Beginning with the Five Animals Fist to Become a Saint

Chapter 635 The Secret of First-Rank Martial Arts: The Pinnacle of Martial Arts and the Supreme Powerhouse!
Pine Breeze Villa.

Courtyard A.

"My lord, what is meant by first rank?" Jiang Ning asked again.

“The fifth grade nourishes Qi, the third grade changes blood, the second grade nourishes spirit, and the first grade is the unity of essence, Qi and spirit, condensing divine power,” Shen Wenyuan said.

"Divine power?" Jiang Ning looked surprised.

“Hmm!” Shen Wenyuan nodded: “This power is golden in color. The Martial Saint named it Divine Power, and that name has been used ever since.”

"Is the unity of essence, energy, and spirit enough to be considered a first-grade?" Jiang Ning asked again.

"Not bad!" Shen Wenyuan nodded in affirmation: "When essence, energy, and spirit are united, one reaches the peak of first-grade martial arts."

"Then what about the pinnacle, the strongest?" Jiang Ning asked.

"Peak, Supreme?" Shen Wenyuan looked at Jiang Ning, his expression showing surprise: "You've heard of these two terms too?"

"I overheard it by chance, and I wonder if Your Excellency could enlighten me?" Jiang Ning said earnestly.

Seeing Jiang Ning's sincere expression, Shen Wenyuan said, "When the essence, energy, and spirit are completely integrated and the divine power fills every inch of your flesh and blood, there will be no distinction between them, and then there will be a surge in quantity."

"This will also cause the total amount of divine power to jump to a new level in an instant, and reaching this level will be called the pinnacle."

"A top-tier expert, even within the first-grade martial arts realm of the Primordial Unity stage, would be a formidable force; they are truly the world's most powerful individuals!"

"Throughout the world, the number of martial artists who openly rank at this level is unlikely to exceed twenty!"

As he spoke, a deep longing appeared in Shen Wenyuan's eyes.

"My lord, what about that so-called supreme expert?" Jiang Ning asked.

"The strongest?" Shen Wenyuan smiled and then said, "Ninth grade skin refinement achieves the golden body, eighth grade divine power reaches the limit of strength, seventh grade tempering produces dragon tendons, sixth grade achieves divine bones, fifth grade true essence transforms into qi, fourth grade marrow refinement turns into frost, third grade undergoes eight blood exchanges, second grade divine soul rivals the strength of the Yang God, first grade essence, qi, and spirit are united, this is the peak of the Hunyuan Unity Realm!"

"Only then will the people of the world bestow upon a supreme being the title of the strongest!"

Upon hearing Shen Wenyuan's words, Jiang Ning was startled, then secretly delighted.

He had already gone through all the conditions and paths that Shen Wenyuan mentioned.

He immediately realized that by reaching the first rank, he was fully qualified to become the strongest in the future.

"My lord, isn't 'Supreme Strongest' a title, not a realm?" Jiang Ning asked.

"There are only two titles for the first-grade realm: Hunyuan and Heyi!" Shen Wenyuan said, and then added, "For the third-grade Blood Exchange Realm, whether it is a strong Grandmaster, a top-tier Grandmaster, or an invincible Grandmaster, these are all titles used by people around the world to refer to such powerful individuals!"

"There is only one realm in the third rank, and that is the Blood Exchange Realm."

"Hun Yuan? He Yi?" Jiang Ning instantly caught the two terms Shen Wenyuan used and looked puzzled.

"First, one must unify spirit and energy into one, then one must unite essence, energy, and spirit—that is the true pinnacle of martial arts!" Shen Wenyuan said.

"Thank you for clearing up my doubts, Your Excellency!" Jiang Ning stood up and bowed to express his gratitude.

"This is just basic knowledge, there's no need for such a grand gesture!" Shen Wenyuan smiled.

"It's just basic knowledge for you, Lord Marquis, but it has truly cleared up my confusion and made me instantly understand which path to take and which direction to choose!" Jiang Ning said.

"Oh?" Shen Wenyuan smiled, then asked, "It seems you're quite confident you can complete nine blood transfusions?"

“We can’t say we have no confidence at all!” Jiang Ning smiled in response.

"Very good, that's the kind of indomitable spirit you need." Shen Wenyuan nodded approvingly and continued, "If you complete the nine blood transfusions, you will become a martial arts legend of our time. People will praise you for hundreds of years, and even a thousand years from now, people will still mention your name!"

"This can be considered a name that will be remembered for eternity, a unique form of immortality, and a spirit that will live on forever!"

When Shen Wenyuan said the last sentence, his expression showed a hint of envy.

What martial artist wouldn't want to achieve such a monumental feat?
But he knew his limits. Completing four blood transfusions and becoming a Grandmaster of the Four Symbols was his limit.

As for undergoing nine blood transfusions to achieve a martial arts legend, he didn't even dare to dream of it.

“True…Spirit…Nine…Transformations!” Shen Wenyuan murmured again, looking at Jiang Ning with a complicated expression.

"My lord, what's wrong?" Jiang Ning asked immediately upon seeing Shen Wenyuan's complicated expression.

"It's nothing!" Shen Wenyuan looked at Jiang Ning, thought for a moment, and then gave up his idea of ​​finding out.

According to his understanding, the Nine Transformations of the True Spirit involves completing a series of blood transfusions, allowing one to see their true self, and touching the mark of their true spirit, which may awaken memories of their past life.

Nine blood transfusions may eventually awaken memories of nine lifetimes.

The memories of nine lifetimes overlap and intertwine, which will create a huge impact on one's self-awareness in the later stages of the blood transfusion. This is also the danger of the True Spirit Nine Transformations method.

Because of the memories of nine lifetimes, nine different lives, and even the possibility of memories of different genders.

Such a massive and complex wave of memories would require an extremely strong will to withstand, and the ability to reject the influence of other memories.

Otherwise, one will inevitably be influenced by those memories of past lives, and will no longer be oneself.

Although Shen Wenyuan was curious, he did not ask the question that was on his mind.

"I wonder how many blood transfusions he has undergone so far?" The thought flashed through Shen Wenyuan's mind.

Subsequently.

Shen Wenyuan sat for the time it takes to drink a cup of tea, finished the pot of wine that Jiang Ning had taken out, left behind a few scrolls of incomplete seasonal records, and then got up to take his leave.

After seeing Shen Wenyuan to the door, Jiang Ning watched his departing figure, a thoughtful look flashing across his face.

"Why did the Marquis seem hesitant to speak just now?"

He stood there, lost in thought for a moment.

"Never mind!" He shook his head, no longer dwelling on the issue.

As for asking Shen Wenyuan?

Shen Wenyuan clearly didn't want to answer just now.

Then, he turned around and went back to his small courtyard.

After closing the courtyard gate again, he surveyed his surroundings.

After the surrounding vegetation grew wildly, it presented a lush and verdant scene.

It seems like only a short moment has passed, but half a year has gone by here.

The bamboo pavilion in front of us has endured countless years of wind, rain, and sun.

At this moment, the bamboo has been regrown with branches and leaves, and the layers of bamboo leaves completely cover the top of the bamboo pavilion, giving it a natural beauty.

"The feeling of spring!" he murmured.

He drew the knife again.

next moment.

The glint of swords enveloped all directions.

He wielded the long sword in his hand with unpredictable and unpredictable moves.

The artistic conception contained in the incomplete scroll of the Twenty-Four Solar Terms, or the artistic conception contained in spring, summer, autumn and winter, has nothing to do with the moves.

The saying "emphasizing meaning over form" truly reflects the essence of these techniques.

Once you grasp the underlying meaning, whether you use a knife, a sword, or even bare hands, it won't affect the release of that meaning.

If the imagery is like the Awakening of Insects, then if a knife is used, it would be the Awakening of Insects knife technique.

The sword flashed like thunder, shaking the very soul.

If using a sword, it is the Awakening of Insects Sword Technique.

The sword flashed like thunder, piercing the sky.

If using fists, it is the Jingzhe Fist Technique.

The punches came out like thunderbolts, with the force of lightning.

At this moment, the six artistic conceptions of spring were displayed in his hands. In the end, all the artistic conceptions merged together, and a magnificent vitality was completely released as his sword flashed through the air.

In an instant, the vegetation grew wildly, flowers bloomed in abundance, and the surroundings were warm and pleasant.

Just the next moment.

All the surrounding plants began to wither, the green leaves turned yellow, the grass withered, and the flowers faded.

In the blink of an eye, large swaths of plants withered and decayed.

Jiang Ning also sheathed his sword and stood there, looking at the withered leaves and fallen flowers all around him with a somewhat shocked expression.

After another attempt, he realized that what he learned from the six solar terms of spring was not only the vitality of spring, but also the passing of vitality.

Think of this.

He looked at the long sword in his hand.

In places unseen by ordinary people, the long sword in his hand is imbued with a rich vitality, lush and green, leaping across its blade.

These signs of life all come from the withered and dying flowers, plants, and trees in the surrounding courtyard.

“This is no longer just about artistic conception, but about mastering the rules!” Jiang Ning observed the shimmering green light emanating from the longsword in his hand.

Then, with a flick of his wrist, beams of green light shot out in all directions like raindrops.

In the blink of an eye, it blends into the withered and decaying flowers and plants.

In an instant.

The withered grass and trees have been revitalized and are now green again.

The withered flower branches sprouted new buds, and the surroundings changed once again.

Looking at the miraculous scene around him, Jiang Ning nodded in satisfaction.

The control over life gave him a feeling that had transcended mere artistic conception; it was more like the control of some kind of rule.

next moment.

He raised his hand and made a grasping motion, and a weed about a foot tall in front of him withered instantly.

A ball of green light flew out from it and landed in his palm.

Looking at the faint green light in his hand, a thought struck him.

The green light instantly merged into his body.

Then, he felt a cool sensation flowing through his flesh and blood, which vanished in an instant. "This vitality is like dust to me now."

After assessing his physical condition, Jiang Ning had a thought flash through his mind.

But he understood that this method was already a miracle.

These burgeoning life forms originating from plants are beneficial to the human body and are even considered panaceas for treating illnesses and saving lives.

But to him, the vitality provided by a single blade of grass was as insignificant as dust, having little effect on him.

Having reached this point, although he may appear outwardly no different from ordinary people, he is in reality vastly different.

Now, the energy in a single drop of blood, when fully unleashed, is enough to evaporate a pond.

Compared to ordinary people, those who have reached his level are on a completely different level.

He even felt that ordinary women, due to the vast difference in their life levels compared to his, were no longer capable of bearing him offspring.

Subsequently.

He shook his head, dispelling the distracting thoughts in his mind.

[Skill]: Springtime Manual (Mastery 438/10000)

My gaze swept over the "Skills" section.

He then went to the base of the tree, sat down cross-legged, and closed his eyes slightly.

After a while.

A cool breeze circulated around him, causing the surrounding plants to sway slightly.

At this moment, the tall trees overhead became lush and verdant, and the surroundings were full of greenery, with flower buds slowly blooming, tender buds sprouting, and green grass breaking through the soil.

[Springtime Handbook Experience Points +8]

[Springtime Handbook Experience Points +7]

[Springtime Handbook Experience Points +8]

【.】

As time goes by, this skill, which transcends the realm of superior martial arts, continues to grow in progress.

The sun is past its zenith.

The sun is shining brightly.

Jiang Ning slowly opened his eyes.

[Skill]: Springtime Manual (Mastery 602/10000)

"Sure enough, my method works, and it's even more efficient than before!"

Looking at the current panel, Jiang Ning was secretly delighted.

In just over an hour, his experience points increased by more than two hundred.

He glanced around again and saw that the weeds around him were now several centimeters taller than before.

"The Springtime Manual helped me understand the vibrant life that spring brings, but what about the Summertime Manual?"

Think of this.

He glanced at the panel.

[Skill]: Minor Heat (Perfect 3/1000)

Great Heat (Perfect 5/1000)

Previously, he had collected two fragments of scrolls depicting the Lesser Heat and Greater Heat, and successfully comprehended the meanings of these two concepts to perfection.

There are six solar terms in summer.

They are respectively: Beginning of Summer, Grain Buds, Grain in Ear, Summer Solstice, Minor Heat, and Major Heat.

A thought flashed through Jiang Ning's mind.

With a wave of his hand, the fragments of the solar terms scrolls that Shen Wenyuan had just left behind and the fragments of the solar terms scrolls that Shen Congyun had collected for him appeared in front of him.

The piled-up fragments totaled more than a dozen scrolls.

He immediately flipped them over one by one.

After a while.

His expression brightened with joy.

With the help of Shen Wenyuan and his nephew Shen Congyun, the six solar terms of summer are now complete.

He quickly pulled out the remaining fragments of the other four solar terms of summer.

He quickly placed the four incomplete scrolls on the Beginning of Summer, Grain Buds, Grain in Ear, and Summer Solstice in front of him.

[Literacy and Character Interpretation Experience Points +16]

[Literacy and Character Interpretation Experience Points +15]

[Literacy and Character Interpretation Experience Points +17]

【.】

As you turn the pages, time slips away.

As the sun slowly set in the west, his understanding of the meaning behind this solar term deepened.

After a long time.

He read through all four incomplete volumes.

He closed his eyes slightly, and his brain began to process the information he had just received.

The beginning of summer evokes the imagery of a blazing sun high in the sky, exuding unparalleled dominance.

Xiaoman (Grain Buds) signifies that something is implied but not revealed, accumulating strength and ready to be unleashed, which, once it erupts, will be earth-shattering.

The name "Mangzhong" signifies swiftness and sharpness, like a sickle harvesting rice and wheat.

The summer solstice is like the sun soaring in the sky, capable of burning mountains and boiling seas once it erupts.

As he continued to digest the information, insights gradually formed in his mind.

[Summer Solstice Experience Points +63]

【.】

[Xiaoman Experience Points +61]

【.】

[Grain in Ear Experience Points +66]

【.】

Summer Solstice Experience Points +68

【.】

Four different moods and four different prompts flashed before him from time to time.

At this moment, he was free of any distracting thoughts and was completely immersed in the experience, trying to understand the related artistic conception.

a long time.

He stood up suddenly.

A flash of light appeared in his hand, and a rough longsword appeared in his hand.

next moment.

The blade flashed, its power as great as the sun, domineering and unparalleled, and the surrounding vegetation gradually withered and turned yellow.

[Summer Solstice Experience Points +69]

【.】

After a while.

The knife in his hand changed its stance, and he gripped it tightly, the tip pointing directly at the ground, without making a sound.

But at this moment, his aura was rising continuously, and an invisible wave was spreading from his body.

He is gathering his strength.

If its power were to erupt, it would be earth-shattering and enough to shake the entire region.

[Xiaoman Experience Points +66]

【.】

Another moment passed.

The direction of his knife changed again.

The blade moved swiftly and fiercely, cutting through the air at breakneck speed.

Making a "hissing" sound.

Each time the long sword pierced the air, it was as if it were a sickle slicing through rice and wheat.

[Xiaoman Experience Points +71]

【.】

Subsequently.

The sword's momentum changed again.

In an instant, it was as if a great sun rose from his body, and waves of heat spread from within him.

A faint light emanated from his body, as if a rising sun was hidden within him.

Summer Solstice Experience Points +68

(End of this chapter)