Nameless Formula

Early the next morning, just as Qin Fengming was enjoying breakfast at the inn's dining hall, the street suddenly descended into chaos. A squad of soldiers came sprinting from outside town, heading toward the distant Zhang Family Village.

The townspeople were all roused by the commotion and hurried into the street, staring at the soldiers in astonishment.

In barely a moment, word spread that the Zhang father and son had both been killed, while the Second Young Master had gone after the enemy and had yet to return. These soldiers had been summoned by the Zhang Family to investigate the case and apprehend the murderer.

Watching the scene, Qin Fengming revealed a cold smile at the corner of his mouth. After breakfast, he left Tenglong Town as though nothing had happened. Given his young age, naturally no one thought to investigate him.

Though Qin Fengming was young, he knew that it would be extremely inconvenient to enter Qin Family Village openly now.

He was a disciple of Luoxia Valley, and everyone in Qin Family Village already knew this. If he showed himself at such a time and was linked to the murders of the Zhang father and son, even a fool would know without a doubt that he was responsible.

The only plan now was to slip quietly into Qin Family Village, see his parents and relatives from the shadows, and then leave just as quietly.

With his family home right before his eyes yet unable to enter and reunite with his loved ones, Qin Fengming's heart was overwhelmed by sorrow.

He waited in a secluded place until nightfall. Only then did Qin Fengming change into black clothes, use his Lightness Skill, and head toward Qin Family Village.

After entering Qin Family Village, Qin Fengming discovered that the entire village had changed drastically. The former scene of utter dilapidation had vanished, replaced by streets and courtyards that were much neater.

Standing before his former home, Qin Fengming was stunned by the sight before him. A black-lacquered gate stood tall, the courtyard wall more than a zhang high. The small bamboo-fenced yard from before had completely disappeared.

Standing before the gate, Qin Fengming carefully confirmed that he had not mistaken the location of his home. Troubled by doubts, he went to a secluded spot, then with a blur of motion vaulted onto the high wall and looked inside.

The courtyard was now more than twice as large. Six tiled rooms stood in a row straight ahead, with three side rooms on each side. The central room was brightly lit, and voices occasionally drifted out.

He quietly approached the room and stood beside the door, listening to the people inside. They were eating dinner, and the clatter of pots, bowls, and utensils could be heard now and then, along with familiar voices reaching his ears.

"Little Mengzi, slow down. Be careful not to choke."

At that familiar voice, Qin Fengming's body trembled involuntarily. It was precisely what his mother most often said while eating.

"Look at you. Be careful. You're already two years old, yet you're still so careless." Another young woman's voice rang out.

"Leave him be. Let him eat by himself." His grandfather's steady voice followed.

"Little Mengzi is already two, but I wonder how Little Sanzi is doing. It's been nearly six years since we last saw him." His grandmother's affectionate voice reached Qin Fengming's ears. His heart shook violently once more, and a wave of soreness rose through his nose as tears fell uncontrollably.

Standing outside the door and listening to those familiar voices one after another, the longing he had suppressed for so long surged forth, leaving him unable to restrain himself.

After slowly calming his emotions, Qin Fengming realized that the young woman who had spoken earlier must be his second sister-in-law. His Elder Brother had mentioned in his letter that his Second Elder Brother had married three years ago, and that his bride was a plain, proper woman from a neighboring village with very regular features.

The child called Little Mengzi must be his own nephew.

Through the open window, Qin Fengming gazed at the familiar faces one after another, his heart surging with excitement. Seeing that everyone in his family was safe and well brought him a measure of relief.

Qin Fengming bent both knees and knelt on the ground. Amid the thudding sounds, he faced the room and knocked his head heavily against the floor three times. Then he slowly rose, wiped away the tears at the corners of his eyes, turned around, and, gritting his teeth, resolutely left Qin Family Village...

A month later, Qin Fengming returned safely to Luoxia Valley. He first went to Danyun Peak to pay his respects to his master and mistress. By then, Senior Disciple Sister had married Second Senior Brother Lü Xuan and no longer lived at Danyun Peak.

His master and mistress did not question him much about his arrival. They only appeared very pleased and offered him some words of encouragement.

What shocked Qin Fengming was that even after he had returned to Rosy Cloud Peak for half a month, not a single person in Luoxia Valley had come to question him, as though he had never gone down the mountain at all. Even Sect Master Sima and Elder Wu had not sought him out in the slightest. This strange situation left him puzzled for quite some time.

One day, after finishing his sword practice, Qin Fengming returned to his room. Just as he was about to meditate and practice his inner power, he suddenly remembered that he still had the pitch-black ring belonging to the Zhang Family's young master.

He took out the ring and examined it repeatedly, but could find nothing amiss. He discovered neither a seam nor any hidden passage or mechanism.

He drew his treasured sword again and brought it down with six-tenths of his strength. With a clang, the ring remained completely undamaged. His sword was exceptionally sharp, far surpassing ordinary weapons. Even when striking fine steel, it would leave a clear mark. Yet this object that resembled metal without being metal had not suffered so much as a scratch.

Holding the ring, Qin Fengming could not help falling into thought. This ring was certainly no ordinary object. He did not dare use his full strength, fearing that he might damage the treasured sword his master had given him.

He put away the ring and rummaged through his pouch. The nameless little booklet appeared in Qin Fengming's hand.

Qin Fengming had already examined the booklet countless times, but it had no name, and the words within were exceedingly obscure and difficult to understand. They were completely different from every inner-power manual he had seen before.

With nothing else to do, his interest was aroused. Since this item had belonged to the young immortal master, and since something kept so close at hand was undoubtedly a precious secret manual of some sort, it was certainly worth studying.

For the next month and more, Qin Fengming devoted two hours every day to studying the little booklet. He also repeatedly compared it with the inner-power formula he practiced, and finally gained some results.

He discovered that this formula was divided into ten levels. He had to complete one level before he could practice the next. At the end of the booklet, several hand techniques were also introduced. However, when he followed the instructions and tested them with his own inner power, nothing happened. It seemed that he first had to practice the formula itself.

At first glance, this formula looked extremely similar to an inner-power breathing formula from the martial world. But after examining it carefully, he found that it was somewhat different.

When practicing an inner-power formula, one had to begin circulating energy from the dantian, follow the prescribed route through the Eight Extraordinary Meridians, and finally return to the dantian. This was one complete cycle. Every cycle added a thread of inner power. Only through perseverance would one's inner power continue to increase.

This nameless formula, however, was centered on using circulated energy to absorb some kind of energy from the outside world, then guiding that energy along the prescribed route through the Eight Extraordinary Meridians and into the dantian.

Although both methods ultimately gathered energy into the dantian, their starting points were different.

With Qin Fengming's knowledge, he could naturally see that this was undoubtedly a far more profound inner-power cultivation art. This discovery instantly filled Qin Fengming with excitement. If he could master this cultivation art, his strength would certainly rise to another level.