Fourth Layer of Qi Refinement
Shen Jingchuan picked up the gun, his fingers flying across the magazine as he pointed to various parts of the gun, explaining to Hu Tieniu the essentials of disengaging the safety, changing the magazine, and aiming the gun, in a straightforward and easy-to-understand manner.
After explaining the key points, he picked up his gun and walked out.
"Come on, let's go to the shooting range. I'll show you once, and you'll understand."
The two arrived at the village's training ground, where a group of village soldiers were practicing archery and crossbow shooting. Upon seeing them, they quickly put away their weapons and lined up in formation. Shen Jingchuan waved his hand:
"You all take a break first, then disperse to the side."
Everyone responded and stepped back, clearing the entire shooting range.
He stood about forty or fifty meters from the target, raised his gun, aimed, and pulled the trigger. A series of sharp, rapid shots rang out, followed by flashes of muzzle flash, and the entire magazine of bullets was fired in an instant.
Looking at the wooden target opposite, it was riddled with bullet holes, and the very center was completely destroyed.
Hu Tieniu stood to the side, his eyes wide with amazement, clicking his tongue in wonder. Shen Jingchuan handed him the gun and demonstrated the proper grip again:
"Hold on with your shoulder, don't panic, try to fire in short bursts, hold the trigger and you'll run out of bullets quickly."
Hu Tieniu did as instructed, pressing the butt of the rifle firmly against his shoulder, taking a deep breath, and pulling the trigger.
Another burst of gunfire rang out, the recoil making his shoulders go numb, but he didn't care at all, and was still eager to fire a burst of bullets.
Shen Jingchuan then took out a fully loaded magazine from his Heaven and Earth Ring and handed it over:
"Try another one, and do it again using the same method from the beginning."
After firing the second burst, Hu Tieniu was so happy he couldn't stop grinning, patting the gun and laughing loudly:
"Young master! With this treasure, we can chop wood with our big axes! Who can get close to us when this thing sweeps across? No matter how many Government Army come, they'll be nothing!"
"This is for self-defense. Take it out when the battle gets really close; it'll be enough to keep things under control."
Shen Jingchuan patted his arm. He knew that this submachine gun was only good for dealing with ordinary soldiers and bandits, but it would be useless against cultivators at the Middle Stage of Qi Refining or above.
He is now at the Qi Refining Third Layer, and can suppress opponents at the lower level of Qi Refining level. This spear is no longer useful to him, so he simply left it to Hu Tieniu to guard the stronghold.
The two men, carrying their guns, returned to the Hall of Righteousness. Shen Jingchuan had a sudden thought, and a flash of light appeared on the floor of the hall. Ten wooden crates, neatly stacked, landed with a thud, each one heavy and sturdy.
"There are 100,000 rounds of ammunition here; I'm keeping them all for you."
Shen Jingchuan said:
"This is a submachine gun, not some magical Law Artifact. This is the last one, so you can use it."
As Hu Tieniu listened, he kept stroking the gun in his hand, his fingertips rubbing the cool stock back and forth.
Shen Jingchuan's expression turned serious, and he said in a deep voice:
"Remember, always point your gun at the enemy, never at your own people. Whether it's loaded or not, this is a death sentence, understand?"
Hu Tieniu shuddered in fright and quickly shifted the gun to the side, keeping it far away from himself.
"Yes, yes, I'll remember that, young master!"
He looked at the gun in his hand, then looked up at Shen Jingchuan, his Adam's apple bobbing.
"Young master, the kindness you have shown me Hu Tieniu, is beyond words. I could never repay it in this lifetime."
"Alright, that's enough of that."
Shen Jingchuan waved his hand:
"I'm helping you only because I can't stand those officials who levy exorbitant taxes and force the people to the brink of starvation. Just remember, no matter what, never forget the lives of the common people."
"Young master, please rest assured!"
Hu Tieniu slapped his chest, his voice resounding:
"I, Hu Tieniu, have taken up residence in the mountains as an outlaw, and my sole purpose is to uphold justice and relieve the poor. I'm absolutely clear on that!"
Shen Jingchuan smiled and nodded:
"I believe that. How's the team's training going?"
"No problem!"
Hu Tieniu grinned:
"Ever since the last battle, the brothers have all seen blood, and their courage and skills have been honed. The cement walls you had built, as well as the defenses on the back mountain and the east and west sides, I have arranged for people to keep a close watch on them, and I have laid down rolling logs and stones, so they are very safe."
If we eat frugally, we have enough food to last a year. It's just that there are many people living on the mountain, and a lot of houses have been built, so there's less land left to grow. We can't grow much grain, but we can manage to grow some vegetables. There's also plenty of spring water, so you can rest assured."
Shen Jingchuan nodded slightly. He knew that although Hu Tieniu looked like a rough and tumble man, he was actually very meticulous. Entrusting the affairs of the mountain stronghold to him was indeed something he didn't need to worry about much.
After a moment of silence, he slowly spoke:
"Alright. I am a cultivator, and according to the rules of the cultivation world, I shouldn't interfere in worldly disputes. From now on, you'll have to rely on yourself to manage the affairs of the mountain stronghold."
"Young master, rest assured." Hu Tieniu straightened his back and nodded emphatically, "With me in charge of the stronghold, nothing will go wrong."
Shen Jingchuan returned to his residence, and as night fell, he went straight to the west courtyard.
He closed the doors and windows, took out the Second-Tier Spirit Gathering Formation Plate, placed it in the room, and activated it by performing hand seals.
With a soft hum, a gentle Spiritual Qi slowly spread out, enveloping the entire quiet room.
Shen Jingchuan sat cross-legged on the futon, and with a thought, took out a High-Grade Spirit Concentrating Pill from his Heaven and Earth Ring and put it in his mouth.
The pill melted instantly upon entering his mouth, transforming into a cool and refreshing medicinal power that flowed along his meridians straight to his spiritual sea. He focused his mind and guided the medicinal power to circulate slowly along the path of his Cultivation Method.
This was the first time he had refined the Spirit Concentrating Pill. Its medicinal power was pure and gentle, making it much easier to control than he had expected.
However, after only two cycles, the medicinal power of the first pill was completely absorbed.
He felt his mind clear up instantly, and his perception, which had been shrouded in a thin mist, became much clearer.
Normally, one could only vaguely sense the movements within a few feet around them, but now every wisp of Spiritual Qi flowing in the quiet room, and the chirping of insects and the sound of wind in the distance outside the wall, were clearly perceived, and even the movement of one's mind became much easier.
Without pausing, he immediately took out a second High-Grade Spirit Concentrating Pill and swallowed it. After two cycles, the medicinal power was fully absorbed into his sea of consciousness.
Shen Jingchuan closed his eyes and sensed for a moment. He felt that his Divine Sense had become more refined. The barrier between the Qi Refining Third Layer was now as thin as a sheet of paper, as if it could be broken with a little force, as if it were a natural process.
The timing was perfect. Without further hesitation, he took out a High-Grade Qi Gathering Pill and swallowed it.
A rich and powerful Spiritual Qi instantly spread through his Dantian, and he Spiritual Qi guided it to break through his bottleneck.
After just one cycle of Qi circulation, a soft "hum" came from within the body, and the membrane broke open— the Qi Refining Fourth Layer was achieved.
The moment of breakthrough, the Spiritual Qi in his Dantian suddenly surged, his meridians were also widened slightly, and his whole body exuded a full-bodied power.
His Divine Sense also advanced further, becoming more refined and clear than when he had refined the Spirit Concentrating Pill. He could perceive every movement within a fifty-foot radius, with sharp ears and eyes, and even seemed to be able to clearly capture the Spiritual Qi particles in the air.
Shen Jingchuan slowly finished his practice, clenched his fist, and felt that he had inexhaustible energy all over his body. Compared with before his breakthrough, his total Spiritual Qi energy, physical strength, and Divine Sense awareness had all improved by a whole level.