Chapter Twenty-Six: Second Level of the Solar Body

"What are the stages in martial cultivation?"

Feeling that the old priest before him might indeed have some substance, Yu Ge began to ask about the matters that had been troubling him lately. For instance, he knew that the level above Strengthening the Body was Tempering the Tendons, which was his current stage as well, but what puzzled him was that the designation in his mind referenced a first stage of Yang Body, something unfamiliar to him.

"The first realm for a martial artist is the Yang Body. Above that is Marrow Cleansing, which is followed by Vital Breath, Blood Exchange, True Gang, Six Palaces, Divine Repository, and so on. The Yang Body itself consists of five stages, while the higher realms are divided into three stages each."

The old priest stroked his beard, smiling as he spoke. He wished the young man would ask even more questions—after all, the more questions, the more silver he could earn.

The old priest's answer sent Yu Ge into contemplation. Comparing the five stages of the Yang Body with what he had previously learned, he suddenly understood a few things. He thought that although this old priest seemed a bit unreliable, he had probably traveled widely and possessed a much broader perspective.

"There's a kind of creature—a blood-red skeleton with black flames in its eye sockets. Do you know where it comes from?"

"That should be the Red Skeleton from the Far Northern Wilds, born from the Blood Pool, innately savage. Its most notorious habit is to hack off the flesh of those it takes a fancy to, using it to replenish itself. These creatures harbor a strange obsession in their minds: restoring themselves. Once targeted by one, it's near impossible to escape."

Yu Ge nodded slightly; the description matched the red skeleton he had encountered, and its behavior seemed accurate as well.

"What should one do if targeted by such a creature?"

The old priest fell silent, his eyes fixed on Yu Ge’s purse, his intentions all too clear.

Yu Ge curled his lip and slapped a hundred-tael note onto the old man's palm.

Pocketing the silver, the old priest grinned broadly. "The only way to escape a Red Skeleton is to kill it."

Yu Ge shot him a glare—if he could kill the thing, why would he bother asking?

"I can’t defeat it," Yu Ge admitted bluntly.

The old priest shook his head. "Then there’s nothing to be done."

Yu Ge stared at the old priest for a long moment, but the priest seemed to have nothing more to say.

At last, Yu Ge understood why the old priest so often found himself beaten.

"Then tell me, to what human level is the Red Skeleton equivalent?"

Given the priest’s attitude, Yu Ge no longer expected any solutions, but he still wanted to understand the creature’s strength.

"It is a first-tier ghostly entity—equivalent to the fifth stage of the Yang Body in human terms. To defeat it, you’d need at least the same level of strength. Moreover, those creatures are highly sensitive to human presence; within a hundred meters, if it catches your scent, it will surely find you. As you are now, you’re still far from its match. I suggest you contact the demon slayers in Forest City—they have plenty of experience dealing with such things."

The old priest spoke slowly, shaking his head at Yu Ge, clearly feeling that his strength was insufficient.

Indeed, a first stage Yang Body was a far cry from the fifth stage.

"The Red Skeleton is first-tier; what about the Mountain Ghost and the mutated toad?"

"The Mountain Ghost is low-tier. As for the mutated toad, you must mean the Green Toad, but the Green Toad isn't truly a ghostly entity—just somewhat related."

Yu Ge proceeded to ask a string of other questions. Having just made a small fortune, he cared little for these minor expenses.

The old priest, his wrinkled face creased in genuine delight, was more than satisfied. Business had been slow for three years; a patron so full of questions, curiosity, and generosity was a rare find.

When the priest departed, both sides were quite content.

At least Yu Ge had learned that the Red Skeleton would not stray far from its birthplace, unlike the mutated toad, which had tracked him relentlessly. This reassurance was enough to put his mind at ease.

From this brief encounter, Yu Ge realized the old priest indeed possessed some knowledge—clearly well-traveled, or else he could not be so versed in ghostly beings and cultivation realms.

Yet, one thing still puzzled him: he hadn’t sensed any martial aura from the old priest, nor did he understand how the man came by such knowledge.

Bidding farewell to the old priest, Yu Ge made his way home along the main street, stopping by the blacksmith’s shop to buy a refined steel saber.

His previous blade had chipped when he struck the Red Skeleton. He wasn’t sure if the Demon-Slaying Saber would be hard enough, but he had no intention of testing it—he likely wouldn’t be venturing into the southern forests for some time.

Had he not encountered the Red Skeleton, he might have gone alone to hunt a few more Mountain Ghosts. But now, such notions were best abandoned.

Even with the Demon-Slaying Saber, facing the Red Skeleton would mean certain death. Though he had been spared by chance this time, who could say if luck would favor him again?

No one was fortunate every time.

...

A cold gleam flashed.

With swift precision, Yu Ge slew the Mountain Ghost with black skin and red eyes before him in a single stroke.

Its head fell to the ground.

Jet-black blood spattered, staining the grass a dark hue.

He had lingered in the town for several days, venturing out from time to time. During this period, Yu Ge sought out wild Mountain Ghosts in pursuit of a major achievement.

Of course, he took care to avoid the haunted valley.

Although he didn’t delve deep into Great Crow Mountain, he lingered along its edges, managing to slay several Mountain Ghosts. Only one remained before he completed his achievement.

The Mountain Ghost he had just killed was the final one required.

His consciousness dipped into his mind, connecting with the largest star on his constellation map.

Achievement: [Mountain Ghost Hunter]

Completion Criteria: The world is beset by monsters and demons—how can one not take it upon oneself to slay them? Slay ten Mountain Ghosts. Current progress: 10/10.

Reward: Unknown. Claimable.

Claiming the reward, his strength was elevated to the second stage of the Yang Body.

At this, Yu Ge couldn’t help but mutter—he could already guess the reward, yet it had been labeled ‘unknown’.

He didn’t dwell on it. That familiar surge of heat appeared within his body, like a raging flood dragon rampaging through his veins.

As the dragon coursed through him, Yu Ge felt his body undergoing remarkable changes.

After some time, as the transformation settled, Yu Ge closed his eyes halfway.

[Host: Yu Ge]

Spirit: 56%

Strength: 252%

Constitution: 245%

Agility: 260%

Cultivation: Second Stage Yang Body

Evaluation: A pitiable and weak creature.

Previously, he had been three times as strong as a normal person; now, it was five times. The rate of growth was astonishing.

If others knew Yu Ge had advanced so swiftly in less than two months, none would believe it.

Yet Yu Ge still wondered—just how strong must he become to escape the label of ‘a pitiable and weak creature’?