Chapter 27 Introduction to Martial Arts, called the Qi-Blood Realm
"The Fire-Maned Wolf was ultimately a bit beyond your strength," said Master Li Xuan. "Actually, if you had given up, I wouldn't have blamed you. The fact that you could remain resolute and break through the barrier to temper your Jade Bones pleases me greatly."
Li Xuan expressed his recognition of his disciple.
"But, disciple, remember, facing difficulties head-on is indeed commendable for its courage, however, martial artists are not brash fighters without brains. A brash fighter knows only recklessness and cannot last in the long run."
Li Xuan spoke with considered words.
It was imperative to remind his disciple not to take on excessively dangerous challenges!
Otherwise, in the future, his foolish disciple might take his words to heart, become fearless, and foolhardily take on dangerous tasks, potentially losing his life, and that would leave Li Xuan devastated.
Whether one could become invincible depended on this foolish disciple!
He mustn't die midway through his journey!
Given Xu Yan's tendency to overthink and his heaven-defying self-enlightenment, there was no need for Li Xuan to be too direct; it was essential to leave space for Xu Yan to come to his own realizations.
Xu Yan said respectfully, "Master's teachings, my disciple will engrave on my heart!"
Li Xuan's mind raced as he continued to speak carefully, "As cultivators, we value enlightenment and distinguishing between good and bad fortune. One must know when to advance and when to retreat, possess a flexible mind, and have a keen sense to perceive crises...
"One must utilize wisdom well and seize opportunities... Those who only consider short-term gains and losses are no better than brash fighters; conversely, those lacking a courageous and resolute heart are merely mediocre.
"In short, do not be rigid. Understand?"
Xu Yan replied respectfully, "Master, your disciple understands!"
He thought to himself, "Master's profound message is incredibly mysterious. This is the way of martial arts. I perceive that one must counter the enemy flexibly, but also act with courage and decisiveness. These are the apparent meanings.
"My martial arts realm is ultimately too low.
"My experiences are too limited, but I will remember Master's words to be adaptable and not rigid. I understand!"
Li Xuan glanced at his disciple, muttering to himself, wondering if the foolish disciple had really understood his meaning through self-reflection.
He probably did understand, right?
After all, the boy's mind is sharp, not that of a rigid person.
What should be done next?
Continue to impart cultivation methods to Xu Yan?
He hadn't prepared that yet!
Since Xu Yan had managed to succeed in cultivation and Li Xuan had received feedback, he couldn't just haphazardly invent things from now on. The teachings had to be orderly, seemingly profound and powerful.
He hadn't even decided on the martial arts realms.
As for the current beginners' stage of martial arts, it shall be called the Qi-Blood Realm.
After all, he was making it up himself, he could name the realms whatever he wanted.
What should be the next steps in cultivation?
What is the next realm?
Li Xuan needed some time to ponder, ensuring the structure was clear and sounded logical and well-founded.
Fortunately, in his previous life, having been a web-novel writer, making up cultivation settings didn't pose a challenge for him.
It just required some time.
Thus, Li Xuan said, "You've just had a breakthrough, take some time to consolidate it."
"Yes, Master!"
"Martial arts have an endless realm, remember that the entrance is just the beginning of the martial arts path."
Li Xuan, adopting a strict teacher's demeanor, continued, "The entry into martial arts is known as the Qi-Blood Realm. You are merely at the entry level of the Qi-Blood Realm, and when you reach the state of the Qi-Blood that I just demonstrated, that will be the great achievement of the Qi-Blood Realm."
Upon hearing this, Xu Yan felt an intense surge of exhilaration.
"So, the entrance to martial arts is called the Qi-Blood Realm!
"And I have just stepped into the Qi-Blood Realm, the overwhelming power of Master's Qi-Blood earlier, terrifying as it is, represents only the great achievement of the Qi-Blood Realm."
Li Xuan thought about his own strength, which was a hundred times beyond that of others in the same realm; even if Xu Yan cultivated to the great achievement of the Qi-Blood Realm, he would still be far inferior to himself.
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However, with Qi and blood soaring hundreds of feet into the sky, that is indeed the Great Achievement of the Qi-Blood Realm.
He added, "Of course, the strength of your master is ultimately too high. Even though you have achieved the Great Achievement in the Qi-Blood Realm, you cannot reach this step of mine. A hundred feet of Qi and blood, fierce like flames, easy to ward off evil—that is Great Achievement."
Xu Yan respectfully said, "Disciple understands!"
A hundred feet of Qi and blood, that is the Great Achievement of the Qi-Blood Realm!
To kill an enemy a hundred feet away, what immense strength.
Given the strength of the martial artists in the martial arts realm of Qi Country, Xu Yan was certain he could sweep across the entire realm; even those legendary top masters wouldn't withstand a single punch from him.
He felt that with his current strength, he could probably disregard the Emperor of Qi Country.
However, it was still necessary to keep a low profile—who knew if there were martial arts powerhouses like his master in hiding?
Thus, Xu Yan asked, "Master, what is the strength like in the Martial Arts Realm? In Qi Country where your disciple resides, the martial arts strength is too low. Even the top masters feel like they could be killed with a single breath!"
Li Xuan was surprised inside. Was the martial power in Qi Country this low?
A single breath could kill the top masters in the martial arts realm?
Nevertheless, considering the strength of the Fire Mane Wolves in the Evil Sha Forest, the martial power of this world shouldn't be so weak.
As to whether there was a Martial Arts Realm in this world, Li Xuan, of course, didn't know. Looking at the expectant gaze of Xu Yan, he said, "Once your strength increases, you will naturally come to know it. Don't set your sights too high; if your strength is too weak and you go to a place with many strong people, you'll be nothing more than cannon fodder."
Xu Yan thoughtfully nodded, saying, "What Master says is right!"
Then, he curiously asked again, "Master, what realm are you at?"
Li Xuan smiled mysteriously, slightly looking up to the sky, and softly said, "Realm? That's a matter too far away…"
Xu Yan was startled, a realm too far away?
"Master said, 'Martial Arts Endless Realm.' Does that mean Master is implying he has surpassed all established realms?"
The more Xu Yan thought about it, the more he was inwardly astounded.
No wonder he was the master, a hidden expert who had already transcended the Martial Arts Realm.
"Master, I understand now!"
Xu Yan solemnly declared.
Li Xuan was somewhat confused inside, what had this silly disciple understood?
He stood up, hands behind his back, walking leisurely towards the house, and said, "Disciple, consolidate your strength."
"Yes, Master!"
Li Xuan returned to the house to calm his excited heart and started pondering how to fabricate a cultivation technique.
"Martial arts begin with the Qi-Blood Realm, and cultivation in the Qi-Blood Realm strengthens the Qi and blood. The stronger the Qi and blood, the stronger the physical body, the stronger the strength. But how should one cultivate after the Qi-Blood Realm to make it reasonable?
"Even if it's fabricated, there needs to be a framework, a theoretical basis for the disciple to comprehend on their own.
"Got it!
"Above the Qi-Blood Realm is the Innate Realm, where Qi and blood are refined into Innate True Qi.
"'Innate' meaning to ride the Qi and soar through the skies, traveling hundreds of miles in an instant…
"But how does one cultivate to become Innate?"
After some deep thought, Li Xuan decided the realm following the Qi-Blood Realm would be the Innate Realm!
But then, how to break through the Innate Realm?
What Li Xuan considered was to refine Qi and blood into True Qi, starting by first opening the Dantian Qi Sea…
"To open the Dantian Qi Sea, refine the True Qi, turn the acquired into the Innate… How to open the Dantian?
"Never mind, devise a theory and leave it for the disciple to figure out. There shouldn't be any big problems, right?
"The Conception and Governor Meridians… To open these two channels… It doesn't sound mystical enough. Maybe call it the Great Power of Domain Bridge?
"Yes, that's it, the Great Power of Domain Bridge. Establishing it lays the foundation for controlling the Great Power of Domain…"
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