Chapter 215 - 130: Authority (Part 2)
His goal was clear. First and foremost, he needed to find a technique to improve his Root Bone and uncover the secrets of the Five Elements Heart Method.
Soon, he locked onto a Jade Platform that emitted a gentle white glow.
On it rested a dark gold Parchment Scroll, its edges scorched black and curled. It was clearly incomplete.
Beside it, a few small, ancient characters spelled out: *Dragon Elephant Marrow Refining Skill*.
Chen Qing looked closer. The *Dragon Elephant Marrow Refining Skill* had three levels in total, but this was only a fragment of the first. If successfully cultivated, it could indeed improve one’s Root Bone.
"This Secret Technique, which alters the bones in defiance of fate, is exceptionally perilous. A cultivator must possess immense willpower to endure the agony of having their sinews and bones shattered and reforged. The slightest misstep will, at best, destroy one’s foundation and leave them a cripple; at worst, their vital energy and blood will reverse course, causing them to explode and die."
"This fragment contains only the first level: the Python and Flood Dragon Blood Shedding Technique. The subsequent levels are missing. Beware! Beware!"
The fierceness conveyed by the description made Chen Qing furrow his brow, but it only strengthened his resolve. This was exactly what he needed.
The *Dragon Elephant Marrow Refining Skill* could not be opened directly; its contents could only be viewed via an Imprint.
Although Chen Qing had decided to Imprint the *Dragon Elephant Marrow Refining Skill*, he was in no hurry to leave.
After all, he still had the time it takes for an incense stick to burn.
Next, he saw another Secret Technique on a different Jade Platform.
A jet-black bone fragment hovered above it, inscribed with the words *Blood Burning Technique*.
Chen Qing carefully read the adjacent description.
"Burn your Essence Blood and Primordial Qi to instantly erupt with power far exceeding your limits! The duration depends on your foundation and the intensity of the burn, but the side effects are severe! In the best-case scenario, your Primordial Qi will be grievously wounded. In the worst, your Essence Blood will be exhausted and your meridians will shatter. This is a technique for life-or-death struggles. Do not use it unless you have absolutely no other choice!"
It was undoubtedly a double-edged sword, but in a critical moment, it could be the trump card that turned the tide of battle.
Chen Qing was tempted.
But he only had one chance to make an Imprint.
Chen Qing still resolved to Imprint the *Dragon Elephant Marrow Refining Skill*. But as he quickly scanned the other Jade Platforms, his brow furrowed slightly.
Records regarding the deeper connections between the Wutai Sect’s five Core Heart Methods—such as the *Cyan Wood Eternal Spring Technique* and the *Nine Revolutions Gilded Gold Technique*—detailing how they support and counteract each other, let alone how to fuse them... were nowhere to be found!
The texts on the Jade Platforms were mostly profound Martial Arts, Secret Techniques, Pill Formulas, and insights from past masters. There were even a few extremely esoteric Superior Light Body Skills.
The one thing missing was what Chen Qing wanted to find the most: a dedicated text on the foundational secrets of the Five Elements Heart Method.
’The Five Schools Heart Methods are the very foundation of our Sect. How can there be no secret texts about them here?’
A flicker of surprise and confusion passed through Chen Qing’s mind.
This contradicted his earlier assumptions.
’Is it so secret that it’s hidden elsewhere?’
’Or could it be... that not even the Wutai Sect itself has completely mastered the secrets of fusing the Five Elements Heart Methods?’
Time was short, leaving him no room to ponder it further.
A specially made stick of incense at the entrance burned silently, already more than halfway gone.
Chen Qing suppressed his doubts, stopped his search, and turned toward the exit.
The main goal of his trip was to find a Secret Technique to improve his Root Bone. While his questions about the Five Elements Heart Method remained unanswered, he had still made a tremendous gain.
Seeing Chen Qing emerge on time, Elder Ma’s smile remained unchanged. "Chief Chen, was your search fruitful?"
Chen Qing gave a slight nod, presenting the *Dragon Elephant Marrow Refining Skill*. "I’ll Imprint this one," he said calmly.
"The *Dragon Elephant Marrow Refining Skill*!?"
When Elder Ma saw it, his expression turned peculiar. "Chief Chen, are you certain you want to Imprint this Secret Technique?"
Chen Qing caught Elder Ma’s reaction. "Elder Ma," he asked, "is there something wrong with this technique?"
Elder Ma let out a soft sigh. "This technique is no secret among the Sect’s upper echelons. The complete version has three levels, and each level of ’Bone Transformation’ is an unbelievable, complete rebirth. Even a Root Bone of the Six Forms or higher can be reshaped! Unfortunately..."
He shook his head, his tone laced with deep regret. "What the Sect obtained was only the fragmentary scroll for the first level—the Python and Flood Dragon Blood Shedding Technique."
Elder Ma’s gaze shifted to Chen Qing. "Chief Chen, I am not questioning your determination or willpower, but the demands and dangers of cultivating this technique are far beyond what you can imagine. First, there are the base materials required for the Python and Flood Dragon Bloodshedding: the Essence Blood of one hundred different Exotic Beasts! Each type of Essence Blood must be painstakingly sought out, to say nothing of gathering all one hundred kinds! Second, there is the cultivation process itself."
"You must channel the Blood of Hundred Beasts into your body and use the Secret Technique to refine your very marrow. The process is like having your every sinew and bone ground to dust and then reforged in molten lava! The pain is beyond human imagination. If your will wavers in the slightest and you lose control of your Heart and Spirit, you will, at best, have your foundation destroyed and meridians shattered, becoming a cripple. At worst, your vital energy and blood will surge chaotically, causing you to explode and die. There has been no shortage of astonishingly talented disciples who have tried. In the end... Alas, they all met a bleak fate. Some even perished."
Hearing this, Chen Qing’s brow tightened.
He wasn’t worried about whether he could successfully cultivate the *Dragon Elephant Marrow Refining Skill*. The problem was the Essence Blood of one hundred Exotic Beasts—it was simply impossible to gather in a short amount of time.
It was destined to be a lengthy process.
And while improving his Root Bone would certainly accelerate his Cultivation speed, Chen Qing’s current progress wasn’t slow to begin with. The process of improving the Root Bone itself, however, was a monumental challenge.
’In the future, I should focus on raising my Cultivation. As for my Root Bone... I’ll have to leave that to fate.’
Elder Ma spoke earnestly, "Chief Chen, your talent is extraordinary and your future is boundless. The risks of this technique are simply too great. For your own long-term benefit, won’t you reconsider? There are other Upper Grade Cultivation Technique Secret Arts in the Armory that might be more suitable."
In a flash, Chen Qing made his decision. "Thank you, Elder Ma, for your frankness and guidance. This technique is indeed... beyond my reach at this stage."
He changed his tune and pointed to the other Jade Platform. "In that case, I will Imprint the *Blood Burning Technique* instead."
Seeing Chen Qing accept his advice so readily, not letting the legend of a fate-defying technique go to his head, a flash of approval appeared in Elder Ma’s eyes.