C2 Qi Sword

Hua Hsing was taken aback when he realized his Body Refining Fist had reached the fourth level. However, he quickly regained his composure, knowing that this transformation was due to the mysterious Golden Heart. This heart not only allowed him to perceive his body's inner workings but also provided a continuous source of power. Hua Hsing recognized the significant advantage the Golden Heart offered him.

"My Body Refining Fist has reached the fourth level, and my strength is now equivalent to that of two oxen. But it's still not enough. Feng Gan's Body Refining Fist has probably reached the sixth level," Hua Hsing muttered to himself.

After reaching the fourth level, Hua Hsing decided to stop training for the day, as he had already spent enough time practicing. He turned and left, determined to keep the Golden Heart a secret. The implications were too significant; if others discovered he possessed a heart that could endlessly supply energy, they would surely try to exploit him.

"With the help of the Golden Heart, it won't be long before I reach Qi Refining Stage Level Two," Hua Hsing thought with a smile.

As Hua Hsing passed by the training grounds of the Azure Edge Sword Sect's Outer Sect, some disciples paused their practice to watch him. Their eyes were filled with mockery.

"Zhang Loong, why are you wasting your time looking at that loser? Get back to training," one of the crew-cut disciples said impatiently.

"That guy sure is lucky. Even after being seriously injured by Senior Brother Feng, he managed to recover so quickly," mused the disciple known as Zhang Loong.

"Look over there, that martial artist is Hua Hsing. He got on Senior Brother Feng's bad side." Suddenly, the training ground was abuzz with whispers.

Though their voices were low, as martial artists, their senses were exceptionally sharp. Hua Hsing heard the mocking comments, his body tensed for a moment, then he took a deep breath and walked away.

However, just two steps away, he abruptly stopped. A fierce determination emanated from him.

"Hua Hsing is such a loser. What's the point of him even being alive?" This voice came from Zhang Loong.

Hearing this, Hua Hsing could no longer contain his anger. He turned around, glaring at Zhang Loong.

"Before you call someone a loser, take a look in the mirror and see what you are," Hua Hsing said coldly.

"You dare talk to me like that?" Zhang Loong was taken aback by Hua Hsing's words.

Normally, Hua Hsing wouldn't dare speak to them this way, but now he was reprimanding Zhang Loong in front of everyone.

"So, you can call others losers, but they can't call you out?" Hua Hsing retorted sharply.

"Hua Hsing, you're asking for it. What right does a nobody like you have to lecture me?" Zhang Loong snapped back, his voice icy.

The training ground buzzed with whispers among the disciples, fueling Zhang Loong's anger. He was determined to humiliate Hua Hsing.

"You keep calling others useless. Were you a genius from the start? Didn't you also progress from the first level of the Qi Refining Stage to where you are now?" Hua Hsing retorted.

"Useless? Genius? Hua Hsing, even though there's just one level difference between the first and second stages, the gap is huge. You're already fifteen and still at the first level. With your talent, reaching the second level is a struggle. Compared to you, I'm a genius," Zhang Loong declared.

Zhang Loong had reached the second level of the Qi Refining Stage and had also mastered the Body Refining Fist to the fifth level. In his eyes, Hua Hsing was insignificant.

Hua Hsing was nothing but a complete failure.

"Yeah, Hua Hsing, you're a nobody, daring to compare yourself to Brother Zhang Loong? It's laughable," chimed in some disciples who were close to Zhang Loong.

Hua Hsing scanned the crowd, his gaze icy, his face full of disdain.

"Genius? You're nothing but a fool," Hua Hsing snapped.

The original owner of this body would never have dared to speak like this, but now, Hua Hsing was in control.

Unlike the original owner, Hua Hsing wasn't timid. If someone insulted him, he'd return the insult a hundredfold. That was his principle.

Hua Hsing had his own strengths to rely on. His mastery of the Body Refining Fist had reached the fourth level. Although he hadn't yet broken through to the next stage, it was only a matter of time. Currently, he possessed the strength equivalent to two oxen, and even if he faced Zhang Loong, he could hold his own.

As expected, Zhang Loong was furious upon hearing Hua Hsing's words. "Hua Hsing, I'll show you how I'll defeat you," he declared, launching a powerful punch. Instantly, the fifth level of the Body Refining Fist was unleashed, and a formidable force gathered in Zhang Loong's fist. The sound of two roars echoed, symbolizing his strength.

"Hua Hsing doesn't know when to back down. His skills are so weak, yet he dares to provoke Zhang Loong," one onlooker remarked.

"Yeah, Hua Hsing is asking for trouble. Zhang Loong's strength is considered mid to lower level even in the Outer Sect," another added.

"Hua Hsing won't withstand a single punch from Zhang Loong. He's really brought this on himself," a third commented.

Many disciples doubted Hua Hsing, believing Zhang Loong's punch would easily send him flying. Hua Hsing's eyes flickered as he focused on the incoming attack. A glimmer of determination flashed in his gaze. He clenched his fists tightly, and the Body Refining Fist technique exploded with power. A single roar sounded as Hua Hsing's fist collided with Zhang Loong's.

A loud crash echoed, and a figure was instantly sent flying backward. Everyone turned to look, utterly stunned. It wasn't Hua Hsing who was thrown back, but Zhang Loong. What on earth happened?

Just then, a second roar erupted. The disciples were in shock, realizing that Hua Hsing had clearly mastered the strength of two oxen.

"How is this possible? Hua Hsing knocked Zhang Loong back with just one punch?" a disciple exclaimed.

Hua Hsing withdrew his fist, coldly staring at Zhang Loong, who lay on the ground, severely injured and filled with murderous intent.

"Pathetic."

With that, Hua Hsing turned and walked away, leaving the disciples in utter disbelief.

"Brother Zhang, are you okay?" A few disciples who were close to Zhang Loong rushed to his side, asking with concern.

Zhang Loong couldn't hold it in and coughed up blood before passing out.

Back at his secluded courtyard, Hua Hsing had just returned when he heard a knock at the door. He opened it to find two breathless disciples who had hurried over, scrutinizing him closely.

"Hua Hsing, we heard you had a spat with Zhang Loong. Are you alright?" asked Hsu Feng, one of Hua Hsing's good friends.

"Hua Hsing, did Zhang Loong bully you? I'll take care of him," added another friend, Jiang He.

Hua Hsing had two friends at the Azure Edge Sword Sect, Hsu Feng and Jiang He. They were always kind to him, never once considering him a failure like everyone else did.

Today, while they were training, Hsu Feng and Jiang He heard that Hua Hsing had a run-in with Zhang Loong. Worried he might get hurt, they rushed over to find him.

Seeing his friends, Hua Hsing felt a warmth in his heart and smiled, saying, "I'm fine."

"Hua Hsing, are you sure you're okay? Do you think Zhang Loong will just let this go?" Hsu Feng asked, looking him over.

Jiang He also watched Hua Hsing closely. Hua Hsing gave a slight smile and didn't hold back, sharing how he had defeated Zhang Loong.

"What? You actually beat Zhang Loong?"

"Hua Hsing, did you make a breakthrough?" they both asked, their faces lighting up with surprise.

"I just reached the fourth level of the Body Refining Fist," Hua Hsing replied.

"You sly dog, breaking through without a word, haha," Hsu Feng and Jiang He laughed heartily.

After a while, Jiang He sobered up and said worriedly, "Hua Hsing, you beat Zhang Loong in front of everyone. Feng Gan won't let this slide."

"Three days ago, Feng Gan already tried to take you down. He definitely won't let you off this time," Jiang He added.

Feng Gan was a formidable fighter at the peak of Qi Refining Stage Level Two, and neither Hsu Feng nor Jiang He could match him. They knew they couldn't protect Hua Hsing from him.

"Hua Hsing, even though you've made significant progress, you're still no match for Feng Gan," Hsu Feng reminded him.

"I heard Feng Gan went on a mission and won't be back for two weeks. Given his grudge against you, he's bound to come after you. Be careful," Zhang Loong added.

Hua Hsing smiled calmly and replied, "Do you really have so little faith in me?"

Seeing Hua Hsing's composed demeanor, Hsu Feng and Zhang Loong were puzzled. It was as if Hua Hsing had transformed; there was a newfound sharpness about him.

Looking at Hua Hsing's determined face, both Hsu Feng and Zhang Loong nodded in agreement.

"Hua Hsing, we believe in you. If Feng Gan tries to bully you, I'll risk everything to stop him," the burly Hsu Feng declared.

"Hua Hsing, focus on your training. If anything comes up, just reach out to us," Zhang Loong said as the three chatted for a while before he and Hsu Feng took their leave.

Once Hua Hsing was alone in the courtyard, he pulled out a book from his pocket.

The One-qi Sword, a basic sword technique, was considered the least valuable in the Azure Edge Sword Sect.

"For now, I have no choice but to train with this," Hua Hsing said with a wry smile.

Until he reached Qi Refining Stage Level Two, he couldn't enter the Cultivation Method Hall to select a more advanced technique. So, Hua Hsing was left to practice this basic method, suitable only for disciples at Qi Refining Stage Level One like him.

Hua Hsing opened the book and began his practice. Before long, the principles of the One-qi Sword filled his mind, and he followed them diligently.

As Hua Hsing practiced the One-qi Sword, his Golden Heart beat faster, and suddenly, a flash of insight struck him. In an instant, he rose to his feet, grasped his longsword, and unleashed a mysterious sword light.

The sword light appeared in the sky, lingering for just a moment before dissipating. At that moment, Hua Hsing's face was full of excitement.

"I can't believe I mastered the first level of the One-qi Sword so easily!"