Cultivation: Start From Simplifying Martial Arts Techniques

For Chen Fei, the most valuable aspect of the Soaring Heaven Technique was the ability to create a perfect doppelganger. Both in terms of aura and other attributes, it was a flawless replica.

Especially now that he possessed the Slaughter Spirit Technique, which allowed him to eliminate any differences in aura between his main body and the doppelganger, making them virtually indistinguishable.

Chen Fei had opened seventy-five acupoints with the Soaring Heaven Technique, just crossing the threshold of seventy-two acupoints that marked the middle stage of the Aperture tempering realm. In terms of the number of acupoints alone, Chen Fei’s Soaring Heaven Technique was considered relatively ordinary among the many inheritances that could be cultivated to reach the later stages of the Aperture tempering realm.

In the early and middle stages of the Aperture tempering realm, the shortcomings of the Soaring Heaven Technique were not readily apparent, and because Chen Fei had perfected it, he still had a significant advantage over cultivators in the early and middle stages of the Aperture tempering realm.

However, in the future, as Chen Fei continued to advance to the later stages of the Aperture tempering realm, and even the pinnacle of the Aperture tempering realm, the advantages of the Soaring Heaven Technique would likely fade away.

It was precisely because of this that even with the enhancement of the Fleeting Shuttle, Chen Fei found it difficult to evade Xing Xinzhao’s pursuit.

In the later stages of the Aperture tempering realm, the seventy-two acupoints formed a cohesive whole, serving as the foundation of great power. Coupled with his sect’s martial arts inheritance, catching up to Chen Fei was almost inevitable.

But at this moment, Chen Fei’s face showed no sign of panic. As he continued to flee in one direction with his doppelganger, he kept moving along his predetermined route.

In less than a moment, Xing Xinzhao arrived at a hilltop. Using the Sword Return Eye technique, he saw two tracks leading in different directions. Xing Xinzhao furrowed his brow, and from the tracks alone, it was nearly impossible to determine which one was the real Chen Fei.

“Clang!”

Xing Xinzhao unsheathed his spirit sword, and a surge of sword intent shot into the sky, lingering in the forest for an extended period. In the next moment, another surge of sword intent came from behind, resonating with Xing Xinzhao’s.

Another Aperture tempering realm cultivator from the Sword Return Tower, Sui Wengong, had followed Xing Xinzhao. Xing Xinzhao chose one of the trails to continue pursuing, while Sui Wengong went after the other one.

As Chen Fei continued to sprint ahead, he also sensed the two surges of sword intent rising behind him. He knew that two Aperture tempering realm cultivators from the Sword Return Tower were chasing him.

Clearly, whatever Chen Fei had done in the Sword Return Tower had enraged them, as they had sent two cultivators instead of one. It was evident that they were determined to capture Chen Fei and wouldn’t give up easily.

Chen Fei planted a foot on a rocky outcrop, creating numerous phantom images with his body. The Fleeting Shuttle in his arms vibrated continuously, pushed to its limit.

However, despite his efforts, the distance between Xing Xinzhao and Chen Fei continued to shorten. At this rate, it wouldn’t be long before Chen Fei was caught.

Furthermore, the doppelganger created by the Soaring Heaven Technique couldn’t match the speed of Chen Fei’s main body, and it would be overtaken even sooner. Even if Chen Fei dissolved the doppelganger and created a new one, it would only provide a brief delay.

The two Aperture tempering realm cultivators from the Sword Return Tower would soon close in on Chen Fei from both sides, trapping him like a dumpling filling. It seemed that Chen Fei had run out of options, leaving him with no choice but to fight.

Chen Fei looked ahead and saw a solitary peak rising like a sword into the sky, unmistakably prominent in the landscape. A smile crept onto his lips as he covered the distance in a few strides, arriving at the base of the lonely peak. Two figures were already seated there, their eyes opening simultaneously as they turned their gazes toward Chen Fei.

One of them was dressed in plain blue robes, resembling an ordinary scholar. However, the occasional sharpness in his eyes revealed the hidden edge within him. This was Qu Qingsheng, the head of the Primordial Sword Sect.

The other figure was elderly and frail, with visible signs of physical decline.

Yet, the vitality in his eyes remained intact, a testament to his enduring spirit. This was Elder Zhou Zixun.

In comparison to the Sect Leader, Qu Qingsheng, Zhou Zixun’s condition was undeniably inferior. Approaching the end of his lifespan, his earlier failed attempt to break through the Combined aperture tempering realm had left his cultivation dwindling. Nevertheless, even as his cultivation declined, Zhou Zixun remained a formidable Aperture tempering realm cultivator, still holding a pivotal position within the sect.

Upon seeing these two individuals, Chen Fei couldn’t help but feel moved. He had used an elemental stone to send a message back to the sect, hoping they would send an Aperture tempering realm cultivator to assist him in this location.

Chen Fei had spent ten days within the Sword Return Tower, primarily for two reasons: refining his Blood Touch of Blood Origin Technique, and waiting for the sect’s reinforcements.

Today, he had received their response, which prompted his actions this evening. He infiltrated the Sword Return Tower’s inheritance grounds and retrieved various techniques of the Primordial Sword Sect.

As such, when he sensed that the Sword Return Tower had discovered his presence and was closing in on him, Chen Fei remained calm, knowing that reinforcements from his sect were here to support him.

It wasn’t that the Aperture tempering realm cultivators from the Primordial Sword Sect were significantly stronger than those from the Sword Return Tower. Rather, with the support of his sect’s cultivators delaying the pursuers, Chen Fei could make a smooth exit. Similarly, their counterpart from the Primordial Sword Sect, also being at the Aperture tempering realm’s later stage, could leave without a hitch.

Chen Fei hadn’t anticipated that both Qu Qingsheng and Zhou Zixun would come. In the message he had sent back to the sect, he had refrained from mentioning that he had found the secret manuals of the techniques, fearing it might lead to unnecessary complications.

However, even without revealing the details, when they learned that Chen Fei needed support from Aperture tempering realm cultivators, both Qu Qingsheng and Zhou Zixun, who were at the Aperture tempering realm’s later stage, had come together from the Primordial Sword Sect.

It was important to note that the situation around Immortal Cloud City appeared calm at first glance but was actually fraught with variables. Sects like the Primordial Sword Sect, without Aperture tempering realm cultivators holding the fort, were susceptible to major incidents with even minor mishaps.

This demonstrated that in the eyes of Chen Fei, both Sect Leader Qu Qingsheng and Elder Zhou Zixun highly valued him. They considered Chen Fei to be of greater importance than many others.

“Leader, Elder Zhou!” Chen Fei approached the two of them and respectfully greeted them with a cupped fist.

“What happened?” Zhou Zixun looked at Chen Fei and straightforwardly inquired. The information Chen Fei had transmitted back was limited, and Zhou Zixun needed a general understanding of the situation to plan their next actions.

H

Is someone chasing you from behind?” Qu Qingsheng’s gaze shifted past Chen Fei and toward the distance.

Just now, Qu Qingsheng had sensed a fleeting sword intent in the distance. Due to the considerable distance, he couldn’t discern much from that sword intent.

However, this territory belonged to the Sword Return Tower, and the owner of that sword intent was likely someone from the Sword Return Tower.

“It’s an Aperture tempering realm cultivator from the Sword Return Tower, one of them was led away by my clone, but there’s still one pursuing behind.” Chen Fei replied in a low voice.

“Let’s talk while we move. There’s no need to confront them head-on here.” Qu Qingsheng whispered.

They had two Aperture tempering realm cultivators, and with only one person from the Sword Return Tower pursuing them, there was naturally nothing to worry about. However, accidents can happen, and their primary purpose for coming out this time was to support Chen Fei.

More importantly, this was the territory of the Sword Return Tower. Although one of the Aperture tempering realm cultivators had been led away by Chen Fei’s clone, it would take only a moment for them to catch up.

“Good!”

Chen Fei nodded, and Zhou Zixun grabbed his arm. With a swift movement, they disappeared from their original location.

Zhou Zixun had already cultivated his Soaring Heaven Technique to the pinnacle, and with his Aperture tempering realm later-stage cultivation, the speed he displayed now surpassed Chen Fei.

Qu Qingsheng followed alongside, not rushing, but patiently waiting for Chen Fei to continue explaining the situation.

“I retrieved the Primordial Sword Scripture, the complete Primordial Sword Scripture!” Chen Fei looked at the two of them and whispered.

“Snap!”

As the three of them stepped over a treetop, Zhou Zixun’s feet suddenly paused, causing the entire tree to tremble slightly before shattering into powder. Zhou Zixun turned to look at Chen Fei with an incredulous expression on his face, which had been calm just moments ago.

The complete Primordial Sword Scripture?

Qu Qingsheng was also astonished, gazing at Chen Fei in disbelief. The complete Primordial Sword Scripture? When Chen Fei had obtained the two layers of the Primordial Sword Scripture from the Long Rainbow Sect, Qu Qingsheng had already been overjoyed.

After all, the Primordial Sword Scripture, which had been refined with the Giant Spirit Sword and the Zhongyuan Sword, opened up ninety acupoints, making it an excellent Aperture tempering realm technique.

Their Aperture tempering realm late-stage cultivators from the Primordial Sword Sect wouldn’t be weaker than the surrounding sects. For the entire Primordial Sword Sect, this was a significant development.

Now, Chen Fei had obtained the complete Primordial Sword Scripture. That meant he could even integrate the Soaring Heaven technique into it. When the techniques were fused, it would undoubtedly increase the number of opened acupoints.

As for the other missing techniques, if he had enough energy, he could learn them. Even though the number of acupoints wouldn’t increase, fusing all the techniques would greatly enhance the power of the techniques, resulting in a significant increase in combat strength.

“Furthermore, I’ve also obtained the complete training methods for the Blade-Saying Sword, the Great Thunder Sword, and the Wate-Jade Sword!” Chen Fei continued.

“Buzz!”

Due to the earlier explosion of the tree, the three of them had landed on the ground. Upon hearing Chen Fei’s words, the auras of Qu Qingsheng and Zhou Zixun suddenly surged, causing the surrounding elemental energy to tremble slightly.

Cracks appeared in concentric circles beneath their feet, revealing the inexplicable emotional state they couldn’t describe with words.

ii

Is this for real?” Zhou Zixun’s voice quivered as he spoke.

Ever since the catastrophe years ago, the Primordial Sword Sect had lost all but three techniques, and even the main manual, the Primordial Sword Scripture, was completely lost. Now, Chen Fei had somehow managed to recover three techniques and even the main manual in its entirety.

At this moment, Zhou Zixun felt as if he were in a dream.

“I wouldn’t dare to make such a joke,” Chen Fei replied with a shake of his head.

“Were these techniques found in the Sword Return Tower?” Qu Qingsheng took a deep breath, gradually regaining his composure.

In his daily life, Qu Qingsheng rarely displayed his emotions on his face. However, the news provided by Chen Fei was simply too shocking. Although his face was currently composed, one could sense his emotions from the look in his eyes.

“Yes, apart from the Primordial Sword Scripture and the Soaring Heaven technique, all of our sect’s other techniques have been collected by the Sword Return Tower,” Chen Fei nodded and replied.

“This is outrageous!” Zhou Zixun exclaimed angrily. As soon as he finished speaking, he suddenly sensed an aura in the distance. Xing Xinzhao was catching up..