Chapter Four: Opening the Sea of Qi

Jiang Ming had already stopped.

When he had achieved perfection in Yin Yang Fist, a strange power surged up from the depths of his body, sweeping over his entire body, cleansing his marrow and purifying his muscles.

He couldn’t tell if it was due to experiencing it three times before, but this time the effect was not as good as the Domineering Boxing, yet there was still a minute amount of impurities being expelled from his body.

This made him feel that his body was stronger, his strength was greater, and his vitality was even more vigorous.

This was an significant enhancement once again.

However, Jiang Ming also realized the remarkable nature of Yin Yang Fist. If he did not have the foundation of Soft Fist and Shock Fist, he would never have comprehended the essence of Yin Yang Fist so quickly. At least a dozen times of practice would be needed to fully master it.

“Old man, how was it?” Jiang Ming asked with a smile.

“Impressive, your comprehension is rare in the world!” The elder exclaimed in astonishment and then took out a jade bottle from his bosom. After opening it, he poured out a pill.

Jiang Ming was startled.

Because the bottle was full of elixir pills.

“This is my snack. If you don’t want to eat food, just take one!” The elder laughed, passed over a Peiyuan Pill, gave a brief explanation, and asked, “You are a student of Second Level, aren’t you? What’s your name?”

“I am Jiang Ming from Class Four of Second Level.” He revealed his identity without thinking and then finally suppressed the surging thoughts in his mind. He couldn’t help but praise, “Elder, you are really generous. May I ask your name?”

At the same time, he took the elixir pill.

Immediately, an aroma pounced on his nose, causing his spirits to rise.

“My last name is Tang, and you can just call me Old Tang.”

“Old Tang? I dare not. I am afraid that a slap of yours might kill me. I’ll call you Elder Tang!”

“Haha, you, young lad!” Elder Tang couldn’t help laughing, “Dare to take it right away?”

“Why wouldn’t I? I am penniless!”

Jiang Ming said as he swallowed the elixir pill.

Warm currents immediately bubbled up in his stomach, gentle as water, yet incredibly potent.

He started to practice boxing again.

Yin Yang Fist.

The fists created a roar like wind and thunder.

As time passed, Jiang Ming’s punches became heavier, shaking the air, and many of the surrounding leaves were shaken off.

His momentum was getting stronger and stronger.

Bang…

The air exploded, and a resonating sound emanated from Jiang Ming. It was faint at first, but it soon became deafening, like the roar of a dragon, the cry of a phoenix, or the thunder from the Nine Heavens.

Muscle and Bone Resonance was achieved.

But Jiang Ming didn’t stop because the medicinal power hadn’t completely worn off yet.

His tendons were akin to mysterious ropes, bones grinding like gears, blood raced like a herd of wild horses, and his heart pounded like a war drum.

Elder Tang at the side kept nodding his approval.

“Good comprehension! Good constitution!”

“If given enough time…”

“He must have recently awakened. Otherwise, with such constitution, he should have at least come across the Sea of Qi, if not reaching the Martial Realm of the Third Level.”

“Indeed, a raw gemstone!”

The praise from Elder Tang was indeed high.

Immediately after, his eyebrows twitched, and his expression of joy intensified.

Because the resonance sound of Jiang Ming’s muscle and bone kept weakening, until it gradually vanished.

“The power has condensed into one, as easy as commanding his own arm, with a fine grasp.” Elder Tang applauded and began to speak. “Enhancing constitution, intensifying power, refining muscles and bones, whether by gene medicine or elixir pill, can be accomplished. So, why do we still need step-by-step cultivation?”

No one answered, but he continued, “Because the path of martial arts doesn’t only enhance power. The journey of cultivation is also a process of self-tempering will.”

“When the Muscle and Bone Resonance is achieved, it signifies the Refinement of the Body.”

“Condensing the strength into one, it’s the tempering of self-will. Only with a stronger will, can one comprehend the energy of Heaven and Earth, or say the cosmic energy, primal qi, spiritual qi, etc., and then channel them into the body, opening the Dantian Sea of Qi.”

“Without a strong will, one cannot comprehend the Heaven and Earth.”

“The power cannot be condensed into one force and cannot connect to heaven and earth to tap into the breath of the cosmos.”

“Without the resonance of muscles and bones, and inner and outer strength, it cannot withstand the ferocity of the breath of the cosmos.”

“On the path of martial arts, each step ascends toward heaven, but the path is under your feet. Be it medicine for gene enhancement or elixir pills, they are merely aids.”

Elder Tang clearly explained the first hurdle and the secrets of cultivation in martial arts.

“After entering the microcosm, comprehend the cosmos, seize the fate in the dark. Transform it into a giant whale swallowing everything, or become a black hole snatching, or open the convenient door to invite guests and invite the force with a refined body to the Dantian to open the Sea of Qi.”

Elder Tang expounded the secret to breaking through to the next realm.

The teacher had already explained this in class, but it wasn’t as vivid as his analogy.

He looked up at Jiang Ming’s head.

At this moment, Jiang Ming had already reached this step.

After the resonance of muscles and bones, continue to cultivate, train the power thoroughly. The vibrating force between the fascia gradually hides, returning to the body.

This is the gradual process of mastery and returning to the natural state.

Once the resonance of muscles and bones completely disappears, the power is thoroughly trained, controlled as if it were an extension of the arm; the power enters the microcosm.

A Peiyuan Pill strengthens the foundation.

The strong comprehension also brings a strong spirit. The control over the self far exceeds ordinary people.

This step of entry into the microcosm is hardly a challenge.

At this step, one could break through, or he could stop and continue to hone, preparing for the breakthrough.

Jiang Ming, however, was not satisfied and continued his boxing techniques.

Hearing Elder Tang, he was thoughtful. His thoughts naturally flowed into the cosmos with the power he had refined into a single force.

He felt the breath of the cosmos, no, the primal Qi of heaven and earth, or the energy of the universe.

Incredibly vast and boundless.

Even the slightest ripple could crush him.

Jiang Ming imagined himself as a black hole, attracting everything. He used his thoughts as a guide, trying to bring the power of heaven and earth into his body. But this vast power was too stable.

He was not disheartened.

The boxing techniques continued, using the principles of Yin and Yang, a perfect balance of strength and softness. As he changed steps, the fallen leaves in his surroundings started to circle around him.

“Dao Resonance aids him!” Seeing this, Elder Tang couldn’t help but gasped. It was an almost impossible feat at the Bone Forging Realm.

But he saw this with his own eyes – this is a cultivation skill that he had just started practicing.

“Such raw talent is beyond imagination. Perhaps, he can really intake the Qi in one fell swoop and start to open the Dantian Sea of Qi.”

Expectation gleamed in Elder Tang’s eyes.

Buzz…

At this moment, a tremor passed through the void.

Jiang Ming seemed to transform into Yin-Yang Tai Chi, performing the Tao of the strong and flexible. Echoing a special Dao Resonance, he successfully drew a thin trace of energy from heaven and earth. This energy traveled through the Hundred Meetings, passed Heaven’s Gate, descended Twenty-Four Floors, and reached straight to the Dantian.

“Don’t hesitate, press on!”

Elder Tang’s voice rang out again.

Jiang Ming continued his boxing techniques, but his expression had already grown incredibly solemn.

The power that had followed his summoning was ferocious, making it almost impossible to bind. Luckily, his mind was firm and his flesh was resilient. He condensed the power into a single force to contain and guide its descent to his Dantian.

“Success or failure, it all depends on this!” Jiang Ming fortified his determination and directly directed the power in.

Boom…

In an instant, it felt like the primordial world had exploded, akin to the creation of heaven and earth. He felt a loud noise in his mind as his Dantian blew open and rapidly expanded.

At the same time, a stream of eerie power swept through his entire body.

The strength and purity of this power was more than ten times greater than when he practiced Yin Yang Fist to perfection and underwent Cleansing Marrow. It was truly unbelievable.