Before heading to bed, Long Huang decided to take a bath in the stream near his home after washing his robes and leaving them to dry overnight, then he headed inside. Once inside, he changed into his sleeping attire. If anyone saw the clothes he was wearing, they might consider him odd, as only someone from Earth or some people in Blossom City would recognize them. The clothes were tailored for him in the city and consisted of some briefs and loose-fitting T-shirts meant for sleeping.
The following morning, Long Huang woke up to a scene quite different from most mornings. Instead of the usual sunlight and warmth, the mountain was shrouded in fog and a cool atmosphere. Noticing this, Long Huang felt somewhat annoyed, as it likely meant his robes were still damp. He checked and, as he suspected, they were. So, he headed to the training ground in his briefs and T-shirt.
"Before heading to the Archdevil Mountain Range, I should prepare first," he said to himself, making a plan. "I'll train my Ocean Wave Fist to at least minor completion, and then I will go into the city to buy some gear for camping out in the forest on the mountain range." He walked over to the secret box where he kept the combat arts and began studying the Ocean Wave Fist manual. As he practiced copying the forms illustrated in the manual and envisioned the intent of the combat art, he felt his combat power growing with each set he performed.
The Ocean Wave Fist was a combat art that, when fully mastered, could quadruple a person's physical combat power. Although this art could be practiced throughout the Body Tempering Realm, it lost its value afterward. Unlike most Mortal-grade combat arts because it only increased the physical combat power and did not affect their Qi. It must be known that Common-grade combat arts, when fully mastered, help users overcome minor differences in strength while exerting 85% of their body strength; while mortal-grade combat arts allow users to utilize 100% of their physical strength and even push beyond that limit to reach up to 125%. Additionally, they taught cultivators how to manipulate their Qi in later stages, enabling them to project their Qi out to a weapon or up to four feet from their body for attacks.
Yellow and Black-grade combat arts enhanced the Qi, or battle energy, within a person, offering a substantial boost in attack abilities. Spirit-grade combat arts introduced intent to the Qi, creating a sense of pressure that could suppress lower-grade cultivators during an attack. Earth-grade combat arts not only included the benefits of the previous grades but also granted the user near-perfect control over their Qi, amplifying its power by at least 50%. As for Heaven-grade combat arts, Long Huang knew little about them but guessed they were closely related to Qi since higher-grade combat arts better utilized Qi. He understood that training with a high-grade combat art required reaching a high level first, with stricter conditions correlating to the strength of the combat art.
Generally speaking, cultivators in the Body Tempering Realm and Qi Converging Realm are suited for training in Common and Mortal grade combat arts. Those in the Qi Condensing Realm can practice skills at the Yellow and Black levels, while the minimum requirement to learn an Earth-grade combat art is reaching the Profound Xiantian Realm.
It is unwise for lower realm cultivators to attempt training in high-grade combat arts. If a cultivator's grade is too low and their Qi is insufficiently intense, they are likely to struggle in learning a high-grade combat art. Even if they somehow succeed, they will not be able to use the art effectively because their realm and power won't be adequate to support it. Therefore, it is best for cultivators to practice combat arts that align with their cultivation realm.
For instance, a warrior in the Body Tempering Realm may possess an Earth-grade combat art, but it would be a complete waste of time, as they would never be able to train in it effectively due to their lower realm. This is why, despite receiving a legacy of unparalleled value, Long Huang could not utilize it yet.
Conversely, a warrior of a higher realm practicing a low-grade combat art also wouldn't be able to maximize their potential. For example, if a cultivator in the Consolation Energy Realm only had access to low-grade combat arts from the Common and Mortal grades, their abilities would be restricted, allowing them to access only 60% to 70% of their potential.
This highlights why combat arts are often considered more valuable than pills from alchemists; they are a prized treasure for cultivators. Typically, combat arts are controlled by noble families and sects, making these organizations particularly appealing to warriors seeking to join.
The higher the grade of the combat art, the more valuable it is. High-level cultivators would be at a severe disadvantage without high-grade combat arts, sometimes even leading to their deaths in battle. Consequently, to acquire suitable high-grade combat arts, these cultivators would be willing to sacrifice almost anything. There are exceptions, though; those with high-grade cultivation techniques can utilize combat arts at a level below the minimum requirement, but they usually need to be at the peak of that realm to do so.
Long Huang continued to cultivate the Ocean Wave Fist for several hours but was stuck just before minor completion, dripping with sweat as his shirt clung to his body. "Almost at minor completion! Wow, what a workout!" he exclaimed. "I believe my control over my body is at its peak. Previously, with a normal punch, I could unleash 12,640 pounds of my strength, which is about 80% of my full capacity. But with the Ocean Wave Fist Art, I can release not only 15,800 pounds of my strength, but an additional 60%, totaling an astounding 25,280 pounds of strength—almost doubling my power! That's insane!"
He noted that this was at least 12 times stronger than a normal Skin Tempering realm cultivator using a common-grade cultivation technique, and 7.5 times stronger with the same combat art. Long Huang's eyes filled with excitement, then he reflected, "However, it occurred to me that there are more than just normal cultivators in the world. Hmmm, compared to someone with an Earth-grade bloodline and a matching Earth-grade cultivation technique, I would only be 5.5 times as strong. With a Heaven-grade bloodline and Heaven-grade cultivation technique, I would be about 4.5 times stronger. But against someone with an Emperor-grade bloodline with an Emperor-grade cultivation technique, I might only be three times as strong. I'm not certain about the grades beyond that, but I know I will unlock more memories of that damn dragon after meeting the Meridian Tempering realm." " So I will know then."
It should be considered that these strength calculations assumed that others had peak-level cultivation techniques appropriate for their bloodlines, neither above nor below, and no combat arts. A strange sense of pleasure filled Long Huang as he thought about the prospect of fighting those geniuses.
Excitedly, he picked up the Wind Deer Steps to start practicing. However, after reading and attempting to imitate the forms of the combat art, he failed to complete even one sequence. Just as he was about to try again, he noticed the sun's rays growing stronger. Realizing his robes would be dry and that it was around midday, he left the training ground, took a bath, changed into his robes, and headed to the city.
Halfway down the mountain, a thought struck him. "Oh no! I almost forgot my storage pouch. How embarrassing!" Long Huang hurried back to his house, grabbed his storage pouch, and set off for the city once again.
Upon arriving in the city, he couldn't help but admire its beauty. "No matter how many times I come here, it never ceases to amaze me," he said, taking in the view of spirit cherry blossom trees scattered throughout the city. Unlike regular cherry blossom trees, spirit cherry blossoms bloom year-round instead of just in spring. "First, I'll need camping gear, and then some extra robes for everyday use in the forest, as they're bound to get dirty or damaged," he noted. With that thought in mind, he made his way to a store he knew that sold camping gear to hunters, which he frequently passed on his way to the tailor shop in the past.
He arrived at the store, which had a rustic, manly vibe called Evergreen Camping. As he entered, Long Huang was greeted by Mu Chen, the owner and sole employee. Mu Chen was a middle-aged man with a thick, long brown beard and a stocky build. "Hello there, customer! What can I help you with today?" he asked.
"I'm looking for your best camping kit," Long Huang replied.
"That will be one gold note, valued customer," Mu Chen informed him before heading to the back to retrieve the kit. He had encountered many customers who asked for the best but couldn't handle the price." Here you go, sir," said Long Huang as he grabbed a gold note out of his storage pouch. Accepting the note, Mu Chen smiled and went to the back.
"Here you go, sir," Mu Chen said, returning with a bundle in his arms. "This kit includes 5 flame sticks, a makeshift large tent with a small portable bed, some cooking utensils, various herbs and spices, salt, and some beast-repelling powder."
"Thank you! Have a blessed day," Long Huang said as he turned to leave after storing his items. After leaving the store, Mu Chen remarked to himself, "What a polite sect disciple! They are usually so arrogant when shopping."
Long Huang then headed to a nearby tailor shop. Although it wasn't the only one in the city, Long Huang had a relationship with the owner, Ding. As he entered the shop, a bell rang, and an employee greeted him with a smile. "Hi there, dear customer! Welcome to Bo's Clothing Shop. How may I assist you today?" she said, staring at Long Huang, who was the most handsome man she had ever seen.
"Tell the owner Long Huang has arrived," Long Huang replied with a playful smile.
"Okay!" said the employee. She went to the back and called for the owner, telling him that Long Huang wanted to see him. Bo Chow walked out from the back, exclaiming, "Look what the damn cat dragged in!" Before finishing his sentence, he looked at Long Huang and asked, "Dear customer, have you happened to see a kid about your age, but with black hair and brown eyes?"
Long Huang laughed, sensing that Bo Chow might think she was being crazy. The employee chimed in, "He's Long Huang, boss, or at least that's what he says."
"Don't you know Long Huang from the Azure Lotus Sect? How can this man be him?" Bo Chow questioned, perplexed.
"Maybe they just have the same name," the employee said with a pout, before continuing, "But he's wearing the official disciple robes of the Azure Lotus Sect."
"Huh?" Upon this realization, Bo Chow suddenly screamed, "Long Huang!"