Chapter 185: Sword Heart Illumination
Zhang Ruochen had already reached the peak of the Mysterious Extreme Realm Great Perfection. His purpose in taking the Sacred Liquid was not to break through to a higher realm, but to use the sacred power contained within the liquid to temper his physical body.
"Boom!"
As the Sacred Liquid entered his body, it was like a bomb exploding within him.
In an instant, the Qi Lake, meridians, and blood vessels inside Zhang Ruochen's body were all filled with sacred power, squeezing from the inside out, as if about to burst his body apart.
Strands of sacred power surged out from Zhang Ruochen's pores, transforming into white sacred rivers that swirled around him.
Zhang Ruochen struggled to control the true qi within him, injecting it into his soul veins to activate his Martial Soul.
The Martial Soul, like a tangible spiritual shadow, hovered above Zhang Ruochen's head, identical in appearance to him.
The Martial Soul also breathed and absorbed the sacred power, nourishing itself.
Sacred power was the best nourishment for the Martial Soul.
With Zhang Ruochen's current cultivation, relying solely on his physical body, it was impossible to completely absorb a single drop of Sacred Liquid. That was why he released his Martial Soul to also absorb the sacred power.
Under the impact of the Sacred Liquid's sacred power, Zhang Ruochen's Qi Lake actually began to slowly expand outward, growing larger and larger. The sacred power contained within the Qi Lake also increased.
Under normal circumstances, the Qi Lake could only expand when breaking through to a higher realm.
In just a quarter of an hour, Zhang Ruochen's Qi Lake capacity doubled, and it continued to grow.
Two times, three times...
After an entire day passed, Zhang Ruochen's Qi Lake expanded sevenfold before finally stopping.
The expansion of the Qi Lake also meant an increase in cultivation.
If not for the lack of resonance from the gods, Zhang Ruochen might have thought he had reached the Unsurpassed Extreme Realm of the Mysterious Extreme Realm.
Zhang Ruochen's mind was calm. He continued to refine the sacred power of the Sacred Liquid, allowing it to merge into his bones, muscles, internal organs, meridians, and blood vessels. His physical body seemed to transform into a Sacred Light Treasure Body, with every inch of his skin emitting a white radiance.
A month later, Zhang Ruochen had completely refined the sacred power of that drop of Sacred Liquid, perfectly integrating it with the true qi within him.
"With my cultivation increased again, with my current strength, I should be able to unleash a speed of eighty meters per second. If I can cultivate the Wind-Riding Flying Dragon Shadow to the Great Completion realm, my speed will definitely increase further, and I might even reach eighty-one meters per second."
The Wind-Riding Flying Dragon Shadow was a Spirit-rank top-grade martial technique. It couldn't be cultivated to Great Completion in a short time; it required a lot of time and practice.
"Zhang Ruochen, all sixty-six basic inscription patterns on the Abyssal Ancient Sword have been reconnected, reaching the level of a ninth-rank True Martial Treasure." Xiao Hei held the four-foot broken sword and handed it to Zhang Ruochen.
"That's really great!" Zhang Ruochen's heart was filled with joy.
Zhang Ruochen grasped the hilt of the Abyssal Ancient Sword, walked out of the inner space of the Time-Space Crystal, and arrived at the empty courtyard.
Standing in the center of the courtyard, he carefully felt the familiar sword. The sensation was like a loved one returning to his side.
A warm current flowed into Zhang Ruochen's body.
Man and sword seemed to be born from the same bloodline, merging into one.
"Clang!"
The Abyssal Ancient Sword let out a sword cry, trembling slightly, as if it had come to life.
Zhang Ruochen closed his eyes, utterly immersed. Gradually, his fingers, which had been gripping the hilt, slowly loosened.
The Abyssal Ancient Sword did not fall to the ground but remained suspended in midair, motionless.
Xiao Hei stood in the distance, his fur standing on end, his eyes wide open, exclaiming, "Sword Heart Illumination!"
"Fly!"
A single word escaped Zhang Ruochen's lips.
Suddenly, the Abyssal Ancient Sword shot out, trailing a long sword shadow. In an instant, it pierced the wing of a flying mosquito a hundred meters away.
"Whoosh!"
The Abyssal Ancient Sword immediately flew back, landing in Zhang Ruochen's hand.
"Haha! I've finally reached the Sword Heart Illumination realm. Abyssal, from now on, you will still fight by my side."
He had been unable to reach Sword Heart Illumination for a long time. Unexpectedly, after regaining control of the Abyssal Ancient Sword, he instantly broke through to that realm.
Zhang Ruochen held the four-foot broken sword, closed his eyes, and sensed a rice-grain-sized sword shadow within the Qi Lake at his brow.
That was the "Sword Intent Heart" that could only be formed upon reaching the Sword Heart Illumination realm.
The reason Zhang Ruochen could reach Sword Heart Illumination at the Mysterious Extreme Realm was that he had once been at that realm before, so he could easily cultivate back to it.
For another martial artist, reaching the intermediate realm of Sword Following the Heart at the Mysterious Extreme Realm would already be impressive. The Sword Heart Illumination realm was practically a legend to them.
Upon reaching the Sword Heart Illumination realm, one could use the Sword Intent Heart to control a war sword and kill enemies from a hundred miles away.
Of course, Zhang Ruochen's current realm was still low, and his true qi was not thick enough. He could only control the war sword to fly within a hundred meters.
With the breakthrough in realm, Zhang Ruochen's temperament also changed. Even just standing there casually, he gave off a faint pressure, like a young Sword God.
If Zhang Ruochen launched an attack, even a single glance could shatter the soul of a Yellow Extreme Realm martial artist, scaring them into fleeing in panic.
"Only about ten days should have passed outside. Kong Xuan probably hasn't finished converting her techniques yet."
Zhang Ruochen first went to Zhang Shaochu's residence and handed him seven drops of Half-Saint True Liquid. Then, he went to Zi Qian's residence.
Zi Qian was practicing the Wind-Riding Flying Dragon Shadow and had already reached the Entry realm.
Speed was always her forte, so she naturally grasped it quickly.
She stepped through nine types of footwork, moving extremely fast, like a series of beautiful afterimages. In an instant, she rushed in front of Zhang Ruochen.
"Swish!"
Without warning, a sword light flew out from her sleeve, emitting a cold chill, and stabbed toward Zhang Ruochen's neck.
Zhang Ruochen did not move his feet. He merely tilted his neck slightly, easily dodging Zi Qian's sleeve-hidden Fish Intestine Sword.
"Swish, swish!"
Zi Qian thrust out eighteen swords in succession, leaving eighteen sword shadows, but all were easily dodged by Zhang Ruochen, not even grazing his clothes.
Zi Qian retracted the sword back into her sleeve, biting her lip, and asked, "Have you really not broken through to the Earth Extreme Realm?"
Zhang Ruochen shook his head.
After coming out of the Chi Kong Secret Mansion, Zi Qian had obtained a large amount of cultivation resources, greatly improving her cultivation and physique. Yet, in front of Zhang Ruochen, the gap was still enormous, naturally making her feel somewhat discouraged.
Zhang Ruochen seemed to see through Zi Qian's thoughts and said, "You are actually already quite outstanding. Even if you challenged the Mysterious Ranking now, you could enter the top eight hundred. If you accumulate and settle for another two years, entering the top one hundred of the Mysterious Ranking would not be difficult."
Zi Qian said, "But the gap with you is still too great."
Zhang Ruochen said, "Your main problem is that the techniques you cultivate are not profound enough, and the meridians you have opened within your body are not numerous enough. Naturally, you cannot compare to me."
Zi Qian had only seventeen meridians in her body. Compared to other martial artists, that might be quite excellent, but compared to Zhang Ruochen, there was naturally a huge gap.
Zi Qian asked, "Does having fewer meridians in the body necessarily mean being inferior to martial artists with more meridians?"
"Not necessarily," Zhang Ruochen said. "A martial artist's potential is endless. No single factor can absolutely determine a martial artist's fate. It's just that having more advantages is better. I just have more advantages right now, that's all."
Zhang Ruochen also corrected some mistakes in her footwork before leaving her to continue practicing alone.
Zi Qian decided to cultivate the Wind-Riding Flying Dragon Shadow to the Minor Completion realm before challenging the Martial Market Arena, aiming to break into the top five hundred of the Mysterious Ranking.
Liu Chengfeng called out to Zhang Ruochen from afar, catching up to him, and said, "Senior Brother, someone wants to see you."
"Who?" Zhang Ruochen asked.
"The number one on the Mysterious Ranking, Yan Lixuan." Liu Chengfeng said excitedly.
Zhang Ruochen frowned slightly and asked curiously, "What does he want to see me for?"
Liu Chengfeng said, "Senior Brother, don't you know? During the time you were in seclusion, the news of your fight with Xun Guihai has spread throughout the entire Heavenly Demon Martial City. Everyone says you already have the strength to be number one on the Mysterious Ranking. As the number one on the Mysterious Ranking, Yan Lixuan naturally has to challenge you."
Zhang Ruochen smiled and said, "What meaning does challenging me have for him? He is already number one on the Mysterious Ranking. Even if he defeats me, it won't increase his reputation. On the contrary, if he loses to me, wouldn't his reputation be completely ruined?"
Liu Chengfeng laughed and said, "Who knows what he's thinking? Maybe he feels he has been number one on the Mysterious Ranking for too long and actually hopes to be defeated."
Zhang Ruochen thought for a moment and nodded slightly. That was not impossible.
With Zhang Ruochen's current realm, he had lost interest in martial artists of Yan Lixuan's level and didn't really want to see him. But since he had personally come to visit, Zhang Ruochen, as a junior, naturally had to meet him.
To become number one on the Mysterious Ranking, he must have some extraordinary qualities. Perhaps there would be unexpected gains.
Yan Lixuan was an old man in his sixties, dressed in simple cloth clothes. Although wrinkles had appeared on his face, showing signs of aging, his hair was still a vibrant green, without a single white strand.
His arms were thick, his body tall, and his spirit full. Just standing there casually, he gave off a feeling of complete harmony with nature, with no flaws to be found.
"The peak realm of Following the Heart."
The moment Zhang Ruochen saw Yan Lixuan, he sensed his realm height.
No wonder he could become number one on the Mysterious Ranking. He truly had real talent and learning.
Decades of cultivation had kept his martial realm at the Mysterious Extreme Realm Great Perfection. However, in terms of the realm of martial technique application, he surpassed many Earth Extreme Realm martial artists.
If he were to break through to the Earth Extreme Realm, he would quickly become a strong figure in that realm, and might even reach the Heavenly Extreme Realm in a short time.
When Yan Lixuan saw Zhang Ruochen, his eyes lit up. He slightly cupped his hands and smiled, "I thought that in the Mysterious Extreme Realm, only I could reach the peak realm of Following the Heart. I didn't expect you to have also reached this realm. Truly, the younger generation is formidable."
Zhang Ruochen had concealed his Sword Heart Illumination realm. That was why Yan Lixuan thought Zhang Ruochen was only at the peak of Following the Heart.
Zhang Ruochen said, "I am very curious. With your realm, breaking through to the Earth Extreme Realm should not be difficult. Why haven't you broken through to that realm yet?"
Yan Lixuan's eyes dimmed slightly, and he said, "There is a flaw in my martial heart. The knot in my heart cannot be untied, so my martial realm can never break through."
A martial artist's heart knot is a very mysterious thing. It not only affects the martial artist's state of mind but also their cultivation.
For example, if a martial artist has done something wrong in the past, a heart knot will form in their heart, causing their martial realm to stagnate.
Another example: if a martial artist has made a vow but then broken it, that will also form a heart knot.
Or, if a martial artist has done something wrong that led to an irreversible tragedy, a strong sense of guilt will arise in their heart. This is also a type of heart knot.
There are many types of heart knots.
Some heart knots can be easily untied, while others are very difficult to untie. Some heart knots have little impact on martial arts, while others have a very significant impact.
Clearly, Yan Lixuan's heart knot belonged to the latter, a very significant one. If he could not untie it, his martial realm would never break through.