C2 Qi Sword

Hua Hsing was astounded to discover his Body Refining Fist had advanced to the fourth level. But within moments, he regained his composure, attributing the transformation to the peculiar Golden Heart. This extraordinary organ not only granted him the ability to examine his own body internally but also supplied a ceaseless stream of energy. Clearly, the Golden Heart was immensely beneficial to him.

"My Body Refining Fist is now at the fourth level, and my strength is equivalent to that of two bulls. Yet, it's insufficient. Feng Gan's Body Refining Fist has likely reached at least the sixth level," Hua Hsing murmured to himself.

Having achieved the fourth level in Body Refining Fist, Hua Hsing resolved to halt his cultivation for the day, as he had already dedicated ample time to his practice. He turned on his heel and departed.

He intended to keep the existence of the Golden Heart a closely guarded secret. The implications were too significant; if word got out that he possessed a Golden Heart capable of providing limitless energy, it would inevitably attract malicious schemers.

"With the aid of the Golden Heart, it won't be long before I ascend to the second level of the Qi Refining Stage," Hua Hsing chuckled confidently.

As he strode past the Outer Sect's Martial Arts Practice Field of the Azure Edge Sword Sect, several disciples ceased their training to stare at him, their gazes laced with scorn.

"Zhang Loong, why waste your time watching this failure? Get back to your training," a disciple with a buzz cut chided with impatience.

"The guy's got some fortune, though. He took a severe beating from Senior Brother Feng and bounced back surprisingly fast," remarked Zhang Loong, pondering the situation.

"There goes Hua Hsing, the one who crossed Senior Brother Feng," buzzed the crowd, their whispers spreading across the field.

Their voices were hushed, but Hua Hsing, with his heightened martial senses, caught every word. A momentary stiffness overtook him, but he inhaled deeply and continued on his way.

Yet, after just two steps, Hua Hsing halted abruptly, an intense aura radiating from him.

"Hua Hsing is such a disgrace. What's even the point of his existence?" sneered Zhang Loong's voice, cutting through the air.

Upon hearing that voice, Hua Hsing could no longer contain the fury burning within him. He whirled around, his eyes blazing as he fixed Zhang Loong with a furious stare.

"When you're quick to label others as weaklings, perhaps you should take a long, hard look in the mirror and assess your own character," Hua Hsing said with icy detachment.

"Hua Hsing, you dare to speak to me in such a manner?" Zhang Loong was taken aback by Hua Hsing's audacity.

Normally, Hua Hsing wouldn't dare confront them like this, but there he was, reprimanding Zhang Loong in front of an audience.

"So, it's fine for you to call others worthless, but no one can say a word about you?" Hua Hsing challenged, his voice sharp.

"Hua Hsing, you're seeking your own demise. A nobody like you, what gives you the right to lecture me?" Zhang Loong retorted, his voice laced with cold fury.

The whispers of the other disciples on the training field only fueled Zhang Loong's rage. He was determined to humiliate Hua Hsing.

"You keep calling others trash, but were you born a prodigy? Didn't you also start from the first level of the Qi Refining Stage?" Hua Hsing countered.

"Trash? Genius? The difference between the first and second levels of the Qi Refining Stage might be just one tier, but the disparity is immense. You're already fifteen and still stuck at the first level. With your abilities, reaching the second level would be a struggle. In comparison to you, I am a genius," Zhang Loong boasted.

Having achieved the Qi Refining Stage Level Two and mastered the Body Refining Fist to the fifth level, Zhang Loong considered Hua Hsing beneath his notice.

Hua Hsing was nothing but trash in his eyes.

"Exactly, Hua Hsing, you dare to put yourself on the same level as Senior Brother Zhang Loong? That's laughable," chimed in some of Zhang Loong's cronies.

Surveying the crowd with a frosty gaze, Hua Hsing's face was etched with scorn.

"Genius? You're nothing but a fool in my eyes," Hua Hsing declared boldly.

Such words would never have been uttered by the body's original owner, but now, Hua Hsing was the one in control.

Hua Hsing's character was far from the timidity of his predecessor. If insulted, he would return the slight a hundredfold—that was his creed.

Furthermore, Hua Hsing had a solid foundation to stand on. His mastery of the Body Refining Fist had reached the fourth level. Though he had not yet advanced to the next stage, it was only a question of when, not if.

By now, he had already harnessed the strength equivalent to that of two bulls. Facing off against Zhang Loong, he was confident he could emerge unharmed.

As expected, Zhang Loong's rage boiled over upon hearing Hua Hsing's words.

"Hua Hsing, I'll show you how you were defeated," Zhang Loong declared, and with that, he launched a ferocious punch.

The fifth level of the Body Refining Fist was executed in a flash, a formidable force converging in Zhang Loong's fist from within his body.

Two roaring bellows echoed, signaling Zhang Loong's own two-bull strength.

"Hua Hsing is clueless, isn't he? With such feeble power, he still dares to anger Zhang Loong."

"Indeed, Hua Hsing is just courting misery. Zhang Loong's strength is already considered below par in the Outer Sect."

"Hua Hsing won't be able to withstand even one of Zhang Loong's punches. He's truly making his own bed."

Many disciples looked down on Hua Hsing, convinced that Zhang Loong could easily knock him out with a single blow.

But Hua Hsing's gaze sharpened as he watched Zhang Loong's incoming attack, a glint of determination flickering in his eyes.

Without hesitation, Hua Hsing's fists clenched, and he unleashed the Body Refining Fist, his full power erupting in an instant.

A single roar resounded, followed by the collision of Hua Hsing's fist against Zhang Loong's.

A thunderous crash ensued, and a figure was sent hurtling through the air. All eyes turned to witness the astonishing sight.

The one sent flying was not Hua Hsing, but Zhang Loong. How had this happened?

In that moment, a second roar filled the air.

The disciples stood in utter disbelief. Hua Hsing had indeed cultivated the formidable two-bull strength.

"How is this possible? Hua Hsing sent Zhang Loong flying with just one punch?" a disciple gasped in amazement.

Hua Hsing withdrew his fist, his cold gaze settling on the fallen Zhang Loong, who now lay on the ground with severe injuries, his eyes brimming with a murderous intent.

"Trash."

With that, Hua Hsing turned on his heel and walked away, leaving a crowd of disciples in utter shock.

"Senior Brother Zhang Loong, are you okay?"

Several disciples, who were on good terms with Zhang Loong, rushed to his side with concern etched on their faces.

Zhang Loong couldn't suppress it any longer; a gush of blood spurted from his mouth, and he collapsed into unconsciousness.

Back in his courtyard, Hua Hsing had barely arrived when he heard a knock at the door.

Opening it, he found two out-of-breath disciples who scrutinized him with intense gazes.

"Hua Hsing, word has it you clashed with Zhang Loong. Everything alright?" panted Hsu Feng, the stout fellow who counted among Hua Hsing's close friends.

"Hua Hsing, did Zhang Loong give you trouble? I'll wipe him out for you," chimed in Jiang He, another of Hua Hsing's allies.

Jiang He and Hsu Feng were Hua Hsing's comrades within the Azure Edge Sword Sect. Despite the general consensus labeling Hua Hsing as useless, neither Jiang He nor Hsu Feng shared that view.

Upon hearing about Hua Hsing's altercation with Zhang Loong, they feared he might be at a disadvantage and hurried over.

Hua Hsing, warmed by the sight of his two friends, smiled and reassured them, "I'm fine."

"Really, Hua Hsing? You think Zhang Loong will just let this slide?" Hsu Feng probed, eyeing him carefully.

Jiang He fixed his gaze on Hua Hsing, who responded with a slight smile and openly shared his victory over Zhang Loong.

"What? You actually took down Zhang Loong?"

"Hua Hsing, have you made a breakthrough?" Their faces lit up with surprise and excitement.

"I've only advanced to the fourth level of the Body Refining Fist," Hua Hsing clarified.

"You sly dog, breaking through without a peep. Ha!" Jiang He and Hsu Feng burst into hearty laughter.

Eventually, Jiang He's laughter faded into a look of concern. "Hua Hsing, by defeating Zhang Loong publicly, Feng Gan won't let this go."

"Feng Gan already tried to take you down three days ago. He certainly won't hold back now," added Jiang He with a serious tone.

Feng Gan was a formidable warrior at the pinnacle of the Qi Refining Stage Level Two, far surpassing the abilities of Jiang He and Hsu Feng, who stood no chance against him and were unable to protect Hua Hsing.

"Hua Hsing, you've made significant progress, but you're still not a match for Feng Gan," Hsu Feng cautioned.

"Feng Gan is out on a mission and won't return for half a month. Given his hatred for you, he's bound to come after you. Stay vigilant," advised Jiang He.

At this, Hua Hsing offered a calm smile. "Do you really have so little faith in me?"

Jiang He and Hsu Feng exchanged puzzled looks as they observed Hua Hsing, who now exuded a newfound sharpness, a stark transformation from before.

Seeing the resolve etched on Hua Hsing's face, both men found themselves nodding in agreement.

"Hua Hsing, we want to believe in you. If Feng Gan tries to bully you, I'll put my life on the line to stop him," declared Hsu Feng with conviction.

"Focus on your cultivation, Hua Hsing. And remember, we're here if you need us," said Jiang He, as he and Hsu Feng took their leave.

Alone in the courtyard, Hua Hsing pulled a book from within his robes. The One-qi Sword technique was considered a low-tier sword art within the Azure Edge Sword Sect, often dismissed as worthless.

"For now, this is the only technique I can practice," Hua Hsing admitted with a wry smile.

Being below the Qi Refining Stage Level Two, he was barred from entering the Cultivation Method Hall to select a more advanced technique, leaving him with no choice but to cultivate this lesser method.

Hua Hsing, a mere Qi Refining Stage Level One disciple, was the only one relegated to practicing the One-qi Sword.

Opening the book, he began his cultivation. Soon, the chant of the One-qi Sword filled his mind, and he practiced in accordance with its rhythm.

As Hua Hsing delved deeper into the One-qi Sword technique, his golden heart quickened its pace, and a spark of inspiration flashed through his consciousness.

Rising abruptly, Hua Hsing grasped his long sword and unleashed a peculiar arc of sword light into the sky. It lingered but a moment before fading away.

At that moment, Hua Hsing's face brimmed with excitement.

"I've actually managed to master the first level of the One-qi Sword with such ease?"