Slum area.
Inside a cellar.
Inhale... exhale...
Terrifying waves of energy surged back and forth, crashing against the walls, creating ripples as if to form a sweeping airflow.
Fang Xi's upper body was bare, his chest rising and falling like a bellows.
With each breath, his qi and blood seemed to grow stronger, his muscles becoming elastic as if made of rubber.
"The principle of Iron Armor Technique is counter-shock!"
"When cultivated to the highest realm, even if a martial artist wields a blunt weapon, it cannot cause much harm!"
Fang Xi fiercely bit into a piece of Taishui meat, closing his eyes to meditate on the profound meaning of the Iron Armor Technique.
Time passed unnoticed.
He suddenly opened his eyes, "Success!"
Mastering the Iron Armor Technique, breaking through the true strength once again!
This time, he felt as if his whole body was covered with a transparent veil, greatly enhancing his defense, especially in the chest and back areas!
These two areas were where the White Cloud Palm and Red Snake Leg techniques were lacking!
"Just as I expected... in the cultivation world's spiritual energy and with the blessing of Taishui meat, my progress in martial arts cultivation is rapid! Breaking through feels as simple as eating and drinking."
Fang Xi's eyes brightened.
Of course, this was also because he was already a true strength martial artist, so cultivating another martial art to this level would naturally be much easier.
Not to mention, he also had the assistance of spiritual awareness to comprehend the profound meanings.
"However... the increase in my overall true strength from the Iron Armor Technique is already minimal."
After introspection, Fang Xi felt somewhat helpless.
The stacking of true strength martial arts was not as straightforward as one plus one.
If breaking through the Red Snake Leg for the first time increased true strength by ten, breaking through the White Cloud Palm for the second time would only increase it by about four to five.
Of course, a four to five percent increase in true strength meant his overall strength had already doubled.
But... after that, Fang Xi studied martial arts, choosing a technique called 'Heavenly Vision Earth Listening Technique,' and after mastering it, the increase in true strength was only about two.
Now, with the breakthrough in the Iron Armor Technique, the increase in overall true strength was probably less than even one...
"In reality, it should be like this. The total amount of a person's qi and blood is limited, so there must be a limit... Otherwise, martial artists continuously stacking martial arts would be invincible."
"However, the gains from such mixed martial practices will diminish, approaching zero in the end... On the contrary, the conflicts in a martial artist's qi and blood will only intensify!"
Suddenly, a few abnormal streaks of crimson appeared on Fang Xi's face, but he quickly suppressed them.
"I have used my spiritual awareness to carefully select martial arts that do not conflict with each other, but I have reached my limit... If I continue like this, it will be more harm than good."
Not only that, Fang Xi relied on the terrifying ability of his spiritual awareness to subtly adjust the four martial arts, making their qi and blood circulation more harmonious, reducing conflicts.
If he were a martial artist from the Great Liang world and reached his current level, he would likely be plagued by various illnesses...
"Fortunately... after stacking four martial arts, my true strength can now cover most of my body."
In the Great Liang martial path, the three transformations of qi and blood are the foundation stage, collectively known as 'Martial Disciple'!
Understanding the profound meanings and integrating true strength makes one a 'Martial Artist'! Comparable to the first level of body refining, which is the early stage of qi refining for cultivators.
After true strength comes the coverage of true strength throughout the body, tempering the internal organs, limbs, and bones... waiting for the emergence of innate true strength! This is known as a True Strength Martial Master.
A True Strength Martial Master is already comparable to the second level of body refining for cultivators, which is the mid-stage of qi refining for cultivators.
Currently, Fang Xi is attempting to reach the stage where true strength covers his entire body through stacking martial arts for overall refinement.
The White Cloud Palm mainly trains the palms, arms, and legs, the Red Snake Leg trains the legs, the Iron Armor Technique covers the torso, and the Heavenly Vision Earth Listening Technique is more esoteric, focusing on enhancing vision and hearing abilities, with the added effect of tempering the head.
"Unfortunately... I am still lacking one true strength technique. Mu Canglong is only a true strength martial artist, so most of the specifics on how to proceed are mere speculation..."
Fang Xi lowered his eyelids, "It's time to slaughter the fattened branch of Yuanhe Mountain."
Although he had long known that Yuanhe Mountain was in the South Gate District, he had yet to take action.
This was mainly because Wu Huyang's martial arts had reached the level of a True Strength Martial Master, comparable to a cultivator in the second stage of body refining.
Although he did not have as many techniques as a cultivator, he was not easy to kill.
For safety's sake, Fang Xi needed to further enhance his own strength before making a move.
Moreover... Blackstone City was now a large prison, and Wu Huyang couldn't escape! So there was no need to rush.
In any case, with the passage of time, Fang Xi's strength would inevitably grow the fastest!
...
Qingzhu Mountain Market.
Dan Ding Ge.
"Is this friend looking to purchase elixirs?"
Zhuo Lüting saw a masked guest approaching and greeted them with a smile, her expression unchanged.
Cultivators often preferred to keep their wealth hidden, and there were many who concealed their identities.
"My family wishes to purchase a certain type of elixir, mainly to address several issues related to the circulation of qi and blood in the body..."
Fang Xi spoke in a rough voice, stating his requirements.
After several breakthroughs in his martial arts, his physique had changed significantly from before.
Coupled with the mask, unless Zhuo Lüting was a Foundation Establishment cultivator, she would not be able to recognize him at all.
Even if she did recognize him, it seemed to have no significance...
After hearing his request, Zhuo Lüting's smile remained unchanged, "Is the guest looking to buy elixirs that resolve different conflicts in qi and blood? This kind of elixir is not available in our store..."
"Not available?" Fang Xi felt a faint disappointment.
Just then, Zhuo Lüting continued with a smile, "Although we don't have it, if the guest is only looking to resolve conflicts in qi and blood for body cultivation, the guest can have our alchemist tailor-make an elixir for the guest... It's just that in terms of price..."
"I don't have that many spirit stones."
Fang Xi sighed.
In fact, he had long known about this solution, such as having the alchemists at Dan Ding Ge examine his body, diagnose him personally, prescribe medicine, and then have the alchemists tailor-make the elixir. Such a simple issue of qi and blood conflict could easily be resolved.
But firstly, he was not from a prominent family with a large face and so many spirit stones.
Secondly, having someone carefully examine his body would inevitably expose his special circumstances, and he might even have to hand over his techniques, which was unacceptable.
Therefore, without hesitation, he turned to leave.
Just then, Zhuo Lüting said, "If the guest is not seeking a complete cure, Lüting has a temporary solution!"
"Oh? What do you mean by a temporary solution?"
Fang Xi stopped in his tracks, his eyes shining as he stared at Zhuo Lüting.
"According to the guest's description, if the conflict in qi and blood is just a minor issue, as long as the foundation is solid, there should be no major problem. Just like how water can extinguish fire, but a drop of water cannot put out a mountain fire...
Our store has the 'Qi and Blood Pill,' a middle-grade first-tier elixir mainly for body cultivators. It can increase the essence and blood in a cultivator's body, enhancing the foundation... If one's foundation is solid, even with minor issues, it won't hinder further progress.
However, this only masks the problem and does not address the root cause. In the next major realm, the problem will inevitably become more severe..."
"The Qi and Blood Pill?"
Fang Xi's voice remained steady, but his mind was racing.
This Qi and Blood Pill could actually increase a person's total qi and blood capacity. In the Great Liang world, it was the supreme elixir for improving martial arts aptitude!
In other words, if Fang Xi had taken a Qi and Blood Pill earlier, perhaps he wouldn't have been treated as a martial arts waste...
'This female cultivator makes sense...'
'If my total qi and blood capacity increases, I can practice more martial arts...'
'As long as the foundation of the body is solid, even if there is internal conflict in qi and blood, as long as it can be suppressed, it won't be a big problem...'
'Maybe I'll break through to the Martial Master realm before the hidden dangers erupt?'
After thinking it over, Fang Xi nodded in agreement, "How much does this Qi and Blood Pill cost?"
A middle-grade first-tier elixir would definitely cost more than the Clear Spirit Pill.
He already had a bad feeling in his heart.
Sure enough, the next moment, Zhuo Lüting's face lit up with excitement, her red lips parting, "Five spirit stones per pill."
...
"Damn Dan Ding Ge... robbing spirit stones..."
In the slum area, Fang Xi looked at the crimson pill in his hand, his entire face falling.
For this one Qi and Blood Pill, he not only spent all his savings, selling all the spirit rice he had stored, but also borrowed four spirit stones from Chen Ping, Di Qi, and others!
And he agreed to repay them within a month, with an additional spirit stone!
"If I have spirit stones in the future, I'll swallow a Qi and Blood Pill and throw one away..."
Fang Xi vowed silently, then swallowed the pill in one gulp, closing his eyes to refine it with his mana.
Soon, he felt the power of the pill surging through his body, warming him all over.
The tension that had been present in his limbs and bones disappeared, replaced by a sense of relief.
"Indeed, the Qi and Blood Pill works!"
A hint of joy appeared in Fang Xi's eyes.
"The so-called conflict in qi and blood, if the human body is compared to a house, there are several fierce beasts inside the house. With limited space, conflicts and frictions are inevitable. They attack each other, eventually causing the house to collapse..."
"The principle of the Qi and Blood Pill is to reinforce and expand the room... Although the fierce beasts still exist, it's not easy to collapse the house..."
"Because the fierce beasts still exist, it's what we call a temporary solution."
After a long time...
Fang Xi got up, looking at the black filth seeping out of his body, mixed with blood, he couldn't help but smile wryly, going outside to wash himself clean.
After cleansing his body and mind, he changed into clean clothes, lying on a bamboo chair, gazing up at the night sky, "It's been so long... since I let go of everything and truly looked at the stars."
With the spiritual awareness of a cultivator and the elixirs, the so-called dead-end was a joke to him.
But only now did Fang Xi truly feel a sense of relief.
In this peaceful moment, he seemed to hear the sound of a small river flowing in his ears.
When Fang Xi listened carefully, he realized that the sound of the stream was coming from within his body, the flow of his qi and blood.
Crackling!
A series of explosions emanated from his body, every joint crackling like popping beans, his tendons and bones resonating.
"Is this... true strength entering the bone, beginning to refine the marrow?"
Fang Xi's eyes lit up.
At this point, his true strength had reached an extremely high level, just one step away from the spontaneous generation of true energy!
(End of Chapter)