Chapter 38: Perception Transformed; The Hidden Dragon in the Abyss!

"Organ Refinement!" Lu Changsheng whispered, a trace of emotion in his voice.

By his estimate, he hadn't been practicing martial arts for more than a year and a half. And yet, in that short period of time, he had advanced from an ordinary youth to a martial artist at the Organ Refinement Stage.

This was the final stage of the Body Tempering Realm and by far the most unique. From what he understood, this stage had no upper limit. In theory, he could temper his organs endlessly.

The five viscera and six bowels were among the body's most fragile parts; they were all vital, and damage to any of them meant damage to the very foundation of life. The three stages of the Body Tempering Realm included the refinement of blood, bones, and organs, which were all meant to lay the groundwork for the Divine Strength Realm. Hence, the stronger the foundation, the easier the breakthrough.

At the Blood Strengthening Stage, Lu Changsheng had pushed his blood qi to its very peak. At the Bone Tempering Stage, he had forged his bones into the unbreakable Jade Bones. Now, at the Organ Refinement Stage, there was no ceiling. The stronger the five viscera and six bowels became, the greater his chance of reaching the Divine Strength Realm.

With that, Lu Changsheng's goal was clear: he would refine his organs to the utmost, and only when further tempering yielded no progress would he attempt to break through the Profound Gate of Life and Death to ascend. Thus, this current stage was one of accumulation, and it could stretch out over a long period.

Days slipped by. Originally, Lu Changsheng had prepared to leave the iceberg, but Long Fei's injuries were still severe. If he had simply departed, unforeseen dangers might have arisen. For that reason, he had decided to stay for another two weeks.

One day, after Lu Changsheng finished practicing a martial technique, a string of words appeared before his eyes.

Eagle Claw Hand: Perfection. Perception +3.

He was hardly surprised. Half a month had been more than enough to perfect many martial techniques, and nearly every day brought new progress. However, something felt different this time.

After that increase of 3 points, something seemed to stir within him—some kind of transformation. Countless sparks of inspiration collided in his mind, bursting forth into waves of new insight. He had just intended to chant the Nine-Character Thunder Chant to temper his organs, yet with his Perception rising, his mind grew clearer than ever.

The once-cryptic chant suddenly unfolded in full clarity. He even faintly sensed that the secret technique itself was incomplete. More than that, he realized that it was never meant to be merely an auxiliary technique.

What Lu Changsheng did not realize was that while inspiration surged through his mind as he pondered the Nine-Character Thunder Chant, his status panel showed the technique advancing rapidly. From Adept, it soared wildly upward, advancing through Initial Mastery and then into Advanced Mastery and onward.

After some time, Lu Changsheng surfaced from his thoughts. Before his eyes, another line of text appeared.

Nine-Character Thunder Chant: Perfection. Perception +8.

Lu Changsheng froze in surprise. "I've perfected... the Nine-Character Thunder Chant?"

Not long ago, he had only stood at the level of Adept. Barely half a month had passed since then, and there were still many truths within the technique that he had yet to comprehend. He hadn't even expected to reach Initial Mastery easily, let alone Perfection. And yet, here he was, leaping past Initial and Advanced Mastery straight into perfection.

He immediately summoned his status panel.

[Status Panel]

Host: Lu Changsheng

Perception: 408 (Hidden Dragon in the Abyss)

[Skills]

Silken Thread Organ Refinement: Second Layer

Nine-Character Thunder Chant: Perfection (Incomplete)

At first glance, Lu Changsheng saw that his Perception had risen to 408 and the evaluation had shifted from Full of Potential to Hidden Dragon in the Abyss.

"A hidden dragon in the abyss, waiting for the shallows to release a flood dragon[1]... It seems my Perception has now reached a truly remarkable level. Still, I wonder how many points will be needed for the next transformation. Could it be as high as one thousand?"

Lu Changsheng faintly realized something—that the amount of points required for his Perception to change again would be unimaginable. The transformation to come might also prove crucial. Every breakthrough in Perception had always brought him immense gains, and this time was no different. With his Perception surpassing 400 points, his mastery of the Nine-Character Thunder Chant had unexpectedly reached Perfection.

Wait... if my mastery of the Nine-Character Thunder Chant is at Perfection, then what's Incomplete supposed to mean? Is my technique actually incomplete?

That was what he had felt during his earlier breakthrough—that the Nine-Character Thunder Chant was incomplete and flawed in some way. And now, the status panel confirmed that. Regardless, the chant was an eight-tier martial technique. Lu Changsheng couldn't help but wonder how terrifying its power would be if it became whole.

"Let's test this out."

With that, Lu Changsheng began refining his organs, instantly weaving his blood qi into silken threads.

At once, Lu Changsheng shouted, "Lin!"

The Nine-Character Thunder Chant instantly resonated within his internal organs.

Buzz...

All five viscera and six bowels trembled in unison, combined with Silken Thread Organ Refinement, the chant allowed him to sense his organs subtly strengthening. The effect was astonishing, almost beyond belief. He even felt that the perfected chant could rival the finest Organ Refinement art.

"

Hooo...

"

Lu Changsheng let out a long breath. With the Nine-Character Thunder Chant perfected, his efficiency in Organ Refinement had risen sharply. It was a tremendous boon.

He glanced at Long Fei. After half a month of rest, his condition had improved. Though full recovery would still take time, his life was no longer in danger.

By his count, it had been two months since he left Miaoshou Garden. By this point, his master had to be worried, for this journey had been meant to last only a month, yet Lu Changsheng had stayed twice as long.

He went up to Long Fei and said directly, "Brother Long, this place is remote. Though it's a bit cold, it's a fine spot for your recovery. No one will disturb you here, so remain here until you're fully recovered. I myself have been away for far too long, so I'll return."

Long Fei cupped his fists in return. "Brother Lu, you have saved my life once again. I have no way to repay such kindness. This stone tablet is something I once obtained by chance in the northern lands. It records a wondrous secret technique known as the Divine Dragon Transformation, though it can only be cultivated by those in the Divine Strength Realm.

"I know I will never reach that realm, but your future is limitless, and one day you may succeed. I offer this tablet to you, hoping it will one day be useful to you. Don't worry about me. I have already memorized the contents and can copy it later."

Long Fei drew a small stone tablet from his robe. It was only slightly larger than his palm. At a glance, it was hard to tell whether it was jade or some other material, but it was thin and felt solid, almost indestructible.

Lu Changsheng accepted the tablet, examining it with curiosity. The surface was covered in tiny characters, though the text itself was brief, and he finished reading it quickly. Upon doing so, his expression shifted to shock.

The Divine Dragon Transformation was a secret art of the Divine Strength Realm, one that could only be practiced within that realm. It was divided into three transformations. The first increased physical strength by thirty percent; the second doubled the body's might; the third tripled it.

Lu Changsheng's heart quivered. This was indeed a secret technique, one belonging to the Divine Strength Realm, no less. It was nothing short of extraordinary.

Until now, the only secret technique Lu Changsheng had acquired was the Nine-Character Thunder Chant. Though limited to the Body Tempering Realm, its effects were already extraordinary. The Divine Dragon Transformation, as a secret technique of the Divine Strength Realm, promised results far greater still.

Even though he had not reached that realm, Lu Changsheng could tell this was a rare and priceless thing, something that could only be encountered by fortune. Without hesitation, he accepted the stone tablet. Though it could not serve him yet, once he attained the Divine Strength Realm, its value would be immeasurable.

"Brother Long, thank you for this secret technique." Lu Changsheng cupped his fists in gratitude.

"A mere secret technique is nothing compared to the grace of having my life saved," Long Fei said firmly. "If you ever call upon me in the future, no matter how dangerous the task, I will never refuse to help."

That was his solemn vow. A man like Long Fei did not make promises lightly; if he made one, he would never break it. Lu Changsheng himself believed that Long Fei was a man who always kept his word.

"Brother Long, you honor me too greatly. If fate allows, we shall meet again in the jianghu!"

Lu Changsheng said no more. In the jianghu, there was no need for excessive courtesy. He left behind some supplies, then quickly departed the cave, stepping into the swirling snow.

Liu Hongluan exchanged a look with Long Fei and murmured, "Brother Fei, Great Hero Lu is truly remarkable."

"Indeed. Brother Lu cares not for fame or fortune, only for martial cultivation. In time, he will surely shake the jianghu. Perhaps only someone like him could stand at the very pinnacle of the martial path after reaching the Divine Strength Realm."

Long Fei sighed with emotion. He was known as the Slayer's Blade, a formidable martial artist who fervently fought against evil. When one thought of Long Fei, they thought of chivalry. However, Long Fei himself knew that the Divine Strength Realm was forever out of his reach. What he truly envied were those like Lu Changsheng—those who still had the chance to ascend the Dao of martial arts.

When he and Liu Hongluan turned their gaze toward the cave's entrance, Lu Changsheng's figure had already vanished into the snowstorm.

1. It describes a situation where a truly powerful person remains hidden, and as a result, those of lesser strength are beginning to rise. ☜