Chapter 022: Essence Qi Spring

Like the scene eight years ago, Lin Yuan held Yang Tian, whose body was covered in blood. Those icy eyes overlapped with the present, their expressions identical, as if he saw the pitch-black eyes from eight years ago.

"Cough... cough..." He coughed violently, and Lin Yuan twitched the corner of his mouth in pain. Yet beneath this pain, a trace of relief crept onto his face. Over the years, living together with Yang Tian, he had not misjudged him.

"Father, Xiao Tian came too late. Are you alright?" Carefully placing Lin Yuan on the ground, Yang Tian stared at the terrifying wounds on his flesh, where broken bones were faintly visible, and said hurriedly.

"It's nothing, just a flesh wound. I won't die from it." Rubbing Yang Tian's little head, Lin Yuan smiled, then his gaze fell on the broken iron chains on the ground, a flicker of shock in his eyes.

"Xiao Tian, where have you been these days? How did your cultivation advance so quickly? These chains are forged from dark iron; even a Blood Refining ninth heaven couldn't easily crush them, right?" Stroking Yang Tian's small hand, Lin Yuan asked in surprise.

"Hehe, just a breakthrough in cultivation." Scratching his head, Yang Tian suddenly slapped his forehead in annoyance, "Oh, right, Father, eat this quickly. It can heal your injuries."

Yang Tian hurriedly took out a Fire Dragon Divine Fruit and, without waiting for Lin Yuan to speak, stuffed it directly into his mouth.

"What kind of fruit is this?" Lin Yuan was startled. He quickly sat cross-legged, and the rich medicinal power rapidly reduced the injuries on his skin.

"Father's cultivation hasn't progressed in years; he should be able to break through." Watching Lin Yuan enter a cultivation state, Yang Tian stood up, then looked at a formation ahead and walked over slowly.

"The Star Martial Hall must need the treasure inside." Gazing at the cyan energy barrier before him, Yang Tian's mind shifted. His palm generated a suction force, and a piece of iron chain shot toward the formation ahead.

Swish! Swish!

As soon as the iron chain touched the cyan barrier, dozens of light blades appeared abruptly, tearing through the void and piercing the iron chain. Then the dozen or so light blades dissipated.

"It's a killing formation. Who set this up?" Taking a deep breath, Yang Tian said incredulously. Even from this distance, his skin was stung painfully.

Those who can set up killing formations are all proficient in the art of formations, and they require a large amount of blood stones during setup. Some special killing formations also need rare refining materials. Most super sects have mountain-protecting killing formations, but such formations are immensely powerful and can even kill peerless experts.

Suddenly, Lin Yuan's rate of absorbing the essence of heaven and earth surged. The essence of heaven and earth in the secret chamber converged wildly. The blood energy within Lin Yuan's body churned. Tempered by the medicinal power of the Fire Dragon Divine Fruit, the immense vitality caused Lin Yuan's gray hair to gradually turn black.

"Haha, Father is about to break through. I didn't expect the Fire Dragon Divine Fruit to also increase vitality. From now on, Father will surely step into the martial artist realm and greatly extend his lifespan." Scratching his head, Yang Tian watched the old age on Lin Yuan's face fade, joy surging onto his young face.

His body shook violently. Penetrated by the medicinal power of the Fire Dragon Divine Fruit, Lin Yuan's realm broke through, but the absorption rate did not stop; it was even greater than before, causing ripples in the space.

"He's going to break through two heavens in a row." The joy on his face grew heavier. Due to long-term accumulation, Lin Yuan had been worried about Yang Tian's illness in the past, with a knot in his heart, unable to break through.

Now, after long accumulation, the dormant blood energy in his body was all stirred by the medicinal power of the Fire Dragon Divine Fruit, and the immense vitality continuously blossomed.

"Tomorrow is the Martial Hall Competition." Clenching his fist, a piercing killing intent flashed in Yang Tian's eyes. Then he took out a jade slip and immersed his mind in the cultivation of the Wind-Splitting Palm.

Martial techniques occupy a significant position on the continent, no less important than cultivation techniques. In battles of the same level, having profound martial techniques can secure victory in an instant.

In the entire Qingshi Town, one might not even find a Profound-grade martial technique. If an auction house were to sell a Profound-grade martial technique, it would definitely cause a frenzy, with prices reaching tens of thousands of blood stones. The Profound-grade intermediate martial technique Yang Tian obtained was even higher.

Martial techniques are classified the same as cultivation techniques. Legend has it that some Heaven-grade techniques possess the power to destroy heaven and earth. Just like the fist technique Yang Tian saw the giant practice, it could easily shatter stars, but of course, that requires strong cultivation to support.

On the continent, some Heaven-grade martial techniques are held by those at the pyramid's top. High-level martial techniques unearthed from ancient ruins have even caused bloody storms across the continent.

Yang Tian sat cross-legged in the cave, breathing steadily, his mind ethereal. The profound artistic conception of the martial technique echoed in his heart.

Suddenly, his eyes opened wide. The palms resting on his thighs rose, and all the blood energy in his body poured into his palms. The nearby essence of heaven and earth was also stirred at this moment, surging into Yang Tian's palms.

On his palm, a blood energy vortex appeared, with the surrounding essence of heaven and earth continuously pouring in, but the internal energy was not very smooth. Seeing this, Yang Tian's expression changed slightly. He raised his palm and struck toward the wall ahead.

"Bang." A crimson blade aura streaked across the void. With a faint sound, a tiny crack appeared on the wall, but it was almost invisible to the naked eye. The crack extended only a little and then stopped.

"This..." Looking at the damage caused, Yang Tian pouted in dissatisfaction. This wall could be shattered with just physical strength, showing that martial techniques are not so easy to master.

Yang Tian was not discouraged. He immersed his mind again in the cultivation of the Wind-Splitting Palm...

Three hours later, Yang Tian's palms moved in various ways, dancing without pause. The tearing sound of air explosions kept bursting, and several afterimages danced continuously, giving a dazzling feeling. The blade aura condensing on his palms was much more proficient than before.

"Ha!" With a low shout, his palm continuously struck out several blade auras. Sparks flew on the wall ahead, and several cracks spread rapidly.

"It's starting to take shape." Nodding with satisfaction, having initially mastered a martial technique in a few hours, Yang Tian couldn't help but feel a sense of pride.

"Break!"

At the sudden shout, Yang Tian's eyelids twitched. He shifted his gaze. At this moment, Lin Yuan's mouth and nose were wide open, greedily devouring the dense essence of heaven and earth around him. His body was like a furnace being refined.

"Still a bit short. It seems the fortress of the ninth heaven is not so easy to break." Yang Tian frowned slightly, then slapped his forehead. He fished out three blood pellets from the void ring he had snatched during the day, flicked his finger, and the blood pellets fell into Lin Yuan's mouth.

The furnace trembled. Lin Yuan sensed a rich medicinal power, and a wave of relief surged in his heart. Besides Yang Tian, who else would be by his side?

"Break!" Mobilizing the blood energy in his body again, with the help of the massive medicinal power, Lin Yuan's aura climbed step by step, and the leaking blood energy all turned substantial.

"After the Fire Dragon Divine Fruit transformed his qi sea, Father's strength is now far stronger than Wang Feng's, and his chances of breaking through to martial artist in the future have greatly increased." Scratching his head, Yang Tian smiled happily.

After a moment, Lin Yuan slowly opened his eyes, carefully sensing the surging blood energy within his body. This blood energy was countless times stronger than before, and his combat power was astonishing.

"Xiao Tian, what kind of fruit is this? Its medicinal effect is too astonishing. It can even open up a person's qi sea." Smacking his lips, Lin Yuan said incredulously. He had never heard of treasures on the continent that could transform the qi sea.

Moreover, the Qingyang Continent was also searching for such things, but the price could drive everyone crazy, even making some large sects envious.

"Hehe, it's just a strange fruit I obtained by chance. One person can only take one; more than that has little effect." Yang Tian said with a chuckle.

"Xiao Tian, this strange fruit must not be known to outsiders. A few years ago, the Qingyang Continent was searching for fruits related to the qi sea. If outsiders find out, it will surely attract the attention of experts."

"Hehe, don't worry, Father. I understand the principle of 'holding a treasure invites calamity.'" Looking at Lin Yuan's face, which had become a few years younger, Yang Tian smiled happily.

"The medicinal effect of this strange fruit is too astonishing. Not only can it open up the qi sea, but it also enhances vitality. It's simply incredible." Touching his much younger face, Lin Yuan seemed to remember something and asked, "Xiao Tian, what happened these days?"

Yang Tian told Lin Yuan everything that had happened these days...

"Bang!"

After hearing Yang Tian's words, a surge of raging fury flooded Lin Yuan's face. He punched the wall hard and shouted coldly, "Star Martial Hall!"

"Father, what exactly is inside that they would go to such lengths?" Pointing at the killing formation ahead, Yang Tian asked in confusion.

"Alas." Hearing Yang Tian's question, Lin Yuan suddenly sighed and said slowly, "In the past, the Dragon Star Martial Hall was a renowned martial hall throughout the Qingyang Empire. When my grandfather was the hall master, we encountered a powerful enemy."

"Although we killed the powerful enemy, the Dragon Star Martial Hall was severely weakened from then on, its foundation nearly exhausted. Moreover, some people took advantage of the chaos to steal all the techniques, and later we settled in Qingshi Town."

"This killing formation was left by my father before he died. Inside, there is an Essence Qi Spring!"

"Essence Qi Spring!" Hearing this, Yang Tian's eyes widened, and he couldn't help but gasp. The Essence Qi Spring is a famous treasure on the continent, and almost every renowned family possesses one.

Cultivating near an Essence Qi Spring is dozens of times faster than ordinary meditation. Even without cultivation, one's cultivation increases daily, showing the terror of the Essence Qi Spring.

"But..."

Lin Yuan waved his hand, interrupting Yang Tian, and then smiled bitterly: "Although this killing formation is astonishingly powerful, my cultivation is insufficient to activate it to fight enemies. My father was afraid I couldn't protect the Essence Qi Spring and ruin the ancestors' foundation, so he completely sealed the killing formation, and I cannot open it."

"Uh..." Yang Tian couldn't help but twitch his mouth, then rolled his eyes and said, "What realm is needed to open it?"

"I don't know if I can now. Let me try." As soon as he finished speaking, Lin Yuan walked to the killing formation, traced a few arcs in the air with his fingers, and then several talismans appeared in the air.

"Go." With a clear shout, Lin Yuan waved his hand, and several talismans surged toward the cyan barrier. As soon as the talismans touched the killing formation, ripples appeared.

Lin Yuan's fingers kept waving in the air, and talismans flew rapidly toward the killing formation. As time passed, Lin Yuan's face gradually turned pale, and the abundant blood energy in his body slowly shrank.

"This killing formation is too abnormal. It requires such complex opening methods?" Scratching his head, a look of astonishment appeared on Yang Tian's young face. Although it was only a short while, Lin Yuan had formed at least a thousand hand seals.

Chi chi.

Suddenly, the cyan barrier fluctuated violently, and a small door slowly opened. At the same time, a dense essence of heaven and earth burst out like a tidal wave, the thick essence almost substantial.

"Damn, so abnormal." His eyes bulged wide, as if he had eaten a ginseng fruit, his whole body felt extremely comfortable, and all his pores frantically devoured the extremely dense essence of heaven and earth around him.

"No wonder it's an Essence Qi Spring. Unfortunately, it's not very useful to me." Amidst his joy, Yang Tian shook his head slightly. Although this essence of heaven and earth was several times denser than that in the Ancestral Dragon Ring, the path of martial arts requires tempering the will to the utmost and experiencing life-and-death battles to have a chance to reach the peak.

Monotonous meditation cultivation, although cultivation grows quickly, will eventually erode a strong heart.

Inside the killing formation, a ten-zhang-sized spring was spewing essence, and this secret chamber would soon become a treasure land.

"Xiao Tian, this was the reliance of the Dragon Star Martial Hall back then. Unfortunately, my talent is not high, and it's hard for me to reach higher realms and fulfill the ancestors' wishes." Patting Yang Tian's little head, Lin Yuan said with a faint smile.

"Father, in the future, when Xiao Tian achieves cultivation, I will surely revive the glory of the Dragon Star Martial Hall." Clenching his fist, Yang Tian said firmly.

"Hehe, Father is waiting for that day." Looking at Yang Tian with a gratified heart, then a fierce killing intent shot from his eyes. Clenching his powerful fist, he shouted coldly, "Let's settle the matter at hand first. The Star Martial Hall will pay the price."

"Mm." Nodding, the two then leaped into the room.

Inside the room, Yang Tian and Lin Yuan stared wide-eyed as the head instructor crashed into the wall and died, a sense of satisfaction rising in their hearts.

"Haha, this old bastard committed suicide, he committed suicide." Lin Yuan laughed heartily, and much of the gloom of the past days was dispelled.