Chapter 044: The Final Three Transformations

The Poison Technique’s attack moves caused the inner force derived from Xu Xuan’s blood and qi to undergo an unknown and terrifying transformation. Once the key acupuncture points were struck, even a seventh-level body refinement expert could be killed in a single blow—unless one had advanced to the Immortal Adept realm, protected by magical power.

Xu Xuan exhaled a long breath, his eyes glimmering with hidden light. From this moment on, the first six transformations of “Nine Changes of Dragon and Snake”—Softness, Bend, Drift, Entwine, Stillness, and Poison—had all been mastered. This also meant he had stepped into the sixth level of body refinement, able to unleash six to seven hundred pounds of force with one hand, his strength greatly increased.

In just seven or eight days, he had advanced from the fifth to the sixth level of body refinement—a progress so astonishing it would leave anyone shocked. Even Xu Xuan himself found it unbelievable; by his original estimate, even with insights from his previous life, it should have taken nearly half a month to achieve this advancement. After all, in the body refinement stage, the breakthroughs become more difficult with each step; likewise, “Nine Changes of Dragon and Snake” grows ever harder to cultivate as one advances.

The reasons for such rapid progress were twofold: first, the confrontation with Wan Fushan, an Immortal Adept, had allowed Xu Xuan to break through mentally. Second, during his medicinal bath, he entered a profound, holy state reminiscent of his fall into the ravine before, absorbing the medicine at five times the rate of an ordinary person.

These two factors, interlinked and triggered together, enabled Xu Xuan’s cultivation to soar at an astonishing pace—such speed would be impressive even within the immortal sects.

“Now that I have reached the sixth level of body refinement, my foundation in the sect has grown even stronger.” Xu Xuan’s excitement gradually faded, replaced by a calm and confident composure.

A sixth-level body refinement expert was considered a master among the current generation of Yangmu Village, revered by countless ordinary practitioners. If he could take another step forward and reach the seventh level, he would be able to exert a thousand pounds of force with a single hand, tear tigers and leopards apart barehanded, shatter iron and stone with his palm—a qualitative leap in power, earning the respect reserved for high-ranking practitioners.

Moreover, according to the sect’s rules: anyone who achieves the seventh level of body refinement before the age of twenty can become an inner disciple. The seventh level marks the completion of physical foundation, qualifying one to enter the ranks of Immortal Adepts, regarded as a quasi-Immortal Adept.

“With every increment in strength, my chances against Wan Fushan increase tenfold… If I can master the seventh transformation—the Firm Technique—and advance to the seventh level, even confronting Wan Fushan head-on, I would have nothing to fear.”

Xu Xuan drew another deep breath, anticipation filling his eyes.

The last three transformations of “Nine Changes of Dragon and Snake”: Firmness, Roar, and Intimidation.

These final three would mark the transition in body refinement techniques from suppleness to explosive strength, and would be the last three metamorphoses the technique would bring to his body.

After a long while, Xu Xuan gradually calmed, beginning to consolidate his cultivation. His progress was two to three times faster than normal, after all.

Clearing his mind of distractions, he circulated his Breathing Technique from the first layer to the sixth, shifting between the fifth and sixth layers. A faint chill spread through his spirit, leaving his mind devoid of distractions and all emotions.

With heightened senses and extreme quietude, Xu Xuan’s eyes became cold as a venomous serpent, seeming to pierce through all flaws and disguises at a glance.

He realized that the transition between the fifth and sixth layers of the Breathing Technique could unleash his strongest, most stable power, and allowed him to master a deadly attack.

In this state, even ten Xu Da Hus would be nothing before him; he could sweep them aside and slaughter them with ease.

The morning after breaking through the sixth level, he continued with his assigned task: transporting Blacksteel.

This time, he carefully controlled his strength, adjusted his qi and blood, and concealed his cultivation. Xu Xuan resolved that his breakthrough to the sixth level must not be known by outsiders, especially not by Wan Fushan.

If Wan Fushan learned of Xu Xuan’s progress, it would surely provoke fear and panic, even forcing him into desperate measures.

That day, Xu Xuan maintained his six trips as before, only slightly faster than yesterday. Steward Jia, though an Immortal Adept, would find it difficult to detect Xu Xuan’s true cultivation without deliberately employing immortal arts.

Thus, two or three days passed. Xu Xuan not only stabilized his realm, but began attempting the seventh transformation of the Dragon and Snake—the Firm Technique.

However, the difficulty of the seventh transformation was terrifying. It demanded so much from the body’s muscles, bones, and blood that it surpassed mere extremes—almost perverse in its requirements.

Just the first move took him two days to barely meet the standard, but even a single move brought noticeable gains in strength.

“This Firm Technique is far more demanding, and the construction of the Spirit Tower will be finished in four days.”

Xu Xuan felt a sense of urgency.

Once the Spirit Tower was completed, Wan Fushan would assign him new tasks. Though with his current strength he feared no other labor, who could know what schemes Wan Fushan might devise?

“Four days…”

Xu Xuan inhaled deeply, fully aware that four days was absolutely not enough to reach the seventh level of body refinement. Even forty days, under normal circumstances, would not guarantee a breakthrough.

The seventh level was a major watershed among practitioners. Ordinary practitioners, no matter how hard they tried, might spend five, ten, twenty years—or even a lifetime—without crossing this bottleneck.

His own father had been stuck at the sixth level for years, prompting him to go to Yellow Dragon City in search of a breakthrough, leading to the incident three years ago…

Still, Xu Xuan persisted relentlessly in his cultivation.

As time ticked away, on the third-to-last day, Xu Xuan reluctantly produced the second-grade spiritual ginseng that Yang Xiaoqian had sent him last time.

This root, valued at seven or eight thousand spiritual coins, was many times more potent than the previous medicinal powder.

Xu Xuan divided it into two doses, taking it over two days.

The ginseng’s effect was stronger than expected; after taking half, his abdomen swelled, a warm current surged like a waterfall.

Afterward, he sought a secluded spot in the mountain gate, swiftly practicing the moves from the first to the sixth transformation of “Nine Changes of Dragon and Snake,” repeating the cycle until exhausted, digesting most of the medicinal power.

Only then did he sit cross-legged, circulating the Breathing Technique to absorb the remaining medicinal energy.

Thus, after two days, with the ginseng’s power digested, Xu Xuan felt significant improvements in constitution and strength.

Yet, this progress only brought him closer to the seventh level; it was not enough to break through in the short term.

On the night before the Spirit Tower’s completion, Xu Xuan managed to learn most of the seventh transformation’s moves, leaving only the final technique.

The last move of the Firm Technique required pouring all his strength into his hands and feet, unleashing a force capable of shattering refined iron.

Xu Xuan tried repeatedly, yet could not master this final move. If he could learn it, a single palm could smash steel to pieces, its explosive power unparalleled. Even beasts like bears or tigers would be killed instantly, let alone human flesh.

Before sleep that night, Xu Xuan sighed softly. With the Spirit Tower finished, Steward Jia no longer needed him; tomorrow he would report to Wan Fushan for new outer sect assignments.

The next morning, Xu Xuan arrived at Wan Fushan’s private spirit chamber.

This was his second time visiting Wan Fushan since entering the outer sect. If not necessary, he would avoid seeing this despicable, shameless man.

“Well, Junior Brother Xu! We finally meet again.” Wan Fushan greeted him cordially, smiling as he sipped his tea, showing no sign of resentment.

Yet, the more amiable he appeared, the harder it was to guess his schemes.

“Please assign my next task, Senior Brother,” Xu Xuan said calmly.

Both maintained a subtle understanding, never mentioning their previous conflict.

“Haha, with talents like you, Junior Brother, I’ll naturally entrust you with important responsibilities,” Wan Fushan’s small eyes narrowed to slits, a cold glint flashing briefly.

“Please speak, Senior Brother.”

Xu Xuan remained composed, unconvinced that any task in the outer sect could trouble him. Whatever comes, he would face it head on, for refined gold fears no fire.

“Heh, with your abilities, Junior Brother, it’s a waste to remain in the outer sect. I am pleased to recommend you for a job in the inner sect…”

Wan Fushan’s smile was dazzling, almost uncanny.

“The inner sect?”

Xu Xuan’s brows furrowed; this outcome was truly unexpected.

(Second update, last day of the week—don’t waste your recommendation votes. Another update will be posted at midnight.)