Chapter 154: The Palace Of Flesh’s Forging Method, The Final Trump Card!
【Due to your Corona Breathing Technique advancing to Mastery Level, your Physique +5!】
【Due to your Corona Breathing Technique advancing to Mastery Level, your Internal Qi capacity has greatly increased! Your Internal Qi quality has greatly increased!】
【Due to completing Qi Circulation·Basic, your Physique +5, your Internal Qi quality has increased! Your Internal Qi recovery speed has greatly increased!】
“After Qi reaches the four limbs, it’s ‘Circulation of Qi’ huh.”
Circulation of Qi, as the name implies, means all Internal Qi continuously performs Heavenly Cycle Circulation within the body to ensure “Internal Qi never ceases.”
This way, it can greatly enhance the practitioner’s combat duration and recovery rate.
Shangshan Che just slightly clenched his fist, and he could clearly feel the Corona Qi surging endlessly from every meridian in his body, far hotter and purer than before.
This Corona Qi seemed to possess intelligence, automatically performing constant, much faster and more stable Heavenly Cycle Circulation within his body than before.
And every Heavenly Cycle Circulation produced more Corona Qi to keep Internal Qi full, then nourished the body.
In just moments, his originally depleted Internal Qi, not a drop left, had recovered to one-fifth.
Its recovery speed was almost five to ten times faster than before his breakthrough!
Shangshan Che felt the warm sensation from wounds all over his body and saw them healing at a visible speed.
First clotting and scabbing, then flesh surging and weaving together.
In just over ten seconds, a small wound fully healed as good as new.
Just Circulation of Qi alone had such an effect.
Then what about the “Qi Circulation” gained after completing “Strengthening the Five Viscera, Qi reaches the four limbs, Circulation of Qi”?
Shangshan Che lifted his fingertip as he wished, and a strand of pure white Qi Barrier without any impurities popped out quietly, like a solid.
This wasn’t anything special—after multiple quality improvements to Internal Qi, having Qi that could form “solid state” without manual condensation was normal.
From now on, the Corona Qi in his body could be renamed Qi Barrier.
The key was, while maintaining this strand of “Qi Sword,” his body’s Corona Qi only decreased by that amount, with no sign of continuous consumption!
Meaning, as long as Shangshan Che wanted, he could maintain the Qi Barrier on his body surface indefinitely.
He stared at the Qi Sword at his fingertip, thinking that the concept he had at Ki-Gong Technique Mastery Level was finally complete.
—Now, the Qi Barrier perfectly matched his original vision.
Extremely efficient, top quality, able to chain in Heavenly Cycle within the body to enhance Physique, or project outward to increase offensive and defensive means.
As Shangshan Che withdrew the Qi Sword and looked toward Kuzuha Chihaya gracefully walking out from the passage, a prompt suddenly popped up before his eyes.
【Detected your skill·Corona Breathing Technique has reached Mastery Level. Would you like to subdivide it according to “Breathing Technique Stage·Palace of Flesh”?】
Palace of Flesh?
This term seemed to appear in the effects panel just now too.
So completing “Palace of Flesh” is what needs to be done in the “Mastery” stage of Corona Breathing Technique?
Shangshan Che glanced at the Corona Breathing Technique requiring a whopping 10,000 Proficiency to advance further.
Even he couldn’t help feeling this number was a bit exaggerated.
Jumping from 3,500 to 10,000… and this 10,000 was after discounts.
At the same time, after Corona Breathing Technique reached Mastery Level, Proficiency could no longer be gained simply through Qi Cosmic Cycle Circulation.
Instead, under inhuman pain, day and night actively stimulate and temper different body parts with Qi Barrier.
If there’s any mistake in this Palace of Flesh Cultivation process, it directly causes necrosis of the tempered part.
One can imagine how difficult Palace of Flesh Cultivation is for ordinary people.
“Yes.”
Shangshan Che said silently in his heart, then saw several prompts pop up together.
【Your skill, Corona Breathing Technique, has completed more precise grading! Please check.】
【Corona Breathing Technique（Skin Tempering 272/1500）】
【Corona Breathing Technique（Bone Forging 0/1500）】
【Corona Breathing Technique（Muscle Refining 0/5000）】
“Skin Tempering, Bone Forging, Muscle Refining… these three alone total 8,000 Proficiency.” Shangshan Che murmured, “The last 2,000 Proficiency must represent something that appears after maxing these three.”
But the first two have such a huge gap in Proficiency requirements compared to “Muscle Refining”…
Before Shangshan Che could think further, Kuzuha Chihaya’s teasing voice came from afar, interrupting his thoughts.
“Need a bit more time?”
Kuzuha Chihaya, wearing only thin short sports innerwear and underwear covering key areas, sat on the edge railing of the arena.
Golden hair falling, she flicked her fingernail and smiled.
“Elder Sister I am very generous, won’t start fighting without a word like those two clueless kids.”
“No need, Elder Sister.”
Shangshan Che twisted his neck, exhaled ordinary air, and walked out from Two-Foot Adult’s embrace.
After completing Qi Circulation, all his Internal Qi could maximize its effects without randomly dissipating or leaking.
He smiled at Kuzuha Chihaya: “Because I’ve already completed Qi Circulation.”
Shangshan Che’s casual voice spread bit by bit across the entire arena, and wherever it reached, the discussions suddenly stopped.
Even Kuzuha Chihaya licked her lips interestedly, not pursuing the “Elder Sister” address: “Interesting, kid, you’re really something.”
“Not grabbing you to the hotel before was a real loss…”
Less than five minutes after battle, dragging a heavily injured body to first complete “Circulation of Qi,” then comprehend “Qi Circulation”—what does that mean?
The crowd fell silent.
They only knew a shining new star that could illuminate all of Tokyo, even eastern Japan, had risen today in Obscure Moon Hall’s underground arena.
Immediately someone shouted to Nanjo Emi: “Nanjō Great Officer! Please quickly make Shangshan competitor forfeit and withdraw from the True Sword Match!”
“Right! A genius like him shouldn’t risk his life in the third match… if anything happens, it’s not just Special Affairs Office’s loss, but the entire mortal realm’s!”
Nanjo Emi listened to these suddenly concerned remarks about Shangshan Che, narrowed her eyes, and yawned sleepily.
She thought for a moment, still adhering to respecting the participant’s opinion, and transmitted into the arena: “Shangshan Jun, continue?”
Shangshan Che didn’t turn back, just nodded.
So Nanjo Emi snapped her fingers without thinking, directly using versatile Onmyōdō Onmyōdō techniques to seal all their mouths.
At the same time, blocking similar words back into the stomachs of audience members who hadn’t spoken yet.
She said indifferently: “Then continue.”
Kuzuha Chihaya smiled and clapped: “That’s right, Shangshan Jun! Heroes can’t flee before battle!”
She smiled while eyeing Shangshan Che, who took out the Blood-Stained Chick Crown and put it on his head again.
“Spiritual Power fluctuations, a Spirit-Infused Object that can summon shikigami huh.” Kuzuha Chihaya thought, “Plus the Lightning earlier on the blade, he’s an Onmyoji skilled in Onmyōdō.”
Dual Cultivation in Breathing Technique and Onmyōdō, neither attainment too low, no wonder he beat Little Crow and them.
Moreover, Shangshan Che was a new seed from Special Affairs Office after the First Wave.
—Kuzuha Chihaya had seen all his prior info in detail: just an ordinary male high schooler with deceased parents, nothing special except liking supernatural things.
So why did he have time to dual cultivate both paths and reach current attainments?
Talent.
Kuzuha Chihaya thought pleasantly.
Roads ordinary people need ten years or more to walk, they might do in one month, even ten days, with even more solid foundations.
—Genius never needs to explain itself.
—Most audience members had the same thought.
Because there’s always a time when most people, by coincidence or overconfidence, think they’re that legendary genius.
Until crushed by real geniuses.
All eyes fell on Shangshan Che together.
Seeing Shangshan Che draw Kaga Kiyomitsu and aim at her, Kuzuha Chihaya jumped down from the railing: “So, Shangshan Jun, you’re finally ready?”
She flipped her wrist into a gripping pose.
Then the White Snake coiled at her chest slowly poked its head out, tongue flicking, wrapping around Kuzuha Chihaya’s arm until reaching her palm.
Then, after Spiritual Power Fluctuation and white flash, a snake-patterned naginata far longer than her fell into her hand.
The naginata was 2.1 meters long, entirely snow white, blade clear, with winding snake patterns climbing it.
Kuzuha Chihaya looked up, smiling: “Lazy Master, not starting yet?”
Kujo Obuya then spoke slowly as if waking from a dream.
“True Sword Match third match, also the final match, begins now.”
Words fell, their gazes clashed.
Shangshan Che gripped Kaga Kiyomitsu’s hilt with both hands, in impartial Tang Bamboo Stance: “Elder Sister, not attacking yet?”
“Oh, alright.”
Kuzuha Chihaya blinked, nodded.
She tapped her chin with a finger, concerned: “Don’t cry okay.”
Next instant, one, ten, a hundred… countless Kuzuha Chihayas appeared in Shangshan Che’s vision.
Accurately, in the “Clear Mirror” in Shangshan Che’s heart, letting him pre-read hundreds of thousands of possibilities of Kuzuha Chihaya’s attack at once.
How to defend this?!
Shangshan Che immediately shut off the pre-read ability already toyed with by Kuzuha Chihaya.
Then, cold chill light reflected in his pupils.
Instinctively, before realizing what happened, Shangshan Che held his blade horizontally.
Slash—!
A series of dense sparks flew, then swallowed entirely by the Sorrow of Parting surging on Kaga Kiyomitsu.
Surging force silently stabbed into Shangshan Che’s body along the blade contact, numbing his hands, coughing a mouthful of Qi Barrier-laced blood foam.
Shangshan Che’s eye twitched— in just this strike, his Qi Circulation was found at its weakest point and shattered by Kuzuha Chihaya!
Moreover, Kuzuha Chihaya’s naginata showed no damage clashing with Kaga Kiyomitsu, even its snake patterns devouring the Sorrow of Parting effects invading her.
This means her naginata is at least Epic Grade, even Super Epic weapon!
Then, Two-Foot Adult’s voice came through mind link.
“Che Adult, little—”
Before she finished, Shangshan Che was struck flying like a cannonball by Kuzuha Chihaya, deeply embedded in the arena wall.
Boom!
Dust rose, then slashed apart by Shangshan Che’s blade.
He slightly turned his head, spat black blood aside, face calm: “Elder Sister, that blade seemed weak.”
Kuzuha Chihaya raised a brow, covered mouth lightly laughing.
“Still mouthing off at this point, Shangshan Jun, kinda cute.”
Her toe lightly tapped ground, naginata blade silently slashing toward Shangshan Che’s pupils.
Clang!
Iron clashing rang out.
Kaga Kiyomitsu proactively forward, perfectly hitting naginata midpoint, stalling Kuzuha Chihaya’s force transmission.
Shangshan Che looked up calmly.
“Elder Sister, I won’t get hit by the same move twice.”
“I figured.”
Kuzuha Chihaya stepped back half, then in this short distance suddenly spun the stopped naginata—
From below upward, two simultaneous Phantoms slashed!
Shangshan Che’s face unchanged, body Qi Barrier roared, as if anticipated, similarly downward slashing blade, forcibly using Secret Technique without stance.
Natural Reason School·Three-stage Thrust!
Blades clashed frontally again.
Massive force entered Shangshan Che’s arms instantly, then quickly dispersed whole body by ceaseless Qi Circulation, rapidly fading.
Before breakthrough, after clashing these two blades, not to mention combat power drop, at least next few seconds blade speed would slow hugely.
But now, blade clash aftereffects nearly vanished in moments.
But before Shangshan Che could raise his blade, Kuzuha Chihaya brightly smiling lifted her long powerful leg toward him.
Then brutally kicked Shangshan Che back into the wall!
This time naginata instantly snaked out, drilling into dust to pick up Shangshan Che.
“I’ll protect you, Che Adult!”
Behind Kuzuha Chihaya, Two-Foot Adult high-raising gray-white two-handed sword, figure faded somewhat, clumsily jumping slash at her midair.
Though her moves so childish laughable, Kuzuha Chihaya like sensing huge threat instantly spun naginata back.
Blade in instant slashed Two-Foot Adult’s abdomen side.
Snake patterns lit, blade not passing instantly but deeply embedding Two-Foot Adult’s abdomen, similarly smashing her heavily into the opposite arena wall.
While Two-Foot Adult still midair, Pure Imperial Hina’s Pure Lapis Lazuli shield lit up, protecting her from any further damage.
Kuzuha Chihaya surprised tilted head: “This white pure outfit, actually gear blocking Little White.”
But just that.
Being able to harass once was already unexpected.
“Alright Shangshan Jun, your little shikigami’s about done.”
Kuzuha Chihaya eyed Shangshan Che, whose Spirit, Energy, and Vitality suddenly changed from unremarkable to Ryu-like vigorous, eerily: “Let’s continue our pleasant fierce battle…”
Shangshan Che wiped corner blood, silent, just feeling the new sensations from nearly a month’s Spirit Condensing Technique liberation.
World became slow and clear, everything of self like in palm for free manipulation, even remotely peering others’ Spirit, Energy, and Vitality shadows.
But, not enough!
After just two intense clashes, Shangshan Che clearly grasped the gap between him and Kuzuha Chihaya.
Kuzuha Chihaya, very strong!
Extremely strong!
Even if paper strength only Three-Star, everything she showed undoubtedly matches Three-and-a-half Star naginata-wielding wax figure!
Thoughts unfinished, gale storm assaulted!
Even as Shangshan Che immediately retreated from wall, Kuzuha Chihaya ghost-like stuck to his side, naginata slashing from any angle all around.
Leaving shallow or deep wounds one after another on him.
—Kuzuha Chihaya compressing Shangshan Che’s survival and counter space, cat-playing-mouse enjoying battle, bit by bit reading all his behavior patterns.
Thus, no chance for Shangshan Che to turn defeat to victory.
Like predator slowly luring prey into carefully designed trap.
—As spectators, many decently strong saw this, so especially disappointed.
Because look, genius far surpassing them still suppressed by stronger, world that cruel.
Just genius, far from enough!
“If he’s only this level, he’ll lose.”
Tokugawa Hoshi fist-propped cheek faintly: “Baldy, why after seeing him get beat up and vented, I can’t feel happy at all?”
Huijue blinked, seriously checked phone memo, raised finger smiling: “Tokugawa Benefactor, I know this, it’s called ‘tsundere’ emotion…”
“Shut up, I’m not that petty.” Tokugawa Hoshi sighed helplessly, “Want to punch him is real, but want him to win is also real.”
Because if Shangshan Che only this level, how can she entrust Lili Zi to him?
Subconsciously, Tokugawa Hoshi gripped seat armrest tightly.
—Can you bring more surprises, Shangshan Che?
Ding bell~
Pale golden bell rang, shattered Hina Crown lit blood color glow.
Retracting arm with new blood trace, Shangshan Che retreated two steps: “Elder Sister, look behind you?”
Kuzuha Chihaya turned, saw three Koma-inu and several bamboo-armored straw-hat dolls shambling over.
But without exception, all just One-Star lesser demons.
Stunned instant later, she laughed: “Don’t tell me this is your trump card, Shangshan Jun.”
Shangshan Che used chance to pull back several meters.
—He knew full well these One-Star lesser demons summoned with zero-star Spiritual Energy not enough for Kuzuha Chihaya to one-hand.
But problem is, even expending massive Spiritual Energy, luckily summoning three Two-and-a-Half Star Koma-inu Hatamoto and group One-and-a-Half Star dolls, can it hurt Kuzuha Chihaya?
Answer no.
She just needs extra minutes, using super mobility to clear these “minibosses” unscathed.
Kuzuha Chihaya done this countless times.
Since so, better summon weak demons to relax her Spiritual Power vigilance.
Even a bit.
Then Shangshan Che use unshown Blessed Folding Fan’s instant Lightning feature, pour full body Spiritual Power amplified by Five Thunder Pearl for one-shot kill!
Shangshan Che knew this plan’s success rate not high.
Even after leaking “Shangshan Che’s Lightning Magic only usable close-range” info.
But facing stronger, must take risks, surprise victory!
Only thus, in completely suppressed desperation, find sliver of victory dawn.
Watching summoned beings slaughtered over half, Shangshan Che slowly lowered gaze, raising own Spirit, Energy, and Vitality to peak.
He won’t blame Kujo Obuya’s presence preventing demon incarnation.
Because near defeat blaming external environment is weaklings’ way.
Shangshan Che not that fragile—his winning move not fallen yet.
“Any more moves, bring them all.”
Kuzuha Chihaya swung naginata, scattering wood chips and blood into sand dust.
Unscathed till now, she stared into Shangshan Che’s pupils seriously: “Or soon no chance.”
“Then be careful, I’ll behead you in one slash.”
Shangshan Che gestured, equally serious: “Because Elder Sister you do have skills, can’t hold back.”
Kuzuha Chihaya closed eyes, softly murmured: “Such delicious tone.”
Next moment, fiercer than ever assault rained down.
Shangshan Che could only struggle resist, step by step retreating until backed to wall again.
Kuzuha Chihaya stood before Shangshan Che, naginata tip snake patterns greedily devouring his blood.
“Shangshan Jun, know Unenlightened Three-stage Thrust? Or stronger Secret Technique?”
“Though want to surprise with Super Secret Technique, sadly—”
Shangshan Che shook head: “Don’t know means don’t know.”
He posed flawless Three-stage Thrust stance, fine Lightning surging from arms to blade, growing blinding.
Shangshan Che lowered gaze: “Bet everything on this blade.”
Kuzuha Chihaya sighed: “Or Shangshan Jun run out arena now? Pity for tasty boy like you to die.”
No answer, so she boredly clicked tongue, eyes turning cold: “Then end it.”
“Inhale—exhale—”
Newborn Qi Circulation squeezed to limit like draining pond dry, Shangshan Che’s muscles bulged like Fine Steel blocks, capillaries bursting, skin dyed blood red.
Spirit, Energy, and Vitality like piercing sky soared.
“Come.”
He said.
Next instant, Kuzuha Chihaya saw Kaga Kiyomitsu arrive before her at speed beyond any prior slash.
She raised naginata, slightly angling blade.
So Kaga Kiyomitsu’s blade grazed Kuzuha Chihaya by millimeters, only star-like Lightning tingling her skin.
Kuzuha Chihaya easily spun blade back, before naginata severed Shangshan Che’s waist, eyed his handsome face sighing: “Pity.”
Wait, why’s he still smiling?
Kuzuha Chihaya slightly stunned.
No danger felt yet, but vast experience instinctively made her want distance from Shangshan Che.
Too late.
Folding Fan and glowing Five Thunder Pearl appeared unannounced in Shangshan Che’s hand, so his latent Spiritual Power instantly depleted.
Boom!
Thunder roared from void.
Next moment, bucket-thick crimson-purple Lightning pillar like sea current descended from sky.
