: Accelerated Martial Arts

Xiaozheng Peak, Training Ground.

Ning Zhuo and Han Zhou were sparring.

Han Zhou's combat style was completely different from Lin Shanshan's. He was aggressive and expansive, with attacks making up the vast majority of his moves. He rarely defended, except when his vital points were threatened.

Once Han Zhou launched an attack, it was relentless, like an icy blizzard sweeping across the sky.

Ning Zhuo gritted his teeth and held on, seemingly falling back into the same situation as when he first sparred with Lin Shanshan—only able to defend, powerless to attack.

Seeing Ning Zhuo's solid and meticulous defensive stance, Han Zhou couldn't help but feel surprised.

"How long has it been? Ning Zhuo has made such tremendous progress in martial arts!"

His perception was far more profound than an ordinary person's.

Not long ago, he had been the one to challenge Ning Zhuo. During the fight, they engaged in close combat.

In just a few exchanges, Ning Zhuo's defense had collapsed, allowing Han Zhou to press his advantage. If not for a talisman saving the day, Ning Zhuo would have already lost to him.

But now, even after Han Zhou unleashed his full offensive, he still couldn't overwhelm Ning Zhuo.

Though Ning Zhuo looked disheveled, his defense was indeed tight, forcing Han Zhou to try another approach to break the stalemate.

"Be careful, I'm going to use a martial art," Han Zhou warned in a low voice.

In the next moment, a layer of white frost covered his fists, and the air temperature plummeted.

Martial Art—Frost Fist.

A bitter chill emanated along with it.

Ning Zhuo didn't dare to take it head-on. Lightly tapping his toes, he moved nimbly, continuously jumping backward.

Han Zhou followed closely.

Ning Zhuo focused on evasion, each dodge and shift flowing smoothly without the slightest hesitation, demonstrating his solid foundation.

Martial Art—Chilling Leg.

Han Zhou's leg strikes were sharp, generating howling cold winds.

Ning Zhuo struggled to defend, clearly at an absolute disadvantage.

A prolonged defense is bound to fail, and Ning Zhuo eventually revealed an opening.

Han Zhou's eyes lit up. Seizing the opportunity, he exerted force, throwing a punch laden with a biting chill straight at Ning Zhuo's face.

Ning Zhuo's gaze sharpened. He lightly stepped, attempting to dodge sideways.

He avoided most of the force, but Han Zhou's fist still struck his shoulder.

Ning Zhuo staggered back, his defensive stance finally breaking at this moment.

Han Zhou, however, withdrew, standing in place and ceasing his attack.

"Impressive, truly impressive!" Ning Zhuo clutched his shoulder. The pain from the hit was secondary; he was genuinely pleased and sincerely praised Han Zhou.

His previous sparring sessions with Lin Shanshan had diminishing returns, with fewer and fewer insights into martial arts and combat.

But now, sparring with someone else, his previous state had returned. Though this session wasn't long, Ning Zhuo gained a lot. He had many insights that needed immediate review, memorization, and absorption.

"Brother Han Zhou, sparring with you was the right decision. I've learned so much. Thank you! Thank you!" Ning Zhuo expressed his gratitude earnestly.

Han Zhou's eyes flickered. He had ulterior motives—the more often and longer Ning Zhuo sparred with him, the easier it would be to convert him.

After all, the Foundation Establishment stage wasn't the Golden Core stage yet; cultivation techniques could still be changed!

After some thought, Han Zhou remarked that Ning Zhuo had improved greatly and that fighting him now felt completely different from before.

"But you lack relevant martial arts. Otherwise, you could withstand my Frost Fist and Chilling Leg."

"Friend Ning Zhuo, the cultivation method you practice focuses on the dantian, which inherently puts you at a disadvantage in close combat."

"I suggest you learn some martial arts. Although they are techniques rather than core cultivation methods, they can still help you utilize your physique and energy effectively."

Ning Zhuo made an acknowledging sound. "I wonder if Brother Han Zhou has any good suggestions? I'm all ears!"

Han Zhou then said, "If Friend Ning Zhuo doesn't mind, I am willing to teach you martial arts like Frost Fist and Chilling Leg."

Ning Zhuo immediately frowned. "Is that appropriate?"

"Appropriate? It's more than appropriate!" Han Zhou chuckled inwardly. "Learning these martial arts will make you more inclined to specialize in the Bitter Cold technique. If I can ultimately convert you, wouldn't that be a great good?"

Outwardly, Han Zhou said, "Friend Ning Zhuo, your ability to comprehend the essence of bitterness and cold shows a natural affinity for the Bitter Cold Sutra. This is fate."

"Our acquaintance began through combat. Teaching you a few martial arts, which aren't fundamental techniques, is no big deal."

"In fact, even the Bitter Cold Sutra isn't entirely off-limits. Back in the day, I was just a beggar. I received the sutra from someone in a snowy, broken-down temple and embarked on the path of cultivation."

"Teaching you these martial arts is like when that person taught me the entire Bitter Cold Sutra. It's about planting good causes to reap good results."

Ning Zhuo understood. "Hearing your words confirms some of my suspicions. The Bitter Cold Sutra is indeed a Buddhist scripture, isn't it?"

Han Zhou hesitated for a moment but finally nodded. "That's correct."

"However, please do not spread this lightly, Friend Ning Zhuo, to avoid revealing my roots."

"The Bitter Cold Sutra comes from the Hinayana Buddhism, emphasizing self-liberation. As the saying goes, the sea of suffering has no bounds. Only through enduring bitterness and cold can one temper a body and will fit for cultivation."

"The Bitter Cold Sutra transforms the various sufferings and hardships of life into resources for cultivation!"

Ning Zhuo nodded. "In that case, I ask Brother Han Zhou to teach me the relevant martial arts."

Han Zhou, however, smiled slightly. "I have a method that can allow you to master them quickly."

Ning Zhuo looked intrigued and immediately inquired.

Han Zhou then took out a small bowl from his storage belt. The bowl was about eighty percent full of water.

"Back then, the expert who taught me the Bitter Cold Sutra used this very object."

"This bowl contains water refined from bitterness, imbued with the essence of the Bitter Cold Sutra. Friend Ning Zhuo, you only need to take a small sip to instantly understand all the intricacies of the related martial arts and master them completely."

"Ordinary people can't use this method. The water of bitterness is extremely difficult to swallow. Its intense bitterness can even plunge one into extreme depression, making life and the world seem bleak and leading to voluntary suicide."

"But I observe that since you, Friend Ning Zhuo, can comprehend some of the mysteries of the Bitter Cold Sutra from the bitter chill during our exchanges, your understanding is exceptional, and you have a natural affinity for this Buddhist scripture."

"Would you like to give it a try?"

Ning Zhuo looked at the water in the bowl. It was a deep, dark blue, with a faint, cold glow shimmering on the surface.

Standing close, Ning Zhuo could clearly feel a piercing chill emanating from the bowl, as if it could freeze one's soul.

"Water of Bitterness, I've heard of it. It's a treasure of water-element sin," Ning Zhuo remarked with emotion.

In Huoshi Immortal City, he had witnessed the 'Highest Good is Like Water,' a treasure of water-element merit.

Now he encountered the Water of Bitterness, which stood in opposition to the Highest Good is Like Water—a treasure of sin.

The very existence of the Water of Bitterness symbolizes sin. Legend says it is condensed from countless tears of pain and regret.

Those who possess or come into contact with the Water of Bitterness are forced to confront their deepest inner faults, grievances, sorrows, pains, and so on. Long-term exposure gradually erodes the spirit, causing the cultivator to sink into endless suffering and remorse.

When this erosion reaches a certain level, the cultivator may experience auditory hallucinations, constantly hearing whispers and sobs in their ears, all lamenting their woes.

It is absolute torture.

Ning Zhuo wore a serious expression.

Han Zhou reassured him, "Friend, don't worry too much. This Water of Bitterness has been refined. Under my supervision, it will allow you to grasp part of the essence of the Bitter Cold Sutra and instantly comprehend seven martial arts."

"Of course, there is a precondition."

"The precondition is that you must resist the bitterness and gain insight from it, rather than letting the bitterness affect your emotions, allowing your heart to be overwhelmed by sorrow, sinking into various negative feelings, unable to free yourself."

"If that happens, not only will you fail to comprehend any martial arts, but returning to a normal state would also come at a great cost."

"The risks involved are significant."

Ning Zhuo only thought for a moment before smiling. "Brother Han Zhou, your frankness makes me trust you! Trying it out shouldn't be a problem."

"However, the training ground isn't a suitable place."

"Can I take some of this Water of Bitterness with me?"

Han Zhou nodded. "Of course."

He immediately proceeded to pour a small bottle and handed it to Ning Zhuo.

After bidding farewell to Han Zhou, Ning Zhuo returned to his cave dwelling.

He first carefully inspected the Water of Bitterness with Sun Lingtong, confirming that it had indeed been refined and no longer posed significant harm.

Ning Zhuo then asked Sun Lingtong to watch over him while he tasted the Water of Bitterness.

Sun Lingtong was very interested and told Ning Zhuo that he had never tasted it before since childhood. He asked Ning Zhuo to save some for him to try as well.

The two entered the Spiritual Plant Pod together.

Inside the pod, the dark yellow soil had noticeably lightened compared to before.

Although it was only a thin layer, due to the space-folding array, the actual thickness of the soil was much greater than what met the eye.

In the center of the chamber stood a Hidden Willow.

Clear, melodious sounds surrounded them, a gentle spring breeze blew, and the willow branches swayed in the wind.

Both Ning Zhuo and Sun Lingtong looked at the Hidden Willow, observing it carefully. The former frowned slightly, while the latter showed delight.

Sun Lingtong said, "Brother, look, those withered willow branches are showing signs of recovery. Before, they seemed completely dehydrated, but now they've plumped up a bit."

Ning Zhuo, however, sighed. "It seems the Hidden Willow's consumption is much greater than I imagined."

"We've done our best, gathering the finest materials currently available, but the Hidden Willow's recovery speed is not ideal."

Ning Zhuo looked down at the soil near the roots of the Hidden Willow. He extended his spiritual sense, penetrating the earth, and saw that the Five-Colored Divine Sand and Three-Treasure Spirit Soil previously scattered there were almost entirely depleted, with only minimal remnants left—less than ten percent of the original amount.

The Star River Spirit Liquid, poured in earlier, had moistened the soil, but now the soil was relatively dry; the spirit liquid had been completely consumed!

Ning Zhuo immediately decided, "It seems this Hidden Willow isn't easy to sustain. We need to continue investing resources to maintain its vitality."

Sun Lingtong also frowned. "Through regular means, it might be tough. Lin Shanshan, the apple of the Sect Master's eye, was even placed under confinement because of this matter."

"But I believe the Wan Yao Sect definitely has more spirit soil and divine sand. Otherwise..."

(End of )