Chapter 046 – Shadow Blood, Shadow Bones, and Life Chronicle

“Any cultivation technique, if you want to gain entry, comes down to two approaches. The first is to comprehend it on your own—enlightenment, as you would call it. The second is to practice relentlessly—training.

“Enlightenment means discovering it within yourself. All these arts were created by people. If others could devise them, why can’t you? Keep that mindset. Don’t become a puppet of a technique; become its master. Even common folk, if they do something long enough, can attain their own enlightenment.

“I once saw an old man selling oil in a busy market. He poured oil through a coin’s center hole, yet not a drop touched the coin. I also witnessed a butcher who could carve up an ox with a swish and a swipe as though playing a tune; the blade never dulled, yet the ox fell apart on its own. These people discovered their own enlightenment simply by refining their everyday tasks.

“Of course, most folks never get that chance. They never encounter that spark that leads to their own art. Or if they do catch a glimpse, they can’t see the path beyond the basics, let alone reach the pinnacle. That’s why we need lineage—the knowledge once conceived by individuals of astonishing talent.

“This inherited knowledge is divided into cultivation technique and skills. The cultivation technique is the foundational art. Break through in cultivation, and you rise to a higher realm. Skills are the applied art. Strengthen your skills, and you’ll learn to fully draw out your power.

“And there’s yet a third factor, which is the weapon. A good weapon supports the strength you’ve cultivated and may even help you unleash power beyond your limits. Rumor has it there exist mystical and divine weapons—nothing like the ordinary blades we know. But if your own level isn’t high enough, those weapons will be useless in your hands. Worse yet, they could turn on you.”

Senior Li lounged on his recliner, speaking passionately as if lecturing before a class. All around their little pavilion, the black market swelled with foot traffic, people surging to and fro. The pavilion felt like an island unto itself.

Here, Senior Li paid no heed to the respectful greetings of passersby calling him. He was fully absorbed in instructing his new direct disciple on these fundamental truths.

From the focus in Li Yuan’s eyes, Senior Li could tell this country-bred youth had never learned proper martial theory. No one had ever explained such things to him.

Senior Li’s heart warmed. Though his eyes remained half-closed, an added sense of closeness blossomed between them. The relationship between master and disciple could sometimes mirror that of lovers. There was something uniquely precious about the

first time

.

Their conversation continued in a question-and-answer style.

“Master,” Li Yuan asked softly, “I’d like to know more about the realms of cultivation.”

“Everyone knows about the nine ranks. But how many truly understand what they are?” Senior Li answered. Then he continued, “Do not speak of ice to summer insects; do not speak of spring and autumn to mayflies. We know very little of the highest three ranks, and only fragments of the middle three. But the lower three are within reach, so let me explain those to you.

“The ninth rank is called Flesh & Blood Refinement. Using a cultivation technique to temper your flesh and blood. Once you develop a warm current running through your muscles that you can control at will, you’ve made your first breakthrough.

“But take note. This warm current isn’t qi. It’s a special blood energy. This blood is above the ordinary blood in your veins. As it circulates, it nourishes every part of your body, increasing your strength and resilience.

“In the martial world, there’s a saying. Dog’s blood nourishes dogs; pig’s blood nourishes pigs; tiger’s blood nourishes tigers; dragon’s blood nourishes dragons.

“Once your blood changes, so do you, and the first manifestation of that change appears in your flesh. Hence this is called the stage of Flesh & Blood Refinement. When you reach it, you’re far stronger than a regular person. Even if you get sick or injured, you can quickly recover by channeling that special blood to the afflicted area. You’ve likely felt that difference since you stepped into the ninth rank.”

Li Yuan nodded. “Indeed, I’m nothing like I was before.”

Senior Li continued, “Yes. All those changes stem from this special blood. Across the land, people call it shadow blood.”

“Shadow blood?” Li Yuan asked. “Why that name?”

“Think of it as a nickname for this unique blood energy. As for its exact origin, perhaps it came from powerful high-level cultivators or one of the major sects. Over time, people just started calling it that.”

“I see,” Li Yuan said.

“Next is the eighth rank, known as Skin Refinement. With an eighth rank cultivation technique, the shadow blood you’ve accumulated becomes more orderly—like rivers branching out across your body—until eventually forming a layer of blood armor over your skin.

“At that point, blades and spears can’t pierce you. Even if you just stand still and let a normal person hack away at you, it won’t do a thing. Unless you’re exhausted or out of strength, an ordinary sword can at most leave a faint white mark on your skin.

“A ninth rank martial artist can cause some trouble for an eighth rank, but thanks to that refined skin, it’s still exceedingly difficult for them to inflict serious harm. They’d have to land strike after strike on a vital spot before it would really hurt an eighth rank.

“An ordinary person can’t defeat a ninth rank, and a ninth rank can hardly defeat an eighth rank.” Senior Li paused briefly, then went on. “The seventh rank is Bone & Tendon Refinement.

“At this stage, the shadow blood in your body reaches its limit. That old ordinary blood you once had is completely replaced, triggering a qualitative transformation.

“Remember, at the ninth rank, you’re sustaining yourself with shadow blood. Now that it’s fully saturated, your body truly begins to change—specifically, the tendons and bones.

“Bones are the source of blood, so once you cultivate shadow bones, it in turn produces more shadow blood.

“From then on, all the blood you generate is shadow blood—no trace of ordinary blood remains. The power of this shadow blood abides in you constantly, flowing without end.

“At the ninth or eighth rank, there’s still a risk of exhausting yourself or being fatally injured. But once you reach the seventh, that possibility largely disappears.” Senior Li fell silent a moment, then continued in a solemn tone. “The sixth rank is where you enter the middle three ranks. The first realm there is known as Fate Altering.”

“Once your bones begin producing shadow blood, it flows through you endlessly.

Still, your essential life level remains that of a mere mortal.

“At this point, you won’t need another cultivation technique—you’ll need what we call a life chronicle.

“Legend has it that these life chronicles record extraordinary methods. Once you truly grasp one and break through, you shed your mortal shell and step into a whole new tier of human existence, gaining a far greater lifespan.

“At that level, mating with ordinary women no longer produces offspring; likewise, a mortal man can’t impregnate a woman above the sixth rank.

“That said, most who reach such heights lose much of their desire to have children. They might indulge in lust, but typically don’t care to bear what they see as a burden. So if you want descendants, you’d best have them before entering the sixth rank.”

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That day flew by.

As dusk fell, Senior Li hastily shooed Li Yuan away.

Li Yuan sensed Senior Li knew something about the recent troubles, but he kept his questions to himself.

The long boat parted the waters of the central lake, leaving a ruddy wake behind it.

Li Yuan recalled Senior Li’s words the first day he’d arrived here.

I heard them call you Young Master Li just now. At such a young age, already at entry rank, sharing a family name with me—well, you can at least borrow the courtesy of that title. Whether you can keep it is up to you.

Only now did Li Yuan truly understand. Senior Li was watching to see if he’d survive. Had he died in that crisis, the so-called title would have vanished with him. Fortunately, he had taken sick leave in time...

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Not long after Li Yuan got home, Cai Ze showed up with a jar of wine—even finer than the brew he’d brought last time.

“Young Master Li!” he exclaimed. “I never expected Senior Li to take you as his direct disciple. Looks like I may have to rely on you in the future...”

His way of addressing Li Yuan had changed; his manner of speech had grown more deferential.

Li Yuan just smiled. “Don’t be silly. Just call me Li Yuan like always. You helped me get into the Blood Blade Sect in the first place. How could I ever forget that? I’ll always be grateful to you.”

Touched by Li Yuan’s sincerity, Cai Ze felt an even stronger kinship. He didn’t ask about Li Yuan’s injuries this time.

Instead, he grinned. “How about we go to Heavenly Scent Pavilion tonight? My treat, we can share a couple of bottles.”

Li Yuan managed a wry chuckle. “I’ve got a wife at home, you know...”

Cai Ze stared at him. “You’re a martial artist. Why tie yourself down with a wife?”

So frank and blunt, Li Yuan momentarily had no idea how to respond.

Cai Ze pressed on, “Maybe you haven’t realized yet, but for people like us, it’s best to stay free of attachments. Marrying only shackles you. Usually, if a martial artist sees no hope for further breakthrough, that’s when they settle down and live out their days. Let’s be honest. Do you really think your wife can keep up with you?”

Li Yuan’s face darkened. “Cai Ze, please watch what you say. My wife and I love each other. Let’s leave it at that.”

After apologizing, Cai Ze chatted a bit longer with Li Yuan before taking his leave.

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Instead of heading straight home, Cai Ze ventured deeper into Silver Creek, arriving at a large estate.

A guard led him to a tower within the compound. In the courtyard, the Dark Visage Elder sat alone, drinking wine. Four very different-looking women hovered around him, rubbing his shoulders and thighs.

Cai Ze kept his head down, not daring to stare. He entered, bowed, and said, “Elder.”

The Dark Visage Elder asked, “So, how’s Li Yu’s new disciple?”

Cai Ze repeated Li Yuan’s words more or less verbatim.

The elder stroked his chin with a faintly amused expression. Pulling one of the women into his lap, he lifted her chin with a lazy flick of his hand. “He actually plans on staying married?” he sneered.

Cai Ze said, “He claims he and his wife are deeply in love.”

“Hah...” The elder couldn’t help but laugh, and so did the woman in his lap. They all laughed, as if they’d just heard the most entertaining joke.

Once the laughter subsided, the elder said, “Seems the deputy sect master had his reasons for looking down on him. In any case, it’s fitting. Li Yu is a fringe figure in the sect, so his disciple will be on the fringes as well, a perfect match.

“Let them be. But since an offiicial enforcer of the Blood Blade Sect has taken on a direct disciple, that boy can’t remain a mere associate. Whether he becomes an outer or inner disciple will depend on the deputy sect master’s decision.”

Cai Ze chimed in, “It would be better if the deputy sect master refused to elevate him.”

The Dark Visage Elder snorted. “He may not think much of some bumpkin, but he won’t embarrass Li Yu. The deputy sect master may be arrogant, but he’s no fool. In any case, leave it alone.

“Let this Li Yuan boy go his own way. Even though you brought him in, he no longer has anything to do with our branch. Li Yu doesn’t serve anyone or meddle in these affairs. Best not to provoke them again.”

“Yes, Elder.”

“Cai Ze, you’ve done a lot for me these past years. Once the murders in the central market are resolved, I’ll formally accept you as my direct disciple. Keep a close watch on the investigation.”

“Yes, Elder!” Excitement lit up Cai Ze’s gaze.

He had never been considered talented, yet he longed to rise higher. If he could become an inner disciple of the Blood Blade Sect, the standing and connections he’d gain would open the door to a better life.