Soul Emperor Martial God Chapter 4: Martial arts boundary

Upon returning to his room, Xiao Yi let out a sharp hiss, teeth clenched against the pain.

"Master, are you alright?" Yiyi inquired with concern.

"It's nothing," Xiao Yi replied, shaking his head, though he inwardly cursed the frailness of his current body. "I used Xingyiquan twice, and it can't handle it anymore."

Xingyiquan, particularly its Xingyi Wujue techniques, possesses deceptively simple movements that place immense strain on the physique.

For instance, mimicking a leopard allows for explosive bursts of speed, contingent upon the instantaneous power unleashed by the muscles.

The serpentine form, which Xiao Yi employed earlier to evade the burning vine, requires remarkable physical resilience, enabling swift, fluid motion akin to a dancing snake.

In his previous life, the original Xiao Yi could have sustained such exertion for three days and nights without issue.

However, the current Xiao Yi's dilapidated body was wholly inadequate for the task.

His earlier apparent ease in defeating Xiao Jie and Xiao Shi was, in reality, a constant battle against physical agony.

With a series of audible cracks, Xiao Yi rotated his neck.

The persistent ache in his back and the pervasive weakness left him deeply uncomfortable.

Despite possessing the cultivation base of a mortal realm, first-tier, it was rudimentary, offering little advantage over an ordinary person.

"Ah!" Yiyi suddenly exclaimed. "The medicine is cooling! Master, quickly, drink it while it's still warm!"

Xiao Yi accepted the bowl, taking a deep draught of the dark, viscous liquid.

The moment the potent medicine reached his abdomen, a wave of relief washed over his aching body.

"Incredible potency," he murmured, a faint smile gracing his lips. "This must be a tonic, designed to fortify the body and warm the meridians."

"Indeed, Master!" Yiyi confirmed, nodding earnestly. "It's Rank Six Nourishing Mai Liquid, personally refined by the Great Elder at the request of the Three Elders. It's exceedingly precious."

Xiao Yi grunted in acknowledgment and, observing the full bowl, pushed it towards Yiyi.

"You drink it," he stated calmly.

"Eh?" Yiyi blinked in surprise.

"No 'eh' about it. I said, you drink it."

"No!" Yiyi vehemently shook her head. "This is Young Master's life-saving medicine! I cannot..."

"I fear poison. You go first," Xiao Yi insisted.

"Master, please don't worry," Yiyi said, taking a tentative sip. "I'll test it first."

A moment passed before she recalled that Xiao Yi had already partaken.

"Master, you..."

"Drink it. I'm not accustomed to drinking what someone else has started. If you refuse, simply discard it," Xiao Yi declared, moving away to adopt a peculiar stance.

He raised his head, balancing precariously on one knee, his arms thrust skyward—the 'Crane Form' of the Five Unique Shapes and Intents.

This particular posture wasn't for combat but was renowned for its ability to extend lifespan and accelerate healing.

In his past life, Xiao Yi had faced numerous life-or-death situations. Desperate measures led him to discover that upon recovery from battles, the Crane Form, coupled with his internal strength, could readily mend his injuries.

He marveled again at the profound depth of Xingyi Quan, especially the Xingyi Wujue, which proved remarkably effective in alleviating his current fatigue.

Yiyi watched Xiao Yi's unconventional movements, hesitant to interrupt, a mix of bewilderment and curiosity swirling within her.

She pondered why her Young Master, who was usually bullied, had instead triumphed over Xiao Jie and Xiao Shi today. She wondered why he hadn't taken his frustration out on her through beatings.

Most perplexing of all, she questioned why he was treating her with such unusual kindness, even offering her the precious medicinal liquid.

Though not unintelligent, she recognized Xiao Yi's deliberate gesture in offering her the medicine.

Unable to fully comprehend his actions, she set aside her doubts and obediently finished every last drop of the liquid.

She cherished every gift from Xiao Yi as if it were a priceless treasure.

Almost instantly, a subtle rosy hue returned to Yiyi's previously pale complexion, and the bruises on her skin began to recede.

While maintaining the Crane Form, Xiao Yi cast a knowing, gentle glance at Yiyi.

Several minutes later, Xiao Yi released the unusual posture. The aches and weariness that had plagued him were gone, replaced by an invigorating sense of renewed energy.

He looked at Yiyi, a pang of sympathy striking him.

Her delicate facial features were exquisitely sculpted, like a masterpiece of art—a true beauty in the making. Had she not endured prolonged abuse, she would undoubtedly be a peerless beauty now.

Her obedient and sensible nature only deepened his affection.

"Next time there's danger, don't stand in front of me again," Xiao Yi cautioned, recalling her earlier actions and speaking with genuine concern.

Had he not intervened, Yiyi's delicate frame would have sustained serious injury from Xiao Jie's formidable strength, likely fracturing her arm.

"Yiyi's existence is devoted to Young Master; Yiyi..."

"I do not require protection from others," Xiao Yi stated, his tone cutting.

"Furthermore, desist from proclaiming your life belongs to me. I am unaccustomed to bearing the weight of another's existence."

As an assassin, Xiao Yi was intimately familiar with solitude. His understanding of life was binary: his own or someone else's; that which could be extinguished or that which held no relevance to him.

"Yes," Yiyi affirmed obediently. "Yiyi's life is Young Master's; everything is as Young Master wills."

"You..." Xiao Yi's brow furrowed.

"Everything is to my behest, is that correct?" Xiao Yi inquired with a smile.

"Yes," Yiyi nodded.

"Very well," Xiao Yi declared. "Either cease uttering that foolish phrase, 'Your life is mine,' or append 'Young Master Xiao Yi, the suave, handsome, and utterly dashing epitome of scum,' before it. Then, Yiyi will heed Young Master in all matters."

"Do you comprehend?" Xiao Yi, exasperated by Yiyi, pressed.

"Mm," Yiyi mumbled, slightly dazed. "Yiyi obeys Young Master, but if Young Master could repeat that, speaking more slowly? Yiyi cannot quite recall it."

"It is you who cannot recall," Xiao Yi retorted coolly.

"But..."

"What? Are you refusing to obey me?" Xiao Yi's frown deepened.

"I obey," Yiyi affirmed, lowering her head, appearing greatly embarrassed.

Disregarding her, Xiao Yi retrieved the satchel previously left by the three Elders.

Within this satchel lay his cultivation resources for the current month.

Upon opening and inspecting it, Xiao Yi found twenty taels of silver and a jade vial.

As the jade vial was unsealed, an aromatic essence of elixir wafted towards him.

Inside the vial, three lustrous, transparent pills resided.

These were Body Tempering Pills, esteemed as top-tier elixirs.

Warriors in the mortal realm primarily focus on fortifying their physical forms, establishing a robust foundation in preparation for ascending to higher realms.

The creation of such elixirs necessitates the skill of an Alchemist.

This profession is exceptionally rare and highly esteemed across the Yanlong Continent.

To achieve the status of an Alchemist, a martial artist must possess not only profound innate talent and exceptional aptitude but also adhere to exceedingly stringent standards in other regards.

Indeed, it is said that one might search through a hundred warriors and find barely a single Alchemist.

The prestige of Alchemists stems from their unparalleled ability to concoct a myriad of miraculous pills: elixirs for advancing cultivation, draughts for healing afflictions, and potent concoctions for refining the body, among others.

The hierarchy of Alchemists is structured across nine distinct ranks, ascending from the lowest to the highest: First-Rank Alchemist, Second-Rank Alchemist, and so forth, culminating in the Ninth-Rank Alchemist.

Whispers persist of an 'Emperor Rank Alchemist' existing beyond the Ninth Rank, though no one has ever claimed to have witnessed such a marvel.

The esteemed First Elder of the Xiao Family, Xiao Lihuo, is not only a formidable martial artist of innate strength but also a revered Third-Rank Alchemist.

The majority of the elixirs utilized within the family are his creations.

Within Ziyun City, a mere three Third-Rank Alchemists exist. They are affiliated with the Xiao Family, the Murong Family, and the Jiang Family, underscoring the rarity of these gifted individuals.

"Body Tempering Pill," Xiao Yi pronounced, consuming one of the elixirs.

Concurrently, he activated the Fire Control Beast Spirit residing within his being.

Instantly, the elixir transmuted into potent streams of pure medicinal energy, circulating throughout his body. A portion fortified his physical form, while another was absorbed into his Dantian.

However, the process unfolded with agonizing slowness.

At this pace, it would require a full day to fully assimilate the potency of this single Body Tempering Pill.

"The Fire Control Beast Spirit is truly a pathetic entity," Xiao Yi lamented, shaking his head in resignation.

The disparity in Martial Souls dictates their capacity to absorb ambient spiritual energy and the swiftness with which they process medicinal efficacy. This very speed directly impacts a martial artist's cultivation rate, differentiating the gifted from the inept.

For instance, the young disciple possessing the Orange Martial Soul within the family can completely absorb a Body Tempering Pill in mere half a day.

Setting aside elixirs and relying solely on conventional practice, an Orange Rank Martial Soul user cultivates at a rate equivalent to ten days of effort for a Red Rank Martial Soul user.

This represents a twofold difference in efficacy.

Without further hesitation, Xiao Yi ceased the Fire Control Beast Spirit's function and instead invoked the Bingluan Sword Spirit.

With a swift surge, almost instantaneously upon Martial Soul activation, the Body Tempering Pill dissolved completely, its entire medicinal essence converted into vital True Qi within his body.

"What astonishing speed! Truly befitting of a top-tier Purple Martial Soul," Xiao Yi exclaimed, momentarily stunned.

Following the identical procedure, Xiao Yi ingested the remaining two Body Tempering Pills.

A sensation resonated through Xiao Yi's body, followed by a resounding thud as an unfathomable, potent force erupted.

This was the unmistakable sign of a breakthrough.

"A breakthrough to the second level of the Mortal Realm," Xiao Yi declared with a smile.

Concurrently, Xiao Yi could distinctly sense that the Dantian within him was now capable of channeling true Qi.

True Qi serves as the fundamental strength for martial artists, an indispensable component when unleashing any attack.

Xiao Yi tested this newfound ability, summoning his true Qi, and suddenly, a formidable power coalesced in his fist.

"This power is immense; the true Qi feels considerably stronger than the internal strength from Earth," Xiao Yi concluded.

"It's a shame, though. Being only at the Second Layer of the Mortal Realm, the quantity of true Qi is still too limited," Xiao Yi lamented, shaking his head.

The martial artist cultivation path comprises nine distinct levels, ascending from the lowest to the highest: Mortal Realm, Acquired, Xiantian, Dongxuan, Poxuan, Diyuan, Tianyuan, Earth, and Heaven.

Whispers in legend speak of a realm beyond the Celestial Pole, known as the realm of the Valkyrie.

Such is the pinnacle of martial prowess, where a Valkyrie can traverse the void, command the world, and possess near-omnipotent abilities.

With but a gesture, mountains and rivers crumble; a mere stomp of the foot can shatter the heavens and earth; their individual might is sufficient to subjugate countless beings.

Naturally, the Valkyrie realm remained an unimaginably distant aspiration for Xiao Yi at this juncture.

Even within the entirety of the Xiao family, the most powerful cultivators were merely the nine Elders at the Xiantian stage.

Beyond the Xiantian realm, warriors entering the Dongxuan realm gain the ability to soar through the skies and employ unfathomable techniques. Such formidable warriors are rarely seen, and within the entirety of Ziyun City, none exist.

"Dwelling on such thoughts is futile right now; I must focus on practicing," Xiao Yi mused, dispelling the extraneous thoughts from his mind.

Under the potent influence of the purple Wuhun, the Bingluan Sword, the spiritual Qi of heaven and earth surged into his body like a vast ocean receiving rivers.

The true Qi within him continued to accumulate, and his Dantian grew increasingly robust with each passing moment.