Chapter 46 - 44: Unexpected Discovery, Qin Shiming’s Shock

Chapter 46: Chapter 44: Unexpected Discovery, Qin Shiming’s Shock

A quarter of an hour later, inside the Cultivation Chamber with its stone doors tightly shut.

"Uncle Qin, this won’t do. What right do I, Hao’Er, have to make the Qin Family sacrifice so much?"

After hearing Qin Shiming’s proposed method to dispel Qin Xiangyuan’s doubts, Jiang Hao repeatedly refused. However, Qin Shiming and Zhang Tiesheng persistently insisted.

Currently, Jiang Hao absolutely could not be exposed to the public eye. Otherwise, what awaited them would be the earth-shattering murderous intent of the Celestial Sword Sect.

Qin Shiming and Zhang Changsheng could completely trust and control the experts from the Qin Family and the Zhang Family who had participated in the rescue. Besides that, the safest course of action was to deceive the world. Aside from this group, not a single other person could know Jiang Hao’s identity—including Qin Xiangyuan.

This wasn’t because Qin Shiming didn’t trust his own daughter, but rather because a Cultivator’s senses were incredibly sharp. Any inconspicuous action, word, deed, or even a single glance could potentially expose him. Therefore, to be safe, Qin Shiming planned to keep even his most beloved daughter in the dark, even if it meant going to great lengths to dispel her suspicions. If he didn’t quell Qin Xiangyuan’s doubts and allowed her to dig deeper, it would very likely result in a catastrophe.

"Hao’Er, when we left the Earth Realm of Xingyue City, the young miss repeatedly warned us.

"Although she hasn’t found out the exact nature of the conflict between the Celestial Sword Sect and Brother Jiang, she vaguely sensed that once you are exposed to the sect’s watchful eyes, it will trigger an unimaginable tribulation.

"During this time, your Uncle Zhang has also caught wind of some movements. After the Elder returned, the entire Celestial Sword Sect has been inquiring about your whereabouts. This matter is absolutely of no small consequence.

"If only for the sake of your father, yourself, my Qin Family, and your Uncle Zhang, you absolutely must not decline anymore," Qin Shiming said with unusual firmness.

It was obvious that for the past three months, the two of them had been secretly monitoring the Celestial Sword Sect’s reactions. The entanglement between Father Jiang and the sect had likely exceeded everyone’s imagination, and the fallout had even shifted onto Jiang Hao.

"But Uncle Qin, this is the Qin Family’s guarded secret. I am not a true direct descendant of the Qin Clan, so how could I cultivate this Secret Technique?" Jiang Hao asked, suddenly feeling that the manual for the Body Refining Secret Technique in his hands weighed a thousand pounds.

Qin Shiming’s so-called method to dispel Qin Xiangyuan’s suspicions was actually to have him cultivate the Qin Family’s unshared Secret Technique. On the Celestial Martial Continent, standard Cultivation Techniques and martial arts were already considered exclusive heritage, let alone a Secret Technique. The very reason the Qin Family could dominate a region in Celestial City was due to this Body Refining Secret Technique.

"This is our only option. The Qin Family’s Secret Technique has nothing to do with talent; its results are directly proportional to the duration of one’s cultivation. Only by cultivating the Body Refining Secret Technique to a level far beyond what that girl believes you could achieve in a short time can we dispel Yuan’Er’s suspicions.

"Child, you don’t need to feel burdened. This Secret Technique actually leaked out a long time ago. The only thing that hasn’t been leaked is the medicinal bath formula used in conjunction with it. Since you are only learning the methods of the Secret Technique and don’t have the formula, it doesn’t count as truly obtaining our Qin Family’s secret," Qin Shiming explained.

Hearing this, Jiang Hao felt slightly more at ease.

He finally understood Qin Shiming’s intention. The Qin Family’s Secret Technique emphasized accumulation, and one’s cultivation duration could be deduced from their results. As long as Jiang Hao displayed results that matched a certain number of years, Qin Shiming could twist the truth and claim that this Secret Technique had been passed down to the childhood ’Qin Fan’ many years ago and cultivated ever since. Once Qin Xiangyuan saw the duration reflected in his mastery of the Secret Technique, she would definitely no longer doubt Jiang Hao’s identity.

"But the Qin Family’s Secret Technique focuses on accumulative cultivation. He can learn the Secret Technique, Brother Qin, but how can we fake the duration?" Zhang Tiesheng asked in confusion.

Just now, Qin Shiming himself had said that it had nothing to do with talent and everything to do with time. The Qin Family members would likely be able to tell at a glance whether or not someone had truly cultivated for that many years.

However, Qin Shiming was full of confidence upon hearing this.

"No one understands the Qin Family’s Secret Technique better than I do. I might not be able to make Hao’Er truly cross the boundaries of time, nor is it possible for him to return to the past to start accumulating his cultivation duration.

"However, as long as Hao’Er actually cultivates the Secret Technique, I have a way to deceive everyone in the Qin Family."

In the end, it was still a monumental deception.

Hearing Qin Shiming’s words and faced with his repeated insistence, Jiang Hao finally accepted this method. He immediately bowed deeply to the man. Although he wouldn’t be taught the medicinal bath formula, the genuine Body Refining Secret Technique had been handed to him.

With their minds made up, the three didn’t hesitate and began preparations at once. Jiang Hao spent the night digesting the Qin Family’s Body Refining Secret Technique, while Qin Shiming went to prepare the so-called medicinal bath.

As he delved deeper into the manual, Jiang Hao finally understood. The so-called Qin Family’s Secret Technique was actually meant for a Body Cultivator. By combining the Body Refining Secret Technique with a specially made medicinal bath to cleanse the meridians and marrow, strengthen the bones, and temper the entire body, one’s flesh could become terrifyingly powerful. It was said that there were terrifying Body Cultivators who had forged indestructible physical forms based solely on their flesh, rendering them immune to all physical attacks and invulnerable to swords and spears. Even the Sword of Transcendent Power would find it difficult to break through their physical defenses.

Time slowly slipped away.

The next morning, inside the Cultivation Chamber.

Jiang Hao sat cross-legged inside an enormous vat. It was filled with a viscous medicinal liquid that submerged him up to his neck. As soon as he entered the medicinal bath, his face contorted, and cold sweat dripped from his forehead. As the endless medicinal efficacy was absorbed by his flesh, a piercing, heart-wrenching pain radiated throughout his entire body.

"Hao’Er, activate the Body Refining Secret Technique. Circulate the medicinal efficacy according to the paths detailed in the manual," Qin Shiming immediately reminded, looking at the youth whose body was already trembling slightly from the agony.

Jiang Hao steadied his breathing and couldn’t help but clench his fists. He understood that whether it was due to Gu Qingyan’s entrustment, the genuine need to dispel Qin Xiangyuan’s suspicions, or his gratitude toward Father Jiang, Qin Shiming was actually helping him succeed. This was also an opportunity for Jiang Hao. A Secret Technique for a Body Cultivator was a path to power that countless people dreamed of.

No matter what, he had to seize this chance. Even out of selfishness, Jiang Hao didn’t want to give up a single sliver of an opportunity to grow stronger. He desired strength too much. If he had been powerful enough, the tragedy in Xingyue City wouldn’t have happened. Not to mention, his father was still being hunted down by the Celestial Sword Sect. Only by becoming powerful could he help his father.

With these thoughts in mind, Jiang Hao took a deep breath and began to circulate the Qin Family’s Body Refining Secret Technique.

The moment the Secret Technique was activated, a sudden change occurred.

"Urgh—ahhhh!!!"

The heart-tearing, lung-splitting pain forced a shrill, miserable scream from Jiang Hao’s lips. Under the circulation of the Qin Family’s Body Refining Secret Technique, the terrifying medicinal efficacy spread throughout his entire body, continuously tempering his meridians, bones, and flesh. It touched every corner of his being, down to every single cell. The agony was ten, even a hundred times more intense than before he activated the technique.

"Hao’Er, hold on!" Qin Shiming stood by the side, voicing his encouragement, terrified that Jiang Hao wouldn’t be able to bear it and would leap out of the bath.

Standing nearby, Zhang Tiesheng watched, gulping nervously.

"I’ve long heard that the Qin Family’s Body Refining Secret Technique is inhumane, but seeing it today truly sends a chill down my spine," he muttered. Even without experiencing it himself, judging by the youth’s contorted expression, Zhang Tiesheng could almost feel the earth-shattering torment.

At this moment, Jiang Hao was trembling violently. His face was deathly pale, and his fists were clenched so tightly that his nails dug into his palms without him even realizing it. Yet, he did not pause. He gritted his teeth and continued to circulate the Qin Family’s Body Refining Secret Technique.

For a time, endless screams echoed throughout the secret chamber. Fortunately, the room’s soundproofing was exceptional; otherwise, those bone-deep cries of agony would have likely been heard by the entire Qin Family.

The unimaginably terrifying medicinal efficacy frantically washed over everything, seemingly crushing his flesh and blood only to rebuild it. Jiang Hao fainted several times over. Especially when the medicinal properties began to cleanse his meridians and marrow, the pain reached a level ordinary people couldn’t even fathom.

However, just as Jiang Hao lost consciousness for the umpteenth time—just as the medicinal bath completely pushed him to his absolute limit—it happened suddenly.

BOOM!!!

Waves of Soul Power erupted from the phantom of the True Dragon, flowing out to nourish his entire body. With the intervention of his Martial Soul, Jiang Hao felt much better.

Time ticked by, minute by minute, second by second.

Just like that, vat after vat of the medicinal bath was swapped out. Jiang Hao could distinctly feel his physical body growing frantically stronger. As time passed, he also gradually grasped the marvels of the Qin Family’s Body Refining Secret Technique, becoming increasingly adept at it, even though it still hurt to the bone. Jiang Hao was slowly growing accustomed to this pain.

However, Qin Shiming was completely dumbfounded. The Patriarch’s gaze went from initial surprise to astonishment, from astonishment to shock, from shock to awe, and finally settled on sheer, unadulterated disbelief.

"Sev... the Seventh Layer? My god!"

Even Zhang Tiesheng was absolutely flabbergasted.

In just two short months, the youth’s Physical Realm had actually reached the Seventh Layer. Although it was only the Seventh Layer of the physical body, relying solely on his flesh, he could already withstand a full-force strike from an expert at the Great Perfection of Realm of Creation. One had to realize, this was purely his Physical Realm.

At this moment, Jiang Hao also felt the terrifying power breeding within his physical body. That power wasn’t Spiritual Power; it was the pure strength of his flesh. In this instant, he had the illusion that a single punch from him could shatter the void itself.

"Two months... the Seventh Layer?" Qin Shiming was thoroughly stunned as he stared at the body that had undergone an earth-shaking transformation. The Qin Family’s Body Refining Secret Technique seemed as if it had been custom-made for this physique. In just two short months, he had actually achieved what would take others at least seven years. Furthermore, the intensity of the medicinal baths he had prepared for Jiang Hao had been elevated by an unknown number of levels. Yet, the youth had forcefully endured it all.

Of course, the suffering he had to bear during this process was unimaginable. The path of a Body Cultivator was the most cruel and the most tyrannical.

"A Tyrant Physique... Hao’Er, you... do you possess a Tyrant Physique for Body Cultivation?"

This kind of cultivation progress was simply peerless. Qin Shiming stood there as if struck by lightning. Originally, he had just wanted Jiang Hao to casually temper his physical body. Then, he would use some tricks to make Qin Xiangyuan and the rest of the Qin Family mistakenly believe that ’Qin Fan’ had been cultivating the Qin Family’s Body Refining Secret Technique for many years, thereby creating a discrepancy with ’Jiang Hao of Xingyue City’ and dispelling everyone’s doubts.

He never expected to accidentally discover Jiang Hao’s potential of having a Tyrant Physique for Body Cultivation. Two months of time rivaling seven years of medicinal bath cultivation for others—what kind of monster was this? Only the lineage of the Tyrant Physique could possess such world-shocking speed.