Volcanic Age

Chapter 50: Return to Mount Hua (3)

The Ten Thousand Convergence Art allowed a practitioner to learn any type of martial arts. Zhou Xuchuan theorized that this fact was related to what he had just experienced.

Through the Ten Thousand Convergence Art, he could learn martial arts that weren't related to his main cultivation art, albeit at half the power. However, that didn't mean that the process of practicing the art was different. The process of reciting the mantra and guiding qi to pass through the designated meridians was the same.

Every martial art had a different way of circulating qi. There were hundreds of different ways to circulate qi.

Normally, a cultivator's qi circulation technique remained the same throughout their lifetime. Some minor changes might be made once or twice, but they would not deviate too far from their main qi circulation route.

For example, the Violet Haze Divine Art, a complex cultivation art, required the practitioner to circulate their qi through many different vessels. However, that didn't mean that the qi vessels in question would be similar to those used in demonic cultivation arts. It had the same origins as the Plum Blossom Cultivation Art, so while it might become a little more complex, it didn't deviate completely.

However, it would be a different story with the existence of the Ten Thousand Convergence Art. By learning this art, Zhou Xuchuan could now train in martial arts that he never attempted in his previous life, as proven by the Eclipse Divine Archery Art.

The martial arts of the Mount Hua Sect had Daoist origins, but the Eclipse Divine Archery Art didn't. Being from a totally different source, learning both simultaneously was very hard. Not to mention, the Eclipse Divine Archery Art had the word "divine" in it, which indicated how hard it was to learn. Zhou Xuchuan spent a considerable amount of time and effort circulating his qi the right way when he first started.

I see, that's how it is!

Both the Violet Haze Divine Art and the Eclipse Divine Archery Art were complex and difficult to learn. The methods of circulating qi for both of these arts were also totally different. Mastering both had significantly improved his control over qi.

It's more amazing than I originally thought.

The Ten Thousand Convergence Art was a martial art that existed purely for the sake of it.

But if I had not gone back in time, I wouldn't have been able to make use of such a trait, right?

Taking advantage of the Ten Thousand Convergence Art was only possible due to his experience and enlightenment from having risen to the Harmony Realm. Otherwise, he would be stuck training in the Plum Blossom Six Cardinal Cultivation Art, let alone attempting the Eclipse Divine Archery Art, even if he had the Ten Thousand Convergence Art with him. It would probably only come in handy much later.

Wait, this isn't the right time for that.

He'd gotten lost in his thoughts about the martial art, almost forgetting about the poison.

Hm, my stomach is starting to hurt like hell!

This was unsurprising, considering he had no immunity to the poison.

It would be great if I knew a poison cultivation art...

If he did, it wouldn't be poison that he just took, but a spiritual medicine.

For now, I'll use this to increase my resistance as much as possible.

He divided the poison qi and circulated it throughout his body, protecting his meridians with his qi to avoid internal injuries.

For now, Zhou Xuchuan expelled the poison qi through his sweat glands.

Drip, drip.

Black sweat beaded on his skin, accompanied by a terrible smell. The expelled poison qi seemed very potent, as nearby vegetation withered instantly. The insects nearby writhed in pain before dying, and the ground around him turned black and lifeless.

This is enough.

He didn't expel all the poison qi. He left behind just enough so that it didn't put a burden on his body before circulating it. Since he had not learned a poison art, he couldn't convert it into his own qi. However, he could increase his resistance to poison with this.

This method was only possible because he had a large amount of internal qi he could use to protect his meridians and blood vessels.

"Phew..."

Only now could he sigh in relief. He opened his eyes and slowly stood up.

"What a pity."

Given more time and a better situation, he could've increased his resistance a bit more. However, this wasn't the right time, so he stopped circulating the poison qi. Since he had not learned a poison cultivation art, he couldn't absorb the poison qi either. So, he just burnt it away with his own qi.

"Ah, this isn't the right time."

His master was still unconscious, and his sect brothers could still be fighting.

*

He remembered collapsing because of a poisoned needle. When he came to, however, there was no trace of poison in his body, and his qi had actually increased. He looked around in confusion, only to find a headless Wu Ye and his disciple sighing in relief.

Zhou Xuchuan explained everything to his master, and asked him to keep what happened a secret. He didn't want to attract the attention of the Dark Heaven Association yet, which he naturally didn't explain. He simply explained he didn't want more attention after the whole Watertop Spearman incident.

Liu Zhengmu wasn't thrilled with the idea, feeling like he was stealing his disciple's achievements. However, Zhou Xuchuan's pleas eventually won him over.

"Urgh..."

He couldn't really complain about taking the Lesser Circulation Pill either. Zhou Xuchuan was trying to save his life, after all. Liu Zhengmu wasn't so unreasonable.

"Master, may this disloyal disciple say something?"

"You don't need to demean yourself so much."

"Thank you. Anyway, I think there is no helping with what you've already consumed. Even if you explain the circumstances to the Shaolin Temple, the matter will not be easily resolved."

This was a matter of public reputation. Although the pills were taken a long time ago, they were stolen goods nonetheless. Even if he were to confess that he had consumed one out of conscience, the Shaolin Temple wouldn't easily let it slide.

That was just how the martial world worked.

"It's not like you consumed it intentionally, did you? Don't worry so much. I believe even the Buddha will tell you not to feel so guilty. I mean, isn't Buddha a saint? I'm sure he would understand."

Zhou Xuchuan had an incredible tongue. He managed to stave off some of Liu Zhengmu's guilt.

"There was no other way."

There was no other way—this was like a magical phrase that could be used in any unjust situation.

Zhou Xuchuan seemed to have trained his talking skills instead of his cultivation during the time he was missing.

"If you tell the truth, both Mount Hua and the Shaolin Temple will have a difficult time. You can't do anything about it, so I believe it's best if we just let things slide, Master."

"...Alright."

Liu Zhengmu gave up. Although he looked very dissatisfied, he threw away his regret and just accepted the truth.

"With this, I'm indebted to the Shaolin Temple. I will take this matter to the grave but will pay them back someday."

He still felt a sense of responsibility.

Yes!

Zhou Xuchuan cheered. He had managed to fully convince his master.

'Now, Master will rise to the ranks of the Hundred Experts Under Heaven.'

The spiritual qi from the Lesser Circulation Pill had not fully disappeared. Although Zhou Xuchuan used some of it to burn the poison qi, he used the rest to push the poison qi out of the body. Because of this, Liu Zhengmu still had about sixty to seventy percent left. If he managed to absorb it, he would be able to gain at least ten years' worth of qi. With some luck, he could even ascend to the next cultivation realm.

Spiritual medicines weren't spiritual without reason. Many would kill for one.

I'll repay my gratitude several times in this life.

This still didn't feel enough. Zhou Xuchuan wished he could help his master reach the Harmony Realm.

"You're finally returning to the sect after all the suffering, but you were dragged into this mess because of me. I'm truly sorry."

"There's no need to apologize, Master. If you think about it, it's also my fault for going missing."

"You truly are something else."

Liu Zhengmu stroked Zhou Xuchuan's head.

"Well then. Get ready to depart. There's not much time left. We should return as soon as possible."

To their home, Mount Hua.