True Meaning

The next morning, the sky was just beginning to brighten.

Xu Wuyi slowly drew back his spear in the open space, fine beads of sweat on his temples. His mastery of Silk-Winding Force had grown increasingly practiced.

That soft, hidden force was like truly invisible threads, now able to flow smoothly out with the Wind-Returning Sweep. Though it was still some distance from being as effortless as moving his own arm and fingers, using it was no longer obscure and difficult.

His awareness swept through his sea of consciousness, and on the panel, the proficiency of Wind-Settling Spear had changed to

Minor Achievement (0.8%)

.

Just like the body tempering method, after entering the Minor Achievement realm, proficiency advanced at an incomparably slow pace. Still, in the end, it was progressing.

He washed up, hurried through breakfast, and rushed to school.

Today was the day the school's first batch of resource subsidies was credited.

Through the school's internal martial arts resource exchange system, the quota of one hundred thousand Federal Credits was already displayed in his account.

He did not hesitate in the slightest and directly entered Battle Net's "Intent Fragment" exchange area.

A dazzling array of basic Intent Fragments appeared on the light screen as virtual images, with steep prices marked beside them.

Xu Wuyi took a deep breath and first selected the "free trial" function provided by the system.

Yesterday's battle with Li Mo had made him realize that his understanding of martial arts was still quite shallow.

He wanted to experience for himself whether Intents other than "Mountain" were compatible with him.

The first he tried was the "Flowing Water" True Intent fragment. The instant his consciousness sank into it, a soft, agile, all-pervasive will wrapped around him.

The feeling was wondrous, but it was utterly at odds with Xu Wuyi's state of mind and the heavy foundation tempered by the Basic Body Tempering Method. It was as if a layer of frosted glass separated them, making it hard to form any true resonance.

Withdrawing from the trial, he shook his head slightly.

Next was "Blazing Fire" True Intent.

A violent, scorching will that seemed to burn everything away battered his consciousness, filled with extreme aggression.

Xu Wuyi only felt his mind grow restless, and even his qi and blood seemed affected, faintly boiling. But the sensation made him uncomfortable and ran counter to the control he pursued.

He withdrew again, then tried "Swift Wind" True Intent.

Swift, elusive, unrestrained; as he experienced it, even his body seemed about to become lighter.

Unfortunately, it still did not suit Xu Wuyi. Even gaining some insight from it was extremely difficult.

He tried several in succession, but the results were all disappointing. These Intents themselves were profound and powerful, yet none of them could touch that string deep within his heart.

As expected, it still won't work? Xu Wuyi thought to himself, without feeling too much disappointment.

Teacher Wang had said that comprehension of Intent could not be forced. Compatibility with oneself was the key.

He turned his gaze back to the option for "Mountain True Intent" and began the trial. His consciousness seemed to be dragged into a vast, desolate land, where a colossal mountain whose peak could not be seen towered before him, casting a boundless shadow.

Xu Wuyi already had some understanding of "Mountain True Intent," and almost in an instant, he immediately comprehended four different directions from it.

The first was "heaviness": unmoving and unshakable, impervious to all methods;

The second was "peril": a solitary peak piercing straight into the firmament, defying the heavens, seeking life from the jaws of death;

The third was "majesty": like Mount Tai crushing down from above, a vast and overwhelming momentum;

The fourth was "continuity": long-lasting qi and blood, inexhaustible follow-through.

The same Martial Dao True Intent can also display different effects, and even different martial artists may comprehend it differently.

A flash of understanding passed through Xu Wuyi's mind.

The trial ended there. Xu Wuyi no longer hesitated and directly paid the corresponding points and Federal Credits, choosing to exchange for it.

The next moment, the illusory image of a fragment exuding a deep, solid void-like will merged into his personal Battle Net space.

Boom!

The colossal mountain appeared once more, casting a boundless shadow.

This will was more domineering than the embryonic form of "Mountain" he had comprehended on his own before, and also far more proactive!

After who knew how long, Xu Wuyi slowly withdrew from his state of comprehension and let out a long breath, his eyes flashing with sharp light.

"So that's it... Mountain: impervious to all methods, suppressing everything!"

He immediately exited Battle Net and arrived at the equipment area of No. 1 Training Hall, grabbing a solid metal long spear.

He closed his eyes, striving to recall that unique will as he attempted to integrate it into his spear technique.

He opened with Army-Settling Stance, steady as ever.

He thrust out with Cloud-Piercing Thrust, attempting to imbue the spear tip with that intent of "suppression."

However, after several rounds, though he felt some improvement, there was always an invisible barrier between them, preventing true fusion.

After forcing several more attempts, not only did he fail, even the circulation of his qi and blood showed a trace of sluggishness.

Xu Wuyi stopped moving, his brows tightly furrowed.

"Looks like I was taking it for granted. How could comprehension of Intent be so easily integrated into martial arts? Let alone during ordinary daily practice."

He realized he had been somewhat impatient.

The excitement brought by defeating Li Mo and reaching Minor Achievement in spear technique had made him a little restless.

But Xu Wuyi was undoubtedly good at self-reflection. When he realized his state was off, he was quickly able to adjust.

After practicing his spear techniques for a while longer, Xu Wuyi's mood gradually calmed. Then he began his usual morning routine, cultivating the Basic Body Tempering Method.

Even if he had not comprehended Martial Dao True Intent this time, he had at least taken a large step forward.

True Intent fragments were not limited to a single exchange either. He could just buy another one next time.

Xu Wuyi did not get stuck on it. He went to his training room, cleared his thoughts, and took the opening stance of the Basic Body Tempering Method: Holding the Origin and Guarding the One.

Sinking the shoulders, dropping the elbows, loosening the waist, tucking the hips... The key points that had long since sunk into his bones appeared naturally.

His qi and blood followed his slow, deep breaths, circulating steadily along the familiar route.

Once, twice, three times...

He did not deliberately chase anything. He simply poured himself completely into the movements, feeling his qi and blood trickle through his body, nourishing his limbs and bones.

Perhaps it was because comprehending the True Intent of "Mountain" just now had drained his mind, or perhaps it was because he had let go of his obsession with rushing for results, but at this moment his heart was unusually tranquil.

Just as he completed the seventh cycle of Holding the Origin and Guarding the One, and his movement shifted from utter stillness to a slight motion, preparing to connect into the next form—

In his sea of consciousness, that ancient bronze book suddenly released a radiant glow without warning!

At the same time, a heavy, profound, and vast intent naturally rose from the depths of his heart, instantly running through his entire body, making him feel as if he had become one with the earth beneath his feet!

Unlike the sense of separation he had felt during the Battle Net fragment experience, this intent was so real, as if it had always been hidden deep within his spirit and had finally been awakened at this moment!

In a daze, he felt that he was no longer an independent individual, but had become a mountain rising from the earth, rooted in deep soil, enduring wind and rain, and able to suppress all directions.

At the same time, notifications kept appearing on the panel:

[During daily cultivation, you glimpsed your true heart and triggered a resonance of qi and blood, successfully comprehending Martial Dao True Intent—Mountain!]

[Under the enhancement of Martial Dao True Intent, the cultivation efficiency of the Basic Body Tempering Method has permanently increased by 50%, and qi-and-blood refinement has permanently increased by 20%.]

[Basic Body Tempering Method martial arts trait unlocked: Mountain Suppressor!]