Chapter 37: After Achieving Innate Mastery in Martial Arts

The breakthrough was far easier than Zhang Shen had anticipated.

With a surge of condensed profound internal energy, he broke through the mystical barrier. The energy in his Dantian seamlessly connected with the ambient spiritual aura and in a single night, his post-natal internal energy transformed into pre-natal True Qi.

“How did it happen so effortlessly?” Zhang Shen pondered, finally attributing the ease to the advantages of his physical state.

“Innate connection. My body has long been in tune with the external world for so long that the original mystical barrier had thinned, merely awaiting me to pierce through.”

With clarity, Zhang Shen began acquainting himself with the nuances of post-attainment.

At the forefront, hovering above the Dantian’s Innate True Qi, was a faint, illusory flame known as the Innate Fire.

Upon stepping into the Innate stage, martial artists find a flame naturally kindling within their Dantian. This flame, surpassing ordinary fires, was potent enough to refine magical instruments, artifacts, and even establish magical formations.

Moreover, his affinity with spiritual energy had dramatically increased. A mere gesture would now draw the surrounding spiritual energy to him.

He anticipated that leveraging this spiritual energy in his martial techniques would multiply their potency several times, if not more. This sensation was distinct from the Innate connection where one perceived the heavens and earth as nurturing forces. There were resemblances, yet significant disparities.

Then, there was the art of flight, an outstanding skill upon reaching the Innate stage.

But unlike most, who were novices at flight upon their induction into the Innate stage, Zhang Shen had it mastered. Flying was second nature to him.

After seventeen years and seven months, Zhang Shen’s cultivation finally reached the Innate stage. It might not have been a monumental achievement, but it was undeniably a moment of joy. To commemorate, he adorned himself and indulged in an evening of celebration. 

Concurrently, he renewed the lease of his abode.

In the past, he was so engrossed in his cultivation that he lost sight of such mundanities. The realization was a tad embarrassing when the landlord reminded him.

Despite Zhang Shen’s cautious nature, he wasn’t immune to oversight. Having been chastened once, he vowed not to repeat the error.

Once the lease was sorted, he reveled in a day of leisure, wandering the streets.

Zhang Shen returned to his residence, diving once again into his dedicated cultivation regimen.

“While I’ll continue cultivating the Bright Moon Technique for experience points, my primary focus from now on is the Mountain of a Thousand Layers technique.”

Fortunately, the Innate segment of the Mountain of a Thousand Layers technique was of an exquisite caliber, poised to aid him in fully mastering the Innate stage.

Retrieving the Thousand-Blood Stones—of which he had procured an impressive seven boxes from Linyuan’s No. 3 Store—he noted their distinct packaging. Unlike the Bone-Enriched Soil that was contained in a single large crate, these stones were segmented into multiple smaller containers.

These luminous stones, deep and rich like coagulated blood, emitted a potent sanguine fragrance. Rather than repelling, the scent had an oddly alluring quality. As Zhang Shen absorbed the deep crimson essence from the stones, he began cultivating the initial layer of the Innate Thousand Layered Mountain technique.

As he progressed, his physical form continued to undergo transformations, aligning itself ever closer to the requirements of the technique.

However, ten days into this routine, while brandishing the Cold Moon Blade, Zhang Shen’s brow creased with concern.

“There seems to be an inherent dissonance between the Cold Moon Blade and the Great Sun Blade Technique.”

Having ascended to the Innate stage, it was only natural for Zhang Shen to recalibrate and elevate the martial techniques he practiced. While he retained his training in the Acquired techniques from Hongyuan City, the Innate martial arts would undeniably dominate his focus for the next phase of his journey.

The Wind and Cloud Step, the Mountain of a Thousand Layers, and even the occasionally practiced Innate segments of the Bright Moon Technique were steadily advancing. Yet, the Great Sun Blade Technique presented a conundrum. Its fiery essence starkly clashed with the icy temperament of the Cold Moon Blade.

Though the Cold Moon Blade had gradually become outdated relative to Zhang Shen’s rapid advancement, its familiarity had endeared it to him, deterring any thoughts of replacement.

In Zhang Shen’s perspective, even if the blade lagged behind, it remained invaluable for practicing techniques and amassing experience points. 

But he hadn’t foreseen the pronounced discord between the blade and the technique. Drawing forth the fervent energy of the Great Sun Blade Technique using the Cold Moon Blade was a strenuous endeavor.

Zhang Shen sensed that persistently channeling the Great Sun Blade Technique through the Cold Moon Blade might invariably inflict damage upon the cherished blade.

This wasn’t the outcome Zhang Shen wanted.

“I need to find a solution.”

Given the present situation, he had two options, acquire a new blade or enhance and modify the Cold Moon Blade.

“I’ll give the latter a shot first.”

After all, he’d wielded this blade for numerous years and Zhang Shen wasn’t keen on simply relegating it to obsolescence. Consequently, he allocated the time he formerly dedicated daily to the Great Sun Blade Technique to seek ways to refine his cherished blade.

Through meticulous research, he stumbled upon a potential method.

“The ideal material is the Sun-Moon Stone, but it’s of such a superior grade, currently out of my grasp. At my present level, the Flame Iron seems a more feasible target.”

The Flame Iron, an Innate-grade treasure, had its exact caliber discerned by its luster and innate essence.

“Fortunately, a source of Flame Iron is in close proximity, the Hundred-Miles Volcano Cluster.”

Beneath this expanse ran a fragmented fire vein, which lacked the potency sought after by prominent factions and hence held minimal importance for them.

Thus, this left the field open for the smaller factions.

However, the inherent heat emanating from this fire vein birthed the volcanic cluster. For minor factions, establishing a stronghold there proved challenging. But for those at the Innate stage, enduring the conditions for an extended period of time was feasible.

Still, without a specific cultivation technique tailored to the environment, who would willingly linger there?

This created a window of opportunity for independent cultivators.

“This fire vein, while seemingly insignificant to the major powers, still spawns treasures imbued with fiery attributes,” Zhang Shen pondered. “It houses spirit materials spanning from Acquired to Innate grades. On rare occasions, one might even find True Core grade materials. It’s regarded as one of the notable treasure troves.”

Resolute in his decision, Zhang Shen planned a future expedition to this locale. Yet, before embarking, he was determined to bolster his strength. He recognized that the stronger he was, the safer his journey would be.

With the hours once dedicated to the Great Sun Blade Technique now freed up, Zhang Shen used this time to perfect his Acquired martial techniques.

This not only fortified his foundational skills but also granted him some experience points.

“Yet, in terms of returns for time invested, the experience points yielded from practicing Innate martial arts are notably more abundant than those from Acquired techniques,” he observed.

One day, Zhang Shen pushed open the gates of his estate to a world transformed by a pristine blanket of snow.

“It’s been two years since my breakthrough to the Innate stage,” he mused. “With my reserves of Thousand-Blood Stones exhausted and progress in Innate martial techniques slowing, it’s time I turned my focus towards securing Flame Iron.”

By now, Zhang Shen’s physical prowess had reached the zenith of the ninth layer within the Innate stage.

He found himself at a familiar precipice, akin to when he first transitioned into the Innate stage.

Accumulating for the next breakthrough!

Yet, bridging the gap from the Innate stage to the True Core seemed an even loftier endeavor than he’d anticipated. Over these two years, his martial cultivation training had ascended to the fourth layer of the Innate stage. Despite substantial strides in his Innate techniques and several Acquired skills nearing perfection, the considerable experience points he amassed weren’t sufficient to propel his physical advancement.

However, the broader this divide, the keener his anticipation became.

The more formidable the challenge, the mightier he’d emerge in its aftermath.

Parting ways with the residence he’d called home for many years and concluding his tenancy, Zhang Shen, under the alias Lin Fanyun, exited the market town.

Barring unforeseen circumstances, this was likely his final departure.

Upon securing Flame Iron, his next mission would be to locate a safe haven imbued with earthly fires, essential for the reformation and enhancement of his Cold Moon Blade.

This market town, while bustling, lacked the specialized forge he sought, and more critically, a blacksmith versed in his particular needs.

With such considerations in mind, the decision was clear. 

A change of scenery was in order.

As snowflakes gently cascaded around him, Zhang Shen, donning a svelte white robe, continued on his path.

Radiating an innate aura, neither flaunted nor purposely hidden, combined with a visage that seemed sculpted from countless tribulations, Zhang Shen immediately struck an impression of being anything but ordinary.

This understated demeanor deflected many unnecessary confrontations.

It was only when he approached the Hundred-Miles Volcano Cluster that the snowflakes began to relent.

The intense heat from the volcanoes had a palpable impact on the vast region surrounding them.

Choosing an undisturbed location, Zhang Shen ventured deeper into the heart of the volcanic expanse.

“Flame Iron is usually found within the bowels of volcanoes. Given the searing temperature of molten lava, I’d only endure momentarily before turning to cinders.”

Conventionally, individuals would deploy beasts endowed with fire attributes to delve within and scout. Another method was to seek out dormant volcanoes where Flame Iron might sporadically surface on the cliffs, albeit demanding thorough excavation.

Surface deposits spewed out during eruptions were invariably harvested by early birds.

Suddenly, a rumbling cacophony echoed from afar.

Billowing plumes of dark-red magma, enveloped in dense, sooty smoke, surged upwards, catapulting massive boulders and fireballs skyward before gravity reclaimed them.

Upon meticulous scrutiny, one could discern fleeting glints of a metallic luster within these fiery masses.

“Could my fortune truly be this fortuitous?” A tinge of exhilaration coursed through Zhang Shen. To chance upon an erupting volcano right on arrival was nothing short of a fortunate. “It’s almost as if destiny orchestrated this rendezvous.”

Despite the considerable distance, Zhang Shen wouldn’t let such a golden opportunity elude him. Harnessing the formidable might of his physique, he soared forth.

Meanwhile, the volcano’s periphery teemed with onlookers. 

Foreseeing the eruption’s imminent occurrence, they had congregated in droves in anticipation of reaping its rewards. Their ranks comprised solitary cultivators, trading caravans, and emissaries of various smaller regional factions.

The gathered crowd warily eyed each other, yet they banded together to drive off any outsiders vying for a piece of their pie.

Prominently among them were Bai Haisang, Li Tan, and Bai Sen.

Though the Bai family’s trading company operated just one establishment in this vicinity, their extensive intelligence network had promptly alerted them to the impending eruption of the Hundred-Miles Volcano Cluster.

It’s worth highlighting that Bai Haisang had ascended to the Innate stage.

In a span of three years, he had managed to further refine his cultivation prowess.

However, presently, he was merely at the initial stage of the Innate stage. Not everyone could progress as rapidly as Zhang Shen once they reached the Innate stage. But achieving an Innate cultivation at a mere age of twenty-five or -six, Bai Haisang had every reason to wear his pride.

Yet, his expression was grim at the moment.

Earlier, he had fortuitously stumbled upon three sizable chunks of Flame Iron expelled by the volcano’s fiery fury. A fortuitous start.

However, their fortunes dwindled swiftly as a brutish, formidable ruffian obstructed their way. Simultaneously, a cultured, pale-skinned gentleman, exuding scholarly vibes, maneuvered himself to their rear.

A palpable unease seized Li Tan. He realized, to his dread, that both individuals were accomplished practitioners of the late-stage Innate. The gentleman’s presence especially sent unsettling ripples through him.

“Esteemed sirs,” Bai Haisang began diplomatically, “This Flame Iron was our discovery. We’re willing to relinquish it if you would graciously spare our lives.”

The alabaster scholar replied with a muted, sardonic laughter, “How very pragmatic of you. But once we dispatch you, doesn’t everything, including your accrued assets, naturally become ours? Brokering a deal with our very own assets? Tsk tsk. You certainly possess a unique flair for business.”

Anger flashed across the eyes of Bai Haisang and his compatriots. These two seemed to already reckon their belongings as their own bounty. Was their fate already sealed? Given the gaping chasm in their respective strengths, the trio did appear akin to fish straddled on a chopping block.

“Moreover,” the scholarly rogue added nonchalantly, “our intent in coming was singularly to intercept the Bai family’s trading company trio.”

As a breeze playfully tousled his silken tresses, the distinctive insignia of the Ten Bandits was revealed etched behind his ear.