C2 Chapter 2

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.

"You dare talk to me like that?" Zhang Loong was taken aback by Hua Hsing's words. Normally, Hua Hsing would not have dared speak to them this way, but now he was openly reprimanding Zhang Loong in front of everyone.

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

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

The training ground buzzed with whispers among the disciples, which only fueled Zhang Loong's anger. He was determined to make Hua Hsing lose all face.

"You keep calling others useless. Were you a genius from the start? Did you not also progress from Qi Refining Stage Level One to where you are now?" Hua Hsing shot back.

"Useless? Genius? Hua Hsing, even though there is only one level between Qi Refining Stage Level One and Qi Refining Stage Level Two, the gap is enormous. You are already 15 and still at Qi Refining Stage Level One. With your talent, even reaching Qi Refining Stage Level Two will be difficult. Compared to you, I am a genius," Zhang Loong declared.

Zhang Loong had already reached Qi Refining Stage Level Two and had also trained the Body Refining Fist to the fifth level. In his eyes, Hua Hsing was hardly worth mentioning. Hua Hsing was nothing but a complete failure.

"Yeah, Hua Hsing, you are a nobody, yet you dare compare yourself to Brother Zhang Loong? What a joke," several disciples close to Zhang Loong chimed in.

Hua Hsing swept his gaze across the crowd, his eyes cold and his face full of contempt.

"A genius? You are nothing but a fool," Hua Hsing said coldly.

The original owner of this body would never have dared speak this way, but now Hua Hsing was in control. Unlike the original owner, Hua Hsing was not timid. If someone insulted him, he would return it a hundredfold. That was his principle.

Hua Hsing had confidence in his own abilities. His mastery of the Body Refining Fist had already reached the fourth level. Although he had not yet broken through to the next stage, it was only a matter of time. At present, he possessed the strength of two oxen, and even against Zhang Loong, he could still put up a fight.

Hua Hsing swept his gaze over the crowd, his eyes icy and his face full of disdain. "A genius? I think you're nothing but a fool," he said sharply. If it had been the original owner of this body, he would never have dared to say such words, but now this body belonged to Hua Hsing. His temperament was nothing like that of the former owner, who had been weak and timid. If others insulted him, he would return that insult a hundredfold. That was his principle. Moreover, Hua Hsing had something to rely on. His Body Refining Fist had reached the fourth level. Although he had not yet broken through to the next realm, that was only a matter of time. He already possessed the strength of two oxen. Even if he faced Zhang Loong, he would still be able to retreat unharmed.

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, and a glimmer flashed in his gaze.

"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. "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 did not hold back, telling them 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 said with hearty laughter.

After a while, Jiang He sobered and said with concern, "Hua Hsing, you beat Zhang Loong in front of everyone. Feng Gan will not let this slide. Three days ago, Feng Gan already tried to take you down. He definitely will not let you off this time." 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 could not protect Hua Hsing from him.

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

"I heard Feng Gan went on a mission and will not be back for two weeks. Given his grudge against you, he is bound to come after you. Be careful," Jiang He added.

Hua Hsing smiled calmly. "Do you really have so little faith in me?"

Seeing Hua Hsing's composed demeanor, Hsu Feng and Jiang He were puzzled. It was as if Hua Hsing had transformed. There was a newfound sharpness about him.

Jiang Ho also stared at Hua Hsing. With a faint smile, Hua Hsing did not hide anything and told his two close friends about defeating Zhang Loong.

"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," Jiang Ho said. The three chatted for a while before Jiang Ho and Hsu Feng took their leave.

Once Hua Hsing was alone in the courtyard, he pulled 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 could not 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!"