374: Chapter 373 So this is what it feels like for a martial artist to break through!

A majestic and extremely pure power surged at the moment the two strands of True Qi fused, like a flood breaking through a dam, galloping through the Meridians! Everywhere it passed, the Meridians felt as if they were being washed by a great river, bringing waves of numbness and an indescribable sense of comfort. But following closely was a bloating sensation that felt as if it would burst the Meridians.

"Could it be... I'm about to break through?"

Qin Yi's heart shook violently, filled with both surprise and joy. So, a Martial Artist's Breakthrough was such a wonderful feeling!

This was the first time he truly experienced the feeling of being on the verge of a Breakthrough—his previous two Breakthroughs were achieved with the help of the 'gene strengthening potion.' Aside from the refreshing feeling of expelling Impurities from his body, they were nowhere near as shocking as the current surge of real power!

Qin Yi almost subconsciously wanted to guide this power and break through the bottleneck in one go.

However, his remaining logic told him that he was currently in the main house of the Si Family Old Residence, with Si Zhengxiong and Si Yao right in front of him. If he broke through on the spot, he wouldn't be able to explain it at all!

Was he supposed to tell the old man that he just touched the Family's ancestral Secret Manual, without even looking closely, and immediately had an Epiphany and a Breakthrough?

As soon as this thought surfaced, even Qin Yi himself found it utterly absurd and too shocking!

"No, I must suppress it first!" Qin Yi made a decisive choice, enduring the huge temptation of the Breakthrough and the pain of his Meridians being filled with power to the point of tearing. He concentrated his mind and forcibly calmed the restless True Qi that was trying to break through the Dantian barrier.

This process seemed short, but it was actually dangerous. Forcibly suppressing a Breakthrough opportunity was like rowing against the current; it was extremely taxing on the mind.

Fortunately, the task completion just now had rewarded Qin Yi with three points of Mental Energy. His Mental Energy had now reached 31, entering the level of the Early Stage of Dark Jin, which allowed him to barely stabilize the situation amidst the danger.

But even so, fine beads of sweat broke out on Qin Yi's forehead, and his breathing became disordered for a moment.

Fortunately, he was looking down at the moment, pretending to be fully focused on flipping through the Secret Manual, so he didn't attract too much of Si Yao's attention.

After a few breaths, a sense of exhaustion hit him, followed by an even stronger excitement—although he had temporarily suppressed the Breakthrough, he could feel that he was only one final step away from the next Realm!

Si Zhengxiong, who had been secretly observing him, had a very faint trace of doubt flash through his cloudy old eyes.

Just now, he seemed to feel a momentary, violent fluctuation in the Qi around Qin Yi. That feeling... actually seemed like a sign of Internal Energy erupting and being on the verge of a Breakthrough? But the feeling vanished in a flash, so fast that he thought it was his own hallucination.

"Could it be that my old eyes are playing tricks on me? But then again, it makes sense. How could anyone trigger an Internal Energy Breakthrough just by flipping through a Secret Manual..." Si Zhengxiong shook his head inwardly, tossing aside the absurd thought.

Right then, a "Dong, dong, dong—" sound of knocking rang out, breaking the silence within the main house.

Si Hongbin stood outside the door with his head bowed: "Elder Si, breakfast is ready."

Si Zhengxiong waved his hand, and Si Yao stepped forward to open the door for him.

Si Hongbin looked into the main house, and from the corner of his eye, he caught a glimpse of the familiar ancient book in Qin Yi's hand. His pupils suddenly contracted—the Blazing Sun True Art! The old man actually let an outsider flip through the Family's ultimate technique? Could it be that the old man had already made a decision in his heart?

Qin Yi calmly adjusted his breathing, using the action of closing the Secret Manual to hide the sharp light in his eyes. He respectfully handed the manual back to Si Zhengxiong and thanked him from the bottom of his heart: "Thank you, Elder Si. This Junior has benefited greatly."

"Haha, it's good that little friend Qin Yi has gained something." Si Zhengxiong took it with a smile, not noticing anything unusual. He put the manual back into the wooden box, paused for a moment, and then said, "However, little friend Qin Yi is not a member of my Si Family, so I cannot provide you with any help on the path of Cultivation. I hope little friend Qin can forgive me."

"However," at this point, Si Zhengxiong changed the subject and continued, "if little friend Qin Yi encounters any problems while Cultivating, you can ask Yao Yao. In our Si Family, besides me, the only one who can proficiently master this Mind-Cultivation Technique is Yao Yao."

"Thank you, Elder Si." Qin Yi cupped his hands in a salute.

"Hey, you only thank my grandfather and not me?" Si Yao raised her chin, looking at Qin Yi very proudly, and continued, "From now on, I'm your master! If there's anything you don't understand, feel free to ask me. But you must remember to respect your teacher and the Dao!"

Qin Yi shook his head helplessly; this boomerang came back fast. But Si Yao was probably going to be disappointed—with the System on him, how could there be anything he didn't understand?

Next, Qin Yi also noticed Si Hongbin outside the door and cupped his hands with a smile: "Congratulations, Brother Bin."

"Uh, congratulations to me?" Si Hongbin was stunned, his gaze toward Qin Yi full of confusion.

Looking at Si Hongbin's expression, Qin Yi knew that Elder Si probably hadn't told Si Hongbin about what just happened yet.

Thus, Qin Yi and Si Zhengxiong shared a look and a smile. Si Zhengxiong nodded slightly, looked at Si Hongbin, and announced solemnly: "Hongbin, pass on my order. From this day forth, the old rules are abolished. Any disciple of my Si Family who breaks through to Dark Jin and passes the assessment may study the 'Blazing Sun True Art'!"

"Elder Si, are you serious?" Si Hongbin's voice trembled. Being able to Cultivate the 'Blazing Sun True Art' was the dream of every Si Family man. A dream that was originally far out of reach had suddenly become reality; for a moment, he couldn't believe it!

"Of course! When has this old man ever lied to you! However, there are conditions! After breaking through to Dark Jin, one must first Cultivate the 'Blazing Sun Heart Method' to Minor Achievement before being qualified to study the True Art."

"Then I..." Si Hongbin asked impatiently.

"You have already met the standard!" Si Zhengxiong nodded in confirmation, and an excited expression immediately appeared on Si Hongbin's face.

Si Yao spoke up at the right time, her tone sincere: "Brother Bin, if there's anything unclear in your future Cultivation, come and ask me anytime."

"Thank you, thank you, Young Miss." Si Hongbin was uncontrollably excited.

"The one you should thank isn't me, but Qin Yi. If it weren't for Qin Yi, how could our Si Family's century-old clan rules have been modified because of this..." Si Yao also looked at Qin Yi with a grateful expression.

Si Hongbin then turned to Qin Yi and gave a deep bow. Qin Yi hurried forward to help him up: "Brother Bin, this won't do."

"Mr. Qin deserves this bow from Hongbin," Si Hongbin insisted on bowing. "Mr. Qin was not selfish at all and taught me the 'Basic Body Forging Art,' and now has allowed me to Cultivate the Family's ultimate technique. Such great kindness, Hongbin will never forget! From now on, you are my, Si Hongbin's, benefactor. If anyone dares to be disrespectful to Mr. Qin, I, Si Hongbin, will be the first to disagree!"

Just as Qin Yi helped Si Hongbin up, the System notification sounded once again in his Sea of Consciousness.

[Ding! Detected that Si Hongfei's favorability toward the host has increased by 20 points. Current favorability is 80!]

[Ding! Same-sex favorability has increased to 80, triggering a System task. Within 48 hours, increase Si Hongbin's favorability to 90! Task completion reward: Mental Energy +2, Intelligence +1, Special Draw Count +1; Task failure: Randomly deduct 5 points from the host's six-dimensional attributes and suffer 24 hours of continuous bad luck!]

Again? Did he hit a nest of System favorability today?

At this time, Si Zhengxiong nodded with satisfaction: "If you want to repay him, you must Cultivate diligently in the future. Once we return from the mountains this time, I will teach you the 'Blazing Sun True Art'!"

"Thank you, Elder Si!" Si Hongbin suppressed his excitement. "Elder Si, breakfast is ready. Shall we eat now?"

"Yes," Si Zhengxiong nodded and continued, "It's about time. After eating, you all should enter the mountains as soon as possible."

Afterward, Si Hongbin returned to the kitchen, while Si Zhengxiong, leaning on his dragon-head cane, stepped out into the courtyard. Si Yao and Qin Yi followed on either side of Si Zhengxiong.

The first-floor lobby of the Shangri-La International Hotel.

Zhao Lintai was in a sharp suit, with Bai Ruoxue in white by his side. The two of them got into the hotel's maybach and slowly drove out of the hotel parking lot.

The moment the maybach turned the street corner, inside a gray car parked by the roadside, Yan Yan quickly adjusted his sitting position. A clear report from a subordinate came through his headset: "Captain Yan, the target has departed. License plate XXXXX, heading east."

"Received! Contact the traffic command center immediately and keep a close eye on Zhao Lintai's car!" After Yan Yan finished speaking, he steadily turned the steering wheel, and the gray car silently merged into the traffic flow, following the maybach at a distance of three or four car lengths.