Chapter 3, Look at it with fresh eyes

A mat was laid on the floor, and Chen Zining sat cross-legged, not in a hurry to circulate his internal energy, but instead meticulously organized and classified the cultivation techniques left by the Qingwuzi in his primordial spirit.

At present, it is said: "You have grasped the true essence of your instruments, and I can no longer teach you anything. In the future, you need not come to the square in the afternoons. However, do not neglect your cultivation of vital energy. Ultimately, a person's cultivation of vital energy is the most fundamental aspect. You are currently in a golden period for elevating your realm, and you must not become arrogant or complacent, nor should you stagnate."

Chen Guanglin felt a tightness in his chest that nearly made him vomit blood. He had to suppress seven parts of his strength within, while repeatedly trying to retract the three parts of strength he had mistakenly exerted. The misapplied force often clashed with the suppressed force, causing his qi and blood to surge, making him even more uncomfortable. Despite attacking several times, he retreated inexplicably each time, and curiously, the two wooden weapons did not even collide with each other.

Chen Guangming, who had remained silent, finally spoke: "Do you think we don't want to? In the entire Yunjieling, only our Chen ancestors discovered a small piece of spiritual land, where they planted more than forty Xuan Yu fruit trees. This secret has been kept for a hundred years until now, and if we sell some of it, it will serve two purposes: first, to divide other forces and prevent others from becoming envious; second, to subsidize the expenses of our clan"

Chen Zining asked, "Isn't the annual production of Xuan Yu fruit over 1,000? If we don't sell it and instead distribute it among the clan along with the *Tu* *Shu*, how wonderful would that be?"

Finally, pointing at Chen Zining, he said: "Listen carefully, focus on your martial arts training, and do not read those nonsensical books anymore. Have you not seen that Zijie has already caught up with you? He is more than two years younger than you."

Seeing Chen Moshuang looking somewhat moved, Zhan Ping hurriedly said: "Shuangshuang, don’t listen to your brother’s nonsense. You are going to try to establish your foundation this year. With the spiritual fruits, the hope will be greater. In the Yunjiuling area, within a radius of several hundred miles, only our Chen family village allows girls like you to practice martial arts. From the age of seven to nine, you can receive two spiritual fruits each year. Unlike other villages, where girls are married off at fifteen or sixteen, after all, they will be someone else's wives in the future. Who cares about establishing a foundation or not? Whether they can fight or not?"

Once Chen Zining is promoted to the mid-stage of Qi Refinement, he will be able to open the Void Ring. Although the magical artifacts for offense and defense, as well as the elixirs for increasing and restoring spiritual energy, have been nearly exhausted by Qing Wuzi during the tribulation, it remains an immense treasure trove for Chen Zining.

Chen Zining smiled and said, "Mother, didn't you say that you liked Father initially because of his scholarly demeanor? Why is it that when your son wants to cultivate that same scholarly demeanor, you are unwilling?"

Chen Zining feigned a look of confusion and replied, "I don't know either; I just feel that this method produces the best results"

After finishing the meal, my younger sister went to the village school at https://www.hetushu.com to learn to read. The school is filled with children aged six to ten, primarily focusing on literacy and arithmetic, and the one responsible for teaching is none other than our father, Chen Guangming

At noon, Chen Zining returned home, and the family sat together for a meal. He saw his younger sister holding chopsticks in one hand and cradling a long-eared rabbit in the other, refusing to let go even while eating. It wasn't that she was afraid of losing it; rather, it was because there were various vegetables planted in the yard, and she was worried the rabbit would cause trouble. He couldn't help but say, "Go find a cage to put it in; what does it look like holding it all day?"

The martial arts of the Holy Lan Continent primarily focus on breath control and energy cultivation, gathering energy in the dantian, and refining the skin, flesh, tendons, bones, marrow, blood, and internal organs through the meridians with true energy. Upon reaching the Martial Sovereign realm, one can also utilize mental power to perform various secret techniques, akin to the innate abilities of spirit beasts and the spells of cultivators. There are both similarities and significant differences among these practices

Moreover, the storage function of the Void Ring is highly useful. This is something Chen Zining has never heard of, and it will undoubtedly bring him tremendous benefits. Of course, all of this is predicated on the condition of not revealing the secret. He resolved in his heart to keep everything that happened yesterday strictly to himself, deeply buried within. Although he is only fourteen years old, he understands the principle of being guilty for possessing something valuable.

Zhan Ping tapped the porcelain bowl and said, "Alright, alright, stop talking about hetushucomcom, let's eat quickly, or it will get cold soon."

Chen Zining returned to his bedroom. Concerned about being disturbed while practicing, he chose a separate room. In Chen Family Village, a boy who has established his foundation holds a higher status in the family than his mother. His father is out hunting, while his mother is responsible for all household chores. The boy focuses solely on martial arts training, as the level of his martial prowess directly relates to his lifelong honor and disgrace, as well as the survival and continuation of the family. No one would take this lightly.

Naturally, no one believed him, but Chen Zining insisted firmly. After a scuffle, they finally let him go

For Chen Zining, cultivating the techniques of Qing Wuzi is not an easy task. When Qing Wuzi first entered the sect, it was with the assistance of spiritual pills, spiritual stones, and spirit-gathering formations that he was able to progress smoothly and advance rapidly. However, Chen Zining lacks all these conditions. Fortunately, he has merged with the remnants of Qing Wuzi's primordial spirit, and his understanding of cultivation remains intact. As long as he can absorb spiritual energy, the greatest obstacle to cultivation, the bottleneck, is almost nonexistent for him

Chen Zining began practicing martial arts at the age of six. Over the past eight years, he has advanced to the sixth level of martial artist, which is neither particularly fast nor slow compared to the average person, placing him at a moderate level. The highest level he can access is that of a warrior. His grandfather, Chen Daochong, achieved the ninth level of warrior ten years ago, making him the foremost expert in Chen Family Village and one of the top martial artists within a hundred miles.

Chen Zining murmured to himself, worried about getting his head knocked, and dared not speak further

Chen Mushuang quickly shook her head and said: "How can that be? It must be very uncomfortable for the little rabbit to be locked in a cage. Brother, please help me think of a way to make the little rabbit obedient and not run around everywhere"

Chen Guanglin thought to himself: "Could it be that this young man is a genius, suddenly enlightened? This is the only explanation; now my Chen family village has a successor."

A few onlooking youths were also cheering from the side. Chen Zining said, "I don't know, I just had an early sleep last night, and when I woke up, I suddenly became enlightened, as if I understood many things all at once"

He compared the cultivation systems of the spiritual cultivation methods learned by Qing Wuzi and the martial arts methods of the Shenglan Continent, examining their similarities and differences. The spiritual cultivation methods emphasize the unity of heaven and humanity, using one's own primordial spirit to communicate with the wandering spiritual energy between heaven and earth, refining the body, solidifying the soul, and enhancing spiritual power and primordial spirit. It is categorized into realms: Qi Induction, Spirit Transformation, Void Return, Dao Integration, and Tribulation Crossing, with each realm further divided into early, middle, and late stages. Ultimately, it aims to break the shackles of heaven and earth and achieve ascension.

Zhan Ping spat lightly, with a hint of shame, and said: "I was young and ignorant back then, and fell for your father's tricks. Nowadays, every girl has sharp eyes and only likes boys who are strong and can protect themselves for a lifetime. No one pays attention to a weak scholar."

Chen Zining smiled and said, "Aren't you able to receive two Xuan Yu fruits this year? Give one to the little rabbit, and it will surely follow you obediently."

Chen Guanglin once again found himself unable to make any progress against the figure in the picture book. Frustrated, he tossed aside the wooden sword and said, "Zining, how did you suddenly become so formidable?"

Chen Zining smiled and said, "It's nothing, can't I still get ten? I'll give them all to Shuangshuang"

Chenjiacun only cultivates some miscellaneous grains and vegetables within a radius of one or two li around the village. The villagers primarily rely on hunting and foraging for medicinal herbs, selling animal skins and medicinal materials to merchants in exchange for daily necessities. With just these means, the villagers could at most ensure they have enough to eat and wear, maintaining a basic livelihood. It would be impossible for them to construct walls over two zhang high around the village as they do now, with every household enjoying surplus. For instance, Chen Zining's family possesses over a thousand books, a quantity that even well-off families in the city cannot afford.

Chen Zikang saw him leave and hurriedly stepped forward to grab Chen Zining's arm, saying: "You brat, quickly tell me, what is the secret? How did you become so impressive"

He paused for a moment and then said: "Our Chen Family Village is located deep in the mountains, and apart from hunting and gathering herbs, we have no other sources of income. The rice you eat, the clothes you wear, and the utensils you use—aren't they all bought from down the mountain? Without the income from selling spiritual fruits, how could we live so well in the mountains?"

Chen Guanglin instructed for a while, leaving everyone behind, and walked towards the village assembly hall

Zhan Ping couldn't help but tap Chen Zi Ning on the head with her chopsticks, saying: "Nonsense! The most important thing for a man is his own strength. I've only seen others take their sisters' share as well, but I've never seen anyone pamper their sister like you do."