Chapter 34

Having spent three years on the border between Song and Liao, although Bai Xiaosheng did not delve into the affairs of the martial world, the Beggar Sect was the most well-informed about all kinds of news. When people had nothing to do, they would chat about various martial world matters, and he naturally paid attention as well.

Thus, the events that had occurred in the martial world over the years did not escape Bai Xiaosheng's ears.

If one were to talk about the most famous person over the past three years, it would undoubtedly be Xiao Feng! When Xiao Feng first entered the martial world, he fought and defeated all the young martial artists of his generation, none of whom could match his prowess, and he quickly became renowned. However, at that time, Xiao Feng was still just a young upstart, and although people paid attention to him, they did not truly take him to heart. But the past three years were different. Xiao Feng, who had already defeated all the young martial artists, challenged the older generation of martial artists.

Martial artists from various sects and factions, such as Juxian Manor, Danjia Manor, Qingcheng Sect, and Qin Family Fort, all fell to Xiao Feng one by one, making his name instantly famous throughout the martial world, known to all.

Six months ago, Xiao Feng challenged the Beggar Sect. The four elders of the Beggar Sect were all defeated by him, and the newly appointed leader, Ma Dayuan, was easily taken down, tarnishing the reputation of the Beggar Sect. At the same time, this also solidified Xiao Feng's reputation.

Three months ago, Xiao Feng ascended Shaoshi Mountain, but no one knew the outcome. However, someone saw Xiao Feng come down the mountain, and Shaolin Temple was closed for a period of time. People speculated that Shaolin might have been defeated. Even if they thought positively, they had not defeated Xiao Feng, otherwise, how could he have come down the mountain unscathed? No matter how much Shaolin chanted "Amitabha," they were still a martial sect. If someone challenged them and disrupted their grounds, and they remained calm, it was a defeat.

After this battle, Xiao Feng truly shocked the martial world. Although the Beggar Sect was a top-tier sect, it did not have any top-notch martial artists. Shaolin Temple was different. It was filled with countless martial experts. For Xiao Feng to challenge Shaolin alone, his martial arts must have reached an extraordinary level.

Some people, therefore, bestowed upon Xiao Feng the title of "the best in the world"! Although this was somewhat arrogant, everyone believed he deserved it. Of course, there were those who did not agree, such as the supporters of Xingxiu Hai's Xu Zhu, who believed that Xu Zhu was not inferior to Xiao Feng, and the two had not yet determined a clear winner.

Thus, some people referred to the two as "Xu Zhu in the West, Xiao Feng in the East," promoting their invincible martial arts.

These matters were often discussed by the beggars as idle chatter, as they were topics of conversation when people were bored. However, when it came to the Beggar Sect, everyone would grit their teeth, wishing to devour Xiao Feng, as he had tarnished the reputation of the Beggar Sect. Fortunately, Shaolin Temple shared the pressure, overshadowing the Beggar Sect, otherwise, the Beggar Sect would have lost face.

Only Bai Xiaosheng, upon hearing these news, knew that Xiao Feng truly lived up to his name. His martial arts had likely reached the level described in the original story, and might even have surpassed it.

This made him feel both pressured and excited.

In the martial novels he had read, there were countless people he liked, but in terms of martial arts, only a few truly impressed him, and Xiao Feng was definitely one of them, someone he wanted to match palms with.

Modern people often compared Guo Jing to Xiao Feng, but when it came to martial arts, Bai Xiaosheng would never choose Guo Jing. Guo Jing was admirable, and under his charisma, martial arts seemed less important. However, when it came to Xiao Feng, it was different. Bai Xiaosheng felt that although his charisma was unparalleled, what truly impressed him was the overwhelming spirit he displayed in battle.

Only when he exerted his full strength did Xiao Feng's bold and fierce charm shine through completely!

Over the past three years, while Bai Xiaosheng paid attention to Xiao Feng's news, he also kept an eye on others, such as the future "Southern Murong." However, the current Southern Murong had not yet gained fame, but it would not be long before he became famous. After all, the Murong family had always been renowned, and what they lacked was just a top-notch martial artist.

This was the advantage of large sects and factions. They were always under scrutiny, and any action they took would not escape the attention of the martial world. To become famous, one only needed to defeat a few established martial artists, and they would be renowned throughout the world.

Another matter that Bai Xiaosheng was concerned about was martial arts!

Over the past three years, although his progress was not significant, he had become much more composed. His martial arts performance had also become more stable, unlike his previous erratic behavior. In modern terms, he had "matured."

His maturity was not just personal growth but also a deeper understanding of martial arts.

Modern people often categorized martial arts into different levels. Yes, martial arts had levels, but these referred to one's understanding of martial arts, not their own power.

This understanding could enhance one's combat ability, but more importantly, it was about one's comprehension of life and nature.

By combining his own martial arts with the training of numerous beggars, Bai Xiaosheng developed his own theory.

First, the cultivation of internal energy.

The cultivation of internal energy began with strengthening the body and blood. When the blood and qi were strong, the body's energy would concentrate. With the help of techniques to redirect force, it would gather in the dantian, forming internal energy.

The second step was the cultivation of internal energy, which involved martial techniques. Ordinary martial techniques were used to injure enemies, but the techniques we usually refer to were different. They could mobilize internal energy within the body, refining it and strengthening the body. This was external martial arts. Some people, without knowledge of internal energy techniques, could still develop internal energy through external martial arts, achieving a transition from external to internal.

Of course, the cultivation of external martial arts was difficult. In the martial world today, most people practiced internal energy techniques, as described by Guo Jing in "The Legend of the Condor Heroes": "He taught me to sit and slowly breathe, not to think of anything, but to focus on the flow of qi in my abdomen. At first, it didn't work, but recently, it feels like a warm little rat is running around inside me, which is quite amusing."

It seemed simple, but cultivating internal energy required a clear mind. Apart from simple-minded people like Guo Jing, who could easily achieve this? Therefore, cultivating internal energy was inherently difficult. However, once you entered the realm of a clear mind and could control your energy at will, your internal energy would be considered small-achieved.

During this process, various meridians and acupoints would be involved, but the techniques were different, and it was difficult to provide a detailed classification. For example, the internal energy technique Bai Xiaosheng practiced was different from that of the beggars in the Beggar Sect.

In summary, when one had a certain amount of internal energy and could use their mind to control and circulate it, they had reached the small-achieved level of internal energy. In "The Legend of the Condor Heroes," Guo Jing took two years to reach this level, while Bai Xiaosheng, reflecting on his own cultivation, found that it took him three years and three months. Not long, but not short!

The third step was the great-achieved level of internal energy, involving the circulation of energy through the meridians, forming a continuous cycle.

At this level, one's internal energy would be considered great-achieved, and subsequent cultivation would focus on accumulating internal energy.

The key here was the technique. Different techniques led to different manifestations of internal energy. After reaching the great-achieved level, the manifestation of internal energy varied. For ordinary techniques, it mainly showed in one's strength and endurance, but for some divine techniques, such as the Nine Yang Divine Skill, the great-achieved level was truly remarkable. The same applied to the Murong family's Star Swallowing Skill, which was also impressive.

Beyond the third step, there must be a fourth step, but Bai Xiaosheng could not speculate. Or perhaps, based on his memory, he had some ideas, but he could not fully understand them, such as the protective qi. This technique did not involve gathering internal energy outside the body to form a shield, but rather gathering it just beneath the skin, which would naturally arise to protect the body when attacked.

These concepts might be the refinement of the third step or the fourth step, but Bai Xiaosheng could not determine. His cultivation was not advanced enough, and no matter how much he remembered, he could not fully grasp the mysterious nature of internal energy.

After internal energy, came techniques.

Bai Xiaosheng had summarized sword techniques into three levels: proficient, integrated, and formless. From basic to proficient, one became skilled. Integrated meant using techniques effortlessly. Formless was a step further, where every move was both a technique and not a technique.

Bai Xiaosheng was still at the proficient level, as he could not use techniques effortlessly. However, if one were to say he was merely proficient, it would be different, as he had reached the level of simplifying complex techniques, making him much more formidable than before.

So, how could one describe these levels in detail?

It was impossible to describe!

This was Bai Xiaosheng's answer, as techniques were influenced by internal energy. Consider the practitioners of the Sunflower Manual; what techniques did they use? In the end, it was all about speed. At that level of speed, their techniques were formless, but had they truly reached the formless level?

Bai Xiaosheng did not know, but imagine, would Lin Pingzhi reach the formless level? Did Yue Buqun understand the formless level? Yet, their techniques made Linghu Chong frown.

From this perspective, discussing techniques alone was not sufficient. However, from another angle, one could say that understanding techniques was a personal gain and provided a clear path for cultivation.

Therefore, Bai Xiaosheng summarized techniques into four levels: proficient, transforming, integrated, and formless. The transforming level referred to his current state.

In his view, the transforming level was the bridge between the proficient and integrated levels.

One could say that the two levels were separated by a thin layer of paper. Once one understood, they would naturally enter the integrated level. If one did not understand, they would still be remarkable, as the transforming level allowed for simplifying complex techniques and unexpected moves, and even when facing integrated practitioners, they would not necessarily be at a disadvantage.