Chapter 14

(P.S.: Two updates today, another burst of over 10,000 words. I'm asking for recommendations, clicks, and favorites again. Thank you all for your support.)

Old Mr. Li's given name is Ming. According to Xue Na, eighty years ago, Li Ming also received a second-level baptism, which means the ruling class intended to intimidate him rather than welcome him as most inner force realm practitioners from prestigious families would experience.

It is said that Li Ming was then considered a martial arts waste and, due to the decline of the Li family, internal strife was common. As a non-direct descendant, Li Ming was mistreated within the family. His childhood betrothal was also annulled due to his martial arts potential. In Hao Qi's view, Li Ming had the typical image of a rejected and underestimated protagonist.

Li Ming left in anger and traveled through over a hundred countries around the Blue Sea, spending more than twenty-five years. During one opportunity, he encountered two inner force realm experts in battle. He saved one of the experts' disciples and was subsequently taught the Light Yang Fist and had his body refined by the inner force realm expert. By then, after more than twenty-five years of travel, he was already on the verge of the quasi-inner force realm. With the accumulated strength, he burst into the inner force realm within just five years. After that, he returned to the Blue Shadow Republic in glory.

Upon returning to the Blue Shadow Republic, Li Ming sought to redress the wrongs he suffered as a youth. Within the family, he supported his childhood brother, a half-brother from the main line, to become the clan leader. The family underwent internal reforms and purges. The family that had annulled his betrothal was challenged by him over a dozen times, and he repeatedly injured their only inner force realm expert. Such actions eventually led to his second-level baptism, and he became one of the top three experts in the Blue Shadow Republic.

Hao Qi was overjoyed to learn about Li Ming's experiences. Over these fifteen days, he continuously sought Li Ming's guidance on various matters, including the classification of strength above the inner force realm, the countries around the Blue Shadow Republic, and the world's size and cultural characteristics. These were all things Hao Qi wanted to know.

"Below the inner force realm, there's no need to mention—ordinary people, martial artists, and quasi-inner force realm practitioners, you already know about these. Starting from the inner force realm, there are two levels. One is the ordinary inner force realm, which includes you and me. The other is the accomplished inner force realm, marked by the transformation of inner force into qi. When you observe your inner force, you can see it condensing into a visible mist. However, this qi is in a false state and cannot leave the body; it immediately dissipates back into inner force once it leaves the body. Therefore, it is called the accomplished inner force realm or quasi-inner qi realm. Although it is still within the inner force realm, the ability to condense qi within the body significantly enhances strength, speed, and reaction time. The difference is almost as significant as that between a quasi-inner force realm and an ordinary martial artist. It would take dozens of inner force realm practitioners working together to match such a level of strength. These experts are national treasures. Our Blue Shadow Republic has one, but he hasn't been seen for fifty years, so it's unclear if he still exists."

"Moving up, there is the inner qi realm, marked by the transformation of inner force into tangible qi. This qi can be seen and even touched with the flesh. It is no longer an illusionary force. The inner qi of the inner qi realm can leave the body and take form, affecting a range of up to a hundred meters, several hundred meters, or even a thousand meters. Although it cannot move mountains or fill seas, it surpasses all modern weapons. The most powerful inner qi realm experts can unleash great power with a single gesture. This is a realm I know for sure. In our Blue Shadow Republic and the surrounding countries, there are no confirmed inner qi realm experts. The only confirmed one is the clan's strongest expert in the Iron Mountain Republic, the largest country in the eastern Blue Sea region. There is also a rumor of a hidden inner qi realm expert in the medical haven of Bai Cao in the eastern Blue Sea region, but this is just a rumor. So, it is generally believed that there is one and a half inner qi realm experts in the eastern Blue Sea region."

"Beyond that, I can only confirm what I heard during my travels around the Blue Sea region. It is said that above the inner qi realm is the true qi realm. I don't know the differences between the true qi realm and the inner qi realm. In any case, these realms are far beyond our reach. If the true qi realm truly exists, it is likely that only the Nine Martial Kings under the Emperor are at this level."

"You asked about the Nine Martial Kings? They are legends, or nearly legends. They are said to be the nine strongest experts in the world, a title that has been passed down for thousands of years. Of course, it's not that these nine experts have lived for thousands of years, but rather that when one dies, another strongest expert inherits the title of Nine Martial Kings. Each of the Nine Martial Kings has established their own martial group, where the weakest members are quasi-inner force realm practitioners, and the various captains are said to be inner force realm or even inner qi realm experts. These are the nine strongest martial groups or forces in the world, surpassing nations. Only superpowers can match them. This is far beyond our reach, so there's no need to consider it."

"Martial groups? Speaking of which, I actually want to ask you, young friend, do you have money? Of course, I'm not asking for money from you, but you will need it. I'm sure you already know that after the inner force realm, although self-recovery, self-cultivation, and self-improvement become much easier, the amount of money we spend also increases significantly. Without discussing other things, you are not yet at the quasi-inner force realm. If you push your physical training to the limit and master the application of inner force to the point where it is ingrained in your bones, your strength will increase dramatically. However, at this point, further improvement becomes extremely difficult, requiring decades of consistent effort. Besides consistent effort, there are two other methods: one is to obtain the insights of inner qi realm experts and the cultivation techniques they have created for the inner qi realm. The other is to obtain heavenly materials and treasures, which contain large amounts of free-floating energy, similar to the energy that combines with the body's essence, qi, and spirit to form inner force, but of higher quality. Such materials can significantly enhance inner force cultivation."

"But where do cultivation techniques and heavenly materials come from? Money, power, connections, and strength can all bring you these, but they are not easily obtained. Martial groups can help you obtain them more easily."

"Generally, the core of a martial group is inner force realm practitioners, and the subordinates include martial artists and, ideally, several specialists, such as physicians and alchemists. If your martial group does not intend to stay in one place, you will also need a scholar of languages, customs, and geography. If your martial group takes on more government or clan group tasks, a business talent would also be useful. In short, a martial group is a mini-corporation, ideally capable of handling various situations. Of course, the core is the inner force realm practitioners. A martial group without inner force realm practitioners is very fragile. No matter how many people it has, it will collapse or be annihilated in battles or missions involving inner force realm practitioners. For example, in this baptism, the inner force realm practitioner among the four people is the leader of a martial group, who accepted a task from the Blue Shadow Republic, which was to baptize you."

Old Mr. Li did not hold back, at least not on these issues. Hao Qi's questions were almost always answered, and the common knowledge of the inner force realm was indeed very helpful to Hao Qi. For example, the strength levels above the inner force realm, which Old Mr. Li explained, would have taken Hao Qi much time and effort to discover otherwise. The information about martial groups was also extremely important. He was almost penniless and couldn't keep stealing or robbing banks and government treasuries, which would bring trouble. He wanted to travel the world, not to conquer it or become the world's strongest or win the heart of a beauty. He wasn't that bored, so he naturally didn't want to cause trouble.

"Martial group..." Hao Qi pondered for a while and then made up his mind. After this baptism, he would first establish the framework of a martial group, even if it was just him for now. Even a single inner force realm practitioner would give the martial group a basic level of credibility and strength.

Hao Qi then asked, "Uncle Ming, what kind of certification does a martial group need? Is there a martial artist guild or a martial group guild, or something similar?"

Hao Qi had overthought it, or rather, after ten years of focused training, he hadn't deeply explored the various aspects of this world. He was substituting the content of novels he had read on Earth before his穿越.

Li Ming looked at him in surprise and said, "Martial artist guild? Martial group guild? Where could such things exist? Martial artists represent power, and inner force realm practitioners can determine the rise and fall of a nation or a people. If there were a martial artist guild or a martial group guild, how powerful would such a guild be? With such power, would the guild be content to remain just a guild? The rise and fall of nations, the alternation of governments, and the survival of clans and sects would all kneel before this guild. The guild itself could form a colossal nation, making the guild the government. Such a thing is impossible. Except for a few orphans like you, almost all martial artists have families or clans, or were raised by sects. Why would they be closer to a guild that leads them rather than their own families or sects? What kind of logic is that?"

Hao Qi realized he had overthought it. Before he could speak, Li Ming continued, "Although there is no martial artist guild or martial group guild, there is indeed a certification body that recognizes the establishment and dissolution of martial groups, and that is the Human Alliance."

"Human Alliance? What's that?" Hao Qi asked, confused.

"Ghost? It's not a ghost. It's a loose intelligence-sharing and human watch alliance. The full name is the Human Alliance of All Nations, Governments, Sects, and Clans. It has existed for over a thousand years and has no specific headquarters. Each nation, clan, and sect sends their own representatives to serve in it. There is no central authority; the capital of each country serves as the headquarters of the Human Alliance in that country, funded and housed by the country itself. Its job is to track the survival and emergence of all inner force realm and above experts, the establishment of new martial groups, and to provide tasks for martial groups. This information is shared with neighboring countries and then spreads. I don't know about other places, but in the over a hundred countries I traveled around the Blue Sea, each had such an organization with the same name and function. If you're talking about martial group certification, only such an organization can do it."

Hao Qi nodded, remembering this information and dispelling some of his previous thoughts. For example, why did he have to wait for the four inner force realm practitioners to challenge him for the baptism? As mentioned earlier, his goal was not to become a martial fanatic or to gain fame and honor, or even power and wealth. He just wanted to travel the world and see it, making his穿越worthwhile. So why couldn't he leave the Blue Shadow Republic directly? He didn't believe the inner force realm practitioners would chase him out of the country.

However, after hearing Li Ming's words, his plan to leave the Blue Shadow Republic was temporarily put on hold. This was not a simple trip. If his goal was the world, it was better to lay a solid foundation first. He had spent ten years cultivating inner force to gain the qualifications to travel the world. Now, he didn't mind spending more time to build a material foundation. After all, traveling the world, especially around the Blue Sea, would cost a fortune.

He was not a monk. He wanted to taste the cuisine of various countries, as he was a food lover from his previous life. He wanted to stay in the best accommodations in scenic areas, which, despite their ancient charm, were not as comfortable as a three-star hotel in the 21st century. He also wanted to collect various items during his travels, such as fine swords, ancient jade, antiques, famous books, paintings, and even diamonds and emeralds. He was not a prude, and if he met beautiful women he admired and found suitable, he wouldn't mind having a relationship.

In this way, money, money, money—he didn't want to end up like a shut-in in his previous life, constrained by the realities of society.

"But speaking of which... Uncle Ming, the inner force realm practitioner who accepted the task to challenge me, how much is the commission for this task? Who pays it?" Hao Qi suddenly asked.

Li Ming was taken aback by Hao Qi's question and thought for a moment before saying, "I'm not sure of the exact amount, but I once established a martial group. Although the value of money has depreciated over the past few decades due to technological progress, the commission for this task is probably around three to five billion Blue Shadow Republic currency. I don't know if the martial group wants money or heavenly materials..."

"Three to five billion!?"

Hao Qi shouted, the value of Blue Shadow Republic currency was not low, slightly higher than the Renminbi on Earth. Three to five billion Blue Shadow Republic currency was equivalent to three to five billion Renminbi, a significant amount. Due to his excitement and his injuries not fully healed, he lost control of his inner force, and his shout created a sound wave that rippled outward. However, he immediately regained his senses,收回内力的同时，拳头也向周围快速挥动，李明也做了同样的动作，拳风将这音波震散了大半。即便如此，坐在旁边的薛娜脸色也变得苍白，周围的一些玻璃器皿上也出现了裂痕。

李明深深看了郝启一眼，心里惊叹郝启内力的凝练程度，但嘴上还是说道：“小友要加紧练习内力的控制了啊，内力境的战斗方式，与内力境以下时是截然不同的。不过看小友刚才的反应速度与出拳速度，几乎都已经达到音速效果，想来小友也知道了其中诀窍，我也不必多说什么了。”

郝启苦笑着点了点头，看着旁边李潘成与薛娜复杂的目光，他张了张嘴想说什么，但最终什么都没说。当下谈兴已尽，众人分别。接下来的几天，郝启也没有再找李明多谈什么，而是每天安心地用内力锻炼身体的细微处，修复暗伤，调理伤势。时间就这样慢慢过去，十五天很快就到了。在第十五天当天，郝启和李明同时出了酒店，两人疾步向郊区外跑去，而在他们身后，李潘成和薛娜则驾车远远跟随。

洗礼第一战，就在此时！

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However, he immediately regained his senses,收回内力的同时，拳头也向周围快速挥动，李明也做了同样的动作，拳风将这音波震散了大半。即便如此，坐在旁边的薛娜脸色也变得苍白，周围的一些玻璃器皿上也出现了裂痕。

李明深深看了郝启一眼，心里惊叹郝启内力的凝练程度，但嘴上还是说道：“小友要加紧练习内力的控制了啊，内力境的战斗方式，与内力境以下时是截然不同的。不过看小友刚才的反应速度与出拳速度，几乎都已经达到音速效果，想来小友也知道了其中诀窍，我也不必多说什么了。”

郝启苦笑着点了点头，看着旁边李潘成与薛娜复杂的目光，他张了张嘴想说什么，但最终什么都没说。当下谈兴已尽，众人分别。接下来的几天，郝启也没有再找李明多谈什么，而是每天安心地用内力锻炼身体的细微处，修复暗伤，调理伤势。时间就这样慢慢过去，十五天很快就到了。在第十五天当天，郝启和李明同时出了酒店，两人疾步向郊区外跑去，而在他们身后，李潘成和薛娜则驾车远远跟随。

洗礼第一战，就在此时！

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However, he immediately regained his senses, retracted his inner force, and quickly swung his fists around. Li Ming did the same, and the wind from their punches dispersed the sound wave. Even so, Xue Na, who was sitting nearby, turned pale, and several glass objects around them developed cracks.

Li Ming looked at Hao Qi deeply, inwardly amazed at the refinement of Hao Qi's inner force, but he said, "Young friend, you need to practice controlling your inner force more. The fighting style of the inner force realm is completely different from that of the lower realms. However, from your reaction speed and punch speed just now, it seems you have already grasped the key. I don't need to say more."

Hao Qi nodded with a bitter smile, looking at the complex expressions of Li Pancheng and Xue Na. He opened his mouth to say something but ultimately said nothing. The conversation ended, and they parted ways. Over the next few days, Hao Qi did not seek out Li Ming for more discussions. Instead, he focused on using his inner force to exercise the finer parts of his body, heal his hidden injuries, and treat his wounds. Time passed slowly, and the fifteen days quickly arrived. On the fifteenth day, Hao Qi and Li Ming left the hotel together and ran quickly to the outskirts, with Li Pancheng and Xue Na following in a car from a distance.

The first baptism battle was about to begin!

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