章 19: Strange Man

Ling Tian sat in his chamber, deep in meditation, as he focused on the Spiritual Energy circulating within his Dantian. Ling Tian has not yet started practicing the [Thunderstorm Divine Art] since he has not yet reached the Peak of the Innate Realm. Instead, he poured all his efforts into filling his Dantian completely, inching steadily toward the Peak of the Innate Realm. The process was arduous, but Ling Tian's determination was unwavering.

The underground ring had become a regular haunt for Ling Tian. For the past six days, he had been visiting the arena, honing his combat skills in fierce battles. Even though he can only start using cultivation skills after reaching the Spiritual Realm since any cultivation skill requires mobilizing a significant amount of Spiritual Energy usually from the Dantian, Ling Tian focused on mastering his control over strength, precision, and reflexes providing better control over his physical abilities. This would lay a solid foundation for when he eventually ascended to the next realms.

On this particular day, as Ling Tian donned his usual black mask and entered the underground ring, he noticed that the atmosphere was tense, with spectators eagerly watching the ongoing battles. After observing the fights for a few minutes, his turn finally arrived, and he stepped into the arena.

His opponent stood across from him, a man of average height with half of his face concealed by a scarf. The exposed skin was pale, almost unnaturally so, and his dull lifeless eyes gave Ling Tian an unsettling feeling. The bets were placed, and the match began.

Ling Tian decided to take the initiative, charging toward his opponent with his sword slashing fiercely. He avoided using his Sword Seed in these battles, knowing that revealing it would attract unwanted attention and bring great danger to him. To his surprise, the opponent did not dodge or block but allowed the sword to pierce his flesh, gripping it with his hand. The man then swung his other fist, coated with Spiritual Energy, toward Ling Tian's chest.

Reacting swiftly, Ling Tian released his sword and leaped back, narrowly avoiding the powerful strike. The man's strength was surprising, and the fact that he had willingly taken the hit without flinching was even more so. As Ling Tian assessed the situation, the man pulled the sword from his flesh, discarding it to the ground before roaring and charging at Ling Tian with terrifying speed.

As they exchanged blows, Ling Tian was shocked to find himself struggling against the man's sheer physical strength. Despite only being at the Peak of the Innate Realm, the opponent's strength rivaled Ling Tian's, who possessed the Nine Heavens Primordial Body. The man's attacks left Ling Tian's arms aching, and slight scratches and bruises began to accumulate.

Determined to end the fight, Ling Tian channeled all the Spiritual Energy in his Dantian, augmenting it with the power of the Nine Heavens Primordial Body. With a firm stance, he planted his feet firmly on the ground and delivered a devastating palm strike to the man's chest through a weak spot, shredding his clothes, sending him flying out of the arena, and crashing to the ground with a thud.

The crowd cheered, but Ling Tian's mind was elsewhere. His opponent's lack of emotion throughout the fight, combined with the fact that his powerful strike had failed to draw blood from where Ling Tian struck him, left Ling Tian puzzled. The man slowly got up after a few moments, his face still emotionless, and silently exited the ring. Seeing that the crowd did not notice anything unusual about this event, Ling Tian quickly left the underground ring, pushing these thoughts aside.

As he made his way back to his residence, Ling Tian sensed someone tailing him. He deftly blended into a nearby crowd, swiftly discarding his disguise onto a passing beggar, successfully evading his pursuers.

Upon reaching the city, Ling Tian headed to the marketplace, where he purchased Tier 1 Skin Healing Pills. On the Azure Continent, there exist professions other than the weapon refiner profession and this includes the alchemist and formation master professions, and just like the weapon refiners, there exist seven levels for both the alchemist and formation master professions. Alchemists use the resources found in nature like herbs to produce pills that can range from Tier 1 to Tier 7 which can assist a cultivator in their journey in various ways and accelerate his cultivation.

Meanwhile, Formation Masters are capable of engraving formations that can borrow and use Heaven and Earth Power to perform magnificent feats. Each profession when mastered can generate for the cultivator a stable income. The Skin Healing Pills, created by alchemists using natural Spiritual herbs, could accelerate the healing of bruises and minor injuries. While Ling Tian could have healed naturally by absorbing Spiritual Energy, he preferred to remain in peak condition, ready for any unexpected dangers.

While browsing the market, Ling Tian's attention was caught by a crimson ore. Recognizing it as a Tier 2 refining material, he haggled with the store owner and eventually bought it for 150 Spiritual Stones. The ore was perfect for crafting a Crimson Shield, a Tier 2 defensive item capable of withstanding attacks from Peak Innate Realm cultivators.

Returning to his residence, Ling Tian took a brief rest before consuming the Skin Healing Pills. The pills quickly mended his injuries, leaving his skin unblemished. He then set to work refining the Crimson Shield. After five hours of intense focus, Ling Tian successfully crafted two Tier 2 Crimson Shields, setting them aside for future use.

As night fell, Ling Tian practiced his sword techniques under the moonlight, his mind clear and his movements precise. Satisfied with his progress, he retired to bed with a peaceful smile.