Chapter Sixty-three: The Azure Dragon of the Four Seas—A Mere Glimpse of Its Scales and Claws!

“Next, I must continuously strengthen my vitality, so that it flows not like a stream but like a river, an ocean… Then power will advance by leaps and bounds.” Bai Xuan understood this clearly in his heart.

A short while later, he had returned to the ship at the harbor and began eating ravenously.

“Phew… The pressure to replenish this vitality is immense,” Bai Xuan could feel it keenly.

This breakthrough had nearly drained all his reserves, transforming them into that slender creek of energy. Only after devouring most of the remaining deep-sea giant squid and thoroughly digesting it did he barely manage to restore himself.

The power of condensed vitality in physical form was unmatched—no ordinary martial artist could withstand it.

“However, I currently lack a martial art suitable for this blood-refining level. That’s a problem,” Bai Xuan reflected. All his progress so far had been carved out through combat, seizing martial arts from others. Yet, at this blood-refining stage, such methods were rare.

“Lu Ming does possess the ‘Abyssal Body-Tempering Art,’ but there’s no rush to seek him out. I should first consolidate my current strength.”

“As for the clan… it’s about time I drew upon some family resources.” Bai Xuan remained calm.

As one of the four great families of Qianshan Island, the Bai clan had produced even grandmasters; they naturally possessed cultivation methods for the blood-refining stage.

He hadn’t taken much from the clan before, but now, it was time to reveal a measure of his strength and claim a valuable technique.

…

“Bai Xuan has broken through the vitality barrier three times?” Bai Xuanji exclaimed in delight.

In these turbulent times, when dark clouds loomed over everyone’s hearts, this news brought him immense joy.

How long had Bai Xuan been practicing external martial arts? Yet in one leap, he’d surpassed the barrier three times, stepping into the ranks of ship captains!

“Yes, Chief! We were stationed at the door and saw it with our own eyes…” reported several young sailors whom Bai Xuan had sent to notify Bai Xuanji.

“Excellent, excellent!” Bai Xuanji rose and paced the room. “A peerless talent has emerged aboard the Kaiyang!”

The other captains present were all stunned.

“Three vitality breakthroughs… Isn’t that sailor leader not even twenty yet?”

To break through three times before twenty meant one might attempt the Life-and-Death Pass before forty.

The younger one was at that stage, the stronger the vitality; the greater the chance of breaking through. In old age, hope was all but lost. Even consuming potent elixirs would only waste resources.

At this age, to have surpassed the barrier three times made him a dazzling new star within the clan.

What did it matter if he was from a collateral branch?

A great martial clan like the Bai family prized martial prowess above all. Geniuses, no matter their branch, were drawn into the main line and cultivated without stint. Otherwise, relying only on the direct line’s modest numbers, the family would have scattered long ago.

…

A moment later.

“Brother,” Bai Xuan entered the room, his expression composed.

Though he’d advanced in rank, it had been a natural progression—not something to be overly excited about.

With the Longevity Dao Tree within him, brimming with energy, the ‘Seven Seas Life-Guarding Art,’ two potent elixirs, and the protection of the Red Serpent’s secret venom… If he couldn’t break through with all that, it would mean his Longevity Dao Tree simply wasn’t working hard enough.

“Ha!” Bai Xuanji barked softly.

A surge of energy radiated from him, pressing toward Bai Xuan. Instantly, a fiery aura flared from Bai Xuan in response, the two forces clashing!

“So it’s true—you’ve broken through three times,” Bai Xuanji retracted his energy, his joy overflowing.

“Now that you’ve reached this height, in these troubled times, it truly is a blessing for the family!” He was deeply encouraged.

Looking at Bai Xuan before him, he could already foresee, twenty years hence, the Bai family possessing a pillar that could hold up the heavens—a force that even the most notorious pirates could not threaten!

He gestured for the other captains to withdraw.

“Now that you’ve passed the third vitality barrier, you’ll soon be fit to serve as a captain. But if there’s anything you desire, speak freely,” Bai Xuanji offered.

At this moment, there was nothing he would refuse—even if Bai Xuan asked for his daughter’s hand in marriage, he would agree without hesitation.

Bai Xuan was the sailor leader he had personally promoted, raised aboard the Kaiyang, a scion from his own line.

“Brother, I’ve heard that to break through to Grandmaster requires a cultivation method. Does our family possess one? Now that I’ve surpassed the third vitality barrier, I am in need of such a technique.”

Bai Xuan stated his request without hesitation.

“Grandmaster… Very well. Since you’ve reached this level, you should continue to strengthen yourself and set higher goals.”

Bai Xuanji hesitated briefly, then made up his mind.

“Are you aware of the Fundamental Visualization Diagrams of martial arts?”

At this, Bai Xuan’s eyes lit up. He had some vague impression of the Fundamental Visualization Diagrams but had never seen one.

“These diagrams pertain to cultivation at the Life-and-Death Pass. Every true transmission martial art has a corresponding visualization diagram. For our Bai family’s ‘Azure Scale Art,’ the corresponding diagram is the ‘Azure Sea Serpent Aspect Chart.’”

Bai Xuanji became solemn.

“This is a secret not taught to outsiders. It’s only by chance that I obtained it and can now pass it to you. However, I don’t have the original—only a master’s transcription, and only a fragment at that: the left claw of the serpent.”

He carefully produced a scroll, unfurled it, revealing swirling clouds and mist. Amidst them, a scaled claw emerged, faintly radiating the majestic air of the azure serpent.

“Take it and study it well. It may aid you in breaking through the Life-and-Death Pass.”

“I understand.”

Bai Xuan put away the serpent aspect chart.

After Bai Xuan departed, a first mate hurried in.

“Qingyuan has returned? What did he say?”

Bai Xuanji’s expression shifted, his earlier joy fading.

“We have verified that the authorities have no such order. We do not know for whom these goods are truly being forged!”

In a residence next to the government office, a military officer laughed and toasted Bai Qingyuan. “How could there be such an order? For the authorities to commission armor, it would require layer upon layer of approvals, budgeted over time. This year’s review is still pending—no way an order would be placed so suddenly.”

“I understand,” Bai Qingyuan replied amiably, though inwardly he felt a chill.

As soon as the first mate relayed this news, Bai Xuanji’s face changed. He’d long had a premonition, but now his heart sank.

The Forging Mountain Villa had indeed lost its mind. He’d brought thirty thousand taels of silver, yet in the end could only return with a few hundred Bluewater Sabers. How could he explain this to the family?

…

Aboard the ship.

“It’s still most comfortable here,” Bai Xuan thought as he returned. Not all sailors disembarked; some always remained on watch.

In the water jar, the red serpent swam lazily, having been released back into the water.

“It’s time to focus on cultivating my strength,” Bai Xuan mused, turning over the scaled claw in his hand.

“According to Bai Xuanji, upon reaching the blood-refining level in martial arts, one must open the internal and external acupoints so that vitality can cover the whole body. At this stage, martial techniques differ entirely from before, as one wields condensed vitality to slay enemies.”

Bai Xuan compared the serpent aspect chart’s left claw with his own learning.

“So that’s how it is.”

As Bai Xuan pondered, his energy shifted constantly.

With his current martial foundation, any new technique was effortless to grasp.

Most important of all, the Azure Sea Serpent Aspect Chart originated from the same source as the Azure Scale Art. In moments, Bai Xuan had conjured a vivid manifestation of azure scales from his energy, dense with intricate patterns, seemingly indestructible.

Three fierce claws formed purely from condensed energy, merging with his skin, and at the slightest movement, exuded a deadly sharpness, as though they could tear all things asunder.