Chapter Nineteen: Did You See Clearly?

Li Bofeng had already drawn his weapon from his storage pouch. It was a long spear, entirely pitch black except for its tip, which gleamed with a dazzling silver light.

“Senior Brother Li’s spear is quite an exceptional lower-grade spirit weapon—it takes three hundred contribution points just to exchange for one. If it weren’t for his good relationship with Uncle Liu from the Pill and Treasure Pavilion, I doubt he could have gotten his hands on it,” Yang Qing remarked, a note of envy in his voice. Ordinary outer sect disciples rarely received a friendly face from Uncle Liu, let alone got to choose their weapons—whatever was handed out was what they had to use. Yang Qing wondered when he would ever be able to acquire a decent lower-grade spirit weapon himself.

Luo Tian nodded indifferently, though his gaze never left the battlefield.

Li Bofeng stood proudly before the yellow-spotted tiger, his body aglow with a faint green light. The long spear in his hands swept through the air with formidable force, occasionally thrusting forward. Each strike forced the tiger to duck, retreat, or dodge, rendering it thoroughly passive.

The Zhao brothers assisted from the sides—one wielding a saber, the other a sword. Their weapons flashed yellow and orange, moving in perfect coordination. It wasn’t long before the tiger was bleeding from several wounds.

When a cultivator at the Qi Condensation stage fully circulated their vital energy, it would shimmer visibly across their skin. The color of this glow revealed the cultivator’s level.

“Brother Luo, pay close attention to their movements—don’t let your mind wander!” Yang Qing reminded him kindly. “If the captain went all out, he wouldn’t need much time to take down that yellow-spotted tiger. He’s drawing things out so you can learn something from this.”

Noticing Luo Tian’s unwavering focus on the battle, Yang Qing added softly, “When you circulate your vital energy with all your might, it enhances your speed, strength, and more. In the early Qi Condensation stage, before you’ve mastered advanced techniques, simple and effective movements become crucial. We spend most of our contribution points learning these basics.”

Luo Tian glanced over, curious. “How so?”

“Besides the necessary contributions for housing, most of what we earn goes toward purchasing elixirs—things that strengthen the body and increase power—and attending the lectures held by inner sect disciples, the so-called uncles.”

“Elixirs? Lectures?” Luo Tian was puzzled.

“Yes. Our bodies really can’t compare to those of spirit beasts, and the secret arts for tempering the flesh demand too much time and too many resources. You know as well as I do, cultivation advances fastest in youth. Once your body matures, progress is painfully slow. So even though elixirs aren’t as effective as body-forging techniques, we still have to take them. As for the lectures, the inner sect seniors teach their cultivation insights, combat skills, and basic knowledge about common spirit beasts. You have to pay contribution points to attend.”

Yang Qing explained in detail, then added, “You can eventually save up enough to get good weapons, but without a solid foundation, you won’t be able to hold on to them. That’s why most outer sect disciples spend their contributions on these things.”

Nodding thoughtfully, Luo Tian turned his attention back to the tiger.

With time, more wounds appeared on the yellow-spotted tiger. Though none were fatal, the steady loss of blood meant death was drawing closer. The tiger crouched low, eyes flashing with ferocity, and let out a rumbling growl.

“Be careful!” Li Bofeng, with his wealth of experience, immediately realized the tiger sensed its dire situation and was about to make a desperate last stand. “A cornered beast fights back! Both of you, get clear!”

Luo Tian’s eyes shone. The tiger’s posture now—it was just like a tiger descending the mountain, ready to pounce!

Crouched low, muscles coiled, eyes fixed ahead, it seemed poised to leap at any moment.

A faint golden light welled up in Luo Tian’s eyes. This time, his target wasn’t the Zhao brothers, nor Li Bofeng, who had reached the mid-stage of Qi Condensation, but the besieged yellow-spotted tiger.

Luo Tian didn’t know if his divine sight would be as effective with a spirit beast, but he had to try.

Back in the Body Tempering stage, he could observe the flow of force within his opponents. Against a second-tier spirit beast, perhaps he could still see something.

The golden radiance pierced the tiger’s fur and flesh, easily capturing the flow of power within. Spirit beasts, though unlike humans and lacking cultivation methods, could instinctively channel their vital energy to strengthen their bodies due to their innate physical superiority.

He really could see it!

Luo Tian’s excitement grew. No amount of studying tiger-based body-forging techniques compared to the clarity and truth revealed by this divine sight.

Yang Qing, always alert, prepared to step in at a moment’s notice. He stole a glance at Luo Tian, who was completely absorbed in observation, and relaxed. With such focus, and without being rattled by the spirit beast, Luo Tian would surely soon adapt to this environment.

So that’s how the strength moves along the spine—and in the shoulders, too. Luo Tian took in the flow of power within the tiger, constantly comparing it to the descriptions in the “Nine Beast Fist of Form and Will,” considering how these movements might be adapted for himself.

Human bones differed from those of spirit beasts. Even if one could imitate every motion, it might not be correct. What was most suitable was always best.

The back should be adjusted thus; the hips should move more fluidly; the shoulders and arms—

Luo Tian was completely engrossed. With Yang Qing by his side, there was no need to worry about vigilance. To waste such an opportunity for close observation would be a true shame.

Within the space of a few breaths, the yellow-spotted tiger sprang, targeting Li Bofeng, who stood before it.

With a thunderous roar, the tiger gathered its strength and leapt from the ground. Its claws gleamed coldly, wickedly sharp—anyone could sense their lethal edge at a glance.

Compared to its pursuers, the airborne tiger looked even more imposing, its body like a small mountain crashing down.

Li Bofeng, however, showed not the slightest panic. Instead, a faint, confident smile curved his lips. He remained motionless until the tiger began to descend—when it was too late for the beast to change its course—then suddenly ducked low, sprang forward, and thrust his spear upward, driving the point precisely into the tiger’s throat!

Tiger Descends the Mountain.

Luo Tian’s gaze grew distant. The tiger’s attack—its bones, its force, the coordinated rhythm of gathering strength, releasing it, leaping, and pouncing—was executed with perfect harmony. In that instant, it was as if a flash of insight illuminated Luo Tian’s mind.

So this is how it’s done! For a human body, there are a few key points to note...

“Senior Brother Li is incredible!” Yang Qing exclaimed. Though he had seen Li Bofeng fight many times, he was always filled with admiration. Li Bofeng had taken four or five years to reach the fourth level of Qi Condensation. At sixteen years old, he might not measure up to the Four Great Clans, but he was still formidable.

“I wonder how much Luo Tian managed to learn,” Zhao Zegang remarked, unfazed—he could have done the same himself. If the captain hadn’t wanted to demonstrate, the battle would have ended much sooner.

“I don’t expect much from him. As long as he does his job keeping watch, I’ll be satisfied,” Zhao Zemian said coolly, shaking his head. “Just don’t cause us any trouble.”

Li Bofeng stowed his spear in his storage pouch, while Yang Qing dutifully stepped forward to begin cutting up and processing the tiger.

“Ah Tian, did you see it clearly?” Li Bofeng asked. Having done a thorough demonstration, he noticed Luo Tian still appeared dazed and frowned with displeasure.