Mythical Three Kingdoms

Chapter 1376: Chapter 1328: Semifinal Match 2

Whether or not Chen Xi is intentionally causing trouble is no longer important; what’s important is that Li Tiao’s injury poses no difficulty for Hua Tuo and Zhang Zhongjing, who had him recovered in no time.

”I always feel that dealing with Miss Ma this way is a bit too much bullying.” Li Tiao had a helpless expression on his face. He had known before that Hua Tuo was incredible, but truly witnessing it made him realize his imagination was insufficient.

Hua Tuo’s ability is to restore a living being to its previous state on a cellular level, and the previous state of Li Tiao’s cells was a breakthrough of Inner Qi Manifestation, a fundamental transformation of the body.

After discovering this secret, Hua Tuo and Zhang Zhongjing became very interested in Li Tiao’s condition, which seemed like an excellent test subject.

Unfortunately, even though Hua Tuo and Zhang Zhongjing worked together, they could only keep Li Tiao at that breakthrough moment on a cellular level. But something different appeared in front of them compared to others.

Even when combined, Hua Tuo and Zhang Zhongjing’s efforts couldn’t change the qualitative change on Li Tiao’s cellular level. Even if Hua Tuo reversed this change, it resolutely returned to its original state after he stopped.

However, the two repeatedly used Li Tiao as a test subject several times, eventually having to stop helplessly, as their influence on Li Tiao was diminishing. Nevertheless, Li Tiao experienced about five or six breakthroughs.

Ultimately, it was due to personal reasons that he did not break through, but the refinement from Heaven and Earth Essence on his body was no less than Inner Qi Manifestation, only lacking Inner Qi connected with Heaven and Earth Essence.

”It’s a pity, indeed. Qi Refining to Gang and Inner Qi Manifestation involve changes on a bodily level. Our abilities rely on our understanding of the patient, and breakthroughs to Qi Refining to Gang perhaps adjust at a finer level.” Hua Tuo sighed while squeezing Li Tiao’s arm, feeling it was a pity, wishing they could dissect him.

”Let me draw some blood in a bit; your body is a bit peculiar. In theory, we set your life level at the moment of breakthrough five times, yet you still didn’t break through.” Zhang Zhongjing, with his experience in officialdom, had a clear idea of how to obtain what he wanted.

Li Tiao felt deeply embarrassed; he had failed in five breakthroughs before, but now his strength seemed abnormal even for Qi Refining to Gang. Even if he were an Inner Qi Manifestation, there would be no problem, but he knew he was at an awkward stage; he was not yet an Inner Qi Manifestation.

”Physician Zhongjing, take as much blood as you want.” Li Tiao pulled up his sleeve and extended his arm for Zhang Zhongjing to draw blood.

”Alright, let’s study what’s going on. Maybe it will make breaking through Inner Qi Manifestation easier.” Understanding Zhang Zhongjing’s intent, Hua Tuo promptly took the largest syringe from his medical box.

After treating Li Tiao, Hua Tuo and Zhang Zhongjing went to the other side and healed Lyu Qiling. At this moment, a slightly pale Li Tiao walked out, estimating that Hua Tuo had drawn about six hundred milliliters of his blood, leaving him a bit dizzy.

[I shouldn’t be considered Qi Refining to Gang right now, but I can’t fully master the methods of Inner Qi Manifestation, particularly failing to connect Inner Qi and Heaven and Earth Essence. However, my body is no less than an Inner Qi Manifestation; what then does this mean?]

”Are you okay, Li Tiao?” Zhao Yun saw Li Tiao walking out pale, assuming that the injury was too severe to be fully recovered, and quietly asked.

”Don’t worry, I won’t lose.” Li Tiao replied with a wry smile, shaking hands with Zhao Yun.

”Did you succeed in breaking through?” Zhao Yun asked with a hint of surprise.

”No.” Li Tiao shook his head because neither of them utilized Heaven and Earth Essence as an external force. Zhao Yun perceived Li Tiao’s manifestation of strength as already being at the Inner Qi Manifestation level.

This is also where Inner Qi Manifestation differs from Qi Refining to Gang. Even when Cloud Qi suppresses their Inner Qi to the same level as Qi Refining to Gang, the standouts among Qi Refining to Gang can only use numbers to pressure Inner Qi Manifestation.

The bodies of Inner Qi Manifestation have significantly changed compared to Qi Refining to Gang Peak, and even if the same amount of Inner Qi cannot be expressed and is used only internally, it greatly surpasses Qi Refining to Gang.

Therefore, even if one possesses Extraordinary Talent in Qi Refining to Gang, it’s exceedingly difficult to deal with an Inner Qi Manifestation that’s suppressed to a similar level and deprived of most methods.

Currently, Li Tiao is a peculiar individual with the physique of an Inner Qi Manifestation Martial Artist but unable to connect Inner Qi with the external Heaven and Earth Essence, breaking the physical limits.

”How is this possible?” Zhao Yun was slightly surprised; he wasn’t a novice. That handshake from earlier showcased Li Tiao demonstrating techniques of an entirely different level.

”It’s just that my body has reached this level.” Li Tiao said with a bitter smile, ”And it will probably be more difficult to break through in the future. I don’t think the Inner Qi in my body can break through this barrier, but it’s fine, at worst, I’ll focus on cultivating the body.”

Zhao Yun patted Li Tiao’s shoulder, unsure how to console him, then suddenly smiled, ”At least you’re stronger than all Qi Refining to Gang practitioners now, and in future battles against Inner Qi Manifestation, you’ll at least have a life-saving technique.”

”It seems Yuanjian has won.” Li Tiao glanced at the battlefield with Liaoo Hua and Juu Fu, both at their limits, but Liaoo Hua’s will was evidently stronger, causing Juu Fu to collapse heavily injured, while Liaoo Hua remained standing.

”Both are pretty evenly matched, and even if this ended with both sides severely injured, it wouldn’t be too tragic. They’ve both validated their strength against each other, showing great progress.” This match was the most satisfactory to Zhao Yun, not only spectacular but also showcasing significant improvements.

”From now on, the selection process in military training shouldn’t just aim to pick out the strongest but also pay attention to potential.” Zhao Yun paused, then spoke, and then turned to look at Li Tiao. ”Don’t hold back in the next match.”

”Don’t worry.” Li Tiao nodded.

”I’ll give you your reward in advance. For others, Qi Refining to Gang may have no effect, but for you, using it should lead to Inner Qi Manifestation.” Zhao Yun prepared to announce the winner of the first semifinal, but took a few steps back and said.

Li Tiao was overjoyed; his strength was achieved through fighting on the battlefield. As for secret techniques and secret arts, they were not something he had access to. Compared to Zhao Yun’s martial path, it was like the difference between an ordinary person and an aristocratic family.

Zhao Yun quickly taught Li Tiao the secret technique. Frankly speaking, this secret technique had no value for other Qi Refining to Gang practitioners, but for Li Tiao, it was like a custom fit. In just a few breaths, he fully mastered the secret technique.