Chapter 53: Chapter 53: A Great Increase in Strength
Half a month of bitter cultivation had depleted his supply of elixirs.
[First Layer of the Broken Wave Technique: Beginner Level (598/600)]
In the Quiet Chamber, Liang Cheng sat cross-legged, his Qi Blood surging like a tide. The barrier to the final acupoint was already as thin as a cicada’s wing.
He focused his mind and directed his Qi Blood to smash into it!
"BOOM!"
The acupoint burst open, his Qi Blood flowing in a complete circuit!
[First Layer of the Broken Wave Technique: Minor Success (1/2500)]
The Minor Circulation formed, and his Wave Force began to coalesce.
Liang Cheng opened his eyes and exhaled a breath of turbid air. He made a loose fist, and beneath his skin, his Qi Blood naturally formed a triple-layered, wave-like pattern. He threw a punch, and a triple-layered Dark Force surged forward like a tide, creating a series of three sonic booms.
’Now, against opponents like Wang Li or Liu Meng, I could take their lives in three moves.’
Pleased, he checked the progress of his other cultivation techniques:
[Stone Armor Skill (Iron Armor): Minor Success (892/1000)]
[Gale Saber Technique: Great Success (371/2000)]
His Iron Armor was just a step away from Mastery. His Gale Saber Technique was also progressing steadily; his saber strikes now carried the faint, frenzied momentum of a surging wave, syncing ever more perfectly with his Broken Wave Technique.
Four empty elixir vials lay scattered in the corner.
Half a month of cultivation had consumed most of his Cold Iron Essence and Red Copper Sand. His Contribution Points had plummeted from nearly three thousand to 1,560.
’I still have enough for another batch of elixirs and resources. I should press on and break through to Iron Armor Mastery.’
With that thought, Liang Cheng pushed open the door and headed straight for the Foreign Affairs Hall.
The Foreign Affairs Hall was as crowded as ever.
Liang Cheng traded for a sufficient supply of Cold Iron Essence and Red Copper Sand. He then gritted his teeth and bought two vials of Qi Blood Pills, leaving him with only 430 Contribution Points.
’Resources, companions, technique, and location... the ancients truly weren’t lying.’
He stored his items and returned to his Quiet Chamber.
From the shadows, Zhao Ming stared after him, his expression dark and grim.
...
For the next three days, Liang Cheng poured all his energy into tempering his Iron Armor Skill. Only after reaching his limit would he cultivate his other techniques.
Every day, he would smear his whole body with the prepared medicinal paste. The medicinal power felt like a branding iron on his skin. He gritted his teeth as a gray-iron glow flowed violently beneath his skin, washing through him again and again.
「Dusk, the third day.」
[Stone Armor Skill (Iron Armor): Minor Success (999/1000)]
’A breakthrough is imminent!’
Liang Cheng suppressed his excitement and applied the paste all over his body. A searing heat instantly exploded, feeling as if magma were being poured into his meridians.
"CRACK!"
A soft sound echoed from within him, as if a shackle had snapped. The Iron Armor force throughout his body instantly connected into a web. His previously scattered defensive Qi Force merged into a single, unified whole. His skin tone shifted from gray-iron to a deep, dark black.
[Stone Armor Skill (Iron Armor): Mastery (1/3000)]
As he circulated the technique, Liang Cheng tapped his arm with his knuckles, producing a crisp metallic CLANG. His rippling muscles had a heavy, metallic texture, and the dark black hue of his skin made him look as if he were clad in heavy armor.
’Forget Earth House Disciples; I doubt even an ordinary Celestial Dormitory disciple could break through my defense now.’
He assessed his new strength without a trace of complacency. With resources still remaining, he gathered his focus and dove back into his cultivation.
「Another half-month went by.」
The signs of autumn deepened as the last of the summer heat faded away.
Liang Cheng pushed open his door. His thin robes were no longer enough for the weather, but he remained completely oblivious to the chill.
[First Layer of the Broken Wave Technique: Minor Success (43/2500)]
[Stone Armor Skill (Iron Armor): Mastery (32/3000)]
[Gale Saber Technique: Great Success (603/2000)]
His strength had been completely transformed, but at a cost. His Contribution Points had bottomed out again, leaving him with only 430.
’On the path of cultivation, resources are indispensable.’
He stepped out of his small courtyard. Yang Wei had once told him that cultivation required a proper balance; sometimes, training blindly without rest could be counterproductive.
It was noon, and the sunlight was mild, but the courtyard was much noisier than usual. Dozens of disciples in gray and white martial robes were crowded around a notice board, buzzing with discussion.
Liang Cheng approached and saw a new, crimson notice posted on the board.
"The Autumn Grand Tournament will be held in three days’ time, at 7:00 AM, in the East Courtyard Martial Arts Arena."
"All disciples of the three dormitories are required to participate. The bottom fifty participants from the Human Dormitory will be demoted to Outer Disciples. The top ten may challenge those ranked above them. A victor will take the place of the vanquished and may continue to issue challenges until defeated.
Disciples of the Earth and Celestial Dormitories who are knocked out of the rankings will be demoted a dormitory level. Those who remain undefeated may challenge higher-ranked disciples to improve their standing."
An uproar erupted among the disciples.
"The bottom fifty from the Human Dormitory will be directly demoted to Outer Disciples? But how long have we been here? Our cultivation isn’t even stable yet."
"I heard the monthly stipend for the Outer Sect is only ten points, and they live in some desolate courtyard outside the city. If we get kicked out, our cultivation progress will be at least three times slower!"
Liang Cheng watched all of this unfold, his expression unchanging.
This world was all about survival of the fittest. He had fought his way from a small seaside town all the way to the Martial Arts Academy, so when had he ever feared competition?
’A mayfly may be small, but it still fights to be the first to dance!’
Just then, a calm voice came from beside him.
"Junior Brother Liang."
Liang Cheng turned to see Yun Jinghong standing three steps away. He was still dressed in white, but his aura was significantly more refined than it had been a month ago.
"Senior Brother Yun." Liang Cheng cupped his fist in a salute.
Yun Jinghong’s gaze lingered on Liang Cheng for a moment, and a sharp glint flashed in his eyes. "It seems Junior Brother Liang has made astounding progress recently."
"You as well, Senior Brother." Liang Cheng could clearly feel that the piercing aura within Yun Jinghong had become a single, cohesive whole. ’He’s obviously traded for an Inner Cultivation Method and has already made good progress with it.’
"I took on a total of twelve missions, saved up enough Contribution Points, and exchanged them for the Soaring Cloud Technique."
Yun Jinghong spoke frankly, "This technique is a perfect match for my way of the sword. In the grand tournament, you and I will have our battle."
At this, he gave Liang Cheng a deep look. "I hope you won’t disappoint me."
Without waiting for a reply, he turned and left. His steps were light, and he vanished around a corner of the walkway in a matter of breaths.
The disciples nearby began to whisper among themselves.
"Yun Jinghong has already exchanged for an Inner Cultivation Method..."
"I heard he’s barely rested this month. He’s either been doing missions or cultivating."
"No wonder his aura is so much stronger. He’s bound to secure a spot in the Earth Dormitory in this tournament!"
"Liang Cheng is no slouch either. Did you forget he defeated Liu Meng before?"
Liang Cheng ignored the buzzing discussions around him, his calm gaze simply following Yun Jinghong as he departed.
’Yun Jinghong truly is exceptionally talented. He wasn’t discouraged by defeat; on the contrary, he became even more diligent than before. Only a man like that is worthy of being my rival.’
He didn’t linger any longer, turning to head for the dining hall.
’The grand tournament is imminent. I need to rest and build my strength.’
...
「The Xu Family Estate, in the study.」
The Steward reported in a low voice, "The Martial Arts Academy’s Autumn Grand Tournament is in three days. Per your orders, Master, I have already contacted Zhao Ming."
Xu Zhang nodded slowly. "Liang Cheng was able to turn the tables and kill Xu Qi and his two men in the mines. His strength already surpasses that of an ordinary Earth House Disciple. Make sure things are handled properly on Zhao Ming’s end."
"Rest assured, Master," the Steward’s voice dropped even lower. "Zhao Ming has already made the necessary arrangements. On the arena platform, it will be perfectly justifiable for him to kill Liang Cheng with a ’slip of the hand.’"
Xu Zhang nodded slightly. "Good."
"Father!" Xu Zhi, who was standing nearby, spat out the word, his eyes filled with venomous hatred. "All the prominent families in the city send representatives to watch the Martial Arts Academy’s tournament. I want to see that little bastard die with my own two eyes!"
Xu Zhang glanced at him. "You may. But remember, no matter what happens, you only watch. You do not act."
"I understand, Father!"
...
The sky was nearing dusk by the time Liang Cheng left the dining hall.
The autumn wind swept through the courtyard, kicking up a few withered leaves. He raised his head and looked towards the East Courtyard, where craftsmen had already begun to build the framework for the tournament platforms.
In three days, the true contest would begin.
