A Trickle Becomes a Stream

Li Yuan's performance today had stunned everyone at the martial arts school, and the disciples' faces were beaming with pride. A cultivator in the Inner Force Realm was fighting on par with someone in the True Qi Realm, and no disciple was talking about anything other than the strength of their new senior disciple.

Meanwhile, Li Yuan had already arrived at the martial arts school's backyard.

This was the residence of the school master, Qi Zhengyang. Besides Li Yuan and Qi Zhengyang, no one else was present, which made it easier to speak freely.

"Li Yuan, you should be able to break through the bottleneck and enter the True Qi Realm at any time now, shouldn't you?"

Qi Zhengyang's gaze was incredibly sharp, and he could see Li Yuan's current situation at a glance. As long as one could cultivate Internal Energy to perfection and strengthen their physique to a certain extent, they could attempt to break through the bottleneck, open the first martial arts acupoint within their body, and condense True Qi.

To put it bluntly, Li Yuan's current conditions were several levels stronger than his own when he broke through to the True Qi Realm. Li Yuan's breakthrough to the True Qi Realm would not be a problem at all.

Li Yuan slowly nodded and directly admitted, "Yes, I can enter the True Qi Realm at any time."

Qi Zhengyang slowly took a deep breath, looking at Li Yuan with an incredibly complex expression. "The Deputy School Master Feng Xiang died just over a month ago, and our Zhengyang Martial Arts School lost a master in the True Qi Realm. I didn't expect someone to enter the True Qi Realm so soon."

"And that person... is actually you."

Qi Zhengyang's tone was filled with emotion. The martial arts talent Li Yuan displayed made him feel incomparable. Perhaps the most correct decision he had made in his life was to take Li Yuan in as his disciple.

"When do you plan to break through the bottleneck and enter the True Qi Realm?"

Li Yuan replied truthfully, "I'll wait a bit longer. My strength can still improve a little."

Qi Zhengyang understood Li Yuan's intentions. The stronger one's physique was in the Inner Force Realm, the stronger the Martial Arts True Qi they would condense upon entering the True Qi Realm, and the greater their potential.

From this, it seemed Li Yuan had grand ambitions. Qi Zhengyang nodded in satisfaction, "It's good that you have your own ideas. I won't interfere further."

After a pause, Qi Zhengyang continued, "You are now the senior disciple of the martial arts school and can receive one hundred taels of silver each month. When you are out and about, you represent the martial arts school, so you must maintain its reputation and not act recklessly."

The senior disciple was a key figure in the martial arts school's cultivation, enjoying many benefits, but also bearing corresponding responsibilities. These words were reasonable, and Li Yuan immediately agreed, "I shall do so."

Qi Zhengyang nodded in satisfaction. "Since you can enter the True Qi Realm at any time, I will teach you a high-grade martial art. You can practice it anytime after you condense your Martial Arts True Qi."

As he spoke, Qi Zhengyang took out a secret manual from his embrace. Upon closer inspection, it was indeed the school master's prized technique, the [Cloud Stream Sword Record].

"I've observed that you are skilled in hand-to-hand combat, but unfortunately, the martial arts school does not have any high-grade martial arts for hand-to-hand combat. You can only practice this Cloud Stream Sword Record for now."

There was a hint of regret in Qi Zhengyang's words. He felt that the technique he was giving Li Yuan was not suited to Li Yuan's strengths. Zhengyang Martial Arts School was a small establishment, not a behemoth like the Special Capture Division where one could choose techniques freely. However, Qi Zhengyang did not know that Li Yuan was already planning to cultivate a sword martial art.

During the trip to Changgan, Zong Lin had allowed them to choose a Rune Soldier. Li Yuan had chosen a Rune Soldier Longsword at the time, which would complement this [Cloud Stream Sword Record] perfectly.

Li Yuan had learned earlier that the [Cloud Stream Sword Record] was a sword technique, and it also included a formidable movement technique called [Cloud Dragon Seven Folds].

This also aligned with Li Yuan's intentions. Li Yuan intended to cultivate another powerful movement technique. Although his self-created Shocking Step was good, he felt something was still lacking.

When it came to movement techniques, the stronger the better, and the more the merrier.

As the saying goes, "In all martial arts, speed is the key to victory." There was nothing wrong with being faster. Movement techniques were useful for both pursuing and killing enemies, as well as for retreating and escaping. If one was too slow, it could even lead to the embarrassing situation where a Dou Di expert couldn't catch up to a Dou Zhe.

Li Yuan took the [Cloud Stream Sword Record] and began to flip through it.

"You can only look at this Cloud Stream Sword Record here. You are not allowed to take it out of the martial arts school, nor can you teach it to others privately."

Li Yuan nodded, "Yes."

After reading through the secret manual from beginning to end, Li Yuan handed it back to Qi Zhengyang. A new icon had appeared on his personal panel.

[Cloud Stream Sword Record (Uninitiated)]

Seeing that Li Yuan had returned the manual after only one reading, Qi Zhengyang didn't think much of it. The person's martial arts aptitude was heaven-defying; he probably learned most of it after just one look.

"If you have any questions about this sword technique, you can come and ask me anytime."

It had to be said that Qi Zhengyang held Li Yuan in high regard. Li Yuan also expressed his sincere gratitude, "Thank you, School Master. I will take my leave now."

As Li Yuan was about to leave, Qi Zhengyang seemed to remember something. "Oh, right, regarding the Shocking Step you created, you might consider submitting it to the Special Capture Division."

Submit it to the Special Capture Division?

Li Yuan asked curiously, "Why?"

Qi Zhengyang smiled faintly. "Your Shocking Step is very good. If it were made public, many people would come to learn it."

"If the Special Capture Division includes the Shocking Step in their exchange catalog, and someone redeems this movement technique, you will receive thirty percent of the contribution points consumed by the redeemer!"

After Qi Zhengyang's explanation, Li Yuan understood the logic behind it.

If he submitted the Shocking Step to the Special Capture Division, he would have a steady stream of contribution points as income, which was much better than doing missions himself as grunt work. It was about a long-term, steady income.

The Shocking Step was his own creation, and Li Yuan was fully capable of deciding the fate of this movement technique, whether to hoard it or to monetize it. He could make the decision himself.

This was a good thing!

It had to be said that taking private jobs and missions from the Special Capture Division was quite arduous. If there was an easy way to earn contribution points, he naturally wouldn't let it pass him by.

Although the Shocking Step was good, it was just a casual creation of his. He had no qualms about giving it away, as long as it could be sold for a good price.

As for whether anyone would use the Shocking Step against him, that was even more laughable.

Li Yuan was the founder of the Shocking Step. He knew all its advantages and all its flaws. Moreover, any technique could be strengthened by him to the level of perfect mastery. Even if everyone practiced the same technique, he, Li Yuan, would always be the strongest.

After leaving the martial arts school, Li Yuan returned to his residence, fetched paper and brush, and wrote down the essentials and cultivation methods of the Shocking Step. He then found some paste and stuck these pages together, turning them into a very crude booklet.

Li Yuan fiddled with this newly created martial arts manual, flipping through it, but felt something was missing.

He took out another piece of white paper, stuck it to the first page of the booklet, and then wrote the words "Shocking Step" in large characters on it.

He bit the tip of his brush and then wrote a few small characters below the words "Shocking Step."

Created by Li Yuan.

"Perfect!"

Li Yuan was very satisfied. He picked up the secret manual and left the house, heading towards the Special Capture Division.

Upon arriving at the Special Capture Division, Li Yuan, familiar with the layout, found the three-story stone building for exchanging martial arts techniques. Two guards were stationed at the entrance.

Qi Zhengyang had told him that if he wanted to submit a martial arts technique, he should find these two stewards.

"Brothers, excuse me."

"I'm here to submit a martial arts technique to the Special Capture Division."

As he spoke, Li Yuan handed over the secret manual in his hand.

Submitting a martial arts technique was quite rare. One of the stewards looked a bit surprised. He took the booklet Li Yuan handed him and immediately froze.

"Shocking Step?"

He touched the writing on the cover. "It's still wet?"

Was this booklet just written?

There were also a few crooked characters on the cover: Creator: Li Yuan?

The entire booklet gave off a feeling of shoddy craftsmanship, the kind that wouldn't even sell at a street stall. Was this even considered a martial arts manual?

The steward holding the booklet looked at Li Yuan with suspicion. "May I ask, what is the origin of this technique...?"

Li Yuan chuckled, "This is a technique I created myself. Also, my name is Li Yuan."

The steward became even more suspicious. He exchanged a glance with his colleague, and both found it incredible.

Creating one's own martial arts technique was not something just anyone could do.

Anyone capable of creating their own techniques was a renowned master in the martial arts world. This young man in front of them claiming to have created a technique... could it be true?

Was he perhaps here to make fun of them?

The steward did not casually flip through this copy of Shocking Step. He placed the booklet on the long counter, cleared his throat, and said, "We are not qualified to judge the authenticity or quality of this Shocking Step. Therefore, we need to present this secret manual to the Young Commander for his decision. What do you think?"

This was the truth. The two stewards on duty were only at the Inner Force Realm. Their martial arts foundation was nowhere near that of the Young Commander, Chu Han, who was at the Half-step True Essence Realm. It was most appropriate to have the Young Commander judge such matters.

If this young man was indeed here to make fun of them, he should turn back now, because bringing this matter to the Young Commander would surely not end well.

However, Li Yuan's face showed no signs of panic or retreat. He nodded, "Then I'll trouble you."

The steward said no more, got up, and led the way, heading deeper into the Special Capture Division.

At this moment, the Young Commander Chu Han and the Spirit Master Zong Lin were seated in a courtyard, their expressions grave, as if troubled by some difficult matter.

A steward walked in, interrupting their conversation.

"Young Commander, there's someone named Li Yuan outside asking to see you."

"He created a technique called 'Shocking Step' and wishes to submit it to the Special Capture Division."

Li Yuan?

Chu Han found the name somewhat familiar. Zong Lin, sitting beside him, asked, "Is it that Li Yuan from the Zhengyang Martial Arts School?"

The steward nodded, "It seems so."

Chu Han remembered who this person was. After Zong Lin returned from Changgan, she had told him that a martial artist named Li Yuan from the Zhengyang sect, who was in the Inner Force Realm, had killed a Half-step Blood Robe. Afterwards, Yan Nian had also spoken to him, saying that Li Yuan had extraordinary potential.

This Li Yuan also created a martial arts technique?

Interesting.

"Call him in."