Cultivating Immortality in a World of Chaos

Chapter 33: Breakthrough and Bargain

In Blackstone City.

Within an abandoned, uninhabited residence,

Fang Xi stood with hands clasped behind his back, gazing at Linghu Yang, who lay unconscious after being subjected to the Soul Confusion Technique.

This man’s memories proved to be a vast treasure trove.

Not only did they contain the True Force martial artist chapter of ‘Five Thunders Absolute Hand’, but also details on ‘Demonic Possession’ technique and various secrets of Yuanhe Mountain, greatly expanding Fang Xi’s knowledge.

“It’s unfortunate… The so-called ‘Demonic Possession’ can only be slightly suppressed by a cultivator’s vital essence… Eventually, one still transforms into a completely irrational monster.”

“Linghu Yang resorted to this as a desperate measure, akin to quenching thirst with poison. Perhaps…being trapped within the Demonic Domain left him utterly hopeless, forcing him to take such a fatal gamble?”

“This individual had unwavering determination in pursuing cultivation, yet sadly, luck was not on his side…”

After a moment of silence, Fang Xi flicked a spark from his finger.

The spark landed on Linghu Yang, instantly igniting into a raging inferno that consumed him entirely, leaving nothing but ashes…

Ignoring the conversation, Fang Xi stepped into the courtyard and began grilling the Beefwood meat.

As he ate, the secrets of the ‘Yuanhe Five Thunders Hand’ surfaced vividly in his mind, like pearls shining within him.

“The Yuanhe Five Thunders Hand is a sect-protecting technique from Yuanhe Mountain, with even Linghu Yang possessing only fragments… Moreover, based on his descriptions, it’s challenging to reconstruct the complete Divine Intent Diagram, lacking the most fundamental aspect - intent!”

Naturally, the full Divine Intent Diagram for Yuanhe Five Thunders Hand was not with Linghu Yang or anywhere in Blackstone City; it resided securely at Yuanhe Mountain.

At present, Fang Xi could hardly aspire to access it.

However, he didn’t feel shortchanged.

After all, his foundation wasn’t built upon the authentic martial arts training of Yuanhe Mountain, yielding true force!

By consistently blending martial techniques and practicing other third-rate arts, he had already managed to cover his body with true force, refining it deep into his marrow!

Originally, it would have taken several months or even years to naturally develop True Force.

Now, he merely wanted to accelerate this process.

Thus, certain insights from the Yuanhe Five Thunders Hand were indeed valuable.

“Stimulating various acupoints with true force can expedite the birth of True Force… Ingenious!”

Recalling a specific secret method, Fang Xi’s eyes suddenly lit up.

“Only at the peak of true force can one attempt this cultivation; even a slight mistake could lead to paralysis or death… I wonder how many lives Yuanhe Mountain sacrificed to develop this secret technique…”

Fang Xi voraciously consumed the Beefwood meat and abruptly stood up.

Rumbling!

Layers of martial techniques surged within Fang Xi’s body, enveloping him with terrifying true force. His joints crackled like popping beans as his stature grew taller, transforming him into something akin to a fearsome demonic entity…

“I’ve already reached the peak of true force…”

“Pentathunder Transformation, Big Dipper Body Refinement!” Fang Xi exclaimed softly, his right hand darting like a butterfly amidst flowers, tapping precise points on his body.

Instantaneously,

His face flushed blood red as he felt the circulation of true force accelerate to a frightening speed. Even his body struggled under the strain, causing beads of blood to seep from his pores.

‘With such brutal training methods, Mu Canglong would likely have perished halfway through due to his inadequate foundation!’ Fang Xi thought inwardly, using his spiritual sense for introspection while effortlessly controlling his true force.

Having an additional layer of spiritual sense allowed him fine control over his body, reaching the ‘microscopic’ level of precision—an advantage rarely enjoyed by cultivators from Yuanhe Mountain.

Moreover, having consumed the Blood and Qi Pill, Fang Xi broke through human limits, causing his blood qi to surge dramatically. This made him akin to a prodigy in Qi and Blood martial arts!

With these favorable factors combined, he could overcome many restrictions, progressing at a staggering pace that left Linghu Yang utterly astounded.

Time slowly passed by.

Half an hour, one hour, three hours later…

Fang Xi’s body suddenly jolted!

A layer of dried blood scabs peeled off, revealing smooth, fair skin beneath.

“True Force… achieved!”

His eyes lit up as he felt a unique power emerging from deep within his organs and bone marrow.

This power blended elements from White Cloud Palm, Red Snake Leg, Iron Clothes Art, Heavenly Vision and Earthly Hearing Art, along with traces of Yuanhe Five Thunders Hand true energy, yet it was entirely distinct.

Furthermore… its intensity far surpassed ordinary true energy!

It also carried a mysteriously vibrant quality!

“No… not just vibrancy, but rather, it’s the difference between True Force and true energy. True Force can possess special attributes!” Fang Xi gazed at his right hand, channeling the True Force onto a nearby wall.

Crash!

Instantaneously, the entire wall collapsed, leaving behind a twisted wreckage with hints of scorched blackness…

“According to Linghu Yang’s description, the True Force cultivated by Yuanhe Five Thunders Hand is called - Five Thunders Power. When striking an enemy, it can induce slight paralysis, and upon mastering it, even intimidate demons!”

Realizing this, Fang Xi examined his own strength and knew unequivocally that he had not developed the Five Thunders Power.

“Becoming a True Strength martial artist through a mix of third-rate martial arts must be rare across the entire world… After reaching the martial artist level, my true forces merged into True Force, each retaining their unique effects.”

From the collapsed wall, Fang Xi observed traces of Red Snake Leg’s twisting power, White Cloud Palm’s venomous force, and even hints of lightning energy…

“In one strike, multiple effects can be combined!”

“This True Force shall henceforth be named - Primal Chaos Force!” Fang Xi nodded gently, christening his new martial art. “Therefore… my current technique can be titled as Primal Chaos Thunderbolt… no, let’s call it ‘Primal Chaos True Art’ instead!”

He distinctly felt that under the influence of Primal Chaos Force, his previously somewhat fragile internal organs underwent another round of strengthening.

Now, his physique was comparable to the second layer of Body Refinement, equivalent to the Middle Stage of Qi Refinement for body cultivators.

“At this stage, even spirit farming techniques can’t breach my defenses, and typical Middle Stage Qi Refinement spells wouldn’t necessarily kill me if they hit directly… My survival capabilities have greatly increased.”

“Finally… finally I can engage in cross-boundary merchant dealings as planned.”

Fang Xi’s eyes welled up with emotion, nearly bringing tears to his face.

Despite practicing the Everlasting Spring Art daily, his progress was painfully slow, akin to a snail’s crawl.

Yet Fang Xi knew all too well that mastering martial arts alone had no future; he needed to pursue immortal cultivation!

Currently, refining his martial skills served only to rapidly enhance his strength, thereby accumulating resources for his eventual path to immortality!

“The evidence proves my choice was entirely correct… After just a few months of martial training, I’ve achieved power comparable to the Middle Stage of Qi Refinement!”

“If I hadn’t focused on martial arts and instead solely dedicated myself to the Everlasting Spring Art each day, I’d still be stuck at the third layer of Qi Refining, with limited strength improvement!”

“Moreover… in the southern wilderness’s cultivation world, ascending to the second layer of Body Refinement requires resources worth at least a hundred spirit stones, which I could never afford.”

“Now, however, it’s equivalent to earning over a hundred spirit stones within these few months - truly commendable, indeed!”

Fang Xi lifted his head, gazing at the towering Demon Tree, gradually suppressing his elation. “It’s time to make a run for it…”

Waiting until the Demon Tree advanced further would surely turn joy into tragedy.

With this thought, Fang Xi wasted no time and activated his movement technique.

Whoosh!

In a single leap, he covered several yards, landing atop a nearby roof.

“My movement speed has significantly improved as well!” Fang Xi nodded lightly, determined his direction, and headed towards the market district near the West City Gate.

At the West City Gate.

After some time, the surroundings looked even more dire than before. Passersby resembled walking skeletons, as if they might collapse at any moment.

With his face covered, Fang Xi entered the market district and noticed prices plummeting once again. Unfazed, he approached Fatso Han’s shop and pushed open the door.

“Brother!” exclaimed Fatso Han, now visibly thinner but still resembling a shrunken mountain of flesh. With a mournful cry, he seemed ready to lunge and cling to Fang Xi’s legs, his voice choked with tears, “If you hadn’t come, old Han would’ve starved and resorted to cannibalism!”

“Hold on!” Fang Xi waved a hand, somewhat surprised. “Didn’t I provide you with a large supply of food earlier? How did it get this bad?”

“You don’t understand hunger when your belly is full…” Fatso Han poured out his woes bitterly, “Old Han has already reduced to eating just five meals a day… The real issue is Tai Sui, along with my subordinates and family; feeding them all takes up most of what I have!”

“Oh!” Fang Xi nodded thoughtfully.

It made sense; running a black-market shop alone was not feasible for Fatso Han.

Moreover, unlike Fang Xi, he couldn’t suddenly appear in this world through a transmigration; he had relatives and friends to care for.

“Brother, you finally came… I’ve got eight martial arts manuals here, each one top-notch, including my own practiced ‘Swallowing the Heavens Art’… Truly, I’m pulling out everything from my reserves. Just eight hundred - no, five hundred kilograms of grain per book!” Fatso Han flashed five fingers, staring pitifully at Fang Xi.

Unexpectedly, Fang Xi shook his head. “I don’t lack true force manuals anymore.”

“What?” Fatso Han felt as if struck by lightning, his massive mound of flesh sinking back with enough force to cause a minor tremor. Depressed, he pleaded, “What do you want? Even if it’s my concubines, we can negotiate!”

“Your concubines?”

Fang Xi shot him a disdainful glance but secretly admired his resilience. Some people, even amidst an apocalypse, manage to live quite comfortably.

“My concubines are all exceptionally beautiful… especially Little Taohong, once a renowned beauty and courtesan in Blackstone City,” Fatso Han hastily explained, sensing Fang Xi’s potential interest. “For just a thousand kilograms of grain, it’s a fair deal.”

“Fatso Han,” Fang Xi’s voice turned calm and serious. “Enough with the jokes, let’s make a deal… Do you wish to leave this place?”

“Leave? This Demonic Domain?” Fatso Han’s eyes narrowed, barely visible amidst his layers of flesh.

Yet within those slits, a dangerous gleam shone forth: “Can you really get out? Not through Linghu Yang’s deceitful means, I hope? What do you want in return?”

“Don’t worry, I’m not like Linghu Yang.” Fang Xi secretly admired how well-informed Fatso Han was.

Linghu Yang being a fraud was something he had discovered only after undergoing Mind Confusion. Even with Demonic Possession, transforming him partially into a fiend, his chances of leaving the city were still uncertain at best!

“I need just one thing from you, and I’ll take you out!” Fang Xi’s gaze sharpened. “It is… Tai Sui!”

“How dare you! Seeking old Han’s life essence!” Fatso Han roared furiously, causing the entire mound of flesh to erupt violently!

Boom!

A terrifying surge of blood qi soared skyward.

The massive meat mountain mobilized, coalescing into a crushing punch that thunderously descended!