130: Determined

The courtyard was silent, the moonlight as clear as a wash.

Chen Linsheng sat cross-legged with his eyes closed, his mind clearer and more lucid than ever before.

All kinds of past events, without needing detailed images, just relying on those marks imprinted on the path of Martial Dao, were enough to connect his entire trajectory from the wilderness to the prefecture city.

Transmigrating to another world.

The starting point was confusion and loneliness, a rootless duckweed falling into the tiny beginning of a strange Jianghu.

Obtaining the spirit book.

That was the first ray of light in the Chaos, the initial reliance given by fate, and also the key to awakening a certain quality deep within the Soul.

Gathering Spirit Medicine, fighting the giant python, obtaining the red fruit.

These three were the initial portrayals of struggling for survival and striving for progress.

Contending for a sliver of life among cliffs and precipices, realizing the line between life and death in battles with Vicious Beasts, and seizing the creations of heaven and earth in scorching dangerous lands.

They forged his initial courage, tenacity, and most primitive desire for power, and also laid the Foundation prototype that surpassed ordinary people for that Physical Body.

Entering the martial school, becoming a personal disciple.

This marked his step from a wild path into the threshold of orthodox Martial Dao.

Yangwei Martial Arts Hall gave him a place to stand and a direction, while Master Zhao Zheng's Legacy pointed him toward the "Hunyuan" path, which seemed clumsy but had infinite potential.

From then on, power had a system, and Cultivation had a method.

Suppressing Water Bandits, fighting Essence Spirits.

This was the first trial of his edge, putting what he had learned into practice for protection and cleansing.

The blade stained with blood, purging the river bandits, was the practice of the simple "righteousness" in his heart; fighting fiercely against eerie Essence Spirits was facing the dark and filthy side of the world, strengthening the Martial Artist's belief in upholding justice and warding off evil.

Detecting conspiracies, assassinating enemies.

Under the prosperity of Jiuqu Prefecture, undercurrents surged.

The shadow of the White Lotus Sect, the crushing weight of various forces, and personal vendettas allowed him to see the craftiness and malice of the human heart beyond the Martial Dao.

Being passively involved and actively striking out, he began to learn how to protect himself and those he cherished in complex situations, understanding that sometimes, a silent blade is more critical than victory or defeat on the arena.

Defeating Yan Chen.

The battle at the Hidden Dragon Banquet was a brilliant explosion of all the accumulations mentioned above.

Shaking the Jiaojin Realm with Flesh Refining, he relied not only on the solid Foundation of the [Hunyuan True Body], the keen insight of [Tracking Perfection], and the Fusion and application of various strengths, but also on the steady mind and combat wisdom, far exceeding his peers, which he had tempered through life-and-death battles and self-realization along the way.

This "victory" was a milestone, pushing him to the Peak vision of the younger generation in the prefecture city, and also attracting more attention, opportunities, and potential crises.

This journey along the way was not smooth sailing.

There were near-death dangers, the loneliness of Cultivation, the coldness of conspiracies, and the difficulty of choices.

But it was these experiences that stripped away the initial confusion and naivety layer by layer, repeatedly hammering and tempering his heart of Martial Dao.

Initially, perhaps it was just to survive in this strange world.

Later, it was to become stronger and take control of his own destiny.

And now, as he sat here quietly, looking back at this trail paved with blood, sweat, choices, and insights, a more majestic and clearer belief surged in his heart:

To be strong for the sake of protection.

Protecting the warm lamp by his side, protecting the high expectations of his sect, and protecting those friendships treated with sincerity.

This heart of protection gave his growth in power a solid landing point, rather than a hollow castle in the air.

To travel for the sake of seeking.

The mysterious source of Hunyuan Martial Dao, the ultimate secrets contained in the spirit book, the vast scenery at the Peak of Martial Dao, and even the countless unknowns in this immense world... a strong desire for exploration drove him forward, never satisfied with the world before his eyes.

To fight for the sake of cleansing. The evil deeds of the White Lotus Sect in deceiving people and creating Chaos, all kinds of injustice and filth in the world... holding the spear in his hand, purging the evil spirits, sweeping away the filth, and returning a clear world. This thought of "cleansing" originating from his heart gave his power a sense of awe-inspiring righteousness and heavy responsibility.

The three beliefs were not separate but integrated, together forming his now incomparably firm heart of Martial Dao. Where the heart points, the Dao follows.

At this moment when his thoughts were completely clear and as bright as a mirror—

Deep within his body, the majestic blood and Qi, fully nourished by the pure energy of the "Jiǔqū Refining Pool" and accumulated through days of bitter Cultivation, seemed to feel the call of his thoughts. Without needing deliberate guidance, they began to circulate spontaneously and at an accelerated pace.

The Mind-Cultivation Technique of "Python Dragon Strength" flowed naturally; it was no longer a conscious activation like on ordinary days, but like a river rushing into the sea, conforming to some internal rhythm and tempo.

As the blood and Qi surged, those major tendons throughout his body, which had been nurtured for many days and had greatly increased in activity, began to transmit bursts of strange, low, and powerful vibrations.

Hum... hum... that vibration was not a sound, but a "feeling" originating from the depths of the body, like a sleeping Dragon stretching its muscles and bones beneath the abyss, emitting a dull and majestic rhythm.

Between the membranes and tendons, the efficiency of blood and Qi passage suddenly increased, and a resonance like a "Dragon's roar" faintly echoed within his body.

This was not a real sound, but a mysterious sensation produced when the blood and Qi, membranes and tendons, and will were highly coordinated and unified.

The gate to the Jiaojin Realm, that seemingly solid barrier, was quietly pushed open a crack under the impact of both his intent and power reaching Perfection at this moment!

Chen Linsheng's mind was clear.

He was not ecstatic, nor did he try to forcibly circulate his power to widen this crack and charge toward that seemingly reachable Realm.

He knew well that Cultivation is like cooking a small fish; it will be done naturally when the heat is right. The "pushing open of the crack" at this moment was a sign of things falling into place, a natural explosion of all past accumulations under the guidance of the correct state of mind. Forcibly charging through might instead destroy this rare sense of harmonious insight.

He maintained his sitting posture, immersing his entire mind in this wonderful feeling that "the gate has opened a crack." He carefully experienced the subtle changes brought by the vibration of the membranes and tendons, the faint adjustment of the blood and Qi circulation paths, and the vigorous vitality of his entire bodily functions rising to the next level.

He stabilized this insight, like a craftsman meticulously polishing the final edges of a nearly completed work of art, making it natural and flawless.

At the same time, another change was quietly occurring.

Since coming to Jiuqu Prefecture, his horizons had broadened. After coming into contact with the prefecture city armory, the Lin Family's collection, and even many classics prepared by the Army Breaker Manor, his [Skill: Statecraft], which was originally opened because of the spirit book, had been growing slowly and continuously.

Tonight, driven by the clarity of his thoughts and the sublimation of his mental state, this Skill concerning understanding, wisdom, and literary talent finally broke through the last bit of stagnation.

Within the Sea of Consciousness, it was as if pages were lightly turning, and the fragrance of ink floated.

The rune formed by the [Statecraft] Skill lit up slightly, and then its brilliance retracted, becoming more ancient and solid.

[Skill: Statecraft (Minor Achievement)]

[Progress: (0/1500)]

[Divine Effect: Comprehensive Mastery, Wisdom through Annotation]

Deeply understand the obscure connections between different classics, and be able to annotate and explain texts, forming personal insights.

During the process of studying, there is a chance to trigger a "flash of inspiration," gaining an Epiphany on some obscure content. Long-term practice can nurture literary talent, making the mind increasingly clear.

The Realm of Minor Achievement meant that he was no longer just reading and memorizing, but truly possessed the ability to "study" and "understand."

The key points of Cultivation Techniques, geographical maps, military strategies, and even miscellaneous notes he had read in the past now seemed to be connected by invisible threads in his mind, confirming each other and giving rise to many wonderful insights he had never noticed before.

His mind also became increasingly clear and bright; when thinking about problems, it was like a mirror reflecting objects, with every detail revealed.

This would undoubtedly be a huge help for the upcoming written part of the Martial Examination, as well as for his long-term enlightenment and Cultivation on the Martial Dao.

Time passed quietly in deep meditation.

A touch of white appeared on the eastern horizon.

Chen Linsheng slowly opened his eyes.

A divine light shone in his eyes, yet it was gentle and restrained, without any overbearing intent.

After a night of sitting still, far from being tired, he was full of spirit, his blood and Qi were harmonious and lively, and his whole body felt comfortable.

He lightly moved his fingers, and his joints made a subtle and crisp sound, as if containing more abundant power than before.

With a slight thought, the blood and Qi in his body were as easy to use as his own fingers, circulating as he wished. Although the barrier of the Jiaojin Realm had not been completely broken through, the crack had opened, and the road ahead was suddenly clear, just waiting for a suitable opportunity to naturally step over that threshold.

More importantly, his "state" had reached an unprecedented level of Perfection since he stepped into the prefecture city.

His Physical Body Foundation was solid and stable, his blood and Qi were abundant and condensed, his spirit was clear and thorough, his heart of Martial Dao was firm and pure, and even his understanding of literary and strategic knowledge had reached a new level.

This was an all-around "Perfection" with a high degree of unity of essence, Qi, and spirit, a manifestation of combat power, will, and wisdom all reaching the Peak of the current stage.

He stood up, facing the morning light of dawn, and took a deep breath of the crisp air.

Today was the last day for the Martial Examination registration.

Twenty-seven days later would be the moment when the real results would be seen.

Yan Chen, Mu Qingxue, Qin Li, Yu Linfeng... the names flashed through his mind, but they could no longer stir even a ripple, leaving only a calm fighting spirit.

He walked to the wall and grasped the Solid Iron Long Spear. The body of the spear was ice-cold, yet it seemed to faintly harmonize with the blood and Qi in his palm.

The road is walked step by step.

The Realm comes naturally when the conditions are met.

And victory belongs to those who are best prepared and have the firmest beliefs.

Chen Linsheng stood with his spear, his figure as upright as a pine tree. In the brightening morning light, he was like a sharp sword about to be unsheathed—quiet, yet with hidden sharpness.

Martial Examination, he was coming.