Chapter 44

"Yesterday, my control over the integration of Primordial Energy and physical strength was only at 10%, but today, I estimate it has reached 30%. When it reaches 100%, I will be able to perfect the Primordial Technique. At that time, my combat power will surely burst forth comprehensively. Even if I don't advance to the Seventh Stage of the Condensed Shadow Realm, I can still easily defeat any Seventh Stage Condensed Shadow Realm warrior..."

Hu Gao had a clear understanding of his own strength. What made him somewhat helpless was that the control over the integration of the two energies couldn't be improved so quickly. It had to be done step by step, gradually, or it could easily cause great harm to the body. Even with the jade pendant helping to heal his body, it could still leave behind aftereffects.

Hu Gao was lost in his thoughts, completely forgetting about the already enraged Jile.

"Hu Gao, are you even listening to me! Tell me how I can be like you!"

"Ah, this..." Hu Gao snapped out of his daze, "I think you should first try to advance to the late stage of the Condensed Shadow Realm. Without being able to learn the Primordial Technique, everything is in vain."

After saying this, Hu Gao continued to divide the meat. He then began to skewer various pieces of meat with the cooking utensils Jile had bought, including strong thigh meat, tender internal organs, and even the large horns of the Green-Winged Bull. As the saying goes, 'shape complements shape,' perhaps it could even enhance bone strength.

After skewering everything, he coated each piece with various seasonings, ensuring every part was shiny and oily. Then he started to quickly grill them with the newly learned Fire Dragon Technique.

The Fire Dragon roared and burned, rapidly making explosive sounds. Hu Gao's Primordial Energy began to rapidly deplete. He released the Primordial Technique while simultaneously using the Secret Technique of Returning Primordial Qi to absorb energy from the heavens and earth, creating a grand spectacle.

Jile was once again dumbfounded. Today had completely rewritten his worldview, values, and outlook on life. After living for over a decade, his inner world had completely collapsed. Could someone really use the Fire Primordial Technique like this? Was this even human?

"Hu Gao, you're just a beast! Tell me, what stage of the Condensed Shadow Realm are you at now! Why can you practice the Primordial Technique so smoothly?"

"I'm only telling you because I consider you a brother. I'm actually only at the Sixth Stage." Seeing that Jile was on the verge of a breakdown, Hu Gao didn't joke around but spoke seriously, "Jile, you can't just focus on me. I'm telling you, in this world, even experts at the Bursting Primordial Realm are nothing. We are still far from being true experts. The Battle Academy is just a place to train one's will. To improve your realm, you have to rely on yourself!"

Jile nodded dumbly, "Is it really because you are a successor?"

Hu Gao shook his head, "I don't know, but this might not necessarily be a blessing. The pressure I bear is much greater than yours. Listen to me, focus on building a solid foundation. I'll help you think of ways to improve your realm, and I'll get you the Primordial Technique. For now, let's eat meat and drink."

A good man needs three helpers, and Hu Gao understood this. He now had Xiao Wu, and the demon core was not a problem. He could help Jile improve his realm. As for the Primordial Technique, with Jile's family wealth, he could help him choose a few suitable ones.

"Alright, with your words, I won't think too much. Although I hate the Liqing lineage, I know it has nothing to do with you. The Hu family now relies on our generation!" Jile grabbed a large piece of meat and began to tear into it, venting his frustration.

"Let's live for today and drink! Come, let's drink!" The firelight reflected on Hu Gao's face, casting a red glow. After a few sips of strong liquor, he felt a bit dizzy. In his previous life, he wasn't good at drinking, usually getting drunk after one cup and falling over after three. Today's performance was definitely exceptional.

"Actually, our Northern Branch of the Hu family is a combat branch. There are several elemental secret techniques. Once I advance to the late stage, I'll ask my older brother for them!"

"Combat branch? What about our Liqing lineage?" Hu Gao, surprised by the internal division of the Hu family, asked curiously.

"Liqing? Your specialty is healing and command. You have a naturally high IQ and are the brain trust of the Hu family. You also have an incredible talent for healing Primordial Techniques. Haven't you noticed how young Elder Qing looks? He's actually over a hundred years old." Jile, though a young master, was strictly disciplined and rarely drank. Now he was swaying.

Hearing this, Hu Gao was stunned. Could his powerful healing ability be a talent from the Liqing lineage? Or was the mysterious jade pendant originally a Hu family item that he accidentally obtained in the forbidden area? If so, his luck was truly extraordinary.

"Master... the meat smells so good, I want to eat too." Xiao Wu suddenly said.

"No, next time. I'll find you more delicious things after I go to the Dragon Armor Mountains!" Hu Gao quickly communicated mentally. If he released Xiao Wu now, Jile would definitely jump off a cliff.

"... Sniff, okay, forgetful master!"

"Shit, who taught you that! Jile is a man!" Hu Gao roared.

"What's wrong with you, Hu Gao? This liquor is really strong. The first time I drank it, I was only ten years old. Although I got drunk, I still fell in love with the taste. It can make you forget all your worries." Jile couldn't help but sigh.

"Men don't drink to forget their worries. As the saying goes, 'raising a cup to dispel worries only increases them.' We should drink to strengthen our resolve, to prepare for our future conquest of this land. This will be the starting point. One day, when we return here together, we will be greeted by the cheers of thousands." Hu Gao stood up, swaying, and said.

"Raising a cup to dispel worries only increases them?" Jile furrowed his brows, savoring the words, feeling a soft spot in his heart being touched. "Great! I didn't expect you to have such lofty ambitions, Hu Gao. I can't compare to you, but I hope to be by your side in the future!"

Hu Gao put his arm around Jile's shoulder and pointed to the setting sun, "Brothers united, our strength will be unbreakable!"

The demons of Tushan suffered another great misfortune, as the two drunk teenagers rampaged, almost all the first-stage demons they could see fled to the foot of Tushan, scattering like birds and beasts.

"Jile, go back first. Tomorrow at the Battle Academy, I'll give you something mysterious. You'll definitely be able to smoothly advance to the late stage of the Condensed Shadow Realm." After returning to the city, Hu Gao said seriously.

"Alright! I'll wait for your good news."

Hu Gao returned home alone, and Xiao Wu immediately jumped out of his body. He hadn't eaten the meat, but he still wanted the demon core. This guy was like a starving ghost, grabbing the demon core and absorbing it wildly.

"Choke on it!" Hu Gao said irritably. This guy's thirst for energy was a natural instinct, even more terrifying than his own.

Hu Gao, seeing the golden gas emitted by Xiao Wu during his cultivation, couldn't help but ask, "By the way, Xiao Wu, if I absorb your Dragon Qi, will it harm you?"

Xiao Wu hesitated for a moment and then nodded, "It won't harm me, but it will greatly deplete my Primordial Energy. Especially as you advance, you will need more Dragon Qi. Of course, if there are enough demon cores, I can still support it. As for the specifics, I might need to wait until I advance to the Second Stage of the Demon Realm to fully understand. Right now, I only know that as my strength increases, I will gradually master some powerful techniques."

"Don't worry, I won't use your Dragon Qi unless absolutely necessary..." Hu Gao nodded and then said hopefully, "As your strength increases, you will master powerful techniques? What changes have you experienced now that you've advanced to the mid-stage of the First Stage of the Demon Realm?"

Xiao Wu rolled his eyes, "It's just the First Stage. What techniques can I master? My sensing range has increased a bit, and I've discovered that I can sense valuable herbs. The reason we encountered the Green-Winged Bull was probably because I sensed the Black Leaf Grass and forgot about the later-stage demons."

"That's a good skill. If used properly, it can make us rich." Hu Gao's eyes lit up. Herbs were essential for cultivation.

After absorbing all the demon cores, Xiao Wu let out a loud burp and pushed the demon core, now devoid of demon energy, to Hu Gao, "Master, it's your turn."

"Wait a couple of days. I'll create that Primordial Technique and then start to advance. I want to give these demon cores to Jile tomorrow to help him advance to the late stage!"

Hu Gao shook his head. He had already made his decision. His cultivation was still at the Sixth Stage of the Condensed Shadow Realm, and he could still perfectly control his strength. However, he was unsure if he could perfectly control the strength of the Seventh Stage of the Condensed Shadow Realm, as his divine soul was not particularly strong and had not been specifically cultivated. Unless he advanced to the Body-Through Realm, where his Primordial Energy would flow through all the large and small acupoints in his body and his totem would be solidified, strengthening his divine soul, only then could he perfectly control greater strength.

...

In the Guo family of the eastern part of the city, which was one of the four major families besides the Hu family, their strength could be considered top-notch. In recent years, they had shown a trend of leading the other families. The new generation of warriors in the family included many with outstanding talent.

However, today, one of their best was thoroughly taught a lesson by Hu Gao at the Battle Academy.

"Ouch!"

Guo Desheng was lying on a soft bed, rubbing his head. He opened his eyes and saw four people standing by his side, his guards. They all looked relieved to see him awake.

"Master Guo, you're awake?" the leader quickly said.

Guo Desheng rolled his eyes. Are you stupid? Didn't you see me open my eyes? Asking a known question.

"Hmm? Where's my Shadowless Sword?" Guo Desheng frowned, "Didn't you bring it back for me?"

He clearly remembered being knocked out by Hu Gao, but what he was concerned about now was not that, but the Shadowless Sword. This treasure was his most precious possession, and he couldn't let anyone take it.

"Master, the Shadowless Sword... it..." the leader of the guards looked uneasy and said nervously, "was taken by Hu Gao..."