Chapter Twenty-Three: The Heart of the Fist, the Will of the Sword

In just a few short months, Qi Fei had not only reached the fourth tier of martial cultivation in the cave beneath the Cliff of Reflection, but his two martial souls had also merged into one, placing him a mere step away from the fifth tier, where internal force could be projected outward.

Within the cave, Qi Fei cultivated the “Mystic Heaven Heart Sutra,” channeling his vital energy into his newly formed Ice-Fire Martial Soul. By now, the energy within him had become exceedingly strange; when he unleashed the “Eight-Armed Wind and Thunder Fist,” the scorching gale of his fists concealed a chilling, yin-cold aura. Even the Bloodshadow True Lord, whose dantian and sea of qi had long been destroyed, could never have imagined that the spirit jade would hold such wondrous power.

The path of martial cultivation is endless; the boundless way cannot be traversed in a single day. Qi Fei understood well that he had only taken a crucial step. After reaching the fourth tier, he did not rush forward but instead spent several days refining his inner energy and consolidating his cultivation.

On this day, faint footsteps echoed outside the cave. Having used internal martial arts to temper his muscles and bones, Qi Fei’s senses were now far sharper than before. Listening carefully, he knew it was Guo Huai, the Grand Elder of the Danxia Sect, visiting the foot of the Cliff of Reflection once more.

Sure enough, a rope was lowered into the cave, delivering the clothes Qi Fei had requested. After changing, he soon heard the Grand Elder’s voice echo inside.

“Qi Fei, I have heard that you have awakened your martial soul. Truly, this is worth celebrating.”

A cold gleam flickered in Qi Fei’s eyes as he called out, “Disciple has only barely awakened his martial soul. The Grand Elder is busy with sect affairs, and yet you have come here to visit me again and again for my sake. I am truly humbled.”

Guo Huai sneered inwardly and spoke, “Qi Fei, let us speak plainly. Even with the help of the Essence-Gathering Pill, and despite your martial strength, you are but a novice in the martial path. To have awakened your martial soul in mere months by relying on the sect’s ‘Qi Gathering Technique’—is there not some deeper secret here?”

Feigning ignorance, Qi Fei replied loudly, “What do you mean by this, Grand Elder? Are you suggesting that I am hiding an Essence-Gathering Pill?”

Outside the cave, Guo Huai answered coldly, “Though you have awakened your martial soul, you cannot break through the Four Symbols Infinite Sword Formation. I advise you to offer up all the fortune you gained that day to the sect, or you will grow old and die beneath this cliff.”

Qi Fei had long formulated his plan and replied in a clear voice, “I have wronged the sect in nothing. Yet it seems the Grand Elder treats me so. The day I break through this sword formation, I shall certainly seek an explanation from you.”

“You are ignorant of your own limits. Do you think that mastering the ‘Tiger Roar Fist’ alone will allow you to shatter the seal outside the cave? Your master took twenty years to reach the fourth tier, while you, confined a few more months, will come to understand just what kind of fortune you let slip by today.”

Seeing Qi Fei fall silent, Guo Huai’s tone grew colder. “If you change your mind, inform my disciples outside the cave. But if you persist in stubbornness, don’t blame me for what comes next.”

Qi Fei seethed inwardly. Not only did the Danxia Sect ignore his contribution of the Essence-Gathering Pill, now they coveted his own gains as well. Once he left the Cliff of Reflection, he would be sure to settle this old score with the sect.

After Guo Huai departed, Qi Fei calculated his situation. Now that he had attained the fourth tier and possessed the mysterious powers of the Ice-Fire Martial Soul, his vital energy was formidable. But the “Eight-Armed Wind and Thunder Fist” was only a martial art for tempering the body; if he wished to defeat enemies, he would need to rely on the secret techniques from the Profound Heart Sword Sect and the Heart Demon Sect—only then could he carve a path out of Cangyun Mountain.

The Heart Demon Sect was a demonic order. Before his soul had fully awakened, Qi Fei could only use the cold aura of the spirit jade to hide his cultivation with the “Spirit Connection Art,” and most of the demonic techniques were of little use for now.

The Profound Heart Sword Sect, though a martial sect, had only three supreme sword techniques in the “Proud Sword Formula” and the “Heaven-Slaying Sword Canon.” Here in the cave, there was not even a branch to serve as a sword, let alone a true blade. How, then, could he practice these sword arts?

Qi Fei pondered deeply, and suddenly a bold idea flashed through his mind. His master, Bloodshadow True Lord, had once warned him not to display the techniques of the Profound Heart Sword Sect and Heart Demon Sect unless absolutely necessary, lest he invite trouble. In that case, why not transform the sword techniques of the Profound Heart Sword Sect into fist techniques? If such a method worked, the unique style of a sword-art-turned-fist could be his own. Even if he fought disciples of the Profound Heart Sword Sect with this fist art, he would likely avoid suspicion.

With this thought, Qi Fei began recalling in detail the cultivation methods for the “Proud Sword Formula” and the three supreme sword techniques from the “Heaven-Slaying Sword Canon.”

It must be known that the “Heaven-Slaying Sword Canon” was the supreme art of the world’s foremost sword sect, and the Profound Heart Sword Sect had a history of several centuries. The “Proud Sword Formula” and the “Heaven-Slaying Sword Canon” were created by grandmasters of unmatched wisdom and further refined by generations of sect masters. Qi Fei, only a beginner in martial cultivation with no guidance from a master, now intended to convert these sword arts into fist techniques—truly, ignorance breeds fearlessness.

Half an hour later, emboldened by his daring, Qi Fei began attempting the inner energy circulation method of the “Proud Sword Formula.” The method bore some resemblance to internal martial arts, both relying on mysterious flows of qi through the body’s acupoints to manifest various supernatural powers.

Qi Fei’s martial journey had been smooth so far. Confident in his mastery of the “Eight-Armed Wind and Thunder Fist” and protected by the spirit jade, he slowly circulated his energy according to the “Proud Sword Formula,” formed his palm into a fist, and struck the stone wall with sudden force.

Barely had he transformed a sword move into a fist strike when he felt a sharp pain in his right arm. The qi that surged to his palm recoiled violently, instantly injuring the meridians of his right arm.

Startled, Qi Fei wondered how the sword technique’s energy flow could cause such a backlash. Though puzzled, he quickly guided his energy to repair the damaged meridians.

Having suffered a secret loss, Qi Fei dared not act rashly for the moment. But his unwillingness to give up gnawed at him. He reasoned that, having perfected his internal martial arts, surely it was not impossible to master these exquisite sword techniques as fist arts. Why, then, would his energy flow backward in such a way?

He pondered endlessly. When practicing the “Eight-Armed Wind and Thunder Fist,” he had never experienced a qi backlash. Why did converting a sword art into a fist form harm his meridians? Could it be that he had not yet fully grasped the essence of the “Proud Sword Formula”?

Perplexed, Qi Fei resumed practicing the “Eight-Armed Wind and Thunder Fist.” Now, with mastery transforming his movements, his punches flowed like clouds and water, exuding the aura of a true martial artist.

After a thorough session, his energy showed no sign of reversal. He had clearly mastered the essentials of this fist art—so why couldn’t he use it as a basis to practice the sword techniques as fist moves?

Unconvinced, Qi Fei slowly circulated his energy and once again transformed a sword move from the Profound Heart Sword Sect into a fist force. Instantly, the qi surged back to his palm. Fortunately, he was prepared: a stream of energy within him met the returning force, and Qi Fei quickly used the “Mystic Heaven Heart Sutra” to guide the energy safely back to his dantian.

This time, not only were his meridians unharmed, but he also vaguely perceived the root of the problem.

Martial cultivation requires unwavering focus; not a trace of distraction can be allowed. Though he had resolved to adapt the Profound Heart Sword Sect’s sword techniques into fist arts, when practicing, he was too mindful of the sword’s original form. Lacking a sword in hand, a subtle hesitation crept in as he attempted to turn sword moves into fist strikes.

Suddenly understanding this crucial point, Qi Fei calmed his mind, ceasing to dwell on how to convert sword moves into fist arts, and began practicing the “Eight-Armed Wind and Thunder Fist” over and over again.

In the cave, Qi Fei immersed himself in relentless training, gradually entering a state of self-forgetfulness. He did not know how many times he had performed the one hundred and eight movements of the “Eight-Armed Wind and Thunder Fist,” when suddenly, his punch underwent a transformation. As though the set had spawned a hundred and ninth move, a thrusting punch—derived from one of the Profound Heart Sword Sect’s “Proud Sword Formula” sword techniques—burst forth from Qi Fei’s hand, fluid as flowing water.

The powerful, domineering punch now carried a chilling sword intent. The fierce wind of the fist tore through the air like a sharp blade, slicing in all directions. In an instant, the cave walls were scored with slender grooves, as if cut by sword qi.

He had done it. Qi Fei could not hide his joy as he slowly clenched his right fist, still savoring the wonder of transforming a sword technique into a fist art. Within the fierce punch was the chilling sword intent of the “Proud Sword Formula.” By a stroke of luck, Qi Fei had mastered, without a teacher, the art of turning a supreme sword technique into a formidable, domineering fist art.