The Eternal Sin-Chapter 36: Improving Mastery.

Jiang Chen stepped out of the Martial Scroll Hall as the afternoon sunlight slanted across the stone steps, painting the sect buildings in gold while distant bells echoed softly.

As he descended the steps, he thought, ’If I master Traceless Ink Steps to even basic proficiency, my speed should improve by a large margin. I could likely become the fastest among the Qi Condensation disciples of the sect.’

’Hm, but the world is vast and geniuses are as numerous as the stars. Not to mention individuals who conceal themselves like hidden dragons. Who would have expected a nobody like me to obtain the Flesh Devouring God Scripture. Who can say that others do not possess methods that are even more terrifying.’

Jiang Chen let out a slow breath, letting the excitement settle back into his bones. Overconfidence was a blade that cut its wielder first. Only those who kept their feet firmly on the ground could walk farther on the cultivation path than those filled with empty arrogance.

With that thought, he headed toward his residence. However, as he passed through the bustling outer plaza, his gaze caught a familiar figure seated inside a herbal tea shop.

Jiang Chen paused for half a breath before changing direction.

Inside the shop, steam curled lazily from porcelain cups. Low murmurs blended with the gentle clink of ceramic lids. A rough looking man sat alone by the window. His back was broad, shoulders like carved stone, thick eyebrows lending his face a naturally fierce look. A blade hung quietly at his waist.

"Team Leader Wang. I did not expect you to be a man fond of tea," Jiang Chen said with a faint smile.

The man looked up coldly, but the moment he recognized Jiang Chen, his expression eased and he let out a short breath.

"Junior Brother Jiang, are you trying to get me executed by calling me that. Do not use that title. Sigh..."

Wang Wei shook his head and motioned for the waiter to bring another cup.

Jiang Chen sat opposite him with a carefree air. This man was Wang Wei, the Golden Demon masked cultivator he had rescued from the formation at the Jade Heart Plantation.

"What brings you wandering around instead of cultivating," Wang Wei asked as he poured tea.

"Senior Brother Sun rewarded me with a Lone Tiger Selection token," Jiang Chen replied simply. "I went to choose a technique. On my way back, I happened to see you."

Wang Wei’s eyes flickered with surprise before he nodded. "Good fortune follows good men. Congratulations."

After a brief pause, his expression grew solemn.

"And once again, thank you. Because of you, I am still alive. You gave me this chance to search for the one who killed my elder brother."

Jiang Chen laughed lightly and waved his hand. "Senior Brother, there is no need for thanks. I only did what I should. I also hope you find your revenge and punish that villain."

Said the person who had personally killed that elder brother, looted his belongings, and even stolen his identity to dupe others afterward.

Wang Wei stared at him for a long moment before taking a sip of tea. "Junior Brother, if you ever need assistance, no matter the matter. Look for me."

Hearing this, Jiang Chen revealed a row of white teeth and said dryly, "Haha. In truth, there is a matter where I truly need some help."

The tea arrived at that moment. Wang Wei accepted a cup and pushed it toward Jiang Chen, the liquid shimmered like pale jade.

"Speak freely. What help do you need?" Wang Wei said.

Jiang Chen accepted the cup and took a small sip. His eyes brightened imperceptibly.

"Good tea," he praised, then lowered his voice. "From our recent mission, I obtained a large quantity of spiritual plants. I have not found an opportunity to sell them. And with the current commotion in the sect, I don’t dare sell them openly. A nobody suddenly appearing with such a pile of materials would invite disaster."

Wang Wei did not even blink. He waved his hand dismissively. "You do not need to say more. I understand your situation. I know someone who has dealings with spiritual resources. I will contact this person, and then this person will contact you. This matter, consider it handled."

He glanced at Jiang Chen again.

"Anything else?"

"This is already more than enough. Many thanks, Senior Brother Wang," Jiang Chen replied with fake sincerity.

They exchanged a few more words, then parted ways. Jiang Chen returned to his residence and sat upon his cultivation cushion. From his storage bag, he retrieved a worn diary bound in dark leather.

It was the notebook taken from the Buddha masked cultivator’s bag of holding.

Jiang Chen flipped through it until he reached the section he sought. Page after page recorded insights on the Heavenly Tiger Fist. From what Jiang Chen knew, the man had attained peak mastery of the technique.

’If I can comprehend even a small fraction of his insights, advancing to advanced mastery may not be a distant dream.’

He began to read.

At first his brow was tightly knit, a shallow crease forming between his eyebrows as his gaze moved slowly across the pages. But the more he read, the more that crease gradually smoothed out. The lines of text seemed to grow clearer, like sediment settling at the bottom of muddy water, and the meaning within concepts began aligning with his own years of understanding and experience.

The diary did not merely explain of forms but of intent, of spirit, of temperament. Of how the tiger was not to be reduced to just a ferocious creature but also a patient one. A creature that could remain motionless for hours, blood quiet, only to erupt in a single instant with power that ripped bone and flesh.

Page after page dismantled the Heavenly Tiger Fist into its smallest details. Where to sink the shoulders. When to relax the waist. How even a fraction of hesitation in the circulation of essence could turn a killing blow into wasted force. Certain passages focused entirely on breathing, describing how a misplaced inhale could cause nearly a third of one’s essence to scatter uselessly.

’So this is how the force should explode.’

’Ha, no wonder my essence consumption was wasteful.’

’Tsk, tsk, what have I been doing all this time...’

Understanding bloomed within Jiang Chen’s mind like a lamp lit in darkness. It was as though for all these years, he had wandered and stumbled alone through the night. And now faint glowing footprints appeared on the road ahead, left behind by someone who had already traversed the path.

Hours slipped by unnoticed. When he finally closed the diary, the sky outside had darkened completely and crickets had begun their nightly chorus.

Jiang Chen stepped into the courtyard.

Moonlight spilled down from above, coating the stone tiles in a pale sheen like frost. The air was cool and carried the faint scent of earth and night blooming flowers.

He began practicing the Heavenly Tiger Fist.

Recalling the diary’s words, his fists moved with a steady rhythm. Essence flowed from his dantian, surging into his limbs before withdrawing through his meridians in controlled cycles, like water circulating through deep channels.

With each motion, a lifelike phantom of a tiger coiled around his arms. Every punch carried fiercer intent than before, like the claws of a demonic beast tearing at invisible barriers.

His wastage of spiritual essence decreased with every repetition. His efficiency improved rapidly, his movements becoming more refined.

Jiang Chen continued to practice long into the night, replenishing his spiritual essence whenever it ran dry, his mind narrowed to a single point, like a needle piercing through fabric.

Swoosh~

Jiang Chen’s fist cut through the air, golden light blazing like the midnight sun.

Again.

And again.

To an outsider watching, Jiang Chen would have looked like a madman, repeating the same forms in a seemingly endless repetition. To an extent, he was a madman. Sweat soaked his clothes, dust clung to his skin, and his breath came ragged and uneven.

’My talent is just disappointingly low. I have always known this.’

Jiang Chen had never deceived himself. He lacked the heaven gifted aptitude that allowed geniuses to leap ahead. What he possessed was stubborn perseverance taken to the point of insanity.

’If I wish to advance, I must pay with obsession where others might pay with talent. Only then is there a chance. Even then, it may not be enough.’

With that resolve burning in his heart, the tiger phantoms in his fists seemed to grow more alive, more tyrannical. A faint roaring sound even started to echo within his mind.

The night thinned.

Crickets fell silent one by one. The stars dimmed as a pale line of dawn crept over the distant mountains. Jiang Chen finally collapsed to one knee, then thumped fully to the ground, his chest heaving.

He lay there for several breaths, hair disheveled, eyes weary but blazingly clear.

A faint smile curved his lips.

"Advanced mastery. Hehe, I did it."

He forced himself up, cleaned his body, and fell asleep almost the moment his head touched the bed.

When he woke at noon, the sun stood high in the sky.

After eating lightly, Jiang Chen made his way toward the mountain waterfall. The roar of cascading water greeted him from afar, mist hanging in the air like drifting clouds.

He stopped before the cascading white torrent, stretching his limbs as his muscles loosened.

’It is time for some more training.’