Chapter 103: Entering the Jin Gu Jing! Wei Family

The standoff between the martial artists in the county town and the Wei Family Residence was something Lu Qing hadn’t expected. He had assumed the two sides would clash at any moment.

But this quiet tension proved his earlier suspicions weren’t entirely unfounded. The death of the Wei Family’s Xian Tian Jing Lao Zu Zong was indeed suspicious. The current situation in the county wasn’t random—it was orchestrated behind the scenes.

He just didn’t know how long this eerie peace would last.

So, while the county simmered with hidden conflict, Lu Qing simply enjoyed his quiet life. Studying medical skills, training, teaching the two little ones how to read—his days were as pleasant as they could be.

To his surprise, after more than a fortnight, the situation still hadn’t exploded.

But Lu Qing no longer had time to care.

For the past two weeks, he’d been refining his cultivation, and now, he could feel the stirrings of breakthrough.

Back Mountain Bamboo Grove.

Lu Qing sat cross-legged, his expression calm, yet steam rose from his body as his internal qi surged to its peak. He was attempting to break through the Qi Xue Jing and step into the second realm—Jin Gu Jing.

The key to this breakthrough lay in pushing the power of one’s qi beyond its limits, forcing it to seep into the bones and tendons, where it could be refined and tempered over time. Only then would the body grow stronger.

But this required flawless control over one’s internal energy. The martial artist had to guide the qi with precision—nurturing the bones and tendons without causing self-harm.

Otherwise, if the control faltered, the violent surge of qi could rupture the marrow. Light injuries meant shattered marrow; severe ones could burn it out completely.

That was why Lu Qing, despite having already reached the peak of Qi Xue Jing—mastering his own qi completely—had spent nearly two weeks perfecting his foundation before attempting this breakthrough.

Breakthroughs in the martial path were never rushed. Impatience brought ruin. But fear and hesitation were equally dangerous. Only when everything was perfectly balanced could one advance with safety.

Now, his qi had reached its limit, coalescing into a single, ferocious strand of energy.

With utmost care, he guided this strand, breaking its usual path and driving it deep into his body’s core.

It was like threading a steel wire through a raging beast—dangerous beyond measure. One misstep, and his entire qi would erupt uncontrollably, leaving him dead or maimed.

Yet Lu Qing’s face remained serene.

At this stage, his control over his own qi was absolute. What looked perilous was, in truth, entirely under his command.

Soon, the powerful qi broke through the barriers and began to penetrate his bones.

Under his precise guidance, it circled the bones, slowly refining them.

At this moment, Lu Qing had successfully shattered the boundary between Qi Xue Jing and Jin Gu Jing.

But that was only the beginning.

He stood up, assumed a fighting stance, and began to practice the Nourish Body Fist—starting from the first form.

By the time he reached the ninth form, he paused, then continued.

Instead of restarting, he pushed forward—into a new, unlearned move.

The tenth form of the Nourish Body Fist.

His master had taught him a total of thirty-six forms. The first nine were combat techniques suited for Qi Xue Jing. From the tenth onward, they belonged to the Jin Gu Jing realm.

In the past, every time he tried the tenth form, his bones and tendons would ache violently—too much strain, too little strength. He’d never been able to complete it.

But this time was different.

As he executed the form, the concentrated qi within him surged through his bones and tendons, nourishing them, easing fatigue.

With that inner strength, he continued—unbroken.

Thanks to the aid of that powerful qi, he completed the tenth form without issue.

He didn’t stop. He pressed on.

Forms eleven through eighteen—now part of the Jin Gu Jing combat techniques—followed in succession.

By the time he finished the eighteenth form, he slowly settled into a still stance, eyes closed, senses focused inward.

His body felt incredible.

Qi flowed freely, and his entire frame felt warm, as if immersed in a gentle bath of hot water.

He recalled his master’s words from long ago: “If the Nourish Body Fist grows more comfortable with every repetition, you’re on the right path. If it grows painful, you’re doing something wrong.”

Now, the proof was clear.

He was doing it right.

“Finally… I’ve entered the Jin Gu Jing,” Lu Qing whispered, a smile spreading across his face.

From this moment on, he was officially a Jin Gu Jing martial artist—on par with Ma Gu in realm.

Though only in rank.

In actual strength, he was still far behind Ma Gu. The man had spent years mastering his body, refining his tendons and bones to the absolute limit of his cultivation.

Lu Qing’s physical prowess, even now, likely fell short.

But he wasn’t worried.

Now that he’d stepped into the Jin Gu Jing, his strength would grow rapidly.

With his potential already amplified by the Dipulse Spiritual Fluid, surpassing Ma Gu wouldn’t take long.

Even now, if they fought, the outcome would be uncertain.

After all, his power had already doubled since his breakthrough. His base strength had already far exceeded that of an average Qi Xue Jing peak cultivator.

Now, with the doubling, his explosive power was likely unmatched by any Jin Gu Jing beginner.

This was the advantage of exceptional talent.

In the same realm, a gifted cultivator’s ceiling was higher, and their power output far greater than ordinary martial artists.

After savoring the sensation of his breakthrough, Lu Qing gradually returned his focus.

He reached beside him and pulled out a bundle beneath an old bamboo stalk—a book.

His expression grew strange.

This was one of the gifts from the Wei Family Grand Manager.

Back then, the Grand Manager had given him two items.

One was a Bone-Strengthening Pill—something every Jin Gu Jing cultivator coveted.

The other was this very book.

When he’d first received it, Lu Qing hadn’t opened it. He’d set it aside, alongside the pill.

Then, life had thrown him so many opportunities—Qi Xue Jing combat techniques, even a few Xian Tian realm skills, and most remarkably, the Divine Seal Sect Heritage.

He’d simply forgotten about the book.

Only days ago, while cleaning out a storage chest, had he rediscovered it.

Now, with his breakthrough complete, it was time to study it.

He opened the book.

Instantly, a thick, white glow pulsed from its pages.

[Combat Technique Detected. Download Simulation?]

Lu Qing selected “Yes,” then slowly turned the pages.

[Downloading… 1%, 2%, 3%, 4%…]

As he flipped, the progress bar crept upward.

When the final page turned, it reached 100%.

[Download Complete. Starting Simulation… 1%, 2%, 3%, 4%…]

He waited in silence.

Moments later, another prompt appeared.

[Simulation Complete. Begin Learning?]

He confirmed immediately.

A flood of insight surged into his mind. Without hesitation, he closed his eyes and absorbed it all.

After a while, he opened his eyes—his pupils widened slightly.

“Ah… So that’s how it works. This technique is a burst-type martial art.”

With the aid of his Abilities, Lu Qing now fully understood the technique.

The scroll contained a Burst Qi Technique—a method that, through a special qi circulation method, could temporarily unleash several times one’s normal strength.

Of course, like all such techniques, it came at a cost.

After use, the body would collapse into weakness.

This technique could only be used once every three days, and each activation lasted half a day. Without proper rest, the body would suffer lasting damage.

“Standard burst technique,” Lu Qing muttered.

Back when he was weaker, this would’ve seemed impressive.

But now, having absorbed the techniques of Li Weitian and the Divine Seal Sect Heritage, his standards had risen.

This technique, while functional, felt ordinary.

Still, it wasn’t useless.

For Lu Qing, it could be valuable—once he stabilized his strength in the Jin Gu Jing realm.

Right now? Not yet.

He’d just broken through. His bones and tendons weren’t fully tempered. He couldn’t yet withstand the strain of such a technique.

With that settled, he set the book aside.

He glanced at the sky. The sun still hung high.

Time was early.

He returned to his cultivation.

The situation in the county was tense. A clash could erupt at any moment.

Better to be stronger, just in case.

Meanwhile, deep within the Wei Family Residence.

Ever since that day when a mysterious group had publicly challenged them, the residence had sealed its gates. No visitors were received—even the county magistrate’s visit was turned away.

Now, the once-mighty Wei Family estate stood silent from the outside.

Leaves gathered at the gate, untouched. No one swept them away.

The grand estate, once feared by all—where even passersby dared not glance up—now carried a quiet, almost sorrowful air.

Inside the estate, in the familiar courtyard, the Wei Family Head practiced his forms.

Beside him stood the Wei Family Grand Manager—someone Lu Qing knew well.

“Everything arranged?” the Head asked, still moving through his punches, calm and unhurried.

To outsiders, the Wei Family’s situation seemed dire. But the Head’s face remained serene—no anxiety, no fear.

As if nothing outside could touch him.

“All is prepared,” the Grand Manager replied respectfully. “The Lady of the Wei Family and Young Master An have already been sent through the secret passage. They should now be on their way to the provincial capital.”

“Good,” the Head said simply.

“But…” the Grand Manager hesitated.

“But what?”

“Before leaving, Young Master An threw a fit. He refused to go. He wanted to stay with you. I… had to knock him unconscious to calm him.”

The Head froze.

His fists stopped mid-motion.

A soft sigh escaped him.

“Blame me and the Lady. We spoiled him too much. You had to play the villain.”

“Sir, I serve my duty,” the Grand Manager quickly replied.

“I only hope An grows from this. But… I wonder if I’ll ever live to see that day.”

The Head’s voice carried a deep weariness.

The Grand Manager felt a chill.

“Master… does the Ancestor… truly?” he asked, barely whispering.

“I don’t know,” the Head replied, shaking his head. “All I know is that the Ancestor was ambushed by enemies two weeks ago. He barely escaped, grievously wounded. His fate… no one knows.”

The Grand Manager fell silent.

This was the first time in weeks he’d heard the Ancestor’s name spoken with certainty.

And the news was not good.

Seeing his subordinate’s expression, the Head smiled faintly.

“Don’t worry. The situation isn’t that bad. As long as the Ancestor remains silent, the outside forces won’t dare attack. The wrath of a Xian Tian cultivator is not something Hou Tian martial artists can withstand.”

“And even if they do, our residence isn’t defenseless. What do we fear?”

He spoke with growing authority, a surge of dominance radiating from him—no longer the calm man from before.

“The likes of petty thieves dreaming of stealing our treasures? They lack the strength.”

But the Grand Manager’s face remained troubled.

He wasn’t afraid of the forces outside.

He feared the mastermind behind them.

Whoever could command so many Hou Tian cultivators must be a Xian Tian master—possibly even the one who wounded the Ancestor.

Yes, the capital had issued a ban: Xian Tian cultivators were forbidden from attacking those below their level.

But the law had loopholes.

Who could say the shadow behind this wasn’t playing by the rules?

In this world, power ruled.

The Head had thought of that too.

After his bold words, he fell silent.

Only fear of the one beyond the walls had made him send his family away.

Xian Tian cultivators were too powerful.

Even the Wei Family Residence couldn’t stand against them.

Now, all they could hope for was the Ancestor’s return.

But two weeks had passed.

No word.

A dark unease settled in the Head’s heart.

Just then—above the estate—a thunderous shout split the sky.

(End of Chapter)

Chapter end