Moving a Stone

Near the end of the Si Hour, the blazing sun hung across the sky.

"Whoosh!"

Jiang Chen, drenched in hot sweat, pulled back his fist and straightened his posture.

He leaped down from the Plum Blossom Stakes, walked to the water vat in the shade, and gulped down the Well Water.

The cool Well Water flowed into his body, bringing a wave of comfort throughout.

[Cultivation: First Qi and Blood Gate Stage 17%]

On the Myriad Dao Chart, his Qi and Blood had only increased by 3%.

This was the effect of resources.

Without the aid of Blood-Qi Soup, he couldn't even maintain a 1% increase in a single hour.

"Junior Brother Jiang, you've condensed your martial Qi and Blood?"

At that moment, Sun Wu, who had been watching Jiang Chen all along, walked over.

"I condensed it just a few days ago."

Jiang Chen nodded, unsurprised by Sun Wu's perception.

When a martial artist stands in a stance, their martial Qi and Blood surges, making it easily detectable.

"Since you've condensed your Qi and Blood, it's time to learn the 'Stone Moving Method'."

Sun Wu didn't ask further, speaking with a smile.

The White Ape Stance allows a martial artist to stimulate Primordial Energy and refine martial Qi and Blood.

The Stone Moving Method, on the other hand, uses items like Stone Locks and stone tablets to help the martial artist control their Qi and Blood.

A martial artist's combat strength depends entirely on their martial Qi and Blood.

And how much power that Qi and Blood can unleash depends on their level of control over it.

A martial artist who can skillfully control their Qi and Blood can easily crush a less proficient one, even at the same cultivation level.

The Stone Moving Method is the easiest technique for mastering Qi and Blood control, and it also lays the foundation for the Second Qi and Blood Gate.

"Thank you, Senior Brother Sun."

Jiang Chen followed Sun Wu toward the area piled with Stone Locks.

"By the way, Senior Brother Sun..."

Along the way, Jiang Chen took the opportunity to ask about methods to improve one's bone structure.

"Improve bone structure?"

"Hah, bone structure—whether strong or weak—is decided in the womb. If it could be improved after birth, wouldn't geniuses be everywhere?"

Hearing Jiang Chen's question, Sun Wu laughed.

In this world, only a very few possess martial bone structure, allowing them to walk the path of martial arts.

And among those with martial bone structure, the vast majority have only the most ordinary kind.

That's why people with good bone structure are treated like treasures wherever they go.

Zhou Yuqing's earlier attitude was a clear example.

After learning that Jiang Chen's bone structure was ordinary, she lost all interest.

"Then, besides Blood-Qi Soup, are there any better secret medicines to assist?"

Since bone structure couldn't be changed, he had to focus on secret medicines.

That was also why he hadn't drunk Blood-Qi Soup at home this morning.

"There are some. For example, our Martial Arts Hall has a special Blood Ginseng Powder."

"The medicinal effect of Blood Ginseng Powder is several times stronger than Blood-Qi Soup. However, ordinary disciples can't take it."

Sun Wu explained.

"Why? Because of the price?"

Jiang Chen asked.

"The price of Blood Ginseng Powder is indeed much higher than Blood-Qi Soup—five taels of silver per dose. But that's secondary. The main reason is that its medicinal effect is too strong."

"If you can't fully absorb the medicinal power after taking it, the excess accumulates in the body, forming Medicine Toxin. Therefore, only those with good physiques can use Blood Ginseng Powder."

Sun Wu explained the principle.

"Medicinal power... physique..."

Jiang Chen's mind began to stir.

Physique and bone structure were two different things.

The quality of bone structure determines the speed of Primordial Energy activation—the better the bone structure, the faster the activation.

In other words, the faster the cultivation speed.

The strength of the physique encompasses the limbs, bones, internal organs, eyes, nose, ears, mouth, and so on—just as some are born robust and others frail.

Though his bone structure was ordinary, his body was still fairly strong; that didn't mean his constitution was lacking.

If he could withstand the medicinal properties, his cultivation speed would be several times faster.

"Junior Brother Jiang, watch closely."

Arriving at the Stone Lock area, Sun Wu picked up a stone block, cradled it in the crook of his arm, and swung it up and down.

That stone block, weighing several hundred jin, moved with a soft, fluid rhythm in his hands, showing no sign of strain at all.

Whew~

As Jiang Chen memorized Sun Wu's movements, the Myriad Dao Chart radiated with Dao light:

Code
[Myriad Dao Chart]
[Dao Master: Jiang Chen]
[Cultivation: First Qi and Blood Gate Stage 17%]
[Technique: White Ape Stance]
[Martial Art: Stone Moving Method 0%]

Immediately, a new column for martial arts appeared on the Myriad Dao Chart.

"This Stone Moving Method is actually a martial art?"

Jiang Chen grew intrigued. He picked up a stone lock weighing over a hundred jin and began training, the martial qi and blood in his body circulating with each movement.

The essence of the Stone Moving Method lay not in tempering strength, but in mastering qi and blood.

Once qi and blood reached a state of effortless control, it meant the Stone Moving Method was perfected.

Thud~

As Jiang Chen moved the stone lock, a shadowy figure materialized again within the Myriad Dao Chart.

At once, insights into cultivating the Stone Moving Method surged forth endlessly.

His movements, initially clumsy, visibly grew smoother.

Code
[Stone Moving Method Experience +1]
[Stone Moving Method Experience +1]
[Stone Moving Method Experience +1]

Compared to the White Ape Stance, the Stone Moving Method was simpler to train, gaining 1 point of experience every two or three breaths.

"Indeed, Junior Brother Jiang's comprehension is extraordinary!"

Seeing Jiang Chen grasp the knack of the Stone Moving Method so quickly, Sun Wu became even more convinced that Jiang Chen possessed remarkable insight—he had simply been held back before.

If not for that, with such astonishing comprehension, even with ordinary bone structure, he should have broken into the Second Qi and Blood Gate within half a year.

Just then, a handsome youth in blue robes, holding an invitation, emerged from the Inner Courtyard corridor, flanked by several Martial Arts Hall disciples.

"Hm?"

Spotting Jiang Chen practicing the Stone Moving Method, the blue-robed youth paused mid-step.

"Junior Brother Jiang, what is it?"

The other disciples looked over curiously.

"Is that... Jiang Chen?"

"Wasn't he the one who ran into evil spirits trying to curry favor with Junior Sister Wang?"

The disciples recognized Jiang Chen too. Glancing at Jiang Xuan, they stopped their chatter.

Though Jiang Xuan had little to do with Jiang Chen these past six months, they were both from the Jiang Clan—better not to gossip in front of him.

"Stone Moving Method? He's condensed qi and blood?"

Jiang Xuan's attention fixed on the Stone Moving Method Jiang Chen was practicing, surprise flickering in his eyes.

For the past half year, Jiang Chen had either been fawning over Wang Qingzhu or running around with Zheng Hao and his crew, barely cultivating at all.

Logically, with Jiang Chen's ordinary bone structure and lazy, undisciplined nature, he shouldn't have been able to condense qi and blood.

Could it be that Jiang Chen's parents had used some special forbidden drugs to let him show face before the clan?

If so, that would completely sever Jiang Chen's martial path.

"Let's go."

Jiang Xuan withdrew his gaze and walked away calmly.

Though they were from the same clan and had joined the Martial Arts Hall at the same time, from the moment their bone structures were tested, he and Jiang Chen were no longer in the same world.

Besides, Jiang Chen had chosen to sink into depravity—he wasn't even worth a second glance.

"Huff!"

After cultivating for two quarters of an hour, Jiang Chen was drenched in hot sweat and set down the stone block.

His martial Blood Qi was spent, his stamina had reached its limit, and his stomach growled loudly.

This Stone Moving Method was far more exhausting than the White Ape Stance, draining his physical strength tremendously.

[Martial Art: Stone Moving Method · Beginner 80%]

On the Myriad Dao Chart, the progress of the Stone Moving Method advanced swiftly.

At this rate, as long as he practiced in spare moments, he would soon master it completely.

"Junior Brother Jiang, let's go eat first."

Sun Wu checked the time and headed to the Thousand Fragrance Pavilion for the banquet.

On the Practice Field, the other disciples also dispersed in twos and threes.

Jiang Chen fetched water to wash up, then came to the Martial Arts Hall cafeteria.

At lunchtime, the cafeteria had several long lines.

Due to differences in cultivation levels and family backgrounds, the meals varied as well.

Simply put, those from well-off families ate well, while those from poorer families ate poorly.

As the Martial Arts Hall disciples queued up, two slender figures entered the cafeteria.

"Junior Sister Wang is here!"

"Junior Sister Wang gets more beautiful every time I see her!"

"In our Martial Arts Hall, aside from Senior Sister Zhou, Junior Sister Wang is the prettiest!"

"If you ask me, just in terms of looks, Junior Sister Wang is even better..."

The leading figure had a graceful figure, long hair draped over her shoulders, bright eyes and white teeth, and her chest was well-endowed, drawing the gazes of all the disciples.

Female disciples in the Martial Arts Hall were already scarce, and most were sturdy and rough-skinned, practically male disciples in disguise.

Someone as striking as her naturally captivated the hot-blooded male disciples.

Hearing the commotion, Jiang Chen turned his head and recognized the two.

The one in front was named Wang Qingzhu, the female disciple he had been persistently courting.

The female disciple beside Wang Qingzhu was her close friend, Zhao Xiaoyue.