Chen Yin sneered:
"I hope Ninghai Zen listens."
Cold sweat broke out on the back of Chen Xing’s neck, and he couldn’t help but ponder:
"Recently, I’ve pushed ’Nine Dragons Unification’ to the fifteenth level, trying to withstand a few more punches... To think, as the Sect Leader of Chi Yang, I’ve been reduced to being bullied by my disciple, what a bleak state in old age!
If I could return to the Divine Power Secret Realm, I’d certainly let the rebellious disciple understand the weight of respecting the teacher and upholding the Dao!"
...
...
The group of old-timers harbored their own thoughts, while the two juniors chatted easily.
Pei Yuanqing was somewhat obsessed with martial arts and immediately discussed the Body Tempering Technique with Bai Qi.
The four major training systems of the Physical Body Secret Realm have been passed down for thousands of generations, encompassing everything, rich in content.
Some delve into body forging, some excel at health preservation, and some specialize in enhancing Qi Blood and widening meridians... varied and comprehensive.
Pei Yuanqing, born with extraordinary martial bones, had giant tendons coiled and twisted like dragons, his chest and ribs formed as one like an iron plate, able to lift over a hundred pounds of stone locks and balls at merely four or five years old.
At thirteen or fourteen, he could draw a five-hundred stone strong bow and single-handedly conquer wolves and tigers, his fame reaching Zhao Pijiang’s ears, and promptly was recruited under his banner and sent to the military lineage to hone his talents.
By seventeen, he soared to fame, his dual hammers slaying countless renowned masters, using them as stepping stones to ascend to the Divine Capital Simurgh Platform.
"Brother Bai, though I’m not praising myself, even having followed the Grand General into the Divine Capital and seen many extraordinary and unique talents,
but among my peers who can match my physique and strength, they are exceedingly rare."
Pei Yuanqing’s eyes, rimmed with dark circles, looked at Bai Qi, seemingly puzzled:
"Aside from attaining the perfect achievements of tendon and bone completions, I haven’t found Brother Bai’s physique to be particularly formidable.
Why, when clashing directly, do I fall short?"
Normally, those who focus on body tempering and forging as a Third-Training Martial Artist, their fierce aura is hard to suppress.
Pei Yuanqing himself rolled through military towns on the borders, through mountains of corpses and seas of blood, slowly hiding his own edge.
Yet, this Brother Bai, apart from his heroic appearance and sharp features, truly lacks any imposing presence.
"I am not only somewhat adept at martial arts—"
Since Pei Yuanqing sincerely asked, Bai Qi did not hesitate to inform:
"I also understand some methods of Divine Soul refinement. The Yang Po Qi is harmonized by the soul, naturally hiding the symptoms."
Pei Yuanqing’s heart jolted, looking at Bai Qi with greater awe, thinking, what kind of path are you following as a Sword Cultivator?
Are you actually practicing dual cultivation of Dao and Martial Arts like the King of Support from Dragon Court?
"Really?"
He was somewhat incredulous.
To have tempered such a perfect physique, to have trained such formidable strength, already rare in the world.
On top of that, mastering Divine Soldiers and cultivating the Divine Soul.
Even if one never sleeps, endlessly dedicates every moment to cultivation, it’s difficult to achieve, isn’t it?
"Brother Pei, would I lie to you? My master said, geniuses are like this, you might not quite understand..."
Bai Qi looked up at the sky, his tone melancholic, as if hiding vast mountains and rivers within, beyond compare to the ordinary.
"Since childhood, everyone who sees me calls me extraordinarily gifted!"
Pei Yuanqing clenched his fist, had he not been beaten so badly earlier, had his True Gang cultivation not been restricted, he certainly couldn’t compete.
He would surely let Bai Qi understand what a horizontal training genius and tempered body invincible truly is!
"Enough, meeting is fate, let Brother Pei open your eyes."
Bai Qi stood, showcasing presence in front of such heaven-sent talent like the Silver Hammer Grand Protector Pei Yuanqing is indeed a delightful affair!
His forehead warmed, the Divine Soul True Aspect with thousand hands and eyes soared nearly two zhang high, faintly visible as a nascent form of law and principle.
Then, the red dragon entwining his limbs and the azure elephant stepping on the earth appeared, the Yang Essence Blood Qi vaguely aligned with the Divine Soul Thoughts, intertwining to form a canopy of auspicious clouds covering half the sky!
"Ah?"
Pei Yuanqing was dumbfounded, thinking, what peerless gift do you possess?
Previously, the one who made him feel like admitting defeat and bowing down in shame,
was still that Young Prince of the Duke’s Family, the sickly ghost wielding the Drumming Jar Golden Hammer.
Thin and emaciated, his face yellowed, lacking any hint of heroic spirit.
Yet when he moved his arms, swinging the dual hammers, it was as if the Celestial Lord was furious.
Even the hardest sinews and bones would be shattered into minced meat.
"I’ve said it, geniuses are like this. Brother Pei, I see your aptitude is decent, with more effort and diligence, you might catch up eventually."
Bai Qi spoke with an indifferent tone, while feeling secretly delighted.
Reflecting on the past, he was once an unknown soldier listening to the tales of Silver Hammer Grand Protector, but now he could manifest his prowess in front of him and leave him in awe.
"So this is the path of a genius, learning various skills, experiencing countless trials, and ultimately forming his own mastery.
Master... was right, a prodigy with exceptional understanding should walk this path."
Bai Qi took a deep breath, feeling the Qi Blood and Yang Essence blazing like the sun, while his Divine Soul Thoughts flowed like clouds.
The two faintly harmonized, yet there was an elusive barrier preventing them from completely merging.
"Is this the Heaven and Earth Profound Barrier that Master mentioned? Is it difficult for the spirit and flesh to unite?"
Bai Qi pondered, as he stayed in both the Third Training and Fourth Realm simultaneously, with two of the five viscera already opened, and his Divine Soul True Aspect almost resembling the legendary Thousand Hands Thousand Eyes.
Advancing further meant breaking through the barrier, becoming a Grandmaster, with spirit and soul becoming clairvoyant and mastering arcane arts.
Once reaching this stage, the Physical Body Secret Realm would be at its peak.
"Enough, enough, Brother Bai, put away your skills."
Pei Yuanqing covered his face with his hand, as his Dao Heart suffered a major setback.
While he had encountered various exceptional talents and prodigies during his journey to the Divine Capital, none caused him to feel defeated.
Unexpectedly, a forced trip to Yihai Prefecture led to total failure.
"Could it be that I’m truly not a genius?"
This Silver Hammer Grand Protector doubted his life.
"Brother Pei, you don’t have to be discouraged. I’m only ranked third at Tongwen Hall."
Bai Qi silently dealt another blow, stimulating the seemingly lifeless, struggling Pei Yuanqing.
A talent like yours, ranking third?
The Silver Hammer Grand Protector then fell into deep contemplation, wondering what hidden prestigious school Tongwen Hall was.
Master, Lao Dao, then himself.
Wouldn’t that be third?
Bai Qi chuckled lightly.
...
...
Yihai Prefecture, Zhi Xin Temple.
Every morning, Master Xuanji uses rootless dew collected by a Daoist Child, brews spirit tea from Hengsu Prefecture, to harmonize the soul and mind.
Those on the path of cultivation, upon breaking through the Fourth Realm, meditate on divine beings, nature’s forces, inevitable influences.
This is called subtle influence, nurturing characteristics.
Take the Firework Daoist of Dragon Court, often with intense liver Qi, with a fiery temperament, whereas the Lead and Mercury Daoist is more composed and silent.
As for the Feng Shui Daoist, generally speaking, prefers cryptic gestures, arranging puzzles.
Thus, Daoist cultivators reaching the Fourth Realm, proceed with caution, constantly harmonizing soul and mind.
To prevent the growth of evil thoughts, fantasies, which may summon the heart demon.
"Fortunately, the ’Purifying Heart Technique’ gained through a serendipitous encounter in the temple, is sufficient to suppress the blazing troubles of desires and emotions brought by cultivation."
Master Xuanji finished the tea, sat in contemplation, while the thoughts of his Divine Soul spread like clouds, covering the Plum Forest.
Contained within is rich vitality, gathering spring rain, gently falling down.
This demonstrated high levels of cultivation, as soul thoughts could manifest into reality.
Boom!
The sudden sound of a muffled thunderous drum echoed across the sky.
Master Xuanji’s body trembled violently, and his soul was affected.
The originally tranquil and warm thoughts of his soul transformed into roaring thunder, mixed with wind and rain, blowing and scattering a ground of plum blossoms!
"Who dares to disrupt my cultivation?"
Master Xuanji’s eyes burned with anger, ready to hold someone accountable, then suddenly paused.
"It’s the Drum of Kui from Dragon Court! The Drum of Kui clears the way, the Golden Gong sounds, the Emperor bestows the decree..."
Sure enough, following the sudden burst of thunder-like drumming, came the rolling sound of the wooden mallet striking the gong.
"Which noble or dignitary is driving? Or is the Holy Decree being delivered by the Emperor?"
Master Xuanji quickly rose, straightened his Daoist robe and cap, ordered the Daoist Child to prepare an incense table with fruits, welcoming according to protocol.
He listened to the thunderous Drum of Kui, the booming Golden Gong, each sound louder than the last, creating a grand scene without any sign of diminishing.
"Back then, I witnessed a Purple Register Daoist Official receiving a decree, and it didn’t have this grandeur... which family’s ancestral tomb produced auspicious smoke, alarming the young Emperor of Dragon Court?"