I Am Overlord c1-962

by Translator: Pokka; Author: 我本纯洁 (I Am Pure); Licensed From: Migu

  After discussing for a while more, the group fixed a gathering time and dispersed. Having no plans to train, Xiang Shaoyun ran to the Medicine Hall. Before setting out on a journey, not preparing sufficient medicines was a no-go. With 2,000 points, he could at least afford a few old medicines. If he were to properly mix the old medicines together, it would greatly strengthen their medicinal properties.

  He used 600 points to exchange for a few younger herbal medicines as well as several stalks of old medicines before leaving the Medicine Hall. After that, he ran to the Battle Technique Hall. This was not the outer court’s Battle Technique Hall but the one within the inner court.

  Within the inner court’s Battle Technique Hall were battle techniques of varying styles and tiers. If one had enough points, one could exchange for a new battle technique. Right now, all Xiang Shaoyun had were tier-1 battle techniques. These were all insufficient for him.

  He needed to master a tier-2 battle technique in order to be more thoroughly prepared. Then, if he were to encounter a mid-tier demonic beast along the way, he would be able to protect himself.

  After entering the inner court’s Battle Technique Hall, he found that the viscosity of its formation was much thicker compared to the ones at the Medicine Hall and the Weapon Hall.

  "The formation is much more potent here! It seems that Martial Hall Palace places a lot of emphasis on the Battle Technique Hall," Xiang Shaoyun muttered to himself.

  At the same time, he also realized that the one handling the Battle Technique Hall was not an ordinary overseer but an unfamiliar elder. This could be inferred from his manner of dress as well as the title plate on his chest.

  Bowing respectfully, Xiang Shaoyun politely said, "Greetings to elder!"

  This wizened old elder opened his eyes slightly before he feebly said, "The first floor has tier-1 and tier-2 battle techniques; the second floor has tier-3 battle techniques. As long as you have enough points, you can get whichever skill you want."

  After his explanation, he once again closed his eyes, as if nothing else here had anything to do with him.

  Chapter 27: Star Destroying Finger!

  "Bone Breaking Palm, primary tier-2 battle technique. A single palm is enough to damage internal organs and break bones; 1,500 points.

  "Seven Cries Fist, primary tier-2 battle technique. With a single fist, the energy of seven animal cries will sharply converge and attack its opponent with massive destructive power; 1,700 points.

  "Quick Revolving Spear, mid tier-2 Battle technique. Practicing this makes one's spear fluid as water, providing reliable coverage all around; 2,000 points."

  Xiang Shaoyun was leisurely browsing the inner court's Battle Technique Hall, taking a look at each and every battle technique description he passed by. On his face was plastered a bitter smile. Right now, he only had 1,400 points remaining. Wanting to exchange for a tier-2 battle technique was not going to be easy.

  "I used to think that 2,000 points was quite a lot, but now I realize that I am really a poor man!" Xiang Shaoyun grieved.

  After browsing through the entire first floor, his eyes fell on a battle technique called the "Star Destroying Finger".

  Star Destroying Finger, an incomplete tier-3 battle technique. One finger contained enough explosive power to utterly kill and obliterate one’s enemies—3,000 points.

  "These are all incomplete tier-3 battle techniques, which is probably why they were placed here instead of the second floor. However, its price is still staggering!" Xiang Shaoyun gasped in shock as he stared at the nearby battle techniques. After a while, he continued, "Star Destroying Finger! This is a rarely seen finger technique! Although it's incomplete, if I'm able to unleash a tiny portion of its full power, it'll be enough to threaten those at the Astral Realm!"

  The more Xiang Shaoyun looked at this battle technique, the more he desired it. How he wanted to exchange for it! What a pity it was that he only had half of the required points needed to exchange for the skill.

  "Don't bother looking anymore. The requirements to cultivate the Star Destroying Finger are extremely strict! Even if you're able to gather enough points to exchange for it, it'll merely be a waste," a nearby voice said from beside Xiang Shaoyun.

  Turning his head, he found that it was the person who had a fateful connection with him, Wang Zhenchuan. Previously when Xiang Shaoyun first dined in the restaurant, it was Wang Zhenchuan who protected him from Wang Yan's attacks.

  "Greetings, senior brother. May I know what difficulty there is in practicing the Star Destroying Finger?" Xiang Shaoyun humbly asked.

  "The Star Destroying Finger is an incomplete battle technique, making it extremely difficult to practice. Most importantly, one's bones must be extremely sturdy. Otherwise, one won't be able to bring out even half of its power," Wang Zhenchuan emphasized. Pausing for a while, he then added, "Those who have tried practicing this skill have mostly given up."

  "It's that hard to learn?!" Xiang Shaoyun gasped in astonishment.

  "Indeed. Since you're carrying a saber on your back, why don't you go and choose a tier-2 saber skill for yourself? It's much more practical that way," Wang Zhenchuan patiently suggested.

  "Many thanks for senior brother's kind reminder," Xiang Shaoyun gratefully said. He then proceeded to ask, "Senior brother, could you be so kind as to lend me 1,500 points? In the future, I'll be sure to pay you back with interest!"

  "Borrowing 1,500 points?" Wang Zhenchuan lightly pondered, scratching his head. Even for an inner court disciple such as him, this was still quite a hefty sum.

  Thinking that Wang Zhenchuan did not believe in him, Xiang Shaoyun took out his own jade plate and said, "This is a jade plate from the Hall of Limits. I believe that after a short while, I'll have even more points in here! At that time, returning senior brother's points shouldn't be an issue."

  Upon seeing the jade plate in Xiang Shaoyun's hand, Wang Zhenchuan marvelled to himself, saying, "He is indeed worthy of being the genius who triggered the five stars illuminating the sky! He's able to clear the Hall of Limits' challenges!"

  Thinking for a brief moment, he then replied, "I can lend you the points, but you must promise me something."

  "What would senior brother like me to help you with? As long as I, Xiang Shaoyun, am able to do it, I will carry it out without question!" Xiang Shaoyun promised as he patted his chest.

  “If it’s possible, please introduce me to the Purple Lightning Marquis. I wish to have him as my master,” Wang Zhenchuan replied very honestly.

  “So this is the case. Consider it done!” Xiang Shaoyun promised as he placed a fist to his chest. He thought to himself, If he becomes Zi Changhe’s disciple, as Zi Changhe’s junior brother, I’ll become his martial uncle! I won’t need to return this debt then, heh heh.

  “Good! Let’s go over there, then. I’ll transfer you my jade plate’s points!” Wang Zhenchuan exclaimed.

  “Great!” Xiang Shaoyun joyfully replied.

  The two of them then proceeded to the front counter where Wang Zhenchuan transferred some of his points to Xiang Shaoyun. Now, Xiang Shaoyun had 2,900 points in his Jade Plate. Adding the Hall of Limits’ 20 percent discount, exchanging for the Star Destroying Finger became a non-issue.

  After Xiang Shaoyun obtained the Star Destroying Finger, Wang Zhenchuan could not help but gasp, “Didn’t I say that the Star Destroying Finger was extremely difficult to cultivate?”

  “Just because it’s difficult to cultivate does not mean I am unable to do so,” Xiang Shaoyun casually replied before further asking, “Senior brother, may I know how to address you? I will definitely recommend you to Senior Brother Zi on your behalf.”

  “Inner court disciple, Wang Zhenchuan,” he earnestly replied.

  “Okay. Wait for my good news!” Xiang Shaoyun told him.

  Not dallying any further, he bid farewell to Wang Zhenchuan and left.

  Within three days, he had to master the Star Destroying Finger so as to guarantee his safety throughou
t the journey. He could not become food for the demonic beasts just for the sake of the Earth Star Spring!

  After going to and exchanging for some food at the restaurant, Xiang Shaoyun returned to his personal compound. Retrieving the method to practice the Star Destroying Finger, he began to meditate on it. He swiftly glanced through the formula as well as the pictures for practicing the Star Destroying Finger. He memorized all of it practically at once.

  This was one of his greatest assets—photographic memory.

  If one wanted to practice the Star Destroying Finger, the most important prerequisite was that his finger bones needed to be sufficiently sturdy. One’s finger bones needed to be at least as sturdy as a tier-1 weapon before being able to practice it to minor completion. The sturdiness of a tier-2 weapon would allow the user to exert an ever greater force, and the hardness of a tier-3 weapon would allow one to practice it to great completion.

  Having strong finger bones was key to the practicing of the Star Destroying Finger. This was also why Wang Zhenchuan had relentlessly warned Xiang Shaoyun against practicing this particular battle technique. Normal low-ranking martial artists would find it impossible to have finger bones as hard as tier-1 weapons, hence finding it difficult to practice this particular skill.

  “With my current condition, my finger bones should be about as hard as a tier-1 weapon. Practicing this skill should pose no problems for me whatsoever,” Xiang Shaoyun muttered to himself. He then lightly sighed and said, “The Star Destroying Finger is only two-thirds complete, missing that final portion. What a pity.”

  He immediately began to enter into a state of visualization, viewing one image after another within his mind.

  Visualization.

  This was one of his cultivation gifts, which was also the main reason as to why he was able to quickly comprehend various techniques. He possessed this ability ever since he was young, which set him far aside from his fellow peers.

  In the state of visualization, he could quickly grasp the main points behind the movements shown in the images. Once he understood the key points behind the images, practicing it together with the mantra made it such that he was able to achieve twice the result with half the effort.

  Pow Pow!

  Once he had completely comprehended the Star Destroying Finger, Xiang Shaoyun repeatedly jabbed at a wooden peg. His physical body was already extraordinarily sturdy. Adding the fact that he was concentrating his power into his strong hand, landing blow after blow on the wooden peg did not hurt him one bit.

  Right now, the only thing he needed to accomplish was to ensure that his finger would be able to endure the releasing of astral energy. Once he mastered that, embedding his finger with energy would not be an issue for him.

  After a single day, he didn’t know how many wooden pegs he had jabbed with his finger, which was now completely sore. Unfortunately, he had not been able to reach the point where he could release astral energy in his jabs.

  That being said, he still had quite a substantial harvest from his practice. He could feel that the energy within him had begun flowing to his finger. So long as he could gather that energy and release it in a single breath, practicing the skill to minor completion would be a breeze.

  Chapter 28: People Flee at the Sight of Trouble!

  Come nighttime, Xiang Shaoyun chose not to practice the Star Destroying Finger any further. Instead, he ground some of the medicines he had exchanged for earlier into a paste and wrapped them around his battered finger.

  The Star Destroying Finger was not a simple tier-1 battle technique. Although it was incomplete, despite it being a tier-3 battle technique, the difficulty of practicing it was 10 times more difficult than practicing another tier-3 skill. Xiang Shaoyun was but a seventh-stage Basic Realm cultivator. To have that much level of comprehension within a single day was amazing in itself.

  "My current self should have already reached the later phase of seventh-stage Basic Realm. If I factor in the speed in which the Heaven Conquering Overlord Manual is aiding my cultivation, I need at least 10 days to reach peak phase, even when factoring in the Hall of Limits. However, this little bit of strength is negligible when it comes to the Hundred Beast Mountain Range. If I want to protect myself there, I'll have to think of another plan," Xiang Shaoyun muttered to himself as he munched on some food before planning his next step.

  In order to regain everything he had lost, Xiang Shaoyun had to carefully take into account every step he took. He did not wish for his heroic years to be cut short, nor did he wish to fail to live up to certain people's expectations.

  "I know! I'll cultivate the Overlord's Nine Nether Steps! It'll help me raise both my speed and my combat ability!" Xiang Shaoyun exclaimed, his eyes sparkling.

  The Overlord's Nine Nether Steps was a movement technique. Just like Heaven Conquering Overlord Manual, Xiang Shaoyun found it in a secret realm when he was younger. That being said, unlike the latter, the former was a complete technique.

  When the Overlord's Nine Nether Steps was practiced to perfection, with one step upward, one could reach purgatory, and with one step downward, one could reach the nine hells. This was an ultimate movement technique. Normally, the higher the tier of a battle technique, the stronger one needed to be in order to practice it.

  However, movement techniques were different. Although they do not provide a significant increase in strength from the start, they could be cultivated nonetheless, just that the results wouldn't be as obvious.

  Although this was the case, if one was able to comprehend just a sliver of a top-tier movement technique, it would be enough to last most low-ranking martial artists for a while. Upon deciding his next course of action, Xiang Shaoyun began to meditate on the Overlord's Nine Nether Steps.

  Two hours later, Xiang Shaoyun smiled bitterly as he lamented, "Worthy of being a peak-rank movement technique. Even with my ability, I'm only able to understand a tenth of its key points. If I want to fully comprehend it, I'll need to at least reach the Transformation Realm!"

  Getting up on his feet, Xiang Shaoyun revolved the Heaven Conquering Overlord Manual as his mind started visualizing the intricate technique. Simultaneously, his body also started flickering all over the place.

  Ta! Ta!

  One step, two steps, three steps…

  In his compound, Xiang Shaoyun endlessly practiced his movement technique, seemingly emitting a profound aura. This was due to the compatibility between the Heaven Conquering Overlord Manual and the Overlord's Nine Nether Steps. Otherwise, it would not have been so easy for Xiang Shaoyun to reap such great benefits within a short period of time.

  Two days passed quickly, and the time to enter the Hundred Beast Mountain Range arrived. Xiang Shaoyun, Mo Buhui, Mei Lianhua, and Lu Xiaoqing were all gathered together.

  "All of us are here. Let's quickly set off! It’ll take at least two days to reach the Hundred Beast Mountain Range!" Mo Buhui said.

  "If only we had a mount to take us there. It would've taken us less than a day to reach it." Mei Lianhua lightly sighed.

  "The Hundred Beast Mountain Range contains innumerable demonic beasts. It's not impossible to tame a beast to be our mount, but we also require the strength to do so," Mo Buhui unhurriedly replied.

  "As soon as I break through to the Astral Realm, I will definitely be able to tame a mount!" Mei Lianhua declared with confidence. Following that, she softened her eyes as she drew closer to Xiang Shaoyun and coyly said, "Shaoyun, the Hundred Beast Mountain Range is full of dangers. You must protect us all, OK?"

  "Senior Mei is treating me as an outsider. The four of us are going there together; of course we should take care of one another!" Xiang Shaoyun replied.

  "Okay, let's get going," Mo Buhui grumbled.

  As such, the four of them left Martial Hall Palace together.

  "It's been half a month since I first entered Martial Hall Palace. Finally, a chance for me to have a breath of fresh air!" Xiang Shaoyun was secretly delighted.

 
Martial Hall Palace was situated right in the middle of Wu Town. The moment they walked out of Martial Hall Palace, they were on Wu Town’s main road. They needed to exit Wu Town before journeying another two days south before being able to reach Hundred Beast Mountain Range.

  The four of them were equally anxious, and they very quickly exited Wu Town’s central hub. At this point, Mo Buhui retrieved a separate map and let Xiang Shaoyun and Lu Xiaoqing briefly view it. This was essentially proving to the both of them that he and Mei Lianhua were being completely sincere and weren’t holding anything back.

  Xiang Shaoyun swiftly recorded the map deep within his mind. At that moment, Xiang Shaoyun suddenly felt as though he was being watched.

  "Shit. We were overly excited just now and forgot to take note of our surroundings. Could it be those two bastards have found my tracks? Impossible. This area is far away from their sphere of influence; they should not be able to find me within a year! Could it be someone else?" Xiang Shaoyun pondered to himself. The moment he noticed he was being watched, several shadows started popping up from everywhere.

  These people were all carrying their own weapons, and their faces were covered, making it difficult to determine their identities. Xiang Shaoyun's group of four was instantly alerted.

  Mo Buhui sternly asked, "Who are you?! We are disciples of Martial Hall Palace!"

  Within Wu Town, Martial Hall Palace was considered a rather powerful entity. Few groups of people would dare provoke Martial Hall Palace, save a few such as the Wu Family. However, they had actually been surrounded by this group of masked people.

  "This brat stays. The rest of you, get lost!" the leader of the masked men bellowed, pointing at Xiang Shaoyun.

  Needless to say, this group of people had come here specifically for Xiang Shaoyun.

  "What the hell do you want to do to him?! He's also a disciple of Martial Hall Palace!" Mei Lianhua shrieked.

  "If you don't get lost, I'll kill the rest of you as well. Your Martial Hall Palace won’t be able to easily figure out who we are anyway," the masked man said, his voice not masking his killing intent one bit.