Chapter 78

Yun'er hummed lightly, seemingly extremely dissatisfied with Zhuang Wudao's words. A moment later, her voice turned solemn: "Earlier, this person's heart meridians were sealed, and I couldn't see clearly. It was only today that I noticed some clues. The true essence within this person's body bears many similarities to the Shangxiao Yingyuan Dongzhen Yulei Zhenfa, the supreme thunder technique passed down by the Lichen Sect."

"Shangxiao Yulei Zhenfa?"

Zhuang Wudao's expression changed slightly. "You mean this person is likely a true disciple of the Lichen Sect. Can you confirm it?"

Recalling what Beiting had said, the Lichen Sect had a total of thirty-six complete cultivation techniques. At least ten of them were on par with the peak level of the Jiajian Peak Finger technique. They were not as difficult to cultivate as the Jiajian Peak Finger or the Niutu Yuanba Body, but their power was no less formidable.

However, beyond these, there were three even more advanced techniques, all of which combined physical and spiritual cultivation. Only true disciples had the资格 to practice them, and they were the Lichen Sect's mountain-stabilizing techniques.

The Shangxiao Yingyuan Dongzhen Yulei Zhenfa was one of them.

"I can't confirm it. My spiritual senses are limited, and I can't discern the details. Before the fifth tribulation, I had never even seen the Lichen Sect's mountain-stabilizing technique, only heard of it. After this person's heart meridians opened, there were threads of red lightning wandering within their body, which is a characteristic of the Shangxiao Yulei Zhenfa."

Yun'er's voice was filled with doubt and uncertainty. "Or it could be another similar cultivation technique."

Zhuang Wudao, however, thought of the recent series of disturbances in Yuecheng. The Lichen and Yishan Sects, apart from the two Yuan Ying cultivators, had gathered over thirty Golden Core cultivators in the vicinity.

Although a full-scale battle had not erupted, conflicts and friction between the two sides had been continuous over the past two months. Many cultivators had died or been injured near Yuecheng. Fires and riots had broken out in the city more than ten times. The disciples below the Golden Core level fought without restraint.

The major families in the city were almost exhausted, with significant losses in strength. The young masters who used to rampage through the streets were now nowhere to be seen.

Even the monthly beast tide had not occurred. It seemed the fierce beasts outside the city could sense the danger within Yuecheng and had all gone into hiding.

Could there be so many coincidences in the world? A cultivator practicing a technique similar to the Shangxiao Yulei Zhenfa, and then falling into a coma outside Yuecheng?

Kinfeng had saved this nameless cultivator and brought him back to the city, and many people had witnessed it. Why hadn't any Lichen Sect cultivators come to look for him?

There were too many mysteries surrounding this person.

Or was he overthinking it?

Zhuang Wudao shook his head, knowing that overthinking would not help. The truth would be revealed when the nameless cultivator woke up, or he could ask Beiting Wan'er later.

The grand competition was now less than two days away. The most pressing matter was to use this final time to improve his strength as much as possible.

However, the imminent awakening of the nameless cultivator was a relief to him.

Zhuang Wudao's mood relaxed as he returned to his spiritual room. After a brief rest, he began practicing his boxing techniques again.

He was currently cultivating two techniques, both requiring meditation to nourish his spirit. One was the Sword Essence Technique, and the other was the Tianxuan Zhaoshi Zhenjing.

The former was fine, although mysterious, it was just a secondary technique. The Tianxuan Zhaoshi Zhenjing, however, was more troublesome. The more he cultivated it, the more energetic he felt, with boundless energy throughout his body. He could only repeatedly practice his boxing techniques to exhaust himself before he could fall asleep.

After all, his cultivation level was not high enough for meditation to completely replace sleep. There was also the dream created by the Light Cloud Sword Spirit, which required him to sleep to enter. In terms of martial cultivation, Yun'er's detailed guidance in the dream was far superior to his own practice while awake.

Kinfeng practiced the Niutu Yuanba Body, the Dashi Bei Hand, and the Xingyi Liuhe. However, at his current level, a slight misstep could destroy the small spiritual room, so he had to be cautious.

The benefits of the Shiming True Flame and the Tianxuan Zhaoshi Zhenjing extended far beyond just his spiritual senses. His Niutu Yuanba Body and Dashi Bei Hand had also made significant progress. The star energy he gathered daily made the magnetic energy around him thicker and stronger. With just his magnetic energy, he could withstand a full-strength attack from a Second Stage Qi Practitioner. When he used the Dashi Bei Hand at full strength, it could generate the power of eighteen elephants!

Even without the Dashi Bei Hand, Zhuang Wudao's strength was sixty units, far exceeding that of his peers.

Once he successfully advanced to the Fifth Stage, entering the middle Qi Practitioner stage, his strength would double. If his Niutu Yuanba Body could reach the second stage, his strength would increase by three times, surpassing the strength of Sixth or Seventh Stage cultivators by ten times!

Most First Stage cultivators had a strength of ten units. Fourth Stage cultivators generally had a strength of twenty to thirty units. In front of Zhuang Wudao, they were no match. Only those with cultivation techniques on par with the Niutu Yuanba Body could stand a chance against him.

Each of Zhuang Wudao's palm strikes now had the power to split mountains and shatter rocks. Even his simplest movements carried immense force, and he could hardly control it due to his rapid progress.

Fortunately, his boxing practice at this stage was different from before. Most of the time, he focused on how to more efficiently channel the true essence in his body to his palms and fingers, enhancing his boxing power and making his movements more agile and swift.

The difference between the first and second stages of the Niutu Yuanba Body lay in this. When Zhuang Wudao could freely distribute true essence to any part of his body, he would have reached the second stage.

The first stage of the Niutu Yuanba Body corresponded to the Qi Practitioner stage, while the second stage corresponded to the Foundation Establishment stage.

This stage of physical cultivation also involved continuously strengthening the body, making the flesh, bones, and skin more compatible with the true essence and spiritual power within.

The Shiming True Flame had enabled him to quickly advance to the Fourth Stage, not just because of the unique power within the flame, but also because it constantly burned near his stomach and intestines, purifying the impurities in his body and making it more adaptable to the flow of true essence.

After practicing for a long time, until just before dawn, Zhuang Wudao finally felt a bit tired. He then entered a meditative state using the Sword Essence Technique to nourish the sword qi in his chest.

After about an hour, Zhuang Wudao was completely exhausted and fell into a deep sleep. Normally, at this time, no one in the Sword Robe Hall would disturb his sleep.

However, Zhuang Wudao suddenly woke up from the dream created by the Light Cloud Sword Spirit, feeling a faint aura beside him. He couldn't tell how long it had been there, with no footsteps or breathing, like a ghost.

What made him even more frightened was that his consciousness was still hazy, aware of the danger but unable to wake up from his sleep.

"Practiced the Lingfeng Fist? At least ten years of practice. So, you are a registered disciple of the Lichen Sect?"

The voice spoke slowly, with a hint of surprise and confusion.

"First stage of the Niutu Yuanba Body, flesh like a python, bones like a whale. The Tianxuan Zhaoshi Zhenjing is also making progress, with initial gathering of divine consciousness. At just seventeen, you are already at the Fourth Stage of the Qi Practitioner, with remarkable strength. Such strength, joining our Lichen Sect as an inner disciple would not be excessive. Even as a true disciple, you would be worthy."

"Outstanding medical skills, a simple Xiaohuanyang acupuncture technique used to perfection. Forcing out the residual Shiming True Flame and attempting to condense a fire seed, truly a bold and innovative idea! If not for your Niutu Yuanba Body, you would have been burned to a crisp. Unfortunately, your bone and constitution are only Fifth Rank. You may never reach the Golden Core stage in your lifetime. Well, since you are a fellow disciple of the Lichen Sect and I was awakened by you, it can be considered a karmic connection."

Zhuang Wudao felt a cool sensation between his eyebrows. Then, it was as if a stream of clear water flowed through his meridians and acupoints, spreading to his limbs and organs. His entire body felt refreshingly comfortable, and the burning sensation in his chest and abdomen slightly subsided.

However, at that moment, he felt a tremor between his eyebrows. It seemed like a finger was pointing at his forehead, revealing the intense emotions of its owner.

"Hmm? This is a hidden spiritual root, Earth Spirit Rank!"

Zhuang Wudao was bewildered, then remembered the Jintu Grass he had integrated into his body using Yun'er's secret method a few days ago.

This person had noticed? Had that finger already tested his disguised bone and constitution?

Wasn't it said that hidden spiritual roots could only be detected using a highly consuming secret method?

The voice fell silent, and the finger that had been pressing against his forehead withdrew.

Then, without his notice, the aura quietly disappeared, completely vanishing.

Zhuang Wudao fell back into a deep sleep, and it was not until much later that his consciousness gradually returned. He suddenly opened his eyes and rushed out of the door.

It was already early morning, and when Zhuang Wudao rushed into the adjacent guest room, he found that the nameless cultivator on the bed was gone.

Zhuang Wudao's face turned pale.

"Was that person just now, him?"

"It must have been! No mistake."

Yun'er said firmly, "When his true essence entered your body, it had the characteristics of the Shangxiao Yulei Zhenfa."

Zhuang Wudao was speechless for a long time before he asked, somewhat reproachfully, "Why didn't you wake me up then? With your abilities, you could have done it."

"That person had no murderous intent towards the sword master, and his strength was unpredictable. Since he wanted to see you while you were asleep, it was best for the sword master to remain asleep."

Yun'er's voice was cold, but there was a hint of helplessness. "Even if the sword master had woken up, what could you have done? If he had wanted to kill you, I would have been powerless, let alone the sword master."

"Hmph, he's just an Eighth Stage Qi Practitioner."

Zhuang Wudao muttered, but he knew that this nameless cultivator was far more than just an Eighth Stage Qi Practitioner.