Chapter 88 Martial Arts
Shen Lian returned to the residence assigned to him by the Demon Suppression Division. It was an independent courtyard located in the official Demon Suppression Envoy area. It was not luxurious, but it was quiet and suitable for cultivation.
He closed the courtyard gate, sat cross-legged on the stone bench in the courtyard, took out two martial arts manuals that he had just exchanged from the storeroom, and began to read them.
"Serpent Steps" is a high-grade Yellow Rank footwork martial art, divided into three levels. The first level, "Serpent Walk," focuses on changing footwork, allowing for rapid movement within a small area. The second level, "Serpent Shedding," allows for short-range bursts of acceleration, enabling sudden evasion like a serpent shedding its skin. The third level, "Serpent Shadow," when mastered, results in a blurred, serpentine figure, which can be used in conjunction with attacks to confuse and exploit the enemy.
He has now perfected the "Tiger-Taming Stance", but he still lacks flexible and varied movement techniques. The "Snake Step" makes up for this shortcoming.
"Let's give it a try."
Shen Lian got up and began to step out according to the diagram.
[Ding! Host detected to be in 'Serpent Step' training state. Consuming 1 skill point will allow you to learn the 'Serpent Step'. Confirm?]
After Shen Lian began cultivating, a familiar voice rang out.
Shen Lian chose "yes" without hesitation.
The moment Shen Lian mastered the "Spirit Serpent Step," he felt an extremely powerful force rise from his Yongquan acupoint, travel up his leg meridians, and finally converge into his dantian.
"The first level, 'Serpentine Movement,' focuses on footwork changes..."
Shen Lian continued to practice the "Spirit Serpent Step". At first, the first few steps were a bit clumsy, but after adding some points to get the basics right, he quickly mastered the rhythm of the "Spirit Serpent Step". His figure moved around the courtyard like a serpent, and his speed was very fast.
Soon, Shen Lian used the "Spirit Serpent Step" several times. His footwork was unpredictable, and combined with his powerful blood and qi, it had a sense of both strength and gentleness.
"This footwork is indeed exquisite..." Shen Lian stopped and said, slightly out of breath.
Shen Lian has now mastered the "Spirit Serpent Step" to a basic level. With the support of footwork martial arts, he can also gain some advantage in speed.
Shen Lian practiced the "Snake Step" repeatedly in the courtyard until the sun set in the west, then he stopped and wiped the sweat from his forehead.
"This footwork emphasizes the unity of waist and legs, and the supple and continuous flow of qi and blood. Once I cultivate to the second level of 'Snake Shedding,' my burst speed will increase by at least 30%." Shen Lian stroked his chin and analyzed his own cultivation progress.
"Brother Shen!"
Chu Wen's voice suddenly came from outside the courtyard.
Shen Lian stepped forward and opened the courtyard gate, and Chu Wen explained the reason for his visit.
Shen Lian, Chen Yun, Lin Feng, and Chu Wen joined the Qingzhou Demon Suppression Division. Shen Lian became a formal Demon Suppression Envoy, while the three of them became members of the reserve camp.
Chu Wen came to invite Shen Lian and the others to a gathering.
Shen Lian did not refuse Chu Wen's invitation. He then called Chen Yun and Lin Feng to join him, and the group left the Demon Suppression Division together, walking along the inner city streets.
As dusk fell, the city of Qingzhou was illuminated by lanterns.
Chu Wen was quite familiar with Qingzhou. He led the three of them through several alleys and arrived at a restaurant called "Drunken Immortal Pavilion".
The Drunken Immortal Pavilion is a three-story building with upturned eaves and corners, and two strings of red lanterns hang at the entrance.
"This Zuixianlou restaurant is a long-established brand in Qingzhou. Its signature dishes, 'Eight Treasure Gourd Duck' and 'Jade Fish Soup,' are absolutely superb," Chu Wen introduced with a smile.
The four went up to a private room on the second floor.
The private room was tastefully decorated, with landscape paintings hanging on the walls.
The waiter served tea attentively, and Chu Wen ordered several of the "Drunken Immortal Pavilion's" signature dishes, as well as several pots of "Qingzhou Laojiao" liquor.
"Brother Shen, we've gathered here today to celebrate the four of us joining the Qingzhou Demon Suppression Division together," Chu Wen said, raising his cup. "Although I, Chu Wen, come from a collateral branch of the Chu family in Baiyun County, I believe I still have some sense of loyalty. If any of you need anything, please feel free to ask."
Shen Lian raised his cup in response, "Brother Chu, you're too kind."
The four clinked glasses and drank it all in one gulp.
After several rounds of drinks, five dishes were served.
Chen Yun took a small sip of the jade fish soup and exclaimed, "It's truly delicious!"
Raymond Lam remained silent, quietly eating his food and occasionally raising his glass to drink.
"Brother Shen, how are you feeling at the Demon Suppression Division in Qingzhou?" Chu Wen asked.
Shen Lian picked up his wine bowl, took a sip, and said, "I've only been here for a day, but this morning's training gave me a glimpse into the Demon Suppression Division's training methods, which are much stricter than those in Qinghe County."
Chu Wen nodded and said, "I've inquired about it. The Qingzhou Demon Suppression Division is divided into four guards: the Azure Dragon, the White Tiger, the Vermilion Bird, and the Black Tortoise. Each guard is led by a Silver Badge Envoy. The guards will be officially assigned next month, but this only applies to official Demon Suppression Envoys. Members of the reserve camp don't have this opportunity yet."
"Do the four guards each have their own strengths?" Shen Lian asked.
"Exactly." Chu Wen picked up a piece of braised beef. "The Azure Dragon Guard is mainly responsible for attack and killing, specializing in eliminating demons and suppressing rebellions; the White Tiger Guard is mainly responsible for reconnaissance and tracking, and is responsible for intelligence gathering and stealth assassinations; the Vermilion Bird Guard is mainly responsible for array formations and talismans, and is good at setting up restrictions and breaking evil spells; the Black Tortoise Guard is mainly responsible for defense and logistics, and is in charge of resource allocation and wounded treatment."
Shen Lian said thoughtfully, "According to what Brother Chu said, the four guards complement each other's functions and each performs its own duties."
"That's right." Chu Wen put down his chopsticks. "So choosing which guard to join is crucial. With Brother Shen's strength, he is most suitable for the Azure Dragon Guard, but the Azure Dragon Guard is also the most competitive. That guy Chu Chunqiu will most likely join the Azure Dragon Guard as well."
When Chu Chunqiu was mentioned, Shen Lian remained calm: "Where he is is none of my business."
Chu Wen sighed: "That's true, but the Chu family is one of the four great families of Qingzhou, and has a strong foundation within the Demon Suppression Division. Chu Chunqiu's cousin, Chu Xiong, is the deputy commander of the Azure Dragon Guard, and his position in the Demon Suppression Division is not low."
Shen Lian frowned slightly, but quickly relaxed: "The Demon Suppression Division has its own rules. If he really dares to act out of favoritism, it's not my place to worry about it."
Chu Wen smiled and said, "Brother Shen, I admire your magnanimity. Brother Shen, do you know why the Demon Suppression Division has four guards?"
Shen Lian put down his wine bowl: "I'd like to hear the details."
Chu Wen lowered his voice and said, "This all started a hundred years ago. Back then, the 'Black Mountain Demon Rebellion' broke out in Qingzhou, with 100,000 demons attacking the city, causing heavy casualties to the Demon Suppression Division. After the war, it was found that the functions of each department were chaotic, the warriors were not good at tracking, and the sorcerers were not good at fighting, resulting in the dispersal of combat power. So the then-head of the Demon Suppression Division divided the division into four guards, each specializing in its own area, which is how the current system came about."
Chen Yun said thoughtfully, "No wonder the Qingzhou Demon Suppression Division can hold sway over this region; it turns out there was a deeper meaning behind it all along."
Chu Wen continued, "The Four Guards are evaluated every month, and the top three in merit points receive extra resources. It's said that next month's evaluation is also related to the 'Trial Tower'."
"The Trial Tower?" Shen Lian's heart skipped a beat.
Chu Wen revealed all the information he knew: "That's the core training ground of the Demon Suppression Division, with nine levels, each containing different trials. Only officially appointed Demon Suppression Envoys are qualified to enter. Those who pass three levels will receive a 'Bone Tempering Pill'; those who pass six levels will receive a 'Qi Condensation Powder'; and if one can pass nine levels..."
"how?"
Lin Feng suddenly spoke up; this was the first time he had asked a question that evening.
Chu Wen took a deep breath and said, "It's said that one can obtain a 'True Qi Seed,' which helps martial artists comprehend the True Qi Realm ahead of time!"
True Qi Seed!
Upon hearing this, the pupils of Shen Lian and the other two contracted slightly.
The True Qi Realm is a realm that countless Body Tempering Realm martial artists dream of. Once True Qi is condensed, combat power undergoes a qualitative change, far surpassing that of the Body Tempering Realm.
Breaking through to the True Qi Realm is by no means an easy task; many martial artists spend their entire lives without ever reaching it.
True Qi Seeds can help martial artists sense True Qi in advance, which greatly assists in breaking through to the True Qi Realm in the future.
"When does the Trial Tower open?" Shen Lian asked.
"The Trial Tower opens every six months, and it will open again in seven days," Chu Wen said. "If Brother Shen can pass through a few levels, he will not only gain resources but also establish a firm foothold within the Demon Suppression Division. At that time, even if Chu Chunqiu wants to harm you, he will have to think twice."
Shen Lian nodded: "Thank you for informing me, Brother Chu."
"It's just some ordinary news," Chu Wen said with a smile, waving his hand.
The four chatted for a while longer before settling their bill and leaving.
After returning to the Demon Suppression Division, Shen Lian went back to his courtyard. He planned to start practicing the "Flying Locust Stone Technique" and master this martial art.
Shen Lian began to peruse the "Flying Locust Stone Technique" manual.
This hidden weapon technique is divided into three levels. The first level is "point and shoot," which emphasizes precision. The second level is "hit the bullseye every time," which pursues speed and quantity. The third level is "earth-shattering," which brings the power of the hidden weapon to its extreme.
Shen Lian began to study it carefully.
The art of hidden weapons lies in surprise; they can be used unexpectedly in battle and often have a remarkable effect, catching the opponent off guard.
He took out a few ordinary pebbles, circulated his qi and blood according to the manual, and with a flick of his wrist, the pebbles shot out and hit the tree trunk in the courtyard, leaving shallow dents.
"Both power and accuracy are lacking."
Shen Lian was not discouraged and continued practicing.
[Ding! Host detected to be in the 'Flying Locust Stone Technique' training state. Consuming 1 skill point will allow you to learn the 'Flying Locust Stone Technique'. Confirm?]
Just as Shen Lian was practicing, the prompt sounded in his mind, and he directly selected "Yes" to learn the "Flying Locust Stone Technique".
Shen Lian held a stone in his right hand, his qi and blood rising from his dantian, flowing along the meridians of his arm, and finally condensing in his right hand.
The next moment, the pebble in Shen Lian's hand flew through the air and accurately hit the tree trunk ten feet away, the powerful force piercing through the trunk.
Shen Lian nodded slightly: "After mastering the basics of 'Flying Locust Stone,' you've basically mastered the 'point and shoot' level."
[Host]: Shen Lian
[Realm]: Body Tempering Realm (5/10)
[Combat Strength]: 62~78
【武学】：伏虎桩（圆满）（8/10），伏妖刀法（圆满）（7/10）、灵蛇步（入门）（1/3）、飞蝗石手法（入门）（1/3）
Skill Points: 0
The combat strength has increased by two points, which isn't much, but the essence of hidden weapons lies in surprise attacks rather than direct combat. Their true power can only be demonstrated in actual combat.
Shen Lian stopped his movements and began to regulate his breathing.
"True Qi Seed..."
Shen Lian took a deep breath. If he could obtain this item, he would be able to sense true qi in advance, which would be of great benefit to his breakthrough in the True Qi Realm.
"Both the 'Tiger-Taming Stance' and the 'Demon-Taming Blade Technique' have reached perfection, only a hair's breadth away from 'Peak of Mastery'. If I can break through, my combat power will definitely increase. The 'Spirit Serpent Step' and the 'Flying Locust Stone Technique' are just at the beginner level and still need time to hone. Right now, the most urgent task is to break through the sixth acupoint and step into the sixth level of the Heavenly Realm."
Shen Lian clenched his fists unconsciously. The Body Tempering Realm requires opening ten major acupoints, and each opening significantly improves one's blood circulation, strength, and endurance. He is currently at the fifth level, and his fifth acupoint has loosened, making it the perfect time to break through to the sixth.
Shen Lian returned to the house and took out a porcelain bottle from his bag. Inside were the "Breaking Through the Aperture Pills," a precious item to aid in breaking through to higher levels. Zhao Shan had given him three of them before he left Qinghe County.
After taking a pill, Shen Lian felt a warm current spreading from his abdomen, quickly flowing into his limbs and bones. He immediately guided the medicinal power to combine with his own blood and qi, and then launched an attack on the sixth acupoint in his body.
The process of breaking through the barrier was far more difficult than expected. The sixth acupoint was exceptionally stable, showing no signs of opening up.
"One pill isn't enough!"
Shen Lian immediately swallowed the second 'Breaking Aperture Pill', concentrated all his thoughts, and began to attack that 'aperture'.
hum!
Through Shen Lian's continuous efforts to break through the barriers, the sixth acupoint was suddenly opened up.
In an instant, Shen Lian felt a lightness throughout his body, his blood and qi flowing joyfully through the newly opened meridian channels, and his muscles and bones emitting a slight hum.
[Host]: Shen Lian
[Realm]: Body Tempering Realm (6/10)
[Combat Strength]: 68~85
【武学】：伏虎桩（圆满）（9/10），伏妖刀法（圆满）（8/10）、灵蛇步（入门）（1/3）、飞蝗石手法（入门）（1/3）
Skill Points: 1
Sixth Heaven!
Shen Lian opened his eyes, a look of joy on his face. After breaking through to the sixth level, his combat power had increased significantly, with the upper limit reaching 85 points.
Three days later, after the morning training session ended, Zhou Mang did not announce the disbandment as usual, but instead ordered everyone to assemble at the training ground.
"I have an announcement to make today." Zhou Mang stood on the high platform, his gaze sweeping across the entire area. "The Trial Tower will open in five days, and all official Demon Suppression Envoys are welcome to register. This trial will last for three days, and the number of levels cleared will be counted in the monthly evaluation. The top three will receive additional rewards."
"The Trial Tower is finally opening!"
"I heard the rewards are generous this time, with the top winners even receiving items like 'Qi Condensation Powder' and 'True Qi Seeds'."
"Chu Chunqiu will definitely compete for first place; he is the strongest."
The many demon-suppressing envoys immediately became excited.
Shen Lian stood solemnly in the crowd.
He has been cultivating diligently day and night for the past few days, and has already mastered the "Spirit Serpent Step" to the peak of the first level, and the "Flying Locust Stone Technique" is also nearing completion. More importantly, he has broken through to the sixth level, significantly increasing his combat power, and now he needs to test his results in actual combat.
Zhou Mang continued, "The Trial Tower has nine levels, with each level increasing in difficulty." He went on to say, "The first three levels are basic tests for the Body Tempering Realm, the middle three levels involve movement techniques, endurance, and combat skills, and the last three levels test overall combat strength. In previous years, only a dozen or so people were able to pass the sixth level. Those who passed the seventh level were even fewer."
Upon hearing Zhou Mang's words, everyone present gasped in shock. Clearly, attempting to reach the upper levels of the Trial Tower was no easy feat.
Zhou Mang said loudly, "Official Demon Suppressors may choose to participate, but it must be stated beforehand that although there will be no real death inside the Trial Tower, injuries are real. If you know that your strength is insufficient, do not be reckless, otherwise you will damage your foundation and suffer a loss that does not outweigh the gain."
After hearing this, everyone had different expressions.
After Zhou Mang finished announcing the matter, he dismissed everyone.
Just as Shen Lian was about to leave, Chu Wen called him back.
"Brother Shen, may I speak to you in private?" Chu Wen's expression was slightly grave.
The two walked to a corner of the training ground, and Chu Wen whispered, "I just heard some news. Chu Chunqiu has been cultivating in seclusion these past few days, supposedly in order to break through to the seventh level of the martial arts world."
"Seventh Heaven?" Shen Lian frowned slightly.
The seventh level of the Body Tempering Realm is a watershed moment; once broken through, combat power will surge, far surpassing that of the sixth level. If Chu Chunqiu truly breaks through, the competition in this Trial Tower will likely be even fiercer.
"Not only that," Chu Wen continued, "I heard that his uncle Chu Xiong secretly gave him a lot of resources, including 'Qi Condensation Powder'. Although this item cannot help people directly break through to the True Qi Realm, it can greatly improve the purity of blood and qi, which is extremely beneficial to martial artists in the Body Tempering Realm."
Shen Lian nodded: "Thank you for informing me, Brother Chu."
Chu Wen said, "Now that we are both in the Demon Suppression Division of Qingzhou, we should look out for each other. Chu Chunqiu has long held a grudge against you for defeating him in the 'New Talent Competition,' and he is very likely to target you."
"I understand," Shen Lian said calmly.
In the following days, Shen Lian devoted all his time to cultivation.
As the opening of the Trial Tower approached, Shen Lian slowed down his training pace. Martial arts cultivation emphasizes a balance between exertion and relaxation, and one should not be too hasty in anything.