Chapter 81

Lü Ling's style has always been heroic and spirited, a woman who does not yield to men. It is hard to see her as just a gentle and weak woman.

Yang Ji had long been accustomed to this. Only the two guards of the city lord's residence frowned slightly when they saw Lü Ling and Yang Ji "shoulder to shoulder."

"Here, for you."

Lü Ling suddenly remembered something, took out a wooden box from her bosom, and handed it over:

"The martial examination is a major event of the imperial court, and the entire Pingchuan City is bustling with activity. Plus, my father and the others seem to have caught wind of something, so the rewards for the literary examination have not been distributed yet. Since I have some free time, I took this opportunity to bring it over."

Yang Ji snapped open the box, and a deep red pill, resembling a ruby, lay at the bottom, emitting a brilliant light.

Seeing this pill, the room suddenly became quieter. The two accompanying guards involuntarily swallowed their saliva, their faces full of envy.

The pill was only one, but even the two civil servants who knew nothing about martial arts could feel the overwhelming blood energy it contained, surging like waves.

Yang Ji was surprised as he looked at the pill. This did not seem to be the "Iron Bone Pill" awarded for the literary examination. The "Iron Bone Pill" was definitely not of such high quality.

"This is a Blood Energy Pill, extracted from the essence blood of over a dozen extremely dangerous martial beasts. It can greatly increase a martial artist's blood energy and is extremely precious. Even the city lord's treasury wouldn't have many."

Lü Ling's voice came from beside him. Her position was special, and she was well-versed in various pills and inside information:

"The literary examination was supposed to reward the 'Iron Bone Pill.' This pill belongs to a former student of Master Shi in the capital. Knowing that Master Shi was going to take on a disciple, this student provided it privately to fulfill the teacher's duty. The student's status is special, and even the imperial court couldn't refuse, nor did it violate any rules. — Look at the bottom of the box; there's another 'Iron Bone Pill.'"

The "Blood Energy Pill" can only be consumed by those with martial arts cultivation. Such a reward should not have appeared in the "literary examination." However, it can be understood if it was a private donation from a royal student of Master Shi.

Moreover, although the "literary students" cannot consume it, they can sell it and exchange it all for "Iron Bone Pills."

Yang Ji opened the bottom of the box and indeed found another layer with a grayish-white pill, but its quality was clearly much lower than the "Blood Energy Pill."

"This time, it's really a lucky coincidence!"

Yang Ji looked at the second pill at the bottom, feeling deeply moved. He had participated in the literary examination with some reluctance, hoping it would help him in the martial examination.

He never expected the reward to be so generous.

A martial artist's blood energy needs to be cultivated step by step. Any pill that can actively increase a martial artist's blood energy is definitely not an ordinary pill.

Moreover, a beast that can be rated as dangerous is at least a second-level martial beast. With his current strength, facing these beasts one-on-one would still be very dangerous.

"Please thank Master Shi for me when you return."

Yang Ji turned around and said to the two civil servants.

After all, this time, he owed it to Master Shi. If it weren't for Master Shi retiring and selecting a disciple in Pingchuan County, there wouldn't have been such a generous reward.

The "Blood Energy Pill" is extremely precious, but for the nobles and royal family in the capital, it is not a big deal.

"Thank you! We will report back immediately."

The two civil servants bowed and quickly responded. After handing over the reward to Yang Ji and serving the unapproachable Miss Lü Ling, they immediately took their leave.

"You can also leave. In Pingchuan City, is there anyone who can threaten me?"

Lü Ling saw them leave and suddenly felt a thought. She turned to look at the two guards and waved her hand.

"Miss, the city lord has ordered us to follow you wherever you go, no matter where you go."

The two guards looked troubled.

Since Lü Ling almost died in the mountains during her last adventure in Jinan City, the city lord of Pingchuan City has strengthened her protection. These soldiers were sent to limit her actions, not to protect her, as their strength was not as great as hers.

As long as she doesn't act impulsively as before, there won't be any danger.

"Alright, alright. You can go outside and guard."

Lü Ling waved her hand, knowing her father's intentions.

The two guards did not insist and left the room.

"Ah, this is much more comfortable."

Lü Ling stretched her limbs and then sat down at the table, pouring herself a glass of water. She said casually:

"Yang Ji, be careful with that Blood Energy Pill. Don't swallow it yet; wait until you reach the second level of martial arts before taking it."

"Oh, why?"

Yang Ji raised an eyebrow, surprised.

Lü Ling stopped her actions, looked at Yang Ji carefully, and then smiled:

"If I'm not mistaken, you are currently at the peak of the first level of martial arts. Unfortunately, you are in a state of confusion and ignorance, not knowing how to cultivate your organs, which is why you have been stuck. The Blood Energy Pill is for increasing blood energy. Your situation is like a cup already full of water; adding more water is just a waste."

"Cultivate the organs!"

Yang Ji was deeply moved by her words. Lü Ling's cultivation level was indeed much higher than his. Not only did she see through his cultivation level, but she also pointed out the problem directly.

Although Yang Ji knew his cultivation method was somewhat wrong, he didn't know where it was wrong. Lü Ling pointed out the problem with just two words.

"The second level of martial arts is about cultivating the organs. At this stage, essence energy is infused, and blood energy is like plasma. Ordinary people's blood is light and watery, but a second-level martial artist's blood is not water but plasma, dark and full of essence energy. — What you need to do now is to reverse the flow of blood energy and start cultivating your organs. Only when your internal organs are strong can you continue to advance. This is a step-by-step process."

Yang Ji nodded. Lü Ling's words were not about martial techniques or martial arts, but about some basic knowledge of the martial arts realm. However, these basics made Yang Ji listen very attentively.

He had been immersed in the martial arts realm for a long time, lacking only the final step. Now, listening to Lü Ling's guidance, he understood everything clearly.

"As for the third level of martial arts, it is called 'Small Circulation.' This is the essence of martial arts. The first and second levels are just preparations. Reaching this level means you have entered the inner sanctum, and your skills are 'smallly accomplished.'"

"This step involves the method of circulating blood and energy, which requires a 'sacred diagram.' You need to pay attention to this in the future."

Lü Ling said.

"Sacred diagram?"

Yang Ji was surprised. This was the first time he had heard of this concept.

"Yep."

Lü Ling nodded, treating Yang Ji like a disciple, sharing all her knowledge:

"A sacred diagram records the essence of martial arts. A single diagram can encompass the extremes of heaven and earth, the secrets of martial arts. The 'Fist Intent Unity Diagram' you practiced before was modeled after a sacred diagram. True martial arts can only be understood intuitively, not explained in words. This is the sacred diagram. Without strong intuition, one can never become a true strong person. This is the difference between the martial arts realm and the breathing realm. Effort is no longer the primary determining factor."

"Many families have created many secret manuals, martial classics, insights, and true scriptures based on sacred diagrams. These are not sacred diagrams but inferior and defective products, designed for ordinary people with insufficient talent. Practicing these inferior methods will never make you a true strong person!"

Lü Ling, who was usually casual, spoke with great seriousness:

"Yang Ji, now that you have reached the martial arts realm, you need to be careful. Unless absolutely necessary, do not easily practice those martial classics and secret manuals. These are just the opinions of others. Following their methods will only lead you astray, consume your spiritual nature, and confine your thinking."

Yang Ji nodded, deep in thought. Although he had not yet reached this level and did not have the same deep understanding as Lü Ling, her words were based on experience, so he carefully remembered them all.

"Reaching the peak of the third level of martial arts will lead to the 'Blood Energy Dragon' stage. At this stage, blood energy surges out of the body, condensing and not dispersing, with immense power. The vibration of the blood is like a river."

Lü Ling counted the levels one by one, as if reciting a list of treasures:

"The fourth level is the 'Blood Furnace.' At this stage, all the blood energy in the body converges to form a small, exquisite 'Blood Furnace' inside the body. From then on, blood energy can be released at will, generating incredible power. Moreover, the blood energy can absorb sufficient essence energy from the air, forests, and rocks."

"The fifth level is the 'Small Circulation.' At this stage, the martial artist opens the key points, and the blood energy circulates within the body, forming a lead-like substance. At this level, the strong person's body is as heavy as a mountain, and even ten or eight strong men cannot lift them."

"I once heard a legend about a place where a flood was about to break the levee, threatening dozens of villages. At the critical moment, a 'Small Circulation' strong person stood on the levee, and the levee immediately stabilized, as if a mountain had been placed on it, resisting any storm."

"The sixth level is called 'Martial General.' At this stage, the martial artist has both yin and yang fire and blood energy, with even more incredible power."

"The seventh level is called 'Martial Master.' At this stage, the martial artist has a 'Copper Blood Furnace,' and the blood energy is like sand. A single spurt of blood is not sand but iron sand. At this level, the strong person is almost invulnerable, except to divine weapons."

"Moreover, the blood of a Martial Master is an excellent material for forging weapons and refining pills."

"The eighth level is 'Great Martial Master,' the ninth level is 'Martial Venerable,' and the tenth level is 'Martial Saint.'... There's no need to explain these. I don't know much about them, but I know their abilities are beyond our imagination. It is said that above the Martial Saint level, there are even higher realms, almost god-like, which are even more beyond our reach."

Lü Ling said. Pingchuan County is just a small border town, and it is already astonishing that Lü Ling knows this much due to her family background.

This speech made Yang Ji's heart race, and even Lü Ling was lost in thought for a moment. After all, which young person doesn't yearn for great power and the exciting world outside?

Pingchuan County is just too small!

...

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