The Fewer the Words, The Bigger the Matter

Chen Qing pondered for a moment, thinking that since he had already revealed his prowess, he might as well go further and probe the cultivation level of this era.

"I have indeed gained some insights," he immediately said. "In my opinion, the Yellow Court Initial Opening realm can be divided into four stages. In the early stage, the dantian generates warmth, nourishing the muscles, bones, skin, and membranes, thereby doubling strength and allowing one to shatter stone tablets with a punch and leap three zhang. But ultimately, these are merely external manifestations of a robust qi and blood..."

Lü Han, who had been listening with a smile, gradually grew serious as he heard Chen Qing speak.

The disdain in Li Benji's eyes turned to astonishment, and he fell into thought.

Chen Qing continued, "...The middle stage involves refining bones and washing marrow, transmitting intent through blood, and achieving profound understanding of the five senses. Spiritual consciousness sprouts, allowing one to see internal meridians and perceive ants crawling a hundred zhang away externally. Intent merges with qi and blood, allowing for effortless control over lightness and heaviness. Holding one's breath for half a day or treading on snow without leaving a trace are no longer difficult. After that comes the late stage..."

"Wait a moment!" Lü Han suddenly interrupted, then turned to Li Benji and said tactfully, "Fellow Daoist Li, the assessment is complete. I imagine you have other important matters, perhaps you should..."

Upon hearing this, Li Benji narrowed his eyes. How could he not understand? They wanted to get rid of him!

So, Li Benji crossed his arms and sneered. Not only did he refuse to leave, but he also took half a step forward and said, "Elder Lü, why be so formal? This person is a major criminal of the Mysterious Prison. Since I asked him to speak, I naturally should hear it all." He added pointedly, "Or does the cultivation secret of the Princess's Estate mean even the Mysterious Prison cannot hear it?"

Lü Han's expression darkened. "The essentials of cultivation techniques are naturally not for outsiders to overhear!"

A sinister glint flashed in Li Benji's eyes. "Then I will now legally escort him back. What do you think, Duke Lü?"

The air suddenly froze.

Jiang He and the others hadn't expected that the few words from a prisoner undergoing assessment would cause two important figures to confront each other. They immediately realized the situation was far more complicated than it seemed and wished they could leave at once.

Seeing that Li Benji was not backing down, a cold light flashed in Lü Han's eyes. However, he suppressed his anger and said coldly, "Since that is the case, Fellow Daoist Li, please listen closely. However, knowing too much about some things is not always beneficial."

Li Benji remained unmoved.

When Lü Han turned back to Chen Qing, he said directly, "Get to the important points, no need for excessive detail." His implication was clear: some things should not be spoken of in front of outsiders.

Chen Qing immediately understood. He naturally did not want to return to the dark and gloomy Mysterious Prison. Seeing Lü Han's reaction, he knew he had the upper hand today, so he had to be careful with his words. He would say what needed to be said, skirt around what needed to be skirted, and absolutely not reveal everything at once, like squeezing toothpaste. Otherwise, how could he iterate on it later?

Thus, he immediately changed the subject. "In my opinion, this first realm has four stages. The early stage involves condensing qi and blood and nourishing meridians; the middle stage refines bone marrow and strengthens perception; the late stage connects the internal organs and regulates the five elements. As for the perfect completion stage, qi and blood surge like mercury, a light appears three inches below the navel, opening the essence and spirit treasury..."

Originally, Chen Qing had explained each stage clearly. Now, however, he began to condense his explanation, summarizing it. He thought he had omitted the crucial parts, but before he could finish speaking, Lü Han's expression changed drastically!

Li Benji, who didn't understand the details, also felt his eyelids twitch upon hearing these few sentences. He immediately understood why Lü Han had suddenly changed his expression and tried to drive him away—

These few words from Chen Xu were directly pointing to the crucial aspects of cultivation!

Xu Zhaoying's heart skipped a beat, her eyes shining with brilliance. Her physical outline even blurred slightly before quickly solidifying again. The others were stirred, but they didn't notice.

Even Jiang He and the other seven, though anxious and somewhat bewildered, felt the words were precious after hearing them.

After all, every cultivation secret in later generations was the optimal solution paved with blood and tears by their predecessors over a long period. The more concise it was, the more precious it was!

The fewer the words, the greater the matter!

"The assessment ends here!" Lü Han suddenly stood up and, to everyone's astonished gaze, pointed towards the inner hall. "Chen Xu, come with me!"

Jiang He's eyes widened, and he murmured, "Brother Chen... is he going to turn his fortunes around?"

Lü Han suddenly remembered something and beckoned to Xu Zhaoying. "Zhaoying, you come too." He then coldly ordered, "All those assessed today are to be confined and not allowed to contact anyone else!"

Jiang He and the others' faces immediately turned pale.

Lü Han turned to Li Benji and whispered, "Fellow Daoist Li must have heard the value of this technique and would not spread it carelessly. I will report this matter to the Princess. Fellow Daoist Li, if you still intend to obstruct, then Lord Dingbo and Lord Zhengshuang will be the ones speaking with you later."

Li Benji's expression flickered between anger and uncertainty, but in the end, he said nothing more.

After the three of them left, he clenched his fist fiercely.

"Chen Xu's spiritual roots are clearly crippled, so how can his comprehension still be so astonishing?" A hint of regret flashed in his eyes. "Could it be that I was prejudiced by that person's words and misjudged him?"

In the inner room, filled with the scent of sandalwood, stood a screen painted with a rising sun and bamboo.

In front of the screen, Lü Han, with a warm smile, poured tea for Chen Qing, appearing completely different from his demeanor in the front hall.

"Young friend Chen's insights into the Initial Opening realm are truly refreshing." As he pushed the teacup forward, the elder's eyes sparkled. "Although your spiritual bones are crippled, this comprehension is truly astonishing. If these experiences were systematically organized, they could become a legacy for the ages."

Chen Qing's gaze swept over the painting in Xu Zhaoying's arms as he said, "They are merely fragmented insights, obtained by chance."

"Cultivation is like climbing a mountain. Occasional flashes of inspiration are like shortcuts in the mountains, priceless! This is where outstanding individuals surpass others!"

Lü Han shook his head in admiration, then flipped his palm, producing a warm jade token. "This is the Wind Listening Token. With this, you can freely enter and exit the side courtyard. You've been here for seven years, haven't you? You haven't had a proper look around the city yet? With this token, as long as you don't leave the city, you can go anywhere. More importantly, it can also be used for self-defense."

It can probably also be used for tracking, Chen Qing thought.

Chen Qing knew this well but still reached out to take it. His gaze flickered over a similar jade token on Xu Zhaoying's waist, finally settling on the scroll painting. A strange attraction stirred his heart.

Seeing this, Lü Han stroked his beard and smiled. "This painting took some effort to obtain and is specifically for Zhaoying's cultivation."

Chen Qing immediately said, "Then it must be priceless."

"Under the Princess's command, as long as one demonstrates value, even if it takes some effort to procure treasures, it is common!" Lü Han's tone suddenly became solemn. "Just like the treasure of the Naihai Sect, the Map of a Hundred Rivers Returning to the Sea. It is said to be personally painted by True Man Canghai. Zhaoying needs this item for her cultivation of the Vast Scripture, so she was invited here. If you are interested, you can observe it together. However, this painting is predominantly water element, which is contrary to the attribute of the Great Mountain Art you cultivate..."

The Map of a Hundred Rivers Returning to the Sea?

Chen Qing's heart leaped!

Sea!?

At this moment, Xu Zhaoying lightly raised her wrist.

"Swish—"

As the scroll unfurled, Chen Qing looked up, his pupils contracting sharply!

He saw tens of thousands of waves surging on the painting, a hundred rivers returning to the sea. Every wave pattern secretly harmonized with the rhythm of the Great Dao. Within the waves, dragon-like forms roamed. The entire scroll seemed alive, emitting a heart-palpitating Dao charm!

This artistic conception far surpassed the visualization diagram of the Sea and Mountain Remnant Scroll!

Chen Qing only felt the area three inches below his navel suddenly heat up. The true qi within his body spontaneously began to circulate along the route of the Sea and Mountain Remnant Scroll, creating a wondrous resonance with the scroll.

He immediately realized this was a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity!

The visualization diagram of the Sea and Mountain Remnant Scroll was already incomplete. If he could use his dream experience to complete the understanding of mountains and the vast sea, then even without any life feedback, this dream would have been worth it!

And since it was a dream, why should he hold back?

He immediately sat down cross-legged, focusing his entire attention on comprehending it.

Visualizing the concept of a hundred rivers flowing into the sea, Chen Qing instantly felt as if he had transformed into thousands or even hundreds of rivers, with the characteristics of each water flow clearly perceptible. In the next moment, he seemed to transform into a vast ocean, encompassing the confluence of all rivers.

"The sea embraces a hundred rivers... so that's how it is!"

He gradually gained enlightenment. His stagnant meridians began to open on their own, and his blood and qi surged like a tide, forming a perfect circulation throughout his body. He himself transformed into a vortex of spiritual energy, madly devouring the heaven and earth spiritual energy around him!

Lü and Xu, standing nearby, had a drastic change in their expressions.

"He just glanced at the visualization diagram, and he's already gained some insight?" Xu Zhaoying asked in a low voice. "But Chen Xu cultivates the earth-attribute mountain technique! How can looking at a water-attribute diagram instantly grant him insight?"

Lü Han's beard twitched slightly. "Someone with extraordinary comprehension and breathtaking talent is just like this; they can gain enlightenment from anything! The height of this child's comprehension is truly rare. It's a pity his spiritual bones were crippled, otherwise..."

Before he could finish speaking, a brilliant blue light suddenly erupted from Chen Qing's body, and his aura surged continuously!

The five-colored spiritual energy, like a hundred rivers returning to the sea, poured into his body frantically.

"Is he going to absorb the five-element spiritual energy? Is he starting to break through his cultivation realm?" Lü Han also lost his composure, his eyes widening. "He's only cultivated the new method for seven years, and he's already about to advance?"

Xu Zhaoying took a deep breath and narrowed his eyes. "Cultivating the mountain technique, viewing the vast sea diagram, and showing signs of advancement. This is cross-learning, comprehending a new method?"

The two looked at each other in shock.

To achieve such progress even with inferior spiritual bones, such comprehension was inconceivable!

"If his spiritual bones were still intact, he would be a once-in-a-millennium prodigy! We must win this child over for the princess!"

A sharp glint flashed in Lü Han's eyes.

Wuwuwu--Poor new author, no one is reading--