My Martial Arts Level Never Drops

Chapter 419: Chapter 196: Secret Realm

Yue Guiyuan gently shook his head. ”A moment ago, I only said that the greatest benefit of the Heavenly Gang Secret Realm lies in ’Condensing Gang.’ But in truth... its value isn’t limited to that moment alone.”

”Quite the opposite. If you wait until you’re about to start Condensing Gang to enter for the first time, you might find your efforts are half as effective, and the risks... will be greatly amplified.”

Noticing Qin Fang’s confusion, he explained patiently, ”You must understand that Condensing Gang is not something accomplished in a single step. It’s more like a prolonged metamorphosis, one that requires two things as its foundation.”

”The first is an Essence of Nature and Form that is both exceptionally pure and highly compatible with your own Divine Will.”

”The second is a resilient Physique and spirit, strong enough to withstand the violent impact and backlash that occurs when Gang Qi is generated.”

”And the Heavenly Gang Secret Realm happens to be the perfect place for a Martial Artist to build a solid foundation in both these areas.”

Yue Guiyuan said, ”The unique environment within the Secret Realm—be it the heavy pressure, the aura of Sharpness, or the subtle ripples in Space-Time—has an excellent purifying and tempering effect on the True Essence of a Martial Artist at the Primordial Stream Realm.”

”When a Martial Artist cultivates there, their True Essence is constantly ’squeezed’ and ’refined,’ purging impurities and becoming more condensed and active... This allows the True Essence to reach a higher quality even during the accumulation phase.”

”Naturally, when it’s time to actually begin Condensing Gang, you’ll have a higher starting point and the process will be smoother... and the quality of the resulting Gang Qi will, of course, be superior.”

”Secondly, the environment of the Secret Realm is, in itself, a form of excellent cultivation.”

”A Martial Artist must learn to circulate their True Essence and maintain a clear mind and spirit amidst that abnormal pressure or chaotic Perception.”

”This process greatly tempers a Martial Artist’s willpower, their control over their own power, and their ability to react to unexpected situations.”

”After all, when the Gang Qi first takes form, the resulting internal and external shockwaves are incredibly violent. If you haven’t been tempered by a similar environment beforehand... the slightest lapse of focus could wipe out all your previous efforts, or even damage your very foundation...”

Yue Guiyuan paused for a moment before continuing, ”This is one of the reasons why disciples are generally allowed to enter once they reach the Primordial Stream Realm.”

Hearing this, Qin Fang’s brow furrowed. After a moment, he asked, ”Then... when should I go?”

Hearing Qin Fang’s question, Yue Guiyuan actually grew hesitant. He looked Qin Fang up and down before finally saying, ”That blessed cultivation land you found seems to contain an impressive amount of Ultimate Yin Primordial Power, and this True Essence of the Profound Nether Nature is also a rare find... If you were to go into long-term seclusion in the Heavenly Gang Secret Realm, you might miss this fortuitous opportunity...”

He thought for a moment before saying, ”Never mind. For now, continue cultivating at that blessed land. Wait until the place disappears... or until you advance to the Third Realm and are on the verge of Condensing Gang. Then you can go to the Heavenly Gang Secret Realm.”

As he finished, he shook his head with a wry smile. ”Your luck is truly something else. For a moment, even I, your master, can’t say for sure which is better for you—the Heavenly Gang Secret Realm or this blessed land...”

Hearing this, Qin Fang subconsciously scratched his head, not quite knowing how to respond.

”Alright, alright, let’s leave it at that... In any case, as the Hall Master’s True Inheritance, you have unrestricted access to the Heavenly Gang Secret Realm... Just go whenever you feel the need.”

That one sentence snapped Qin Fang back to his senses...

...Right. He was the Hall Master’s True Inheritance now. His status in the Sect was certainly not low.

He could really enter the Heavenly Gang Secret Realm whenever he wanted?

If that was the case...

Then there was indeed no need to rush.

The master and disciple chatted idly for a while longer before Qin Fang took out the bamboo tube he was holding.

”Master, on my way back, I happened to encounter a type of Exotic Species Giant Bee. They were enormous, having already reached Initial Awakening as an Exotic Species. The honey and Bee Meat they produce contain a pure and gentle Spiritual Power, and they seem to have a wondrous effect on nourishing the body. I thought that while these things might not be useful for cultivation, they taste exceptionally good... so I gathered some to bring back for you to try.”

”Oh?” Yue Guiyuan was slightly taken aback by his words. His gaze on Qin Fang softened, and he nodded with a smile. ”In that case, I must certainly have a taste.”

Qin Fang quickly and respectfully presented the bamboo tube filled with honey and Bee Meat.

Yue Guiyuan accepted it with interest. He pulled out the stopper, and a pure, rich sweetness, carrying the faint scent of nectar, wafted out.

His eyes lit up. ”The aroma is pure without being cloying, and the Vitality within is clean and bright. This must have been produced by a swarm from a spiritually-rich land... You’ve been very thoughtful.”

He didn’t stand on ceremony, dipping a finger directly into the honey. He examined it with a puzzled expression and asked, ”This... looks like it’s been frozen by Profound Nether Qi?”

Qin Fang quickly gave a hollow laugh and explained what had happened...

Hearing the explanation, Yue Guiyuan stroked his beard and smiled. ”Excellent. You didn’t try to take it all at once, instead leaving a lingering, condensed chill. You used your Profound Nether Aspect to extract the honey without damaging the hive’s foundation, allowing the swarm to produce anew and ensuring the sweet source never runs dry. That kind of discernment aligns with the natural way of things.”

As he spoke, he held his fingertip, daubed with the slightly congealed honey, up to the light. Within the clear gold, frosty crystals seemed to swirl. ”Though the Profound Nether Qi is cold, it hasn’t harmed the honey’s richness. Instead, it has locked the Vitality within... Excellent, excellent.”

Qin Fang grew embarrassed at the praise. ”That wasn’t exactly intentional on my part...”

”Hahaha! Doesn’t that make it even more in harmony with the ways of nature?”

Yue Guiyuan laughed heartily. ”When we cultivators take from heaven and earth, we should do so with respect for them. Your methods this time were far more enlightened than your master’s old approach of ’burning the nest and draining the pond to get the fish.’”

Hearing this, Qin Fang blinked...

’Burning the nest and draining the pond?’

’My master...’

He looked at the lean, distinguished elder before him, who had just put the honey in his mouth and was now nodding in satisfaction...

Qin Fang realized that he actually knew... very little about his master.

”Mm, this Bee Meat is good, too. It’s quite flavorful.”

His master had already picked up a piece of Bee Meat to taste.

Qin Fang quickly said, ”Oh, right, Master. There is one more thing.”