At the start of the game, you have one equipment slot; the effects of unequipping the equipment rema

Upon hearing this, Fan Duan couldn't help but exchange a glance with Zhao Mingli.

He's only just broken through to the Qi Condensation Realm, yet he's already noticed the transformative nature of true qi. This kid's comprehension is truly remarkable!

Mu Yang: You knew you were coming.

"Ahem!"

Fan Duan cleared his throat, trying to make his tone as calm as possible: "In the path of true qi, there are indeed similar situations."

"The so-called true qi is born from the blood and qi of a martial artist, but it is different from it."

"A martial artist's qi and blood are ethereal and intangible. Although they can be felt within the body, they are formless and intangible, and cannot be seen with the naked eye."

"True Qi is different. Although it is transparent and ethereal, almost imperceptible, it truly exists. As long as you concentrate your mind and focus your gaze, you can see it with the naked eye. Therefore, it is called True Qi, which is a real and existing force."

"Since it truly exists, it must naturally have different qualities."

As he spoke, Fan Duan raised his right hand, a wisp of true energy swirling around his fingertips.

The true energy was very faint in color, almost imperceptible.

"When an ordinary martial artist breaks through to the Qi Condensation Realm, their true qi is like a thin mist in a clear sky, transparent and ethereal, almost imperceptible if one does not focus their gaze."

"Most Qi Condensation Realm martial artists in the world are like this. A single strand of this true qi can increase one's strength by a hundred jin, but it is only the most common low-grade true qi."

As he spoke, Fan Duan glanced at Zhao Mingli with some frustration.

Zhao Mingli immediately smiled, straightened his clothes, stepped forward, and raised his hand.

A stream of true energy emerged from Zhao Mingli's fingertips.

The color was clearly clearer than the true energy emanating from Fan Duan's fingertips.

"Inferior True Qi is nothing special. Only True Qi like mine, which is as dense and thick as the clouds in a mountain stream, flows clearly and is not easily dissipated, can be considered true True Qi." Zhao Mingli said with a hint of pride.

Mu Yang glanced at the true energy at Zhao Mingli's fingertips and compared it with the true energy in his own dantian.

He discovered that the quality of the true energy he had just condensed was almost the same as this.

Fan Duan, unable to tolerate Zhao Mingli's smug expression, immediately exposed him: "True true qi? Yours is merely mid-grade true qi. Compared to high-grade true qi, you're nothing but a grandson!"

"Such arrogance! Anyone who didn't know better would think you weren't cultivating low-grade true qi!" Zhao Mingli retorted, not to be outdone.

Two old men, whose combined age was over a hundred, started arguing for no apparent reason.

Mu Yang: We're talking, but why are we arguing?

Fortunately, they were just bickering, and soon got back on track.

"In short, there are indeed differences in the quality of true qi. Low-grade true qi increases strength by 100 jin per wisp, mid-grade true qi increases strength by 200 jin per wisp, and high-grade true qi increases strength by 400 jin per wisp," Fan Duan said.

A single strand can increase strength by four hundred jin?

Mu Yang was overjoyed.

If he were to cultivate to the peak of the Qi Condensation Realm and his true qi were to rise to the superior grade, wouldn't he be able to increase his strength by 200 million jin?

No wonder the creator of "The Great Dantian Construction Method" is so proud.

This amount of true energy is plentiful, which is indeed quite useful.

Fan Duan also explained how to improve the quality of true qi.

This is still related to the cultivation of the Bone and Tendon Realm.

A martial artist who has undergone rigorous training can remain at the Qi Condensation Realm after reaching its peak. They can then continuously refine their dantian and accumulate true qi, with a very small probability of eventually transforming a portion of the low-grade true qi within their dantian into mid-grade true qi.

That's right, only a portion.

Only martial artists who have undergone a second breakthrough in bone and tendon tempering can convert all the true qi in their bodies into mid-grade true qi at this stage.

As for undergoing three rounds of intensive training to strengthen muscles and bones, that's relatively rare.

Zhao Mingli heard that Qi Condensation Realm martial artists who have undergone three rounds of bone and tendon tempering seem to be able to convert their internal true qi into mid-grade true qi earlier, and have the opportunity to raise their internal true qi to high-grade when they reach the peak of the Qi Condensation Realm.

Why is it only a chance?

Theoretically speaking, the enhancement of true qi is like turning the dantian into a furnace and forging true qi like iron.

Factors such as the size of the dantian, physical strength, and the resilience of the meridians are all key factors that restrict the improvement of true qi quality.

It's not something that can be improved just by saying so.

In conclusion, the special true energy within Mu Yang's body is very much in line with what Fan Duan described as mid-grade true energy.

However, he had only just entered the Qi Condensation Realm when his true qi automatically increased to the middle grade for some unknown reason.

The process was completely different from what Fan Duan described.

It doesn't seem to be that difficult.

Mu Yang fell into deep thought.

Seeing Mu Yang remain silent, Fan Duan comforted him, "But you don't need to be discouraged. Geniuses with high-grade true qi are only found in prefectural cities or even the imperial city. In a small place like ours, cultivating mid-grade true qi is already top-notch."

That's the truth.

Zhao Mingli, standing to the side, looked smug.

"You're so weak, you can't even throw a single move, what's there to be proud of?" Fan Duan bluntly exposed.

"Then why didn't you?"

"..."

Fan Duan didn't want to speak, and looked at Mu Yang: "Since you have already broken through, you can be exempted from the waiting period and officially start participating in missions. The sooner you start, the sooner you can become a full member."

"Oh right, I almost forgot to mention, our Demon Slayer Division has a perk: anyone who joins the Demon Slayer Division and breaks through to the fourth rank can receive a free Qi Condensation Realm combat martial art."

"Only by mastering combat-type Qi Condensation martial arts can one be considered a true Qi Condensation Realm martial artist. Otherwise, using only martial arts that rely on blood and qi will ultimately be less effective."

"Although the weapon you use is a rare and extraordinary weapon, our Demon Slaying Division has collected all kinds of martial arts from all over the world, including many mace techniques."

"Of course, you can decide for yourself what to exchange it for."

As he spoke, Fan Duan handed the selection catalog to Mu Yang.

Mu Yang took the catalog and immediately flipped to the combat-related martial arts section.

Combat-type martial arts, also known as martial skills, are completely different from the dantian construction method.

The latter is the cultivation method, the foundation, and the basis for a martial artist to strive for advancement.

The former is merely a special method of using true qi, a combat technique, which is used by martial artists to protect themselves, defend themselves, and ensure their steady progress.

In Taoist terms, the method of building the dantian is the Tao, while martial arts techniques are merely skills.

In a sense, the two complement each other and are indispensable.

"This one will do."

Mu Yang quickly came up with a plan.

"Extreme Subduing Dragon Mace", a fourth-tier martial skill.

It is said to have been created by imitating the tail-swinging motion of a real dragon.

Its characteristics are powerful and heavy, fierce and unparalleled. It regards the hard mace as the tail of a dragon and the flexible arms as the spine. With a single swing of the mace, it can subdue a dragon.

Most importantly, the maximum amount of true energy this martial art can hold at one time depends primarily on the quality of the weapon and the user's physical strength.

The better the quality of the weapon, the more true energy it can hold; the stronger the user's physique, the more true energy can be unleashed at once.

It is very suitable for Muyang, who has great strength and abundant true qi.

"The Ultimate Dragon-Subduing Mace, that would suit you perfectly!"

Fan Duan recalled the scene of being sent flying by the blow. If Mu Yang had used this move, he would probably be covered in bruises and have difficulty walking.

"Remember to report to the training ground at 7:00 AM tomorrow. We will then inform you of your specific team assignments."

"Thank you for informing me, senior."

Mu Yang thanked him again.

Fan Duan waved his hand, indicating that Mu Yang could go and collect his uniform and weapons.

Mu Yang turned and walked towards the left corridor. In the dim light, he seemed to hear Fan Duan and Zhao Mingli arguing again.

All I can say is that he truly deserves to be called a martial artist; although he is old, his energy is still abundant.

The martial arts skill collection point is in room number one on the left.

The staff member in charge of management was also an unremarkable middle-aged man.

He took the note, turned around and went into the house without saying a word, and soon handed the martial arts manual to Mu Yang.

......

[Equipable Item: Extreme Dragon-Subduing Mace (Qi Condensation Martial Art)]

[Rank: Fourth Rank]

【Equipment Effect: ①Perfect (White): The skill proficiency of the Subduing Dragon Mace has reached the perfect level.

② Mace Affinity (White): Slightly increases affinity with mace-type martial arts, accelerating the learning speed of mace-type martial arts.

[Permanent fixation conditions: Equip this item for eight days, or slay any fourth-tier or higher-grade monster while equipping this item.]

......

The entry for "Extremely Powerful Subduing Dragon Mace" has a very ordinary effect.

But Mu Yang didn't care.

For him, ordinary martial arts were merely icing on the cake; his true advantage had always been his powerful physique, forged from absorbing the corpses of countless demons.

After he has mastered several fourth-tier external martial arts techniques, his fingers will probably be harder than the black gold four-sided mace at his waist.

After receiving the martial arts manual, Mu Yang went to room number three next door to collect his uniform and weapons.

The uniforms of the Demon Slayer Division and the constables have similar color schemes, both being jet black with red patterns on the sleeves.

The difference is that there is a vermilion seal script character "斩" (cut) embroidered on the left chest, which is vigorous and powerful, and resembles a sharp blade.

The overall style is more austere, cold, sharp, and capable.

In addition, the Demon Slayer Division also issued a standard leather belt with a red agate inlaid in the center.

This is a Tier 2 item with a constant temperature effect.

A very practical piece of equipment.

As for the share of that standard weapon, Mu Yang chose a fourth-tier spiked club.

It's not that I want to switch to this weapon; it's just that there aren't any fourth-tier maces here, and this weapon has pretty good stats.

......

[Equipable Item: Wolf Fang Mace]

[Rank: Fourth Rank]

【Equipment Effect: ① Blunt Strike (Blue): When using blunt strike weapons, the force penetration effect is greatly increased.

② Armor Break (White): When using a weapon, its destructive effect against heavy armor, outer shells, and other similar objects is slightly increased.

[Permanent fixation conditions: Equip this item for 100 days, or slay any fourth-tier or higher-grade monster while equipping this item.]

......

After obtaining the weapon, Mu Yang immediately took out a piece of dried pork and put it inside.

Both the blunt strike and armor break attributes are very effective and perfectly enhance his black gold four-sided mace.

The only problem is that it takes a long time to solidify, just like the "Great Dantian Construction Method," which requires 100 days of pure time.

Hopefully, tomorrow's mission will involve encountering a fourth-tier monster.