Chapter 412 294: Technique (Part 2)

It seemed that Zuo Dongrui had teamed up with some other new disciples to bully someone and steal their Blood Strengthening Pills.

With over three hundred people, it was neither a large group nor a small one. Since he was paying close attention, some pieces of information simply couldn't escape his notice.

However, he didn't plan to get involved in the matter.

There were many reasons for this. For example, Zuo Dongrui showed greater aptitude than Zhao Xing, and Zuo Dongrui's group had acted with a degree of restraint.

But the most important point was that he hadn't seen any fierce resistance from Zhao Xing.

He was being bullied and his Elixir Pills were stolen, yet despite being under the sect's protection, he didn't show the slightest hint of determination or ferocity to fight to the bitter end. If he had just dared to resist with some grit, a group of amateurs like Zuo Dongrui's, who hadn't even been formally initiated, would never have been so restrained. Then, his injuries would have been obvious, and as the Dharma Transmission Steward, he might have had no choice but to intervene.

Lacking the courage to resist bullying, a person with such a weak spirit wouldn't get far in cultivation. He, Hua Guangcan, detested wimps and cowards more than anything. There was no reason to help him. Perhaps leaving the sect would be a good choice for him.

As the saying goes, heaven helps those who help themselves.

As his thoughts drifted, Hua Guangcan continued his slow walk, his gaze unintentionally falling upon Zhao Xing in the distance.

"Hmm?"

He couldn't help but let out a soft sound of surprise.

The boy was loudly reciting the Imperial Decree, and the transformations of his Primordial Form gave off a sense of smooth harmony. With his sharp hearing and observation, Hua Guangcan could hear the powerful beating of Zhao Xuanqi's heart and the sound of his Qi and Blood flowing.

'Surging Qi and Blood?'

This was the mark of preliminary mastery of the True Essence Skill. The Primordial Qi tempered the body, mobilizing the Qi and Blood within. Damage and repair occurred simultaneously, making the body stronger.

Among the three hundred New Disciples, only Peng Lin and Shen Hong had managed to reach this stage so far.

'This kid... has he had some sort of breakthrough?'

Slightly surprised, Hua Guangcan paused to watch for a few seconds, secretly making a mental note of Zhao Xing's performance. His face remained impassive as he slowly resumed his walk.

'His aptitude for the Cultivation Technique is quite good. He's worth cultivating.'

'It's just that he's such a pushover.'

Hua Guangcan shook his head inwardly, a plan forming in his mind. He wouldn't stop Zuo Dongrui and the others from their bullying. He wanted to see if the boy could unleash some ferocity if pushed to the absolute limit. If not, then he would step in and deal with it.

Sensing the Dharma Transmission Steward pause for a moment before walking away, Zhao Xuanqi remained inwardly calm.

'The progress I'm showing in the True Essence Skill isn't even a tenth of my true ability, but it's enough to attract the Dharma Transmission Steward's attention.'

'Raising my status within the Red Heart Sect as quickly as possible is the safest approach. It will let me learn about this world's power systems and overall situation faster, and it will give me a cover identity to interfere in its affairs.'

After about an hour, the morning practice ended. At Hua Guangcan's command, all the New Disciples ceased their cultivation. He then ordered everyone to rest for a Quarter Hour before beginning the second part of the morning lesson.

In the center of the square, Hua Guangcan stood on a high platform. All the New Disciples gathered below, looking up at him.

"Today's True Essence Skill practice is concluded. Over the past few days, you have surely experienced for yourselves the miraculous legacy of our Red Heart Sect. In the world today, evil runs rampant. Our Red Heart Sect is the orthodox lineage of the Spirit Official Dao, a Sealed Sect recognized by the imperial court, and we are tasked with guarding this region. As disciples of the Red Heart Sect, you are expected to slay demons and devils and protect all life in this world."

"The True Essence Skill cultivates Qi and Blood and strengthens your physique. The human body hides infinite mysteries and is the foundation of all things—this is what we call the 'Dao.' But one cannot have the Dao without Magic. Otherwise, you would have a body full of brute Blood Qi and strength but not know how to apply or release it, ultimately amounting to nothing. Therefore, starting today, in addition to your True Essence Skill practice, I will also teach you the application of our Red Heart Sect's Techniques. This will also be a major component of your evaluation and will influence your choice of a teaching master."

Hua Guangcan's lungs vibrated, his voice booming like a great bell across the square, ensuring every disciple heard him clearly.

'According to my senses,' Zhao Xuanqi thought, 'this man's Physical Ability is formidable. He's at least at the level of the Five Qi Tongxuan realm from my past life, possibly even higher.'

All the disciples focused their full attention, not daring to show the slightest lapse.

Hua Guangcan was very satisfied with their reaction. He nodded slightly and gestured to a Skill Transmission Disciple standing nearby. A wooden table and a vertical board draped with white cloth were promptly brought forward.

On the wooden table sat a block of red Seal Paste. On the white cloth of the standing board, a peculiar pattern was drawn with Cinnabar-red pigment. It looked similar to the Daoist Talismans Zhao Xuanqi had seen on Blue Star, but its strokes were simpler, not as indecipherable as a so-called Ghost Rune.

"The path of Magic in this world is vast and profound, with endless variations. Our Red Heart Sect is the orthodox lineage of the Spirit Official Dao. The Spirit Official Dao is the path of Demon Suppression and Guardian, of achieving Divine Communication, a path of firm, fierce, and mighty power. Therefore, our school of Magic focuses primarily on 'Body Runes'."

Hua Guangcan spoke slowly, then picked up the Cinnabar-red Seal Paste from the table and displayed it for everyone to see.

"This is Special-made Cinnabar, used for painting Talismans. It is for you to use in practice. In the future, when you wander the Jianghu, you can carry it with you. Of course, it is no matter if you cannot; you can paint the rune with your own blood for an equivalent effect. For a master with powerful Qi and Blood, blood is even more effective than Cinnabar. However, your Blood Qi is currently weak, so using your own blood will not be as effective as this Cinnabar."

"Today, I will teach you the most fundamental of all Body Runes: the 'Blood Qi Rune'."

Hua Guangcan turned and pointed to the Cinnabar-red symbol on the white cloth.

"Everything in heaven and earth has 'Qi,' and humans are also born with 'Qi.' Your every movement—walking, standing, sitting, resting—is governed by Qi. If your Qi is weak, your body is weak; if your Qi is strong, your body is strong. Below the Innate realm, this Qi is known as 'Blood Qi.' The saying 'a surge of Qi and Blood brings boundless strength' refers to this very principle. Normally, however, this Qi is difficult to mobilize at will. It requires an aid, and the Body Rune is such a method."

"Now, watch my demonstration."

Hua Guangcan boomed. He dipped his left index finger into the Cinnabar and swiftly drew on the palm of his right hand, finishing in less than half a second.

He opened his massive, fan-like hand. Everyone could clearly see that the Cinnabar-red symbol from the white cloth had been replicated on his right palm.

Then, he sank into a slight squat, power rising from his feet.

Zhao Xuanqi's keen intuition could feel the Qi and Blood churning within Hua Guangcan's body. Physical Ability, Force, and Qi and Blood all converged on his right hand, which became engorged with blood and turned crimson.

Then, a miraculous scene unfolded, and Zhao Xuanqi's pupils contracted slightly.

BOOM!!

Hua Guangcan thrust his palm forward. The Force and Qi and Blood erupted from its center. The Cinnabar-red Talisman on his palm suddenly bloomed with a bloody light that enveloped his hand. As his Force surged, the bloody light burst, creating a muffled sonic boom.

'This is... the effect of stimulating and releasing Life Primordial Qi?! He can stimulate his Primordial Qi and produce an effect through means other than physical movement, even without reaching the Divine General stage? And he can do it in an environment with such dense Heaven and Earth Primordial Qi. This world's cultivation methods for manipulating the body's Primordial Qi are truly profound,' Zhao Xuanqi thought.

"With practice, the Blood Qi Rune can stimulate and release the Blood Qi within your body. It can enhance the power of your attacks and even has some killing effect against intangible, sinister forces. However, at your current level of Blood Qi, you wouldn't be able to harm even the weakest of these evils. You might not even succeed in releasing your Blood Qi at all. The Blood Qi Rune is the most basic Technique, and it is also the benchmark to determine if a beginner has entered the path of cultivation."

"This requires a combination of Physical Ability and skill. The Technique is merely an aid. The most important part is learning how to mobilize your Qi and Blood, Physical Ability, and Force, and then channeling it through the Body Rune to be unleashed. That is the key."

"From now on, besides the True Essence Skill, the focus of your cultivation will be practicing the Blood Qi Rune Technique. You will start by learning Talisman Painting. Once you are able to project your Blood Qi externally, you will have reached the first realm of cultivation."

"The Blood Strengthening Realm!"

Hua Guangcan announced to the crowd, his expression calm.