"Master, my Bagua arts should be considered initiated, right?" Ling Feng stood on Qingyun Peak, overlooking the land of Liyue. Beside him stood a deer, the adept Mountain Shaper.
They were testing one of Ling Feng's Bagua techniques, Feng Shui, by observing the land of Liyue to deduce certain things. Clearly, Ling Feng had succeeded.
"Hmm, you've barely met my requirements. You can now deduce some places of auspicious Feng Shui. As for deducing the fate and future of others, you still need to practice diligently."
The adept Mountain Shaper nodded with satisfaction. Learning the Feng Shui technique of Bagua arts in three days indicated that Ling Feng's Bagua arts had indeed reached an introductory level.
"Then, Master, shall I return to Mt. Aocang today?"
"Yes. Cloud Retainer has warned you that learning requires moderation and haste should be avoided. Return to Qingyun Peak only when you have fully grasped what you've learned."
"Yes, Master, I understand."
"You may descend the mountain whenever you wish."
"Then, Master, I shall take my leave."
The adept Mountain Shaper said nothing, merely nodding in acknowledgment. Ling Feng immediately bid farewell to the adept Mountain Shaper and began his descent.
After Ling Feng's departure, the adept Mountain Shaper did not immediately return to the grotto-heaven. Instead, he stood on the mountain peak, gazing at the sea of clouds from above and musing, "To master Feng Shui in three days, such talent is truly monstrous. If he does not meet an untimely end, his future might even rival that of Rex Lapis. It's no wonder, for an ordinary person would not attract Rex Lapis's attention."
...
An hour later, Ling Feng had returned to Mt. Aocang via the teleportation array set up on Qingyun Peak. Shenhe had already taught him how to use the teleportation array. It was simple to operate; one only needed to inject elemental energy to activate it. The further the distance, the more elemental energy consumed.
However, upon returning to Mt. Aocang, Ling Feng found only the adept Cloud Retainer in the grotto-heaven, engrossed in researching new mechanisms. Shenhe had already gone out for her trials and would likely not return for another day or two.
With time to spare, Ling Feng found an open space and prepared to test the Blazing Flame Saber Technique. The Blazing Flame Saber Technique consisted of three forms.
The first form, "Blazing Inferno," involved condensing true qi into blazing saber energy to slash outwards, or to imbue the blade with flames for a direct strike. The temperature of the flames varied with the practitioner's true qi and strength, and the consumption of true qi was minimal.
The second form, "Earthflame," involved injecting true qi into the ground, which would then sublimate into core fire and erupt as a pillar of flame to attack enemies. This was an area-of-effect skill, with its range and power dependent on the practitioner's strength and true qi expenditure.
The third form, "Blazing Flame Slash," required a massive expenditure of true qi to unleash a single saber strike capable of boiling seas and burning skies! It could cleave the firmament and incinerate all things!
Ling Feng had learned the final move of the Blazing Flame Saber Technique, but he was unable to execute it. Without grasping the intent of fire, he could not unleash this strike. Furthermore, his current true qi was insufficient; he would need to be at the peak of the Core Formation stage at least.
Of course, by burning his soul, he could unleash fifty percent of this strike's power. But who would dare to easily burn their soul? Recovering from soul burning was incredibly difficult and would severely hinder one's cultivation.
"Blazing Inferno!" Ling Feng, gripping the Lion Roar sword, slashed at the air before him. A scorching, fiery saber energy shot out.
The saber energy struck the trunk of a tree, almost piercing it. The half-meter-diameter trunk was nearly severed by the blazing saber energy, leaving only a small portion intact. The interior of the trunk had turned a charred black, clearly from the intense heat of the blazing saber energy.
*Crack, crack, crack...*
Finally, the last remaining charred wood supporting the tree could no longer bear its weight. The tree crashed to the ground.
"So powerful!" Ling Feng's eyes gleamed.
He had consumed very little true qi for that strike, perhaps only one percent. Yet, he had nearly cut down a tree five to six meters away.
If he were to face a Ruin Guard again, a single strike would be enough to kill one. If they were in a dense group, he could even take down seven or eight. Even if a Ruin Guard was wielding a shield, unless it was a Geo shield, they would surely perish.
Even facing a Ruin Grunt, he could deal with them swiftly at close range.
"If the saber energy is this strong, what about this?"
Ling Feng injected his true qi into the Lion Roar sword. Instantly, a fierce flame erupted along the blade.
Simultaneously, a low dragon's roar emanated from the Lion Roar sword.
Sensing the heat of the flames engulfing his blade, a spark of excitement flickered in Ling Feng's eyes.
His gaze locked onto another large tree. He moved, and in the next instant, he was before the tree, his long saber swinging horizontally.
*Clang!*
*Boom!*
The tree was split in two!
Ling Feng glanced at the tree that had fallen at his feet, then looked back at the Lion Roar sword, somewhat surprised. The blade, enveloped in flames, had cut through the large tree as easily as slicing through tofu.
"It must be that the flames instantly charred the tree, allowing the activated Lion Roar to cleave it so effortlessly. This is indeed a cultivation technique."
Ling Feng was very satisfied with the Blazing Flame Saber Technique, as it complemented his current shortcomings in close-combat offensive skills.
"Hoo... It's still early. I should find a place to cultivate. I'm just a little short of reaching Qi Refining Completion."
After testing the Blazing Flame Saber Technique, Ling Feng decided to cultivate. Although cultivation could make one stronger, it was also incredibly boring, monotonous, and tedious. Right now, he had nothing to fill his time with.
Finding a suitable spot, he sat down cross-legged and began to cultivate. He remained there for an entire day, motionless like a statue, while the surrounding spiritual energy continuously poured into his body.
Ling Feng was completely immersed in his cultivation. If an ordinary person were to come and strike him, he would not even know, unless his life were threatened.
This was why cultivators had to find safe places. Once one's mind was immersed in cultivation, their perception of the outside world weakened.
In the evening, the motionless Ling Feng finally emerged from his cultivation state. He stretched his sore neck and stood up. His long-still body made creaking sounds.
After performing a set of calisthenics to loosen his stiff body, Ling Feng exhaled a breath of turbid air.
Sensing the surging true qi in his dantian, Ling Feng's eyes lit up. "Qi Refining Completion!"
He could feel that he could no longer absorb any more true qi. It was as if something was constraining and suppressing his true qi within this capacity. Ling Feng knew this was the bottleneck of the Qi Refining stage, also known as the life-level bottleneck. If he could break through this bottleneck, he would be able to enter the Foundation Establishment stage!
He felt that he could break through that barrier at any moment. However, once he attempted to break through, his heaven-defying act would undoubtedly attract heavenly tribulation and lightning. If he succeeded, he would establish his foundation; if he failed, his life would be extinguished.
But Ling Feng now realized that to break through, he first had to complete a system mission. This could perhaps be considered a form of safeguard.
Ling Feng looked at the virtual panel that had appeared before him.
[Qi Refining Stage Breakthrough World Mission: Wolf Warrior 2]