Comprehension Metamorphosis, Hidden Dragon in the Depths!

"Refining Organs!" Lu Changsheng felt a trace of emotion. Counting the time, it had actually only been about a year and a half since he first began practicing martial arts. Yet from an ordinary youth, he had already become a Refining Organs martial artist! The Refining Organs Realm was the final hurdle among the three hurdles of Body Tempering, and also a truly unique one. According to what Lu Changsheng understood, the Refining Organs Realm had no upper limit. Yes, there was simply no ceiling—in theory, one could continue tempering indefinitely. The internal organs were practically the most fragile parts of the human body. Yet every single organ was of paramount importance; injury to any of them was equivalent to damaging one's very foundation. The three hurdles of Body Tempering—Strengthening Blood, Tempering Bone, and Refining Organs—were all meant to lay the foundation for advancing to the Divine Strength Realm. The firmer the foundation, the easier it was to advance to the Divine Strength Realm. In the Strengthening Blood Realm, Lu Changsheng had reached the absolute limit of qi and blood. In the Tempering Bone Realm, he had tempered his bones into indestructible jade bones. In the Refining Organs Realm, there was theoretically no limit. But without question, the stronger one's internal organs were, the greater the hope of advancing to the Divine Strength Realm. Therefore, Lu Changsheng's objective for Refining Organs was very clear: to do everything possible to temper his internal organs until further tempering yielded virtually no effect, only then considering breaking through the life-and-death gateway to advance to the Divine Strength Realm. This stage was essentially one of accumulation, and it could prove to be a very long process. Day after day passed. Originally, Lu Changsheng had already been preparing to leave the icy mountain. However, because Long Fei's injuries were severe, if he were to leave, some unforeseen mishap might befall Long Fei. Thus, he stayed for an additional half-month. On this day, Lu Changsheng had just finished practicing a martial skill. "Eagle Claw Hand perfected. Comprehension +3." A line of small characters floated before Lu Changsheng's eyes. Yet he was not overly surprised. Half a month was ample time for him to cultivate many martial skills to perfection. Consequently, over these past few days, martial skills reached perfection almost daily. However, this time seemed somewhat different. After "Comprehension +3," it felt as if some kind of metamorphosis had begun. In Lu Changsheng's mind, countless sparks of inspiration collided, sparking yet more waves of insight. He had just been preparing to use the Nine-Word Thunder Sound Secret Method to temper his internal organs. Yet now, with the rise in his comprehension, his mind was clearer than ever before. What had once been obscure and cryptic about the Nine-Word Thunder Sound Secret Method now seemed understood in an instant. He even faintly sensed from the Nine-Word Thunder Sound Secret Method that it appeared to be incomplete! Yes, the Nine-Word Thunder Sound Secret Method was incomplete. Furthermore, it shouldn't just be an auxiliary secret method. Yet Lu Changsheng could never have imagined that while bursts of inspiration were flashing through his mind as he comprehended the Nine-Word Thunder Sound Secret Method, on the attribute panel, the mastery level of the technique was rising at a pace visible to the naked eye. Originally at Proficient, it was now soaring crazily. Proficient, Minor Mastery, Major Mastery... No one could tell how much time had passed before Lu Changsheng snapped back from his reverie. Another line of small characters floated before his eyes. "Nine-Word Thunder Sound Secret Method perfected. Comprehension +8." Lu Changsheng froze slightly. "The Nine-Word Thunder Sound Secret Method reached perfection?" One had to know that previously, the Nine-Word Thunder Sound Secret Method had merely been at Proficient. It had only been half a month. There were still many underlying truths of the Nine-Word Thunder Sound Secret Method that Lu Changsheng had yet to comprehend. Never mind perfection; even reaching Minor Mastery should have been difficult. Yet now, it had bypassed Minor Mastery and Major Mastery entirely, directly attaining perfection. Lu Changsheng immediately called up his attribute panel. Host: Lu Changsheng Comprehension: 408 (Hidden Dragon in the Depths) Silkworm Silk Organ Refining Technique: Second Layer Nine-Word Thunder Sound Secret Method: Perfected (Incomplete) The first thing Lu Changsheng saw was that his comprehension had reached 408 points. Moreover, the evaluation of his comprehension had changed from "considerable potential" to "Hidden Dragon in the Depths." "A hidden dragon in the depths, a flood dragon emerging from shallow waters... In other words, my comprehension can now be considered truly formidable. "I just don't know how many comprehension points the next metamorphosis will require. Could it be a thousand?" Lu Changsheng seemed to have an epiphany. He could faintly sense that for his comprehension to metamorphose again, the required points would likely be staggering. Furthermore, the next metamorphosis would probably be extremely critical. With every metamorphosis of his comprehension, Lu Changsheng reaped tremendous gains. This time was no exception. With his comprehension surpassing four hundred points, his Nine-Word Thunder Sound Secret Method had directly reached perfection. "Wait, the Nine-Word Thunder Sound Secret Method is perfected, but what does the 'Incomplete' after it mean? "Could the Nine-Word Thunder Sound Secret Method really be incomplete?" Earlier, after his comprehension underwent its metamorphosis, Lu Changsheng had vaguely felt that the Nine-Word Thunder Sound Secret Method was incomplete and defective. Now, the attribute panel also indicated that the technique was incomplete, effectively confirming his suspicion. Still, even an incomplete Nine-Word Thunder Sound Secret Method was an eighth-rank martial art. If it were complete, just how terrifying would it be? "Let's test its effects." Lu Changsheng began tempering his internal organs, promptly transforming his qi and blood into silken threads. "Lin!" All at once, Lu Changsheng let out a sharp cry. The Nine-Word Thunder Sound Secret Method instantly acted upon the internal organs within his body. Buzz. Immediately, his organs vibrated. Furthermore, in coordination with the Silkworm Silk Organ Refining Technique, Lu Changsheng could distinctly feel his internal organs steadily strengthening beneath the surface. The strength of its effect was simply incredible. Lu Changsheng even felt that the perfected Nine-Word Thunder Sound Secret Method could rival top-tier organ-refining martial arts. "Phew..." Lu Changsheng exhaled a long breath. The perfection of the Nine-Word Thunder Sound Secret Method caused his organ-refining efficiency to surge dramatically. This was a good thing! Lu Changsheng glanced at Long Fei. After half a month of peaceful convalescence, Long Fei's injuries had improved somewhat. Though he still needed quiet recuperation, he was no longer in any danger. Lu Changsheng counted the days; two months had passed since he left Miaoshou Garden, and his master was surely getting anxious. After all, he had originally planned to be away for only a month, but that time had now doubled. Thus, Lu Changsheng approached Long Fei and said directly, "Brother Long, this place is secluded from people. Though it is a bit cold, it is a good spot to heal without fear of disturbance. "You may continue recuperating here. However, I have been away for quite a long time, so I intend to take my leave and head back." Long Fei cupped his hands as well and said, "Brother Lu, you have saved my life time and again, and I have no way to repay you! "This stone slab was something I obtained by chance when I was in the Northern Kingdom. Recorded upon it is a marvelous martial art called the Divine Dragon Transformation, but one must be at least in the Divine Strength Realm to cultivate it. "I know in my heart that the Divine Strength Realm is beyond my reach, but Brother Lu, your future is boundless, and you have every chance of achieving the Divine Strength Realm in the future. I present this slab to you in the hope that it will be of some help. "Moreover, Brother Lu need not feel uneasy about accepting it; I have long since memorized the secret method on the slab by heart, and I need only transcribe a few copies once I return." Long Fei pulled a stone slab from his robes. Though called a stone slab, it was actually only slightly larger than a palm. Lu Changsheng could not tell whether it was made of jade or some other stone, but it was thin, light, and remarkably hard, practically impossible to damage easily. Intrigued, Lu Changsheng took the stone slab. Densely inscribed upon it were many tiny, fly-headed characters, though there were not many words overall; Lu Changsheng finished reading it in moments. After reading it, shock surfaced in his eyes. The Divine Dragon Transformation could only be cultivated in the Divine Strength Realm; it was a Divine Strength Realm secret method! The Divine Dragon Transformation was divided into three transformations: the First Transformation boosted physical power by thirty percent. The Second Transformation boosted physical power by one hundred percent. The Third Transformation boosted physical power by two hundred percent. Reading the description of the Divine Dragon Transformation, Lu Changsheng felt a jolt in his heart! As expected of a secret method! What was more, this was a secret method of the Divine Strength Realm; it truly was extraordinary. Up until now, Lu Changsheng had only obtained a single secret method: the Nine-Word Thunder Sound Secret Method. Even though it was merely at the Body Tempering level, its effects were already miraculous. How much more so for this Divine Dragon Transformation, which was a Divine Strength Realm secret method? Its effects were even more potent. Even though Lu Changsheng had not yet reached the Divine Strength Realm, he could tell that this Divine Dragon Transformation was out of the ordinary, something that could only be stumbled upon by sheer luck and never sought out. Lu Changsheng did not decline, directly putting the stone slab away. Even if he could not use this Divine Strength Realm secret method right now, once he achieved the Divine Strength Realm in the future, there would naturally come a time when it would be useful. "Thank you, Brother Long, for bestowing this secret method," Lu Changsheng said, cupping his hands in gratitude. "How could a mere secret method compare to Brother Lu's life-saving grace? "If Brother Lu ever has need of me in the future, though it be mountains of blades or seas of fire, Long will never refuse!" This was Long Fei's promise! A man like Long Fei did not easily make promises to others, but once made, he would never break them. Lu Changsheng also believed that Long Fei was a man whose word was worth a thousand pieces of gold. "Brother Long is too generous. "Until we meet again in the jianghu!" Lu Changsheng said no more. Among people of the jianghu, there was no need for excessive courtesies. With that, Lu Changsheng left behind some supplies, then swiftly exited the cave and strode out into the wind and snow. Liu Hongluan and Long Fei exchanged a look, and she said softly, "Brother Fei, this Hero Lu is truly an extraordinary man." "Indeed. Brother Lu pays no heed to fame or fortune, devoting his whole heart to martial arts. In time, Brother Lu will surely shake the entire jianghu! "Perhaps only someone like Brother Lu can achieve the Divine Strength Realm and scale the pinnacle of the martial path." Long Fei felt a wave of wistfulness. He was the "Captive-Slaying Saber," despising evil like a deadly foe, and possessed quite a chivalrous reputation in the jianghu. However, he knew that achieving the Divine Strength Realm in this lifetime was hopeless for him. The kind of person he truly envied was someone like Lu Changsheng—someone with the chance to ascend the peak of martial arts. When the two turned back to gaze into the distance, that figure was already gone amidst the wind and snow...