Republic of China Era: Entering the Dao through Divine Strike.

Then it grows rapidly, shoots up and climbs, and in an instant it transforms into a tall pine tree, and then grows into a towering ancient tree.

Full of vitality...

An endless, pure, primordial vitality burst forth from the depths of the body, flowing throughout the body along the meridians and blood vessels.

Gradually, it fills in the shriveled skin and flesh, supports the loose bones and muscles, and smooths out the lines of aging.

Click click.

A subtle yet clear sound of bones grinding together quietly arose, still remarkably distinct against the backdrop of wind, rain, and thunder.

Li Xin's body rose and stretched slightly at a speed visible to the naked eye.

His figure became increasingly upright and well-proportioned...

With firm muscles and bones, and plump skin and flesh, the signs of old age and fatigue have completely disappeared.

The dim light of dawn slowly broke through the clouds, casting a soft glow upon his body.

Skin regains its radiant, translucent glow, shimmering with vitality.

A radiant light shone between his brows, and the sharp, vigorous spirit and extraordinary demeanor of a young man returned to his former self.

And it is more concise and profound than ever before.

What's most baffling is the protective aura that spontaneously forms around the body.

The torrential rain poured down, landing only a short distance around him, before being gently deflected by an invisible force, swirling and sliding down his body.

Rainwater swirls around the body, forming a clear and luminous protective shield.

Close-fitting yet doesn't stick to clothes...

Despite the raging wind and rain, his clothes and hair remained dry and clean, and not even the hem of his clothes was lifted up.

Even the fiercest winds cannot move him;

Even in the heaviest downpour, their clothes remain dry.

This is pure true qi protecting the body, a profound realm that internal strength can never reach!

"Second Brother has become an immortal!"

Li Xiaoyue was both surprised and delighted. She jumped up instantly, her silvery laughter piercing through the wind and rain, clear and melodious.

Rain and tears mingled on her face, yet she smiled, her eyes crinkling with a bright and radiant smile.

Zhuang Hongxiu stood in the rain, her eyes filled with shock and joy. Her tense heartstrings suddenly relaxed, and she smiled with her eyes crinkling. "It's not becoming an immortal, young master has truly cultivated martial arts true qi."

She was well-versed in ancient books and knew the vast difference between martial arts realms: "The worldly martial artists painstakingly cultivate internal strength, but in the end it is only the strength of the physical body. The energy is hidden in the meridians and flesh, and at most it can only transmit power through objects, and it has no ability to protect the body outside the body."

True Qi is entirely different; it undergoes a complete transformation, cleansing the marrow and meridians, and can penetrate bones and flesh to circulate outside the body, its quality far surpassing internal strength.

"After cultivating true qi, the physical body undergoes a transformation, becoming flawless and far exceeding the limits of ordinary people."

With incredible speed, boundless power, and the ability to control one's entire body with qi, such abilities would be considered divine even to ordinary mortals.

Li Xiaoyue stared with wide, round eyes, full of curiosity and confusion: "Sister Hongxiu, does that mean Second Brother won't get hurt or sick anymore? Does that mean he won't have to work so hard brewing medicine and cultivating anymore?"

Zhuang Hongxiu chuckled upon hearing this, her eyes filled with tenderness and awe: "There are no shortcuts to cultivation; it will only become more and more arduous."

But once you cultivate true qi, you've truly embarked on the Great Dao, and you'll be much safer from then on. Anyone who dares to oppose us will be killed in their sleep. The methods of immortals are no ordinary feats.

Before she could finish speaking, a clear and gentle male voice suddenly rang out:

"It's not that mysterious; it's just barely breaking free from the shackles of internal martial arts."

The sound initially seemed to emanate from deep within the bamboo forest, but in the next instant, the rain curtain appeared to be torn open by an invisible force, creating a straight passage.

The wind and rain are divided, and we must yield to each other.

Zhuang Hongxiu and Li Xiaoyue only felt a blur before their eyes, and before the afterimage had faded, Li Xin's figure was already standing steadily in front of them on the steps.

With one step, the distance shrinks to an inch.

True Qi moves with effortless grace, leaving no trace.

His gaze fell on their soaked clothes and disheveled hair, a hint of helplessness in his eyes: "Why didn't you go inside to take shelter from the heavy rain?"

You'll know how serious it is when you catch a cold and get sick.

Li Xiaoyue quickly waved her hand, her face still wet with tears, but her smile was exceptionally bright: "I'm not afraid of getting wet in the rain, I just love watching Second Brother perform magic tricks."

Is this a magic trick?

Li Xin was speechless.

He reached out and took the plates and bowls from the two of them, then gently took Li Xiaoyue's small hand. "Let's go."

The house was warm and cozy, keeping out the raging wind and rain outside.

Li Xin placed the plate steadily on the table, looking at the still warm chicken soup, noodles, and golden poached egg in the bowl.

The rich, savory aroma of smoke lingered around his nose, his eyes were slightly dazed, and complex ripples stirred in his heart.

The chicken soup was still piping hot, and the noodle soup was lukewarm, but some of the noodles on the surface had cooled and clumped up slightly.

As he gazed at the simple, warm food on the table, his thoughts drifted back to the bitter and cold years of his past and present lives.

However, just a year ago, the countryside suffered a famine and there was no harvest.

They struggled to get three meals a day and were unable to find enough to eat and wear.

Back then, let alone chicken soup with poached eggs and longevity noodles, they could hardly fill their stomachs even with coarse wheat bran and brown rice.

On my birthday and other special occasions, my greatest expectation is nothing more than a bowl of hot noodles and a poached egg promised by my mother.

Having lived two lives and experienced ups and downs, I thought that with the passage of time, many of the trivial past events had long since faded away.

However, as his cultivation level deepened and his spiritual attributes underwent a profound transformation, his mental perception became increasingly refined and clear.

Every little detail of the past has become clearer and more vivid.

It feels like yesterday, so vivid in my mind.

He finally understood why those with profound martial arts skills and top-notch cultivation must maintain a peaceful state of mind and abandon delusions and obsessions.

After physical transformation and spiritual elevation, feelings will be amplified infinitely.

Past regrets, bitterness, warmth, and expectations—a myriad of thoughts surged into my mind.

If one is not careful, one can easily become trapped in emotional obsessions, leading to mental imbalance and disordered energy flow.

Ultimately, he went astray, becoming extreme and evil.

People are afraid of being disturbed by all sorts of thoughts, so they seek to be emotionless and abandon the seven emotions.

They believed that by severing all emotions and desires, they could achieve a smooth and unhindered path in life.

Having experienced two lifetimes and tasted the bitterness and sweetness of human life, Li Xin possesses a completely different and profound understanding.

The path of ruthlessness, seemingly undisturbed, is in reality empty and lifeless, like withered wood and cold ashes, devoid of any vitality.

The way of love is to experience all walks of life, to remember the warmth and coldness of life, to cherish tenderness, and to bear the burden of the past.

Through the trials and tribulations of life, one can cultivate a calm mind and refine one's moral character...

Stay true to yourself amidst the turmoil, and find the true path amidst the everyday life.

Only a Daoist heart tempered in the mundane world can be resilient, insightful, and enduring.

Only then can one withstand the myriad inner demons and endless hardships on the path of cultivation.

With a clear and insightful mind, one's state of mind becomes increasingly stable and clear.

The initial restlessness from breaking through to true qi completely dissipated...

His aura became increasingly warm, restrained, profound, and refined.

Li Xin collected his thoughts, looked up at the two delighted girls beside him, and broke the silence of the room with a warm smile.

"What are you standing there for? Eat together."

He picked up his bamboo chopsticks, took out a golden, oily poached egg, and said with a smile, "This egg was fried by Xiaoyue herself. The heat is perfect and the aroma is wonderful. Second brother is very lucky. Here, Xiaoyue should have some too."

"Second brother is so good." Li Xiaoyue responded happily, obediently moved a small stool over and sat down, her eyes full of satisfaction and joy.

Li Xin then looked at Zhuang Hongxiu, who stood gracefully beside him, and shook his head: "Hongxiu, you're too thin. You should eat more to nourish yourself. This chicken butt is the fattest; it's yours."

"Young Master!"

Upon hearing this, Zhuang Hongxiu's cheeks flushed slightly, and she gave a coquettish sigh.

Outside, raindrops drifted down and thunder faded into the distance, while inside, a warm and harmonious atmosphere prevailed.

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

Chapter 181 New Policies, Attacking the Gate

The rain gradually subsided.

The dark clouds were slowly dispersed by the evening breeze, and a ray of sunlight pierced through the clouds, casting a slanting glow on the bamboo garden's wing room, making the scene inside even more peaceful.

The lingering rain pattered against the screen window, dripping softly with a gentle tinkling sound.

Li Xin's body, now in its initial stage of true qi formation, was warm and translucent, with his aura contained and condensed, no longer exhibiting the turbulent and restless state of his previous transformation.

His gaze occasionally swept over the empty courtyard gate, a faint hint of doubt flashing in his eyes.

Today is his birthday.

Two weeks ago, his elder brother Li Cheng mentioned several times in public that he wanted to hold a grand birthday banquet for him.

They were even thinking of hosting a banquet for relatives and friends to celebrate properly.

At that time, he was focused on his spiritual practice and stopped him.

But the older brother didn't come over at this moment, which doesn't make sense.

Li Cheng, who should have been the first to arrive to keep him company, was still nowhere to be seen by the afternoon, which was rather unusual.

"Where's Big Brother?"

Li Xin put down his chopsticks and said, "Just a few days ago you were clamoring to throw me a big birthday banquet. After I declined, did you really throw a tantrum and deliberately not come?"

Although he asked the question casually, he knew in his heart that Li Cheng, with his character, would never be so petty.

Among the siblings, Xiaoyue is the youngest, with a pure and clear mind, and carefree all day long.

They only love to frolic and run around in the front and back yards. They are playful, active, and simple-minded, and are never bothered by worldly affairs.

Only the eldest brother, Li Cheng, became more and more calm and reserved after the family's circumstances improved and they established their own residence in the capital.

Shedding the naivety and impetuosity of youth, they have become increasingly mature and composed.

Compared to his carefree younger siblings, he placed great importance on interpersonal relationships, clan rituals, and the proper distinction between superiors and inferiors.

Now he is in charge of external affairs at Li Garden, managing security, welcoming and sending off guests, and social interactions within the residence.

Every word and action of his was modeled after the composed demeanor of a patriarchal family.

He is respectful and measured towards his superiors, dignified and fair towards his subordinates, and increasingly considerate and thoughtful in his dealings with others.

On ordinary days, she also keeps in mind all matters, big and small, and important people in her family.

He never missed a single one of the four seasons and solar terms.

Before Zhuang Hongxiu could reply, Li Xiaoyue, who was standing beside her, had already put down her chopsticks and, pouting, answered first:

"Second brother, don't overthink it, eldest brother isn't angry."

Xiaoyue puffed out her cheeks, her eyes full of resentment: "It's just that Big Brother has become more and more boring lately."

He said it hadn't been safe these past few months, so he went out early this morning with his guards and servants to clean the streets and alleys around the mansion and to patrol the area.

She sighed softly, shaking her head like a little adult, her tone full of incomprehension: "I overheard the guards in the manor chatting this morning, and they said that my brother's martial arts skills are actually only average, not that of a master."

There are plenty of skilled guards in the manor; there's no need for him to foolishly rush to the front lines in everything… He's useless and only causes unnecessary anxiety.

Upon hearing this, Li Xin's lips twitched slightly, and a hint of understanding flashed in his eyes.

Xiaoyue is young but has a clear and pure mind. She has long understood the most important principles of self-preservation and peace.

In this passionate and restless era, it seems all the more rare.

But Li Cheng was different; he was easily swayed by a few words and became passionate.