Chapter 194 - 27: Cultivation Technique
Inside the stone chamber.
Lin Yan stood up, feeling the surging Qi Blood coursing rapidly through his body.
The total volume of his Qi Blood hadn’t changed, but its circulation speed had more than doubled.
Lin Yan raised his hand and looked at his palm.
Suddenly!
He threw a punch.
The punch was completely spontaneous—the moment the thought formed, his fist shot out.
CRACK!
The air cracked as the Blood Gang covering his fist formed a wave, cleaving through the air for a good three feet before dissipating.
’So this is the increase in Power from the Blood Exchange Realm. It can already extend beyond the body.’
After Blood Exchange comes True Gang!
Lin Yan was beginning to understand. The Blood Exchange Fourth Transformation was a process of continuously compressing and purifying his Qi Blood until it finally became Gang Force that could be projected outward.
Once a Martial Artist reached that Realm, they could briefly take to the air. They could no longer be overwhelmed by sheer numbers.
It would be impossible to surround them, as a True Gang Powerhouse could simply rise into the air and fly away.
’Perhaps I can try the Smoke-Stepping Technique now.’
The twenty-foot-square stone chamber was more than enough space.
The next moment, Lin Yan’s figure became like smoke, flickering erratically around the room and leaving several afterimages in his wake.
’So strong!’
A few dozen breaths later, Lin Yan came to a stop, his eyes shining. After his breakthrough to the Blood Exchange Realm, the restrictions on his Smoke-Stepping Technique were finally gone, allowing him to use it to its full potential.
Combined with his superhuman senses, Lin Yan was absolutely confident that no Martial Artist in the same Realm could even touch the hem of his clothes if he didn’t allow it.
Glancing around the stone chamber, Lin Yan’s only regret was that he hadn’t brought a sword. He couldn’t directly test the increase in his Swordsmanship’s power.
’But I can test it once I get out.’
When he walked out of the stone chamber, there was still no one in sight. However, many of the plaques on the other chamber doors had been flipped over.
Some plaques that had shown "Empty" were now flipped to their reverse side, while others that had been reversed were now showing "Empty" again.
"Leave at once. Do not disturb the others in their Cultivation."
Lin Yan had only paused for a few breaths when an aged voice echoed in his ears, though its owner was nowhere to be seen.
Hearing this, he didn’t dare to linger. He cupped his fist and bowed in a random direction before hurrying toward the stairs.
’He figured that every member of the Lin Clan, successful or not, must have received the same reminder from the owner of that voice upon leaving their chamber.’
Standing on solid ground once more, Lin Yan felt a bit dazed. It wasn’t as dramatic as feeling a lifetime had passed, but it was certainly the longest he had ever gone without seeing the sun.
Lin Yan murmured, "It’s probably been almost a month."
"One month and seven days. In the last three years, you’re the one who’s spent the most time down there."
Lin Qinghe’s voice rang out, a rare hint of curiosity in his eyes. He had guided many young Lin Clan Members into the chambers below the Hidden Technique Pavilion to break through to the Blood Exchange Realm, and the longest anyone had taken was nearly three months.
But that person had failed their breakthrough. Unwilling to give up, they had stayed to try again, only to be thrown out in the end.
Among those who had successfully broken through to the Blood Exchange Realm before Lin Yan, the longest stay was one month. And that person had cultivated their Qi Blood to near the level of Fourth-Time of Skin Smoothing Perfection.
The process from the Fourth-Time of Skin Smoothing to the Blood Exchange Realm consisted of just two stages: controlling the Qi Blood and the Refinement of Qi Blood.
Many young clan members had already more or less mastered the first stage before they even entered. Then, by relying on the Mantra, they would perfect their control, which usually took only three to seven days. The rest of the time was spent on the Refinement of their Qi Blood.
’Perhaps Lin Yan hadn’t been able to precisely control his Qi Blood before entering and wasted time on that.’
Lin Qinghe came to his own conclusion. It was impossible that Lin Yan had cultivated his Qi Blood to the level of Fourth-Time of Skin Smoothing Qi Blood Perfection before entering.
To successfully break through to the Blood Exchange Realm from the stage of Fourth-Time of Skin Smoothing Qi Blood Perfection, the prerequisite was to master a Cultivation Technique to the level of Realm Perfection.
Coming from a branch family, that was simply unthinkable for Lin Yan.
"Since you’ve broken through to the Blood Exchange Realm, you’re qualified to go to the third floor. But before you do, let me clear something up for you."
Lin Qinghe looked at Lin Yan, stroking his beard. "The technique you learned downstairs was only for breaking through to the Blood Exchange Realm. The actual Main Technique you’ll cultivate in this Realm must be chosen on the third floor. You may select one Main Technique for free, but any other Blood Exchange Realm Techniques will require Contribution Points."
’The Main Technique is free, but others require Contribution Points?’
Lin Yan nodded. That seemed reasonable. If everything were free, who would bother earning Contribution Points?
"Remember to choose carefully," Lin Qinghe advised. "Blood Exchange Realm Techniques are not so easy to cultivate. Know your limits. If you find one unsuitable and wish to change it later, it will cost you Contribution Points."
"Then I will head up now."
After cupping his fist in a salute, Lin Yan went up the stairs to the third floor of the Hidden Technique Pavilion.
The second floor was sparser than the first, and the third floor was even more so. There were only three bookshelves, and like the floors below, they held nothing but bamboo slips detailing various Cultivation Techniques.
Lin Yan walked to the first bookshelf and picked up the first bamboo slip.
[Cultivation Technique: Profound Water True Understanding]
Description: Draws upon the resilience of water, turning one’s blood into an abyss. Cultivators of this technique possess a Blood Gang as vast and unceasing as a great river, excelling in battles of attrition and defense.
Exchange Cost: 5,000 Contribution Points.
Seeing the cost, the corner of Lin Yan’s mouth twitched. ’Exchanging for a new Main Technique costs five thousand Contribution Points. Looks like I really do need to choose carefully.’
[Cultivation Technique: Cyan Wood Longevity Skill]
Description: This technique does not excel in offense, but focuses on mending the body and nurturing the meridians. Those who achieve Great Success will possess immense vitality, able to mend broken bones as if they were nothing and self-heal from grievous wounds. Among those in the same Realm, cultivators of this skill are the most difficult to kill.
Exchange Cost: 5,000 Contribution Points.
’A punching bag technique.’
Lin Yan summarized it in a few words. This technique was not for him.