Starting as a dockworker

Chapter 35 Martial Arts Realm, Returning to the Origin of True Martial Arts!

"The Great Xia martial arts are divided into three major realms: Foundation Building and Body Refinement, Golden Core Condensation, and Qi Transformation and Divine Connection."

"The Foundation Establishment Realm is about treating the body as a divine weapon, tempering muscles, bones, and blood vessels, and forging the foundation of martial arts."

"The Golden Core Realm is the gathering of the three flowers of essence, qi, and spirit at the top of the head, condensing the void into reality, and forming the true elixir of martial arts. When the elixir is formed, the martial artist's life level undergoes its first leap, and their lifespan increases to two hundred years."

"As for the Qi Transformation Realm, it represents the initial fusion of a martial artist with the laws of heaven and earth, revealing profound mysteries..."

"But this is a legendary realm, only recorded, and its authenticity is unknown. Ordinary martial artists can't even come into contact with it. I only saw some records of it by chance during an adventure, from a stone tablet..."

Xiao Zhenshan began to teach Li Xiao about martial arts.

He truly spoke frankly and openly, without holding anything back from Li Xiao.

Of these three major realms, 90% of ordinary martial artists can only reach the first realm.

Even as a closed-door disciple, he only mentioned the second stage, Golden Core Condensation...

As for the third realm, Qi Transformation and Divine Connection, most martial artists are unaware of its existence. Old Xiao only learned about it by chance, but he told them everything he knew.

Because he felt that if it were Li Xiao, he would probably have a chance to reach this level.

Reaching this level is somewhat similar to the 'Thunderous Fiend' that Li Xiao released yesterday.

It invokes the laws of heaven and earth, revealing unimaginable mysteries...

"I see...."

Li Xiao rested his chin on his hand, already having gained some insights.

If I'm not mistaken, the highest realm for a martial arts master is the path to cultivation.

Similar to the level he has reached so far, "Refining Essence into Qi".

However, martial arts masters reach this level through their personal strength.

He obtained the "Backing Seal" directly through external forces, bestowed upon him by the Lady of Xiangshan.

If a martial artist reaches this level through personal power, it should be similar to Erlang Shen Yang Jian's "physical sainthood," and his strength will be extremely powerful after the breakthrough.

Thinking of this, Li Xiao asked curiously, "Then... has anyone ever reached this level?"

Xiao Zhenshan laughed heartily: "No, so far this realm is just a legend. Let alone the third realm, the Golden Core Condensation realm can probably be counted on one hand. I have never seen it either. Perhaps only some reclusive masters are in this second realm."

Li Xiao said, "So, Old Xiao, you're only at the first realm?"

Xiao Zhenshan nodded: "Yes, most martial artists in the world are at the first stage of Body Refinement and Foundation Establishment. I'm only at the eighth level, but since the fall of the previous dynasty, I feel like I have a faint sense that I can break through to the ninth level..."

Li Xiao said, "It must be because the dragon vein was severed that some changes have occurred in the world..."

Xiao Zhenshan took a deep breath: "Disciple Li Xiao, you really do know these things. This is information I've gathered from countless ancient books over the past two years. Right now, your master is searching for a breakthrough method..."

Then he continued, "The nine levels of Foundation Establishment are:"

Refining strength, tempering skin, forging bones, opening meridians, refining internal organs, condensing marrow, exchanging blood, opening orifices, and building a platform.

"I have been stuck at the eighth level of enlightenment for five years, unable to establish a foundation..."

Li Xiao asked, "What realm are you all at, senior brothers?"

Xiao Zhenshan said, "Your eldest senior brother Chen Zhenyue has already condensed his marrow, while your second senior brother Qin Xiao and third senior brother Zhao Liqun are both in the process of refining their essence."

Li Xiao recalled Zhao Liqun's strength from a while ago, and realized that he was truly formidable.

He could throw a stone with his bare hands and it would penetrate a target 300 meters away, with a power comparable to a bullet.

That's only the fifth level and it's already this powerful? Someone like Lao Xiao, at the eighth level, should have no problem single-handedly wiping out a small army...

If you combine that with your own spiritual powers, wouldn't you be able to kill any god or Buddha who gets in your way?

Li Xiao looked forward to it: "Old Xiao, now that you understand everything, you can start cultivating."

"it is good."

Xiao Zhenshan said, "I originally practiced the Northern Hunting and Sun Shooting Technique of the Jurchen tribe of the previous dynasty. Later, I wandered the martial world and encountered a dangerous situation. I survived by the skin of my teeth and obtained the 'Return to Origin True Martial Technique'. This technique is far superior to the former in both quality and power. So I dispersed my power and practiced this technique again, which is how I reached my current level."

However, this technique is extremely difficult to master, requiring both good physical constitution and natural talent.

Therefore, Guiyuan Martial Arts School requires students to have good aptitude for martial arts; otherwise, they might train for years without achieving anything.

"I will first teach you the 'Returning to Origin Stance Exercise,' my disciple, watch carefully..."

talking.

Xiao Zhenshan then got into position, about to demonstrate the movements of the Guiyuan Zhuang Gong (Returning to Origin Stance Exercise).

Suddenly, bang bang bang!

A knock sounded at the door, and a disciple called out, "Master, the county magistrate is here to see you again. He says you absolutely must go..."

Xiao Zhenshan said irritably, "Can't you see your master is busy? Tell him to go find another martial arts school, instead of always coming to Guiyuan. It's not like Guiyuan is the only martial arts school left in Wuling City."

The disciple outside said, "The county magistrate said he has invited several martial arts schools in the city to form a demon-slaying team and requests your presence to oversee it. The school owners are already waiting..."

Seeing this, Li Xiao said, "Old Xiao, why don't you go ahead and do your work? I'll ask my eighth junior brother to teach me the basic stance training. The important matter is more important."

Xiao Zhenshan sighed and said, "Alright, Wuling City has been quite unsettled lately. The county magistrate's plan to establish a demon-slaying team is for the benefit of the people. I'll go for it. Several disciples from the outer sect have reached the graduation level, so I'll recommend them to the demon-slaying team to find some work."

It's clear that Xiao Zhenshan cares deeply about each and every one of his apprentices.

Some apprentices, after reaching a certain level, find it difficult to continue improving due to a lack of talent and resources.

Xiao Zhenshan would also try to find a way out for these disciples, so that they could continue to cultivate even after leaving the martial arts school.

If they do well outside and have money to buy resources, their cultivation level can even improve.

And so, Lao Xiao left the martial arts school.

Li Xiao first went to the inner sect location, where only two inner sect disciples were present.

The rest of them went to the outer sect to teach the outer sect disciples.

The martial arts school operates on a closed-door system where inner disciples are taught, and inner disciples teach outer disciples; everyone has a task.

According to Xiao Zhenshan, in the process of teaching others, he would naturally summarize his experiences and gain insights into martial arts, which would greatly benefit his martial arts cultivation.

So Li Xiao went to the place where the outer disciples were practicing martial arts. These outer disciples were at different levels of progress; some were practicing stances, some were training their strength, and some were practicing their fists and feet.

Huo Yingjun was teaching his junior brother when he saw Li Xiao coming over and asked, "Fourth Senior Brother, what brings you here?"

Li Xiao laughed and said, "I'll come and be your apprentice."

Huo Yingjun: "Huh?"

Li Xiao explained, "Old Xiao went out on business and hasn't had time to teach me yet. You teach me, starting with the most basic Guiyuan stance exercise."

Huo Yingjun laughed heartily: "That's great!"

It's a strange sight to see a closed-door disciple practicing martial arts in the outer sect...

Several outer disciples around whispered and pointed, saying that this was incredibly embarrassing for the family...

Despite being a closed-door disciple, he stood with newly initiated outer disciples practicing stance training.

Is this still considered a closed-door disciple?

Guiyuan Martial Arts School's number one client is confirmed!

That's it.

Li Xiao stood in the area where Huo Yingjun was teaching his disciples, standing with a junior brother and a junior sister.

A fifteen-year-old girl named Ji Sheng, who had also just started learning, stood next to Li Xiao, her face flushed.

Ji Sheng was fifteen years old, quite naive, with a slightly chubby face. She was at the age when she was just beginning to experience romantic feelings. She had also attended an all-girls school and admired the Western concept of free love.

Huo Yingjun could easily see through this, and teased, "Junior Sister Ji, why is your face red?"

The girl blushed and said, "Eighth Senior Brother, please don't say anything..."

The surrounding disciples started to murmur, "Oh, so she's taken a liking to Fourth Senior Brother?" "They're a perfect match, a handsome man and a beautiful woman." "Make them a couple, make them a couple!"

Li Xiao frowned slightly, looking somewhat speechless.

He then adopted the air of a senior disciple and shouted, "Quiet! Everyone, practice your martial arts properly!"

Upon hearing this, everyone went off to do their own thing, feeling rather disgruntled.

Clearly, Li Xiao's title as the fourth senior brother has some use, but not much.

People were accustomed to his title as their last disciple, but deep down they weren't truly convinced...

Li Xiao didn't care about these opinions.

He looked at Huo Yingjun and said:

"Eighth Brother, hurry up and teach him, stop talking nonsense..."