The Art of Chaotic Divinity

Chapter 168: Heart Lock!

...

An hour later.

"Exquisite! What an exquisite technique! The genius of its creation!"

Ling Feng praised with admiration, feeling that the creator of this technique must have been a genius!

Indeed, the ability of the gray-robed elder to create the Qi-refining Primordial Lock was determined by the extraordinary breadth of vision possessed by his main body. If he were just an ordinary person without such vision, he would never have been able to create such a technique.

Hmph, hmph! The gray-robed elder couldn't help but smirk at Ling Feng's admiration, clearly pleased with the praise.

Ling Feng slowly opened his eyes, taking a deep breath. "So, this is the art of refining qi."

Refining qi as the name implied, was the practice of refining one's true qi.

The gray-robed old man’s idea was to embed eighteen Primordial Locks within the human body to seal one’s true qi. This process honed the cultivator’s true qi by compressing it without limit.

Cultivators of the Qi-refining Primordial Lock trained and refined their true qi while it was compressed. In combat situations, they could unleash multiplied strength by unlocking the Primordial Locks within their bodies all at once.

This was just like some people tying sandbags to their legs to train for running. When the sandbags were untied, they would feel as light as a swallow.

This Qi-refining Primordial Lock technique compressed the true qi within a martial artist's body so that when they try to activate their true qi, it becomes several times the usual burden. Moreover, because their true qi was sealed off, the cultivator’s usual strength also greatly diminishes.

At first, it might be very uncomfortable, but once adapted to, the cultivator is able to move around like normal, even while using the technique. When unlocking the Primordial Locks, cultivators are able to unleash power that would be multiplied several times over!

Ling Feng squinted his eyes, exclaiming inwardly.

"How is it?" The old man in the gray robe squinted and smiled, "Have you discovered the extraordinary aspect of this secret technique?"

"Yeah, it’s absolutely extraordinary!" Ling Feng nodded heavily as he looked at the old man in the gray robe.

Not only was it extraordinary, but it was also a tool for feigning weakness and deceiving the strong. When the Primordial Locks were locked, since the true qi was sealed, the aura naturally would be suppressed as well. A cultivator at the tenth level of Qi Formation would look as if they were at the first level. Even someone strong in Pulse Formation Realm would have their aura suppressed to the level of the Qi Formation Realm.

"Your insight is impressive. There aren't many who can grasp the intricacies of it so quickly."

The old man in the gray robe smiled faintly. "Since you've understood the principles behind it, prepare yourself."

"Prepare yourself?" Ling Feng saw the old man’s eerie smile and knew that the forthcoming process was definitely not going to be pleasant.

Otherwise, how could nine out of ten of those who came before him have died, and one gone mad?

"Next, I will seal the Primordial Lock inside your body. When the Primordial Locks enter your body, it will feel like a thousand-pound boulder pressing down on your tendons and veins. The sensation, hehe, you'll understand once you experience it yourself."

"Bring it on." Ling Feng took a deep breath. The feeling of immense pain to make one desire death was something he was no stranger to.

"You’re bold!"

The gray-robed old man waved his hand, and the scene before them reverted back to the floating platform.

"I must be upfront with you," the gray-robed old man said, "Once you start accepting the Primordial Locks, there's no turning back. It's either success or death!"

As he spoke the last word, the tone of the gray-robed old man grew significantly harsher.

Clearly, he was not bluffing with Ling Feng.

"Bring it on!"

Ling Feng hesitated for not even a moment. He was well aware of the immense power of this Qi-refining Primordial Lock. Since that was the case, why would he be afraid?

The third elder of the Jia Family from Hanwu County had pushed himself into such dire straits. As long as Ling Feng cultivated this technique, he was confident that he could fight his way to the Jia Family within a short time and make that geezer regret provoking him!

The gray-robed elder glanced at Ling Feng, nodded slightly, waved his sleeves, and a Primordial Lock resembling a golden needle appeared in his palm.

The process of introducing the Primordial Lock into the body involved piercing the major acupoints with this golden needle, which would then transform into a lock of true qi, sealing off the entire network of meridians.

"Are you ready?"

"I'm ready!" Ling Feng clenched his fist, sweat beading on his forehead.

Seeing such a thick golden needle, it was impossible not to feel nervous.

"Go!"

The gray-robed elder reached out and with a pat, the first Primordial Lock directly pierced Ling Feng's heart meridian.

The Primordial Lock entered his body, immediately transforming into a flowing true qi, directly locking all the major meridians near Ling Feng's heart firmly.

Dub! Dub!

His heart thumped heavily.Ling Feng felt like he couldn't catch his breath, as if he was going into shock.

Bang!

Ling Feng collapsed directly to the ground. Not only his heart but every part of his body, even a single finger, became incredibly heavy.

With the immense burden, Ling Feng's heart beat slower, and soon his face turned purplish. He was struggling to breathe.

Death seemed like an inch away!

Ling Feng had already begun to experience hallucinations. He saw a grim reaper wielding a scythe, slowly approaching him, infinitely approaching...

The gray-robed old man, once the Tianbai Emperor, squinted his eyes as he looked at Ling Feng on the ground, and started murmuring to himself.

"The first Primordial Lock, called the Primordial Heart Lock, although not the most domineering, is the most difficult to endure. Kid, if you can withstand this first lock, the rest will be easier."

Of course, Ling Feng couldn't hear these words at all.

Lin Feng was lying on the ground, and his pupils gradually began to dilate.

He was drenched in sweat, panting heavily, yet struggling to breathe!

He felt his every organ—the heart, liver, spleen, lungs, kidneys—being squeezed almost to the point of being crushed.

Ling Feng had never imagined that such intense pain could exist in the world.

He wanted to mobilize the true qi in his body to resist the pressure of the Primordial Lock, but he found that due to the lock, the true qi in his body was scattered, and even the act of gathering it was extremely difficult.

The pressure on his back felt like a mountain weighing him down, rendering him unable to move.

He now understood why those who accepted the teachings had died. If things continued like this, he would die too!

The gray-robed old man sighed lightly. "Sigh, back then, a few guys cultivated some body-refining techniques and barely made it through the first hurdle, but still couldn't bear it and went crazy. I'm afraid that this kid..."

Seeing Ling Feng's reaction, the gray-robed old man shook his head, gradually feeling disappointed.

"It seems that my legacy will ultimately come to an end!"

It was precisely because he understood the drawbacks of the Qi-refining Primordial Lock that he dared not pass down this technique to his descendants.

Just practicing this technique alone would probably lead to the direct extinction of the imperial family of the Holy Tianbai Dynasty.

Suddenly, the old man’s expression changed, astonished as he looked at Ling Feng lying on the ground. He was shocked to discover that this young man was emanating an unparalleled sense of determination!

"I cannot die! I will not die! I still need to save my grandfather, I still need to find out about my origins..."

A mysterious power seemed to awaken within his body, transforming into an endless roar that echoed through the heavens!

"Ahhhh!"

Ling Feng's eyes seemed to ignite with blazing flames.

"I can’t die! I absolutely can’t die!"

Excruciating pain, heavy pressure, and torment that seemed to surge like waves, one after another, relentlessly engulfed him. Yet, Ling Feng gradually began to adapt to this intense agony. With his resilient willpower, he mobilized the scattered true qi within his body to resist the oppression of the Primordial Lock.

For a full day and night, Ling Feng endured torment that defied description, unable to put into words the agony he experienced.

He fought desperately for survival.

Finally, there came a moment when the claw-like grip around his heart seemed to vanish, and his breathing gradually returned to normal. Though still very difficult, air began to flow more smoothly through his lungs.

The intense pain gradually faded away, and under the pressure of the Primordial Lock, his true qi began to gather. Though faint, it flowed through every meridian in his body, giving him an incredibly soothing sensation!

Lying on the ground and drenched with sweat, Ling Feng was so exhausted that he could barely summon the strength to keep his eyes open. Breathing felt like a luxury he couldn't afford.

He began to relish the feeling of surviving against all odds.