Infinite Fire Record

Chapter 10: ‘Qi of Fighting’ Ninth Stage

Peach Blossom Island.

When the peach blossoms bloomed, another spring had arrived.

“Peach Blossom Island, an island within an island, five elemental formations, bamboo house cold.” A clear, crisp voice carried an air of innocence.

The words came from a young girl. Her large eyes shone with spiritual light as she gazed at the peach blossom forest before her. The corners of her lips curled downward as she muttered, “Stinky guy, I can never find you. Even when I do, you’re always cold. No wonder Father says you are a demon. Humph…”

Bored in countless ways, the young girl let out a sharp snort before running toward the peach blossom forest beyond.

This girl was none other than Guo Fu, the most unruly young lady in the Divine Eagle world.

A white-clothed youth stood nearby, his indifferent gaze following Guo Fu as she gradually disappeared. He sighed softly. Even if her attitude has changed, her temperament remains the same. After all, she is ‘not enough to make things happen.’

With that thought, the youth turned away and stepped into the heart of the peach blossom forest.

His pace was steady, and before long, he arrived at a bamboo house.

Pushing open the bamboo door, he entered.

This youth was none other than Imperial Sky.

Inside the bamboo house, the arrangement was simple: a desk and bookshelf to the right, a living space, and a bedroom to the left.

This had been Midheaven’s home for ten years.

Ten years—it had already been a decade since he arrived in this world.

Midheaven stepped toward the right side of the house, approaching the desk. Upon it, two books lay neatly stacked. He casually picked one up, his eyes glinting with a refined light as he murmured coldly, “The Falling Divine Sword Palm.”

With that, he opened the book and read in silence.

The Falling Divine Sword Palm was among the finest martial arts of the Eastern Evil, Huang Yaoshi. Its techniques bore poetic names: Jiangcheng Flying Flowers, Rapid Rain, and Wild Wind… Though named for the palm, its roots lay in swordsmanship. The strikes were fluid and dazzling, with illusions masking the real attacks—five feints to one true strike, or even eight to one. Like the wind in a peach blossom grove, the technique created an illusion of ten thousand petals falling, a deadly yet mesmerizing dance where each palm strike carried the sharpness of a sword.

Midheaven had received this martial art from Huang Yaoshi himself on his eighth birthday.

Although it was one of Huang Yaoshi’s most treasured skills, his love for Imperial Sky rivaled that for his daughter, Huang Rong. Naturally, he had imparted it to him.

A cold light flickered in Imperial Sky’s eyes as he carefully studied the manual.

Even though he had obtained the Falling Divine Sword Palm at the age of eight, he had not read through it once in the past two years. The reason was simple—his priority had been fully cultivating the Qi of Fighting.

At six, I had only one segment of Qi of Fighting. Now, four years have passed, and it has reached the eighth stage. My physical body grows stronger, and the number of times I have absorbed medicinal energy has reached seventy-two. One more refinement, and I will step into the ninth stage of Qi of Fighting. Nine refinements remain before I reach the peak and condense the Dou Qi Spin…

Back then, his body had been weak, incapable of enduring even a single additional refinement of medicinal qi. But as his cultivation advanced, his body had strengthened, allowing him to absorb more. Now, he stood on the precipice of the ninth stage.

With that thought, he set the manual aside, his expression indifferent. “It is indeed a top-tier technique, with endless variations between truth and illusion. However, for now, I must first reach the ninth stage of Qi of Fighting.”

With resolute steps, he moved toward the left side of the bamboo house.

Inside the bedroom, Imperial Sky sat cross-legged. With a wave of his right hand, a jade bottle landed steadily on the wooden table.

His lips curled slightly as he exhaled and emptied his mind.

As he inhaled, the medicinal fragrance drifted toward his mouth. His breathing quickened, and in moments, he had already consumed sixty-four strands of Dan Fragrance Qi.

At that moment, his speed gradually slowed. Within his body, waves of searing heat surged through him.

The Dan Fragrance Qi transformed into fiery currents, continuously tempering his body.

Suddenly, Imperial Sky felt as though he had stepped into a furnace. With each inhalation, the flames roared higher, their heat intensifying.

Seventy-one… Seventy-two… he silently counted.

The instant the final strand of qi entered his body, his eyes snapped open. A brilliant light erupted from his gaze as waves of scorching energy surged through him, causing his entire face to flush red.

With one deep breath, he inhaled a tremendous amount of medicinal qi.

It burned—his entire body felt as if it were melting.

What Imperial Sky did not know was that cultivating the Pill Clan Technique required only fifth-grade medicinal qi. The higher the quality, the more agonizing the breakthrough became. But once reaching the ninth stage, this pain became a crucial part of the body’s transformation.

At this moment, his experience was akin to consuming a Red Gold Dragon Marrow Pill, albeit in minuscule doses.

His entire body flushed crimson, flames seeming to envelop him. His very bones and marrow burned in the relentless inferno.

Imperial Sky clenched his eyes shut, his facial muscles twitching as he endured the torment.

Yet, despite the pain, his brow remained cold.

Between his eyebrows, a pale flame flickered. From it, a frigid aura emerged, surging through his body like a chilling tide.

Boom!

His entire body trembled, a thunderous roar echoing from within. A faint trace of a dragon’s growl resounded.

Moments later, Imperial Sky slowly opened his eyes. A sharp, refined light burst forth, and with one forceful exhale, he spat out a mouthful of scarlet blood.

The blood splattered onto the wooden table, igniting instantly before turning to ash.

A pungent scent reached his nose. Gazing at the remnants, he murmured, “Is this… the Yi Jing Marrow Cleansing?”

As he rose to his feet, he noticed his white robe was now stained crimson.

With a slight frown, he strode out of the bamboo house toward the sea.

Peach Blossom Island was surrounded by water. Imperial Sky’s residence lay close to the shore.

Standing waist-deep in the waves, he allowed the cold seawater to wash away the impurities from his body.

Clenching his fists, he gazed into the distance. His lips curled into a faint smile as he whispered, “The ninth stage of Qi of Fighting… I can already condense the Fighting Qi Spin. However, its formation may succeed or fail. According to the Pill Clan Technique, I must consume nine hundred ninety-one mouthfuls of medicinal qi to ensure success…”