The Thrill of Combat
A Few Months Later, Heaven's Hand Sect, Southern Continent
26th May, 36th Year of the Great Emperor Era
At this moment, two young men were fighting each other. One seemed to be in his teens, while the other was an adult. It was a spar, where one was teaching the other.
Li Yuxong had already reached Rank 7 early stage in the past years. He was teaching his son, Li Tianxiao, some sword techniques.
Li Tianxiao was also a great genius, just like his parents. He had reached Rank 4 peak stage at the age of just 19 and could enter Rank 5 early stage at any time.
At this moment, Li Yuxong found his communication talisman shaking. He took it out, infused his spiritual essence into it, and received the message.
He said, "You continue your training. I will go and meet Master."
Li Tianxiao nodded and bowed. "Yes, Father!"
In an isolated palace, an old man was gazing at the empty sky with a calm expression. He soon noticed a young man approaching.
Li Yuxong met the old man and bowed politely.
Tian Chen nodded at Li Yuxong and asked lightly, "Do you know why I called you here?"
Li Yuxong replied slowly, "I am not sure. But if this disciple is correct, then it should be related to the Soul Emperor's Inheritance that has appeared in the Eastern Continent."
Tian Chen acknowledged, "Indeed. In the past few years, I have sent many disciples to gather information about it. A few months ago, the Inheritance appeared. Many Warriors have entered to try their luck. I think this is a good opportunity for you."
Li Yuxong nodded. "Yes, Master."
Tian Chen thought for a moment and then said calmly, "Go together with Holy Daughter Huang Ling. She is about to reach Rank 7 mid stage. She has worked hard, and her progress has been very fast in the past decade. It is better for her to consolidate her strength. Since you have also reached Rank 7 early stage, this will be a good experience for you."
Renhuo Palace, Northern Continent
Renhuo Palace was built near the border of the Golden Crow, Wu, and Shu dynasties. It was the most suitable location, as it directly connected to most of the dynasties with ease.
At this time, Li Gang was cultivating in one of the rooms.
When a Warrior reaches Rank 4, they develop a Heavenly Core in their body. This Heavenly Core stores a large amount of Spiritual Essence, which enhances their strength, speed, durability, and stamina while simultaneously providing them with a regeneration ability.
To reach Rank 5, they must condense their Spiritual Essence, similar to how gas condenses into a liquid. Although Spiritual Essence itself does not have a physical state, these terms metaphorically represent the qualitative enhancement of its effects. An attack from a Rank 5 Warrior is much harder to heal from, even with the regeneration ability of a Rank 4 Warrior!
Li Gang was already a peak Rank 5 Warrior. Over the past years, he had never slacked off. He primarily focused on cultivating his weapon realm before working on his cultivation. At this time, he was solidifying his Spiritual Essence.
But what does solidification mean here?
Spiritual Essence does not possess a tangible state. Solidifying refers to compressing as much Spiritual Essence as the Heavenly Core can contain. At this stage, the amount of Spiritual Essence within the body reaches its peak—just like how a compressed liquid turns into a solid, preventing further compression.
Upon reaching Rank 6, the outer core of the Heavenly Core starts expanding as cultivation progresses through early, mid, late, and peak stages. At the peak stage, the Heavenly Core reaches its limit, incapable of further expansion or absorption of more Spiritual Essence.
To break through to Rank 7, a Warrior must first nourish their entire body and every cell with Spiritual Essence. Then, they must gradually shatter the Heavenly Core.
This process must be performed slowly and steadily under the supervision of an Advanced Warrior, as it is the most critical and dangerous moment of cultivation. The transition must be neither too fast nor too slow. Warriors must maintain balance as they carefully create cracks in the core, directing Spiritual Essence through their meridians and channeling it into every cell.
Yes! At the Advanced level, there is no Heavenly Core. Instead, every cell is developed to store Spiritual Essence. Each cell acts as a miniature Heavenly Core!
Li Gang was currently solidifying his Spiritual Essence. The transition from Rank 5 to Rank 6 was not particularly difficult. The main challenges arose when advancing from Rank 3 to Rank 4 and from Rank 6 to Rank 7.
He was able to complete the solidification easily, having already made sufficient preparations and consolidated his foundation. However, the process required an immense number of Spiritual Stones.
He murmured slowly, "With this, I am prepared to enter the Soul Emperor's Inheritance."
Li Gang
Cultivation: Rank 6 early stage
Soul Cultivation: Rank 6 early stage
Weapon Realm: Bow Myriad, Sword Myriad
Battle Strength: Quasi Rank 7
Myriad is a transcendent realm of Weapon Cultivation. Warriors in this realm can create myriad weapons with their thoughts. They no longer need to carry a weapon—at will, they can summon thousands, millions, or even billions of swords or arrows, depending on their level of comprehension.
The difference between a manifested sword and an arrow is significant. Swords excel in close combat. Arrows have greater range but are harder to control at close distances.
Although arrows are faster, aiming at a close-range enemy requires pre-setting the target. Most opponents can sense the attacker's intent, anticipate the trajectory, and dodge accordingly. However, this is not the case with swords. Swords can be freely manipulated in mid-air, adjusting directions instantaneously to counter an opponent's movements!
Li Gang stepped out of his room. After handling some trivial matters regarding Renhuo Trading, he had a discussion with the core members. Then, he departed for the Eastern Continent.
Soul Emperor's Inheritance, Small World, Eastern Continent
Ji Changchen was currently battling multiple Rank 6 Warriors. The allocation of resources was determined through friendly battles.
Even though no Rank 8 Warriors were present in this small world, it was tacitly agreed that strength determined access to resources. Killing opponents was strictly prohibited, but who could guarantee that accidents wouldn't happen?
Clang!
Clang!
Clang!
The sharp sound of clashing steel echoed through the battlefield. Ji Changchen stood alone, holding his ground against three Rank 6 Warriors, easily suppressing them with his Rank 6 peak-stage cultivation.
Each of these swordsmen was calm, collected, and highly experienced in weapon combat. They circled Ji Changchen cautiously, watching for any sign of weakness. Their grip was steady, and their attacks were carefully measured—targeting ribs, shoulders, and legs.
They had all mastered Sword Heart.
Ji Changchen was quick with his reflexes. He activated Sword Heart, sensing each incoming strike, dodging, and countering them with precision.
He was thoroughly enjoying the battle.
Clang!
Clang!
Clang!
The battle continued for thousands of rounds when Ji Changchen suddenly smirked inwardly, deliberately exposing an opening.
One of the Rank 6 Warriors immediately noticed and instinctively attacked his left shoulder with a vertical slash coming downward from his blind spot.
Ji Changchen smiled as he shifted his left leg and swiftly drew a knife hidden in his shoe. He moved with ease, dodging the attack effortlessly.
The Rank 6 mid-stage Warrior immediately realized the trap and murmured, "Not good!"
He had stepped too deeply into Ji Changchen's range and now saw Ji Changchen countering with a knife strike aimed at his right shoulder.
At this moment, due to inertia, his right hand—still gripping the sword—was already lowered. His body was not in the right position to dodge the attack.
The knife came too fast as it struck!
Clang!
Ji Changchen grinned and laughed. "Amazing!"
He was thoroughly enjoying the battle.
However, just as the blade was about to connect, the nearly defeated Warrior instantly switched his sword for a shield. He withdrew the sword into his space ring and, at the same time, retrieved a shield in his left hand.
This maneuver granted him two advantages. First, with his right hand freed from the sword, his balance slightly improved. Second, since his left hand had been empty and positioned ideally to block, he was able to summon the shield at the perfect moment. These actions happened almost simultaneously.
However, Ji Changchen was no fool. He had already anticipated such a tactic—this was precisely why he had aimed for the right shoulder in the first place. Even though the Warrior managed to block in time, the knife slipped through the shield's defenses, grazing his right shoulder with a shallow slash—just enough to draw a thin line of crimson before the Warrior pulled back.
Was this due to the Warrior's quick thinking and decision-making?
No! In fact, this world had a vast heritage of weapon techniques and countless battle tactics. This was one of the commonly known strategies, where a Warrior exchanges a sword for a shield or vice versa, creating a seamless, flowing onslaught. This technique is often referred to as Phantom Shift!
Thousands of rounds of combat, all for just a minor wound. This was the nature of high-level battles. In truth, Ji Changchen was simply savoring the fight. If he had been serious, he could have ended it long ago, relying on his superior Weapon Realm and Cultivation Realm. He was holding back, using only his higher cultivation level. He hadn't even employed any of his Secret Techniques or advanced Weapon Realm abilities.
The battle continued for tens of thousands of rounds before Ji Changchen finally took them down.