Seeking Martial Dao in All Reborn Lives

Chapter 179: Chapter 175: Qimen

The night was clear, with a bright moon hanging high amidst a canopy of countless stars.

At the Jinmen Martial Arts Association Headquarters, an old-fashioned black sedan pulled to a stop. A staff member, who had clearly been waiting, immediately stepped forward to open the door. Zhao Xuanqi, Xu Ji, and Peng Weishan emerged from the car.

A staff member then guided the three of them into the Martial Arts Association Headquarters.

From the seemingly deserted streets and alleys, countless eyes watched Zhao Xuanqi’s every move. Only when he had fully entered the Martial Arts Association Headquarters did the feeling of being watched finally vanish.

Led by the staff member, the trio passed through the main office area and arrived at a private courtyard at the rear of the headquarters.

Upon entering the private courtyard, Zhao Xuanqi keenly sensed that there was something profound about its layout.

Pavilions, rockeries, greenery, stone slabs, ponds, bronze mirrors...

Nothing in the scenery was placed at random; everything vaguely conformed to some hidden principle. Moonlight and starlight spilled into the courtyard, yet instead of scattering, they converged, illuminating the grounds so clearly that no other light was needed to see every blade of grass and every tree.

As one walked into the courtyard, a distinct sense of comfort washed over them. The moonlight and starlight on their skin made their spirit feel as if it were soaking in a hot spring—placid and gentle.

Cultivating in a place like this would make it far easier for the mind to enter the Meditation Realm and attune with nature, leaving one’s spiritual state much fuller.

It was just like the Grotto-Heavens and Blessed Lands of legend.

It concealed the wind and gathered qi, absorbing the spiritual energy of heaven and earth.

Zhao Xuanqi’s eyes narrowed. ’A master of Qimen, just as I thought.’

’In my previous life on Blue Star, I encountered similar Qimen masters. But in the modern era, the true Profound Techniques of Qimen were long lost. To see it applied to this degree... this is a first for me.’

’The Profound Technique of Qimen Feng Shui lies in manipulating the magnetic fields of heaven and earth, harmonizing them with the human body to produce all sorts of incredible effects.’

’The mysteries of the universe are profound, and the principles of Feng Shui are difficult to grasp.’

’That’s why the Secret Transmissions of Qimen are so incredibly difficult to cultivate; they demand exceptional innate talent.’

Led by the Three Elders’ subordinate, the trio continued forward until they reached the gate of a residence.

The gate was closed but not locked.

"Esteemed Elders, please stop here. The Three Elders wish for Mr. Zhao to enter the courtyard alone."

The middle-aged subordinate said with a smile to Xu Ji and Peng Weishan.

The two exchanged a look. ’So it begins.’ They understood at once, nodded slightly, and stopped in their tracks without proceeding further.

Zhao Xuanqi walked to the gate alone. His eyes narrowed as he channeled his Hundred Beasts’ Intent, but he sensed no danger.

He abruptly applied a Force Release and pushed the gate open.

VMMM!!

A brilliant light seemed to flood out from within the gate.

The silver luminescence within this courtyard was several times brighter than outside. It was as if this were the eye of an array, gathering all the "Feng Shui Qi" from the entire garden into this single space.

A figure stood in the courtyard, hands clasped behind his back.

He was tall and handsome, with an elegance like polished jade. His skin was fair, and he wore a white robe. Bathed in the silver glow, his body seemed to radiate its own light, making him look not like a mortal, but like one of the Immortal Gods descended from the heavens.

What concerned Zhao Xuanqi most was that his intuition could barely sense the man’s presence. His life force seemed to have merged with the courtyard and the starlight, transcending a human form to become a master of the natural environment itself.

He had encountered a similar Secret Transmission before: the Giant Spirit Sect’s Mountain and River Giant Spirit Palm. In the Giant Spirit State, one’s aura became one with the earth, allowing them to channel terrestrial magnetic fields to unleash terrifying attacks.

But the man before him now, in terms of his ability to merge with the environment, seemed to have surpassed even the Giant Spirit State.

"I am Lu Yuanxiang. By my master’s command, I have been waiting for you, Mr. Zhao. I hope you will be able to receive three of my moves."

The handsome, god-like man said to Zhao Xuanqi with a smile.

’One of the Seven General Stars, Lu Yuanxiang of the Daluo Qimen!’

Hearing the name, Zhao Xuanqi’s expression shifted, revealing a flicker of interest.

The fame of the Seven General Stars resounded like thunder throughout Jinmen.

The so-called Seven General Stars were the seven strongest individuals in the Martial Arts Association’s top-tier tournaments. They could also be considered the strongest experts in the Jinmen Martial Arts Association beneath the Three Elders. Each of them had the potential to reach the powerful realm of Unity of Understanding!

"Make your move. I’d like to see for myself what the Seven General Stars are capable of."

Zhao Xuanqi walked into the courtyard and stood facing him, his expression calm as he spoke.

Meanwhile, in the pavilion behind Lu Yuanxiang, three figures watched the scene in the courtyard quietly through a window.

"Our Qimen discipline places the utmost importance on favorable conditions and the management of qi. With advance preparation and the aid of a Blessed Land, one’s abilities can multiply. Is having Yuanxiang rely on this Heaven-Locking Array a bit too unfair to Zhao Xuanqi?"

The Human Elder, clad in a purple robe, spoke softly.

"How else can we ascertain his true strength? If he cannot even pass this test, then he will be of no decisive help to us in the upcoming World Martial Arts Tournament."

The Heavenly Elder said, his expression calm.

"Mr. Zhao, be careful. My first move is called the Trapped Dragon Lock."

Just then, Lu Yuanxiang made his move.

BANG!!

His body suddenly swelled as he entered the Qi Surge State. But unlike others in this state, though his frame became incredibly robust, it lacked any sense of monstrous terror. Instead, it radiated a powerful harmony, like one of the giant Gods and Buddhas in a temple—filled with an aesthetic of power that inspired awe and worship.

RUMBLE...

His five viscera churned, and his Qi and Blood surged!

The right time, the right place, and the right people. In Feng Shui, objects are merely an aid; the person is the foundation!

A mountain needn’t be high; an immortal makes it famous. Water needn’t be deep; a dragon makes it sacred.

Even barren mountains and treacherous rivers can be transformed into lush landscapes, so long as a person strives ceaselessly.

Therefore, man is the master of Feng Shui!

BOOM!!

Supported by immense Physical Ability, Lu Yuanxiang’s Spirit soared. In that moment, his Spirit merged with the Feng Shui of the entire courtyard, allowing him to dominate the environment.

The Power of Feng Shui was his to command.

Heaven and man in harmony, the foundation of all things is set!

In an instant, the courtyard transformed before Zhao Xuanqi’s eyes. The silver light gathered within trembled violently and distorted. The once-comfortable space was now filled with a terrifying sense of peril.

FWOOSH! FWOOSH! FWOOSH!

As the silver light distorted, spurred by Lu Yuanxiang’s aura, countless chains seemed to burst forth from the radiance, wrapping themselves layer by layer around Zhao Xuanqi.

In that moment, he felt an immense pressure.

His Hundred Beasts’ Instinct was suppressed. His will felt like a caged beast, bound within his body and unable to extend outwards. His entire spirit was in a state of bizarre paralysis; he was conscious, yet he could not move.

’Sleep paralysis!’

’This feeling... it’s just like sleep paralysis!’

’The body is active, but the spirit is trapped!’

’The Heaven-Locking Array and the Trapped Dragon Lock!’

’With the aid of the array, the power of Lu Yuanxiang, one of the Seven General Stars, has been elevated to a terrifying level.’

’To think he could suppress me to this degree with his spiritual aura alone.’

’No wonder. The Three Elders haven’t reached the realm of Unity of Understanding, but with advance preparations like this, the three of them together can actually contend with the Military Commander!’

The look of interest in Zhao Xuanqi’s eyes grew even more intense.

’Trapped Dragon Lock?’

’What an arrogant name. You think a mere array can bind my spirit?!’

A savage grin spread across his face.

ROAR!!!

Suddenly, a terrifying beastly roar erupted from the depths of his will.

In that instant, all the myriad silver specks of starlight throughout the courtyard seemed to tremble with the roar!!