The Eternal Heart - Chapter 40

Chapter 40: Advancing to The Middle Stage

Bang!

The Fiendish Cloud Inner Breath in his body was just like a wild horse that refused to be bridled. It rushed forth like an ocean wave as it became increasingly vigorous the more he circulated it.

“Such a feeling…”

Chen Yu was exulted. In a spurt of energy, the Fiendish Cloud Inner Breath in his body started to expand toward a new meridian network. There was an unending stream of Inner Breath that was increasingly pure and robust the more it was sent out.

What was known as connecting meridians was the opening up of meridians to unearth the true strength of the human body.

The meridian system in the human body was mysterious and complex. The Connective Meridan stage only focused on the external meridians.

One had to wait until they surpassed the Visceral Tempering stage to attempt the eight extraordinary meridians that were of an even deeper level.

Even the external meridians were primarily divided into three great meridian networks under normal conventions.

The initial Connective Meridian stage corresponded to the first external meridian network, the second corresponded to the middle stage, and the third corresponded to the late stage.

At this moment, starting from the first meridian network, Chen Yu’s Inner Breath came pouring into the second meridian network as it opened up without any extra trouble.

A few blocked-up meridians in the past had the Inner Energy flowing in them become incomparably smooth now.

The meridian network in the bodies of some people with better aptitudes, for example, those with Soul Physiques, naturally possessed vital force. So much so that the smidgen of World Constituent qi their bodies absorbed when they were growing up could nourish their constitutions and meridians.

The meridians of those with ordinary or inferior constitutions didn’t have such good vital force or toughness. They possessed bad congeniality with various energies.

Chen Yu was classified amongst those with mediocre aptitudes.

But now, there was a kind of feeling where a canal was being formed when the water flowed once his second meridian network was opened up.

There were many factors in this respect, but this was mainly due to two reasons.

First, Chen Yu’s foundational constitution could be said to be ahead of the pack.

Secondly, he had accomplished great achievements with his [Fiendish Cloud Fist] in one go. Not only did it have profound connotations, but he even managed to exhibit high leveled strength in the form of “congealing a fiend in the might of his fist”.

Now, the purity and quality of the Inner Breath he possessed had reached a pinnacle that those at the same rank as he would find hard to imagine!

Chen Yu broke through the bottleneck he faced in one go under this Fiendish Cloud Inner Breath that had a high degree of purity and strength.

Half a day later, Chen Yu’s Fiendish Cloud Inner Breath had successfully advanced into the second external meridian network. His Inner Breath was increasingly tyrannical and pure.

This implied that his cultivation had ascended to the middle Connective Meridian stage.

Since his foundation really was sturdy, and the quality, as well as strength of his Inner Breath, was extremely high, his realm was very stable even if he just broke through to the middle stage.

This phenomenon was the same as when he just ascended to the initial Connective Meridian stage.

Chen Yu felt extremely accomplished with the kind of steadiness he had in his progress and the depth of his foundation.

“My current Inner Breath might already triumph over general martial artists at the middle Connective Meridian stage, and can even compete with ordinary martial artists at the late stage,” Chen Yu muttered.

His Inner Breath triumphed over those at the same rank as him by a huge margin. Apart from the fact that his foundation was sturdy and that he could unleash the “congealing a fiend in the might of his fist”, it was also because the [Fiendish Cloud Fist] was a high leveled martial arts skill itself.

Putting the malpractice of the [Fiendish Cloud Fist] aside, this technique could basically stand on the same level as top-ranked martial arts skills.

He might as well ask.

Who could practice top-ranked martial arts skills in the entire outer sect?

Based on what Chen Yu knew, those who could practice high leveled martial arts skills were as rare as phoenix feathers and unicorn horns. Even then, it was because they had the support of influential and powerful clans behind them.

…

Chen Yu stationed himself at the Ten Vicious Bandits’ domain for a day and completely consolidated his cultivation.

Before he left, Chen Yu plundered this place once over.

In the end, he was a little disappointed. Other than one or two hundred Substandard Metastones on the Bandit King’s person, there weren’t any other extraordinary resources.

On the contrary, there were large quantities of gold and silver in the Ten Vicious Bandits’ old nest.

But these secular belongings didn’t hold much significance to people like Chen Yu, who was established in a sect and were yearning for the pinnacle along the path of martial arts.

Puchi!

Chen Yu took out the Wind Song Sword and sliced the Bandit King’s head off.

The Ten Vicious Bandit King was the assassination target he was assigned with. He was ranked 59th on the Murder List.

This bandit ranked just above the Bald Bloody Hand.

Chen Yu knew that the top fifty on the Murder List was a dividing line.

Once the dividing line was crossed and he entered the top fifty, it was extremely likely that the targets he had to deal with were powerhouses at the Visceral Tempering stage and above.

The Bandit King was ranked 59th. He was basically in the most tyrannical and terrifying lot below the Visceral Tempering stage.

“Boy, leave the Bandit King’s head behind.”

An ice-cold voice could be heard coming from the canyon on the opposite side.

Hmm?

Chen Yu was stupefied. He saw two young men, one tall and one short, standing on the hillside across from him.

The two of them were dressed in standard gray robes, and carried swords on their backs.

From the way they were dressed, Chen Yu determined that the duo came from the other sect in the state of Chu—Metal Sword Sect.

“Oh? Fellow colleagues from Metal Sword Sect, are you stealing another person’s job?”

Chen Yu said with interest as he wrapped the head up well.

The Metal Sword Sect was extremely influential and powerful in the state of Chu’s sect world. They were a sect that possessed aggressiveness.

This sect triumphed over Yunyue Sect by a lot in terms of strength.

“Stealing another person’s job? Hehe. This lot committed crimes in all parts of the state of Chu. We chased them from the Metal Sword Sect’s turf all the way to this place,” that short young man said in an unconcerned manner.

The other tall young man callously said, “We’ll let you off if you hand the head over!”

Chen Yu was a little speechless.

These two disciples from Metal Sword Sect were really overbearing.

“You can also hand the head over unless you pay us 4,500 Contribution Points and 800 Substandard Metastones.”

Chen Yu waved his hand.

“Then we’re attacking!” the tall young man coldly said as though it was to be expected.

Whoosh! Whoosh!

Two young men, one tall and one short, jumped down from the hillside as they closed in on Chen Yu immediately.

Chen Yu was startled with the duo’s speed.

Based on the speed of their martial arts form, the duo wasn’t inferior to Le Feng at all. The taller young man of the two was even at Le Feng’s level.

It was very likely that these two people were not to be trifled with in Metal Sword Sect’s outer sect.

Clank!

The tall young man unsheathed his sword. A distinct and cold virtual image of a sword slash ripped the air apart. A formless and cold intent locked onto Chen Yu.

Chen Yu’s expression changed.

He felt the tall young man’s formidable strength in just a mere slash of his sword.

The martial arts skill the other party practiced didn’t seem to fall short of his [Fiendish Cloud Fist] in terms of its level.

No wonder this person talked so big.

“Fiendish Cloud Fist!”

Chen Yu’s fist waved out tyrannical Inner Breath and fiendish qi. It faintly formed a ball of Fiendish qi and dark clouds while the explosive sound that rang out resembled thunderous clouds.

Huh?!

The tall young man was gobsmacked. Virtual sword images rose from the sword in his hands and struck the fist enveloped in fiendish qi and dark clouds.

Bang, peng!

An explosive sound that resembled sudden claps of thunder formed a layer of ring-shaped swirling air on the spot as light and darkness intertwined.

Peng!

Chen Yu’s Bronze Fist jolted the tall young man forcibly a few steps back while the sword in his hands almost fell out.

The other shorter young man was considerably wretched.

He took the opportunity to slash Chen Yu’s knee joints with his sword during the pause after the duo crossed blows.

“Get lost!”

Chen Yu circulated his [Bronze Skin Technique]. It was as though a layer of copper was plated onto his entire, turning as heavy as a gigantic hammer.

Kerthunk!

This short young man howled in grief as the kick sent him and his sword flying.

Chen Yu found this unexpected.

When he crossed blows with that tall young man, he felt how strong the other party was.

He didn’t dare to neglect that short young man as well, so he naturally circulated the [Bronze States Technique].

He never thought that the short young man was very half baked and was sent flying with a single kick.

Naturally, the main reason was that Chen Yu’s current strength could be said to have leapt up compared to half a month ago.

In terms of strength, that short young man could be ranked in the top fifteen in Yunyue Sect.

“Martial Brother Wu, are you alright?”

That tall young man helped the short young man up at once and looked at Chen Yu with restraining fear.

Before they crossed blows, the two of them absolutely never thought that a mere outer sect disciple from Yunyue Sect actually had this level of strength.

Based on his impression, Yunyue Sect was an existence that was more or less at the lowest rung in the four states in the state of Chu.

“Younger Martial Brother Gao, I’m alright—wah!”

Before the short young man could finish talking, he spat out a mouthful of blood.

The tall young man was incomparably apprehensive. A casual kick from the other party actually caused internal injuries to Martial Brother Wu.

Even though Marital Brother Wu’s strength wasn’t considered to be top-notch, his combating strength was ranked approximately around 20th place in the Metal Sword Sect’s outer sect.

“You really can’t handle a beating.”

Chen Yu shook his head and couldn’t be bothered with these two people as he sprung up and left.

The duo from the Metal Sword Sect had unsightly expressions where they stood.

“Don’t think of leaving! My true strength hasn’t…”

When had the tall young man ever experienced such humiliation? He held the sword in his hands and was prepared to charge up at him.

In the end, the short young man grabbed him and held him back.

“Younger Martial Brother Gao, it’s best if you leave it. I reckon that this person is first or second-best in Yunyue Sect’s outer sect. Besides, it hasn’t been long since you successfully cultivated your [Heavenly Shadow Sword Trick]. It’s still in an unstable state and it’s not advisable for you to use it rashly.”

The short young man coughed.

Certainly, the tall young man didn’t use his true strength, but how could he be certain that the other party hadn’t used his full strength as well?

“Boy, leave your name behind. I, Gao Feng, will find you in the future to ask you for advice,” the tall young man said resentfully and unwillingly.

To think that he was a front-ranking genius in Metal Sword Sect. Advancing into the inner sect wasn’t a difficult matter for him. How could he have ever been discriminated against by a Yunyue Sect disciple?

However, the young man in the horizon didn’t pay attention to him at all as he traveled further and further away.

…

Two days later, Chen Yu returned to Yunyue Sect and handed over the mission of killing the Bandit King. He got 4,500 Contribution Points and 500 Substandard Metastones from doing so.

At this moment, there was a pressing and solemn atmosphere around the entire outer sect.

As it turns out, the Great Outer Sect Tournament was about to begin soon!

“There are two days left…”

Chen Yu returned to his residence and started recuperating and reconciling his breath.

Now, he had ascended to the middle Connective Meridian stage and the [Bronze Statue Technique] had reached its initial Bronze Muscle form. Every aspect of his had ascended to its limit.

Included among these.

The [Fiendish Cloud Fist] was in an unusual state.

In the ordinary course of events, Chen Yu comprehended the connotations of the Fiendish Cloud Boxing Technique in its perfect form. If not, he couldn’t unleash the “congealing of a fiend in the might of his fist”.

But he couldn’t bring out the formidable power of the [Fiendish Cloud Fist] at its perfect form due to the limitations of his cultivation. That was because there was a certain link between mental techniques and boxing technique realms, so they couldn’t differ too much.

That also meant that his perfect Fiendish Cloud wasn’t entirely perfect.

That was unless there was a breakthrough in his cultivation, or if he activated the “Explosive Key” of his heart from before.

Chen Yu was still unclear about the mysterious heart’s “Explosive Key” at the moment.

Time passed at lightning speed.

Soon, it was the final night before the “Great Outer Sect Tournament”.

In a house located in the outer sect’s encampment.

A young lady with a beautiful face was sitting cross-legged with her white hands spread open.

Buzz!

Flowing streams of light that had the color and luster of blood were currently flowing and seeping out of a “Bloody Stalagmite” in the young lady’s palms.

The blood-red light streams permeated into her body bit by bit. Soon after, a strange layer of blood-red gas enveloped the surface of the young lady’s body.

If Chen Yu was here, he would definitely realize that this Bloody Stalagmite was the spoils of battle she acquired on the day of the Bald Bloody Hand’s killing.

“I can’t absorb any more.”

“The strength and quantity of my Inner Breath has reached its limit. If that wasn’t the case, I could’ve already broken through to the Visceral Tempering stage…”

Whoosh, hua!

She circulated her power as a stream of airflow that was berserk, gloomy, and cold rose from her entire body. A trace of bloody luster flashed in her eyes.

The tyrannical Inner Breath she displayed almost stepped into the Visceral Tempering stage!

“It’s all thanks to this Blood Jade Spirit Stalagmite. That Bald Bloody Hand once massacred the waning Fang Clan and obtained this gem, yet they didn’t know the true method to open it up. Chen Yu included. An ordinary outer sect disciple whose experience and knowledge is limited since he didn’t recognize this item…”

A smear of a faint smile hung on the corner of Tong Yuling’s lips.

So that was what the case was. This Bloody Stalagmite wasn’t an ordinary precious material at all, nor did it belong to her Tong Clan.

“I want to give everyone a nice surprise in the Great Outer Sect Tournament tomorrow!”