EFB Chapter 32 Knocking on the Gate
Chapter 32 Knocking on the Gate
Jiang Qi felt a surge of energy, and his mind instantly calmed down.
"Calm the mind and spirit? Restore mental energy?"
He had just used [Moonlight] repeatedly, which greatly depleted his mental energy, and he was no longer able to activate any more skills.
But now, with his mental energy restored, he seemed to have the strength to cast [Moonlight] one or two more times!
"This turtle... could it be using this bead as payment for 'moonlighting,' making a deal with me to not catch it?"
"That's interesting..."
This water-suppressing beast is far more spiritually advanced than ordinary beasts.
"Since you're so intelligent..." Jiang Qi's lips curled up slightly as he looked at the two-headed turtle in the well and said in a low voice, "Then tomorrow, I'll use a sturdier net to catch you as a return gift."
The two-headed turtle in the well seemed to sense something and immediately sank into the well.
"..."
......
The next day.
Zhenyuan Martial Arts School, training ground.
Jiang Qi practiced the "Zhenyuan Body Strengthening Exercise" while sensing the condition within his body.
The immense medicinal power of the Blood Nourishing Pill, after more than ten days of absorption and refinement, has now been basically transformed into Qi and Blood.
At this moment, on his chest, the third stream of qi and blood was as thick as a finger, powerful and solid.
Moreover, next to the three streams of Qi and blood, new seeds of Qi and blood are sprouting, seemingly ready to break through at any moment and become the fourth stream of Qi and blood!
"The three purified Qi and Blood are equivalent to the six Qi and Blood of an ordinary martial artist. If one can successfully break through the barrier, it will be equivalent to seven Qi and Blood..."
Jiang Qi stopped his attack and sat down to rest on the sidelines, a sense of anticipation rising in his heart.
A martial artist with seven streams of qi and blood would be considered a master in Li City.
In the Ironclad Gang, having seven strands of Qi and Blood is considered a high-ranking Protector. For example, Xiong Kuohai, the Protector of the Fierce Wind Hall whom we met before, only had five strands of Qi and Blood.
While I was pondering, I suddenly heard some talking nearby.
"Have you heard? Senior Brother Wu Yue and Senior Sister Ye Lan have been officially hired as bodyguards by Weiyuan Escort Agency! I heard their monthly salary is thirty taels of silver, plus extra qi and blood tonics and profit sharing from each escort mission!"
"The Weiyuan Escort Agency's treatment is indeed generous, but those two only broke through in one fell swoop thanks to the Blood Nourishing Pill bestowed by the City Patrol Envoy. They're really lucky."
"Speaking of breakthroughs, we have to look to Senior Brother Chen Feng! Senior Brother Chen truly broke through to the mid-stage through his own cultivation; that's real skill!"
"Senior Brother Feng Heng is amazing too. He quietly cultivated his third strand of Qi and Blood..."
Everyone's gazes, intentionally or unintentionally, drifted toward the sidelines.
There, Chen Feng stood with his hands behind his back, his aura more profound and refined than ten days ago, his eyes gleaming with inner light, naturally revealing the aura of a mid-stage Blood Refining Realm cultivator.
Feng Heng stood to the side, a smug look on his face, his eyes occasionally glancing at Jiang Qi not far away, a disdainful sneer on his lips.
"No matter how many tonics you take, it's useless. How can the accumulated qi and blood compare to Senior Brother Chen's steady, solid breakthroughs?" Feng Heng flattered in a low voice.
Upon hearing this, Chen Feng's lips curled slightly upwards, and his gaze swept over Jiang Qi, a hint of contempt flashing in his eyes.
What good is obtaining the Blood Nourishing Pill if it's just a waste of resources?
If he were to obtain it, he would be confident that he could not only break through to the mid-stage of the Blood Refining Realm, but also refine the fourth strand of blood to perfection.
Just then, Instructor Zhou appeared in the training ground and beckoned everyone over.
"Two announcements," Instructor Zhou said in a booming voice, "First, Chen Feng successfully condensed his fourth strand of blood energy yesterday, officially advancing to the mid-stage of the Blood Refining Realm. Congratulations!"
A round of applause and congratulations erupted in the arena. Chen Feng returned the greeting with a clasped fist salute, his demeanor composed, enjoying the attention he received.
Instructor Zhou continued, "Secondly, according to the martial arts school's tradition, a small competition should be held, but the school has other matters to attend to today, so the competition will be held tomorrow. At that time, friendly forces from all sides in the city will also come to observe. Prepare well, showcase your skills, and you may gain some unexpected benefits."
Upon hearing this, the disciples were immediately invigorated.
Everyone knows that this kind of occasion is an excellent opportunity to demonstrate strength to those forces and gain their attention or even funding in advance.
Although the latter chance is small, it's still a good chance to get noticed.
After Coach Zhou finished his announcement, his gaze swept across the crowd and then landed on Jiang Qi, giving him a slight nod.
Jiang Qi understood and followed.
The two walked to the old tree at the edge of the training ground.
"Jiang Qi," Instructor Zhou asked bluntly, "what stage have you reached in your Qi and Blood cultivation?"
"Reporting to the instructor, the third stream of qi and blood is almost complete," Jiang Qi replied truthfully.
Instructor Zhou nodded, showing little surprise on his face. He pondered for a moment and said, "The third stage of Qi and Blood refinement is complete. The next step is to break through the barrier. However, this barrier is not simply about the accumulation of Qi and Blood, but also about the degree of Qi and Blood condensation and the transformation between Qi and Blood's substance and emptiness."
"Many people get stuck here, unable to make any progress for a year or even several years. Even Chen Feng, who has above-average physical constitution, prepared for a full month, conditioning his condition and refining his qi and blood before daring to try to break through in one fell swoop."
If Wu Yue and Ye Lan hadn't obtained the superior-grade Blood Nourishing Pill, they would likely have needed to spend even more time.
He looked at Jiang Qi and said earnestly, "Although you also obtained a Blood Nourishing Pill, judging from your progress, most of the medicinal power has been used to accumulate the first three streams of Qi and blood, and to solidify your foundation. This is a good thing in the long run, but in terms of breaking through the barrier, its assistance may not be as direct as you imagined."
More importantly, your physical constitution is only... average, making this hurdle more difficult for you than for others.
"If you fail to break through the barrier, your Qi and blood will backfire. At best, you will be injured and need to recuperate; at worst, your foundation will be damaged, affecting your future potential. Moreover, the next time you try to break through the barrier, the 'traces' left by the first attempt will often make it more difficult."
Therefore, we must be extremely cautious, make thorough preparations, and strive for success in one fell swoop!
"Thank you for your guidance, Coach." Jiang Qi bowed respectfully.
He has learned a lot about the process of knocking on the gate these days.
Although both the Blood Refining Realm and the Blood Refining Realm involve refining blood and qi, the initial and intermediate stages of refining are different. In the initial stage, one only needs to accumulate blood and qi, but in the intermediate stage, one needs to condense blood and qi to make them more refined.
Therefore, there is a critical juncture between the initial and middle stages, namely, how to condense and refine Qi and blood.
This method of refinement varies from person to person due to differences in physique, foundation, and other factors, hence the so-called "passing through the gates."
Some people succeed easily, while others never quite achieve their goals.
but,
Jiang Qi sensed the flow of qi and blood within his body, which was comparable to two streams.
【貫血】 (concentrate blood) should mean condensing qi and blood, right?
"Go back and prepare well."
Coach Zhou waved his hand.
Jiang Qilue bowed respectfully and then returned to the training ground to continue refining the nascent fourth strand of Qi and blood.
"Father, do you think... Junior Brother Jiang can successfully pass the challenge?" Zhou Jin emerged from behind a pillar and walked to her father's side, looking at Jiang Qi and asking in a low voice.
Instructor Zhou smiled faintly and said slowly, "Jiang Qi has excellent comprehension, and the Blood Nourishing Pill given to him by your senior brother is also of rare quality. Even though the medicinal power was used to solidify his foundation, it has laid a foundation for him that far surpasses that of his peers."
As long as he remains calm and steady, gets into the right mindset, success is only a matter of time.
Then, he changed the subject: "But as I said, due to his inherent limitations, the barriers will be even stronger in their rejection of him. The time required to overcome these barriers will probably not be short."
Conservatively speaking, it won't take less time than Chen Feng's preparation; one month or two months is possible.