Chapter 042 Cultivating the Hidden Force (Third Update)

Between martial apprentices, a difference of one or two levels could still be compensated for with martial techniques. However, between a martial apprentice and a true martial artist, there existed an insurmountable chasm. Although Ouyang’s family steward, Ouyang Buzhong, was only a first-level martial apprentice—just one level higher than Xin Lang—the gap between them was vast beyond measure.

“Young man, my young master invited you personally, yet you failed to appreciate the honor. Today, I must teach you a lesson you will never forget!”

Ouyang Buzhong’s “Mountain-Shattering Palm” carried a domineering hidden force. One palm after another crashed toward Xin Lang.

Though Ouyang Buzhong’s “Dark Energy” had not yet reached the second stage, the “Resonant Meditation Force,” its power was already formidable, capable of harming without leaving a trace.

Facing the martial artist Ouyang Buzhong’s earth-grade technique, Xin Lang, after an initial shock, quickly regained his usual composure. His expression was calm, his eyes unafraid, as he confronted his opponent with his strongest skill.

“Heaven-grade advanced martial art, ‘Ten Thousand and Eight Palms of Subduing the Dragon’!”

Bang, bang, bang...

Xin Lang had mastered his martial skills through the learning function of the “Level-Up Device,” achieving flawless perfection. With this advantage, after exchanging several blows with Ouyang Buzhong, he struck the steward dozens of times, forcing him half a step back.

Although Xin Lang managed to make Ouyang Buzhong retreat, he did not emerge unscathed. In their exchange, though none of Ouyang Buzhong’s attacks landed directly, the hidden force from his palms penetrated Xin Lang’s body, inflicting significant internal injury.

Using the recoil from their clashing palms, Xin Lang’s body flickered away as he dashed toward the city outskirts!

“Uncle Zhong, we must not let that brat escape! My uncle still needs to uncover the origin of the ‘Sevenfold Rejuvenation Pill’ from him!” Ouyang Feiyun shouted as Xin Lang vanished at the end of the street.

“Don’t worry, Young Master. He has taken the hidden force of my earth-grade ‘Mountain-Shattering Palm’ and is severely wounded within. He’ll need either a master alchemist or a high-level martial artist to heal him. I’ll shadow him from the dark and uncover his background!” With that, Ouyang Buzhong slipped away in pursuit of Xin Lang.

Despite having been struck by Ouyang Buzhong’s dark energy, Xin Lang’s face betrayed no pain; instead, a faint, inscrutable smile played upon his lips.

Leaving the city, Xin Lang avoided the main road, plunging into the woods beyond, heading deep into the mountains.

Before leaving Nine Suns City, he intended to visit once more the place where, in his previous life, he and Hong Xiu had chosen to die together, and perhaps gather some “Blue Silver Grass” while he was there.

Xin Lang feared that when he reached the tenth rank of martial artist, if he encountered another ten-star main quest to advance to grandmaster, he might again be required to break through solely through his own cultivation. Given his current constitution, that would be utterly impossible. Thus, he chose to prepare in advance, gathering the ingredients needed to concoct elixirs to heal his blocked meridians.

Once in the forest, Xin Lang soon detected someone trailing him.

A sly smile curved his lips. “So you’ve followed me into the forest? Perfect.”

From his level-up device’s pack, Xin Lang withdrew a vial of potion, swallowed it in one gulp, and immediately felt a warm current coursing through his body, rapidly mending his injuries.

Before leaving Rising Sun Academy, Xin Lang had made thorough preparations. As a level-nine alchemy grandmaster, it was only natural that he would equip himself with life-saving elixirs.

Moreover, with two hundred thousand gold coins at his disposal, acquiring rare medicinal herbs was no challenge. He had stocked up on plenty of “Treasure” grade life-saving elixirs. Even if Ouyang Buzhong’s attack were repeated dozens more times, Xin Lang would not fear.

Ouyang Buzhong, a first-level martial artist, had managed to cultivate “Dark Energy” with the aid of the city lord, Ouyang Tianfeng, though he had not advanced to the second stage, “Resonant Meditation Force.” Thus, while the internal injuries he inflicted were serious, they were not immediately fatal. After downing a “Treasure” grade potion, most of Xin Lang’s wounds were healed in an instant.

Aware that Ouyang Buzhong was still trailing him, Xin Lang maintained enough distance to avoid being caught, but not so much that he would lose his pursuer.

Stealthily advancing through the forest, Xin Lang pondered the nature of dark energy, drawing insight from the internal power Ouyang Buzhong had struck into him.

He became so engrossed in thought that he stopped and began practicing “Inch Force Fist” on the trunk of an ancient tree.

“No… this isn’t right… Something’s missing…”

Blow after blow struck the tree, sending green leaves fluttering down. Though he had not yet produced dark energy, the strength of a tenth-level martial apprentice was formidable, each punch shaking the tree to its roots.

Bang… bang… bang…

“What’s that sound?” The noise of Xin Lang’s strikes reached Ouyang Buzhong’s ears.

Following the sound, Ouyang Buzhong crept closer. “Hmph, what’s this boy doing? Is he cultivating? But—he clearly took my dark energy, so how can he be perfectly fine?”

Ouyang Buzhong knew well that unless the opponent was also a martial artist, capable of neutralizing the invading dark energy through his own mastery, it would be impossible to rid oneself of it. Yet Xin Lang was only a martial apprentice, incapable of such a feat.

“Could it be that I missed my mark? Or… is he himself a master alchemist? No, that’s absolutely impossible!” Ouyang Buzhong was deeply puzzled.

After a dozen punches, Xin Lang had created a fist-sized hollow in the ancient tree, yet he felt no satisfaction. “Still not working… It seems my understanding of dark energy is not deep enough.”

Suddenly, Xin Lang sensed a covert gaze upon him. With a sidelong glance, he spotted Ouyang Buzhong lurking behind a boulder.

Spotting his pursuer, Xin Lang’s eyes lit up and a hidden smile danced at the corner of his lips. “Well, well—just what I needed!”

With the tip of his foot, Xin Lang nudged a stone loose from the earth. Taking Ouyang Buzhong by surprise, he suddenly kicked the stone toward where his pursuer lay hidden.

Crack, crack, crack…

The stone tore through dense foliage, splintering branches before landing in front of Ouyang Buzhong.

“Trying to ambush me?”

Xin Lang had aimed for Ouyang Buzhong’s brow, but the steward was unfazed. Standing tall, he struck out, shattering the flying stone with a single punch.

“So it’s you. Why are you following me?” Xin Lang feigned ignorance. “All I did was refuse your young master’s invitation. You’re not planning to force me, are you?”

Caught in the open, Ouyang Buzhong stepped out. “I’m only here to invite you again on my young master’s behalf. But if you insist on refusing, I’m afraid I’ll have to use force.”

“Hmph! If you want to use force, you’d better be up to the task!” With his left foot as the pivot, Xin Lang swept his right across the ground, sending a hail of pebbles and branches flying toward Ouyang Buzhong.

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