Chapter 15

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In front of the mountain stream.

Through the gaps in the branches, Su Qinnian finally saw the majestic purple aura rising from the east.

What a grand celestial phenomenon, incomparably noble, the purple aura rising from the east has always been a symbol of auspiciousness. Many times, if such an aura appears during the grand ceremony of the imperial court, the Han Emperor would personally offer incense and prayers, reciting scriptures for forty-nine days to thank the heavens for their protection and the stability of the nation.

"I once heard a martial artist in Chang'an mention that if a new martial art of the third-class or higher appears in the martial world, the heavens will respond, manifesting various extraordinary phenomena. The three schools of Buddhism, Daoism, and Confucianism each have their own unique manifestations. It seems that in Daoism, one such phenomenon is the purple aura from the east," Su Qinnian muttered, his gaze on the woman before him filled with surprise. A third-class or higher martial art had actually been born before his eyes, and it was created by a stunningly beautiful woman who didn't seem very old.

This couldn't help but make Su Qinnian speculate about the woman's identity. In a poor family, it was very difficult to come into contact with profound martial arts, let alone create them. Generally, scholars writing books and establishing their reputations needed a deep foundation and extensive experience to gain recognition. Similarly, a martial art could not be successfully created without repeated refinement and various attempts.

Most importantly, a deep accumulation of martial arts knowledge was not something an ordinary family could obtain or afford.

Su Qinnian then pondered the finger technique the woman had just demonstrated, extending his index finger and lightly tracing the movements. In that instant, he had released his mental energy and barely managed to remember one move. However, this finger technique was clearly very profound, involving various applications of internal energy. When performed by a human body, there were many limitations, making it difficult to execute successfully.

At this moment, the woman in the light yellow dress slowly opened her eyes. Her eyes, purer than autumn ink jade, looked at Su Qinnian with a hint of curiosity.

"You actually managed to remember one move," the woman said, surprising Su Qinnian. He had been so engrossed that he had forgotten to cover himself with his mental energy, not noticing her awakening.

"Young man, which peak of Wudang are you a disciple of? Your insight is quite good," the woman said, her bright gaze falling on Su Qinnian.

"I am not a disciple of Wudang," Su Qinnian shook his head, not hiding his identity, "I come from the Free and Easy Valley."

"Free and Easy Valley?" The woman thought for a moment and then recalled something, "It seems you are also a person with a story. However, meeting me here today and helping me fend off the disturbance during a crucial moment of creating a martial art, it seems we have a connection. What is your name? I want to remember it well."

"My name is Su Qinnian. Who are you? From your tone, you don't seem to be from Wudang."

Su Qinnian took a half-step back, speaking. The woman's beauty was almost breathtaking, and the subtle fragrance around her made him feel somewhat uncomfortable.

"Hehe, you're really interesting. My name is Duan Muqing, from the Yunnan Dao," the woman said, and Su Qinnian's eyes widened in surprise, exclaiming, "Yunnan Dao, Dali Prefecture Duan Clan!"

"So you've heard of us. Uncle said that the Duan Clan is famous throughout the land, and it seems to be true!" The woman's face immediately showed a hint of excitement, her eyes sparkling. At that moment, Su Qinnian felt as if she had the power to captivate all living beings.

Su Qinnian was speechless. The Duan Clan of Dali Prefecture in Yunnan Dao was one of the top families in the martial world. It was rare for a martial artist not to know of them. The current head of the family was personally ennobled by the Han Emperor as the Marquis of Zhenan, a prestigious title, guarding the southern border with a force of ten thousand soldiers.

For a martial family to enter the military and control an army was rare in any dynasty, and the favor and grace they received were evident.

Suddenly, Su Qinnian's gaze shifted to the distance, and at the same time, Duan Muqing raised her eyebrows, muttering, "It seems Uncle and the others are looking for me. How disappointing, no freedom at all, I can't even enjoy myself alone."

After a pause, the woman's eyes flickered with a mischievous glint, looking at Su Qinnian, "Hehe, I, Duan Muqing, am straightforward and don't like owing favors. Cough, you helped me create a martial art, so I'll make an exception and teach you this... this Seeking Sun Finger. It's my exclusive martial art. Remember, don't tarnish my name when you go out. Catch it well."

Before Su Qinnian could react, a crystal-clear finger appeared before his eyes, a golden light emerging, like the sun rising above the horizon, instantly shining brightly.

The entire ancestral acupoint and divine palace were filled with light, and he soon lost consciousness.

At this moment, in front of the mountain stream, apart from the bodies of five wild wolves, only Su Qinnian lay by the stream, not a breath to be heard. Duan Muqing's figure had long disappeared, and everything was eerily quiet.

Hiss!

Half an incense stick later, the air rippled, and a figure gradually solidified in front of Su Qinnian, revealing a middle-aged man.

Looking at the unconscious Su Qinnian on the ground, the middle-aged man frowned, "Truly lacking in judgment. How can an ordinary person who hasn't yet established a foundation withstand the transmission of martial arts essence? If the ancestral acupoint and divine palace are overwhelmed, he will never wake up in this life."

But soon, the middle-aged man smiled, "Muqing, at such a young age, has created a martial art nearly reaching the second-class level, even attracting the will of heaven, which has condensed the essence of the transmission. If the technique were not still somewhat immature, it could already be considered second-class."

Thinking of this, the middle-aged man sighed, looking at Su Qinnian again, "Unfortunately, the first transmission of the essence of creation, which was closest to the true essence of martial arts, has been wasted like this."

After a moment's thought, he grabbed Su Qinnian, and without moving, after a few breaths, his figure and Su Qinnian's gradually became ethereal, then a shadow, and soon disappeared.

The sunset gradually set, and the convicts from the Free and Easy Valley who had entered the mountains returned one by one.

"Who is lying there! There's wolf blood on him!"

"It's him!"

...

The cold of winter was intense, and the mountains were even colder, with icicles hanging from the eaves growing thicker.

In the thatched cottage, the lamp flickered, the light unstable. Su Qinnian was awakened by the cold. He first shook his head sharply, feeling a slight pain, and then noticed something was wrong.

"In my ancestral acupoint and divine palace, this is...?"

Su Qinnian was startled. At this moment, in his divine palace, a sun about ten feet tall appeared, its golden rays warm and gentle, not intense or blinding, floating above the divine palace, illuminating it like a sacred realm.

His mental energy slowly approached, feeling no heat, and easily penetrated it. Instantly, a sense of enlightenment surged in his mind.

"Seeking Sun Finger! Walking in darkness and solitude, the light at the tip of the finger, infinite brightness...?"

Half an incense stick later.

Su Qinnian opened his eyes, his gaze becoming somewhat complex. Although he didn't understand what the anomaly in his ancestral acupoint and divine palace was, he had obtained a martial art called "Seeking Sun Finger." It was a finger technique, pure and warm, yet not lacking in sharpness, a profound internal martial art that could only be studied and practiced after a martial artist had established a foundation.

"Dali Prefecture Duan Clan, Duan Muqing!"

Su Qinnian took a deep breath. Such an experience was almost dreamlike. A mysterious woman had so casually taught him a newly created martial art that had at least reached the third-class level. The feeling of that moment was almost divine, and he had no resistance against that finger.

Of course, although he had inherited this finger technique, the various internal energy pathways and meridians were clearly visible, he couldn't immediately master it. He needed to successfully establish a foundation and cultivate internal energy. For now, he could only learn to use some of the most basic techniques.

Gurgling!

Hunger rumbled in his stomach. Su Qinnian looked at the medicine basket by the wooden bed, which had been emptied of the herbs he had collected.

Looking out the window at the full moon hanging high in the sky, Su Qinnian's lips curled into a cold smile. With this mix of truth and falsehood, he would be safer. Everything would have to wait until he successfully established a foundation, cleared his criminal status, and then slowly settled accounts. (I'm asking for daily recommendation votes to boost the rankings, and for your collections. Today, the new book chart is in a state of flux, and this bittersweet feeling is quite intoxicating.)