Martial Saint!
Chapter 365 - 0241 Tathagata Divine Palm (3k for double monthly tickets)

Chapter 365: 0241 Tathagata Divine Palm (3k for double monthly tickets)

The old man took out 40 medicine pills and said,

"3600 Great Merit."

Lu Chenzhou asked in confusion,

"Wasn’t it 100 Great Merit per pill before?"

The old man chuckled,

"The price has dropped. Last year’s upheaval helped Da Xia find quite a few new converging locations, including Taihu Oasis. At least 4 new oases were discovered, resulting in an increase in the capture of exotic animals. Moreover, some researchers from the oasis cities have also bred some mutant beast populations that can be artificially raised, so the supply is no longer so scarce."

Lu Chenzhou put away the medicine and remarked thoughtfully,

"That’s good news. I didn’t expect exotic animals could be bred artificially."

The old man said,

"Currently, only a few mutant beasts have been successfully bred artificially which increased production. The most important is that the number of wild species captured has increased. Exotic animals are not ordinary beasts; their population numbers are low to begin with, and they are often distributed throughout the vast Void Realm.

Some mutant beasts never find a mate in their lifetime, and some Heaven Rank mutant beasts are naturally raised, just like Heavenly Materials and Earthly Treasures. When exotic animals are no longer scarce, Da Xia’s Martial Arts level can undergo a major transformation, truly reaching a state where everyone is as powerful as a dragon."

The old man sighed internally.

He believed that day would come.

Unfortunately, he most likely wouldn’t be around to see it.

"Thank you, senior."

Leaving the campus infirmary, Lu Chenzhou felt some anticipation in his heart.

"Raising exotic animals? If Enlightenment Elixir could be more widespread, even ordinary Martial Artists like my master wouldn’t have to live such a hard life."

...

This day.

At Li Gui’s home, in the practice room.

Li Gui’s muscles buzzed like a Heavenly God descending to earth, his right hand transforming into a tiger claw and colliding with a golden hand in front of him. Just one touch, and the golden armor Lu Chenzhou was wearing exploded into nothingness, and his half-body’s Innate Strength also instantly vanished.

He grunted and flew backward, crashing into the wall.

A while later.

Lu Chenzhou spat out a mouthful of blood and asked with a smile,

"Teacher, how much strength did you just use?"

Li Gui smiled faintly,

"How much? Less than one-tenth... My Qi-Blood is nearing the end of Breaking Second Shackles. It’s well over three digits, and even if twenty of you came at me at once, you would be effortlessly obliterated. That’s the gap between shackles. Don’t think about battling above your level."

Lu Chenzhou couldn’t help but feel helpless inside,

"Three-digit Qi-Blood... Just the quantity alone is many times mine, not to mention the qualitative transformation. The real gap is an order of magnitude."

Li Gui said,

"However, I see that your Fist Move ’Mountain Echo’ earlier was flawless, even possessing a domineering air. Has your ’Tiger Roar Mountain River Fist’ reached Perfection?"

Lu Chenzhou nodded,

"It’s been some time. You were out exchanging expertise, so I didn’t tell you."

Li Gui laughed,

"Good lad, you’ve progressed faster than I expected. To what extent have you mastered ’Tiger Suppressing Mountains and Rivers Boxing’? You naturally possess a domineering aura; this Fist Technique was tailor-made for you."

As for Lu Chenzhou having a domineering aura, Li Gui was not surprised.

Throughout history, most of the remarkable talents had such an aura.

Such people were generally called "Martial Arts Geniuses."

Among the geniuses, he was the cream of the crop.

The ability to cultivate a domineering aura showed that Lu Chenzhou’s potential was boundless.

How could the student he valued be anything less?

Lu Chenzhou executed ’Tiger Suppressing Mountains and Rivers Boxing,’ each movement accompanied by his domineering aura. The domineering aura seamlessly entwined with his Fist Moves and Power, creating a momentum like thundering hooves of a thousand horses, fit for a sovereign.

Li Gui couldn’t help but applaud,

"Good, very good! Your ’True Skill Boxing’ is approaching Small Success."

The difficulty of True Skill Boxing was far greater than any first-class Fist Technique.

Lu Chenzhou’s progress had pleasantly surprised him.

After exchanging insights on cultivation, Li Gui suddenly said,

"Chenzhou, come to my house for lunch today."

Lu Chenzhou was momentarily startled, then smiled,

"Sure."

Li Gui had always dined alone in the cafeteria.

If he was cooking today, there must be an honored guest coming.

Thinking of Mr. Li’s recent return from an exchange at the Martial Arts University in Magic City.

It was obvious who it was.

Knock, knock, knock...

The sound of knocking came from outside. Lu Chenzhou went to open the door.

Standing at the door was a tiger-headed, slightly brash-looking man with short hair.

He couldn’t hide the smile on his lips,

"Long time no see, lad."

Lu Chenzhou was equally overjoyed.

"Hong Teacher?"

"Yes, I’ve come to see the master."

Hong Fu took in Lu Chenzhou’s aura and laughed,

"Not bad, almost at the End Realm, right?"

Lu Chenzhou nodded,

"Qi-Blood at the End Realm, but still a bit lacking in the Acupoints."

Hong Fu laughed heartily,

"As expected, a Tiger Form genius!"

In the kitchen, Li Gui said,

"You two, come and help me out!"

Hong Fu replied,

"Coming!"

He patted Lu Chenzhou’s shoulder and asked,

"Has the teacher’s wife arrived?"

Lu Chenzhou shook his head,

"I haven’t seen her."

Three men busied themselves in the kitchen, all hands-on with the cooking.

Li Gui coughed and said,

"Cooking is also a form of cultivation! What is trained is the heart. In the old days, many masters from the Buddhist sects emerged from the kitchens, such as the renowned Kongwen Divine Monk."

Lu Chenzhou inquired,

"Is the Kongwen Divine Monk the founder of the ’Tathagata Divine Palm’?"

The "Tathagata Divine Palm," the foremost among the five supreme divine skills of the Buddhist school and Shaolin Temple’s secret technique, boasts a reputation that spans across ages and an immense power that has suppressed an era!

Li Gui sliced vegetables and said,

"Yes... Martial Arts should be comprehended through all things in the world, to understand heaven and earth, to understand all beings, to understand oneself. The same principle applies to your boxing realm."

Listening, Lu Chenzhou seemed to have an epiphany.

He said,

"Teacher, I plan to go on a journey in some time."

Hong Fu, who was washing vegetables, suddenly laughed,

"Travel? Hahaha, Chenzhou has the air of a master now. That’s good news. Visiting the places of enlightenment of the strong from ancient and modern times might just bring some gains."

Li Gui commented,

"If you feel like you’ve hit a bottleneck from isolated efforts, traveling is indeed not a bad idea. However, as a Martial Arts Genius, there will inevitably be ominous entities lurking around you once you step out. My advice is that you achieve the Second Layer of the ’Tiger Demon Tai Sui Technique.’

In doing so, the fierce Tai Sui in your mind can thoroughly transform, your sixth sense will be enhanced to an extraordinary level, and if anyone within a certain range harbors a killing intent towards you, you’ll be able to sense it immediately and thus escape."

Lu Chenzhou took the advice and said,

"Then I’ll wait a bit longer."

Hong Fu chuckled,

"I too practice the ’Tiger Demon Tai Sui Technique.’ Becoming Mr. Li’s student, the most important lesson is how to stay alive in the world."

Later on.

A charming woman in a purple dress arrived at the villa.

The three men hurried to greet her.

Li Gui smiled and said,

"This is my wife..."

At these words, Lu Chenzhou was stunned.

The teacher’s progress is so fast.

But then again, it makes sense. Martial Artists are too busy with various matters.

There’s not much time for romance and courtship.

If they like each other, getting married is just fine.

Lu Chenzhou bowed and said,

"Greetings, Teacher’s wife."

Li Yu smiled and said,

"You’re Lu Chenzhou, right? I’ve heard about you. Recently, when chatting with your teacher, he never misses a chance to bring you up. Here, this is a gift from me."

With that, she handed Lu Chenzhou a gift box.

A Grinding Sand Medicine set from Martial Medicine Factory No.6.

Not expensive, but the sentiment is profound.

"Thank you, Teacher’s wife."

Li Gui revealed a smile, looking at Li Yu and said,

"Dinner is ready."

At the dinner table, everyone from school was in high spirits.

Li Yu, Li Gui, and Lu Chenzhou were all not talkative.

Fortunately, Hong Fu was a stream of endless chatter.

Before leaving, Lu Chenzhou saw the sincere smile on Li Gui’s face.

He felt gratified that Iron-faced Tiger finally had a companion.

...

Time passed by.

Herons flew over the rippling paddy fields, orioles sang in the shadowy summer woods.

The scorching July sun beat down on Jiangnan.

Aside from his cultivation, Lu Chenzhou also prepared for his upcoming journey. He was only waiting to master the Second Layer of the ’Tiger Demon Tai Sui Technique’ before setting off to travel the world.

Inside the practice room, a crackling noise resounded.

Lu Chenzhou concluded his Heavenly Pile Cultivation.

"My right foot also has 16 acupoints opened... From the End Realm’s 90 acupoints to the Final Realm’s 120 acupoints, this stage involves opening the symmetrical acupoints of the left foot, the difficulty should not be too great. The hardest part before breaking the second shackles should be going from 120 to 150 acupoints."

The Final Realm’s 30 acupoints involved opening those in the right calf.

Different areas’ acupoints also have different functions; the palm acupoints primarily boost Qi Power, while the feet and lower body acupoints are for explosive power and speed, as well as neurological response speed. Thus, a Martial Artist’s Four Realms is about strengthening oneself holistically.

Lu Chenzhou shook his body and rose amidst thunderous noises.

Surging Qi-Blood emerged, rubbing against the invisible aura, producing sparks in the void.

"My Qi-Blood should have made a little breakthrough as well."

He walked over to a corner of the practice room.

There stood a silver-white machine. This was the latest Qi-Blood Measurement Device, more precise, and intended for home installation, though not yet mass-produced. As a Martial Arts Genius, he had privilege, hence the school provided him with one.

The testing method was simpler too; no need to execute Basic Boxing, just a straight punch with normal strength on the machine sufficed.

Lu Chenzhou struck out a punch, and the machine prompt came:

[Congratulations, your Qi-Blood has reached 30 points, 13 points away from the Final Realm...]

"My Qi-Blood is three times what it was last year, but the gap in physical fitness and strength is more than threefold. The current me could take on a group of those who have just entered the rank of Martial Artist."

Martial Arts, skill, combat experience...

Too many factors affect combat strength.

It can only be said that Qi-Blood is the foundation and the source of strength.

Buzz buzz buzz—

Suddenly, a humming sound came from the weapons rack in the corner.

The Tiger Gall Gun’s barrel was now vividly red like blood, emitting an invisible Evil Qi.

Faintly, one could hear the howling of wild beasts and strange laughter.

In his mind, an image emerged of a giant two-winged creature with a ghostly pale face and a shape resembling a thin, long dog. This force appeared more ferocious than even the Final Realm’s Great Void.

"This is... a vengeful ghost."

The Divine Spear’s miraculous functions were mainly twofold:

Drink Demon King Blood to temper, and transform demon entities into vengeful spirits.

The day Lu Chenzhou killed an End Realm Great Void in the Void Realm, he naturally sensed through his Heart Intent that the Divine Spear absorbed that Void Thing and was nurturing something within.

"After absorbing the Demon King Blood, this Great Void has mutated."

Roar roar roar!

In the Inner Realm Land, the winds rose, and the clouds surged.

The man-faced, dog-shaped, winged giant beast came whistling like a meteor, its aura so strong that even the 76 Heavenly Stars in the sky seemed to be tainted with blood.

On the desolate land, the yet-to-be-completed Meat Divine Palace trembled, the ground cracked like an earthquake, stone slabs floated up, and the Life Spring bubbled forth majestically.