Chapter 11: Rapid Progress

After practicing for only one hour, Ling Xiao’s "Red Sun Technique" actually broke through to the first level.

He could feel that the true qi within his body had become significantly thicker, and his body had expelled waste fluids resulting from the physical transformation.

It was black and had a slight stench.

Although his strength hadn't increased, the toughness of his true qi and meridians had improved, by at least two or three tenths.

To break through the first level of the "Red Sun Technique" in just one hour—this cultivation speed was truly astonishing!

Ling Xiao was filled with excitement. This internal cultivation method only had three levels; once cultivated to the third level of Great Perfection, one’s attacks could contain the energy of fire.

It was even possible to form fire *gangqi*.

One had to know that *gangqi* was something only martial artists at the fourth level of the Martial Pulse or higher could master. This was actually the greatest advantage of this martial art.

However, because it was very difficult to cultivate to Great Perfection, there were not many practitioners. After all, wasting time on one technique was not as good as striving to improve one's overall strength; once one reached the fourth level of the Martial Pulse, true qi would automatically transform into *gangqi*.

But Ling Xiao’s thinking was different. If he could condense *gangqi* during the Awakening stage, his combat power would definitely increase significantly.

After practicing the "Red Sun Technique" for another hour to stabilize it at the first level, Ling Xiao turned to practice other martial arts.

According to the guidance of the Mountain and River Martial Soul, these five martial arts had to be practiced simultaneously to achieve twice the result with half the effort.

In other words, one should not blindly focus on improving just one, but rather cultivate all five to the first level first, then cycle through them to improve; this was the most effective method.

Next, he chose the "Meteor Fist."

This was a martial technique, a means of attack, and it had to be learned.

Just as the Mountain and River Martial Soul had described, after learning the "Red Sun Technique," practicing the "Meteor Fist" became very easy.

This set of fist techniques had a total of nine forms. The moves were very simple, consisting of only nine variations in total. It pursued power, not speed or complexity.

Ling Xiao liked it this way, as it was easier to practice.

In just two hours, Ling Xiao had completely mastered the "Meteor Fist" from the first to the sixth form, though the last three forms were still a bit difficult.

However, he did not dwell on them, instead turning to practice the "Qi Explosion Art."

This was a secret technique with only one stage. Its function was simple: it could condense a large amount of true qi onto a martial technique in an instant to unleash an explosive attack.

Of course, the amount of the explosion could be controlled—sixty percent, seventy percent, or even one hundred percent; it was entirely a desperate measure.

Although he really wanted to test the power of the "Meteor Fist" combined with the "Qi Explosion Art" right now, Ling Xiao held back. To sustain combat, he had to master the "Qi Recovery Art" as well.

Like the "Qi Explosion Art," the "Qi Recovery Art" was also a secret technique. Once the trick was mastered, it was very easy to cultivate, and it also only had one level.

With the analysis of the Mountain and River Martial Soul, he finished it in just one hour.

The "Qi Recovery Art" had two effects. One was to continuously recover true qi anytime and anywhere, though this speed was relatively slow.

The other was the option to meditate on the spot, which allowed for a basically full recovery within a quarter of an hour.

Of course, this was limited to the Awakening stage, meaning martial artists below the third level of the Martial Pulse.

The higher the cultivation, the slower the full recovery would naturally be, as the true qi storage capacity increased.

Cultivating the first level of the "Fierce Tiger Descending the Mountain Step" was also relatively simple, mainly focusing on momentum. With the previous foundation, he simply chose to practice this movement technique while in a state of "Qi Explosion," and he broke through the first level in just a quarter of an hour.

Afterward, he spent a quarter of an hour recovering his qi, returned to the "Red Sun Technique," and practiced with "Qi Explosion" again; the second level was broken through very easily.

Ling Xiao really wanted to find someone to spar with now. With the coordination of the "Fist Soul" set of techniques, he believed that even against a martial artist at the third level of the Martial Pulse, he would absolutely not be intimidated.

He wouldn't dare say he would definitely win, but he certainly wouldn't lose, unless the opponent also had special techniques.

Filled with pleasant surprise, Ling Xiao intensified his cultivation. Except for going out to eat, he kept himself locked in his room the rest of the time.

Two days later, Ling Xiao’s "Red Sun Technique" was nearing the third level of Great Perfection, he had grasped the seventh form of the "Meteor Fist," and he had basically mastered all nine forms and one hundred and eight variations of the "Fierce Tiger Descending the Mountain Step."

The problem was that the room was too small to move around in. If he wanted to try the "Fierce Tiger Descending the Mountain Step," he had to go to a more spacious place.

The same went for the "Meteor Fist"; he had to engage in actual combat. Practicing alone made it a bit difficult to fully grasp the true essence of the martial technique.

At this time, his martial artist realm was also nearing the peak of the second level of the Martial Pulse; he was only a hair's breadth away from a breakthrough.

What he needed, perhaps, was truly just a battle.

But before that, he had to go to the city's auction house. He didn't know if those ten basic martial arts manuals had been sold yet.

If they had sold, he should hire a doctor to treat his grandfather, and then continue to anonymously sell the remaining basic martial arts.

...

Soon, Ling Xiao arrived at the auction house.

The people at the auction house told him that all ten basic martial arts manuals had been sold for a total of one hundred taels of silver. After deducting the service fee, ninety taels remained.

It had all been transferred into his account at the silver bank.

Ling Xiao was already very satisfied with this.

The silver bank was right next door. Ling Xiao checked, and it was indeed ninety taels of silver.

So, he left another ten basic martial arts manuals at the auction house.

The people at the auction house didn't pay much attention; after all, they were just basic martial arts, and they had seen plenty of them.

After getting the silver, Ling Xiao went to hire a doctor specializing in bone injuries.

Who would have thought that just as he reached the side gate of the Ling family residence, he would see a group of people practicing light-body movement techniques there.

Although the martial arts arena could also be used for practice, the outside had more trees and many roof beams, making the terrain complex and more suitable for the performance of light-body techniques.

*Zeng!*

A figure leaped directly onto a tree, darting and shifting like a nimble ape, before landing back on the ground.

"What a great movement technique! Senior Brother Ling Fei’s light-body technique is the best in the Elite Hall; no one can compare."

"That’s right. Even if he’s slightly lacking in other areas, his movement technique alone is enough to make many of his peers feel very troubled."

"Exactly. In all the martial arts of the world, only speed cannot be broken. With this kind of movement and speed, it’s very likely that Senior Brother Ling Fei will become the number one in the Elite Hall during this year’s annual competition."

A group of people below were cheering incessantly.

"I wonder how my 'Fierce Tiger Descending the Mountain Step' compares to this Ling Fei?"

This scene really made Ling Xiao’s heart itch. He had to admit that Ling Fei’s light-body technique was indeed impressive, but he was also a bit unconvinced.

*Zeng, zeng, zeng!*

Perhaps encouraged by those people, Ling Fei deliberately changed directions several times in mid-air, his movements very elegant.

However, perhaps due to a lack of stamina, he nearly fell at the end. Fortunately, seeing Ling Xiao, he attempted to step on Ling Xiao’s shoulder to avoid losing face.

Ling Xiao had no grudge against Ling Fei, but he was unwilling to let him step on his shoulder, so he simply lifted his foot and kicked upward, giving Ling Fei a place to step.

Ling Fei landed gracefully, but there was a hint of anger on his face.

"Senior Brother Ling is truly amazing! He can even do that; he’s just like a flying swallow."

They didn't realize that Ling Fei had nearly made a fool of himself just now, so they continued to praise him with all their might.