"Little do they know, those warriors who were hastily nurtured have spiritual wills that are riddled with flaws, with unsteady foundations, like towers on sand—seemingly strong, but in reality, easily toppled."
"If their only aim is to pursue the most efficient killing power, perhaps they took the right shortcut."
"However, on the path of self-evolution, they are simply piling up a sand tower with a lavish exterior."
"Whereas we Martial Artists hone ourselves daily, forging that true gold in the furnace, seeking that unique truth and infinity."
Fang Cheng quietly listened, without interrupting.
The elder in front of him, with his insight and vision, far surpassed Ma Jianguo.
After contemplating for a long time, he solemnly bowed to Shi Chengyi:
"Thank you, Elder Shi, for your guidance. The junior is enlightened."
"Haha, no need for such courtesy."
Shi Chengyi smiled and waved his hand, his eyes filled with admiration:
"Most of what I said were taught to us juniors by Chief Li Guizhen back in the days."
"At my age, I’ve merely grasped the surface. Being able to verify it with a promising talent like you is indeed a great joy."
Upon hearing the name of this martial arts legend again, Fang Cheng’s expression slightly changed.
"Jianguo mentioned that you have successfully established intent, visualized a blazing Great Sun, and even started focusing on condensing your True Self."
Shi Chengyi paused momentarily, his gaze turning sharp,
"I am unworthy, but would like to seek your guidance on a few things."
Upon hearing this, Fang Cheng hesitated slightly.
He could feel the elder in front had an exceptionally robust vitality, far beyond ordinary Martial Artists.
Yet, in terms of True Qi abundance, he suspected the elder could not compare to his monstrous self.
If it were merely a contest of Kung Fu, Fang Cheng feared he might dismantle the elder’s old bones with a casual punch.
Seeing Fang Cheng’s bewildered expression, Shi Chengyi quickly offered an explanation:
"Not through fists and feet, nor by comparing the thickness of True Qi, but through another unique way of us Martial Artists."
As he spoke, Shi Chengyi smiled lightly, stood with feet steady and hands embracing in front, taking a traditional Primordial Stance.
Next moment, Shi Chengyi slowly closed his eyes, his entire aura contained to the extreme.
As if transforming from a living person into a silent monolith, unfathomable.
However, Fang Cheng felt as if the air around had solidified.
An invisible aura, grounded and vast, emanated from Shi Chengyi, encasing the entire stone pavilion.
Under this aura, even the raindrops outside seemed to slow.
This was not True Qi Emission, but a pure spiritual will, the Martial Intent condensed from Shi Chengyi’s lifelong battles and storms!
Fang Cheng understood, this was a contest on a spiritual level.
He felt no fear, and slowly closed his eyes as well.
If Shi Chengyi’s Martial Intent was the heavy mountain suppressing all creations.
Then in Fang Cheng’s perceived world, a golden sun abruptly rose.
There was no earthshaking collision, no deafening roar. Official source ıs noᴠelfire.net
The sun merely hung quietly, radiating endless light and heat.
Under the sun’s illumination, Shi Chengyi’s will, akin to a mountainous mass, began to slowly melt away like snow under spring sunshine.
Not defeated but assimilated, embraced.
Shi Chengyi suddenly opened his eyes, face full of incredulity, even stumbled a step back before steadying himself.
His gaze at Fang Cheng had transformed from admiration to pure shock and reverence.
"Ignite a sun within my heart, beside me, there’s no sky..."
Shi Chengyi murmured, seemingly recalling a scene from a Water Prison.
Then he let out a bitter smile, solemnly cupped his fists and bowed to Fang Cheng:
"I am sincerely convinced."
With the intention of weighing Fang Cheng’s depth, Shi Chengyi considered guiding him from a senior’s perspective.
Yet, he hadn’t anticipated Fang Cheng’s Martial Arts will to be so dazzling and incomparable!
"Elder Shi, you’re too kind."
Fang Cheng opened his eyes, his expression calm.
"Not too much, not at all!"
Shi Chengyi waved his hand, barely containing his excitement:
"Your path of True Self has surpassed us relics, even Chief Li in his youth might not surpass you."
Fang Cheng’s heart subtly moved, then earnestly sought advice:
"Indeed, junior has many confusions on the path of Martial Arts cultivation."
"Especially in the process of condensing the True Self, though I’ve succeeded in establishing intent and visualizing a Great Sun, opening a realm, that world currently lacks vitality."
"Junior is uncertain of the subsequent path, and don’t know how to achieve Inner Scenery External Manifestation to impact reality."
Shi Chengyi, hearing this, his eyes showed even more approval.
Not arrogant, facing problems directly, this was the true seeker of the path.
He pondered briefly, then spoke with a solemn tone:
"I recall Chief Li taught that the key to condensing True Self lies in ’knowing and doing in unity’."
"Visualization in Inner World is ’knowing’, the principles governing actions in reality is ’doing’."
"The Great Sun in your Inner World is still a seed, a concept."
"Its lack of vitality is because you haven’t yet used the ’doing’ in reality to nurture, to endow it with true ’divinity’."
"Only when your actions fully align with the path of your visualized True Self, ’knowing’ and ’doing’ unite, your Inner World can transition from illusion to reality, truly complete."
He looked at Fang Cheng, his gaze flickering, seemingly recalling the experience from the Martial Intent contest.
Then meticulously explained:
"Your path can be seen as the path of the sun."
"The path of the sun has two sides, one that illuminates all creation with vitality, another that burns away all shadow and darkness with dominance."
"When you perform acts of protection in reality, your Inner World will foster life; when you exert thunderous power, your Great Sun will become even more intense and prominent."
"This path is difficult to tread, but once traversed, the future is limitless!"
Shi Chengyi generously shared the experiences imparted by Li Guizhen, his eyes brimming with anticipation.
Fang Cheng listened humbly, imprinting each precious experience in his mind, feeling enlightened.
After a lengthy discourse, unconsciously, their relationship had deepened significantly.
Shi Chengyi looked at Fang Cheng, deeply moved:
"I once thought, the path of Martial Arts, after my generation, will gradually decline, turning into the dust of history. Unexpectedly, Heaven hasn’t forsaken our Martial Arts, allowing such a prodigy like you to emerge."
He took a deep breath and finally stated his true purpose, his expression extremely solemn.
"Nephew Fang, I now, in my personal capacity, formally invite you to join the Special Search Team and revive the path of Martial Arts."
His words did not receive an immediate response.
In the stone pavilion, only the sound of "rustling" rain remained.
Fang Cheng stood there indifferently, gazing at the outside of the pavilion, seemingly not hearing the words.
Shi Chengyi paused momentarily, his voice soon became passionate:
"Nephew Fang, do you know what you possess? It is not merely Martial Arts but a Strength capable of altering the course of the era!"
"To use such strength only for comfort and independence is akin to burying a pearl under dust, the greatest waste."
"In today’s world, hidden currents swirl, mutants emerge, and foreign forces watch like tigers, amid an unprecedented great upheaval in a century."
"In such torrents, a true strongman is like a pillar, a Stabilizer."
"Therefore, the nation needs you, the people need you, our fading Martial Arts needs someone like you as a beacon to unite hearts!"
However, despite the resounding rhetoric, Fang Cheng simply continued gazing at the mountain scenery outside the pavilion, his eyes clear and composed.
Shi Chengyi seemed to realize that pure national sentiment might not sway this young man.
He shifted his tone, it became gentler:
"I know you have concerns, joining the Special Search Team means responsibility, also dangers.
"But it also offers protection, your family, your mother, and grandfather will receive the highest level of security, this you needn’t worry."
"Anyone who dares to disrupt their peaceful life will face the entire nation’s machine of thunderous wrath."
After speaking, he looked at Fang Cheng expectantly, believing such conditions would move anyone who values family.
Fang Cheng’s gaze flickered slightly, seemingly seriously considering.