Chapter 3 Blood-Qi Martial Arts (Happy Lantern Festival! ! ! )
Chapter 3 Blood-Qi Martial Arts (Happy Lantern Festival! ! ! )
Fang Residence.
"Rejected?"
Fang Xi's expression turned somewhat unsightly as he glared at A Fu.
A Fu lowered his head, filled with trepidation: "This old servant spent a fortune, found an intermediary, and even promised to pay more, but alas. . ."
Fang Xi took a deep breath.
As a cultivator, when had he ever suffered such humiliation? . . . Well, alright, he often suffered such humiliation at Green Bamboo Mountain market, he'd practically gotten used to it already.
It's fine to be used to it, it's fine.
"Never mind. I suppose my aptitude is mediocre, and others look down on me."
As a cultivator, even at the lowest level, the ability to have sharp hearing and keen eyesight, and to memorize anything at a glance, was certainly present.
When he had sent someone earlier, he had sensed a peering gaze.
But clearly, blood-qi martial artists had their own unique method for assessing aptitude, and they hadn't given him a chance to showcase his extraordinary mental and comprehension abilities.
'In other words, do the martial artists of this world care more about physical aptitude than mental and comprehension aptitude? No wonder they're considered low-grade body cultivators. . . '
Fang Xi consoled himself with an Ah Q-style spiritual self-comfort, which produced excellent results.
Then, he let out a laugh: "Very well. . . Since Yuan He Mountain won't accept me, then I'll go to a martial arts hall. . . Martial arts halls recruit disciples, surely they won't still care about aptitude."
At this, A Fu also smiled: "Young Master is right. Martial arts halls, they claim to 'educate without discrimination,' which simply means they'll accept anyone who pays."
A satisfied smile appeared on Fang Xi's lips: "Coincidentally, I am very rich!"
...
Afternoon.
The sun hung high in the sky, over the temporarily cleared-out training ground in the Fang Residence's backyard.
Fang Xi lay in a lounge chair, a homemade fruit ice blend beside him. Its principle was similar to the air conditioner he had installed himself—both utilized a cultivator's methods to make life a little more comfortable.
In the scorching summer, drinking a glass of fruit ice was truly refreshing to the core.
Within the training ground, several martial artists, mostly middle-aged, with a few elders among them, looked at him with a slight hint of deference.
Fang Xi turned his head, took a mouthful of the ice blend offered by Yue Gui, and clapped his hands.
A Fu stepped forward, coughed once: "My Master wishes to learn martial arts. All of you are experts from martial arts halls. If you have any unique skills, you may demonstrate them. Should my Master find any to his liking, there will certainly be a generous reward. . . Even if not chosen, a token of gratitude will be offered later."
Since he was a wealthy man, he naturally wouldn't scramble like a pauper to learn martial arts with the common folk at a martial arts hall. Instead, he would hire private tutors!
Upon hearing this, the eyes of the muscle-bound martial artists all lit up.
Since they ran martial arts halls, it was naturally for the sake of making money; they wouldn't turn their backs on it.
And this Master Fang was famously. . . an easy mark!
The group exchanged glances, and a black-clad old man eagerly stepped forward, cupping his fist: "This one is She Lei from the Red Snake Martial Arts Hall, proficient in the 'Red Snake Leg'!"
He approached a wooden post, his right leg suddenly lifted high, muscles bulging beneath his black trousers, which seemed on the verge of tearing apart.
Swish!
The next moment, he delivered a flying kick. His normally thick right leg seemed fluid and boneless, constantly changing as his leg whip struck the wooden post with a powerful gust of wind.
Bang!
The thick wooden post instantly splintered into four pieces.
Wood chips flew everywhere as She Lei proudly introduced: "This martial arts hall's Red Snake Leg technique primarily trains the legs. Once mastered, it not only possesses great power but also enhances one's movement speed. With good footwork, one can at least remain undefeated in a confrontation. . ."
"Excellent, excellent. " Fang Xi's eyes lit up as he watched.
Although the destructive power of this Red Snake Leg was still inferior to the minor spells he had mastered, like the Gengjin Kusanagi Sword, he was only in the early-stage Qi Refinement, with limited magic power that couldn't support many spell casts.
Yet, seeing the opponent's enduring stamina, he could at least kick out twenty or thirty more times, which gave it considerable value.
'Indeed, just as I thought. These so-called Blood-Qi Martial Arts can be regarded as body cultivation techniques for the Qi Refinement stage, and they are quite valuable. . . Furthermore, if one studies them deeply, there might even be techniques comparable to Foundation Establishment stage body cultivators! '
Fang Xi's heart burned with excitement!
Foundation Establishment!
This was the common dream of all low-level cultivators.
Alas. . . this hurdle was too difficult.
Just the minimum requirement of cultivating to the Qi Refinement Grand Completion realm before the age of sixty was enough to stump most rogue cultivators.
Moreover, attempting to break through to Foundation Establishment on one's own meant death if unsuccessful. And the spiritual items required to ensure success, especially the Foundation Establishment Pill, were firmly controlled by major powers. Even for the Situ family to obtain a single Foundation Establishment Pill would require significant sacrifice and effort.
For ordinary low-level rogue cultivators, even a whiff was a luxury.
But at this moment, Fang Xi saw a path to an unexpected breakthrough!
'If I can raise my body cultivation to be comparable to a late-stage Qi Refinement cultivator, and then gather pills and cultivation techniques to aid in breaking through to the mid and late stages of Qi Refinement, it will be much simpler. '
'And if I can first become a Foundation Establishment stage body cultivator, and then seek out a Foundation Establishment Pill, my chances will be much greater, and it will be much safer. ''There is hope for the Dao path, there is hope for the Dao path! '
Although he possessed resources from two worlds, Fang Xi hadn't forgotten his position at the bottom of the food chain in the South Barrens Cultivation World. For now, he still dared not bring the special resources from Da Liang to sell in the South Barrens Cultivation World.
Unless. . . he could master even greater power.
Now, he saw hope.
"Master She, excellent skill, a reward!"
In his pleasant mood, Fang Xi spoke.
Originally, She Lei had been somewhat displeased. After all, though he was truly out to sell his skills, he still had a bit more dignity than a common street performer.
But upon seeing A Fu smilingly present a plate of silver, all his displeasure vanished instantly, and the wrinkles on his old face almost bloomed with laughter.
This easy mark truly lived up to his reputation!
Witnessing this, the other martial arts hall representatives all grew envious. A tall woman stepped forward: "This one is Mu Piao Miao from the White Cloud Martial Arts Hall. My White Cloud Martial Arts Hall is skilled in the 'White Cloud Palm,' which allows one to overcome the strong with the weak, and is extremely easy to learn. . ."
Evidently, this female martial artist had carefully inquired about the customer's needs, knowing that Fang Xi's martial arts aptitude was not excellent, otherwise he wouldn't have been rejected by Yuan He Mountain. She hit the nail on the head with her very first words.
Furthermore, as she demonstrated her palm technique, her graceful figure was revealed without reservation; her twin peaks rose high, carrying a hint of allure.
The other martial artists, upon seeing this, cursed her inwardly as a 'sly vixen,' yet couldn't bear to look away.
After Mu Piao Miao stepped down, another martial artist came forward.
"This one is Yuan Tian Gang, proficient in the 'Limitless Staff'. . ."
"This one is Yi Qiu Jue, highly skilled in the 'Iron Wire Fist'. . ."
"My sect's 'Green Robe Sword'. . ."
...
After the last martial artist had finished their demonstration, Fang Xi pondered for a moment, then asked: "All of your masters' martial arts are quite excellent. I wonder if I could learn all of them?"
He had plenty of money anyway; learning them all wouldn't be an issue.
"This. . ."
The martial artists exchanged glances, and Mu Piao Miao stepped forward with her long legs to explain: "Young Master Fang, Blood-Qi Martial Arts consume a tremendous amount. A single martial art can potentially deplete one's body if practiced too much, and must be supplemented with potent tonics. As the saying goes, 'biting off more than one can chew,' and furthermore, the blood-qi circulations of several martial arts are mutually conflicting. . ."
"Oh."
Upon hearing Mu Piao Miao's explanation, Fang Xi became thoughtful.
These Blood-Qi Martial Arts truly had some taboos.
And listening to her, it seemed there was still more to it than what she'd said, which must be knowledge only obtainable upon truly mastering the art.
He thought for a moment, then finally said: "In that case, I will first learn one leg technique and one palm technique. . . Master She, Master Mu, please stay behind."
The other martial artists felt a surge of resentment upon hearing this.
She Lei was understandable; daring to be the first to step forward naturally meant he was one of the strongest martial artists and full of confidence.
But Mu Piao Miao, wasn't it just her long legs and ample bosom?
Damn these wealthy people's hobbies, were they truly so simple and unadorned?
...
After the martial artists departed, grumbling inwardly, Fang Xi carefully observed She Lei and Mu Piao Miao: "Master She, Master Mu. . . the tuition will be calculated starting from today. You will come to my residence once every three days to teach, how does that sound?"
At this moment, he truly took a closer look at the two of them.
When She Lei wasn't actively cultivating, he was just an unremarkable old man.
Mu Piao Miao had a voluptuous figure, possessing a lithe and heroic beauty. Her facial features were also quite good, though her skin was a bit rough.
"Alright. . ."
Mu Piao Miao thought for a moment: "The blood-qi circulation of the Red Snake Leg primarily focuses on the legs and does not conflict with our White Cloud Palm. However, you must be careful not to learn too many others, otherwise, your blood-qi will become mixed in the later stages, which is unfavorable for breakthroughs. . ."
At this, Fang Xi also felt a bit frustrated: "The blood-qi primarily trains the legs and palm techniques. . . Is there no martial art that can truly train the entire body's blood-qi?"
This type of body cultivation method, its flaws were a bit too significant. And most importantly, it was disadvantageous for defensive spells!
Mu Piao Miao and She Lei exchanged glances. It was the old man who coughed once: "Ahem. . . Actually, any Blood-Qi Martial Art, while training its primary focus, will always have a supplementary effect of tempering the entire body's blood-qi. But to truly temper the entire body uniformly, that would not be the third-rate martial arts taught in our martial arts halls, but a first-rate secret true art. Perhaps. . . only Yuan He Mountain's ultimate secret martial arts could reach such a level."
"Alright. . ."
Fang Xi sighed, secretly making a decision in his heart.
Isn't it just a genuine secret transmission?
In the future, he might just get his hands on it eventually.
After all. . . the methods of cultivators were something the martial artists of this world might not be able to withstand.
Of course, this still required slow experimentation; there was no need to rush.
He was still young anyway; this body was only seventeen years old. And cultivators had long lifespans; even a Qi Refinement stage cultivator living to eighty or ninety years old wasn't much of an issue.
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