Chapter 55

As Xiao Zhan practiced his boxing techniques, he also activated his True Eye to examine his internal state. After a thorough investigation, he discovered that the true qi in his meridians had regressed to the First Heaven of the Postnatal Realm. This discovery left him astonished, but after some analysis, he came to understand. The reason for the regression was due to the forced compression of his true qi.

It seemed that the power on these steps was actively helping Xiao Zhan cultivate, and he didn't need to control it; his cultivation and strength would naturally increase. Just like on the first step, Xiao Zhan's boxing speed was as slow as a turtle's, and he repeated this process. Unbeknownst to him, another acupoint in his body began to resonate with a star in the universe.

Starlight poured into his body, expanding the acupoint, and his strength increased to 20 crystals before stopping. At the same time, the true qi in his meridians increased to the Ninth Heaven of the Postnatal Realm. However, this time, Xiao Zhan found it difficult to move even a fraction. He knew that the pressure had increased compared to the first step, and his physical strength, which had only increased by 10 crystals, was of little help.

Looking at the remaining 997 steps, Xiao Zhan was somewhat at a loss. Was he going to be trapped on these steps? This couldn't be allowed, so he began to think hard for a solution. From the situations on the two steps, it seemed that each step only refined one acupoint. When that acupoint was refined, the cultivation of the "Star Gathering Fist" would become ineffective. To increase his strength, he needed to cultivate another technique. Fortunately, while in the Martial Pavilion, Xiao Zhan had used the "Ultimate Memorization Spell" to record sword techniques, memorizing over a thousand sword manuals, each with its own internal cultivation method. Now, he could use them for cultivation.

Although he had no sword, Xiao Zhan could only make do. He recalled the "Rain Listening Sword Technique" in his mind, then used his hand as a sword and began to practice slowly. Indeed, as soon as Xiao Zhan started the sword technique, the mysterious power enveloping the steps reappeared, controlling his body and beginning to cultivate this sword technique.

The "Rain Listening Sword Technique" had three levels, each with thirteen moves. Under the control of the mysterious power, Xiao Zhan slowly performed the thirteen moves of the first level, and the true qi in his body began to circulate according to the cultivation method in the sword manual, transforming into water-attribute true qi in an incredible way.

Sword technique cultivation is generally divided into three stages: mastery, proficiency, and perfection. When Xiao Zhan had mastered all the moves of the "Rain Listening Sword Technique," his cultivation stopped. After a thorough examination with his True Eye, he found that his strength had only increased by about half a crystal, and his body was still unable to move. However, Xiao Zhan saw hope. He had over a thousand sword techniques in his mind. If he mastered all of them, it would be equivalent to 500 crystals, and climbing to the third step should not be a problem.

The thousand sword techniques were diverse, and the cultivation methods were varied. Xiao Zhan, who was continuously cultivating on the steps, was completely immersed in them. He ignored time and everything around him, entering a state of complete absorption. In this vast starry sky and on this mysterious staircase, time seemed to lose its meaning. As Xiao Zhan's sword speed gradually increased, the true qi in his body continuously transformed according to the cultivation methods. When he had mastered all the thousand sword techniques, he stopped cultivating.

The cultivation of the thousand sword techniques did not increase his strength by 500 crystals as Xiao Zhan had imagined, but only by about 50 crystals. However, he could now move freely. Although it was still strenuous, climbing to the third step was no longer a problem.

With great difficulty, Xiao Zhan climbed to the third step, drenched in sweat. This time, he didn't rush to stand up but rested for a while. When his strength had slightly recovered, he got up. As soon as he stood still, the immense pressure followed, making it impossible for him to move.

On the steps, Xiao Zhan focused solely on practicing boxing and sword techniques. Starlight poured into his body, and spiritual energy surged. One by one, his acupoints were refined and expanded, and his strength increased by 10 crystals with each step. He mastered and became proficient in each set of sword techniques, and his meridians were continuously expanded and reinforced. At the same time, the attributes of his true qi changed under the control of the mysterious power.

One step after another disappeared behind him. Xiao Zhan's physical strength grew stronger, and his true qi became purer. His bones and flesh became crystalline and radiant, and even the slightest movement produced a thunderous rumble of power within his body.

When Xiao Zhan stood on the 333rd step, 333 acupoints in his body had been expanded and filled with starlight, and his physical strength had nearly doubled. At the same time, the true qi in his meridians had been cultivated from the First Heaven to the Ninth Heaven of the Postnatal Realm 333 times. However, after repeated compression and re-cultivation, the true qi had transformed into liquid true essence, increasing in quantity tenfold to 900 crystals, equivalent to the Eighth Heaven of the Innate Realm.

The Innate Realm is divided into nine heavens. The First Heaven is 200 crystals, and each subsequent heaven increases by 100 crystals. The Ninth Heaven has 1000 crystals.

The Transcendent Realm is different from the Innate Realm. In this realm, true qi has transformed into true essence. The First Heaven has 2000 crystals, and each subsequent heaven increases by 1000 crystals. The Ninth Heaven has 10000 crystals.

The Nirvana Realm is also true essence. The First Heaven has 20000 crystals, and each subsequent heaven increases by 10000 crystals. The Ninth Heaven has 100000 crystals.

Xiao Zhan's physical strength was now close to 9000 crystals, equivalent to the Eighth Heaven of the Transcendent Realm. In theory, his physical strength and starlight should be equal. 9000 crystals of physical strength would be equivalent to 9000 crystals of starlight. However, his starlight was distributed among 361 acupoints, and he could only burst with a maximum of 200 crystals of starlight in one punch, equivalent to the First Heaven of the Innate Realm.

Xiao Zhan had also tried to transfer starlight from other acupoints into one punch, but he gave up after one attempt. Each acupoint corresponded to a star in the sky, and the starlight had unique attributes. Forcing the integration would only lead to failure.

Xiao Zhan had been troubled by this problem for eight years while cultivating the "Star Gathering Fist." Whenever he thought about it, he would think of his fake master, who could dominate the world with 1800 acupoints in his body, surely able to use all of them simultaneously. Unfortunately, the ring couldn't be opened, leaving him frustrated and sighing in despair.

After composing himself, Xiao Zhan climbed to the 334th step with great difficulty. At this moment, he was very excited. If he could complete all the steps, it would mean he could open 999 acupoints, and his strength and starlight would surge again, truly comparable to the Nirvana Realm.

After resting for a while, Xiao Zhan stood up. When the immense pressure hit him, his expression suddenly changed.

This time, the pressure not only affected his physical body but also his soul. In that instant, he felt his thoughts freeze, and his mind went blank.