Stronger with Crimson Modifier-Chapter 67: Qi Blood Technique (2)

In a private training room, Hu Qi was sitting cross-legged on the floor, a long, black object resting on his knees.

The room was dim and silent. Only a single incandescent bulb above his head emitted a faint white light, illuminating an area of less than two meters around him.

Hu Qi adjusted his breathing, cleared his mind of stray thoughts, and entered an ethereal state, recalling the details of the Qi Blood Technique, Ghost Slaying Saber.

As its name suggested, this was a Sword Technique that could even slay ghosts.

Of course, there was some exaggeration involved.

However, it was true that this Sword Technique was ferocious, domineering, and incredibly destructive.

But while its power was immense, its Cultivation difficulty was also extremely high.

To cultivate this Sword Technique, one must harbor killing intent, use that killing intent to control the saber, and finally, bring it under submission.

It sounded mystical, but in reality, it meant maintaining a state of wanting to kill someone while also preserving one’s sanity. This point alone would stop more than half of all aspirants.

If one had never killed before, it was nearly impossible to comprehend that state.

Furthermore, once mastered, it consumed a massive amount of one’s own Qi and Blood.

This was also why Wang Luo had a strange expression and asked if he was sure he wanted to learn it when he heard Hu Qi choose this Sword Technique.

But to Hu Qi, none of these were major issues.

Whether it was Lu Shi and the other person, or those two Black Blood Species, they had all died because of him.

It wouldn’t be difficult for him to find that killing state.

As for the Qi and Blood consumption, Hu Qi considered it even less of a problem.

When facing an enemy, the battle of life and death was often decided in an instant. If you couldn’t kill your enemy, you would die.

Therefore, he placed more importance on power.

Besides, he had the Trait formed from his previous Fighting Techniques, and the powerful physique from his Nourishing Essence Breathing Technique. His own Qi Blood Power was quite strong, and his recovery was relatively fast.

Of course, there was another reason he chose this Sword Technique.

Among the fighting-style Qi Blood Techniques, there were only two Sword Techniques. One was the Gale Saber, known for its speed and relentless blade-work, and the other was this Ghost Slaying Saber.

And he recognized the person in the demonstration video for the Ghost Slaying Saber: Helinta.

At the same time, he also realized that the blood-colored Longsword he had seen before, which reeked of blood, was not a sword, but a saber.

The fact that she, as the Sect Leader’s personal disciple, could choose this Sword Technique was proof enough of its potential.

All these factors combined prompted Hu Qi to choose this Sword Technique.

Time ticked by.

Suddenly, Hu Qi picked up the black object lying across his knees, grabbed one end, and slowly drew it, revealing a pitch-black blade.

It was a Horizontal Blade, and under the light from above, it revealed a water-like, patterned texture. 𝑓𝑟ℯ𝘦𝓌𝘦𝘣𝑛𝑜𝓋𝑒𝓁.𝑐ℴ𝓂

The blade was long, narrow, and straight, similar to a Longsword, but only sharpened on one edge. It gradually tapered from the hilt to the tip, shaped like a willow leaf—light, yet sharp and deadly.

As he moved it, the smooth blade reflected Hu Qi’s face.

This was a sharpened blade.

Although it looked decent, its material was just ordinary, folded pattern-welded steel, possessing decent hardness and Resilience.

As for better sabers, they were available within Zhu Xi.

It wasn’t that he didn’t want one; it was that those cost hundreds of thousands, and some even had point requirements. A poor bastard like him simply couldn’t afford one.

SHING!

The Long Saber left its sheath. Hu Qi held it in one hand, and as his Qi and Blood circulated, his figure erupted into motion as if an invisible enemy stood before him.

Hu Qi thrust the Long Saber forward, the Sword Light flashing like a sudden squall or a shower of falling stars, creating a series of dazzling light and shadows.

As his feet shifted, the saber followed his body, transforming into a streak of silver-white light, its angle strange and astonishing.

「A few minutes later.」

Hu Qi stopped, his chest heaving as he gasped for breath. Sweat streamed down his cheeks from his forehead, and a wave of exhaustion washed over him. The Qi Blood Power in his body was almost completely depleted.

"The consumption really is huge."

Hu Qi assessed his body’s condition and looked at the panel.

————

[Ghost Slaying Saber (Uninitiated)]

Hu Qi wasn’t surprised by this. It was impossible to reach the Entry-Level after practicing just once.

He rested for a moment, and once some of his stamina and Qi Blood Power had recovered, he began practicing again.

After several repetitions, waves of fatigue washed over him. Even with his Dragon Spirit and Tiger Fierce Trait, he was having trouble holding on.

After practicing for a while longer, he sheathed the saber, placed it in the sword bag, slung it over his back, and walked toward the door.

As a Secret Martial Artist who had developed Qi and Blood, he was different from ordinary students. Secret Martial Artists at the Qi Blood First Transformation did not need to practice Pile Skill daily. They had their own free time and could even rent private training rooms.

These training rooms were specially built for practicing Qi Blood Techniques and could simulate various environments, such as strong winds, rain, or the completely silent setting he had just used to practice the Ghost Slaying Saber.

However, these training rooms were expensive, costing three hundred an hour.

...

「Two days later, in his dorm room.」

Hu Qi’s figure moved slowly, his movements resembling the soft, powerless health-preservation boxing practiced by elderly people in a park.

However, this was just its outward appearance. If one could see through him, they would discover a thin, faint red thread moving throughout his body.

Under these conditions, his skin, membranes, and bones were being subtly strengthened, nourished by his Qi Blood Power. Although the progress was slow, he was definitely getting stronger.

Hu Qi looked at the Crimson Modifier panel, ignoring the Skills that had already reached Perfection, and focused on the very top of the Skill column.

————

[Snake Form Posture (Third Layer) △]

[Ghost Slaying Saber (Uninitiated)]

...

[Modification Point: 1 (98%)]

After two days of practice, Ghost Slaying Saber was still Uninitiated and could not be upgraded.

On the other hand, Snake Form Posture had benefited from the past few days of practice, its proficiency had increased, and it was now showing the symbol indicating it could be modified.

"Crimson, modify, upgrade Snake Form Posture!"

Hu Qi had no intention of saving the Modification Point and upgraded it immediately.

The familiar sensation washed over him again. His Qi Blood Power swelled once more, reaching the thickness of a chopstick. At the same time, the feeling of his Qi and Blood boiling returned, and his skin became visibly blood-red.

Having experienced this before, Hu Qi wasn’t concerned about the situation.

He picked up a chocolate bar he had prepared earlier, stuffed it into his mouth, chewed, and swallowed. Then he grabbed a can of milk and chugged it down.

At the same time, the changes in his body gradually subsided. His skin color returned to normal, and another layer of filth appeared on his body, but it was noticeably less than the first time—only a thin layer.

Hu Qi had anticipated this. By the time he reached the Qi Blood Third Transformation, there would probably be even less.

————

[Snake Form Posture (Fourth Layer)]

...

Modification Point: 0

The Fourth Layer of Snake Form Posture represented entering the Second Transformation of Qi Blood.

As for the third transformation of Qi and Blood, it would only occur when Snake Form Posture broke through to the Seventh Layer.

But for now, Hu Qi didn’t plan to reveal his Cultivation progress.

It was best to wait a few more days.

Hu Qi wanted to go far on this path.

The best way was to disguise himself as a true genius.

Geniuses, unlike ordinary people, received preferential treatment and attention everywhere.

And with his unparalleled, world-class aptitude, plus the aid of the Crimson Modifier, achieving this wouldn’t be difficult.

However, in this process, he needed to get the balance right.

It had only been ten days since they were officially taught the Snake Form Posture.

Besides him, among this batch of several hundred people, no one else had reportedly developed Qi and Blood yet.

If he were to announce right now that he had broken through to the Fourth Layer of Snake Form Posture and entered the Qi Blood Second Transformation, what would greet him might not be special attention, but being seized and harshly interrogated.

Although the chance was small, he had to guard against the malice of others.

He couldn’t entrust his own safety to others.

Therefore, he had to get this balance right.

And he already had a plan in mind.

He walked to his desk and picked up the basic information manual.

He opened it to a certain page.