Cyclebreaker: Rise of the Martial Emperor

Chapter 48 – Inevitable fate

Through the aura emanating from his Vital Meridians, Luo Xiu sensed that this Outer Sect Elder was slightly weaker than Lu Feichen and Zhao Qiyuan, likely at the early stage of the Spirit Refining Realm, though he couldn't pinpoint the exact layer.

The nine layers of a major realm are meticulously divided: layers one to three are the early stage, four to six the middle stage, and seven to nine the late stage, with the ninth layer peak following.

Transitions from the third to the fourth layer, the sixth to the seventh, and the ninth to the ninth layer peak are significant milestones, with considerable differences in strength.

In the Qi Sea Realm, the third layer is similar to the first and second layers with Mist-Form True Qi, but the True Qi is more robust. Once one steps into the fourth layer, the Mist-Form True Qi transforms into a liquid state, marking a qualitative leap!

Thus, the fourth layer of the Qi Sea Realm is considered the middle stage, while the third layer is merely the peak of the early stage!

Martial Grandmasters are rare in Yunlong Prefecture, but in the Free Spirit Outer Sect, they are not uncommon; any Outer Sect Elder is a Martial Grandmaster at the Spirit Refining Realm.

A powerhouse like Sect Leader Lu Feichen, at the ninth layer peak of the Spirit Refining Realm, is even hailed as a Martial Grandmaster!

As for the Free Spirit Inner Sect, Luo Xiu had occasionally heard Lu Mengyao mention it. It's said that every Inner Sect disciple is at the Innate Realm, Protectors are at the Spirit Refining Realm, and only those who reign supreme in Martial Dao can become Elders.

The teaching Elder spoke about techniques related to Martial Techniques, tips for Internal Cultivation, and various taboos.

As a Martial Grandmaster at the Spirit Refining Realm, the elder had extensive experience, also sharing defensive and survival techniques for battling Demonic Beasts.

Most Outer Sect disciples are relatively young, and these foundational techniques are practical. If they can grasp them, they can better preserve their lives during future training and trials.

After the teaching Elder finished and left, Lu Mengyao also prepared to head back.

"I reached the Qi Sea Realm four years ago, but due to the Severed Fire Yang Meridian, I couldn't continue to advance. Now that the Severed Fire Yang Meridian is gone, it's time for me to train hard," Lu Mengyao said with a smile, winking playfully at Luo Xiu. "I'm older than you, so my cultivation can't fall behind yours."

Lu Mengyao had never revealed her cultivation level in front of Luo Xiu, but for Luo Xiu, who could see the aura of Vital Meridians, her cultivation was no secret.

Qi Sea, fifth layer!

That was Lu Mengyao's cultivation level.

She was now twenty-one years old, and according to the rules of the Free Spirit Sect, if she couldn't break through to the Innate Realm by twenty-five, she would never have the chance to enter the Inner Sect and learn more advanced martial arts.

However, since her father was the Outer Sect Leader, as long as she reached the required cultivation level, she could choose any martial art from the Free Spirit Pavilion.

Luo Xiu had heard some stories about Lu Mengyao's past in the Outer Sect. It seemed she reached the Qi Sea Realm at ten, the seventh layer at thirteen, and the ninth layer at eighteen!

Such a training speed made her a Proud Daughter of Heaven!

But the appearance of the Severed Fire Yang Meridian caused her to plummet, her cultivation regressing to the second layer of the Qi Sea Realm.

For some reason, she left Yunlong Prefecture Capital and lived in the Qingyun Martial Hall for four years.

As for the reason behind this, Lu Mengyao never spoke of it, and Luo Xiu never asked.

On the way back, two young men blocked Luo Xiu's path. They appeared to be around twenty years old, with unfriendly expressions.

"Are you Luo Xiu? The top scorer in the Entry Assessment?" asked a young man in black. Though his words were polite, his tone was filled with disdain and provocation.

Luo Xiu frowned slightly, "What do you want with me?"

Not far away, another young man in white, with an arrogant demeanor, didn't even glance at Luo Xiu, as if he were beneath notice.

"It's nothing much, just here to tell you not to get too close to Miss Lu in the future," the young man in black said with a smile.

Hearing this, Luo Xiu's expression remained indifferent. As he had anticipated, because of Mengyao, he was bound to become a target in the Outer Sect.

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He had just emerged from a period of secluded cultivation, and trouble had already come knocking.

"My affairs are none of your concern," Luo Xiu replied expressionlessly.

Like the Martial Hall, the Free Spirit Outer Sect also didn't prohibit disciples from fighting. It was normal for the strong to bully the weak.

If there was a deep-seated grudge, one could apply to fight on the Life-and-Death Battle Platform, with an Outer Sect Steward as the arbiter. Even if one killed the opponent, there would be no repercussions.

"You're quite arrogant," the young man in black said, his smile fading, replaced by a cold expression. "Don't think being the top scorer in the Entry Assessment is impressive. A mere second layer of the Qi Sea Realm is nothing in the Free Spirit Outer Sect."

Luo Xiu's face turned cold as he retorted, "And you're just a mere sixth layer of the Qi Sea Realm, nothing special in the Free Spirit Outer Sect either."

Through the aura of Vital Meridians, Luo Xiu could easily discern that the young man in black was at the sixth layer of the Qi Sea Realm.

For other martial artists at the early stage of the Qi Sea Realm, the sixth layer might seem insurmountable, but Luo Xiu wasn't concerned. He had already slain a seventh-layer opponent from the Free Spirit Outer Sect when he first broke through to the Qi Sea Realm!

Moreover, his cultivation had now advanced to the third layer of the Qi Sea Realm, and his Martial Techniques and Movement Techniques had improved significantly, so he naturally didn't regard a sixth-layer opponent as a threat.

"Are you looking for death?" The young man in black's face darkened. "Do you really think you can look down on a sixth layer just because you're at the second layer? Believe me, I can easily cripple you."

"Jiang Dongqing, there's no need to waste words with him. Just take him down," the young man in white, referred to as 'Young Master Yun,' suddenly said.

"Don't worry, Young Master Yun, I'll handle it right away!" The young man in black responded with a smile, and the white-clad youth nodded in satisfaction.

"Thunderburst Fist!"

In an instant, the young man in black, named Jiang Dongqing, made his move. A powerful, explosive aura erupted from him.

Jiang Dongqing executed a fifth-grade fist technique, his True Qi seemingly forming arcs of lightning, with the air crackling from the force.

"Get lost!"

Luo Xiu's hand moved in an instant, the special force technique of the Swift Sword Art allowing him to strike with incredible speed.

"Smack!"

A loud slap echoed as Jiang Dongqing, still in his punching stance, was sent spinning through the air by Luo Xiu's slap.

"What speed! Is he really the top scorer in this year's Entry Assessment, Luo Xiu? Truly living up to his reputation!"

Nearby, other Outer Sect disciples stopped to watch, whispering among themselves.

The white-clad youth, 'Young Master Yun,' was also taken aback, his expression souring. He had assumed that Luo Xiu, being a newcomer at the second layer of the Qi Sea Realm, would be easily dealt with by Jiang Dongqing at the sixth layer. He hadn't expected such an outcome.

After slapping Jiang Dongqing away, Luo Xiu's expression remained unchanged as he continued walking forward.

"Stop right there!" the white-clad youth shouted angrily.

However, Luo Xiu ignored him completely, showing no intention of stopping.

"Clang!"

A bright Sword Light appeared as the white-clad youth, enraged by Luo Xiu's disregard, attacked, his True Qi forming a Sword Radiance that enveloped Luo Xiu.

"Soaring Dragon Stance!"

Luo Xiu sidestepped, leaving an afterimage in his place, then launched a double-fisted attack, like a dragon soaring to the heavens, his True Qi surging like crashing waves.

The white-clad youth raised an eyebrow, surprised by Luo Xiu's formidable Movement Technique and Martial Technique despite being at the second layer of the Qi Sea Realm.

He gathered True Qi in his left hand and struck with a palm. After their fists and palms collided, the white-clad youth involuntarily took several steps back.

"Wow! Is this guy a monster? He managed to force Lin Jingyun to retreat several steps?"

"I heard he was at the second layer of the Qi Sea Realm during the Entry Assessment, but the True Qi fluctuation he just displayed is already at the third layer. But even at the third layer, he shouldn't be this powerful, right?"

"Lin Jingyun is at the seventh layer of the Qi Sea Realm, and his Water Moon Sword Technique has reached the Mastery Realm, perfected to an extraordinary level!"

The onlookers whispered among themselves. Anyone could see that Luo Xiu was at the third layer of the Qi Sea Realm, but Lin Jingyun was at the seventh layer. By all rights, even a dozen third-layer practitioners shouldn't be a match for Lin Jingyun, yet Luo Xiu had forced him to retreat. It was hard to believe without witnessing it firsthand.

Hearing the other Outer Sect disciples' discussions, Lin Jingyun's face turned grim. Among the many disciples of the Free Spirit Outer Sect, he was considered somewhat renowned, and being forced to retreat by Luo Xiu made him feel humiliated.

At this moment, Jiang Dongqing, who had been slapped away by Luo Xiu, returned, his face dark and filled with venomous resentment.

The two had come intending to teach Luo Xiu a lesson, to make him stay away from Lu Mengyao, but instead, they were the ones humiliated.

"What? One isn't enough, so you're going to gang up on me?" Luo Xiu sneered.

"Kid, I'm going to kill you!" Jiang Dongqing roared, charging at Luo Xiu with True Qi glowing around him, his punch fierce like a tiger or dragon!

He kept his eyes on Luo Xiu's hands, knowing from the previous encounter that Luo Xiu struck quickly, so he was prepared this time.

But before he could get close to Luo Xiu, a powerful force struck his chest.

"What... I clearly saw he didn't move..."

Jiang Dongqing's body was sent flying again, his eyes wide with disbelief, blood spurting from his mouth as he fell backward.

Only then did he realize that Luo Xiu hadn't moved his hands but had kicked him instead.

"In the world of martial arts, nothing is unbreakable, only speed is unbeatable. Luo Xiu's strength lies not only in his speed but also in his ability to spot Jiang Dongqing's openings and strike decisively!"

"Jiang Dongqing really picked the wrong person to mess with. Of all people, he had to provoke Luo Xiu. A sixth layer of the Qi Sea Realm ending up like this is utterly disgraceful."

Hearing the comments, Jiang Dongqing's face turned beet red, and he fainted from anger.

"Boom!"

At that moment, Lin Jingyun's aura erupted, icy and fierce. "Luo, I'm going to make you wish you were dead!"

Although the Outer Sect had rules against killing fellow disciples, crippling someone only resulted in minor punishment.

With this in mind, Lin Jingyun felt confident, truly harboring malicious intent.

"You talk too much," Luo Xiu said dismissively.

"I challenge you to a duel on the Life-and-Death Battle Platform. Do you dare?"

Lin Jingyun was thoroughly provoked by Luo Xiu, shouting his challenge on the spot.

"Are you sure you want to face me on the Life-and-Death Battle Platform?" Luo Xiu's eyes narrowed.

The Life-and-Death Battle Platform was a place for Free Spirit Outer Sect disciples to settle personal grudges. Once on the platform, unless one opponent spared the other, one would inevitably fall!

Clearly, Lin Jingyun's words revealed his intent to kill.

For someone who wanted to kill him, Luo Xiu naturally harbored the same intent. Otherwise, it would be like letting a tiger return to the mountain, leaving endless troubles.

He understood well that in a world where the strong ruled, there was no room for mercy.

"Do you dare?" Lin Jingyun's aura was oppressive.

"Why wouldn't I dare..." Luo Xiu agreed readily, without hesitation.

Ever since Elder Zhao Qiyuan told him that he must become the top of the Outer Sect before turning eighteen to be worthy of Lu Mengyao, Luo Xiu knew that his days of cultivation in the Free Spirit Outer Sect would inevitably involve many battles.

True strength isn't achieved through secluded cultivation alone but is forged through battle after battle!

This is the unavoidable fate of anyone who wishes to become a true powerhouse...