Chapter 153: Ancient Divine Martial Intent

Back in Dongshan Town, Li Shun had also attempted to cultivate the Verdant Wood Invocation.

But it was, after all, a secret art practiced by the Ten Primordial Shamans. The life force of heaven and earth it drew upon was unimaginably vast. Even the tiniest strand of vitality it summoned after activation was far beyond what Li Shun's frail body could endure.

He had been blown apart alive.

Now, within this martial world, after the puppet Fang Han activated the Verdant Wood Invocation, an immense tide of heavenly vitality once again came surging forth.

This time, however, it was nothing like the uncontrollable flood that had descended in the Great Qian World.

Instead, it became a gentle stream, flowing soundlessly through every inch of his body.

The vitality of heaven and earth poured into him, rapidly nourishing and repairing the countless hidden injuries that years of frenzied body tempering had left behind.

For a moment, a continuous series of crackling sounds echoed throughout his body, like countless tiny bolts of lightning intertwining with one another.

Ordinarily, body tempering progressed step by step, first tempering the skin, then the flesh, and finally the bones.

The vitality brought forth by the Verdant Wood Invocation, however, washed over every part of his body simultaneously.

Every passing moment, his physique underwent a qualitative leap and transformation.

Only after a long while, when he sensed his body had temporarily reached the limit of what it could bear, did Fang Han reluctantly stop.

He merely stretched his limbs slightly, and a succession of crisp cracks erupted from every bone in his body.

On the surface, he appeared almost unchanged. His muscles had not bulged dramatically, nor were there any particularly striking lines across his physique.

But Fang Han knew very well that beneath the surface, this body had become completely different from before.

'The Verdant Wood Invocation of the Ten Primordial Shamans borrows the power of the Verdant Wood to draw forth the vitality of heaven and earth.'

'A shamanic secret art can actually be cultivated in this martial world? What does that imply?'

'Could it be... this world also possesses an Verdant Wood?'

Fang Han pondered for a long time before slowly shaking his head.

For now, there was no need to dwell on it. In any case, the discovery brought him nothing but benefits.

Originally, he had all but abandoned any hope of advancing to the realm of a Innate Grandmaster.

But now...

'Only half a day's cultivation is already comparable to several years of painstaking training for an ordinary martial artist.'

'More importantly...'

'I can completely ignore every hidden injury and all potential aftereffects accumulated throughout martial cultivation.'

With that thought, Fang Han assumed his stance inside the dormitory and began practicing the Basic Fist Art.

The Basic Fist Art consisted of twenty-eight forms. According to legend, it had been created by Long Xuanji himself, and every martial artist in this world began their cultivation with this body-tempering martial art.

As his fists and legs moved, faint gusts of wind howled through the empty air.

After completing the entire sequence in one smooth flow, he was not even breathing heavily.

'It seems my body has already reached the absolute limit of the Body Tempering realm.'

'The next step is Blood Qi.'

Fang Han had a vague feeling that the life force baptism brought about by the Verdant Wood Invocation had already pushed his physical body into the Blood Qi realm as well.

'My qi and blood now surge like an ocean. My strength, speed, and endurance far surpass those of ordinary people.'

'When my qi and blood circulate, my body resembles a blazing furnace, immune to both heat and cold. Every strike of my fists carries the roaring sound of surging qi and blood.'

'That is the Blood Qi realm.'

'Judging from my physical condition, I have unquestionably fulfilled all those requirements.'

'Yet... it still feels as though something is missing.'

Unable to arrive at an answer no matter how long he thought, Fang Han quietly made his way to the Martial Association Library to consult the relevant records.

Only after spending half a day searching did he finally understand.

'Advancing in martial cultivation within this world depends not only on the transformation of one's physical body.'

'There is another factor that plays an absolutely crucial role.'

'Martial Will.'

'The Verdant Wood Invocation can forcibly elevate my physique, but it cannot create Martial Will out of thin air.'

'Martial Will can only be tempered through battle after battle.'

The Martial Association maintained dedicated sparring arenas.

One could either be matched against opponents of similar strength or directly challenge a specific individual by name.

Every battle fought within those arenas was thoroughly recorded, including both the process and the final outcome.

'In that case...'

'Let's fight.'

'I do not fear death itself. Why should I fear anyone else?'

Just as Fang Han was about to head toward the sparring arena, his gaze casually swept across the title of a book resting upon a nearby shelf.

His footsteps suddenly halted.

Research on Ancient Myths.

'Ancient myths...'

He casually picked up the book and slowly flipped through its pages.

"In the ancient era, gods and mortals were not yet separated."

"Ordinary humans could cultivate qi and refine their spirits, possessing the power to overturn rivers and seas, soar through the skies, and enjoy immortality."

"However, after Heaven and Earth were severed, the paths of gods and mortals diverged."

"The spiritual qi of heaven and earth gradually withered away. From that point onward, humanity could only temper their mortal bodies and walk the path of martial cultivation to attain divinity."

He quickly skimmed through the rest of the volume.

Most of it consisted of bizarre myths and legends collected from various regions and peoples throughout the world, with little of immediate value.

Yet one particular passage describing the ancient era completely captured Fang Han's attention.

'This world also speaks of the Severance of Heaven and Earth...'

His eyes drifted toward the author's name.

Long Xuanji.

Fang Han was momentarily stunned.

Long Xuanji's reputation in this world was so overwhelming that virtually everyone knew his name. The possibility of another person sharing it was exceedingly small.

As he continued reading, he gradually learned that before embarking upon the path of martial cultivation, this legendary figure had merely been an ordinary researcher whose daily work focused on studying ancient myths from various nations.

He only practiced a little martial arts in his spare time to keep himself fit.

Then, upon reaching the age of thirty, for reasons unknown, he experienced enlightenment overnight.

From that day onward, he devoted himself entirely to martial cultivation, rising like a blazing comet whose brilliance could no longer be restrained.

Within only ten years, he had advanced to become an Innate Grandmaster capable of suppressing an entire generation.

After finishing Long Xuanji's life story, an amused smile slowly appeared on Fang Han's face.

'Interesting.'

'This Long Xuanji also carries the scent of an Otherworldly Celestial Demon.'

'And judging from the fact that there are no records of his death...'

'Could he still be hiding somewhere within this world even now?'

Countless thoughts flashed through Fang Han's mind.

In the end, however, he temporarily suppressed them all.

His gaze finally settled upon the explanation of the four words:

Martial Path to Divinity.

"According to legend, when advancing into the Innate Grandmaster realm, there exists an exceedingly small chance of experiencing a vision."

"One's sight seems to transcend the river of time itself, witnessing scenes from the ancient age."

"One may behold humans, gods, demons, or shamans."

"Should one resonate with any of them, one may inherit their supreme legacy and awaken a unique Martial Divine Ability."

"Grandmasters who awaken such Divine Abilities are often capable of completely overwhelming others of the same realm."

"All Seven Great Martial Artist of this world have awakened Martial Divine Abilities. However, the specific abilities each possesses have never been made public."

After leaving the library, Fang Han headed directly toward the sparring arena.

Having selected a random opponent, he officially began his very first true battle since arriving in this martial world.

His opponent was a burly young man named Duan Rui, twenty-three years old, likewise at the Body Tempering Realm.

It was obvious that Duan Rui came from a martial family.

Every punch and kick he threw was broad, fierce, and aimed directly at vital points.

Fang Han calmed his breathing and responded solely with the Basic Fist Art.

Duan Rui's heavy fist crashed forward with a roaring gust of wind.

Fang Han shifted his footing, twisted his waist, and redirected the blow with the edge of his palm as though wielding a blade.

Duan Rui snorted coldly.

His massive frame resembled a charging black bear as he suddenly unleashed a devastating Mountain-Crashing Shoulder Strike.

Bang!

A dull impact echoed through the arena.

The overwhelming brute force drove Fang Han back three steps, and a muffled crack sounded from his chest as his breastbone shifted under the strain.

Yet the life force of the Verdant Wood Invocation flowed through his body, healing the injury completely in the blink of an eye.

With a low shout, Fang Han charged forward once more.

Duan Rui met him head-on without retreating.

Meanwhile, Fang Han pushed the Basic Fist Art to its absolute limit. Supported by his inexhaustible vitality, he engaged Duan Rui in the most primitive clash imaginable, a direct collision of flesh against flesh.

Although he occasionally suffered heavy blows, every injury healed almost instantly.

Sweat flew through the air as the dull impacts of colliding flesh and bone echoed continuously.

The fierce battle lasted a full hour.

In the end, it concluded only after Duan Rui had completely exhausted his strength and voluntarily admitted defeat.

"I was simply fortunate."

Fang Han cupped his fists modestly.

"Tch. You're nothing but a damn turtle shell."

Panting heavily, Duan Rui cursed loudly.