The senior and junior brothers leapt into the sky, their sword lights piercing the heavens, heading towards Yihai Prefecture!
At the same time, Zhao Pijiang, who was ingesting marvelous elixirs to restore his depleted power, suddenly felt a surge of inspiration.
He set aside the copper goblet engraved with dragons and phoenixes, which contained the exotic-scented True Blood of Spirits and Monsters.
This Grand General squinted his eyes, carefully sensing:
"Yuan Qing..."
...
...
Yihai Prefecture.
Bai Qi sat cross-legged in the backyard of the Inheritance Hall, using the Sword Nurturing Skill to feed the Nanming Li Fire and Frost Grass.
Then he exhaled deeply and opened his eyes.
"Building temples... remains elusive. According to Master’s teachings, the Third Skin Refining Barrier involves finding a fundamental true skill as the ’root scripture,’ then selecting one from the five organs to begin nurturing its ’spirit.’
Finally, when spirit and intention fuse together, it is accomplished."
Bai Qi pondered, about the true skills he possessed, including Tongwen Hall’s "Ten Dragons and Ten Elephants Prison-Suppression Scripture."
Regarding Taoist cultivation, there were the "Flood Dragon Restraining Yellow Springs Scripture" and the "Clear Mind True Canon."
For the root scripture, the "Ten Dragons and Ten Elephants Prison-Suppression Scripture" was the most suitable.
Having reviewed the True Skill Root Diagram, the ease of copying, gauging, and understanding its essence was significantly increased.
"However, this true skill, created by Grandmaster Kang Longsheng seven generations ago, holds its true essence in ’Hundred Forms of the Melting Furnace.’
It can encompass everything and unite other true skills, achieving twice the result with half the effort.
But the downside is that it primarily focuses on cultivation of the physical body and lacks sections on refining internal organs or building temples to nurture spirits.
I don’t know how Master built temples, but it is said he nurtured eleven spirits, achieving Great Perfection with Water and Fire Immortal Robe at the third stage, defeating Cultivation Grandmasters with a few punches, immensely fierce."
Bai Qi silently contemplated, the formidable Qi Blood flowing within his limbs like a group of python-like Big Flood Dragons traveling through water veins, circulating among his organs.
Having no definite destination, they simply nourished and enriched them.
His continuous dragon-like spinal column was like a giant wood supporting the world, his muscles full and firm, his membrane steadfast and strong.
The intertwining Qi Blood Inner Strength seemed to form visible crimson networks on the surface of his body.
Normal fists and mundane moves landed upon them and instantly lost their force.
This is the origin of the Third Skin Refining Barrier.
The so-called ’Skin.’
Is not the skin and flesh of the body.
But is the "net" formed by Qi and Blood Power.
The tighter and more solid this net becomes, the more complete this barrier is achieved.
Until finally, it clings closely to the skin, like Inner Armor.
"Hundred Forms of the Melting Furnace, Dragon-Elephant Dharma Body, already achieved partially.
The dragon form retracted within, still lacking the idea of the mighty elephant suppressing the ten directions..."
Bai Qi remained calm in thought, showing no impatience.
His advancement in the third cultivation stage was brief, less than two years, breaking through three barriers in one go.
Such speed was exceptionally rare.
Even compared to the true legacy of the Upper Sect Daoist Sect, it was not inferior.
"Hundred Forms of the Melting Furnace, in essence, requires absorbing a sufficient number of martial skills to nurture a spirit of one’s own.
For others, it would undoubtedly take ten years of painstaking effort and patience.
But having the enlightenment ability of the ink diagrams, it shouldn’t take that long."
Bai Qi slowly stood up, stepping out of the backyard, seeing Xu Zirong brewing tea.
"Hey, Brother Bai done with practice? I have never seen someone so engrossed in cultivation like you.
Addicted to martial arts, like an addiction to sensuality, no wonder the instructor shows extra favor."
Xu Zirong, who seemed to have acquired some fine tea from somewhere, brewed it several rounds with heated mountain spring water, instantly wafting a refreshing aroma, subtly transporting one to a tranquil empty mountain.
The messy, scattered thoughts were immediately calmed, like curled tea leaves, sinking then rising to serenity.
"Why does Brother Xu have time to visit today?"
Since resolving the treacherous cargo ship embargo for Hongming House last time, Xu Zirong had been close to Miss Duan.
This son of the richest man in Weinan Prefecture, on the mention from Bai Qi that Duan Xiaowan had exceptional strength, able to lift the three-hundred-pound Black Wind Cloud Hammer, fancied her preference for a masculine and robust figure.
Lately, he’s been going to Hongming House every day, assisting the Weapon Casting Master.
"Oh, Brother Bai, save me. I recently diligently practiced, exhibiting my muscular build every time at the Weapon Craftsman Guild, hoping to let Xiaowan feel my masculine aura.
However, she grew more distant, while the workers at the shop always stared at me, inviting me for drinks..."
Xu Zirong felt glum, born into wealth and status, whether it was Weinan Prefecture’s wealthy young women or top courtesans, once aware of his identity, they were largely eager to embrace him.
Chasing after an admired lady left him clueless.
"Brother Zirong misunderstood, Miss Duan grew up at the Weapon Craftsman Guild, tired of seeing so many rough blacksmiths.
No matter how well you train, she will not care.
In my view, Miss Duan, with her managing capability and decisiveness, is more likely to favor scholarly men who understand women’s thoughts."
Bai Qi took a sip of the tea, indeed it was fragrant and refreshing, the pure aura rushing to his head, remarkably soothing.
"High insight, Brother Bai! How did I not realize! Tomorrow I’ll change into a long robe, carry a foldable fan, and buy some poems..."
Xu Zirong, good at taking advice, immediately planned to change his approach.
Bai Qi glanced at Xu Zirong, standing over eight feet tall, powerful and sturdy, silently musing:
"Looks rather like a scholar reciting odes..."
He drained the tea in one gulp, poured himself another cup, and casually offered:
"Brother Zirong, between you and I, my poetry skills are decent, if you need it, I could gift you a few poems to woo Miss Duan’s affection.