Chapter 71: The Mural Secrets.
A Month Later.
The Soaring Cloud Region had recovered from their loss inside the ruin. Even though many still talked about it during meals or gatherings, it was a light talk.
However, the Jun aristocrat clan’s attack on Flying Cloud City and the Gong clan estate was still hot among the populace.
After the battle with the Jun clan, the Gong clan had to close their doors. According to many rumors, their loss was so great that they might not recover for the next ten years.
Nevertheless, people moved on quickly.
With each passing day, rare treasures appeared in the market. Those that survived the ruin had begun to sell their spoils.
New and powerful cultivation techniques appeared one after the other. The Array Formation Association and Alchemy Association were the biggest gain among the halls.
There were even rumors about a Grade-2 Array Diagram.
Mystic City was bustling with activities; wealthy merchants came from other cities in hopes to try their luck.
While the city was bustling, Jun Wu and his people locked inside the mansion grew stronger with each passing day.
Jun Wu sat under the pavilion with a thick book in hand. An aura of a Peak Stage Second Rated Martial Artist emanated from his body.
In the span of one month, he broke through a minor stage, but his real fighting power could contest with a Peak Stage First Rated Martial Artist.
Sipping his tea, he creased his brow as he contemplated what he was reading.
"So, this is the truth behind it..." Jun Wu muttered as realization dawned on him.
He had been wondering why there were not many Masters Martial Artists in the Soaring Cloud Region but now, he knew the reason.
In his hand was the collection of ancient soul memories. In his spare time, he would jot down important events from the ancient soul.
This would enable him to study it with ease.
And his action had proven right. Instead of trying to sieve through the memory during an emergency, he would take his time to study and digest it to become his own.
From this action, he unearthed one of the hidden secrets of the major force. From the Master realm, martial artists did not cultivate their body any longer but cultivated Qi.
This is the spiritual energy of heaven and earth that must be absorbed into the body through the meridians before it is finally stored in the dantian.
Storing the Spiritual Energy in their dantian would enable them to break mortal limits and their lifespan would increase.
Also, their attacking power would rise exponentially.
But to cross this threshold was where ninety percent of everyone got stuck. The path forward was cut short.
And this was where the major force stepped in. They had visualization techniques that would enable martial artists to sense the energy of heaven and earth.
Visualization Technique!
Jun Wu shot to his feet; his eyes widened in disbelief. He rushed out of the pavilion toward his study.
His heart was pounding heavily against his chest.
Mao Yun and Zhang Wei came out of their room, seeing only their Young Master racing toward his room.
They looked at each other and saw the confusion on each other’s faces.
Unbothered by their reaction, Jun Wu entered his study and stared at the strange mural hung on the wall.
"This must be it!"
He had been puzzled why the strange mural would not fit into the storage pouch. But now, he seemed to have found the answer.
Jun Wu took a deep breath to calm his racing heart. He stared intently at the massive tree inside the mural.
Suddenly, he felt the scene around him begin to change. He was drawn in, his breathing slowed down and began to change.
His body felt lighter as a stream of energy entered his body. It circulated through his meridians, rushing forward only to stop suddenly.
Confused, his eyes cleared and he regained his body. He stared at the mural filled with confusion.
What happened?
Why did it stop?
After thinking for a moment, it became clear to him. He was only at the Peak Stage Second Rated Martial Artist.
He needed to be at the Peak Stage First Rated Martial Artist.
With this realization, his heart couldn’t help but pound with anticipation.
"In two to three months, I should be able to reach the Peak Stage First Rated Martial Artist."
Now that he understood the importance of the mural, he did not hesitate to activate his study of protective formations.
Outside, Mao Yun and Zhang Wei were waiting for him.
"Young Master, what happened?" Mao Yun asked.
A faint smile tugged at the corner of his lips. "Nothing. I remembered something in my research." He lied with a straight face.
Oh!
The two nodded, not finding it strange. In the past weeks, Jun Wu had been busy in his research of array formations and ruins.
Just then, they saw Xinyue walking toward them. Staring at her, the three detected she had just broken through to Peak Stage Third Rated Martial Artist.
"Congratulations." Jun Wu announced.
"Thank you." She responded with a shy smile.
"Miss Xinyue, congratulations." Mao Yun and Zhang Wei said in unison.
They had long accepted her as one of their people. Inwardly, they were even hoping for something more.
"Young Master, you have visitors waiting for you outside the gate." Hao Ran rushed into the courtyard to announce.
Quickly, Mao Yun and Zhang Wei left with large strides toward the mansion gate.
Creasing his brow, Jun Wu left for the main hall to welcome the unknown visitor.
After a minute, a fat man with two middle-aged men who were Peak First Rated Martial Artists entered the main hall.
Beside the fat man was a beautiful girl. Her long purple hair cascaded over her shoulder. She raised her head proudly as she surveyed the surroundings.
Seated on the main seat, Jun Wu looked at the new visitors.
"Young Master, I’m the clan master of the Xie clan. Sorry for coming unannounced." The fat man announced with a light bow.