Chapter 75: Chapter 75: Ox Demon Stretching, Changes in Half a Month

’The boost in strength from External Refining Steel is huge. The fascia and tendons in my body can stretch and contract forcefully, making my explosive power ferocious and my body’s resilience much greater.’

After Yang Chan allocated points to his Ox Demon’s Mighty Fist, his strength, as he had hoped, broke through to the External Refining Steel Realm.

The moment his strength broke through, Yang Chan could clearly feel the changes within his body.

The fascia is located within the flesh and muscle. Tempering it requires practicing the one hundred and eighty forms of the Ox Demon Stretching. Each form tempers the fascia of a specific body part. Once all forms are practiced, the fascia throughout the entire body will be tempered. The process is complete when all the fascia has transformed to become as tough as steel rebar.

The cultivation process begins with tempering the fascia in the limbs, followed by the rest of the body. Tempering the fascia in the torso and head is more difficult, but the resulting boost in power is also substantial.

The black-clad man who tried to assassinate Yang Chan yesterday had reached the External Refining Steel Realm, but only in his limbs. Had they fought head-on, Yang Chan would have been no match for him.

He could clearly perceive the improvements brought by the External Refining Steel Realm—the boosts to his strength and speed were obvious. His Lifespan had also increased slightly, by 4 years.

’Panel!’

Yang Chan looked at the panel before him.

[Name: Yang Chan]

[Lifespan: 16/110]

[Talent: 12]

[Potential Points: 0.8]

[Mastered Professions: Pharmacist (Tier Two Entry 14%)]

[Comprehension Technique: Tai Chi Health Cultivation Skill (Tier Three Mastery 3%), Ox Demon’s Mighty Fist (Tier Three Mastery 1%), Turtle Breath Body Cultivation Skill (Tier Two Entry 2%), Demon Suppressing Swordsmanship (Tier Two Entry 2%), Wind-Stepping Technique (Tier One Initial Glimpse 3%), Ox Demon Martial Seal (Tier One Initial Glimpse 1%)]

His Lifespan was steadily approaching his personal goal, but trouble, it seemed, was never far behind.

Things had been quiet since last night’s assassination attempt, but Yang Chan didn’t let down his guard. He had already created a new exit for the underground tunnel in his room.

Fortunately, a tunnel already existed, so he didn’t have to dig a new one from scratch. Otherwise, it would have taken much more time.

Yang Chan hoped he would never have to use this new tunnel. Dealing with assassins was just too much of a nuisance.

’Even if they delivered free coin purses, I’m not a fan.’

He valued his life far more than money—if he didn’t, he wouldn’t have spent a fortune on survival measures.

’After reaching External Refining Steel, breaking through to the next realm will cost more Potential Points. However, I’m also earning more Potential Points each day, so it shouldn’t be an issue.’

’However, before I can break through to External Iron Bone Refining, I’ll need to get promoted to Elite Disciple and obtain the Tiger Demon Bone Cultivation Fist and the Tiger Demon Martial Seal. I have to make sure both are ready.’

Yang Chan resolved internally.

Although cultivating the Ox Demon’s Mighty Fist seemed to have no upper limit, as if it could be improved infinitely, he was more focused on obtaining a Bone Cultivation Method.

There was no point in endlessly improving these techniques until he had enough foundational strength.

…

「Half a month later.」

When Yang Chan finally heard the news that Sect Leader Liu Xuan and the Cyan Yuan Sect Elders had annihilated the Three Major Sects, he heaved a huge sigh of relief. He had been on constant alert for the past half-month. ’This kind of life is exhausting,’ he thought. ’I never want to live on edge like this again.’

Five days after the attempt on his life, several Inner Masters from the Cyan Yuan Sect had arrived: Medicine Hall Master Gu An, Instructor Hall Master Han Zhengcheng, and Artifact Refining Hall Master Qi Yuansheng. They immediately moved against Lingyu Palace.

Caught completely off guard, Lingyu Palace was annihilated. Even deploying their Sect’s ultimate trump cards was useless.

The Cyan Yuan Sect had dispatched so many experts precisely to destroy Lingyu Palace with lightning speed.

Afterward, they spent seven days ending Taiyu Valley’s lineage, followed by another three days to ensure the Nanhua Sword Sect vanished as well.

The previous struggle had been protracted, but the actual annihilation took only ten days in total. It was incredibly fast.

The speed of the assault left the Three Major Sects with no time to react before they were utterly destroyed.

Not a single Direct Disciple, Elite Disciple, or Official Disciple from the Three Major Sects was left alive. They were all buried in the Mausoleum Mountain Range.

As for the remaining Servant Disciples, they were relegated to being mining Servants—a status even lower than their previous one. They were essentially condemned to a life of labor, destined to die in the mines.

This was the typical fate for a rival Sect, ensuring few would be left to seek revenge.

A Servant Disciple of the Cyan Yuan Sect still had a chance for promotion, but these new Servants could only toil for the Cyan Yuan Sect until death. It was a miserable fate.

When Yang Chan heard this, he was naturally very happy, as it also meant that it wouldn’t be long before he could return to the Cyan Yuan Sect.

’Life down the mountain is too dangerous. I much prefer staying inside the Cyan Yuan Sect; it’s more comfortable.’

His monthly stipend had also been delivered, and as expected, it was quite generous, leaving his coin purse bulging.

With the Three Major Sects annihilated, Sect Leader Liu Xuan and the other masters had already returned to the Cyan Yuan Sect. They couldn’t leave the Sect undefended for too long, lest someone take advantage of the situation and launch an attack.

Yang Chan and the other Pharmacists, however, remained behind. Even though the Three Major Sects were destroyed, there were still wounded disciples who needed medical attention. The most severely injured ones, in particular, could not be moved yet.

Two Elders also stayed behind and would leave with Yang Chan’s group.

Thus, while many Cyan Yuan Sect Disciples had been withdrawn following the annihilation of the Three Major Sects, the number of injured disciples in Yang Chan’s T-shaped Room hadn’t dwindled.

It was worth mentioning that with the annihilation of the Three Major Sects, the tense atmosphere in Taiyu City instantly vanished.

It was the ordinary people who had been most terrified during the great battle between the factions—a classic case of ’when Immortals fight, mortals suffer.’ Even the Taiyu City Government Office had been on edge.

The Combat Power of an External Refining Elite Disciple was already terrifying. When Inner Masters clashed, the earth-shaking aftershocks alone could kill scores of ordinary people.

Thus, the news that the Cyan Yuan Sect had wiped out the Three Major Sects in the Mausoleum Mountain Range brought great relief to the officials in the Taiyu City Government Office.

During this time, Yang Chan was also collecting the main ingredients for the Dragon Bone Medicine Bath. These were cheaper in Taiyu City; back in the Cyan Yuan Sect, the price would be much higher.

This was tied to his daily gain of 0.3 Potential Points, so he couldn’t afford to let his supply run out. These next few days were a good opportunity to stock up.

Taiyu City was home to many unique medicinal ingredients, and Yang Chan collected any that seemed promising. After all, he could have them transported back to the Sect. Of course, even with the Three Major Sects gone, Yang Chan didn’t let down his guard or dismantle his preparations. Who knew if remnants of the enemy sects were still hiding somewhere in Taiyu City?

’On the surface, the Three Major Sects have been wiped out, but who knows what lurks in the shadows? I still need to be careful day to day.’

As the saying goes, the final stretch of a journey is the hardest.

’As long as I haven’t returned to the Cyan Yuan Sect, I could still run into danger here in Taiyu City. I can’t let my guard down on this. My life is too precious to be careless now.’

Source: Webnovel.com, updated by NovelKeep