"Having fortunately achieved a breakthrough not long ago, I've come to seek guidance from Elder Zhao on some cultivation matters," Chen Yuan said.

"Fortunately achieved a breakthrough..."

A hint of a frown flickered across Zhao Nanshan's forehead.

If he wasn't mistaken, Chen Yuan was only in his early twenties. To break through to the Blood Refining realm at such a young age meant that solidifying his Gang Qi in the future wouldn't be too difficult.

Perhaps even...

Higher realms weren't out of the question.

After a moment of contemplation, Zhao Nanshan suddenly turned, his gaze fixed intently on Chen Yuan.

Before, he gave Chen Yuan the Six Harmony Saber manual mainly out of fear of Chen Yuan's power. Later, he gave him the Blood Enriching Pill because he saw Chen Yuan's potential.

He hoped that in the future, the Three Harmony Fist Gym would have someone to protect it in Peace County, but he didn't really hold much hope that Chen Yuan would avenge him.

But now, Zhao Nanshan could confidently say that as long as Chen Yuan didn't perish along the way, with his potential and strength, he would definitely make a name for himself in Southern Mausoleum Prefecture and even Qingzhou in the future.

At that time, perhaps there would be a great hope for the recovery of his injuries!

Chen Yuan noticed the fervent look in Zhao Nanshan's eyes. If he weren't already old, Chen Yuan would have felt a chill somewhere.

"Why is Elder Zhao looking at me like that?" Chen Yuan asked.

"There's not much to say about cultivation in the Bone Tempering realm. You just need to temper your entire body's bones and tendons with Qi and blood, and the circulation of *Jing*..."

"Circulation of *Jing*?"

Chen Yuan knew about tempering bones and tendons; it was recorded in the Diamond Glazed Body. He only needed to temper his entire body's bones and tendons into a light golden color before he could begin preparing to break through to the next realm.

However, he had never heard the term "circulation of *Jing*."

"Bone Tempering martial artists have powerful Qi and strength throughout their bodies, but most of it is just brute force, also known as Manifest *Jing*. But there is another realm of *Jing* circulation, called Latent *Jing*!"

Zhao Nanshan said solemnly.

"Latent *Jing*..." Chen Yuan's eyes flickered.

Zhao Nanshan continued,

"Latent *Jing* is also known as Transforming *Jing*, with the meaning of transformation and divine power. You can control your own strength at will with every gesture, and your senses are greatly enhanced, to the point where 'a feather cannot be added, and a mosquito cannot land'."

"Especially when fighting with bare hands, it can greatly enhance your own strength, but it doesn't provide as much of a boost for martial artists who are skilled with weapons. Therefore, many martial artists now don't bother to cultivate *Jing*."

"As long as you enter the Gang Solidification realm, your strength will naturally increase dramatically. It's not worth the effort to cultivate Latent *Jing*, but many martial artists who cannot absorb Qi will cultivate it."

Chen Yuan listened with rapt attention, already deciding to cultivate Latent *Jing* in his heart.

Others were unwilling to cultivate it because it was troublesome and laborious, and their strength would naturally increase dramatically after entering the Gang Solidification realm, so they looked down on it. Moreover, martial artists would use weapons, which made it somewhat redundant.

But Chen Yuan was different. After cultivating the Diamond Glazed Body, a top-tier body refinement technique, his physical body was also one of his trump cards, and he could use it to catch people off guard in battle.

Besides, who said that the physical body was useless after advancing to Gang Solidification?

Chen Yuan himself didn't think so.

The Diamond Glazed Body had incomplete chapters for the Foundation Establishment and Gang Solidification realms, which meant that there would be subsequent techniques. If the physical body was refined to the extreme, it would probably also be an extremely powerful method.

Zhao Nanshan glanced at Chen Yuan, raised his right arm, revealing a wrinkled hand with dark spots, placed it on the stone table, and exerted a little force.

"Crack."

The stone table instantly cracked, the cracks extending directly to the teacup in front of Chen Yuan.

"This is Latent *Jing*!"

Zhao Nanshan said softly.

"Senior's strength is indeed extraordinary!"

Chen Yuan could shatter the stone table with a single palm, but he could never crack the stone table so easily with a light touch like Zhao Nanshan.

Zhao Nanshan's display further strengthened Chen Yuan's determination to cultivate.

Unexpectedly, it could definitely shatter an opponent's internal organs!

Truly a lethal technique.

"Want to learn it?"

"Naturally," Chen Yuan nodded.

"I'll teach you. After being crippled, for nearly ten years, apart from the initial frustration and hatred, I've spent the rest of my time studying the art of Latent *Jing*. With your talent, you should be able to get the hang of it in a short time."

Zhao Nanshan stroked his beard slowly.

"In that case, I'm grateful to Elder Zhao."

Respect flashed in Chen Yuan's eyes. Zhao Nanshan was willing to impart the secrets and methods of Latent *Jing* without reservation, which was worthy of his respect, and he would also be his mentor in fact.

Zhao Nanshan felt a surge of pride in his heart at Chen Yuan's submissive appearance, and then said,

"Earlier, you asked about how to enter the Gang Solidification realm. Today, I'll tell you everything."

Chen Yuan nodded with a solemn expression.

"Martial Dao Foundation, Qi Absorption and Gang Solidification, this is the general outline of the first two realms of the Martial Dao Six Realms. Martial Dao Foundation is..."

Zhao Nanshan explained slowly, starting to talk about his understanding of cultivation to Chen Yuan, and Chen Yuan was also comparing it with the cultivation methods in the Diamond Glazed Body and the things circulating in the yamen.

It had to be said that what Zhao Nanshan said was of great help to Chen Yuan's foundation.

He explained what Martial Dao Foundation was.

After a long time, Zhao Nanshan picked up his teacup to moisten his throat,

"Have you remembered it?"

"I have."

"Good, then I'll tell you about what Qi Absorption and Gang Solidification are. Like the Three Refinements of Foundation Establishment, the Gang Solidification realm is also divided into three levels: Qi Absorption, Fiend Condensation, and Gang Refinement."

"I'll tell you about the latter two levels in detail later. Today, let's talk about Qi Absorption. What kind of Qi do you know that is absorbed?"

Chen Yuan shook his head slowly:

"I'm not very clear."

"The Yuan Qi that wanders between heaven and earth!"

"Absorb it into the physical body, let it circulate throughout the body, and condense it into a Qi vortex in the dantian. Then you are considered a martial artist in the Qi Absorption level."

"It seems simple, but it is actually extremely difficult. First of all, you must have a powerful physical body, tendons, bones, and Qi and blood to withstand the explosive Yuan Qi of heaven and earth. In fact, even if you don't refine your body, you can directly absorb Qi."

"But people who do that will basically have their internal meridians, tendons, and bones burst by the Yuan Qi of heaven and earth. They will be seriously injured if they are lucky, and die if they are unlucky. Body refinement is to temper oneself to the point where one can accept the Yuan Qi of heaven and earth."

"Many Bone Tempering martial artists are very afraid of failing in the process of Qi Absorption, which will lead to their own being crippled. After all, most people only have one chance. Once they fail, they will have no chance."

"Therefore, many people are clearly at the time of breakthrough, but they are still afraid to move forward. When they are old, their Qi and blood decline, and their tendons and bones become loose. If they want to break through again, it is basically a certain death."

"I see..." Chen Yuan nodded with a look of understanding.

Martial Dao cultivation does require moving forward courageously. Being afraid and not daring to gamble is completely lacking the heart of the Martial Dao. Even if you break through, you will not have any achievements in the future.

"The physical body is only a prerequisite. If you want to absorb Qi, you also need a technique that can guide Qi. There is one in the yamen, but it is said that you need merit points to exchange for it."

"Moreover, generally such techniques have a very low upper limit, unless you have other opportunities."