Closed-Door Training

Lili, Luli, and Sun Yan turned ashen, while only Wang Zhong and the earlier Li Mingda remained unfazed—though the latter's indifference stemmed purely from his lack of comprehension;

I suspected that Li Mingda was utterly oblivious to his condition. Gu Lengzhai suddenly shouted, "Did you not promise to tell me how to avoid becoming like that once you figured it out? Why have you broken your word now?

I cannot bear to watch my flesh rot away piece by piece, exposing my bones!" It was rare for this refined teacher to raise his voice, and I couldn't help but wear a half-smile, finally stepping into the role of the guide after all my efforts.

I refrained from answering Gu Lengzhai immediately and turned to Wang Zhong, asking, "Do you sense it as well?"

Wang Zhong gave a barely perceptible nod and replied solemnly, "A little, but I'm not certain."

Our responses left everyone perplexed, drawing their attention back to me, their eyes filled with desperate anticipation, as if I were a savior. 

"In the past few days, I have detected a mysterious force in this world that is steadily eroding our physical forms. Li Mingda has likely succumbed entirely to this force, which is why he has become as he is." Huang Shengqiu, trembling with fear, exclaimed, "What are we to do? Are we all destined to meet a grim fate?"

I paused momentarily before continuing, "Both Wang Zhong and I have practiced some traditional qi-gong techniques. Upon arriving here, I realized that these techniques can resist the encroachment of this mysterious power, and the rate of cultivation is over ten times faster than outside.

If Wang Zhong and I teach you the methods to harness qi, you should be able to avoid becoming those terrifying beings. However..." 

"But what?

Please, tell us!"

Tang Lei, Wang Lili, and Gu Lengzhai urged impatiently, while Luli and the others cried out loudly, some even displaying expressions of joy mixed with tears.

However, we need a relatively stable environment and sufficient time. If everyone travels to Moning City, there may not be enough time to practice qi-gong along the way. Even if we are not caught up in the war, I fear that we might succumb to that mysterious force and end up like Li Mingda."

All eyes turned to Li Mingda, who sat quietly in the corner. Under Tang Lei's insistence, this unfortunate soul had been relegated to the farthest corner, away from the others. Everyone feared him yet also held him in contempt; such is human nature, and I was no exception.

Who would have an appetite to dine with a monster?" Tang Lei shuddered, quickly averting his gaze from Li Mingda. No one dared to mention the journey to Moning City again, and they pressed me to teach them the qi-gong techniques. 

I called for Sun Yan to fetch paper and pen, and I sketched a diagram of human acupoints. However, the techniques depicted were not the unnamed martial arts but rather the qi-circulation routes from the Primordial Scripture I had learned from the Axeman on Demon Island.

It was not that I was stingy, but the evidence had shown that the Primordial Scripture was far easier to cultivate than the unnamed techniques. I had no reason not to prioritize the superior method.

I tossed the paper and pen aside, allowing them to study the handwritten manual on their own. Wang Zhong glanced at the poorly drawn illustration and subtly signaled to me. We left the room in tandem. 

"I didn't expect you to notice the change as well, but do you think they will be able to cultivate their strength?"

Wang Zhong's question lacked a definitive answer, but his words hinted at something deeper, prompting me to inquire cautiously, "When did your transformation begin?

It likely started after yesterday's battle; I found this peculiar mass within me, and I am certain it cannot be cultivated through any qi-gong technique."

I directed the ethereal blue flame of the Heart of the Undead Warrior to my eyes, and indeed, within Wang Zhong's chest, there was a faint, reddish mass, pulsating with a warm and explosive energy. "What abilities does it possess?

Wang Zhong understood my inquiry and replied nonchalantly, "It amplifies true qi and accelerates the gathering of energy.

Is there nothing else?" "No!" Wang Zhong looked at me and asked, "What changes have you experienced?" I flipped my hands, revealing the pair of daggers that had materialized in my palms, now adorned with two simple symbols. Under Wang Zhong's gaze, the daggers slowly receded into my hands. 

Wang Zhong's expression shifted to one of surprise, followed by realization.

You possess the same abilities as Li Mingda?

No wonder I felt no encroachment from any mysterious force; it turns out there is none at all. You have been deceiving them.

I shrugged, adopting a helpless expression.

These fools can only be soothed this way; we need to strengthen our powers, or survival here will be exceedingly difficult. Did the villagers not mention that those Cataclysm Knights are merely ordinary squads, with many stronger ranks above them?

Our strength is still at the lowest tier here." Wang Zhong chuckled softly, falling silent thereafter. 

Gamilo Village proved to be a decent refuge; the villagers were honest yet timid, maintaining a respectful distance from us outsiders. However, they never lacked in providing food, which was more than sufficient for me to focus on enhancing my strength without the burden of distractions. The secrets of the Heart of the Undead Warrior had been thoroughly uncovered the moment I realized the core constituted of the ancient magical runes.

As for how to enhance its capabilities, there were currently too few undead or living beings to slay, leaving me with little choice but to set that aside for now. During this period, I concentrated my efforts on physical training and the practice of the unnamed martial arts. 

Without the support of the martial arts cards, my unnamed true qi reached the second or third level, and my progress began to slow.

Fortunately, I had opened the twelve primary meridians, allowing my true qi to be more robust than if I had solely practiced the Eight Extraordinary Meridians. In addition to honing my internal power, I also began to delve into the techniques of the Flying Flower Sweeping Leaf Leg and the Carefree Cave Heaven Palm.

The martial arts cards from Demon Island were divided into two categories: internal techniques and external maneuvers, with internal techniques ranging from low to high levels, while the external techniques comprised entire sets of cards at the same level.

Although the abilities of the Heart of the Undead Warrior were impressive, utilizing that power required a change in identity; transforming into an undead was hardly an elegant experience.

In terms of adaptability in combat, martial arts remained far more flexible.