Chapter 191: Chapter 120: Before the Rain
His master was unexpectedly open-minded. Qin Fang hurriedly said, "Don’t worry, Master. I won’t go looking for trouble with those people... It’s just..."
At this, Qin Fang lowered his voice and asked, "Do we really have to wait for Senior Sister’s reply?"
He felt the situation was already critical. A massive conspiracy loomed over True Martial... especially after seeing the people gathered outside the city!
If possible, he hoped to set out as soon as he could.
His master understood what he meant and asked in a solemn voice, "How can you be so sure... that the Prefecture City is safe?"
That one question made Qin Fang freeze, his expression turning to one of horror.
"True Martial has been plagued by Demons for so long, and something unprecedented like the Treasure Fish has appeared. The Prefecture City isn’t close, but it’s not that far either. Why haven’t any factions from the Prefecture City shown up yet?"
His master’s brow furrowed. "The more critical the time, the less we can afford to be reckless," he said gravely. "The situation in True Martial is bizarre, but it hasn’t reached the point where we’re forced to act... First, ask your Senior Sister and confirm the situation over in the Prefecture City. Otherwise... what if things there are even worse than they are here... What would we do then?"
"That... that can’t be, right?"
His Senior Brother was also stunned by their master’s words and murmured subconsciously.
’It couldn’t be,’ he thought.
’A Prefecture City that large, filled with masters as numerous as clouds in the sky... how could anything have happened there?’
’But then he recalled everything that had happened recently...’
...and he fell silent.
’...That’s right. Who’s to say the disaster...’
’...was only happening in True Martial?’
Seeing the solemn expressions on his two disciples’ faces, the master let out a breath. "Alright, things aren’t that dire yet. Don’t overthink it. Perhaps I’m the one reading too much into it. In any case, just wait for your Senior Sister’s reply and we’ll see... Let’s eat first."
Hearing this, Qin Fang and his Senior Brother could only set aside their worries for the moment and nod.
While they were eating, a glint flashed in Qin Fang’s eyes. He had poured a few drops of a mysterious liquid into the water vat in the woodshed—the one they normally drank from...
He ultimately decided not to mention the matter of the Old Ox Back.
He didn’t let his Master’s wife know... After all, she was an ordinary woman. Telling her would only make her worry needlessly. As long as his Master was aware, everything would be fine.
That’s why they didn’t discuss it over dinner.
Changing the subject, his master naturally asked about his cultivation.
His master asked Qin Fang, "Your Senior Brother should have taught you the Spiritual Snake Listening Wave Pile by now. Is there anything you don’t understand?"
Before Qin Fang could speak, his Senior Brother’s eyes lit up. He chuckled and said, "Master, take a look at me and Junior Brother. What stage would you say our Cultivation is at now?"
His master was taken aback and instinctively looked them over. After a moment of careful observation, a look of astonishment slowly spread across his face.
"You’re both... at the Anjin stage?"
His Senior Brother burst out laughing. "HAHAHA, that’s right! What do you think? We haven’t brought shame to you, have we?"
A sharp glint appeared in his master’s eyes. "Both of you, assume the Pile stance for me."
Qin Fang and Zhou Xing exchanged a glance, set down their bowls and chopsticks, and immediately took up the Pile stance in the courtyard.
The moment they began, the difference was clear. Though both were performing the Spiritual Snake Listening Wave Pile, Zhou Xing had only just entered the Anjin stage. While he had grasped its Divine Will, he was still subconsciously imitating its ’form,’ keeping his posture standard.
Qin Fang, however, was a step ahead. He casually dropped his shoulders and stepped out, his waist moving like a snake, naturally extending and contracting. He wasn’t deliberately trying to conform to the shape of the Spiritual Snake Listening Wave Pile; instead, he focused more on its Divine Will.
His body vibrated, yet there was no great rumbling of Qi Blood. On closer inspection, however, one could feel the Anjin surging within him. If he were to unleash it, he could instantly erupt with immense power.
His master’s eyes widened in shock... especially when he looked at Qin Fang. His gaze grew even more intense...
’He... he really entered the Anjin stage?’
’And what’s more, he’s clearly past the stage of focusing on form. He’s grasped the Divine Will. In movement and stillness, sitting or standing, he seems to have already fully mastered the essence of the Spiritual Snake Listening Wave Pile!’
’...He’s even stronger than Zhou Xing.’
’Is he already approaching the Mid-Anjin Stage?’
Even Elder Wu couldn’t help but gasp, staring blankly at Qin Fang...
’...What kind of monster did I take on as a disciple?’
’If this were the Mingjin stage, one could still use Qi Blood Pills to build up their Physique and force their way to understanding Whole Strength.’
’But Anjin... that requires true comprehension!’
’...That’s right. Wasn’t it precisely this aptitude for comprehension that made me value this disciple of mine in the first place?’
’He managed to achieve something just by studying Hidden Weapon Techniques on his own!’
When they finished the set, Zhou Xing chuckled. "Master, please give us your critique!"
Elder Wu exhaled slowly, collecting himself. He looked at Qin Fang and nodded slightly. "Not bad. You’ve already grasped the most crucial aspect of Anjin... to value the Divine Will over the physical form... It seems you’re very close to the ’Hidden Thunder in Silk’ level of the Mid-Anjin Stage."
Qin Fang listened respectfully.
His master thought for a moment before continuing. "’Hidden Thunder in Silk’ hinges on one critical point: the ’burst.’ The explosive burst in that single instant transitioning from absolute stillness to extreme motion..."
He began to point out the key aspects of ’Hidden Thunder in Silk’ to Qin Fang.
Qin Fang listened intently, asking questions whenever he was unsure about something, and Elder Wu patiently provided guidance...
Zhou Xing, on the other hand, was left to the side.
However, Zhou Xing wasn’t concerned. He listened just as intently to his master’s explanations.
"...Once you can perfectly connect and fuse motion and stillness, you can enter the third stage: Endless Circulation. Your body’s Force will be an interweaving of Mingjin and Anjin, and you’ll be able to switch between them at will... Once you’ve perfectly mastered this, you’ll have the chance to break through the Anjin stage and enter Huajin..."
Qin Fang listened intently.
’...Even though he had the Epiphany Divine Techniques, until the moment of Epiphany actually struck, he had no idea how to practice the next step.’
