Chapter 102: True Qi, Martial Dao,
The Old Monster looked at the Human Sovereign Banner in your hand, the corner of his mouth twitching involuntarily. Though with his current cultivation, he no longer thought much of such things, he still could not help but feel a twinge of heartache.
“Your artifact-refining technique is far too crude! To think you wasted such fine refining materials!”
You scratched your head awkwardly. Having just learned artifact refining, your skill level was truly limited.
The Old Monster could not stand it any longer. He snatched the Human Sovereign Banner from your hand and began refining it himself.
“Open your eyes wide and watch carefully. Learn well!”
The moment the Old Monster made his move, you sensed the vast, boundless power within his body. This power was different from spiritual power. Within it, you sensed a trace of something like Martial Dao inner force.
However, this power felt more like an advanced version of Martial Dao inner force.
You thought of what you had seen in the Yi Jin Jing: true qi!
When Martial Dao cultivators reached profound realms, the inner force within their bodies would transform into true qi. This was an energy born from within the body itself.
Under any conditions, as long as a Martial Dao cultivator’s physical body still existed, this power would never dissipate!
With that thought, you decided to begin cultivating the Martial Way!
The Heavenly Dao was damaged, the Heavenly Tribulation had changed, and you could not break through to Spirit Transformation in the short term. You could only cultivate the Martial Way as well to raise your strength.
“Done.”
Three days later, after the Old Monster’s meticulous refining, the top-grade refining materials had finally been fused into your Human Sovereign Banner.
“Although this banner is still Earth-rank high-grade, its hardness is enough to rival a Heaven-rank high-grade artifact!” the Old Monster said with a chuckle, clearly very satisfied with his masterpiece.
“Moreover, after this slight refining by me, the strength of your Soul-Refining Banner is even capable of producing the power of a Heaven-rank low-grade artifact!”
“Boy, you have struck it rich this time!”
You chuckled, then took out three Return-to-Void realm phoenix chickens. These three were the highest in cultivation among the entire flock.
“This junior has nothing to repay you with, so I can only ask Senior to try these phoenix chickens, as well as the wine brewed by your son.” You took out some of the village’s provisions and laid them before the Old Monster.
The Old Monster, who originally had no interest in phoenix chicken, burst into laughter when he saw the jug of wine before him, opened it, and took a sniff.
“Good boy, using my son’s wine to honor me!”
The Old Monster was very satisfied. He directly lifted a jug of wine and began drinking heartily.
“Little Nannan wants to eat chicken.” Little Nannan also ran over, her big eyes staring at you pitifully.
“Alright, I’ll stew a pot of phoenix chicken soup for Little Nannan right now!” You took out a large pot and began stewing it right there in the blacksmith shop.
After eating and drinking your fill, you clasped your hands toward the Old Monster. “This junior wishes to cultivate the Martial Way. I hope Senior can offer some guidance.”
“Little Nannan knows how too. If there’s anything Big Brother doesn’t understand, you can ask me as well.” Little Nannan patted her chest in assurance.
You looked at Little Nannan beside you and suddenly noticed something. Since you had taken Little Nannan away from the village, more than ten years had passed. Why did Little Nannan still look like she was around ten years old?
Little Nannan had always maintained the appearance of a little girl. Just how old was she really?
You suppressed the doubt in your heart. Curious as you were, you would not ask further, because this was Little Nannan’s secret.
Since the Old Village Chief had not told you before leaving, you did not want to probe further either.
“Cultivate the Martial Way? Are you sure?” The drunken Old Monster sized you up for a moment, then explained.
“The Martial Way has no shortcuts. Every step must be taken with solid footing. You might cultivate for a hundred years and still not be able to beat a single Foundation Establishment cultivator.”
“This junior is certain!” you said earnestly. Wasn’t it just time? Time was the one thing you had the most of.
Perhaps others could only walk one path in their entire lives, but you were different. You chose to have it all!
The Old Monster pondered for a moment, then said, “Fine. I happen to have nothing else to do, so I’ll reluctantly give you a bit of guidance.”
“Oh right, Little Nannan will train along with you too.” The Old Monster glanced at Little Nannan and added.
“Ah?”
The Old Monster ignored Little Nannan and instead brought up another matter with you.
“That Primordial Spirit you brought back, I have already released it. An existence like that following by your side is still very dangerous.”
You nodded to show you understood, then voiced your confusion. “Just whose Primordial Spirit was that? It was almost about to fully materialize!”
“Just a loser. Not worth mentioning.” The Old Monster waved his hand dismissively, signaling you not to ask further.
“In the future, when your cultivation reaches the Great Vehicle stage, you will barely be qualified to come into contact with it.”
“The Great Vehicle stage.” You recited it silently in your heart. This was the final realm before ascension to immortality in the cultivation world.
With your current cultivation at the perfection of the Nascent Soul stage, there were still four major realms between you and the Great Vehicle stage: Spirit Transformation, Void Return, Body Integration, and Tribulation Crossing!
If not for the Heavenly Dao being damaged and blocking your path of cultivation, you would already be preparing to break through to Spirit Transformation.
“The Martial Way, the Martial Way. Enter the Dao through martial power!” The Old Monster explained the true meaning of the Martial Way to you.
“From today onward, I will seal your cultivation and have you cultivate the Martial Way starting from that of a mortal!”
As his words fell, the Old Monster pointed a finger at your forehead. Your Nascent Soul-stage cultivation, along with your Spirit Transformation-stage physical body, were completely sealed. You could no longer mobilize even a trace of power.
Within your body, only a single thread of inner force circulated. After so many years, you once again felt the weakness of a mortal.
In a small courtyard behind the blacksmith shop, you and Little Nannan were cultivating the Martial Way.
“You should start by training with Little Nannan. Her foundation was beaten very solidly by Big Brother.”
The Old Monster gave Little Nannan some instructions, then picked up a jug of wine from you and turned to leave.
I never imagined Senior was actually a drunkard. How did I not see it before? you thought to yourself.
“Cough cough, Big Brother, it might hurt a lot in a bit. You need to endure it!” Little Nannan put on the airs of an adult, speaking to you with a serious face.
“Bring it on. Big Brother is not afraid!” You patted your chest in assurance.
As your words fell, Little Nannan’s tiny fist came straight at you, slamming into your forehead.
With your cultivation sealed and not yet adapted to a mortal body, you were sent flying heavily, lying on the ground without moving.
“Ah! Big Brother, are you alright?” Little Nannan withdrew her small hand, a little worried.
You lay on the ground grimacing, struggling not to make a single sound.