Becoming a Deity from Planting the Bodhi Tree-Chapter 104 - 93: Mutual Appreciation Between Geniuses

He only sent Ji Jingqiu a list of five Lower Rank Sword Skills that day.

But in the battle just now, Ji Jingqiu displayed skills far surpassing that number, he even vaguely forged his own path.

Could it be that this kid was deliberately concealing his skill a few days ago?

But that obviously couldn't be the case, as such deception couldn't escape his eyes unless Ji Jingqiu's skills had already surpassed his.

"Thirty-one Lower Rank Sword Skills, not counting some Non-stream Sword Skills,"

Ji Jingqiu calmly replied, his breathing even more hurried, his physical strength greatly depleted; he sat cross-legged, devouring a high-energy nutrition bar, deeply feeling his own degradation while handing one to Zhuang Butong.

Strictly speaking, in terms of Sword Skills, there are only thirty-one.

He didn't count the Non-stream ones.

This wasn't his limit, it was the limit of the Martial Arts skill inventory of the Star Group branch.

Learning until the end, he found that with Sword Skills, he learned faster and faster, as if aided by divine power.

If he wasn't mistaken, this meant he had made exponential progress in skills, no longer just a novice in Sword Skills.

After he developed his own understanding of Sword Skills, Lower Rank Martial Arts became not about seeing the fundamentals at a glance but rather about drawing parallels from related things, mutually reflecting each other, rather than starting from scratch.

Afterward, with the assistance of Wisdom Light, he spent a lot of time trying to integrate these Sword Skills into one, but currently, the result was minimal, only condensed into one sword.

This sword, in the battle just now, made Senior Zhuang show a surprising expression for the first time.

Zhuang Butong subconsciously caught the energy bar, muttering to himself:

"Three days, thirty-one Lower Rank Sword Skills perfected, and many Non-stream Sword Skills…"

Zhuang Butong slowly straightened his back, a flash of brilliance passing in his eyes, seemingly regaining a bit of his past brilliance, he said solemnly:

"I seem to have misjudged you, your talents, they are no less than mine! You are qualified to stand shoulder to shoulder with me back then!"

"May I ask, what is your current goal?"

Ji Jingqiu's gaze was resolute: "I want to topple the Seventh Layer!"

"The Seventh Layer?" Zhuang Butong pondered for a moment, finally remembering, "Are you referring to the Seventh Layer of White Jade City?"

"Yes!"

Zhuang Butong couldn't help but be speechless.

Has no one told this kid how difficult the current Seventh Layer is?

The virtual fighters of White Jade City do not fear death, making their combat style insanely reckless, without any probing, every move is a killing strike.

Thus, starting from the Sixth Layer, one only needs to last for three minutes to pass.

According to Zhuang Butong's knowledge, over the past hundred years, those who managed to withstand three minutes against the berserk state of the Seventh Layer, without fearing death...

Are less than a handful!

Those who passed did so by dodging with movement techniques and lasted more than three minutes, essentially tricking their way through.

Yet this kid actually said he wants to topple the Seventh Layer?

Truly, a newborn calf is not afraid of tigers...

A wistful expression appeared in Zhuang Butong's eyes.

He too had such grand ambitions back in the day.

Unfortunately, he never achieved them.

"It's tough," Zhuang Butong spoke frankly, "That person, in both the Body Refining and True Seed Realms, has reached the pinnacle, their Martial Arts are incredibly adept, almost inhuman!"

"Senior Zhuang, you're not confident?" Ji Jingqiu asked.

"I..." Zhuang Butong hesitated, "In a head-to-head battle, I probably couldn't have matched him back then. If it were ease of same age, that person's physicality surpasses mine, but in Martial Arts, I am somewhat confident, though who's stronger or weaker would only be known after a fight."

"As for now... there's no longer any comparability."

"You said your physique is comparable to Innate Martial Bone?" Zhuang Butong paused, "Then you indeed have a chance, as long as you can develop your Martial Arts to the peak that the Body Refining Stage can achieve, you are qualified to challenge him head-on."

Ji Jingqiu sat upright seriously.

"There's actually another method."

Zhuang Butong suddenly said:

"Have you heard of the Heavenly Person Six Limits?"

Ji Jingqiu was shocked.

Is this the main mission triggering on his second visit?

Indeed, only among geniuses does one find such sympathy!

Senior Zhuang was about to open his heart to him!

Ji Jingqiu chose to speak frankly: "Actually, I heard some rumors before coming here. And I personally have felt the presence of the Sixth Limit."

Zhuang Butong showed no surprise.

In his view, those who can match him naturally align with the Sixth Limit, wouldn't they?

Zhuang Butong said: "Tell me about your sensing of the Sixth Limit."

Ji Jingqiu described once again that feeling as if it were right before his eyes, yet actual miles apart between two worlds.

"Not bad, because the Sixth Limit hasn't truly merged with the underlying rules of this world yet," Zhuang Butong spoke softly, "You might have heard about the kind of transformations the Spirit Ocean can bring to this world, and up till now, these claims are correct."

Ji Jingqiu said: "What I'm more curious about is, some say the Sixth Limit appeared because of you, Senior."

Faced with this question, Zhuang Butong was silent for a moment, then nodded:

"That can be said. Back then, I wholeheartedly wanted to open a new path for the Federation Martial Arts, I didn't expect the world to really respond to me."

"Respond?"

Ji Jingqiu was taken aback.

What does that mean?

Zhuang Butong suddenly shook his head: "Don't delve deeper into this matter, it will bring you the same misfortune as it did to me."

"Back to the main point."

Zhuang Butong paused for a moment, his eyes suddenly glowing with a very resolute light, containing a power that reaches deep into the heart.

He spoke each word slowly as if every word carried the beliefs of his entire life, never wavering or retreating:

"In a week, I will break through the barrier between the Sixth Limit and this world, making the Sixth Limit the foundation for contemporary Martial Arts!"

At this moment, Zhuang Butong stood in Ji Jingqiu's eyes like an indomitable mountain peak, unswayed by the storms raging around him, his beliefs never once faltering.

Defiantly, like a rock that neither wind could erode nor rain could corrode.

Standing atop the mountain peak.

Ji Jingqiu exhaled slowly and asked, "Senior, how do you plan to make the breakthrough?"

"Just like the predecessors thousands of years ago, severing the Five Layers Heavenly Gates one by one, making the Heavenly Person Six Limits descend upon the world!" Zhuang Butong's eyes were deep and fervent, "If our predecessors could achieve it, there's no reason we can't!"

Ji Jingqiu fell silent for a moment: "Senior, after thirty-one years of accumulation, how certain are you of success?"

"In a week, about thirty percent," Zhuang Butong responded calmly.

This success rate moved Ji Jingqiu, not because it was too low, but because it was exceptionally high!

Just by himself, to have a thirty percent certainty of carving a new path for the martial arts world, what kind of extraordinary talent was Zhuang Butong back then?

Unable to help himself, Ji Jingqiu asked, "What if it fails?"

Zhuang Butong looked at him, "Then I ask the latecomers to carry on my will."

The watched Ji Jingqiu was momentarily stunned, whispering, "Senior means… me?"

Zhuang Butong did not deny, speaking in a gentle tone:

"Actually, if it were a month later, my chances might be higher. But with too many variables at play now, seeing your talent today has finally resolved my mind to no longer delay."

"Your ability is not inferior to mine. If I cannot achieve it in a week, then I request that you try in the future. If you are unwilling, that's also fine, as long as you pass down this technique."

Ji Jingqiu said, "As I understand, many wish to learn the secret of breakthrough from Senior. Since you're willing to pass it to me, why not announce it publicly?"

Zhuang Butong's answer was unexpected:

"I already have announced it. I have never concealed it from them. But they refuse to believe me."

"That young man who came from the Sun and Moon Dojo a few days ago came for this reason. He is a junior of an old friend of mine. I've also passed it on to him, but with his talent, I'm afraid there's little hope in this lifetime."

"He is not only dull but also too scheming, thinking that I, like others, would deliberately hide something, not wishing others to surpass me."

Speaking of this, Zhuang Butong's usually calm face showed a trace of undisguised scorn.

Ji Jingqiu was at a loss for words.

He initially thought that places like the Administration Bureau were trying to find out more because Zhuang Butong was secretive.

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Perhaps there were secrets not easy to reveal or purely personal factors...

But the answer turned out to be this.

Did the Federation have no way to confirm whether Zhuang Butong was hiding something?

Surely any master could easily verify this with the Spiritual Cultivation of Fetal Breathing, right?

Zhuang Butong slowly said:

"Over the next week, if it's convenient for you, you can come here daily. I will sharpen your skills in the Sword Skill, and also use you as a whetstone to hone my blade, preparing for the breakthrough in a week's time."

"If you don't mind, you may come to watch."

Ji Jingqiu nodded, "Junior will definitely not be absent!"

"Next, I'll pass on my Secret Technique to you. This Secret Technique actually relates to Heart Electricity as well..."

Beneath Zhuang Butong's generous guidance, Ji Jingqiu soon grasped his breakthrough secret technique.

This method gave him an inexplicable sense of familiarity.

After a brief reflection, Ji Jingqiu quirkily remarked: "Senior has also learned the Ten Thousand Ancient Blade?"

Zhuang Butong was stunned, nodding, "Yes, this method is based on the Ten Thousand Ancient Blade, but I've made significant alterations, didn't expect you to notice it."

Ji Jingqiu was secretly shocked, almost unrecognizable as having only preserved a slight bit of the original intent.

This Senior Zhuang indeed possessed impressive talent, being able to evolve and innovate this method to such an extent within the Body Refining Realm.

This method, under Zhuang Butong's modifications, had already integrated with Heart Electricity.

"Senior Zhuang, I'm still somewhat unclear about what exactly Heart Electricity is," Ji Jingqiu inquired, "I heard it's the product of the Power of the Spirit catalyzed by the peculiar magnetic field native to this planet."

"That's one way to put it, but in essence, Heart Electricity is the Power of the Spirit."

Zhuang Butong raised a finger, with sparks of electricity fiercely igniting at the fingertip, both in quality and quantity, far surpassing Ji Jingqiu. He continued to explain,

"Outside of the Four Guardian Stars, unless you can break through the Heart Image, achieving perfection in both body and spirit, your Power of the Spirit won't likely break free from human constraints. The external manifestation of the Power of the Spirit is the privilege of a Heart Image Warrior and a master."

"But it's different with the Four Guardian Stars. The underlying rules here differ from the outside world, and Heart Electricity is one form of the external manifestation of the Power of the Spirit."

"That's why the Four Guardian Stars are crucial for the Federation Martial Arts. Only here can those in the True Seed Realm experience the essence of the Power of the Spirit in advance and forge a superior cultivation body."

Zhuang Butong thought for a moment: "I heard in the past there are several other special realms that can also achieve this, but in terms of size and difficulty, they are nowhere comparable to the Four Guardian Stars."

Ji Jingqiu spread his fingers, with Heart Electricity flickering at the tips, curious, "Does the strength of Heart Electricity depend on one's Spiritual Cultivation?"

He was already in a meditative state, yet his Heart Electricity was nowhere near Zhuang Butong's level.

Zhuang Butong shook his head:

"The rules of the Four Guardian Stars aren't as perfect as you might imagine, they merely create a loophole allowing your Spirit's Power to escape the constraints of the body.

Initially, everyone is just a spark; your task is to kindle that spark into a flame. The upper limit of the flame depends on your Spirit Realm."

"To kindle the flame, does that refer to combat?"

"Combat is the most straightforward method, but not the only one, such as Inviting Gods into the Temple. If you can gain the favor of the Gods, Heart Electricity can also benefit. Furthermore..."

Zhuang Butong hesitated, then shook his head,

"Just remember, combat is the best approach. Other methods are unreliable and very dangerous."

Ji Jingqiu did not probe further, saying, "Senior, I have generally grasped your method, I still need to study the part about utilizing Heart Electricity."

Zhuang Butong nodded: "You may ponder more this week. With your talent, perhaps you might gain some insights."

After speaking, he glanced towards the doorway, saying, "There might be some trouble when you leave today, be careful on the road."

Ji Jingqiu stood up to take leave.

Just as he stepped out the door, his terminal suddenly chimed with a notification.

"Your account ending in 402X has received a transfer of 488134.23 yuan..."

Ji Jingqiu stopped in his tracks, astonished, looking back only to see that Zhuang Butong had already entered a meditative state.

He silently calculated the difference, approximately the cost of a few high-energy nutrition bars.

Was Senior Zhuang... not leaving any path of retreat for himself?