The Legend of Swordsman

Chapter 3 Spiritual Pearly Grass

　　It was the Spiritual Power. Liam was in the Spiritual Martial Realm!

　　"We haven't seen each other for two months. How many stages of the Spiritual Martial Realm have you broken through?" Mike glanced at the flames on Liam's hands and asked. Though, he was not surprised.

　　"I'm now at the third stage!" Liam proudly answered. The reason he had disappeared for so long was that Clare took him for a special training, an opportunity which he had gotten thanks to his sister. Liam had been trained and guided diligently by Clare, and he had broken through two stages at once. Now, he was at the third stage of the Spiritual Martial Realm.

　　The lackeys were all proud of Liam's achievement, and they started boasting about their own trumpets too.

　　"Mike, listen carefully. Liam passed today's test and won first place. He was even bestowed a Spiritual Pearly Grass by Master Clare!"

　　"Do you know what a Spiritual Pearly Grass is? It's a middle-grade Spirit Herb!" another chimed in.

　　"In ten days, Liam will enter the Martial Ancestor Tower and receive an even more powerful inheritance of martial arts. He may not only become a personal disciple in the future, but he would also become a Golden Disciple. As for you, you can continue being a janitor in this shabby warehouse."

　　"From now on, all you could do is only to look at Liam from afar!"

　　Hearing these comments, Mike's expression had changed slightly. Spiritual Pearly Grass? He glanced at the embroidered pouch on Liam's waist. Then, Liam spoke, "I heard that you've entered the Spiritual Martial Realm on your own. You were so full of yourself. Well, now I want to make it clear that you're not on a par with me. You and I... are of totally different levels!" Liam exuded his energy and charged at Mike in large strides. After more than ten strides, he flipped in 720 degrees in the air and landed behind Mike. His movements were smooth and swift. With a sneer on his face, he aimed at Mike's neck and struck with his fist.

　　At this moment, the flames on his right fist were blazing hot.

　　Liam not only wanted to claim victory, but also torture Mike severely. He had waited too long for this moment.

　　"That's awesome!" one of his men screamed.

　　"Good one!"

　　"Destroy him!"

　　His group of followers were excited, and they cheered wildly.

　　"Liam, you've gone too far!" Cathy yelled, wanting to stop Liam.

　　However, in a blink of an eye, Mike suddenly turned around and clenched his right fist. The static lightnings within both his fingers and his palm were jumping and cracking; it was a dazzling and blinding sight.

　　BOOM!

　　The next second, Mike's wide-open right palm blocked Liam's flaming fist. Upon collision, the lightning and flames in their hands interweaved and neither of them backed away.

　　Mike did not flinch at all. His feet were firmly fastened to the stone bench.

　　On the other hand, Liam was astonished. How was that even possible? Liam had been very confident in his assault. After all, he was at the third stage of the Spiritual Martial Realm while Mike was only at the second stage.

　　Cathy gaped slightly at the scene as she was also in disbelief. Mike was in the third stage, no? Why didn't she know about it?

　　Just then, Mike's right hand grabbed Liam's flaming fist tightly before he forcefully squeezed the latter's phalanges like an iron pincer.

　　"You..." Liam gasped as a realization immediately dawned on him.

　　Mike blinked his eyes leisurely and curled his lips into a smirk. He held his breath and exerted more strength on his waist. In a flash, he jumped into the air while grabbing Liam's fist and did a flip. Immobilized, Liam was forced to flip over as well before his body was smashed to the ground.

　　With a loud thud, Liam landed heavily on the ground and his arm was almost wrung into a twist by Mike. After a few seconds of silence, Liam let out a loud shriek and his scream echoed throughout the warehouse courtyard. "Ah! My arm!"

　　"Liam!" one of the girls present squealed.

　　"You lowlife! Let go of him!"

　　The lackeys began to panic and rushed over one after another.

　　"You may not know this, but I'm also at the third stage of the Spiritual Martial Realm! You were right, we are indeed of totally different levels." As he spoke, Mike ran around while beating Liam up as if the latter was a punching sack. The only difference was that the 'sack' was crying out miserably, and the scene had become even more absurd.

　　Mike's strength was terrifyingly great, not to mention his explosive power.

　　Before the lackeys could rush over to help, Mike had already spun Liam three times on the spot before letting go of his hands suddenly. The inertia instantly sent Liam flying toward the warehouse's metal door.

　　With a booming rumble, Liam's blood sputtered out of his mouth and stained the ground.

　　Upon seeing this, Cathy covered her mouth in shock.

　　"Mike! You will become a lump of dead meat soon..." The lackeys rushed over while cursing aloud. However, Mike frowned coldly at them and bellowed, "F*ck off!"

　　The five lackeys were all stunned and petrified, immediately stopping in their tracks.

　　Meanwhile, Liam struggled to get on his feet. Just as he was on the verge of going into a rage, he was startled to find that Mike was already heading toward him in quick steps. He stuttered, "Mike... stop... We are gentlemen, we shouldn't get violent. We can talk it out... Don't come near me... Hey, do you hear me? I said don't come near me..."

　　Mike walked up to Liam and deliberately twisted his neck and shook his shoulders. The joints all over his body were making a crisp sound as he made a show to warm up. "Does it hurt?"

　　"It hurts! It really hurts! Don't be like this... We've known each other for so many years, you don't have to do this..." Liam was both flustered and stupefied. He thought to himself in exasperation, "How is this possible? What's going on? How did Mike reach the third stage of the Spiritual Martial Realm?"

　　"What's in here? Is it the Spiritual Pearly Grass? Give it to me." Mike snatched Liam's embroidered pouch from his waist.

　　"Hey..." Liam started as he nearly jumped in anger.

　　"Yes?" Mike glared at him.

　　"Nothing! Take it!"

　　"Thanks." Mike weighed the embroidered pouch in his hand before opening it and taking out a verdant spirit grass that was shining with fluorescent light. As expected, it was one of the middle-grade Spiritual Treasures, a Spiritual Pearly Grass.

　　Mike had never used this kind of treasure before, but he knew its value better than anyone else.

　　Liam struggled to distance himself from Mike. He was on the verge of a breakdown. He had painstakingly thought of ways to break through the third stage. How did Mike do it with no training?

　　It was only then that his followers gathered around and helped him up.

　　"Liam, something's wrong. How is it possible for Mike to improve so fast?" They all found it difficult to accept Mike's great strength.

　　"Cathy, you must be the one helping him!" Liam directed his anger toward Cathy. The First Elder had once ordered that no one from the Blue Cloud Sect was allowed to privately provide Mike with Spiritual Treasures and martial arts, much less provide him with any martial arts guidance. This prohibition was the punishment Mike deserved. However, Mike had unexpectedly advanced into the third stage of the Spiritual Martial Realm. Liam believed there was something off about it; hence, he accused Cathy.

　　Cathy raised her head demurely and retorted, "What does it have to do with you? Look at yourself. You've just advanced to the third stage by relying on your sister. You will never succeed, even if you enter the Martial Ancestor Tower with this little talent. I am speaking the truth, you arrogant brat."

　　"You... "

　　Cathy added, "Do you think you can be so domineering in front of others just because you have a coquettish sister? She is nothing when it comes to the Blue Cloud Sect."

　　"Fine! You'd better watch your backs!" With that, Liam promptly left with his stooges. Before leaving, he looked back at the embroidered pouch in Mike's hand with great fury raging inside him. His heart was aching in distress to part with that treasure!

　　"Visit often in the future and don't forget to bring me some gifts." Mike waved his hand as he sent them away.

　　"Shut up! I'll make you regret it!" cursed Liam.

　　"That i***t just gave me a Spiritual Pearly Grass for free." Mike chuckled happily as he sat on the stone bench to study the Spiritual Pearly Grass. He had long been tired of hearing empty threats coming from Liam's mouth.

　　"Mike, I heard that!" Liam shouted from afar, and he was close to rushing back for a fight.

　　"As you should. I was saying it for you hear."

　　Liam was about to get enraged when his lackeys hurriedly calmed him down and carried him away. They hadn't anticipated that Mike was actually at the third stage of the Spiritual Martial Realm. They knew that they couldn't afford to provoke Mike and thus quickly retreated.

　　"Young Master Qin, you've reached the third stage of the Spiritual Martial Realm?" Cathy questioned as she didn't dare believe it. Two months ago, Mike still had troubles manifesting his Spiritual Power. How could he have suddenly reached the third stage? Although he had been appearing and disappearing like a ghost in the past few months, which was a little strange, he shouldn't have been able to improve so quickly, right?

　　"I broke through the third stage five days ago," Mike said lightly.

　　"How did you do it?"

　　"I don't know. I broke through unknowingly." Mike shrugged his shoulders.

　　"I don't buy it." Cathy cast a strange gaze at Mike and was reminded of how those people had suppressed him throughout the past eight years. Nonetheless, Mike had managed to turn over in the end without any help and guidance from the elders or anyone. He had made it on his own through many trials and errors. It was already an unfathomable idea for him to complete the Spirit Tempering Realm and enter the Spiritual Martial Realm. Now that he had entered the third stage of the Spiritual Martial Realm, Cathy couldn't help feeling doubtful.

　　Mike replied, "It's not a big deal to advance into the third stage in two months. Besides, It's only the third stage of the Spiritual Martial Realm."

　　"How can it not be a big deal? It took me two months to reach the early third stage, and I was personally trained by an elder and assisted by martial arts skills," chirruped Cathy.

　　"Stop putting yourself down. You are beautiful, and that should be enough," Mike teased.

　　Cathy stuck out her tongue and mumbled, "You're unctuous."

　　Mike changed the topic and asked, "How can we maximize the efficacy of the Spiritual Pearly Grass?"

　　"Eat it directly. Master Clare is certainly generous. I can't believe she gave Liam middle-grade Spiritual Treasures."

　　The Spiritual Treasures were categorized into low-grade, middle-grade, and high-grade. Generally, ordinary disciples were given several low-grade Spiritual Treasures monthly. Of course, servants like Mike would never have these. The middle-grade Spiritual Treasures would only be given to personal disciples. As for high-grade Spiritual Treasures, even the Golden Disciples would not have much of them.

　　The distribution of resources of the Blue Cloud Sect had to be strictly carried out according to the standard of its disciples.

　　"Alright then." Mike had truly never tried out middle-grade Spiritual Treasures, so he looked forward to its effects.

　　"You're already in the Spiritual Martial Realm. The higher stages you breakthrough, the more you need the Spiritual Treasures. Why don't we get some for you?" offered Cathy.

　　"No need. I'll come up with my own way." In the past, Daria had secretly given him many things. However, both of them were punished when they got caught red-handed. Afterward, he would no longer accept Daria's gifts except ordinary medicine or food. The more precious the items were, the more Mike couldn't bring himself to accept them as he did not want to cause her any more troubles.

　　"Miranda Zhao, Liam's sister, is now at the sixth stage of the Spiritual Martial Realm. You should be more careful. Hide from her if you can. I'll head back first. Eat the desserts while they're still warm," Cathy advised Mike and then bid farewell to Maxwell before leaving.

　　Maxwell had finished his meal, and he went to sit next to the grave again.

　　Mike saved some desserts for Maxwell and placed them on the stone table. After that, he once again sat cross-legged on the stone bench. He swallowed the Spiritual Pearly Grass and started to refine the pure Spiritual Power within the grass.

　　Unbeknownst to anyone, he had actually secretly learned martial arts techniques.

　　As for guidance, he had no need for that. After all, he was talented. He could explore them by himself.

　　And so what if he was prohibited to train at the martial training field? Anyway, he could challenge whoever and wherever he wanted in the Blue Cloud Sect.

　　Talent and willpower were all he had and needed!

　　Relying on his perseverance, Mike had managed to complete the Spirit Tempering Realm and entered the Spiritual Martial Realm.

　　He also felt that it was easier for him to improve his strength after entering the Spiritual Martial Realm. It was a little exaggerated to be able to break through the third stage within two months. He pondered on it and figured that it was the Pithy Formula of Life that helped him. After three years of study and two years of integration, although it exhausted him a great deal of energy and time, he had obtained great benefits from cultivating it. The Qi of life between heaven and earth seemed to nurture him invisibly, making his physique undergo a more subtle transformation at the most critical moment of his youth.

　　This was Mike's own guess. He had also inquired Maxwell about it, but the response he received was silence.

　　The Spiritual Power within the Spiritual Pearly Grass was stunning. At the very least, it was comparable to over a hundred low-grade Spiritual Treasures. Mike refined it till late at night before he could convert all of it into the Spiritual Power in his body. The special medicinal effect of the Spiritual Pearly Grass was also nourishing Mike's injured body and helping him to heal.

　　Mike broke through to the third stage of the Spiritual Martial Realm five days ago. With a stalk of Spiritual Pearly Grass, he was able to stabilize his foothold in the current realm. He could distinctly feel that his body was filled with a lot more Spiritual Power.

　　The spirit grass was indeed good. Mike wondered where he could get another one.

　　Clare must have wanted to use this Spiritual Pearly Grass to stabilize Liam's realm so that he could break through to the fourth stage before entering the Martial Ancestor Tower. This way, she would be able to save her face and prevent others from saying that she had chosen a useless disciple.

　　Nevertheless, Mike had now taken that away from Liam.

　　Mike stretched out his stiff body. The stars and the moon were shining like diamonds in the night sky. It could be heard from afar that there were still people practicing martial arts in the Blue Cloud Sect, but the warehouse was very quiet in this secluded area.

　　Maxwell was still seated next to the solitary grave. The grave had a monument, but there was no name on it.

　　"Old man, you should go in and sleep. Don't catch a cold."

　　Maxwell shifted his eyes as if he had come back to reality from his wandering thoughts. He raised his eyebrows and looked at Mike. There seemed to be an unreadable emotion in his eyes. At least, he did not seem as numb.

　　"Do you want me to bring you a cotton blanket?" Mike asked.

　　Just as Mike was about to leave, a bland and slightly hoarse voice drifted over. "When Yin and Yang are connected, and the spirit pierced through the body, there will be abundant Qi generated."

　　"What?" Mike turned around.

　　Maxwell's back was facing Mike, and he was murmuring, "When the Qi enters the body, it will spiral up, rising up like the horn of a goat..."

　　"The Pithy Formula of Life?" Mike's eyes lit up at his words. Could this be the other parts of the pithy formula?

　　"Wearing nine on the head, placing one on the feet; three on the left, seven on the right; two and four on shoulders, six and eight on feet, five standing in the middle; Yang inhabits the middle whereas Yin returns to the four corners; in the middle lives five and harmonize Yin and Yang. The top responds to the Big Dipper, and the bottom dominates the eight directions."

　　Maxwell continued to drawl, "Endure changes as it is coming from within."

　　This was the second part of the Pithy Formula of Life! Mike was pleasantly surprised. It was too sudden and too exciting. After five years, he finally got to the second part of the pithy formula. He bowed deeply to Maxwell and immediately sat back down on the stone bench. Then, he recited it in his mind over and over again.

　　Could this be related to the method of Qi circulation in his body?

　　In the past, the first stage of his training was just about the way to absorb the Qi between heaven and earth and also how to infiltrate it into his body. Mike had even been pondering whether he could run his Qi of life in his meridians like the spiritual Qi. Now, he finally had a method to do it.