Realm-Hopping Martial Master

"No matter how difficult it gets, one must enter the Secret Realm and one must kill!"

"If a Mutant Beast can't be killed by Dark Force, use Hua Jing to kill it!"

"If a Mutant Beast can't be killed by Hua Jing, use Dan Strength to kill it!"

"No matter how many Mutant Beasts are in the Secret Realm, they are no match for the ever-increasing number of Martial Artists from our Xia Country!"

Xie Feichen had an extremely strong belief.

It was precisely because of this belief that his heart for practicing martial arts was immensely powerful.

Every time he practiced, it was as if he was assisted by divine forces.

"Your punches and kicks are becoming increasingly integrated. It seems we're just looking at that final crucial step now. How well have you mastered the last thirty-six forms of the Innate Guiding Skill?"

"Please provide guidance, Teacher Xie."

Jiang Shu stopped his punches and kicks, executing each move of the Innate Guiding Skill.

Although the Innate Guiding Skill was just a practice method, in my view, it's not any weaker than the Middle Grade Cultivation Techniques of the Da Jing Dynasty. However, this Guiding Skill is too dependent on talent. Sometimes, even if one achieves minor success, they might not grasp the method of releasing strength. In terms of difficulty, it far exceeds general Middle Grade Cultivation Techniques. Moreover, if what Elder Chou said is true, the Middle Grade Cultivation Techniques of the Da Jing Dynasty would have attributes. Then, perhaps at this stage... The Martial Arts of the Da Jing Dynasty's Refining Internal Realm... and the Martial Arts of the Xuanxing Xia Country's Hua Jing... are bound to have differences. These differences might even be much greater than those between the Skin Grinding Realm and Light Strength, or the Bone Forging Realm and Dark Force. It's very likely they represent two different developmental directions.

As these thoughts raced through his mind, Jiang Shu began to execute the Innate Guiding Skill, move by move.

The membranes of his skin and bones were vibrating, with the Tiger and Leopard Thunder Sound faintly resounding.

At his current Realm, he had completely mastered control over his external body; his limbs and entire physique moved at his will.

Innate Guiding Skill.

Famished Tiger Roar Mountain Strength.

He was progressing equally well in both aspects.

"Your foundation is very solid," remarked Xie Feichen.

Despite being prepared, Xie Feichen was still amazed as he watched Jiang Shu perform the Innate Guiding Skill.

It hadn't even been a year since Jiang Shu was first exposed to the Innate Guiding Skill.

His overall control had already surpassed his two colleagues.

Even the Martial Arts teachers at Shengjing Academy might not match Jiang Shu's solid foundation.

Not to mention that, in his view, Jiang Shu's actual combat skills would only be more formidable.

From what he knew, Jiang Shu was exceptionally proficient in techniques like the Small Stele-Toppling Hand and the Breaking Stele Leg Technique.

In terms of footwork, he had several sets.

And though he hadn't demonstrated the three-slash blade technique today, it was likely to be even more powerful.

Now, even Martial Artists at the peak of Dark Force might not be a match for Jiang Shu in a single exchange.

"Times are developing, and the policies of the Xia Country are also adjusting. Although Martial Arts have just begun to thrive, since one can enter a university, one can naturally obtain higher academic degrees. Those with exceptional talent in Light Strength can become graduate students. Those with exceptional talent in Dark Force can earn a Ph.D.

"I'll talk to the Chancellor shortly and arrange for you to enroll directly in a Ph.D. program. Although I know that for us, such a degree has no practical use. But since you're no longer taking the path of a Star Martial Artist, having an academic qualification, when mentioned to others, can make your parents proud.

"It's like me. I'm in my thirties, and when I tell my mom I'm at the Hua Jing level, she doesn't understand. But when I say I'm a professor at Jiangnan Academy, she immediately praises me for being accomplished."

Xie Feichen said and couldn't help but smile.

Jiang Shu also pursed his lips.

It really is like that. Martial Artists like them, who choose to enter the Heaven and Earth Secret Realm, aren't as renowned as arena Star Martial Artists. Even now, if people recognize me, Jiang Shu... it's not because I've stepped into Dark Force... or become the strongest among those at the Dark Force level... but because I won the championship in the university Martial Arts genius competition during my time at the Light Strength level. How many Martial Artists are Saints? Unconcerned with fame and fortune? So, if fame is lacking in one area, the Xia Country compensates in another. Dark Force Martial Artists can become university Martial Arts teachers. The resources they obtain and their public status surpass those of ordinary 'traffic-generating' Star Martial Artists. And upon reaching Hua Jing! That's an entirely new world. Someone like Xie Feichen, becoming a professor at Jiangnan Academy, is actually just his most public, lowest-ranking status. His higher status involves enjoying the treatment equivalent to a deputy bureau director in the Xia Country! He wields firearms and holds a 'license to kill'!

"I will follow Teacher Xie's arrangements."

After bidding farewell to Xie Feichen, Jiang Shu was mostly in the dormitory or cafeteria, sticking to a simple routine, cutting off all social contact. Even when Shang Jibei invited him to the Heaven and Earth Secret Realm, he refused.

At my current Realm... I can no longer improve incessantly through battles with Mutant Beasts as I did before. I've reached a bottleneck. To overcome it... I either need to grind the Famished Tiger Roar Mountain Strength until it achieves Break Limit... or comprehend Hua Jing through the Innate Guiding Skill!

Shang Jibei is also on the brink of a breakthrough. This time he invited me, he didn't even bring his girlfriend.

Having just completed a few sets of the Innate Guiding Skill, Jiang Shu assumed a standing stance, regulating his breath.

「Ten days ago.」

Shang Jibei came to find him and invited him to venture together into the Heaven and Earth Secret Realm. But this time, he did not bring Zhu Qingyun. Instead, he wanted to go with Jiang Shu deep into the Secret Realm for a true life-and-death battle, to comprehend Hua Jing through combat!

If I didn't have the panel... if I didn't have the Two Realms Shuttle, no Famished Tiger Roar Mountain Strength... I would definitely go with Shang Jibei. After all, to understand the method of projecting force... the best way truly is to experience battle after battle. Just like Shang Jibei comprehended Dark Force during his fight with me. Xie Feichen also comprehended Hua Jing in the Heaven and Earth Secret Realm.

Only in life and death can a Martial Artist truly unleash their potential!

A greenhouse can never cultivate a Hua Jing Master!

Unless, of course, I have a cheat.

Jiang Shu's mind was free of distractions. He practiced diligently.

He rarely even crossed over to Yongning County's commandery city, only briefly checking on the situation there.

After the authorities failed to find the culprit in East City despite blockading it for several days, the Government Officials eased off, merely posting a wanted poster with a reward.

After all, everyone knew. The fiend who could slaughter four Bone Forging Realm Martial Artists in such a short time... was either at the Refining Internal Realm... or among the strongest experts in the Bone Forging Realm. As long as they didn't commit any major crimes... the authorities were willing to turn a blind eye. Matters of the Jianghu are settled within the Jianghu.

On the Danxia Chamber of Commerce's side, the supply of moissanite and perfumes also gradually stabilized. Moissanite and perfumes began to sell well within the commandery city. Many noble ladies of the great clans began competing to purchase these exotic items. Boxes of Silver Taels moved into the chamber of commerce, and into Jiang Shu's pockets, becoming Elixir after Elixir.

"Elixirs are also graded by equivalent level. The Blood Strengthening Pills, Blood Purifying Pills, and Leopard Strength Tiger Bone Pills I can currently see are actually all low-grade Elixirs. They are effective for Martial Artists in the Skin Grinding Realm and Bone Forging Realm.

"But true geniuses from great clans actually start using Middle Grade Elixirs while they are in the Bone Forging Realm. Inner Strengthening Elixirs, which fortify the vital organs, are taken in the Bone Forging Realm. Once they step into the Refining Internal Realm, their organ refining speed will far surpass that of their peers.

"Marrow Cleansing Elixirs even have the effect of cleansing marrow and reconditioning meridians. Taken by those in the Refining Internal Realm, they allow one to enjoy the benefits of the Blood Exchange Realm in advance.

"The geniuses in the commandery city are like this; I can hardly imagine what kind of treatment the geniuses in the prefectural and royal cities receive.

"In Martial Arts practice, resources always come first!

"Cultivation Techniques, Martial Arts techniques, Elixirs, weapons!

"It's just a pity that right now, I have none of these.

"Whether it's Inner Strengthening Elixirs or Marrow Cleansing Elixirs, at the Danxia Chamber of Commerce branch, only geniuses who are invested in by the Chamber are qualified to purchase them.

"They can naturally be bought at the headquarters, but the prefectural city is much farther away. And with my current strength, even if I reached the Refining Internal Realm, I wouldn't be able to establish myself there."

Within the commandery city, Jiang Shu recorded every piece of information. His understanding of officials, merchants, and the ten great clans deepened as well.

Having left Pingling County, only upon reaching the commandery city did he truly begin to grasp the strength of the Da Jing Dynasty. Expansive territories, innumerable geniuses. Even among the geniuses of the commandery city who reached the Refining Internal Realm by eighteen, a large portion wouldn't make it onto the Little Dragon Tiger List of the prefectural city. This showed its prestige.

I wonder... how long it will take for me, starting from this Yongning County commandery city, to step by step climb onto the Little Dragon Tiger List, and eventually the true Dragon Tiger List!

Jiang Shu was emotionally stirred.

Compared to Xuanxing, where Martial Arts had just begun to rise, the Martial Arts in the Da Jing Dynasty, which had existed for an unknown number of years, were obviously more mature.

I hope... the Refining Internal Realm... won't disappoint me. I truly want to witness firsthand just how marvelous a real Middle Grade Cultivation Technique can be!

He stretched his limbs, his fists and feet moving smoothly. His force was controlled and gathered within.

The Famished Tiger Roar Mountain Strength, a mere low-grade technique from Pingling County town, was being relentlessly ground by Jiang Shu.

「One month later.」

The panel updated.

Famished Tiger Roar Mountain Strength: Break Limit!