I can increase my power through breathing.

Chapter 3 Acquired Realm Level 3, Traceless Sword Technique

time flies.

Before we knew it, it was midnight again.

Zhou Qing obtained another bit of Dao Source, which he used to improve his Rejuvenation Technique.

[After a year of arduous training, your Rejuvenation Technique has broken through from the eighth level to the ninth level, reaching the third level of the Acquired Realm.]

Name: Zhou Qing

Realm: Third level of the Acquired Realm (Peak Third-rate Martial Artist)
Mastered martial arts: Rejuvenation Skill / Ninth Level (Characteristics: Enhances internal energy for healing, prolongs life, and increases poison resistance by 200%)

Talent: Nine-Breath Breath Control (By breathing for nine breaths, one will be blessed with mysterious supernatural powers, automatically refining the power of the Great Dao of Heaven and Earth into Dao Source. One point of Dao Source can be automatically obtained every day, and each point of Dao Source is equivalent to one year of arduous cultivation.)
Daoyuan: 0
"He's reached the third level of the Acquired Realm!"

Zhou Qing opened his eyes, a glint of light flashing within them.

A third cloud of internal energy mist appeared in his dantian.

The Acquired Realm is divided into nine levels.

Levels one to three are considered third-rate martial artists, levels four to six are second-rate martial artists, and levels seven to nine are first-rate martial artists.

With the Rejuvenation Technique reaching the ninth level, Zhou Qing's cultivation level reached the third level of the Acquired Realm, placing him among the peak third-rate martial artists.

He felt his whole body brimming with power.

In an instant, the internal energy in his dantian gathered in his palm, and then he gently pressed it against the wall behind him. With a 'crack', a crack appeared on the wall.

"Not bad!"

Zhou Qing nodded in satisfaction.

Even though the Rejuvenation Technique is a health-preserving exercise, when one cultivates it to the ninth level of perfection, reaching the third level of the Acquired Realm, the power that can be unleashed with the support of internal energy reaches the force of a thousand jin.

Although among all the acquired martial artists, those who cultivate health preservation techniques are the weakest and are often killed by other acquired martial artists of a higher level, they can easily deal with prison guards who have not cultivated internal energy and only know rudimentary fist and foot techniques. One of them can fight dozens of others.

Most of the jailers in the county government prison were second-rate martial artists.

But that's not enough to escape prison.

Ordinary jailers are second-rate martial artists, but the dungeon is guarded by a jailer on a rotating basis every day, who is a true third-rate martial artist.

Above the jailer was the clerk.

However, under normal circumstances, the clerk would not be stationed in the dungeon for long.

"The Rejuvenation Technique has reached its peak. If you want to continue to improve your strength, you can only practice other martial arts."

Zhou Qing thought to himself.

However, now that he is in prison, he can only rely on others to learn new martial arts techniques.

……

……

"Uncle Liu, could you do me a small favor?"

As the meal was being delivered, Zhou Qing saw prison guard Liu Shan carrying a large bucket to the front of the cell. He immediately approached him and whispered something.

"Xiao Zhou, you say that as long as it's within your uncle's power, I will never refuse."

Liu Shan said in a deep voice.

"I want to learn martial arts. Can you help me buy some martial arts manuals?"

Zhou Qing didn't beat around the bush and went straight to the point.

"Buy martial arts manuals?" Upon hearing this, Liu Shan was stunned for a moment, and then said, "Little Zhou, it's too late for you to learn martial arts now. Besides, martial arts manuals are too precious. Even if I could buy one, it would only be a third-rate manual."

“Uncle Liu, I know martial arts manuals are valuable, and I won’t let you spend money to help me for nothing.” Zhou Qing said in a low voice, “I have some silver hidden under the osmanthus tree in the backyard of my house. It was left to me by my father to get married, but now it seems that I can’t rely on it to get married. It should be enough to buy martial arts manuals.”

“Little Zhou, with this money, why don’t you let your uncle buy you some good food and enjoy your last moments? Martial arts require years of practice to achieve anything.” Liu Shan advised, “Or rather, even with years of practice, you might not necessarily achieve anything. It depends on an individual’s aptitude and comprehension. It’s impossible to make any progress in just one month. Even those demonic arts banned by the court don’t progress that quickly.”

"Uncle Liu, my mind is made up. Please do me this favor."

Zhou Qing said firmly.

"Alright!" Liu Shan looked at Zhou Qing's determined eyes and couldn't help but be moved. He sighed and said, "Little Zhou, I'll try for you, but I can't guarantee I can buy it."

"Thank you, Uncle Liu! Thank you, Uncle Liu!"

Upon hearing this, Zhou Qing's face immediately lit up with joy.

"Don't have too high expectations, I'll do my best." After saying that, Liu Shan carried the large bucket and left the cell.

Zhou Qing sat back down by the wall.

He knew this was his only hope of acquiring martial arts skills.

There are still 27 days until the execution.

If he cannot acquire other martial arts, he can only use all his Dao Source to improve the Rejuvenation Technique. Even if he reaches the perfect state, after twenty-seven years of tireless and arduous cultivation, he should be able to break through the limit and enter a new realm.

Of course, this is a last resort.

In short, Zhou Qing couldn't just sit around and wait to die.

time flies.

Three days have passed in the blink of an eye.

"Xiao Zhou, here!"

Liu Shan came to deliver the meal and secretly slipped two secret manuals to Zhou Qing.

"Thank you, Uncle Liu!"

Zhou Qing's heart skipped a beat, and he quickly stuffed the manual into his pocket.

After waiting for three days, he was about to give up.

Unexpectedly, Liu Shan actually bought him the secret manual.

He didn't say much. Now that he was a prisoner, anything he said would just be empty promises. But as long as he could get through this ordeal, he would repay Liu Shan's kindness.

After Liu Shan left, Zhou Qing couldn't wait to open one of the secret manuals.

The dungeon has three levels and is perpetually dark, with only dim oil lamps casting a faint glow. However, Zhou Qing has reached the third level of the Acquired Realm, and his internal energy is channeled into his eyes, allowing him to see in the dark.

The cover reads "Scarless Knife Technique" in large characters.

Zhou Qing was overjoyed and quickly began to read.

Seamless knife technique / Beginner

After quickly flipping through the manual, Zhou Qing opened the data panel and glanced at it; the Traceless Blade Technique appeared on the panel.

The Traceless Blade Technique is a martial art.

Martial arts can be divided into techniques and skills.

The main purpose of cultivation techniques is to improve one's cultivation level.

For example, the Rejuvenation Exercise involves meditation and cultivation to accumulate internal energy. Even if it includes some boxing techniques, its main purpose is to loosen the muscles and bones.

Martial arts, on the other hand, belong to the art of killing and warfare. Through special techniques, one can perfectly unleash one's own power. Some powerful martial arts can even unleash power several times greater than one's own.

Of course, some martial arts include both techniques and skills.

Since it can enhance internal strength, it also has killing techniques.

"Consuming a small amount of Dao Source to enhance the Traceless Blade Technique!"

Zhou Qing silently recited in his heart.

hum~~~
Instantly, Zhou Qing's spirits lifted, and he entered a profound space, where he practiced the Traceless Blade Technique day and night.

Countless insights kept emerging.

One Dao Source Point represents a year of tireless, uninterrupted practice of the Traceless Blade Technique, with thousands of repetitions of the blade each day.

The trajectory of the blade kept flashing through his mind.

The sword strikes became increasingly silent and stealthy, without a ripple.

The blade is invisible, leaving no trace as it passes.

The trajectory of the blade is becoming increasingly unpredictable, no longer bound by the fixed moves in the manual, like a gazelle hanging its horns, leaving no trace.

Beginner, intermediate, advanced, advanced, perfect.

[After a year of arduous training, your flawless swordsmanship has reached perfection.]

(End of this chapter)