Chapter 248 - 216: Blessed Land

Zhao Xuanqi and Yang Xun met and conversed on the surface of the sea for several hours. Their talk only ceased when the sky began to lighten and a faint, brilliant crimson appeared over the distant waters.

After a night of conversation, Zhao Xuanqi had learned a great deal. Yang Xun had not hidden many secrets from him, slowly revealing truths about the extinction of the Ancient Exotic Beasts, the disappearance of the Divine Generals, the true strength of the Six Nations, and the nature of the Secret Medicine.

"The sun will be up soon," Yang Xun said. "Even though this is a remote patch of sea, we still risk being spotted once it’s fully light. We should head back. Let’s keep each other updated with any news or intelligence."

"Let’s talk again when we have the chance."

Zhao Xuanqi nodded slightly. He knew this wasn’t the time for long conversations; time was of the essence. Having just broken through to the Harmony realm, he needed to use this period to restore his physical conditioning as much as possible and couldn’t afford to waste a moment.

The two bid each other farewell, then strode across the waves, returning to their respective fishing boats.

"Let’s go. We’re heading back," Zhao Xuanqi said to Sun Yunyong.

Sun Yunyong was staring at him with a look of utter astonishment. Even after several hours, he was still struggling to accept the fact that Zhao Xuanqi had reached the Harmony realm.

Sometimes, reality was just that fantastical.

Hearing Zhao Xuanqi’s words, he composed himself and turned to the other National Salvation Association members on board. "Let’s head back."

The fishing boat then slowly got underway, returning to the port from which they had set out.

By now, the sky had fully brightened, and the port was already bustling with busy figures.

Zhao Xuanqi once again changed his appearance back to that of a Martial Arts Association staff member. After disembarking, he didn’t have Sun Yunyong escort him. To avoid attracting attention, he left on his own and returned to the Martial Arts Association Headquarters.

Watching Zhao Xuanqi’s figure disappear into the crowd, Sun Yunyong fell silent for a moment. He then turned to the other National Salvation Association members on the boat and said, "Everyone, we’re escalating the secrecy order. You’ll all come with me to a safe house shortly and remain there until the World Martial Banquet is over."

Zhao Xuanqi had advanced to the Harmony realm, and that news absolutely could not be leaked. Although his companions were all trustworthy, it was still necessary to take every precaution and act with the utmost caution.

The men nodded slightly, raising no objections.

Meanwhile, after returning to the Martial Arts Association Headquarters, Zhao Xuanqi met with the Three Elders and told them what had happened.

"A general from the National Salvation Association came in person? This is a good thing, but it could also be a bad one. If this news gets out, it will give the various Warlords the perfect excuse to dispatch troops. The situation in Jinmen could become even more complicated," the Human Elder said, frowning.

"Benefits always come with risks. In the current situation, it’s unlikely the Warlords will deploy troops to Jinmen on a large scale. After all, with the Six Countries Concession there, it would drastically escalate tensions. They’ll likely rely mainly on their top-tier masters, with soldiers playing a supporting role. The greatest threat remains the peak experts that the Warlords have gathered," the Earth Elder said.

"We understand. We will make the necessary arrangements," the Heavenly Elder said.

Finally, Zhao Xuanqi gave the Three Elders the contact information for the National Salvation Association, then went into seclusion to cultivate.

This was no time for him to be bogged down by worldly affairs. Seizing every moment to increase his strength was paramount.

In the stone chamber.

Zhao Xuanqi took a Secret Medicine. Its immense medicinal power was instantly broken down by his digestive system, transforming into a continuous stream of nutrients that stimulated his body.

After reaching the Harmony realm, his innate digestive ability had reached its absolute peak. He could rapidly digest nutrients almost continuously, twenty-four hours a day, to supply his body’s needs.

Now, his method of cultivation was completely different from before.

Previously, in the Cross-Training realm, he had needed to perform his Pile Skill for Qi and Blood Circulation, coordinating it with the Hundred Beasts Mystic Gate to temper his body. Upon reaching the Inner Cultivation realm, he had to combine his Pile Technique with specific postures, using the Breathing Technique of the Black Tortoise Gangsha to strengthen his internal organs.

All of these cultivation methods were impressive and created a great commotion.

His Qi and Blood were like the sea, his Breathing like a dragon. His entire body would surge, and his Force would manifest as wind.

But now, he simply sat cross-legged in the center of the stone chamber. His body was relaxed and slack, his Qi and Blood flowed normally, and even his breathing was largely unchanged.

And yet, his body was operating with profound efficiency. In the Harmony realm, one’s Intent Reaches All Over the Body. It permeated down to the cellular level, allowing for precise control, ensuring every sliver of nutrition was delivered exactly to the organ that needed it.

Lower-Level Martial Arts focused on Pile Technique and Stances, training Force and physical strength to build up Qi and Blood. Middle-Level Martial Arts centered on Breathing techniques to cultivate a Fierce Gang Qi. Upper-Level Martial Arts pursued Divine Entry into the Void, finding true Intent within the formless.

At Zhao Xuanqi’s level, he was no longer restricted by things like Pile Techniques.

Soon, the nutrients from a single dose of Secret Medicine were completely digested. The speed was nearly ten times that of another Martial Artist in the same realm.

However, Zhao Xuanqi was not satisfied with this progress.

’Too slow,’ he muttered to himself.

In reality, this pace was already unattainable for any other Martial Artist. But for Zhao Xuanqi, it was far from enough.

Yang Xun’s strength the previous night had indeed exceeded his expectations. Even when displaying his complete Qilin form, he had only been evenly matched with the man. And it was clear that Yang Xun still had stronger trump cards he had yet to play.

’The peak experts of the Divine Land’s Martial Dao were truly formidable.’

This filled him with a sense of urgency.

’I have to recover the physical capabilities of my past life as quickly as possible.’

And so, he once again went to see the Three Elders.

"A way to rapidly improve your physical conditioning? Or perhaps special materials that contain massive amounts of nutrients?"

The Three Elders frowned slightly upon hearing Zhao Xuanqi’s request.