A Visit

With the Breath-Absorbing Art undergoing its second Limit-Breaking, Lin Bei felt as though heaven and earth had changed.

With every breath, every exhalation and inhalation, he could sense the spiritual energy that permeated heaven and earth.

He could even detect the subtle changes in that spiritual energy under different conditions.

This change deepened Lin Bei's understanding of Dao-Method Wielding.

As he circulated the Breath-Absorbing Art, Lin Bei discovered that its effectiveness had increased threefold.

"Just as I thought! Exactly as I predicted!"

The Breath-Absorbing Art's second Limit-Breaking made Lin Bei very happy.

But what truly delighted him was not that, but finally understanding the logic behind his golden finger.

He provided Zhang Teng with some broad directions.

Zhang Teng used his comprehension to explore those directions and construct a framework.

Within that framework, he continually filled in the gaps, improved it, and corrected it, ultimately comprehending a valid Immortal Cultivation Method.

His golden finger could then extrapolate from that valid Immortal Cultivation Method at the beginner stage, taking it straight to perfection.

When Zhang Teng cultivated it to perfection, he would point Lin Bei toward a path for breaking its limits...

By extrapolating along the right path, the golden finger could easily break through limits.

This time, Lin Bei had demonstrated the Limit-Breaking Level Breath-Absorbing Art for Zhang Teng.

After his epiphany, Zhang Teng had once again pointed out the next path for breaking its limits.

That was how Lin Bei achieved his second Limit-Breaking!

"Perhaps there could be a third Limit-Breaking?"

Lin Bei's heart pounded wildly!

He could demonstrate the limit-breaking Breath-Channeling Method to help Zhang Teng break through its limits...

Once Zhang Teng comprehended it, he would provide insight into the next Limit-Breaking.

Then Lin Bei could proceed with a third Limit-Breaking.

If this cycle continued endlessly...

Lin Bei acted on the thought at once, turning to Zhang Teng with a warm smile.

"Teng'er, you've done very well. You've already broken through one limit. Have you gained any insights?"

Zhang Teng answered honestly, "I vaguely sensed something, but it was too profound. Was that the second Limit-Breaking?"

Lin Bei nodded repeatedly.

"Correct. You've also gained some awareness of the second Limit-Breaking."

"Next, I'll demonstrate the Breath-Channeling Method after its second Limit-Breaking for you!"

Lin Bei immediately began his demonstration...

Afterward, he glanced at Zhang Teng with a hint of anticipation.

Under Lin Bei's expectant gaze, Zhang Teng lowered his head, looking somewhat ashamed.

"Master, I... couldn't understand it. Perhaps my cultivation level is too low?"

Though Lin Bei inwardly lamented the missed opportunity, he felt this was only natural.

After all, reaching the Limit-Breaking Level directly through a single epiphany was already an extraordinary feat.

"There's no rush. Take your time. You'll understand it sooner or later."

Zhang Teng asked, "Master, should I continue studying the Breath-Channeling Method now?"

Lin Bei asked in return.

"Are you confident you can comprehend it?"

Zhang Teng shook his head.

"Although you demonstrated it for me, Master, I still have no direction. My aptitude is too poor."

Aptitude?

Lin Bei immediately recalled the grand promises he had dangled before Zhang Teng. That claim about needing good-grade aptitude to undergo Limit-Breaking had been pure nonsense.

Seeing Zhang Teng's shame, he realized he might have beaten him down too hard.

This won't do!

Zhang Teng, you need to stand tall!

After a moment's thought, Lin Bei immediately spoke.

"Although your aptitude is average, you've already entered the path of cultivation. Many things are no longer bound by those limitations."

"Remember, human determination can conquer heaven!"

"It all depends on your efforts! Don't let aptitude hold you back!"

Lin Bei immediately began encouraging him.

A gleam flashed through Zhang Teng's eyes.

"Master, I understand. It all depends on my efforts!"

Looking at Zhang Teng's resolute gaze, Lin Bei realized that he seemed to believe his words without the slightest doubt.

"Focus on Body Tempering! As your cultivation advances, your understanding of the Breath-Absorbing Art will naturally deepen. You can attempt the second Limit-Breaking then."

This time, Lin Bei really was not making things up. After all, he had already completed his second round of body tempering.

As he tempered his Dao Body, his understanding of Heaven-and-Earth Spiritual Power had indeed deepened.

"Yes! I'll work hard, Master! I'll take my leave."

"Go on!"

Watching Zhang Teng's retreating figure, Lin Bei smiled faintly.

The harder Zhang Teng worked, the stronger he would become...

Lin Bei silently urged Zhang Teng on.

"Cultivate hard. Tomorrow, I'll talk you into going out on a journey!"

Lin Bei had even worked out his pitch...

Time passed.

About four hours later.

Tieniu came running over in a frantic hurry.

"Master... Master... she's here, she's here..."

Here?

Someone from the Zhou Clan is here?

So soon? Didn't they say Nanyang was a day's journey from here?

Lin Bei sprang to his feet, his eyes darting around before finally settling on his bundle.

He decided to hurry and talk Zhang Teng into leaving with him...

Just then.

Tieniu caught his breath and finished speaking.

"Mu Qingyue is here! That Martial Artist from the Martial Arts Headquarters."

Lin Bei nodded. "Have Zhang Teng receive her. He knows what to do."

"Okay!"

Tieniu hurried off to carry out his orders.

Elsewhere.

Mu Qingyue stood on the Martial Arts Grounds, her face filled with puzzlement.

Previously, she had reported to the Central Hall that the Martial Arts Grounds represented a new school.

The Central Hall had taken the matter very seriously. After all, new martial arts schools—especially reasonably powerful ones—were treasures in their early stages.

They could offer Martial Artists more approaches to martial arts.

Thus, the Central Hall had feared this new school might slip away.

They had directly granted Mu Qingyue authority to recruit the Martial Arts Grounds as soon as possible. Not daring to take the matter lightly, she had come to visit at the first opportunity.

And the result?

Upon arriving at the Martial Arts Grounds, she had been dumbfounded.

She clearly remembered what Tieniu had told her.

Everyone at the Martial Arts Grounds was a Martial Artist of this new school, apparently calling themselves Immortal Cultivators.

Yet these apprentices practicing Tai Chi were utterly ordinary people, and particularly frail-looking ones at that. They could not even hold a steady horse stance.

At this level, how could they be Martial Artists of a new school? They were worse than half-baked Martial Artists.

Had she not personally witnessed the miserable state of Hall Master Cheng and the others, she would probably have turned around and left.

In her eyes, this new school was far too weak.

Just as Mu Qingyue was puzzling over this.

Her brows suddenly lifted.

She could sense an expert approaching slowly from nearby, his footsteps steady.

Turning to look, she saw Zhang Teng walking toward her, spirited and brimming with confidence.

He's an expert, and far stronger than most at his level.

Mu Qingyue made that assessment immediately.

Her confusion only deepened.

Immortal Cultivators... was the gap between their strong and weak really this vast?

"Fellow practitioner, may I ask your name?"

Mu Qingyue and Zhang Teng met each other's eyes, and she offered a polite greeting first.

"I am Zhang Teng, the chief disciple accepted under my master's tutelage."

Zhang Teng could sense that Mu Qingyue was extremely formidable, yet he remained neither servile nor overbearing.

A mere Martial Artist!

What was there to fear?