Chapter Sixty: The Primal Truth

Compared to the first time Black Sand Palm broke through to the realm of true intent, the breakthrough brought by Red Sand Palm was far more intense in its physical sensations. Gazing at the fire-poison black sand before him, which he could now manipulate with ease, Qi Xiu’s expression revealed a dawning understanding.

So this was the three stages of martial cultivation.

Tempering force was the foundation: refining the body, consolidating one’s physical strength, preparing for the Condensation of Qi. Qi condensation was the source; the internal energy cultivated was, in essence, an extension of the mysterious powers. Yet, lacking a core, this energy could only reside within the flesh, manifesting with strength, unable to unleash its true supernatural might.

The missing core—this was the true intent.

With true intent as the guide and internal energy as the source, these two forces merged, granting the ability to wield extraordinary powers. Just as Qi Xiu now commanded the fire-poison black sand, or as the night when the burly man conjured a phantom tiger behind him.

True intent itself might be a powerful existence, an ancient artifact, a mysterious phenomenon, or some particular realm of meaning. The founders of martial arts, with supreme wisdom and insight, transformed the contained supernatural powers into diagrams for martial artists to study. Those who could comprehend the diagram of true intent and step into its realm could channel and draw upon this power, using their own internal energy of the same origin to fuel its strength.

“In fact, the classification of martial arts is almost entirely based on the difference in the supernatural power contained within the diagram of true intent. The stronger the martial art, the more formidable the supernatural power represented by its diagram. For third-rate techniques like Black Sand Palm, there once must have been a diagram of true intent. But due to its weak supernatural nature, it fell into decline, its inheritance scattered. Fewer people practiced it, until the diagram was lost, and it became a technique that could only reach the stage of tempering force.”

Comparing the sensations brought by both Black Sand Palm and Red Sand Palm after breaking through to true intent, Qi Xiu secretly marveled that even martial arts were subject to differences of birth and status.

But soon he discovered a new problem.

Red Sand Palm was a fusion and recombination of Black Sand Palm and Red Heart Palm. Its supernatural power was not the original powers of either, but a new one born from their union.

“Does that not make me the creator of this supernatural power?” He clicked his tongue in amazement, lightly cracking his knuckles.

No sooner had this thought arisen than his mind was suddenly struck by a thunderous roar. The black-and-red gourd, like molten iron, grew clearer, spewing out billowing black smoke that seemed to remake the heavens and earth, reducing all things to silence.

The black-and-red gourd grew ever more solid, relentlessly absorbing Qi Xiu’s internal energy as sustenance. The terrifying suction instantly drained all his energy. His body felt as if it were being torn apart, threatened to be devoured by the gourd. Pale-faced, half-kneeling on the ground, Qi Xiu braced himself with one hand as the gourd continued to swell.

A deluge of insights and experiences surged through his mind.

He clamped his mouth, blood gushing through his fingers. His pupils contracted as he whispered, “Primal... True Intent...”

Having uttered these four words, he spat another mouthful of blood, his face ashen, his breath feeble.

“I cannot continue... or death is certain.”

Instantly summoning the proficiency panel, Qi Xiu focused all his will on the pending fusion of Red Sand Palm.

A shock ran through his body as if electrified. Unable to support himself, he collapsed onto his back.

On the panel, the name Red Sand Palm began to fade.

This supreme martial art was being consumed as fuel, merging into the diagram of Purple Sun True Art.

At the same moment, within Qi Xiu’s mind, the black-and-red gourd continued to tremble, having absorbed all his internal energy and most of his vitality, nearly solidified. But as Red Sand Palm was converted into proficiency and merged with Purple Sun True Art, the gourd’s solidification was forcibly halted.

“I never imagined that creating a diagram of supernatural true intent would be met with such honor. Heaven’s blessing, entry into the path upon the spot. The reward for comprehending a primal true intent is that, at birth, its power immediately draws in internal energy to condense into a seed of the path. But this seed is both the making and the undoing. Without a spring of energy at the level of true arts, an ordinary martial artist’s internal energy cannot support the condensation of primal true intent into a path seed. The price, then, is the loss of all martial arts, reduced to a cripple. All that remains is a scroll of true art, and a lifetime of regret and longing.”

Lying flat on the cold ground, Qi Xiu’s heart was filled with lingering fear. Had it not been for the proficiency panel, which forcibly halted the gourd’s transformation, he would have been drained of all potential, returned to a state weaker than the powerless scholar he once was.

“Yet if one can survive this ordeal, when primal true intent condenses into a path seed, upon entering the path one immediately gains mastery of a supernatural technique. And since it is self-comprehended, it is as effortless as moving one’s own limbs; it can continually be enhanced and grown. It is likely only the disciples of great sects, noble families, and those blessed with extraordinary talent, under the protection of elders, who can endure this nine-deaths-and-one-life trial.”

Watching the black-and-red gourd in his mind dissolve and fade away, Qi Xiu shook his head and laughed softly. The primal true intent he had just obtained was gone in less than a quarter of an hour.

He sighed lightly, but his expression soon relaxed. It mattered little.

Compared to others who require talent, intellect, learning, luck, and the convergence of all favorable circumstances to accomplish such feats, all he needed was time.

Once Red Sand Palm fused into Purple Sun True Art, it would be reorganized into a new true art. The true intent of this art would likewise be a primal true intent—far stronger than the black-and-red gourd, not by a small margin, but by a vast measure!

For this time, Red Sand Palm was being merged into Purple Sun True Art—a true art! One that could originally condense a path seed!

The name Red Sand Palm blurred further, while the proficiency of Purple Sun True Art soared at lightning speed, just as it had with Red Heart Palm before.

A surge of strength suddenly welled up in his weakened body.

He felt as if countless fiery hammers, wielded by innumerable smiths, were furiously pounding every corner of his being.

Impurities and waste were forced out through his pores, forming a thick cocoon that encased him entirely.

His once smooth skin shed layers of dead cells, then regenerated new skin.

Muscle fibers, blood vessels, nerves, and bones all underwent a new round of transformation.

In the blink of an eye, half an hour passed.

Qi Xiu suddenly sat up, the fragments of black cocoon falling away with a rustle.

He was now a wholly different person from before.

His skin was smooth as a mirror, flawless. His muscles were taut and lean—not bulky, but the pure lines of golden proportion held a terrifying strength.

Looking at his reborn body, Qi Xiu summoned his internal force.

A hiss—

His entire body was wrapped in a surge of energy!

Invisible pressure swept outward; dust on the ground was stirred up, forming a wave that spread in all directions.

“The difference is like heaven and earth,” he murmured.

Clenching his fist, feeling the power ripple across his skin, Qi Xiu felt as if he could shatter a city gate with a single blow.

And at that moment, Purple Sun True Art began to break through to the stage of Qi Condensation...