Another month passed.
One day, Fang Xi examined his calligraphy practice sheet and noticed that each character exuded both form and spirit, appearing flawless and radiant.
“Divine Union achieved… Success!”
At this moment, Fang Xi felt his True Force circulating effortlessly within him, even stirring beneath his skin as if yearning to burst forth… yet it remained just an impulse.
“I’ve heard that a True Astral Martial Saint’s true astral energy can manifest externally; perhaps it’s indeed possible…”
The Divine Union signifies the pinnacle of True Force circulation!
For a Zongshi, their True Force transforms into True Astral Energy!
True Astral Energy not only enhances destructive and defensive capabilities significantly but also allows movement outside the body!
Having completed this step, Fang Xi reached the fourth-step martial scholar level, standing at the peak of this realm.
Next, he aimed for Divine Fusion with the Universe, achieving Harmony with Nature, to ascend to the rank of Zongshi!“It’s unfortunate… Yuanhe Mountain has some knowledge about the fourth-step martial scholar stage, but there are no secret techniques for breaking through to Zongshi… Otherwise, Linghu Shan wouldn’t have been stuck for twenty years!”
After finishing his writing, Fang Xi felt quite content and headed towards the training grounds.
As usual, Sun Hongdie was the only one present there.
Over the past month, a few disciples sporadically approached to seek apprenticeship but quickly left…
“Master… when will I finally grasp my blood qi and achieve the first transformation?” Sun Hongdie looked at Fang Xi with a hint of resentment.
Each time her master praised her exceptional talent, claiming she was on the verge of reaching the first transformation, yet months had passed without any progress.
“Soon, very soon,” Fang Xi replied with a slight smile. “Don’t worry…”
In reality, Sun Hongdie’s martial aptitude was even worse than he anticipated. Moreover, daily distractions from family matters prevented her from fully concentrating on her training. Achieving anything under these circumstances seemed downright impossible! His previous compliments were merely ways to pacify a child.
Seeing Sun Hongdie’s puffed-up face in frustration, Fang Xi couldn’t help but chuckle ungraciously.
‘Sigh, it’s only now that I truly feel like a young man again…’
Recalling his recently passed eighteenth birthday, Fang Xi couldn’t help but feel somewhat nostalgic.
After arriving in the Great Liang World, he had been so focused on cultivating and making breakthroughs that he didn’t even celebrate this significant milestone.
Perhaps past experiences made such occasions seem trivial by comparison.
‘I wonder how the battle at Qingzhu Mountain is progressing? Has the Situ Clan met its demise yet?’
The thought flashed through Fang Xi’s mind, but truthfully, he held no interest in the fate of the Situ Clan.
With chaos undoubtedly reigning, being merely at the second stage of Body Tempering offered little security. It would be wiser to avoid this dangerous period for at least a year or two before returning to assess the situation…
What left Fang Xi slightly melancholic was that after finishing the bottle of Wood Yuan Pills, his progress in magical energy virtually halted.
In the Great Liang World, spiritual energy was exceedingly scarce. To continue advancing, he would need to switch to absorbing the spiritual energy from within spirit stones during cultivation.
However, this approach was incredibly extravagant, as spirit stones were typically reserved for emergencies, such as replenishing magical energy during breakthroughs or battles.
Thus, Fang Xi resisted the temptation and limited himself to practicing his cultivation technique once daily before focusing on other tasks.
‘The peak of the fourth layer with the Everlasting Spring Art is just so-so…’
‘The current priority remains breaking through to become a True Astral Martial Saint!’
‘Also, mythical beast meat can easily spoil, but their hides and bones won’t… If I collect enough, selling them to the southern wilderness’s cultivation world later could yield a significant fortune!’
The Yue Kingdom, being a well-established cultivation nation, had dense populations and scarce untouched forests, leading to a rarity of mythical beasts. Occasionally, when one did appear, it was often swiftly surrounded and slain by cultivators from all directions!
As mythical beasts became increasingly rare, the prices for their resources steadily climbed.
This presented a prime opportunity to earn spirit stones!
‘The Beast Hunt Society and Yuanhe Mountain… That old man Linghu Shan must have some valuable goods!’
Fang Xi made up his mind to spend more time chatting with Brother Linghu, hoping to glean some benefits along the way.
“Master, those beggars have come again!”
After being called home for dinner half an hour later, Sun Hongdie spotted a small string of copper coins at the entrance. She promptly picked them up and gleefully brought them to Fang Xi.
She was referring to Qing Sang and A-Dai.
Since ten days ago, these two youngsters occasionally appeared near the dojo, leaving behind some items before departing.
“It seems they’re doing quite well now.”
Fang Xi, seated in his taishi chair, took a sip from his purple clay teapot and instructed Sun Hongdie, “Bring them inside!”
Sun Hongdie eagerly skipped out to comply.
Shortly after, the two young beggars entered the dojo.
Although their clothes remained tattered, their overall health appeared much improved. Upon seeing Fang Xi, they immediately knelt down and bowed, saying, “Qing Sang (A-Dai) greets the Dojo Master!”
“You two seem to understand gratitude; that’s commendable…”
Fang Xi was reasonably satisfied. Their ability to quickly obtain food and money indicated that they had indeed mastered the Moon-Stealing Form.
This technique, with its sudden burst of power, even when executed by children, could overwhelm most martial apprentices undergoing the first transformation of blood and qi. It proved more than sufficient against ordinary people.
Unexpectedly, by casually saving two children and teaching them a few techniques, Fang Xi discovered their talents were quite promising.
“Now… both of you, take off your shirts!” Fang Xi instructed.
Qing Sang hesitated momentarily before he and A-Dai removed their tattered tops.
Their bodies revealed extensive filth, pus-filled sores, and numerous scars…
Fang Xi glanced past the rest, focusing on their arms, shoulders, and hands.
He noticed a significant injury on Qing Sang’s shoulder, likely caused by rigorous practice of the Moon-Stealing Form.
On the other hand, A-Dai’s shoulder showed no signs of damage, yet still caught Fang Xi’s attention.
“Not bad, not bad…” Fang Xi looked at A-Dai and said, “Not only have you mastered the Moon-Stealing Form, but you also added your own variations. Unlike this fool beside you who blindly practiced without adaptation…”
A-Dai’s expression remained blank, uncertain if he fully understood.
Qing Sang, however, stood with his mouth slightly agape, almost disbelieving.
However, Fang Xi quickly recalled his own experience with martial arts training. Despite practicing relentlessly to near-exhaustion each day, his first attempt at combat had failed miserably. If not for A-Dai’s intervention, that enraged old beggar might have killed him on the spot!
Was it possible that A-Dai’s natural talent surpassed even his own?
Fang Xi began forming some ideas.
He indeed needed to cultivate individuals as test subjects to refine his Primordial True Art. After all, this technique was only in its initial stages, and there might be inherent flaws.
Identifying and correcting issues within the art could potentially aid him in becoming a Zongshi!
“Excellent. From today onwards, you two are apprentices of Intervale Dojo. Consider the gifts you brought earlier as tuition fees. Starting now, come here every day for four hours of martial training… With time, you may become accomplished fighters.” Fang Xi chuckled, suddenly appearing at the center of the training ground.
Sun Hongdie jumped in surprise; despite watching Fang Xi closely, she couldn’t discern how he moved so swiftly.
‘I didn’t realize my master is truly a formidable fighter?’ Her eyes widened, finding it hard to believe.
Unbothered by her reaction, Fang Xi commenced demonstrating the Primordial Fist Technique.
This was his adapted version of the ‘Primordial True Art’ introductory chapter, designed to accelerate blood qi concentration and facilitate breakthroughs in true force.
“My Primordial Fist Technique has a mantra - Body like a bow, legs like pines, fists swift as wind, intent unfettered!”
Fang Xi demonstrated each move meticulously. “To master martial arts, relentless dedication is required! Don’t let my youthful appearance deceive you; I’ve been cultivating this skill for over twenty years!”
Such advice came from a young man who had just turned eighteen.
Bang!
As Fang Xi spoke, he swiftly approached the wooden post and struck it with a punch.
Crash!
The post shattered instantly, sending splinters flying through the air.
“Wow! Ugh… yuck…” Sun Hongdie, about to speak, found her mouth filled with wood debris and dust, leading her to ungracefully spit repeatedly.
In contrast, Qing Sang and A-Dai’s eyes sparkled with admiration.
“All right, I’ve now demonstrated the four major stances of the Primordial Fist Technique. Now, show me what you’ve learned,” Fang Xi declared, returning to sit in the taishi chair.
“Master, please guide us!” Qing Sang promptly stepped forward, hands clasped together, and swiftly assumed the first stance.
“This person…” Sun Hongdie was astonished. Although she could spot numerous flaws and mistakes in Qing Sang’s execution, he managed to stumble through the entire set.
In contrast, when she first learned… her master had to teach her each move individually, step by step. How many days did it take for her to grasp the full sequence? Was it ten days? Or even half a month?
After Qing Sang finished, Fang Xi gave some instructions to A-Dai. Despite his seemingly foolish demeanor, A-Dai stepped forward confidently and began setting up his stance.
This time, Sun Hongdie remained silent, utterly speechless.
Despite appearing clumsy, A-Dai executed the fist technique meticulously, flawlessly enough that even she couldn’t find any errors!
“Genius… a true martial arts prodigy!” Sun Hongdie murmured under her breath.
Instantly, she cast a resentful glance at Fang Xi.
Clearly, his earlier deception about A-Dai’s abilities had been exposed…
“Very well, A-Dai, your execution of all four stances is impressive. From now on, Qing Sang, you will learn the techniques from A-Dai, while practicing strength with the wooden stakes under Shijie Sun Hongdie’s guidance!”
Fang Xi showed little surprise; it didn’t faze him much.
No matter how talented A-Dai might be, he was comparable at best to Linghu Yang. While this could delight Linghu Shan, for Fang Xi, it wasn’t particularly impressive…
Even if A-Dai possessed spiritual roots, whether Earth rank or Heaven rank, so what?
Fang Xi had no intention of teaching him cultivation, nor would he ever bring him to the southern wilderness’s cultivation world.
Thus… they were all the same, merely serving as small training guinea pigs.
“Master…” At that moment, Sun Hongdie’s eyes turned red, her voice trembling with suppressed tears. “Please tell me the truth… Do I really have poor talent?”
Despite practicing for so long, even an average person should have gained some control over their blood qi by now.
“Uh…” Fang Xi pondered briefly before saying, “Your mom called you home for dinner…”
Indeed, earlier someone had shouted for Sun Hongdie to return for a meal, and quite some time had passed since then.
“Master, don’t avoid the question!” Sun Hongdie exclaimed indignantly.
“Sigh, silly disciple…” Fang Xi sighed, his gaze filled with pity, and finally revealed the truth, “Perhaps… you should just go home and get married instead?”
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