Chapter 13: Chapter 12: Raging Waves and Flowing Clouds, Autumn Water Shocking Swan
Chen Yuan first opened the *Surging Waves and Flowing Clouds Technique*.
As a Profound Level Upper Grade Inner Power Heart Method, the core of the *Surging Waves and Flowing Clouds Technique* was to stimulate all the acupoints in the body, causing each one to generate a portion of Inner Strength.
When the Inner Strength circulated, the droplets of Inner Strength from the acupoints would flow into the Meridians, forming trickling streams. These streams of Inner Strength would then flow from the Meridians and converge in the Dantian.
The Inner Strength within a single acupoint wasn’t much, and the Inner Strength flowing into the Meridians wasn’t particularly powerful either.
But when all the Inner Strength from the Meridians gathered in the Dantian, it became like surging waves and flowing clouds—vast, majestic, and astonishingly potent.
Overall, this Inner Power Heart Method followed an orthodox path: from acupoints to Meridians, then to the Dantian. The Inner Strength accumulated bit by bit, and upon mastery, the resulting explosive power was extremely startling.
Furthermore, an Inner Power technique like this, cultivated from the ground up, had a balanced and moderate Attribute, making it most suitable for Martial Dao Foundation Establishment.
As for its drawbacks, it did have them, namely a certain requirement for talent.
According to the *Surging Waves and Flowing Clouds Technique*, the human body has 365 acupoints, corresponding to the number of days in a celestial cycle.
One must open all the acupoints, allowing all 365 to store Inner Strength, just to be considered to have mastered the basics.
A person of ordinary talent couldn’t even perceive the acupoints. It might take them several months, or even a year or two, to open a single one. Such a person could die of old age without ever mastering the basics.
However, this was nothing for Chen Yuan.
He was exceptionally talented. By just closing his eyes and sensing, he could detect the acupoints within the flow of his Inner Strength. With a mere thought, he could force an acupoint open.
It was just that the Inner Strength cultivated from the Cyan Wood Heart Method was thin. After opening a dozen or so acupoints, Chen Yuan had to sit and meditate to recover his Inner Strength before he could continue.
It could be said that as long as Chen Yuan had enough Inner Strength, he could open all 365 acupoints in a single day and master the initial stage.
Putting down the *Surging Waves and Flowing Clouds Technique*, Chen Yuan then flipped through the *Autumn Water Shocking Swan Saber Technique*.
This Saber Technique was ranked at Earth Level Lower Grade. The technique manual was very thin. Its core Saber Intent was a single concept: speed!
A speed like a shocking swan—ferociously fast.
One slash, and the blade passes without leaving a ripple on autumn waters. This was the true meaning of the Autumn Water Shocking Saber.
However, to achieve such speed, understanding the Saber Intent was important, but one’s own strength was even more crucial.
Without a foundation of power, you couldn’t be fast even if you wanted to be. Therefore, this Saber Technique and the explosively powerful *Surging Waves and Flowing Clouds Technique* were mutually complementary.
The power from a Cultivation Technique was the foundation. Chen Yuan first cultivated the *Surging Waves and Flowing Clouds Technique*. When his Inner Strength was depleted, he would Visualize the Saber Intent of the *Autumn Water Shocking Swan Saber Technique* while recovering his Inner Strength, determined not to waste a single moment.
Time waits for no one. ’When Jiang Kaitai begins the blood sacrifice for the Seven Kills Stele, I must have the power to be a player, not just a spectator.’
In five days, Chen Yuan had completely opened all 365 acupoints. His Inner Strength gathered drop by drop, and he had fully mastered the initial stage of the Surging Waves and Flowing Clouds Technique.
The moment he opened the final acupoint, Chen Yuan gathered his Inner Strength. The droplets of Inner Strength collected in the acupoints began to surge and converge along his Meridians.
This Inner Strength in his Meridians began to sweep up his own Qi Blood, causing it to churn violently. Chen Yuan’s body temperature rose slightly, his face flushed red, and a faint white True Qi appeared above his head.
A moment later, his Inner Strength was completely depleted. The surging Qi Blood calmed down, and the color returned to normal in Chen Yuan’s face.
Letting out a long breath, a look of delight appeared in Chen Yuan’s eyes.
At the same time he mastered the basics of the *Surging Waves and Flowing Clouds Technique*, his Inner Strength rose to a new level, and he finally stepped into the Blood Movement Realm.
The Nine Realms of Martial Dao. The first three realms were all about the ultimate tempering of the physical body.
Body Tempering was for the muscles and sinews, Meridian Passage was for the Meridians, and Blood Movement was for the Qi Blood.
Using potent Inner Strength to surge through the body’s Qi Blood and completely move out the impurities within—this was the Blood Movement Realm.
The further one cultivated in this realm, the more vigorous their Qi Blood became. When one’s Blood Qi was as thick as mercury, pure and flawless, they would have reached the Great Success stage of the Blood Movement Realm.
After recovering some Inner Strength, Chen Yuan took a bath. The bathwater was now slightly black.
After Blood Movement, the heat from the Qi Blood rose, expelling impurities from the body. This was a normal phenomenon.
Just then, a knock suddenly came from the door, and Zhang Xiaoyi’s voice followed.
"Young Master, are you out of seclusion? The Gang Leader is calling everyone for a meeting."
"I know. I’m on my way."
Chen Yuan already had an idea; he roughly guessed why Jiang Kaitai had called everyone for a meeting.
’Zhu Zhiping’s disappearance must have been discovered.’
As the Hall Master of the Punishment Hall, Zhu Zhiping used to spend most of his time handling internal gang affairs, so a one-day disappearance would have been easily noticed.
But later, because the Black Water Gang was pressing them hard, Zhu Zhiping’s Punishment Hall was also sent out to fight fierce battles against them.
From then on, Zhu Zhiping was often absent from the gang, either visiting other halls or gathering intelligence on the Black Water Gang elsewhere.
But no matter where he was, for no news to arrive for five days was far too strange.
Chen Yuan changed his clothes and stepped into the Council Hall.
The eldest, Qin Yuancheng, was there, along with the many Hall Masters of the Celestial Wolf Gang.
Jiang Kaitai was rubbing his head, a worried look on his face.
Of course, he wasn’t worried about whether Zhu Zhiping was alive or dead. He never thought much of this convenient adopted son.
Rather, at this critical moment in the blood sacrifice for the Divine Artifact, Jiang Kaitai really didn’t want to be distracted by these messy affairs.
But Zhu Zhiping was the Hall Master of the Punishment Hall and his adopted son. He couldn’t just ignore his disappearance now, or the other Hall Masters in the gang would find it strange.
"Zhu Zhiping has been missing for five days. Eldest, Third, did either of you see Second five days ago? Did he seem unusual in any way?"
Jiang Kaitai looked at Qin Yuancheng and Chen Yuan.
Qin Yuancheng shook his head. "Adoptive Father, you know that Second Brother and I have never gotten along. He wouldn’t tell me anything."
Chen Yuan also said, "Adoptive Father, you know my personality. I’ve never really interacted with Second Brother. I’ve been cultivating these past few days and don’t think I saw him."
"Where is Second Brother’s confidant? When you last saw your Hall Master, what was he going to do?"
Zhu Zhiping’s confidant subconsciously glanced at Chen Yuan, hesitated, then shook his head. "I don’t know either. The Hall Master only ever orders us to do things; we would never dare to ask what he is going to do."
He was the one who had reported to Zhu Zhiping that Chen Yuan had left the Celestial Wolf Gang, but he didn’t dare say such a thing in public now.
’Chen Yuan is the Gang Leader’s adopted son and a Hall Master of the Celestial Wolf Gang. What does it mean for people from the Punishment Hall to be monitoring and tailing one of their own?’
’If Zhu Zhiping is fine, saying this would only smear the Hall Master’s name, and the Hall Master would definitely not let him off upon his return.’
’If Zhu Zhiping really is in trouble, these words would also offend Chen Yuan. Without a backer, I’d be doomed either way.’
’Besides, back then, Zhu Zhiping just nodded and said he understood after hearing my report. He never said what he was going to do next.’
So, after thinking it over, Zhu Zhiping’s confidant decided it was best not to say anything.
"Useless! What good are you?"
Jiang Kaitai snorted coldly and said in a deep voice, "Second Brother is missing. For now, the Punishment Hall will be jointly managed by Eldest and Third. The rest of you Hall Masters, keep an eye out for any trace of Second Brother."
A look of delight appeared on Qin Yuancheng’s face.
’Even if Second Brother isn’t dead this time, I’m going to take advantage of his absence and gut his Punishment Hall!’
Chen Yuan, however, stood up and said, "Adoptive Father, I’ve never handled such affairs within the gang. Rushing in would only cause trouble. It’s better to leave it to Eldest Brother."
Qin Yuancheng had just been wondering how he was going to sideline Chen Yuan.
He hadn’t expected Chen Yuan to once again refuse the real power Jiang Kaitai was offering.
This time, his gaze toward Chen Yuan softened a little.
’Third Brother really seems a bit of a fool. Did he cultivate his brain into mush?’
’But this is good too. When I take control of the Celestial Wolf Gang, I won’t have to eliminate Third Brother. He’ll make a decent enforcer.’
Seeing Chen Yuan refuse real power once again, Jiang Kaitai’s wariness toward him lessened a bit more.
’Compared to the other two, Third Brother’s mind is much simpler.’
’But if I give the Punishment Hall to Eldest as well, he might have a bit too much power.’
’But then again,’ Jiang Kaitai thought, ’once I merge with the Divine Artifact, what does a mere Celestial Wolf Gang even matter? Will I still need to be wary of Eldest?’
’By then, he won’t even be worthy of being my adopted son. Those high-and-mighty fellows from the Murong Family might even beg to become my adopted sons!’
Having thought this through, Jiang Kaitai nodded lightly. "Very well, then. The entire Punishment Hall is yours to manage, Eldest."
A look of ecstasy appeared on Qin Yuancheng’s face. He quickly cupped his fists in a salute. "Many thanks, Adoptive Father!"
The crowd dispersed. Just as Chen Yuan was about to head back and seize the time to cultivate, Qin Yuancheng suddenly called out to him and pulled him into a deserted corner.
"Third Brother, you did well this time. I’m very pleased."
Chen Yuan looked at Qin Yuancheng with a bewildered expression. ’What did I do? Pleased with what?’
Qin Yuancheng clapped Chen Yuan on the shoulder and said, "You let me have the Punishment Hall this time. As your Eldest Brother, I’ll remember this favor.
"Rest assured, I’m not a treacherous fellow like Second Brother, nor will I be wary of you like Adoptive Father is.
"When I take control of the Celestial Wolf Gang in the future, forget one Punishment Hall—I’d be willing to give you ten halls! The two of us brothers will rule this Celestial Wolf Gang together!"
Qin Yuancheng’s face was full of magnanimous passion. He believed he had painted a picture of a future so grand that Chen Yuan couldn’t possibly refuse.
Chen Yuan looked at Qin Yuancheng with a half-smile. "Eldest Brother is truly generous. I suppose I really should thank you."
"We’re brothers. Saying thanks just creates distance between us."
Believing he had won Chen Yuan over, Qin Yuancheng clapped him on the shoulder again and left, full of self-satisfaction.
Watching Qin Yuancheng’s departing back, Chen Yuan softly spat out a single word: "Idiot."
Compared to Zhu Zhiping, Qin Yuancheng’s brain really wasn’t up to snuff.
Zhu Zhiping, at least, knew how to use the gang’s resources to invest in merchant caravans, amass wealth outside the Celestial Wolf Gang, win hearts and minds within the gang, and collect other Cultivation Techniques to increase his strength.
But all Qin Yuancheng knew was how to fight over his little scrap of land within the Celestial Wolf Gang.
Even without Chen Yuan’s transmigration, and without Jiang Kaitai’s plan to use a blood sacrifice for the Divine Artifact, the Celestial Wolf Gang would have never ended up in his hands.
Still, it was better that he was a bit stupid.
Zhu Zhiping was just too curious, and now he had paid for it with his life.
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