50: It's so easy to learn, it amazed the curator!
Xiao Chen steadied himself and began to recount all the basic martial arts knowledge he knew without reservation.
The Body Tempering Realm is divided into four levels: Initial Stage, Middle Stage, High Stage, and Peak.
Before Body Refining, one exercises the body, requiring blood and Qi to flow through the limbs, with a single punch capable of delivering a thousand catties of force.
At the Middle Stage, blood and Qi are abundant, the force reaches two thousand catties, and one can initially temper the tendons and bones.
In the Late Stage, blood and Qi are like mercury, the force exceeds four thousand catties, and one begins to temper the internal organs, making it difficult for ordinary swords to cause harm.
As for the Peak, blood and Qi are condensed, the force reaches six thousand catties, and the tendons, bones, and membranes of the whole body are incredibly tough. Then, one can attempt to break through to the next Realm, the Condensing Essence Realm!
...As Xiao Chen spoke, he recalled the words his father had taught him back then.
He himself was currently at the Middle Stage of Body Refining, still some distance away from the High Stage.
Li Qing listened silently, cross-referencing this information with his current state.
He now possessed a Great Strength of one hundred and twenty thousand catties, which already far exceeded the scope of the Body Tempering Realm.
But his body had not undergone any systematic tempering.
He had power but no combat experience.
It was like a castle in the air.
Zhao Hu stated that in the face of Great Strength, combat experience is not needed!
The fundamental Cultivation Technique of our Iron Bone Martial Arts School is the 'Iron Body Art'.
Xiao Chen's expression turned serious.
This Cultivation Technique emphasizes using a specific breathing method combined with corresponding body tempering stance work.
It draws upon the power of blood and Qi to wash and temper the body over and over until it is as if cast from iron.
I will first teach you the general principles of the 'Iron Body Art' and the first form, the Iron Bull Stance.
Xiao Chen took a deep breath, slowly recited the Cultivation Technique's mantra, and then personally gave a demonstration.
His movements were standard, his horse stance was steady, his hands pushed out slowly, and between breaths, there was a long, steady rhythm.
Do you understand?
I understand.
Li Qing nodded.
He walked to the center of the courtyard, mimicking Xiao Chen's posture with feet apart and waist lowered.
Just as he took his first breath according to the breathing method of the Iron Body Art.
Boom!
A surge of energy exploded within his body!
This body of his had long been completely transformed by the boundless life essence of the Earth Spirit Turtle.
The vigor of his blood and Qi far exceeded ordinary people's imagination.
Usually, this energy remained hidden, nourishing his Physical Body.
At this moment, the method of the Iron Body Art was like a key, instantly opening the floodgates!
The surging power of blood and Qi did not need his deliberate guidance at all.
All the power of blood and Qi automatically followed the path of the Meridians described in the Cultivation Technique, washing through him violently.
Crackle, pop!
The bones throughout his body made a series of dense popping sounds, like beans being fried.
Beneath his skin, every muscle bulged, and veins moved like little snakes.
A scorching wave of air spread out in all directions with him at the center.
Ugh!
Li Qing groaned, feeling as if his whole body had been thrown into a furnace, with every inch of flesh being repeatedly forged.
Standing to the side, Xiao Chen was dumbfounded.
He froze on the spot, his mouth hanging open wide enough to fit an egg.
What did he just see?
This... what is going on?
He had only taught the most basic introductory stance work!
When a normal Disciple practices, shouldn't they only feel a faint sense of Qi?
And then spend months of effort before barely being able to guide their blood and Qi?
But what was this with Li Qing?
Guiding blood and Qi?
This was clearly a riot of blood and Qi!
He could clearly hear the popping of bones from a few steps away, making his scalp tingle.
Li... Li Qing, how... how do you feel? Xiao Chen's voice was trembling.
Li Qing slowly exhaled a breath of turbid air, which actually left a faint white trail in the air.
He opened his eyes and stretched his limbs.
I feel great, better than ever before.
He felt that internal Qi had been generated within his body.
The originally wild and unrestrained power seemed to be able to coordinate with the internal Qi.
Xiao Chen stared at him blankly, his mind still in a state of confusion.
You... you've... mastered it already?
It seems so, Li Qing said truthfully.
How about you teach me the second form?
Xiao Chen nodded mechanically, suppressing the shock in his heart, and began to demonstrate the second form of the Iron Body Art.
Half an hour later.
After Li Qing had smoothly performed all twelve forms of the Iron Body Art's stance work.
Xiao Chen was completely numb.
He leaned against the doorframe, staring blankly at the figure in the center of the courtyard.
A body tempering Cultivation Technique that others might not even reach Major Achievement in after ten years of hard work, Li Qing had learned entirely in one afternoon.
Moreover, looking at the way his blood and Qi surged, how was this a beginner!
This was clearly the demeanor of a Grandmaster who had been immersed in this path for many years!
Genius?
No, this simply wasn't something the word Genius could describe.
This was a monster!
As evening fell, those few little kids' stomachs were growling with hunger, and they timidly pulled on the corner of Xiao Chen's clothes.
School Master, hungry...
Xiao Chen snapped back to reality, a look of shame appearing on his face.
Li Qing stopped his movements and walked over.
School Master, I'll head back for a moment and be right back.
He didn't explain much and turned to leave the Iron Bone Martial Arts School.
An hour later, when Li Qing reappeared, he was carrying a huge bundle on his shoulder.
When the bundle was opened, a rich aroma of meat instantly filled the dilapidated courtyard.
Inside were several large pieces of cleaned Vicious Beast meat that were still warm.
This meat had a dense texture and contained energy far beyond that of ordinary livestock.
This... this is? Xiao Chen swallowed his saliva.
This was Vicious Beast meat from the Great River.
Where did Li Qing get it from?
Food, Li Qing said succinctly.
In the future, you won't have to worry about these.
That night, the long-absent cooking smoke rose from the Iron Bone Martial Arts School.
The aroma of roasted meat drew even the stray cats in the alley.
Seeing those few children devouring the food with their mouths covered in grease, Xiao Chen's eyes turned red once again.
He looked at Li Qing; this mysterious youth had not only brought hope but also the most practical means of survival... Meanwhile, at the Jingtao Martial Arts School.
Inside the brightly lit hall, the atmosphere was oppressive.
Wang Meng sat in the main seat, his fingers unconsciously tapping on the table.
A Disciple hurriedly ran in from outside and knelt on one knee.
Senior Brother, I've found out!
Speak!
That kid is named Li Qing. He's an orphan who only appeared in Jinling City half a month ago. Nothing before that can be found, as if he appeared out of thin air.
Wang Meng's brow furrowed.
Not being able to find his background was the most troublesome part.
Where is he now?
He... he joined the Iron Bone Martial Arts School in the West City today!
Bang!
The hardwood desk in front of Wang Meng was smashed to pieces by his palm.
Iron Bone Martial Arts School?
His voice was filled with coldness.
That old fogey Xiao Tianxiong's dilapidated mess?
Yes, Senior Brother.
Wang Meng laughed from extreme anger.
Good, very good!
A boy of unknown origin had crippled one of his Junior Brother's hands.
And now he had crawled into the Iron Bone Martial Arts School that their Jingtao Martial Arts School disliked.
This was no longer just a provocation.
This was stepping on the face of their Jingtao Martial Arts School!
His previous bit of caution was swept away by rage at this moment.
Wang Meng stood up, his tall figure casting a large shadow.
Tomorrow morning, gather everyone and follow me to the West City!
I will not only tear down the signboard of the Iron Bone Martial Arts School but also bring that kid named Li Qing back to me alive!
I want to personally crush his bones and see just how tough he really is!