From absorbing the essence of the sun and moon to achieving divine mastery in martial arts

"Oh, right, General!"

Cang Lian's gaze shifted from the flames to Chu Zhaoxue's face, his eyes filled with a yearning for a higher realm of martial arts. "What kind of internal energy technique do you cultivate?"

"Tiger and Leopard Thunder Sound." Chu Zhaoxue spoke slowly, her voice echoing in the cave.

These four words, though few, seem to carry a chilling, murderous aura of war.

"Tiger and Leopard Thunder Sound? Could it be that night..." Cang Lian repeated in a low voice, a glint of light flashing in his eyes.

He recalled accidentally witnessing Chu Zhaoxue practicing her martial arts, where it seemed as if thunder was brewing within her body. Could that be the Tiger Leopard Thunder Sound?

"You guessed correctly, it's the same technique you saw that night!" Chu Zhaoxue's gaze sharpened as she slowly said, "Most people who practice martial arts are trapped by 'manifest strength,' unaware that 'hidden strength' is the true threshold to mastery. Canglian, do you know the essential difference between the two?"

"I don't quite understand, please enlighten me, General!" Cang Lian said solemnly.

"Ming Jin, also known as Gang Jin. The level you are at now is the training of 'tendons, bones and skin'. Your power comes from the contraction and relaxation of muscles, emphasizing 'power originating from the ground and flowing through each joint,' concentrating the power of the whole body into a single point through the lever structure of the skeleton and unleashing it. It is like a heavy sword drawn from its sheath, or a spear thrust out, striking with the ultimate destruction of the contact surface."

"The hidden strength, also known as the soft strength, trains the fascia, bone marrow, and internal organs. The source of power is no longer simply muscles, but the elasticity of the fascia and the surging of the internal organs. It emphasizes 'force penetrating paper and injuring people invisibly,' capable of penetrating the surface of an object and striking its core directly. It is like an undercurrent, seemingly calm, yet capable of tearing apart a dam in an instant, causing complete destruction of the internal structure."

Chu Zhaoxue did not directly explain the technique, but started from its origins.

Cang Lian listened intently, as if a door to a new world was slowly opening.

"Ming Jin is like a heavy iron hammer that can smash a wooden board into pieces. It is incredibly powerful and has a tremendous momentum."

"The hidden force, on the other hand, is like a poisoned steel needle. It can penetrate a wooden board silently, leaving only a fatal wound on the back, while the surface of the board may only be left with an inconspicuous little spot. This is the terrifying thing about the hidden force—it kills without a trace and is impossible to defend against."

Chu Zhaoxue used a metaphor to make the concept incredibly clear.

"Then... how exactly should one cultivate?" Cang Lian asked.

"Cultivating internal strength involves two main steps."

"The first step is to cultivate the techniques. I cultivate the 'Tiger and Leopard Thunder Sound.' Our Martial Arts Hall also has a technique called 'Fishing Toad Strength.' It emphasizes using special breathing methods and body vibrations to create the sensation of muffled thunder rolling within the body, allowing the sound to resonate within the skeletal cavity. This resonance is like a tiny hammer, constantly vibrating your bone marrow, internal organs, and fascia, causing your body to change from the deepest part."

"The second and most crucial step is to 'comprehend Yin and Yang,' completing the transformation from external to internal. This step no longer relies on arduous practice, but on 'enlightenment' and 'opportunity.'"

Chu Zhaoxue's eyes deepened: "You can try to seek a breakthrough in life-or-death battles. When the threat of death looms over you, your body's instincts may break through all constraints, spontaneously using hidden strength to survive. You can also contemplate nature, observing the lightning-fast penetrating power of a venomous snake's hiss, the continuous penetrating power of water dripping through stone, and the supple destructive power of vines strangling you, to comprehend the essence of 'hidden strength.' Of course, the most direct way is to be enlightened by a master, to be 'fed' a move by a master of hidden strength or neutralizing strength, allowing you to personally experience the sensation of hidden strength entering your body, thereby understanding the direction."

"When your body enters a wonderful state, and you feel the fascia network under your skin slowly tightening like a bowstring, and your internal organs surging deeply with your breathing, as if a brand new and purer power is being nurtured inside your body, you are not far from a breakthrough."

"Once you break through, your body will undergo permanent changes."

"First is the 'fascial network.' The fascia throughout the body becomes incredibly strong, like wearing an invisible steel wire armor inside the body. When exerting force, the fascia as a whole snaps and can unleash power far exceeding that of simple muscles."

"Secondly, there's 'powerful internal organs.' Your heartbeat will become deep and powerful, like the booming of a war drum; your digestive system will have extremely strong digestive capabilities; and your lung capacity will increase exponentially. This is the true source of 'physical fitness.' At this stage, you can achieve a basic level of immunity to all poisons!"

"Then comes 'blood as thick as lead and mercury.' Your blood will become extremely viscous and heavy, and you can even hear a faint 'rustling' sound when it flows. Its oxygen-carrying capacity and energy transport efficiency will increase several times over."

"Finally, and also a hallmark of advanced internal strength, is 'controllable sweat glands.' When you exert force, your pores will instantly close, locking in your internal energy, and your skin will become slippery, making it impossible for your opponent to grasp you; after you finish, your pores will open, expelling impurities from your body, and the sweat that flows out will be like fine lead beads. This is the principle behind why you sweat when you strike with 'internal strength'—the power penetrates your pores and dissipates."

She summarized: "Simply put, Ming Jin is 'using bones to hit people,' which trains the structure of force transmission; while An Jin is 'using internal organs to hit people,' which trains the pathway of energy penetration."

At this point, Chu Zhaoxue's tone became serious: "Canglian, you must remember, the key to marrow and blood transfusion is to solidify the foundation. You must cultivate Ming Jin to its peak and achieve vigorous Qi and blood to provide a sufficient material basis for generating the more subtle power of An Jin."

A hint of reminiscence flashed in her eyes: "The reason I was able to travel a thousand miles a day back then was because I had a 'Dragon Bone Relic' embedded in my body. That relic completely transformed my bone density, reshaped my bone marrow, and gave me a complete makeover. Only then could my strength and blood energy far surpass that of ordinary people, making my cultivation twice as effective with half the effort."

"Dragon bones... relics?"

Cang Lian's pupils contracted sharply. Although he was a transmigrator and had seen many fantastical ideas in novels from his previous life, the impact of having the word "dragon" truly connected with real material things still made his heart pound wildly.

He couldn't help but press, "General, do dragons really exist in this world?"

Upon hearing this, Chu Zhaoxue chuckled softly, as if she had heard a naive question.

"Yes! Why not?"

Her gaze drifted to the distant void: "In this world, humans are not the masters of all things. At the headquarters of our Martial Hall, there is a complete skeleton of a true dragon, its scales like shields and its whiskers like whips. Although it has been dead for over a thousand years, its dragon might still remains."

At this point, she changed the subject, her tone becoming more reverent: "My mentor, Old Man He Bai, once slew a Blackwater King Serpent that caused havoc on the banks of the Blackwater River. That monster was over fifty zhang long, not only incredibly strong, but also able to speak human language and possessing intelligence no less than that of a human. That battle was so fierce that the sky darkened and the river stopped flowing."

Chu Zhaoxue suddenly pointed to the pitch-black night sky outside the cave and said softly, "Cang Lian, look at this void. It seems empty, but it is not. Above these nine heavens, there swims a giant beast called the 'Void Whale.' Their bodies are transparent, and they feed on clouds. Ordinary people cannot see them with the naked eye. Only those who have reached the pinnacle of martial arts can hear their long roar that shatters the clouds."

Cang Lian was deeply moved by these words, which once again overturned his understanding of the world.

"Even..." Chu Zhaoxue paused, "Legend has it that there is another treasure called the 'Taotie Stomach Pouch,' a spatial artifact crafted by 'Martial Immortals' after hunting down the ancient demon Taotie, using its stomach pouch. Not only can it store all things, but more terrifyingly, it can digest the demon flesh, blood, and spiritual materials stored within, transforming them into the purest life essence to nourish the wearer. In terms of its wondrous power, it is in no way inferior to this Blood God Pearl."

When the word "giving back" was mentioned, Chu Zhaoxue's meaningful eyes suddenly locked onto Cang Lian, as if she wanted to see through him.

"Last time I captured you with my powerful qi, it was to find out your strength." She looked Cang Lian up and down, her tone certain. "Your bones and muscles are exceptionally strong, and your qi and blood are pure and abundant. This is something that cannot be achieved through arduous cultivation. If I'm not mistaken, you must have taken a secret medicine like the 'Dragon Tiger Golden Pill' to cleanse your marrow and refine your bones, right? In fact, your current state has already reached the point where your blood is as pure as lead and mercury. Your oxygen-carrying capacity and energy transport efficiency far exceed those of ordinary people, which is why your martial arts cultivation has been so smooth."

"Your foundation is excellent. If someone guides you, the hurdle of internal strength won't stop you; you'll break through it very soon!"

Cang Lian felt a chill run down her spine, realizing that her secrets had already been exposed back then, but she remained outwardly calm.

He was naturally not foolish enough to expose the "Heaven and Earth Pearl," a supreme treasure capable of defying fate, so he readily agreed:

"The general has keen insight."

Cang Lian nodded and replied ambiguously, "I did have an encounter in my early years, and I ate an unknown pill. That was probably the effect of that thing."

Chu Zhaoxue did not delve into this issue. Everyone has their own secrets, which is an unspoken rule in the martial arts world.

She slowly exhaled a breath of stale air, her face still somewhat pale: "Cang Lian, help me to the depths of that dense forest. Once I've recovered a bit, we'll exchange cultivation techniques first thing tomorrow morning."

"Should I help you to the dense forest?" Cang Lian was slightly taken aback. "Can't you heal in this cave?"

"Some methods are best left unseen." Chu Zhaoxue gave him a deep look. "You have your secrets, and I naturally have my methods. After you take me there, come back. Remember, you are not allowed to peek."

Cang Lian understood and asked no more questions, then stepped forward to help Chu Zhaoxue up.

Although she was seriously injured, the power contained within her delicate body was still not to be underestimated.

After settling Chu Zhaoxue in a dense forest several hundred meters away from the cave, Canglian retreated as instructed.

However, his intense curiosity compelled him to stop and look back from a high rock in the distance.

The night was deep and all was quiet.

Suddenly, a strange, eerie green light appeared in the direction where Chu Zhaoxue was located.

Then, Cang Lian witnessed a bizarre scene.

The lush shrubs, wild grasses, and vines around her were now covered with specks of green light, as if iron filings attracted by a magnet had been forcibly peeled from the leaves and roots of the plants, converging into fine rivers of green light that flowed continuously toward Chu Zhaoxue, who was sitting cross-legged.

That is the life essence of plants!

As the light faded, Canglian watched helplessly as the plants dimmed and withered at a visible speed.

The lush green leaves instantly withered and curled, and the plump branches became dry and brittle. It was as if, in just half an hour, this area had gone through the desolation from midsummer to the dead of winter.

"this……"

Cang Lian's pupils contracted slightly. "Could it be that Chu Zhaoxue also possesses a rare treasure similar to the Heaven and Earth Pearl or the Blood God Pearl? That she can forcibly plunder the essence of plants to repair her injuries and strengthen her physique?"

This method is domineering and bizarre, bordering on demonic.

That night, the eerie green light seemed particularly unsettling in the silent mountain forest.

The next morning, the sun rose.

When Chu Zhaoxue emerged from the forest, Cang Lian could hardly believe her eyes.

The female general, who was pale and barely breathing yesterday, now has a rosy complexion and her eyes are bright and clear. Although she has not fully recovered, her vitality has been restored to most of its former state, and she walks with a powerful and vigorous stride.

Cang Lian subconsciously looked at the grove of trees behind her.

In the morning light, the vegetation within a radius of ten zhang had completely turned into a dead gray, withered land.

The ground was covered with fallen leaves, which turned to dust with the slightest step, creating a stark contrast with the vibrant forest around them.

"Have you seen enough?"

Chu Zhaoxue's voice interrupted Cang Lian's thoughts; she seemed unconcerned that Cang Lian had seen the result.

She walked straight into the cave, her voice regaining its usual coolness and competence:

"Now that I have recovered, let's begin exchanging cultivation techniques."