Perfecting the Strength Puzzle

After returning to the martial arts hall, Li Yuan and Wu Si'an reported their safety to Qi Zhengyang. The two also briefly explained the process of their mission.

Because Zong Lin had previously instructed that no one should leak information about the Corpse Demon, they didn't mention anything about it. Fortunately, Qi Zhengyang didn't press for details, as long as they returned safely.

After meeting Qi Zhengyang, Li Yuan and Wu Si'an parted ways. The journey had been arduous, so they both returned to their respective residences to rest.

Upon returning to his own dwelling, Li Yuan washed up and immediately began to study the martial arts he had just acquired.

The martial arts from the Special Capture Division could only be obtained with contribution points and were strictly forbidden from being shared. Any violation would result in severe punishment from the division. Li Yuan sat down at the table in his small courtyard, took out the copy of the "Water Dripping Condensing Ice Meditation Method," and began to study it.

The booklet was thin, containing a meditation technique and two visualization diagrams. One diagram was titled "Water Dripping Visualization," and the other was "Condensing Ice Visualization." Both illustrations were exquisitely drawn, and upon closer inspection, one could discern a unique charm contained within them.

After flipping through the booklet once, a system prompt sounded at the opportune moment.

[New martial art discovered]

[Learned [Water Dripping Condensing Ice Meditation Method] (Uninitiated)]

Merely by reading the technique manual once, Li Yuan had learned the "Water Dripping Condensing Ice Meditation Method." Although his mastery level was very low, only at the lowest stage of "Uninitiated."

But that didn't matter; the mastery level could be quickly improved!

Li Yuan sat cross-legged in the small courtyard, closed his eyes, and concentrated. The two visualization diagrams continuously sketched in his mind, gradually becoming clearer. Simultaneously, he circulated the corresponding internal energy technique, and Li Yuan soon felt a difference.

"Water Dripping Visualization" implied the accumulation of water drops forming a stream, with spiritual power increasing drop by drop.

"Condensing Ice Visualization" drew from the idea of water drops freezing into ice, using a chilling intent to temper spiritual power into something as hard and resilient as solid ice.

An increasingly strong chill appeared in the depths of Li Yuan's consciousness. This chill was so profound that it continuously strengthened Li Yuan's body and spirit.

[Practicing [Water Dripping Condensing Ice Meditation Method]...]

[[Water Dripping Condensing Ice Meditation Method] has broken through to Initiated!]

[[Water Dripping Condensing Ice Meditation Method] has broken through to Proficient!]

[[Water Dripping Condensing Ice Meditation Method] has broken through to Mastered!]

[[Water Dripping Condensing Ice Meditation Method] has broken through to Perfected!]

Li Yuan continuously practiced this meditation method, quickly elevating it to the Perfected stage.

[You have mastered Internal Energy... Ice Force!]

[You have comprehended Martial Dao True Intent... Ten Thousand Ranks Cold Pool!]

After a period of cultivation, Li Yuan had once again mastered two new powers.

Ice Force was a type of Internal Energy, filled with the power of ice.

Li Yuan raised his hand and pressed it towards the ground. Frost spread out from his palm, and the chilling power continuously expanded across the ground, creating a patch of frozen earth covered in white frost.

He had only used one-tenth of his Ice Force, yet he managed to freeze an area of land three steps square. If he had used more of his ice power, he could have even frozen the entire courtyard into an ice sculpture.

And the Martial Dao True Intent he had just comprehended, "Ten Thousand Ranks Cold Pool," manifested externally. Behind him, a frozen lake could be clearly seen!

Above the lake, ten thousand ranks of cold ice, the surface so clear it reflected light.

Beneath the lake, a deep, dark pool, terrifying coldness continuously emanated from the depths of the lakebed!

After comprehending this Martial Dao True Intent, Li Yuan could clearly feel his spiritual power being continuously refined, becoming more condensed and solid, like millennia-old ice!

Choosing this technique was the right decision. If he encountered that Half-step Blood Robe again, the opponent's illusionary attacks would have no effect on Li Yuan. On the contrary, Li Yuan could freeze the Half-step Blood Robe's consciousness into a block of ice with just a glance!

After cultivating the "Water Dripping Condensing Ice Meditation Method," Li Yuan began to practice the "Ground Rolling Fist." This was merely a low-grade martial art with low cultivation difficulty, and Li Yuan quickly elevated it to the Perfected stage as well.

Although "Ground Rolling Fist" was only a low-grade martial art with limited potential, any technique that could be cultivated to the Perfected stage would undergo a qualitative change in power and possess considerable might!

This was because the difficulty of perfecting a technique was immense.

The path of martial arts was easy to learn but difficult to master. Even the simplest low-grade martial art was not that easy to bring to perfection.

Furthermore, how many martial artists would stubbornly focus on a low-grade martial art, spending a huge amount of time and effort to elevate it to perfection?

Only a freak like Li Yuan, possessing "Divine Wisdom," could achieve this so easily.

Having mastered two new martial arts again, Li Yuan's strength had greatly increased. He was confident that his strength was not inferior to anyone in the Inner Force Realm, and even if he faced someone in the True Qi Realm, Li Yuan was confident he could clash head-on without being at a disadvantage!

At this stage, Li Yuan's strength puzzle had been preliminarily completed, with no obvious weaknesses.

For offense and combat, he had "Cinnabar Palm" and "Poison Dragon Palm."

For escaping and pursuing enemies, he had "Shocking Step."

For mental attacks and reinforcement, he had "Dragon's Bloodshed" and "Ten Thousand Ranks Cold Pool."

For survival, he had "Ground Rolling Fist."

As long as the enemy was not at the True Essence Realm level, it would not be easy to defeat him.

The next most important matter was to advance to the True Qi Realm.

There was a significant hurdle in advancing from Inner Force to True Qi, known as "Forcefully Breaking Through the Mystic Pass."

What did "Forcefully Breaking Through the Mystic Pass" mean?

Ordinary people had mortal bodies and blocked meridians. If they could learn to cultivate Inner Force and use it to open the first acupoint, the Qi Sea Acupoint, within their bodies to condense Martial Arts True Qi, then they would have stepped into the True Qi Realm.

This is Forcefully Breaking Through the Mystic Pass, where intangible power transforms into tangible energy.

Afterward, one can continuously use True Qi to open up new acupoints and meridians within the body. Once the acupoints and meridians within the body are continuously connected, perfecting the inner cosmos, one can achieve True Qi mastery.

Warriors in the True Qi Realm not only possess combat power far exceeding those in the Inner Force Realm, but their lifespans can also be significantly extended, easily living past two hundred years.

And when a warrior in the True Qi Realm breaks through to the True Essence Realm, it's even more terrifying. Their lifespans exceed five hundred years, making them akin to terrestrial immortals.

But that's still a ways off. Li Yuan's current consideration is breaking through to the True Qi Realm; other matters can wait.

He glanced at his system page, which had undergone significant changes.

[Name: Li Yuan]
[Talent: Divine Wisdom]
[Realm: Late Inner Force Realm]
[Martial Arts: Cinnabar Palm (Mastered), Poison Dragon Palm (Mastered), Water Dripping Condensing Ice Meditation Method (Mastered), Ground Rolling Fist (Mastered)]
[Martial Dao True Intent: Dragon's Bloodshed, Ten Thousand Ranks Cold Pool]

Li Yuan's current strength is at the late Inner Force Realm, with immensely powerful Internal Energy. He could Forcefully Break Through the Mystic Pass and enter the True Qi Realm at any moment, but he wasn't rushing it.

True Qi originates from oneself. The stronger the physique, the more potent the True Qi condensed after opening the Qi Sea, the higher its quality, and the greater its potential.

Li Yuan's body is still in a growth phase, not yet at its peak. He recently had it measured at the martial arts school; his strength had already approached the three-thousand-jin mark. He decided to temper his body to its absolute limit before attempting to break through to the True Qi Realm.

In the days that followed, the entire Jiujiang Commandery gradually calmed down. The matter of the Corpse Demon was no longer mentioned, as if everyone had forgotten about it.

Li Yuan spent his days practicing martial arts, constantly tempering his body. His physique became increasingly robust, drawing ever closer to that limit.

Just then, a major event occurred at the martial arts school. Qi Zhengyang summoned all the disciples.

The disciple assessment had begun.