Refining Essence into Qi Great Formation

In the early morning seven days later, the small courtyard of Wang Shuo's residence was bathed in bright sunlight.

Wang Yue sat cross-legged under the old locust tree in the courtyard, his eyes lightly closed, his Qi and Blood circulating slowly within his body, following his breathing technique.

After seven days of arduous cultivation, the second form of the Blood Dragon Secret Method had been mastered. The effects of controlling and expanding Qi and Blood had become increasingly significant. At this moment, his consciousness was like an invisible thread, guiding seven streams of Qi and Blood to circulate through his meridians. With each circulation, a subtle energy integrated into the Qi and Blood, making it more condensed.

Suddenly, behind the seventh stream of Qi and Blood, a faint warm fluctuation appeared. A new force of Qi and Blood was slowly gathering along the meridians, like a stream flowing into a river, gradually condensing into the nascent form of a new stream of Qi and Blood.

"It's here!" Wang Yue rejoiced in his heart. He didn't deliberately urge it on, merely letting the Qi and Blood flow with his will. This eighth stream of Qi and Blood was the upper limit of his Qi and Blood after mastering the second form of the Blood Dragon Secret Method. Its condensation process was even smoother than the seventh.

In less than the time it takes for half an incense stick to burn, the nascent form of Qi and Blood had completely stabilized, standing alongside the other seven streams. Within his body, eight streams of Qi and Blood formed a circulating aura.

Wang Yue slowly opened his eyes, raised his hand, and clenched his fist, feeling the abundant power within him. The corners of his mouth couldn't help but curl up. "The Blood Dragon Secret Method is truly extraordinary. Not only does it improve the quality of Qi and Blood, but it also rapidly expands the upper limit of Qi and Blood. With this eighth stream of Qi and Blood, my martial path has advanced another step!"

As soon as he stood up, preparing to stretch his muscles and practice the Harmonious Flow Fist, he heard Wang Shuo's footsteps approaching from outside the courtyard.

"Wang Yue!" Wang Shuo strode into the small courtyard, his expression much more serious than usual, his tone cold. "There's a major family matter. Come with me quickly!"

Wang Yue was taken aback, completely bewildered. A matter that would make Wang Shuo this solemn must be no small thing. He dared not delay, quickly following Wang Shuo's footsteps towards the martial arts training ground.

The closer they got to the training ground, the more people there were. Not only disciples from the Martial Academy but also the collateral disciples who had been in the back courtyard were gathered here, everyone with a look of confusion and curiosity on their faces.

When Wang Yue followed Wang Shuo into the training ground, all eyes instantly focused on him. The disciples from the back courtyard looked at him with admiration and envy in their eyes. Although they were in the back courtyard, they had heard of Wang Yue's deeds: emerging from the back courtyard, becoming Wang Shuo's disciple, and defeating Wang Daoling to become the number one among the younger generation.

"If only I could soar to the heavens like Senior Brother Wang Yue in the next martial arts assessment."

"He's so much stronger than us!"

Whispered voices reached Wang Yue's ears, but he had no mind to pay attention, as the scene in the training ground was too unusual.

Dozens of black wooden boxes were neatly arranged below the platform. Their lids were open, filled with stone slabs the size of a palm.

Wang Hezheng stood on the high platform in the center of the training ground, his face solemn, a stark contrast to his usual composure.

Wang Yue glanced sideways, his gaze falling on Wang Hezheng on the high platform, his heart filled with confusion. What exactly are we doing that requires all the disciples?

Soon, all the disciples had arrived, and the training ground fell completely silent.

Wang Hezheng took a stone slab from a nearby box and held it above his head. The slab was grayish-blue, its surface carved with dense, intricate symbols. These symbols were distorted and strange, neither like text nor patterns, exuding a mysterious aura.

"The clan has ordered that all disciples must take action today."

Wang Hezheng's voice was low, with a hint of imperceptible fatigue. "Each person will receive ten stone slabs from the boxes and bury them in various locations throughout the county town. Remember, one must be buried every thirty meters, without omission."

He paused, his gaze sweeping over all the disciples present, his tone becoming even more serious. "No matter where the burial spot is, whether it's the stronghold of a county gang, the residences of other families, or within the jurisdiction of the county government, do not hesitate!"

"All relevant forces in the county have already been appeased, and no one will stop you. Now, begin your actions immediately!"

As his voice fell, Wang Hezheng said no more. He didn't even explain the reason for burying the stone slabs. He simply placed the slabs back in the box, turned, and walked off the high platform. His figure appeared somewhat dejected, and he quickly disappeared at the entrance of the training ground.

At this moment, Wang Shanhai, holding a thick ledger, walked to the boxes and began distributing the stone slabs to each disciple. "Come and get your stone slabs. After you receive them, come to me to register, and I will inform you of your assigned area."

Although the disciples were full of doubts, none dared to ask questions. They stepped forward one after another to receive the stone slabs. The rules of the Wang Clan were strict, and the clan leader's orders were not to be questioned.

Wang Yue also stepped forward and took the cloth bag from Wang Shanhai. It contained ten heavy stone slabs, cool to the touch. The strange symbols on the surface seemed to possess a peculiar suction, causing him to frown subconsciously.

"Your assigned area is the territory of the River Gang, from their stronghold to the surrounding three streets. You must bury the stone slabs everywhere. Do you understand?" Wang Shanhai's tone remained cold and hard, without any superfluous explanation, as if he were merely issuing an ordinary task.

"I understand." Wang Yue nodded, not asking further questions. He knew that even if he asked, Wang Shanhai would not tell him the reason. Instead of wasting time, it was better to complete the task first and inquire later.

He carried the cloth bag filled with stone slabs and turned to leave the training ground, heading towards the River Gang's stronghold on the west side of the county town.

As Wang Yue carried the stone slabs out of the training ground, a stifling atmosphere permeated the ancient courtyard behind the Wang Clan Ancestral Hall.

This courtyard was Wang Hezheng's private residence, and very few people ever set foot in it. Moss grew in the cracks of the blue bricks within the courtyard, and although the wood carvings on the doors and windows were mottled, they still exuded a profound heritage.

The door of the main house was tightly shut. Inside, Wang Hezheng sat in a grand armchair, his face so gloomy that it seemed water could drip from it. The teacup before him had long gone cold, yet he hadn't touched it.

On the pear blossom wood chair opposite him sat a man in black, Xu Weiwu, the same man who had been drinking tea with Wang Hezheng in the small building earlier.

He lacked his usual composure at this moment, his fingers tightly gripping the teacup, his knuckles turning white. His voice was filled with suppressed anger. "Xu Weiwu, tell me, what exactly is the Dragon Transformation Sect thinking?! To bury those stone slabs and set up the so-called 'Refining Essence into Qi Great Formation,' what are you trying to do?"

Xu Weiwu raised his eyes, meeting Wang Hezheng's gaze with a calm but unyielding demeanor. His tone was calm but carried an unquestionable firmness. "Hezheng, this is not something we should be concerned about. The sect's orders are for us to execute, not to question."

He paused, placed the teacup on the table, and continued, "Moreover, this Refining Essence into Qi Great Formation has immense benefits for your Wang Clan. After the formation operates, it can gather the essence of the county town to nourish the Qi and Blood of the clan disciples. Are you still not satisfied with such benefits?"

"Benefits?" Wang Hezheng slammed the table in anger. The teacup on the table jumped, and the tea spilled all over the floor. "To use the vitality of the entire Changyun City as a price for these 'benefits,' my Wang Clan cannot afford it! I would rather not have these benefits than become a sinner who brings disaster to the county town!"

His voice trembled slightly, clearly indicating that he had some understanding of the formation's true nature, even knowing the terrifying consequences hidden behind it.

Xu Weiwu looked at his agitated appearance and sighed softly, his tone softening slightly. "Hezheng, haven't you seen clearly yet? In this world, change means survival, and stagnation means death."

He leaned forward slightly, his voice lowered. "I can only tell you that although this Refining Essence into Qi Great Formation is a product of the Zhao Kingdom, it has been improved by the sect's elders. It will absolutely not lead to the 'hell is empty, and ghosts roam the earth' situation like in the Zhao Kingdom. You don't need to worry too much."

Wang Hezheng questioned, "Xu Weiwu, you should tell me the truth."

Xu Weiwu suddenly became agitated as if recalling something. He stood up abruptly, placing his hands on the table, a hint of crimson flashing in his eyes. "If anyone is to blame, it's not our Dragon Transformation Sect! Blame those corrupt officials in the imperial court, blame those massive sects who think they are beyond the mortal world!"

These words seemed to have exhausted all his energy. Xu Weiwu slowly sat down, closed his eyes, and took a deep breath before regaining his composure.

He looked at Wang Hezheng, whose expression remained cold, and changed the subject, his tone carrying a hint of concern. "Let's not talk about this anymore, Hezheng. How far have you progressed on your path to Grandmaster? When we traveled together back then, your talent was no less than mine. If you had a suitable cultivation method, you should have broken through long ago."

Wang Hezheng's eyes flickered at this remark, but he remained expressionless and did not reply. The Grandmaster Realm was a formidable barrier for martial artists, a step that many peak Energy Refining Realm martial artists could never take in their entire lives.

Xu Weiwu did not press him. He took out a brand-new secret manual from his bosom and placed it on the table. On the cover of the manual, four large characters were embroidered with golden thread: "Nine Revolutions Dragon Transformation Force."

"Although your Wang Clan is a major family in the county town, your foundation is still too shallow," Xu Weiwu said with a hint of emotion. "Back then, when we traveled together, although you gained quite a few good Qi and Blood cultivation methods, you lacked a supreme technique that could unify all your Qi and Blood and directly lead to the Grandmaster Realm."

This "Nine Revolutions Dragon Transformation Force" is a secret inherited technique of our sect. It can transform internal force into 'Dragon Force,' which is not only more powerful but also nourishes the meridians, laying a solid foundation for breaking through to the Grandmaster Realm. Take it."

He paused, then added, "Don't worry, I already asked Master beforehand. He also thinks you're a promising talent and agreed to give you this secret manual."

Wang Hezheng remained expressionless.

Seeing his demeanor, Xu Weiwu's patience began to wear thin, and his tone turned cold. "I really don't recognize you anymore. Where is the spirited Wang Hezheng from back then, who vowed to become a Grandmaster? I thought we were the same kind of people, but now you only care about so-called 'righteousness,' refusing to make progress and acting self-important!"

He pushed the secret manual forward, his voice carrying a hint of warning. "I'm leaving this manual here. It's up to you whether you want it or not. Next spring, our Dragon Transformation Sect will open its gates wide to accept disciples. By then, if you haven't reached the Grandmaster Realm, you'll understand just how tempting this Changyun City is to those people in the world."

After speaking, Xu Weiwu stood up and walked straight towards the door without looking at Wang Hezheng again.

The door was pushed open and then closed, leaving Wang Hezheng alone in the room.

A gentle breeze blew, turning the pages of the secret manual. The ink-black characters seemed to mock his indecision.