical bloodline, so your talent far exceeds that of ordinary people. I can't promise anything about the third level, but mastering the second should most likely pose no problem.

"Furthermore, once you become my Black Tiger True Disciple, you may take no other master for the rest of your life. If you inherit the hall, you must never leave Tongzhou for as long as you live," Hall Master Tian said solemnly, stressing every word.

"If that's the case, I won't be able to become your disciple, Hall Master. I'd still rather be an Immortal Cultivator." Upon hearing these conditions, Wang Yu shook his head like a rattle drum.

"So you really are an Immortal Cultivator. In that case, you're both a Bloodline Awakener and someone with spiritual perception." Hall Master Tian wasn't surprised to hear this. Instead, he gave a wry smile.

Wang Yu didn't answer. Instead, he pointed a finger into the space before him while muttering an incantation.

A moment later, with a puff, a crimson flame appeared at his fingertip.

It was the Firefly Spell.