Chapter 44

A fearsome tiger-head pattern suddenly came into view.

This pattern resembled that of Master Tian, yet differed slightly—the tiger’s head appeared larger and far more ferocious.

Wang Yu took a long while to tear his gaze from the bronze mirror, startled and bewildered.

“So you’ve cultivated the Black Tiger Martial Image using nothing but the Black Tiger Fist technique?”

I noticed your Black Tiger Fist differed considerably from the version taught in the gym—though I couldn’t pinpoint the exact subtleties, I could sense something amiss; every modification targeted the original technique’s weaknesses.

Hmm, it seems to have greatly improved the flow of qi and blood within the form.” Master Tian fixed his gaze on Wang Yu, eyes gleaming.

“I did make some adjustments to the Black Tiger Fist, integrating another cultivation method I learned before, but I truly don’t know why it allowed me to form the Black Tiger Martial Image.” Wang Yu snapped back to himself and replied thus.

“Good, good—that’s exactly what I wanted to know. Wang Yu, come inside with me. Ziying, Lao San, stay here.” Master Tian nodded; his upper-body muscles rippled, then settled back to normal. After giving the two men orders, he led Wang Yu toward a room beside the courtyard.

The tall woman and Lao San exchanged glances, then remained where they were, waiting.

“Wang Yu, you’re a flesh-blood awakened one, aren’t you?” Master Tian entered the room, donned another robe, sat down on a chair, and uttered a sentence that left Wang Yu stunned.

How could everyone tell he had awakened his bloodline?

“Hah, don’t be surprised. First, when you struck me earlier, your entire bloodline surged—its aura naturally leaked out.

Second, only flesh-blood awakened ones, roughly seven or eight out of ten, can form the Black Tiger Martial Image without understanding the Black Tiger’s true essence.” Master Tian, sensing Wang Yu’s shock, chuckled and explained.

“So that’s it—I’ve indeed awakened my bloodline.” Wang Yu finally understood.

“Did you awaken a tiger bloodline?” Master Tian beamed, pressing further.

“No.” Wang Yu denied it outright.

“Without a tiger bloodline, yet still forming the Black Tiger Martial Image—your integration into the Black Tiger Fist must stem from an extraordinary source.

Wang Yu, would you be willing to teach me this method? In exchange, I’ll take you as my direct disciple and impart the gym’s core secret technique: the Black Tiger Breathing Method.

You’ve already formed the Black Tiger Martial Image; once you learn the Black Tiger Breathing Method, you’ll gain wings like a tiger. You might even one day reach the higher realm of the Black Tiger Iron Body.” Master Tian’s disappointment faded quickly as he spoke earnestly to Wang Yu.

“What is the Black Tiger Iron Body? Could you explain it in detail?” Wang Yu pondered, hesitantly asking.

“Heh, of course. The Black Tiger Breathing Method has three levels. The first grants you insight into the Black Tiger’s true essence, control over your muscles, and the ability to form the Black Tiger Martial Image.

The second level allows you to refine calamity into your body and exhale qi like blades.

If you master the third level, you cultivate the pinnacle of this fist style—the Black Tiger Iron Body—where calamity radiates outward, qi transforms into a Gang , and one person becomes an army.” Master Tian chuckled proudly.

“Is it truly that powerful?”

Wang Yu found it hard to believe, yet still felt drawn in.

“Given your status, you must know of cultivators, right?”

“Of course. I even have some cultivator friends.” Master Tian’s expression shifted slightly, as if sensing something.

“Then let me ask this: how many in your gym have achieved the Black Tiger Iron Body? If I attain it, could I defeat a high-level cultivator?” Wang Yu asked seriously.

This time, it was Master Tian who fell silent. After a long pause, he carefully replied:

“The Black Tiger Breathing Method traces back to the ancient Qi Practitioners. It’s extremely difficult to master—I’ve only reached the first level. Even so, I can hold my own against a mid-stage Qi Practitioner.

As for the Black Tiger Iron Body, only the first-generation gym master fully mastered all three levels. Legend says he escaped unscathed from a Foundation Establishment cultivator’s grasp.”

“The Black Tiger Breathing Method is this powerful—even the first level can fight a Qi-stage cultivator! Who were these ancient Qi Practitioners? How are they related to the Qi stage of cultivators? Are they a type of cultivator?” Wang Yu, astonished, fired off question after question.

“Qi Practitioners aren’t cultivators. More precisely, they were an ancient human cultivation method, once widespread in antiquity, but eventually replaced by cultivators.

This method couldn’t summon wind and rain, wield magical arts, or grant longevity or immortality. Its sole power was strengthening and transforming the flesh through ‘breathing.’

Yet ancient Qi Practitioners once used this method to fight alien great powers and protect all of humanity. So why should it surprise you that mastering the first level lets you stand against a Qi-stage cultivator?

Even the first stage of cultivators is called the Qi Stage—not without reason, for it honors the ancient Qi Practitioners’ great deeds.” Master Tian spoke without pause, laying out the entire history.

“The Black Tiger Breathing Method has such a grand origin! But if that’s true, then no one after the first gym master has ever achieved the Black Tiger Iron Body?” Wang Yu asked hesitantly, silently etching the words “ancient Qi Practitioners” into his mind, his heart churning like a storm.

He had just discovered a new kind of supernatural power.

“No. Though anyone can practice the Black Tiger Breathing Method, mastery demands talent—and it’s excruciatingly hard. Aside from the first gym master, only a handful of later masters reached the second level.

But you’re a flesh-blood awakened one, far more gifted than ordinary people. Whether you can reach the third level is uncertain, but the second level? Almost certainly within your grasp.

Also, once you receive my Black Tiger transmission, you’ll owe allegiance to me alone for life. And if you ever inherit the gym, you must never leave Tongzhou City.” Master Tian spoke solemnly, each word deliberate.

“If those are the conditions, I can’t become your disciple. I still wish to become a cultivator.” Wang Yu shook his head like a rattle drum.

“You really are a cultivator. So you’re not only a bloodline awakened one—you also possess spiritual sensitivity.” Master Tian didn’t seem surprised; instead, he gave a bitter smile.

Wang Yu said nothing. He raised one finger before him, murmuring incantations under his breath.

Moments later—*puff*—a crimson flame flickered into existence at his fingertip.

It was the “Firefly Spell.”