A Long River Myth

Another half month has passed in the blink of an eye.

The last small gathering at Yangchunlou was just a minor incident for Li Hong.

Although he took the challenging environment of this year's autumn exams seriously, he wasn't overly worried.

Ultimately, it depends on whether you have the strength to back it up!

Only those with a weak foundation will experience extreme anxiety and restlessness when faced with a crisis.

Today, there is less than a month left before the autumn examination for martial arts students begins.

Jinshui Street.

In his cellar, Li Hong opened a booklet titled "The Art of Concealing Sharpness".

This was a martial art technique he had taken from the armory of the patrol office a month ago.

Judging from the name of this martial art, you can tell it's a miscellaneous skill.

However, this method was created by several experts from the Ministry of Justice of the Great Qi Dynasty. It is said that it combined the "turtle breathing method" and the "qi gathering technique" and finally integrated them into this formula.

The patrol inspectors are constantly conducting undercover investigations and cracking down on smuggling, requiring them to conceal their true martial arts skills and blend into the streets.

Therefore, this secret martial arts technique is found in the armory.

What he knew and gained.

This miscellaneous skill, when practiced, allows one to conceal their strength and restrain their vital energy.

Unless one is a master of innate level or above, it is impossible to easily discern true strength by probing the body with true qi.

"I originally thought I wouldn't need it... but I started practicing too late."

Li Hong sighed softly, glancing at the control panel:

【Iron Wall Skill - Elephant Mountain Strength (750/1000)】

[Mastery of Hundred Refinements of Stance Training (901/1000)]

【Mastery of the Hundred Refinements Fist Technique (857/1000)】

[Minor Mastery of the Shuofeng Spear Technique (556/1000)]

[Minor Mastery of the Finger Flicking Technique (685/1000)]

[Introduction to the Concealing Edge Technique (92/100)]

.............

Half a month has passed, and with Li Hong focusing on the Hundred Refinement Stance Technique these days, his progress has already reached the late stage!

With the replenishment and upgrading of resources, and excessive proficiency, the path to the perfect state of stance training is not far off.

These past few days, Li Hong has come to realize that his astonishingly rapid progress has reached a point where he can no longer laugh.

At least in Muyang County, he probably will never be able to show his true strength again.

Therefore, he had already made a record more than a month ago, but he was so engrossed in practicing his skills that he didn't notice it was a little late.

There is now less than a month left until the autumn exams.

After receiving this month's funding in a few days, he will be able to quietly break through to the Innate Realm.

He will then become the most skilled fighter in the outer city.

It should be noted that experts at the Innate Realm who reside in the outer city are extremely rare.

Counting on one's fingers, there were only about ten people in the entire outer city, and none of them were under thirty-five years old.

Li Hong has just turned eighteen this year!

At least... throughout the several hundred years of history within the Muyang County area.

The feat of breaking through the Innate Level before even participating in the martial arts exam for the first time is unprecedented and can truly be considered a first in history.

To be modest, I'm afraid there will be no one like them in the future.

This doesn't mean that no one can break through the innate barrier before this age.

However, all the geniuses in history progressed step by step.

I have never heard of anyone waiting until they break through to the Innate Realm before participating in the Martial Arts Examination for the first time.

"Therefore, this Refining Edge Technique must be mastered through intense training."

Li Hong closed the book, walked out of the cellar, and changed into clean clothes after his morning exercise.

He has to go to the Lei family's trading company in the inner city today.

The merchant's monthly offering ceremony is today, and more importantly, we will receive his monthly salary.

After months of almost self-torturing overwork, Li Hong only had a few coins left.

He takes precious medicine and spirit fish tonics every month. If his family knew how much money he spends on martial arts training each month, they would probably be astonished.

It should be noted that a two-courtyard house on Xitai Street in the outer city only costs around three or four hundred taels.

If Li Hong didn't have ambitions, his current financial situation would have been enough to buy his family a more comfortable place to live through a mortgage.

Li Fulin and Yao no longer need to work so hard.

But what he was aiming for was not merely to make a small fortune and be content with it, but rather a long-term plan.

With the breakthrough to the Innate Realm imminent, it's natural to use as much money as possible, just in case.

This level is extremely dangerous and is the final one of the three trials for martial artists.

Breaking through this realm alters one's innate body, and true qi arises spontaneously. From then on, one's martial arts realm can be considered to have entered the inner sanctum.

His family will have to put up with this for a while, but everything will become clear after he takes the martial arts exam.

............

Inner city, Lei's Trading Company.

Side building.

After entering the inner city with the customs document, Li Hong headed straight for this place.

Eight large, vermilion-lacquered wooden pillars on the first floor lead straight to the dome, making them particularly eye-catching.

The wooden steps on the west side of the lobby are worn smooth by footsteps, and the wide steps can accommodate four or five people walking side by side.

Li Hong ascended the steps to the third floor where the monthly assemblies were held, and immediately felt an invisible sense of oppression.

He used the Concealing Edge Technique to suppress himself, and only then did he feel a little more comfortable.

This floor is spacious with no rooms; the entire floor is a lobby, creating a bright and airy atmosphere.

Forty or fifty purple wooden tables and chairs were arranged neatly, with people moving about, some leaning on the railing to look into the distance, others in small groups.

Some people closed their eyes to rest, their breathing restrained and composed, while others looked around, drinking fruit wine and laughing loudly.

Of all the people coming and going, aside from the servants and maids, Li Hong could hardly sense the level of anyone's martial arts cultivation through their aura.

There is only one explanation: at least all of the dozens of worshippers present are experts who have broken through the Innate Realm!

The entire floor wasn't excessively noisy to the ears, but to Li Hong, it felt like standing on a mountain peak or wading into an abyss.

As a retainer of the Inner Strength Gate, and with the addition of the Concealing Edge Technique, his outward strength was only around the mid-stage of the Inner Strength Gate.

The moment I stepped into the third-floor lobby, I was as conspicuous as a naked sheep wandering into a wolf's den.

Almost without needing to sense anything, when he moved his feet, several people nearby would notice a hint of surprise on their faces when they saw Li Hong.

Then they all wore knowing expressions, revealing a hint of disdain, and some even sneered and shook their heads inwardly.

His status as a relative of someone with connections is more obvious than a louse on a bald man's head.

Li Hong found the table in the last row with his name on it and sat down expressionlessly.

The few young men in brocade outfits nearby all kept their distance.

It should be noted that the retainers of the Lei Clan Trading Company have mostly risked their lives for the company and have cleared away countless obstacles over the years.

Ninety-nine percent of those sitting here earned their seats and their reputations through hard work and battles.

Therefore, Li Hong understood the situation; he had come today simply to collect his monthly salary and had no other intentions.

Everyone here is a seasoned martial artist, while he has only been practicing martial arts for a little over a year, so naturally he wouldn't underestimate himself.

Moreover, breaking through to the Innate Realm is already within reach.

...........

Before long, the side door of the third-floor lobby was opened.

Three figures stepped out from the crowd. The first figure, dressed in a green robe, was a middle-aged man who didn't seem particularly remarkable.

Li Hong naturally recognized Ye Qingsong, who was standing behind the man in the green robe.

His identity was immediately obvious; he was undoubtedly the person in the business who could command Ye Qingsong's patronage.

That middle-aged man in the green robe must be Lei Long, the head of the Lei Family Business!

His steps were neither fast nor slow, but from the moment he appeared...

The atmosphere on the entire floor suddenly became tense, all eyes were focused on the front, and the lobby became so quiet you could hear a pin drop.

Those previously arrogant or unruly worshippers have all taken their places, and no one dares to act recklessly anymore.

Lei Long clasped his hands in a fist and laughed heartily without any airs, then walked up to the high platform in the center of the lobby.

Of the many offerings, only two-thirds, about thirty people, came today.

He glanced around for a moment, then gave a slight bow to the assembled worshippers, and smiled gently:

"Thanks to the support of all my brothers, the business was relatively smooth last month. I will just briefly read out last month's accounts."

As soon as he finished speaking, the worshippers below suddenly relaxed.

Since the business was thriving, there was nothing to worry about for them.

This was the good news they most hoped to hear at the monthly meeting.

"To be able to subdue so many Innate Realm Elders... this Chief Steward Lei truly lives up to his reputation as a master who participated in the martial arts examination!"

Li Hong, sitting in the last row, clicked his tongue in amazement. Of all the things he had come here to see, the one he was most interested in was the Thunder Dragon.

The rest of the offerings are nothing special; in another ten days or so, he will also be able to break through to the Innate Realm.

Only this Lei Long, whom Jiang Tao had told him before, was a renowned master in Muyang County.

He had participated in the martial arts examination and was only slightly inferior to the top-ranked candidate.

His voice wasn't loud, but every word he spoke rang clearly in everyone's ears in the hall:

"On the first day of last month, twenty carts of fine iron were encountered by sixteen horse bandits on a mountain path in Tongling. Wei Gang was wounded three times and hit by four arrows. Although the wounds were exposed, he still fought fiercely and did not retreat. The bandit leader, 'Ghost Hand' Liu San, recovered seventeen carts of fine iron."

His fellow travelers asked him why he didn't bandage his wounds and wait for reinforcements, but he replied, "What's the point of bandaging wounds if the goods are lost and people are killed!"

Lei Long paused slightly at this point, then bowed slightly to the dark-skinned, thin man at the west table in thanks.

Then, raising his voice, he stared intently at Wei Gang and said, "Offer Wei Gang this tribute, and you will be rewarded with a hundred-refined sword, one thousand taels of silver, and ten jars of 'Yao'erhong' liquor. Tonight, we shall not leave until we are drunk!"

"Thank you, Master!" The dark-skinned, thin man in a tight-fitting outfit smiled slightly, clasped his hands in return, but his movements were still somewhat unsteady, clearly indicating that his injuries had not yet fully healed.

"Offering sacrifices to Qin Yue, who raided a ship at the Xia Cangjiang water fortress... twelve bandits were killed. A reward of ten Qi-Nourishing Pills and five hundred taels of silver will be given!"

"........."

"Gentlemen, this month the business is swamped with various important matters, and many of our patrons are unable to return in time. I also have urgent business to attend to today and must depart immediately!"

"Therefore, at the moon banquet later, let Qingsong drink with the brothers on my behalf until we're completely drunk."

After finishing his presentation, Lei Long bowed and clasped his hands in a fist salute before leaving.

Next was the banquet. "Third Master" Ye Qingsong could tell that although he was only Lei Long's youngest apprentice.

However, he held a very high position within the business, and being surrounded by many worshippers, he was the one who received the most respect from others.

As is customary at the monthly offering ceremony, the manager of the business would personally offer wine to each of the attendees.

Ye Qingsong rolled up his sleeves, seemingly with an insatiable capacity for alcohol. When faced with a generous feast, he would often drink three bowls of wine at a single table.

But as he toasted everyone in the back row, his expression and actions were as if he hadn't touched a drop of alcohol.

Until they arrived at Li Hong's last table.

Ye Qingsong looked at Li Hong, who had already stood up, his eyes narrowed slightly, and he suddenly paused for a moment.

The attendant behind him, carrying a wine jar, was quick-witted and knowledgeable; he reminded him:

"Third Master, this is Li Gongfeng, whom you specially recruited last month... He will be participating in the autumn examination soon."

Ye Qingsong said "Oh," quickly regained his senses, and put on a faint smile again.

However, his gaze swept over Li Hong quickly and subtly.

His eyes dimmed slightly.

He just remembered that when he first met Li Hong, he was brought by Jiang Tao, and at that time he was around the middle stage of the Inner Strength realm.

Out of consideration for personal relationships, Ye Qingsong only made a slight distinction before granting him the treatment of a fifth-rank official.

How come a month has passed and this person's cultivation level is still stagnant?

But now that the die is cast, he can't ask for details. If the genius Jiang Tao spoke of is only like this, then he can only consider it repaying a favor to his old friend.

Let's observe for a few months first...

Thinking it over, Ye Qingsong instructed his attendants to pour wine into bowls, filling them to the rim.

"Here, Li Gongfeng, I, Ye, would like to offer you a bowl."

In an instant, Li Hong felt as if half a hall of gazes were piercing him like needles.

For a moment, it seemed as if the temperature around us had dropped several degrees.

He wasn't one to back down easily; he straightened his spine quickly and picked up the bowl.

"Thank you, boss." Li Hong looked up and took in Ye Qingsong's changing expression, then picked up the bowl and drank it all in one gulp.

After the monthly offering ceremony ends.

It was already afternoon, and the lively atmosphere of the gathering had ceased to be relevant to Li Hong after Ye Qingsong finished his customary toast.

He received his monthly salary of fifty taels of silver, plus three Blood Nourishing Pills, and then hurriedly left the trading company.

.................

Ten days later.

The cool night air is deepening with the colors of autumn.

These days, Li Hong has stayed indoors, confining himself to his own small, enclosed courtyard.

Even his meals were brought to him by Yao.

At this moment, he stood in the courtyard like a wooden stake, his whole body covered in large beads of sweat.

Mist rose from all parts of his body, his entire body taut as iron.

[Perfect completion of 100-step standing meditation (1/2000)]

The panel in front of him had already indicated five days ago that he had reached the pinnacle of this stance training, and there would be no further progress after completing it.

The upper limit of this stance training is the Innate Realm.

With the completion of his stance training, it meant that Li Hong already possessed the practical foundation to enter the first stage of the Innate Realm!

That threshold appeared a few days ago, blocking his heart like an unrelated iron gate.

For the past two days, Li Hong has not eaten or drunk anything; he closed his eyes like an old monk in deep meditation.

Right before this "iron gate," I kept searching for that elusive, elusive opportunity to break through.

The wind, like an old friend, occasionally rustled the old locust tree beside the yard, its golden leaves whispering softly.

It was as if it was constantly reminding Li Hong that time was flowing by.

Until one moment, Li Hong discovered a spot of light somewhere in this seemingly endless "iron gate".

The light spots... after he "saw" them, began to spread exponentially, increasing in number.

Before Li Hong could think of anything, the eight meridians in his body suddenly became somewhat unresponsive.

The accumulated essence and blood condensed into a powerful force, rushing towards the "iron gate"!

In an instant, it was as if a flood had crashed into a dam.

It's like pouring a basin of cold water into a pot of boiling oil, causing it to explode violently!

Li Hong felt as if he had been struck by lightning; his joints began to crack and pop, as if someone was smashing his bones with a hammer.

The deep meridians in my body are being torn apart and then healed repeatedly!

"roar....."

Li Hong's entire body was flushed red, and he felt a sweet taste in his throat!

Black blood churned up from his stomach, carrying a rusty and foul smell.

He opened his mouth and spat out a blackish-purple liquid, which was formed from the impurities accumulated in his internal organs and meridians, mixed with black blood and impurities.

It felt as if the boundless "iron gate" in my heart had been suddenly pushed open!

A long breath spread into the lungs and gradually filled them.

In the darkness, Li Hong blinked, and everything in his vision changed!

Even the lightest feather and the smallest insect cannot escape detection.

It's not just that my eyesight has improved, but that my perspective has entered a whole new world!

Staring into his palm, he could feel the flow of Qi throughout his body, connected by the eight meridians!

The pulse generates true energy, which permeates the entire body.

He completely broke through the first barrier of innate ability!