Chapter 22: Breakthrough to the Second Realm
Chapter 22: Breakthrough to the Second Realm
The Little Fu Hall was indeed very 'small'.
Upon entering the shop, one could see rows of wooden racks, shimmering with various spiritual lights. Aside from that, there was no other space available.
Protected by the light from the wooden racks, all sorts of talismans with different colors and patterns were displayed.
In the center was a counter, where a young attendant sat. He paid no heed to Fang Xing as he entered.
'The service industry in the cultivation world really needs improvement... Seems like Qing Dan Fang was just an exception?'
Fang Xing muttered to himself, then asked directly, "Spirit-Testing Talisman... May I know the price?"
"One spirit stone per talisman," the attendant in blue replied without looking up.
"Why is it so expensive? The stalls outside only charge eight spirit sand per talisman... With some haggling, they might even sell for six or seven," Fang Xing argued reflexively.
"Hmph... Every talisman in our Fu Hall is a masterpiece crafted by a master. How can those inferior products from outside compare?"
The attendant became more spirited and gestured as he took out a talisman, "Look at the talisman paper, the ink... Each is a fine product. Can the outside ones compare? Just take the Spirit-Testing Talisman for example, if you buy an inferior one, and the detection result is wrong, it could ruin a young genius' entire life... Not to mention other offensive and defensive talismans, if they fail at a critical moment, that could cost your life! Who knows which wild cultivator drew the talismans sold in those stalls, can you really trust them?"
Although the attitude was not great, Fang Xing thought that the other party made sense, so he obediently took out a spirit stone and bought a 'Spirit-Testing Talisman'.
With this purchase, all the profits he made from selling 'Vermillion Dragon Grass' were spent, and he wouldn't be able to bring a single spirit stone back. Everything was spent in the market.
"Sigh, it's true that you earn in the market and spend in the market, and you never want to bring anything home!"
As he walked out of the Little Fu Hall, Fang Xing sighed.
Fortunately, the experiences he gained today were enough, and he no longer lingered, striding out of the market.
After leaving the shantytown, a yellow sparrow flew out from his backpack, keeping an eye on the surroundings.
Initially, Fang Xing had only released it as a precaution.
But before long, he couldn't help but worry.
In the surveillance footage, a sneaky figure clearly appeared, following right behind him!
Judging from the stooped figure and the tobacco pipe at the waist, it was none other than the old man who had set up the stall!
"It's just two spirit stones!"
"Where is the trust between people?"
Fang Xing complained, then suddenly accelerated.
With the help of the aerial surveillance, it wouldn't be difficult to shake off the pursuer.
Although the other party was just an ordinary warrior, and an elderly one at that, he might still have a trick or two up his sleeve, or even some talismans!
'I'll settle the score with you later...'
Fang Xing's figure accelerated and turned a few times, then disappeared without a trace.
Soon after, the old man who had been selling at the stall earlier arrived at the spot where Fang Xing had been, looking at the disappearing footprints on the ground with a hint of regret on his face...
...
Temporary Camp.
By now, the camp had undergone renovations, and all the ground structures had disappeared, leaving only a lawn.
Fang Xing came to a spot, lifted the grass, and an entrance appeared.
Following the entrance downward, he arrived at a cave where a ventilation shaft had been dug. There was also a working intelligent computer, with nine screens displaying the surrounding surveillance footage.
He checked the system log and, aside from a few wild beasts coming to fetch water, he didn't find anything unusual, so he nodded in satisfaction.
Recalling the experiences of the day, Fang Xing opened a document and began recording the day's prices, the geography of the market, and some of his own insights and observations...
Finally, he deeply marked the appearance of the old man who had set up the stall.
He would remember this grudge!
"Obtained one 'Spirit-Testing Talisman' and one bottle of 'Qi and Blood Dan'. Time to cultivate quietly for a while, breaking into the second realm shouldn't be a problem, hmm..."
Fang Xing put down the pill and looked at the 'Spirit-Testing Talisman' in his hand.
The talisman paper was a bright yellow, with faint spiritual light emanating from the intricate talisman patterns drawn on it, and a subtle ink fragrance.
"The talismans in the cultivation world, the low-level ones take effect as soon as they are torn apart, and some can even be used by mortals..."
"But for slightly more advanced ones, like the first-rank middle-grade 'Golden Bell Cover Talisman'... Aside from cultivators, only innate warriors can barely use them, and they must be activated with innate true qi..."
"For even higher-level talismans, aside from some special types that deliberately lower the requirements for use, most require the spiritual power of cultivators to activate them, which means non-cultivators can't use them."
This common knowledge about using talismans was something Fang Xing had shamelessly asked the blue-robed attendant for as an after-sales service!
After all, having bought the talismans, he needed to know how to use them, right?
It was a bit embarrassing to be treated like a country bumpkin, but Fang Xing had never cared about saving face.
"'Spirit-Testing Talismans' are quite common, and they can be used as soon as they are torn apart... They are used to detect spiritual roots. If one has spiritual roots, the talisman will emit light, and the color and brightness of the light will indicate the quality of one's cultivation aptitude..."
"Many warriors toil endlessly in the wilderness, aside from wanting to accumulate spirit sand and buy pills to break through their martial arts realm, they also hope that the next generation will have the chance to cultivate."
"My body is made from the combination of excellent sperm and egg from the Blue Star Federation, and I also have the grand luck of having traveled through worlds. I must have spiritual roots, it's just a matter of their quality... I will definitely be able to cultivate! Otherwise, why would the Gate of All Worlds bother to capture this world?"
"I want to cultivate and ascend..."
Fang Xing quietly cheered himself on.
Cultivators not only had numerous methods at their disposal, but they also enjoyed prolonged lifespans, making it the foremost evolutionary path.
Not to mention, the ability to fly with swords and achieve immortality had been the dream of countless people since childhood.
Who would bother with the hardships of martial arts training if they could cultivate?
With a glimmer of anticipation, he tore the 'Spirit-Testing Talisman'!
A radiant light descended upon him, only to dim shortly after.
One minute passed...
Two minutes passed...
Five minutes passed...
Nothing happened.
"Could this spirit-testing talisman be defective?"
Fang Xing scratched his head, "Ah... As great as cultivation is, the process of building up one's battle prowess is just too long. Each seclusion period requires years, even decades of arduous cultivation, and it might even take a century to progress a single layer in one's martial art. How can it compare to the rapid breakthroughs of martial arts?"
"What a useless cultivation technique! Trying to mess with my dedication to martial arts? Get lost!!! "
After venting his frustration, Fang Xing calmed down, "Martial arts training! This measly cultivation path... One day, it will be shattered by my martial prowess!"
...
Several days later.
Fang Xing set up the Grand Dragon Stake, and his consciousness quietly gathered around the attribute panel:
[Name: Fang Xing]
[Age: 16]
[Occupation: Martial Artist]
[First Realm: Flesh (Refine Flesh: 99/100)]
[Army Body Fist, Twelve Forms: 33/100 (Skilled)]
[Grand Dragon Stake: 3/200 (Mastery)]
[Gate of All Heavens (Charging)]
...
"After achieving mastery in the Grand Dragon Stake, the progress has become increasingly challenging... Without any external assistance, it might take around a year to advance to the fourth stage and give birth to the 'Dragon's Intent'!"
"On the other hand, my martial arts realm is progressing at an astonishing speed..."
With the help of his mastery in the Grand Dragon Stake and the Qi and Blood Dan, Fang Xing's progress in refining his flesh was nothing short of remarkable.
At this moment, he was on the brink of a breakthrough.
He opened his eyes and silently swallowed a Qi and Blood Dan.
A wave of heat emerged, but the pill that usually enhanced his qi and blood, increasing his skill proficiency, now seemed to fall short.
"It's the bottleneck between the first and second realms!"
Fang Xing realized, and he uncorked the bottle, pouring pill after pill into his mouth.
Rustle, rustle!
His lower abdomen felt like it was burning with a fiery blaze, and he could hear the sound of his blood flowing like a mighty river within his body.
Fang Xing suddenly felt as if his skin and muscles were 'melting,' and the powerful heat coursed through his bones, finally tempering them and causing them to emit a loud blast!
The section representing his martial arts realm on the attribute panel blurred and then displayed new information:
[Second Realm: Bones (Refine Bones: 1/100)]
"Breakthrough... Martial Arts Second Realm!"
Fang Xing clenched his fists, feeling the surge of power from his bones, a slight smile curving the corners of his mouth.
"A Second Realm martial artist can learn B-grade or even A-grade martial arts. The martial arts and techniques of this world's martial artists are still too crude and far inferior to the advanced system of the Federation's martial arts, honed through countless bloody battles... Once I master an A-grade martial art, I believe I'll be able to rival innate warriors in the Second Realm without relying on external power!"
"It's just a shame that it's the holidays at the moment..."
Due to the vacation, without the guidance of a master, Fang Xing didn't know if the refinement of bones had similar levels like the refinement of flesh: ox hide, copper hide, and jade hide.
Nor could he obtain the teachings of an A-grade martial art like the 'Ghost God Saber.'
"If I had chosen the path of cultivation, would I have received the same systematic training in this world as in the Federation?"
"Not to mention, martial artists can eventually pilot mechas, which have astonishing destructive power and can even destroy stars with a single strike... Something that most cultivators probably can't even imagine."
"My supply of Qi and Blood Dans is almost exhausted due to breaking through the bottleneck. Next, I'll adapt to this new realm, and then I'll pay another visit to the market..."
Fang Xing looked at his body.
His once slender frame had become much sturdier, and after removing his shirt, one could see well-defined muscles.
Not only that, he even seemed to have grown taller.
"Clothed, I look skinny, but without clothes, I've got muscles to show... If I had this body in my past life, who knows, maybe women would have chased after me!"
Fang Xing caressed his well-built muscles, feeling a sense of emotion.
Alas, those days of his past life were long gone and would never return.
(End of Chapter)
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