"In the world, there are the energies of Yin and Yang," Zhong Shenxiu slowly reflected on the secrets recorded in the manual.
The author of this manual believed that the heavens and the earth were composed of these two energies, and to refine marrow, one needed to comprehend a realm that mixes Yin and Yang; using the energies of Yin and Yang to aid in refining marrow.
Hence, those Grandmasters who cultivated the ’Liangyi Huaji Hand’ became—embodiments of Yin and Yang transformation!
"Damn it... Possessing both Yin and Yang, isn’t that the same as being a hermaphrodite?"
"If I can’t suppress it, will I directly become a Yin Yang Person?"
"Screw that, I’d never want to become a Yin Yang Person! Not even for an instant!"
Zhong Shenxiu looked over the manual and cursed the Divine Capture Sect for its deceit.
Moreover, this Martial Arts was difficult to begin with, and even harder to make a breakthrough. Even the Marrow Refining Secret Technique was merely conjectural by its creator, and since so few had made breakthroughs, it was far from perfect.
In the major sects, there were many who had broken through to Grandmaster, and they had detailed descriptions of various contingencies so that successors could remain calm and find the right methods when encountering them.
But as for these unorthodox Martial Arts, with so few pioneers, there was hardly any experience to draw upon, and one had to rely on oneself.
After some thought, Zhong Shenxiu gritted his teeth, prepared to train in this tricky ’Liangyi Huaji Hand.’
Of course, only the parts preceding Grandmaster status.
Otherwise, how would he bait Hua Miao?
Since he was certain that the Black Widow harbored ill intentions toward him, he naturally needed to draw her out and kill her early, not sparing her just because she was a great beauty.
By the by, he could also obtain the Wang Family’s Secret Manual—why not enjoy such a benefit?
Zhong Shenxiu sat cross-legged, started exercising his martial skill according to the mnemonic chant, and in no time, his face flickered between green and white. This was a sign that the energies of Yin and Yang had achieved initial success, a common sight at the entry level.
"With the Five Elements Thief Palm as my foundation, cultivating the energies of the Five Elements, then transforming them into Yin and Yang energies, I would say it constitutes a relatively harmonious Martial Arts transition, but even so, there’s still a 20-30% loss during transformation..."
After a moment, Zhong Shenxiu furrowed his brows, estimating the internal situation of his body.
If he were to practice other unrelated or even conflicting Cultivation Techniques, the internal consumption would be much more severe.
But if he were to practice an impeccably aligned Cultivation Technique like the ’Yin Yang Conquest Sky Demon Great Transformation Hand’, his Inner Strength could be perfectly transformed without the slightest loss.
That was the importance of Cultivation Techniques!
"But this training is slow, too..."
Zhong Shenxiu summoned the Heavenly Show System, looked at his Heavenly Show Points, and a thought occurred:
[Would you like to spend 2 Heavenly Show Points to improve Liangyi Huaji Hand?]
[Liangyi Huaji Hand improved!]
[Liangyi Huaji Hand: Third Level]
Instantaneously, Zhong Shenxiu felt the Qi of Yin and Yang in his body, feeble as it was, as if it had swallowed a powerful tonic, and immediately found a base.
He raised his hands, silently channeling his palm strength, and his palms instantly turned black and white. The energies of Yin and Yang flowed within, forming an indescribable mixed space that could neutralize all external forces.
[Detected Medicine Sand Palm, Five Elements Thief Palm can fuse into Liangyi Huaji Hand. Merge?]
[Liangyi Huaji Hand improved!]
[Liangyi Huaji Hand: Third Level]
In a mere instant, Zhong Shenxiu had trained this Martial Arts to the Great Achievement Realm just below Grandmaster.
At the very least, with this, ascending to the pinnacle of the Human List would pose no issue at all, and it was entirely capable of dropping several top-ranked Human List Martial Artists in real combat.
"At this point, the impersonation plan can proceed. Alas... I just don’t know where Gu Qingying is, but as soon as the news of the execution of Black Widow Hua Miao spreads, he will surely come out on his own, right?"
Zhong Shenxiu sighed and glanced at the attribute panel:
[Name: Xun Liuyi (Zhong Shenxiu)]
[Martial Arts Third Barrier: Blood Replacement]
"Because my ranking on the Human List surged by nearly a hundred in one go, my Heavenly Show Points have been slowly rising these days... Occasional consumption isn’t much of a problem."
"Being on the Human List is good, but it’s only when you reach the Earth List, or even the Heaven List, that you truly become famous in Jianghu, reaping benefits like nothing else..."
Zhong Shenxiu sighed a few times and walked out the door.
Duan Mingyu, who had moved with him, was practicing his swordsmanship in the courtyard. Seeing Zhong Shenxiu, he was first startled, then immediately asked, "Brother Xun, have you made another breakthrough? Why do I feel that you today are entirely different from before? Could it be you have overcome the Grandmaster’s marrow-refining challenge?"
’You’re the Grandmaster, your whole family is Grandmasters!’
Zhong Shenxiu rolled his eyes internally; only if he had a hole in his brain would he use the Liangyi Huaji Hand to break through to Grandmaster.
Outwardly, he replied with a nonchalant air, "I’ve merely made some progress in a new Martial Art, I’m still far from being a Grandmaster!"
"Congratulations, Brother Xun."
Duan Mingyu was truly happy for Xun Liuyi.
Xun Liuyi’s Five Elements Thief Palm was already powerful enough to dominate the Human List, so why change the Cultivation Technique? It was clear he had obtained the Marrow Refining Technique!
This was indeed a cause for celebration.
As for where it came from, since the other party did not mention it, it was rude to ask.
"Congratulations to us both."
Zhong Shenxiu forced a smile, looking almost as if he was grieving.
This left Duan Mingyu completely confused.
"By the way, are any of the Martial Artists who were ranked higher than me on the Human List still lingering nearby?"
Zhong Shenxiu asked the most crucial question.
At this point, another victory, especially if ’Xun Liuyi is suspected to have switched to a Yin Yang style palm technique,’ would likely prompt Black Widow Hua Miao to come looking for him.
Of course, for harvesting Heavenly Show Points, it would still be best to continue the charge forward.
If that failed, he could only ask the Divine Capture Sect to find a few ordinary Martial Artists to challenge him, but the effect wouldn’t be as sensational.
"Brother Xun, you think your ranking is too low?"
Duan Mingyu was surprised but then tilted his head to think: "There may still be some Martial Artists from the Human List around who watched the battle at Luoyue Lake... Hmm, I recently heard that the number one on the Human List, Hidden Dragon Li Qinghe, was seen around here and might still be nearby."
The number one on the Human List, Hidden Dragon Li Qinghe?
He seemed to be struggling—despite holding the top spot for years, both the Iron Arhat and the Goddess Constable he defeated have already ascended to Grandmaster.
There might secretly be a few more.
Then challenging him, whether I win or lose, would be an auspicious sign!
"That’s not bad, I’ll choose him."
Zhong Shenxiu immediately made a decision.
Of course, if he won, he would be the number one on the Human List, and the influence and effect on the Heavenly Show Points would be greater than the second and third combined.
Four Seas Escort Agency.
In a sumptuous hall, several disciples of the Six Void Sect were gathered.
The chief escort of the Four Seas Escort Agency bowed with a fist in the palm: "Please rest assured, even if it costs me my life, I will ensure the safe return of Qian Shaohua’s remains to his hometown."
"Mm, Brother Qian was a dignified man in life, and his posthumous affairs should not be taken lightly. You may proceed."
A young man in brocade clothes holding a folding fan, which opened to reveal the words "Connected to Heaven and Earth," wiped his eyes and sighed.