Chapter 59: How About Learning Together?

His voice resonated so loudly that two nearby groups of people turned their heads to look.

Chen Fan was taken aback.

"Ahem, it's all right, you guys can continue," Zhang Ren said with slight embarrassment. He then fixed his gaze on Chen Fan. "You really can stimulate the power of blood? How did you learn about this?"

Chen Fan didn't intend to conceal anything, so he retrieved a thin booklet from his possession.

"The Meteor Arrow Method?" Zhang Ren read the title and accepted the booklet with a puzzled expression. As he flipped through the pages, his brows furrowed.

He read at an astonishing speed, absorbing nearly ten lines at a glance. Within seconds, he reached the last page.

"Is this a partial copy?" He turned to Chen Fan.

"Yes," Chen Fan nodded, explaining the circumstances surrounding its discovery.

Zhang Ren's eyes widened. He had never expected such a perilous encounter on the return journey. Thankfully, Chen Fan had faced the danger head-on and turned it into safety.

"Uncle Zhang, it might be best not to share this with others in the village," Chen Fan suggested in a hushed tone.

"Agreed," Zhang Ren replied before turning his attention back to the thin book in his hand. "This Meteor Archery Method seems to be an authentic archery martial art. Unfortunately, the content is fragmented. It's understandable, though, considering what you exchanged it for—just ten catties of rice."

Chen Fan nodded in agreement.

"By the way," Zhang Ren turned to Chen Fan, "You must have learned about 'stimulating qi and blood' from here, right?"

"Yes," Chen Fan replied, contemplating whether to share his previous experiences.

Zhang Ren continued, "Stimulating the power of qi and blood can only be achieved in the realm of meat refining."

"Only in the meat refining realm?" Chen Fan's eyes widened.

"Yes," Zhang Ren affirmed. He glanced at Chen Guodong and the others who were training nearby and explained, "A martial artist in the body tempering state has relatively thin blood. Only when they reach the meat refining state and have rich blood can they stimulate the power of blood."

"How does that work?" Chen Fan inquired.

"Naturally, it grants greater strength and speed. For instance, when in a bare-handed combat state, the power of blood can be harnessed to increase the speed and destructive force of strikes. Similarly, when wielding a spear, it amplifies the speed and impact of thrusts. If using a bow and arrow—"

Zhang Ren paused, meeting Chen Fan's gaze. "It should enable you to draw a heavier bow and shoot with greater speed."

Chen Fan nodded, understanding now why he hadn't struggled much when drawing the bow previously.

This power to stimulate qi and blood seemed comparable to Gu Ze's ability. The path of a warrior held immense potential.

"Of course, it doesn't mean that reaching the realm of meat refining is the only way to stimulate qi and blood," Zhang Ren added. "Some individuals with exceptional talent may achieve it at the third level of body tempering. However, if their blood isn't strong, frequent blood stimulation can be more harmful than beneficial."

As he spoke, Zhang Ren glanced at Chen Fan, who seemed oblivious to the implications. It appeared his concerns had been unwarranted.

Thinking about it, reaching the realm of meat refining to utilize the power of qi and blood was a challenging feat at the first level of body tempering. Even in a passive situation, it seemed unattainable.

"Uncle Zhang, does this mean that warriors at the meat refining level can freely use the power of qi and blood?" Chen Fan asked, intrigued.

"Not exactly," Zhang Ren shook his head. "Even warriors at the meat refining level won't use it casually. Once activated, they become vulnerable for a period, during which even a third-level body tempering warrior could potentially defeat them. Frequent use can drain their vitality, posing a threat to their future."

Chen Fan was astonished.

Indeed, moderation was key.

Although the power of qi and blood was advantageous, it wasn't a limitless ability. Excessive use could lead to negative consequences.

Suddenly, a thought struck him, prompting another question. "Uncle Zhang, is the strength gained upon reaching the strength realm a transformation of the power of qi and blood?"

Zhang Ren's eyes filled with surprise before he nodded. "Yes, when the physique becomes robust enough, strength naturally manifests within the body. Its effects are somewhat similar to the power of qi and blood, but it's more potent and lacks side effects."

"If you become a dark warrior, you can even channel the strength within your body into the opponent's, causing damage that's difficult to defend against. As for Huajin Warrior..."

He trailed off and shifted his gaze to the starry sky, eyes filled with longing.

Chen Fan nodded, feeling as though he grasped the concept.

When the power of qi and blood reaches a certain density, it can transform into strength. Conversely, when strength reaches a certain level, it might convert into true energy within the body. It seemed plausible.

"The path of martial arts is boundless. In essence, diligence is key," Zhang Ren mused, withdrawing his gaze to look at Chen Fan. He had a hunch that this young individual before him had boundless potential. Perhaps, he could become the legendary figure with qi circulating within his body. 

Of course, the precise timeframe remained uncertain. It could be a few years or even more than a decade.

Chen Fan nodded, curiosity piqued. He wondered about Zhang Ren's own martial arts level. At the very least, he was in the strength realm. Based on his recent display, he was likely a proficient dark energy practitioner.

"By the way, I came here for a reason," Zhang Ren interjected.

"Uncle Zhang, please share," Chen Fan responded.

"You folks are heading to Songjiabao in a day or two, correct?"

Chen Fan confirmed it with a nod.

"Songjiabao is a mix of various individuals. In case a conflict arises, the proximity could limit the effectiveness of your archery skills."

Chen Fan appeared to comprehend the implication.

Zhang Ren nodded in agreement. "It might be wise for you to learn another weapon. It could be a firearm or a blade—each has its merits."

"A long spear is a powerful weapon, and with sufficient proficiency, it can make you virtually invincible. Whether it's against humans or beasts, it's remarkably effective. However, it has its drawbacks—it's cumbersome and unsuitable for close-quarters combat."

"In contrast, a knife is quite different. It's a short-range weapon, easily carried, and even in dire situations, you can fashion a makeshift knife from branches or wooden sticks. Short knives are fierce and robust in close combat, instilling fear in your opponents. Nonetheless, their short reach makes you more susceptible to injuries when facing fierce beasts compared to using a firearm."

Zhang Ren concluded, wearing a pensive expression. He was visibly conflicted, debating whether Chen Fan should learn to use firearms, given his proficiency in archery, or focus on a short weapon to mitigate his limitations in close combat. He seemed inclined towards firearms due to his expertise in marksmanship, but Chen Fan's archery skills favored close-quarters weaponry.

"Uncle Zhang, how about we learn both?" Chen Fan suggested after a moment of contemplation.