Chapter 3, The Practitioner

As for the lower echelons, they are individuals who lack the talent for refining Qi and cannot endure the hardships of martial arts that temper the body, thus resorting to practicing those quick-fix, unorthodox secret techniques.

Tie Tianying nodded slightly: "Young Master Gu need not be polite, in the past, I, Tie, received the favor of the old Marquis, so this is only proper."

Therefore, only a few major sects will cultivate genuine Qi Refiners

Grandmother, I am well aware of this. My family has a tradition of passing down martial skills, and it cannot be allowed to end with my generation

After finishing his meal, Gu Cheng returned to his room and, after checking around a few times, finally took out the jade pendant from his pocket

The ominous energy had only increased slightly, and Tie Tianying did not pursue the matter further. He simply asked:

Martial arts technique

After Tie Tianying left, Old Madam Gu finally complained, "Grandson, do you know what you have promised? You have acted too rashly in this matter"

Both of these realms are fundamental, thus no specific techniques are required

Tie Tianying shook his head and said: "Of course it is not the capital city; the capital city is the headquarters of the Jingye Division, where all the elite of the Great Qian Jingye Division are gathered, and it does not accept newcomers"

Is this book on Xuangang Daoism the cultivation method of Qi Refiners

Cultivating the spirit and refining the essence through practices such as meditation and Zen, one can enhance perception and open the Yin-Yang eye, enabling the sight of malevolent spirits and entities.

In the past, I was promoted from the position of night patrol officer in Heyang Prefecture to the capital. Now, the commander of the Jingye Division in Heyang Prefecture, 'Great Ziyang Hand' Cui Zijie, was once my colleague. Young Master Gu can also receive care and training from him.

Internal training involves inhaling a breath of acquired energy, expanding the chest and abdomen, and refining the internal organs. This practice can strengthen the internal organs, restore remarkable capabilities, and project energy outward. Furthermore, as the internal organs breathe and expand, they can unleash a sound akin to the roar of tigers and leopards.

This thing, once drawn into here, becomes quite docile; is this a prison for it?

His fainting last time was actually unrelated to any mental disturbance; it was purely due to exhaustion of mental energy that he fainted.

Tie Tianying shook his head and said: "No, the techniques of Qi Refiners are even rarer. The Xuangang Daoist arts merely record some basic knowledge about ghosts and monsters, as well as methods to deal with them. It can be considered a fundamental secret method of the Xuanmen, but it is not a technique."

Tie Tianying sighed and said: "It seems that your father should be the last martial arts practitioner of the Gu family, and the techniques he practiced were likely not those of your Gu family."

At the same time, Tie Tianying also came to check on Gu Cheng, to see how the negative energy around him was dissipating.

Experience from switching jobs at multiple companies in his past life told Gu Cheng that if one cannot get by, it is better to find another place to survive, and there is no need to hang oneself on the same tree

Gu Cheng attempted to think about the outside, and indeed, in the next moment, his mind returned to the outside.

I trouble you, Master Tie

Tie Tianying nodded and said: "What the old lady said is unnecessary, it is all to be expected"

Tie Tianying pointed at Gu Cheng and then at himself: "A person's energy is limited. It is already quite difficult to cultivate one path to its peak. Most people who attempt to cultivate both paths end up not mastering either. You must not entertain such thoughts.

Further ahead, you will need to use your own merits to apply to the Jingye Division for advanced-level techniques

Old Lady Gu wiped her tears and said: "What are you talking about? We are all family, what burdens are there to speak of? If it weren't for the military achievements left by your father, your second uncle wouldn't have been able to attain the rank of brigadier general."

Such individuals generally do not reach the pinnacle, unless they change their path midway to cultivate martial arts and refine their qi

Martial Arts Nine Ranks: External Training, Internal Training, Bone Forging, Blood Surge, Mountain Observation, Sea Gazing, Divine Gate, Transcendence, Martial Sage

Old Lady Gu is so biased towards herself that every time she scolds her, she probably takes it to heart

The Wu Gang Summary outlines the cultivation methods for the external practice of the Nine Grades and the internal practice of the Eight Grades

Before reporting to the Jingye Division of Heyang Prefecture, it is advisable for you to complete the training of the Ninth Rank External Cultivation

Although poisoning at such a time is a very foolish act, as it may expose oneself, who knows if this woman might lose her mind out of anger and act irrationally

The grandson is neither skilled in literature nor in martial arts, and going to the second uncle's place would likely burden him as well. It just so happens that the grandson encountered such a situation, making it quite suitable to go to the Jingye Division.

I will return to write a letter, recommending Young Master Gu to join the Jingye Division. Once he receives the documents, he can report to the Jingye Division in Heyang Prefecture, Donglin County.

Gu Cheng shook his head in confusion and said: "In my memory, my father only taught me some martial arts for physical training, and did not mention any specific techniques."

The child has grown up and has become successful. Old Lady Gu sighed and said to Tie Tianying, "Master Tie, then I will trouble you with this."

Young Master Gu, have you ever practiced the martial arts of your loyal and valiant Marquisate?

External training strengthens the muscles, bones, and skin, toughens the physical body, and refines the physique

Zhang now hates herself to the core; she is capable of resorting to dark magic to kill herself, and one cannot guarantee that she would not resort to poisoning.

Old Lady Gu's expression darkened: "Cheng has encountered an incident; isn't your elder brother's family facing extinction? How can you be so selfish, always thinking of yourself?"

Alright, I should be leaving as well. Once the official document from Heyang Prefecture is issued, you may set off.

Gu Cheng stroked his chin as he scrutinized the heart demon

But as Gu Cheng just thought of that pitch-black space, his mind was immediately drawn into it

Gu Cheng always felt that things were not that simple

Gu Cheng's current situation is quite dire; the only person he can trust is his grandmother, Old Lady Gu. As for the others, who knows if they are affiliated with the Zhang family

Speaking, Tie Tianying handed two thin booklets to Gu Cheng, namely "Summary of Martial Principles" and "Xuan Gang Taoist Techniques"

Moreover, as Gu Cheng carefully closed his eyes and sensed, with each passing second he spent in this space, his mental energy was being consumed.

At the same time, Gu Cheng was thinking about that heart demon, and as the dark light swirled, that heart demon actually appeared before him

Gu Cheng speculated that it might be due to his contact with that spirit yesterday, which caused him to be tainted by some negative energy again

At this moment, Gu Cheng suddenly asked: "Lord Tie, what level of attainment do you possess?"

Individuals like me, Jing Ye Si, generally major in martial arts, assist in the secret methods of the Xuanmen, or focus on cultivating Qi, while also practicing basic martial arts to enhance physical strength for self-protection

This mainly depends on yourself

There are indeed practitioners who cultivate both martial arts and qi refinement, but they are quite rare

Martial Arts Seven Ranks of Bone Forging, Qi Converging into the Bones, Washing the Marrow to Generate Essence, Refining True Qi, the Flesh Comparable to Ordinary Swords and Sabers, Capable of Shattering Gold and Splitting Weapons

Are you saying that you can go out

Having something is certainly better than having nothing; with this thing, it can be considered an additional layer of self-protection.

However, the court has stipulated that the martial arts inheritance obtained through military achievements can only be exchanged for one level after ascending to a higher level, and it is required to impose restrictions, making it impossible to be transmitted externally

There was nothing wrong; everything was normal yesterday

Gu Cheng nodded, understanding that this is commonly referred to as mass-produced goods

Gu Cheng quickly said: "I haven't eaten with my grandmother for a long time, let me eat with her."

Which is stronger, the warrior or the qi refiner

On the morning of the second day, Iron Skyhawk came again to take some household registration documents that proved Gu Cheng's identity to be sent to Heyang Prefecture

I am not boasting, although I am currently just a Xuanjia Guard, if placed in the Jingye Division of Heyang Prefecture, at the very least I would be a deputy commander or a night patrol officer

Gu Cheng quickly withdrew the heart demon back into that space, while simultaneously rubbing his face

In the first two ranks of martial arts, if you possess good talent and work diligently, you can strengthen your physical body within a few months, refining your internal organs by harnessing the acquired energy. Within a year, you can complete both internal and external training, while those with lesser talent may still achieve some progress over several years

At that moment, the mischievous spirit bounced over, and although its appearance was terrifying, upon closer inspection, it had a somewhat ugly yet endearing charm.

Although you are of noble birth, it is advisable to join the Jingye Division only after you have officially become a practitioner, otherwise it may attract criticism

He remembers that last time he just felt his way and entered that pitch-black space

Gu Cheng nodded knowingly, as if what Tie Tianying had said had opened a new door for him

Tie Tianying revealed a smile, extending a pair of hands that were noticeably larger in knuckles than those of an average person. Suddenly, he clenched his fist, and a loud explosion resonated through the air, as his vital energy surged and dispersed.

Old Lady Gu immediately beamed with joy: "Alright, alright, let's eat together with my grandson"

However, the time is simply too short; what can be accomplished in just a few seconds

Practitioners can be broadly categorized into three types: the Qi Refiners of the Upper Nine Realms, the Martial Artists of the Middle Nine Grades, and the Left Path Practitioners of the Lower Nine Streams

Wouldn't it be even stronger to cultivate both?

Having made up his mind, Gu Cheng said to Grandmother Gu, "Grandmother, please do not say any more; my decision is already made."

Especially since Old Lady Gu also wanted to send herself to her second uncle to join the army, this is simply like a sheep entering a tiger's mouth

After refining the Qi of Heaven within the body in the Qi Refining Realm, one becomes sharp of hearing and sight, and the spirit is invigorated

Old Lady Gu was taken aback: "Donglin County, Yangfu? Why is it so far away? Isn't it the capital?"

This time, Gu Cheng could clearly feel that it was his own spirit being drawn into it, during which he also expended a portion of his mental energy, instantly leaving him with a sense of fatigue

Certainly, if we consider the probabilities, martial artists are stronger in the early stages, while qi refiners possess more diverse and peculiar methods in the later stages

The heart demon swayed its large head in agreement

Zhang could not help but interject from the side: "Old Madam, there is still evidence; how could I, as the head of the family, leave no descendants?"

The Zhang family wanted to put him to death, but Gu Cheng did not dare to gamble on what his second uncle was truly thinking

In the eyes of Old Lady Gu, the Zhang family was merely a bit harsh; she had never considered that her daughter-in-law had even harbored murderous intentions for the sake of this title.

In this moment, Gu Cheng could clearly feel the connection between himself and the spirit, while also sensing that his mental energy was continuously depleting, as if he were on the verge of fainting after just a few breaths

The Nine Realms of Qi Refinement: Qi Refinement, Spirit Nourishment, Visualization, Essence Condensation, Primordial Qi, Return to Origin, Spirit Travel, Enlightenment, Earth Immortal

After entering the martial arts, one can also utilize some accelerated secret techniques from unorthodox schools, as the spirit and soul become powerful

As she watched the figures of Old Lady Gu and Gu Cheng walk away, a trace of cold resentment and malice appeared in Zhang's eyes

Is this the technique? Gu Cheng exclaimed with delight

Old Lady Gu sighed and said: "Alright, as long as you have a plan, that's good. Someone, prepare a bath and change of clothes for the young master, and make some food. Cheng'er hasn't eaten anything for almost a day."

Old Lady Gu was taken aback; when did her grandson become so opinionated? This is quite similar to his father.

At that moment, the little spirit seemed to know what Gu Cheng was thinking, and it actually extended its thumb-sized hand, pointing outside

Gu Cheng smiled bitterly in his heart; he now understood why the Zhang family hated him so much, and it was likely not just because of his title.

Tie Tianying shook his head and said: "No, this is just for laying the foundation for the newcomers of the Jingye Division."

You, child, have never even killed a chicken, let alone take a life or confront a ghost. If something were to happen to you, our family line would come to an end!

Without waiting for Lady Gu to respond, Gu Cheng clasped his hands and said: "Thank you, Lord Tie, for your care"

I will proceed to prepare the necessary documents and submit them to Heyang Prefecture, and the results will be available in approximately one month

However, it takes one year to refine Qi in the first two realms of Qi Refinement, three years to cultivate the spirit, and four years to achieve minor success, which consumes too much time

Gu Cheng said in a deep voice: "Grandmother, I am almost of age now, and I should have a place to go. I cannot continue to stay in the mansion, idly eating and waiting for death."

Your family, the Gu family, does not have a lineage of practitioners, and thus there has not been a strong inheritance of martial arts techniques passed down. Later on, the inheritance of martial arts techniques was entirely obtained through military achievements

This can still be considered as having talent; those without talent should not expect to even enter the field in their lifetime

The jade pendant that I brought from my previous life is indeed very mysterious; it can devour ghosts and also command them.

However, upon closer inspection, Tie Tianying furrowed his brow and said, "Why does the yin energy on you seem to have increased again? Did you encounter something strange again yesterday?"

These two realms do not provide any significant enhancement to the physical body, and the techniques that can be mastered are also very limited. Once a martial artist closes in, death is inevitable