Being around good people makes one better, while being near bad people causes one’s own deterioration; there’s no harm in associating with those with Destiny.
At the same time, Su Mu also noticed that the Destiny surrounding Hai An bore some resemblance to the little beggar selling couplets encountered at Shuangbai Academy in his memories.
There were differences in Destiny, but the subtle distinctions were unclear to Su Mu.
"When shall we set off?"
"Let’s wait a while longer."
"Oh."
Li Lu felt slightly disappointed, guessing that both Hai An and Su Mu were also heading to Donglai County. Having them during the journey would have been relieving.
Nevertheless, Li Lu only thought as much. To her, Su Mu, apart from being a bit taciturn, was reassuring in every aspect. She stood up and stretched her muscles and bones in the clearing outside the desolate temple.
Li Lu, being strong-willed, persistently endured the exhausting journey. One day, she hesitated but finally asked Su Mu for guidance in Martial Arts.
Su Mu taught her the Nine Deer Forms and Thirteen Crane Forms from the Five Animals Qigong. Li Lu’s talent in the Martial Dao was average, incomparable to the Little Doctor and even less than Yan Xiaolan in the past.
However, with Su Mu’s one-on-one guidance and personally prepared medicinal decoctions, Li Lu managed to reach the entry-level, exhibiting the Deer and Crane Plays smoothly, which she could keenly feel.
She felt her body’s improvement over before, and Li Lu kept this gratitude in her heart silently.
Upon completing the sequence of the Nine Deer Forms and Thirteen Crane Forms, Li Lu felt her body warm up, and after three reps, sweat beads formed all over, making her body feel much lighter.
By mid-morning, the sun had risen high.
"Mooo—Mooo—Mooo—!"
"Rooo—Rooo—Rooo—!"
A deep sound akin to an Ancient Bell rang out from within the house, transforming into the resonant roar of a dragon and elephant. The sonic wave rattled the dust off the beams.
Inside, a rock-like figure shuddered suddenly.
"Hmph, mere Fifth-Grade Martial Arts can’t hold Su Mu back, break it!"
Su Mu quietly growled as varied black shadows in his tightly closed eyes merged into one. The turbulent Spiritual Light within his sea of consciousness turned scorching hot, forming an ethereal dragon and elephant, bringing about tangible insights that burst forth like a spring fountain.
"Crack, crack—!"
Simultaneously, Su Mu’s joints echoed like clashing metal and stone, pores erupting with potent winds. The majestic sounds of dragons and elephants were thundering, stirring up sand and stones in the desolate temple.
Three-Turn Dragon Elephant Skill (Entry-level 1%)
Comprehension: 162 (Dragon-and-Phoenix Level)
The "Three-Turn Dragon Elephant Skill," a rare Fifth-Grade Cross-Training Martial Arts suitable for both Buddhist and Martial cultivations, was created by the founding Arhat Realm Buddhist Cultivator of the Vajra Temple. After nearly a month of inference, Su Mu finally corrected and glimpsed into its entry level!
Thus, Su Mu mastered his first Fifth-Grade Martial Arts.
"Boom!"
The sound of dragons and elephants became increasingly violent in the desolate temple, shattering the already faded Buddha statue under the load with a "crack," spreading web-like cracks and violently crumbling down with the second sonic wave, destroying the statue.
"Master, Master is about to break through again?!"
Outside, Li Lu stared wide-eyed, dazed at the figure radiating golden light within the house. Since leaving Qifeng Town, Su Mu had breakthroughs almost daily, but this was the first time it was so dramatic.
"Indeed, Fifth-Grade Martial Arts, upon entry, increase comprehension by four whole points!"
As the Three-Turn Dragon Elephant Skill reached the entry level, newfound fiery and warm currents formed within Su Mu’s limbs and meridians. Instantly, Su Mu divided his attention, activating the Vast Qi at his Dantian to engulf the warm currents.
Over this period, aside from mastering five additional Seventh-Grade Martial Arts from the Wang Family, the Vast Qi within Su Mu had surged from a hundred and three to a hundred and forty-nine paths.
And today, this newly-breaking Vast Qi started its rapid escalation once more.
One hundred and fifty-fifth path.
One hundred and sixty-fifth path.
One hundred and seventy-third path.
The Vast Qi surged aggressively, manifesting one after another Vast Lantern around Su Mu. By the time the nineteenth Lantern appeared, the Vast Qi within Su Mu reached a hundred and ninety-two, nearing the two-hundred threshold.
"Not bad, 43 more Vast Qi paths added this round!"
"Good, the Three-Turn Dragon Elephant Skill post-entry significantly enhanced my physical body, with nearly a thirty percent comprehensive improvement!"
Su Mu entered Introspection, carefully sensing his body’s current transformations, exhaled softly, and opened his eyes as the dragon, elephant sound and nineteen Xuandan lamps faded. A joyful expression appeared on his face.
"With the Martial Dao possessing Fifth-Grade Cross-Training Martial Arts, Sixth-Grade Fist Technique, one Blood Exchange, and Fist Momentum; and Confucian Dao having nineteen Xuandan lamps capable of activating the ’Heart’ character to guard the mind, although not able to fight a Fifth-Grade Cultivator, it’s feasible to withstand!"
Su Mu rose and left the desolate temple.
"Let’s go, head to Commandery City."
Three days later, at dusk, Li Lu excitedly looked up.
On the official road, travelers were densely packed; caravans of horses and wagons rang with jingling copper bells, fluttering escort flags snapped in the wind. Ordinary people in plain clothes moved in threes and twos, carrying bundles.
Occasionally the ground vibrated as a team of elite cavalry in Entry-Level Iron Armor galloped past, their armor reflecting the setting sun’s light, exuding an imposing majesty.
The dust settled, far on the horizon.
A towering city’s outline appeared, its bluish-gray walls coiled like a giant dragon, bearing the weight of time’s erosion. The plaque over the city gate glittered with three grand golden characters of ’Donglai County.’
"Donglai County... finally here!"
------------
And today, this newly-breaking Vast Qi started its rapid escalation once more.
One hundred and fifty-fifth path.
One hundred and sixty-fifth path.
One hundred and seventy-third path.
The Vast Qi surged aggressively, manifesting one after another Vast Lantern around Su Mu. By the time the nineteenth Lantern appeared, the Vast Qi within Su Mu reached a hundred and ninety-two, nearing the two-hundred threshold.
"Not bad, 43 more Vast Qi paths added this round!"
"Post-entry of the Three-Turn Dragon Elephant Skill, my physical body received significant enhancement, comprehensively gaining a boost of over thirty percent!"
Su Mu entered Introspection, carefully sensing his body’s current changes, exhaled softly, and opened his eyes as the dragon, elephant’s sound and nineteen Xuandan lamps faded, a smile of delight emerging on his face.
"Martial Dao has Fifth-Grade Cross-Training Martial Arts, Sixth-Grade Fist Technique, one Blood Exchange and Fist Momentum; Confucian Dao has nineteen Xuandan lamps empowering the use of the ’Heart’ character to safeguard the mind. Though not able to contend against a Fifth-Grade Cultivator, it should pose a fair challenge!"
Su Mu stood and left the desolate temple.
"Let’s head out to Commandery City."
Three days later, as dusk approached, Li Lu excitedly cast her gaze afar.
The main road teemed with people; caravans with horses and copper bells clinking unceasingly; escort flags snapping sharply in the wind while common folk in simple garments traveled in small groups, bundles in hand.
Periodically, the ground quaked as a squad of elite cavalrymen in Entry-Level Iron Armor rode swiftly past, their armor catching the dying sunlight, emanating a formidable presence.
The dust settled, as a distant skyline emerged.
An imposing city began to reveal itself, its bluish-gray walls snaking like a behemoth entrenched by time’s whisper. Hoisted above the gate, a sign inscribed with the words ’Donglai County’ gleamed gloriously in grand golden characters.
"Donglai County... finally arrived!"
And today, this newly-breaking Vast Qi started its rapid escalation once more.
One hundred and fifty-fifth path.
One hundred and sixty-fifth path.
One hundred and seventy-third path.
The Vast Qi surged aggressively, manifesting one after another Vast Lantern around Su Mu. By the time the nineteenth Lantern appeared, the Vast Qi within Su Mu reached a hundred and ninety-two, nearing the two-hundred threshold.
"Not bad, 43 more Vast Qi paths added this round!"
"Post-entry of the Three-Turn Dragon Elephant Skill, my physical body received significant enhancement, comprehensively gaining a boost of over thirty percent!"
Su Mu entered Introspection, carefully sensing his body’s current changes, exhaled softly, and opened his eyes as the dragon, elephant’s sound and nineteen Xuandan lamps faded, a smile of delight emerging on his face.