Hidden Hand, Part 2

In just a few seconds, their arms crossed, and each time they were about to hit each other, they would suddenly change their moves.

Zhang Rongfang did not unleash his Limit State or use any Breaking Limit Skill; he simply attacked with his martial arts skills and physical abilities.

He was carefully trying to understand the differences between the Super Grade Three Voids and the other levels.

According to the Great Dao Sect Illusory Image Talisman Method, Internal Method requires repeatedly strengthening the body using five different methods to achieve a level that surpasses that of External Medicine.

In other words, External Medicine relies on drugs to strengthen the body.

Internal Method, on the other hand, use different kinds of Secret Art to stimulate and temper the body in different ways, remove drug toxins, and then further strengthen the body.

The "Three Voids" actually refer to the Evil Essence Emptiness, the Evil Qi Emptiness, and the Evil Thought Emptiness.

In martial arts, anything that is detrimental to one's health and cultivation is called evil.

Therefore, the Three Voids refer to cultivating the body to a state of perfect harmony, free from impurities, without any increase or decrease.

After completing the Three Voids, one must stand on the arena and use this foundation to continuously achieve victory.

Then, the confidence gained from victory stimulates the spirit and drives the vital energy, gradually boiling and rising, becoming stronger, until this increased strength is stabilized.

Ultimately, one becomes a grandmaster.

More than ten seconds later.

Suddenly, a muffled thud was heard.

Bang! Zhang Yunqi and Zhang Rongfang finally clashed.

The two men faced each other with their fists and palms, and simultaneously took several steps back.

Zhang Yunqi's expression changed slightly. This was the first time he had truly felt the results of Zhang Rongfang's cultivation of Hard Skill.

At that moment, the hand he was using to strike felt a slight stinging pain in its palm, clearly due to a ruptured capillary. It was somewhat swollen.

"Again!"

Without further hesitation, his facial veins bulged, his skin turned slightly red, and his muscles swelled rapidly.

Bang.

In the blink of an eye, he vanished from his spot, rushing towards Zhang Rongfang like an arrow.

This indicates that we have entered Limit State.

Zhang Yunqi hasn't entered his Limit State during sparring for many years.

Normally, he only briefly uses the Limit State when encountering a tricky Spirit Vein.

However, as he gets older, he avoids using such energy-consuming techniques whenever possible.

After all, bodily functions are constantly declining.

But then... bang bang bang bang!! In the blink of an eye, the two exchanged dozens of blows.

Zhang Rongfang stood still, his arms flashing as he constantly parried attacks from all directions.

However, once Zhang Yunqi entered his Limit State, both his speed and strength far surpassed his previous levels, making it difficult for Zhang Yunqi to keep up.

Zhang Rongfang immediately let out a low shout, and had no choice but to enter the Limit State as well.

His whole body swelled slightly, his skin turned a rock-like grayish-white, and the tips of his five fingers turned black, like sharp knives. He confronted Zhang Yunqi head-on without flinching.

Bang bang bang bang!

This time, they exchanged more than a dozen blows in the blink of an eye.

Zhang Yunqi suddenly retreated, his whole body steaming with heat, releasing his Limit State.

He looked at Zhang Rongfang across from him with a complicated expression.

"I can no longer understand you."

"Uncle Yun Qi, what makes you say that?" Zhang Rongfang also withdrew from his Limit State.

The two only exchanged a few simple, tentative blows, but even that proved that Zhang Rongfang, under Limit State, was no weaker than Zhang Yunqi.

This means that he has now reached the level of Super Grade Three Voids.

"You're clearly practicing Hard Skill on top of that, and you haven't continued taking External Medicine. So why?" Zhang Yunqi didn't understand how this Daozi was Human Seed.

But regardless, he seems very strong now. And he'll likely become even stronger in the future.

"Everyone has their own destiny, so why should Uncle Yun Qi be so fixated on which path to take?" Zhang Rongfang was in a good mood.

The martial arts techniques of the Great Dao Sect's Super Grade External Medicine were merely a facade he used to conceal his true strength.

But for Zhang Yunqi, the two shared a secret.

Therefore, there's no need to hide too much. Otherwise, he won't even be able to find opponents to test his own strength or for daily sparring. This would actually hinder his practical combat experience, which would be a net loss.

Now, the six layers of Iron Shirt, plus the dozens of points of life boost, have given him a robust physique as if he had unlimited energy.

He used two Limit State superimposed on each other to Breaking Limit Skill, and used them simultaneously. In the past, he estimated that he could only last for a dozen or so times at most.

But now, you can use it freely.

He had also tried the Fivefold Heavy Mountain, and after his Hard Skill reached the Sixth Grade, he was able to use it without injury.

This is a qualitative change brought about by physical strength and enhanced life endurance.

At this moment, if he were to fight to the death, his strength would already be no weaker than Zhang Yunqi's.

It might even exceed that.

And only half a year has passed. "Young Master," Zhang Yunqi looked at Zhang Rongfang for a long time before finally letting out a long sigh.

I think it's time for you to settle down and start a family.

This body must have been born with bloodlines far superior to those of ordinary people.

Zhang Rongfang's smile faltered slightly.

"I have my own plans for this matter."

After exchanging a few brief words, he quickly parted ways with Zhang Yunqi and returned to the Aloeswood Palace.

They also began to think about marriage and having children.

Indeed, in the blink of an eye, he is already twenty years old.

Many children of this age are already rolling around everywhere.

However, when Zhang Rongfang thought about the situation he would face in the future, he had no intention of getting married and having children.

He had already decided No God Worshipping, while his master Chongxuan at the Heavenly Treasure Palace of the Great Dao Sect was waiting for him to Civilian Skill through to the Refining Spirit Perfection and reach the minimum level for Spirit General to Worship God.

This is a problem he'll have to face sooner or later.

Moreover, the Spirit Transformation Ritual, the Statue of Gods and Buddhas, and the strange Spirit Thread all indicate that this world is far from the peaceful and prosperous place he sees before him.

Getting married and having children only adds another weakness to your life; it serves no other purpose.

That's why he's been so patient all this time.

After resting for a while at the Aloeswood Palace, news soon came from Li Guanyue's Li Family.

The first of the three conditions has been met.

Li Guanyue asked him to obtain the new operating permit.

Once this is completed, one of the conditions is fulfilled.

This is actually not difficult for Zhang Rongfang.

Since he spoke up personally, the Commerce Bureau, which manages the operations, will naturally give him face.

In fact, he was also worried that the Li Family might deliberately play tricks.

But then I thought, in Ci Tong Port, even if they tried to pull some tricks, the Li Family would only be willing to die.

Otherwise, they will either refuse or, if they do agree, they will definitely teach diligently.

The tens of thousands of taels of silver notes and the operating license are enough to prove how much power Zhang Jingrong wields in Ci Tong Port.

If they want to cheat and swindle, then the Li Family needs to have the ability.

*** Li Mansion.

"An operating permit is a license for a caravan, and you can forget about it without spending several thousand or even tens of thousands of taels of silver! I reckon that guy surnamed Zhang will definitely have a hard time this time."

Li Guanyue knew very well that if he wanted to rebuild the fleet, he would have to reapply for operating permits.

But his connections have long since dried up. By entrusting the matter to Zhang Jingrong, he could utilize Zhang's connections and save a lot of energy and time.

If he can do it, then he'll have gotten a great deal.

If that's not possible, you can take the opportunity to simply teach the basics and get by easily.

Standing in the courtyard, Li Guanyue had a clear plan in mind.

"Father!" Suddenly, the eldest son, Li Erchan, rushed in from the door.

"Father! That young master surnamed Zhang just delivered this!"

Li Erchan handed over what he was holding.

It was an unfolded pale red cloth with a line of large characters clearly written on it, "Citong Operation Permit".

"So fast!?" Li Guanyue's expression froze.

He only meant to make things difficult for that person.

They could also use this to break free from the previous agreement, but who would have thought... "This is a good thing! Father! With this, we can rebuild our fleet!" Li Erchan was overjoyed, constantly examining the cloth in his hands.

With a smile, Li Guanyue accepted the permit and examined it carefully. It was indeed the same permit he had received before.

"I didn't expect that person to have some power." Although surprised, he was still happy.

"Now that this is done, since we've gone all the way, could you go and tell them if Zhang Jingrong is still around?"

"Yes, Father," Li Erchan replied quickly.

"Then go tell him the second condition. Make him find those ships I sold at a low price back then! The West Wind was a fine ship that I personally designed and supervised its construction. If he can find the West Wind, I will consider it fulfillment of his second condition," Li Guanyue said loudly.

"But Father, wasn't the West Wind sold a long time ago?" Li Erchan asked doubtfully.

Not only were they sold, but the fleet that was taken over was hijacked and disappeared at sea.

Li Guanyue naturally knew about this news long ago, but his intention was to make things difficult for Zhang Jingrong.

It's best if it can't be done.

Then he can legitimately teach some basics and call it a day!

Moreover, Zhang Jingrong's immense power and wealth gradually gave him another plan in mind.

Now that he has the funds and the fleet is ready, he can leave Great Ling and start over in other countries! At that time, who cares about Zhang Jingrong's background? He'll be abroad, so why would he be afraid of being tracked down?

Li Guanyue finally realized that this Great Ling was incompatible with him. He had suffered repeated defeats here, so it would be better to go overseas and find another way! In the end, he didn't want to pass on his martial arts skills, but he also wanted to get money and ship permits for free.

In fact, from the very beginning, he had already decided that he would never pass on his family's martial arts to any outsiders.

However, Zhang Jingrong's growing influence and financial resources made him realize that if he breached the contract, he might not have an easy time in Citong.

So it's better to just swindle a large sum of money and then leave for another place.

Just like last time! 'If all else fails, they'll hold off on mentioning the last condition, or deliberately say something that's completely impossible to fulfill.'

Therefore, if it takes too long to finish, it's not my fault.

Knock knock knock.

Suddenly, a soft knock sounded on the door.

"Excuse me, is Master Li Guanyue here?"

A slightly effeminate male voice came from outside the door.

"Go see who it is." Li Guanyue frowned slightly.

He had no recollection of the voice; it was clearly a stranger.

The son, Li Erchan, quickly ran over, opened the small window in the door, and looked outside.

Li Mansion, a man wearing a black hat, a black vest, and a long, mesh-patterned robe was raising his face, revealing a strange smile.

"My name is Sun Dinglong, and I'm here to discuss a collaboration with Master Li Guanyue."