Chapter 337 - 212: Qi Blood Second Transformation

Chapter 337: Chapter 212: Qi Blood Second Transformation

Even so, his current Life-Nourishing Art was powerful enough, especially with its unique ability to transform all techniques, allowing for various applications. Xie Yuan’s Sword Qi Technique wasn’t at a high level yet. If he learned a more profound Cultivation Technique in the future, he might be able to use the Life-Nourishing Art for rapid breakthroughs or to constantly replenish his reserves in battle.

As for profound fighting styles like the Eight Trigrams Mountain-Shaking Fist and the Moon-Cutting Axe, even though Xie Yuan had been wholeheartedly practicing his sword skills at the Sword Sect recently, he hadn’t completely abandoned them. He maintained a considerable level of proficiency, but they were no longer his main focus, merely another tool in his arsenal.

Needless to say, the Celestial Concealment Skill was something he used constantly and practiced every moment. Despite it being more profound and difficult than even the Cloud Dragon Nine Forms, his progress was still steadily increasing.

The Black Celestial Book greatly intrigued him, but he had been buried in bitter cultivation for the past few months with little free time. On top of that, with Li Xingtuo keeping an eye on him, he didn’t dare wander about. Therefore, he could only visit the Sword Grotto once in a while. His progress was slow, but it was better than nothing.

His Cloud Dragon Step had also slowly reached the Mastery level, which was not too low. With the boost from this sublime Body Technique, what was once Xie Yuan’s weakness was now a strength among peers of the same realm.

The Cloud Dragon Nine Forms was abstruse, but his progress was steady. A Grandmaster-Level Swordsmanship of this caliber was not to be brandished lightly; once unleashed, it was always for the kill.

Then there was the Cloud Mountain Sword Qi Technique, which had already reached the 4th Layer. With it as his main and the Life-Nourishing Art as his support, Xie Yuan’s current Inner Power was also quite profound.

However, his Life-Nourishing Art had reached its peak, and the Cloud Mountain Sword Qi Technique was, after all, an introductory method and not particularly high-level. Most Sword Sect disciples eventually switched to a more advanced Inner Power cultivation technique.

Xie Yuan’s Inner Power was sufficient for now, but if he wanted to continue improving, he needed to put finding a new one on his agenda.

But in the past few months in the Inner Sect, apart from teaching him a new Swordsmanship technique, Lv Liangdong had given him nothing else.

The Cloud-Entering Sword Skill was considered the 2nd Layer of Swordsmanship for Cloud Mountain Sword Sect disciples, above the Cloud Mountain Sword Form. Its power and grade were a notch higher, making it quite decent. Xie Yuan practiced it casually and still reached the Mastery level, using it to supplement his swordsmanship arsenal, hone his Blood Qi realm, and indirectly facilitate his cultivation breakthrough.

But for him, who had already mastered the Cloud Dragon Nine Forms, this Swordsmanship that other Inner Sect Disciples practiced with such joy was mediocre at best.

’The next step is to find a new Inner Power technique... Otherwise, even if my Blood Qi realm advances, I’ll have a critical imbalance when I reach the Third Transformation Realm, which will be extremely detrimental to future breakthroughs.’

Xie Yuan nodded slightly, making a mental note of the matter before finishing the review of all his skills.

He suddenly realized his current state. Among those in the same realm, his external arts were solid enough to render him undefeated. His two Inner Power techniques—one mellow and rich, the other sharp and incisive—complemented each other, resulting in profound and enduring reserves. He had more fighting and killing techniques than he could count on one hand, and his methods were diverse. He could even wield three types of weapons and switch between them at will. And with the miraculous Hundred-Change Profound Weapon, his enemies would never be able to react in time during a fight.

Furthermore, he had the Cloud Dragon Nine Forms, a profound swordsmanship that could crush any opponent in the same realm, an ultimate move capable of sweeping through an army, and a Body Technique that was the signature skill of a Flying Dragon List Master...

Such an arsenal, such power, could only be described as luxurious. Among the people around him, only Situ Qin’s legacy could possibly surpass his own. He reckoned that none of his other peers in this realm could assemble such a complete set of Cultivation Techniques!

Xie Yuan suddenly grew curious. If he were to fight one of the prodigies on the Hidden Dragon List, what would his chances of winning be?

’Even though I just broke through to the Second Transformation Realm, I don’t think I’d necessarily lose, would I?’

Xie Yuan let out a long breath, a wave of emotion washing over him.

’I guess I finally have a little bit of strength now.’

After all, someone at the Qi and Blood Second Transformation Realm was considered a true expert in the martial world.

And if one could make it onto the Hidden Dragon List, they were worthy of the title of master.

’I guess I’ve finally left the newbie village, right?’

After all, even Li Tai and Aunt Hong had set the Qi Blood Second Transformation as the threshold for Situ Qin to be able to venture out on her own.

Xie Yuan nodded, recalling his prior agreement with Situ Qin, a sense of anticipation growing within him.

He immediately sent her a letter, telling her that he had broken through and that he would try to leave the mountain in a few days to meet her.

Another ten days passed. Xie Yuan reckoned he had stabilized his realm. Most importantly, the Blood Qi fluctuations from his breakthrough had subsided and should no longer be detectable.

So, he went to find Lv Liangdong, claiming he needed to go home to visit his family and requesting a long leave of absence for about half a month.

As an Inner Sect Disciple, he had this right. However, Xie Yuan had secretly snuck off the mountain several times in the past few months to meet with Situ Qin, so his "family visit" requests were becoming somewhat frequent.

Seeing him again, Lv Liangdong said coldly:

"For leave this long, you’ll have to ask the Sect Leader."

"Huh? For a small matter like this, surely I don’t need to trouble the Sect Leader?"

Xie Yuan was a bit surprised and also reluctant.

Li Xingtuo was profound and unfathomable, and he really didn’t want to face him.

But Lv Liangdong’s next sentence crushed his hopes:

"I’ve already reported it. He said that the next time you ask for leave, you are to go directly to him."

’...This unreasonable old man.’

Helpless, Xie Yuan could only cup his fists in farewell to the old instructor, brace himself, and head up the main peak to request an audience with the Sect Leader.

Fortunately, the Sect Leader was diligent. He still spent his days in the study handling sect affairs. Xie Yuan didn’t have to wait long before being summoned by this capable Sect Leader.

"Greetings, Sect Leader!"

Xie Yuan entered the spacious study and bowed, thinking to himself, ’It’s a good thing I played it safe and waited ten days before coming. Otherwise, Li Xingtuo would have definitely noticed my surging Blood Qi and known I just had a breakthrough.’

Hearing Xie Yuan’s greeting, Li Xingtuo looked up from his desk, then immediately lowered his head to continue reviewing his documents, saying casually:

"You broke through?"