Chapter 344: Chapter 344 Rise of Ancient Martial Arts (Three Updates)
Yang Xiao chatted with Ben Yin and the others for a while, learning that they were unable to enhance their genetic evolution through consuming the flesh of mutant monsters. Instead, they mainly increased their genetic evolution by hunting monsters and obtaining genetic fragments, which was why they had only reached the level of Primordial Gene Advanced.
However, their ancient martial arts, practiced before the genetic evolution, now invigorated with new life force, greatly elevated their combat power far beyond others at the same genetic evolution level.
The camel had just died, its flesh still warm, making it not too unbearable to eat.
However, Ben Yin and the others were not accustomed to eating raw and each only consumed a few kilograms before stopping.
Ben Guo glanced at the nearby Flame Horse which was grilling camel meat with flames, and said enviously:
"We’ve lost two brothers who were Fire Element Mages. When they were around, we could have grilled meat anytime. Now, without wood or branches available, it’s difficult to enjoy a cooked meal."
Ben Yin clasped his hands together, uttered "Amitabha Buddha", and said:
"Monastics should follow what fate offers; eating meat if available, rice if there, and if conditions don’t allow cooked food, occasionally eating raw is also good. Junior brother, don’t harbor too much desire. We are already blessed by the Buddha to be alive, Amitabha Buddha!"
Ben Guo and the others also clasped hands and intoned, "Amitabha Buddha!"
Yang Xiao: "..."
Damn, the world changes so fast; monks eating raw meat has become just going with the flow.
Yang Xiao laughed:
"It’s fate that I meet these distinguished masters. Do you continue to hunt monsters?"
"Of course, we’ve killed all the mutant monsters around Shaolin Temple, and only here can we continue to find the genetic fragments we need to enhance our genetic evolution ability."
"Do the masters hunt monsters in the core area of the desert?"
"Yes."
"If the masters don’t mind my clumsiness, may I team up with you?"
When Ben Yin heard this, he was slightly startled.
Yang Xiao continued:
"I won’t take any of the spoils. You can give me the leftover bodies of the monsters killed, how about that?"
"Oh? Master Yang, are you sure you only want the monster carcasses?"
"Of course, do you still want this camel’s meat?"
Ben Yin shook his head and said:
"We’re full. You can handle the remaining camel meat as you wish."
Yang Xiao expressed his thanks and touched his Space Ring, creating a flash of light. The huge camel carcass on the ground entered the ring as a beam of light.
Everyone looked at Yang Xiao in surprise.
Yang Xiao smiled:
"This is a Space Ring purchased from the Genetic Store, it can be used to store items. We’ve been short on food recently in Nanmu City, so I came here to hunt monsters, to gather some genetic fragments, but more importantly, to get some mutant monster carcasses as food for everyone."
Yang Xiao’s explanation was logical, and upon hearing it, Ben Yin and the others were not surprised.
Yang Xiao didn’t want to deceive Ben Yin and the others and continued on:
"Additionally, some people can enhance their genetic evolution by consuming monster flesh and blood, which for us, acts like Genetic Fragments. Therefore, if I join your group, just claiming the monster corpses feels like I’m taking advantage of you."
Ben Yin nodded and said:
"In that case, I’m relieved. Everyone gets what they need, no problem. Seeing Yang Xiao’s remarkable abilities just now, let’s team up for now."
The others had also witnessed the power of Yang Xiao’s Soul Skill, One Finger Splitting Earth. With Yang Xiao joining them, naturally, it added significant strength. Initially, they were worried about Yang Xiao claiming a share of the spoils, but since he only wanted the monster corpses, which were of little use to them, that concern was resolved.
Thus, Yang Xiao mounted his Flame Horse and followed Ben Yin and others into the heart of the desert.
"Master Yang, most of the demon beasts here possess at least high-level Enhanced Genes, and occasionally there are King Level Mutant Monsters. However, we don’t provoke the King Level beasts. If we encounter one, we flee immediately. As for the high-level Enhanced Genes, generally there is no big issue. It’s getting dark today, we will head to the Genetic Store nearby to spend the night."
Yang Xiao nodded, "I’ll follow Master Ben Yin’s arrangements."
The group stopped and fought several Intermediate Enhanced Gene monsters along the way. Ben Yin and his six disciples charged forward and swiftly overcame the monsters.
Yang Xiao noticed that they rarely used Soul Skills, mainly relying on their respective martial arts skills.
Master Ben Yin mainly used Bodhi Zen Palm, Master Ben Guo employed the Tiger Claw Skill, and the others used Dharma Sword Technique, Bodhi Saber Technique, Burning Wood Saber Technique, and so forth.
As introduced by Master Ben Yin, besides these martial arts, they also practiced special internal strengths from Shaolin Temple, like Arhat Divine Skill and Dragon Subduing and Elephant Taming Skill, in addition to Qinggong.
Overall, a combination of ancient martial arts with a foundation of genetic evolution made each of them extremely formidable in combat power, especially in terms of attack speed and responsiveness, allowing them to easily dodge their opponents’ attacks.
When facing these monsters, Yang Xiao generally used the Golden Eagle Bow for ranged attacks, and occasionally used the skill, One Finger Splitting Earth. As for Black Hole Swallowing and Sweeping Void, he decided not to reveal them yet, and pretended to be just average, not too weak, but not too strong either.
According to the agreement, Ben Yin and others took the equipment and Genetic Balls, Yang Xiao only wanted the monster corpses.
After walking about twenty kilometers, Yang Xiao saw an oasis and a sizable lake in the distance, with a Genetic Store by the lake.
Yang Xiao rubbed his eyes, saying:
"Am I seeing things? Is this a mirage in the desert?"
Ben Yin laughed:
"Amitabha, Master Yang, this is no mirage, everything here is real; the apocalypse has changed a lot, including the desert’s environment."
Yang Xiao nodded; he had once seen rivers inside a desert and had killed a giant python there.
Near the Genetic Store, Yang Xiao and the others found a place to sit and rest, aside from the Iron Tower Warriors at the entry of the Store, a shopkeeper inside, and a young servant, it was just Yang Xiao and the few with Ben Yin.
"Are there so few people here?"
"That’s natural, most people usually stay around the edges and middle areas of the desert; few people come here."
"Is there anyone else here other than your people from Shaolin Temple?"
"Of course, there are people from Kongtong Sect, and Shenming Mountain Sect as well."
Yang Xiao looked confused: "@#￥%, Master Ben Yin, am I hearing this right?"
"Master Yang, you heard right. We’ve been here for over two months now, and people from other sects arrived around the same time. You’re not familiar with the Jianghu, martial artists have always existed in the world, many hidden sects are usually unknown,
but this genetic mutation has greatly benefited us martial artists. The martial arts that have been passed down for hundreds, even thousands of years have evolved significantly. Just a few days ago, I personally saw a senior from Kongtong Sect using his Seven Injuries Fist, bringing down a ten-meter-long tiger."
(End of third update, it’s very cold today, my fingers are frozen. Thanks to the book friend Mo Yutianzi for the tip of 100 Qidian Coins, thanks everyone for your support.)