Chapter 43: Breaking Through Once More

This young man is no ordinary person!

After several breaths of confrontation, the spiritual pressure that Wan Fushan deliberately released not only failed to suppress Xu Xuan, but instead made him sense a tightly coiled, spring-like explosive force within the other—what unimaginable power could be contained in that slender, well-proportioned body?

"Ah! This kid has only been on the mountain for a short while, and his cultivation has already broken through to the fifth level of Body Refinement?"

Sensing the surging vitality and internal strength in Xu Xuan, Wan Fushan felt troubled and at a loss. Not to mention that, having been in the wrong, he did not dare to act openly. Even if he lost his wits and lashed out, could this boy truly dare to challenge an Immortal Cultivator?

A mere fifth-level Body Refiner, a mortal cultivator, daring to challenge the authority of a Qi Refining Immortal, even taking the initiative to strike? In any immortal sect, or even throughout the vast world of cultivation, such a thing was unheard of!

Yang Xiaoqian was already terrified, her delicate face pale, her body weak as she clung tightly to Xu Xuan's embrace.

On the opposite mountainside, many outer disciple watched with bated breath, eyes filled with astonishment. For decades, even a century, no outer disciple as forceful had appeared in their sect. Such courage and determination were awe-inspiring, and yet, many could not help but worry for Xu Xuan.

Xu Xuan, calm and rational, had already calculated the outcome: he had offended Wan Fushan, provoking murderous intent. Further offense would make little difference; his forcefulness might even deter someone like Wan Fushan, who bullied the weak and feared the strong.

As he expected, Wan Fushan did not dare to act openly. Grinding his teeth, he flicked his sleeve and departed, casting a fierce glare at the crowd of outer disciples who had watched from afar.

"Ah!"

The outer disciples shivered, necks shrinking as they fell silent. Wan Fushan's tyranny had left a shadow in their hearts.

Only when Wan Fushan's figure disappeared into the night did Xu Xuan let out a long breath, withdrawing from his "Stillness" technique, nearly exhausted.

Yet, vaguely, he sensed that this invisible clash with Wan Fushan, pushing his own limits and potential, had brought a subtle advancement in his cultivation.

"Indeed... contending with those stronger than oneself greatly benefits one's progress," came the voice of the remnant soul from his previous life, tinged with admiration.

This silent confrontation had uplifted his mindset and willpower; imperceptibly, his cultivation advanced, edging closer to the sixth level of Body Refinement.

However, after the confrontation, Xu Xuan felt mentally drained, his body weak, more exhausted than after a fierce battle.

At this moment, the lovely woman in his arms blushed deeply, letting out a soft moan, wanting to move but utterly powerless.

The thrilling standoff and Wan Fushan's oppressive pressure had nearly shattered her spirit.

Yang Xiaoqian's snow-bright face still bore traces of tears; her dress was disheveled, exposing patches of snowy skin tinted with a warm flush.

Returning to normal, Xu Xuan held a nearly half-naked, radiant girl so tightly, feeling her fragrant breath and alluring scent; as a normal man, his blood stirred instantly.

He intended to release Yang Xiaoqian, but she was limp and helpless, her clear eyes glistening with tears, tender and moving. Sighing, he carried Yang Xiaoqian into the spirit lodge and gently placed her on the bed.

Leaving his embrace, Yang Xiaoqian's heartbeat raced; her bright eyes flickered, her face blushing, hardly daring to meet Xu Xuan's gaze.

"Having fulfilled your request, everything went according to your plan. Although there were some deviations, the desired outcome was achieved. For now, I doubt Wan Fushan will dare to trouble you again."

Xu Xuan regained his composure, quietly observing Yang Xiaoqian's current beauty and shy charm.

Yang Xiaoqian sobbed softly, her back turned as she began to straighten her clothes.

"Yang, your acting was so convincing this time—I feel quite ashamed," Xu Xuan recalled how Yang Xiaoqian had thrown herself into his arms earlier, softly calling him "Brother Xu," and a teasing smile appeared at his lips.

By contrast, he had remained cold and rational throughout, his face devoid of emotion.

"You..." Yang Xiaoqian's body stiffened, torn between shame and anger.

Xu Xuan smiled wryly, then turned and left the spirit lodge.

Yang Xiaoqian felt an inexplicable emptiness, watching his departing figure—tall, resolute, and decisive.

"Thank you," she whispered, wiping away her tears, her voice sincere and gentle.

Facing this crisis, none of the outer disciples, even Xu Yuan, dared to help her; only Xu Xuan stepped forward in her hour of need, truly a boon in her darkest hour.

"The favor I owed you, Yang, is now repaid," Xu Xuan paused, his voice resolute. "As for risking myself like this... it will only happen once!"

A favor?

Yang Xiaoqian's body trembled, her expression complex, her heart unsettled.

Half a month ago, he was just a poor boy she never noticed—self-abased, frail, bullied...

When she informed him about the sect's disciple recruitment, it had been a great surprise for Xu Xuan, who gratefully accepted the favor.

At the time, Yang Xiaoqian had barely cared, even found it amusing.

"Is it only a favor?" A sense of frustration and loss welled up within her.

Only once!

Those final words left her spirit dim.

Xu Xuan was no longer the ordinary youth who once held a naive affection for her.

The fusion of two lifetimes' memories had forged a more decisive and unrestrained Xu Xuan.

...

Leaving the courtyard, Xu Xuan walked back to the inner sect residence. Many outer disciples cast furtive glances, discussing him in hushed tones.

"This new disciple dares to offend Wan Fushan—is he tired of living?"

"A newborn calf fears no tiger. I've been in the outer sect for twenty years, and it's the first time I've seen a Body Refiner challenge a Qi Refining Immortal."

"Heh, let's bet how long he'll last in Windfeather Sect—half a year, three months? Or how long before he 'disappears'..."

Their eyes held pity, mockery, and amusement.

Xu Xuan's extraordinary senses caught their whispered discussions clearly, but his expression remained indifferent.

With two lifetimes' memories and practicing ancient body refinement, he dared to act, confident he could survive in the immortal sect.

Returning to his quarters, Xu Xuan closed the door, calmed his mind, and soon began cultivating the sixth transformation—the "Venom" technique.

Tonight's confrontation with an Immortal-level cultivator had advanced his realm.

The sixth layer of breathing technique grew smoother, reaching its perfect completion.

Even the "Venom" refinement moves, once difficult, now progressed with far less resistance.

But after one or two hours, Xu Xuan was exhausted, drenched in cold sweat.

Taking the opportunity, he retrieved his last bottle of body-tempering elixir powder, dissolving it in a water vat.

As before, he operated the breathing technique, entering a tortoise-breathing state, submerging himself entirely in the medicinal bath.

His mind drifted, recalling the day's confrontation with Wan Fushan, the scene of being struck into the abyss by Xu Dahu, and the moments of desperate potential.

At a certain point, his whole body felt light as wind, as if transformed into a great bird. Soaked in the medicinal bath, countless pores opened, his blood and internal energy surged, faintly connecting with some mysterious force outside.

In tortoise-breathing, Xu Xuan's mind and body reached a state of selflessness. During this process, he absorbed the medicinal power to the utmost. Normally, he could only absorb twenty to thirty percent, but now, he could take in nearly all of it—an efficiency five to ten times that of others!

Holding his breath, he stayed submerged for the duration of a cup of tea.

Splash!

When his breath became stifled, he rose suddenly, feeling his blood flow freely, his internal strength stronger than before, his vision noticeably sharper.

"Excellent—today's confrontation with Wan Fushan has further boosted my cultivation."

Xu Xuan could distinctly sense his increased strength, especially the profound state he had entered—if truly mastered, he might even glide through the air like a bird.

That night, aided by opportunity and medicine, he did not break through to the sixth level, but was only a hair's breadth away.

The next day, completing his task of moving black rocks on the mountain, Xu Xuan felt lighter than ever.

He ran six trips that day, causing Steward Jia's expression to turn increasingly odd, though he thought little of it—some people were born with extraordinary strength or talent.

At night, Xu Xuan resumed his "Venom" cultivation, even practicing in his dream memory sea through conscious effort.

Diligence pays off.

On the third day after his confrontation with Wan Fushan, Xu Xuan finally mastered the "Venom" technique in one smooth sequence.

In that instant, he seemed to transform into a constantly shifting viper, dozens of joints moving at impossible angles, striking with lightning speed, creating a series of phantom images like venomous snakes opening their mouths to bite, chilling and terrifying!

Upon completing all the moves, Xu Xuan felt a strange energy coursing through him; his blood and internal strength seemed to undergo an immeasurable transformation.

Snap—

With a flick, his fingertip flashed a chilling purple-red energy, like a poisonous needle, vanishing in an instant.

"My internal strength has changed..."

Xu Xuan was startled; he realized that attacks using the "Venom" technique now carried a bizarre energy, rivaling the deadly strikes of a venomous snake.

(First chapter...)