[Mission Two]
[Research Project Name: Xingyi Quan (Difficulty: Xin ★)][Inspiration: 0][Complete this task to earn 'Insight +5000', 'Spirituality +5000'.]
"Xingyi Quan!"
This was one of the three great internal martial arts in his previous life, a complex, profound, and magnificent system of martial arts.
San Ti Shi!Five Element Fist!Eight Word Skill!Twelve Shapes!The entirety of "Xingyi Quan" was all-encompassing—a supreme martial art.
"By integrating and absorbing all the martial arts I've learned so far into Xingyi Quan, I can evolve and elevate them to a new level—more refined, more profound!"
Xin-rank, one star!The difficulty rating alone spoke volumes about the sophistication of Xingyi Quan.
After all—
Even the eighteen widely taught secret martial arts of Guangling Academy, though each one was a secret technique, when measured using [Derivation Method]'s difficulty scale, were only comparable to the current Cheng Family Fist, Six Harmonies and Eight Methods Fist, or Five Shapes and Eight Methods Fist—at best, Ren-rank, one or two stars.A whole level below Xingyi Quan!
"With Xingyi Quan, I can consolidate and summarize all my martial arts and undergo a true transformation."
"After that—"
"I can either move horizontally, developing martial arts like Bagua Palm, Taiji Quan, or Bajiquan that stand on par with Xingyi Quan, or go vertically, deepening my mastery of Xingyi to evolve even more sophisticated and sublime martial arts."
"I'll have both offensive and defensive options!"
In any case—
Once Xingyi Quan was developed, Yan Chuang's martial arts would ascend to a new peak—a true pinnacle!
But it wouldn't be easy!Developing Xingyi Quan was just as difficult as Hun Yuan Gong.
Even though Yan Chuang only spent ten days creating Hun Yuan Gong, it was during the Martial Arts Conference—ten days in the limelight, teaching and being heard by thousands of martial artists, with dozens or even hundreds of experts listening to him.
Teaching benefits the teacher as well.Yan Chuang gained massively!And even then, it still took ten days to finish!
Now, without such a setting, he couldn't dream of completing Xingyi Quan in ten days.
Not a hundred days—
At least three months!Even if he shaved it down, a month or two was inevitable.
"I'll have to wait!""Take it slow!"Yes, patience.
"I need to keep learning!"
"From now on, I must focus on studying and absorbing more knowledge about martial arts—not just in Guangling Prefecture, but also in places like Taikang Prefecture and even the alien world of the Shanhai Realm. I must not let any idea, concept, or theory slip by!"
The process of developing martial arts was also the process of Yan Chuang enriching himself.
Teaching others benefits the self.Derivation also grows!
During the Martial Arts Conference, Yan Chuang's strength grew explosively.
But afterward—
His foundation was depleted.
Now, Yan Chuang had to build it back up.
Unfortunately—
This year's Martial Arts Conference had seen his progress in Yijin Jing increase significantly, but it was still far from complete:
[Mission One]
[Research Project Name: Yijin Jing (Difficulty: Geng ★★★)][Inspiration: 48][Complete this task to earn 'Insight +150,000', 'Spirituality +150,000'.]
"48 inspiration."
Slow gains over four months.
A rapid rise during the Martial Arts Conference.
Still, the progress toward completing Yijin Jing was far from enough.
"Let it be for now.""No rush."
Yan Chuang remained calm.
Hun Yuan Gong at Xin-rank, one star, was already extremely difficult.
A higher-ranked Geng-rank, three-star Yijin Jing was even more challenging—it made sense.
Yan Chuang wasn't anxious.
He glanced at his current Insight balance, then looked at [Mission Two]:"Counting my daily usage, I could probably take on two more Xin-rank, one-star tasks before saving up enough Insight to hit 10,000."
10,000 Insight—enough to upgrade [Teaching Benefits Both], [Daoist Mat], [Treasure Divide Rock], or even [Derivation].
Once [Derivation] was upgraded, the mission slots might increase—from two to three or even four.
Let Yijin Jing take up a slot for now.It would succeed eventually!
That night—
Yan Chuang had not yet gone to bed.
After reviewing his attribute panel and starting a new research task, he remembered Wang Kuan's warning from the previous day. He reached for the Red Tassel Spear he kept by his desk:
[Artifact: Red Tassel Spear (Level 10): Made from white waxwood with an iron spearhead. Total length 7.2 feet. The shaft is slender, and the red tassel below the blade gives it its name. (Attributes: Armor Piercing, Sharp, Qi Breaking, Mighty Blow)]
"A man with treasure invites envy."
"My Red Tassel Spear displayed great might in battle—countless people are likely eyeing it with greedy thoughts."
Yan Chuang's desire to develop hidden weapon techniques was also rooted in his worry: someone might covet his spear and attack his martial hall.
With one more hidden weapon, his safety would increase.
But with Wang Kuan's reminder yesterday, his vigilance heightened further.
"He wouldn't warn me for nothing."
Yan Chuang became alert.
Mini Yan Flying Knives!Hun Yuan Heaven and Earth Rings!That wasn't enough.
"I have enough Spirituality—no need to be stingy."
He stroked the spear and began channeling his Spirituality—
10 points.20 points.30 points...
He kept going.
Finally, at 100 points—
Crack!The Red Tassel Spear snapped. Spirituality vanished. It returned to being an ordinary weapon.
"Upgrade failed?"
Yan Chuang was stunned.
It could fail?
Did that mean the 650 Spirituality points he had invested in the spear were wasted?
"What the—"
Yan Chuang felt a pang of regret.
He touched his Golden Silkworm Armor—originally intending to upgrade it after the spear—but now, maybe it was better to wait.
Ordinary Red Tassel Spears were easy to find.But even an unenhanced Golden Silkworm Armor was a precious treasure—not easy to come by.
"No way!"
"I need to get another Red Tassel Spear—fast!"
Without a trusty weapon, Yan Chuang felt unsafe.
He opened the door to go retrieve a new spear from the storeroom—
But as the door swung open—
He saw a figure dressed in black, tiptoeing silently outside!
Yan Chuang's eyes met the intruder's.
Awkward.
"Who goes there!"
Yan Chuang shouted, eyes wide. He flipped his robe aside and pulled a throwing knife from his hidden stash—
Whoosh!With a twist of the waist and a surge of muscle power, he hurled the knife directly at the intruder's face.
The moment he threw it—
He didn't wait to see if it hit. He activated Divine Movement Technique, turned on his heel, and ran straight for the storeroom.
If it hit—the enemy was dead.If it missed—it meant the enemy was strong. Without a proper weapon, a head-on fight was too risky.
So run, regardless!
"You're not getting away!"
The black-clad man dodged the knife with ease and gave chase, his speed matching Yan Chuang's step for step.
Yan Chuang ran fast!The pursuer was faster!
Bang!
Yan Chuang reached the storeroom just ahead, kicked open the door, and snatched a Red Tassel Spear—
"Add, add, add!"
Spirituality surged in!
In an instant—550 points!
[Artifact: Red Tassel Spear (Level 10): Same specs. (Attributes: Armor Piercing, Sharp, Qi Breaking, Evil Breaking)]
Level 10, instantly!
But this time, the fourth trait had changed—from "Mighty Blow" to "Evil Breaking."
"Evil Breaking isn't as good as Mighty Blow!"
"But it'll do!"
As soon as the spear transformed, Yan Chuang turned and struck—
Thrust!Stab!Burst!
"Good spearwork!"
The black-clad man blocked them all.
Yan Chuang's expression turned serious.
This guy was different from Du Hanfeng or Wu Qi—he was prepared and clearly knew Yan Chuang had this weapon.
Or perhaps—
He came specifically for the Red Tassel Spear!
Clang!The enemy drew a steel blade!
It gleamed sharply, shifting between illusion and reality, but mostly relied on brute force—
Clang, clang, clang!Slash, slash, slash!
His strength was overwhelming!Far above Yan Chuang's!
At least a top-ten fighter!
"Blood and Qi surpassed limits—trained in flesh?"
"No—wait!"
"The power comes from explosive bursts, not obvious muscle definition!"
"Could he be someone who specializes in tendon training?"
Muscle, bone, skin, and tendon—each has its strengths.
Flesh-trainers have compact muscles, masterful control, and use their muscle-stored power defensively and offensively.
Wu Qi was such a master.
Tendon-trainers have powerful elasticity and explosiveness, with immense strength and agility.
Just like this black-clad man—
Bang, bang, bang!Clang, clang, clang!
Slash after slash, each one powerful. He was suppressing Yan Chuang completely!
Sore hands!Sore palms!Sore arms!Sore! Painful!
Only by fully activating Hun Yuan Qi Technique could Yan Chuang barely hold on.
But he was frustrated.
His spear technique was not inferior—but the enemy's strategy of brute force and timing overwhelmed him.
Entangle, slide, twist, scrape, draw, intercept, extend, smear, hook, chop, and cleave!Every move full power!
Yan Chuang was technique; the enemy, raw power.East wind overwhelmed the west.
Yan Chuang was no match!
Too strong!
Just like Wu Qi's oppressive force!
Though his spear danced, Yan Chuang was clearly in danger.
He didn't want to drag it out—he turned to flee again.
But then—
"Run, Chuang'er!"
A voice shouted from afar—Cheng Fengxiao, anxious and hoarse!
Oh no!
There was more than one enemy!
Yan Chuang panicked. His focus wavered—and in a duel of experts, even a moment's distraction was fatal.
The black-clad man's eyes gleamed: "Die!"
He unleashed a deadly move—"Closed Gate Piercing Blade", straight at Yan Chuang's exposed side!
No dodge.No escape.
Yan Chuang was going to get hit!
The enemy felt contact at the blade tip and rejoiced—Qi and blood surged, inner strength exploded, his tendons drew taut—
Stab!
But then—
"What?"
The stab met resistance—as if hitting cotton. His power dispersed. The blade was blocked—it didn't work!
Meanwhile, Yan Chuang—
"Die!"
He flipped his spear and struck like a venomous snake—
Rip!Armor Piercing!Sharp!Qi Breaking!
The spear tore through the enemy's outer and inner defenses—skin, Qi, tendons—all pierced!
"Die!"
Yan Chuang thrust again—
First the heart!Then the throat!
And finally—
Snap!
With a flick of the spear, he turned away, not sparing a glance.
Feet greased, movement divine—he dashed straight toward Cheng Fengxiao.