Chapter 377: Secret Methods and Reforms

Chapter 377: Secret Methods and Reforms (4600-word Chapter, Requesting Monthly Vote)

“Adamantine Body Fist, Lower Volume contains fifteen forms total. Derived from the six forms of the upper volume, it branches into five distinct forms each for Golden Edge, Adamantine Body, and Golden Radiance abilities.”

“First, the most common—Golden Edge.”

“It has five forms: Void Sunder, Thousand Shadows, Earth Shatter, Body Guard, and Return to One.”

“Each move functions both as a fist technique and a method to control the Golden Edge ability!”

The muscular man spoke slowly, demonstrating the forms as he explained. Lin Qi recognized his Golden Edge awakening. When discussing the five forms, the man’s demeanor grew confident, even majestic. His golden aura intensified.

He swung his fists, golden energy converging into his arms, cleaving the air like blades. The surrounding atmosphere seemed sliced apart, creating violent gusts.

“Special abilities originate from a martial artist’s Vital and Primordial Energies. When activated, your punches become blade-like, capable of slicing through anything.”

“Lower Volume, First Form: Void Sunder.”

“Condense sharpness, guide the Golden Edge force. Master its focus and release through synchronized breathing. Spiritual Power must be highly concentrated during practice…”

Lin Qi listened, sensing the technique’s staggering difficulty. It demanded coordination of breath, Spiritual Power, consciousness, muscle groups, Vital Force, and Golden Edge energy. Exceptionally complex. No wonder the upper volume needed perfection. He guessed other awakened prodigies might require Third Stage martial arts proficiency to perfect the upper volume before advancing.

As he pondered, Lin Qi assumed a fighting stance. The forms appeared similar, but execution demanded far more precision.

“Haaah!”

He inhaled deeply, golden radiance glowing along his skin as Golden Edge activated. Fists clenched, his muscles tensed—large and small groups synchronizing with his breath. His punch lashed out like a hammer, creating a sharp wind. Spiritual Power sank into his body, tracing the Golden Edge force’s flow, guiding it through his system like Vital Energy.

Halfway through the form, his body reacted violently. His knuckles burned as if countless needles pierced beneath his skin. Spiritual Power gradually stabilized the volatile energy.

Though mere partial control, it thrilled him. This systematic approach promised growing mastery over Golden Edge, unlike his previous clumsy usage.

The muscular man continued, “Second Form: Thousand Shadows. Channel Spiritual Power to divide and control multiple blades. Accelerate Vital Energy circulation throughout your body with extreme focus.”

Lin Qi’s Spiritual Power exceeded 400, granting exceptional perception. Combined with his Mind’s Eye innate talent, he meticulously traced every pathway. As he executed the form, he manipulated the blades’ trajectories.

Next came Body Guard, Earth Shatter, and Return to One. Though only five forms existed, each had over a dozen variations. Muscle engagement differed dramatically for each. Physical strain soared, particularly for the final Return to One. After one practice session, he could barely perform it adequately.

“Peng peng!”

“Weng weng!”

As he finished the sequence, golden radiance blazed from his body. Surface blades flickered chaotically. Exhaustion flooded his limbs—mental and physical reserves drained.

Yet his eyes gleamed, sensing Golden Edge’s restless potential within. He clenched his fist, unleashing the force. Vital Energy surged, Spiritual Power sharpened to a razor’s edge, his will merging with the technique itself.

On the video, the muscular man continued, “Adamantine Body Fist’s Lower Volume has four stages: Initial, Minor Success, Major Success, and Perfection. Each breakthrough significantly elevates your martial arts proficiency. Upon perfecting Return to One, you’ll command Golden Edge effortlessly, as natural as moving your arm.”

[You’ve begun practicing Adamantine Body Fist – Upper Volume. After one session, Upper Volume perfected. Fist Techniques +2%]

[You’ve begun practicing Adamantine Body Fist – Lower Volume. Your innate talent accelerates martial arts comprehension. Fist Techniques +5%]

[Fist Techniques: Third Stage 92% → Third Stage 99%]

Lin Qi stared at his status panel. His Fist Techniques had surged to 99% of the Third Stage—the threshold for Fourth-Circle intent. He sensed the elusive concept stirring. Mastery of Adamantine Body Fist’s intent would soon follow, triggering a cascade effect to his Spear Techniques and overall martial arts prowess.

After a brief rest, he shifted to Spear Techniques, already feeling its proficiency stir. Third Killing Move mastery felt within reach.

…

School resumed, returning students to rigorous training. Courses shifted toward martial arts theory—warfare strategies, Disaster Beast invasions, and War Base defenses. Freshmen learned weapon systems and battlefield tactics. Juniors reduced academic workloads, while seniors deployed directly to frontlines against Disaster Beast tides.

The next day, Adamantine Body Fist’s manual arrived. In the martial arts hall, Lin Qi opened the small metal case containing the golden scrolls—upper and lower volumes.

Flipping the lower volume, he read:

“Special Abilities enhance human combat power. With proper awakening, lower-stage martial artists can rival higher-stage cultivators.”

“Examples include Vital Force Projection, Vital Force Protection, and Vital Force Manifestation…”

Lin Qi nodded. As his Vital Energy stat increased, so did his body’s constitution. Each strike now channeled greater Vital Force—evolving from a stream into a waterfall, then a lake, finally expanding into an ocean.

Abundant Vital Force bred more Primordial Energy, its carrier medium. Like internal energy in martial cultivation tales, it could extend beyond the body for ranged attacks or form defensive barriers against physical and special ability damage.

Vital Force Projection marked Fourth Realm mastery, Protection Fifth Realm, and Manifestation—blades, spears, or swords of energy—Sixth Realm. Awakening granted effortless Special Ability control, drastically boosting combat effectiveness.

Lin Qi realized he already performed Projection and Protection. With practice, Manifestation would follow. Special Abilities enabled transcending one’s cultivation bracket.

Flipping further, he noted the lower volume’s greater depth. Dense details filled its pages.

“Mastery of the five lower volume forms allows fusion with weapon techniques or Killing Moves, drastically amplifying power.”

This reminded him of his duel with Yu Zhuoran. His Golden Edge Protection had shattered easily—perfecting Body Guard could’ve prevented that. And during their final clash, Yu Zhuoran fused lightning with his Killing Move for overwhelming force.

Among these, his mastery of Lightning was particularly refined.

Unlike himself, who relied on brute force like a flying brick—using raw power to overwhelm ten opponents, directly shattering Yu Zhuoran’s defenses through sheer physical constitution.

Once he mastered the Golden Edge ability more thoroughly, he might easily enhance Yu Zhuoran’s strength.

As he pondered, he continued flipping through the text. A marked note warned that using special abilities consumed immense physical energy.

The power of Golden Edge was fixed, yet its activation drained vitality heavily. The more refined one’s control, the greater the damage output—and the less energy wasted.

This reminded him of bodily control in martial arts training. Fist Techniques aimed to command every muscle, channeling strength without the slightest waste.

Special abilities were no different—one needed the same precision as muscle control.

Only by fully mastering and synchronizing their release could one maximize their potential.

This process significantly boosted Vital Force, indirectly enhancing Spear Techniques. After all, compared to the volatile nature of Special Abilities, Vital Force was far easier to grasp.

Lin Qi read and contemplated, memorizing every detail. Soon, he reached the final section:

“Special powers originate from natural forces. Beyond long-range attacks, they dramatically amplify combat strength.”
“Their primary effects manifest in three areas: strength, speed, and defense. Perfecting Fist Techniques doubles these combat attributes.”

Lin Qi’s heart stirred. When he first activated Golden Edge, his fist strength surged by at least 1.5 times. If perfected, could he unleash double the force?

Such power would utterly crush ordinary martial artists. As an unawakened cultivator, winning required activating his Second Tier to stand a chance.

“Upon mastering Fist Techniques to perfection, one may proceed to secret techniques, achieving even greater combat enhancement.”

After reading this, Lin Qi exhaled sharply, his eyes gleaming. Secret techniques? The doubling boost wasn’t the limit? Could his strength grow even further?

Excitement stirred within him, though he’d only just begun training Adamantine Body Fist, Lower Volume. Mastery and perfection lay far ahead.

Setting the text aside, he resumed cultivation.

……

In the following days, Lin Qi returned to his routine, now burdened with more training.

Mornings and evenings were devoted to practicing Mid-Tier Primordial Energy Martial Art: Platinum Demon Tiger Evolution Method in the Martial Arts Training Hall. The air thick with Primordial Energy, he absorbed vast amounts into his body. Though his Vital Energy stat didn’t visibly rise, the energy lingered within, dormant yet potent.

He sensed that breaking into the Fifth Realm Organ Cultivation Stage would trigger an explosive leap in his Vital Energy stat.

Beyond Primordial Energy, he trained daily in the Spiritual Cultivation Arena, Gravity Chamber, and Disaster Beast Trial Tower.

He also studied Adamantine Body Fist, Annals of Calamities, Sky-Shaking Spear Techniques, Rainbow Metamorphosis Spear Techniques, Thunderflash Instant Kill Step, and more.

Time felt perpetually scarce. Yet this immersion in cultivation, feeling his strength grow incrementally each day, was genuinely addictive.

……

A week passed in a flash.

In the grand conference room of the Crimson Vault Building—the largest at Azure Firmament Martial Academy—a circular black table seated ten figures: the deans and vice-deans of the Ten Institutes. Behind them, other faculty members sat on smart chairs.

At the head of the table, Xu Wenji spoke first.

“Today’s meeting is informal—a chance for updates and casual chats. Director Li Qifeng has departed for Otherworld, so no need to feel constrained.”

His words eased the tension in the room.

Li Qifeng, a Ninth Realm martial artist, had left—a relief for those present.

Xu Wenji continued, “The school will enhance rewards for major competitions. Let’s motivate students to train harder.”

Nods of agreement followed. Everyone sensed the escalating urgency. As a cradle for high-realm martial artists, the burden on young talents grew heavier.

Whether for wealth or survival, most would eventually join the battlefront against Disaster Beasts—the primary duty of gifted cultivators.

“Additionally,” Xu Wenji added, “authorities have decided to implement a new training regimen for Awakened geniuses. They believe current competition among Awakened talents lacks intensity. They must grow stronger.”

Leaders exchanged knowing glances. Awakened geniuses indeed faced fewer challenges. Many, now in leadership roles, recalled their own eased paths as Awakened youths.

Though annual events like the Global Freshman Competition and Martial Arts Tournaments existed, they offered only fleeting rivalries.

Dean Liu nodded. “Last semester, we introduced Lin Qi as a catalyst into the Ten Institutes’ system, sparking competition and urgency. The results have been remarkable. Reform is inevitable.”

Xu Wenji projected documents, detailing the proposal. “After negotiations, we’ve drafted an initial plan. The three leading institutions—Imperial Military Academy and the Ten Top Schools—will collaborate.”

“In Otherworld’s Azure Firmament Base, a new academy will be established: a training camp exclusively for Awakened geniuses. All Awakened talents will join, competing fiercely—even Sss-Rank prodigies must participate. Four grades will encompass all S, SS, and Sss-Rank geniuses. All will compete equally.”

The room buzzed with astonishment. This was bold—the lowest students would be S-Rank, with SS and Sss tiers dominating. The competitive pressure was palpable.

Deputy Dean Xu Wenji pressed on, “The reforms launch after the August 15 Disaster Beast Hunting Competition. Many faculty and instructors will relocate to Otherworld.”

He detailed the camp’s rules. The leaders grew solemn, sensing the tide of change sweeping their nation.

Half an hour later, the meeting adjourned for casual talk.

The First Institute’s dean frowned, “The upper echelons seem rushed. While current crises are dire, optimistically, our system and collective progress suggest Blue Planet will eventually repel Disaster Beasts.”

“And we have the Red Emperor—a transcendent force. I’m certain he could slay ten Level 9 Disaster Beasts in a single clash. With him, humanity faces no extinction threat.”

“But even the Ninth Realm martial artists seem uneasy about the future.”

Nods followed. This uncertainty lingered in their minds.

Red Emperor’s power anchored Blue Planet—any Level 9 threat would perish. Yet he constantly trained in Otherworld, seeking greater strength.

“Perhaps it’s the Vermin Race,” someone ventured. “Though inferior to humans, their technological prowess might one day surpass us.”

“Unlike Disaster Beasts, Vermin wield intellect.”

Agreement spread. This was a common fear.

“What if it’s tied to the Ruins?” Xue Zhou, clad in blue robes, mused lazily. “Beyond Vermin, ancient civilizations left these Ruins. Humanity has only scratched their surface, yet even this fragment birthed countless experts. What if a new, dominant civilization suddenly emerged?”

Silence fell. The weight of his words hung heavy.

……

(End of Chapter)

Chapter end