Stronger with Crimson Modifier-Chapter 95: Inheritance Secret Martial Arts (Part 1)
’We’re both Martial Arts Families, so why is the gap between us so immense!’
At this thought, Han Luan’s expression changed again and again.
Her gaze fell upon Helinta, whose expression was impassive.
She had researched the Shexin Sect before coming, so she knew its acting leader was the Second Disciple. She also knew this woman was a bloodthirsty maniac.
But she never imagined the woman would be so insane as to attack her over a single disagreement.
She had a feeling that if she dared to say another word, the woman would cut her down without a second thought.
She didn’t dare to gamble on whether the woman would actually do it. She had sacrificed far too much to get where she was today.
So, after weighing her options, she ultimately chose to back down.
"I apologize. I may have been mistaken about this. Please forgive my earlier offense."
"Mm, it’s good that things are cleared up. You can go back now. This incident has nothing to do with my Shexin Sect. They were probably just unlucky and ran into a Lower-Rank Black Blood Species."
The killing intent in Helinta’s blood-red eyes gradually receded.
A faint smile touched her cold face. She sheathed her long saber and sat back down.
"Mm, I have other business to attend to, so I won’t impose any longer. Farewell."
Han Luan gave her one last, deep look. Without another word, she turned and quickly departed.
This lunatic didn’t care about threats from the Holy Rain Sect, and Han Luan knew she couldn’t gain any advantage with her own strength.
Staying any longer would be pointless.
As she watched Han Luan’s retreating figure, a cold glint flashed in Helinta’s eyes. But she seemed to think of something and, in the end, did nothing.
She swiveled in her chair to face the floor-to-ceiling window, turning her back on the room. Cradling her long saber, her slender fingers gently stroked its cold sheath.
She turned her head to gaze into the distance.
The red light of the setting sun washed over her face, softening the contours of her profile.
Hues of orange-red, golden-yellow, and pale violet layered the horizon, like a living oil painting.
"Hu Qi..."
She murmured the name, a peculiar expression flashing across her face.
...
"Second Disciple! May I ask why you’ve summoned me?"
「Three days later.」
In a lavishly decorated office on the top floor of Zhu Xi’s skyscraper, Hu Qi stood to the side, his expression calm as he feigned confusion.
Standing before the floor-to-ceiling window was a tall figure with long, flowing hair—it was Helinta.
She stood there, her gaze cast down upon the city below.
Hearing Hu Qi, she turned to face him.
"You’re impressive," she said abruptly.
Helinta looked the same as before, her expression just as cold.
’Maybe it was his imagination, but Hu Qi felt that the wine-red color of Helinta’s eyes had grown deeper.’
"I’ve called you here because of a matter Master entrusted to us.
Since you broke through to the Qi Blood Third Transformation within three months, you will be accepted as a Direct Disciple."
As she said this, a rare smile actually touched her lips.
"However, the old master is currently occupied with important matters and can’t get away. He has therefore instructed me to accept you as a disciple on his behalf. We will hold the official ceremony when he returns."
"I will follow your arrangements, Second Disciple!"
Hu Qi nodded.
’He wasn’t surprised by this.’
He had been waiting for this ever since he revealed his cultivation at the Qi Blood Third Transformation.
"Follow me."
Helinta walked to one side, and Hu Qi followed without question.
Soon, they opened a door to a room.
The space inside wasn’t large, and the faint scent of incense hung in the air.
There wasn’t much inside. A few soft meditation cushions were arranged on the floor, and at the far end of the room stood an altar table, bare of any clutter.
There was only a bronze incense burner and a large, painted scroll.
On the scroll was a figure in ancient robes, their face obscured.
"This is the founder of our Shexin Sect. The sect’s true name is actually the Snake King Sect..."
Helinta’s voice explained, briefly introducing the sect’s history.
Essentially, the Shexin Sect’s origins could be traced back almost a thousand years to the Snake King Sect of the Yun Country.
However, due to certain incidents, the original Snake King Sect ceased to exist, leaving only a few descendants to carry on its legacy. The current Sect Leader is one of those descendants, and he founded the Shexin Sect a century ago.
She stepped forward.
She picked up a stick of incense from the side, lit the tip, and placed it in the incense burner.
Then, she bowed deeply three times.
Afterward, she turned her gaze to Hu Qi.
"Pay your respects to the Ancestral Master."
Seeing this, Hu Qi followed her example, stepping forward to offer his own bows.
"And with that, we are truly fellow disciples.
You are the sixth.
Besides me, Master has four other disciples who are your seniors.
They are the First Disciple, Du Wang; the Third Disciple, Han Yuan; the Fourth Disciple, Lin Yao; and the Fifth Disciple, Lin Tu.
You should already know a little about them.
However, none of them are available right now. When Master returns and we have a chance to gather, I will introduce you properly."
At this point, Helinta glanced at Hu Qi and suddenly asked:
"I used to be ranked fourth. Do you know why I’m second now?"
’Hu Qi’s heart skipped a beat,’ but he put on a look of confusion and shook his head. 𝓯𝓻𝒆𝙚𝒘𝓮𝙗𝓷𝒐𝓿𝙚𝒍.𝙘𝓸𝙢
"It must be due to your immense strength, Second Disciple."
"No, it’s because they’re all dead," Helinta said.
’Hearing this, Hu Qi felt no surprise.’
But he let a suitable look of shock appear on his face.
"The world of a Secret Martial Artist is far crueler than that of an ordinary person.
You have excellent aptitude, but aptitude isn’t everything.
The Shexin Sect has had its share of monstrously talented individuals over the years.
But they’re all dead now.
If your temperament is lacking and you can’t turn that talent into effective strength, you’re just a fragile vase, easily shattered and utterly useless. Do you understand?"
"I will take your teachings to heart, Second Disciple. I understand."
Hu Qi’s expression was grave.
Seeing this, Helinta nodded.
"With your aptitude, it shouldn’t be long before you reach Qi Blood Perfection. When that time comes, you can begin preparing to break through to the Martial Arts Family realm."
At her words, Hu Qi’s expression flickered slightly.
However, he knew she had more to say, so he didn’t press for details.
Sure enough, Helinta paused for only a moment before continuing:
"What do you know about what comes after the Qi Blood Realm?"
"I’ve heard a little. They say you have to open a Divine Treasure to break through to the Martial Arts Family realm," Hu Qi explained.
"Mm, in that case, I’ll give you the details about the Martial Arts Family realm."
Hu Qi’s answer was what Helinta had expected.
As Helinta spoke, Hu Qi gained a much clearer understanding of the Martial Arts Family realm.
The human body holds immense secrets and potential.
However, the bodies of ordinary people are too fragile. They unknowingly sit on a treasure trove, completely unable to access its power.
Secret Martial Artists call this potential the Divine Treasure.
This ’treasure’ is normally sealed shut and can only be opened through special methods.
Of course, it’s not unheard of for it to open briefly in an emergency.
For example, there was a news report once:
"In the former Purple Gold Empire, a man named Matt was swept into the eye of a tornado. After being violently spun and battered, he was thrown from mid-air back to the ground.
It was estimated that he hit the ground at a speed of at least 30 miles per hour. He landed half a kilometer from his house.
Amazingly, aside from some superficial scrapes, he didn’t have a single broken bone, nor any internal injuries. After regaining consciousness, he simply stood up and walked home."
