[You spent 110 Merit and continued comprehending Pure Yang Art—Qi Gathering Chapter.] [You had mastered the circulation of Pure Yang Art—Qi Gathering Chapter to perfection.] [Your physique improved greatly. Your meridians, acupoints, and flesh became more resilient, and your Internal Energy flowed and gathered with greater ease and strength.] [Your cultivation broke through, advancing to the Qi Gathering Realm (Shangwan Acupoint).] [Remaining Merit: 561] [Cultivation]: Qi Gathering Realm (Shangwan Acupoint: 8/30) [Martial Arts]: Pure Yang Art—Qi Gathering Chapter (Proficiency: 0/200) [Map]: Explorable range: thirty-eight zhang
[Shangwan Acupoint] was the fifth acupoint below [Tanzhong].
In other words, the "qi" condensed by the Pure Yang Art—Qi Gathering Chapter had successfully filled four acupoints and traveled all the way to [Shangwan Acupoint].
Chen Bin slowly opened his eyes. His breathing gradually steadied, and the surging power within him slowly receded.
Just then, a burst of hurried hoofbeats came from the entrance. They were deliberately loud, as if announcing that someone was coming.
Liu Wei's voice rang clearly from outside the courtyard. "Captain Chen, we've collected all the bodies. We should be going."
At the sound of his voice, Chen Bin immediately rose and strode steadily outside.
Liu Wei was astride a tall, fine steed, holding the reins of another horse in his hand.
When Liu Wei saw Chen Bin come out, a smile tugged at his face.
A Martial Artist first judged another by their standing among Martial Artists of the same realm.
It was like one's so-called first degree.
Now that Chen Bin had reached the Qi Gathering Realm, he was Liu Wei's equal.
Liu Wei ought to meet his gaze as an equal.
Regardless of their official ranks.
After all, when their cultivation realms matched, Chen Bin could truly take his life.
Chen Bin cupped his hands. "Captain Liu, thanks for all your effort!"
"Not at all. We've got the easiest job—just cleaning up the battlefield."
As Liu Wei spoke, he tossed the reins in his hand toward Chen Bin.
Chen Bin caught them steadily and swung onto the horse without hesitation.
"Back to the city!" Liu Wei shouted, sweeping his hand forcefully through the air.
At once, the procession began to move.
The horses pulled simple sleds laden with the bodies of demons and people, heading toward Wanbao County City.
On the road back to the county town, dust billowed and danced freely in the sunlight.
Chen Bin sat upright on his horse, his posture straight. He turned slightly to look at Liu Wei, who rode beside him, and asked with a serious expression,
"Captain Liu, I have a question for you."
Liu Wei wore a hearty smile and waved his hand, the gesture easy and natural, dispelling the invisible barrier between them. "Hey!"
"I'm only a few years older than you, and we're at the same cultivation realm. If you don't mind, I'll call you Younger Brother, and you can call me Big Brother Liu. How about that?"
Chen Bin looked at Liu Wei calmly. Without hesitation, he slowly nodded, his manner sincere. "Sounds good, Big Brother Liu. Then I'll gladly accept."
At that, Liu Wei's smile blossomed even wider. He couldn't help clapping his hands and laughing aloud, his hearty laughter echoing along the empty road. "You killed twenty Tiger Demons this time, Younger Brother.
"Two of them were at the Qi Gathering Realm. That merit is more than enough to earn you a promotion to Small Banner.
"And with Kang Ronghao dead, they're in urgent need of someone to fill the vacancy.
"Your promotion to Small Banner is all but certain."
Chen Bin quietly rode alongside him. Hearing this, he nodded slightly and said, "I'm afraid that still requires the approval of our superiors."
"Don't worry. I'll definitely approve, and General Banner Wang Sheng will too."
Liu Wei's lips curled upward, his eyes brimming with confidence. He spoke with absolute certainty. "Don't worry about it, Younger Brother Chen."
"Then I thank you, Big Brother Liu." Chen Bin accepted this calmly, without putting on a show of modesty.
"By the way, what were you about to ask me?" Liu Wei's smile faded as he asked curiously.
Chen Bin didn't hesitate. A hint of confusion showed in his expression as he voiced his question outright.
"This Pure Yang Art—Qi Gathering Chapter seems to only contain a Mind Method for the Qi Gathering Realm. If I want to advance to a higher realm, where can I get the laws of cultivation for the Meridian Opening Realm and above?"
"So you're practicing the Pure Yang Art—Qi Gathering Chapter!
"No wonder your aura is as vast as the blazing sun." Liu Wei's eyes flashed with surprise, and his voice held a note of astonishment. "Of all the cultivation arts in the Demon Suppression Division, the Pure Yang Art—Qi Gathering Chapter is the hardest to cultivate."
"What makes it so?" Chen Bin pressed.
"It's not just difficult to cultivate. It's also because many people lose their virginity before reaching the Qi Gathering Realm." Liu Wei furrowed his brow, regret showing on his face, and his voice grew heavy. "Once that breath of Pure Yang Qi dissipates, it's hard to get it back.
"Think about it. In our Great Zhou Dynasty, men and women have to marry once they come of age. Otherwise, they have to pay double the poll tax.
"Who could resist the temptation of young men and women getting involved with mature women?
"And although the Pure Yang Art—Qi Gathering Chapter lays a deep foundation, practicing under the blazing sun every day is agonizing, and you can't make rapid progress."
Chen Bin lowered his head and mulled it over. Good thing I've got a cheat. I just need to kill Red Names and spend the points.
Looking at Chen Bin, Liu Wei sighed helplessly, apology in his expression. "I really can't help you with this cultivation art."
Chen Bin raised his head and looked at Liu Wei again. Liu Wei paused, then continued, "To get a Mind Method for the Meridian Opening Realm, you have to go to the Hundred Households Office in Dongyang Prefecture.
"Once a person reaches the peak of the Qi Gathering Realm, they can be recommended to report to either a Thousand Households Office or a Hundred Households Office.
"If their report is approved, they can obtain a Mind Method for the Meridian Opening Realm.
"I don't know the details very well. You may have to ask the General Banner.
"But I've heard that if you earn the approval of a Demon Exorcist, they can send you a cultivation art directly, too."
Chen Bin nodded thoughtfully. The former option seemed simpler. But what was a "Demon Exorcist," exactly?
He didn't remember hearing of such a thing, so he went on to ask, "I'd like to learn some Martial Arts. Where can I study them?"
"You still want to learn Martial Arts?" Surprise flickered in Liu Wei's eyes as he asked incredulously.
Chen Bin's expression was serious. "This battle exposed a lot of my weaknesses. I need to work on them!"
Liu Wei's expression settled, and he explained earnestly, "The Demon Suppression Division offers them. Just go and study.
"Once you become a Small Banner and get permission, you can go study two more Martial Arts!"
Chen Bin immediately cupped his hands in thanks, his movements crisp and decisive. "Thank you for clearing things up, Big Brother Liu."
Liu Wei returned the gesture warmly. "You're welcome!"
Li Kun rode silently behind the two of them, a trace of envy in his eyes as he stared at Chen Bin's back.
Looking at that kid Chen Bin, he couldn't help grumbling to himself: A few days ago, he was still treating me with the utmost respect, calling me Captain Li and thanking me for my hard work. Now he's climbed right over my head.
This makes no sense.
The procession continued onward. When they passed Ertang Village, they slowed to a halt and stayed for two quarters of an hour.
In troubled times, you had to use Severe Law.
What did that mean?
Liu Wei sprang nimbly down from his horse and strode into the village, soon finding the village head.
He stood on a slightly elevated spot and gave the village head some instructions.
Before long, the villagers were summoned one after another and gathered around an open patch of ground.
Before you continue