Book Synopsis
Book Tags
Donation Rankings
Comment
0 Comments
You May Also Like
墨書 Inktalez
Martial cultivation begins with refining the skin, flesh, and blood, which means that the first step in martial arts training is to refine the skin, flesh, and blood, gradually honing the human body to an incredibly resilient state, thereby significantly increasing strength.
When the human body reaches a certain limit, the skeleton, which serves as the main support framework of the body, becomes relatively weak. Next, it is necessary to strengthen and fortify the bones, tendons, and bone membranes throughout the body.
Thus, after reaching the Blood Refinement stage, one enters the Bone Refinement stage. By exchanging blood for stronger bones, only when the skeleton is robust can it withstand various high-intensity movements of a powerful body; otherwise, extreme actions may lead to fractures due to excessive strain on the bones.
However, for a Martial Cultivator to break through to the Bone Refinement stage is not a simple task. The Nine Levels of Realm in martial arts can actually be divided into three major tiers: the first Third Rank is considered low-level, the middle Third Rank is mid-level, and the last Third Rank is high-level. The Martial Cultivators within these three tiers are referred to as low-level Martial Cultivators, mid-level Martial Cultivators, and high-level Martial Cultivators respectively.
The gap in strength between these three tiers of Martial Cultivators is significant. For instance, when it comes to challenging higher ranks, almost every Martial Cultivator harbors a strong enthusiasm for such challenges. After all, those who can challenge higher ranks are often genius-level Martial Cultivators—geniuses represent a dazzling brilliance.
However, what is typically referred to as challenging higher ranks usually pertains to battles among Martial Cultivators within the same tier. For example, a First Rank challenging a Second Rank, a Second Rank challenging a Third Rank, or a Fourth Rank challenging a Fifth Rank. Some exceptionally gifted geniuses can even challenge two ranks at once; such talents are truly rare and exceptional.
Yet even so, even among the most gifted geniuses, their ability to challenge higher ranks is generally limited to within their own tier. It is nearly impossible for them to challenge across major tiers. Even a peak genius of the Third Rank would find it extremely difficult to challenge an ordinary strong individual who has just entered the Fourth Rank. Moreover, those who can break through to the Fourth Rank are unlikely to possess ordinary qualifications.
This is because the disparity in strength between different tiers of Martial Cultivators is immense. This difference encompasses not only physical strength but also mental acuity and technical skills across all aspects. A mid-level Martial Cultivator can suppress low-level Martial Cultivators in terms of physical strength, combat awareness, Primordial Energy circulation speed, martial arts techniques, and control abilities. Under such advantages, challenging higher ranks becomes exceedingly difficult.
The Nine Levels of Realm in martial arts consist of two major checkpoints or dividing lines: one is the Fourth Rank Bone Refinement stage and the other is the Seventh Rank Marrow Refinement stage. Only by breaking through these two realms can one advance from one tier to another.
With each breakthrough among these three tiers comes a significant enhancement in strength; it would not be an exaggeration to say that it feels like being reborn. The key to advancing from a low-level Martial Cultivator to a mid-level Martial Cultivator lies in breaking through to the Bone Refinement stage.
The first Third Rank Realm of martial cultivation involves utilizing the transformation of natural energy into Primordial Energy to continuously enhance the strength and resilience of the human body's flesh and muscles until immense power is attained.
Training in this first Third Rank is not particularly difficult because Martial Cultivators circulate Primordial Energy through their meridians to refine their bodies. Most meridians are located within the human body itself; therefore, refining skin, flesh, and blood is relatively easy. Even individuals with poor talent can achieve this with enough patience and perseverance over time.
However, reaching the Bone Refinement stage is different. To attain this stage requires Primordial Energy to break through the limitations of meridians and reach the bones for direct enhancement and refinement.
However, once the Primordial Energy breaks free from the Meridian's constraints, it becomes incredibly violent and difficult to control. If one is not careful, the goal of Refining Bones may not be achieved, and instead, the Primordial Energy could erupt completely, ultimately leading to one's own destruction.
Moreover, the process of Refining Bones is accompanied by unbearable pain. Just imagine forcibly refining the impurities from every bone in the body to strengthen them; it is an excruciating ordeal. It is akin to scraping one's bones with a steel knife while ants are set upon them to bite—something that is truly beyond human endurance.
There are countless Martial Cultivators in the world, yet nearly seventy percent of them get stuck at this stage, doomed to remain as Low-Level Martial Practitioners for life, with their martial paths severed.
The remaining thirty percent who can truly break through to the Bone Refinement Realm are almost all individuals with unwavering determination. They possess great courage and perseverance, enduring what ordinary people cannot. With exceptional control, they manage the raging Primordial Energy during Refining Bones while also demonstrating remarkable resilience to withstand the pain of the process. Only then can they successfully refine their bones and advance to become Intermediate Martial Artists.
Therefore, from a martial perspective, every strong individual above the Bone Refinement Realm deserves respect because they all possess a strong heart and are willing to risk everything in pursuit of martial excellence.
This is why Duanmu Xue and her companions face the Middle-aged Man with such gravity and even a hint of despair. Even if they combine their strength, their chances against such a formidable opponent seem slim.
For instance, when the Middle-aged Man strikes with his blade, from the moment he moves until he appears before Duanmu Xue, it takes but an instant. Even though Duanmu Xue has activated her Family Secret Technique, she can barely react in time, only managing to raise her weapon to block his attack.
Boom!
As their weapons clash, a powerful force erupts. The ground cannot withstand this immense power; Duanmu Xue sinks into it as if being pressed into the earth, with dirt rising up to her calves, making it difficult for her to break free.
With just this one strike, Duanmu Xue—at the peak of Third-Grade Blood Refinement Realm and having unleashed her Family Secret Technique—is completely suppressed and has almost no ability to fight back. The strength of a Fourth Rank Bone Refinement Realm Martial Cultivator is evident.
If it were only Duanmu Xue in this situation, should the Middle-aged Man strike again, she would undoubtedly be unable to defend herself and would surely perish. Fortunately, she still has companions.
The Middle-aged Man intended to deliver another blow to eliminate her as a significant obstacle. Although he admires this extraordinary girl, once he has made his move, there can be no mercy; enemies are meant to be slain!
However, he does not have that opportunity because at that moment, a sword appears before him, aimed at his neck. If he insists on attacking again, he could indeed kill Duanmu Xue but would also lose his own head!
The one who drew the sword was Zhao Xingjian. His reaction was only a fraction slower than Duanmu Xue's. When Duanmu Xue blocked the middle-aged man's strike, he instantly made a judgment and slashed towards the man's neck, targeting his vital spot to help Duanmu Xue out of danger.
As expected, the middle-aged man would not choose to risk his life for a mere moment. After his strike failed, he swiftly dodged Zhao Xingjian's attack and then turned his body, stomping on the ground to leave a small pit before lunging towards Zhao Xingjian, intending to eliminate this young man who had interfered with him.
Facing the middle-aged man's fierce attack and blatant killing intent, Zhao Xingjian remained unfazed. He twisted his wrist to retract the sword, stepped forward, and with a swift motion, executed a lunging thrust aimed directly at the middle-aged man's chest.
In this moment, he chose to risk it all against the middle-aged man’s downward strike aimed at his head.
Zhao Xingjian understood that trying to compete with a higher-level Bone Refinement expert using martial arts techniques was essentially courting death. Abandoning all flashy moves and directly risking his life was the only way to seize a slim chance of survival!
However, how could a Fourth Rank expert like the middle-aged man be so easily forced back? If risking one's life against an expert was truly effective, then there would be countless geniuses capable of challenging those above their level in this world, as there has never been a shortage of desperate individuals.
Faced with Zhao Xingjian's thrust, the middle-aged man's eyes turned cold. He quickly assessed that his speed surpassed that of his opponent. Therefore, he maintained his attack and continued to chop downwards, confident that after killing Zhao Xingjian with one blow, he would have enough time to retreat.
Youngster, if you want to risk your life against me, you must have the capability to do so. The life of a Fourth Rank expert is not so easily wagered; let’s see how you suffer the consequences! The middle-aged man’s eyes revealed a ruthless intent.
However, just as the middle-aged man believed that this strike would surely take Zhao Xingjian's life, at a critical moment, a shield appeared above Zhao Xingjian's head, barely protecting him. The middle-aged man's blade struck only the shield, creating sparks.
With his strike failing, the middle-aged man dared not exert all his strength and could only forcibly halt his body while quickly retreating to avoid Zhao Xingjian's counterattack that sought mutual destruction.
At this moment, a smile appeared on Zhao Xingjian's face. Did he really think he could escape?
Bang! Bang!
Just as the middle-aged man retreated quickly and lost his balance, two bowstrings twanged as Milan Miko finally made her move. Two Armor-Piercing Arrows shot forth like meteors chasing the moon, heading straight for the middle-aged man's heart!
This is the true killing move of Zhao Xingjian and the others. Everything before this was merely preparation for these two arrows. At this moment, even a strong practitioner at the Bone Refinement Realm would find it difficult to escape death without any other means!
Swish!
The Middle-aged Man broke out in cold sweat, genuinely shocked. The coordination among these individuals was simply too seamless, and their timing was incredibly precise. These two arrows posed a significant threat to his life.
However, he was ultimately a peak practitioner at the Bone Refinement Realm. If this had happened when he had just broken through to the Bone Refinement Realm, he would have been unable to evade these two arrows. But now, he had begun to grasp the feeling of the Refining Muscle Realm, and with a bit of sacrifice, he could still avoid them.
Splash!
Just as the Middle-aged Man was about to be pierced through the heart by the Armor-Piercing Arrow, he suddenly made an astonishing move. He spun his entire body in a large rotation, instantly twisting himself into a tangled mess, and miraculously evaded both Armor-Piercing Arrows that should have been impossible to dodge!
Watching the Middle-aged Man return to his original form, Zhao Xingjian and the others felt a pang of despair. The worst-case scenario had indeed occurred; this person had already begun to touch upon the Refining Muscle Realm and could twist his muscles and bones. If they couldn't injure him like this, how could they fight?
The Middle-aged Man's expression darkened. Only he knew that forcing his body to twist had caused significant injury to his muscles and bones, even leading to some internal damage.
He hadn't expected that a group of juniors he thought would be easy to handle would turn out to be so troublesome, leaving him in such a sorry state. His earlier appreciation for them had long been cast aside.
Boom!
On another side, Duanmu Xue finally broke free from the constraints of the mud and jumped out.
Her face was filled with rage; this was already the second time she had been suppressed by someone upon first contact. As the Violent Queen, she had never been so humiliated before. This time, Duanmu Xue's fury threatened to overwhelm her rationality.
Comment 0 Comment Count