Chapter 116: Inner Domain, Here I Come, Xu Yan!

Chapter 116: Inner Domain, Here I Come, Xu Yan!

The red cat, Chitu, widened its eyes, looking lost and confused, as if it couldn't comprehend what Li Xuan was saying.

"After all, it's a fierce beast. It seems to have some intelligence, but how could it possibly understand such profound concepts?"

Li Xuan shook his head, laughing at his own far-fetched idea that Chitu could grasp the Grand Demon's method.

He toyed with the jade scepter in his hand and strolled away with leisurely steps.

Outside the manor, on a hill.

Meng Chong sat cross-legged, fully immersed in his contemplation of the Grand Solar Incarnation. He was just a step away from enlightenment regarding the cultivation method.

The eldest senior brother had ventured into the Inner Domain, and he, too, yearned to follow in his footsteps.

The reason he wasn't rushing to the Inner Domain was not just because he felt his strength wasn't sufficient yet, but also because of a more crucial factor—the Qi-Blood Realm cultivators couldn't fly through the air.

Without reaching the Innate Realm, he wouldn't be able to truly display the might of his Thunder Crossing the Sky movement technique.

"The Grand Solar Incarnation, after connecting with the Heavenly Bridge, opens up the Qi Sea. Using the Qi Sea as a foundation, one then opens up the golden body acupoints. In the Innate Realm, eighteen golden body acupoints are opened, forming a small cycle.

"Each acupoint can nurture the mysteries of the physical body. With the opening of eighteen acupoints, one can also achieve a portion of the Grand Solar Incarnation's transformations. While achieving a three-zhang golden body may be challenging, a one-zhang golden body should be achievable without issue.

"I think I've gained some insight into the mysteries of the golden body acupoints."

A flash of insight lit up Meng Chong's mind, and the method of the Grand Solar Incarnation gradually became clear to him.

He had identified the golden body acupoints and had even discovered some other acupoints while contemplating his own body.

"The Grand Solar Incarnation is within my grasp!"

Meng Chong was thrilled.

He didn't know how many days he had spent sitting on that hill, but at this moment, he had finally enlightened the Grand Solar Incarnation!

Seated in a chair, he studied an ancient leather-bound book while holding a bamboo staff, which he used to tap on Chitu's body, pointing out its acupoints. "Chitu, these are acupoints. If you channel the power of the pills you've eaten into one of these acupoints, who knows, you might achieve something remarkable!"

Chitu's tail swayed as it lay on the ground, its eyes reflecting a mix of comprehension and confusion.

Suddenly, golden light emanated from its body.

A delighted smile appeared on Li Xuan's face. Meng Chong had enlightened the Grand Solar Incarnation!

"Your disciple, Meng Chong, has enlightened the Grand Solar Incarnation method that you fabricated. Now, he has entered the initial stages of the Grand Solar Incarnation."

Boom!

In that instant, Li Xuan felt like acupoints within his body had been activated, nurturing mysterious powers. His physical body underwent a rapid enhancement, increasing more than tenfold in an instant.

"So this is the Grand Solar Incarnation!"

Li Xuan had now obtained the complete cultivation method for the Grand Solar Incarnation, and with it, he had perfected the system of the Physical Martial Arts for the Qi-Blood Realm and the Innate Realm.

In the Innate Realm, the Grand Solar Incarnation involved opening eighteen acupoints. As he had just begun, he had only opened three acupoints so far, and within them, mysterious powers were constantly being nurtured and recycled back to enhance his physical body.

"With my current physical body, even if I stand still, a Grand Master wouldn't be able to harm me."

Li Xuan was overjoyed. This Grand Solar Incarnation that he had fabricated was indeed powerful.

His strength had taken another step forward.

He was now not far off from being able to crush a Grand Master with a single hand.

Since Meng Chong had already enlightened the Grand Solar Incarnation, his breakthrough to the Innate Realm was also imminent.

"When Xu Yan broke through, he underwent a transformation and became the Dragon Soaring in the River and Mountains Spirit Bone. I wonder if Meng Chong will also undergo a similar transformation?"

Li Xuan pondered.

After all, Xu Yan's talent was too monstrous, and as a pioneer of the Martial Way, Li Xuan suspected that he possessed great fortune and was perhaps a child of destiny.

That was why he had transformed when he broke through to the Innate Realm.

Meng Chong, in the end, fell slightly short of Xu Yan, so he might not undergo a transformation.

"Once Meng Chong breaks through, and when my Innate Realm Grand Solar Incarnation reaches perfection, my strength will increase even further. With a single punch or palm strike, I'll be able to explode a Grand Master. Even if I face the siege of dozens of Grand Masters, I'll be able to handle it with ease.

"If you can't figure it out, I'll have to consider turning you into soup!"

He smiled menacingly, his tone threatening as he gazed at the cat.

Chitu's eyes widened, and she shivered in fear.

"I'm telling you, you need to understand this well..."

Li Xuan tapped Chitu's body again and recited the newly improved Grand Demon's method word for word.

He didn't expect the cat to grasp it all at once but speaking it to her daily might help her remember over time, given her apparent intelligence.

Li Xuan wondered, "If Chitu really cultivates the Grand Demon's method, does that mean I've created a Grand Demon beast martial art? Will I receive some kind of feedback?"

He was filled with anticipation.

* * *

In the capital city of Qi, Guo Rongshan examined a letter before opening a box that contained a statue.

The statue depicted a figure with one hand behind its back and the other holding a jade scepter, its head tilted slightly upward as if gazing into the distant sky. It exuded an otherworldly aura of a sage.

Though the statue's face only had simple contours, it somehow resembled a handsome and youthful Li Xuan.

"Ancestor of Martial Arts, the Sage Teacher? A Martial Saint!" Guo Rongshan murmured, his expression solemn as he held the statue reverently and placed it on the table.

"Father, what is it you need from me?" Guo Yunkai asked as he entered the room.

"Have you seen the statue? Use the finest jade to carve a replica, and we shall enshrine it in our home. This is the Martial Saint!" Guo Rongshan instructed, pointing at the statue on the table.

"Yes, father!" Guo Yunkai nodded solemnly.

"Also, make a copy of the cultivation method. I shall present it to His Majesty," Guo Rongshan added.

"Father, we can't do that!" Guo Yunkai exclaimed in alarm. If the martial arts were revealed, anyone could cultivate them, and the Guo family would lose their advantage.

"Do you think the cultivation method hasn't been leaked yet?" Guo Rongshan gave him a sidelong glance. "The borderlands lack martial arts, and now that we're ahead, it's time to gradually spread it. There's a difference between doing it proactively and being forced to do it. Do you understand?"

Guo Yunkai was taken aback.

"What do you mean, father?"

Guo Rongshan pointed at the letter on the table. Guo Yunkai picked it up and saw that it was from Xu Junhe. After reading its contents, he exhaled and said, "Father, I understand!"

The Emperor of Qi had been feeling a bit more relaxed lately, but he still felt stifled.

What gave him some relief was that although Guo Rongshan controlled the government, he showed no signs of rebellion and even gave the Emperor due respect by never going against his wishes.

"Brother Guo, what is it you require? You have my full support!" the Emperor exclaimed as Guo Rongshan entered the palace, holding a box.

"Your Majesty, this is the martial arts cultivation method, and this is the Martial Saint. Out of compassion for the poverty and lack of martial arts in the borderlands, the Martial Saint has transmitted his teachings to us..." Guo Rongshan explained as he presented the cultivation method and opened the box to reveal the statue.

The Emperor of Qi was stunned. Guo Rongshan was actually imparting the martial arts cultivation method?

No, it was the Martial Saint who was going to spread his teachings to the borderlands!

"Brother Guo, you are truly a great benefactor to our country and our borderlands!" The Emperor's hands trembled as he held the martial arts cultivation method, his eyes glistening with emotion.

Subsequently, Guo Rongshan and the Emperor discussed the propagation of martial arts, acknowledging that people have their own self-interests. Thus, they decided to wait until they had achieved a certain level of cultivation before spreading the martial arts widely.

By staying one step ahead and controlling most of the precious elixirs, they could maintain their advantage and make it difficult for others to catch up.

In the Borderlands of Qi, the seeds of martial arts began to sprout, and the Xu family of Donghe County would gradually become the holy home of Borderland martial arts...

Kou Ruozhi was ecstatic, as he could finally cultivate martial arts. He knelt on the ground and respectfully said, "I am willing to devote my life and soul to the Heavenly Mother!"

Sulingxiu solemnly said, "Kou Ruozhi, I appreciate your cunning and scheming nature, and I hope you won't disappoint me. In the future, when you go to the Inner Domain, you must fully utilize your cunning abilities to outwit and defeat all potential enemies!"

"Yes, Heavenly Mother!"

Kou Ruozhi's facial muscles twitched. How was he cunning and scheming?

He was clearly resourceful and strategic!

...

A figure soared through the air above the Endless Mountains, heading straight for the Inner Domain.

Xu Yan's heart was filled with excitement as he gazed down at the endless mountains and ridges below. He couldn't help but marvel at why countless explorers from the Borderlands who ventured into the Endless Mountains either never returned or abruptly ended their expeditions.

The closer one got to the Inner Domain, the more dangerous the mountains became due to the presence of fierce beasts. With the strength of those from the Borderlands, it was extremely challenging to pass through safely.

And once one encountered these fierce beasts, there was no chance of escape.

This was why there was a lack of knowledge about the depths of the Endless Mountains. Anyone who encountered these fierce beasts would never return.

Even if one was lucky enough to cross the Endless Mountains and enter the Inner Domain, they would not return to the Borderlands. The prosperity and martial arts of the Inner Domain were too alluring, and no one could resist its allure once they had experienced it.

Xu Yan flew through the air, passing through layer after layer of mountains and traveling more than three thousand miles before finally emerging from the Endless Mountains.

He had entered the Inner Domain.

Looking back at the Endless Mountains, Xu Yan saw the villages nestled among the mountains and the people cultivating martial arts. He couldn't help but feel a sense of awe, realizing that martial arts had already become widespread in the Inner Domain.

Even in this remote location, there were no shortage of people cultivating martial arts.

Although the cultivation techniques they practiced were ordinary and common, they were still far superior to what was available in the Borderlands.

"Inner Domain, here I come, Xu Yan!"

Xu Yan's heart was filled with excitement. He quickly figured out his bearings and flew straight toward the nearest city, about thirty miles away from the Endless Mountains.

"According to my junior sister, after exiting the Endless Mountains, this place is within the jurisdiction of Lanping County in the Great Yue Kingdom, and there's a county seat called Tieshan County about thirty miles away."

Tieshan County was a small border county in Lanping County, but even so, there was a branch of the Tianbao Pavilion there.

"The Endless Mountains are called the Iron Barrier Mountains in the Inner Domain, and Tieshan County is named after it," Xu Yan said to himself. "My junior sister said that it's a poor little county, but I'll go take a look. I'll also visit the Tianbao Pavilion to buy some spiritual medicine."

Xu Yan flew swiftly, and soon a city came into view in the distance.

"Is this the poor county?"

Xu Yan widened his eyes in surprise. The so-called poor county was not as grand as the capital of Qi, but it was larger than Donghe County.

And in the Great Yue Kingdom, Lanping County was considered a poor county.

"The Inner Domain is truly prosperous!"

Xu Yan was shocked. He felt like a country boy experiencing the splendor of a big city for the first time.

But before he could even take a step, he quickly retracted his movement and stood stiffly, his face turning serious.

"That was close. Where did this strong expert come from? Why does he look like he hasn't been around much? I almost stepped on a landmine!"

The guard secretly felt fortunate.

In that instant, he suddenly sensed a powerful aura from Xu Yan, although it was just a fleeting moment. Still, he was certain.

This young man was a formidable expert, far beyond his ability to provoke.

"At least a strength of five pins or above!"

The guard thought to himself.

Xu Yan gave the guard a curious glance, marveling inwardly, "Just a poor county, yet the guards are of such high caliber. Their posture is erect, their backs straight, and they don't display any of the mannerisms of a petty official."

The guard, on the other hand, was terrified by Xu Yan's gaze. "Did he realize that I was about to extort money from him? What should I do? If he takes action, I'll be lucky to get away with just a beating. If he kills me, no one will hold him accountable for taking the life of a mere official."

The guard's panic intensified, and he suddenly gritted his teeth, stepping forward with a respectful expression. "Young master, I see that you seem to be visiting Tieshan County for the first time. Is there anything you need assistance with?"

Xu Yan was astonished. Would the local officials in Tieshan County proactively offer help to strangers? In Qi, not being harassed would already be considered a blessing.

"How do I get to Tianbao Pavilion?" Xu Yan asked after a moment's thought.

"Young master, Tianbao Pavilion is in the city. After entering, you'll see a tall building, and that's Tianbao Pavilion!" The guard replied respectfully.

He breathed a sigh of relief inwardly, "He probably didn't notice that I was planning to extort him, right?"

"Thank you!" Xu Yan cupped his hands in gratitude.

As he raised his hand, several strands of true qi danced on his fingertips.

"You're too kind, young master, too kind!"

The guard's face turned pale with fright. "A Grandmaster? Is this man a Grandmaster-level expert?"

Those seemed to be strands of internal qi, a sign of a powerful martial artist! Xu Yan suddenly realized that he had been so focused on splitting his qi that he forgot to conceal it. Thus, strands of true qi had been dancing on his fingertips the whole time.

"I was too engrossed. Almost forgot to rein in my true qi."

Xu Yan quickly retracted his true qi.

As he delved deeper into the splitting of true qi, his control over it improved. After retracting his true qi, his entire body no longer exuded the aura of an Innate Realm expert.

Upon entering the city, Xu Yan wandered about like a country bumpkin visiting the city for the first time. He marveled at the wide streets, the bustling crowds, and the rows of shops and inns.

"Is this what they call a poor county? Then how magnificent must the prefecture city be?"

He was deeply shaken.

"Is this a ninth-pin warrior? Or an eighth-pin? And that one over there, a sixth-pin?"

As he walked down the street, Xu Yan's curiosity got the better of him, and he couldn't help but stare, his naivete evident.

"The Inner Domain is even more prosperous than I imagined. Tieshan County is slightly smaller than Jin'an, but it's more bustling, and martial artists are everywhere."

Xu Yan continued on his way, filled with awe.

Soon, he reached the center of the city and saw a towering building that dwarfed the tallest structure in Jin'an, the capital of Qi, by a significant margin.

Entering and exiting the building were martial artists without exception.

(End of Chapter)

Chapter end