"Without demonic Qi, your bones will be damaged? Without demon intent, would you kill so much that you're surrounded by blood evil Qi?" the old man said.
If others heard this, they might mock him, thinking the old man was a fraudster, trying to trick them.
But Wang Xuan knew the old man spoke the truth.
Even Wang Xuan didn't understand how he acquired the accelerator, originally in an inexplicable space filled with gray, erosive energy.
Calling it demonic Qi isn't entirely wrong.
As for demon intent, everyone has it; it's just that Wang Xuan's was too powerful, even if it was continuously bound within his heart.
"Spiritual cultivation is related to spirit, will, mind, and soul. You might want to look into the Buddhist Scripture and Daoist Collection; the ancients had strong spiritual cultivation, maybe you can find a solution. It's up to you."
He the Sixth tapped off his cigarette ash, picked some tobacco, and smoked joyfully, then strolled away.
Wang Xuan hurried to follow, ignoring the constant prompts from the accelerator, aware that the old man possessed treasures imbued with Source Power but feared provoking him.
This is a master, at least an Earth Immortal, Wang Xuan thought.
"Elder, you see, it's not easy for juniors like me for so many years. But all that effort is not as good as your guidance; maybe you could offer more advice?" Wang Xuan spoke courteously.
Respect for elders is a traditional virtue of the Chinese nation, how could Wang Xuan forget?
He the Sixth chuckled, "Well-flattered, we have a certain connection, so I'll point you in a direction: learn more hypnosis knowledge, understand psychology, and eventually, through cultivation, subdue your inner heart.
Once you become a hypnosis master, there'll be basically no major issues."
Wang Xuan wanted to ask more, but the old man's pace was swift, leaving the young man unable to keep up, only watching as he vanished.
"Learn psychological knowledge and become a hypnosis master? Improve spiritual cultivation from the Daoist Collection and Buddhist Scripture? Seems I need to try this method."
Wang Xuan understood himself well, knowing what he needed to do. His past experiences have heavily influenced him, creating the contradictory person he is now.
Before twelve, he was the genius of family and friends, with high expectations. He was formidable and completed tasks easily, winning high hopes from many elementary and secondary school teachers, thinking he'd have a bright future.
But in the following twelve years, his cultivation made no progress, and he was surpassed by peers. Now some of them are in the Bone Refining Realm.
Such silence was stifling; Wang Xuan didn't know how he survived those twelve years, enduring immense disparity and countless disdainful gazes, seldom staying in his hometown in recent years.
Initially, during that period, he often flew into violent rages, hurting people, and coupled with halted progress in knife practice, body-bound. To prevent catastrophe from his rage, his father stopped him from practicing knives.
After years of suppression, Wang Xuan looked at the accelerator, day by day enduring, his spirit deeply tortured, his once fervent enthusiasm gradually chilled.
During those years, he distrusted anyone, believed they mocked him behind his back, laughed at the genius who stagnated. Sympathy, he thought, would only fuel his anger; he needed no pity! It's a sign of weakness.
His father told him to maintain calmness, and when his heart felt on the verge of explosion, to engage in peaceful activities. Advised him against impulsive actions, instead waiting for calm before reflecting.
After twelve years, Wang Xuan has indeed honed patience, seemingly becoming an old man, devoid of vitality, appearing to muddle through life lazily.
Even when people spoke nostalgically of his bright hopes, comparing him to a rising sun, yet lamented his stagnation, Wang Xuan would smile silently.
It seems he's accustomed to it, like a tiger becoming a worm, losing its fangs and claws.
But that's not the life he wanted, so he joined the Martial Arts Hall and became a sniper in the Hunting Team.
Years passed, and Wang Xuan knew he had changed long ago, giving rise to a bloodthirsty demon in his heart, cold and devoid of humanity, capable of killing anyone in sight, entirely losing humanity.
Witnessing all this, watching the demon within grow stronger but unable to change, Wang Xuan could only suppress it within, not letting it act out.
Once unleashed upon the world, unchecked, it could destroy the world and himself, ultimately needing Immortal Buddha intervention to contain it.
"I'll deal with it later," Wang Xuan knew the immediate need was a sanctuary, a shade tree for refuge.
At the Martial Arts Hall, a lively scene unfolded; as soon as Wang Xuan arrived, he knew Sun Yi, Sun En's father, was set to become the Martial Arts Hall Master, with the inauguration ceremony about to start.
Half an hour passed, and Martial Arts Hall staff gathered, from infrequent middle-level to high-level trainers, to assistants and sparring partners.
At the ceremony, the former Deputy Hall Master, Sun Yi, stood formidable, glowing as if rejuvenated, clearly delighted about becoming the Martial Arts Hall Master.
If Hall Master Chen hadn't died, how would he suddenly achieve his dream position?
But during the event, Sun Yi announced the death of Hall Master Chen, solemnly mourning, and then proclaimed himself as the new Hall Master.
"I, Sun, have the ability and confidence to make our New District Martial Arts Hall better!
As long as I'm Hall Master for a day, I'll take responsibility for a day. Rest assured, from today, our Martial Arts Hall will improve day by day..."
The hall held the meeting, but Wang Xuan turned a deaf ear, only stroking his long sword, inch by inch. Knowing his weapon, harmonizing, was essential to unleash its full power.
Concerning the smug Sun En behind Sun Yi, seemingly with his tail raised to the heavens, Wang Xuan paid no heed.
He pondered whether he should continue assessments to become an assistant? But after thinking, he firmed his resolve; he only needed time to surpass the current weak phase, until his rise, when everything would change.
Arrogant as you may be! How many reckless people have met a good end? Wang Xuan sneered, having little faith in Sun En and Sun Yi.
After the gathering ended, when Wang Xuan found Sun Yi, he was somewhat surprised, as he didn't expect Wang Xuan to actually appear here and seem indifferent to his father becoming the Martial Arts Hall Master.
Sun Yi cursed inwardly, that damn Hall Master can't even handle such a small matter!
"You want to be assessed? Then follow me!" Sun Yi and Wang Xuan went to the martial arts training area, which was as large as several basketball courts, where most of the academy trained.
With one signal, an instructor came over to oversee Wang Xuan's assessment for the assistant coach position, and the crowd was abuzz, clearly taken by surprise.
"The three assistant coaches you need to challenge are long-time members of the Martial Arts Hall: Mo Wen, Fang Ming, Zhang Tea – they are your opponents."
The three stepped out, all burly and strong men, well-known within the Bone Refining Realm, with even the weakest being in the middle period of Bone Refining.
"Isn't this too harsh? Obviously, it's unreasonable. I say we should let Wang Xuan choose three weaker ones himself." Someone in the audience spoke out in defense.
Wang Xuan shook his head, proving the trouble Sun Yi was causing him was blatant.
However, most of the academy and assistant coaches, and instructors did not step forward; with Sun Yi becoming the Hall Master today, the Martial Arts Hall will be under his leadership from now on, and who dares to provoke him when Sun En is the Hall Master's son?
"Then let's do it." Wang Xuan's decisiveness and confidence exceeded everyone's expectations; no one thought he would really challenge, and the crowd did not favor his chances.
Putting his saber aside, Wang Xuan faced Mo Wen with bare fists, as he was considered the weakest of the three.
"Come on, I'll let you have three moves first." Mo Wen was full of confidence; normally, Wang Xuan was just a sparring partner, rarely showing his combat power, with his most capable feats being against Skin Refining cultivators—how could he rival someone already in the Bone Refining realm?
With a flash of white teeth, Wang Xuan earnestly said, "Be careful."
Suddenly, with a loud shout, his voice was deafening, causing some students' heads to buzz, retreating steps without realizing, as if a fierce tiger was before them, instilling fear.
Mo Wen tensed up completely, understanding Wang Xuan's warning not to underestimate him, as Wang Xuan seemed like a pouncing tiger already.
One punch, a punch with immense power seized his spirit, akin to a speeding car pressing forward onto him!
Fear is innate with humans, and the body instinctively retreats, yet Mo Wen knew if he was daunted, he would surely lose!
Without courage, one's power can hardly reach thirty or forty percent!
Mo Wen stepped forward, also throwing a punch at Wang Xuan, speed as swift as an arrow, strength akin to a fierce bull.
Bang!
With a sound, Mo Wen was sent skidding back directly, staggering backward with a pained expression, already ten steps away!
Victory was decided in one move, he was clearly no match for Wang Xuan.
Wang Xuan rubbed his fist, realizing the bones of a Bone Refining cultivator were indeed tough, injuring them would be challenging, and in a life-and-death struggle, it would be tough.
"You've lost." Wang Xuan gestured to Assistant Coach Fang Ming, "It's your turn."
In practicing skills, courage comes first; without practicing boldness, no matter how many techniques are learned, in real combat when timid, movements become hesitant.
The Martial Arts Hall's assistant coaches are very courageous, with Zhao Huang being the rare exception.
Yet in practicing skills, strength is equally crucial. As the saying goes, youth is the prime of force, and absolute strength diminishes the impact of techniques.
Wang Xuan was exactly such a person with fierce courage and strength, an imposing presence beyond what the average person can withstand!
Fang Ming looked solemn, daring not to underestimate Wang Xuan, even ignoring the audience's exclamations, focusing solely on Wang Xuan, his opponent.
In attacking, one mustn't hold back, must give their all; otherwise, if defeated like Mo Wen, where would he keep his dignity?
With the Fierce Bull Fist aimed, Fang Ming made the first move, unleashing nearly two thousand pounds of force, capable of shattering boulders with the boost from Fierce Bull Fist!
Power to break stones, a hallmark of the Bone Refining Realm.
Wang Xuan also unleashed the Fierce Bull Fist, meeting fist to fist without fear, even though his opponent's realm was much higher.
With a bang, Fang Ming retreated two steps while Wang Xuan stood unmoved, clearly showing Wang Xuan had greater strength.
"Such strength!"
Fang Ming praised but immediately followed with his torrent-like punches, directing them at Wang Xuan.
Back-and-forth exchanges lasting several breaths resulted in a dozen collisions, each time Fang Ming was shaken back; even though his control of power and technique was superior to Wang Xuan, he was still slightly disadvantaged.
With a thunderous sound, it wasn't long before Wang Xuan landed a punch on Fang Ming's chest, ending the exchange outright.
"I've won again." Wang Xuan calmly said to Sun En.
Looking at the last assistant coach to challenge, Sun En's expression was unpleasant; no one anticipated this unexpected comeback, with Wang Xuan's combat power defying all expectations.
"Zhang Tea, aren't you skilled in staff techniques? Then let Wang Xuan have a look, lest he underestimate you all." Sun En said.
Now with weapons wielded, a cultivator's combat power with weapons certainly receives numerous boosts, and it's evident Sun En doesn't want Wang Xuan to succeed.