After the Engagement Was Broken Off, I Was Pursued by Peerless Holy Maidens - Chapter 55:

Chapter 55: Imperial-Level Martial Technique, Nine Orifices Exquisite Scripture:

In the dim glow of flickering candlelight, a lavishly decorated grand hall appeared before Xia Feng’s eyes.

On both sides of the hall were numerous letters and paintings.

The person depicted in the paintings looked valiant and majestic—one showed him battling a ferocious dragon, another showed him engaged in a life-or-death struggle with a general from a rival nation, locked in fierce combat with a Black Sea Flood Dragon.

All the powerful figures in these paintings were the same man. Xia Feng’s heart stirred slightly as he looked at them.

He was almost certain that this was none other than his grandfather—Xia Tianming—the man who had earned great military honors for the Great Xia Empire and was once the empire’s Imperial Son.

The letters beside the paintings were bundles of glowing golden imperial decrees.

“Xia Tianming led the conquest of three cities—HD, Maoming, and Longsu—glorifying the might of our Great Xia Empire. Title bestowed: Protector of the Nation!”

“Xia Tianming, Imperial Son of the Great Xia Empire, broke through the enemy’s capital. Bestowed the title: Grand General!”

“Xia Tianming of the Great Xia Empire…”

In total, there were seven or eight honorary imperial edicts. Each decree represented a significant contribution Xia Tianming had made to the Great Xia Empire.

Until the final one—

“Today, we grant Xia Tianming the title ‘Emperor of War’ of the Celestial War Empire, placing him in command of the entire Empire.”

He was referred to only as Xia Tianming—no longer as the Imperial Son, and without any honors or achievements.

“These are all the glorious deeds your grandfather once achieved for the Great Xia Empire. Tell me… isn’t it ironic?” Xia Feng’s father said bitterly.

Xia Feng said nothing.

His father continued walking forward. At the center of the hall was a counter with a dark yellow agarwood box. He placed his hand on it, gently caressing the surface.

“When the imperial family fell, the treasury was looted clean by Xia Donghai’s men. The only thing your grandfather was able to take with him… was this.”

Hearing this, Xia Feng’s eyes focused on the box.

Xia Feng’s father slowly opened it. A flash of light shimmered inside as he carefully took out a martial technique manual and handed it to Xia Feng.

“This is the Nine Orifices Exquisite Scripture, an imperial-level martial technique your grandfather had cultivated since childhood. Only those of imperial blood were allowed to practice it in the Great Xia Empire.”

“Before he passed, he spent an entire year copying it by hand. It has been kept here ever since.”

Xia Feng’s father took a deep breath, recalling the image of his father, coughing up blood, and writing tirelessly in his final days.

“Though he never said it outright, I understood what he meant,” his father said with a sorrowful smile. “If our bloodline ever produced another prodigy, someone capable of reviving our lineage, then this Nine Orifices Exquisite Scripture would be handed down to him.”

“I once thought this technique would only be passed down to some distant future descendant. I never expected you to suddenly show such monstrous talent.”

“Since you’ve decided to shake the foundations of the Great Xia Empire, you’ll need real power to do it.”

“An imperial-level martial technique…”

Xia Feng stared at the Nine Orifices Exquisite Scripture without a trace of excitement.

It was the most valuable thing he had ever seen. A martial technique of this level was a top-tier treasure in any empire.

But the story behind it only filled him with pressure and sorrow.

“Son, we don’t have much time. Starting today, begin cultivating the Nine Orifices Exquisite Scripture.”

His father patted Xia Feng’s shoulder once more.

Xia Feng nodded and accepted the imperial-level martial technique.

The two of them left the hidden chamber behind the library one after the other.

Standing atop the city walls, Xia Feng looked toward the imperial capital in the distance, his fists clenching involuntarily.

He knew very well—he didn’t have much time left.

Xingyu City may appear calm now, but who could say when a violent storm might suddenly arrive?

Right now, only one thought filled his mind—cultivation!

He had to train relentlessly. He needed even greater power!

Only then could he escape the clutches of the imperial family. Only then could he avenge his grandfather. Only then could he keep his promises—and one day marry the ten Holy Maidens of the top sacred lands!

…

That night, Xia Feng sat cross-legged on his bed, already deep within his dream realm.

The Dream Pearl hovered in the air above him.

With the help of the Supreme Scripture, Xia Feng began comprehending the Nine Orifices Exquisite Scripture.

This technique had nine layers in total.

The first layer was entry-level, and the ninth layer was perfection.

With each layer achieved, an additional Exquisite Heart would form within the body.

Each Exquisite Heart meant Xia Feng could wield one more martial technique of the same level!

Normal martial artists could only use one martial skill of their rank because their spiritual energy could only support one such technique.

For example, a Martial Emperor could usually use only one emperor-level technique. Trying to practice more would place enormous strain on the dantian, rapidly draining all spiritual energy, and possibly even cracking the dantian!

In the worst-case scenario, the backlash could cripple them and severely drop their cultivation level.

But the Nine Orifices Exquisite Scripture was different—each Exquisite Heart functioned like an artificial dantian, giving the user a new vessel to channel martial techniques.

And with the boost from these Exquisite Hearts, the power of each martial technique would multiply!

If Xia Feng perfected this technique, he could unleash nine different martial techniques of the same rank simultaneously—how terrifying would that be?

He might not be able to defeat ten opponents at once, but five? Easily—and in an instant.

“So this is what an imperial-level martial technique is…” Xia Feng murmured, his expression growing more serious.

He was thinking far ahead. Those imperial family members had practiced techniques like this since birth—their starting point was already leagues above others.

This also meant they were nearly invincible within their cultivation realm.

The more he thought about it, the less he dared to slack off. Xia Feng immediately began cultivating the Nine Orifices Exquisite Scripture.

Time passed quickly within the dream realm.

Right now, Xia Feng only had one martial technique he could rely on—his supreme-grade martial skill, Cloud Elephant Heavenly Might Slash.

After a thousand years passed in the dream realm, Xia Feng had already reached the second layer.

Now, he had two smooth and radiant Exquisite Hearts inside his body.

“Cloud Elephant Heavenly Might Slash is something I cultivated myself. I need to choose two more martial techniques to assign to the other Exquisite Hearts to enhance their power.”

Xia Feng took out a gleaming white storage ring and dumped out all the martial techniques he had seized from the Sky Elephant Sect.

“Let’s see what supreme-level techniques I’ve got…”

He searched through the pile and finally selected two martial arts manuals.

One was a top-grade sword technique—Heavenly Derivation Sword of Creation.

The other was a low-grade lightning technique—Thunder Desolation Tyrant Star.

The Heavenly Derivation Sword of Creation was perfect for his Clear Snow Sword. As for Thunder Desolation Tyrant Star, now that Xia Feng had awakened his Purple Thunder Physique, he had excellent control over lightning techniques, with increased damage as well.

“What a waste… using an imperial-level martial technique to support these.”

Xia Feng let out a bitter laugh. It was like trying to cook a gourmet meal with no ingredients—this was all he had for now, so he had no choice.

A thousand years in the dream realm equaled only three hours in the real world.

When Xia Feng woke up, dawn was just breaking.

He held the Clear Snow Sword in his left hand and carried a mid-grade spirit treasure broadsword in his right—one he had taken from the Sky Elephant Sect.

Then, he walked to the open space outside the City Lord’s Mansion…

To test his newfound power.