Wolong Ridge.
The rear chamber of the underground palace.
In this chamber, aside from some funerary objects, the most conspicuous items were the ancient, dusty sheepskin scrolls on the stone shelves.
Xiang Shaoyun carried his weapon and reached out to take one of the scrolls.
The characters on the sheepskin were very profound, at least beyond Xiang Shaoyun's understanding of ancient texts.
However, as a wisp of spiritual energy surged from his dantian and flowed into the sheepskin, Xiang Shaoyun suddenly had an epiphany. In his mind, he saw the cultivation technique recorded on the sheepskin, the "Sword Technique of Spiritual Energy Circulation" practiced by swordsmen.
Xiang Shaoyun frowned slightly and turned to look at Li Sansi, who was limping, tossing the sheepskin to him.
"You use a sword. This cultivation technique suits you. Activate it with your spiritual energy," Xiang Shaoyun said.
Li Sansi took it, his eyebrows raised in surprise as he infused spiritual energy into the sheepskin, instantly comprehending the cultivation technique. He savored it carefully, astonished by its brilliance, his eyes shining brightly.
Xiang Shaoyun then took another almost crumbling sheepskin. After infusing it with Qi, another cultivation technique, the "Mighty Spirit Technique," appeared in his mind.
He wasn't entirely satisfied with this cultivation technique, but... at least it seemed more suitable for him than the "Sword Technique of Spiritual Energy Circulation."
The other two sheepskins didn't contain cultivation techniques but martial techniques related to swordsmanship: "Sword Manipulation Art" and "Sword Projection Art."
Xiang Shaoyun was very disappointed by this.
However, he still glanced over them, hoping to find something similar.
Kong Nanfei's expression was somewhat strange as he practiced the "Mighty Spirit Technique."
"This technique shares some similarities with the 'Blood Relocation Technique' passed down in my Confucianism, just more profound. Could it be... that our Blood Relocation Technique transcends these ancient immortal techniques?" Kong Nanfei wondered.
The three continued to wander through the Immortal Palace.
Afterward, they didn't linger.
Lingering strands of spiritual energy began to condense throughout the various corners of the Immortal Palace, gradually forming into small ghostly creatures.
"These ghostly creatures are manifestations of spiritual energy. As long as the spiritual energy remains, these creatures will gather again. Killing them can obtain spiritual energy... Perhaps, in the future, this Immortal Palace will become an excellent cultivation ground," the three marveled.
Afterward, they hastened their steps and left the Immortal Palace.
As soon as they left, the strong smell of blood assailed their noses.
Five miles outside the Immortal Palace, corpses littered the ground, staining the yellow sand with blood.
"Seems like some people were blinded by greed," Li Sansi sighed, gripping his wooden sword.
They weren't foolish. Mosha Guiren's escape from the Immortal Palace exposed the matter of the Qi Pellet for alchemists, arousing the greed of the external guardians.
Thus, the disciples of the White Jade Capital, Ning Zhao and Nie Changqing, faced many greedy guards.
Dressed in white robes and white skirts, they caused carnage, blood flowing everywhere.
...
As the sun set in the west,
The solitary boat swayed.
After reaching the shore, Ning Zhao and Nie Changqing leaped off the boat. Both of them were clad in white robes stained with blood, their eyes seemingly filled with murderous intent.
In the distance,
The assassin, Mo Liuqi, who had been lying still, slowly opened his eyes, looking at the two bloodied figures. His nerves couldn't help but tense.
This blood-soaked appearance, this terrifying killing intent, could it be that they charged out from amidst thousands of troops and horses?
Nie Shuang and Ni Yu looked at Ning Zhao and Nie Changqing from afar, feeling somewhat afraid.
The two of them, however, remained calm, wiping away the blood from their faces. They raised their heads and looked towards the terrace of the White Jade Capital Pavilion.
On the terrace, Lu Fan's figure appeared behind the wooden railing.
Nie Changqing and Ning Zhao ascended the pavilion.
Standing before Lu Fan, who was behind the wooden railing, were the two bloodied figures.
"Master."
The two bowed their heads and spoke.
"How did you end up like this?" Lu Fan's wheelchair automatically turned toward Ning Zhao and Nie Changqing, his eyebrows slightly raised.
"We obtained the Qi Pellet of the ancient alchemist, but encountered some unexpected incidents on our return," Nie Changqing spoke up.
"Someone exposed your acquisition of the Qi Pellet?" Lu Fan leaned back in his wheelchair, propping his chin with his elbow on the armrest, his eyes slightly raised as he spoke casually.
"Yes," Nie Changqing nodded.
Ning Zhao pursed her lips, remaining silent.
"And what happened to that person?"
"We severed one arm, but he was rescued," Ning Zhao, with her lips pursed, spoke up.
Lu Fan waved his hand dismissively.
"Do you think I'm the kind of person who readily hands out punishment for every mistake?"
"If they escaped, they escaped. Next time you encounter them, kill them on the spot."
Under the setting sun, Lu Fan's skin glowed with a rosy hue.
"Yes, Master," Ning Zhao and Nie Changqing breathed a sigh of relief.
Then, Ning Zhao took out the Qi Pellet, carefully unwrapping the cloth wrapping and handed it to Lu Fan.
Lu Fan took it and tossed it lightly.
"The ancient alchemist was the master of the secret realm in Wolong Ridge. Obtaining the Qi Pellet isn't easy; one must personally kill the master to obtain it."
"However, this alchemist self-destructed, so his Qi Pellet is up for grabs by anyone."
"In the future, when you enter such secret realms, be cautious not to let others take advantage of the situation."
Lu Fan spoke slowly.
Nie Changqing and Ning Zhao looked up in disbelief, unable to fathom such a miraculous occurrence.
"There are many incredible things when it comes to dealing with 'immortals,'" Lu Fan chuckled lightly.
"I've said before, fighting against immortals... brings endless joy. You can't fully appreciate the pleasures within."
Lu Fan's laughter held deep meaning.
"Ning Jie, now that your dantian can only contain nine threads of spiritual energy and cannot continue to expand, you've reached the peak of the Qi Pellet realm. You can try condensing the Pellet... You can take this Pellet for research or try to refine the spiritual energy within."
Lu Fan said.
The Qi Pellet was passed to Ning Zhao.
Ning Zhao accepted it, feeling a bit nervous and astonished on her blood-stained face, like holding a hot potato.
"Master, such a precious item..."
"It's very valuable to you, but it's of little use to me," Lu Fan shook his head, "Your talent isn't that great. The Qi Pellet can only contain nine threads of spiritual energy. Old Nie can accommodate twelve threads. If he reaches the peak of the Qi Pellet realm and combines it with his swordsmanship, he could easily defeat you."
Ning Zhao was stunned.
"There's a difference in talent among cultivators. Some people are naturally gifted with spacious dantians, while others have cramped ones. This gap is determined from birth, just like Xiang Shaoyun from the Western County, who excels in martial arts and progressed faster than ordinary martial artists, becoming a grandmaster at the age of ten. That's innate talent."
"Therefore, if you want to make up for this gap, you must exert more effort than others and advance to the next level faster."
Lu Fan said.
Nie Changqing and Ning Zhao listened intently.
"Master... How are the realms of cultivators divided?" Ning Zhao couldn't help but ask. She had reached the peak of the Qi Pellet realm, but what came after the Qi Pellet realm?
Nie Changqing was also extremely curious.
Lu Fan raised his eyebrows slightly at the question.
The wheelchair turned automatically, and Lu Fan leaned against the railing, gazing at the setting sun on the horizon.
The radiance of the sunset bathed him, as if draping him in a light veil.
"The first realm of cultivation is the Qi Pellet realm. In this realm, one absorbs Qi into the body and condenses the Qi Pellet. Although not capable of flying or burrowing underground, one can control Qi like a sweating horse and wield it like a blade or spear. At the peak of the Qi Pellet realm, one can move freely among ten thousand troops."
Lu Fan spoke slowly, his voice calm.
Ning Zhao and Nie Changqing nodded.
Having just fought their way out of being surrounded by thousands of people, they naturally understood the power of the Qi Pellet realm.
What they were curious about was the realm beyond the Qi Pellet.
Lu Fan looked at the setting sun, squinting his eyes slightly. His expression was somewhat lazy, with a hint of mysterious smile.
"The second realm of cultivation is the Body Treasury realm. In this realm, one excavates the treasures within the human body. The five viscera correspond to the five treasures. By drawing in the spiritual energy of the Qi Pellet and circulating it through the meridians, refining the five viscera to the extreme, one will generate attribute spiritual energy. Lifespan will be extended, and one's combat prowess will be unparalleled. A single punch can shatter walls miles away, and one person can repel ten thousand soldiers effortlessly."
Lu Fan explained.
The Body Treasury realm was the second realm of cultivation set by Lu Fan.
He had conceived of the Body Treasury realm in the Wolong Ridge secret realm, where the alchemist Jiang Chao fought against practitioners of the Body Treasury realm and perished.
Fighting against higher-level opponents, he died peacefully.
In Lu Fan's conception, if someone in the Five Phoenix Continent could reach the pinnacle of the Body Treasury realm, perhaps the continent would have the qualification to ascend to the level of the Middle Martial World.
The Body Treasury realm also conferred attributes to spiritual energy, with the five viscera corresponding to the five attributes of metal, wood, water, fire, and earth. Those who reach the pinnacle of the Body Treasury can generate attribute spiritual energy.
With attached attributes, their destructive power naturally increases significantly.
"The realm of Body Treasury... One person repelling ten thousand soldiers?!" Ning Zhao and Nie Changqing were taken aback, sucking in a breath of cold air.
With just one word "repel," Lu Fan had described the immense power of practitioners in the Body Treasury realm!
Nie Changqing's body trembled slightly, and he couldn't help but feel a sense of yearning.
"Master... Are you a practitioner of the Body Treasury realm?" Ning Zhao asked curiously.
Lu Fan's strength was beyond doubt; even she, with her perfected Qi Pellet realm, might find herself completely immobilized in the face of his released spiritual pressure.
Lu Fan sat in his wheelchair, his back facing Ning Zhao and Nie Changqing, gazing at the sun, now crimson.
His words echoed slowly.
"No, I am not."
"Heh."
"A mere Body Treasury practitioner, I am not now, and I never will be in the future."