I Thought This Was a Slice of Life

Since ancient times, every generation of martial artists has "absorbed purple mist" to drive the "power of intent" to develop their physical potential.

Over these countless years, the concept that "absorbing purple mist" is "useful" has been invisibly and deeply carved into martial arts culture.

When a novice martial artist hears this concept, even if they don't fully believe it, they will be half-skeptical.

For example, modern people may not necessarily believe in gods or buddhas, but when they go to a temple, they will still subconsciously show a bit of respect.

This is the power of "concepts" and "suggestion."

Section 63 54 Shedding the Mortal Coil

Some things exist if you believe in them, and do not if you don't.

In the cultivation of a martial artist, the concept that "absorbing purple mist can train the body, develop potential, and help generate qi" will unconsciously drive the power of intent to assist in physical training.

By believing in the concept of "absorbing purple mist to cultivate," the practitioner moves their own power of intent, which is otherwise difficult to utilize.

On the surface, it is absorbing purple mist; in reality, it is using one's own power of intent to train oneself.

Shuya had originally expected this world to have some kind of spiritual energy, but after hearing Li Shuhong's explanation, he couldn't help but feel deeply disappointed.

It turned out that everything was the power of humanity itself.

However... since "absorbing purple mist" is indeed useful, what difference does it make whether the "purple mist" is fake or real?

As long as it works, that is enough.

Returning to Shuya's training, the most noteworthy point is...

Through one week of absorbing purple mist and physical training, Shuya successfully cultivated "qi."

This speed even shocked Li Shuhong.

Li Shuhong thought about it, and the reason was actually quite simple.

Shuya's aptitude was more than just a Natural Martial Bone.

If it were only a Natural Martial Bone, Shuya's cultivation speed would not be this fast.

As Li Shuhong had mentioned before, Shuya's power of intent was naturally higher than that of an ordinary person, belonging to a mysterious existence similar to a Reincarnated Living Buddha.

The power of human intent is truly miraculous.

Shuya was, after all, deeply influenced by Chinese culture, and once he knew that qi truly existed, he remained very faithful to the methods of martial arts cultivation.

His naturally powerful intent, combined with his intense belief, made Shuya's training results astonishing.

With his Natural Martial Bone, his body already possessed infinite potential.

This potential was supposed to be released step by step through training, but his powerful intent accelerated the process.

This acceleration did not come without a cost; it required a massive amount of energy to sustain.

Shuya certainly couldn't handle it alone, but Li Shuhong procured a large quantity of medicinal herbs, prepared a medicinal bath using a unique secret recipe for him to soak in, and replenished his energy with the medicinal power.

This long week of training allowed Shuya to shed his mortal coil.

Shuya could be certain that now, relying solely on his physical strength, ordinary adults were no match for him.

This cheat code was activated to a maddening degree.

Then, when his physical training reached a certain level, Shuya keenly sensed a faint, warm current flowing within his body.

"Qi" had appeared naturally.

The appearance of "qi" signified that Shuya had crossed the boundary of an ordinary person and was developing in the direction of someone extraordinary.

The emergence of qi occurred on the seventh day of his training.

After Li Shuhong finished teaching Shuya all the basics, he had him stand in a horse stance to cultivate facing the rising sun.

At this moment, it was time to absorb the purple mist.

The sun rose, tearing open the pitch-black sky and illuminating all things.

Shuya took a deep breath, imagining the purple mist arriving with the first ray of sunlight being drawn into his body.

Mysterious energy originating from the sun flowed into his body to circulate.

Shuya held his breath, keeping the purple mist inside his body for as long as possible, using it to strengthen his flesh and blood.

Of course, this purple mist was actually the power of intent.

After a long while, when he could no longer hold it, Shuya slowly exhaled the purple mist.

The power of intent lost control and returned to his brain.

However, Shuya suddenly discovered that a warm current, as thin as a strand of hair, had appeared in his body, swimming like a spirit snake.

His heart stirred, and the warm current followed his control, flowing into his palms.

Shuya reached out to look, but the existence of qi could not be seen on the surface of his skin.

Yet, he could clearly feel that the qi was spreading out, covering the flesh and blood of his palms.

"Truly astonishing, to have cultivated qi so quickly."

Li Shuhong didn't even need to look to feel it.

"Then next, I will tell you about qi."

Li Shuhong didn't give Shuya any time to celebrate before he started the lecture again.

First is the control of qi.

After qi is born, the first hurdle one faces is the entry level.

The entry level means being able to control qi as easily as moving one's own arm, directing it wherever one wishes.

But Shuya didn't need to worry about this problem; the moment his qi was born, he could already control it with ease.

Others have to be extremely careful when they first cultivate qi. Because qi strengthens the physical body, uncontrolled qi is a disaster—you might crush whatever you pick up, or shatter a chair just by sitting on it.

It's completely "keep away from strangers."

As for Shuya... sigh, don't ask, asking just means it's a cheat code!

After reaching the entry level, one must cultivate the qi to make it grow stronger.

There are many ways to strengthen qi; the first is to exercise the body, as the stronger the body, the stronger the qi.

Next is persistence: absorbing the purple qi of the sun every morning, using the power of the mind to circulate qi within the body, and providing dual stimulation to the body to tap into human potential. Shuya's Natural Martial Bone is primarily reflected in this aspect; his physical potential is incredibly high.

One can also consume medicinal herbs that nourish blood and qi to strengthen the body; digesting their medicinal power can also increase qi, but the downside is that it requires "money power." Li Shuhong provided this for Shuya as well, and in Shuya's view, this old man's money power might even be at LV6.

These are the three mainstream methods for cultivating qi. There are some heterodox paths, but Li Shuhong didn't tell Shuya about them.

When the qi grows to a certain degree, one can attempt to project it externally, covering the surface of the skin.

Right now, Shuya's entry-level qi can only circulate within his body and cannot be projected externally.

Once qi can be projected, it also requires diligent practice to control it freely.

Subsequent cultivation involves continuing to strengthen and refine the qi.

After that comes the advanced methods of using qi.

Qi can have its attributes transformed.

The Northland New Snow Thousand-Fold Style that Li Shuhong is going to teach Shuya requires converting qi into an ice attribute.

"That's about all there is to qi cultivation."

Li Shuhong finished speaking.

Shuya, however, was not quite satisfied: "Just this? Could it be there aren't any detailed rankings? Like level one, level two, Small Perfection, Grand Perfection, half-step breakthroughs, and so on?"

He had been deeply poisoned by web novels in his past life.

"..."

Li Shuhong glanced at him and scolded, "Focus on your cultivation and stop saying such stupid things!"

He flew a kick into Shuya's lower leg. Although the force was great, Shuya didn't budge, maintaining his horse stance.

"If there were these kinds of level distinctions, would you just show off your level before a fight to determine the winner? Are you looking to fight or to gamble on high and low?!"

"How can you say something so stupid? Has reading novels rotted your brain? Utter nonsense!"

Li Shuhong was so angry he kicked Shuya again.

"Then how do you judge strength when you encounter an enemy?"

"Use your eyes to observe, use your intuition to sense, and finally, look at the opponent's reputation. Generally, those with great reputations don't have weak strength!"

Li Shuhong's words were so plain that Shuya found it hard to adapt.

It was too realistic.

"Alright, go take your medicinal bath. Since you've cultivated qi, I'll add some extra ingredients this time. Absorb as much as you can, and once your qi is stronger, I'll start teaching you the Northland New Snow Thousand-Fold Style."

Li Shuhong led Shuya off the roof and back into the building.

Everything was already prepared here.

Inside the building, there was a pile of burning firewood with a large barrel set on top, emitting a thick, medicinal scent.

Previously, Shuya had to grit his teeth to endure it, but he didn't have to anymore.

He held his breath, and the qi within his body circulated naturally, using the power of qi to replace the function of oxygen.

This kind of minor maneuver is something others have to learn and practice, but he didn't need to.

Everything was just like a physical instinct.

Li Shuhong wasn't surprised; he didn't even pay him any mind.

How is this, emmmmmm, would it be too domineering and exaggerated?

Chapter 64: A Person Like Jade, Peerless in the World

Li Shuhong went up to check the situation inside the barrel and added a few more ingredients.

After waiting a while, he saw there were no issues and signaled for Shuya to get in.

It wasn't Shuya's first time soaking; he stripped off his clothes in a second and stepped into the barrel, sinking straight to the bottom without even leaving his head exposed.

Only after he stopped breathing could he adopt this method; previously, he had always honestly kept his head above water.

As soon as he submerged into the medicinal bath, Shuya drew in a breath to circulate his energy, pulling the ferocious medicinal power into his body.

Although the medicinal power was fierce, Shuya's body acted like a bottomless pit, greedily transforming it.

This absorption was different from the past.

Ever since he cultivated his Qi, the energy had begun to reshape and strengthen his body, gradually pushing his physical functions beyond those of an ordinary person.

This was what they called the unlocking of potential.

Previously, Shuya had to soak slowly to absorb the medicinal power, but now he could finally absorb it actively, and the speed had increased significantly.

The Qi absorbed the medicinal power and grew stronger, while the strengthened Qi accelerated the transformation of his flesh; a more powerful body then produced even more Qi, and more Qi made it easier to absorb the medicinal power, creating a virtuous cycle.

To put it bluntly, this was the manifestation of a great ability—the power of money!

Tremble, you poor wretches!

Half an hour later, the pitch-black medicinal bath had faded by half. Li Shuhong glanced at the tub twice, seeing that Shuya was still absorbing with his eyes closed, seemingly nowhere near his limit.

"Good lad, he's a ruthless one."

Li Shuhong proceeded to add more ingredients.

Shuya soaked for a full three hours before finally surfacing from the water, the black medicinal liquid having turned completely transparent.