C27 Astral Asunder

"Bone Breaking Palm—second-grade beginner skill. A single strike can destroy an opponent's internal organs and bones! Fifteen hundred points."

"Seven Cry Fist—second-grade beginner skill. A single fist can cause sonic booms with astonishing lethality. Seventeen hundred points."

"Revolving Spear Technique—second-grade intermediate skill. Rain down densely packed revolving spear attacks on your opponent, leaving him no place to defend. Two thousand points."

"..."

Xiang Shaoyun wandered through the inner court's Hall of Combat Skills as he read the instructions and information written in the array. His face was filled with a bitter smile.

He only had fourteen hundred points right now, so buying a second-grade combat skill was a far-fetched dream.

"Here I thought with 2,000 points I will be a rich man. But look haw they massacred my dreams. I'm just a poor guy," lamented Xiang Shaoyun in his heart.

After window shopping for a while, his gaze fell upon a battle skill called "Astral Asunder!"

Astral Asunder—incomplete third-grade combat skill. One finger to dominate all that's under the heavens. Three thousand points.

"These combat skills are all incomplete and pseudo-third-grade combat skills at best. As such, they were placed on the first floor. However, their value is still astonishingly high!" Xiang Shaoyun exclaimed as he scanned the combat skills around him. After pausing for a moment, he continued, "Astral Asunder, this is a rare finger technique. Even if it's incomplete, being able to unleash half of its power is enough to threaten an Astral Force cultivator!" The more Xiang Shaoyun thought about it, the more interested he became in Astral Asunder skill.

The more Xiang Shaoyun thought about it, the more interested he became in Astral Asunder skill.

It was a pity that he was didn't have enough points for the skill.

"Don't think about it. The requirements for practicing this skill are very harsh. Even if you can buy this, you would be just wasting your points." A voice sounded beside Xiang Shaoyun's ears.

Xiang Shaoyun turned to look, only to see that Wang Zhenchuan, whom he had met once before, was standing behind him.

Previously, during Xiang Shaoyun's first meal in the restaurant, Wang Zhenchuan had helped him block Wang Yang's attack.

"Greetings senior brother, is there anything wrong with this combat skill?" Xiang Shaoyun asked humbly.

"Astral Asunder is an incomplete combat skill; it is extremely difficult to learn. More importantly, if the bone in your forefinger isn't strong enough, you won't be able to use this technique to its fullest. Most people who have cultivated the Astral Asunder gave up halfway through."

"It's so hard to practice?" Xiang Shaoyun asked with his eyes open wide.

"That's right. I see that you are carrying a sword on your back, so why don't you choose a second-grade saber skill?" Wang Zhenchuan suggested.

"Thank you for reminding me, Senior Brother!" Xiang Shaoyun was grateful for the reminder and said, "Senior brother, I wonder if you can lend me 1,500 points. I will return it multiple folds in the future."

"1,500 points?" Wang Zhenchuan said as his brows slightly knitted.

This amount of points was a huge deal, even for an inner disciple like him.

Xiang Shaoyun thought that Wang Zhenchuan did not trust him. So, he took out his jade token and said, "This is a Hall of Limits jade token. I believe that before long, I will have even more points. At that time, it will not be difficult for me to return the points."

Wang Zhenchuan glanced at Xiang Shaoyun's jade token and said in surprise, "As expected of a genius who can trigger a five-star Brilliant Blue Sky phenomenon." He paused for a moment before continuing, "I can lend you the points, but you have to promise me one thing."

"What can I do for you, senior? As long as I, Xiang Shaoyun, can do it, I will not hesitate!" Xiang Shaoyun patted his chest and replied.

"If possible, I hope you can introduce me to Elder Purple Lightning Marquis. I want to go under his tutelage," Wang Zhenchuan said honestly.

"That's it? Fine, leave it to me!" Xiang Shaoyun patted his chest and agreed. He thought in his heart, "You wanna take Zi Changhe as your master? Fine. You will be my junior nephew then. After all, I'm his junior brother. Hehe!"

"Alright, when we go over there, I'll transfer the points to your jade token," Wang Zhenchuan said.

"Sure!" Xiang Shaoyun replied happily.

After that, the duo went to the jade token's point trading area.

As of right now, Xiang Shaoyun had 2,900 points. Taking into account his Hall of Limit's discount, he now had enough money to go and buy... Astral Asunder!

After Xiang Shaoyun obtained the Astral Asunder, Wang Zhenchuan couldn't help but say, "Didn't I warn you about this technique before?"

"Just because others can't master it doesn't mean I can't either." Xiang Shaoyun asked, "Senior Brother, how do I address you? I'll recommend you to my Senior Brother later!"

"Inner disciple Wang Zhenchuan!" Wang Zhenchuan replied with a straight face.

"Alright, wait for my news!" Xiang Shaoyun replied.

Immediately after that, he left without saying anything else.

Three days... In just three days, he had to successfully comprehend the Astral Asunder skill. Only then would he be able to guarantee the safety of his journey.

He didn't want to become food for the demonic beasts just because of the Earth Star Spring.

Xiang Shaoyun went to the restaurant and used his remaining points to exchange for some food. After returning to his courtyard, he took out the Astral Asunder skill and began reading it.

He glanced over the theory and then saw the finger training diagrams. With his memory prowess, he imprinted the theory and the diagrams in his mind with a single look.

This was his photographic memory!

If one wanted to practice the Astral Asunder skill, the most important prerequisite was that his finger bones needed to be tough. Before one could even cultivate the technique, their finger must be as sturdy and strong as a grade one weapon. A finger toughness comparable to a grade two weapon could bring out even more destructiveness. Meanwhile, the toughness of a third-grade weapon was required for complete comprehension and mastery.

The hardness of the phalanx was what this combat skill was based on.

This was also why Wang Zhenchuan warned Xiang Shaoyun against practicing this skill.

Low-ranking martial artists would find it impossible to have finger bones as hard as grade one weapons. Hence they will find practicing this skill difficult.

"In my current state, my finger bones should be able to withstand a grade one weapon. I can cultivate without a problem!" Xiang Shaoyun thought, then suddenly sighed, "What a pity! I only have two-thirds of the complete Astral Asunder combat skill. If only I had the last piece..."

Soon after, he entered a meditative state, and the cultivating diagrams began to spin non-stop in his mind.

Meditation!

This was his cultivation talent, and it was also the key point that allowed him to quickly comprehend combat skills.

He had been able to stand out among the masses ever since he was young.

In the state of meditation, he had comprehended the movements of the diagrams.

Once he understood the key points behind the diagrams, practicing it together with the theory made it such that he was able to achieve twice the result with half the effort.

Bang! Bang!

After Xiang Shaoyun completely comprehended the Astral Asunder skill, he poked his fingers at a wooden stake.

His body's toughness was extraordinary, and he also had energy gathered on the tip of his finger, so he didn't feel much pain when he jabbed his finger on this wooden stake.

Right now, the only thing he could do was to let his fingerbone withstand the released energy and then use it to break the stake. This could be already be considered a small success.

As the day passed, he did not know how many times he had jabbed at the wooden stake. His fingers had nearly pierced through, but unfortunately, he still had a long way to go.

Fortunately, he did gain something. He had faintly grasped the power flowing through his body and then to his finger bones. As long as he could gather that energy and release it in a single breath, practicing the skill to completion would be a breeze.