Welcome our new Patron: Jackson W! Your support means the world to me <3 We are up to 'Chapter 76: Battle Against the Imperial Battle Team' on Patreon!
There's something for free patrons too! Free Patrons receive 1 chapter in advance :)
------------------------------------------------------
At the Seven Treasures Glazed Tile Sect, Ning Fengzhi had returned from attending Emperor Xue Ye's birthday banquet in Tian Dou City. Sword Elder and Bone Elder were by his side.
After returning, Ninth Elder recounted the entire journey in detail, especially Yang Xiong's daring entry into the poison trap.
Sword Elder and Bone Elder remained expressionless throughout, but Ning Fengzhi's smile gradually faded, his expression turning serious.
"Ninth Elder, you've worked hard this time. The poison trap you mentioned must be the rumored medicinal garden of Dugu Bo in Sunset Forest. Did you clean up all traces at both ends?"
The Ninth Elder nodded. "Master, I have eliminated all traces on the periphery. Even Dugu Bo won't be able to find any clues. However, I couldn't penetrate deeper into the poison trap."
Ning Fengzhi smiled. "You've worked hard this time, Ninth Elder. Rest for a while now."
The Ninth Elder left without further words, leaving only Ning Fengzhi and Sword Elder behind.
After much thought, Ning Fengzhi finally spoke. "Uncle Sword, Uncle Bone, what do you think of Yang Xiong's training this time? Especially his daring venture into Dugu Bo's medicinal garden."
Bone Elder pondered deeply before replying. "Fengzhi, Yang Xiong has always been extremely cautious in his actions. This time, he dared to enter the poison trap set by that old monster Dugu Bo—he must have received some crucial information. There must be something invaluable in Dugu Bo's medicinal garden that drove him to take such a risk."
Ning Fengzhi nodded. "Yang Xiong has never sought attention over the years, even when contributing to the sect. He has always acted with utmost caution. His contributions to the sect alone are enough for us to plan anything specifically for him. Clearly, there must be something extraordinary in Dugu Bo's medicinal garden that prompted him to take such a perilous risk."
"He has always concealed an external soul bone and hasn't revealed even a fraction of his soul skills. This shows how meticulous he is in everything he does."
Upon hearing this, Bone Elder seemed somewhat irritated. "What exactly is this boy hiding? If he had told me, we could have handled it without him resorting to such elaborate measures or risking his life. A mere Dugu Bo isn't worth so much trouble on our part."
"Fengzhi, shall I summon Yang Xiong to question him personally? I feel this boy is hiding some secrets."
Ning Fengzhi was silent for a moment before responding. "Let it be. As long as Yang Xiong remains loyal to the sect, his little secrets will eventually come to light. We don't need to concern ourselves with his subtle intentions. If Dugu Bo ever finds out, Uncle Sword can step in to intimidate him. At worst, we'll pay a small price."
Both Sword Elder and Bone Elder nodded in agreement, tacitly accepting Ning Fengzhi's reasoning. Of course, they also looked down on Dugu Bo, the weakest Title Douluo.
---
In the Ice and Fire Yin Yang Well, Dugu Bo stared at the devastated ground, his face contorted with rage.
"Whoever stole my medicinal herbs—if I find out who you are, I'll make you taste the agony of Jade Phosphorus Serpent venom. I'll wipe out your entire family!"
The Ice and Fire Yin Yang Well was now utterly desolate. All the medicinal herbs had been uprooted, and the entire ground appeared to have been excavated. Everything underground had been stripped bare—even the poisonous plants Dugu Bo himself had cultivated were gone without a trace.
Dugu Bo's face twisted in anger, but he quickly calmed down. The location of the Ice and Fire Yin Yang Well was unique, surrounded by his own poison traps. Even a Soul Douluo couldn't penetrate it—only a Title Douluo could enter.
Moreover, the poisonous herbs within the Ice and Fire Yin Yang Well, especially the white and red ones, were so potent that even he couldn't approach them. It was undoubtedly the work of a Title Douluo. However, there were only a handful of Title Douluo in the world, and most of them wouldn't act recklessly. The most likely suspect was Ju Douluo of the Spirit Hall—their mutual enemy.
Dugu Bo's eyes burned with fury. "Ju Hua Guan, Spirit Hall—you won't get away with this! I will not let this go unpunished!"
---
Spirit Hall: …
---
After returning home, Yang Xiong greeted his parents and then secluded himself in his room to cultivate. He hadn't stepped out of his room for many days.
During the Ice and Fire body tempering, Yang Xiong endured immense pain. In that torment, his body and spirit seemed to undergo a transformation, awakening to something unknown within him.
That was the concept of meridians—the true map of meditation.
In the world of Douluo, there was no mention of meridians. In Douluo I, there were only relatively simple meditation methods.
However, Tang San's Xuan Tian Gong was entirely different—it operated through meridians, far surpassing the efficiency of current meditation techniques.
Through the extreme cold and heat of the toxins, Yang Xiong gained a deeper understanding of his body. The ice and fire toxins seemed to continuously impact his meridians, expanding them significantly.
Inspired by the effects of the ice and fire toxins, Yang Xiong conceived an unconventional method for cultivation.
Ice and fire forces, in a sense, could be called yin and yang forces. To balance these forces within the five viscera and six organs, soul power needed to circulate rapidly within the body, ultimately achieving equilibrium. This was the solution Yang Xiong devised during the excruciating pain in the Ice and Fire Yin Yang Well.
Ultimately, Yang Xiong recalled a term from his previous life—Tai Chi.
In any martial arts world, Taoism held an undisputed leadership position, and Tai Chi was considered the pinnacle of Daoist practices.
Though Yang Xiong had little interest in martial arts in his previous life on Earth, he had some exposure to Tai Chi. It was practiced widely in parks, and various TV shows and movies provided detailed explanations. His grandfather had once taught him a few days' worth of Tai Chi, but he had dismissed it as ineffective and didn't delve deeper.
Now, revisiting it, Yang Xiong realized that while Tai Chi might not suit combat—especially not in the world of soul masters—it elevated meditation to another level.
With this in mind, Yang Xiong casually performed a set of Tai Chi forms from his past life. Whether due to the Ice and Fire tempering, he felt an entirely different sensation compared to before.
Performing the Tai Chi set felt incredibly natural. Moreover, the soul power throughout his body seemed to flow seamlessly, surging invisibly during the practice.
He recalled descriptions of Tai Chi from his previous life. Legend had it that practicing Tai Chi could harmonize the body's yin and yang energies, enhancing flexibility and coordination. In combat, Tai Chi used softness to overcome hardness and stillness to counter motion, skillfully neutralizing an opponent's attacks. Additionally, it promoted blood circulation and improved bodily functions—a profound Taoist cultivation technique that combined fitness and health preservation.
Yang Xiong had once doubted these claims, but now he began to believe them. If Tang San's Xuan Tian Gong could be practiced in the world of soul masters, then Tai Chi must also be viable—and perhaps even more powerful.
Author's Note: Originally, I wanted to write about the Eight Extremes Fist, but Tai Chi is far more widespread. Everyone learns a bit of it as a child. After all, Tai Chi is truly the treasure and peak of our ancestors' legacy, and even amateurs pick up a little.
------------------------------------------------------
Double Daily Chapters Until We Are 40 Chapters Ahead: patreon.com/EphemeralShadow