Chapter 8, The Art of Absorbing Yuan, The Path of Self-Determination
As she spoke, Ji Wushuang looked at Ning Yuan, her expression becoming somewhat complex
Ning Yuan smiled and said, "That is just a minor injury, nothing serious. Wushuang, what about the things I won?"
Perhaps in the eyes of ordinary people, reaching the realm of a martial arts master is already a sign of a formidable individual. However, Ji Wushuang is acutely aware that without entering the innate stage, one is ultimately akin to an ant. She has witnessed more than ten first-grade martial artists ambush and attempt to kill her master. In the end, her master, the Immortal Sword Fairy, only drew her sword once, and those more than ten first-grade martial artists fell dead to the ground.
"Is there anything else, elder brother?" However, to his surprise, before Ning Yuan could take a step forward, Ji Wushuang had already blocked his path, gazing at him with a calm expression.
First, we must find a way to restore these nine martial veins, but how can we achieve that? Ning Yuan furrowed his brows in thought. These nine martial veins are the foundation of martial arts, representing the potential of the human body, shrouded in mystery. While injuries may be simple, the treatment is troublesome. It is rare to find those common elixirs or treasures that have the effect of nourishing martial veins, each of which is worth millions.
As he arrived in front of Ji Wushuang's room, before Ning Yuan could knock on the door, it opened. Immediately, Ji Wushuang, dressed in white as pure as snow, stepped out. Upon seeing Ning Yuan, she couldn't help but slightly furrow her brows and asked, "Elder brother, your injuries have not yet healed, how is it that you are up?"
It is not that he does not like being with Ji Wushuang, but rather that he is afraid Ji Wushuang will ask him for that piece of Snow Cold Jade later; at that time, what will he give her
Thinking of this, Ji Wushuang shook her head and said: "Elder brother, rest assured, they sent someone to deliver the items to our door yesterday. I will call someone to fetch them from the steward, Yan'er."
Seeing Ning Yuan's strong reaction, Ji Wushuang remained as calm as water and said lightly: "Brother, there is no need to be anxious. The Swallowing Yuan Technique you are practicing is derived from a profound skill used to cultivate demon beasts. It is not only harmless to the human body but also allows one to devour essence from flesh and blood like a demon beast, thereby refining the physical body. Therefore, this Swallowing Yuan Technique is not limited by one's innate talent. If practiced successfully, it will not be inferior to that of ordinary martial artists in the future"
Ji Wushuang's gaze made Ning Yuan feel somewhat guilty, causing him to take a step back, and then he forced a smile and said: "Actually, it's nothing much, I just wanted to go out for a stroll"
By the way, I remember that those bastards lost a bunch of treasures to me, which would amount to several hundred points of spiritual energy, right? Wu Shuang..." Ning Yuan suddenly thought of something, disregarding everything else, and directly left the room to find Ji Wu Shuang
Being spoken to like this by Ning Yuan, Ji Wushuang was left speechless. Who else in the entire Great Qin Empire could be more wasteful than you, this fellow
However, in the present day, the failure of Ning Yuan's blood awakening has finally made Ji Wushuang recognize the reality. She has handed over the Swallowing Yuan Technique to Ning Yuan for his cultivation, enabling him to support the Ning family in the future while also ensuring his own protection, as she cannot protect him forever.
For example, Dian Wei, who has awakened nearly four layers of Chiyou's blood, possesses such formidable combat power that even a fully-formed Iron Violent Bear may not be his match
That's good, I something happened. Here you go. Upon hearing this, Ji Wushuang nodded and then turned to walk back into the room, retrieving an item and handing it to Ning Yuan.
Ning Yuan's Nine Heavens Martial Vein has been injured by Mu Chengxuan's sword energy. Although it is not completely shattered, it is still significantly damaged. Ordinary elixirs and treasures are simply incapable of healing it. Although the Ning family has a profound heritage, it seems that there are no miraculous pills available to treat the martial vein.
For instance, the Yi Jing Xisui Jing from the Shaolin Temple, the Jiuyang Shen Gong which integrates both Buddhism and Taoism, or the Changsheng Jue from the novel "The Twin Dragons of the Tang Dynasty"—these martial arts possess remarkable efficacy in healing meridian injuries. As long as one can summon a hero proficient in these techniques, the issue of Ning Yuan's martial veins will be easily resolved
However, the awakening of one's bloodline is not a simple matter; it requires continuous accumulation and the stimulation between life and death. It is evident that Ning Yuan does not yet possess such conditions.
The piece of snow-cold jade that Ji Wushuang gave him was exchanged for 100 points of spiritual energy, and this 100 points of spiritual energy has already vanished along with that Dian Wei card.
Ji Wushuang explained: "The path of martial arts begins with the human body's meridians, connecting the nine channels, stimulating the potential of the human body, and then using this to open the dantian. This is the foundation of martial arts, from which one embarks on the path of martial cultivation. The postnatal nine grades serve as critical thresholds, with every three grades representing a watershed. Below the sixth grade, one engages in blood refining and energy transformation, storing internal energy in the dantian, continuously refining it. After breaking through the sixth grade, internal energy can transform into true energy. If one can reach the third grade, true energy can condense into essence, forming a circulatory system throughout the body, permeating all limbs and organs. Therefore, the third grade is also referred to as the realm of the master."
Being held like this by Ning Yuan, Ji Wushuang felt somewhat uncomfortable, yet she could not break free. She could only explain, "At that time, elder brother, you were seriously injured, and I was anxious to bring you back, so I did not pay attention."
Now, Ning Yuan only needs to strengthen this trace of the Chiyou bloodline within him. It is not necessary to reach the level of Dian Wei; awakening just one layer should be sufficient to restore the nine damaged martial veins.
Hearing this, Ning Yuan was left speechless, gazing at the exquisite and beautiful little face before him, and helplessly said: "You are being wasteful!"
"What are those?" Upon hearing this, Ji Wushuang finally recalled something and replied lightly, "I didn't bring them back"
"What is Tun Yuan Gong?" Upon hearing this, Ning Yuan looked at Ji Wushuang with some confusion
As she spoke, Ji Wushuang called out, and a charming and lovely maid stepped out from within the room. After listening to Ji Wushuang's instructions for a few moments, she left.
Therefore, after much contemplation, Ning Yuan ultimately arrived at only one solution, which is the Hero Card
What? Hearing this, Ning Yuan couldn't help but be taken aback. Although he wasn't very knowledgeable about martial arts cultivation, he was well aware of one thing: there is a significant difference between humans and demon beasts. Using the profound techniques meant for cultivating demon beasts for human cultivation is akin to courting death
Elder brother! Upon hearing this, Ji Wushuang's gaze suddenly became sharper, as if it were about to pierce through Ning Yuan's heart
Ji Wushuang shook his head and said: "No, but it is indeed an extremely magical technique. The Golden Cavalry Empire among the Seven Kingdoms of the Northern Region is renowned for its art of taming monsters, and among them, there is a profound skill for cultivating monsters called the Swallowing Yuan Technique"
It is an ancient book, yellowed and tattered, with three faintly visible characters on the cover—Tunyuan Gong
Once one cultivates this Swallowing Yuan Technique, it is tantamount to severing the path of innate potential. Ji Wushuang had previously refrained from revealing it, as she was unwilling to see Ning Tian embark on this irreversible path of no return, for she still harbored the last glimmer of hope in her heart
This is the gap between innate and acquired realms, akin to the chasm between heaven and earth, difficult to bridge
"Devouring flesh and blood, cultivating the physical body, this is treating humans like demonic beasts." Upon hearing this, Ning Yuan finally understood, but he did not care. He murmured, "However, it sounds quite good. If one truly cultivates a physical body akin to that of a demonic beast, it would be nothing short of a human-shaped weapon. Thank you."
Saying this, Ning Yuan revealed a hint of gratitude in his smile towards Ji Wushuang. He understood that Ji Wushuang had a cold temperament and was dedicated to the path of the Immortal Sword, so she naturally would not be interested in a side technique like the Swallowing Yuan Skill. The only reason she sought out this technique was entirely for Ning Yuan, and he could only imagine how much effort and time she had expended for this purpose
What does it mean? Ning Yuan still could not understand Ji Wushuang's words
Although this is indeed the case, hearing Ji Wushuang say this made Ning Yuan feel a bit awkward, and he quickly changed the subject by asking: "But what does this have to do with this book? Is it possible that it can improve one's aptitude?"
Hearing Ning Yuan's words, Ji Wushuang shook her head, sighed softly, and said: "Elder brother, although this Swallowing Yuan Technique is remarkable, it has a significant flaw. While cultivating the physical body, it also strengthens the blockage of the internal meridians, making it impossible to connect the meridians thereafter, and one cannot complete the foundation establishment or open the dantian to cultivate internal energy. Therefore, practicing this Swallowing Yuan Technique can at most allow one to reach the first grade of the acquired realm, and it is impossible to step into the innate realm."
In fact, this Swallowing Yuan Skill has long been obtained by Ji Wushuang. The reason it has not been brought forth until now is precisely because of its flaw. Although the Swallowing Yuan Skill is miraculous, it will forever be impossible to step into the Innate Realm, which is an immensely significant defect
Ning Yuan has already understood that this hero card can draw all heroes, whether they are fictional or real, just like Dian Wei; the historical Dian Wei was definitely not as formidable as the Dian Wei in the hero card.
Relying on his memory, Ning Yuan wandered around the Ning residence twice, after dismissing a group of relatives or servants whose identities he did not know, and finally arrived at Ji Wushuang's courtyard
Although Ji Wushuang misunderstood, Ning Yuan let out a sigh of relief and said: "No problem, I will just stay at home and not go anywhere, is that alright"
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All of this indicates one thing: Ning Yuan can not only summon Dian Wei, but also other even more formidable heroes. Without mentioning the deities, there are numerous ways to nurture and heal his damaged martial veins, especially among the masters found in martial arts novels.
Therefore, Ning Yuan can only place his hopes on the hero cards, but drawing hero cards requires the consumption of spiritual energy, and Ning Yuan's current spiritual energy value is ... ...
This caused Ning Yuan to involuntarily shift his gaze, and he secretly thought: "Could she have noticed something?"
What? This statement nearly caused Ning Yuan to stumble. He stepped forward, grasped Ji Wushuang's fragrant shoulders with both hands, and asked, "With so many items, you actually didn't bring any back?"
"Just deliver those things to my room later, I have other matters to attend to, so I will take my leave now." Upon hearing this, Ning Yuan casually found an excuse and intended to leave
If all else fails, Ning Yuan can also attempt to awaken the power of the blood of Chi You within him. Currently, the blood of Chi You in his body has only activated a trace of the ancestral bloodline, with the sole effect of slightly strengthening his physical body. However, as long as he can continuously stimulate and awaken this blood of Chi You, its power will become increasingly formidable.
Ji Wushuang resides in a relatively secluded courtyard within the Ning residence. She enjoys tranquility, so unless there are special circumstances, very few people come to disturb her.
"Hmm, and then?" Ning Yuan listened very attentively. Although these are the fundamentals of martial arts training, the basics are often the most important, especially for a novice like him who knows very little.
Seeing Ning Yuan's anxious expression, Ji Wushuang felt a wave of helplessness in her heart, and then sighed, "Elder brother, you have not yet recovered from your serious injuries, so you should not leave home casually. It would be best to sever ties with those places of indulgence and friends of wine and meat as soon as possible."
This is the normal method of martial arts cultivation. " Ji Wushuang paused here, and after a moment, continued, "However, brother, with your aptitude, it is likely that you will find it difficult to achieve any accomplishments in this lifetime through this method of cultivation.
Ning Yuan quickly suppressed the thought of seeking revenge on Mu Chengxuan and redirected his focus to the issues concerning his own body
Ji Wushuang said softly: "Elder brother, your aptitude is too poor, and the battle blood you awakened earlier is difficult to retain. Therefore, if you wish to achieve success in martial arts, you must seek an alternative path."
Ji Wushuang certainly did not perceive Ning Yuan's issues; she completely believed that Ning Yuan had healed and simply forgotten the pain, wanting to go out and indulge in revelry.