Eternal Reverence Chapter 5: Live Combat Practice

Upon reaching the completion stage of the Clear Breeze Sword Style and grasping the Dao of the sword, Li Fuchen's cultivation of the Shao Shang Sword Style became far more efficient. He achieved completion in a mere 9 days.

The Shao Shang Sword Style, at its completion stage, possessed astonishing power. A single swing could cleave a tree trunk twice the width of a man's embrace in half. Its sword strength was at least double that of the Clear Breeze Sword Style.

Given the similar nature of the Cyclone Kick Style and the Clear Breeze Sword Style, both requiring the practitioner to become one with the wind, Li Fuchen succeeded in cultivating the Cyclone Kick Style to completion in just 3 days.

"I suppose it's time to hone my live combat skills."

Cultivation, techniques, and martial arts formed one's fundamental strength. When these foundations were equal between two individuals, live combat experience became the decisive factor.

Li Fuchen, having never engaged in live combat since childhood, understood this crucial deficiency.

Equipped with his steel sword, Li Fuchen departed with firm resolve, setting his sights on the Misty Mountains.

***

The Misty Mountains were vast in scale. Their name did not originate from Yunwu City but rather from the ubiquitous mist that enveloped the mountain range, which in turn lent its name to the city itself.

An aura of menace permeated the mountains, and beneath the shroud of mist, demonic beasts reigned supreme. Demons, too, found their abode within.

Along the perimeter, one would encounter Class 1 demonic beasts and demons, possessing strength comparable to Qi Realm fighters.

Venture slightly closer to the center, and Class 2 demonic beasts and demons began to appear, on par with Origin Realm fighters. A peak Class 2 demonic beast could easily dispatch an Origin Realm fighter. As for a Class 2 demon, even a ninth-level Origin Realm fighter would face a nearly insurmountable challenge, with a mere 1-in-10 chance of survival.

Naturally, Li Fuchen had no intention of risking his life. He planned to train only along the perimeter, where Class 1 demonic beasts posed no mortal threat.

Li Fuchen moved at a rapid pace along the desolate path.

Utilizing the travel time to hasten his progress, Li Fuchen seized the opportunity to practice his Cyclone Kick Style, a perfect example of achieving two objectives with a single action.

Two hours later, Li Fuchen reached the fringes of the Misty Mountains.

"As expected of the Misty Mountains; a sense of dread washes over me just standing before this wilderness."

As he ventured into this perilous territory, Li Fuchen felt the hairs on his body stand on end.

Shoot!

From beneath a tree, a slender, green shadow darted out, hurtling towards Li Fuchen.

At the critical moment, employing his lightning-fast reflexes, Li Fuchen reached out and seized the approaching green shadow.

The shadow revealed itself to be a green snake, thrashing violently as Li Fuchen held it firmly in his grasp.

"A low-tier Class 1 demonic beast, the Green Striped Snake. Its strength is negligible compared to even a first-level Qi Realm fighter, but its venom is lethal to those at the sixth or seventh level of the Qi Realm."

"The Misty Mountains are far more treacherous than I initially perceived..."

Li Fuchen reflected internally. Had it not been for his enhanced soul spirit, he would not have been able to intercept the Green Striped Snake, and its venom would have spelled his doom.

Li Fuchen pressed onward with heightened vigilance. Activating his five senses to their utmost, bolstered by his Qi pushed to its limits, he could detect even the slightest movement of a blade of grass.

"Hmm? It's a medicinal herb!"

Li Fuchen focused his gaze. Not far off on a hill, a small flower bloomed. It was a low-tier, yellow-grade herb known as the Jasper Dew Flower, valued at 2000 gold coins.

2000 gold coins represented a substantial sum. One gold coin equated to 10 silver coins or 1000 copper coins. The typical annual household income in Yunwu City hovered around 10 gold coins. Despite being the son of the Patriarch, Li Fuchen's monthly allowance was merely 10 gold coins. He carefully foraged the Jasper Dew Flower and placed it within a sizable jade box, worth approximately 10 gold coins. This box possessed the ability to preserve the inherent Qi of herbs.

***

As time slipped away, Li Fuchen navigated along the mountain ridges.

Teng!

Propelling himself off the surface with the balls of his feet, Li Fuchen utilized the trees as stepping stones, traversing the terrain with astonishing agility. In the blink of an eye, he landed atop the highest branch of a massive tree, surveying the vast landscape before him.

At the very moment Li Fuchen ascended the colossal tree, a sinister demonic beast emerged from the undergrowth ahead.

The creature was a brownish-yellow hue, measuring about 2.5 meters in length, tail included. Its cold-blooded eyes exuded a chilling stare.

This was a Class 1 demonic beast, the Steel Boned Jackal. Its strength was nearly equivalent to that of a fifth-level Qi Realm cultivator. Due to the extreme hardness of its bones, striking its vital points without causing significant damage would prove exceedingly difficult, even for a sixth or seventh-level Qi Realm fighter.

"It's actually a Steel-Boned Jackal!"

Li Fuchen knitted his brows; the Steel Boned Jackal presented a formidable opponent. He would rather avoid direct confrontation unless it became his absolute last resort.

However, the Jackal had already detected Li Fuchen's presence, fixing him with a glare that even leaves couldn't obscure.

Emitting a cry akin to a child's wail, the Steel-Boned Jackal launched itself like an arrow toward the tree Li Fuchen occupied.

Peng!

The tree shuddered violently, its leaves raining down as if caught in a tempest. The tremors caused Li Fuchen to lose his footing, tumbling from the branches.

“Oh crap!”

Li Fu Chen hadn't anticipated the Steel Boned Jackal's sheer ferocity, letting his guard down. With swift, agile movements, he extended his reach, snagging a branch to swing himself away.

Amidst the whistling wind, the Jackal zipped through the air, zeroing in on Li Fuchen.

“Stay down!”

Holding onto the branch with one hand and his steel sword with the other, Li Fuchen swung at the Jackal's face.

A sound of near-failure echoed; the strike managed to inflict a wound on the Jackal's face, but it by no means fatally injured the Steel-Boned Jackal. Nevertheless, the attack disrupted the beast's assault on Li Fuchen.

With a sway of the branch, Li Fuchen regained his footing atop it, this time clenching a thick limb of the tree firmly to prevent being dislodged again.

Peng!

Peng peng!

The Steel Boned Jackal battered the tree repeatedly. Li Fuchen could hear the wood splintering, sensing that with just a few more impacts, the limb would inevitably shatter.

“Let’s do this! My sword arts are not merely for show.”

Gritting his teeth, Li Fuchen leaped from the tree, aiming his sword strike at the beast mid-air.

Yet, the Jackal proved agile, batting away the sword with a swipe of its claw before lunging at Li Fuchen once more.

“Just a mere Steel Boned Jackal...”

Li Fuchen entered a state of heightened focus. Every movement the beast made became crystal clear in his perception. He evaded the creature effortlessly and plunged his sword directly between its ribs.

As the sword embedded itself, fresh blood began to trickle out.

However, Li Fuchen had underestimated the aggressive nature of the Steel Boned Jackal; even after sustaining a grievous wound, it still attempted to lash out at Li Fuchen.

Bfff!

The sword swept across the Jackal’s neck. Like a deflating balloon, it collapsed instantly, its life extinguished.

Having vanquished the Steel Boned Jackal, Li Fuchen remained still, contemplating his areas for improvement.

Firstly, he had harbored a degree of fear towards the Jackal and had overestimated his own capabilities.

Secondly, his live combat experience was insufficient.

Regarding the first perceived weakness, Li Fuchen reasoned it wasn't a true flaw, considering it was his initial encounter with the ferocious Steel Boned Jackal. This experience, he believed, would prevent a similar reaction in the future.

As for the second weakness, he recognized it couldn't be rectified instantly and required continuous training to hone his live combat skills.

Hu!

Exhaling all his pent-up tension, Li Fu Chen's eyes blazed with renewed light, radiating a valiant battle intent.

If the golden amulet had rewritten his destiny, this fierce battle had imprinted upon him the true meaning of risking one's life to fell an enemy. No matter the opponent, as long as the will to fight remained, a path to victory would always exist.