A Long Grind to Daoist Monarch-Chapter 176 - 147: Under the Turbid Tide, a 1,000 Gold Bounty

Martial bone is a peculiar object that emerges after stepping into the second stage of practice, having replaced mercury blood, and developed silver marrow.

It is like a sapling being watered; after robust growth, occasionally it may due to various reasons, develop extraordinary variants.

For instance, those proficient in horizontal training exhibit "tiger's back and bear's waist," possessing natural vigor and extraordinary bravery.

Those skilled in body techniques and lightweight skills have "Flying Swallow Step" and "startled swan foot," with graceful postures and agile strides.

The Daoist Official of Yuanyang Temple in Yihai Prefecture once specifically wrote a "Root Bone Record" to document various martial bones considered strange and diverse, classified into upper, middle, and lower grades, ranked by order.

The lower is of bronze and iron hues, the middle of gold and jade hues.

Only the upper ones can radiate brilliance like a treasure.

"If you successfully connect the Twenty-Four Section Great Keel, you may hope to cultivate a Dragon-Elephant Dharma Body of the Ten Dragons and Ten Elephants Prison-Suppression Skill, not fearing the power of Cultivating Yin Spirit techniques."

Ninghai Zen's eyes flickered, beginning to contemplate how to take advantage of the Nu Yun River Water Monarch Palace.

Indeed, he had promised his master not to step into Yihai Prefecture again for twenty years.

But the Nu Yun River spans across two prefectures, and Fulong Mountain stretches over a thousand miles, far beyond the confines of a mere County City.

"Master, ten years ago, I could defeat you. In the future, Ah Qi should also be able to defeat me.

As a direct disciple of Tongwen Hall, how can the path be obstructed?"

With both hands behind his back, Ninghai Zen silently waited as Bai Qi finished his sixth blood replacement.

...

...

"It truly feels like a transformation beyond recognition."

Approximately after two incense sticks had burned, Bai Qi slowly opened his eyes, his scorching body like well-forged iron being hammered repeatedly, expelling useless impurities.

"Advancing further in the four branches of the human body. This time it is the great completion of the blood vessels. In martial arts, there's a saying: anger fills the chest, hair stands on end, blood turns swiftly; the enemy's courage crumbles, and though the hair is thin, it crushes the enemy mightily."

Carefully pondering the various insights flowing through his heart, Bai Qi gained a deeper understanding of the intricacies of bone-related blood replacements.

The phrase "anger making hair stand," implies being infuriated to the extreme, causing the blood to rush up and stimulate the hair into standing—a metaphorical expression.

However, it is not baseless.

Since hair is the blood's terminal, the more abundant the cultivation of Qi blood, the more its power can reach the ends of his hair, actually allowing one to be angry enough to make hair stand.

Upon breaking through the blood vessels, vitality essence bursts out like a mass of refined energy.

Even when suffering lethal injuries, for a while, one can still cling to life.

"No wonder in stories, often villains trick the heroes, who, despite being cut off limbs and gouged eyes, eventually recover and counterattack.

With the completion of blood vessels, unless the head is cut, it's difficult to die utterly.

In future encounters with life-and-death enemies, one must remember this: crush bones and scatter ashes, transcend souls, providing a comprehensive service."

Bai Qi slightly circulated his power, Qi and blood galloping like horses, resembling substantial red flames emanating, causing the large copper cauldron to emit smoke, even evaporating the water.

The tall figure suddenly leaped forth, the soil brick beneath making a cracking sound, creating a deep pit.

"The power surges, Qi and blood increase! This is the effect of blood replacement!"

Bai Qi once again stepped forward, leaving an inch-deep footprint, taking seven consecutive steps before fully mastering the surging Qi and blood power within, moving as usual with no trace remaining.

"Tongue can shatter teeth, teeth can snap tendons, nails can penetrate bones, hair can stand fiercely. This is the great completion of the four branches, able to alter their normal state, with power to shift mountains and swallow metals."

Ninghai Zen scanned his disciple, newly transformed, and softly said:

"In all the world's Martial Dao, it can be summarized in two words: 'Superman.'

Bai Qi gathered his thoughts, suppressing the abundant, overflowing thick blood back into his limbs, washing through his body repeatedly, seriously listening to the master's guidance.

"What is 'Superman'? In seeking arts, it is about cleansing the soul's negative qualities, breaking the barriers of life and death, thus becoming immortal and cultivating skills.

Martial arts, on the other hand, pursue evolution and transformation, breaking the shackles imposed on all living beings."

Ninghai Zen eloquently shared his thoughts:

"The word 'Superman' speaks for itself, the former for transcendence, the latter for being more than human.

The prevailing notion in martial arts is all diverse cultivation techniques mimic the flying birds, beasts, demons, divinity, and all things in heaven and earth.

They divide into upper, middle, lower illuminations. Above they have true skills and ultimate teachings, capturing and emulating the natural spectacles of spring, summer, autumn, winter, wind, rain, thunder, and lightning, or deeply contemplating the Buddhas, dragons, elephants, and eight divisions of gods and spirits that circulated in the world before the Dao was lost.

Making the human body, under the reinforcement of Qi and blood, wield great powers with every gesture."

Bai Qi listens intently, aware of the three major true skills housed in Tongwen Hall, revealing a lineage long and extraordinary.

For some reason, it settled in Black River County, with only three or four people?

"The Five Grand Captures encompass finger palming, fist, foot techniques, capturing exertion, body technique lightweight skill. The last mind-intent technique is neither a move nor posture but a skill of adaptation..."

Ninghai Zen once again explained the essence of the Five Grand Captures, speaking not as plainly as Uncle Dao, requiring Bai Qi to digest thoughtfully and carefully.

[You received instruction from a Martial Dao luminary, slightly boosting your understanding...]

"Martial Dao luminary? Is this the seal's judgment of Master?"

Bai Qi scratched his head, realizing the weight of these four words, proving the depth of Ninghai Zen's martial insights.

"Speaking of which, how many spirits and monsters are nurtured amidst the five hundred-mile mountain path? Though Master frequently patrols, somehow they aren't completely exterminated?"

Ninghai Zen seemed to see through his disciple's thoughts:

"Mountain stones, grass, trees, birds, beasts, opening intelligence is difficult, after four or five hundred years, spirits, and monsters are actually few.

But this was prior to the Dao's loss. After the Dao was lost, turbid tides appeared, these spirits and monsters began to grow wildly like carrots in the ground.