Since ancient times, every generation of martial artists had "absorbed Purple Qi" to stimulate their "Power of Will" and develop their physical potential.
Over countless years, this had imperceptibly ingrained the concept that "absorbing Purple Qi" was "useful" in martial arts culture.
When a novice martial artist heard this concept, even if he didn't quite believe it, he would still be half-convinced.
For example, modern people might not believe in gods and Buddhas, but when they went to a temple, they would still instinctively show a little respect.
That was the power of "concepts" and "suggestion."
Section 63: 54 — A Complete Transformation
Some things existed if you believed in them, and didn't if you didn't.
In a martial artist's training, the concept that "absorbing Purple Qi can strengthen the body, develop its potential, and help produce qi" would unconsciously harness the Power of Will to aid physical training.
By believing in the concept of "absorbing Purple Qi to train," practitioners mobilized their own Power of Will, which was otherwise difficult to use.
On the surface, they were absorbing Purple Qi. In truth, they were using their own Power of Will to train their bodies.
Shuya had been looking forward to the possibility of some kind of spiritual energy existing in this world, so after hearing Li Shuhong's explanation, he couldn't help but feel disappointed.
It turned out that everything came from humanity itself.
But... since "absorbing Purple Qi" really was useful, what difference did it make whether the "Purple Qi" was real or fake?
As long as it worked, that was enough.
As for Shuya's training, the most noteworthy thing was...
After a week of absorbing Purple Qi and training his body, Shuya had successfully cultivated "qi."
Even Li Shuhong was a little surprised by how quickly he'd done it.
Li Shuhong thought it over. The reason was actually quite simple.
Shuya's talent wasn't limited to his Natural Martial Bone.
If all he had was a Natural Martial Bone, Shuya wouldn't have advanced this quickly.
Li Shuhong had mentioned before that Shuya's Power of Will was naturally stronger than that of ordinary people. He was a mysterious existence akin to a Reincarnated Living Buddha.
The Power of Will was a remarkable thing.
Shuya had grown up steeped in Chinese culture, after all. Once he learned that qi really existed, he readily believed in the whole system of martial arts cultivation.
His naturally powerful will, combined with his strong belief, made his training astonishingly effective.
He had a Natural Martial Bone, and his body had limitless potential to begin with.
That potential was supposed to be released step by step through training, but his powerful Power of Will had sped up the process.
This acceleration came at a price: it required a tremendous amount of energy.
Shuya couldn't manage that on his own, of course, but Li Shuhong had procured a large quantity of medicinal herbs. He'd prepared a medicinal bath with his own secret recipe for Shuya to soak in, replenishing the energy with the herbs' medicinal potency.
That week of grueling training had transformed Shuya completely.
Shuya was certain that now, relying on physical strength alone, he could beat any ordinary adult.
This cheat was absolutely absurd.
Once his body had reached a certain level of training, Shuya had keenly sensed a faint, warm current flowing through him.
"Qi" had appeared naturally.
The appearance of qi meant Shuya had crossed the boundary of an ordinary person and begun to develop toward the extraordinary.
Qi appeared on the seventh day of his training.
After teaching Shuya all the basics, Li Shuhong had him face the rising sun and practice standing meditation.
It was the perfect time to absorb Purple Qi.
The sun rose, tearing open the pitch-black sky and shining over all things.
Shuya took a deep breath, imagining that he was drawing in the Purple Qi carried on the first rays of sunlight.
A mysterious energy from the sun flowed into his body and circulated within him.
Shuya held his breath, keeping the Purple Qi inside him as long as possible and using it to strengthen his body.
Of course, this Purple Qi was actually the Power of Will.
After a long while, when he couldn't hold his breath any longer, Shuya slowly breathed out the Purple Qi.
The Power of Will slipped from his control and returned to his brain.
But Shuya suddenly noticed a warm current, as fine as a strand of hair, appearing inside him and moving about like a spirit snake.
His heart stirred, and the current followed his will, flowing into his palm.
Shuya held out his hand and looked. There was no visible sign of qi on the surface of his skin.
But he could clearly feel the qi spreading through the flesh of his palm.
"That's incredible. You've cultivated qi in no time at all."
Li Shuhong could sense it without even looking.
"Now, let me tell you about qi."
Li Shuhong didn't give Shuya a chance to celebrate before launching into another explanation.
First came learning to control qi.
After cultivating qi, the first hurdle was the entry level.
At the entry level, you had to control qi as easily as you controlled your own arm, sending it wherever you wanted.
But Shuya didn't need to worry about that. The moment his qi appeared, he was already able to control it freely.
When other people first cultivated qi, they had to be extremely careful. Qi strengthened the body, and uncontrolled qi could be disastrous. You might crush whatever you picked up or break a chair just by sitting on it.
You'd be completely unsafe to be around.
As for Shuya... sigh, don't ask. It was the cheat!
After reaching the entry level, you had to nurture your qi and make it grow stronger.
There were plenty of ways to strengthen qi. First, you had to train your body. The stronger your body, the stronger your qi.
Next came perseverance: absorb the sun's Purple Qi every morning, circulate it through your body using your Power of Will and qi, and stimulate your body twice over to draw out its potential. Shuya's Natural Martial Bone mainly came into play here—his body's potential was exceptional.
You could also consume medicinal herbs that replenished blood and qi and strengthened the body. After digesting their medicinal potency, you could increase your qi as well. The downside was that you needed the power of money. Li Shuhong had helped Shuya with that, too. As far as Shuya could tell, the old man's money power might already be at LV6.
Those were the three main ways to cultivate qi. Li Shuhong didn't tell Shuya about some of the more unorthodox methods.
Once your qi had grown strong enough, you could try releasing it outside your body and covering your skin with it.
Shuya's qi was still at the entry level, so it could only circulate inside his body. He couldn't release it externally yet.
Even after you could release your qi, you still had to practice controlling it.
After that, cultivation meant continuing to strengthen and refine your qi.
Then came the advanced applications of qi.
Qi could be transformed into different attributes.
The Northland New Snow Thousand-Fold Style that Li Shuhong would teach Shuya required him to transform his qi into the attribute of ice.
"That's about all there is to cultivating qi."
Li Shuhong finished explaining.
Shuya, however, wasn't satisfied. "That's it? Don't you have any detailed classifications? Like levels one and two, minor and major completion, or half-step breakthroughs?"
He'd been thoroughly poisoned by web novels in his previous life.
"..."
Li Shuhong glanced at him and scolded, "Just focus on your training and stop saying stupid things!"
He swung a kick into Shuya's shin. It was forceful, but Shuya didn't budge, maintaining his standing posture.
"If those levels existed, would you be able to decide who won a fight just by announcing your level? Are you trying to fight someone or bet on the odds?"
"How can you say something so stupid? Have you read too many novels, or what? What nonsense!"
Li Shuhong angrily kicked Shuya again.
"Then how do you judge how strong an enemy is?"
"Use your eyes, rely on your instincts, and finally, look at their reputation. People with big reputations are usually pretty strong!"
Li Shuhong's answer was so down-to-earth that Shuya found it hard to adjust.
It was too real.
"Enough. Go soak in the medicinal bath. Since you've cultivated qi, I'll add a little extra this time. Absorb as much as you can. Once your qi has grown stronger, I'll start teaching you the Northland New Snow Thousand-Fold Style."
Li Shuhong led Shuya off the rooftop and back inside the building.
Everything had already been prepared there.
A pile of firewood was burning inside the building, with a large barrel set over it. A strong smell of Chinese medicine wafted out.
Before, Shuya had to grit his teeth and endure, but now he didn't have to.
He held his breath, and the qi in his body began circulating naturally, using its power in place of oxygen.
Other people would have to learn and practice a little trick like that. He didn't need to.
It was all as natural as breathing.
Li Shuhong wasn't surprised and didn't even pay him any attention.
How about this? Emmmmm, could it be a little too domineering and over-the-top?
Section 64: 55 — A Man Like Jade, Unmatched in the World
Li Shuhong went over to check the contents of the barrel and added a little more.
After waiting a while and seeing that everything was ready, he called for Shuya to get in.
This wasn't Shuya's first time soaking. He stripped in a second and stepped into the barrel, sinking straight to the bottom without even sticking his head out.
Now that he didn't need to breathe, he could soak like this. Before, he'd had to keep his head above water like a good boy.
As soon as he sank into the medicinal bath, Shuya circulated his qi and drew in a breath. The potent medicinal energy surged into his body.
The medicinal energy was fierce, but Shuya's body was like a bottomless pit, greedily converting it.
This time, the absorption was different from before.
After cultivating qi, it had begun to transform and strengthen his body, gradually pushing his physical capabilities beyond those of ordinary people.
That was what it meant to develop his potential.
Before, Shuya had slowly soaked to absorb the medicinal energy. Now, he could finally absorb it actively, and the process was much faster.
As the qi absorbed the medicinal energy, it grew stronger. The stronger qi accelerated the transformation of his body, and his stronger body produced more qi. The more qi he had, the more easily he could absorb the medicinal energy. It created a virtuous cycle.
To put it plainly, this was the manifestation of the great power known as the power of money!
Tremble, you poor people!
Half an hour later, half the dark medicinal bath had faded in color. Li Shuhong peered into the barrel and saw Shuya still absorbing with his eyes closed, apparently nowhere near his limit.
"Good kid. You're a real beast."
So Li Shuhong kept adding more.
Shuya soaked for a full three hours before finally surfacing. The black medicinal water had turned clear.
Before you continue