Chapter 335 - 212: Qi Blood Second Transformation (2)

Chapter 335: Chapter 212: Qi Blood Second Transformation (2)

He had wandered around a few times, descending dozens of zhang, and had seen plenty of secluded, beautiful scenery, but not a single ruin or hidden treasure. He figured that even if predecessors had left something behind here, it wasn’t something one could just stumble upon.

"Senior Brother Lin, you’re already at the threshold of the Qi and Blood Metamorphosis Realm. Are you still afraid of this mere mountain wind?"

It was truly a strange world. After only a year in the Sect, even Lin Cheng was about to reach the Qi and Blood Metamorphosis Realm... Not that Xie Yuan was looking down on him.

It was just that with his level of talent, which had made even entering the Sect a struggle, no one would have ever imagined he could reach this realm within a year.

’Sometimes, a person’s fate depends not only on their personal struggles but also on the course of history... Hmm, and this "course of history" happens to be named Xie Yuan.’

Lin Cheng chuckled.

"I’m only at the threshold. I’m still a long way off."

Xie Yuan asked with feigned curiosity:

"Senior Brother Lin, with everything you gained in the Slaughter Tower, and popping Blood Dragon Pills left and right, breaking through to the Qi and Blood Metamorphosis Realm shouldn’t be that hard, right?"

The opportunity to enter ancient ruins didn’t come by for just anyone. And to enter, emerge unscathed, and return with a massive haul was even rarer.

Such a haul was enough to boost an ordinary person all the way to the Qi and Blood Metamorphosis Realm, let alone the Lin Cheng siblings and the others, who were already Sword Sect disciples with a solid foundation. Their starting platform was already high.

Lin Cheng clasped his hands behind his back, his expression serene as he gazed at the cliff.

"If I consumed my entire stash, I could certainly attempt a breakthrough. But that would be progressing too quickly, and my foundation would be unstable. The path of cultivation is not a race to see who is fastest, but who can go the farthest. Sometimes, slowing down is the only way to ensure a steady pace."

For a moment, Xie Yuan was stunned. The mountain wind whistled, causing Lin Cheng’s sleeves to billow behind him. Combined with his determined expression and his surprisingly philosophical words, Xie Yuan felt that this Lin Cheng was no longer the same person he’d first met.

Just as he was lost in thought, Lin Cheng turned his head and burst out laughing.

"Junior Brother Zhang, did I sound like a venerable master just now or what?"

Seeing him break character so suddenly, Xie Yuan silently gave him a thumbs-up.

"A profound insight, Senior Brother. I feel as if I’ve been enlightened."

Lin Cheng clapped Xie Yuan on the shoulder and chuckled.

"That’s not something I came up with myself. My sister told me, and she was just relaying Elder Luo’s insights. Even among the elite disciples on Yao Yue Peak, many rushed their breakthroughs without proper preparation, only to find their progress slowing down later, getting stuck at the Qi Blood First Transformation Realm. Things like that happen all the time in the Sect. It’s a big reason why there are so few senior brothers and sisters in the Second Transformation Realm compared to the one before it. Anyone who can make that breakthrough is extraordinary. *Sigh*, the path of cultivation is fraught with obstacles... Anyway, I’m getting sidetracked. My sister passed on those words and warned me not to be too hasty. I thought it made sense, so I took it to heart."

The number of Martial Artists forms a pyramid: the higher the cultivation level, the fewer the people. The Inner Sect had a fair number of disciples in the Qi Blood First Transformation Realm, but the count dropped sharply for the Second Transformation Realm, and was even smaller for the Third Transformation Realm. It simply became more difficult the higher one climbed. A cultivation level of Qi Blood Second Transformation was enough to become a deacon or steward within the Sect.

’So Lin Cheng was just parroting the words of a Grandmaster.’ Xie Yuan nodded. Lin Zhen had already been formally accepted as Luo Shuang’s disciple and was currently preparing to break through to the Qi and Blood Metamorphosis Realm, initially demonstrating her remarkable talent.

Thanks to his genius of a sister, Lin Cheng would occasionally get to hear some of the Grandmaster’s teachings, which naturally smoothed his cultivation path. And with Lin Zhen now a personal disciple on Yao Yue Peak, his life in the Inner Sect was as smooth as a fish in water; he was thriving.

The two siblings had established a firm foothold in the Cloud Mountain Sword Sect, and their cultivation was progressing quite rapidly. They had a much smoother start than Xie Yuan.

’But everyone has their own destiny.’ Xie Yuan believed that in the beginning, his talent was probably even worse than Lin Cheng’s. It was only through continuous improvement and a series of fortunate encounters that he’d become who he was today.

He could have his lucky breaks, and so could the Lin siblings after entering the Sword Sect. Everyone had their own fortune. It had gotten to the point where it looked like Lin Zhen’s realm was about to catch up to his—of course, that was only how it looked.

Xie Yuan could step into the Qi and Blood Second Transformation Realm within days. Lin Zhen, on the other hand, despite having a Grandmaster for a master, would likely need a period of refinement just to enter the Qi and Blood Metamorphosis Realm. To then cross into the Second Transformation Realm would require at least several years of accumulation, barring some heaven-sent opportunity. Their realms might seem close, but the gap was actually growing wider, already amounting to a difference of several years. Each layer within the Metamorphosis Realm was a vast distance apart.

’Anyone can have a lucky break, but my most crucial and unique advantages are still my own tenacity and hard work... and a little help from my Golden Finger.’

"Junior Brother Zhang, you’d better remember what I just told you. You absolutely must not be too hasty! I know you’re still a ways off from the Qi and Blood Metamorphosis Realm, but just keep my words in mind for now."

Lin Cheng warned him earnestly.

’I understand, Senior Brother Lin. I’ll do my best to ensure a stable foundation when I advance to the Second Transformation Realm...’

Seeing Lin Cheng’s earnest concern, Xie Yuan put his joking attitude aside and said seriously:

"I understand, Senior Brother Lin."

「Several days later.」

[Golden Bell Shield: 4th Layer (4995/5000)]

Feeling the Blood Qi surging tempestuously within him as if it had reached a limit, Xie Yuan began his final cultivation session in the Qi Blood First Transformation Realm.

Xie Yuan sat on the platform bed in his room, cross-legged in the posture of an Arhat, with his palms turned toward the heavens.

The pure, potent Qi and Blood within him surged endlessly, coursing along the designated pathways for the Golden Bell Shield. It continuously fortified his physique and defenses, intensifying his protective golden light.

4995... 4997... 5000.

Half a day passed. The vital energy in his body strengthened little by little, and the number before his eyes crept upward, finally crossing the 5,000 mark.

[Golden Bell Shield: 5th Layer (1/10000)]

Xie Yuan suddenly felt himself cross an invisible threshold. A tremor ran through his body as his Blood Qi erupted in a wild, roaring surge, galloping ceaselessly through the meridians of his entire body.