Unsheathed

Li Liu brought a box of food to Lion Peak during the evening, and Li Er and Chen Ping’an ate at the table inside the thatched cottage.

During today’s training session, Li Er surprisingly hadn’t thrown many punches at Chen Ping’an, instead taking out a fire dragon painting filled with meridians and acupoints and placing it on the ground, carefully explaining several of the most prominent ancient fist arts to Chen Ping’an, as well as the various paths for channeling pure True Qi and the ingenious principles behind these. Li Er especially focused on describing the different categorisations of the five hundred and twenty muscles in the upper body, going through these specific and detailed explanations to then explore fist principles and fist intent.

In addition, Li Er also talked about the various methods different forces used to strengthen one’s tendons and bones and temper one’s True Qi, also touching on what secret techniques they possessed to train one’s physique and meridians. Of course, he also explained why some grandmasters would suddenly fall to heretical ways when they reached a profound level of fist training.

This was the first time Chen Ping’an had heard about ancient martial artists categorising muscles as “following intent” and “not following intent.” There were even more principles and knowledge regarding the training of many muscles that were seemingly in so-called desolate locations, and ordinary martial artists would find it extremely difficult to properly temper these muscles using the fist stances and fist meditation techniques passed down by their forces. As a result, there existed major differences between martial artists’ foundations even if they were at the same cultivation base.

Cui Cheng made large and sweeping movements when he taught fist techniques, and it was as if waterfalls were thundering down on his students. A brief lapse in attention or a single mistake in blocking the attack, and Chen Ping’an would suffer excruciating pain that was even worse than death. This was a method of tempering his instincts, forcing him to grit his teeth and endure with unwavering determination, opening up his physique to the greatest degree. In any case, Cui Cheng had helped Chen Ping’an temper his body two times, and especially during the first time at the bamboo building, his fists hadn’t just landed on Chen Ping’an’s physical body. He hadn’t spared Chen Ping’an’s soul either.

If Cui Cheng unleashed a fist intent of five kilograms in weight, then Chen Ping’an would have to obediently accept all five kilograms, not a single gram short. This was a case of Cui Cheng striding forward in large steps as he dragged Chen Ping’an along the path of Martial Dao. The old senior paid no heed to whether the so-called little child in his hand would develop blisters on his feet, nor did he care whether the little child’s flesh would become mangled and bloody, even showing bone.

Meanwhile, Li Er also tempered Chen Ping’an’s physique while teaching him fist techniques, but he also explained the fundamental fist principles as well, even asking Chen Ping’an to mull over them himself. Li Er was pointing him to the right path.

There was no notion of who was a better teacher, and the only difference was who should teach Chen Ping’an first and who should teach him second. Just like Li Er had said, Chen Ping’an wouldn’t have been able to reach his current height in martial arts if Li Er had taught him first and Cui Cheng had taught him second.

Chen Ping’an continued to ask Li Er about some paths of True Qi channeling on the fire dragon painting, even as they ate.

Li Liu didn’t disturb the two of them as she quietly sat to the side.

At some unknown time, the thatched cottage had already been filled with a complete set of furniture, with a wooden table, long benches, and bamboo chairs.

“Uncle Li, did you focus on these small details right from the beginning of practicing fist techniques?” Chen Ping’an asked in curiosity.

Li Er smiled and replied, “I couldn’t be crude about it even if I wanted to. Master would keep an eye on my progress, and even though he didn’t care about those fine details on the path of martial arts, he had his expectations regarding how heavy my fist intent needed to be at what time. I would naturally suffer if Master felt like I was slacking off. I was relatively okay, and I followed the rules to train hard and train earnestly.

“However, Zheng Dafeng was quite pitiful back then, and even when he left the Jewel Small World, a part of his soul and spirit were still held and suppressed by Master. I’m not sure whether Master returned them to Zheng Dafeng afterward. Even though we’re sect brothers under the same master, some questions are still best left unasked.”

Chen Ping’an felt increasingly puzzled.

How could a person continue to practice fist techniques if their soul and spirit were incomplete?

Li Er sipped some wine and continued, “It’s not a problem to explain these matters to you. Zheng Dafeng’s method of practicing fists involves his souls and spirits being varied and different, with each wisp training independently of the others. With three souls and seven spirits, he needs to practice fist techniques in ten different ways. Hence, it looked like my junior brother was always nodding off while guarding the gate of the small world, but in reality, he wasn’t sleeping at all. Instead, he was earnestly practicing his fist techniques.

“Junior Sister Su Dian is different again, and her training involves morning training, night training, and training in her dreams. As for Junior Brother Shi Lingshan, he needs to travel through the river of time to temper his soul and physique, which often results in him drowning to death. Thankfully, Master can retrieve his ‘corpse.’ These are all good training methods, but regarding who can reach the greatest height in the end, this is ultimately dependent on our own skills and fortune. According to Master, no small number of people accidentally train until they become cripples.”

Li Liu smiled and asked, “Chen Ping’an, my mother told me to ask you this: Are you unwilling to stay the night at the fabric shop because you feel like it’s too shabby?”

“It’s easy for rumors to start spreading if I stay the night there,” Chen Ping’an replied in helplessness. “That will affect your reputation in the small town, and even if Miss Li doesn’t mind, Aunt Liu still needs to interact with the neighbors and residents very frequently. If Aunt Liu gets into an argument with someone, and they use this as an insult, then won’t Aunt Liu feel vexed for a long time? Even if you get married in the future, this will still be something they can bring up. In fact, the more impressive your husband is, the more the women in the small town will find enjoyment in bringing up these old matters.”

Li Liu smiled and said, “This is indeed the case, but you can explain it to my mother yourself.”

As for marriage, Li Liu had never thought about this before.

Chen Ping’an glanced at Li Er. There was still one final training session left.

Li Er told Chen Ping’an to fully rest and recuperate first, saying there was no hurry to hold this final training session. Chen Ping’an had a nagging feeling that things wouldn’t be easy.

“The fundamental fist stances of some senior martial artists in the history of the Majestic World are slightly similar to your Examining the Dragon. Where did you steal this stance from?” Li Er asked.

Chen Ping’an took a sip of wine and replied with a smile, “Uncle Li, couldn’t I have comprehended this fist stance myself?”

Li Er chuckled in response.

His gaze was much like a father-in-law from the martial world looking at his son-in-law, giving the latter no room to hide.

Chen Ping’an didn’t hide the truth any longer, revealing, “This fist stance was created by an old mister from the Parasol Leaf Continent’s Lotus Flower Blessed Land. His name is Zhong Qiu, and he’s the imperial preceptor of the Southern Garden Nation. In that world, the old mister is also renowned in the martial world as a scholarly sage and a martial arts grandmaster. I once desired to invite the old mister to leave the Lotus Flower Blessed Land, but it was a shame that he was unwilling to leave because he had too many matters to worry about and deal with at that time. I don’t know if he’ll change his mind afterward.”

“He should come to the Majestic World,” Li Er said.

Li Liu thought for a moment, recalling the phenomenon at some place near the capital of the Southern Garden Nation as she said, “The current Lotus Flower Blessed Land is unable to contain this person. A flood dragon confining itself to a small pond isn’t a long-term solution.”

Chen Ping’an nodded and replied, “I’ll have a chat with Mr. Zhong when I return to Downtrodden Mountain in the future.”

Li Er left the mountain after drinking some wine and eating some food.

Meanwhile, Li Liu stayed back at Lion Peak to “practice immortal techniques with old immortals in the mountains.”

Li Liu grabbed the food basket and returned to her residence, strolling together with Chen Ping’an.

Lion Peak had mysteriously sealed the mountains recently, and not only were people forbidden from entering and exiting the mountains, but the cultivators in the mountains were essentially being confined as well, not allowed to wander around casually.

Thus, the two of them didn’t come across any cultivators from Lion Peak as they walked.

“The spiritual energy at Lion Peak is much thinner than that at the Dragon Palace Small World’s Paddling Island. Is this hard to adjust to?” Li Liu asked.

“No, I’m still yet to fully refine the spiritual energy that I accumulated at Paddling Island and stored in my water palace, mountain shrine, and wood residence,” Chen Ping’an replied with a smile. “This is my first time becoming completely stuffed after becoming a Qi refiner. I drew close to two hundred talismans using the dissipating spiritual energy at Paddling Island, and because of my location, most of these talismans were Vast Flowing River Talismans. I used all of the immortal ink I purchased from the Spring Dew Garden.”

“These are small matters, and there’s no need for you to feel excessive gratitude toward Paddling Island and Li Yuan,” Li Liu said. “In reality, if Li Yuan were smart enough, he should have gifted the ‘Mountains Green Rain Like Mist’ jade tablet to Mr. Chen. However, it’s a shame that he’s too stingy, just like when rain fell from the heavens. He only used his hands to move the water, not knowing how to use the entire water vat. The rain could only alleviate the thirst temporarily.”

Chen Ping’an retrieved the “Resting” mandarin wood tablet and said, “Li Yuan left the Water Dragon Sect along the Plenty River for some reason and gifted me this tablet. It’s the thought that counts, and this tablet is no inferior to the ‘Rain Like’ jade tablet.”

Li Liu glanced at the crude mandarin wood tablet before shaking her head and replying, “This mandarin wood tablet won’t help Mr. Chen on the path of cultivation, especially when it comes to absorbing water fortune spiritual energy.”

Chen Ping’an put the mandarin wood tablet away and said with a smile, “But I can openly look for Li Yuan to drink wine with when I visit the Northern Complete Reed Continent and the Plenty River in the future. Just drinking wine is enough. However, I wouldn’t have accepted the ‘Rain Like’ jade tablet, and even if I mustered my courage to accept it, I would have felt under a burden as a result.”

Li Liu fell silent for a moment before saying slowly, “Mr. Chen can almost advance now.”

“It seems to be a matter of one more punch,” Chen Ping’an concurred with a nod.

“I’ll say the same thing again,” Li Liu suddenly said. “It’s of utmost importance not to hesitate on the path of cultivation, and just like how martial artists need to take firm and gradual steps, Qi refiners similarly need to be daring in their pursuit of lofty fated opportunities. They can’t become timid and indecisive, and they can’t be overly focused on the notion of fortunes and misfortunes coming hand in hand.

“Perhaps Mr. Chen is thinking about gathering all items of the Five Elements first, comprehensively reconstructing your bridge of immortality using these bonded items of the Five Elements. Mr. Chen might think that it doesn’t matter even if you’re still at the third tier at that time. In reality, however, such a mindset is undesirable for Qi refiners.

Chen Ping’an slowly mulled over this.

“Since you’ve become a Qi refiner, you should have a transcendent heart that yearns for loftier heights,” Li Liu continued. “Practicing martial arts is going with the flow to ascend, while refining Qi is going against the flow to push forward. Thus, you need to think about how to overcome the barrier of the third tier of Qi refinement when you advance to the Vajra Body Tier, Mr. Chen. The third tier, the Willow Tendon Tier, has always been regarded as the Cultivator Trapping Tier. Perhaps Mr. Chen wishes to ascend the heavens in a single step?”

Chen Ping’an smiled and shook his head. “I wouldn’t dare to, and I won’t think like this either.”

“Before I returned to Lion Peak, a martial artist at the Golden Armor Continent advanced to the Vajra Body Tier as the strongest sixth tier in the world,” Li Liu said. “Thus, in addition to the martial sage temples in the Golden Armor Continent, the other continents also detected this phenomenon and offered their congratulations. The eight other continents in the world needed to send some martial fortune to the Golden Armor Continent, with this martial fortune splitting into two parts, one for the martial artist and one for the continent.

“According to the old rules and regulations, martial artists and martial fortune are similar to Qi refiners and spiritual energy. It isn’t some overly mystical notion of fortune. The Middle Earth Divine Continent is the largest continent with the most abundant resources, and this single continent can be viewed as eight separate continents. Because of this, it’s often the case that martial artists in the Middle Earth Divine Continent receive more martial fortune from the other states. However, when a martial artist breaks through in another state, the Middle Earth Divine Continent will also need to send over more martial fortune as a result. Otherwise, the Middle Earth Divine Continent will have a monopoly over the strongest martial artists in the world.”

This was new information that Chen Ping’an had never heard of before.

“If that martial artist in the Golden Armor Continent broke through later, then what should have been good would have become bad instead. They would have failed to obtain the martial fortune,” Li Liu commented in amusement. “By the looks of it, this person not only possesses flourishing martial fortune, but they also possess very good luck.”

Chen Ping’an understood Li Liu’s insinuation. After training with Uncle Li at Lion Peak, Chen Ping’an would catch up to, and eventually surpass, the foundation of that prodigious sixth tier martial artist.

He was naturally happy, but he wasn’t delighted or overjoyed.