Chapter 101: Chapter 88: Fishery

After that, Chen Qing went to the Affairs Department and spent two hundred taels of silver to rent a quiet, secluded courtyard.

As for maids and stewards, he didn’t hire any.

The courtyard wasn’t large, but though small, it had all the necessities.

It had two main rooms and even came with a meticulously crafted Quiet Chamber.

A meditation cushion sat in the center of the Quiet Chamber. Its four walls, cast from a special type of iron, insulated it from all external sounds. Candlelight flickered on the wall sconces.

Chen Qing carefully checked if the meditation cushion was brand new.

After confirming that the rest of the furnishings were in order, he had a simple meal of dry rations.

Then, he eagerly took out the entry-level volume of the *Cyan Wood Eternal Spring Technique*.

He opened it to the first page and quickly skimmed through the entire Spell.

In that instant, a golden light flashed through Chen Qing’s mind:

[Heaven Rewards Diligence. Success is guaranteed.]

[Entry-level Cyan Wood Eternal Spring Technique (1/500)]

Chen Qing took a deep breath, his thoughts clear. ’The core of the entry-level Heart Method for the *Cyan Wood Eternal Spring Technique* is to condense this Martial Arts Fire Seed!’

Zhou Liang had once said that by practicing a Mid to Lower Grade Martial Art to the Extreme Realm, one could derive its true meaning and ignite a “Fire Seed.”

The entry-level Heart Method of the *Cyan Wood Eternal Spring Technique*, however, took a different path. It used pure Power to continuously temper one’s muscles, bones, and flesh, nurturing a “Fire Seed” from within that was more compatible with the user and even more powerful.

Not only was this method more efficient, but the resulting Fire Seed was also a perfect match for the Cyan Wood Eternal Spring Technique.

Once the Fire Seed was formed, that meant reaching Great Success in the Transmutation Force Realm!

Once this barrier was broken, he could begin cultivating the first layer of the *Cyan Wood Eternal Spring Technique’s* Heart Method and start the push toward the Embracing Pill Force Realm.

Across all of Yunlin Prefecture, only those who stepped into the Embracing Pill Force Realm were considered to have truly come into their own and earned a place in the Jianghu.

The difference between the Transmutation Force and Embracing Pill Realms was as vast as that between the clouds and the mud!

The fundamental difference lay in a single word: “Qi”!

True Qi was profound and mysterious. It could Strengthen the Foundation and Nourish the Essence and nourish the Flesh Body, representing a qualitative leap in a Martial Artist’s strength.

Once True Qi was generated, a Martial Artist no longer needed to worry about the suffering of their decaying qi and blood.

And condensing the Fire Seed was the one and only Technique to draw out the body’s Innate Qi and force open the gates to the Embracing Pill Force Realm.

Chen Qing’s Long Arm Pile Skill had already reached Perfection, but reaching the Extreme Realm would still take time.

Now, by using the entry-level Heart Method to ignite the Fire Seed, he could achieve twice the results with half the effort.

Next, at the end of the entry-level volume of the *Cyan Wood Eternal Spring Technique*, Chen Qing found the Cyan Wood Institute’s core Martial Arts.

Floating Light and Shadow Hand!

“Floating Light” referred to Hidden Weapons streaking through the air like flashes of light, their trajectories impossible for the naked eye to follow. “Shadow Stealing” referred to moving like a shadow when striking, hiding the weapons in one’s sleeves so they were impossible to trace.

Its core principles were speed, accuracy, and deception, and the Hidden Weapons were mostly light objects such as fine needles, sharpened leaves, or Money Darts.

Like Long Arm Fist, this art was divided into five realms: entry-level, Minor Achievement, Great Success, Perfection, and the Extreme Realm.

[Heaven Rewards Diligence. Success is guaranteed.]

[Entry-level Floating Light and Shadow Hand (1/100)]

’Next, I need to master the entry-level *Cyan Wood Eternal Spring Technique*. I also have to find a way to earn some silver.’

Chen Qing focused his Heart and Spirit, then took out and swallowed a Qi Nourishing Pill.

The Elixir dissolved in his stomach, and before long, it transformed into a gentle, warm current that slowly spread throughout his entire body.

He went into the Quiet Chamber and began his Cultivation of the entry-level Heart Method for the *Cyan Wood Eternal Spring Technique*.

His qi and blood began to surge, rushing through his meridians like the churning and scouring of Earth Fire and molten lava.

He sank his Heart and Spirit deep within himself, feeling the subtle vibrations and strengthening of every muscle fiber as his qi and blood nourished them. His bones felt as if they were being repeatedly forged by an invisible hammer, emitting a nearly inaudible hum.

With every breath that drove the tide of his qi and blood, his progress inched forward.

After about an hour, Chen Qing’s clothes were soaked through with sweat.

He exhaled a turbid breath and prepared to take a bath.

“Excuse me, is anyone in there?”

Just then, a resonant voice called out from outside.

Chen Qing walked to the door, opened it, and asked, “And you are?”

A young couple stood outside.

The man was in his early twenties, dressed in gray Martial Attire, his posture straight and tall. The woman wore a jade-green silk blouse; her face was lovely, her hair was swept into a simple bun, and her eyes held a gentle, tender light.

The man laughed heartily and cupped his fist. “I am Bai Ming of the Geng Metal Institute, and this is my wife, Zheng Xiuhong. We’re your neighbors. We heard some activity over here and figured someone new had moved in, so we came to pay a visit.”

“If you don’t mind my asking, which Dean do you study under?”

His tone was enthusiastic, clearly showing his intention to make an acquaintance.

After all, disciples who could enter the Inner Courtyard either had powerful backgrounds or extraordinary talent. It was only natural to try and build connections with them early.

Chen Qing returned the gesture, cupping his fist. “I am Chen Qing of the Cyan Wood Institute. It’s a pleasure to meet you, Brother Bai, Senior Sister Zheng.”

When Bai Ming heard the three words “Cyan Wood Institute,” his brow furrowed almost imperceptibly.

He then began making small talk with Chen Qing, his words full of probing questions.

When he learned that Chen Qing came from a simple family of Fishermen in Gaolin County, the enthusiasm on his face visibly faded.

After a few more perfunctory remarks, the couple took their leave.

Chen Qing shook his head, turned back inside, and resumed his Pile Skill Cultivation.

…

In a private room at Linfu Restaurant, a new production of *The Jade Hairpin Record* was being performed on the stage outside the window.

Wu Manqing leaned back against a brocade-cushioned wooden chair. Her gaze rested on the lead actress, whose water sleeves fluttered gracefully on stage, but her mind had already drifted far away.

“Sister Wan, did you hear about Liu Han? The day before yesterday at the Prefecture City Martial Arts Arena, he defeated the long-famous ’Iron Arm’ Zhang Kui in just three moves! He’s a true young hero. His future is limitless.”

The speaker was Gu Ruo Hua, who sat to Wu Manqing’s left, dressed in a goose-yellow Yunjin Brocade tunic and skirt. Her voice was as crisp and clear as pearls dropping onto a jade plate.

Li Wan, sitting opposite them, was dressed in a moon-white, Su-embroidered long dress and had an even calmer demeanor. Upon hearing this, she nodded lightly and took a sip of her fragrant tea. “Liu Han is truly worthy of his title as one of the Seven Talents. With a Qilin’Er like him, the Liu Family’s foundation is more secure than ever. I heard he has a match scheduled with Feng Shuhao. A duel between one of the Five Heroes and the Seven Talents… I imagine it will be quite spectacular.”

Source: Webnovel.com, updated by NovelKeep