Chapter 65: Chapter 61: A Great Leap in Strength, Observing a Pure Heart

Having acquired two new Cultivation Techniques, Lu Mingyuan trained for two days, practicing late into the night. As they say, hard work pays off, and he finally ground them out.

“Visualized and breathed for one day, triggering the Life Chart Trait [Sinking Heart] and entering a state of deep mental and physical immersion. [Black Tortoise Breathing Method] has been learned.”

“Wielded a saber in contemplation for one day, triggering the Life Chart Trait [Sinking Heart] and entering a state of deep mental and physical immersion. [Thunder Prison Saber Scripture] has been learned.”

He had finally learned the two new Cultivation Techniques the old drunkard had taught him.

These two Cultivation Techniques were incredibly profound, each divided into several Chapters that represented different stages.

The *Black Tortoise Breathing Method* was divided into three Chapters: the Essence Transformation Chapter, the Qi Transformation Chapter, and the Divinity Transformation Chapter, representing the three stages of Qi Cultivation.

The Essence Transformation Chapter alone was one of the world’s top-tier breathing techniques. After mastering it, Lu Mingyuan could now hold his breath for the time it takes an incense stick to burn. He no longer needed to constantly rely on circulation through his Dantian Acupoints; with just a single breath of Primordial Qi, he could unleash several times his previous power.

The *Thunder Prison Saber Scripture* was the same. As expected of a top-tier Saber Technique, it was divided into four Chapters: Saber Momentum, Sword Heart, Sword Intent, and Returning to the Origin. Each Chapter brought about a qualitative transformation. Just from reading the first Chapter, the Saber Momentum Chapter, Lu Mingyuan had benefited immensely.

It taught him how to generate Momentum with his saber and how to cultivate his Primordial Qi until it held the destructive power of Thunder from the Nine Heavens. The ultimate goal was to be able to sever rivers and cleave mountains with a single strand of Saber Qi.

Although he had previously comprehended the Winter Thunder Saber Momentum and was already conscious of this path of understanding, the *Thunder Prison Saber Scripture* summarized the principles with far greater clarity and detail. It was like having a saber expert directly impart their experience to him, raising his understanding of Saber Momentum to a new level.

One art, an Inner Power, focused on circulating Qi, while the other was purely for combat. With these two top-tier Martial Arts, he was now completely confident in facing a Grandmaster. He just wondered if he could even stand a chance against a Great Grandmaster.

“Luminous Green Fate Grid – Martial Fool, Refinement Level increased to 65%.”

“Promoted Life Chart Trait – Martial Spirit (Middle Level).”

“Martial Spirit (Middle Level): You possess a heart dedicated to the martial path. Your Martial Dao cultivation speed is greatly increased. Your Martial Arts cultivation efficiency is now five times its original rate.”

’The Refinement Level increased by another ten percent. Progress is fast.’

The speed at which his body, this Martial Furnace, could absorb from its Acupoints had increased significantly, and his Martial Arts cultivation efficiency had gone from three times to five times the normal rate.

’I wonder what [Martial Fool] will evolve into next.’

After seeing the notifications, Lu Mingyuan pondered for a moment before resuming his training. He decided to take advantage of his newly upgraded [Martial Spirit] to grind out some progress on his various Cultivation Techniques.

While practicing the Desolate Dragon Elephant Force, he discovered he could simultaneously execute the Mountain Shaking Fist. Although this Fist Technique was basic—a simple and easy-to-understand method used by the army to temper the Flesh Body, with no room for progress beyond the Great Success level—when paired with the Desolate Dragon Elephant Force, the two could unleash terrifying power. They underwent a qualitative change, becoming like a whole new Cultivation Technique.

’Perhaps this is what they mean by the highest truths being the simplest.’

The simplest Fist Technique, when paired with the incredibly domineering Dragon Elephant Qi, could produce an exponential increase in power.

He centered himself and faced a large boulder. Circulating Primordial Qi through his Acupoints, he threw a punch.

“BOOM!”

A dense, red Primordial Qi condensed into a Fist Gang. A massive, three-meter-tall granite boulder was shattered by the single punch. The terrifying Fist Force continued to grind the resulting fragments, reducing them to dust.

Lu Mingyuan was very satisfied with this result.

He had originally thought the Mountain Shaking Fist was rather useless. After its initial use in tempering his Flesh Body, it didn’t have much purpose. He never expected that combining it with the other technique would produce such a miraculous effect.

He opened his status panel again to check.

“Cultivation Techniques: Blood Glutton Celestial Fall Scripture – Abnormal Eating Chapter (Sixth Floor: 988/15,000), Mountain Shaking Fist (Perfection), Fiery Fire Saber Technique (Perfection), Desolate Dragon Elephant Force (Fourth Floor: 600/4,000), Celestial Spirit Hidden Dragon (Skilled: 300/1,000), Black Tortoise Breathing Technique – Essence Transformation Chapter (500/5,000), Thunder Prison Saber Scripture – Saber Momentum Chapter (500/5,000)”

After combining with the Desolate Dragon Elephant Force, the Mountain Shaking Fist had broken through its own limits, transforming to reach the Perfection Realm.

To reach the Third Floor of the Desolate Dragon Elephant Force, one would normally need to temper their arms for one hundred and fifty days before they could withstand the Dragon Elephant Qi of that level. He, however, had shortened that time to just one month.

Starting from the Fourth Floor, the time required would be measured in years.

The time required was long, but upon mastery, the Dragon Elephant Qi would become so dense it could manifest a Divine Dragon and a Giant Elephant. With every move, it would emit the sound of a dragon and elephant roaring in unison, a sound that could shake the heavens and the earth.

Lu Mingyuan once again condensed blood-red Essence in his palm, summoning the Blood Glutton Paperman that sat cross-legged, nurtured within his Dantian.

The Blood Glutton Paperman could cultivate in his stead from within his Dantian, feeding the results back to his own body.

He hadn’t used it in a long time, not since its range of activity had increased.

Having been nurtured for so long, its appearance upon being summoned now gave Lu Mingyuan a start.

A Paperman as tall as himself emerged. It was naked, with a full head of black hair and skin that glowed with a bloody light. But it had no face—no eyes, no mouth—it was completely blank.

Its other parts, however, were all there.

It at least had a Dantian and meridians, though it lacked Acupoints.

’It seems the Blood Gluttonous Avatar grows as my Realm increases,’ Lu Mingyuan mused.

’And this thing is just an inanimate object; it’s impossible for it to have its own consciousness. It can be used as a Puppet or a body double.’

He retrieved a set of common clothes from his hall and dressed the Blood Glutton Paperman. Then he placed one of his collected Qilin Guard Beast Masks on its face. This made it look a little more human, and also quite imposing.

His control over the Blood Glutton Paperman’s movements had also become more refined. Serving tea was no problem, and it could even easily execute various Fist Techniques and Saber Techniques. It possessed considerable power, equivalent to that of a Two Realms Martial Artist.

“Your Highness, Miss Qi is here to see you again.”

Just then, Hong Wan entered the courtyard to report.

With a flick of his finger, Lu Mingyuan made the Blood Glutton Paperman dissolve into a pool of blood that vanished from the ground without a trace.

“She’s here again?”

Lu Mingyuan muttered, ’Don’t tell me she’s found something else.’

As far as he knew, Qi Muxue could come and go from the Imperial Palace freely because of her status. Even though she had resigned from her post as a teacher at Shengjing Academy, she was still an instructor in the palace’s private study. The various Commandery Princesses and Princesses loved to seek her out to discuss poetry and literature.

“Have her come directly to the hall.”

“Yes, Your Highness.”

Soon, Lu Mingyuan saw Qi Muxue. But beside her stood a scholar dressed in a Confucian Shirt.

“And this is…?”

Unsure of her intentions today, he had to ask.

Qi Muxue explained, “This is Chen Ke. He was a Confucian Scholar at Shengjing Academy who studied under my father. He’s now seeking to pledge himself to one of the great Prince Mansions and even went to your Wang Family, but your servants turned him away. I happened to see him. He is sincere and quite learned. Since I was on my way to the study anyway, I brought him along. Whether he stays or goes is for you to decide.”

Hearing this, Lu Mingyuan wore a strange expression.

’What a strange and convoluted story.’

’Wait, in my current situation, someone actually wants to pledge themself to me?’

’This is absurd.’

’He must have an ulterior motive. Could he be a spy sent by the Second Prince?’

At this thought, Lu Mingyuan slowly activated his [Recognizing People] ability.

He scanned Chen Ke’s expression. Ever since [Recognizing People] had been promoted to High Level, he could judge a person’s character—whether they were loyal or treacherous—and tell if they were lying with a single glance.

’This man’s gaze is upright, and a pure, cyan-colored vapor is coalescing around his face. He doesn’t seem wicked at all. In fact… is that a trace of fortune for an official career?’

’Could he be another high-potential prospect, like Zhou Pingfu?’

Lu Mingyuan asked coolly, “You were studying under Mr. Qi and doing just fine. Why do you wish to come under my service?”

Chen Ke replied honestly, “It is shameful to admit, but I was driven out by the other students. It is true that my abilities did not match my position, so I could no longer remain at the Academy.”

“How did the Second Prince reject you? And the other Princes?”

“The Second Prince said I possessed no particular skill. The others said my Realm wasn’t high enough.”

A smile touched Lu Mingyuan’s eyes. “My Second Brother is as snobbish as ever. What will you do if I reject you, too?”

Chen Ke’s expression dimmed, and he sighed. “If that happens, then I can only return to my hometown. I will either live as a hermit in the mountains or continue taking the imperial examinations until my life is over.”

Lu Mingyuan rubbed his chin for a moment, thinking to himself.

’This scholar’s situation is truly pitiful. It’s so similar to my own experience in my past life… running all over the place trying to make connections, only to be ignored by everyone. In the end, I had to compromise, settling for a life in a strange city and only going home once every few years.’

In the end, he decided to trust the insight from his [Recognizing People] ability. He might as well give this scholar a push and see how high he could climb. Adopting an extremely magnanimous air, he waved his hand and said:

“Alright. I’ll invest in this ’project’ of yours.”

“So tell me, what official post do you want? This Prince is listening.”

Although Chen Ke didn’t understand what “project” meant, he knew Lu Mingyuan was willing to take him in. He cupped his hands and said, “I dare not be so presumptuous as to ask for an official position. As long as I can read more books and help alleviate Your Highness’s burdens, it is enough. I am a very fast reader, and I can also transcribe documents for you.”

Lu Mingyuan was a bit surprised that he wasn’t asking for a position. However, he wasn’t very familiar with the paths to becoming an official in the Great Yan, so he turned his gaze to Qi Muxue. “Miss Qi, I recall there are three paths to becoming an official in the Great Yan, correct?”

“That’s correct.”

Qi Muxue nodded. “There are many paths to officialdom in the Great Yan. The most common is through the imperial examinations, followed by hereditary appointment, and finally, recommendation from an Academy. My father has already been dismissed as chancellor, so he likely no longer has the authority to make recommendations. If Your Highness wishes to recommend someone, you can only use the second path, hereditary appointment. There is a sub-path within it called ’familial recruitment,’ which allows a family to conscript talent. That could be a solution.”

After her explanation, Lu Mingyuan immediately understood.

His maternal grandfather was the Patriarch of the Wang Family; he should have plenty of recruitment slots available.

He just needed to have a word with his grandfather, and it would be settled.

…

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