I can increase my power through breathing.

Chapter 40: Integrating Seven Top-Tier Internal Skills (Please continue reading, please vote with monthly tickets)
"Master Duan, this traitor of the Zoroastrianism has mastered the Seed of Intent and is a top-tier martial artist. Killing him will grant you 20,000 merit points. What kind of reward would you like to exchange for?"

Deputy Commander Zhang asked the question.

If the criminal is on the imperial wanted list, the reward will naturally be based on the number on the wanted list. However, there are many Zoroastrian rebels, and the imperial court cannot put all Zoroastrian warriors on the wanted list.

The top 100 on the wanted list would probably be occupied by Zoroastrian rebels.

Therefore, killing Zoroastrian rebels will grant corresponding merit points based on your strength, which can then be used to exchange for necessary items.

"Twenty thousand merit points?" Zhou Qing pondered for a moment, then asked, "How many merit points do I need to exchange for a first-class internal skill?"

"Exchange for top-tier internal energy cultivation?"

Upon hearing Zhou Qing's request, Deputy Commander Zhang was taken aback.

"What, can't I redeem it?"

Zhou Qing frowned slightly.

“Of course there is no problem. Since the Eagle Wolf Guard has issued merit points, then as long as there are enough merit points, any resource can be exchanged.” Deputy Commander Zhang said, “However, I think that Hero Duan will exchange for the opportunity to comprehend the divine intent. After all, Hero Duan was able to kill the Zoroastrian rebels who had mastered the seed of intent with a single sword. Presumably, you have already transformed the seed of intent into the prototype of intent. As long as the prototype of intent is stabilized, you can open the gate of heaven and earth and step into the innate realm.”

"Vice Commander Zhang, you flatter me." Zhou Qing smiled slightly, then asked, "How much merit is required to exchange for a chance to comprehend the Divine Intent?"

"Ten thousand merit points can be used to study for a month."

Deputy Commander Zhang said.

"Does Qingyan Prefecture have any divine intentions?"

Zhou Qing asked.

“No!” Deputy Commander Zhang shook his head and said, “The Divine Intent is extremely precious. Most top-tier forces do not have it. It is not safe to keep it in the prefectural city. If some innate grandmasters have evil intentions about it, we cannot stop them. Therefore, if you want to comprehend the Divine Intent, you can only go to the Eagle Wolf Guard Town Administration Division in the prefectural city.”

"So, we can only go to the state capital?"

Upon hearing this, Zhou Qing rejected the idea of ​​comprehending the divine will.

The Eagle Wolf Guards at the Acquired Realm couldn't see through his disguise, but it was a different story for the Innate Grandmaster. Going to the Eagle Wolf Guard's office in the state capital would be like walking into a trap.

"Exchange two top-tier internal martial arts techniques for me first!"

Zhou Qingdao.

Furthermore, he specified the required top-tier internal strength.

Excluding metal, ice, earth, wood, and wind-based techniques.

The wind-based cultivation technique he obtained from the Li family is the Howling Wind Sword Technique. Although it has the word "sword" in its name, the internal energy cultivated from it is wind-attributed.

"There are a few first-class internal skills in the armory," Deputy Commander Zhang pondered for a moment, then said, "There are two internal skills that meet Master Duan's requirements. One is called the Crimson Sun Breathing Technique, which is a first-class fire-type internal skill, and the other is the Dripping Water Wears Away Stone Technique, which is a first-class water-type internal skill."

"Alright, then let's exchange for these two top-tier internal skills."

Zhou Qing nodded.

“Since Master Duan has made his decision, I will have someone send over the handwritten copies of the martial arts manuals for the Crimson Sun Breathing Technique and the Dripping Water Penetrates Stone Technique.”

After Deputy Commander Zhang finished speaking, he gave a few instructions to the Xuanlang Guard beside him, and the Xuanlang Guard warrior accepted the order and left.

Soon.

The Xuanlang Guard returned with two secret manuals and respectfully handed them to Deputy Commander Zhang.

Deputy Commander Zhang handed the manuals to Zhou Qing and said, "Hero Duan, these two first-class internal martial arts techniques are treasured manuals of my Eagle Wolf Guard. You may practice them yourself or pass them down as family martial arts to your descendants, but trading them is strictly prohibited."

"understand!"

Zhou Qing nodded and accepted the manual.

"Master Duan, with your strength, you would surely shine if you joined our Eagle Wolf Guard. What do you think?"

Deputy Commander Zhang asked tentatively.

Whether in the eyes of outsiders or Deputy Commander Zhang, everyone thought that Zhou Qing had grasped the rudimentary form of the conception and was likely to break through to the Innate Realm at any time.

If we could invite such a person to join the Eagle Wolf Guard, that would be a great achievement.

The Eagle Wolf Guard, although most of them are hereditary.

However, some disciples from martial arts sects also joined.

In the martial arts world, the Eagle Wolf Guard has a bad reputation, often regarded as the government's lackeys. However, it's undeniable that they enjoy excellent treatment and abundant cultivation resources, which attracts disciples from various martial arts sects. But for ordinary second-rate martial artists, whether sect disciples or independent cultivators, joining the Eagle Wolf Guard requires passing rigorous examinations.

However, for top-tier martial artists who have the potential to reach the Innate Realm, the Eagle Wolf Guard opens the door wide, allowing them to join without any assessment.

Even if someone is a wanted criminal by the imperial court, they can be pardoned as long as their crime is not too serious and they are willing to join the Eagle Wolf Guard.

Of course, someone like Zhou Qing, who killed a high-ranking official of the imperial court and openly murdered the commander of the Eagle Wolf Guard, was guilty of an unforgivable crime. Even if he broke through to the Innate Realm and became a Grandmaster, he would still be executed to maintain the dignity of the imperial court.

At least, that's how it appears on the surface.

"Thank you for your kind offer, Vice Commander Zhang, but I am used to a life of leisure and am afraid I am not well suited to the rules of the Eagle Wolf Guard."

Zhou Qing politely declined.

Upon hearing this, a hint of disappointment flashed across Deputy Commander Zhang's face, but he quickly regained his composure and laughed heartily, "Since Hero Duan has no intention, then I will not force you. However, if Hero Duan is interested in the future, the Eagle Wolf Guard's doors are always open for you."

"This is my Eagle Wolf Guard's guest elder token," said Deputy Commander Zhang. "Even among the top-tier martial artists, only a few possess guest elder tokens. Anyone who holds this token can enjoy certain privileges within the Great Xuan territory and can mobilize the power of the county government to cooperate. I hope Hero Duan will not find it offensive."

After speaking, Deputy Commander Zhang took out a token from his pocket and handed it to Zhou Qing.

"Then thank you very much, Vice Commander Zhang."

After a moment's thought, Zhou Qing accepted the token.

With his current mental strength, he could detect if there was any tampering with the token.

If there's a real problem, just throw it away once you leave the city. Otherwise, this Eagle Wolf Guard's guest token might actually come in handy in certain situations.

"Lord Zhang, then I shall take my leave."

Zhou Qing put the token into his pocket and bowed to Vice Commander Zhang to say goodbye.

Deputy Commander Zhang returned the courtesy politely and personally saw Zhou Qing off from the yamen.

Howling Wind Sword Technique / Beginner

Red Sun Breathing Technique / Beginner

The power of perseverance / Beginner

As Zhou Qing walked, he flipped through the three first-rate internal cultivation techniques he had acquired.

All three top-tier internal skills are fine and are displayed on the panel.

The Howling Wind Sword Technique is a wind-based martial art. The internal energy cultivated from it can enhance perception and is geared towards speed bursts. It also includes accompanying sword techniques and movement techniques.

The Crimson Sun Breathing Technique is a top-tier fire-based internal skill. The internal energy cultivated from it is as hot as fire and extremely powerful.

The "Dripping Water Wears Away Stone" technique is a top-tier water-based internal skill that focuses on refining the penetrating and resilient nature of internal energy. When cultivated to its perfect state, it can easily penetrate even iron and stone.

"Upgrade the Howling Wind Sword Technique!"

Zhou Qing silently recited in his heart.

After two days of travel and three days of waiting.

He had also accumulated five Dao Source Points, which he then poured into the Howling Wind Sword Technique to elevate its level.

hum~~~
A familiar feeling arises.

Zhou Qing entered into a period of 'ascetic practice'.

Images of tireless cultivation appeared in his mind.

After five years of arduous training, the Hunyuan True Skill successfully merged with the Xiaofeng Sword Technique, resulting in a significant improvement in both internal strength and the power of momentum.

In an instant, Zhou Qing completed five years of arduous training.

Based on this progress...

In just ten more days, he will be able to integrate the Crimson Sun Breathing Technique and the Dripping Water Wears Away Stone Technique into the Primordial Chaos True Skill, at which point he will have combined seven top-tier internal skills.

By combining seven top-tier internal skills, the chance of breaking open the gates of heaven and earth reaches 90%.

Of course, it would be best to integrate eight top-tier internal skills, which would allow one to 100% break through the gates of heaven and earth and step into the innate realm.

(End of this chapter)