There are no ancestors at all; I made them all up.

Chapter 6 The Fewer Words, the Bigger the Matter

Chen Qing pondered for a moment, thinking that since he had already shown his talent, he might as well go further and explore the depths of cultivation in this era.

“I do have some insights,” he immediately said. “In my view, the initial stage of the Yellow Court can be divided into four levels. In the initial stage, the dantian warms up, nourishing the muscles, bones, and skin, thus doubling one’s strength. Eventually, one can shatter stone tablets with a punch and leap three zhang (approximately 10 meters). But in the end, these are all external manifestations of the strengthening of qi and blood…”

Lu Han initially listened with a smile, but as she listened, her expression gradually became serious.

The contempt in Li Benji's eyes turned into astonishment, and he then fell into deep thought.

Chen Qing continued, "...In the middle stage, one undergoes bone and marrow cleansing, transmitting intent through blood, achieving profound understanding of the five senses, and fostering spiritual awareness. One can see the meridians internally and discern ants crawling a hundred feet away externally. Intent and blood and qi are in harmony, allowing for effortless control. Holding one's breath for half a day and leaving no trace in the snow are not difficult tasks. After that comes the later stage..."

"Wait a minute!" Lü Han suddenly interrupted, then turned to Li Benji and said tactfully, "Mr. Li, the evaluation is over. I imagine you have other important matters to attend to, so perhaps..."

Upon hearing this, Li Benji narrowed his eyes. How could he not understand that this was an attempt to get rid of him!

Li Benji then crossed his arms and sneered. Instead of leaving, he took a half step forward and said, "Elder Lü, why be so formal? This man is a wanted criminal from Xuanyu. Since I asked him to speak, he should naturally listen to what I say." His words were barbed. "Or is it that even Xuanyu cannot hear about the Princess's cultivation secrets?"

Lu Han's expression darkened: "The secrets of the cultivation technique should naturally not be overheard by outsiders!"

A sinister glint flashed in Li Benji's eyes: "Then I will take the man back according to the law now. What does Lord Lü think?"

The air suddenly solidified.

Jiang He and the others had not expected that a few words from a prisoner undergoing a trial would cause two important figures to confront each other so fiercely. They immediately realized that the situation was far more complex than they had imagined, and they wished they could leave as soon as possible.

Seeing that Li Benji was not giving an inch, a cold glint flashed in Lü Han's eyes, but he finally suppressed his anger and said coldly, "If that's the case, then Mr. Li, just listen quietly. However, knowing too much about some things may not be a good thing."

Li Benji remained unmoved.

When Lü Han turned to Chen Qing, he said bluntly, "Just say the important things, there's no need to go into details." The implication was clear: some things shouldn't be said in front of outsiders.

Chen Qing immediately understood. He naturally did not want to return to the dark and gloomy Xuan Prison. Seeing Lü Han's reaction, he knew that today was secure. Therefore, he had to be more careful with his words. He should say what needed to be said, be evasive when necessary, and be concise when necessary. He could not just throw everything out at once, otherwise how could he iterate in the future?
So he immediately changed the subject: "In my opinion, the first four stages of this first realm are: in the early stage, nourishing qi and blood and meridians; in the middle stage, refining bone marrow and strengthening perception; in the later stage, penetrating the internal organs and regulating the five elements; and as for the perfect realm, qi and blood surge like mercury, light appears three inches below the navel, and the essence and spirit are opened..."

Chen Qing had explained each stage clearly before, but now he started to shorten and summarize it, thinking he had omitted the key points. However, before he could finish speaking, Lü Han's expression changed drastically!
Li Benji, though not particularly adept at details, immediately understood why Lü Han had suddenly changed her attitude and was driving him away.

Chen Xu's few words actually pointed directly to the key to cultivation!
Xu Zhaoying's heart skipped a beat, her eyes gleaming with a strange light, and her body outline blurred slightly, but it quickly solidified again. The others, caught up in their excitement, did not notice.

Even Jiang He and the other seven, though apprehensive and confused, found the conversation precious after hearing just a few words.

It should be understood that every cultivation key point in later generations is the best solution paved with blood and tears by our predecessors over a long period of time. The more concise it is, the more precious it is!
Fewer words mean bigger things!
"The evaluation is now over!" Lü Han suddenly stood up and, amidst the astonished gazes of the crowd, pointed to the inner hall: "Chen Xu, come with me!"

Jiang He's eyes widened, and he murmured, "Brother Chen... is he about to turn things around?"

Suddenly remembering something, Lü Han beckoned to Xu Zhaoying, "Zhaoying, you come too." Then, she coldly ordered, "All those being evaluated today are to be kept under surveillance and are not allowed to have contact with others!"

Jiang He and the others immediately turned pale.

Lü Han turned to Li Benji and whispered, "Fellow Daoist Li should be able to tell the value of this incantation, so he probably won't spread it around. I need to report this to the princess. Fellow Daoist Li, if you still want to stop me, then the people who will be talking to you later will be Lord Dingbo and Lord Zhengshuang."

Li Benji's expression was uncertain, but he ultimately remained silent.

After the three people left, he clenched his fist tightly.

“Chen Xu’s innate talent is clearly ruined, so how can his comprehension be so astonishing?” A hint of regret flashed in his eyes. “Could it be that I was prejudiced because of that person’s words and misjudged him?”

Inside the room, where sandalwood incense wafts, there is a screen painted with a sunrise over a bamboo forest.

Behind the screen, Lü Han poured tea for Chen Qing with a warm smile, a stark contrast to her demeanor in the front hall.

"Young friend Chen's insights into the initial stage of cultivation are truly refreshing." As he gently pushed the teacup aside, the old man's eyes gleamed. "Although your spiritual bones have been destroyed, your comprehension is truly astonishing. If you were to systematically organize these insights, they might become a timeless classic." Chen Qing glanced at the scroll in Xu Zhaoying's arms and said, "They are just some fragmented insights, which I obtained by chance."

"Cultivation is like climbing a mountain; an occasional flash of inspiration is like a shortcut through the mountains, priceless! This is what makes outstanding individuals stand out from the crowd!"

Lu Han shook his head and sighed, then flipped his hand, revealing a warm jade token in his palm: "This is the Listening Wind Token. With this, you can freely enter and leave the villa. You've been here for seven years, and you haven't had a proper look around the city yet, have you? With this, you can go anywhere as long as you don't leave the city. The key is that it can also be used for self-defense."

It's likely that it can still be located.

Chen Qing knew perfectly well what was going on, but he still reached out and took it. His gaze swept over the same jade pendant on Xu Zhaoying's waist, and finally settled on the scroll painting. An inexplicable attraction stirred his heart.

Seeing this, Lü Han stroked his beard and smiled, "This painting was obtained after some trouble, and it is specifically for Zhao Ying's cultivation."

Upon hearing this, Chen Qing said, "Then it must be priceless."

"Under the princess's command, as long as one demonstrates value, it's common for them to go to great lengths and acquire precious treasures!" Lü Han's tone suddenly became solemn. "Take this treasure of the Nahai Sect, the 'Hundred Rivers Returning to the Sea Map,' for example. It is said to have been painted by the Canghai Zhenren himself. Zhaoying needed this item to cultivate the 'Vast Expanse Scripture,' so she was invited here. If you are interested, you can come and see it with me. However, this map is associated with water, which is incompatible with the attribute of the 'Taiyue Technique' you cultivate..."

A painting depicting all rivers flowing into the sea?
Chen Qing's heart skipped a beat!
ocean! ?

At this moment, Xu Zhaoying lightly flicked her wrist.

"Shh-"

The moment the scroll was unfurled, Chen Qing looked up and his pupils contracted sharply!
The painting depicts a vast expanse of surging blue waves, with all rivers flowing into the sea. Every wave pattern subtly aligns with the rhythm of the heavens, and dragons seem to roam among the waves. The entire painting appears to be alive, radiating a Daoist charm that is awe-inspiring!
Such artistic conception far surpasses the visualization diagrams in the "Haiyue Fragment"!
Chen Qing felt a sudden heat three inches below his navel, and his internal energy spontaneously began to circulate along the route of the "Haiyue Fragment Scroll," creating a wonderful resonance with the scroll.

He immediately realized that this was a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity!

The visualization diagrams in the "Haiyue Fragment" are already incomplete. If one can complete the understanding of mountains and seas through the experience in a dream, then even without a life-saving response, this dream is worthwhile!

Since we are in a dream, why should we worry?

He immediately sat cross-legged and began to concentrate intently on comprehending the meaning.

With the thought of all rivers flowing into the sea in mind, Chen Qing instantly seemed to transform into hundreds of rivers, each with its own distinct characteristics. In the next instant, he seemed to transform into a vast ocean, encompassing all the rivers that flow into it.

"The ocean embraces all rivers... I see!"

He gradually came to understand, and his stagnant meridians began to open up on their own. His blood and qi surged like a tide, forming a perfect cycle throughout his body. His whole body transformed into a vortex of spiritual energy, frantically devouring the surrounding天地元气 (heaven and earth energy)!
Lu and Xu, who were standing nearby, suddenly changed their expressions.

"He only glanced at the visualization diagram, could he have gained some insight?" Xu Zhaoying asked in a low voice. "But Chen Xuxiu practices the earth element and mountain method! How could he gain instant insight after looking at the water element diagram?"

Lu Han's beard trembled slightly: "This is what it means to have extraordinary comprehension and unparalleled talent. One can find enlightenment in every blade of grass and every tree! This boy's comprehension is truly rare. It's a pity that his spiritual bones have been destroyed, otherwise..."

Before he finished speaking, Chen Qing's body suddenly shone with a bright blue light, and his aura rose steadily!
The five-colored spiritual energy surged into his body like rivers flowing into the sea.

"Is this about incorporating the five elements of spiritual energy? Is he starting to break through his cultivation realm?" Lu Han was also unsettled, his eyes widening. "He's about to advance after only seven years of cultivating this new method?"

Xu Zhaoying took a deep breath and narrowed her eyes: "Cultivating the Mountain and Mountain Techniques, gazing at the Azure Sea Map, and showing signs of advancement—this is an example of drawing parallels and comprehending a new method?"

The two looked at each other in horror.

Despite having his spiritual bones destroyed, he still made such progress; such comprehension is beyond comprehension!
"If his spirit bones are still intact, he is probably a once-in-a-millennium genius! We must win him over for the princess!"

A sharp glint flashed in Lü Han's eyes.

　Waaaaah—I'm such a newbie, nobody's watching—

　　
　
(End of this chapter)