Chapter 157: Martial Dao Will

Following Fang Kun into the inner skill room, Yan Buji already knew that there were things he wanted here.

"Take a look, this is what we've been gathering for years; whether from the current jianghu or ancient martial artists, there are some good things inside. Unfortunately the ancient martial artists' profound skills are truly obscure and even we cannot comprehend them," Fang Kun sighed.

"Then I must take a good look."

Entering the inner skill room, Yan Buji picked up a few inner manuals and glanced at them.

Ordinary.

Such a work might earn a 'peerless inner skill' reputation in the jianghu, but to Yan Buji's Martial Dao realm it looks completely commonplace.

Perhaps his standards are too high, or perhaps the creators of these inner skills lacked vision; even if there are ingenious touches, they are merely so‑so.

Still, he must examine the remnants of the ancient martial artists!

Yan Buji walked over, saw several jade tablets, felt a stir in his heart, and asked, "Could these be …"

"Exactly. These three jade tablets contain Dao martial techniques used by ancient martial artists; it is said that only a stronger warrior's power can activate them. We merely practice their forms, which remains inferior."

Yan Buji picked one up, opened it, and said, "Why is there nothing written on this?"

"Hahaha, Brother Huyan, take a close look," Fang Kun laughed.

Sure enough, you still haven't seen these treasures, have you?

"I'm not afraid you won't be moved; the more you learn, the stronger you become. We need power, and if you dare to betray us, it won't end well!"

Yan Buji pretended not to understand to confuse them; after all, if he released his spiritual perception right away, wouldn't that raise too much suspicion?

Yan Buji closed his eyes, and the information from the jade tablet transmitted into his mind.

"Instant Shadow Step?"

Good stuff!

Yan Buji noted the cultivation method of Instant Shadow Step, then grimaced and shook his head, saying, "What kind of light skill is this? How can it be completely incomprehensible?"

"Is that so? Just the claim that Instant Shadow Step covers ten li in a single instant is already terrifying; if it can be easily mastered, wouldn't it be a peerless martial technique?" Fang Kun laughed.

Yan Buji feigned dissatisfaction and glanced again at the two Dao martial techniques beside him.

One is called the Heavenly Heart Four Forms Formula, the other is called Postnatal Steel Qi.

The Heavenly Heart Four Forms Formula is a wondrous Dao martial technique that combines fist, kick, staff, and chain. It requires a practitioner to divide attention among four uses, switching between Spring‑calling Fist, Summer‑calling Kick, Autumn‑wounding Staff, and Winter‑sorrowing Chain, to achieve a one‑against‑hundreds effect under varied conditions; it is extremely suited to Yan Buji's current fighting style.

As for Postnatal Steel Qi, it is similar to the two major cross‑training skills Yan Buji previously practiced, but differs in that it must be driven by True Essence, reversing the meridians and then generating Steel Qi according to the requirements listed.

Once cultivated, during combat one can autonomously trigger the Steel Qi to obtain a protective effect.

Not to mention, aside from Instant Shadow Step being a bit hard to grasp, Yan Buji is confident he can preliminarily master the other two within a few months.

If he combines Instant Shadow Step with his Lightning Flash, and later practices the 'Wind Tuning' secret art, he should be able to rival the evasion methods of a Foundation Establishment Cultivator, right?

Although he has never seen a Foundation Establishment Cultivator's speed, judging from the speed at which the previous Foundation Establishment demonic cultivator Wang Jie vanished, it seems comparable.

However, Yan Buji does not know whether the opponent used any evasion technique, so he must remain cautious and not become arrogant.

After setting the jade tablets down, Yan Buji looked at the two remaining tablets and asked, "Are these inner skills practiced by ancient martial artists?"

"Inner skill? Hahaha, ancient martial artists could split mountains and crack stones; how could that be called an inner skill? This is Martial Dao Profound Skill, but… hahaha," Fang Kun shook his head and laughed helplessly.

Yan Buji gritted his teeth, "I still want to see where we differ from the ancient martial artists!"

"Fine, I brought you here so you can look around as you wish."

Yan Buji nodded, picked up the two jade tablets and examined each.

These two Martial Dao Profound Skills clash with his Blood Heaven Ascension Degree; one is a sword manual, and Yan Buji lacks the time to study swordsmanship;

the other demands extremely high standards, requiring someone with the 'Martial Dao Heroic Talent' aptitude, a qualification he has never heard of.

"How is this Martial Dao aptitude judged?"

"Ancient martial artists didn't fuss over such details. The so‑called Martial Dao aptitude is simply whether your Martial Dao will is strong. Our research shows that aside from natural‑born martial prodigies, most ancient texts value a warrior's will. This 'Bursting Fury Skill' is such a case. It requires a practitioner to use an extremely strong will to restrain his own anger, thus demanding the 'Martial Dao Heroic Talent' aptitude."

"Martial Dao Heroic Talent?" Yan Buji looked puzzled.

"Then explain clearly how to judge it."

Fang Kun looked at Yan Buji, shook his head, "I don't know how to judge it either. In any case, those who practice this Martial Dao Profound Skill are fine if they stop in time; the moment they cross the threshold they become a hair‑mad beast, recklessly destroying everything."

"Oh."

Yan Buji understood, and thought the Bursting Fury Skill was interesting; later he could study integrating it into his Blood Heaven Ascension Degree.

Fang Kun checked the time, "Then take a look yourself, but you may not take them away."

"Yes, thank you, Master Fang."

"You're welcome, brother. Stay here for a few months, and I'll come find you later."

"Mm."

It's perfect, giving himself time to cultivate and practice all these good things.

Yan Buji watched Fang Kun leave, and in the blink of an eye his hand brushed a mud‑clay board on the nearby shelf.

Close his eyes.

Yan Buji inhaled deeply, "Right on cue! Blood Essence Skill Outline!"

Although he didn't know why the Blood Essence Skill Outline was here, luck had brought it.

Come to think of it, the previous times he obtained these Martial Dao Profound Skills he was either beaten half to death or nearly lost his life; this was the first time luck let him acquire one so easily.

After noting the key points, Yan Buji went straight to the residence they had prepared and began his seclusion.

With the Blood Essence Skill Outline in hand, he could start cultivating the third tier of his Blood Heaven Ascension Degree.

He doesn't separate the technique into distinct levels, using the single word "Degree" instead, which reflects Yan Buji's hope that one day he might truly transcend and become saintly; although it's unlikely to be achieved through Martial Dao, it at least gives him a notion.

After all, Martial Dao Profound Skill differs from Magical Cultivation in that following the predecessors isn't forbidden; Magical Cultivation merely encourages cultivators not to tread the old path.

Yet Yan Buji doesn't want to spend too much time on Martial Dao Profound Skill; with such resources, isn't it faster and better to directly practice the ready‑made techniques than to laboriously ponder them himself?

The Blood Essence Skill, being his old foundation, is of course mastered beyond familiarity.

One month later, Yan Buji had fully integrated the Blood Essence Skill Outline; True Essence steamed around his body, and a blood cloud rose above his head!

Within the blood clouds, there seemed to be hidden an extraordinary power, and at this moment Yan Buji's entire appearance was like a skeleton; the sensation of his qi and blood being drawn out from his whole body was indeed unpleasant.

But relying on his talent in Martial Dao and his understanding of the Blood Essence Skill, he still managed to successfully cultivate the Blood Heaven Ascension Degree to the third degree!

At this moment!

The blood clouds returned to his body, Yan Buji suddenly opened his eyes, suppressing the surging True Essence in his dantian, and he regulated his breath for two days.

Opening his eyes again, Yan Buji, with clenched fists, felt the surging qi and blood within his body and the abundant True Essence, and couldn't help but smile.

"Now, I should be able to handle a mid-stage Qi Refining cultivator with ease; once I have practiced those three Dao martial techniques thoroughly, I should be able to escape a late-stage Qi Refining cultivator." Yan Buji thought to himself.