Physical enlightenment begins with Xingyi Quan

Chapter 79 Hibernation (Please subscribe!)

On the west side of the disciple peak of Qingyan Mountain, a secluded courtyard is built against the mountain. Green bamboo serves as a fence, with white walls and black tiles. Several old pine trees peek out from the top of the wall, creating a quiet and elegant atmosphere.

Chen Jianghe chose the upper room closest to the cliff.

The annual rent is 150 taels of silver, payable in one lump sum.

The steward, a lean man in his fifties, accepted the silver notes and handed over the keys with a forced smile: "Senior Brother Chen has excellent taste. Although this courtyard is secluded, it's quiet and peaceful. The backyard has a small medicinal herb garden, with fertile black soil specially transported from Hundred Herbs Peak," perfect for growing herbs. The bluestone slabs in the front yard were newly laid last year; they're smooth and easy to step on when practicing martial arts."

Chen Jianghe took the key and pushed open the courtyard gate.

The courtyard is not large, with three main rooms and side rooms on the left and right. The ground is paved with bluestone, and there is an old well in the corner. The herb garden in the backyard has also been renovated.

He did not hire any servants or maids.

He saved the ten taels of "training fee" from Lingmu Academy.

Sweeping and washing can be done by oneself. Meals can be taken to the dining hall on Disciple Peak, or one can simply cook some simple meals. Money should be spent wisely—medicinal pills, medicinal baths, and cultivation resources are the most important.

The room in the middle of the main house was converted into a quiet room.

Chen Jianghe sat cross-legged on the couch and took out the "The Secret of Withered Trees Rejuvenating".

Close your eyes and concentrate, and slowly mobilize the internal energy according to the instructions.

"This is... Returning to Origin?"

Chen Jianghe understood immediately.

The initial stage of mastering the transformation of internal energy has been achieved, resulting in a smooth and integrated force that can penetrate ten steps through the body.

What "Returning to the Origin" aims to do is to further refine and purify this harmonious energy, so that it truly integrates with the flesh, blood, muscles, and bones, becoming one with them.

At that time, one's Qi and blood will be in harmony, and one's strength will be seamless and unimpeded, which is the great achievement of transforming strength.

[Destiny: Diligence is rewarded by Heaven; success is inevitable]

[Current Skill: Withered Tree Rejuvenates (Return to Origin 5%)]

"No wonder Lingmu Academy, despite its focus on medicine and alchemy, still ranks among the top five academies," Chen Jianghe thought to himself. "This 'Rejuvenating Tree Technique' truly has its unique aspects. It may seem mild, but it is actually laying the most solid foundation for future breakthroughs in the Gang Jin realm."

He got up to stretch his muscles and picked up the "Twelve Forms of Xingyi".

Opening the booklet, the first form is the "Dragon Form".

The book is rich in illustrations and text, not only depicting the movements of the boxing stance, but also detailing the key points for the circulation of Qi and blood, the nodes for the resonance of the internal organs, and the breathing techniques that need to be used during practice.

"Dragon-style cultivation of spirit, guiding qi with intention, uniting spirit and qi, and uniting qi and strength —"

Chen Jianghe studied it carefully, and the more he read, the more alarmed he became.

This Twelve Forms Fist, while seemingly from the same source as the Five Elements Fist he had previously practiced, is actually vastly different.

The Five Elements Fist emphasizes the changes in force, with five types of force rotating in rotation: chopping, collapsing, drilling, cannoning, and horizontal, which form the basis for actual combat offense and defense.

The Twelve Forms Fist, on the other hand, focuses more on "stimulating the internal organs and tempering the body."

Each form corresponds to one or more internal organs. During practice, specific boxing stances are used to guide the flow of qi and blood to cleanse and nourish the organs. Over time, this strengthens the internal organs and builds a solid foundation.

"So that's what Master meant when he said the Five Elements are the foundation and the Twelve Forms are the marrow." Chen Jianghe suddenly realized.

He immediately set up the dragon-shaped boxing stance in the quiet room.

As shown in the picture, the waist and hips sink down, the spine arches like a bow, and the arms are positioned one in front and one behind, like a dragon reaching out its claws.

Concentrate your mind on the liver and kidneys, breathe deeply and slowly, and your Qi and blood will circulate gently.

A punch was thrown out, its power contained yet not released, but the sound of wind and thunder echoed faintly within its body.

Current skill: Twelve Forms Fist (Beginner Level 4%)

As he finished, Chen Jianghe felt a warm sensation in his liver and kidneys, and his blood and qi flowed more smoothly.

This Twelve Forms Fist is extremely taxing on the mind and spirit, requiring complete concentration and guiding the Qi with intention; there is no room for carelessness.

But the benefits are also obvious.

"Cultivate both inner and outer strength, and harmonize form and intention—" Chen Jianghe recalled Li Mu's words, and his resolve grew stronger.

Just as he was about to continue his cultivation, a knock came from outside the courtyard.

"Knock knock knock".

Chen Jianghe frowned slightly.

He had no acquaintances in the Xingyi School, so who would come to visit him at this time?

Putting away the cultivation manual, Chen Jianghe walked out of the meditation room and pushed open the courtyard gate.

Standing outside the door was a young man in brocade robes, about twenty years old, with a handsome face and a hint of arrogance between his brows.

Upon seeing Chen Jianghe emerge, the young man cupped his hands and smiled, saying, "I apologize for disturbing you. My name is Zhou Xian, and I reside in Ding Jiuwu Courtyard. I am your neighbor, Junior Brother. I came to pay my respects today upon learning of the new neighbor's arrival."

Chen Jianghe opened the gate and returned the greeting with clasped hands: "Chen Jianghe greets Senior Brother Zhou."

Zhou Xian's gaze swept over Chen Jianghe, especially when he saw the wooden plaque at his waist engraved with the words "Lingmu." A hint of surprise flashed in his eyes, but then his smile widened: "So you're a junior brother from Lingmu Academy. To be able to stay in this superior courtyard, your family must be quite wealthy. May I ask which family in Changxi Prefecture you belong to? Perhaps I even know your father."

This question is cleverly phrased; it seems like a casual greeting, but it's actually a way of probing.

Chen Jianghe remained expressionless: "I am from Yilin County, and not from Xifu."

"Yilin County?" Zhou Xian frowned almost imperceptibly. "That small county town on the border of Jiangzhou?"

"Exactly."

Zhou Xian's smile faded slightly, but he still maintained his politeness: "Then Junior Brother must have extraordinary talent to be able to live in this superior room. May I ask what type it is?"

"The Five Elements," Chen Jianghe said frankly.

"Oh—" Zhou Xian drawled, then suddenly raised his hand and slapped his forehead. "Look at my memory! I just remembered there are still some miscellaneous matters in the courtyard that I haven't dealt with. Junior Brother Chen is new here, so he must also need to settle in. I won't bother you any longer."

"

After saying that, he cupped his hands in a respectful gesture, turned around, and left.

Chen Jianghe stood at the courtyard gate, watching him turn into the bamboo grove and disappear from sight, his face expressionless.

He possesses the five elements and is from a county town; he is a disciple of Lingmu Academy.

In this school of Xingyi Quan, where geniuses abound, it is indeed not worth mentioning.

Zhou Xian's change in attitude, while somewhat pragmatic, is also in line with common sense.

Chen Jianghe slowly closed the door and walked back to the quiet room.

Silently, I picked up "Illustrated Compendium of Herbs (Volume 1)" and began to read through the pages.

This illustrated guide is three inches thick and includes five hundred common medicinal herbs. Each herb is accompanied by a detailed illustration, describing its appearance, growth habits, medicinal properties, harvesting season, and even the principles of mutual restraint and mutual generation.

Chen Jianghe watched it very carefully.

He was not only completing the homework assigned by Li Mu, but also searching for hope—hope to cure the backlash of the internal energy and hope to cure the "bone-corroding poison".

His master Li Chengyue's pale face and weak breath lingered in his mind.

One page, two pages, ten pages, one hundred pages —

As the sun began to set and dusk deepened, the light began to dim.

Chen Jianghe rubbed his sore eyes and closed the illustrated guide.

Of the 500 kinds of medicinal herbs, he has memorized more than 100.

However, there are very few records about the backlash of the internal energy and the bone-corroding poison.

The few instances where it is mentioned only state that "this injury is difficult to treat and requires rare and precious medicines," or "this poison is vicious and will destroy the foundation of the victim," without specifying any particular solution.

Chen Jianghe remained silent for a long time before gently placing the illustrated guide aside.

"Ordinary methods cannot heal extraordinary wounds."

Chen Jianghe clenched his fist.

"Becoming stronger is the only way. Not only must you be strong enough to protect yourself and gain a foothold in the inner sect, but you must also be strong enough to enter the ranks of core disciples before you are qualified to pursue and exchange for those possible cures."

Chen Jianghe then took out the "Fluttering Willow Leaves" technique book and its accompanying illustrations from his bosom.

Following the diagram, Chen Jianghe used his finger as a blade to trace and outline the design in the air.

At first, I was clumsy, but after practicing for half an hour, I gradually got the hang of it.

He walked into the courtyard and took out a willow-leaf dart from his leather pouch.

The dart is three inches long and no more than a finger wide, as thin as a cicada's wing, with a sharpened edge.

Chen Jianghe held his breath and focused intently, then slightly trembled his wrist.

"Shoo-One"

The willow-leaf dart flew out of his hand, drawing an arc in the air before embedding itself in a bamboo fence three zhang away.

It penetrated deep into the wood, and the tip of the dart trembled slightly.

Chen Jianghe walked over, pulled out the dart, and carefully examined its landing point.

It was off by half an inch.

In a battle against an enemy, this half-inch difference can mean the difference between life and death.

He stopped being impatient for quick results and returned to the courtyard to practice the techniques again and again.

The angle of the strike, the strength of the force, the flick of the wrist, the subtle adjustments of the fingertips —

As night deepened, the moon rose high in the sky.

Only the boy's steady breathing and the faint, sharp sound of darts piercing the air could be heard in the courtyard.

[Destiny: Diligence is rewarded by Heaven; success is inevitable]

[Current Skill: Willow Leaves in Flight (Beginner Level 12%)]

Changxi Prefecture, West Street.

In a three-courtyard complex, with blue bricks and black tiles, the facade is not ostentatious, but the interior furnishings are quite exquisite.

It was already late at night, but the light was still on in the study in the backyard.

Qian Shouyi sat behind a large sandalwood desk, holding a letter he had just received in his hand.

The letter was delivered by a caravan worker on Chen Jianghe's behalf. It was brief, only stating that he had successfully entered the Lingmu Courtyard of the Xingyi Sect and that everything was fine, and thanking the Qian family head for his care along the way.

"Lingmu Courtyard—" Qian Shouyi put down the letter, stroked his goatee, and looked at the complex expression in his eyes.

Two other people were sitting in the study.

On the left is a middle-aged man in his thirties, whose face bears a six or seven-point resemblance to Qian Shouyi, but whose temperament is more shrewd and capable. He is Qian Shouyi's eldest son, Qian Deren, who is stationed in Changxi Prefecture to manage his business.

On the right was a young woman in her early twenties, wearing a pale yellow dress, with delicate features; she was Qian Shouyi's youngest daughter, Qian Qingyu.

Qian Shouyi handed over the letter, saying, "Take a look. Jiang He has entered the Xingyi School and is practicing at Lingmu Academy."

Qian Deren took the letter, glanced at it, and nodded, saying, "It is not easy to enter Xingyi Sect. Although Lingmu Academy is slightly inferior among the five academies, it is still the orthodox lineage of Xingyi Sect and its future is promising." He spoke with restraint, but his brows did not relax.

Qian Qingyu curled her lip: "Lingmu Academy mainly focuses on healing, alchemy, and light-footed skills and hidden weapons. It sounds nice, but it's really just about menial tasks. Among the five academies, Jinshu Academy specializes in spears, Cangming Academy in swordsmanship, Yanchen Academy in sabers, and Houtu Academy in staffs—that's the true path of killing. Lingmu Academy—ha, it's only slightly stronger than ordinary inner disciples."

Her voice was clear and crisp, but she spoke directly.

Qian Shouyi frowned: "Qingyu! Watch your words! How dare you presume to judge matters within the Xingyi School?"

"My daughter is telling the truth," Qian Qingyu retorted, unconvinced. "Father, you know perfectly well! Our Qian family, along with the Sun and Li families, seem to have squeezed into Changxi Prefecture by riding the wave of defeating the Zhao and Zhou families, but who really takes us seriously? Last month, the Chamber of Commerce re-evaluated the quotas, and we only got the lowest grade, Class C! What was the reason? Shallow foundation, no prominent military background to rely on! Even that short-distance trade route we finally managed to open up, the Yulin Road, has people openly and secretly making sarcastic remarks, thinking we can't hold onto it."

Qian Deren sighed, "My sister is right. Our three families are local bullies in Yilin County, but when we get to Changxi Prefecture—our caravan isn't very big, and the attitudes of the villages, post stations, and even some small gangs and porters in Changxi Prefecture are all very ambiguous. Without martial arts support, no matter how big our business is, we'll just be easy prey. We do have a few at the peak of the Transformation Realm, but none of them can truly stand on their own."

He paused, then lowered his voice: "Our own family, plus the Sun and Li families, can only muster a handful of trustworthy experts at the Transformation Realm. And most of them have to stay in Yilin County to guard the place. Those who can be brought to Changxi Prefecture to oversee things year-round, besides the three patriarchs who occasionally come in shifts, are only a few elderly people at the mid-to-late Transformation Realm. This amount of strength is enough to guard the shop, but it's difficult to make people afraid to provoke us! What we lack is a banner that can be displayed, a banner that makes people think twice before attacking!"

'

Qian Shouyi's face darkened.

How could he not know all this?

In the battle of Yilin County, although the three families allied with Xingyi Martial Arts School, defeated the Zhao and Zhou families, and obtained a lot of resources, they also exposed their lack of strength—Yilin County did not have any real top masters.

Upon arriving in Changxi Prefecture, a place of strategic importance, this weakness was magnified even more.

"These days, I've been looking for suitable candidates," Qian Shouyi said slowly. "But truly reliable experts in the Gang Jin realm are either already won over by various powerful forces, or their prices are too high for us to afford."

Qian Shouyi slowly picked up his teacup, took a sip, and then said, "Qingyu, do you know why my Qian family's trade routes are repeatedly harassed by bandits, yet we have never been able to find a suitable expert to keep them in check?"

Qian Qingyu replied without hesitation, "Either we don't have enough money, or people look down on the Qian family!"

"That's only one aspect," Qian Shouyi shook his head. "The more crucial thing is—knowing them inside and out."

He put down his teacup and glanced at his son and daughter: "Have you thoroughly investigated the backgrounds of those men Deren recommended a few days ago?"

Qian Deren's expression changed slightly, and he said in a low voice, "My son has already sent people to investigate carefully. That 'Iron Palm' Zhao Xiong, on the surface, is a rogue cultivator, but in reality, he has ties to the 'Black Fiend Gang' outside the city. I'm afraid he's brought a wolf into the house. The other one, 'Wind Chaser' Liu He, is asking for too much money and demanding a 30% cut of the trade profits. His appetite is too big..."

"That's it," Qian Shouyi said calmly. "Outsiders can't be trusted. Those with clean backgrounds either ask for too much or have ulterior motives. Although my Qian family and the other two families have some savings, it's still not enough in Changxi Prefecture. If the experts we hire have ulterior motives and turn around and bite us at a crucial moment, that would be a disaster."

Qian Qingyu retorted, "Can we really trust Chen Jianghe? He's just a newly recruited disciple of Lingmu Academy, with only five elemental aptitudes. What good is he? We're dealing with real trouble!"

Qian Shouyi looked at his son: "Deren, what do you say?"

Qian Deren pondered for a moment, then slowly said, "Chen Jianghe is a calm and decisive man, with a clear sense of right and wrong. His strength and character were evident during the Yilin County incident. More importantly, he is Li Chengyue's disciple, and we share a bond of camaraderie. This connection is stronger than any contract of gold or silver."

Qian Shouyi interjected, his eyes deep, "What I value is not only his current strength, but also his future potential. This young man has a strong will, excellent talent, and has been admitted to the Xingyi School. In just a few years, breaking through to the Gangjin realm will be no difficult task for him."

At that time, he will be a great asset to our three families. Moreover, what we need right now isn't necessarily for him to personally take risks. Simply having Chen Jianghe on good terms with the Yilin three families, and his reputation as a practitioner of Xingyi Sect, will create an invisible deterrent. Ordinary villains will have to think twice before making a move.”

He paused, then continued, "More importantly, Chen Jianghe has a long-standing relationship with our Qian family. Back in Yilin County, I gave him gold and a bone-tempering elixir, a timely act of kindness. This young man values ​​loyalty and remembers that favor. Using him is much safer than using those outsiders whose backgrounds are unknown."

Qian Qingyu remained unwilling: "But Father, Lingmu Academy is ultimately the lowest of the Five Academies! They cultivate medical arts and hidden weapons; direct combat is hardly their forte. What our trade route needs are experts who can intimidate bandits and engage in direct combat! No matter how powerful Chen Jianghe is, can he possibly surpass a level of Battle Qi?"

Qian Deren seemed to be deep in thought.

Qian Qingyu, however, still frowned and muttered to herself, "But this hurdle—"

Lingmu Academy is indeed not known for its direct combat prowess. Although Chen Jianghe achieved a record in Yilin County, his opponent was ultimately only at the Transformation Realm. Facing a true罡劲 (Gang Jin) opponent, what are his chances of victory?

The study fell silent for a moment.

After a long silence, Qian Shouyi slowly spoke: "At this critical juncture, we certainly can't place all our hopes on him alone."

Qian Shouyi waved his hand, "Deren, continue to look for reliable guards, but be sure to investigate their backgrounds thoroughly. It's better to spend more money than to use people you can trust. Qingyu, you have a long-standing relationship with the young ladies of the Chang and Wang families. Why not visit them more often and sound them out to see if you can persuade some of their less successful but still capable collateral relatives to temporarily assist you under the guise of cooperation."

He picked up Chen Jianghe's letter again and said slowly, "As for Jianghe—I will personally write him a letter, inviting him to come and chat when he has some free time. He only needs to focus on his cultivation, and then just hang his name as a deterrent."

Qian Deren and Qian Qingyu exchanged a glance and replied in unison, "Yes, Father."

Two months have passed quietly.

Inside the quiet room, Chen Jianghe sat cross-legged, his breathing long and deep, with a faint blue aura surrounding him, slowly exhaling and inhaling with each breath.

That was a strange phenomenon caused by the "Dead Tree Rejuvenates" technique reaching its deepest point.

After two months of arduous practice, the first level of the "Return to Origin" technique in the "Dead Tree Rejuvenates" is nearing completion.

He could clearly feel that the internal energy within his body was becoming more solid and profound, flowing smoothly and without any stagnation.

His muscles and tendons are strong, his internal organs are warm and healthy, and his physique is much stronger than it was two months ago.

What surprised him even more was that the Twelve Forms Fist and the Withered Tree Rejuvenates Technique complemented each other, and the speed of cultivation far exceeded his expectations.

Meanwhile, traditional martial arts techniques such as the Five Elements Fist and the Phantom Step have also made new progress under this refinement that combines internal and external cultivation.

[Destiny: Diligence is rewarded by Heaven; success is inevitable]

[Current Skill: Withered Tree Rejuvenates (Return to Origin 88%)]

Current skill: Twelve Forms Fist (Beginner Level 80%)

Current skill: Three-Body Stance (90% complete)

Current skill: Five Elements Fist (87% complete)

[Current Skill: Shadow Step (Mastery 1%)]

[Current Skill: Willow Leaves in Flight (Beginner Level 87%)]

Chen Jianghe slowly opened his eyes, a glint of shrewdness flashing in them.

They were just one step away.

Once he has perfected the "Return to Origin" level of the Withered Tree Springs Back to Spring Technique, he will be able to naturally enter the realm of Great Perfection of Transformation Force.

At that time, one's blood and qi will be as pure as mercury, one's strength will flow freely, and one's combat power will reach a new level.