Chapter 6: Chapter 6: The Path of Martial Arts
Lin Feng, brimming with motivation after his breakthrough the previous night, ignored the incident involving Zhang Hu, Liu Gang, and Wang Lei. Instead, he channeled all his energy into further experimentation. He began by combining multiple techniques simultaneously—importing air through his panel while absorbing spiritual energy using the Essence Gathering Method and channeling it through his Spiritual Stone Martial Soul. To his delight, he discovered that he could summon two Martial Souls at once without straining himself excessively.
Moreover, the amount of spiritual energy he absorbed had increased significantly compared to before. This revelation filled him with excitement. It meant that as his cultivation advanced, so too would the capabilities of his unique Designer Tool. The implications were staggering—it was almost too broken, too overpowered. Yet, Lin Feng embraced this reality, knowing full well that his ingenuity would set him apart in a world dominated by tradition.
He continued cultivating late into the night, pushing himself until exhaustion forced him to rest. By the time dawn broke, he felt invigorated, ready to face whatever challenges lay ahead.
The next morning, the group assembled once again in the open field under the watchful eye of the village chief. As Lin Feng approached, he noticed a few pairs of eyes peeking at him from afar—eyes filled with malice and thinly veiled anger. Recognizing them as Zhang Hu, Liu Gang, and Wang Lei, Lin Feng couldn't help but smile faintly. Weren't these the same cowards he had humiliated just the previous night? Catching his amused gaze, they panicked and quickly lowered their heads, avoiding further confrontation.
Lin Feng dismissed them from his thoughts and turned his attention to Li Wei and Mei Ling, the acknowledged prodigies of the village. Both looked markedly different today—their complexions radiant and rosy, as though nourished by an abundance of spiritual energy.
"Perhaps they'll break into the Qi Refining stage soon," Lin Feng mused silently, observing their subtle transformations.
While he studied them, they too glanced at him curiously. Something about Lin Feng seemed… off. They couldn't quite put their finger on it, but there was an aura of change surrounding him. Mei Ling offered a small nod of acknowledgment, her shy demeanor betraying nothing. Li Wei, however, ignored him entirely, redirecting his focus toward the village chief, who was making his way to the center of the gathering.
Once the village chief took his position, the crowd fell silent, their attention fixed on him. The village chief nodded approvingly but suddenly froze, his sharp eyes locking onto Lin Feng.
"You!" he exclaimed, his voice tinged with disbelief. "You've reached the Early Stage of the Qi Refining Realm already!"
The announcement sent shockwaves through the group. Mouths dropped open, and whispers erupted like wildfire. How was this possible? Especially for someone with a Grade 9 Martial Soul? Even Li Wei clenched his fists tightly, his pride wounded. Wasn't he supposed to be the genius here? A fierce desire to challenge Lin Feng burned in his chest, demanding answers.
"So that's why…" Wang Lei muttered bitterly, finally piecing together why they had been defeated so easily the previous night. He exchanged wry smiles with his companions, silently agreeing never to cross Lin Feng again.
Lin Feng scratched the back of his head sheepishly, realizing he needed to learn how to conceal his cultivation base better. "Haha! I guess I got lucky," he thought, masking his true feelings behind a casual grin. Aloud, he asked innocently, "What exactly do you mean by the 'Early Stage' of Qi Refining?"
The village chief stroked his beard thoughtfully before answering. "The Qi Refining Realm is divided into three sub-stages: Early, Middle, and Late. These stages are determined by the quantity and quality of Qi within your body. Only when you transition to the Foundation Establishment Realm will the process differ—you must fill Qi into the twelve meridians of your body, and each completed meridian represents progress within that realm."
Motioning for Lin Feng to step forward, the village chief pointed to various parts of his own body, explaining the locations of the twelve meridians.
"The first meridian resides in the brain , governing clarity of thought and mental acuity. Next is the throat, which regulates communication and vitality. Then comes the heart , the core of life force and emotional balance. Below that lies the liver , responsible for detoxification and endurance. The spleen follows, controlling digestion and energy distribution. Lastly, we have the lungs , enhancing breath control and resilience."
He moved on to describe the lower half of the body. "In the abdomen, we find the kidneys , linked to strength and longevity. The stomach aids in nutrient absorption and stamina. The intestines manage waste removal and internal harmony. Finally, the extremities house the remaining meridians: the hands , feet , and spine , each playing crucial roles in physical prowess and stability."
Pushing Lin Feng gently back into the group, the village chief continued, "Today's lesson focuses not solely on cultivation but also on martial arts. Remember, simply increasing your cultivation base isn't enough. Consuming pills may accelerate growth, but true strength lies in mastering combat techniques—the foundation of survival in this treacherous world."
The village chief then announced the name of their village's foundational martial art: Iron Flow Boxing . Rolling up his sleeves, he exposed his muscular arms and torso, revealing a physique that defied his age. Despite his years, his muscles remained taut and powerful, evidence of decades spent honing his craft.
Taking a deep breath, the old man launched into a series of explosive punches and kicks. Each movement unleashed waves of compressed air, sending ripples through the atmosphere.
Whoosh! Whoosh!
"Observe carefully," he instructed, demonstrating how to channel Qi into specific meridians during attacks. "By focusing Qi into your limbs, you can amplify your strikes twofold or even threefold. Precision and control are key."
As he demonstrated, the village chief incorporated intricate footwork, disappearing and reappearing in different positions with blinding speed. His movements shocked everyone present, leaving them awestruck.
After repeating the sequence thrice, the old man stopped, wiping sweat from his brow. "This technique is classified as Lower-Grade Martial Arts. Like Spiritual Stones, martial arts are categorized into Lower, Middle, and Higher grades. Powerful sects in nearby cities possess advanced techniques tailored specifically to one's Martial Soul. Such personalized training allows cultivators to surpass others even when matched in cultivation level—a major reason why sects thrive."
His voice carried a hint of envy as he spoke, a reminder of the vast disparity between rural villages and urban powerhouses. Clearing his throat, he pulled his robe back into place and addressed the students.
"For now, focus on sensing and gathering Qi. Once you succeed, you may practice Iron Flow Boxing. Li Wei, Mei Ling, and Lin Feng—step forward. You three show promise and will begin practicing immediately."
Under the guidance of the village chief, the trio worked diligently, attempting to grasp the nuances of the martial art. Li Wei relied on raw power, his broadsword Martial Soul resonating with each punch. Mei Ling, graceful and precise, channeled her energy seamlessly, mimicking the fluidity of her vine-like soul.
But it was Lin Feng who truly shone. Drawing upon his past life as a designer, he analyzed every detail with meticulous precision. His intelligence and adaptability allowed him to excel rapidly, surprising even the village chief.
"What a talent!" the old man murmured, shaking his head in admiration. "Alas, burdened by such a weak Martial Soul…"
Despite the pity in his tone, Lin Feng paid no heed. He knew better than anyone else—his potential wasn't defined by conventional standards. And with determination burning in his heart, he vowed to prove just how far he could rise.
Later that evening, as Lin Feng returned to his hut, fatigue weighed heavily on his body. Practicing Iron Flow Boxing under the village chief's strict guidance had been far more taxing than he'd anticipated. Each punch and kick required precise control of Qi, and channeling energy into specific meridians left him physically and mentally drained. His muscles ached, his mind felt foggy, and even lifting his arms seemed like an effort.
He then reflected on the day's events. Reaching the Early Stage of the Qi Refining Realm so quickly was a testament to his innovative approach. However, he understood that his journey was only beginning. The gap between him and prodigies like Li Wei and Mei Ling was still significant, especially given the limitations of his Martial Soul.
Lin Feng resolved to push harder. If traditional methods favored higher-grade souls, then he would rely on unconventional strategies to bridge the gap. Using his holographic panel, he planned to experiment further with importing resources—not just Spiritual Stones, but perhaps herbs, metals, or even fragments of elemental forces.
Unlike the previous night, when he had spent hours experimenting with his holographic panel and pushing the limits of his Martial Soul, today exhaustion claimed him completely. He barely had the strength to sit cross-legged on the cold wooden floor, let alone activate his Designer Tool. The thought of importing air or manipulating spiritual energy felt overwhelming—his body simply couldn't handle any more strain.
With a weary sigh, Lin Feng stretched out on the hard surface, pulling the thin blanket over himself. Sleep came quickly, wrapping him in its embrace before he could dwell further on his progress or plans for the future.
For now, rest was all he could afford. Tomorrow would bring new challenges—and new opportunities to grow stronger.