Chapter 111: Forging Weapons

At Li Pin's training room at the Riverscape Marvel.

Li Pin finished his practice of the Innate Qi-Nurturing Technique and let out a long sigh.

Fighting five Astral Cultivators whose physical strength exceeded fifty had left him immensely drained. This was evident from how the primordial qi he had accumulated was nearly depleted.

"If I had to fight intense battles where I erupt my Blood Core and use the Blood-Seething Secret Art every day, I wouldn't be able to keep up even with the help of the Innate Qi-Nurturing Technique."

Li Pin made a rough calculation. Given the rate at which his primordial qi depleted, It would take him a full three days to recover!

If he wanted to shorten his recovery period, he would have to use higher grade medicinal herbs to replenish his primordial qi. These herbs had to be comparable to Heavenly Treasures. While the cost would be very high, the potential daily improvements would make it worthwhile.

Li Pin concentrated on sensing the changes within his body.

[Qi and Blood: 37.03], [Primordial Qi: 34.11], [Mental Spirit: 18.25]

[Aura Cultivation: 60/60]

[Innate Qi-Nurturing Technique: Qi-Nurturing Chapter: 96/100]

[Blood-Seething Secret Art: 38.91%]

He felt the powerful and steady beating of his heart. With each beat, he could effortlessly deliver qi, blood, and strength to every corner of his body and endure even greater strain from his explosive strength.

He had perfected his External Aura realm, which signified the completion of the organs-tempering phase. With all his internal organs fully tempered, he could unleash his strength without worrying about his blood vessels collapsing.

As his heart pulsed, his qi and blood surged, and his organs resonated.

Now, he could easily unleash the Aura Force that shook the air. He didn't have to erupt his Blood Core or use ultimate techniques like the Five Elements Unity anymore.

"I have perfected the External Aura realm. Moving on, I will pursue the Internal Cultivation and Blood Renewal phase. This is the true threshold to reaching the human body's limits. Once the Blood Renewal is complete, my body will reach its peak, putting it at the pinnacle of the Aura Cultivation realm with a qi and blood level of 38 to 39."

People had varying potentials. Some only had the potential to reach a qi and blood level of 38, while others could reach 39. Those with naturally robust physiques might achieve 40, 41, or 42 points. On the other hand, exceptionally gifted individuals might reach 43, 44, or even beyond 45.

This distinction marked the clear divide between ordinary people and those with innate divine strength.

Even among Martial Saints, there were discrepancies. Some Martial Saints could compete for the title of King of the Century, while others were limited to exerting influence within their own country. This difference was partially due to innate physical conditions.

When a martial artist reached their maximum physical potential, there would be no further progress to be made. From then on, they would have to refine their martial arts, distilling the essence and streamlining their techniques to find the most suitable tactics and methods for themselves.

"Once they achieve a harmonious integration of physical strength, qi, blood, and martial arts, they are honored as great grandmasters. After this, they would shift their focus from physical cultivation to spiritual training, marking the beginning of the path to becoming a Martial Saint."

Li Pin reviewed the videos and texts he had studied in the Solar Vermillion Sect over the past half month about the paths beyond grandmaster.

Li Pin's thoughts were clear. The difference between a great grandmaster and a grandmaster lay in the refinement of their martial arts system.

The difference between Martial Saints and great grandmasters was that one had taken that additional step of completing the transition from physical tempering to spiritual honing. Fundamentally, there was no difference in physical quality between them.

"Inner Cultivation and Blood Renewal...." muttered Li Pin.

Li Pin focused simultaneously on the Solar Vermillion Force and the Five Elements Body-Refining Art.

He took a deep breath and began to create tremors throughout his body.

This time, Li Pin was tempering the bones throughout his entire body, specifically the marrow deep within the bones.

By generating tremors to stimulate his bones with his strength and coordinating this with the strength of his internal organs, he ensured a constant and intensive supply of nourishment. This was an extremely critical and intricate process that allowed no room for error or negligence.

The danger of this process was many times greater than that of the Core Formation realm. Many grandmasters would end up ruining their entire cultivation journey at this step.

In the martial arts world, many practitioners in their thirties, like Fang Lingjue, despite having the potential to advance further, chose to halt their progress. Instead of continuing to push their limits, they opted to open martial arts schools or seek fame due to the significant risks and uncertainties involved with further advancement.

Having already achieved Core Formation, they could comfortably earn millions annually, thus enjoying a prosperous and secure life. Why risk their entire cultivation and even their lives to temper their organs and renew their blood?

This was precisely why the number of martial artists beyond the Aura Cultivation realm in the Taibai Kingdom had significantly decreased.

A few months ago, Taibai Kingdom sought to assemble a hundred Aura Cultivation Grandmasters to investigate the activity of demonic creatures in Death Valley. However, they had struggled to recruit enough volunteers.

Ultimately, they had to lower the requirement to Core Formation, and even then, they barely managed to gather the necessary number of participants.

***

Li Pin used his strength to create tremors through his bones. It took him quite a long while to complete a full cycle of cultivation. When he finished, his entire body was engulfed in a pervasive numbness, giving him a feeling of near paralysis.

"This efficiency..."

He made a few calculations and soon came up with a number.

[Internal Aura: 1/6800]

At this rate, he could only practice once or twice per day. In other words, it would take him at least ten years to complete the Internal Cultivation phase. Of course, this calculation wasn't definitive.

This session didn't count as he was just attempting Internal Cultivation. As he improved his control and understanding of the Internal Cultivation phase, the experience required to perfect this phase would gradually decrease.

In ten days to half a month, he estimated that the progress of his Inner Cultivation would be reduced to about one-tenth. Even so, at this rate, it would still require nearly two years to complete. Clearly, he needed to put effort into other aspects as well, such as increasing the frequency of tempering his organs and using external aids.

One effective method was the Blood-Seething Secret Art, though it greatly depleted primordial qi. However, this was a minor concern. The reason he invested so much effort into the Innate Qi-Nurturing Technique was to replenish his primordial qi.

In his moment of thought, he took out his phone and dialed Zhao Yuan's number. "Have the assets been sold?"

—We have already sold sixty percent and raised 18.3 million in funds.

"Set aside ten million to purchase medicinal herbs that replenish primordial qi. They must be of Heavenly Treasures quality," Li Pin instructed.

—Heavenly Treasures medicinal herbs? Precious medicines!?

Zhao Yuan was stunned.

—What about the price...?

"Don't worry about the cost," Li Pin replied.

To him, money not put to good use was worthless money.

Zhao Yuan agreed.

—Understood. The Five Elements Sect has channels to purchase precious medicines. Additionally, Chairman Lian also has relevant connections. While a hundred million is a fortune for many, it's not considered high in the market for precious medicines.

Zhao Yuan didn't need to say that. Li Pin knew this all too well; Heavenly Treasure precious medicines typically had a starting price in the millions. It wasn't unheard of for valuable medicines to sell for tens of millions.

—By the way, Grandmaster Li, the master swordsmith from Emerald Edge Forge will pass by Jiang Province in about half a month and will stay for a month. Since you have some Astral Crystals on hand, would you like to forge a spirit weapon?

"Spirit weapon?"

Li Pin thought about the astral equipment he had obtained from the Solar Vermillion Sect.

A necklace crafted from authentic Astral Crystals combined with Obsidian Crystal, a bracelet forged from Mystic Silver, and a ring made from Amber Crystal.

These items were crafted with consideration for their potential impact on combat, which was why they were designed to be small and compact. Unlike substandard astral equipment that mostly served as psychological comfort, genuine astral equipment not only provided superior defensive benefits but also exhibited some extraordinary properties.

The Mystic Silver Bracelet helped maintain a calm mind and improved reaction speed in dangerous situations.

The Obsidian Crystal Necklace and Amber Crystal Ring enhanced qi and blood activity, allowing for faster circulation during combat and thereby increasing overall combat strength.

Due to the significant differences in qi and blood intensity among ordinary people, martial artists, and Astral Cultivators, the enhancement effect of the astral equipment varied greatly.

For example, given favorable conditions, a Martial Saint might have a chance to contend with an Astral Cultivator who wasn't fully equipped. However, against a fully equipped Astral Cultivator, even the strongest Martial Saint would have to run as far away as possible.

Being fully equipped didn't only mean wearing astral equipment; it meant also donning armor and being equipped with a natal spirit weapon.

Spirit Weapons and armor were crucial in transforming an Astral Cultivator into a formidable force.

Unfortunately for martial artists, since they couldn't bath beneath the Starlight, they couldn't refine spirit weapons and armor into natal astral equipment.

It was precisely because of astral equipment, spirit weapons, and armor that Astral Cultivators could hold significant advantages against ferocious beasts and demonic creatures.

Equipped with these items, an official Astral Cultivator whose qi and blood levels were between 50 to 150 could often contend with high-tier ferocious beasts and demonic creatures with qi and blood levels between 150 and 250.

"Yeah, do that," Li Pin answered.

Weapons were an area he had not yet explored. However, if he were to face ferocious beasts and demonic creatures with sharp claws and fangs in the future, being without a weapon would put him at a disadvantage.

Zhao Yuan responded.

—Understood. We'll handle it. Grandmaster Li, you'll just need to come by later for us to record your body statistics.

After a moment, Zhao Yuan thought of something and asked.

—Grandmaster Li, are you at home?"

"Yes."

—Please keep an eye on the Jiang Province Grand Bridge an hour from now.

"The Jiang Province Grand Bridge?"

***

An hour later.

The local authorities had cordoned off a section of the Jiang Province Grand Bridge under the guise of a "bridge rescue drill."

Jing Gufeng, whose hair had turned completely white, arrived at the bridge.

Beside Jing Gufeng were Jing Zhengqi and Jing Yunshan, both trembling.

Accompanying the three were the members of the Five Elements Sect Qi Dongyuan led.

The Five Elements Sect had informed the three in advance that jumping off the bridge might offer them a slim chance of survival, while not jumping would mean they wouldn't see the next day's sun. In the end, they were left with no choice but to take the gamble.

However, standing on the bridge and looking at the turbulent waters below, Jing Yunshan broke down.

"I don't want to die, Grandpa... I don't want to die...!" he screamed and cried, tears streaming down his face.

"Shut up!" Jing Gufeng growled, his eyes bloodshot. "This is all your fault. If you hadn't insisted on meddling in that woman's affairs and framing others, the Jing family wouldn't be in this situation!"

"Grandpa, I know I was wrong. I know I was wrong. But... this bridge is too high. If I jump, I'll die. I'll definitely die..." Jing Yunshan slumped to the ground. "Let's beg Li Pin... Let's beg him for mercy, to let us go..."

"Why didn't you show mercy and let him go when you were fanning the flames?" Jing Gufeng laughed bitterly.

The more Jing Gufeng thought about his family's predicament, the angrier and angrier he became.

In the end, he blew his top. Grabbing Jing Yunshan, he hurled him over the bridge. "It's all your fault, all your fault...!"

"No... Grandpa... Grandpa... I'm your grandson..."

Amid terrified screams and struggles, Jing Yunshan began to plummet down the bridge.