61: Chapter 61 The Art of Combat

Li Changsheng didn't give them time to react.

He pivoted, dodging a hastily cast Fireball Technique.

He closed in on the second Disciple's side.

An elbow strike!

Crack!

The sound of breaking ribs was clearly audible!

The third person finally reacted, pulling a Talisman from his robe, about to activate it!

Li Changsheng was quick of eye and hand, kicking him right in the wrist!

The Talisman flew out of his hand and ignited into a ball of fire in mid-air, lighting up the alley brightly!

The fourth person, the leader who had just entered Qi Refining Level 4, was now pale with fright.

He frantically channeled his spiritual power, condensing a thin spiritual shield in front of him while forming hand seals, attempting to cast a Spell!

Li Changsheng didn't give him the chance.

He stepped forward and pressed a palm against the spiritual shield.

The shield trembled slightly and was actually shattered by his palm strike!

Following through with the momentum, he struck the man's chest with his palm!

Pfft!

The man spat out blood and stumbled back several steps before falling onto his backside, staring at Li Changsheng in utter horror.

"You, you... aren't you at Qi Refining Level 2?!"

Li Changsheng didn't answer, merely looking down at his own hands.

In those few Moves just now, he hadn't used a single shred of spiritual power.

It was pure martial power, the force-exertion techniques of the Grandmaster Realm, and the physical strength from the Qingyuan Iron-Forging Strength.

Back in Qinghe Town, he could kill a Xiantian Realm Martial Artist with a single punch.

And those at the third or fourth level of Qi Refining were inferior to the Xiantian Realm in terms of physical strength.

"Mundane martial arts?"

He looked up at the four men slumped on the ground and said indifferently,

"For you lot, it's enough."

The four looked at each other, their eyes filled with terror.

Li Changsheng walked up to the leader, squatted down, and looked at him.

"What's your name?"

The man's lips trembled for a long while before he managed to squeeze out a name.

"Xie... Xie Feng..."

"Xie Feng? Truly wicked indeed."

Li Changsheng gave a cold laugh.

"Go back and tell your band of scoundrels about today. If anyone targets me again..."

He didn't finish. He simply stood up and stepped on a bluestone at the edge of the alley.

The bluestone shattered instantly, breaking into several pieces.

The four men gasped in unison.

Li Changsheng ignored them and turned to walk out of the alley.

He left the four injured men slumped by the shattered stone, unable to recover their senses for a long time.

Walking out of the market, Li Changsheng's pace remained steady.

In that battle just now, he hadn't used spiritual power, relying purely on martial arts.

But he knew this was only temporary.

"Killing these four would have been easy, but many people saw me on the way here; the Sect would surely investigate."

"If I let them go back, others with ill intentions will definitely be wary."

Keeping them alive was for publicity.

Once those four returned and the news spread, more people would know he was 'not to be trifled with'.

By the time he returned to the Hundred Herb Garden, it was already evening.

He first went to check on Section C Field No. 7.

The remaining Jade Dew Ginseng was still there, its leaves shimmering with golden light in the sunset.

He squatted down, gently brushed the soil, and poured some water.

"Wait a bit longer."

He whispered.

"When I'm ready, I'll dig you up and give you to Xiao Cao."

The spirit ginseng remained silent, its leaves swaying gently.

He stood up and walked toward the tool storehouse.

Just as he reached the door, he suddenly found a note stuck to it.

He took it down and unfolded it; there was only one line of text:

"Tomorrow at the hour of Chen, come to the Heavenly Sword Peak Martial Arts Field. —Liu Qingchen"

Li Changsheng looked at the note, his brow furrowing slightly.

The Heavenly Sword Peak Martial Arts Field?

What did Senior Brother Liu want with him?

He put the note away and pushed open the door to the storehouse.

Under the lamplight, he sat cross-legged and took out the small jade bottle containing the two remaining drops of spiritual liquid.

He was at Qi Refining Level 3 now.

But it wasn't enough.

He needed more power, and he needed true cultivation Martial Skills.

Though those four today were easily defeated, if opponents at Qi Refining Level 5 or 6, or even the Foundation Establishment Stage, showed up—

Or even if someone at the Qi Refining Stage launched a sneak attack first, his meager martial arts would be completely insufficient.

He needed to learn how to fight with Spells and how to use spiritual power to drive true Martial Skills.

And Liu Qingchen's note might just be the opportunity.

He put the jade bottle back in his robe, closed his eyes, and began to regulate his breathing.

Tomorrow, he would go see Senior Brother Liu.

The next day at the hour of Chen, the Heavenly Sword Peak Martial Arts Field.

When Li Changsheng arrived, Liu Qingchen was already waiting there.

He was still dressed in white, standing with his hands behind his back, gazing at the distant mist-shrouded mountains, lost in thought.

"Senior Brother Liu."

Li Changsheng stepped forward and cupped his fists.

Liu Qingchen turned around, his gaze lingering on him for a moment, a flash of surprise in his eyes.

"Qi Refining Level 3?"

"I just broke through yesterday."

Li Changsheng didn't hide it.

Liu Qingchen nodded, not asking how he had achieved the Breakthrough.

He was always like this, never asking what shouldn't be asked.

"I heard about what happened at the market yesterday."

He said calmly.

"Four people at the third and fourth levels of Qi Refining were soundly defeated by you, a Qi Refining Level 3, without you even using spiritual power. The news has already spread."

Li Changsheng was slightly startled but quickly regained his composure.

"They made the first Move."

"I know."

Liu Qingchen turned to face him fully.

"I didn't call you here today to ask about that."

"I wanted to ask you, do you want to learn the true method of combat?"

Li Changsheng's heart stirred.

The true method of combat?

Right now, all he knew was the martial arts from Qinghe Town and the basic palm techniques of the Qingyuan Formula.

It was fine against those at Qi Refining Level 3 or 4, but if he encountered an opponent who knew Spells, he might not even be able to get close.

"Please guide me, Senior Brother Liu."

Liu Qingchen nodded and took out a Jade Slip from his robe, handing it to him.

"This is the introductory chapter of the Qinglan Sword Art, a technique that Outer Sect Disciples can exchange for."

"But this copy I'm giving you includes my own annotations."

Li Changsheng took the Jade Slip; it felt warm to the touch, and he could sense the information contained within.

"Your martial arts foundation is excellent; that is your advantage."

Liu Qingchen said slowly.

"Many Cultivators rely too heavily on Spells and Magical Artifacts, neglecting themselves."

"Once their spiritual power is exhausted or their artifacts are broken, they have no power to fight back."

"But you are different; your body is your Magical Artifact."

He paused before continuing.

"However, relying solely on martial arts is far from enough to deal with true experts."

"You need to learn to combine spiritual power with martial arts to form true combat techniques."

"Although the Qinglan Sword Art is a sword technique, its concepts of 'spiritual power circulation', 'Move transitions', and 'opportunities to defeat the enemy' will all be useful to you."

Li Changsheng tucked the Jade Slip into his robe and solemnly cupped his fists.

"Thank you, Senior Brother Liu."

Liu Qingchen waved his hand.

"No need to thank me."

"In three months, there will be a Minor Competition in the outer Sect; any Disciple at Qi Refining Level 3 or above can participate."

"If you can distinguish yourself in the competition, you might be able to obtain more resources."

Li Changsheng made a mental note.

Outer Sect Minor Competition.

Three months.

This was an opportunity.

"One more thing."

Liu Qingchen said suddenly.

"How are those fellow villagers of yours doing lately?"

Li Changsheng was startled, then replied,

"Li Changqing is at the Heavenly Sword Peak Sword Guard Hall, I heard she's reached Qi Refining Level 2. Shi Tiezhu is at Houtu Peak, still at Qi Refining Level 1. Li Xiaocao is at the Hundred Herb Garden..."

He paused, thinking of those three Jade Dew Ginsengs.

"Xiao Cao is doing very well," he said. "She's taking care of rare Spirit Medicines, and Manager Qin praised her for having talent."

Liu Qingchen nodded, fell silent for a moment, and then suddenly said,

"The semi-annual Named Disciple examination is in half a month."

Li Changsheng's heart stirred as he looked at him.

Liu Qingchen's gaze fell on him, full of meaning.

"The three of them should all want to take the exam."