Chapter 113: The Great Whirlwind Breakthrough Step

The moment Wu He’s aura burst forth, Lin Hui and Jiang Hua’s expressions changed simultaneously. Their auras were overwhelmed, and both took several steps back. With their protection gone, Yang Ze was completely exposed before Wu He.

Especially Jiang Hua, whose cultivation far surpassed Lin Hui’s. He was the closest to the eighth stage of True Essence among this small trade gathering. Though Jiang Hua was strong, he had not yet reached the ninth stage of True Essence. In the past, it had been impossible to suppress him solely through aura, but now, Wu He’s power had reached such a level!

At the center of this aura storm, Yang Ze remained unusually calm.

“As long as you can withstand my punch, you earn the right to participate in this small trade meeting!” Wu He shouted, condensing his aura to its peak. Then, he unleashed a full-force punch.

The punch’s impact caused the surrounding branches to tremble and rustle.

“Brother Wu’s cultivation is likely just one step away from the ninth stage of True Essence,” someone whispered nearby.

“If he manages to break through before the martial arts tournament, he’s bound to achieve a good ranking!”

The crowd began murmuring, but Yang Ze barely heard them. His eyes were fixed solely on Wu He’s fist.

Wu He’s punch, carried by overwhelming aura, grew larger and larger in Yang Ze’s vision. Just before it made contact, Yang Ze moved.

He instantly condensed all his True Essence into his right hand, launching the perfected Nine-Twist Finger technique. A surging wave of True Essence shot forward.

The collision of finger and fist echoed loudly. Both Yang Ze and Wu He trembled slightly as a powerful force radiated outward from their center, toppling many nearby trees.

Staggering back three steps, Yang Ze steadied himself. Opposite him, Wu He also retreated three steps.

Barely regaining his stance, Yang Ze rested his right hand on the hilt of his sword behind his back. A sharp aura brewed around him, ready to erupt at any moment.

Wu He, after retreating three steps from the clash, sensed the sharp aura emanating from Yang Ze. A faint sense of danger crept into his heart, along with surprise.

He reined in his aura and refrained from attacking again.

Seeing this, Yang Ze withdrew as well.

“Hahaha, your strength is impressive, brother. Very well, you’ve earned the right to join our trade meeting. But I don’t even know your name yet,” Wu He said, not with anger, but with a friendly expression.

“I’m Yang Ze,” he replied coldly.

“So, Brother Yang, from now on, you’re one of us. Come, I’ll introduce you to everyone,” Wu He said, pulling Yang Ze to meet the others. Judging by their ease, no one would guess they had only exchanged blows once.

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Meanwhile, Jiang Hua’s expression shifted slightly. Initially, he had acknowledged Yang Ze’s strength but had not expected him, at the seventh stage of True Essence, to hold his own against Wu He.

Yang Ze showed no airs; Wu He offered him a way out, and Yang Ze reciprocated by engaging amicably with the group.

Lin Hui was even more enthusiastic, thrilled to see Yang Ze’s formidable power.

Before long, everyone had mingled. Under the ancient tree, they sat in a circle on the ground.

As the original organizer of the trade meeting, Wu He spoke first. “Brothers, today we welcome a new junior brother to our gathering. Please welcome Brother Yang Ze.”

Applause erupted, lasting a while before settling.

Wu He continued, “The welcome is over. I have something to share. You all must have noticed—I am but one step from the ninth stage of True Essence.

Yet, crossing that final step may take an uncertain amount of time. If I proceed with slow cultivation, I doubt I’ll break through before the martial arts tournament.

Therefore, at today’s trade meeting, I hope to exchange some contribution points for a pill to aid my cultivation. If anyone is willing to help me, I will repay you in the future.”

His words echoed among the crowd, but silence followed. No one responded. Contribution points were precious to everyone; no one was eager to lend them out.

An awkward atmosphere settled. Wu He hadn’t expected this. Clearing his throat twice, he gritted his teeth and said, “Don’t misunderstand me—I’m not asking for points for free. I have something here to trade. If anyone is interested, feel free to exchange!”

Determined, Wu He unwrapped a large bag behind him, revealing numerous weapons laid before the group—all mostly low-grade mundane weapons, with a few mid-grade ones.

The crowd was surprised; they hadn’t known Wu He possessed so many weapons. Many glanced at him with new respect since he’d never been seen carrying so many mundane weapons before.

Seeing their astonished looks, Wu He explained, “Don’t think too much of it. These weapons aren’t all from me alone. I entrusted my family members to procure them for me.

In fact, my family’s fortune is nearly depleted to gather these weapons. They’ve invested heavily to support my breakthrough. Brothers, if you see any you like, feel free to trade with me.”

Upon hearing this, many immediately examined the weapons. Lacking good arms themselves, this offer suited them perfectly.

The trades went smoothly; several deals were quickly finalized. Wu He counted his contribution points afterward and was quite pleased, his expression brightening considerably.

During these transactions, Yang Ze took the opportunity to display some of his spiritual soil. When he did, the crowd’s eyes flicked repeatedly between him and Lin Hui, seemingly wanting to ask questions but ultimately holding back.

No one did, and Yang Ze paid it no mind. He sold his small pouch of spiritual soil for thirty-five contribution points, making a modest profit.

The small trade meeting of over a dozen people ended in less than an hour. Everyone dispersed after completing their trades, forming teams to head toward Qingyang Hall.

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Leaving Qingyang Hall, Yang Ze grasped his identity token, which now held two hundred and forty contribution points.

One hundred points had been taken from Chen Wen, one hundred lent by Lin Hui, thirty-five earned from selling spiritual soil, and the remaining five gained from completing tasks.

Staring at the token, Yang Ze wasted no time and headed straight to the library. Despite the busy days, he had never lost sight of his goal.

This time, upon entering the library, Zhang Chengxuan was no longer lying there. Instead, a few disciples stood guard.

After verifying his identity and submitting contribution points, Yang Ze ascended to the second floor and found the spot for imprinting techniques. He immediately approached the imprinting station.

Many disciples were busy imprinting martial arts there. Yang Ze found an empty spot and handed over his copy of the Great Rotating Breaking Step, along with his identity token.

The disciple in charge placed Yang Ze’s token on a jade stone nearby, which emitted a radiant glow. One hundred contribution points were instantly deducted, leaving only forty, before the token was returned.

Yang Ze barely cared about the loss. He watched as the disciple began imprinting the Great Rotating Breaking Step, copying all its contents into a small booklet.

The disciple repeatedly warned Yang Ze about the technique’s difficulty. Yang Ze nodded repeatedly before finally leaving.

Tucking the booklet close, Yang Ze hurried back to his quarters and locked the door.

Eagerly, he opened the booklet and studied the contents until nightfall before putting it away.

The Great Rotating Breaking Step, a True Essence-dependent martial art, was indeed profound—far more intricate than any he’d encountered. Its comprehension was extremely challenging.

After reviewing it mentally, Yang Ze had no idea how to begin. Finally, he silently activated the black stone embedded in his chest, his consciousness entering the black stone’s space.

Inside, a gray figure began demonstrating the Great Rotating Breaking Step. Yang Ze followed along, moving his feet within the black stone space, displaying strange postures.

Several hours passed quietly. When Yang Ze’s consciousness was finally ejected from the black stone space, his legs ached intensely. His willpower barely restrained him from crying out.

As this was his first time practicing footwork, he had no experience. Overexerting himself nearly exhausted his legs.

Fearing further injury, Yang Ze began circulating the Nurturing Qi Technique to recuperate. Pale white True Essence radiated from his body’s surface.