Inner Court, Breakthrough, Great Accomplishment of Blood Qi

Huh?

Instructor Cui? Internal Cultivation Method?

For a moment, He Bi was utterly bewildered.

He knew both of those terms, but when they were put together, he could not understand them.

"Brother Li, didn't you just complete an escort mission?"

What right did an escort who had only just completed his first mission have to study an Internal Cultivation Method?

Upon hearing this, Li Cunxiao asked in return:

"Brother He, do you know what happened at the county yamen yesterday?"

The county yamen?

He Bi immediately realized that something must have happened after Li Cunxiao left yesterday, allowing him to come into contact with an Internal Cultivation Method ahead of time.

As for the possibility that the other man was lying, He Bi never even considered it.

Not only was such a matter impossible to conceal, but the other man was not someone who liked to boast. That was also what He Bi admired about Li Cunxiao.

When Brother Li broke through to the Controlling Qi realm before, Escort Chief Cui Yao went to Escort Chief Cui Wei's courtyard, but it clearly came to nothing afterward. Yet now...

Could it be that Brother Li has actually won Chief Escort Zhang's favor?

He Bi was startled and could not help raising his head to carefully study the young man before him.

Unfortunately, people's eyes could not speak. All he saw on the other man's face was the same calmness as always, without the slightest trace of high-spirited pride.

But aside from Zhang Lishi, who else was qualified to make an exception and pass on the method?

"I don't know how many hours of martial training I still have today. Exchanging experiences may have to wait until later. I hope Brother He can excuse me."

"No matter. Go on ahead. We can drink and talk freely tonight."

Once Li Cunxiao's back vanished through the entrance to the Inner Court, the smile on He Bi's face instantly turned urgent. He immediately turned and left the escort agency, climbed into a carriage, and hurriedly ordered:

"Go home at once! I need to find someone and ask what exactly happened at the county yamen last night!"

"It seems Murong Bai sealed off the news. Otherwise, something as humiliating as Zhao Xiaoyi's affair would surely have spread throughout the city overnight."

"But that is fine. That sort of reputation does me no good right now. A reputation that does not match reality will surely invite disaster."

"If someone wants to cling to Xie Donglai's thigh and cater to his preferences, my situation will become troublesome."

Thinking of this, Li Cunxiao secretly rejoiced that he had sent his younger brother to the Zhang residence.

The residence of that great expert whose name shook Chu Hill was undoubtedly one of the safest places at present.

As for him, he needed to seize this peaceful stretch of time and rapidly improve his strength.

The next time he appeared before everyone, he had to at least break through to the Second Realm: Muscles and Sinews, no longer be some insignificant little figure anyone could knead as they pleased.

With that thought, his pace unconsciously quickened. Once he entered the gates of the Inner Court, someone who had long since received instructions led Li Cunxiao farther inside.

Beside the long corridor was a somewhat smaller martial practice ground, and there were visibly far fewer people there than outside.

The dozen or so youths all looked sixteen or seventeen, visibly more immature than Li Cunxiao.

Against the backdrop of their silk garments, the arrogance on their fair faces stood out all the more sharply.

Li Cunxiao took one glance before withdrawing his gaze. Those young masters, however, pointed and gestured at his retreating back.

"Who is that? Why have I never seen him at gatherings?"

"He looks unfamiliar. He is probably the descendant of some nouveau riche family from the Outer City."

"No, look at what he is wearing. That is an escort's uniform. Did he come from the Outer Court?"

"Oh, so he is just a mud-legged peasant."

The moment those words came out, the dozen or so people sneered. Only one person stood before a wooden post, deaf to the discussion around him.

A powerful aura of Blood Qi emanated from him. Beneath his skin, an indistinct bulge seemed to be wandering through his meridians—he was actually performing a Major Circulation of Blood Qi.

"You have all guessed wrong." Once the laughter subsided, someone suddenly spoke from within the crowd, a strange grin hanging on his face.

"This man is no ordinary mud-legged peasant. Yesterday at the county yamen, he not only fought five men alone, he even grabbed Zhao Xiaoyi's balls and—"

Seeing the man make a gripping motion, everyone drew in a sharp breath.

"Han Xiaoqi, how did you know about this?"

"My granduncle is the county yamen's registrar. What matter could possibly be hidden from me?"

"How did Zhao Xiaoyi offend him for him to strike so viciously?"

"That is hard to say. It seems to have something to do with that group of demon worshippers the county yamen arrested. Chief Escort Zhang also seemed to be there at the time—"

Bang!

The sound of the wooden post exploding startled the youths. Turning around, they saw that the youth who had been quietly practicing was slowly withdrawing his blood-engorged, hardened right fist. In an instant, his arm returned to its normal thickness.

"Ye Chengxiao, if you have something to say, say it directly. Stop making those neither-yin-nor-yang noises."

The youth called Han Qilang looked displeased. Though someone beside him lightly tugged him, he forcefully shook them off.

Upon hearing this, Ye Chengxiao merely swept Han Qilang a faint glance. Without even turning his head, he made to leave, his attitude of looking down on everyone written plainly across his face.

Han Qilang's face flushed red with anger as he shouted:

"Stop right there! Make yourself clear!"

The youth named Ye Chengxiao paused, glanced back, and his mocking contempt overflowed from his expression:

"From what I can see, your martial arts are not even as good as that escort who just went in. With that trifling bit of strength, you still have the nerve to spout grandiose nonsense about the county yamen and the Chief Escort?"

After saying that, he turned and left. Han Qilang's face was hideous with rage, yet only after the other man had gone far away did he spit viciously and curse under his breath:

"A mere branch descendant of the Ye Family. What is he acting so high and mighty for?"

The people beside him immediately teased:

"Why didn't you say that just now?"

"Rubbish! Even if he is from a branch family, he is still Ye Family. That is a lineage standing shoulder to shoulder with the Xiao Family and the Murong Family. My Han Family can argue with them, sure, but if it really comes to blows, never mind who wins or loses—my father definitely will not spare me when I get home."

The courtyard immediately erupted in laughter. Once it died down, someone beside them interjected:

"I heard Ye Chengxiao is already preparing to break through to the Muscle and Tendon Realm."

"Really?"

"Ye Chengxiao only took a year from Sensing Qi to Blood Qi Perfection, and it has only been a few months since then."

"I also heard Chief Escort Zhang personally summoned him a few days ago. Maybe it was because—"

Upon hearing this, everyone seemed to think of something, and they all fell silent for a time.

Compared with the mud-legged peasants of the Outer City, they had been well nourished since childhood, possessed solid physical foundations, lacked no guidance from Martial Masters, and had broad knowledge. In the Sensing Qi and Controlling Qi realms, they often progressed extremely quickly.

But once they entered Blood Qi Circulation, the gap in talent began to reveal itself. Especially after advancing rapidly, their daily progress suddenly became as slow as a turtle crawling. Quite a few could not accept such a drop and gave up halfway.

After all, for mud-legged peasants from the Outer City, martial arts might be their only chance to change their fate. For these people, martial arts were important too, but even if they failed, they would still have a family estate waiting for them at home.

Blood Qi Realm was already like this. The Muscle Realm, which carried risks, was naturally even more daunting.

Yet after a moment of silence, someone sneered:

"There is more than one genius in this world. I think Chief Escort Zhang's Third Lady is evenly matched with Ye Chengxiao."

"Even if Ye Chengxiao successfully advances to the Muscle and Tendon Realm, does that mean he can obtain the Chief Escort's true teachings?"

"Besides, if Ye Chengxiao can really advance to the Muscle Realm at eighteen, then the one who ought to worry will not be us, but the Ye Family's eldest young master."

"All right, I have taught you the breathing formula and key points for Blood Qi Circulation. Take this meridian chart back and study it carefully."

"And this bottle of Leopard Fetus Pills."

Inside the room, Cui Wei took out a palm-sized porcelain bottle from a drawer and solemnly instructed:

"Take one every time you practice. These Leopard Fetus Pills are a great tonic and can speed up your Blood Qi circulation. Remember, do not take too many, or it will cause Blood Qi Reversal. If it damages your heart and lungs, forget martial arts for the rest of your life—you will be lucky if you do not turn into a consumptive ghost."

Li Cunxiao did not dare neglect the matter and accepted the porcelain bottle with both hands. Opening it, he poured out a black pill about the size of his little fingernail. It carried a distinct scent of spices.

He weighed it in his hand. There were around fifteen pills, meaning that if he circulated his qi once a day, they would only last half a month.

"What, think it is too little?"

Seemingly seeing what Li Cunxiao was thinking, Cui Wei gave a chuckle.

"The Chief Escort has already made an exception by opening his golden mouth and passing you the Internal Cultivation Method. As for everything else, you must earn it yourself. The escort agency can give you a discount."

"The Internal Cultivation Method has been passed to you, but do not think you can be like those young masters and care about nothing but practice."

"You are an escort. When it is time for an escort mission, you still have to go."

"The escort agency brothers do not know about Zhao Xiaoyi's affair. You need to show them what you are capable of. Do you understand?"

Li Cunxiao's expression turned solemn.

The other man had not needed to say any of this. Perhaps it was for Cui Yao's sake, or perhaps last night's banquet had left him with a good impression.

Regardless, Li Cunxiao cupped his hands and thanked him.

"Thank you for your guidance, Escort Chief."

"Go on, go on. If there is anything you do not understand, ask my younger brother. Since the Chief Escort has already passed the method to you, asking him is the same."

Seeing that the other man was sending him off, Li Cunxiao did not linger. He went to the practice ground and informed Cui Yao before heading straight back to the newly rented small courtyard.

Rubbing the porcelain bottle in his hand, Li Cunxiao suddenly could not help laughing.

It was not that he thought there were too few pills. He simply felt that he would not need them at all.

Because what was grinding work for others, Blood Qi Circulation, was no more than the time it took to snap one's fingers for him.

Sensing the Vajra Scepter radiating golden light, Li Cunxiao did not begin immediately. Instead, he picked up the meridian chart once again and recalled the breathing formula Cui Wei had just taught him.

According to Cui Wei, only after reaching Blood Qi Circulation and becoming able to unleash Blood Qi could the power of Tiger Form Fist truly be brought out. At this stage, Tiger Form Fist was no longer called Tiger Form Fist, but Tiger Demon Fist.

That was because one's heart and lungs became incomparably powerful, transporting Blood Qi like floodwaters released from a sluice gate, pouring forth in an unstoppable torrent. In battle, it was exceptionally fierce and wild, like a mad demon, far beyond ordinary explosive techniques.

Li Cunxiao examined it carefully, confirming there were no mistakes or omissions. Only then did he cautiously put away the scroll, strip off his upper clothes, and walk into the courtyard. He took out some powerful tonics he had bought in advance, such as Solomon's seal and mountain ginseng.

After all, his previous breakthrough into the Controlling Qi realm had not drastically altered his body. Now, he was compressing the gradual process of strengthening his heart and lungs into a very short period. He did not know whether the Vajra Scepter could make up for this gap in energy.

Once everything was prepared, Li Cunxiao spread his feet into a horse stance. His face suddenly twisted fiercely, his breathing instantly accelerated, and a strange rhythm emerged from the breaths passing through his mouth and nose. At the same time, his body subconsciously began practicing the Tiger Form Eight Styles.

The moment he began, he immediately discovered the difference in the breathing method. Compared with his usual breathing, the method Cui Wei taught him was clearly more compatible with the Tiger Form Eight Styles, but it also consumed far more stamina.

Ordinarily, he could keep fighting for over half an hour. Yet now, after only a few minutes, his limbs already felt sore and swollen, his Blood Qi spun madly, and his skin grew hot. It was like the state of consuming untreated Demon Meat, his entire body rapidly approaching its limit.

This feeling easily reminded him of the state described in the Pure Yang Sixteen Hands manual when using the Demon Seduction Method: "attacked from within and without."

Could Tiger Form Fist—no, Tiger Demon Fist—be using this method to make practitioners adapt to their limits in advance?

The thought flashed through his mind in an instant. Seeing that his heart, lungs, and Blood Qi had already been fully mobilized, Li Cunxiao hesitated no longer and gritted his teeth.

"Vajra Scepter, let me see your limit!"

The familiar cool aura once again spread from the Baihui point atop his head, sweeping across his entire body like wind.

This time, not only did a vast amount of experience and insight flood his mind, threads of coolness also flowed into his heart and lungs. Like silken threads from an ice silkworm, they wrapped around and protected them.

With such protection, it was as though his body had opened its genetic locks. Vast quantities of Blood Qi, together with the oxygen brought by his wild breathing, surged into his lungs like rivers, then were forcefully pumped out by his heart.

In an instant, Li Cunxiao's entire body swelled. He forcibly grew another inch taller, and his body expanded by a full size.

Boulder-hard muscles wrapped around his already thick bones, while countless dark blue-black blood vessels twisted and stretched like ancient tree roots winding around stone.

Yet the most terrifying thing was still his face. It was dark red like dried blood clots, his white teeth bared in a sinister row, making him resemble a man-eating vicious tiger.

The signs of an inhuman form had begun to emerge!

Yet though his exterior was horrifying, Li Cunxiao's mind remained clear. It was merely that the explosive surge of Blood Qi inevitably brought a trace of excitement.

His gaze casually fell upon the stone bench in the courtyard. It had been left behind by the previous owner. Its upper half had been worn smooth from frequent use, while its lower half had accumulated patches of moss after several autumn rains.

Three fingers extended from his massive hand, thick as bronze pillars. In the form of a tiger claw, he gripped hard—

With a crack, amid flying fragments, a palm-sized piece of stone was directly crushed into his grasp!

Li Cunxiao was instantly startled.

Even if it was only ordinary bluestone rather than granite, with such force, if he could crush stone, could he not crush a human skull as well?

A powerful hand splitting a skull?!

"No wonder First Escort Chief Cui said that once Blood Qi reached perfection, one was no longer an ordinary foot soldier."

"If my strength has risen this much, my speed must have improved as well. If this state could be maintained permanently, then in my previous life, I would already count as a minor superhuman."

Feeling the surging power within him, Li Cunxiao could not help becoming somewhat intoxicated by it.

It had nothing to do with the status, fame, or money martial arts could bring. The sheer thrill of life itself evolving was enough to make one unable to extricate oneself.

But only ten minutes later, Li Cunxiao returned to normal. His face had also turned somewhat pale, and his body felt hollow, as though it had been emptied out.

He quickly picked up the dried ginseng he had prepared and swallowed it with water. Only after five or six minutes, when the medicinal effects began to take hold, did his complexion improve slightly.

"I can only maintain it for ten minutes without even fighting anyone. If I truly fought, the time would probably be cut in half."

"But the good news is that the Vajra Scepter does not require me to replenish extra energy for the body's transformation. Is the Killing Intent within Demon Meat really this miraculous?"

Even in his weakened state, Li Cunxiao could still feel that the beat of his heart was especially powerful compared with before. After his lungs were strengthened, each breath also came more steadily and easily.

In his mind, the Vajra Scepter once again turned dim and gray.

He had almost finished the Demon Meat. Tonight, he needed to make another trip to the black market.

Thanks to reader 20200907000308995 for the reward.

During the new book period, I ask all friends to please keep reading. Thank you.