Who left their last words here?

Chapter 100: Mastery and Integration; White Boat, Breakthrough! (Two Chapters Combined)

"So this is 'qi'!"

As Bai Zhou experienced this magical power flowing continuously within his body, he deeply felt the tremendous change in himself compared to the past.

Sword energy, saber energy, the two breaths of humming and hawing, willpower... these are all "qi"!
Once you advance to Level 3 Extraordinary, you can injure people with your breath, and from then on, you will be invincible within seven steps when wielding your sword.

Seven steps away, the sword energy is even more invincible!

In those adventure stories, he would be a seasoned adventurer who could leave the beginner's village.

...But these "qi" are essentially just manifestations of the essence within the human body.

In fact, "qi" has always been circulating invisibly within the human body, promoting blood flow and regulating the body's balance.

They are products of the combination of "human body" and "emotions", but ordinary people cannot control them, let alone release them out of the body.

Because it is related to emotions, a person who is angry in a desperate situation, or a person with a high state of mind, often has a more intense "anger" than usual.

Occasionally, I see news reports of frail mothers lifting cars weighing several tons to rescue their children, teachers bracing themselves against collapsing floors during earthquakes, and soldiers continuing to fight despite serious injuries until reinforcements arrive…

However, after performing these miracles, the people involved often collapse from exhaustion, and some even lose their lives as a result.

This spectacular phenomenon of "living towards death" is the explosion of "qi," the body's internal energy, triggered by surging emotions!

Therefore, before mastering "qi", extraordinary individuals must first hone their "body" and "mind".

The body is the well of life, the mind is the fuel that heats it, and the breath is the steam rising from the well of life.

If the well water is not full, there is nothing to steam; if the firewood is not strong, there is no heat to generate.

If one's energy is not strong enough, the loss of energy from the body will deplete or drain the body.

Van Gogh's "Starry Night" technique looked bizarre, fantastical, and unbelievable back then...

But it is actually just an application of "qi" after it has been infused with spirituality.

Integrating the "body" and the "mind" to refine the body into Qi, and then infusing it with one's own spirituality to achieve the goal of manipulating Qi... Similar stories are often seen in the extraordinary legends of the Eastern Federation.

Historically, the extraordinary individuals of the Eastern Federation have conducted in-depth research on Qi. There are even ancient legends of great extraordinary individuals who condensed elixirs by consuming Qi, demonstrating that they have come a long way on the path of Qi.

Of course, the Western Federation also has a deep understanding of air, and there is even a school of magic that specializes in studying "air magic" and has developed many applications for this invisible energy.

If the East places more emphasis on cultivating one's inner "qi" and pursuing a certain balance;

The West, on the other hand, is more adept at using external mediums and rituals to become artisans of "qi" and focuses on the application of qi.

Neither is superior to the other.

These white boats have all been told by crows.

—But Bai Zhou had never heard of any secret techniques related to "qi" that could allow one's power to explode many times over.

What others don't have, I have; that is what makes something rare.

Bai Zhou was already a chosen one, and with this top-tier secret technique that even beginners could unleash 1.5 times the burst damage...

If Bai Zhou were to encounter an ordinary Level 4 Extraordinary again, he would definitely have the strength to fight back and would no longer have to be in such a sorry state!

If things were planned properly in advance, it wouldn't be impossible to kill Van Gogh!

"...But that's not enough!"

Bai Zhou glanced down at the time on his wristwatch.

29: 35!

He spent five hours learning just the first move!

But in the next six hours, he still had two more moves to learn!

Is that enough...?
Bai Zhou raised his head and looked at the patterns and figures on the wall again, his eyes shining brightly.

It has to be enough, even if it's not enough!
The beginning is always the hardest, and the first step to mastering the basics has already overcome the most difficult hurdle from level 2 to level 3.

"I can do it."

Bai Zhou spoke softly, it was unclear who he was talking to.

"There are still people waiting for me to come back!"

In the empty, secluded room, his voice was, of course, only he himself could hear it.

But Bai Zhou kept his head down, as if he were talking to the last words that were slowly crawling on the ground.

perhaps……

These quiet, withered bones and their last words can truly be heard whispering from the white boat.

Because at this moment, these last words of tireless teachings to Bai Zhou are slowly drawing closer to him.

It seemed like everyone was encouraging Bai Zhou.

"Shh..."

The sound of a long sword cutting through the air rang out again in the secret chamber.

"Boom! Boom boom boom!"

This is the impact of a blade against a wall.

Immerse yourself in spiritual practice.

Level 3 Adventurer Bai Zhou sets off again.

……

The surface of Blue Star.

In the underground of Tinghai City, Branch No. 36 was still brightly lit late at night.

The major sat upright at his desk, his face ashen.

He stood ramrod straight, his hands clenched into fists and placed in front of his knees, looking as obedient as a primary school student.

A stern, reprimanding voice came from the video call on the computer in front of him:

"Didn't I say that you don't need to get involved in this?"

"Do you know that I've already sent Feng Xingyuan, a level 5 warrior, to kill Bai Zhou?"

"But it was because of your recklessness that the commotion attracted the attention of a passing bounty hunter, who then set her sights on Feng Xingyuan, who was about to attack Bai Zhou!"

Even in the video, the eldest brother's cold and imposing face exuded a suffocating aura.

"Because of you, the group lost a Level 5 Extraordinary, while the white boat remains safe and sound to this day!"

"—Besides causing trouble, what else can you do!"

The major remained silent, simply listening with his head down.

His hands, resting on his knees, were clenched tightly, the veins on the back of his hands bulging, but he could only grit his teeth and remain silent.

Because, objectively speaking...

His elder brother was right; it was because the female assassin he sent caused trouble that Feng Xingyuan was killed.

There was no other way; both sides sent people at the same time, but neither side knew that the other had sent people.

The fact that Feng Xingyuan didn't fight with the female assassin Black Warrior and his group already shows his professionalism and ability to distinguish friend from foe.

At the very least, if the Black Knights discovered Windwalker's Abyss, they would definitely try to silence him...

"I'll say it one last time! Don't get involved in this anymore!"

"Your only task now is to keep the supervisory team from the Special Administration in check, and then you need to cultivate your character and keep a low profile for a few years."

He glanced at the silent major with utter disgust, and the "big brother" was furious.

"I will take care of that white boat."

“An extraordinary individual skilled in rituals might be a bit tricky at first, but ultimately his strength is insufficient, and the group has plenty of ways to control him.”

"Remember this! If you continue to act recklessly, your second brother and I will no longer care about you. All resources will be cut off, and you will be left to fend for yourself in the Special Administration Bureau!"

"...Oh, by the way, you shouldn't go to the old man's place for the next few years."

"The Hailuo family doesn't need a son who tarnishes the family's reputation!"

The major remained silent and unresponsive as he listened to the preceding content.

But upon hearing the last two sentences, the major suddenly looked up!

He stared wide-eyed at the older brother in the video, breathing heavily, his eyes red.

But the older brother only glared at the major's reaction:
"do you have any opinion?"

"Wasn't what I said clear enough?"

"……understood."

In the end, the major simply gave this answer in silence.

"..."

After the video call ended, the locked office fell into a long, deathly silence.

This time, the major neither smashed anything nor called his new secretary over to vent his anger.

Leaning back in his leather office chair, the major slowly rubbed his brow, deep in thought.

The reason he was angry in the past was because he always felt that Bai Zhou was ultimately just a nobody, like a bug.

Being repeatedly provoked by such a person, he would naturally be indignant about his subordinate's incompetence.

But now, he felt he could admit that the mysterious White Boat might be worthy of his attention and equal consideration.

Because multiple facts have proven that although Bai Zhou himself is not very strong, he is indeed a good ritualist.

Such a rare existence should enjoy a distinguished status in the extraordinary world.

...But rituals can both make and break a thing.

Each ritualist requires a large amount of resources for experimentation, and the Bauhinia Group has no shortage of these, so the Bauhinia Group has never lacked ritual masters.

The antidote for the initial explosion ceremony was provided to him by a ritual master from the Bauhinia Group.

Therefore, since the Zijing Group has taken action, all of Baizhou's ritual advantages will naturally be suppressed one by one.

The world of the extraordinary is ultimately a world where great power returns to itself...

Bai Zhou's biggest weakness is that his own strength is too weak!

After these few encounters, the major had roughly figured out that Bai Zhou was at most a Level 3 Extraordinary.

In a direct confrontation, any two Black Warriors could easily suppress him, and a Level 4 Extraordinary would be even more capable of easily defeating Bai Zhou.

It is obvious that Bai Zhou cannot eliminate this weakness in a short period of time, and this will become his most fatal breakthrough.

"...Leave it to them."

Although he was somewhat annoyed, at the moment, letting his elder brother deal with Bai Zhou and waiting for good news was the best option the major could choose.

Once the Bauhinia Group makes a move, there's no reason for them to fail.

Just like this time, Feng Xingyuan wouldn't have failed anyway...

In comparison, the current major has more important concerns.

—The Realm of Reflections!

I heard that the Dream Middle School in the Reflection Ruins has rioted.

Today, the disaster response and investigation agency has already surrounded the area, and tomorrow they will begin exploration and clearing operations.

What's inside is of utmost importance to the major, and it must never be seen in the light of day!

Even the Bauhinia Group knew nothing about anything there!
but……

why?
Why did the riots suddenly break out?

The major was puzzled; this shouldn't be the time of year.

Too early...too early.

The successive changes have caused him to lose his sense of control over how things are developing.

For the first time in many years, he felt uncertain about the future.

There was even... a bit of unspeakable fear.

This fear stems from the unease of not being able to control one's own destiny; what a "big shot" like him hates most is the feeling of things spiraling out of his control.

"It seems the plan will have to be brought forward."

He has no choice.

Thinking this, the major slowly got up and went to the washroom next to him.

He thought of the Level 5 Extraordinary being that his elder brother had mentioned, which the Bauhinia Group had lost.

"Level 5? An extraordinary being? Ha..."

He gave a disdainful sneer.

Summer insects cannot be discussed with ice.

None of them understood just how great the cause they were undertaking truly was.

They have no idea what they are about to become...

"It will be soon." The deer cry out, and the zither and flute are played.

Who can know his heart?

But... how many risks are involved in suddenly being forced to plan ahead of schedule?
The major's status cannot be confirmed.

With a soft sigh, the major paused at the sink.

The water splashed, cool, pure water with bubbles, and I washed my face with my hands.

The major, having regained his composure, suddenly thought of something else.

...If one possesses the Moon Goddess's Tears, one can receive the Moon Goddess's blessing, which would greatly reduce the risks involved.

Sometimes, even a slight reduction in risk can lead to drastically different outcomes!

"An auction!"

The major gritted his teeth, clearly thinking of someone who was hiding his identity and whose true nature remained unknown.

"Crash..."

The water from the faucet stopped abruptly.

The major looked up at himself in the mirror.

The long hair on her forehead was dripping wet, and an invisible line ran straight from the center of her forehead to her chin, dividing her face in the mirror into two completely different halves.

He had a fierce, half-male appearance, with the same features as the major, but with scarlet lines spreading across his cheeks, making him look like an angry, glaring demon.

Half of her face was that of a goddess, with compassionate eyes and a deep, serene gaze, like a goddess observing the human world.

Half-demon, half-god, half-male, half-female.

Anger and calmness, sorrow and joy.

An endless, eerie scene appeared in the mirror.

He stared at the strange major in real life.

The woman's lips curved slightly, revealing a faint smile of pity.

Her lips moved, and a clear, ethereal voice drifted out:
"You are uneasy..."

But in the next instant—

The other half of the man's mouth immediately opened and growled, a rough voice retorting sharply, as if from the abyss of blasphemy:

"I'm just excited!"

"—It's restless excitement!"

The condensation on the mirror slowly dripped down, blurring the clear lines between the face reflected in it.

"Stab" sound!
The office lights flickered and swayed for no apparent reason.

The two eyes in the mirror, one fierce and the other calm, were both slightly narrowed, as if sharing a deep, dark secret.

Finally, those eyes were covered.

Because the major was wearing sunglasses.

The face in the mirror also returned to the major's usual appearance.

"If we can succeed..."

He calmly looked at himself in the mirror and said in a low voice:

"I will settle all scores!"

……

Not long after, the major was reported to by his secretary and left the office.

Inside the meeting room, the supervisory team was quite lively, as if they were having a heated discussion.

"What! The Bureau of Anomalies' warrant for Old Toad doesn't even contain any money?"

"Will they award a second-class Good Citizen Medal for Listening to the Sea? And also a verbal commendation?"

"What use would I have for a medal!"

"Yes." The head of the supervision team nodded seriously, sharing the same sentiment.

"The Bureau of Abnormal Investigations has always been stingy; otherwise, why would they have such a poor reputation?"

"Why? I don't understand—"

The Gem Witch's angry questioning could be heard even outside the conference room.

"What a huge loss! This is a huge loss..."

"clatter."

The major, who had just pushed open the door and walked in, paused for a moment upon hearing their discussion, thinking to himself, "What an old toad..."

"Major!"

The Jewel Witch's eyes lit up when she saw the major walk in:
"Are you, Special Administration, interested in the wanted criminals listed by the Bureau of Abnormal Investigations?"

"So, the credit should go to you, right?"

"I just came back from outside and killed a wanted criminal named Feng Xingyuan. Look..."

Major: "...?"

Who? Feng Xingyuan?!

Did you kill him?
Looking at the enthusiastic [Gem Witch] in front of me.

The major fell silent for a moment.

Co-authored…

I just got a really bad scolding, and it was because of you?
—You still have the nerve to ask me for money?
……

The deepest part of the ruins.

The secret chamber within the temple trembled incessantly.

"Boom! Boom boom boom!"

Blackened marks appeared on the wall.

It is clearly visible that these marks are gradually deepening.

Bai Zhou is making rapid progress.

The numbers on the watch are 33:27.

There were only two hours left before Bai Zhou's "death deadline".

Fortunately, the more one learns this secret technique, the better one becomes. It's as if Bai Zhou has found the key to learning, traveling a thousand miles in an instant.

With the guidance of the dying words of geniuses who came before him, Bai Zhou's growth left even himself speechless.

He was so immersed in the feeling of rapid progress that he forgot the passage of time.

"Just a little bit more, just a little bit more... What is it?"

"Yes……"

Suddenly.

Bai Zhou, who had been practicing diligently, stopped what he was doing, his eyes filled with confusion.

But deep in his mind, there were 27 blazing suns that slowly merged into three sharp, fiery longswords.

In the end, the three longswords, blazing with flowing flames, merged back into one.

"boom!"

A white sun rose from Bai Zhou's mind.

As the 243 complex patterns of figures danced and merged deep within his mind, Bai Zhou suddenly had an epiphany, and a certain obstacle that had been shrouded in mist suddenly became clear.

A faint "bang" sound rang in my ears!
The final bottleneck has been broken.

"The first three forms of the 'Basic Nine Cuts'..."

"So, the three cuts were just one strike!"

Integrate.

At this point, Bai Zhou had mastered all the secret techniques engraved on the wall!
As Bai Zhou had expected, after completing his training, his control over "qi" had reached its peak, placing him at the pinnacle of Level 3 [Adventurer].

If he has the secret techniques to follow, he might even have a chance to reach level 4 on the spot!
"it's time."

Bai Zhou looked at the wall in front of him, which had been bombarded hundreds or thousands of times, took a deep breath, and forcibly suppressed the excitement in his heart.

With a loud clang.

Sheath the sword.

At this moment, in the quiet, secret room, all the crimson last words stopped writhing.

The scattered bones seemed to be quietly and expectantly watching the white boat's retreating figure.

"..."

The white boat met the gaze of the last words on the ground, and the dark, hollow eye sockets of the skeletons.

Then, without saying a word, he slowly nodded, his clear eyes shining.

Bai Zhou knew what the last words and the skeletons were hoping for.

The expectations that have continued for countless years are now resting on his shoulders.

Someone has to break this wall.

Slowly withdrawing his gaze, Bai Zhou focused his mind, his eyes becoming concentrated.

Once he was completely focused, his fingertips pressed against the purple-gold saber at his waist.

Facing the wall in front of him, his posture seemingly casual, he adjusted his breathing rhythm.

A certain dying message surfaced in Bai Zhou's mind:
[Perhaps breathing is the key... Focus your energy at the end of each breath, unleash it in a split second, concentrate on one point, and reach the pinnacle!]

Now, Bai Zhou can answer that senior who was also once a genius.

His guess was correct.

...At least, it's partly correct.

"Crash!"

Following a certain breathing rhythm, Bai Zhou seemed to hear the sound of a flowing river.

That is……

The surging sword energy flowed like a great river within his body.

Then, at a certain breathing point, the white boat suddenly cut off the river!
"Boom!!!"

A faint sound emanated from within Bai Zhou's body.

His trench coat billowed and fluttered even though there was no wind.

With his sword energy blocked, Bai Zhou's aura surged, as if a flood was accumulating in front of a dam.

When Bai Zhou was in excruciating pain all over his body, as if he were being slowly sliced ​​into a thousand pieces.

He changed his breathing rhythm and drew his sword in one smooth motion—

"Qiang!"

Then, release the floodwaters!
With just the opening move, he drew out most of the spiritual energy from Bai Zhou.

Finally, all his spiritual energy vanished along with the swing of his saber.

Focus!
Reaching the pinnacle!

Bai Zhou unleashed a full-force slash at the wall!

One blade of energy slashed out, followed by two, then three.

The strokes flowed seamlessly, layer upon layer, without a moment's respite.

It was as if a great river had descended from the sky, flowing endlessly.

But at the end of the river, a pure white sun suddenly rose.

"cut!"

"Cut, cut, cut, cut, cut!"

This is equivalent to Bai Zhou unleashing his full power, plus an additional 4.5 times the incredible slash—

It slammed heavily against the seemingly indestructible wall.

The next moment.

"boom!"

The walls of the secret chamber where Bai Zhou had been imprisoned for nearly ten hours collapsed.

—White Boat, break through the barrier!

(End of this chapter)