Chapter Twenty-Three: The Blow

Chen Xian had embarked on the path of martial cultivation precisely because of a dream he had three years ago. Had it not been for that dream, he would never have taken up martial arts, so regret was an untenable notion. Of course, all this was not something to be shared with outsiders, nor was there any need to explain himself to others. Chen Xian simply kept these thoughts quietly buried in his heart.

“Logically speaking, even if you have already become a Mingjin martial artist, you shouldn’t be able to so easily block my punches!” Yang Fan said with confusion, voicing his doubts. “You must know, I have completed Bone Refinement, Tendon Transformation, and Marrow Cleansing, making my muscles and bones strong and my energy abundant. So why does it feel like the difference between you and me is that of an adult and a child? Could it be that mastering Jin power truly represents a qualitative leap?”

Hearing Yang Fan’s question, Chen Xian nodded with a smile. “Indeed, mastering Jin power is a qualitative leap. The human body is truly wondrous, harboring immense treasures within, but extracting these treasures for use is no simple matter. People often say human potential is limitless—that’s what they mean by the body’s treasure. Some can unleash extraordinary potential when faced with danger or desperate situations. For instance, someone lifting a car to save a child trapped beneath it, another sprinting to catch a falling child from the tenth floor, carrying over seven hundred pounds, or someone trapped in the wilderness surviving solely on dew for eighteen days. Some, when confronted by robbers, instantly memorize every detail and later recreate their likeness perfectly…”

“All these phenomena occur because, under extreme stress, the body releases a tremendous burst of potential. However, this abnormal release inflicts great damage on the body. Those who burst forth such power often suffer severe injuries afterward. This is the cost of an instantaneous explosion of potential. The proper way to unlock the body’s treasures and unleash potential is through gradual cultivation.”

“The correct sequence should be: first mastering Jin power, then strengthening the physique, excavating the treasures, and finally releasing the potential. Jin power is the key to unlocking the body’s treasures. Once mastered, one can control the treasures at will—opening the gates when needed, closing them when not—thus truly mastering one’s potential without squandering it recklessly. Moreover, Jin power is the root of physical transformation.”

Chen Xian paused briefly, giving Yang Fan time to absorb what he had just said. Seeing the flicker of understanding in Yang Fan’s eyes, he continued.

“Since setting foot on the path of cultivation, the first step is stance training to sense the flow of qi and blood. The second step is refining the qi and blood to harden the bones like iron. However, mere qi and blood cannot penetrate deeply into the muscles and bones, only tempering their surface. The emergence of Jin power changed this. Ancient sages discovered that the vibrations of Jin power could drive qi and blood into the bones.”

“Hence, they incorporated Jin power into martial cultivation. Over time, deeper understanding led to classifying Jin power into two forms: bright and dark. Human bones are hard and rigid; so, forceful, bright Jin power is suitable for shaking qi and blood within bones. Tendons and meridians, being flexible and soft, easily snap if too rigid. Thus, for them, soft yet resilient, dark Jin power is used to refine qi and blood into subtle threads that strengthen the tendons.”

“Thus, the second step in martial cultivation was clearly defined: mastering bright Jin power to make bones as hard as iron—unassailable and unyielding. The third step is understanding dark Jin power, making tendons like mighty serpents—unyielding and unbreakable…”

“Therefore, mastering Jin power is essential for Bone Refinement to harden bones like iron, Tendon Transformation to enhance flexibility, and Marrow Cleansing to purify the essence. These three processes strengthen the body, transforming it beyond human limits. Only an immensely powerful physique can bear greater strength and potential. This is precisely the purpose of Bone Refinement, Tendon Transformation, and Marrow Cleansing—to forge a body capable of unleashing its potential without harm.”

Chen Xian glanced at the thoughtful Yang Fan and continued, “Right now, you have a strong physique but lack the key to unlock the body’s treasures. Naturally, you cannot unleash any potential. To me, you are like a form without spirit, an empty shell. It’s like a legendary general clad in heavy armor who could conquer armies. The general’s strength lies in himself, not the armor. If you must compare, your potential is the general, and your body is the armor. Without the general, the armor is just an empty shell, powerless to command the battlefield. At present, you cannot unlock your body’s treasures or master Jin power, so you are like armor without its general—of little use.”

Yang Fan fell silent upon hearing Chen Xian’s words. He had thought that completing Bone Refinement, Tendon Transformation, and Marrow Cleansing through the Saint Light Chip made him a minor expert. After all, those who achieve Marrow Cleansing usually found their own sects. He never imagined he was still so far from mastery. It seemed he had underestimated the art of martial cultivation and overestimated the Saint Light No. 3 chip from the Black Eagle Kingdom. The martial path of the Great Xuan, passed down through the ages, was truly something that technology could not replace.

Chen Xian’s words gave him a glimpse into the Great Xuan’s martial arts, providing a novice who had never practiced martial arts and had no understanding of it a faint notion of what lay ahead.

Chen Xian smiled gently, seeing Yang Fan’s silence. “I said all this only because I don’t want you to be blindly confident, overestimate yourself, or underestimate martial cultivation, lest you go astray or act recklessly relying on your incomplete skills. You’ve already stepped halfway into the martial world. Judging by what your family plans, they intend for you to develop there. So you will inevitably meet many martial artists. You must be cautious, not as reckless as you are now.”

Yang Fan’s heart trembled at these words, and he smiled wryly. He knew Chen Xian spoke the truth, but as a complete outsider to the martial path, it was somewhat daunting. Chen Xian’s words were like a cold splash of water, dousing the inexplicable confidence in his heart and extinguishing the slight disdain he had felt since beginning the three stages of cultivation. Naturally, Yang Fan took Chen Xian’s warning to heart.

“Haha, you’re truly a good brother. Your words have opened my eyes. With advice like this, I won’t be reckless going forward,” Yang Fan laughed.

Chen Xian shook his head with a smile. Though Yang Fan’s mind was not entirely at ease, he now clearly understood his position and circumstances. No longer was he filled with blind enthusiasm about everything. In this way, their sparring was truly complete.

“Ah!” Yang Fan sighed. “I came to show off, but instead, you completely deflated me. It’s like trying to pretend and ending up worse off…”

“You’re really something… about to graduate in your senior year, and yet still thinking like this…” Chen Xian said teasingly. “But don’t take what I said too seriously. You’ve completed Bone Refinement, Tendon Transformation, and Marrow Cleansing. Now you just need to master Jin power.”

“Back in the day, Bone Refinement, Tendon Transformation, and Marrow Cleansing required time and years of practice. There was no shortcut. Even disciples from great sects had to train day after day, with no way around it. At most, they could speed things up slightly with medicinal baths and special martial foods.”

“But you, using technology and the Saint Light No. 3 chip, have bypassed decades of effort. While the physical transformation had a shortcut, mastering Jin power has one too. If you find a good master to teach you carefully, with hands-on guidance and practical training, it won’t take long before you grasp bright Jin power.”

“Then you will truly be able to control your body, and only then can you fully unleash your current advantages and catch up with many martial artists your age.”

Yang Fan’s heart brightened at Chen Xian’s words. “Haha, I see! So I really do have potential!” He laughed heartily, imagining himself achieving great martial success and earning admiration from all.

His smile grew even more radiant.

Chen Xian shook his head, amused. “That foolish child, dreaming again.”

“Well, sparring’s done. If there’s anything else, we can talk upstairs.”

Seeing Yang Fan lost in his daydreams, Chen Xian hesitated to interrupt.

“Uh…” Yang Fan snapped out of his reverie, feeling slightly embarrassed. After all, daydreaming openly was somewhat shameful.

“Never mind, I have nothing else to do, so I won’t go up,” Yang Fan waved off and had no intention of accompanying Chen Xian.

This trip had taught him much about martial cultivation. Now he needed time to absorb it all and find ways to learn more about the martial world. As Chen Xian said, he would inevitably interact with martial artists in the future. Without some knowledge of their world, how could he succeed? Knowing oneself and the enemy leads to victory.

With that thought, Yang Fan bade Chen Xian farewell and left without lingering.

Chen Xian watched his departing figure with a thoughtful expression.

“I wonder how far Yang Fan will go on the martial path?”

But Chen Xian quickly put the thought aside.

Instead of pondering such things, it was better to focus on studying the Dragon-Tiger Dan Scripture. Now that the Saint Light No. 3 chip had truly been developed and was close to market release, more like Yang Fan would appear. If he couldn’t maintain rapid progress in martial cultivation, he might be surpassed.

This was not rivalry but the proper attitude of a martial artist.

A martial artist who lacks a courageous and diligent heart cannot aspire to higher levels of martial arts.

Chen Xian shook his head, turned, and headed to the family residence to continue studying the Dragon-Tiger Dan Jin.

In recent days, he had been delving deeper into the cultivation methods recorded in the Dragon-Tiger Dan Scripture, gaining greater understanding.

The scripture contained secret techniques related to Bone Refinement, Tendon Transformation, and Marrow Cleansing. These techniques allowed martial artists to temper their muscles and bones in advance, even without mastering the corresponding Jin power.

“Twelve Forms of Fierce Tiger Bone Refinement, Nine Turns of Flood Dragon Tendon Transformation, Thunderous Washing of Marrow by Tiger and Leopard…”

“Once I fully comprehend these secrets, I can advance Bone Refinement, Tendon Transformation, and Marrow Cleansing ahead of time,” Chen Xian murmured softly.

“Though these three practiced together cannot achieve the instant results of the Saint Light No. 3, which completes the transformation in a hundred days, they will reduce the time needed to temper the body.”

“With this, I have a chance to catch up with the Saint Light series.”

“Unfortunately, even these top secret techniques can only temper the skin, membranes, tendons, and bones to about eighty or ninety percent. The final one or two percent breakthrough requires comprehending Jin power.”

Sitting quietly in the living room, Chen Xian whispered to himself.

Although the Saint Light Chip allowed rapid physical transformation, saving decades of effort, Chen Xian felt no temptation toward it.

For him, martial cultivation was still best done by himself.

His goal was not merely to transform Jin power but to perceive the divine—the supernatural power was his true pursuit.

Yet, this supernatural power was too elusive. Even possessing it, he felt it was too soon to explore deeply.

Martial cultivation was more practical. It was a ready-made path with no need to blindly explore or cross rivers by feeling stones. One need only proceed step by step along this broad avenue.

As for supernatural power, perhaps when he reached the stage of “no further progress,” he would have the ability to study it.

Chen Xian closed his eyes as myriad thoughts flashed through his mind.

...

Meanwhile, at Dragon-Tiger Mountain, the Celestial Master’s Mansion stood serene amidst lush green peaks, where the interplay of dragons and tigers created a peaceful scene. The occasional birdsong was pleasant, attracting tourists who stopped to admire and take photos.

Such scenery should inspire endless reveries and immersion.

Yet atop the mountain, a discordant sound repeatedly broke the harmony.

Listening carefully, it was a human wail.

Gu Feng stood in the courtyard, crouching slightly on the Dragon-Tiger Stakes, clutching a large jar with both hands.

Beside him stood a young girl holding a whip, her sharp gaze fixed on him, occasionally striking him to which he cried out in pain.

In recent days, he had suffered inhuman torment. He had to practice stance training in the morning; any slight mistake brought a whip strike, all under the guise of “caring for him.” Evenings subjected him to steaming baths filled with countless medicinal herbs, making him suspect he was being pickled.

At night, he was forced to study freshman courses, leaving him no time to rest.

Thinking of this, he felt near tears; he truly regretted agreeing to that old man’s request back then. Now he knew who that old man was—the current Celestial Master of the Celestial Master’s Mansion.