Chương 63: Traveling the Martial World — Caution Above All

Su Zhe took a deep breath. His arms suddenly trembled. A bull, a vicious tiger, and a spiritual serpent! Three massive phantom beast forces emerged behind him—dense, solid, and brimming with power.

"This kid… he's already reached mid-tier Third Grade!"

"This cultivation speed… don't tell me he's the reincarnation of the Ancestor Blacksmith himself?" Sun Tiexin widened his bull-like eyes, shock surging through him. It had only been half a month. Barely any time at all since the incident with the Sword Casting Mountain Villa envoy, Li Shanyun. Sun Tiexin had already considered Su Zhe a monstrous genius—someone who breaking into Third Grade was already beyond imagination. But clearly… There were existences that defied even imagination itself.

"I originally thought… this kid would need at least three years to become the strongest in Lu County."

"But now it looks like… less than a year. Maybe even half a year, and he'll be able to suppress all of us old monsters?" Sun Tiexin silently cursed in his heart. At this moment, he even felt a strange urge to beat Su Zhe up. After all, opportunities like this were rare. If he waited any longer, he might not even be able to beat him anymore. At least now… he still could. Su Zhe circulated his technique.

Within his dantian's purple sea, three streams of internal energy rose from the origin point, traveling along the Ren meridian and passing through the chest's Shanzhong point. He silently recited the cultivation mantra taught by Sun Tiexin. The energy surged onward, breaking through the Xuanji point, then shooting toward Jianjing. A warm sensation spread through his meridians. It continued—through Quchi, Waiguan… Like a raging river, unstoppable. Finally, it gathered at the Laogong point in his palm.

A violent force surged outward. Whoosh! The furnace flames suddenly shot upward. But the rise was slow. Barely reaching three feet. It lasted seven breaths. Su Zhe was drenched in sweat, breathing heavily.

"Mid Third Grade… flame ignition three feet… sustained for over seven breaths."

"As expected of a once-in-a-millennium genius." Sun Tiexin nodded inwardly. Back then, when he entered the Ancestor's secret chamber, he was already at peak Third Grade. Even then, reaching a three-foot flame only lasted five breaths. Su Zhe was still weaker than he had been back then… But his achievement far exceeded expectations. Because Su Zhe had mastered three martial techniques to perfection. His three streams of internal energy combined gave him three times the strength of ordinary cultivators.

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"Hu…" Su Zhe exhaled heavily, forcing himself to last one more breath. Is it really just that? Even after mastering three techniques, his internal energy is only slightly stronger than ordinary disciples? If so… the so-called "ancestor-level talent" doesn't seem so extraordinary after all. His thoughts churned. His body felt completely drained, like a drought-stricken field. Like a traveler in a desert, desperate for a single drop of water. Nine breaths. He collapsed. He slumped to the ground, exhausted.

And at that exact moment— The furnace flame "rebounded." A strand of extremely pure internal energy flowed back into his body. It was tiny—only a thread or two— But far purer than his own energy by several times. Unfortunately, it was too little to replenish what he had lost. Su Zhe panted, steam rising off his body. Though his dantian was empty, that trace of pure energy left his arms burning warm all the way to his fingertips.

"Nine breaths… Master, I still fall short of you." He looked toward Sun Tiexin. Sun Tiexin stood frozen in place. Nine breaths! This monster achieved nine breaths on his first attempt! And I only reached ten breaths after ten years of training! He coughed lightly, forcing composure.

"Now you understand, don't you? There is always a higher mountain."

"You may have talent, but without tempering, arrogance is inevitable. A small setback is good for you." He lifted his chin slightly, putting on a calm, superior expression. At least… at least I lasted one breath longer than him. Ten years of cultivation wasn't entirely wasted. Inside, however, he was anything but calm. Su Zhe said nothing. He lowered his head. He felt something slipping away—something important. A flash of insight appeared, but it vanished before he could grasp it. Something critical…

Sun Tiexin frowned. Did this brat get mentally shaken from just this? Is his temperament really this fragile? If his martial will breaks, that would be disastrous. He was the only one with hope of inheriting the Ancestor Blacksmith's legacy. Sun Tiexin had unconsciously begun treating him like a disciple—and even like a son. If his martial heart collapsed here, his future achievements would be limited. Finally, Sun Tiexin couldn't hold back and barked:"Brat!"

"Your first attempt gave you nine breaths—that is already extraordinary!"

"As for me, ten breaths came only after ten years of bitter cultivation, every punch and stance carved into my bones!"

"A warrior needs both wolf and fox nature—wolf's courage, fox's cunning. Bravery and intelligence, both are essential!"

"You either become a fox wearing wolf skin, or a wolf wearing fox skin!"

"Only then can you contend with the Three Spirit Fire and use it as your sharpening stone!" Sun Tiexin spoke earnestly, almost urgently. He was genuinely afraid he had broken the boy's martial heart. Three Spirit Fire… Three spirits… Su Zhe's eyes suddenly lit up.

"Triple Spirit Fusion! Yes—Triple Spirit Fusion!" A flash of lightning seemed to strike his mind. He remembered the moment he first obtained the forging hammer. He had seen the Ancestor Blacksmith execute the legendary Triple Spirit Fusion Strike. If there's no connection between the Three Spirit Fire and Triple Spirit Fusion Hammer… I'll stand on my head and wash my hair! Su Zhe jumped up. He steadied his breathing.

"Master, I want to try again. Please allow me to recover first."

"This time… I think I understand something." He clenched his fists. Sun Tiexin finally relaxed slightly and nodded in approval.

"You have recovery pills?" The sect provided limited resources. Su Zhe had only recently reached Third Grade and had not yet collected internal energy pills from the inner hall. Then he suddenly remembered something. He reached into his robe. And pulled out a pile of bottles and jars.

"I do have some… but I'm not familiar with medicines."

"These were found hidden inside farming tools I once bought."

"Based on County Officer Wang's investigation, they were likely hidden by the former treasury officer." Of course, Su Zhe didn't mention that he had looted them after killing the entire treasury department. He smiled innocently as he offered them.

"You little sly fox," Sun Tiexin muttered, shaking his head. He opened a jade bottle. A strong medicinal fragrance spread out. He poured out a yellow pill, scraped a bit with his fingernail, and tasted it.

"Internal Energy Pill. High grade. One of these would cost over a hundred silver taels in the Martial Medicine Hall." He continued examining the others. Su Zhe watched quietly. This old man may look rough… but he's extremely cautious. Sun Tiexin warned him seriously:"When you travel the martial world, never casually consume pills."

"Once a pill leaves your sight, it may be poisoned."

"Even pills you buy yourself—be careful. If others have handled them, you must be even more cautious."

"There are countless martial arts out there. Some, like the Thousand Poison Spider Palm, can poison a pill with a single touch in moments." Su Zhe nodded seriously.

"I will remember your teachings, Master." In truth, that was exactly why he hadn't taken them earlier—he didn't understand medicine and was cautious by nature.

"Good. I believe that. In terms of fear of death, no one ranks above you." Sun Tiexin teased. Su Zhe rolled his eyes. Thanks a lot. They tested several types of pills—internal energy recovery pills, strength-enhancing pills, and mind-clearing pills. After taking one Internal Energy Pill and one Strengthening Pill, Su Zhe meditated for half an hour and returned to peak condition. Not only that—his internal energy became more refined after depletion and recovery. Once ready, he assumed a stance again.

Hands pressed against the furnace. Breathing steady. The Triple Spirit Fusion technique activated. Inside his body, the three streams of internal energy no longer remained separate—they intertwined into a spiral and surged forward like a roaring river into the furnace. Sun Tiexin watched and shook his head. This kid is too impatient. But so be it. He'll be using the furnace for a long time anyway. A little arrogance now will be polished away over time. That's not necessarily a bad thing.

Suddenly— The furnace roared. BOOM! Inside, the Three Spirit Fire erupted like a soaring dragon, breaking through the three-foot mark in an instant…