138: Chapter 138 Internal energy flows like "flowing clouds and running water", breaking through to the late stage of Ming Jin.

Section 1: Final Cultivation in the Origin Pool: The Hidden Worry of Internal Energy Obstruction

The morning light of the Taiji Secret Realm's opening had just spilled onto Taiji Villa as Chen Wu sat cross-legged by the Origin Pool. He spread the ancient manual of the Taiji Thirteen Forms across his knees and lightly touched the surface of the pool with his fingertips—pale green Origin Qi Energy surged into his body, blending with the Four Symbols Qi Energy sphere in his Dantian. The hard energy surged like a golden stream, the soft energy rippled like silver waves, the Yang energy rose like crimson flames, and the Yin energy flowed like emerald waves. Under the guidance of the Qi Energy Hub, the four energies should have flowed as smoothly as before, but now there was a slight obstruction in his chest, as if blocked by an invisible gate. The speed of his Internal Energy circulation was 15% slower than last night.

"What's going on?" Lin Mo's tactical tablet popped up an "Internal Energy Flow Rate Monitoring" alert. A flat plateau appeared on the pale gold flow rate curve on the screen. "After the successful Fusion, the Internal Energy was flowing very smoothly. Why has it suddenly become obstructed?" The global live stream camera focused on Chen Wu's Dantian Qi Energy diagram. The rotation frequency of the Four Symbols Qi Energy sphere had dropped from 3 revolutions per second to 2.5. The Qi Energy node in his chest glowed with a faint dark red, indicating a hidden danger of "Internal Energy congestion."

Grandmaster Yang Mingyuan rushed over upon hearing the news, holding the Taiji Origin Bead. He lightly pressed his fingertips against Chen Wu's chest. "This is a normal phenomenon of 'Internal Energy Breakthrough after Fusion,'" he said. His Innate soft energy probed inward through his fingertips, sensing the path of the obstructed Qi Energy. "You have just completed the Internal Skill Fusion of Taiji and Xingji. Although the four energies have achieved compatibility, they haven't completely 'recognized their master' yet. A subtle repulsion has formed at the 'Shanzhong Qi Energy Node' in your chest. If it isn't cleared in time, it will not only affect the flow of Internal Energy but might also trigger a backlash when encountering strong Qi Energy impacts after entering the Secret Realm."

Chen Wu tried to clear it using the Fusion Energy Technique—he gathered the Four Symbols Qi Energy at the Qi Energy Hub and guided it to the Shanzhong node according to the "Breathing Synchronization Method." The hard energy tapped lightly like a hammer, the soft energy wrapped like cotton, the Yang energy warmed like fire, and the Yin energy cleared the stagnation like water. However, no matter how he tried, the dark red congestion only remained unchanged, instead causing his Internal Energy consumption to accelerate, with fine beads of sweat breaking out on his forehead. "Ordinary clearing methods are useless," Grandpa Wang's dry tobacco pipe made a dull thud against the edge of the pool. The old man flipped through the "Breakthrough Chapter" of the tombskeeper team records. The yellowed pages recorded the secret of Chen Wus Great-grandfather's "Yijin Energy Breakthrough." "When your great-grandfather encountered Internal Energy obstruction back then, he used the 'Origin Qi Energy Induction Method,' borrowing the power of the earth vein's Origin Qi Energy to let the congested energy flow along with the Origin, clearing it naturally. The Qi Energy in the Origin Pool has exactly this effect!"

The "Taiji Guardian" bronze plaque in the camphor wood box suddenly emitted a strong light. Pale gold Qi Energy spread along the flow of the Origin Pool, forming a "Shanzhong Node Clearing Diagram" on the water's surface. In the diagram, the "Origin Qi Energy Induction Path" was marked in bright green—starting from the Dantian Qi Energy Hub, passing through the dai vessel to the lower back, then traveling up the Du Meridian to the Shanzhong node, avoiding a direct impact and instead guiding the congested energy from the side. In the global live stream's comments, viewers cheered for Chen Wu: "Teacher Chen, try following the path!" "The Origin Pool will definitely help you!" Amir from Egypt even sent a "Pyramid Qi Energy Breakthrough Case": "You can wrap the congested node with Origin Qi Energy and resolve it layer by layer, like peeling an onion!"

Section 2: Resonance Between the inheritance grass and Ancient Manual: A Turning Point for "Floating Clouds and Flowing Water"

The Flower Girl brought the inheritance grass to the edge of the Origin Pool. The eight-colored petals lightly touched Chen Wu's chest. Dewdrops rolled on the leaves, reflecting the details of the congestion at the Shanzhong node—it turned out that within the dark red congestion, countless tiny "Qi Energy Fibers" were hidden. These fibers were the residual repulsive substances of the four energies from the Fusion, like tiny cotton threads wrapped around the node. Ordinary clearing methods could only disperse the surface layer and could not eradicate them.

"Elder Zhou said that 'inheritance grass can neutralize Qi Energy repulsive substances,'" the young girl mixed "Resonance Dew" with "Vitality Dew" and dripped them onto the petals of the inheritance grass. A seven-colored light seeped into Chen Wu's body along the petals, resonating with the congested Qi Energy at the Shanzhong node. "Combined with ancient musical scores 'Internal Energy Circulation Formula,' it will definitely be cleared!" She flipped the ancient manual of the Taiji Thirteen Forms to the last page. Under the nourishment of the Origin Pool's Qi Energy, hidden annotations appeared once again: "Internal Energy flows like Floating Clouds and Flowing Water; it is not about forceful impact or hard breaking, but about following the momentum and borrowing the power, like water flowing around a stone rather than crashing into it."

Chen Wu suddenly understood—previously, he had only thought about "clearing the congestion" but had ignored "going with the flow." He adjusted his strategy, no longer using the energy technique to directly impact the Shanzhong node. Instead, following the path marked by the bronze plaque, he introduced the pale green Qi Energy from the Origin Pool into his body. After fusing it with the Four Symbols Qi Energy, it flowed around the congested node like water. Miraculously, as the Qi Energy flow speed increased, the tiny fibers within the dark red congestion gradually loosened along the path of the water flow, like dispersed cotton threads, slowly merging into the Four Symbols Qi Energy. They no longer repelled but instead became a part of his Internal Energy.

"It's working!" Lin Mo's tablet showed the dark red at the Shanzhong node gradually fading. The Internal Energy flow rate rose from 2.5 revolutions per second back to 2.8, and the congestion resolution rate increased from 10% to 40%. Chen Wu pressed on, bringing the Taiji Origin Bead close to the Qi Energy Hub. The pale green Qi Energy of the Origin Bead completely fused with the Four Symbols Qi Energy, forming a stronger "Flowing Cloud and Streaming Water Energy"—this energy no longer had a distinct separation of hard, soft, Yin, and Yang. Instead, it was like a surging river, where hard energy was the waves, soft energy was the water, Yang energy was the light, and Yin energy was the shadow. The four became one, flowing naturally along the Qi Energy pathways in his body. Wherever it went, the congested fibers were all washed away, and the Internal Energy obstruction completely disappeared.

When the last trace of dark red faded from the Shanzhong node, Chen Wu suddenly felt an unprecedented sense of comfort—the speed of Internal Energy circulation in his body reached 3.5 revolutions per second, 30% faster than before. Moreover, he no longer needed to deliberately control the Qi Energy Hub. The Four Symbols Qi Energy seemed to have a life of its own, automatically operating according to the rhythm of "Floating Clouds and Flowing Water." From his Dantian to his four limbs and hundred bones, there was not the slightest obstruction. Even the Qi Energy at his fingertips became more solid and agile. "This is the Realm of 'Internal Energy flowing like Floating Clouds and Flowing Water'!" Yang Mingyuan's eyes were full of shock. "You haven't just cleared the congestion; you've also allowed the Fusion Energy Technique to reach a state of 'self-circulation.' This is the key signal for the Breakthrough from the Middle Stage of Brute Force to the Late Stage!"

The global live stream's comments section instantly erupted. Old Zhao, the "Watcher of Huangtu Slope," left a message: "Teacher Chen's Internal Energy is finally smooth! That wasn't easy!" Nurse Emily in London sent an "Internal Energy Flow Blessing": "I hope Teacher Chen can break through smoothly!" The Technical Department's "Realm Monitoring" showed that Chen Wu's Internal Energy purity had increased from 85% to 92%, and the Qi Energy flow stability rate was 100%. The Realm barrier of the Middle Stage of Brute Force showed slight cracks; the conditions for a Breakthrough were basically mature.

Section 3: Breaking Through the Barrier in the Origin Pool: Breakthrough to the Late Stage of Brute Force

As the Internal Energy flow reached the state of "Floating Clouds and Flowing Water," Chen Wu clearly felt the Qi Energy Core at his Dantian vibrating violently. The Four Symbols Qi Energy crashed against the Realm barrier of the Middle Stage of Brute Force like a tide—the pale gold barrier was covered in fine patterns, flickering constantly under the impact of the Qi Energy, yet showing no sign of breaking. Instead, it caused Internal Energy consumption to accelerate, and a slight swelling pain came from his Dantian.

"There's still one last step—'Borrowing the Power of Origin Qi Energy'!" Yang Mingyuan completely integrated the Taiji Origin Bead into Chen Wu's Qi Energy Hub. The pale green Qi Energy of the Origin Pool suddenly surged in waves, flowing into Chen Wu's body as if it were alive, fusing with the Four Symbols Qi Energy into a stronger "Origin Fusion Energy." This energy was 50% stronger than before. The hard energy was like an ancient giant tree taking root, the soft energy was like deep ocean currents surging, the Yang energy was like the blazing sun shining, and the Yin energy was like the clear moon. The four became one, launching a final assault on the barrier of the Middle Stage of Brute Force.

Chen Wu took a deep breath and concentrated all his attention on the Qi Energy Core—he no longer deliberately controlled his Internal Energy but let the "Flowing Cloud and Streaming Water Energy" naturally strike the barrier along the path of the Origin Fusion Energy. With the first wave of impact, the patterns on the barrier deepened; with the second wave, the patterns glowed with light; with the third wave, when the Origin Fusion Energy and the Four Symbols Qi Energy were completely synchronized, a slight "crack" sounded within his body. The pale gold Realm barrier shattered, and a surge of Internal Energy, far stronger than before, gushed out from the crack, flowing through the Qi Energy pathways. The Qi Energy Core at his Dantian expanded from the size of a fist to the size of a volleyball, and its color changed from pale gold to deep gold. The Four Symbols Qi Energy formed a stable rotating Taiji diagram within the core, automatically flowing without needing guidance from the Qi Energy Hub.

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"Breakthrough! Late Stage Brute Force!" Lin Mo's tablet instantly displayed a "Realm Breakthrough Notification," and the Internal Energy data on the screen refreshed frantically: Internal Energy purity increased from 92% to 98%, Internal Energy flow rate increased from 3.5 cycles per second to 5 cycles, the range of Qi Energy coverage expanded from 3 meters to 5 meters, and the power of the Fusion Energy Technique increased by 60%. In particular, the combat adaptability of the "Flowing Clouds and Moving Water Energy" reached 100%, allowing for the instantaneous switching between the four forms of hard, soft, Yin, and Yang energy to handle different combat scenarios.

Grandmaster Yang Mingyuan excitedly grabbed Chen Wu's hand: "Congratulations! Not only have you broken through to the Late Stage Brute Force, but you have also reached the Realm of 'Flowing at Will' with your Fusion Energy Technique. This is extremely rare in the history of traditional martial arts!" He pointed to the Qi Energy pellet at Chen Wu's Dantian, "Now your Four Symbols Qi Energy has completely 'accepted its master,' and your Internal Energy flows like flowing clouds and moving water, without the slightest stagnation. After entering the Secret Realm, whether dealing with Qi Energy traps or sparring with powerful enemies, you will be able to hold an absolute advantage!"

The global live broadcast captured the moment of Chen Wu's Breakthrough—his body was suffused with light interwoven with deep gold and pale green, the surface of the Origin Pool stirred up waves of Qi Energy half a meter high, and the eight-colored petals of the inheritance grass bloomed fully in his direction. Dewdrops rolled on the leaves, reflecting the smooth trajectory of the Qi Energy within his body, like a rushing, ceaseless river.

The chat screen was instantly flooded with comments like "Congratulations, Teacher Chen!", "Late Stage Brute Force is so cool!", and "Internal Energy flowing like clouds and water, the Secret Realm is guaranteed!". Data from the Technical Department showed that the global viewership for this Breakthrough live stream exceeded 95 billion, setting a new record for traditional martial arts Realm Breakthrough broadcasts.

Combat Verification: The Crushing Power of Late Stage Brute Force

To test his strength after the Breakthrough, Grandmaster Yang Mingyuan proposed an "Ultimate Combat Verification"—Lu Feng, Zhang Hao, Yang Zhenting, Li Meng, and Yang Ruoxi, five experts at the Middle Stage Brute Force, would join forces to besiege Chen Wu using a "Secret Realm Simulated Qi Energy Array." This would simulate the dual crisis of "Qi Energy Vortex + Strong Enemy Siege" that might be encountered in the Secret Realm, testing whether the Late Stage Brute Force Fusion Energy Technique could handle it.

The simulated Qi Energy array was quickly set up—the five experts stood in positions corresponding to the Five Elements, and their respective energy techniques merged with the Qi Energy of the Origin Pool to form a Qi Energy vortex with a diameter of 10 meters. The rotation speed of the vortex reached 5 cycles per second, and the Qi Energy pressure was 30% stronger than the full-force strike of an ordinary Middle Stage Brute Force expert. The center of the vortex glowed dark red, simulating the "Spirit-Devouring Energy" of the Secret Realm.

"Mr. Chen, we are attacking!" Lu Feng's Xingyi Energy was the first to launch, with light brown Qi Energy striking from the outside of the vortex like a fierce tiger. Zhang Hao's Mystic Water Energy simultaneously froze the edge of the vortex, attempting to restrict Chen Wu's movement, while Yang Zhenting's Taiji Power, Li Meng's Baji Energy, and Yang Ruoxi's light, agile energy launched an assault from the inside of the vortex, forming an "internal and external pincer attack."

Chen Wu took a deep breath, and his Late Stage Brute Force Fusion Energy Technique flowed within him like flowing clouds and moving water—he did not choose to resist head-on, but instead gathered his Four Symbols Qi Energy around his body to form a Qi Energy shield interwoven with pale gold and pale green. The shape of the shield adjusted automatically with the rotation of the vortex, like a layer of flowing water film. Lu Feng's Xingyi Energy struck the shield and was guided by the soft energy to change direction, instead hitting Zhang Hao's Mystic Water Energy; the two energy techniques cancelled each other out, creating a sky full of ice mist. Zhang Hao's Mystic Water Energy froze the shield, but was instantly melted by the Yang energy, even causing the ice layer at the edge of the vortex to turn into water vapor. The internal attacks from Yang Zhenting and the others were even simpler—Chen Wu's Qi Energy shield suddenly contracted inward, and the Four Symbols Qi Energy rebounded like a tide, directing all five of their energy techniques toward the Spirit-Devouring Energy at the center of the vortex. The dark red Spirit-Devouring Energy was struck by the five energy techniques and dissipated instantly, causing the Qi Energy vortex to collapse as well.

This siege lasted only 3 minutes. Not only did the five experts fail to injure Chen Wu, but because their energy techniques were redirected, they consumed 50% of their Internal Energy and had to stop to adjust. "Too amazing!" Lu Feng wiped the sweat from his forehead, his tone filled with admiration, "Mr. Chen's Fusion Energy Technique is not only fluid, but can also borrow force to strike back. Our energy techniques are completely useless in front of him!" Zhang Hao also nodded in agreement: "The Internal Energy of the Late Stage Brute Force is too formidable. My Mystic Water Energy was melted as soon as it froze; I simply couldn't keep up with his flow speed!"

The slow-motion footage of the global live broadcast showed that during the battle, there was not the slightest stagnation in Chen Wu's Internal Energy flow. From shield defense to energy guidance, and then to rebounding counterattacks, the switching of the Four Symbols Qi Energy was like flowing clouds and moving water. The role of the Qi Energy Hub was completely replaced, reaching the Realm of "Energy Technique at Will." Lin Mo's tablet showed that Chen Wu's Internal Energy consumption during the battle was only 10%, far lower than the expected 30%. The Qi Energy stability rate remained at 100% throughout, and the combat adaptability of the Fusion Energy Technique increased again, reaching 105% (exceeding the basic adaptation standard).

Final Preparations Before the Secret Realm: Maximum Strength and Confidence

After the combat verification ended, Chen Wu's team conducted the "Final Preparations for Secret Realm Exploration." Su Qing confirmed that the "Secret Realm Exclusive Channel" for the global live broadcast had completed debugging. This channel would be divided into three sub-channels: "Main Perspective (Chen Wu's First-Person Perspective)," "Qi Energy Map Perspective," and "Team Command Perspective," which viewers could switch between freely. At the same time, the "Global Audience Qi Energy Support" function was launched—viewers could send "Qi Energy Blessings" through the live streaming platform, and these blessings would be converted into weak Origin Qi Energy, transmitted into the Secret Realm through the Technical Department's "Qi Energy Signal Converter" to provide assistance to Chen Wu.

Lu Feng's security team checked all the equipment for the Secret Realm: the Qi Energy first-aid kits had been replenished with "Late Stage Brute Force Special Energy-Breaking Dew," capable of neutralizing stronger Spirit-Devouring Energy; the number of Listening Energy stone fragments had been increased to 10, which could be used to build a "Qi Energy Perception Network" in the Secret Realm; the Yin and Yang Attracting Jade Pendant was bound to the Taiji Origin Bead, forming a "Double Defense" that could automatically trigger a Qi Energy shield when encountering danger; and the Secret Realm Energy Technique Enhancer had also been upgraded to the "Late Stage Brute Force Version," capable of increasing the power of the Fusion Energy Technique by 20% within 30 minutes.

Chen Wu performed one last Internal Energy alignment beside the Origin Pool—he practiced the Late Stage Brute Force Fusion Energy Technique in its entirety. From the Peng, Lu, Ji, and An of the Taiji Thirteen Forms to the Beng, Kao, Zuan, and Pao of the Xingji Fist, every move carried the flow of Internal Energy like flowing clouds and moving water. The trajectory of the Qi Energy formed a huge Four Symbols Taiji diagram in the air, the surface of the Origin Pool rippled with four colors, and even the surrounding inheritance grass bloomed with the most vibrant eight-colored petals. "Ready!" Chen Wu gripped the ancient manual of the "Taiji Thirteen Forms" in his hand, with the Taiji Pushing Hands Inheritance Token and the Yin and Yang Attracting Jade Pendant hanging at his waist. The Qi Energy pellet at his Dantian rotated steadily, and his Late Stage Brute Force Internal Energy surged through his body like a river as he walked confidently toward the entrance of the Taiji Secret Realm.

Grandmaster Yang Mingyuan and representatives of various global schools saw him off at the entrance. Grandmaster Yang Mingyuan handed the "Secret Realm Emergency Communication Jade" to Chen Wu: "This jade can keep communication smooth within the Secret Realm. If you encounter any unsolvable danger, contact us at any time." His gaze was full of anticipation, "You are not only the successor of the Xingji Fist, but also the hope of traditional martial arts Fusion. Traditional martial artists around the world are waiting for your good news!"

The final image of the global live broadcast lingered on the moment Chen Wu's team stepped into the entrance of the Taiji Secret Realm—Chen Wu walked in the forefront, with the Qi Energy of the Late Stage Brute Force forming a faint light shield around his body. Lu Feng and the security team followed closely behind. Lin Mo's tablet displayed the Qi Energy data inside the Secret Realm in real-time, and the Flower Girl's inheritance grass in its pot was turned toward the entrance, its eight-colored petals glowing faintly. The chat screen was finally flooded with lines of neat text: "Internal Energy flowing like clouds and water, Late Stage Brute Force overcomes ten thousand difficulties; exploring the Secret Realm to find supreme treasures, the light of traditional martial arts illuminates the world!"

This message was lit up by 98 billion viewers simultaneously, like a four-colored river of light, illuminating the entrance to the Taiji Secret Realm. Chen Wu knew that breaking through to the Late Stage Brute Force and mastering the Fusion Energy Technique that flowed like clouds and moving water not only provided the strongest strength support for the Secret Realm exploration but also brought him one step closer to the goal of "traditional martial arts Fusion"—the Taiji Xingji fusion jade within the Taiji Secret Realm would be the next milestone on his martial path, as well as a key step for traditional martial arts culture toward a new Peak. A more exciting Secret Realm adventure was about to unfold at his feet.