“How did they succeed so quickly?” Shang Xia couldn’t contain his shock.
A chuckle left Shang Xi’s lips as she explained, “The Essence Separation Liquid isn’t exceptionally hard to create. The only problem lies in locating the herbs used in it.”
Shang Xia stared at Shang Xi with a look of shock on his face. “Don’t tell me our clan actually had all the herbs required to make the liquid… What the hell! Isn’t our You Continent some barren land? That’s the reason we had to monopolize the battlefield between the two worlds!”
“Your second uncle and aunt…” Shang Xi revealed a guilty smile and explained.
A look of revelation appeared on Shang Xia’s face and he didn’t know what to feel. Naturally, Shang Xi understood what he was thinking at the moment and she explained, “Your second aunt, Xu Huizhu, is from the Yan Continent. She had all the ingredients required to make the liquid and she provided them to the clan when she heard that we were looking for it.”
“Alright, alright, what do they wish for in return?” Shang Xia sighed softly. He always had a feeling that his second uncle had a favor he wished to obtain from Shang Xia. From the time he imparted the Irregular Sword Art to the time he stopped Xu Huizhu, to the discovery that all the herbs required to make the Essence Separation Liquid were provided by them, Shang Xia could tell that Shang Jian had something to ask of him.
In fact, he seemed to have felt it when he first saw Shang Jian.
“Hah, little brat, since you already knew that he wanted something from you, why don’t you make a guess?” Shang Xi chortled in amusement.
Pressing his lips against each other, Shang Xia sighed, “Isn’t it obvious? They’re both in the Martial Intent Realm and they shouldn’t need me for anything. However, their children aren’t experts in the Martial Intent Realm! The favor he wants definitely has something to do with them.” Seeing as Shang Xi hadn’t said anything, he continued, “He probably saw my sword art the other day when I was fighting on the streets. When Shang Dong sneak attacked me the other day, I noticed that their sword technique differs greatly from their parents…”
Shang Xia didn’t even need to hear her confirmation. He could tell from her expression.
“You actually discovered it… Are you planning to help them out?” Shang Xi tried to keep herself as calm as possible, but Shang Xia still managed to hear the trace of anticipation she had for his response.
A grin quickly found its way onto his face. “Aunt, I’m not a narrow-minded person. Of course I don’t mind teaching them. However, I can’t possibly run over there and beg them to let me teach them some skills, can I?”
Shang Xi giggled in amusement and Shang Xia could tell that she understood what his intentions were. Since that was done, he quickly changed the topic. “About the Intent Guarding Incense…”
“Yeah, yeah… It’s probably going to be done in a few days. Hmph, I bet this isn’t some assistive medicine that can be used exclusively for your breakthrough. It’s beneficial for cultivators at the Martial Intent Realm too. Looks like we’re going to strike it rich this time! Of course, we need to actually craft the incense before we can say for sure…” Shang Xi nodded her head in response.
Thinking about it for a second, Shang Xia muttered softly, “Looks like I’ll start my breakthrough soon…”
“Hah. I didn’t think that you would break through so quickly! I thought that you would require a lot of time to consolidate your foundations, especially since you only entered the Martial Extremity Realm not too long ago. Looks like I was wrong. Anyway, the situation is different now. You haven’t returned to the institution ever since you came back from the battlefield between the two worlds. The complaints against you are getting louder and louder…”
When Shang Xia wanted to ask her what she meant, she turned to leave.
Realizing he wasn’t going to get an answer, he simply tossed away all the random thoughts in his mind as he focused on circulating his inner qi. He got ready to start his breakthrough to the Martial Intent Realm.
The next evening, the first portion of the Intent Guarding Incense was successfully created by the Shang Clan. Even though there were only three sticks, Shang Xi chose to deliver all of them to Shang Xia.
“Are you really not planning to return to the institution to break through? The secret chamber there is much better than those in our clan. The heaven and earth qi there is much denser too.” Shang Xi asked.
Shaking his head, Shang Xia replied, “Everything I need to break through has been prepared. Moreover, I don’t wish to go back to the institution only to be struck by heavenly lightning again…”
Turning to Shang Xi, he said, “I’m afraid I need to trouble you to protect me while I break through this time.”
A snort left Shang Xi’s lips, “Damn brat. Once you advance this time, even I won’t be your opponent.”
After one entire day of preparations, Shang Xia was finally ready to break through. Shang Xi mobilized the power of the clan to protect the manor while she took on the role of his personal guard. His courtyard was completely isolated from the rest of the manor and no one could approach the region.
In the secret chamber within his courtyard, Shang Xia felt that he had finally reached his peak state. With the items he needed placed orderly in front of him, he began.
The Intent Gathering Powder, Essence Separation Liquid, and Intent Guarding Incense were placed beside the case containing the three needles.
A tub of steaming water could be seen behind him, and there were several medicines at the side in case his breakthrough failed. In case he truly failed, they could be used to stabilize his condition as soon as possible.
Clearing his mind, Shang Xia took out the first of the three needles in the jade case after lighting the Intent Gathering Incense.
It was made from countless precious herbs and treasures, and it emitted a soft glow as Shang Xia held it in his hand.
According to the instructions on the blood red tablet in his sea of consciousness, Shang Xia dipped the needle in the bottle containing Essence Separation Liquid.
Nothing happened to the needle, but Shang Xia could feel that the liquid in the bottle had decreased slightly.
After a third of the liquid was absorbed by the needle, it seemed to have reached its saturation point.
Taking off his shirt, Shang Xia inserted the first needle three inches below his abdomen. The Guanyuan Acupoint was first, and the moment the needle entered his body, Shang Xia’s expression turned solemn.
A sharp pain shot through his body and Shang Xia was nearly unable to bear the suffering. His hands trembled and he released the needle.
Luckily for him, the effects of the Intent Gathering Incense worked its magic at that moment. It kept his mind clear despite the pain.
Enduring the pain shooting through his body, he continued to push it inwards. When it reached a certain depth in his body, the pain disappeared abruptly.
The needle that was five inches long seemed to have disappeared completely into the Guanyuan Acupoint.