Chapter 48: Chapter 48: From Today Onward, I Shall Be Revered in the Postnatal Realm
The body’s previous owner had died from the Black Jade Fire Poison Curse.
But after Ning Jiang cultivated the Heaven-Devouring Demon Skill, he used its tyrannical power to firmly suppress the curse, preventing it from ever running rampant again.
However, the Ning Jiang of that time had no way to completely eliminate the Black Jade Fire Poison Curse in one go.
The curse remained a hidden danger within his body.
Now, Ning Jiang was far more powerful than before. His Cultivation had reached the Postnatal Early Stage, and he had achieved success in cultivating his Great Sun Glazed Golden Body. Dealing with this curse was no longer a problem.
He closed his eyes and pushed the Heaven-Devouring Demon Skill to its limits.
A vast Devouring Power surged out from the three whirlpools in his Dantian, instantly spreading through every inch of his flesh and blood.
Immediately, a violent pain erupted within his body.
This was the Black Jade Fire Poison Curse, resisting with all its might against the corrosion of the Heaven-Devouring Demon Skill.
But Ning Jiang had been able to suppress the Black Jade Fire Poison Curse with the Heaven-Devouring Demon Skill even back in the Qi Cultivation Realm, let alone now.
After a brief stalemate, the Black Jade Fire Poison Curse was like a broken dam, unable to resist any longer as it collapsed completely.
The Fire Poison Power was continuously devoured by the whirlpools and, after being refined, transformed into pure Energy.
Ning Jiang’s aura gradually grew stronger.
After all, the Black Jade Fire Poison Curse had grown by devouring his Cultivation, and thus contained an immense amount of Energy.
Now that he was devouring this Energy, it was merely returning to its rightful owner.
「Three full days and nights later.」
BOOM!
An aura erupted from Ning Jiang’s body, soaring into the sky. It was far deeper and more powerful than before.
’Postnatal Middle Stage.’
Ning Jiang slowly opened his eyes, a sharp light glinting in their depths. At this moment, his Cultivation had impressively reached the Postnatal Middle Stage.
This was also his original level of Cultivation.
Previously, the Black Jade Fire Poison Curse had devoured his Cultivation, causing him to fall all the way to the third layer of the Qi Cultivation Realm.
Now, his Cultivation was fully restored.
But compared to his past self, he was now more than ten times stronger.
Dozens of his past self would be no match for him now.
FWOOSH.
Ning Jiang threw a punch, and his Postnatal Gang Qi shot out from his body. A wave of white qi, like a rainbow, flashed and vanished.
Seven hundred feet!
Previously, at the Postnatal Early Stage, his strike could reach five hundred feet.
Now, at the Postnatal Middle Stage, it had increased by another two hundred feet.
This meant his Postnatal Gang Qi was even more condensed and powerful.
’My Postnatal Gang Qi is now even stronger than that of a Postnatal Peak Martial Artist.’ Ning Jiang assessed his own strength.
Cultivating a Supreme Technique like the Heaven-Devouring Demon Skill, his Postnatal Gang Qi was naturally far superior to that of an ordinary person.
At this moment, although his Realm was only the Postnatal Middle Stage, fighting those of a higher level was as simple as eating and drinking.
Postnatal Peak experts? He could kill as many as came his way.
His gaze shifted, and Ning Jiang glanced at the Heaven-Devouring Demon Lotus beside him. It had grown by several inches.
However, it was still far from being ready to form a Lotus Seed.
’Once it forms a Lotus Seed, I can have Sister An take it with me. Reaching the Postnatal Peak should be no problem then.’
If Ning Jiang’s Cultivation were to step into the Postnatal Peak, killing an Innate Realm expert would be a simple matter!
With a movement like a spiritual crane taking flight, he leaped out of the underground ore vein and returned to the cave abode above.
「Inside the cave abode.」
Zhang Yao was practicing a Fist Technique.
She let out a fierce shout and threw a punch. Postnatal Gang Qi surged forth, forming a lifelike tiger that roared through the forest, intimidating all beasts.
This move, "All Beasts Fall," had finally advanced from Great Success to Perfection.
The Bodhi Pill had played a crucial role.
As for Yan Shuangying, she was off to the side, single-mindedly studying an Array. Only when she saw Ning Jiang emerge did she put her thoughts aside and exclaim softly, "Young Master Ning, you’ve broken through. Congratulations."
"You seem to be in high spirits. It looks like you’ve had a good few days as well," Ning Jiang said with a smile.
"Ning Jiang, are you planning to hide in there like a coward for the rest of your life?"
"Coward, get out here and die!"
"If you dare to come out, I’ll beat you to your knees with a single punch!"
Clamorous shouts came from outside the cave abode.
Gao Jin and his eleven companions had been guarding the outside, never leaving.
"Young Master Ning, there’s no need to pay them any mind." Yan Shuangying’s voice was as gentle as water, capable of soothing one’s emotions.
"You’re very thoughtful." Ning Jiang’s perception was clear. "You’re afraid I’ll be goaded into fighting them and end up at a disadvantage."
"They have strength in numbers. A truly great man knows when to yield and when to stand firm. A wise person knows when to advance and retreat, and can accurately judge the situation."
Yan Shuangying spoke slowly. She was a well-read and reasonable person, a refined lady from a good family, and as sharp as ice. When she spoke, she tried her best to let Ning Jiang save face.
Ning Jiang, however, laughed. "You’re right. When facing a powerful enemy, sometimes it’s best to avoid a direct confrontation. ’Let him be strong; the gentle breeze blows over the mountain. Let him be fierce; the bright moon shines upon the great river.’"
"But you’re wrong about one thing," Ning Jiang paused.
"Please enlighten me, Young Master."
"In my eyes, they are nothing more than a worthless mob!"
Ning Jiang’s voice was calm, but every word was clear, echoing throughout the cave abode.
Yan Shuangying was stunned.
Twelve candidates for the Ten Great.
One of them was even known as the number one expert below the Ten Great.
And Ning Jiang called such a group of experts a worthless mob?
How domineering!
"From this day forward, in the Postnatal Realm, I am supreme!"
With a flick of his sleeve, Ning Jiang walked outside.
’In the Postnatal Realm, I am supreme? What a domineering declaration. Perhaps... he really can do it.’ Yan Shuangying hurriedly followed him.
’Looks like we’re in for a good show.’
Zhang Yao followed behind as well, her face full of excitement.
"That damn brat. Not a sound from him for three days. Is he planning to hide forever?"
"Don’t worry about that. Martial Artists are still mortal flesh and blood. They have to eat and drink. He can’t hide for long."
"Heh heh, that’s all minor stuff. The real issue is that brat is holed up in a cave with a beauty like Yan Shuangying. A man and a woman, alone together... it’s hard to say something won’t happen."
The one who said this was Huang Qing. He shot a glance at Gao Jin.
Gao Jin’s gaze was dark, the killing intent within it as sharp as a blade.
Over the past three days, his expression had grown uglier by the day.
The reason was precisely Yan Shuangying.
His affection for Yan Shuangying was known throughout all of Luoyang City.
And he was also a jealous man.
He could not accept Yan Shuangying and Ning Jiang spending three days together, even if they were completely innocent.
Killing intent had long since filled his heart.
"He’s out!"
The Array fluctuated, and a white-haired figure slowly walked out. Who else could it be but Ning Jiang?
Behind him, Yan Shuangying and Zhang Yao appeared one after the other.
Hostile gazes locked onto Ning Jiang, especially from Gao Jin and Huang Qing, both of whom radiated killing intent.
"It seems you’ve all missed me dearly these past three days."
Ning Jiang’s face was calm, and his demeanor was like the warm afternoon sun in winter.
He paid the tense atmosphere no mind.
"You coward! I thought you were going to hide in there for a lifetime. Since you dared to come out, prepare to die!"
Huang Qing’s eyes were as cold as blades. "The last time we traded blows, I was careless and let you get the upper hand. Now, I’ll show you that you’re nothing before my true Fist Technique!"
Huang Qing walked forward step by step, his aura intensifying with each one.
Turbulent Postnatal Gang Qi gathered on his fist, growing increasingly brilliant.
"Just you?" Ning Jiang glanced at Gao Jin with a half-smile. "Of all the people here, I think you want to kill me the most. Aren’t you going to make a move?"
"With your level of strength, you’re not yet worthy of my attention. Huang Qing’s power is more than enough to defeat you," Gao Jin said with a proud expression.
"You dare get distracted in front of me? You’re courting death!"
Huang Qing roared. Enraged by Ning Jiang’s attitude, he put all his strength into his body, bent his knees, and shot forward, unleashing a fierce attack. "Breaking Gang Fist!"
The qi and blood in his body rumbled.
Every muscle bulged explosively as if cast from steel. His entire body seemed to swell, exuding a terrifying pressure.
He either didn’t attack, or he attacked with his full strength.
This punch was meant to decide victory and defeat, life and death.
Unlike their previous exchange, which was merely a contest of physique without any Martial Techniques.
Now, it was a combination of Martial Technique and physique, and the lethality had increased dramatically.
’Breaking Gang Fist. That’s Huang Qing’s trump card, his killing move. Just as the name implies, it specializes in breaking through Gang Qi. Unless it’s the Gang Qi of an Innate Realm expert, this fist is unstoppable.’
’Huh? He’s not even dodging?’
’What an arrogant fool. Even I would have to retreat and carefully neutralize that punch. He’s truly seeking his own death.’ Gao Jin sneered.
WHOOSH!
A great wind rose, stirred by the violent force of the punch.
Huang Qing’s body stretched out as he pounced like a leopard. Midway, he threw his fist, which was wreathed in Postnatal Gang Qi, with full force, leaving a brilliant trail of light in its wake.
Before the punch even landed, it gave people the feeling of being unable to stand their ground. It was terrifying.
’Amazing. I also practice Fist Techniques, but if I met that head-on, I would definitely be severely injured.’ Zhang Yao observed carefully and made her judgment.
She was different from Huang Qing. He was a Body Cultivator, so the power of his Fist Technique ultimately depended on his physical body.
She, on the other hand, followed a different path, using her Cultivation to power her Fist Technique.
"With this punch, I’ll have you die on the spot," Huang Qing sneered.
"You call that fancy but useless move a Fist Technique? Pathetic and laughable." Ning Jiang’s gaze suddenly sharpened, as piercing as a sword. "Huang Qing, I’ll let you see what a real Fist Technique looks like!"
"I have a fist to slay gods and demons!"
Eight words, each like a clap of thunder.
Ning Jiang raised his arm and clenched his five slender fingers into a fist.
RUMBLE!
Within his body, his qi and blood surged like a roaring, torrential river.
He stood there, his body like a mountain, straight as a spear, his aura soaring to the heavens.
"Great Sun Demon Slaying Fist!"
With a long, earth-shattering roar, Ning Jiang’s right arm had already turned golden, as if forged from gold.
He threw the punch, and the mountain wind instantly stopped. Only the sound of air being torn like paper could be heard.
The punch was simply unstoppable, its momentum vicious and utterly terrifying, as if it would smash everything in its path.
’All demons and monsters, ghosts and ghouls, none can withstand my fist!’
’While hordes of demons dance in chaos, I alone will suppress them with a single punch.’
This was the Martial Technique that belonged to the Great Sun Glazed Golden Body.
The Great Sun Glazed Golden Body had four stages: Entry Level, Minor Achievement, Great Success, and Perfection. Each stage came with its own Martial Technique.
This was a Fist Technique of extreme ferocity and power.
It all happened in an instant.
From Huang Qing’s attack to Ning Jiang’s punch, it all took place in the blink of an eye.
KABOOM!
With a massive bang, their fists slammed into each other. The tremendous sound was like a thunderclap exploding right next to their ears, and the huge shockwave spread for miles around.
Breaking Gang Fist versus Great Sun Demon Slaying Fist.
Who would win, and who would lose?
A CRACKLE and CRUNCH of shattering bones rang out.
A figure was sent flying backward like a scarecrow, his right arm completely exploded into a mess of flesh and blood. A torrent of blood gushed from his mouth.
It was Huang Qing.
One punch, grievously injured!
The entire crowd... was horrified!
