Chapter Sixteen: Refining the Body with Blood!

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Bai Jingyan sat cross-legged within the wondrous space. A thin mist drifted all around him, and within it, ancient runes could be seen flickering faintly in the void. His mind was wholly immersed in cultivating the Celestial Evolution Sword Art. Within his body, sword qi and spiritual energy slowly merged, forming an entirely new force. Gentle yet powerful, it was like a small, flowing stream.

“The Celestial Evolution Sword Art emphasizes the mutual assistance of sword qi and spiritual energy. By drawing upon the power of heaven and earth, it can unleash might far beyond one’s own cultivation level…”

Bai Jingyan murmured under his breath, the voice of the inheritance within the scroll echoing ceaselessly through his mind.

Following the guidance of the sword art, he slowly circulated the sword qi and spiritual energy within his body. As the technique operated, he felt the forces within him gradually move toward balance. No longer repelling one another, the sword qi and spiritual energy instead formed a wondrous resonance. Nourished by this power, his meridians grew more resilient, while the spiritual energy in his dantian became increasingly abundant.

As he remained immersed in cultivation, time quietly passed in the outside world.

…

The following dawn.

Wu Yaoqing, an elder of the outer sect, stood upon the martial platform. His gaze swept across the outer-sect disciples standing in orderly rows below as he declared in a deep voice, “Today’s special training will consist of five-on-five groups sparring against one another. Remember, sparring is not merely an exchange of techniques—it is also an opportunity to temper yourselves. Only through actual combat can you discover your shortcomings!”

The disciples answered in unison before quickly forming their groups.

Bai Jingyan was assigned to a group as well. His companions were Duan Luoyun, Nanmen Chuyao, and two other disciples.

When the sparring began, Bai Jingyan did not rush to attack. Instead, he carefully observed his opponent’s movements. His mind remained immersed in his insights into the Celestial Evolution Sword Art, and the fusion of sword qi and spiritual energy within him had given him an even deeper understanding of swordsmanship.

Duan Luoyun struck first. The longsword in her hand became a streak of cold light, thrusting straight toward Bai Jingyan’s throat. Her swordsmanship was fierce and swift; before the blade even arrived, its sword qi had already made one’s breathing seize.

Bai Jingyan’s expression remained unchanged. With a light step, his figure drifted upward like a willow catkin, avoiding Duan Luoyun’s attack. He swung his longsword, sending a streak of azure sword light cascading forth like flowing water and colliding with her sword qi.

Clang!

The two swords met with a crisp metallic ring. Duan Luoyun felt her arm tremble and was secretly astonished that Bai Jingyan’s swordsmanship could be so exquisite. Yet she did not retreat. Instead, her fighting spirit burned even brighter, and her swordplay grew increasingly fierce.

“Cloudflow Sword Art!” Duan Luoyun shouted softly.

The longsword in her hand transformed into countless sword shadows, resembling clouds streaming across the heavens as they swept toward Bai Jingyan.

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A trace of admiration flashed through Bai Jingyan’s eyes. With a light flick of his longsword, sword light arced like a rainbow, instantly breaking through Duan Luoyun’s myriad sword shadows. His swordsmanship appeared gentle, yet concealed limitless variations; every strike neutralized Duan Luoyun’s attacks with perfect precision.

The two came and went, sword lights crossing and sword qi surging in every direction, dazzling the disciples watching nearby. Duan Luoyun’s swordsmanship was fierce and domineering, every move aimed at taking life, while Bai Jingyan’s flowed as smoothly as drifting clouds and running water, overcoming hardness with softness. For a time, neither could gain the upper hand.

However, just as the sparring reached its most heated stage, Bai Jingyan suddenly sensed that the fusion of sword qi and spiritual energy within him had reached a critical point. His mind shook violently, as though he had touched an invisible barrier.

“This is… the opportunity for a breakthrough!”

Bai Jingyan was secretly delighted. He quickly gathered his thoughts and circulated the Celestial Evolution Sword Art with all his strength.

As the technique turned, the sword qi and spiritual energy within him rapidly fused, forming an entirely new force. Like a raging torrent, it swept through his meridians and dantian, filling him with a sense of power unlike anything he had ever known.

Boom!

A muffled roar sounded within Bai Jingyan’s body. His aura abruptly surged, and a faint azure radiance rose around him. At that moment, his cultivation broke through its bottleneck, advancing directly from a fifth-level Martial Disciple to a sixth-level Martial Disciple!

The surrounding disciples sensed the change in Bai Jingyan’s aura and stopped what they were doing, turning toward him in astonishment. Duan Luoyun sheathed her sword as well, a complicated look flashing through her eyes.

“He actually broke through in the middle of a spar…”

Duan Luoyun murmured, her voice carrying both unwillingness and admiration.

Nanmen Chuyao stood to one side, gazing gently at Bai Jingyan. The corners of her lips curved upward, as though his breakthrough had come as no surprise to her.

Wu Yaoqing also noticed the change in Bai Jingyan. A trace of approval appeared in his eyes.

“Not bad. Breaking through during a spar shows that your foundation is solid and your state of mind steady.”

Bai Jingyan slowly opened his eyes. Feeling the surging power within him, he was filled with joy and confidence. He knew that this breakthrough had not only greatly increased his strength but had also marked a crucial step forward in his cultivation of the Celestial Evolution Sword Art.

“Thank you for your guidance, Elder.”

Bai Jingyan clasped his fists and bowed, his voice carrying a hint of gratitude.

Wu Yaoqing waved a hand dismissively.

“This is your own fortune; there is no need to thank me. However, after a breakthrough, you must focus even more on stabilizing your cultivation. Do not become arrogant or complacent.”

Bai Jingyan nodded solemnly. “This disciple understands.”

Wu Yaoqing continued, “Your most pressing task is to stabilize your cultivation. How about this? You need not participate in the remaining spars. Return to your room and consolidate your realm.”

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“Yes.”

Bai Jingyan clasped his fists and withdrew.

Bai Jingyan sat cross-legged in his room. Silence filled the space, broken only by the occasional chirping of insects beyond the window. He had just broken through, and the spiritual energy within him surged turbulently, his aura not yet fully stabilized. Yet he did not hurry to rest. Instead, he silently began circulating the Chaos Divine-Demon Art.

The Chaos Divine-Demon Art was divided into three parts: the Divine Art, the Demon Art, and the Chaos Art. Each section contained supreme and profound mysteries. Bai Jingyan had already endured the first stage of the Demon Art—Spiritfire Tempering of the Body. The spiritfire had burned through him, nearly reducing his flesh and bones to ash. Yet it was precisely that extreme agony that had transformed his physique, elevating it as though he had been reborn.

“The Demon Art tempers the body, the Divine Art tempers the spirit, and the Chaos Art tempers the techniques…”

Bai Jingyan murmured softly as the cultivation formula of the Chaos Divine-Demon Art surfaced in his mind.

He drew a deep breath, sank his mind into his body, and began circulating the second stage of the Demon Art—Demonblood Refining the Bones. Unlike Spiritfire Tempering of the Body, which refined the body from without, Demonblood Refining the Bones refined it from within. One had to use one’s own vital essence as a catalyst, merging it into the bones until they became as tough as demonic iron—strong enough even to withstand attacks from spiritual weapons.

Bai Jingyan bit through the tip of his tongue and spat out a mouthful of vital essence. He then wrapped it in spiritual energy and slowly guided it into his bones. The instant the vital essence entered them, excruciating pain erupted from the depths of his marrow, as though countless fine needles were burrowing through his bones. The agony was unbearable.

“Ugh…”

Bai Jingyan let out a muffled groan, beads of cold sweat appearing across his forehead. Yet he did not stop. Gritting his teeth, he endured.

He knew that Demonblood Refining the Bones was even more painful than Spiritfire Tempering of the Body. But if he could withstand it, his physique would undergo another qualitative transformation.

Time passed second by second. Bai Jingyan’s face gradually grew pale, yet his gaze became ever more resolute. He could feel his bones slowly hardening beneath the tempering of his vital essence, becoming ironlike and even faintly suffused with a layer of dark radiance.

“It still isn’t enough…”

Bai Jingyan murmured softly before biting the tip of his tongue again and spitting out another mouthful of vital essence. This time, the pain intensified dramatically. His body even began to tremble faintly, but he still did not stop.

Just as he was nearly unable to hold on, a faint cracking sound suddenly rang out within him, as though some kind of shackle had been broken.

Immediately afterward, a powerful force surged from his bones and rapidly spread throughout his entire body.

“It worked!”

A flash of delight crossed Bai Jingyan’s eyes. He could feel that his bones had completed their initial tempering, their hardness far surpassing what it had been before. He tried clenching his fists and felt an unprecedented strength surge through his body.

“Demonblood Refining the Bones truly is extraordinary.”

Bai Jingyan murmured to himself, his voice carrying a trace of emotion.

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