Martial Dao Realms

Liu Zhi felt a great deal of emotion regarding Gou Buyi's death. While Jiang Che was leading the pursuit of Scarface, Liu Zhi was summoned to the encampment by Zhu Sheng for some appeasement.

However, the underlying meaning of Zhu Sheng's words didn't sit well with him.

He and Gou Buren had no prior grievances, but with just a hint from Zhu Sheng, he was forced to act. Furthermore, starting with Gou Buyi's incident, they would be locked in a fight to the death.

This was why, when he called Jiang Che over today, he couldn't help but utter that one sentence.

"I understand your intentions, sir."

Jiang Che nodded.

"Seven days ago, I promised you that if you could master Savage Bull Strength within the deadline, I would transfer you to my side. Now is the time to fulfill that promise.

However, I will be transferred out of the Wind Camp soon. Will you come with me, or will you stay in the barracks? Rest assured, even if you leave, I will ensure you have a good future."

Liu Zhi continued speaking, not looking at Jiang Che, wanting to hear his answer.

But his thoughts were underestimating Jiang Che. The moment Liu Zhi finished speaking, Jiang Che immediately declared without hesitation:

"You saved me from dire straits and helped me resolve my hidden troubles. I cannot repay such kindness. I can only find peace by following you, serving as your groom."

Seeing Jiang Che's solemn and sincere expression, Liu Zhi narrowed his eyes:

"Think carefully. Transferring with me might not necessarily lead to a good future. Also, I'm not testing you by saying this; I just want to build good relations."

"Wherever you go, sir, I will go," Jiang Che said solemnly.

"I recall you are from Yanggu County?"

After a moment of silence, Liu Zhi asked.

"That's correct. I am indeed from Yanggu County. I was originally a fisherman who relied on the river. It was only because I offended the Cao Gang in the county that I ended up being exiled to the border."

"The place I'm being transferred to this time is Yanggu County, where I will serve as the commander of the ninth-rank city gate." Liu Zhi was direct and open.

"Congratulations, sir."

Although he had only been here for just over a month, he had received all of the original body's memories and naturally understood the difference between a deputy commander in the garrison and a ninth-rank city gate commander.

The city gate commander held official status, while the deputy commander in the camp did not.

Furthermore, the power wielded by the two was vastly different.

The Wind Camp had no more than five hundred regular soldiers, with several commanders under its jurisdiction. With Liu Zhi's current authority, he could only command fifty men. Guarding the Auxiliary Barracks was merely a temporary assignment.

In contrast, a ninth-rank city gate commander was in charge of a quarter of the county city.

He would oversee tens of thousands of citizens, truly a position of superiority.

"Since we've been open with each other, I'll be blunt. If you accompany me, I will recommend you to Captain Zhu as a deputy commander to help me govern and suppress the area," Liu Zhi promised earnestly, looking at Jiang Che.

As he said before, mastering Savage Bull Strength in seven days was worthy of his promotion.

Otherwise, for a mere auxiliary soldier to achieve a three-level jump was completely a pipe dream.

"I am willing to die for you, sir!"

Jiang Che was about to bow, but Liu Zhi stopped him in time, patting his shoulder encouragingly:

"We are not much different in age. From now on, let's address each other as brothers. Yanggu County is your hometown; I will need your assistance in many ways in the future."

"Yes."

"Regarding your transfer out of the Auxiliary Barracks, I have already made arrangements. A death row inmate will be transferred from elsewhere to take your place at the border."

"Uh, sir, I have a request."

Jiang Che hesitated for a moment before speaking.

"Go ahead."

"Could you... grant another position? I'd like to bring another helper from the Auxiliary Barracks."

This was something Jiang Che had promised Geng Dabiao. Now, whether it succeeded or not, he had to strive for it.

"I knew this would happen. How about this: I'll give you two positions, but that's the absolute limit. Any more, and it would be an insult to others."

Helping someone to the end, Liu Zhi was now highly valuing Jiang Che's future and was willing to invest in him.

"Thank you, sir."

Liu Zhi's kindness was indeed effective. At least now, Jiang Che was truly grateful to him.

During their casual conversation, Jiang Che raised some of his own questions:

"Since there are cultivation techniques, are there also different realms?"

"Naturally. I called you here today to explain these profound matters. Since you've asked first, I'll tell you. Below the Innate Realm, there are four stages."

Liu Zhi nodded.

"What are the four stages?"

"Body Strengthening, Life Breath, Bone Forging, and Meridian Opening."

"Please elaborate, sir."

Jiang Che put on a show of attentively listening.

"Body Strengthening is mortal, with flesh and blood as its foundation. Those who reach a strength of over one hundred catties are considered to have entered this realm. Life Breath is Qi. Once any Body Strengthening method is cultivated to great completion, flesh and blood will circulate throughout the body, and strength can reach a thousand catties. This is Life Breath.

Qi tempers sinews and bones, refined a thousand times, with cultivation techniques as its distinguishing feature. Whether the sinews and bones turn golden yellow, ink black, or other colors, a casual punch can shatter rocks and crack the earth, with a strength of several thousand catties. This is Bone Forging.

Sinews and bones are indestructible, Qi flows through the eight meridians, opening up the entire body. Strength reaches every part of the physical body. One can scale walls, walk on water without sinking, and tread on level ground as if aided by gods. This is Meridian Opening."

Liu Zhi spoke eloquently, explaining the cultivation realms in one go.

"Strength reaching one hundred catties, a thousand catties, splitting mountains and shattering rocks, crossing rivers," Jiang Che murmured, a sense of longing arising in his heart.

"What about beyond Meridian Opening?"

He then asked.

"Above the four realms is the Innate Realm, where one draws upon the profound Qi of heaven and earth, integrating it into their own body. It is rumored to possess the ability to sever rivers and mountains, which is also my aspiration." Upon mentioning this, Liu Zhi's gaze also changed.

"If one reaches the pinnacle of cultivation, wouldn't they be considered an immortal or a god?"

Jiang Che chimed in.

Liu Zhi shook his head. "These are not things that mortals like you and I can pry into. Focus on cultivating properly first. Each of these four realms and three stages is difficult to advance. However, if you can achieve some improvement, it will also bring you power and status."

"This subordinate understands."

Leaving the military tent, Jiang Che found a secluded spot and immediately closed his eyes, sinking his consciousness into his mind, preparing to set his sacrifice target as the great completion of Savage Bull Strength.

Liu Zhi's explanation had filled Jiang Che with longing. After all, possessing immense power was the pursuit of every man who admired brute force.

He was no exception.

However, he knew that he had to take things one step at a time, like eating a meal bite by bite.

His first goal was still to achieve the great completion of Savage Bull Strength and step into the Inner Breath Realm.

[Sacrifice Target: Great Completion of Savage Bull Strength.]

The blood patterns of the Heavenly Stele flowed and gradually lit up. After a few breaths, a line of small text gradually appeared.

[Sacrifice Cost: One hundred catties of raw beef, one hundred catties of raw bull blood, one hundred catties of raw bull bones, ten stalks of Deer Blood Grass, one stalk of Bone Strengthening Flower, one year of lifespan reduction. Sacrifice? ]

Things like beef and bull blood were manageable. Although they were extremely valuable, they weren't impossible to acquire with money. But the Deer Blood Grass and Bone Strengthening Flower... Jiang Che had never even heard of these two items.

Flesh and blood circulating, truly not something easily achieved.