Welcome to the chaotic world!
Li Guanyi looked at the Night Rider spy who died with eyes wide open, still instinctively gasping for air. This was a natural reaction of the body. Yue Qianfeng patted his back and advised, "Sit down and meditate. I have used my Crimson Dragon True Power to open your acupoints and meridians, leaving behind a trace of qi."
"But this is still external assistance, not your own."
"If you don't focus, you'll forget it all in a few days."
"Calm your mind and maintain the circulation of this inner qi, only then have you truly learned it."
Li Guanyi nodded, walked into the Mountain God Temple, sat cross-legged, with his five hearts facing the sky, eyes closed, calming his mind and breathing, slowly urging the warm flow within his body to gather and circulate. Despite being drenched in the night rain, he appeared spirited, the warm qi flowing through his meridians, making him feel cozy.
Yue Qianfeng then proceeded to search the belongings of the spy, his expression slightly tensing upon seeing an item.
Li Guanyi, with eyes closed and mind focused, urged his qi, continuously strengthening his body's impression until this circulation of qi became instinctual.
In this state, his sensitivity to his body gradually increased.
Slowly, Li Guanyi could feel that whenever his inner qi flowed through his heart, it would suddenly slow down significantly, the warm qi faintly carrying a trace of coldness, taking several breaths to recover. He understood in his heart that this was likely the poison within his body.
Being able to detect the poison within was already a qualitative breakthrough, and Li Guanyi felt a sense of relief, yet he also sensed that the jade liquid within the bronze cauldron was not yet complete.
Clearly, Yue Qianfeng was right in front of him, yet the jade liquid within the cauldron remained stagnant at about ninety-five percent, not moving at all.
Li Guanyi pondered to himself.
Could it be that the requirement for the jade liquid to be full is not just being near Yue Qianfeng and that crimson dragon?
After several cycles of breathing, confirming he had mastered the circulation of this inner qi, Yue Qianfeng took a sip from his wine flask and casually said:
"Not bad comprehension. You managed to learn this 'Breaking Formation Melody' in just the time it takes for an incense stick to burn. This is something new from our military, not many know of it. It was created only twenty years ago and is circulated only among us."
"It was created by Marshal Yue's teacher, Old General Zhou, twenty-two years ago when he returned after defeating the Turkic Iron Cavalry."
"The old general spent his life on the battlefield. At that time, he was traveling through Jiangnan to pay respects to the late emperor and heard a girl of eight or nine playing the zither. The sound was so resonant that it inspired him to create this technique, also named [Melody]."
"Unlike those martial artists you've seen who first temper their bodies before channeling qi, this 'Breaking Formation Melody' directly channels qi into the body, using the inner qi to temper the body."
"The concept is on a higher level."
"Of course, the final path still leads to the same destination."
Li Guanyi quickly asked, "Body, qi?"
Yue Qianfeng replied, "Yes, a strong body can withstand blows, and stable qi allows you to strike others."
"Whether from outside to inside or inside to outside, the ultimate goal is to cultivate both body and inner qi to a certain point, then merge qi with the body to give birth to true qi, which is entering the realm."
"A martial artist who has entered the realm is much stronger than ordinary people in speed, strength, and physique."
"Of course, martial artists of different schools excel in different areas. Those who excel in speed may not have a physique much stronger than low-realm martial artists who focus on body tempering."
Li Guanyi temporarily set aside the matter of the bronze cauldron, focusing intently on Yue Qianfeng's explanation.
Yue Qianfeng suddenly asked, "However, do you think a martial artist who has entered the realm can definitely defeat one who is still tempering their body or nurturing their qi?"
Li Guanyi thought for a moment and said, "No."
"If he is unarmed and wearing ordinary clothes, and I have a weapon that can pierce his vital points, there's a slight chance I could kill him."
This is a conclusion many clever children can reach. Yue Qianfeng smiled and asked:
"Oh? Relying on that short sword of yours?"
Li Guanyi thought for a moment and replied, "Two weapons."
"Where is the other one?"
The thirteen-year-old pointed to his frayed clothes and answered:
"The underestimation of a child like me by a martial artist who has entered the realm."
Yue Qianfeng's smile faded slightly, somewhat surprised that such words came from a boy dressed worse than ordinary people in Guan Yi City. A hint of appreciation appeared in his eyes as he nodded:
"That's the truth. A tiger's strength is not inferior to that of a martial artist who has entered the realm, but a few hunters working together can kill it. Even with the strength, speed, and physique of one who has entered the realm, a moment of carelessness can lead to downfall. With that short sword, if the opponent underestimates you, a newly entered martial artist might indeed fall to your blade."
"Divine weapons, armor, will, and mindset all affect the final outcome of life and death."
Yue Qianfeng checked Li Guanyi's qi circulation route, seeing that he had mastered it skillfully, and couldn't help but praise, "Indeed, good comprehension."
Unfortunately, poisoned from a young age, his bones have been corroded by toxins, reducing his potential significantly.
Yue Qianfeng's eyes showed regret. From the details of the meridians, Li Guanyi had only circulated his qi three times in the time it takes for an incense stick to burn. Just three times, and he could memorize the route of this technique, showing extremely high comprehension. However, the speed of circulation was too slow.
Slow qi circulation means slow cultivation progress, slow recovery during battles, weaker strength, and lower combat power. It seems that being poisoned from a young age has harmed his potential.
What a pity, what a pity.
Such decisiveness, such comprehension, yet such misfortune.
Fate plays tricks.
Yue Qianfeng put away his regret and advised, "The 'Breaking Army Saber Technique' I taught you earlier is a common martial art in the Central Plains military. However, what I taught you is our improved version. Compared to the superior saber techniques of various sects in the martial world, it may lack finesse, but it is rigorous, concise, and not inferior."
"The names of the moves and the inner strength are quite different, but on the surface, it just looks like the common techniques every soldier knows. You can use it without worry."
"As for the 'Breaking Formation Melody,' it takes about one to three months to break through the first layer. Each subsequent layer takes longer, with a total of twelve layers. Those with extraordinary talent can complete it in three years, those with decent potential in eight years. Once perfected, you can attempt to enter the realm."
"The techniques and inheritance after entering the realm require divine insight, not just verbal instruction."
"However, even a simple martial artist who has entered the realm can be selected for the elite camp in the military."
"In the regular army, they can hold positions above squad leader, and most wandering heroes are at this level; they can also join some noble families as a guest, enough to protect themselves and live comfortably."
Yue Qianfeng looked at Li Guanyi, estimating his potential. Even with a technique like 'Breaking Formation Melody,' it would take over fifteen years to complete. By then, a twenty-seven or twenty-eight-year-old martial artist who has entered the realm would be considered outstanding in a small place, living well.
Li Guanyi listened to these words, keenly sensing the comfort hidden in Yue Qianfeng's words, guessing that his potential was quite ordinary. However, at this moment, he didn't mind, only sensing the jade liquid traces within the bronze cauldron.
Not enough, needing more time with Yue Qianfeng, or perhaps greater intensity?
Li Guanyi, without hesitation, immediately bowed and said:
"Disciple pays respects to teacher!"
Yue Qianfeng raised his hand to stop him, laughing heartily, "You are indeed clever, but no."
"Today, we are fated to meet, and I do like you. Teaching you martial arts is no problem, but as for taking you as a disciple, there's no need. My lineage requires great strength and high potential."
He candidly explained why he couldn't take him as a disciple.
Finding this child both clever and spirited, though lacking in potential, he still cheerfully took out a small bronze seal and casually tossed it to Li Guanyi.
"However, your earlier answer was excellent, so this is for you."
"This is my token. If you infuse it with the inner strength of the Breaking Formation Melody, I can vaguely sense your location."
"If one day you master the Breaking Formation Melody or encounter a difficult situation, you can use this to find me, fulfilling the fate between us. Hahaha, if you can't find me, just keep it as a memento."
Li Guanyi heard the farewell in Yue Qianfeng's words.
Knowing that after today, unless he used this bronze seal, he wouldn't see Yue Qianfeng again, and activating his bronze cauldron seemed a distant prospect.
Li Guanyi looked at Yue Qianfeng and the crimson divine dragon behind him.
Sensing the jade liquid level on his chest's bronze cauldron at ninety-five percent, an idea suddenly came to mind. He deliberately asked, "Then, can I ask one last question? What is the realm beyond entering the realm?"
Yue Qianfeng was taken aback, "You child, entering the realm is like climbing a tower, one level at a time."
"Why are you so ambitious?"
He paused, seeing the innocent and curious look in the young boy's eyes, knowing that in his lifetime, he might only reach the first or second realm. His character was bold and carefree, yet he was kind to his own. Finding the boy quite likable, he couldn't help but soften, smiling:
"Alright, if you're asking about the realm beyond the heavens, beyond the tower."
"Let me show you one last thing."
Yue Qianfeng clenched his fist.
In the dark night, the falling rain suddenly froze, countless raindrops solidifying in the air, turning into droplets like a vast mist. Li Guanyi felt his heart freeze, his body experiencing a strong sense of weightlessness and suffocation.
The next moment, countless droplets flew skyward.
Yue Qianfeng moved.
Turning, twisting his waist.
Clenching his fist.
Boom!!!
Accompanied by countless raindrops instantly evaporating into mist like clouds, fierce flames burst from Yue Qianfeng's fingers, roaring and occupying the entire mist. Then, before Li Guanyi's eyes, they transformed into a roaring crimson divine dragon, following the momentum of a punch.
The entire Mountain God Temple, the small mountain slope it stood on, and the bodies of those pursuers.
In an instant, turned to dust!
Scattered and dispersed, Li Guanyi slowly reached out his hand, looking up to see the sky clear, the moon already visible. This night rain, with one punch, had been dispersed, leaving only the roaring crimson dragon, now visible to the naked eye, circling around Yue Qianfeng, making him appear godlike, almost demonic.
Yue Qianfeng slowly extended his hand, the crimson dragon circling above, approaching Li Guanyi like a dragon about to devour.
In the end, it merely tapped Li Guanyi on the head, bringing the young man back to his senses.
Is this the power possessed by a strong one, even when heavily injured?
Li Guanyi looked at the crimson dragon fire that dispersed the night rain, the firelight reflecting in his eyes, subconsciously clenching his fist, feeling the intense heartbeat.
And when Yue Qianfeng's hand pressed on Li Guanyi's head, the jade liquid within his bronze cauldron began to grow again.
And when the crimson dragon, visible to the naked eye, disappeared.
The jade liquid in his chest's bronze cauldron was finally complete.
(End of Chapter)