Chapter Seven: The Sword Within the Fist
After kicking away five or six opponents in succession, even Liu Shihong, a Level 5 Martial Disciple, began to pant heavily, especially after using the Tian Gang Fierce Step once against Jiang Yang.
The Tian Gang Fierce Step was Liu Shihong’s unique martial skill, ranked at the mid-tier Human level. It condensed spiritual energy beneath the feet, allowing him to dash forward in an instant and appear behind his opponent, catching them off guard.
The cultivation levels were divided from highest to lowest as follows: Human, Spirit, King, Emperor, Mortal, Immortal, Saint, and God.
“Liu Shihong, do you think you’re really that impressive?” Bai Jingyan suddenly said after a moment.
Hearing this, Liu Shihong was momentarily stunned, then arrogantly replied, “I’m only sixteen and already a Level 5 Martial Disciple. Within half a year, I’ll break through to Martial Warrior. Even in Liu City, I’m unmatched by many.”
Liu Shihong snorted coldly, crossing his arms with a proud expression.
The crowd below nodded in agreement.
Liu City was small, and its resources were monopolized by several major clans. The true talents were mostly descendants of these families.
This was also why Jiang Yang had become a retainer to the Liu family—to gain access to those scarce resources.
“No more talk, let’s fight!” Without warning, Liu Shihong’s feet trembled, and he shot forward like an arrow released from a bow. His fingers curled slightly, pouncing like a leopard hunting prey toward Bai Jingyan.
“That’s the Wind-Sweeping Leopard Paw, a mid-tier Human-level technique just like the Tian Gang Fierce Step!” someone in the audience exclaimed, faintly seeing the shadow of a leopard on Liu Shihong.
“Am I seeing things? Is that a Martial Soul?”
A Martial Soul was the essence of a martial skill. When a technique was cultivated to a certain level, especially those mimicking animals like the Wind-Sweeping Leopard Paw, it would manifest as a Martial Soul.
Just as everyone wondered how Bai Jingyan would respond and be flung out of the arena, Bai Jingyan moved.
He raised his right hand, clenched into a fist, and threw a punch.
Though seemingly ordinary, the punch was as sharp as a sword.
“Bang!”
The fist met the leopard-like paw, followed by a wail of pain. Liu Shihong was blasted backward dozens of steps.
To everyone’s astonishment, blood streamed from Liu Shihong’s right palm, and his whole body trembled violently.
Bai Jingyan wasn’t unscathed either.
“It looks like his right arm is fractured,” Bai Jingyan said with a wry smile.
“It seems this ‘Sword Qi in the Fist’ technique is still imperfect. Using it now was a bit premature.”
---
A few days ago, after successfully forming the Sword Bone, Bai Jingyan discovered with surprise that the spiritual consciousness of those spirit swords had transformed into Sword Qi within his body.
After several days of practice, he found that this Sword Qi paired remarkably well with his fist techniques.
“Liu Shihong, defeated?” a voice from the crowd rang out, tinged with disbelief.
“I’m defeated...” Liu Shihong looked down at his open palm, eyes shimmering with incredulity. In his mind, Bai Jingyan was only a Level 3 Martial Disciple—how could he be defeated by a Level 5 like himself?
The sudden blow to his pride hammered his heart like a heavy mallet, leaving him overwhelmed. A sharp headache assaulted him, as if tearing through his thoughts. His hands flailed uncontrollably.
Sensing the danger, Wu Yaoqing formed a hand seal, and a brilliant blue aura appeared in his palms. With a strike to Liu Shihong’s chest, Liu Shihong fainted instantly.
The outcome was clear, but because of this, the match had to be paused.
...
Back at the Bai residence.
“Third brother, I never thought you’d win. Honestly, even I find it hard to believe,” Bai Xiaoran said with a smile, patting Bai Jingyan’s shoulder.
“Compared to my two elder brothers, my achievements are still somewhat modest,” Bai Jingyan replied with a smile.
“Cough, cough,” a light cough came from behind.
“Tomorrow, Bai Xiaoran will treat us all,” said the eldest brother Bai Xiaojun, even winking at Bai Jingyan.
Bai Jingyan understood immediately and pulled over Nanmen Chuyao, who had been silent.
“That’s right, we should celebrate Chuyao’s passing of the trial as well,” the two brothers exchanged mischievous looks toward Bai Xiaoran.
“You...” Bai Xiaoran groaned, pulling out his wallet in distress.
“I wonder if this will be enough...”
After bidding farewell to the three of them, Bai Jingyan strolled through the market, gathering some herbs before returning straight to his room.
Sitting on the bed, he spread out his right hand. Suddenly, with a soft “pop,” a red flame flickered up in his palm, dancing with light.
“Good, I haven’t forgotten this technique,” Bai Jingyan thought with slight joy.
This flame was called Spiritual Fire, a fire generated through the martial artist’s spiritual energy.
“Too bad my cultivation is still too low; this flame probably won’t last long,” Bai Jingyan sighed.
As the flame stabilized, Bai Jingyan took a Dragon Heart Herb from his pouch and tossed it into the fire. The herb melted instantly into a pool of liquid, emitting a faint fragrance.
Next came Snow Lotus, Earth Mushroom...
He was extremely careful with the order of each herb.
Once all ten herbs were added, Bai Jingyan began to regulate the heat slowly.
Under the firelight, his face glowed red, but his expression grew more serious.
A fragrance gradually filled the room, growing richer.
The colorful liquids swirled beautifully in the flame.
With Bai Jingyan’s guidance, the liquids quickly merged as if an invisible hand lifted them, suspending them in midair.
Finally, with a “whoosh,” a thick aroma burst forth from the Spiritual Fire.
When the flames faded, a drop of medicine, red with a hint of green, hovered over Bai Jingyan’s palm.
“It’s done!” he said with a slight smile, pouring the medicine into a prepared bath.
After all the preparations, Bai Jingyan was drenched in sweat. He stripped off his clothes and plunged into the bath.
Boom!
A tremendous energy surged into him, wildly sweeping through his limbs and body. Each cell seemed cleansed by the potion, flooding him with pain.
“Quiet!” Bai Jingyan growled, sweat pouring from his forehead as he endured the agony.
As he roared, the potent medicinal power began to merge slowly with his body, seeping into every fiber of his flesh.
Even his right arm started to heal gradually.
His cultivation surged visibly.
Level 4 Martial Disciple!
Level 5 Martial Disciple!
Peak Level 5 Martial Disciple!
Boom!
With the final mighty roar inside, Bai Jingyan’s cultivation settled firmly at the peak of Level 5 Martial Disciple!