Chapter 54: Breakthrough of Realm

Top-tier martial arts are simply top-tier!

They are the pinnacle among ordinary martial arts!

Beneath the realm of extraordinary martial arts, nothing can compare to them.

If Ling Xiao wanted to progress faster and become stronger, it would be impossible without top-tier martial arts.

He had now discovered that the "Bull Demon Art" was neither an internal cultivation method nor a martial technique; it was more like a supportive martial art.

It could enhance the power, and even the grade, of other martial arts.

To allow the "Bull Demon Art" to continue evolving and to acquire more offensive methods, the best way was naturally to learn higher-level martial arts and then use the "Bull Demon Art" to devour them.

For example, his basic martial art, "Brute Bull Strength," could now exert the power of a high-level martial art.

As for the high-level martial art "Meteor Fist," after being devoured, its power was one to two times stronger than an average high-level martial art. Although it still hadn't reached the level of a top-tier martial art, it was already quite formidable.

If he devoured a top-tier martial art, what kind of chemical reaction would occur?

Would the "Bull Demon Art" continue to evolve?

Ling Xiao was looking forward to it immensely.

Therefore, fighting for one spot among three was his current goal.

With these thoughts in mind, Ling Xiao walked back home.

Just as he reached the door, he suddenly heard a bustling noise from within. Startled, he entered the house only to find his grandfather, Hong Qi, being surrounded by a crowd of people offering congratulations.

"Old Mr. Hong, your grandson is incredible!"

"Indeed, first place in the Elite Hall, and he has even cultivated Astral Qi. With such talent, he will likely receive focused cultivation from the clan in the future!"

"I think it's more than that; Ling Xiao might even place in the grand finals!"

"A true sensation!"

Ling Xiao basically didn't recognize any of these people, as guests never visited the small, dilapidated shack where he lived with his grandfather.

However, he felt no resentment.

This was reality!

When you are weak, others ignore you or even humiliate you at will.

But when you are powerful, others have no choice but to flatter you.

It seemed he had chosen the right path; becoming stronger was the only way to earn respect!

Ling Xiao was not the type to push people away. Although he disliked such occasions, he still accompanied his grandfather in seeing these people off one by one.

Various gifts were placed in the living room.

Some were even extremely precious.

"I never imagined it, kid. In just half a year, your cultivation has reached such a level. Grandpa almost thought he was hallucinating."

Hong Qi had already held Ling Xiao in high regard.

But he still hadn't expected Ling Xiao's progress to be this massive.

From the first stage of the Martial Vein to the peak of the third stage, and possessing Astral Qi equivalent to nearly three Martial Veins—to call this progress "monstrous" would not be an exaggeration.

"Grandpa, I will become even stronger in the future. You will never be bullied again."

Ling Xiao clenched his fists.

Although he was progressing quickly, his strength was still insufficient. If he encountered a fifth-stage Martial Vein expert like Ling Shisan, he would still be defeated.

So, he had to keep working hard!

"Hard work is a good thing, but don't overwork yourself. There are many clothes and food among the gifts they sent today. I want to send some to the brothers in the Beggars' Gang. Do you agree?"

Even though his life had improved, Hong Qi had not forgotten those who had begged on the streets with him.

"Of course I agree. Without them protecting me, I would have taken many more beatings in the past. Why don't we go together?" Ling Xiao suggested after a moment's thought.

It had been a long time since he had seen those brothers; it would be good to visit.

"No rush. The grand finals are about to begin. You should focus on increasing your strength. After the finals are over, Grandpa will take you to see them," Hong Qi said, shaking his head.

Ling Xiao thought it made sense. After the battles of these past few days, his gains were truly significant, and he needed to properly organize and contemplate them. He really couldn't afford to waste time.

"Alright then. Let's hire a carriage tomorrow."

Ling Xiao stuffed a hundred taels of silver into Hong Qi's hand.

Although there were no other rewards during the elimination stage, anyone who made it into the top thousand received silver rewards, though the amounts varied.

Since Ling Xiao took first place, his reward was naturally much greater, reaching ten thousand taels of silver.

This money was enough to support his family for quite a while.

After giving the silver, Ling Xiao locked himself in the training room. He closed his eyes and began to recall the combat and observation scenes from the past few days.

At this moment, the Mountain and River Map displayed the images perfectly, as if replaying the matches of these past few days in their entirety.

Naturally, he watched the most critical parts several times in a row.

For instance, he watched his battles with Ling Yihang and Ling Yixue almost every single fight several times.

Undoubtedly, those two possessed more combat techniques and were more agile than him; he needed to learn and apply them.

His combat experience was severely lacking, so absorbing the combat experience of others to improve his own techniques was extremely useful.

Suddenly, he snapped his eyes open.

Then, he swallowed another Astral Qi Pill.

He did not sit there attempting a breakthrough.

Instead, he extended his hands and began to practice his martial arts.

From "Brute Bull Strength" to "Meteor Fist," then to "Hundred-Step Flying Sword Technique," and finally "Soaring Cloud Steps"!

During this process, he did not suppress the outward projection of his Astral Qi; all his martial arts utilized Astral Qi.

He could feel himself immersed in a very peculiar atmosphere.

Even though he was practicing alone, it felt as if an opponent were facing him in combat.

In his Mountain and River Map, several figures were constantly being practiced against.

One moment it was Ling Yixue, the next Ling Yihang, then Ling Shisan, and then Ling Jiu.

The opponents grew stronger, and the pressure he faced increased accordingly.

"Hah—!"

Suddenly, he let out a furious roar.

The sound erupted like a clap of thunder!

His fists struck out with absolute, overwhelming force!

The images in the Mountain and River Map vanished.

Ling Xiao also ceased his attack and sat cross-legged on the floor.

"Break!"

Under the control of his terrifying will, the final shackle shattered.

The previously sluggish circulation of Astral Qi suddenly became fluid and free. The true qi within his body had now completely transformed into Astral Qi.

He had broken through to the fourth stage of the Martial Vein!

His current Astral Qi had also reached the level of twenty percent of a fourth Martial Vein.

Although the volume of Astral Qi had not increased significantly compared to before, moving from the peak of the third stage to the fourth stage was an absolute qualitative leap.

Because there was no longer any true qi impurity in his body—it had all turned into Astral Qi—even the "Qi Recovery Art" now recovered Astral Qi.

As long as he didn't consume too much at once, his Astral Qi would slowly recover.

At the same time, the opening of the fourth Martial Vein had further enhanced his body; his strength had reached over a thousand catties.

Though the gap between the third and fourth stages was only one level, in reality, they were worlds apart.

Those below the third stage were called Martial Students, who cultivated true qi and were considered to be in the Awakening Stage.

From the fourth stage onward, they were Martial Apprentices, who cultivated Astral Qi and were considered to be in the Astral Qi Stage.

The situation was fundamentally different.

It could be said that this was a true qualitative change, a massive transformation akin to a carp leaping over the Dragon Gate.

Possessing Astral Qi had once been a lifelong goal and a mere luxury for Ling Xiao.

This was because a martial artist whose entire body had transformed into Astral Qi would receive quite excellent treatment in any faction within the Northern Han Kingdom.

After all, in the Northern Han Kingdom, countless people were stuck at the peak of the third stage, unable to break through.

It looked like a distance of a single sheet of paper, but in reality, it was a vast chasm.

(End of Chapter)