C3 Chapter 3

In an instant, Hua Hsing mastered the first level of the One-qi Sword, leaving him a bit stunned. However, he quickly regained his composure, understanding that it was all thanks to the Golden Heart. Only now did Hua Hsing realize that the Golden Heart not only provided him with a constant source of energy but also significantly accelerated his sword training.

"It must be because of that golden sword," Hua Hsing thought, his face lighting up with excitement. The series of changes left Hua Hsing utterly amazed. He had expected the One-qi Sword training to take some time, but he had already mastered the first level in the blink of an eye. The One-qi Sword had three levels in total, and Hua Hsing had already completed the first.

"Let me see if I can reach the second level," Hua Hsing said to himself. He then began to practice the second level's techniques, but the Golden Heart didn't speed up its rhythm this time. Naturally, he didn't succeed in reaching the second level of the One-qi Sword.

"Could it be because I haven't perfected the first level yet?" Hua Hsing wondered, unable to think of any other reason. After several attempts, with no response from the Golden Heart, Hua Hsing became more convinced of his theory.

Even though he couldn't master the One-qi Sword in one go, achieving such progress at this pace was no small feat. Moreover, Hua Hsing felt that the Golden Heart was extraordinary. As his strength increased, he was sure he would come to understand its unique qualities even more deeply.

"The Golden Heart has deepened my understanding of swordsmanship. Now, grasping sword techniques comes easily to me. This is my advantage, and I must make the most of it," Hua Hsing murmured, clenching his fists.

Sure enough, the first thing Feng Gan heard upon returning was news about Hua Hsing. After hearing it, Feng Gan's face darkened with anger. "He's still alive," Feng Gan said coldly in a plaza. "Senior Brother Feng, not only is he alive, but he also defeated Zhang Loong in a single move," a disciple whispered nearby. Hearing this, Feng Gan's anger finally erupted. "Even though he's gotten a bit stronger, he's still no match for me," Feng Gan said in a deep voice. "Senior Brother Feng, what should we do next?" a disciple asked. "He was lucky to survive last time. This time, I'll make sure he doesn't," Feng Gan muttered to himself.

The square was crowded with many Outer Sect disciples, most of whom were there for the spectacle. Standing at the center was Feng Gan. After reaching the peak of Qi Refining Stage Level Two, he looked down on Hua Hsing even more. "Hua Hsing, all of this is because you crossed the wrong person," Feng Gan thought to himself.

Just then, two figures appeared in the distance. They were Hsu Feng and Jiang Ho, Hua Hsing's close friends. "Senior Brother Feng, those two are Hua Hsing's buddies," a disciple said. Hearing this, Feng Gan lifted his gaze, a strange smile forming as he began to walk toward them. Hsu Feng and Jiang Ho noticed Feng Gan, and their expressions changed slightly. They quickened their pace, intending to leave, but Feng Gan was not about to let them get away so easily. Although Hsu Feng and Jiang Ho were at Qi Refining Stage Level Two, they were far from being a match for Feng Gan.

"Stop right there," Feng Gan's icy voice echoed. Hsu Feng and Jiang Ho paused briefly upon hearing him, then continued forward as if they had not heard Feng Gan at all. Feng Gan was seething with anger as the two ignored him. "I told you two to stop right there."

As soon as Feng Gan finished speaking, he clenched his fist and threw a punch at them without hesitation. Hearing the commotion behind them, Hsu Feng and Jiang Ho were startled. They quickly gathered all their strength to defend themselves. With a loud bang, they staggered backward, barely managing to withstand the blow. "What do you mean by this, Feng Gan?" Hsu Feng demanded, glaring at him.

Although Hsu Feng and Jiang He were both at Qi Refining Stage Level Two, they were still far inferior to Feng Gan. "Stop right there," Feng Gan said, his voice icy as it rang out. Hearing him, Hsu Feng and Jiang He paused only slightly before continuing forward as though they had not heard him at all. Being ignored by the two of them made Feng Gan burn with anger. "I told you both to stop." As soon as his words fell, he clenched his fists and, without hesitation, threw a punch at them. Hearing the movement behind them, Hsu Feng and Jiang He were startled and immediately used their full strength to defend themselves. With a loud impact, both of their bodies were forced backward, barely managing to withstand the blow. Hsu Feng glared at him and demanded, "Feng Gan, what do you mean by this?" "It's all because you're loyal followers of Hua Hsing," Feng Gan retorted as he drew his sword and attacked them.

Nearby, several disciples watched and spoke in hushed amazement. "Senior Brother Feng is really strong," one said. Another added, "His potential is impressive. Given time, he could easily rank among the top 10 of the Outer Sect disciples." A third nodded and said, "Yeah, Hsu Feng and Jiang He are no match for him."

Meanwhile, in Hua Hsing's secluded courtyard, he was deep in training. After half a month of intense practice, Hua Hsing had reached the peak of Qi Refining Stage Level One and was now on the verge of a breakthrough. As he fervently absorbed the cosmic spiritual energy, his Golden Heart suddenly began to beat faster. The next moment, Hua Hsing was astonished to find that he had silently advanced to Qi Refining Stage Level Two. "So this is Qi Refining Stage Level Two?"

Hua Hsing stopped cultivating, and a faint smile appeared on his face. After half a month of bitter training, he had finally broken through to Qi Refining Stage Level Two. As he adjusted to the power of this new level, he found that he was more than twice as strong as before. To his delight, his Body Refining Fist had also reached the fifth level.

Hua Hsing slowly rose to his feet and threw a fierce punch, gathering the strength of his entire body into his fist. When the force of the punch collided with the ground, two explosive sounds rang out at once, a sign that he now possessed the strength of two oxen. Although he had already possessed the strength of two oxen when his Body Refining Fist was at the fourth level, the same strength at the fifth level was far more powerful than before.

"Now that I have the One-qi Sword, I do not fear even a martial artist in the middle or late part of Level Two," Hua Hsing said confidently. At that moment, an Outer Sect disciple came running into Hua Hsing's courtyard, panting heavily. "Hua Hsing, something terrible has happened," the disciple cried out.

When Hua Hsing saw the disciple, his expression changed slightly, and he immediately asked, "What happened?" He recognized this disciple. He was usually close to Jiang He, though his strength was somewhat lacking.

"Hua Hsing, Feng Gan has come out of seclusion and happened to run into Hsu Feng and Jiang He..."

Before the disciple could finish speaking, Hua Hsing shot out of the independent courtyard like a gust of wind. "Feng Gan, if you dare to harm Jiang He and Hsu Feng, I will never let you go."

Hua Hsing knew without a doubt that Feng Gan's targeting of Hsu Feng and Jiang He was entirely because of him. He moved swiftly, appearing in the square just in time to see Hsu Feng and Jiang He being pushed back. A flash of a sword cut through the air, sending Jiang He flying, a deep gash bleeding across his body.

"Feng Gan, you jerk," Hsu Feng shouted in anger, but another flash of the sword sent him reeling. He staggered back, and Hua Hsing rushed forward to support him.

"Are you okay?" Hua Hsing asked quietly, his eyes cold as he looked at Feng Gan.

"Hua Hsing, why are you here? Feng Gan is targeting you. You need to leave," Hsu Feng shouted upon seeing him.

"Hua Hsing, you cannot take on Feng Gan," Jiang He added.

Feng Gan, ready to attack, noticed Hua Hsing, and a vicious glint appeared in his eyes. "Hua Hsing, you actually dared to show up."

"Hsu Feng and Jiang He have no quarrel with you. Why attack them?" Hua Hsing asked icily.

"You were lucky to survive our last encounter two weeks ago," Feng Gan replied, ignoring Hua Hsing's question. "But you will not be so lucky this time."

Hua Hsing helped Hsu Feng and Jiang He to the side, then stepped toward Feng Gan. "If you want me dead, you will pay a heavy price. Trust me, it is more than you can handle."

Feng Gan frowned slightly. Just two weeks ago, Hua Hsing would not have dared to speak to him like this, let alone fight back. Could Hua Hsing have encountered some kind of opportunity in such a short time?

"Hua Hsing, do you really think you can escape my attack?" Feng Gan asked with a sinister smile.

"I will definitely settle the score from two weeks ago," Hua Hsing replied.

"Hua Hsing, I am giving you one last chance. Destroy your own cultivation, kneel before me, and apologize. Maybe then I will let you go. Otherwise..." Feng Gan threatened.

Hearing this, Hua Hsing shook his head slightly. He was no longer the person who would let Feng Gan bully him. Having lived two lives, Hua Hsing knew that to avoid being bullied, one had to be strong. Besides, now that he had reached Qi Refining Stage Level Two, he was not afraid of Feng Gan.

A streak of sword light flashed through the air, sending Jiang He flying backward. A slash opened across his body, and blood poured from the wound. "Feng Gan, you bastard," Hsu Feng roared in fury at the sight, but the only response he received was another streak of sword light. He was blasted backward and staggered repeatedly before Hua Hsing stepped forward and caught him. "Are you all right?" Hua Hsing asked in a low voice, his eyes cold as he stared at Feng Gan. When Hsu Feng saw him, he cried out, "Hua Hsing, why did you come? Feng Gan is targeting you. Leave now." Jiang He also spoke up. "Hua Hsing, you are no match for Feng Gan."