Chapter 503: Chapter 334: 8 Gates
Watching Zhao Xuanqi strike, the edges of his Blood Qi trembling and faintly forming the shape of a flame, He Xijun’s expression stiffened slightly.
Although it was just a blurry, flame-like shape, it proved that Zhao Xuanqi’s Force Release technique was already on the right track. He had found the right feeling and direction. All that remained was to continue polishing his skill, and he would soon master the basics.
When practicing a new Technique, that esoteric feeling was the most crucial part—something that was difficult to impart through instruction alone.
Even for her, it had taken about a week to grasp the fundamentals of Force Release.
‘And this Zhao Xing actually found that profound feeling after watching my demonstration just once?’
“Senior Sister, I wonder if my Force Release technique is correct?”
Zhao Xuanqi took a deep breath, manipulating the Qi and Blood in his body to force a few beads of sweat onto his forehead. Feigning a somewhat exhausted look, he asked He Xijun.
“Mm… Not bad… You learned it just from watching me demonstrate once?”
He Xijun asked, looking at him with suspicion.
“No, that’s not it. During my previous cultivation, I was already pondering various uses for Blood Qi, trying to figure out how to make it more powerful. Through my own exploration, I discovered that this method seemed to maximize its power, so I’ve been practicing in this direction for a while. I just didn’t understand the key points. Your explanation and demonstration just now were a true revelation, and I was able to make some progress.”
Zhao Xuanqi said this without batting an eye.
This level of display was a calculated decision he had made after careful consideration on his way over.
He had originally worried that Qiu Qing would see through his deception and harbor some ill intentions toward him. However, after meeting the man, his attitude had dispelled many of those concerns.
If the man had designs on him, their first meeting would have been the perfect opportunity. As a mere Blood Strengthening disciple, he stood no chance against an Innate Martial Artist. It would have been perfectly normal for the Elder to use even more aggressive methods of investigation.
The vast disparity in their strength and status meant the Elder had no reason to hide his intentions.
Therefore, there were only two possibilities for Qiu Qing’s casual attitude. One, he hadn’t seen through the deception and truly regarded him as just another casually accepted disciple. The other was that he had already sensed something was unusual but held no malice, instead expressing goodwill.
Either possibility was the best-case scenario for him. Under these circumstances, by relying on Qiu Qing, a sect Elder, Zhao Xuanqi could continue to appropriately display some of his talent to obtain more resources. As long as it seemed reasonably plausible, it was a good option.
‘He had already figured some of it out on his own and has been practicing in this direction this whole time?’
Hearing Zhao Xuanqi’s words, He Xijun was taken aback for a moment. Put that way, it was certainly possible. But to figure this much out on his own, without any guidance, was a sign of exceptional comprehension.
‘I really underestimated this kid.’
The way He Xijun looked at Zhao Xuanqi changed slightly, now holding a trace of approval.
“Not bad. You’ve already grasped the basics. The next step is to become more proficient. You also need to speed up your progress with the True Essence Skill to increase your Primordial Qi. Otherwise, with your current level of Primordial Qi, it will be very difficult to sustain the eruption of Blood Fire.”
“Now that you are my Junior Brother, and an Elder Disciple, the daily medicinal supplements you can claim are quite substantial. Don’t slack off. Starting tomorrow, I will teach you how to draw the corresponding Technique to activate the Blood Fire.”
He Xijun said with a serious expression.
“Thank you, Senior Sister. Oh, by the way, I have a question. I was wondering if you could help me with it?”
Zhao Xuanqi then asked.
“Go ahead.”
He Xijun said with a nod.
“I previously heard some of the senior brothers and sisters discussing that Senior Brother Zhao from our sect. They all seemed to find it incredible that he could manifest Golden Fire. Why is that? Is it really that difficult to condense Golden Fire at the Blood Strengthening realm?”
Zhao Xuanqi asked. This was, in fact, a question he’d been wondering about himself. Although his own performance was outstanding, his realm was still low. Logically, it shouldn’t have caused the entire Red Heart Sect to make such a fuss, to the point that even Innate Martial Artists were taking such a keen interest.
“Yes. Now that you’re an Elder Disciple, you are qualified to know some of the sect’s secrets. It has been a very long time since anyone in our Red Heart Sect has been able to condense Golden Fire at the Blood Strengthening realm. One might say it’s not just difficult, but nearly impossible, because a certain key condition is missing.”
“However, as the saying goes, ‘success depends on human effort.’ Since that Senior Brother Zhao managed to do it, it proves it’s not entirely impossible—just extremely difficult.”
He Xijun said with a smile.
“I see. Thank you for clearing that up for me, Senior Sister.”
Zhao Xuanqi nodded, finally understanding. For the Red Heart Sect, condensing Golden Fire at the Blood Strengthening realm seemed to hold some kind of special significance.
‘By using the Hundred Beasts Fist as my foundation to perform the Red Heart Sect’s Golden Fire Heavenly Ding Skill, I can actually break through limits that are unreachable even by relying solely on the True Essence Skill?’
This made him understand the power of the Hundred Beasts Fist even more clearly. It possessed a terrifying adaptability that could even surpass the limits of the original Secret Technique, allowing it to unleash even greater power.
‘It seems that with the Hundred Beasts Fist as a base, I can merge any and all Cultivation Techniques into a single whole.’
‘Perhaps I shouldn’t restrict myself to the methods of the Red Heart Sect. I should learn a greater variety of techniques and try to fuse and complement them. Maybe, by building upon the foundation of the Hundred Beasts Fist, this approach could unleash even greater power and help me reach a new limit.’