Internal Qi

Deep in the night, within the Secluded Valley, all was tranquil.

The Zhou Family members dared not disobey Fang Yuan in the slightest. Even Fang Yuan's act of driving them out of the valley was interpreted as a peculiar habit of a renowned physician, and they accepted it willingly, setting up temporary thatched huts outside the valley to live in.

They had no idea that Fang Yuan did this simply to avoid trouble.

Otherwise, if they knew that everything they ate was Red Jade Rice and everything they drank was Spirit Tea, wouldn't they be annoyed to death later?

After eating and drinking his fill, Fang Yuan sat cross-legged on the bamboo couch, looking at the wound on his chest.

"Good heavens... it's already starting to heal..."

His physical condition was already incredible, and after a hearty meal of Red Jade Rice at night, he found that the sword qi wound on his chest was slowly recovering.

At the same time, more and more warm currents gathered in his chest, making the affected area less painful.

"It's best if it heals quickly; otherwise, it'll still be a weakness!"

With his Medical Skill and some herbs, he could have healed this minor injury quickly. Now that he discovered another effect of the Red Jade Rice, he was overjoyed.

Fang Yuan recalled the gains from this trip, a slight smile curving his lips.

Although he didn't have time to ransack the mansion this time, Song Yujie and Song Zhigao had brought him quite a few good things.

Putting aside the gold, silver, jade, and banknotes, he also found a martial arts manual for the Gui Ling Heart Method on Song Yujie!

Clearly, this was a profound internal cultivation technique of the Gui Ling Sect. Fang Yuan unceremoniously claimed it as his own, memorized it thoroughly, and then destroyed the original.

"This Gui Ling Sect is acting dishonorably!"

As he silently recited the internal cultivation technique, Fang Yuan's face darkened like the bottom of a pot.

This was because several crucial sections of the manual were clearly incomplete. It was evident that certain stages required oral transmission from a Master or similar figure to overcome, serving as a safeguard for such profound internal techniques.

In the past, Song Yujie could have gone to Song Zhong with any problems.

But what about himself? Even if he saved Old Master Zhou, expecting him to wholeheartedly betray the Gui Ling Sect's greatest secret was a pipe dream.

"Hoo... it seems that without joining a sect, or even rendering great service, obtaining true transmission is like wishful thinking..."

Fang Yuan shook his head and glanced at his attributes:

"Name: Fang Yuan

Essence: 1.8 Qi: 1.6 Spirit: 1.5 Age: 18 Cultivation: Martial Path Third Gate Skills: Black Sand Palm [Level 3] Specialties: Medical Skill [Level 1], Planting Skill [Level 3]"

At this moment, the Level 1 symbol behind Medical Skill flickered and immediately changed to Level 2, with its description also updating:

"Medical Skill [Level 2] -- You are now a skilled physician in the secular world, capable of treating most illnesses. By using ordinary medicinal herbs, you can achieve maximum enhancement effects."

"Ordinary medicinal herbs, so spiritual medicines are ineffective..."

Fang Yuan shook his head, then felt a bit greedy.

Of course, the improvement in Medical Skill was merely an added bonus.

What truly delighted him was that through the bloody battle today, especially after killing Song Yujie, the proficiency of his Black Sand Palm, Level 3, had maxed out, giving him the feeling of being on the verge of a breakthrough at any moment.

"The Twelve Gates of Golden Lock and Heavy Tower, the first eight gates are Kai, Xiu, Sheng, Du, Jing, Shang, Jing, Si... Breaking through to the Zhongping Gate from the initial three auspicious gates was already a leap, marking the threshold from rudimentary martial arts to initial comprehension in the Jianghu..."

Fang Yuan looked at his hands with newfound understanding.

Experts at the first three gates were not necessarily everywhere in the Jianghu, but they were as common as fish in a river. However, masters at the fourth and fifth gates were already considered elites, especially for young martial artists.

Even Song Yujie, hailed as having the demeanor of the elder Song and showing signs of surpassing him, was only at the fourth gate, which was telling.

"From the fourth gate onwards, even if proficiency is maxed out, it seems I need to actively initiate the breakthrough?"

Fang Yuan looked at the full progress bar and, without hesitation, said, "Upgrade Black Sand Palm!"

Ding!

With a crisp sound, he immediately saw the "Level 3" text behind Black Sand Palm flicker and abruptly change to "Level 4"!

Black Sand Palm Level 4!

"Ugh!"

Fang Yuan gritted his teeth, finding his palms had turned as black as ink, veins bulging like earthworms, even extending upwards.

Two thick streams of hot air generated from his palms, traveling up his arms, breaking through numerous obstacles, reaching his chest, and then sinking down.

This feeling of warm currents was different from before. After settling in his lower abdomen, it not only failed to dissipate but also seemed to become increasingly solid over time.

"This is... internal Qi!?"

Fang Yuan's face lit up with joy.

"Black Sand Palm level four, has already transformed internal Qi from external to internal?!"

This internal Qi is the power of a martial artist's blood and Qi essence, and the foundation of all profound martial arts. The sword Qi that Song Yujie used before was actually a form of internal Qi.

Fang Yuan's face was almost shattered by the sword Qi at the slightest touch. If it weren't for the Black Sand Palm's unexpected poison effect, he would have been utterly annihilated this time.

"However, the internal Qi of Black Sand Palm is extremely shallow, not comparable to the true internal cultivation methods of major sects... Five Gates is the limit..."

Fang Yuan was certain that his current mastery of Black Sand Palm was only one step away from its founder, Kou Feng.

He looked at the description:

"Black Sand Palm [Level Four] -- Outer sect technique. When mastered, the palm is harder than steel, with power enough to shatter gold and jade. A total of five levels, currently at the fourth level realm. Includes poison enhancement and internal Qi enhancement!"

"With internal Qi, I can break through the gates again!"

Fang Yuan took a deep breath, mobilized the power in his lower abdomen, and began to charge towards the fourth gate, the Du Gate.

Crack!

With a soft sound, everything flowed naturally. The warm current in his lower abdomen suddenly grew stronger, and its circulation within his body seemed to become more agile.

"Martial arts levels are levels, martial arts realms are realms!"

Fang Yuan thought to himself.

He was now an undisputed master of the Fourth Gate martial arts. If he were to practice Hard Qi Skill, he could quickly advance it to the fourth level, but he wouldn't be able to break through another martial arts gate for an augmentation.

Furthermore, breaking through the fifth gate depended on which martial art could first break through to the fifth level, and had nothing to do with how many martial arts one knew. Therefore, martial artists most disliked being unfocused and lacking depth.

"The martial arts of the Fourth Gate all require internal Qi. Therefore, Eagle Claw Skill has no corresponding cultivation method and can at most reach the realm of the first three gates... But once paired with a cultivation method, it will advance by leaps and bounds, with the potential to impact the three dangerous gates!"

Fang Yuan's expression was solemn.

The potential of Black Sand Palm, like Hard Qi Skill, was the fifth gate.

If he wanted to break through the Shang Gate, he would still need to find a higher-level martial art to practice.

"Unfortunately, with this incomplete version of the Gui Ling Heart Method, I wouldn't dare to try it even with eight times the courage. I don't know if the attribute panel can be completed in the end, or if it can directly deduce Black Sand Palm further..."

Fang Yuan stroked his chin, then chuckled, knowing he was being greedy.

At this moment, he withdrew his internal Qi, and his hands immediately returned to normal. He looked like a young man in his early twenties, making it impossible to associate him with the ferocious beast-like villain he had been before.

"Has the augmentation also been completed?"

A moment later, as the warm current from breaking through the gate receded, Fang Yuan looked at his attribute panel and saw that it had undergone a huge change:

"Name: Fang Yuan

Essence: 2.2 Qi: 2.0 Spirit: 1.5 Age: 18 Cultivation: Martial Arts Fourth Gate Skills: Black Sand Palm [Level Four] Proficiencies: Medical Skill [Level Two], Planting Skill [Level Three]"

"The greater the danger, the greater the opportunity. The higher one goes in martial arts, the harder breakthroughs become, especially the three dangerous gates. Failure in a breakthrough can lead to Qi deviation and even death, but the rewards will also be the most abundant!"

Looking at Fang Yuan's significantly increased Essence and Qi, the smile on his lips widened.

At this time, the eastern sky was already white, and the morning light streamed through the window onto the ground.

"So, without realizing it, more than half the night has passed!"

Fang Yuan sighed and stood up, stretching his legs and feet. He found no sign of blood stagnation, but instead felt incredibly energetic. Especially the wound on his chest had already begun to scab over.

Judging by the speed, it would only be a matter of time before it healed, and it might not even leave a scar.

"As expected, joy makes one feel refreshed!"

He chuckled and walked out the door, preparing to fetch some clear spring water to boil tea.

Just then, his brow furrowed. He saw at the valley entrance Lin Benchu and the Zhou siblings, supporting someone, waiting there.

"This old man is Old Master Zhou, many thanks to the young hermit for saving my life!"

The Old Master Zhou did not look very old and was in good spirits at the moment. Upon seeing Fang Yuan, he immediately let go of Zhou Wenxin's supporting hands and trembled as he was about to bow.

"Old sir, you have just recovered from a serious illness, you should rest more!"

Fang Yuan said casually.

"Hmm, you two go down first. I have something to say to the young hermit!"

Zhou Tong turned around and spoke sternly to Zhou Wenwu and his sister. He then clasped his hands towards Steward Lin: "I am deeply grateful for Brother Lin's help this time!"

"Haha, Brother Zhou is too kind, too kind!"

Steward Lin, a man of great social grace, immediately understood that Old Master Zhou had private matters to discuss with Fang Yuan. He said, "I actually have some things to attend to, so I'll be going ahead!"

He then led the Zhou siblings away from the valley entrance.

"Old Master Zhou, please speak your mind!"

A moment later, Fang Yuan brewed a pot of clear tea and asked quietly.

"This tea…"

Old Master Zhou picked up the teacup, took a sip, and his expression immediately changed: "Truly excellent!"

Since there was an outsider present, Fang Yuan naturally didn't serve Spirit Tea. However, this tea itself was also a fine strain he had personally cultivated, and with the addition of his tea ceremony skills, it immediately astonished Zhou Tong.

"Anyone who can brew such tea must surely be no ordinary person. I shall speak plainly then…"

After a cup of tea, Old Master Zhou sighed leisurely: "Alas! My family has brought misfortune upon itself. I apologize for making a fool of myself before you, young layman!"

It seemed he was not entirely unaware of his own predicament.