Chapter 108: Vital Force Conflict, Second Layer Xuan Yuan Qu, Third Layer Iron Shirt

Chapter 108: Vital Force Conflict, Second Layer Xuan Yuan Qu, Third Layer Iron Shirt (Requesting Monthly Votes)

The Meditation Courtyard erupted in heated debate once more, the argument even fiercer than the previous one over Bi Kui.

Hong Ting, usually silent, finally spoke: "There's something strange here. This person clearly has middle-grade Innate Endowment, yet he grasped and mastered the Xuan Shui Sect’s foundational Xuan Yuan Qu technique within an hour. Such a phenomenon has never occurred in our sect’s history."

Hong Xuan Cheng narrowed his eyes thoughtfully. "Are you suggesting the Inborn Aptitude test conducted by the Xuan Fu Academy was incorrect?"

"Impossible!" Hong Xuan Qing immediately interjected. "The Inborn Aptitude test has never failed before. How could the results be wrong?"

"Could we test him again?" Hong Zhen Dong suggested. "While I agree with Xuan Qing, perhaps the error occurred in another process. Otherwise, how could Su Chen comprehend and cultivate Xuan Yuan Qu so quickly?"

Xuan Yuan Qu was the foundational technique of the Xuan Shui Sect, required learning for every disciple. Comprehending its principles wasn’t difficult, but actual cultivation was the true challenge. This was why the sect valued Innate Endowment so highly—those with superior endowment inevitably possessed strong comprehension. Even disciples with weaker comprehension could rely on guidance from elders to grasp the theory. But whether they could actually cultivate it successfully was another matter entirely.

Su Chen had cultivated it almost immediately after comprehension. To them, this meant his Innate Endowment couldn’t possibly be merely middle-grade—it should at least be upper-grade. Whether it was truly supreme-grade required further testing. Even upper-grade Endowment would qualify him for sect admission, especially combined with his exceptional comprehension. However, they wanted another test to dispel lingering doubts.

Hong Xuan Cheng pondered briefly before nodding. "Agreed." The others followed suit—Hong Ting shrugged indifferently, Hong Xuan Qing’s skepticism made her agree reluctantly.

Turning to Yu Zhi Shi, Hong Xuan Cheng ordered, "You’ll accompany him through the retest. Report the results directly to us."

Yu Zhi Shi bowed and departed.

The courtyard briefly quieted as Hong Zhen Dong examined Su Chen’s records. "A shame", he sighed. Cultivating three martial techniques simultaneously was risky. Unlike common belief, excessive cultivation methods often hindered progress. For cultivators, mastering multiple techniques could severely damage their foundation.

Their insistence on retesting stemmed from wanting to assess Su Chen’s potential. Cultivating two techniques already placed him in the "necessary abandonment" category for sect training. Cultivating three made abandonment inevitable. The damage from reversing cultivation required prolonged recovery, and even then, future cultivation might remain impaired. Without supreme-grade Endowment, reversing cultivation could waste a valuable sect position—a loss they couldn’t afford.

A quarter-hour later, footsteps approached urgently.

"Finished already?" Hong Xuan Cheng muttered, surprised.

Yu Zhi Shi entered, bowing stiffly. Four piercing gazes bore into him. "Su Chen… has left the mountain."

Hong Xuan Qing asked coldly, "What happened?"

"He said since fate denied him entry to Xuan Shui Sect, he’d stop forcing the issue."

Hong Xuan Cheng slammed his palm on the table. "Fate? Does he think we’re some common inn—someone appear and disappear as they please?"

No one spoke, but the atmosphere darkened. Yu Zhi Shi stood drenched in sweat, mentally cursing Su Chen.

Finally, Hong Xuan Qing sipped her tea calmly. "Forced fruit never ripens sweetly. If he sees no value in our sect, why insist?"

Hong Xuan Cheng snorted. "He overestimates himself. We’ve not sunk to accepting half-crippled disciples."

His expression softened slightly but remained stern. "With his Vital Force Conflict, his martial cultivation path is already severed. Even supreme comprehension can’t breach Visceral Reformation, let alone higher realms."

After a pause, Yu Zhi Shi ventured, "Should I dispatch someone to… neutralize his cultivation?"

Hong Xuan Qing shook her head. "We dare display these techniques because we’re unafraid of their misuse. However…" Her voice chilled. "If he dares spread our sect’s shame through them…"

Yu Zhi Shi understood. Bidding farewell, he left shaken but relieved.

The four masters departed quietly, resuming their composed facades. To them, Su Chen was a fleeting speck of dust.

Back at his quarters, Yu Zhi Shi announced the results, issued warnings, then sought a shadowed figure.

"Find him. Remove his cultivation."

The man silently read the note, tore it, then vanished.

Yu Zhi Shi’s lips curled. "You may escape the heads’ judgment, Su Chen, but not mine."

...

[Martial Arts: Xuan Yuan Qu (1st Layer 1%)]
[Easy Mode: Xuan Yuan Qu 0 Times (300 taels + subsequent techniques +10 Xuan Yuan Pills/attempt)]

Descending the mountain, Su Chen felt lighter. His Progress Panel revealed Xuan Yuan Qu’s first layer complete—though no Vital Force emerged, his body felt subtly transformed. Qi circulation quickened, flowing naturally. This unexpected progress delighted him.

"Though the Xuan Shui Sect reeks of arrogance, this journey wasn’t wasted."

He suspected his second test had startled the sect’s elders, but leaving was intentional. Distrust toward the sect formed after his first comprehension test. The retest was merely an opportunity to snatch the technique—now, with his goal achieved, why stay? With his talent and Progress Panel's aid, did he truly need their approval? Only one concern lingered.

"Master might disappoint if he learns I failed, but knowing their arrogance, he’d understand."

Shaking off thoughts of Hong Ming, he headed home. At the foot of the mountain, a carriage awaited—Qin Xue’s people. Ignoring curious stares, he boarded.

Back in Big Feng City, guards informed him Qin Xue requested a meeting.

"Results unsurprising", she consoled. "Xuan Shui isn’t the only path for cultivators. Many worthy sects exist here and beyond."

Though she’d expected failure, she’d promised Hong Ming to soften the blow.

Su Chen bowed gratefully. "You’ve done much already."

Qin Xue studied him. "About your Vital Force Conflict—I’ve begun researching solutions. For now, abandon other techniques. Focus on a gentler cultivation method to avoid permanent damage."

"Vital Force Conflict?" Su Chen blinked, genuinely confused.

"You didn’t know?" She explained the sect’s verdict—his cultivation of multiple techniques had doomed him. While he scoffed at their hypocrisy, the new term captured his attention.

Qin Xue elaborated: Visceral Reformation required harnessing Vital Force to temper internal organs. Different forces targeted specific organs, but conflicting forces could erupt chaotically—mildly causing physical deterioration, severely erasing cultivation entirely. That’s why sects forbade simultaneous cultivation of unrelated techniques, permitting only variations from the same source.

Even so, most disciples would weigh their decision a hundred times over before committing, only resorting to cultivating multiple techniques when absolutely desperate. After all, doing so was not only time-consuming, labor-intensive, and resource-draining, but even if no problems surfaced immediately, conflicts between different vital energies could erupt unexpectedly later on, causing disastrous setbacks.

Worse still, the internal organs were inherently fragile. While controlling vital energy was manageable with restraint, losing control would inevitably damage one’s insides, stalling progress entirely.

After hearing Qin Xue’s explanation, Su Chen’s previously indifferent expression gradually darkened. He thought of his recent experience.

“A while back, during a fight, I felt a dull pain in my lungs. At first, I thought it was just my imagination, but now I see—this must be connected to the vital force conflict.”

He quickly realized the issue and mentally reviewed the evidence, confirming his conclusion. At the same time, he noticed a flaw in the Progress Panel’s function:

“Although the Progress Panel prevents vital energies from clashing, it doesn’t actually help me control them. Eventually, the burden falls on me, and my control pales in comparison to the Panel’s. If this continues, the risk of vital force conflict will never disappear!”

Realizing this, Su Chen’s gaze sharpened. “In other words, if I want to use vital energy freely without fear of backlash, I must resolve this problem. Otherwise, even with the Progress Panel, I might still face vital energy chaos someday!”

Determined, Su Chen immediately asked Qin Xue for solutions.

There were two options: One was to abandon multiple techniques and focus on a single cultivation method. The other was to seek a technique capable of fusing different vital energies. However, the latter carried significant risks—success was uncertain, and failure could damage one’s body and hinder future progress.

The first option was instantly dismissed. There was no way he would discard his current path, especially since his Iron Shirt technique was already a composite method refined by the Progress Panel.

“But wait,” he pondered, “the five distinct vital energies within me each come from different techniques. By Qin Xue’s logic, I’ve already cultivated at least five martial techniques.”

He shook his head. “Then the only choice is the second path—fusion!”

Far from feeling discouraged, Su Chen felt excitement. He wondered what surprises would come from merging his five vital energies.

Qin Xue guessed his thoughts from his expression but chose not to interfere.

“Since you’ve made your decision,” she said, “I’ll ask around for techniques that can fuse vital energies.”

Grateful, Su Chen stood and bowed. “Thank you, Aunt Xue.”

Qin Xue waved him off with a smile. After some idle conversation, she tried to persuade him to stay for dinner as night fell, but Su Chen declined politely.

Helpless, she let him go.

Back in the study:

“Haha, Father, just as you predicted, he failed.”

Hong Chen laughed as he read the report from Xuan Shui Sect, his eyes gleaming with satisfaction. “Though it’s normal—Xuan Shui Sect doesn’t accept just anyone.”

Hong Risheng remained calm, already aware of the news. What surprised him was that Su Chen had been rejected before even meeting Hong Xuan Cheng. This irony amused him:

Hong Ming, you may have beaten me for decades, but I’ve surpassed you in the end. Your so-called genius disciple couldn’t even step through Xuan Shui’s gates. How absurd!

“Oh, Father,” Hong Chen added, setting down the letter, “I heard his failure was partly due to cultivating at least three martial techniques. Mother has already begun seeking ways to fuse his vital energies.”

Hong Risheng saw his son’s intent and chuckled. “Do as you wish, but don’t upset your mother. I won’t interfere, but don’t go too far.”

“Understood!” Hong Chen bowed, then left.

…

After a simple meal, Su Chen strolled home. The night in Big Feng City was just beginning.

He dawdled, gazing at the scenery, stretching a half-hour walk into an hour.

“Hmm? Someone here?”

Approaching his door, he sensed something off. A faint breath echoed from behind it.

“A thief?”

He paused, then realized the person inside had noticed him—their breathing quickened.

“Why isn’t he coming in?”

A Black-Cloaked Man behind the door muttered, waiting impatiently. He’d tracked Su Chen’s residence using Xuan Shui Sect’s resources and lay in ambush, ready to cripple Su Chen upon entry.

Suddenly, a gust of wind struck his back. His vision blurred before he flew backward, knocked out cold by a single strike.

“Too easy,” Su Chen muttered, staring at the unconscious figure. He’d used only half his strength.

Grabbing the man like a chicken, Su Chen doused him with a bucket of water.

“Where am I?” The man spat out water, shook himself awake, then froze, realizing his clothes were gone. “What did you do to me?”

Su Chen stepped closer. The man struggled, then raised his hands. “Don’t hit the face! Ask whatever you want!”

Taken aback by the sudden cooperation, Su Chen cleared his throat. “Who sent you?”

“Yu Zhi Shi of Xuan Shui Sect,” the man answered. “He ordered me to destroy your Xuan Yuan Qu cultivation.”

Su Chen’s expression darkened, his disdain for Xuan Shui Sect deepening. He held up a pill. “What’s this?”

“Xuan Yuan Pill!” the man replied.

Su Chen blinked, surprised—this was exactly what he needed.

“More of these?”

The man glared, then sighed. “Do you think anyone carries Xuan Yuan Pills? This one cost me thousands of gold!”

Su Chen raised his hand threateningly.

“I’ll talk! I’ll talk!” The man blurted. “The Xuan Yuan Qu’s second layer technique is—water, which can be soft or hard. It nourishes life at its best and destroys at its worst…”

Su Chen listened, scribbling notes while checking the man’s honesty.

After reciting, the man sighed in relief, only for Su Chen to raise another paper. “Again!”

“Again!?”

“Your last line changed at the fiftieth character—you’re hiding something. Again!”

Smack!

The man’s mind numbed as he recited countless times, Su Chen’s pile of notes growing.

Finally, when Su Chen fell silent, the man shuddered. “Did I mess up again?”

“No,” Su Chen said, eyes sharp. “What does ‘turning steel into silk’ mean?”

The man paled. He’d accidentally recited the Momentum Attunement secret!

“The second layer’s secret,” he admitted. “Xuan Yuan Qu has four layers total—Strength Training, Martial Cultivation, Visceral Reformation, Bone Tempering. Each has a method, and Visceral Reformation branches further, beyond my access.”

Su Chen studied him. “Why cooperate?”

“They say Xuan Shui Sect’s laws are loose—more rules mean more loopholes,” the man smirked. “And what’s the point of killing me? You’d never escape their wrath.”

“True?” Su Chen’s eyes glinted. “Let’s test that.”

Before the man could plead, Su Chen’s palm struck his crown, ending him.

Though the man had cooperated, letting him live would be like freeing a tiger. As for Xuan Shui Sect’s retaliation? Su Chen planned to move out soon anyway. A new identity would suffice.

Dragging the corpse, he muttered, “Sorry, the crooked tree in the Courtyard of Shadows isn’t picky about nutrients.”

Su Chen quickly devised a plan. Without hesitation, he dug a pit and buried the Black-Cloaked Men alive.

After finishing the grim task and cleaning up, he returned to his room. Taking out a bottle of pills—Xuan Yuan Dan—he muttered, "Never thought this was the legendary Xuan Yuan Dan. It actually looks quite appealing."

He had no doubts about the Black-Cloaked Men’s honesty. Earlier, he’d scraped off a bit and let the man taste it. Hours later, the fellow was still alive, proving the pill’s safety. Popping one into his mouth, he swallowed it whole.

A cool sensation surged from his throat down his esophagus, spreading through his chest and abdomen. Even his breath felt refreshingly icy, like mint candy.

"Pity there’s only one!" he sighed, eyeing the barely advanced progress bar.

Finishing it off, he mused, "But at least I’ve secured the second-tier techniques for the Xuan Yuan Qu cultivation method."

With money and the manual secured, only nine more Xuan Yuan Dan remained to complete his preparations. As dawn approached, Su Chen tucked the thoughts away and retired for the night.

---

The next day, Su Chen adopted the alias "Ding Peng" and rented a new courtyard through a housing agency. After moving his belongings in under this new identity, he returned to his old residence to check out and reclaim his deposit.

That evening, he donned his signature "four-mustache" disguise and slipped out to the Black Market. The familiar venue still carried its faintly oppressive vibe, stirring a sense of déjà vu.

Navigating the crowd, he found the Gray-Cloaked Merchant at their usual spot, the stall nearly empty of customers. The merchant straightened, eyes lighting up as Su Chen approached.

"Customer, how many Vital Energy Pills do you need?" the merchant rasped, their voice tinged with eager anticipation.

"Stock?" Su Chen asked.

"Sixteen left. Whole batch for 4,500 taels—a 300-tael discount", they offered.

"Done", Su Chen handed over silver notes, then added casually, "Got any Xuan Yuan Dan?"

The merchant stiffened, sizing him up with a sharp gaze. "You joke, sir. Only Xuan Shui Sect produces Xuan Yuan Dan, and they never sell outside. Even if I had some, I wouldn’t dare peddle it to you."

Su Chen said nothing, pocketing the pills. "This isn’t enough for me. Could you bring more next time? Or set a fixed trade schedule?"

The merchant hesitated, then shook their hooded head. Su Chen shrugged—it was worth a shot.

---

Next, he approached the Black Market’s administrator to rent a stall. "Available spots range from 200 to 1,000 taels based on location."

Spending over 4,000 taels drained half his savings. Tightbudgeting led him to the cheapest 200-tael spot near the entrance. He hung a sign: "Effect akin to Zhuangxue Pills! 50 Gold Taels per dose of Boiling Blood Powder."

Zhuangxue Pills, a common vitality-enhancing remedy costing 70 taels per pill, served as his benchmark. Testing proved his powder matched the effect, justifying the lower price.

Despite this, hours passed without a customer. As closing time neared, he fretted, "Will I sell nothing tonight?"

Just as he considered packing up, a burly man approached, "What’s this? Comparable to Zhuangxue Pills? Serious?"

"Absolutely", Su Chen replied, unfazed by the quiet stall.

"50 gold for five doses? Cheaper than Zhuangxue. Sold."

The transaction settled, Su Chen packed the powder. The night broke even—200 taels covered the stall fee, with 50 taels chipping into material costs.

---

He visited the anonymous shop for fusion cultivation techniques. The attendant returned, "Three hundred taels for intel, but a hundred-tael deposit first."

Past dealings proved their honesty. Su Chen paid the deposit. "When’s the update?"

"Next Black Market opening", the attendant promised.

Leaving at 9 PM, Su Chen nearly collided with a robbery in progress—not targeting him, but a long-robed figure.

Glancing from a distance, Su Chen diverted course.

"Kid, hand over your cash!" the bandit chief sneered. "Lies mean your life."

The calm long-robed man’s eyes flashed. "Three seconds to flee. Or die."

The air chilled. The bandits hesitated, but the chief waved them off. "Let’s go."

The leader shot the man one last suspicious glance before departing.

---

"Phew", the man exhaled, muttering, "Glad my bluff worked!" He patted his chest, then hurried off.

Suddenly, he froze. Panic flickered, replaced by cold fury. "Didn’t I tell you to leave?"

"Cut the act!" the chief roared. "Get him!"

The bandits lunged. The man bolted, the chief bellowing, "Catch him or die trying!"

Su Chen, nearby, heard pounding footsteps. He leapt into bushes, spotting the fleeing man. Moments later, a dagger whistled through the air.

The man dodged, tumbling into Su Chen’s bush. Their eyes met—startled recognition.

"Big Brother, help! They’re killing me!" the man pleaded.

The bandits slowed, eyes darting between the two. "This doesn’t concern you. Walk away", the chief warned Su Chen.

"Big Brother, run first! Avenge me later!" the man urged, feigning bravery.

Su Chen ignored him, rising silently. The bandit chief’s eyes narrowed. Suddenly, he lunged, cleaving Su Chen’s head clean off.

Silence. The bandits gaped.

"Big Bro—!" one screamed.

"Kill him!" others roared.

Before they could react, Su Chen’s blade flashed, reaping them all. The long-robed man watched, trembling.

"Stay still", Su Chen blocked his escape. "You saw nothing, right?"

The man offered his purse, "All my money! Let me go!"

Su Chen pocketed the silver, retrieving his blade from the corpse.

"He told the truth", he mused, "but shouldn’t have made me his shield."

The bandits carried less silver than the man. Disappointing.

---

Nearby, three shadows debated. "He’s tough. Attack?"

The leader shook his head, "Target someone weaker."

"But his loot—" one protested.

"Only if you’ve got the guts to keep it", the leader retorted, departing.

The trio left unnoticed by Su Chen, who watched until they vanished.

---

Back home, he swallowed a Vital Energy Pill. Warmth spread through his body before fading.

Counting his earnings: 700 taels total, nearing 5,000.

"Sixteen pills, nine koi fish—barely twenty pills’ worth. Need more cash."

In White Stone City, 10,000 taels meant comfort. Here in Big Feng City, it barely bought twenty pills. Riches to pauper in one map change.

Musing, he washed up and slept.

(End of Chapter)

Chapter end