7: Xiantian Gong is perfect, 40 years of practice

“Innate Merit?” Xiao Ningzhi was startled, completely unprepared for Xiao Zhuo to suddenly ask for this item.

The Innate Merit was an Internal Skill Mind-Cultivation Technique he had purchased at great cost for Xiao Shaoyou in his early years, completely different from the Body Refining Tiger Subduing Fist or the offensive Eight Directions Demon Slaying Saber.

It was a true Internal Skill method for guiding Qi into the body, Cultivating the Qi Meridians, and condensing True Qi!

The faint True Qi within Xiao Zhuo's body, generated by the fist technique flowing through his Meridians, was scattered like a stream. This Cultivation Technique, however, could gather streams into a river, and turn a river into a sea, serving as the Foundation for a Martial Artist to reach higher Realms!

Xiao Zhuo had already learned from Li Zhen that even if a Human Race Martial Artist's fist technique reached the Marrow Cleansing Realm, without the support of pure and profound Internal Skill, it would be difficult to glimpse higher Heavens.

Now, with 31 Attribute Points in hand, this Innate Merit was the key for him to Breakthrough his Bottleneck and face the current crisis!

“Master! To be honest, I have already achieved Breakthrough in the Meridian Connecting Realm, and my Tiger Subduing Fist has reached the Realm of Subtle Insight!” Xiao Zhuo’s eyes glowed with an unprecedented sharpness and candor, “If I can Cultivate this technique, I might be able to touch the threshold of the Marrow Cleansing Realm! At that time, the certainty of protecting the Xiao Residence from danger will greatly increase! I beg Master to grant my request!”

Xiao Ningzhi’s thoughts raced.

He was shocked that Xiao Zhuo had hidden his abilities so deeply, and that his talent was so terrifying!

But reason told him, Xiao Zhuo wanted to Cultivate the Innate Merit and Breakthrough to the Marrow Cleansing Realm in a short time?

This was nothing short of a fantasy! Even if he gave it to Xiao Zhuo, how much help could it really be?

“The Cultivation Technique… is in the Residence! It’s fine to give it to you, it’s just…” Xiao Ningzhi’s words were cut short by Xiao Zhuo’s resolute interruption.

“Master! I only need the Innate Merit and that Ox Demon flesh and blood from yesterday! I, Xiao Zhuo, swear to protect the Xiao Residence at all costs!” Xiao Zhuo’s eyes gleamed with an unshakeable confidence and eagerness that Xiao Ningzhi had never seen in the young man he had watched grow up.

Xiao Ningzhi looked deeply at Xiao Zhuo, his gaze seemingly wanting to pierce his Soul.

Finally, he nodded heavily: “Good!”

The carriage sped back to the Residence.

Li Zhen was urged to treat his injuries, while Xiao Ningzhi swiftly gathered all the guards and servants in the Residence, and ordered someone to summon Xiao Shaoyou, Xiang Yanliu, and Yan Youzhi to the main hall.

He personally led Xiao Zhuo, walking quickly towards the depths of the study.

Opening a hidden ebony box beneath a secret bookshelf, a Secret Manual with a plain white cover, bearing the three ancient characters “Innate Merit,” lay quietly within.

“Xiao Zhuo,” Xiao Ningzhi solemnly handed the Secret Manual to Xiao Zhuo, his gaze as heavy as iron, “I have ordered someone to cut up the Ox Demon flesh and blood and send it over immediately. But you only have one hour! Once the time is up, whether you succeed or not, we must immediately break out of the city!”

“Understood!” Xiao Zhuo did not hesitate, taking the Secret Manual and sitting down cross-legged, his mind sinking into it.

After Breaking through to the Meridian Connecting Realm, his mind was incredibly clear, almost photographic.

The content of the Secret Manual, over four thousand characters, was understood in an instant.

He immediately closed his eyes and, according to the method, circulated the scattered True Qi within his body.

Upon the first attempt, he felt a difference!

The profound path of the Innate Merit seemed tailor-made for the surging Qi and blood within his body!

The already existing faint Qi sensation was quickly captured and guided, flowing from the Tanzhong Acupoint towards the Tiantu Acupoint — this was the first minor Heavenly Cycle for entry!

The unfamiliarity lasted only for a moment.

Thanks to the solid Foundation laid by his original body while studying with Xiao Shaoyou, the Acupoints and Meridians throughout his body were already deeply familiar.

Soon, the minor Heavenly Cycle from Tanzhong to Tiantu was circulated by him with flawless ease.

With a thought, the panel appeared:

Name: Xiao Zhuo

Race: Human Race

Realm: Meridian Connecting Realm Ninth Stage Peak

Cultivation Technique: Tiger Subduing Fist [Subtle Insight] (MAX); Eight Directions Demon Slaying Saber [Perfection]; Innate Merit [Beginner] (0 / 100)

Unique Skill: Extreme Tiger Killing Fist;

Attribute Points: 31

It’s done! Xiao Zhuo’s mind settled.

At this moment, the cook had already delivered twenty catties of cut Ox Demon flesh and blood.

Xiao Zhuo grabbed a piece and put it in his mouth, and a strong energy dissolved in his abdomen. At the same time, his mind locked onto the Innate Merit — add points!

5 Attribute Points instantly disappeared!

His consciousness once again sank into that pure white, profound space.

A mysterious power drew him into a cross-legged position, and the circulation path of the Innate Merit was pushed to its extreme!

After the minor Heavenly Cycle route was stabilized, True Qi, like water from a opened dam, surged to expand towards the Shenque Acupoint, connecting the three Yin Meridians of the hands and feet!

Then it rushed towards the Qi Sea… Five Attribute Points were exhausted, simulating five years of arduous Cultivation!

The circulation route of the Innate Merit was already imprinted and formed within Xiao Zhuo's body!

Starting from Tanzhong, passing through Tiantu, Shenque, Qi Sea, Huiyin, Mingmen, Dazhui, Yuzhen, Baihui... all the major Acupoints throughout the body were connected, forming an endless Innate Grand Heavenly Cycle!

Cultivation Technique: Innate Merit [Perfection] (100 / 100)

The Cultivation Technique reached Perfection! The True Qi within his body surged like a great river, several times more powerful than before!

But Xiao Zhuo clearly sensed that this vast True Qi was only equivalent to the level of a normal person's two or three years of arduous Cultivation of this technique, not yet enough to cause a qualitative change, merely allowing him to unleash killing moves more times and with slightly increased power.

“Not enough!” A sharp glint flashed in Xiao Zhuo’s eyes.

He did not hesitate, investing another 8 Attribute Points, targeting — Eight Directions Demon Slaying Saber!

Saber light crisscrossed in the consciousness space! Eight years of arduous Cultivation condensed into an instant! The Saber technique Realm broke through layer after layer, finally stepping into the Realm of Subtle Insight!

A terrifying Saber Intent, capable of severing illusions and annihilating the void, was branded deep within his Soul!

[Eight Directions Demon Slaying Saber has broken through its limit, reaching the Subtle Insight Realm! Comprehended Unique Skill: Eight Extremes Return to Void Slash!]

Saber technique Major Achievement! Xiao Zhuo did not stop, frantically injecting the remaining 17 Attribute Points into the Innate Merit!

The violent energy contained in fifty catties of demon flesh and blood was rapidly devoured, transforming into fuel to propel his Cultivation to surge!

Each time he added points, it was like forcibly pouring the result of a year's arduous True Qi Cultivation into his body!

His Dantian Qi Sea roared, and his Meridians expanded and solidified!

When the last attribute point was exhausted, and the last piece of flesh and blood turned into energy, Xiao Zhuo suddenly opened his eyes!

Two tangible beams of light flashed in the dim study, then disappeared!

Name: Xiao Zhuo

Race: Human Race

Realm: Meridian Connecting Realm Ninth Stage Peak

Cultivation Technique: Tiger Subduing Fist [Subtle Insight] (MAX); Eight Directions Demon Slaying Saber [Subtle Insight] (MAX); Innate Merit [Perfection] (Forty years of Cultivation)

Unique Skill: Extreme Tiger Killing Fist; Eight Extremes Return to Void Slash

Trait: Qi Recovery Speed Boost LV1

Attribute Points: 0

The data panel was completely new! Although his Realm had not Broken through to Marrow Cleansing, what surged within his body was a solid forty years of pure Innate Merit power!

This vast, sea-like Innate True Qi was enough to give him, even in the Meridian Connecting Realm, the terrifying capital to challenge ordinary Late Stage Marrow Cleansing Realm powerhouses!

The newly appeared [Trait: Qi Recovery Speed Boost LV1] further made his sustained combat ability far surpass his peers!

With a slight thought, a wisp of pure Innate True Qi was injected into his fingertip. The air emitted a faint hum, and his fingertip seemed to contain a terrifying power capable of piercing metal and stone!

With True Qi enhancement, the attack power more than doubled!

“The Foundation of Tiger Subduing Fist ultimately limited the tempering of the bone marrow…” Xiao Zhuo instantly understood the key to being unable to Breakthrough to Marrow Cleansing.

He needed a more advanced Body Refining method!

He stood up and pushed open the study door.

A powerful, irresistible aura, like a dormant volcano, naturally diffused!

In the main hall, the core members of the Xiao Residence were gathered, and the atmosphere was solemn.

When Xiao Zhuo's figure appeared at the doorway, everyone instantly felt their breath catch!

It was as if a primordial beast had stepped into the hall!

An invisible pressure weighed heavily on everyone's hearts, making them involuntarily hold their breath, looking at Xiao Zhuo with shock and disbelief — was this still the familiar young attendant?

Only Xiao Shaoyou, as if naturally lacking a sense of danger, remained oblivious.

His eyes lit up, and he rushed a few steps to Xiao Zhuo, punching him on the chest without a care, his tone full of exaggerated resentment: “You good-for-nothing Xiao Zhuo! You hid it deep enough! You couldn't even beat me when we practiced fist techniques before? So you were just fooling this young master all along? What happened to us being lazy together?!”

His expression was exactly like someone who had been cruelly betrayed by a close friend.

Xiao Zhuo rarely showed a trace of embarrassment.

His original body indeed couldn't beat Xiao Shaoyou, whose physique had been built up with precious medicines and demon flesh and blood since childhood, but at this moment, he couldn't explain.

He could only show a “you know” expression, and subtly gave Xiao Ningzhi an out: “Young Master is joking, isn’t this all learned from Master? Master often teaches us that one should be low-key and hide one’s talents! I have truly inherited Master’s true teachings!”

He cleverly delivered a compliment.

Although Xiao Ningzhi did not speak, the corners of his tightly pursed lips twitched almost imperceptibly upwards.

The strength and potential Xiao Zhuo displayed at this moment had made even him, the richest man, have to treat him with solemnity.

He appreciated this compliment!

“Xiao Zhuo,” Xiao Ningzhi walked over, looking at Xiao Zhuo, his eyes filled with complex emotions that finally turned into a soft sigh, carrying a sense of comfort, “It’s alright if you couldn’t Cultivate it. As long as we can leave Pengcheng today, Master will certainly exhaust all resources to help you in the future! With your talent, your future is limitless…”

He clearly still didn't believe that Xiao Zhuo could truly master the Innate Merit within an hour, much less believe that he could resolve the crisis with it.

“Master, I…” Xiao Zhuo was about to explain —

“Boom! —!!!”

It was as if a thunderclap from the Nine Heavens had exploded! From all directions of Pengcheng, eight crimson blood-lights, thick as heavenly pillars, suddenly tore through the sky, piercing through layers of clouds!

A terrifying aura of doomsday destruction, causing Souls to tremble and all things to wither, like an invisible giant hand, instantly gripped the entire city, and fiercely squeezed the hearts of everyone in the main hall!

Blood red enveloped the world!