Purple Mist Dao Master-Chapter 180 - 161: Wang Zhengyi’s Invitation: Join the Army!

Chapter 180: Chapter 161: Wang Zhengyi’s Invitation: Join the Army!

Three days later.

In Nameless Mountain, within Nameless Cave.

Yan Chuan sat cross-legged, cultivating the "Mixed Element Skill". In his hands, an Essence Stone glimmered faintly.

As the cultivation technique operated, the Essence Energy within the stone was continuously absorbed and refined by Yan Chuan.

Be it internal strength!

Or boxing!

Essentially, they are both processes of ’refining essence into qi’.

Originally, the essence energy needed to strengthen internal power and inner strength had to be refined from the body—

People consume grains and cereals, strengthening their bodies and brimming with qi-blood. Then, through ’internal cultivation methods’ and ’inner boxing’, the body’s potential and qi-blood power are refined into the more mystical ’internal strength’ and ’inner strength’.

Afterwards, ’inner boxing’ uses ’inner strength’ to temper the sinew, bone, skin, and membrane, strengthening the body to produce and store more qi-blood, continuously growing and enhancing.

’Internal cultivation methods’, on the other hand, involve using ’internal strength’ to unceasingly open up the body’s meridians. As each meridian is opened, the internal strength flowing and accumulating within them increases, until streams gather into rivers, and rivers into the sea, with the Dantian opening up. This is ’postnatal’ striving to become ’innate’. Although there is no ’Qi Blood Smoke’, with the Dantian open, the connection between the body and cosmos is established, allowing the absorption of energy from the heavens and earth, transitioning from ’refining essence’ to ’qi cultivation’.

Limit, breaking limit, innate!

This is the ’Inner Boxing System’, ’Inner Strength System’.

Ding Xue, Opening Gate, Dantian!

This is the ’Inner Power System’, ’Inner Strength System’.

A martial artist’s energy is limited, and most can only take one path, like the ’Inner Boxing’ system, transitioning from refining the qi-blood limit to breaking the limit, and then tempering the sinew, bone, skin, and membrane to reach innate. Each step is perilous, leaving no energy to cultivate ’inner strength’.

Even then, there are priorities, with the most focus on one aspect.

But Yan Chuan is different.

From ’Cheng Family Boxing’ to ’Hundred Schools Boxing Skill’ and then to ’Xingyi Boxing’, he is a grandmaster in ’Inner Boxing’, achieving profound mastery in boxing and cultivating at a fast pace, even easily comprehending ’Tiger and Leopard Thunder Sound’.

Particularly!

His cultivation of the "Mixed Element Skill" goes from the outside in, an internal method based on ’inner boxing’ and ’inner strength’, completely different from other internal cultivation methods in the world.

The stronger the ’inner boxing’, the more profound the ’inner strength’, the faster the cultivation of the "Mixed Element Skill", and the swifter the accumulation of ’internal strength’.

They mutually promote each other.

Now, having broken through in his boxing, the progress in "Mixed Element Skill" has also accelerated.

With the help of ’Essence Stone’, progress is even faster.

Practicing boxing by day!

Training inner power by night!

Crack!

When the first ray of sunlight shone on the fourth day, the last Essence Stone in Yan Chuan’s hand shattered.

Three days and nights, four taels of Essence Stone completely consumed.

...

"Three days to refine four taels of Essence Stone."

"I cultivate both internally and externally, refining Essence Stones at a rate four to eight times faster than normal!"

Yan Chuan stood up, both surprised and helpless: "But, four taels of Essence Stone, refined three taels through ’Xingyi Boxing’ for Bone Training, only tempered three sections of the toe bone. Refined one tael through ’Mixed Element Skill’, initially flowing internal strength through the meridian group governed by the twelve main meridians. The next step is to precisely locate the ’twelve main meridians’, and pinpoint the points they pass through, to truly open the twelve main meridians." fɾēewebnσveℓ.com

The ’Xingyi Boxing’ has already found a rhythm; Bone Training can be conducted step by step.

The ’Mixed Element Skill’, however, is just beginning. The upcoming work involves ’Ding Xue’ and ’Opening Gate’, with each point in the body likened to a ’lake’, and each meridian to a ’river’. Yan Chuan must first expand the ’lakes’, consolidate and deepen them, then clear the ’rivers’, dredge and broaden them.

Thus—

The lakes are vast!

The rivers broad!

Only then is the foundation established, with a hope of becoming innate.

This step is perilous and tedious, time-consuming and labor-intensive, but unavoidable.

Yan Chuan’s practice of the ’Mixed Element Skill’, from outside to inside, excels in stability, eliminating the risk of deranged cultivation, provided that resources are ample.

"Resources!"

"Essence Stone!"

Yan Chuan rose and exited the cave.

Outside the cave.

In the mountains.

Wang Zhengyi had already returned.

...

"Palace Master Yan."

Upon returning, Wang Zhengyi first met with Jian Rong, then Yan Chuan. Looking at the young man of his age standing before him, Wang Zhengyi was filled with curiosity.

On the way back escorting his father, Wang Kuan, he had thoroughly learned about Yan Chuan from him—

Martial Arts Hall!

Old School!

Martial Arts Competition!

Self-created Cultivation Technique!

Hundred Flower Palace!

Xingyi Boxing!

Tiger and Leopard Thunder Sound!

...

Each and every one, captivating!

Wang Zhengyi asked himself if he could have single-handedly made a name in Danhu Royal City, not only joining the Black Armor Army but also comprehending the ’Tiger and Leopard Thunder Sound’ technique, becoming the second person at Guangling Academy to break the limit using a secret method.

He isn’t poor!

In Guangling Academy, he can be considered inevitable.

However, compared to Yan Chuan, he seems slightly inferior.

Wang Zhengyi does not envy others, but is full of curiosity for Yan Chuan.

Similarly.

Yan Chuan was also very curious about Wang Zhengyi—

...

"Brother Wang."

After exchanging pleasantries with Wang Zhengyi, Yan Chuan couldn’t help but ask: "May I ask, Brother Wang, how does one join the Black Armor Army, and what benefits does it bring after joining?"

Yan Chuan had a great relationship with Wang Kuan, and was candid with Wang Zhengyi, showing no reserve as he asked directly.

He wasn’t just curious.

He had other thoughts in mind.

"Black Armor Army——"

Wang Zhengyi smiled wryly: "A few days ago, we had a conflict with the Black Armor Army at Woniu Mountain. By now, our portraits and information have been filed in Danhu Royal City. Neither of us should hold onto hope."

"Not even disguises?"

Yan Chuan asked curiously.

"No." Wang Zhengyi shook his head: "Every March and October, Danhu Royal City conducts assessments. Martial artists inside and outside the city can participate. Those meeting the standards can join the ’Hundred Beasts Army’, learning the Human-level Secret Manual ’Hundred Beasts Technique’. Those with excellent assessments can join the ’Black Armor Army’, learning the Earth-level Secret Scripture ’Fierce Dragon Technique’. The assessment standards are high, and more strictly, Danhu Royal City verifies the identity of each participant, focusing primarily on ’appearance’ and ’bone age’. Once traces of disguise or cosmetic surgery are found, they will not be accepted."

Disguise?

What kind of person would disguise themselves?

Someone either in trouble.

Or with malicious intent.

In any case, not good people.

And after the incident at Woniu Mountain, Yan Chuan’s face has been registered with the Black Armor Army and in Danhu Royal City. Although he is not a significant figure, the path to joining the army is blocked.

"Not completely blocked."

Wang Zhengyi added: "The Mountain and Sea Realm has numerous royal cities. Just within the Guangling Territory, there are six royal cities. Besides Danhu Royal City, there are five others, each with corresponding assessments. Armies continuously absorb new blood from both within and outside these royal cities."

"Not just armies."

"The royal cities are vast, with complex and intertwined factions within. The City Lord Mansion indeed holds the reins, but it is composed of historical families and sects. Even if you don’t join the army, joining a powerful sect or pledging allegiance to a top family are good paths, with no shortage of secret manuals and resources."

"What’s more important is gaining a deeper understanding of the Mountain and Sea Realm, broadening horizons, and rapidly improving strength!"

Wang Zhengyi’s eyes were keen as he looked at Yan Chuan: "If Palace Master Yan is interested, why don’t we travel together to the nearby ’Hunxi Royal City’. ’Hunxi Royal City’ conducts recruitment assessments every July, around the end of the ’Cang Mountain Sword Discussion’. We can first familiarize ourselves with Hunxi Royal City, and after the sword discussion, participate in the assessment!"

Among his peers at Guangling Academy, no one caught Wang Zhengyi’s eye, so he always acted alone, carving a path in Danhu Royal City without any support or need for partners.

But Yan Chuan was different.

If Yan Chuan were to accompany him, Wang Zhengyi thought it would be immensely beneficial. The two could support each other, standing a better chance of firmly establishing themselves in an unfamiliar city.

Wang Zhengyi sought a reliable partner.

Yan Chuan needed Wang Zhengyi’s experience of living in the royal city, understanding its rules, taboos, language, and customs. With Wang Zhengyi leading, it would be much better than Yan Chuan going solo!

Thus, the two hit it off immediately—

"Excellent!"

Yan Chuan readily agreed.

...

"Everyone’s here, let’s discuss it."

That day, the group gathered to discuss the plan to hunt the ’tiger cat’.

Jian Rong, the most experienced present, looked at everyone in attendance: "What plans do you all have?"

"We just escaped from Woniu Mountain. Trying to go back to the mine to hunt the ’tiger cat’ will be very difficult!" Wang Zhengyi shook his head.

Not to mention whether they can infiltrate the mine again, and whether they can find the ’tiger cat’ once inside, even if they do find it—

"The ’tiger cat’ is not weak. Though not as strong as the ’Golden Rock Earth Dragon’, it is quick and adept at escaping. Trying to hunt it would create a lot of commotion, and there would be a lengthy pursuit and chase."

"If it takes too long to kill it, it could easily attract the Black Armor Army."

"At that point, another variable has been added!"

Chen Ze frowned, also feeling it difficult.

He had personally participated in the Guangling Academy’s hunt for the ’Golden Rock Earth Dragon’, witnessing seven Inner Court Elders, led by Gu Shengyan, working together, supported by the academy’s elites. Even then, it was incredibly challenging. Ultimately, they succeeded only through the use of two ’Sky Shattering Bows’.

Currently, although there are six limit-breakers present, one less than at the Guangling Academy’s hunt, and the ’tiger cat’ is weaker than the ’Golden Rock Earth Dragon’, considering the environment of ’Woniu Mountain’ makes this endeavor no less challenging than the academy’s hunt.

"Two issues—"

"First is the ’Black Armor Army’, how to bypass the army and infiltrate the mine? How to avoid the army during the hunt? And how to escape afterward?"

"Second is the ’tiger cat’, how to locate it, how to hunt it."

Jian Rong raised the issues—

Tiger Cat!

Black Armor Army!

Both are troublesome, how to handle them?

"Difficult!"

Wang Zhengyi said seriously: "The Black Armor Army is on alert, with their defenses tighter than ever, ready and waiting. They might even have called reinforcements, just waiting for us to walk into their trap. I suggest we don’t act rashly, bide our time, and move when things have settled."

Wang Zhengyi, having once been a member of the Black Armor Army, had insights into their operations that few present could match.

The group pondered.

Jian Rong looked at Yan Chuan: "Does Palace Master Yan have any good solutions?"

"No!"

Yan Chuan shook his head: "I agree with Brother Wang’s proposal, let’s wait a bit!"

He had "Derivation Skill" and "Mutual Teaching and Learning"; the ’Essence Stone’ and ’tiger cat’ weren’t urgent matters. Now, with Wang Zhengyi’s company, reaching ’Hunxi Royal City’ was possible anytime. Yan Chuan anticipated it eagerly, significantly reducing his desire for ’Woniu Mountain’, ’Essence Stone’, and ’tiger cat’.

No rush!

No rush!

...