Chapter 41

*Whoosh!*

Seeing the life-threatening danger approaching, Li Chen was about to risk internal injuries to pull back his left hand when a figure darted out from the crowd, grabbed him by the back of the neck, and lifted him up.

A deep blue light shone brightly, and Li Kunfeng was involuntarily thrown away by a powerful force. When he looked back at the scene, he heard a series of gasps from the crowd. Looking up, he saw a blue light shooting into the sky and soon disappearing from sight.

More importantly, the overwhelming pressure that flashed by made everyone's bodies tense, as if they were being pressed down by a massive rock.

"An Essence Consolidation Realm martial artist, no... judging by the speed, it's likely a Pill Rotation Realm martial artist. How could such a powerful figure appear in this small Luo Phoenix City? Could it be him? But... why save this kid?"

Li Kunfeng's expression changed several times. He waved his hand to dismiss the people who wanted to ask questions and instructed them to capture the slaves without killing them, then returned to the family estate.

The crowd had no choice but to follow his orders.

The onlookers were even more amazed, feeling that their lives were not in vain. They not only witnessed a martial arts competition comparable to a True Forging Realm martial artist but also saw a martial artist of the Essence Consolidation Realm who could perform short flights.

What amazed people even more was the scar-faced youth who forced the old patriarch of the Li family, a True Forging Realm martial artist, to put aside his dignity and join forces with everyone to attack him.

For Luo Phoenix City to produce such a genius was a matter of great pride, even if it was just mentioned.

Some even speculated that the youth was a disciple trained by that mysterious powerful figure, and this time he had come out just to test the Li family.

Of course, the Li family strictly ordered everyone, from top to bottom, not to spread the news.

However, the other two major families, which had a slight disagreement with the Li family, naturally would not miss this opportunity and added more details to the story.

...

"Thank you, Senior, for saving my life!"

Outside Luo Phoenix City, in the forest, two figures suddenly landed. Li Chen felt his body lighten and hurriedly bowed. But when he looked up and saw the person who saved him, his face was full of surprise.

"Attack me with all your strength!"

The person who came was none other than Li Mingyun, the Li family's medicine slave manager, who gave the order with a cold expression.

"What?"

Li Chen was confused. In the three years he had been at the Li family, he had always been in awe of this person. Now, seeing that he was a martial artist above the Essence Consolidation Realm, how could he dare to attack?

Especially after being a medicine slave for three years, he had always been under the control of the person in front of him, and a natural fear arose when facing him.

"Attack when I tell you to!"

Li Mingyun said impatiently.

"I offend you, Senior!"

Li Chen gritted his teeth and punched his shoulder with all his might. He didn't believe that his strength could hurt the other person.

*Pfft!*

It felt like hitting leather. Li Chen felt a sharp pain in his wrist, but it wasn't from the rebound; it was because he hit nothing, his punch passing through layers of air.

"Use your full strength!"

Li Mingyun's expression clearly showed displeasure.

"Yes!"

Li Chen gritted his teeth, shook his wrist, and channeled the internal energy in his meridians into his fist, attacking the other person's left shoulder with all his might. A grayish-blue aura appeared on his fist.

*Buzz!*

This time, he didn't feel the pain as before, but his heart was even more agitated, and he felt a suffocating sensation.

"Indeed, it's a Gangjin! I didn't expect to make a mistake in judgment! To think I mistook this kid for a waste of a body. It seems that fate is finally on my side, giving me a second chance."

Li Mingyun was shocked inside but showed no emotion on his face. "Not bad, not bad, you've actually cultivated to the tenth level of the Internal Energy Realm!"

"Senior, isn't the Internal Energy Realm only nine levels?"

Li Chen boldly asked, feeling a vague connection between this Gangjin and his grayish-blue energy flow, and even the reason Li Mingyun saved him.

"Heh!"

Li Mingyun smiled, crossed his arms, and looked up at the sky, appearing like a transcendent sage. "Since you've entered the Xuan Yun Sect, do you know the divisions of martial arts cultivation in the world?"

"About this... I know. The path of martial arts, from low to high, is divided into six realms: Internal Energy, True Forging, Essence Consolidation, Pill Rotation, Star Sea, and Xuan Gang. Among them, the Internal Energy Realm has nine levels, and the others have four sub-realms: early, middle, late, and peak."

Li Chen recounted what he knew.

"Very good. When you use your full strength, does the grayish-blue energy you produce have extremely strong destructive power, and can only be used a few times before your body becomes extremely depleted?"

Li Mingyun nodded and said calmly.

"Senior, your insight is like a torch, I am in awe!"

Flattery never fails, even if he didn't know the other person's intentions, it wouldn't hurt to use a bit of cunning to ensure his safety.

"The path of the world, nine is the ultimate. Therefore, the path of martial arts also has nine levels. The nine levels of the Internal Energy Realm were initially created by the ancients to achieve the ultimate perfection of heaven and earth!"

Li Mingyun's expression remained unchanged, his eyes flashing with reminiscence.

"Senior, are you saying that after the Xuan Gang Realm, there are three more levels of martial arts?"

Li Chen's pupils suddenly constricted; this was the first time he had heard such a claim.

"As for the levels after, you don't need to know, and you won't know!"

Li Mingyun said something incomprehensible with a smile, looking at Li Chen's confused expression. "The grayish-blue energy you produce is called Gangjin, which is a transformation of the ninth level of the Internal Energy Realm, known as the tenth level of the Small Circulation Gangjin!"

"The tenth level of the Small Circulation Gangjin!"

Li Chen murmured, savoring the meaning.

"You don't need to tell anyone about this. Just consider it a special ability, as your body is indeed special!"

Li Mingyun sternly instructed.

"Senior, what do you mean?"

Li Chen scratched his head.

"I see that you have a remarkable physique, a once-in-a-millennium martial arts genius. I am willing to take you as my disciple. Are you willing?"

Li Mingyun stroked his beard, exuding the air of a senior master.

"Master, please accept your disciple's bow!"

Li Chen, being extremely intelligent, bowed without hesitation. Regardless of the other person's intentions, he needed to ensure his safety first.

Having grown up seeing the colors of others' faces, Li Chen had long learned to hide his emotions and how to deal with all kinds of people.

"Hmm, your physical strength is quite good, showing that you have worked hard. Today, I will take you as my disciple and grant you a treasure manual for body cultivation. This manual is the only one in the world, and once you master it, you will be able to look down on your peers!"

Seeing Li Chen's face full of surprise, Li Mingyun nodded in satisfaction. He flipped his wrist, and a deep blue light flashed, revealing a crystal-clear jade stone emitting a greenish-blue aura in his hand.

"Master, what is this?"

Li Chen looked at the jade stone, confused. Wasn't it supposed to be a body cultivation manual? Why did he take out a jade stone?

"This is called a jade slip. When you break through to the True Forging Realm and cultivate your divine sense, you can explore its contents."

Li Mingyun tossed the jade stone to Li Chen.

"Break through to the True Forging Realm? Master, I don't even know how to break through to the True Forging Realm!"

Li Chen's eyes lit up, then his face fell.