Lin Cheng took the Secret Manual from a young attendant, running his fingers over its surface. "This is the Fuyue Bear Scripture," he said. "It details the circulation routes and key principles of True Qi for Qi Cultivation Gang and Muscle and Marrow Cleansing. You may only read it here in Weiyuan Hall. Return it to me before you leave. You can come back for it again tomorrow."

"I will remember."

Xu Yang accepted it respectfully. He immediately felt that the Secret Manual’s material was unusual—it was soft and delicate to the touch, not like paper. It had to be some kind of Exotic Beast Hide.

Lin Cheng nodded. "Study it carefully. Try to grasp all the key principles before you reach Qi Gathering Perfection, and form your Gang Qi in one go."

Gang Qi was far more potent than True Qi.

At the Martial Arts Examination, the two Bone Marrow Cleansing Masters, Cao Rong and Yun Feng, had only exchanged a few blows on the tournament stage before the aftershocks of their clash brought the entire structure down. They ended up fighting directly on the ground, destroying almost half the training field.

"Master, why is Gang Qi so potent? What’s the secret behind it?" Xu Yang took the opportunity to ask.

"Gang Qi is the power formed from the fusion of a Martial Artist’s Essence, Qi, and Spirit. True Qi is formless and intangible, like the air around us. Though it truly exists, it is invisible to the naked eye."

"Gang Qi, however, is different. It can be seen with the naked eye, so its power is naturally on another level."

As he spoke, a red glow burst from Lin Cheng’s hand, gradually encasing it in a crystal-like layer that remained transparent.

But it was indeed very different from True Qi. It was no longer something that existed yet remained invisible to the naked eye.

"Feel it for yourself."

Lin Cheng extended his Gang Qi-covered palm, which looked like a work of art sheathed in red crystal.

"Alright!"

Xu Yang extended a finger to poke it. Even before he made contact with the Gang Qi, he felt an astounding, searing heat. An invisible wave seemed poised to melt his very flesh.

POW!

An astonishing rebounding force surged back. He felt the bones in his finger vibrate, as if they were about to shatter.

’So Gang Qi isn’t just visible, it’s also tangible.’

He couldn’t help but be astonished. "With this kind of power for protection, even an expert at Qi Gathering Perfection wouldn’t last a single exchange against a Bone Marrow Cleansing Master."

"Qi Gathering Perfection?"

Lin Cheng chuckled. "If a Qi Gathering Perfection expert can comprehend Mixed Element Strength, they might be able to trade a few moves with someone who has only just formed their Gang Qi. But that’s all—just a few moves. An expert who has mastered Gang Qi wouldn’t need more than ten moves to kill a Qi Gathering Martial Artist."

He paused for a moment before continuing, "And do you know why they say Mixed Element Strength is the signature Killing Move of a Bone Marrow Cleansing Strong Person? Because a Qi Gathering Martial Artist must comprehend Mixed Element Strength to achieve harmony between their internal and external states—to reach Mixed Element Unity."

"But once a Bone Marrow Cleansing Master achieves Qi Cultivation Gang, they also achieve that same internal-external harmony. Both of you would be in a state of Mixed Element Unity, but their power level is far greater than yours. How are you supposed to fight that?" 𝐟𝗿𝐞𝚎𝚠𝐞𝚋𝕟𝐨𝚟𝐞𝕝.𝕔𝕠𝚖

Xu Yang was taken aback. "If Bone Marrow Cleansing Masters automatically reach Mixed Element Unity after achieving Qi Cultivation Gang, then what’s the point of a Qi Gathering Martial Artist working so hard to comprehend Mixed Element Strength?"

"Of course it’s useful. If you comprehend Mixed Element Strength *before* you undergo Qi Cultivation Gang, then achieving it will be a natural and effortless process for you."

Lin Cheng waved his hand. "Go on now. Study it well. The Fuyue Bear Scripture isn’t a top-tier Marrow Cleansing Secret Technique, but it’s far from shabby. If you can reach Marrow Cleansing Great Success with it, that will be enough for you to dominate the Bone Marrow Cleansing Realm."

"This disciple will take his leave."

After paying his respects, Xu Yang left Lin Cheng’s courtyard.

’This kid...’

Only after Xu Yang’s figure disappeared did Lin Cheng realize what had happened. He had originally planned to check on Xu Yang’s progress with the Mountain-Shaking Bear Fist and see if he had grasped Mixed Element Strength, but after the long digression, he had completely forgotten about it.

Xu Yang went to the Inner Courtyard, found a place to sit, and began to study the Fuyue Bear Scripture.

He opened the first page to an illustration of a giant bear with a savage expression. It stood as tall as a mountain, its paws the size of houses. A monstrous, bloody aura soared to the heavens like a wolf-smoke signal, making it look like a terrifying beast from a primordial age.

’Does a creature like the Fuyue Bear really exist?’ Xu Yang wondered, slightly doubtful.

’If such a creature didn’t exist, why would the Secret Manual feature its illustration on the very first page?’

’But if it *did* exist... forget a Bone Marrow Cleansing Master, even a far more powerful Martial Dao expert would be swatted to death with a single swipe of its paw.’

In the afternoon, he left the Inner Courtyard and went to the Outer Courtyard to instruct the Outer Courtyard Disciples in their Pile Skill and Fist Technique.

In his spare moments, he practiced the Turtle and Snake Grand Posture while continuing to study the Fuyue Bear Scripture.

That evening, after dinner, he returned the Fuyue Bear Scripture to Lin Cheng.

"Did you gain any insights?" Lin Cheng asked.

Xu Yang paused for a moment. "I feel like it’s not finished... as if there’s a sequel."

Lin Cheng gave him an approving look. "It seems your Comprehension is indeed astonishing. The Fuyue Bear Scripture does have a continuation. When you join the Purple Sun Sect in the future, you can search for the subsequent volumes there."

The mention of a Martial Arts Sect piqued Xu Yang’s interest. "Master, you’re from the Purple Sun Sect?" he asked.

Lin Cheng lifted his chin proudly. "Of course. Once you obtain a Dragon Ascending Order, you will also enter the Purple Sun Sect. Your entire batch of candidates will become disciples of the Purple Sun Sect..."

As he spoke of the Purple Sun Sect, a nostalgic look flickered in Lin Cheng’s eyes. "Years ago, I was just like you. I succeeded in the Dragon Ascension at the Martial Arts Examination, served as an Outer Disciple in the Purple Sun Sect for over a decade, and ultimately hit my limit at the Marrow Cleansing realm."

By the time Xu Yang stepped out of Weiyuan Hall, it was already pitch-black outside—so dark you couldn’t see your hand in front of your face.

However, at his current cultivation realm, while he didn’t exactly have night vision, seeing the road ahead posed no problem at all.

He made his way out of the city and into the wild. Suddenly, Xu Yang stopped in his tracks, turned, and called out, "You’ve been following me for quite a while. Isn’t it time you showed yourself?"

"Haha... Brother Xu, you’re quite capable. To think you noticed me long ago. And here I was, getting all conceited."

A shadowy figure drifted over, landing about twenty feet in front of Xu Yang.

Xu Yang narrowed his eyes. He saw that the person was wearing a mask, and their voice was clearly disguised, as if they were pinching their throat to speak.