Chapter Fifty-Four: Initiation into Jade Marrow, The Life-Preserving Art of the Seven Seas Mystical Gate

"This 'Seven Seas Gateway Life-Protecting Method' contains secret techniques from the Sea God Sect, used to break through the Life and Death Gateway. It can solidify one's foundation, protect one's life, and prevent fatal missteps during the breakthrough.

Within it are the insights of four grandmasters, all at the rank of Dharma Kings within the Sea God Sect. Their experiences are of great benefit to future martial cultivation.

If one can fully comprehend it, there is a ninety percent chance of surviving the Life and Death Gateway."

Bai Xuan treated the "Seven Seas Gateway Life-Protecting Method" as a treasure and carefully put it away.

This was the most valuable item on Yuan Mo. If he had not been attempting his breakthrough, he would never have carried it with him. If placed for sale at the maritime market, not even several thousand taels of silver would suffice to purchase it!

"Next, I should activate the Jade Marrow," Bai Xuan thought, his mind growing focused.

"Longevity Tree!"

During the battle with Yuan Mo, he had used the Blood-Burning Secret Art, consuming some of his vitality. Even with his Golden Viscera, he felt a deficit deep in his bone marrow.

Such a deficit was a loss of lifespan, difficult to restore.

But now, with a single thought, the Longevity Dao Tree appeared before his mind’s eye.

A jade leaf swiftly sprouted upon it, radiating a gentle, warm glow, seemingly regenerating ceaselessly, with boundless vitality!

Jade Marrow (Entry Level 1%)!

As the leaf emerged, Bai Xuan could feel blood surging from the depths of his bone marrow, continuously replenishing his meridians.

In an instant, blood flowed, the deficit was invisibly filled, and even his lost lifespan was recovering.

The power of the Jade Marrow lay in its explosive ability to generate blood within the marrow, causing qi and life force to be reborn unceasingly. No matter how great the deficit, it could be restored!

"At this rate, in just three to five days, the side effects of the Blood-Burning Secret Art will be gone," Bai Xuan concluded.

He sat cross-legged on the ground, circulating his inner breath, feeling the changes in his body.

Jade Marrow greatly enhanced his recovery. No matter how much qi and blood he consumed, he could recover completely within a short time.

However, this ability had its limits. Each burst of Blood-Burning required three to five days to heal. If he used it repeatedly, the entry-level Jade Marrow could hardly keep up with repairs.

"It probably needs to rise to a higher level before I can use forbidden arts without restraint," Bai Xuan estimated.

Many minor injuries from martial training, which he had not even noticed, were also gradually healing.

The Jade Marrow did not directly enhance combat power, but subtly made his martial path much smoother.

His stomach grumbled.

Bai Xuan felt hungry—a sign of the Longevity Tree strengthening his body, demanding replenishment.

He stood up and spent half an hour boiling a pot of exotic fish soup. Shaking the fish basket, he saw that barely ten pounds remained.

"I’m eating too quickly," Bai Xuan sighed helplessly.

The amount he’d originally purchased would last an ordinary martial artist at least half a year, but it was nearly gone now.

Adding points to the Longevity Tree consumed tremendous qi and blood. Initially, common fish sufficed; later, he needed exotic fish. Now, even those were nearly unaffordable.

After his meal—

Bang! Bang! Bang!

Bai Xuan practiced martial forms in the courtyard, his body moving with his fists. Though simply loosening up, his movements left afterimages, sand and stones flying—a frightening speed.

In the battle at the manor, he had pushed his footwork to the limit; many previously stagnant areas now flowed seamlessly.

Now, his mastery of Shark-Fighting had nearly merged fully into Tiger-Pounce Steps—only a single step from perfection.

The next day.

Bai Xuan sat on the wooden pier by the sea, fishing.

"Exotic fish is running out. It’s time to go to sea," he mused.

At his current level, he needed more and more exotic fish. It seemed he truly needed his own large vessel.

Just then—

"Hm?"

Bai Xuan’s gaze sharpened.

He saw pieces of wreckage drifting on the sea, and the remains of a large sunken ship disappearing beneath the waves.

In the distance, flames and thick smoke lingered, gradually extinguishing.

…

In the small courtyard of Marquis White-Brow.

"Have you heard?" Bai Tianyuan's expression was grim.

"Yesterday, the official navy suffered a defeat. Nearly half their ten thousand troops were lost. Of more than a hundred warships, only about sixty returned—a crushing loss!"

"They say members of the Sea God Sect appeared during the battle. Fortunately, their sub-sect here was wiped out not long ago, or else the island’s rear would have fallen into chaos, making things even worse."

Sweat beaded faintly on Bai Tianyuan's brow.

If the government forces were wiped out, Qianshan Island would surely fall.

When the nest is overturned, how can any egg remain unbroken?

"The only good news is that the family head returned yesterday and called a meeting of the elders. With that, the dispute over your captaincy should be settled. But at such a time, to take on such a burden—is it a blessing or a curse?"

"Oh?" Bai Xuan raised an eyebrow.

He had long heard that Bai Xuanji’s delayed return was due to debate over what post to promote him to.

After all, Bai Xuanji had only just been promoted from first mate to captain within the past year. Further promotion would be difficult.

However, the family head’s return and a meeting of the elders would be decisive; all appointments would be settled.

But now, that was no longer the most important matter. News of the navy’s defeat had spread like wildfire across the island, throwing many into panic.

"A storm is coming…" Bai Xuan lowered his eyes.

This defeat was like lancing a festering boil. It was not the same as the Black Pirates’ rout at the hands of the Star-Hunting Bandits. No one expected them to handle the Star-Hunting Bandits, but now, with the government navy's collapse, the last tattered umbrella was gone. Who wouldn’t be afraid, looking at the sky?

At that moment—

"You're leaving?" came Marquis White-Brow's angry voice.

He sat beneath the eaves, idly rolling two iron balls in his hand. Now, with a scowl, he squeezed—and with a crunch, flattened one of the balls.

"Yes, Grand Uncle. My parents insist; I truly cannot stay…" a tall young man replied respectfully.

Bai Xuan glanced around and saw that nearly half the people in the courtyard were gone; it felt empty.

"With the navy’s defeat, many well-informed people are leaving Qianshan Island today to lie low," Bai Tianyuan observed.

"Fine, go!" Marquis White-Brow waved the young man away, anger written across his face.

"So many are leaving," Bai Xuan noted, spotting that Bai Qianjian was gone as well.

A short while later, a few more people hurried out, and Marquis White-Brow retreated indoors, unwilling to see any more.

Bai Xuan did not leave—not because he was unprepared, but because, unlike the others who had destinations in mind, he only had his little courtyard on Qianshan Island. If he left, would he simply dive into the sea and live off fish?

Still, a sense of urgency pressed upon him.

"I must keep improving my strength. When I return, I’ll begin cultivating the 'Seven Seas Gateway Life-Protecting Method' and prepare for the breakthrough!"

…

At dusk, in the small courtyard.

"This 'Seven Seas Gateway Life-Protecting Method' is truly profound," Bai Xuan mused as he sat cross-legged, his qi and blood deeply restrained yet circulating powerfully within. He was accelerating the flow of his vital energy, making its intangible force surge turbulently; both his strength and speed were rising dramatically.