If it involves this part, the intent goes beyond the simplicity of Superior Martial Arts and must at least reach the level of True Skill."

In the past few days, Bai Qi has been cultivating the "Flood Dragon Subduing Yellow Springs Sutra" through Meditation Visualization, slaying the fierce evil flood dragon in his heart every night before sleeping, honing his thoughts to become increasingly bright, as if birthing a radiance of wisdom.

At this moment, contemplating the static skill of intent manipulation proves even more effective, as if all becomes clear and connected.

"Ear, nose, eyes, tongue, body. Let's start with opening ear perception."

Bai Qi settled his intentions; the so-called opening of perception, also known as awakening, involves stimulating the five senses through qi blood, honing various senses.

"Lung qi reaches the nose, liver qi reaches the eyes, kidney qi reaches the ears... Eight senses, seven orifices, six organs, five viscera! Cultivating static skill in intent manipulation equates to preemptively exercising the organs, only approachable at the Third Skin Refining Barrier."

The ink talisman motionlessly vibrated, emitting line after line of clear characters——

[Your understanding of motion and stillness slightly improves your intent manipulation progress]

[You comprehend the marvel of opening perception, greatly increasing your intent manipulation progress]

[You penetrate…]

Bai Qi paid no attention; the ear perception governs hearing, allowing the discernment of all tangible and intangible "sound."

Opening perception is a method to expand the human body's observation of the heavens and earth.

For instance, ear perception does not merely enhance hearing, as described in intent manipulation——"

"However, when the true nature reflects the realm of sound dust, this sound penetrates directly into the true nature, bypassing the sixth consciousness's delusional discrimination, utilizing ear perception to arise following discerning, thus understanding the minds of all beings, termed heart hearing."

In summary, once the ear perception opens, one can skip sound recognition and directly perceive the intent being attended to, not being deceived by appearances, possessing some ability to discern illusion.

Bai Qi immediately mobilized qi blood, refining the ear orifices with vigor, achieving the First Stage of Muscle Training Great Success, attaining the consummate achievement of Golden Flesh and Jade Veins, controlling his body's pores excellently, mastering it with meticulous precision, therefore progressing smoothly.

In the short time of one incense stick, his ears seemed to have cleared like a silted river channel, suddenly widening considerably.

The outside world's influx of miscellaneous information was clearly captured.

Fly wings fluttering, grass and wood growing, dust drifting...

All were transmitted into his ears, reflected in his heart.

This is ear perception, heart hearing!

[Skill: Intent Manipulation (Introductory)]

[Progress: 577/800]

[Effect: Listening to all things, perceiving change]

"Unexpectedly, Dual Cultivation of Dao and Martial Arts has such benefits. The static skill of intent manipulation is almost effortless, without any obstructions or doubts."

Bai Qi was overjoyed, as opening the ear perception was quite easy, with progress resembling rising water, climbing steadily, soon to break through the introductory level.

He took a deep breath, quieted his thoughts, and closed his eyes, as if wisps of thread were emanating from him, connecting to the outside world.

"Selling flatbread…"

The small, lame peddler walked past the thick wall of the backyard, his figure blurred, but the staggered sound of steps fell incredibly clearly.

"How did you know I just caught a five-pound carp…"

Carrying a fish basket, like a ghost unable to find his way home, the fisherman bragged to everyone, and Bai Qi sensed the carp's dryness state; it must have been out of water for some time.

"Listening to music at the theater really is interesting, buy two green tangerines…"

With floating steps, the middle-aged man supporting his waist displayed a body completely drained, exhausted without a drop left.

"What kind of 'sound' should the Master's be?"

Bai Qi's curiosity suddenly arose, his ear perception and heart hearing extending towards the Dezhen Tower.

The result… was complete emptiness.

No breathing or any miscellaneous noises, as if the second floor were empty, devoid of Ninghai Zen.

Air flowed in from open doors and windows, stirred across all directions, yet no human shadow was seen.

"Can't hear, can't hear anything!"

Bai Qi was certain his master was in the Dezhen Tower, but despite opening the ear orifices and honing ear perception, he detected not a trace.

This profound Martial Dao level truly defies imagination.

Roar!

Next, Bai Qi seemed to hear a thunderous roar of a dragon and elephant, like a thunderbolt as massive as a mountain smashing into his ocean of thoughts, nearly destroying his mind, crushing his body.

It was the phantom of an Ancient Divine Elephant suppressing the Netherworld Prison, appearing to support the heavens, and even the sun, moon, and stars before it seemed insignificantly small, with the phantom of an Ancient True Dragon coiling around all four corners, possessing immense power to overturn rivers and seas, filling the vastness!

A clear image surfaced, seemingly very close, Bai Qi suddenly opened his eyes, interrupting the ethereal perception of his ear perception and heart hearing, finding a figure in a green robe standing before him.

"Master…"

When did Ninghai Zen arrive?

"Your martial talent is beyond my expectations. Among the Five Grand Captures, Intent Manipulation is recognized as the hardest to master and the most difficult to learn skill. Because it is not typical hand-to-hand technique, integrating motion and stillness as if embodying yin-yang, requiring extremely exceptional insight to grasp the key to open perception."

Ninghai Zen held a golden scroll in his hand, with a flash of satisfaction in his eyes.

The first disciple he took in was unable to master all the Five Grand Captures, and even past ancestors had failed to comprehend Intent Manipulation.

Ah Qi was unimpeded, opening the ear perception in almost half a day.

Such progress could indeed be described as monstrous!

"Heh, it's all thanks to Master's visionary eyes bringing me into Tongwen Hall. Otherwise, even if I were pure gold, I would be buried in sand, unable to see the light of day."

Bai Qi lowered his head in flattery.

"True, it's half due to me! Ah Qi, you grew up in Black River County, and aside from Old Liang, no one else recognized you as a piece of Pure Gold and Jade.

Thousand-li steeds are common, but true talent is rare. Ultimately, it was my sharp sight that recognized great material!"

Ninghai Zen accepted it, growing increasingly satisfied with his young disciple.

"Master, what you're holding must be the True Skill Root Diagram!"

Bai Qi stared intensely at the golden scroll, considering the fearful fluctuations his ear perception had heard and the grand imagery appearing in his heart, judging it to be the "Ten Dragons and Ten Elephants Prison-Suppression Skill."

"Indeed, later you will pass it on to Chen Zhao."

Ninghai Zen nodded, casually handing the golden scroll to Bai Qi:

"The secret recipe for the Battle Wine can be found on the first floor bookshelf, so look for it carefully and give it along."

Bai Qi accepted the light and cicada-wing-thin golden scroll with both hands, square-shaped, feeling as soft as silk when touched.

"Master, if you're unwilling to act, lest the Master settles accounts, you might as well let me serve!"

He stared at the True Skill Root Diagram, inexplicably feeling a pang of heartache over handing over his home's good item.

"Why are you in such a hurry?"

Ninghai Zen felt amused, smilingly:

"He came all the way to Black River County, traveled far and wide, respectfully arrived, offering Pictorial Jade as a gift, requesting the True Skill Root Diagram.

Seeing as he's respecting the master's face, agreeing does no harm."

Bai Qi acted like a penny-pinching miser, only asking Chen Zhao for a Red Blood Qilin Horse, a box of Cross-Sea Incense, and two bottles of Tiger and Wolf Pill.

Ultimately, losing out on the True Skill Root Diagram and the secret recipe for Battle Wine.

A huge loss!

"Ah Qi, your Jianghu experience isn't sophisticated enough, learn more from Master."

Ninghai Zen stepped out of the Dezhen Tower, looking up at the sky; it was past 3:00 PM, the sun dim and dull.

"What's given may not necessarily be yours, you must be able to guard it."

Bai Qi paused, then snapped back:

"Master plans… to take it back?"

Ninghai Zen waved his hand:

"Well, how could it be called taking back! Isn't the True Skill Root Diagram our Tongwen Hall's own item? Chen Zhao wants it, and I give it, but if he lacks the skills to guard it, that's none of my concern."

That's quite reasonable! 𝒻𝘳ℯℯ𝑤ℯ𝒷𝘯ℴ𝓋ℯ𝘭.𝑐ℴ𝑚

Bai Qi reflected inwardly:

"Indeed, no one on earth can gain at Master's expense."

Ninghai Zen spoke softly:

"Ah Qi, you're familiar with water; hence, the task of retrieving the True Skill Root Diagram falls to you."

Bai Qi was taken aback once more.

Retrieve?

What was Master planning to do?

Surely he wouldn't overturn the Black Water River just to retrieve the True Skill Root Diagram, right?