Chapter 111: Forging Weapons

Chapter 111: Forging Weapons

At Li Pin's training room at the Riverscape Marvel.

Li Pin finished his practice of the Innate Qi-Nurturing Technique and let out a long sigh.

Fighting five Astral Cultivators whose physical strength exceeded fifty had left him immensely drained. This was evident from how the primordial qi he had accumulated was nearly depleted.

"If I had to fight intense battles where I erupt my Blood Core and use the Blood-Seething Secret Art every day, I wouldn't be able to keep up even with the help of the Innate Qi-Nurturing Technique."

Li Pin made a rough calculation. Given the rate at which his primordial qi depleted, It would take him a full three days to recover!

If he wanted to shorten his recovery period, he would have to use higher grade medicinal herbs to replenish his primordial qi. These herbs had to be comparable to Heavenly Treasures. While the cost would be very high, the potential daily improvements would make it worthwhile.

Li Pin concentrated on sensing the changes within his body.

[Qi and Blood: 37.03], [Primordial Qi: 34.11], [Mental Spirit: 18.25]

[Aura Cultivation: 60/60]

[Innate Qi-Nurturing Technique: Qi-Nurturing Chapter: 96/100]

[Blood-Seething Secret Art: 38.91%]

He felt the powerful and steady beating of his heart. With each beat, he could effortlessly deliver qi, blood, and strength to every corner of his body and endure even greater strain from his explosive strength.

He had perfected his External Aura realm, which signified the completion of the organs-tempering phase. With all his internal organs fully tempered, he could unleash his strength without worrying about his blood vessels collapsing.

As his heart pulsed, his qi and blood surged, and his organs resonated.

Now, he could easily unleash the Aura Force that shook the air. He didn't have to erupt his Blood Core or use ultimate techniques like the Five Elements Unity anymore.

"I have perfected the External Aura realm. Moving on, I will pursue the Internal Cultivation and Blood Renewal phase. This is the true threshold to reaching the human body's limits. Once the Blood Renewal is complete, my body will reach its peak, putting it at the pinnacle of the Aura Cultivation realm with a qi and blood level of 38 to 39."

People had varying potentials. Some only had the potential to reach a qi and blood level of 38, while others could reach 39. Those with naturally robust physiques might achieve 40, 41, or 42 points. On the other hand, exceptionally gifted individuals might reach 43, 44, or even beyond 45.

This distinction marked the clear divide between ordinary people and those with innate divine strength.

Even among Martial Saints, there were discrepancies. Some Martial Saints could compete for the title of King of the Century, while others were limited to exerting influence within their own country. This difference was partially due to innate physical conditions.

When a martial artist reached their maximum physical potential, there would be no further progress to be made. From then on, they would have to refine their martial arts, distilling the essence and streamlining their techniques to find the most suitable tactics and methods for themselves.

"Once they achieve a harmonious integration of physical strength, qi, blood, and martial arts, they are honored as great grandmasters. After this, they would shift their focus from physical cultivation to spiritual training, marking the beginning of the path to becoming a Martial Saint."

Li Pin reviewed the videos and texts he had studied in the Solar Vermillion Sect over the past half month about the paths beyond grandmaster.

Li Pin's thoughts were clear. The difference between a great grandmaster and a grandmaster lay in the refinement of their martial arts system.

The difference between Martial Saints and great grandmasters was that one had taken that additional step of completing the transition from physical tempering to spiritual honing. Fundamentally, there was no difference in physical quality between them.

"Inner Cultivation and Blood Renewal...." muttered Li Pin.

Li Pin focused simultaneously on the Solar Vermillion Force and the Five Elements Body-Refining Art.

He took a deep breath and began to create tremors throughout his body.

This time, Li Pin was tempering the bones throughout his entire body, specifically the marrow deep within the bones.

By generating tremors to stimulate his bones with his strength and coordinating this with the strength of his internal organs, he ensured a constant and intensive supply of nourishment. This was an extremely critical and intricate process that allowed no room for error or negligence.

The danger of this process was many times greater than that of the Core Formation realm. Many grandmasters would end up ruining their entire cultivation journey at this step.

In the martial arts world, many practitioners in their thirties, like Fang Lingjue, despite having the potential to advance further, chose to halt their progress. Instead of continuing to push their limits, they opted to open martial arts schools or seek fame due to the significant risks and uncertainties involved with further advancement.

For example, given favorable conditions, a Martial Saint might have a chance to contend with an Astral Cultivator who wasn't fully equipped. However, against a fully equipped Astral Cultivator, even the strongest Martial Saint would have to run as far away as possible.

Being fully equipped didn't only mean wearing astral equipment; it meant also donning armor and being equipped with a natal spirit weapon.

Spirit Weapons and armor were crucial in transforming an Astral Cultivator into a formidable force.

Unfortunately for martial artists, since they couldn't bath beneath the Starlight, they couldn't refine spirit weapons and armor into natal astral equipment.

It was precisely because of astral equipment, spirit weapons, and armor that Astral Cultivators could hold significant advantages against ferocious beasts and demonic creatures.

Equipped with these items, an official Astral Cultivator whose qi and blood levels were between 50 to 150 could often contend with high-tier ferocious beasts and demonic creatures with qi and blood levels between 150 and 250.

"Yeah, do that," Li Pin answered.

Weapons were an area he had not yet explored. However, if he were to face ferocious beasts and demonic creatures with sharp claws and fangs in the future, being without a weapon would put him at a disadvantage.

Zhao Yuan responded.

—Understood. We'll handle it. Grandmaster Li, you'll just need to come by later for us to record your body statistics.

After a moment, Zhao Yuan thought of something and asked.

—Grandmaster Li, are you at home?"

"Yes."

—Please keep an eye on the Jiang Province Grand Bridge an hour from now.

"The Jiang Province Grand Bridge?"

***

An hour later.

The local authorities had cordoned off a section of the Jiang Province Grand Bridge under the guise of a "bridge rescue drill."

Jing Gufeng, whose hair had turned completely white, arrived at the bridge.

Beside Jing Gufeng were Jing Zhengqi and Jing Yunshan, both trembling.

Accompanying the three were the members of the Five Elements Sect Qi Dongyuan led.

The Five Elements Sect had informed the three in advance that jumping off the bridge might offer them a slim chance of survival, while not jumping would mean they wouldn't see the next day's sun. In the end, they were left with no choice but to take the gamble.

However, standing on the bridge and looking at the turbulent waters below, Jing Yunshan broke down.

"I don't want to die, Grandpa... I don't want to die...!" he screamed and cried, tears streaming down his face.

"Shut up!" Jing Gufeng growled, his eyes bloodshot. "This is all your fault. If you hadn't insisted on meddling in that woman's affairs and framing others, the Jing family wouldn't be in this situation!"

"Grandpa, I know I was wrong. I know I was wrong. But... this bridge is too high. If I jump, I'll die. I'll definitely die..." Jing Yunshan slumped to the ground. "Let's beg Li Pin... Let's beg him for mercy, to let us go..."

"Why didn't you show mercy and let him go when you were fanning the flames?" Jing Gufeng laughed bitterly.

The more Jing Gufeng thought about his family's predicament, the angrier and angrier he became.

In the end, he blew his top. Grabbing Jing Yunshan, he hurled him over the bridge. "It's all your fault, all your fault...!"

"No... Grandpa... Grandpa... I'm your grandson..."

Amid terrified screams and struggles, Jing Yunshan began to plummet down the bridge.