Chapter 97: Chapter 96: Ninth Rank of Inner Qi

Ma Ran ignored everyone’s reactions, focusing his gaze on the conference table, speaking to himself, “Having cultivated Black Rock Martial Arts to my current level, I can envelop spiritual will with inner qi and integrate it into stones, wood carvings, or jade artifacts to record and preserve information.”

Sitting quietly beside him, observing, Su Qiangwei’s gaze suddenly sharpened, her beautiful eyes gleaming, as three golden words flashed in her mind…

Black Rock Stele!

The members of Grass Hut Academy could smoothly cultivate inner qi, thanks not only to Ma Ran’s help and guidance but also to the contributions of the Black Rock Stele!

It could be said that without that artifact as an aid, leaving only the textual manuals for everyone to cultivate inner qi from scratch, perhaps throughout China, no one except Ma Ran could have successfully embarked on the path of Black Rock Martial Arts.

Su Qiangwei was confident and did not consider herself inferior to anyone, but she was aware of her limitations in inner qi cultivation.

She used the Black Rock Stele to deduce acupoint positions and received a lot of information.

For centuries, Black Rock Martial Arts had its pinnacle at the Eighth Rank—those who reached the Eighth Rank of Inner Qi were called masters, capable of conquering without fighting.

The invasion of the Outer Heaven Evil Demons prompted the emergence of the Ninth Rank.

The enemies were too strong, and the time too short.

The birth of the Ninth Rank of Inner Qi wasn’t for defeating enemies but to barely preserve the flame of civilization.

The highest level of Black Rock Martial Arts today has two main features: one is preserving information within objects, and the other is controlling other lives.

The first point was very successful, with the existence of the Black Rock Stele as a typical example.

The second point was clearly a failed attempt.

It could control the actions of others but couldn’t interfere with their thoughts…

So, the final struggles of Black Rock Martial Arts Civilization were in vain, and they were ultimately annihilated.

“So… now you can already create heritage items?”

Su Qiangwei looked at Ma Ran, her expression becoming serious, reaching out to gently touch the table, concentrating.

“Mend the Sky Rift.”

Three golden words slowly appeared before her eyes.

It was evident that these words were the information Ma Ran left behind using inner qi!

At that moment, Su Qiangwei thought of the message left in the Black Rock Stele.

“The civilization that left behind the Ninth Rank of Inner Qi heritage was destroyed by ’Outer Heaven Evil Demons’…”

“Earth also inherited the so-called ’karma’ of Black Rock Martial Arts Civilization.”

“One crisis just ends, and another begins.”

“So troublesome!”

Su Qiangwei rubbed her face, feeling irritable and unwilling to think, just wanting to eat something to distract herself.

More lice don’t bother, and more debts don’t burden.

The current biggest crisis is the Demon Mountain catastrophe, and no one is dwelling on the so-called “Outer Heaven Evil Demon.”

“…”

She unconsciously looked at Ma Ran, “Mend the Sky Rift…”

“What a grand ambition!”

“As expected of my appointed little follower!”

The attendees who were still amazed by Ma Ran’s performance all turned their gazes to Su Qiangwei.

The girl’s face flushed red.

Oops!

She accidentally spoke her inner thoughts out loud!

Ma Ran didn’t want to look at her and casually snapped his fingers, causing a transparent mass of inner qi to hover in the air.

“The Ninth Rank of Inner Qi, at its root, is merely an extension and enhancement of the Eighth Rank.”

“Whether it’s manipulating others’ bodies with outer-released inner qi or leaving information in inanimate objects, you can’t escape three words—spiritual power.”

“The body and the spirit complement each other, losing one impacts the other, and improving one enhances the other. After cultivating inner qi to a certain level, spiritual will also ascends accordingly.”

“Whether it’s the ’Momentum Field’ of the Eighth Rank or the Ninth Rank traits I just demonstrated, it’s simply the shallow integration and application of inner qi and spiritual will.”

“The existing Black Rock Martial Arts is comprehensive and meticulously detailed but lacks grandeur.”

At this point, Ma Ran chuckled lightly, “In my eyes, it’s just a stepping stone, not the peak, with vast room for improvement and expansion.”

“The Sword Master’s Seven Vortex Swordsmanship gave me many ideas and assistance.”

“After my breakthrough yesterday, I’ve already begun researching higher realms of Black Rock Martial Arts.”

As soon as he finished speaking, Ma Ran noticed a surge of abundant life force naturally developing within his body.

The [Play] ability began to provide feedback!

More acupoints were filled with inner qi and transformed into mature micro-organs.

Two hundred and fifty-seven!

Three hundred!

Four hundred and sixty-five!

Five hundred and twelve!

In an instant, Ma Ran’s cultivation in Black Rock Martial Arts genuinely reached the Ninth Rank level!

The mighty power flowed continuously within his body, and the nearly overflowing inner qi nourished and gradually strengthened every cell.

Though slow, this strengthening was permanent.

Endurance, agility, speed, power…

All-round enhancement!

Even his already overwhelmingly strong spiritual power was nourished by the vigorous blood, reaching a superhuman level!

Ma Ran clenched his fist, the corners of his lips slightly upturned.

Exhilarating!

The taste of life-level evolution was more delightful than any pleasure.

Cigarettes, alcoholic drinks, high-sugar desserts, and fried foods can’t compare to this feeling of euphoria.

If not for the many people around, Ma Ran would have howled upwards to release the joy in his heart!

In his previous life, with the aid of the [Play] ability, it took him two whole years to fully master Black Rock Martial Arts.

This time, it only took a month!

Where lies the difference?

The foreknowledge of rebirth allowed grasping more opportunities, an initial lead enabling continuous advancement, and the omnipresent snowball effect was just one aspect.

Apart from this, Ma Ran truly achieved immense growth.

This growth didn’t merely refer to combat power but encompassed experience, knowledge accumulation, skills, and mindset!

When encountering sudden crises, Ma Ran wouldn’t panic like a novice.

In most situations, within the blink of an eye, at least three countermeasures would flash in his mind.

Is this the brain power enhancement brought by the [Academic Demon] medal?

There’s indeed this aspect, but it accounts for only a small part.

Solving various tricky problems had become Ma Ran’s instinct.

As an Earth Civilization Guardian, this was his job!

“Hoo…”

He exhaled slowly, calming his emotions, and withdrew the Youwen Text Illusion.

Originally, in his plan, today was just a small attempt, laying the groundwork for the future.

The main event was intended for a few days later, when the inner qi value testing equipment would arrive at Grass Hut Academy for a performance.

Yet now, he directly broke through to the Ninth Rank of Inner Qi level!

Obviously…

In the judgment of the [Play] ability, the attendees present were exceptionally good “audiences”!

After two brief interludes, the meeting continued.

In the following proceedings, it was almost a solo performance by Wei Zuxia.

It was clear that this person had done a lot of preparation, and just the counter-Mountain Demon action plans remembered in his head could keep people studying for two days and nights.

Even though there was a misunderstanding with Wei Zuxia at the beginning, Ma Ran had no intention of holding on to it.

Given Ma Ran’s nature, if not for carrying memories from his previous life, Wei Zuxia’s old face would have nowhere to hide.

However…

In the last few years before rebirth, Ma Ran cooperated with Wei Zuxia twice; the experiences were relatively pleasant, with tasks completed successfully.

No one can hide their true nature on a life-and-death battlefield.

After the first cooperation, Ma Ran gave Wei Zuxia an evaluation—he was a man you could trust with your back.

Facts proved that Ma Ran’s judgment was quite accurate.

In his past life, the manner of Wei Zuxia’s death, although it earned the wrathful ridicule of the think tank as foolish and served as a counterexample for Earth Civilization Guardian rookie training, it also gained recognition for his character.

Wei Zuxia died shielding his teammates from bullets.

He was deemed foolish because…

The fragile human body couldn’t block the alien invaders’ weapons at all.

The comrade shielded by Wei Zuxia, along with him, were both fatally shot, almost dying simultaneously.

His sacrifice was utterly meaningless.

Source: Webnovel.com, updated by NovelKeep