Cyclebreaker: Rise of the Martial Emperor

Chapter 6 – Brutally Beat the Blackstone Tablet

A disdainful and indifferent voice came through as a young man in a white shirt walked over and stood beside Liu Yuxin.

Luo Xiu noticed the unfriendly look in the young man's eyes as he gazed at him.

"Do I know you?" Luo Xiu frowned.

The young man in white snorted coldly, his face full of arrogance, "Of course, you don't know me, because you're not even qualified to know me!"

"If I don't know you, and you come up to me saying I'm ungrateful, who do you think you are?" Luo Xiu sneered.

"Hmm?" A sharp coldness flashed in the young man's eyes, but then a playful smile appeared on his lips, "No wonder a lowly commoner like you dares to oppose the Zhang brothers, you really have guts."

"But I advise you to understand your place. Yuxin could never have any connection with a commoner like you." The young man's tone was firm, his gaze sharp, carrying a threatening implication.

Luo Xiu glanced at Liu Yuxin. This woman was beautiful, and if he were to be honest, his infatuation and admiration for Liu Yuxin were more about appreciating something beautiful.

Having acquired the Life and Death Pearl, Luo Xiu believed that his future achievements would not be limited to a small place like Qingyun City. After experiencing various events, he realized that without strong power, everything in this world was illusory.

Therefore, what Luo Xiu wanted to pursue was the ultimate Martial Dao. With enough power, what kind of woman couldn't he have?

Moreover, the young man in white was aggressive and disdainful, and Liu Yuxin's silence—did it mean she actually thought the same way?

"Xu Fei, stop talking." Liu Yuxin frowned and said, "Luo Xiu is someone who has helped me, and I won't allow you to speak about him like that."

Then she looked at Luo Xiu, "If you can't pass the assessment in three months, I've written a letter of introduction for you. Take it to the Liu Clan, and someone will arrange things for you."

As she spoke, she took out a delicate letter from her sleeve and handed it to Luo Xiu.

Luo Xiu chuckled silently. She was the daughter of the Liu Clan, and if he went to her family to work as a guard or servant, it would be a form of rejection, making him aware of the difference in their status.

From the look in Liu Yuxin's eyes, Luo Xiu could discern some hidden meanings.

"No need, thank you for your kindness." Luo Xiu refused without hesitation, pointing to the three martial arts manuals in his arms, "I need to go back and train, farewell."

With that, he turned and walked toward the Library Pavilion's entrance without looking back.

Liu Yuxin was slightly stunned, her beautiful eyes flashing with a hint of thought.

The young man in white, Xu Fei, snorted disdainfully, "Yuxin, why bother with such a commoner?"

Liu Yuxin shook her head, "Perhaps what I did hurt his self-esteem."

"Self-esteem?" Xu Fei scoffed even more, "Does a worthless commoner even have the right to talk about self-esteem?"

After registering with the elder guarding the Library Pavilion, Luo Xiu left the place with three martial arts manuals in his arms.

***

"In three months, it's the annual assessment. Students aged fourteen and seventeen must take the test, and those who fail will be expelled from the Martial Hall."

In his room, Luo Xiu calmed his mind, visualizing the Vital Meridians Diagram in his mind, deducing the Muscle and Bone Refining Art.

The first thing he needed to do was to improve and enhance this Grade-Two cultivation method.

After two days, Luo Xiu finally completed the improvement of the Muscle and Bone Refining Art, reaching its limit with no further enhancement possible.

Then Luo Xiu began to practice according to the improved method. Heaven and Earth Yuan Qi gathered around his body, forming a hazy white mist. Once the Yuan Qi entered his body, Luo Xiu felt his soul tremble. Under the influence of the Life and Death Pearl, the absorbed Yuan Qi was transformed into Life and Death Extremes Qi.

The Body Refining stages four to six involve refining muscles and bones. By integrating the Life and Death Extremes Qi into the muscles and bones, it strengthens them while also storing inner Qi, which can be freely utilized in battle.

Thus, the higher the cultivation of a Martial Apprentice in the Body Refining Realm, the more profound their inner Qi, and the stronger their power.

***

Time flies during cultivation, and this retreat far exceeded the previous one, quickly passing a month.

Previously, in just a few days, he had broken through from Body Refining level two to level four, but now his cultivation speed began to slow down.

On one hand, the higher the cultivation, the harder it is to improve. On the other hand, unlike the disciples from prestigious families, Luo Xiu didn't have superior cultivation conditions.

Slowly opening his eyes, Luo Xiu sensed his cultivation and pondered, "After a month, I've finally reached Body Refining level five. If I had access to pills and formations like those family disciples, I could have at least reached Body Refining level six in a month!

With my cultivation improved, next is martial techniques and movement techniques!"

Luo Xiu got off the bed and began practicing the Grade-Two martial art, Dragon-Tiger Fist, in his room. The fierce wind from his fists seemed to echo with the roar of dragons and tigers, far more powerful than the Wild Ox Fist he practiced before.

But Luo Xiu was not satisfied. In his mind, he visualized the Vital Meridians Diagram, further enhancing this martial technique.

The Life and Death Extremes Qi circulated through his skin and muscles, the mysteries of life and the terror of death containing profound truths, imprinting on his body and soul, creating a wondrous feeling.

"Roar!"

Luo Xiu's body moved like a tiger pouncing on its prey, a hazy black light rising on his skin, deathly aura permeating, as if he had truly transformed into a tiger, ready to tear his target to pieces.

"Bang!"

The wooden table in the room couldn't withstand the force and shattered instantly, splinters flying everywhere.

Luo Xiu stopped, seeing a dented fist mark on the wall, surrounded by small cracks.

It's worth noting that the buildings in the Martial Hall are constructed from solid rock, and without the strength of Body Refining level seven, they cannot be damaged.

"What power!"

Luo Xiu looked at the fist mark and cracks on the wall, his face full of excitement. This effect could definitely rival the power of a Grade-Three martial technique.

"The Dragon-Tiger Fist consists of the Tiger Stance and the Soaring Dragon Stance, with the Soaring Dragon Stance being even more powerful than the Tiger Stance. I wonder what effect it can achieve?"

With this thought, Luo Xiu opened the door and headed to the Martial Practice Field. Besides martial techniques, he also needed to practice the Inch Step Movement Technique, as the room was too small.

***

"Bang! Bang! Bang!..."

In the Blackstone Region of the Martial Practice Field, a black-clad youth was swinging his fists in front of a black tablet. Each punch landed with a dull thud, leaving shallow dents.

The black tablets here were made from a material called Blackstone, which was very sturdy. Only Martial Apprentices above Body Refining level six could leave marks on it.

Moreover, Blackstone had a unique property of self-repair, so even though it appeared pitted now, it would become smooth again in a few hours.

"Brother Zhao Liang is amazing, truly a master of the intermediate class!"

"I wish I had such strength too."

Nearby, a few infatuated girls occasionally let out exclamations and cheers.

Luo Xiu had also heard of this black-clad youth named Zhao Liang, a student of the intermediate class. He came from a wealthy family and was the same age as Luo Xiu, but he had already advanced to the intermediate class last year, with hopes of reaching Body Refining level eight before seventeen and moving to the advanced class.

Those who advanced to the advanced class were the elites of Qingyun City's Martial Hall, receiving focused training, the dream of every student entering the Martial Hall.

There were many tablets in the Blackstone Region, and Luo Xiu chose one that was not in use and walked over.

However, his arrival drew some attention.

"Who is that guy, coming to the Blackstone Region to train? Could he be a master of the intermediate class?"

Someone pointed at Luo Xiu, as usually, only Martial Apprentices above Body Refining level six came here to train.

"That guy seems to be from the beginner class. I heard he recently made quite a name for himself, even fought two intermediate class students at the Library Pavilion."

"What? A beginner class guy fought intermediate class students?" Some who hadn't heard of Luo Xiu were filled with curiosity.

"Hmph, without the strength of Body Refining level six, it's impossible to leave any mark on the Blackstone. Does he really think beating two Body Refining level five students makes him a master?"

Some people looked at Luo Xiu with mocking disdain.

The discussions also reached Zhao Liang, who was practicing his punches. He glanced over at Luo Xiu.

"The Blackstone Region isn't a place for beginner class trash." Zhao Liang said arrogantly, without any courtesy.

Luo Xiu was unfazed, throwing a punch at the Blackstone tablet in front of him.

"This guy, so clueless, let's see how he embarrasses himself!"

"Yeah, yeah, does he think he's a master like Brother Zhao Liang?"

"Bang!"

The fist collided with the Blackstone tablet, the punch powerful and heavy, yet Luo Xiu didn't use any martial technique or inner Qi enhancement.

A shallow dent appeared on the tablet, similar to the marks Zhao Liang had left.

Luo Xiu nodded to himself. Since merging with the Life and Death Pearl, not only had his cultivation improved rapidly, but his physical qualities seemed to undergo a transformation, with his raw physical strength comparable to Body Refining level six.

Meanwhile, those who were ready to see him embarrass himself and mock Luo Xiu were suddenly silenced, their laughter frozen.

Zhao Liang also frowned. A beginner class waste in his eyes could achieve the same level as him, which made him feel embarrassed.

"He must have pushed his inner Qi to the limit and used a fist technique to leave a mark on the Blackstone tablet."

"Yes, I think so too. Otherwise, how could a beginner class kid achieve this? Right, Brother Zhao Liang?"

Hearing someone ask him, Zhao Liang, with his hands behind his back, assumed the posture of a master instructing others, "You're right. Even I need inner Qi enhancement to leave a mark on the Blackstone tablet."

"Brother Zhao Liang said so, so Luo Xiu must have used martial techniques to achieve this effect."

"Using martial techniques, what a disgrace!"

But before they finished speaking, Luo Xiu punched the Blackstone tablet again, this time using the Life and Death Extremes Qi.

"Boom!"

This punch was powerful, causing the originally stable Blackstone tablet to shake.

Everyone focused their eyes...

Proofreader & Editor: Peter Pan