Immortality Begins With Internal Breathing-Chapter 331: Immortal Methods (I)

At the Azure Rainbow Sect, on the railing of the third floor of the side hall, two white-bearded elders stood side by side, watching the battle in the front hall plaza with great interest.

"The Wuji Sect really picked up a bargain. Elder Yang's eye is still as sharp as ever," the elder on the left said.

He had also led people to Wuji Manor to attend the martial cultivation exchange back then and had specifically watched the challenge arena for several days. Lin Zheyu's displayed combat power and natural talent were indeed good, but not enough to truly move Chen Yong'an.

"Elder Yang was once a peerless genius of his generation and nearly advanced to the Martial Innate realm. If that incident had not occurred, he would have long become a Martial Innate realm martial artist. With such profound martial cultivation, it is only natural for him to see this child's extraordinariness. I wonder how far this youngster can go, and whether he can reach the top of the Hidden Dragon List like Jii Weicheng," said the elder beside Chen Yong'an, Deng Zhou.

"It’s difficult. Lin Zheyu's natural talent is indeed astonishing, but unfortunately, he missed the optimal cultivation period. If he were on the Confucian martial cultivation path, there might still be a sliver of hope. But he is not. It is said that his real age may not even be fifty. Give him another ten years, and he might squeeze into the top ten, but the top spot is simply impossible. Anyone who reaches the top of the Hidden Dragon List without exception possesses monstrous talent and grows up under the guidance of powerful figures from a young age, laying down an extremely solid foundation. Even if his lightness and movement techniques are strong, compared with those true monsters, he still falls somewhat short," Chen Yong'an said.

"That is indeed the case. Almost everyone who has topped the Hidden Dragon List possessed combat power comparable to that of the weakest Force Transformation realm martial artist. To rival a Force Transformation realm martial artist while still in the Marrow Refining Realm and without cultivating true strength is truly monstrous," said Deng Zhou with a sigh.

The difference between true strength and marrow refining lay in the type of energy used. The gap between the two realms was as vast as that between a coal-fired steam engine and an oil-fueled internal combustion engine. To stand shoulder to shoulder with a Force Transformation realm martial artist at the Marrow Refining realm was extremely monstrous.

"Hm, perhaps not necessarily. That youngster from the Jii Family was strong back then, but there was still a considerable gap between him and a Force Transformation realm martial artist. However, his luck was good. Several monsters ranked ahead of him successively exceeded the Hidden Dragon List age limit and dropped off the list, while no new geniuses rose up, allowing him to pick up the slack. If Lin Zheyu is lucky enough, he might actually have a slim chance," Chen Yong'an said with a smile.

Jii Weicheng's capture of the Hidden Dragon List top spot back then was purely due to extraordinary luck. Otherwise, with his aptitude, he would have stopped around the lower rankings. Interestingly, that year, those ranked near the top either exceeded the age limit, directly advanced to the Force Transformation realm, or even met with accidents and died outright. That was how Jii Weicheng picked up the opportunity. His time at the top of the Hidden Dragon List was very short, less than half a year, before he was defeated by a later rising monstrous genius.

"Haha, when you put it that way, there really might be a sliver of possibility. Look, the victor is about to be decided. What a freak of a kid. So young and already cultivating the Tortoise Breath True Technique, and even forming true intent. He's using Tortoise Breath true intent combined with Dominance true intent to simulate the Wrathful Vajra Buddha Heart and drive the Great Strength Vajra Fist. He really is an interesting little fellow," Deng An said with narrowed eyes.

"Tortoise Breath true intent? How come I cannot see it? I do not know what concealment technique this kid is cultivating, but even I find it hard to fully see through," Chen Yong'an said in surprise.

"I told you to put more effort into the Tortoise Breath True Technique, yet you refused to listen. If you keep this up, in a few years, I will be paying respects at your grave," Deng Zhou teased as he glanced at Chen Yong'an.

"Get lost. Do not jinx me."

As the two chatted and laughed, the battle in the plaza had long since entered a fevered stage.

Sounds of clashing and banging echoed. Fists and sword blades collided fiercely, the exchange so fast that it left behind streaks of afterimages. The terrifying shockwaves forced the surrounding Azure Rainbow Sect disciples to retreat again and again.

"So strong. So strong," Hong Xin watched the battle with immense shock. Was this truly the power possessed by the seventy-eighth-ranked martial artist on the Hidden Dragon List? It was simply astonishing.

Facing Lin Zheyu's storm-like onslaught, Fan Qingxue struggled to respond, her chest rising and falling continuously. Fan Qingxue's Azure Rainbow Sword Art could be hard or soft, balancing rigidity and flexibility, and was capable of restraining martial artists stronger than herself. When Lin Zheyu hurled his fists against her balanced Azure Rainbow Sword Art, it felt as though he were striking cotton. This left him with a stifling sense of strength with nowhere to be applied.

This was mainly because Lin Zheyu lacked combat experience and had never dealt with such a situation. If it were replaced with a seasoned brute, several countermeasures would already be in mind. To break this stalemate, he considered several options. One was to erupt with even greater power and crush through directly with brute force. Another was to rely on more exquisite fist techniques and stronger battle awareness to seek out flaws and break through Fan Qingxue's defensive circle. To unleash greater power, he would have to use his golden blood qi.

The strength Lin Zheyu was currently displaying was already astonishing compared to before. If he revealed even greater power, it would easily draw suspicion. After entering the Marrow Refining realm, improvements in pure physical strength and blood qi became extremely slow, which was why martial artists condensed true intent.

By relying on true intent, they formed true strength, which was a more advanced capability. If Lin Zheyu were to show that at the Marrow Refining realm, his physical strength and blood qi could still grow rapidly and substantially, the problem would be far too great. Therefore, in battle, he only used blood qi at the eighth transformation, close to the ninth transformation, and the level of strength that a martial artist who had cultivated body refining techniques should possess.

No. If I do not use lightness and movement techniques, I cannot defeat her in a short time at all. The gap in combat experience, combined with Fan Qingxue's Azure Rainbow Sword Art, which suppresses a pure strength martial artist like me, makes it very difficult for me to even get close.

Powerful combat experience and combat awareness could not be cultivated through just a few battles in a short period of time. Lin Zheyu had trained in martial arts for too short a time. He had experienced far too few battles, and in terms of combat experience, the gap between him and geniuses who had trained for decades was simply too large.

Hm? That is not right. Fan Qingxue's speed has slowed down.

Another punch was thrown, and Lin Zheyu sensed that Fan Qingxue's speed had slowed slightly. While he was still thinking about her weaknesses and how to deal with such a powerful opponent, Fan Qingxue began to show signs of decline.

That is it. Such exquisite sword techniques require skillful force, supported by true intent, and they consume an enormous amount of essence, qi, and spirit. Fan Qingxue cannot maintain it for long either.

He was no longer the man he used to be. After condensing golden blood qi, his physique rivaled that of a genius martial artist whose blood qi had undergone nine transformations and broken through to the Marrow Refining realm. His ordinary blood qi, which had undergone fifteen qualitative changes, was also far stronger than that of Marrow Refining realm martial artists. Over the past few months, with the enhancement from the Ninefold Origin Lock Art and the Azure Tide Boundless True Technique, possessing the effect of increasing his total amount of blood qi, his gains had been immense.

Lin Zheyu's total blood qi had increased by nearly 70% compared to before, far surpassing ordinary martial artists. As things stood, in terms of endurance, he could be called the number one in the Marrow Refining realm. As a result, he had not considered the issue of stamina depletion at all. Fan Qingxue lagged far behind him in essence, qi and spirit in every aspect, and under his frenzied attacks, she had already begun to feel overwhelmed.

Fan Qingxue looked at Lin Zheyu, who was still bursting with vitality, and could not help but think, Is this guy some kind of beast!

Although Lin Zheyu seemed somewhat at a loss against her Azure Rainbow Sword Art, Fan Qingxue was also unable to do anything to Lin Zheyu. She even felt that as time passed, he was gradually entering his best state. He was rapidly adapting to her combat rhythm and fighting style, absorbing and transforming them into his own combat experience.

This kid is using me as a whetstone to temper himself and improve his combat experience! 𝚏𝗿𝗲𝐞𝐰𝚎𝕓𝐧𝚘𝘃𝗲𝐥.𝐜𝚘𝕞

With her proud temperament, this speculation felt unreal to her. Fan Qingxue, a genius of the Azure Rainbow Sect and the seventy-eighth-ranked prodigy on the Hidden Dragon List, was actually being used as a whetstone. Worse still, she could not even force Lin Zheyu to use his most proficient lightness and movement techniques. This filled Fan Qingxue with a strong sense of frustration.

"Hmph!"

Fan Qingxue took a deep breath and let out a soft snort, her voice icy cold. A far more formidable momentum qi suddenly erupted from her body, and a strange aura spread outward. The vast amount of blood qi within her began to surge, and her right hand swung the long sword in an unusual manner. In an instant, Lin Zheyu saw the sword light flicker. One became two, two became three, and in the blink of an eye, dozens of sword lights appeared and slashed toward him at once.

"Thousand Threads Sword Technique?"

Lin Zheyu was somewhat surprised, and scenes of his past battle with Li Yin surfaced in his mind. Compared to Li Yin, Fan Qingxue's combat experience was far richer, something the immature Li Yin could not possibly compare with.

Puff.

Lin Zheyu's heart jolted as he quickly retreated a step. His right palm shot toward his abdomen, but again grasped only space.

No, this is not the Thousand Threads Sword Technique. These are merely illusory swords, different from Li Yin's Thousand Threads Sword Technique. What a formidable method, to deceive my perception with illusory swords.

His Tortoise Breath True Technique had been cultivated to the fifth stage of Perfection, and the Evernight Slumber Secret Art had also reached Perfection, giving him perception far beyond that of Marrow Refining realm martial artists. Yet Fan Qingxue's illusory swords were still able to deceive his senses, which fully demonstrated the extraordinariness of the Azure Rainbow Sword Art.

In that case, I will block every sword.

With a single thought, Lin Zheyu pushed his Dominance true intent to the extreme. A terrifying momentum qi spread outward, making him resemble a Wrathful Vajra of the Buddhist Sect.

The Great Strength Vajra Fist was unleashed repeatedly, its speed growing faster and faster, sealing off every inch around him.

Clashing sounds rang out continuously, sharp and heavy. Amid the continuous collisions, Lin Zheyu used his fists from beginning to end to break through Fan Qingxue's Azure Rainbow Sword Art.

A good opportunity!

Lin Zheyu threw another punch that again struck the air. He stomped forward with his right foot and charged straight toward Fan Qingxue.

Sharp whistling sounds cut through the air. Dozens of sword lights slashed toward him from all directions, yet Lin Zheyu paid them no heed. He had not been simply enduring blows earlier, but observing Fan Qingxue's Azure Rainbow Sword Art, and he had finally discovered something amiss. Relying on his powerful perception, Lin Zheyu was now able to vaguely discern which sword light was produced by the real sword.

This is bad!

Seeing this, a strong sense of danger rose in Fan Qingxue's heart. Forcibly driving the illusory swords of the Azure Rainbow Sword Art had already pushed her heavily depleted stamina close to its limit. With a light tap of her toes, her figure rapidly retreated.

As she rapidly retreated, Fan Qingxue's slightly cold voice rang out. "I concede!"

Lin Zheyu's figure came to an abrupt halt. At this moment, he was only a single step away from Fan Qingxue. Looking at her so close at hand, he saw fine beads of sweat on her forehead, her skin snow white and delicate, with a faint fragrance emanating from her body.

Lin Zheyu stepped back to create some distance, clasped his fists, and said with a smile, "Thank you for yielding."

"Young Master Lin possesses remarkable strength. Given time, you will surely be able to enter the top ten of the Hidden Dragon List," Fan Qingxue said calmly.

Her chest rose and fell as her aura grew somewhat unsteady. The battle just now had taken a tremendous toll on her. In contrast, Lin Zheyu looked as though nothing were amiss.

"As a guest who has come to our door, may I ask if Young Master Lin would be willing to do me the honor of having a cup of tea before leaving?" Fan Qingxue said with a smile.

After the battle ended, she had already adjusted her emotions. Without such a temperament, she would not have achieved what she had today.

"Since the lady invited me, how could I refuse?" Lin Zheyu said with a smile.

He had Huang Youwei and the others return on their own, while he followed Fan Qingxue to a quiet courtyard. Along the way, Lin Zheyu took out the Hidden Dragon Token from his robes and played with it curiously. At the instant he defeated Fan Qingxue, he had sensed a disturbance from the Hidden Dragon Token, a faint glow flashing briefly before vanishing. It was nothing like what had happened when he defeated Heng Qiming.

"Rankings on the Hidden Dragon List hold great significance for those of us in the Marrow Refining realm. With Young Master Lin's strength, you should strive for as high a ranking as possible," Fan Qingxue said with a smile when she saw Lin Zheyu playing with the Hidden Dragon Token.

"That is precisely my intention. It is just that at present, only Miss Fan is within Wuling City, so I came to challenge you. I hope you will not take offense," Lin Zheyu said as he put away the Hidden Dragon Token.

"It seems Young Master Lin is not very familiar with the Hidden Dragon Tokens. Within Wuling City, I am not the only one on the Hidden Dragon List. Ranked ahead of me is also Monk Puji," Fan Qingxue said. As she finished speaking, she took out her own Hidden Dragon Token and held it in her hand.

"The Hidden Dragon Tokens can sense the general area where martial artists on the Hidden Dragon List are located. You only need to hold the Hidden Dragon Token in your hand and silently recite," Fan Qingxue said.