"I haven't broken through."

"But I've realized!"

Ju Xuanqi shook his head, but a smile gradually appeared on his face: "Wrong! Wrong! I walked the wrong path before! Just like Master Yan said, 'Three Thousand Starry Sky' isn't practiced that way. I practiced it wrong and went astray. No wonder! No wonder I couldn't break through in ten years, I was so certain in my heart, how foolish! So ridiculous!"

Sometimes, the direction of effort is more important than effort itself.

Ju Xuanqi's cultivation couldn't be called unrelenting, even after ten years of hardship, he didn't give up hope, showing no laziness. This is also why Wei Buqun chose Ju Xuanqi as Yan Chuan's first client, considering comprehensively to help Yan Chuan make a remarkable start.

But Ju Xuanqi—

"'Three Thousand Starry Sky'!"

"Did I really go the wrong way?" 𝘧𝘳𝘦ℯ𝓌𝘦𝒷𝘯𝑜𝑣𝘦𝓁.𝒸𝘰𝓂

Wei Buqun frowned.

He recalled that about two or three years ago, Ju Xuanqi spent 18 Primordial Pills through connections to find a Sixth Rank Divine General for guidance. The insight of the Sixth Rank Divine General was unique, and after the guidance, Ju Xuanqi indeed made considerable progress.

But that Sixth Rank Divine General didn't mention anything about going on the wrong path.

Didn't he notice?

Or didn't he say it?

"It's impossible for him to notice it and not say it. Guiding an experienced Divine General like Ju Xuanqi to a breakthrough, even for a Sixth Rank Divine General, is excellent publicity, an excellent live advertisement."

Whenever they take money for guidance, Sixth Rank Divine Generals generally do their best, after all, they need the reputation to attract more Divine Generals, so they can more easily secure more Primordial Pills.

Noticed and didn't say?

That's impossible!

"So, the Sixth Rank Divine General couldn't see it after guiding a whole day, but Yan Chuan, in just four hours, or even after the first two hours, already identified the problem and started leading on a new path." Wei Buqun was shocked. He already held Yan Chuan in high regard, but now it seems Yan Chuan is even more impressive than he imagined.

Impressive!

"Impressive indeed!"

Wei Buqun was also pleased.

He wasn't after Primordial Pills, purely voluntary service, introducing clients to Yan Chuan without taking a commission, also expecting nothing from Ju Xuanqi.

But Wei Buqun also gained—

Firstly, from Yan Chuan's martial arts lectures, as Yan Chuan guided many Divine Generals, Wei Buqun could listen in, gaining insights that were much faster than his solitary cultivation, possibly ten times faster!

Secondly, networking and connections, like with the first case of Ju Xuanqi, since he introduced Yan Chuan to Ju Xuanqi, although Ju Xuanqi spent 2 Primordial Pills, he corrected his mistake and found the right path, which was more worthwhile than the 18 Primordial Pills spent on a Sixth Rank Divine General; how could Ju Xuanqi not be grateful to Wei Buqun?

One after another!

Dozens!

As Wei Buqun introduced more and more people, Yan Chuan collected his payment and left, but Wei Buqun was still mingling in the Xunwu Region. At home, rely on parents; outside, rely on friends. With so many friends, holding onto these connections, Wei Buqun would definitely thrive in Xunwu Region!

These hidden gains are far more precious than any small portion of Primordial Pill commissions, or benefits!

Priceless!

"Brother Ju!"

"Congratulations!"

Wei Buqun congratulated Ju Xuanqi, more so congratulating himself. In terms of networking in Xunwu Region, who could match him!?

...

"Went the wrong way!"

After guiding Ju Xuanqi, Yan Chuan left without much interaction, and upon returning to Tan Valley Realm via the 'Soul Channel', he sighed, "With 'Mutual Teaching and Learning', the feedback I receive comes from correct thoughts and insights, allowing me always to stay on the right path, or at least the currently right path, adjusting as needed, which is so much better than misguided efforts like Ju Xuanqi!"

Ju Xuanqi managing to cultivate to Second Rank Peak wasn't lacking at all.

But the 'Three Thousand Starry Sky' from 'Starlight like silk' to 'Rainbow Light Like a Blade' up to 'Heaven and Earth Cracking', all the way to the Second Rank Peak, followed a path of enhancing power. Ju Xuanqi believed the key to Third Rank lay in 'Galaxy Hanging in the Sky', within 'Three Thousand Starry Sky', but he was wrong, too hasty. From Second to Third Rank, it's not yet the time; if he were to retract from 'Heaven and Earth Cracking', focusing finely from 'Rainbow Light' to 'Starlight', eventually achieving 'Star Fire'—

Star Fire Through the Sky!

Glorious as the sun!

Galaxy Hanging in the Sky!

Then onto Three Thousand Starry Sky!

Then it would be achieved!

Yan Chuan's guidance this time illuminated the path for Ju Xuanqi from Second Rank all the way to Fifth-Rank Peak.

2 Primordial Pills?

Too cheap!

Wei Buqun wanted Yan Chuan's brilliant entry, and Yan Chuan hoped no less, focusing particularly on the first client, on Ju Xuanqi. Today, although Ju Xuanqi didn't immediately break through a realm, he surely knew how crucial Yan Chuan's guidance was for him.

Imparting the path!

Bright future ahead!

That's the path to the Fifth-Rank Peak, Ju Xuanqi profited immensely.

...

Cang Mountain, Chess Stone Peak.

"Woo woo woo!"

A gust of wind rose.

In the arena area, on the stage and off, all of the Heavenly Pride suddenly felt a chill throughout their bodies, Qi-Blood within seemed to stagnate, Inner Strength, Inner Qi circulation became sluggish.

Within their bodies, in meridians and bones, thin strands of alien auras silently crept in, like maggots burrowing into bones, akin to Alien True Qi but even more troublesome—

Yin cold!

Heat!

Corrosion!

Spread!

The alien aura contained various elements, but all were negative effects, disrupting Qi-Blood, corroding the physique, draining strength, encumbering the martial artist's once robust body as if it were ordinary.

Even the Dan Tian Qi Sea was eroded, blocked.

"This is Evil Qi!"

Sword Discussion Five-Seven, the challenge arrived.

...

"From Tai Chi arises the two forms; the two forms give birth to the four symbols; the four symbols generate the Eight Diagram; the Eight Diagram decides fortune and misfortune, thereby great endeavors are born."

Yu Jinpeng silently resisted the Evil Qi below the stage, focusing more on watching 'Guan Sha Guan Mai' Jing Bao wielding the Crescent Moon Spade, rendering the second Sword Discussion rookie 'Nine-Clawed Dragon King' Yu En powerless. Yu Jinpeng had sparred with Yu En, who mastered 'Eagle Claw', 'Tiger Claw', 'Dragon Claw', among nine claw skills, known as the 'Nine-Clawed Dragon King', unfearing Softness Overcomes Hardness, capable of competing with his Tai Chi Fist.

But under Jing Bao's Crescent Moon Spade, he was thoroughly suppressed, Jing Bao was at ease, Yu En was exhausted in coping, falling to absolute disadvantage within just over ten rounds.

First Tier Jing Bao!

Second Tier Yu En!

The gap was like heaven and earth.

Jing Bao was completely unaffected by the Evil Qi, while Yu En was quickly overwhelmed, his entire being becoming heavy, revealing the disparity.

Yu Jinpeng focused more on Jing Bao—

"Head, crown raised, chin tucked, avoid stiffness, prevent distortion, avoid shaking. Neck, muscles relaxed, avoid tension, avoid forward thrust, prevent skewing."

"This is 'empty and leading the top'."

"Shoulders, keep relaxed and lowered, avoid raising shoulders, prevent outward extensions, avoid inward pressure. Elbows, naturally down attached, avoid stiffness, prevent outward twists, avoid lifting."

"This is 'shoulder and elbow relaxation'."

"Chest, relaxed and natural, avoid puffing up, prevent collapsing inward, avoid stiffness. Back, stretched generously, prevent tension, avoid hunchback, prevent leaning."

"This is 'Hunchback'."

"Waist, naturally relaxed, avoid stiffness, prevent forward bend, avoid arching backward. Hips, relaxed and upright, avoid prominent hip, prevent skewing, avoid shaking."

"This is 'Loose waist and hips'."

"Buttocks, gathered and correctly aligned, avoid prominent butt, prevent skewing, avoid shaking idle. Knees, naturally open and agile, avoid stiffness, don't go over toes, prevent skewing."

"This is 'Gather buttocks and open knees'."

Yu Jinpeng watched attentively, easily perceiving that Jing Bao's Crescent Moon Spade indeed evolved from 'Tai Chi Boxing'. Many essentials could be corroborated within 'Tai Chi Boxing', but Jing Bao's 'Tai Chi Crescent Shovel' had more variations, more profound, further excavated on the 'Tai Chi Boxing' foundation, things resonating with Yu Jinpeng's own contemplation and his insights with Jin Yutang in that sect cave in the Mountain and Sea Realm, even more ingenious.

Watching Jing Bao—

Neither partial nor biased, stretched generously, rotating loosely and lively, rising and falling unpredictably, using the waist as an axis, driving both upper and lower, seamlessly connected.

Jing Bao's Crescent Moon Spade was so silky, so graceful, seen by Yu Jinpeng as one circle after another, big circles containing small, small circles threaded with small, countless subtleties within, captivating Yu Jinpeng, fully absorbed.

Yu Jinpeng focused on spectating.

Beside him, Wei Quan's face was as white as a sheet, he resisted the Evil Qi with full effort, trying desperately to suppress it within, while glancing to the southwest direction: "Today is June 7th, tomorrow Master will lecture on martial arts at Suanzao Mountain, not sure if he can make it back to Cang Mountain after lecturing."

This was their first time as brothers participating in the Cang Mountain Sword Discussion together, although he and Che Qi didn't perform spectacularly, their first and second seniors were surely formidable, securely in the second tier, shining brilliantly.

Without the Master's presence, something always felt lacking.

But Yan Chuan would lecture on martial arts on June 8th in Jian Province Suanzao Mountain, even if only for three days, by the time he finished it would already be June 10th, leaving only half a month till the end of the Sword Discussion, was it possible to make it from Jian Province to Ci State's Cang Mountain?

"Master—"

Jin Yutang too was thinking of Master.

He wasn't satisfied with his performance in this Sword Discussion: "Master progressed rapidly in last year's Sword Discussion, eventually becoming the sole Heavenly Pride receiving accolades from King City. Yet I and Senior Brother struggled to defend even a single platform, fighting arduously."

Embarrassing!

Despite the fortuitous encounters in the Mountain and Sea Realm, they believed they could sweep other contestants this time, earning major praise for Master.

Inordinate pride caused overconfidence!

Not only were they unable to bring honor to Master, but they were also fiercely beaten by those guided by Master, like Jing Bao, Liu Xin, Guo Xi, and others.

Couldn't beat!

Couldn't beat them at all!

Baji Fist, boundlessly fierce!

But against these strong, Jin Yutang couldn't muster his savageness: "Even if Master comes, it would probably be at the tail end of the Sword Discussion. Before that, we have to win at least one platform for Master to see."

By this time, another round of drawing lots finished, they drew the Wu Character platform, on stage was—

"'Chasing God Blade' Liu Xin!"

Let's do it!

Jin Yutang checked the abyss-like Evil Qi within, looked to Yu Jinpeng: "Senior Brother, I'm going to open another discipline!"

...

Great Yan Hongwu Year 12, June 8th.

The second Cang Mountain Sword Discussion had already reached the thirty-first day, entering the Five-Seven Rank.

This place had gathered countless eyes from across Great Yan, stirring endless discussions during the Sword Discussion period, dominating the hot topics leaderboard, daily in the first place.

The only news barely competing with the popularity of the Sword Discussion was the 'Innate Master' Yan Chuan lecturing at Suanzao Mountain.

...