Chapter 196: Chapter 22: Acquiring the Refining Pearl Technique
Shen Qing's gaze swept over the faces of Shen Xiaoshan and the other two as he spoke, "I have three Martial Arts here, each of you shall learn one."
The Martial Arts Shen Qing planned to teach them were the three core Martial Arts techniques he had gleaned from the old coach's lips, the essence of the Martial Arts Hall: Burning Sky Technique, Three Elements Body Refining Technique, and Mixed Element True Technique.
After the old coach's reminder, Shen Qing had scrutinized these three Martial Arts carefully several times and indeed found them extraordinary.
The Burning Sky Technique was a mental method that, once cultivated to a deep level, could draw the fire element of heaven and earth into the body to form the Burning Sky Intense Flame Palm. With a single strike, all things could be turned to ashes, with astonishing power. However, this Cultivation Technique was notorious for its violent nature, and cultivators had to possess an indomitable will to control it.
The Three Elements Body Refining Technique was a Body Refining Skill that merged the paths of heaven, earth, and man. It used Qi, Qi-Blood, and Bone as the foundation to temper the physical body until it reached the state of being indestructible like diamond. After cultivation, one would possess copper tendons and iron bones, with abundant Qi-Blood flowing like rivers surging ceaselessly. When Qi, Qi-Blood, and Bone were unified, they could form powerful Inner Strength, integrating offense and defense into one, creating a Martial Art with no shortcomings.
The last technique, Mixed Element True Technique, originated from the inner Cultivation Technique of Daoist schools. It emphasized the balance of Yin and Yang and the harmony of the Five Elements, using heaven and earth as the furnace, and oneself as the elixir, merging with the Dao to condense the Mixed Element Qi. At advanced levels of cultivation, the True Qi inside the body would be pure and flawless, encompassing all things, able to replicate an opponent's attack and neutralize all external forces, embodying the principle of ruling by inaction.
Shen Qing introduced the general situation of the three Martial Arts to them, lighting up the eyes of the three individuals.
"Which one do you all want to learn?"
"I'll learn the Burning Sky Technique. I'm a cook, so practising this Martial Art is perfect for me. Even if I'm cooking in the kitchen, I can practice on the side without neglecting my training," Xiao Zhi laughed heartily as he spoke.
Tian Xiaohu said, "I'll learn the Mixed Element True Technique."
Shen Xiaoshan looked around and then said, "I... I, then I'll learn the Three Elements Body Refining Technique."
"Once you get the Cultivation Technique, you can focus on cultivating without worrying about your Bone quality," Shen Qing said. "Certainly, Bone is very important, but we are backed by the court, and the Zhou Country Court has enough resources to transform a mediocre talent completely. What you need to do is to train hard and wait for opportunities to come later."
Upon hearing Shen Qing's words, their faces flushed with excitement, and they each responded, waiting for what would come next.
"Next, listen carefully and remember with your minds, do not leave any traces."
Sitting in the main seat, Shen Qing, possessing the ability to articulate fluently, recited all three Cultivation Techniques in front of the three men.
Such an astonishing memory left the three men gaping in awe and admiration.
The three Martial Arts encompassed extensive content; it was only after midnight, past the hour of Zi, that they roughly grasped the essentials.
Shen Qing waved his hand and said, "You've remembered most of it already; go and practice the rest. If there's anything you don't understand, come and ask me."
Still longing for more, the three men stood up, not lingering, and left one after another.
As they departed, the respect in their eyes for Shen Qing grew noticeably.
Shen Qing, who had been talking until he was dry-mouthed, picked up a cup and took a sip of water to moisten his throat.
After many days of interaction and observation, he had realized that Guan Yunjian and Uncle Shu were not on the same path as him, and keeping them around would only be a burden.
Sooner or later, he would find the right opportunity to kick them out.
For now, he had already established a foothold in the county town, but to secure a position among the thirteen high-ranking families of the county town, relying solely on himself was no longer sufficient; he needed reliable people by his side.
Tian Xiaohu and the others, whom he had brought along all the way, could certainly be trusted.
The only issue was their lack of strength.
He hoped that the Martial Arts from the Martial Arts Hall would not disappoint him and could significantly enhance the strength of these three men.
Outside a civilian house in Yongzhou.
Uncle Shu walked to the door and knocked.
After a moment, the door cracked open slightly.
Uncle Shu whispered, "It's me."
The door was pulled open, and Guan Yunjian let him in, asking, "Is everything taken care of on your end?"
Uncle Shu nodded and said, "Things are about ready. I've visited all twelve Martial Arts Halls in the Outer City, and a total of nine hall masters are willing to take action. How about you?"
"I found three old immortals, and one of them is willing to get involved with our matter."
Uncle Shu clapped his hands with satisfaction, "That's excellent, so we'll have nine martial masters from the Qi Cultivation Realm and one from the Qi Hai Realm, ten people in total. Even if Shen Qing had three heads and six arms, he definitely won't be able to escape death. When shall we make our move?"
"Let's do it tomorrow. There happens to be traces of a Wolf Demon in Changqiao Town. We can lure him there to make our move and pin the incident on the Wolf Demon. After that, we can go seek refuge with Dong Chasi, and no one will suspect a thing."
Uncle Shu nodded, his excitement evident, "Although our current sacrifice is rather significant, and we're paying a heavy price, as long as we kill that Shen, his taverns will fall into our hands, and it will all be worth it."
"Haha, exactly, that's what I'm thinking too."
…
"Shen Chasi, a letter from the Capital has just arrived, stating that your registration has been recorded in the Ministry of Personnel. It's not yet time to distribute Yuan Stones, but you can have the Linked Pearl Technique now."
Just about to finish his shift, Shen Qing received a message from the Military Department Office and hurried over, excited to receive the Refining Pearl Technique, which even for someone as calm and composed as him, was an exciting moment.
Zhao Guanglu smiled and handed over a wooden box, saying, "Inside is the Refining Pearl Technique, for your eyes only. Take it."
Shen Qing took the wooden box, opened it, and found a jade token lying quietly inside.
"May I ask, Mr. Zhao, how is this used?"
Zhao Guanglu looked at Shen Qing with a smile, remaining silent.
Shen Qing immediately understood, "Look at my memory, Mr. Zhao. You've lost your money pouch, and I found it but forgot to return it to you."
With that, he pulled out his own money pouch and placed it in Zhao Guanglu's palm.
Zhao Guanglu felt the heavy weight in his hand, quite taken aback.
He quickly changed his demeanor, smiling warmly, "This item is simple to use. Just paste it on your Dantian, and you will know the specific methods of the Linked Pearl. Whoever uses this jade token first will be the only one who can use it from then on. Try it when you refine your Wish Power Pearl and you'll understand."
"Thank you for your guidance, Mr. Zhao."
"It's a small matter. If there's nothing else, Shen Chasi, you may leave. That's all I have for you."
Shen Qing closed the wooden box and said, "Thank you for your trouble, Mr. Zhao. I take my leave."
After saying that, he quickly left the Military Department, his expression becoming somewhat impatient.
He had been stuck at the Qi Cultivation Realm for a long time, like a balloon inflated to its limit, just one step away from breakthrough.
Fortunately, he had a Wish Power Pearl, which he had acquired from the Taiping County Magistrate, and had yet to use. Now that he had the Linked Pearl Technique, he could utilize it to break through to the Qi Hai Realm.
At that moment, as Shen Qing arrived at the door, he saw a familiar, graceful silhouette and quickly stopped, bowing with folded hands, "I've seen Lord Huangfu."
A beautiful woman had appeared in front of him, walking in from outside unexpectedly.
She was none other than the Chief Officer of the Military Department, Huang Furo.
Upon seeing Shen Qing, Huang Furo scanned him from head to toe, let out a faint hum and brushed past him without any pause.
Shen Qing didn't take it to heart.
After all, she was the Chief Officer of the Military Department, from a high-ranking background with exceptional cultivation, while he was just a newly appointed Chasi from out of town—it was a normal reaction.
Watching Huang Furo's enchanting figure disappear at the door, Shen Qing leapt onto his horse and galloped home.
Filled with anticipation for his breakthrough to the Qi Hai Realm after accumulating Qi-Blood and Qi for so long, Shen Qing could hardly wait.