Chapter Nineteen: The Eight-Armed Gale and Thunder Fist

Qi Fei’s true energy had reached perfection; within his dantian and sea of qi, he successfully forged the Fire Martial Spirit. Yet, just as he achieved this breakthrough, a sudden mutation arose: the frigid energy formed from the Spiritual Jade erupted, and to his shock, another bizarre Ice Martial Spirit emerged within his dantian.

Qi Fei’s mind was thrown into chaos. His master’s words before departing still echoed in his ears: the path of Martial Spirits was one of mutual generation and restraint, and nothing could be more incompatible than Fire and Ice Martial Spirits. Moments before, Qi Fei had already tasted the agony of fire and ice clashing within him. Now, with both Martial Spirits coexisting in his sea of qi, he could not help but feel a deep apprehension, fearing that an outburst from either might shatter his dantian entirely.

After sitting quietly in the secret chamber for some time, Qi Fei realized he could not simply wait for a solution. Gritting his teeth, he summoned his true energy once more to probe the mysteries of the Fire and Ice Martial Spirits.

True energy slowly flowed into his dantian, and soon split into two purer streams—one blazing hot, one bone-chillingly cold. These two utterly different energies surged forth, circulating gently through all his meridians. Qi Fei had feared the two energies would clash again, yet, unexpectedly, they melded together as harmoniously as milk and water, not only causing no harm, but even faintly refining and expanding his meridians.

Qi Fei carefully operated his true energy through a full cycle, then cautiously activated the “Spiritual Resonance Art.” Instantly, a chill emanated from the Ice Martial Spirit, slowly seeping out as a stream of spiritual jade cold, which concealed both Martial Spirits and all his true energy at once.

A sense of relief settled in Qi Fei’s heart. It seemed the spiritual jade’s chill had not all transformed into the Ice Martial Spirit; even without true essence of the Celestial Gate, he could still use the “Spiritual Resonance Art” to conceal his cultivation. Yet a puzzle remained: when his master had passed the Spiritual Jade to him, nothing had been said of its coldness condensing into a Martial Spirit. Could it be that his master, whose dantian had been destroyed years ago, never comprehended the jade’s true powers? If so, the remaining spiritual jade chill within him would greatly benefit his future cultivation of the Celestial Spirit Soul.

Qi Fei sat cross-legged in meditation for several hours, using the array in the secret chamber to gather spiritual energy, refining both his martial true energies to perfection, and advancing to the second tier of the Martial Path—where energy gathers into the soul.

Letting out a slow breath, Qi Fei’s eyes snapped open. Clenching his fists, he could distinctly feel the tremendous strength now coursing through his hands. With a thought, both streams of martial true energy surged forth—his left fist flushed crimson, blazing heat radiating outward, while his right palm exuded an icy current, a chill swirling ceaselessly at his fingertips.

Staring at his hands, Qi Fei’s heart surged with excitement. Not only had he awakened the Fire Martial Spirit, but, aided by the Spiritual Jade, he had also condensed the Ice Martial Spirit. Now, with both spirits within him, and possessing supreme techniques of both righteous and demonic sects, how could he possibly fail to break through the Celestial Gate barrier outside the Penitence Cliff one day?

After a brief consideration, Qi Fei hurriedly rose and secured the iron door to the secret chamber. With his martial cultivation at the second tier complete, it was time to practice inner martial arts to temper muscle and bone, forging his body anew.

Recalling the essentials of the Xuanxin Sword Sect’s inner boxing, Qi Fei channeled both streams of true energy. His figure suddenly moved, and his palms became shadows as he began to practice the one hundred and eight forms of the “Eight-Arm Wind and Thunder Fist” within the chamber.

The “Eight-Arm Wind and Thunder Fist” was a powerful and fierce inner martial art, each thunderous movement driving true energy through his sinews and bones, continuously tempering his flesh. The Fire Martial Spirit’s refined heat worked in perfect harmony with this fist technique, while the Ice Martial Spirit’s chilling energy imbued the supreme art with a subtle, hidden softness, deadly when unleashed.

Thunderous gusts accompanied each strike, the wind howling incessantly through the secret chamber. Fearing suspicion, Qi Fei remained alert for any movement outside. After a full set, he was exhausted but deeply invigorated.

Calming himself, Qi Fei regulated his breath and soon discovered a thin layer of black grime covering his skin—the impurities expelled from his body by practicing the “Eight-Arm Wind and Thunder Fist.” He stripped off his outerwear, carefully washed with the chamber’s water, then donned clean clothes, a wry smile crossing his lips.

The mysterious art of tempering muscle and bone was so profound it could remake him entirely. Yet, when he retreated to the Penitence Cliff to practice in seclusion, it would only be days before his body reeked from the toxins expelled—he wondered whether the infrequent deliveries of fresh water would suffice to keep him clean.

Shaking off these thoughts, Qi Fei continued his practice of all one hundred and eight forms, ever alert to the world outside the chamber.

Meanwhile, atop Qingyang Peak in the main hall of the Danxia Sect, the sect master Lu Qingxuan and the gathered elders wore dark expressions, their eyes fixed on the two envoys from the Xuan Zhen Temple and the Seven Absolutes Sect. Anger burned in their hearts.

“The Grand Master commands: so long as Danxia Sect delivers forty percent of its pills annually, our temple will overlook your encroachment on our lands.” The young Daoist in his robe was arrogant and domineering, recklessly flaunting his authority in the Danxia Sect’s main hall.

The disciple in black from Seven Absolutes Sect remained expressionless. “Our sect also asks only forty percent. In return, we guarantee your disciples’ safety within these mountains.”

These two were mere nobodies in their respective sects, yet emboldened by their backgrounds, they lorded over the Danxia main hall. Lu Qingxuan and his elders dared not discipline the insolent pair. That the two sects would open their mouths and demand eighty percent of Danxia’s pills was insufferable.

Suppressing his anger, Lu Qingxuan replied in a low voice, “For years, our three sects have stood together to resist outside threats as close allies. I never expected you would now join hands to threaten Danxia. If you want eighty percent of our pills, perhaps your sect leaders should come to Qingyang Peak and discuss the matter in person.”

The grey-robed Daoist from Xuan Zhen was about to speak, but the Seven Absolutes disciple cut him off. “The world is in chaos. These mountains are no longer safe. Only out of past friendship does my master ask a mere forty percent, pledging all our strength to protect your disciples. If you refuse, we will not force you, but in future, do not expect our aid against your enemies.”

The disciple’s veiled threats enraged the Danxia elders. The hot-tempered Elder Mo Zhanpeng could endure no more—he roared and struck out at the insolent Seven Absolutes envoy.

The disciple did not dodge, but raised a hand and met Mo Zhanpeng’s thunderous blow head-on. When fist met palm, a deafening boom echoed through the hall. The Seven Absolutes disciple advanced instead of retreating, his movement punctuated by a thunderclap that made the entire hall shudder. Mo Zhanpeng, shocked, had to muster all his true energy to battle the foe, the clash of blows tearing the air.

The Seven Absolutes disciple was ruthless; though his true energy was not as deep as Mo Zhanpeng’s, he did not shrink from the challenge. He took the punch and countered with a palm to Mo’s shoulder. Their blows collided in a resounding crash, and both were sent flying.

The Seven Absolutes disciple spat blood, retreating several yards before crashing into the stone wall. Mo Zhanpeng’s face was ashen, his left shoulder gripped by a searing cold—the disciple was a master of the Ice Martial Spirit. Though his true energy was weaker, his cultivation was not inferior, standing at the third tier of the Martial Path.

That a sect elder at the fourth tier could not gain the upper hand against such an unknown disciple proved the terrifying might of the Seven Absolutes Sect. Remembering that Xuan Zhen Temple was even more powerful, the Danxia elders’ faces all turned grim.

Lu Qingxuan sighed inwardly, then said, “Please inform your masters that the Danxia Sect must deliberate further. In three days, I will personally visit Grandmaster Cangsong and Sect Leader Sima to give them an answer.”

The Seven Absolutes disciple wiped the blood from his lips, his expression unchanged. “That is for the best. We shall report back. Farewell, Sect Master Lu.”

Having witnessed the disciple’s strength, no one dared bar their exit. Watching the two leave, Lu Qingxuan and the elders were filled with bitterness.

A look of resolve flashed in Lu Qingxuan’s eyes as he exchanged a glance with Elder Guo Huai, then had the wounded Mo Zhanpeng remain behind while dismissing the shaken elders.

Clutching his shoulder, Mo Zhanpeng spat, “Sect Master, Elder Xu has been gone for days seeking the Marquis’s help. If the Marquis intervenes, would these two sects dare act so brazenly?”

Lu Qingxuan’s face darkened and he let out a long sigh. “I fear Elder Xu will not return.”