Volcanic Age

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.

*

Contrary to his worries, no one sustained any serious injuries. Basic healing medicine was all they needed. As expected from a renowned sect, Mount Hua had achieved a flawless victory in the battle.

To begin with, the fact that they were sent out on a mission to the world meant that their cultivation and skills were acknowledged by the sect. They weren\'t low-level cultivators. Although they couldn\'t finish the fight as quickly as Zhou Xuchuan did, they were still able to achieve victory without sustaining major injuries.

Yi Zhihao looked for Zhou Xuchuan as soon as he was done dealing with his enemies. Thankfully, the timing aligned with when Zhou Xuchuan returned.

"Senior brother!" Yi Zhihao exclaimed in concern, spotting a pale-faced Liu Zhengmu leaning against a tree."It\'s okay. I\'m safe," Liu Zhengmu replied in a hoarse voice, clearly exhausted.

Yi Zhihao sighed in relief after hearing the reply, then scanned the area. The first thing that caught his eye was Wu Ye\'s lifeless body.

"Whoa, as expected of you, Senior brother," Yi Zhiaho exclaimed once he saw the clean cut on the severed head.

"It\'s nothing much." Liu Zhengmu smiled bitterly.

"Not at all. Even if he was a lowly evil cultivator, he was still an Absolute Realm expert, wasn\'t he?"

Yi Zhihao acted proud almost as if it was his own achievement.

"Thank you. That aside, is everyone okay?"

"Yes, they\'re fine."

"Everyone\'s safety is more important than Monkey Arms\' death. You seem to have sustained minor injuries. Let\'s hurry down the mountain and find a doctor."

Yi Zhihao was touched by Liu Zhengmu\'s concern.

"Yes!"

*

The group, including members of Mount Hua, the woman who guided them, and her son, all returned to Yunxian.

"Lord! I-I am truly sorry," the lady apologized once they arrived at Yunxian. Her body was trembling, and her eyes were filled with fear.

Yi Zhihao had the urge to yell at her for lying. Yes, they had realized it was a trap early on, but he still didn\'t like that she didn\'t tell them the truth.

"It\'s alright."

If Liu Zhengmu had not urged him to be understanding, he would\'ve long since snapped.

"Thank you, great hero! I\'ll become like you one day!" the child thanked him, his eyes sparkling with admiration for a hero.

"Yes, be well." Liu Zhengmu softly smiled at him.

With that, they sent off the mother and son.

"Send a homing pigeon to the sect and the Martial Alliance about what happened here. Also, find the local doctor and get yourselves treated."

"Yes!"

The others left, leaving Liu Zhengmu and Zhou Xuchuan by alone.

"Thank you, Master," Zhou Xuchuan expressed his gratitude, taking a deep bow.

"What\'s there to thank? A master who stole his disciple\'s achievements?" Liu Zhengmu sighed, seemingly dissatisfied.

"Stealing achievements? Please don\'t say that. When I arrived, Wu Ye was already exhausted from fighting you. I just finished what you started."

He wasn\'t entirely wrong there.

"I truly can\'t win against you."

Liu Zhengmu smiled faintly. At least this was better than seeking fame and being arrogant.

"Thank you," Zhou Xuchuan replied politely.

"That aside…" Liu Zhengmu trailed off, his face looking grave. "I have consumed a Lesser Circulation Pill. What should I do now…"

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.