บท 9: Sudden Spike in Cultivation

The sword stopped after another swing, scattering more tiny white lights in the air. Zhang Baichi's expression was bright as he marvelled the Sword Qi he had created. He lowered his sword and took a deep breath, the started speaking in a quiet voice, "System, show me my status."

[Ding! Displaying information as instructed:]

[Name: Zhang Baichi

Age: 13 years

Occupation: Outer Sect Disciple of the Fleeting Storm Sword Sect

Reputation: None

Cultivation: 3rd Layer of the Body Forging Realm

Techniques: Black Heaven Scripture(!), Breezing Wind Sword Technique, Fractured Star Sword Technique(!)

Points: 0

Inventory Shop]

This was the second time Zhang Baichi took a look at his own status through the system. Compared to yesterday – the day he reincarnated – the contents didn't vary much. His old Cultivation Technique vanished and was replaced by the Black Heaven Scripture. The old Sword Technique still remained as it is a technique he is proficient in, whether he uses it or not.

His realm of cultivation had dropped, obviously, but cultivation alone didn't represent Zhang Baichi's current strength at all; The Black Heaven Scripture allowed him to gain strength far surpassing his peers.

And now, with the addition of the Fractured Star Sword Technique, his strength had increased again. The Technique alone would allow him to fight above his own realm. Coupled with the foundation of the Black Heaven Scripture and his ability to use Sword Qi, he wouldn't face any oppression even when facing someone in the 8th Layer of the Body Forging Realm.

In just two days, Zhang Baichi had gone from the bottom rung of the Outer Sect to its upper echelons! His strength already put him above the likes of Lu Hao, and Ji Jian would surely be surpassed soon.

'The real problem is still their status… The Lu family and the Ji family… what kind of status do they hold in the Sect? And what problems will arise from defeating those two sh*tbags?', a hint of unease flashed through Zhang Baichi's eyes. His strength was still not enough. He couldn't let himself get arrogant just yet.

With a thought, the sword in his hand was stored back in his Inventory and Zhang Baichi sat back down on his bed, staring at the system interface, deep in thought. 'I don't have any more points remaining, meaning I'll have to make use with what I have…'

He stared at the words 'Fractured Star Sword Technique' for a moment, unsure whether or not it was the right decision to buy it. After a second or two, he cracked up and shook his head with a self-mocking smile. 'What useless worry. Of course it was the right decision; The sooner I set a path for myself, the better. The Black Heaven Scripture is the best evidence for that.'

'If I didn't obtain it so early, I might have hesitated to abolish my cultivation to change to it, even if I knew that my current method was that much weaker. The same is true for my Sword Techniques, or for the face that I chose to use a sword at all. I would have faltered and doubted myself. Are Sword Techniques or Fist Techniques better? - Techniques based on physical training or based on Intents?'

Zhang Baichi tucked his legs in and sat in a cross-legged position. 'I'm a blank canvas. Thanks to the system, I can develop in any direction I want. The Black Heaven Scripture is already perfect, no doubts. And, though I was forced to choose a sword since I'm in a Sword Sect, it's still a good decision. The Fractured Star Sword Technique is also perfect. It's the masterwork of a Great Sage level existence and there's even three Intents. If novels from my past life are even the slightest bit reliable, that means it's already impossibly strong. Moreover, it's just meant to serve as a foundation.'

No matter what he thought about, there was no reaction from the system. The interface just quietly floated in front of him, even while he had his eyes closed. Zhang Baichi's mind slowly became more clear the more he convinced himself that his decisions were correct.

This was a good thing.

To succeed in anything in life, it is incredibly important to believe in ones own decisions and to learn from ones own past. That was a truth Zhang Baichi had to learn the hard way in his previous life, and it applies to anything he had encountered since then.

With this mindset, Zhang Baichi unconsciously entered a state of cultivation and the Qi in his body slowly started to revolve according to the methods described in the Black Heaven Scripture. Wisps of Qi continuously nurtured his body, improving his cultivation step by step.

Without him knowing, whisps of Qi from outside his body started to accumulate around him and were being absorbed. The pressure of this Qi was different from what one would experience from Spiritual Qi. It was more solid, more powerful – much more terrifying and threatening.

Qi from beyond the Heavens formed a vague mist around Zhang Baichi's body and the Black Heaven Scripture's methods converted any of this Qi into Black Heaven Qi, expelling any impurities and molding it to Zhang Baichi's advantage.

Unknowingly, Zhang Baichi's change in attitude allowed him to subconsciously break through the bottleneck that stopped him from utilizing the Black Heaven Scripture how it was meant to be: To plunder the Heavens and everything beyond, to use what needed to be used to reach the apex.

Absorbing Qi from beyond the Heavens to cultivate and eventually surpass the Heavens themselves.

This was the true first stage of the Black Heaven Scripture and its unique way to progress through the Body Forging Realm: To become the forge that would form the most optimal physique to cultivate – the Void Forge!

Without consuming any Blood Pills, Zhang Baichi continuously broke through, past the 4th Layer and into the 5th Layer of the Body Forging Realm is less than three hours. Strand after strand of Qi from beyond the Heavens was absorbed into his body like a never ending stream and used to fuel his cultivation.

To Zhang Baichi, this was a truly magical feeling. It felt like a soft pillow when he was at his most tired state, or a cold shower during scorching hot summer days. A pleasant feeling that he wanted to last forever, yet time continued to flow and after his breakthrough to the 5th Layer of the Body Forging Realm, he abruptly awakened from this ethereal state.

His lips and throat felt dry and Zhang Baichi's whole body was in a state of lethargy, like he hadn't eaten, nor drunk for several days.

Having the whole Black Heaven Scripture and the knowledge of a renowned doctor ingrained into his mind, Zhang Baichi immediately understood what had happened to him: From how he entered the Void Forge stage, to how he absorbed all the Qi from beyond the Heavens, to why his body was in such a sorry state.

The answer was energy!

Every one of the steps he went through needed large amounts of energy! The Void Forge had to be formed in his body using Black Heaven Qi; Absorbing Qi from beyond the Heavens into his body was an exhausting process in itself and would continuously harm his body; Once his own Qi reserved were used up, the energy of his physical body would be consumed, leaving him starved like a ghost!

A roar like that of an angry dragon came from Zhang Baichi's stomach and he leaped at the basket full of food, which the young servant brought him earlier in the day, gorging himself without care for what he was actually eating.

After emptying the basket and leaving only a few chicken bones and unknown crumbs behind, Zhang Baichi finally felt alive again. Falling flat on his behind and supporting himself with one hand while patting his belly with the other, he finally sighed, "Phew, that was insane… I don't think I've ever been this hungry before. I feel sorry for all those people starving to death now..."

He sat upright on the ground, resting his arms in his lap and examined his own condition. "Still… I've broken through to the 5th Layer just like that. Additionally, I've mastered the first stage of the Black Heaven Scripture in one go. The benefits are insane. I could probably demolish a brickhouse with my bare fists now…"

Before he could continue to study his condition, a loud bang resounded as someone kicked against the door of his little cottage with a lot of force.

"Zhang Baichi, get your d*mned *ss out here and confess your crimes!", an angry voice shouted, loud enough for probably the whole block to hear. Zhang Baichi's face fell and he dryly laughed to himself. "Hahaha… Sure, the proof of the pudding is in the eating. Let's beat up some bastard to see how strong I really am."

He stood up, opened the door and stared at the people outside. A few curious people where already gathered around or looking at the spectacle from their own cottages, while three young men in black martial artists attires stood in front of Zhang Baichi's door. Embroidered in silver thread on their chest were the words 'Law Enforcement'!