The night was deep. The specially chosen Qiuci Dancers, the stunning beauty from the Fox Race, the Little Sect Saintess... they were all asleep. Under the effects of a special incense, it would be difficult for them to wake for several hours.
Only then did Xia Wuyang disentangle himself from the snow-white arms and jade-like feet draped over him. He slipped quietly into the Practice Room and bolted the Profound Iron Gate securely from the inside.
His Mental Force Field expanded silently, blanketing an area of several dozen meters around him. This would allow him to detect any anomalies and react in time.
Under normal circumstances, he would have needed to wait a while before consuming a second bottle of Celestial Water Essence. After all, it hadn’t been long since he took the last one, which had already given his Cultivation Realm a significant boost.
Consuming it too much or too frequently could easily lead to an unstable Foundation, which would affect his future Cultivation.
However, he had successfully modified the Dragon Tiger Fist, tailoring it perfectly to his own body. Combined with Xia Wuyang’s astonishing Comprehension, he had quickly consolidated his gains. Taking the essence now wouldn’t be a major issue.
He sat cross-legged with the translucent Jade Bottle before him. Inside, the azure Celestial Water Essence shimmered under the candlelight, looking as if a Star River was flowing within it.
Without further hesitation, he raised his hand, uncorked the bottle, and drank the Celestial Water Essence in one gulp.
In an instant, a majestic yet gentle medicinal power surged into his body. Xia Wuyang trembled all over as countless fine blue patterns appeared on the surface of his skin, as if currents of water were rushing within him.
He had no time for other thoughts. He immediately began to circulate the Dragon Tiger Fist, starting to absorb the Celestial Water Essence.
His Qi and Blood Power grew rapidly, and he soon reached a bottleneck—the barrier to the Fifth Grade Realm.
However, under the dual effects of the Celestial Water Essence and his Dragon and Tiger Qi Blood, breaking through was not particularly difficult.
His exceptionally high Spiritual Power also allowed Xia Wuyang to control every ounce of his power with perfect precision, assaulting the bottleneck’s dam to achieve the greatest effect. This alone increased his chances of success by a large margin.
Coupled with his tailor-made Dragon Tiger Fist, which allowed him to achieve twice the results with half the effort in both breaking through and cultivating, the barrier soon began to shake.
"CRACK..."
With a crisp sound, the meridians throughout Xia Wuyang’s body trembled violently, and the dam-like bottleneck leading to a higher realm came crashing down.
His aura began to climb steadily. His Dragon and Tiger Qi Blood surged, and the very air in the Practice Room grew hot from the explosive increase in his Qi and Blood Power.
Without a second thought, Xia Wuyang immediately directed the vast Dragon and Tiger Qi Blood to temper and permeate the bones throughout his body, continuously strengthening them.
Fifth Grade Realm!
Bone Refining Realm!
This realm was also known as the City-Breaking Realm, and its meaning was self-evident. A cultivator at this level could easily destroy cities and demolish buildings, possessing the might to take on ten thousand men.
Ordinary cities were as fragile as toys before them. Even some major cities could be breached by force if they were not careful.
Upon stepping into this realm, one earned the qualification to be a Commander of an army.
However, the Fifth Grade Initial Stage was not the limit of the Celestial Water Essence’s power. A considerable amount of it remained, continuing to raise his Cultivation Realm.
Fifth Grade Initial Stage... bones strengthened, Power drastically increased!
Fifth Grade Middle Stage... bones toughened, astonishing piercing ability!
It wasn’t until he was approaching the Fifth Grade Late Stage that the medicinal power of the Celestial Water Essence was fully depleted. Xia Wuyang’s strength had more than tripled compared to before.
The bones throughout his body had become incredibly tough, each one containing astonishing Power. When focused, they could unleash terrifying destructive force, easily piercing an enemy’s vitals.
With every move, a tremendous force of over ten thousand jin erupted. Amplified by various Combat Techniques, Secret Techniques, and Weapons, he could potentially unleash a destructive force exceeding tens of thousands of jin.
’Just one portion of Celestial Water Essence has brought such a massive improvement. Once Lady Xingyan brings the remaining two portions, I wonder what level my Cultivation and strength will reach.’
A smile appeared on Xia Wuyang’s lips at the thought.
’Lady Xingyan thinks I’m finished, that there’s nothing left for me but to wait for death. That’s why she’s so impatient to get a divorce and leave White Jade City to return to the Zhao Family.’
’She has no idea that with the Elixirs and Miracle Treasures she brought me, my Cultivation Realm is skyrocketing. I’m already about to surpass her.’
Lady Xingyan was merely a Martial Artist at the Fourth Grade Realm. At Xia Wuyang’s current rate of improvement, he could surpass her in a year or so, and perhaps even advance into the Upper Three Grades.
The remaining two portions of Celestial Water Essence should, at the very least, allow him to break through to the Fourth Grade Realm. That day was truly not far off.
After the breakthrough came consolidation and adaptation. With his astonishing Comprehension, this was not difficult for him.
"Dragon Head-Raising!"
"Tiger Crouch Step!"
"Dragon Scale Armor!"
...
Xia Wuyang practiced the Dragon Tiger Fist, move by move. This Top Level Technique integrated training methods with fighting applications; it could be used to temper the body and raise one’s Cultivation Realm, as well as to fight enemies and unleash terrifying destructive power.
Whether for Cultivation or for offense and defense, it was among the best in the Great Xia Dynasty and was considered a top technique even among the surrounding nations.
After these past few days of Cultivation, he had practiced both the training and fighting methods of the Dragon Tiger Fist to a level approaching Great Success. Not only was its efficiency in raising his Cultivation Realm astonishing, but its power in combat was also beyond imagination.
Many within the Great Xia Royal Family practiced the Dragon Tiger Fist, but very few were able to reach the level of Great Success. Most were at about the same level as Xia Wuyang.
But how long had Xia Wuyang been practicing, compared to them?
The higher one’s mastery of the Dragon Tiger Fist, the better its effects in both Cultivation and combat. Moreover, his version was modified and tailor-made for him. Although it hadn’t yet reached the Great Success Realm, its power was no less than that of others who had mastered it.
While Xia Wuyang was busy consolidating and adapting to his new strength, someone was already impatiently plotting to get their hands on his Dragon and Tiger Elixir and Celestial Water Essence.
「In the Eastern Palace, at the Ceremonial Nanny’s residence.」
Flickering candlelight illuminated the wrinkled old face of the Ceremonial Nanny, Liu Jun.
Like Wei Xianren, her appointment as the Ceremonial Nanny of the Eastern Palace was the result of a power struggle between various factions.
Wei Xianren was the Chief Eunuch, in charge of all the Eunuchs in the Eastern Palace. Liu Jun was the Ceremonial Nanny, responsible for all the Palace Maids. Together, the two of them held most of the power in the Eastern Palace.
Over the years, the two had divided up many of the Crown Prince’s Mansion’s assets and resources. Compared to Wei Xianren, however, Liu Jun wasn’t quite as audacious.
At least she hadn’t dared to covet the Celestial Water Essence that Emperor Xia had previously bestowed upon Xia Wuyang. But as for the Celestial Water Essence and Dragon and Tiger Elixir that Lady Xingyan was using to buy her freedom, she ought to have a share.
"Three bottles of Celestial Water Essence... I must have at least one. That old eunuch dog, Wei Xianren, shouldn’t even think about taking them all for himself."
Liu Jun narrowed her eyes, a greedy light flashing within them. She straightened her robes and walked outside.