I Cheated While Cultivating

Chapter 95: Martial Arts Characteristics

The reason being that martial arts of the Absolute Fourth Rank begin to delve into profound principles and even touch upon the great Dao, possessing all manners of incredible and mystical aspects.

Such martial arts exist as intangible entities intertwined with the principles of heaven and earth and imbued with the rhythm of the Dao, and naturally possess certain characteristics.

Moreover, these martial characteristics are usually related to the underlying concept of the martial art itself and the interwoven principles and rhythm of the Dao.

Take the Purple Thunder Seven Strikes, for example.

The core concept of this peerless technique is swift and fierce attacks, with its interwoven principles also originating from the path of thunder, favoring a violent style.

Anyone who cultivates this peerless technique might be influenced by these martial characteristics, which could lead to changes in their personality, style, or philosophy to some extent.

However, such occurrences are quite rare.

Only a very few individuals might come into contact with these martial characteristics when their cultivation realms are low and they happen unexpectedly upon some true meaning of higher-ranked martial arts.

For martial artists, this is both a calamity and an opportunity.

Because the level of martial characteristics is usually high, martial artists of lower cultivation realms cannot withstand their influence, which could lead to significant changes in their temperament.

Yet, because of the high level of martial characteristics, just coming into contact with them is akin to coming into contact with the true essence of the martial arts, which greatly enhances the martial artist’s understanding of the technique and boosts their strength significantly.

Contacting martial characteristics is an affair intertwined with risks and rewards, and it’s difficult to definitively say whether it’s good or bad. “However, this encounter has been a genuine boon for me!” Zhou Heng sighed with relief in his heart as he also felt some surprise.

It turned out that after the collapse of the golden-armored giant earlier, the small clump of purple lightning that remained was actually some martial secrets left behind by the martial characteristics.

They were secrets of the Purple Thunder Seven Strikes!

“Congratulations! You have come into contact with the martial characteristics of the martial technique ‘Purple Thunder Seven Strikes’ [Absolute Fourth Rank] and have comprehended part of its martial Dao’s true meaning, proficiency +1000.”

[Absolute Fourth Rank] Purple Thunder Seven Strikes: Level Five (356/5000)

Although the proficiency reached the fifth level, Zhou Heng still had comprehended only the first four strikes, but now he could execute the fourth strike more easily and with greater power.

This advanced his strength by another level.

Furthermore, having deepened his understanding of the Purple Thunder Seven Strikes, Zhou Heng also realized why he had come in contact with the martial characteristics of this peerless technique in the first place.

Its source lay in the trace of thunder power contained within his inner Qi.

This power came from the Five Thunder Righteous Method at its peak state, which was exceedingly close to the level of the Absolute Fourth Rank.

Combined with his frequent practice of cultivating it in the palm of his hand and the considerable understanding he had gained in the way of thunder, after practicing the Purple Thunder Seven Strikes, he naturally gravitated towards the true essence of this peerless technique to some extent.

In the midst of the fierce battle that had just occurred, his fighting spirit surged, and this allowed him to resonate further with it and finally come into contact with the martial characteristics of the Purple Thunder Seven Strikes. Apart from this, it might also be due to his Pure Yang Body.

All these factors had come together to create this “opportunity.”

In reality, coming into contact with martial characteristics is even rarer than enlightenment, or one might say it is the deepest level of enlightenment.

It is usually the result of chance and not something that can be sought after.

“Although this contact with the martial characteristics has brought me substantial gains, not only increasing the proficiency of the Purple Thunder Seven Strikes but also bringing my Authentic Internal Energy Heart Method close to perfection, it was far too dangerous,” Zhou Heng reflected, still shaken by the prior change in his temperament, and murmured, “The level of the martial characteristics of the Purple Thunder Seven Strikes is too high, far surpassing the limit I can currently bear.

“If I hadn’t woken up in time, and if I hadn’t had the Purified Heart state to clear my mind, I might not have been able to get through this ‘ordeal.’ My personality could have drastically changed.”

“Moreover, after this contact, nearly all of my Inner Qi was about to transform into Thunderous Inner Qi. Although its lethality increased, it lost much of its versatility and agility.”

“This is not good for executing Dugu Nine Swords and Liuluo Zhomei Hand. What’s more, the power of Thunder is too strong, making it very dangerous to easily come into contact with Martial Arts characteristics when executing the Purple Thunder Seven Strikes.”

Therefore, Zhou Heng felt that what he should do now was to reduce the proportion of Thunderous power in his Inner Qi as much as possible.

At the same time, strengthen his spirit powerfully. This way, he could minimize the impact of the Purple Thunder Seven Strikes on him.

“It seems that the Innate Skill perfectly fits this need.”

Zhou Heng thought of the Internal Strength Method he had unlocked before.

He originally regarded it as an advanced Martial Art after reaching Perfection in the Authentic Internal Energy Heart Method, proceeding in an orderly fashion. He had not expected to make use of this particular effect of the Inner Strength at this time.

Innate Skill is a Taoist practice of breathing and refining Qi, producing Inner Qi with a hint of the innate true essence that is vast and unending, which are the characteristics of True Qi at the Sixth Rank.

That would smoothly reduce the proportion of Thunder’s power in the Inner Qi.

Additionally, the Innate Skill can also nourish and fortify spiritual orifices, effectively enhancing the spirit. It can even grant special spiritual abilities to practitioners at the Lower Third Rank.

It’s perfect for mitigating some of the spiritual impact that the Purple Thunder Seven Strikes may cause.

Simply perfect.

However, the minimum requirement for practicing the Innate Skill is the Authentic Internal Energy Heart Method, which Zhou Heng is just a bit short of. Really just a bit short.

[Eighth Rank] Authentic Internal Energy Heart Method: Great Achievement (3999/4000)

Thus, Zhou Heng stood in place and started to circulate his Inner Qi, slowly improving the proficiency of the Authentic Internal Energy Heart Method.

A moment later—

“Congratulations! Your proficiency in the Martial Art ‘Authentic Internal Energy Heart Method’ [Eighth Rank] has reached Perfection, Fortune Bag [Silver] +1.”

“Congratulations! Your Cultivation Realm has reached ‘Yijin Xisui’ [Eighth Rank], Fortune Bag [Gold] +1.”

Zhou Heng, who had been standing there with his eyes slightly closed, suddenly opened his eyes and let out a long howl. A burst of Qi surged out, creating gusts of wind in a circular area around him.

At the same time, his Inner Qi surged throughout his body, flowing through his limbs and bones.

At this moment, his Inner Qi filled all his meridians, and the look in his eyes was like lightning, almost substantial!

The circulation of Inner Qi throughout his body encountered no resistance, and it could even extend outside his body as an intangible Qi force, and his Inner Qi began to refine his tendons, bones, and marrow, truly stepping onto the path toward transcendence.

Yijin Xisui, known as ‘Eighth Rank’!

Zhou Heng’s long howl lingered for a long time, as if his breath would never end.

After a while, when the people around him were so shocked that their jaws almost dropped, he finally stopped his long howl under the watchful eyes full of disbelief.

After two years of martial practice, he finally entered the Eighth Rank.

Afterward, Zhou Heng looked around, and the first person he saw was Shen Jingjing, who had been standing by his side and protecting him.

He folded his hands in thanks and said, “Thankyou, Miss Jingjing.”

Shen Jingjing responded with a smile, “We’re good friends from the same hometown, what’s this about thanks?”

Zhou Heng also smiled and said, “Indeed.”

Then the two of them left together, leaving behind a crowd of people gaping, staring blankly at their retreating figures.

Is this the prowess of a top-ranked expert on the human list?

Is this the innate talent and aptitude of a disciple from the great Martial Dao Sect of our times?

A Ninth Grade defeating a Seventh Rank, then ascending to Eighth Rank in one battle!

Too powerful!

But what followed made them feel somewhat disillusioned.

Zhou Heng, who had just left, actually came back, rummaging through the bodies of the men he had just killed, and after finding some items and stuffing them into his bag, he left contentedly.

He even regretted that he had been too heavy-handed, as the Purple Thunder had turned their silver notes and other items into charred ash, leaving him to collect only some scattered silver coins and a few durable tokens and the like.

The people around him were almost dumbfounded by this scene.

What is this?

Plundering the dead?

Aren’t disciples of the Martial Dao Sect supposed to regard wealth as dirt beneath their feet?

Is life in Pure Yang Palace so hard now?

In the end, Zhou Heng only gathered more than twenty taels of silver and a few tokens and talismans.

He truly felt it was a pity.

“Young Master, what are your plans now?” Shen Jingjing asked Zhou Heng, saying, “I’m thinking of returning to the prefectural city soon and probably won’t re-enter the jianghu for a while.”

In fact, she had always cultivated in a low-profile manner, to the extent that even her family didn’t know she had reached the cultivation of Eighth Rank.

If the Three Poison Sect hadn’t harmed her family, she wouldn’t have left her home.

“Next, I plan to go to Yuanhe Prefecture City to see if there are any clues about the Plague Emperor Sect,” Zhou Heng took out a jade pendant, carved with the characters “Thunderbolt” in relief.

“You’re going to Shocking Thunder Manor!?” Shen Jingjing was stunned upon hearing Zhou Heng’s decision.

Isn’t he too bold?

Yuanhe Prefecture City in Pingzhou County is not far from Huangtong Mansion, and it would take at most three days to reach there from Yuyang County by horse. But that’s the domain of Shocking Thunder Manor!

You just killed their master’s direct disciple, and now you dare to go to their turf, isn’t that seeking death?

“My appearance is not well known in the jianghu yet, besides, I’ll disguise myself,” Zhou Heng said with a smile. “There should be plenty of clues about the Plague Emperor Sect in Yuanhe, I just need to kill two more of them.

“Even if the people from Shocking Thunder Manor do discover me, they should still have concerns about my identity and might not really try to kill me. And even if they do try to take me out in secret, I have means to escape.”

The resurrection point of the Life-saving Talisman is in Huangtong Mansion City.

“In that case…” Shen Jingjing thought for a moment and then took out a letter from her bosom and handed it to Zhou Heng, saying, “Young Master, this is some information I stole from the Three Poison Sect earlier, it should be of help to you.”

“Thankyou.” Zhou Heng took the letter.

“Take good care of yourself, Young Master,” Shen Jingjing said earnestly.

Boom!

The wind was fierce and the rain poured down. Accompanied by the sound of thunder, although it was still noon, the sky had darkened as if it were evening.

At this time, Zhou Heng was wearing a straw raincoat, riding a jujube-red horse, and traveling on the road to Yuanhe Prefecture City.

He set out on his journey after bidding farewell to Shen Jingjing.

Unexpectedly, just as he left the city, the sky suddenly changed, and a downpour began.

Before this, he had read the letter from Shen Jingjing, which was a letter of purchase request from Wei Gaopeng, the young master of Shocking Thunder Manor, to an official of the Plague Emperor Sect.

It mentioned a desire to procure a type of medicine that can scatter one’s Inner Qi, weaken the spirit, and even reverse one’s Inner Strength on a large scale, which could be used to spread panic.

Moreover, the medicine needed to be discreet to avoid detection by the Five Elements Sect’s Greenwood Hundred Herb Skill.

The GreenWood Hundred Herb Skill is a Seventh Rank wood-attribute Martial Art passed down by the Five Elements Sect. It’s not particularly aggressive, but the Inner Qi cultivated is very beneficial for the growth of spiritual herbs.

In addition, it can sense nearby spiritual herbs and the residual traces of medicines made from them. It’s considered to have a high level of specialization as a Martial Art.

The content of this letter corresponded exactly with another letter Zhou Heng had obtained from a member of the Three Poison Sect.

Wei Gaopeng sought to buy panic-spreading medicine from the Plague Emperor Sect, which then issued orders to their subordinates in the Three Poison Sect to create the toxic “Dissipating Form and Bursting Qi Powder” and sell it to Wei Gaopeng.

But what does this have to do with the Five Elements Sect?

The Five Elements Sect is a top-tier Martial Dao Sect of the current era, and its main gate isn’t even in Pingzhou. Why would Shocking Thunder Manor target the Five Elements Sect?

Are they seeking death?

Though Shocking Thunder Manor is considered a relatively strong and well- known power within the bounds of Pingzhou and could rank in the middle overall within Da Qi, such a level is as different as heaven and earth compared to the long-standing heritage of the Five Elements Sect; the gap is just too great.

“Too bad I didn’t get Liu Changsheng’s contact information. Otherwise, I could have asked him about it.” Zhou Heng was somewhat puzzled by Shocking Thunder Manor’s actions and couldn’t wrap his head around it.

Whoosh!

The downpour became even heavier, and the wind grew stronger, blowing the trees on both sides of the road into disarray.

Zhou Heng temporarily stopped his contemplation because he noticed a large river lying ahead, over a hundred zhang in length, with waves churning violently under the fierce wind, shrouded in a hazy mist.

“Tsk, this must be the Qingxia River that lies between Huangtong Mansion and Yuanhe Prefecture. It seems I’ve come at an inopportune time,” he muttered as he scanned the riverbank, trying to find a ferryman.

Logically speaking, there should be ferrymen plying the river on such a vital route between two prefectures.

But with the sudden gales and the urgency of the river, it was uncertain whether the ferrymen would be present.

Fortunately, Zhou Heng soon saw a small boat braving the waves, cutting through the murky mist to approach.

On the bow stood a ferryman wearing a straw raincoat and a conical hat, of short stature with an indistinct face.

The ferryman must have spotted Zhou Heng, as he steered the boat toward the shore and waved at him.

Zhou Heng approached and, after agreeing on a price, led his reddish-brown horse onto the boat.

Moments later, the ferryman rowed him across to the other side.

As Zhou Heng disembarked, the weather began to clear up.

After he left the “Qingxia River,” the sunshine broke through the clouds, and its warm glow once again spread across the land.

However, after Zhou Heng rode on for a while, he encountered another river.

This river was also wide, spanning over a hundred zhang.

But this time, with the wind calm and the waves gentle, there were four or five small boats shuttling back and forth, with people queuing up to board them.

Zhou Heng instinctively felt that something was amiss and approached the ferry dock to ask a person, “Excuse me, what is the name of this river?”

The person looked at Zhou Heng strangely and pointed at a nearby stele.

“The Qingxia River.”