The Unnatural And Incredible Martial Art . . .
Wen-Ren Chu-Chu couldn't help but be taken aback by the astonishing surge of power emanating from Cha-Eun Xiao. A fleeting thought crossed her mind—could his martial art be more potent than the renowned Ling Xiao Ice Art? But she quickly dismissed the idea as utterly implausible. The Ling Xiao Ice Art was widely acclaimed as the pinnacle of martial arts within the Qing-Yun Realm, unparalleled by any other. It was inconceivable that a cultivator from a lower-class realm could possess a martial art superior to it.
Meanwhile, Cha-Eun Xiao, though seemingly suppressed by the Ling Xiao Ice Art, belted out a resounding shout and boldly advanced, intensifying the pressure on Wen-Ren Chu-Chu. She couldn't help but find this abnormal. Her perplexed thoughts raced, unaware that this was merely a prelude to Cha-Eun Xiao's true strike.
Unbeknownst to her, he was in the midst of executing a carefully choreographed sequence. As he dodged her attacks, he orchestrated precise movements to regulate his Jing and Mai while compressing the energy within his dantian. This meticulous process was all part of accumulating the energy required for his ultimate strike.
The strike itself bore the name "Trapped Dragon Launched To The Ocean." It involved 99 aerial rolls that resembled a dragon frolicking in the ocean before surging skyward. The dragon-like entity, created by Cha-Eun Xiao's intricate movements, moved with the natural flow of spiritual qi. Its appearance was striking, akin to a majestic sovereign emerging from the depths of the ocean, creating colossal waves as it ascended.
Wen-Ren Chu-Chu observed this awe-inspiring spectacle with astonishment in her eyes. A torrent of blue energy streams converged into a colossal blue dragon, approaching her with indomitable force. This dragon exuded an aura of supremacy, akin to a regal monarch surveying its dominion, rendering everything beneath it insignificant. It was as if the sovereign of the world was casting its solemn gaze upon its subjects.
The surge of power within Cha-Eun Xiao's final strike felt as if it harkened back to ancient times, an embodiment of invincibility itself. Wen-Ren Chu-Chu was subjected to the full brunt of its force, a formidable blow that left her feeling utterly overwhelmed. It was as if her own power had been drained away, leaving her as helpless as a leaf caught in a tempest. Her body was sent hurtling through the air, tumbling uncontrollably.
After several revolutions in mid-air, she struggled to regain her footing, taking several stumbling steps backward before finally steadying herself. Fear was evident in her wide-eyed gaze as she absorbed the shocking reality of her defeat. Even Bing Xin-Yue, a masterful cultivator in her own right, couldn't help but watch in astonishment.
Wen-Ren Chu-Chu had lost.
For Bing Xin-Yue, this outcome wasn't entirely unexpected. She had anticipated it, knowing that Wen-Ren Chu-Chu was outmatched by Cha-Eun Xiao in terms of attitude, determination, experience, and overall strength. Cha-Eun Xiao had recently ascended to a new level of cultivation, significantly enhancing his capabilities. Thus, it was entirely reasonable for him to best Wen-Ren Chu-Chu.
Perhaps he had exploited a small lapse in her judgment, the turmoil in her mind, or even leveraged his own unwavering determination to catch her off guard. In the grand scheme of things, such an outcome was unsurprising and justifiable.
However, what confounded them all was the manner in which the fight's conclusion unfolded. Despite Wen-Ren Chu-Chu's clear superiority in terms of cultivation, she had suffered a resounding defeat at the hands of a man who had only recently attained the Grade of Tianyuan, considerably weaker than her. It was an outcome that defied explanation—a result that strained credulity.
Cha-Eun Xiao gracefully descended to the ground, standing before the two women with an air of polite nonchalance. His demeanor was relaxed, and a warm smile played on his lips as he expressed his gratitude. "Thanks for the help," he said.
Bing Xin-Yue had already discerned Cha-Eun Xiao's intentions, and Wen-Ren Chu-Chu had grasped the truth by the fight's end. Therefore, his words held a sense of understanding and acknowledgment that resonated with them both. In response, Bing Xin-Yue returned his smile and replied, "You're welcome."
Wen-Ren Chu-Chu couldn't contain her curiosity and stepped forward to inquire, her voice laced with surprise, "How did you manage that suicidal method to break through?"
Bing Xin-Yue shared her intrigue, her interest piqued as she awaited Cha-Eun Xiao's response.
A warm smile graced Cha-Eun Xiao's lips as he replied, "I am a dan-maker. Things that might spell death for ordinary individuals don't necessarily hold the same threat for me." With a hint of complexity in his expression, he continued, "In my sect, there exists a special martial art known as Robe Transposition." He paused for a moment before elaborating, "This art allows me to absorb the spiritual power of opponents weaker than me and channel it directly into my dantian. Even if I fail to break through, the accumulated energy remains temporarily in my dantian until it naturally dissipates. It's not a foolproof method, mind you. Should I fail to achieve a breakthrough, the residual energy can still inflict damage on my physical body. While it won't prove fatal, it would result in injury. Fortunately, my sect possesses the means to expedite the healing process for such injuries. When this method works successfully, it serves as a rather unconventional means of self-improvement, albeit with its own risks. It ultimately saves me a significant amount of time."
Bing Xin-Yue nodded in comprehension, the pieces of the puzzle falling into place. "I see," she murmured, "there truly are countless enigmatic arts in this vast world. I never anticipated encountering such a martial art in the Land of Han-Yang."
A sense of wonderment washed over her. Cha-Eun Xiao's explanation was rational and plausible, shedding light on the mystery behind his unorthodox method of advancement.
Nonetheless, she couldn't help but express her astonishment. "It may not be a flawless approach," she mused, "but it's undeniably a remarkable and unconventional martial art."
Wen-Ren Chu-Chu concurred with a nod of agreement. "Indeed, it's quite extraordinary. 'Unconventional' is an apt description for it. For anyone who possesses such a martial art, achieving a breakthrough to a new grade is as simple as engaging in a significant battle." She grinned wryly, "It's far superior to the countless martial arts that require practitioners to seclude themselves in isolation for extended periods."
Cha-Eun Xiao's method offered a direct and confrontational path to forceful breakthroughs. The outcomes were clear-cut: either you advanced or you didn't. The simplicity and clarity of the approach were undeniable advantages, but the potential post-breakthrough injuries remained a concern that loomed on the horizon.