Water Ink Panel: Starting with Bow Technique to Hunt the Sun and Patrol the Skies

Ji Zikong stood up, gazing out the window into the night sky, and said ethereally, "In today's world, the potential of spiritual martial power is only sufficient for one person to transcend the limits of the heavens and achieve the highest. Even so, there is no certainty of victory against the celestial demons."

"In the end, there are just too many martial masters in the world. You grab a little, I grab a little, and the remaining resources are divided up, leaving no one satisfied."

"In my view, it would be better if there were half as many martial masters."

Chu Yuanfu, standing by, shuddered at these cold words.

He promptly said, "Your Majesty, we've just gone through a pacification meeting. To continue at this rate might incite a civil uprising, endangering the state."

"I know," Ji Zikong said nonchalantly, "That's why I need a knife to do this bit by bit for me."

Chu Yuanfu said, "Your Majesty, in that case, wouldn't this knife become the target of everyone? A few strikes, and it might already be nicked. Hit a hard stone, and the knife might break."

"That's just right! It becomes the half that's gone." Ji Zikong indifferently uttered cold words between open and closing lips, "A knife is a consumable; if it breaks, just replace it, it's no trouble."

Chu Yuanfu wisely kept his head down, maintaining silence, not speaking further.

After a moment, the Great Zhou Emperor Ji Zikong seemed to think of something and suddenly said, "Speaking of which, I remember that this time, in the pacification meeting, we stripped Shen Qing of the marquisate. Now that he is a martial master in the Primordial Spirit Realm, it's time to give him some advantages to use him. Also, it's just right to dig into his secrets, which might be more useful to the Great Dao than those Immortal Martial Techniques."

After contemplating for a moment, Ji Zikong instructed, "Tomorrow, have Eunuch He draft a decree for me, conferring Shen Qing as the Marquis of Martial Peace."

"Your servant... complies."

"It's late at night, I still need to cultivate and rest, do not disturb me before dawn."

Returning to the Imperial Armory, Ji Bochu was filled with many doubts.

No matter how much he thought about it, he couldn't understand why, when Shen Qing had already proven the latest version of the [Great Success Saint Body Technique] was sound, His Majesty did not adopt its cultivation.

That is, after all, an Immortal Martial Technique!

Any Immortal Martial Technique has an extremely clear path of cultivation, progressing from shallow to deep. In terms of power and speed, its cultivation is far superior to other techniques, not to mention the faint possibility of attaining longevity.

Ji Bochu was very puzzled.

Since His Majesty did not permit cultivating it, he'd cultivate it himself.

When Shen Qing comes over, he will scrutinize the pathways behind this [Great Success Saint Body Technique].

...

Shen Qing knew nothing of what transpired in the palace.

He walked into the Imperial Armory as usual, looking calm.

After participating in the Chrysanthemum Appreciation Meeting, he had comprehended his situation and the potential issue with the Immortal Martial Techniques.

Now entering the Imperial Armory again, his state of mind was entirely different; it was no longer a blur where he couldn't see clearly.

Shen Qing walked to the fifth level of the Imperial Armory, where at a glance he saw Ji Bochu practicing fist techniques on the fifth level.

Ji Bochu appeared to be quite aged, Shen Qing guessed he was probably over a hundred years old.

Yet despite his age, his punch wind still howled, each punch carried a formidable force akin to a mountain or sea, tearing the surrounding air to shreds, exuding a spirit of indomitable will.

Shen Qing smiled, approaching to greet, "Chief Ji."

Ji Bochu, sensing him, swept his sleeve and slowly collected his fists, turning to Shen Qing and saying, "Mr. Shen, you're here so early today?"

"Nothing much at home, so I just came straight over."

"That's good, the fifth floor here hosts many Immortal Martial Techniques, and with you absent, I really wouldn't feel easy. Hahaha..."

Shen Qing glanced around. This Imperial Armory was built underground, with no windows and guards above, making what he said just pleasantries.

After some small talk, Ji Bochu suddenly said seriously, "Mr. Shen, I just happen to have a favor to ask of you. If convenient."

Shen Qing fist in palm, courteously replied, "Chief Ji, you're too polite. Feel free to speak. If it's within my ability, I'll certainly help."

"The Great Success Saint Body Technique has been here for quite some time. It's said that this technique can forge a supreme physique, transcending the mundane. I practiced it in my younger years but found it difficult to train, and it eventually came to nothing."

"So I wanted to seek some guidance from Chief Officer Shen. How is this Immortal Martial Technique truly cultivated, is there a unique cultivation method?"

He wants to ask me about the cultivation path of the Great Success Saint Body Technique?

When it comes to Immortal Martial Techniques, Shen Qing instinctively became wary.

He was already aware that Ji Bochu had seen him as a test subject for the Immortal Martial Techniques.

It seems Ji Bochu has noticed his cultivation advancements and wants to verify some cultivation methods.

That's perfect, let it go as he wishes.

Shen Qing activated the skill [Learning and Seeking the Dao], continuously recalling the cultivation paths within the [Great Success Saint Body Technique] Immortal Martial Technique.

After a moment, he organized his words and said, "The Great Success Saint Body Technique is a martial study focusing on the body, and it stands unique in methods of tempering the physique."

"Its essence lies in harmonizing the energy of heaven and earth, cultivating inside out, strengthening muscles and bones. Ultimately refining a trace of sacred blood with the body's essence, which then nourishes the body in return, the other reciprocating, to reach the state of the Great Success Saint Body."

Under the enhancement of the [Learning and Seeking the Dao] skill, Shen Qing depicted every detail, every nuance of the "Great Success Saint Body Technique" vividly, leaving nothing out, with self-consistent logic throughout.

Three parts falsehood, seven parts truth.

Ji Bochu listened intently, nodding at times, furrowing his brow at others, and smiling with delight at others, clearly gaining much.

"Mr. Shen, would you be willing to demonstrate a bit? So I can grasp the true meaning." Ji Bochu's tone held a hint of anticipation.

"Naturally."

Shen Qing, without hesitation, immediately activated the trace of golden sacred blood within him.

Although the Six Paths Reincarnation Method and the Great Success Saint Body Technique have very different paths, they are yet akin, remarkably similar in the art of condensing sacred blood.

With sacred blood surging, Shen Qing's aura dramatically increased.

Soon, his muscles gradually swelled, and beneath his skin, a golden sheen faintly emerged, a sign of having achieved a minor success in the Great Success Saint Body Technique by condensing sacred blood.

Moments later, Shen Qing's entire body seemed to become a furnace, waves of heat continually exuding from him, which even moved the onlooking Ji Bochu.

It was indeed the Great Success Saint Body Technique.
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He truly mastered and traversed part of the path.

Ji Bochu was euphoric inside.

This technique's enhancement on the body was extremely domineering. Once cultivation yields any achievement, the increase in longevity is also very apparent.

"The Great Success Saint Body Technique is indeed extraordinary, my eyes have truly been opened today."

"Chief Ji flatters me, I'm just fortunate to have attained minor success."

Shen Qing continually displayed humility, not daring arrogance.

After some more pleasantries, Shen Qing intended to return to cultivation within the Spirit Eye.

Just then, footsteps resounded from upstairs.

Shortly after, a steward hurried in, with a solemn expression, calling to Shen Qing, "Master Shen Qing, there is an imperial decree, please quickly receive the decree."

"An imperial decree? Chief Ji, I'll be off for a moment."

Shen Qing quickly followed behind the steward, silently speculating about the sudden nature of this decree.

As he emerged from the Imperial Armory, he immediately saw the head eunuch He Yong standing at the entrance, clad in a python robe, holding the imperial decree.

He Yong's demeanor was calm, wearing a smiling countenance.

He took out the decree and called, "Master Shen Qing, receive the decree!"

"At your service."

Shen Qing knelt on one knee.

He Yong's expression did not change as he unfolded the decree to read aloud, "By His Majesty's will, Emperor decrees thus: Shen Qing, with exceptional cultivation and merits in safeguarding regions, is specially conferred the title of Marquis of Martial Peace, rewarded with ten thousand wish beads, and a hundred acres of fertile land, to commend his service. So proclaimed!"

What, conferred a marquisate?

Shen Qing was truly surprised, for this matter was so sudden, he hadn't caught any wind of it.

Now wasn't the time to dwell, he restrained his thoughts, accepting the decree: "Your humble servant Shen Qing, thanks His Majesty's great grace!"