Chapter 52
Demon Core
"Brother Duan, what should we do? Uncle Ma runs really fast!"
Liu Chunmei witnessed firsthand the cruelty of Ma Jiancheng after he went mad with evil spirits, and Wang Qingyan was so frightened that her face turned deathly pale.
If it weren't for Liu Chunmei forcibly dragging her along, she would have been scared out of her wits like a lump of mud by now.
As Ma Jiancheng approached, Duan Xuan glanced at the red rope that was still dozens of meters away, and lifted Liu Chunmei by the waist with his left hand.
He wrapped his right arm around Wang Qingyan's slender willow branch, simultaneously unleashing the power of both the Mountain-Breaking Fist and the Wolf-Subduing Skin techniques.
This widened the gap again, before Liu Chunmei and Wang Qingyan could blush or show any other shyness.
Duan Xuan spun around and used his strength to throw the two of them hard onto the treetop.
It can provide shelter from the rain while also preventing it from becoming a burden during combat.
The movement was executed in one smooth motion. Duan Xuan clenched his fist, his five fingers forming a cone shape, and struck out like a mountain-breaking cone.
With a muffled thud, two powerful forces created a ripple of red and white.
Duan Xuan staggered back three steps, feeling as if a lump of blood was stuck in his chest. He wanted to vomit, but forced it down.
"The aura that is so close to the Transformation Realm is terrifying!" Duan Xuan lowered his body and assumed a fist stance.
Ma Jiancheng, however, had lost his mind and become so insane that he no longer cared about any fighting techniques or stances.
All of them were attacks driven by instinct.
Theoretically speaking, Duan Xuan remained calm under pressure, and his moves flowed seamlessly together. His attack framework was also more solid.
However, Duan Jiancheng's qi and blood were too exaggerated, and every collision could forcibly offset the damage brought by Duan Xuan's fist wind.
It forcibly terminated the continuous force generated by his Mountain-Breaking Fist, preventing him from accumulating energy to improve his qi and blood.
"Chunmei, is this brother really capable of doing it?" Wang Qingyan's face flushed red and white, a mixture of shyness and fear.
"Don't worry, he's just as reliable as my Brother Zhao..."
Before he could finish speaking, Duan Xuan suddenly turned and ran away.
Liu Chunmei: "..."
The good news is that Ma Jiancheng exchanged blows with Duan Xuan twice and was also quite shaken by the sharp force of the Broken Mountain Fist.
At this moment, he had no time to care about the two Yin Yuan he had obtained, and roared as he chased after Duan Xuan in the pouring rain.
Liu Chunmei and her companion finally breathed a sigh of relief.
……
Duan Xuan glanced at Ma Jiancheng, who had been drawn to him from behind, and smirked as he silently began the countdown.
Ma Jiancheng's speed increased, and even Duan Xuan's repeated use of the Wolf Skin technique made it difficult for him to gain any further distance.
"Now!"
Ma Jiancheng's fist tore through the rain and slammed into the back of Duan Xuan's head.
Duan Xuan felt a chill run down his spine, as if he could sense the word "death," but he still trusted his judgment.
He leaped forward, his foot snapping a rope.
With a whoosh, two spiked sleeve darts suddenly shot out from the treetops on both sides.
puff puff!
Two sounds rang out, and the iron-tipped darts pierced Ma Jiancheng's head from the left and right.
With a thud, Ma Jiancheng fell to the ground.
Duan Xuan did not approach rashly, but took out a sharpened cone-shaped stone from the leather bag behind him.
Just as Duan Xuan was about to aim at Ma Jiancheng's skull, a scene that horrified him occurred.
Ma Jiancheng's qi and blood actually re-condensed, gathering at the top of his head in an extremely obvious and rapid manner.
With a soft "thud," the arrow that had already pierced his head was ejected from his body.
"How is that possible!"
"I'm about to reach the threshold of Transformation Realm, once I break through it."
I will be the strongest martial artist at the Transformation Realm; no one in this world will be stronger than me!
Ma Jiancheng's wet hair was tied back, and he tore his clothes, revealing his muscular physique.
Blood was still seeping from his head, but he completely ignored it, and on all fours, he pounced to Duan Xuan's side.
Duan Xuan had already suppressed the shock in his heart and assumed a fighting stance once again.
The first move, Mountain Splitting, was followed by three moves: Breaking the Soil, Opening the Stone, and Destroying the Wall, all delivered in one go, with the muscles in his fists acting like a perpetual motion machine.
The muffled thuds, coming from all directions, were louder than the drumbeats of a general going into battle.
However, Ma Jiancheng did not defend at all and was hit by Duan Xuan's thirty-three punches in a row.
He laughed wildly as if nothing had happened, even though he had been beaten bloody and his facial features were blurred.
He remained steadfast, like a solid mountain.
Duan Xuan immediately unleashed his third move, Peak Destruction. His own qi and blood finally gained a slight opening at this moment, allowing for a significant boost.
Ma Jiancheng raised an eyebrow. He had also noticed the unusual behavior of Duan Xuan and was no longer overconfident.
The demon-sealing technique drew his attention, and he launched a fierce attack on Duan Xuan as well.
As Duan Xuan broke through the peak, the Mountain-Breaking Fist stance was already formed.
The Mountain-Breaking Fist has now become primarily offensive, with little room for defense!
Push off with both feet. Using the energy and blood constantly generated by the ground, unleash a series of attacks, each punch stronger than the last.
The fist techniques were no longer fixed on the moves of the Mountain-Breaking Fist; in the blink of an eye, the two had exchanged dozens of punches.
Duan Xuan was covered in wounds, and blood splattered outwards mixed with rainwater.
From a distance, it's impossible to tell who is truly possessed by evil.
Ma Jiancheng's punches and kicks were still powerful, striking Duan Xuan and initially causing Duan Xuan to sway.
As Duan Xuan's energy and blood surged, the two actually fought back and forth.
After the first move, Raging Charge, Duan Xuan immediately followed up with the second move, Overlapping Waves.
The chaotic boxing stances suddenly became orderly again, and the punches were like ocean waves, one higher than the next.
Ma Jiancheng, who was being attacked, actually began to retreat, crossing his arms to defend himself.
He was indeed insane, but not stupid. He felt pain and fear, especially when facing an enemy whose energy was gradually increasing and catching up with him.
That aged heart, surprisingly, regained some clarity over the madness.
But Duan Xuan showed no sign of stopping, ending with a wave-like motion.
Duan Xuan felt his muscles and bones resonate, and his qi and blood began to return to their source.
The fists, which left afterimages, slowed down, and the ultimate offense and defense were cleverly transformed, neither defending nor attacking, but both attacking and defending!
Upon seeing this, Ma Jiancheng's inner demons assumed that Duan Xuan was depleted of qi and blood and lacked strength.
It actually overwhelmed Ma Jiancheng's clear-headed rationality after he had just broken free from his restraints, and he surged up again.
Duan Xuan was focused and had only one thought in his mind: there was a mountain in front of him, and he would break it with his fists.
Thus, this is the final move of the third move of the Mountain-Breaking Fist—Sole Supremacy!
Ma Jiancheng also used all his skills, and his leaps and bounds made Liu Chunmei and Wang Qingyan on the treetops feel as if they had seen a demon.
They even forgot to breathe.
Duan Xuan slowly lowered his right fist and placed it at his waist, his blood and qi condensing into strength.
Following the meridians, they all gathered on the right fist, where faint fist waves appeared and disappeared.
Although only masters of internal energy can condense their internal strength into an energy field.
However, it can also be achieved by combining internal strength with special techniques.
When the Qi and blood are abundant to a certain extent, condensing the Qi and blood can achieve a similar effect.
As soon as Ma Jiancheng launched his attack, Duan Xuan suddenly opened his eyes.
The energy and blood he accumulated from punch after punch made him no less powerful than Ma Jiancheng at his peak.
In other words, Duan Xuan briefly pushed his Qi and blood to the threshold of the Transformation Realm.
In an instant, the condensed qi and blood formed an invisible fist-shaped cone that could "open up mountains and sculpt water."
boom!
Duan Xuan unleashed this punch, the rain curtain parted, the white mist became menacing, and the airflow generated by the surrounding gale was diverted.
His punches, though delivered later, arrived first.
boom!
The torrential rain seemed to stop at that moment, and Duan Xuan's fist struck Ma Jiancheng's heart.
As Duan Xuan channeled his hidden energy.
The stalemate lasted for three seconds, and then the hidden energy in Ma Jiancheng's body suddenly erupted.
Ma Jiancheng flew like a kite with a broken string, leaving a blood-red parabola as he flew more than ten meters away.
"Cough cough!" This time, Ma Jiancheng's vital energy was completely depleted, with no signs of recovery.
He lay on the ground, watching as Duan Xuan carried his young mistress to the tree, taking her further and further away from him.
"Miss Wang, Ma Jiancheng has offended you greatly and has frightened you."
Liu Chunmei hid next to Duan Xuan, and Wang Qingyan didn't dare to take a step closer. The three of them were about to leave.
Ma Jiancheng suddenly said, "Brother, I implore you, in the future, if you can help the Fourth Madam of the Wang family just once, I'm begging you."
Duan Xuan naturally wouldn't agree. He had no interest in the conflicts between large families and didn't want to get involved.
"I can give you a demon core. It's the inner core of a demon beast!"
Seeing Duan Xuan pause, Ma Jiancheng knew he had the right to negotiate: "I have lived in these deep mountains and forests for more than ten years."
He came here initially because he was tired of the world's strife, hoping to break through to the next level of internal strength while still possessing hidden strength.
However, during the years I stayed at home, I discovered that the Ten Thousand Mountains were far more complex than people described.
There are indeed monsters in the mountains, demons and monsters, mountain spirits and ghosts. I did not see them, but I did see those monsters with my own eyes.
I know you probably don't believe me and think it's too far-fetched.
But just now, my head was clearly pierced by your iron arrow, yet I forced it out and I didn't die.
Do you think this is a coincidence?
This is not a coincidence, nor is it because I have cultivated any special techniques; rather, it is because I once absorbed the power of that demon core.
It strengthened my physical body and regenerative abilities.
After pursuing the transformation of internal energy for so many years, I can say with certainty one thing.
To break through the threshold of the Core Formation Realm, one must rely on a demon core.
It's not that the demon core contains a high amount of blood and qi, but rather that it can provide all the nutrients needed for the Core Formation Realm, including spiritual power, physical body, and so on.
Similarly, demon cores can also cause people to go astray and become possessed.
But without top-tier cultivation techniques, top-tier resources, and the support of top-tier forces, we are all in the same boat and must take risks by relying on demon cores.
As long as you are not blinded by power, you will not go astray...
After saying so much in one breath, Ma Jiancheng's breathing became weaker and weaker, and he coughed repeatedly.
In that situation, even if a master at the Core Formation Realm came, there would be no chance of survival if Iron Head pierced through the skull.
But Ma Jiancheng survived.
Furthermore, Duan Xuan noticed those three words—"Embracing the Core Realm"!
This was a realm he had never heard of before, clearly above the Transformation Realm.
So, those who reach the Core Formation Realm aren't embracing a martial artist's inner core, but rather a demon's core?
"I have spent half my life in the realm of perfection, but I have never been able to step into it."
May you, young man, successfully advance to the Transformation Realm.
Please take a look at that Core Formation Realm cultivator who is above the Transformation Realm.
"At the same time, I am willing to exchange a demon core for just one act of service for my master, young friend!"
Duan Xuan fell into a deep silence.
"The demon core and the monster's hide are buried under the thatched hut. Take them all."
And I have a great gift for you: I hope you will advance step by step on the path of martial arts, ultimately reaching the pinnacle.
……
Liu Chunmei witnessed firsthand the cruelty of Ma Jiancheng after he went mad with evil spirits, and Wang Qingyan was so frightened that her face turned deathly pale.
If it weren't for Liu Chunmei forcibly dragging her along, she would have been scared out of her wits like a lump of mud by now.
As Ma Jiancheng approached, Duan Xuan glanced at the red rope that was still dozens of meters away, and lifted Liu Chunmei by the waist with his left hand.
He wrapped his right arm around Wang Qingyan's slender willow branch, simultaneously unleashing the power of both the Mountain-Breaking Fist and the Wolf-Subduing Skin techniques.
This widened the gap again, before Liu Chunmei and Wang Qingyan could blush or show any other shyness.
Duan Xuan spun around and used his strength to throw the two of them hard onto the treetop.
It can provide shelter from the rain while also preventing it from becoming a burden during combat.
The movement was executed in one smooth motion. Duan Xuan clenched his fist, his five fingers forming a cone shape, and struck out like a mountain-breaking cone.
With a muffled thud, two powerful forces created a ripple of red and white.
Duan Xuan staggered back three steps, feeling as if a lump of blood was stuck in his chest. He wanted to vomit, but forced it down.
"The aura that is so close to the Transformation Realm is terrifying!" Duan Xuan lowered his body and assumed a fist stance.
Ma Jiancheng, however, had lost his mind and become so insane that he no longer cared about any fighting techniques or stances.
All of them were attacks driven by instinct.
Theoretically speaking, Duan Xuan remained calm under pressure, and his moves flowed seamlessly together. His attack framework was also more solid.
However, Duan Jiancheng's qi and blood were too exaggerated, and every collision could forcibly offset the damage brought by Duan Xuan's fist wind.
It forcibly terminated the continuous force generated by his Mountain-Breaking Fist, preventing him from accumulating energy to improve his qi and blood.
"Chunmei, is this brother really capable of doing it?" Wang Qingyan's face flushed red and white, a mixture of shyness and fear.
"Don't worry, he's just as reliable as my Brother Zhao..."
Before he could finish speaking, Duan Xuan suddenly turned and ran away.
Liu Chunmei: "..."
The good news is that Ma Jiancheng exchanged blows with Duan Xuan twice and was also quite shaken by the sharp force of the Broken Mountain Fist.
At this moment, he had no time to care about the two Yin Yuan he had obtained, and roared as he chased after Duan Xuan in the pouring rain.
Liu Chunmei and her companion finally breathed a sigh of relief.
……
Duan Xuan glanced at Ma Jiancheng, who had been drawn to him from behind, and smirked as he silently began the countdown.
Ma Jiancheng's speed increased, and even Duan Xuan's repeated use of the Wolf Skin technique made it difficult for him to gain any further distance.
"Now!"
Ma Jiancheng's fist tore through the rain and slammed into the back of Duan Xuan's head.
Duan Xuan felt a chill run down his spine, as if he could sense the word "death," but he still trusted his judgment.
He leaped forward, his foot snapping a rope.
With a whoosh, two spiked sleeve darts suddenly shot out from the treetops on both sides.
puff puff!
Two sounds rang out, and the iron-tipped darts pierced Ma Jiancheng's head from the left and right.
With a thud, Ma Jiancheng fell to the ground.
Duan Xuan did not approach rashly, but took out a sharpened cone-shaped stone from the leather bag behind him.
Just as Duan Xuan was about to aim at Ma Jiancheng's skull, a scene that horrified him occurred.
Ma Jiancheng's qi and blood actually re-condensed, gathering at the top of his head in an extremely obvious and rapid manner.
With a soft "thud," the arrow that had already pierced his head was ejected from his body.
"How is that possible!"
"I'm about to reach the threshold of Transformation Realm, once I break through it."
I will be the strongest martial artist at the Transformation Realm; no one in this world will be stronger than me!
Ma Jiancheng's wet hair was tied back, and he tore his clothes, revealing his muscular physique.
Blood was still seeping from his head, but he completely ignored it, and on all fours, he pounced to Duan Xuan's side.
Duan Xuan had already suppressed the shock in his heart and assumed a fighting stance once again.
The first move, Mountain Splitting, was followed by three moves: Breaking the Soil, Opening the Stone, and Destroying the Wall, all delivered in one go, with the muscles in his fists acting like a perpetual motion machine.
The muffled thuds, coming from all directions, were louder than the drumbeats of a general going into battle.
However, Ma Jiancheng did not defend at all and was hit by Duan Xuan's thirty-three punches in a row.
He laughed wildly as if nothing had happened, even though he had been beaten bloody and his facial features were blurred.
He remained steadfast, like a solid mountain.
Duan Xuan immediately unleashed his third move, Peak Destruction. His own qi and blood finally gained a slight opening at this moment, allowing for a significant boost.
Ma Jiancheng raised an eyebrow. He had also noticed the unusual behavior of Duan Xuan and was no longer overconfident.
The demon-sealing technique drew his attention, and he launched a fierce attack on Duan Xuan as well.
As Duan Xuan broke through the peak, the Mountain-Breaking Fist stance was already formed.
The Mountain-Breaking Fist has now become primarily offensive, with little room for defense!
Push off with both feet. Using the energy and blood constantly generated by the ground, unleash a series of attacks, each punch stronger than the last.
The fist techniques were no longer fixed on the moves of the Mountain-Breaking Fist; in the blink of an eye, the two had exchanged dozens of punches.
Duan Xuan was covered in wounds, and blood splattered outwards mixed with rainwater.
From a distance, it's impossible to tell who is truly possessed by evil.
Ma Jiancheng's punches and kicks were still powerful, striking Duan Xuan and initially causing Duan Xuan to sway.
As Duan Xuan's energy and blood surged, the two actually fought back and forth.
After the first move, Raging Charge, Duan Xuan immediately followed up with the second move, Overlapping Waves.
The chaotic boxing stances suddenly became orderly again, and the punches were like ocean waves, one higher than the next.
Ma Jiancheng, who was being attacked, actually began to retreat, crossing his arms to defend himself.
He was indeed insane, but not stupid. He felt pain and fear, especially when facing an enemy whose energy was gradually increasing and catching up with him.
That aged heart, surprisingly, regained some clarity over the madness.
But Duan Xuan showed no sign of stopping, ending with a wave-like motion.
Duan Xuan felt his muscles and bones resonate, and his qi and blood began to return to their source.
The fists, which left afterimages, slowed down, and the ultimate offense and defense were cleverly transformed, neither defending nor attacking, but both attacking and defending!
Upon seeing this, Ma Jiancheng's inner demons assumed that Duan Xuan was depleted of qi and blood and lacked strength.
It actually overwhelmed Ma Jiancheng's clear-headed rationality after he had just broken free from his restraints, and he surged up again.
Duan Xuan was focused and had only one thought in his mind: there was a mountain in front of him, and he would break it with his fists.
Thus, this is the final move of the third move of the Mountain-Breaking Fist—Sole Supremacy!
Ma Jiancheng also used all his skills, and his leaps and bounds made Liu Chunmei and Wang Qingyan on the treetops feel as if they had seen a demon.
They even forgot to breathe.
Duan Xuan slowly lowered his right fist and placed it at his waist, his blood and qi condensing into strength.
Following the meridians, they all gathered on the right fist, where faint fist waves appeared and disappeared.
Although only masters of internal energy can condense their internal strength into an energy field.
However, it can also be achieved by combining internal strength with special techniques.
When the Qi and blood are abundant to a certain extent, condensing the Qi and blood can achieve a similar effect.
As soon as Ma Jiancheng launched his attack, Duan Xuan suddenly opened his eyes.
The energy and blood he accumulated from punch after punch made him no less powerful than Ma Jiancheng at his peak.
In other words, Duan Xuan briefly pushed his Qi and blood to the threshold of the Transformation Realm.
In an instant, the condensed qi and blood formed an invisible fist-shaped cone that could "open up mountains and sculpt water."
boom!
Duan Xuan unleashed this punch, the rain curtain parted, the white mist became menacing, and the airflow generated by the surrounding gale was diverted.
His punches, though delivered later, arrived first.
boom!
The torrential rain seemed to stop at that moment, and Duan Xuan's fist struck Ma Jiancheng's heart.
As Duan Xuan channeled his hidden energy.
The stalemate lasted for three seconds, and then the hidden energy in Ma Jiancheng's body suddenly erupted.
Ma Jiancheng flew like a kite with a broken string, leaving a blood-red parabola as he flew more than ten meters away.
"Cough cough!" This time, Ma Jiancheng's vital energy was completely depleted, with no signs of recovery.
He lay on the ground, watching as Duan Xuan carried his young mistress to the tree, taking her further and further away from him.
"Miss Wang, Ma Jiancheng has offended you greatly and has frightened you."
Liu Chunmei hid next to Duan Xuan, and Wang Qingyan didn't dare to take a step closer. The three of them were about to leave.
Ma Jiancheng suddenly said, "Brother, I implore you, in the future, if you can help the Fourth Madam of the Wang family just once, I'm begging you."
Duan Xuan naturally wouldn't agree. He had no interest in the conflicts between large families and didn't want to get involved.
"I can give you a demon core. It's the inner core of a demon beast!"
Seeing Duan Xuan pause, Ma Jiancheng knew he had the right to negotiate: "I have lived in these deep mountains and forests for more than ten years."
He came here initially because he was tired of the world's strife, hoping to break through to the next level of internal strength while still possessing hidden strength.
However, during the years I stayed at home, I discovered that the Ten Thousand Mountains were far more complex than people described.
There are indeed monsters in the mountains, demons and monsters, mountain spirits and ghosts. I did not see them, but I did see those monsters with my own eyes.
I know you probably don't believe me and think it's too far-fetched.
But just now, my head was clearly pierced by your iron arrow, yet I forced it out and I didn't die.
Do you think this is a coincidence?
This is not a coincidence, nor is it because I have cultivated any special techniques; rather, it is because I once absorbed the power of that demon core.
It strengthened my physical body and regenerative abilities.
After pursuing the transformation of internal energy for so many years, I can say with certainty one thing.
To break through the threshold of the Core Formation Realm, one must rely on a demon core.
It's not that the demon core contains a high amount of blood and qi, but rather that it can provide all the nutrients needed for the Core Formation Realm, including spiritual power, physical body, and so on.
Similarly, demon cores can also cause people to go astray and become possessed.
But without top-tier cultivation techniques, top-tier resources, and the support of top-tier forces, we are all in the same boat and must take risks by relying on demon cores.
As long as you are not blinded by power, you will not go astray...
After saying so much in one breath, Ma Jiancheng's breathing became weaker and weaker, and he coughed repeatedly.
In that situation, even if a master at the Core Formation Realm came, there would be no chance of survival if Iron Head pierced through the skull.
But Ma Jiancheng survived.
Furthermore, Duan Xuan noticed those three words—"Embracing the Core Realm"!
This was a realm he had never heard of before, clearly above the Transformation Realm.
So, those who reach the Core Formation Realm aren't embracing a martial artist's inner core, but rather a demon's core?
"I have spent half my life in the realm of perfection, but I have never been able to step into it."
May you, young man, successfully advance to the Transformation Realm.
Please take a look at that Core Formation Realm cultivator who is above the Transformation Realm.
"At the same time, I am willing to exchange a demon core for just one act of service for my master, young friend!"
Duan Xuan fell into a deep silence.
"The demon core and the monster's hide are buried under the thatched hut. Take them all."
And I have a great gift for you: I hope you will advance step by step on the path of martial arts, ultimately reaching the pinnacle.
……