Unstoppable Martial Arts: Starting from Fist Technique Deduction
Chapter 230 - 4 Checkpoint

Chapter 230: Chapter 4 Checkpoint

"I ask Master to enlighten me further."

Lin Yuan had a few guesses in his heart, but since Master asked this way, he must be trying to guide him. If he acted clever, showing off what he knew, it would surely displease Master.

"It’s just as well. I will tell you today." Bai Mei lightly nodded and softly expounded, "In the Aperture Meridian stage, the first standard to measure a martial artist’s strength is the number of acupoints condensed. The more acupoints condensed, the deeper the foundation. The human body has a total of three hundred and sixty major points. The number of acupoints condensed varies with different cultivation techniques."

"May I ask, Master, how many acupoints must one condense to be considered powerful?" Lin Yuan listened carefully and immediately asked the question he cared about the most.

"Heh. Ordinary individuals have only thirty or so. In the inner sects within the martial institutes, fifty is the basic requirement. Sixty denotes an elite. If someone can condense eighty, they can be considered a genius."

"If one surpasses one hundred, they can be recognized as extraordinarily gifted and will surely ascend to the higher sects."

"Since you care so much about this, you must have plans." Bai Mei smiled warmly, "Today, I set a goal for you, hoping you can condense more than eighty acupoints and not bring shame to the sect."

"I will remember Master’s words," Lin Yuan clapped his hands again and responded solemnly.

"Haha." Bai Mei waved his hand and continued, "The second hurdle in martial arts is cultivating martial intent. Only by breaking through the second and third levels of martial intent can one enter the Spiritual Origin stage. Otherwise, no matter how many acupoints are condensed, without entering Spiritual Origin, one is still as insignificant as an ant."

"Without entering Spiritual Origin, one is as insignificant as an ant." Lin Yuan was startled upon hearing this and silently repeated these words to himself.

"Is Spiritual Origin really so strong, Master?" Lin Yuan took a deep breath and asked again.

"Why is it called Spiritual Origin?" Bai Mei pinched his long eyebrow between his forefinger and middle finger, smoothing it out as he spoke calmly, "The key lies in the word ’Spiritual’. With spirituality, you can commune with the divine and nurture your own True Spirit, solidifying the soul, which is countless times stronger than the Aperture Meridian stage."

"For example, right now your spirit can only hide in cloudy places, right? It can’t walk under the sunlight?" Bai Mei casually asked.

Lin Yuan couldn’t help but nod.

Indeed, although his spirit was already much stronger, under the blazing sun it was still incredibly painful, unable to leave the protection of the clouds, otherwise, it would be extremely fragile.

"Once you enter Spiritual Origin, the spirit can walk fully in space and adapt to all kinds of environments like a living being. Cold wind, sunlight, snowstorm, heavy rain, mist, flood—all can be adapted to."

"Living beings have different levels of comfort in various environments."

"But this is just one of the differences. The biggest distinction is that those in the Spiritual Origin generally comprehend mighty martial outlays, often called Divine Skills."

"Divine Skills?" Lin Yuan felt a resonance, much like when he cultivated the Eight-step Breaking Fist to its fullest, comprehending martial arts prowess.

"Divine Skills are worlds apart from ordinary martial skills. Divine Skills can instantly mobilize all the acupoints within your body, draining your entire acupoint Spiritual Origin. Ordinary martial skills can’t do this."

"Some powerful Divine Skills can even instantly drain all of a martial artist’s acupoints, and once the Divine Skill is unleashed, the martial artist’s body is drained dry, resulting in inevitable death." Bai Mei sighed as he spoke, shaking his head slightly.

Lin Yuan deeply understood.

Just like in past lives where some people burst out with amazing abilities in emergencies, but afterward could fall seriously ill, or even die—a consequence of overextending their lives.

For example, one technique could completely deplete decades of one’s future life in an instant, and after a single day, one would become like tiger dung, a great cost indeed.

Lin Yuan nodded continuously after listening.

At this moment, through Bai Mei’s explanation, Lin Yuan realized he had just uncovered a small piece of the mysterious veil of the Canglan Realm.

"You needn’t worry. The path must be taken one step at a time. When you have the chance to step into the Spiritual Origin, you will naturally understand more. And do not aim too high—the Spiritual Origin realm is still far from you." Bai Mei also advised, looking into Lin Yuan’s eyes with a faint sigh.

There was, perhaps, another sentence he left unsaid. Lin Yuan might never have the chance to enter Spiritual Origin in his lifetime and might never even see the threshold.

In the martial institutes, too many faced such struggles—so spirited before the Aperture Meridian stage but failing to comprehend martial intent at the critical hurdle.

Lin Yuan might be like them, fading into the crowd.

But Lin Yuan was unaware, once again cupped his hands, and replied, "I shall diligently follow Master’s teachings and double my efforts in cultivation, not to disappoint Master’s expectations."

Bai Mei nodded with a smile.

Despite Lin Yuan’s lack of comprehension, his attitude was earnest. If he could diligently condense eighty acupoints and avoid provoking those in the Spiritual Origin realm, combined with a master like Bai Mei, the latter half of his life would be without worries.

"By the way, all disciples within the martial institutes must complete assigned tasks. As someone at the Aperture Meridian stage, you can also oversee a region. I, as one of the three masters of the Clouds Hidden Sect, carry some prestige within the martial institutes. What area of affairs do you want to engage in? I can consider arranging something for you."

Upon hearing this, Lin Yuan was overjoyed.

It seems having this master indeed brought many benefits. He had been taught cultivation techniques and was now being set up with good tasks.

After thinking for a moment, Lin Yuan no longer hesitated, "Master, I wish to pursue alchemy."

"Alchemy?"

Bai Mei was stunned. He had considered many possibilities and even thought about arranging something easy for him. After all, his disciple shouldn’t waste his chance at a good position to benefit outsiders.

But alchemy was unexpected.

If you’re practicing martial arts, why engage in alchemy? Diverting your focus from martial cultivation seemed foolish.

Thinking about this, Bai Mei’s expression darkened, "Why do you want to practice alchemy? It’s misguided."

"Master, in the path of alchemy, I believe I have some talent," Lin Yuan responded quietly upon seeing Bai Mei’s displeasure, albeit with confusion.

"Some talent?" Bai Mei furrowed his brows intensely.

Some talent! Without extreme talent, who would dare fully invest in alchemy? Moreover, with Lin Yuan’s poor comprehension, attempting alchemy would destroy any slim chance of entering Spiritual Origin.

"What sort of pills do you concoct?" Bai Mei reprimanded.

Just about to criticize him.

He heard Lin Yuan respectfully reply, "I can currently concoct the Golden Cloud Pill."

Lin Yuan paused slightly and then added, "Medium grade."

Claiming to concoct supreme Golden Cloud Pills was indeed unbelievable.

He thought it best to be conservative.

"Just a measly," Bai Mei started to criticize, not even processing the pill’s name.

But halfway through, he stopped.

What pill was it again?

Bai Mei’s eyes widened, staring at Lin Yuan, "You spoke too softly earlier. I didn’t hear you clearly. Repeat, what pill was it?"

"Respectfully, Master, it’s the Golden Cloud Pill," Lin Yuan replied, "Medium grade Golden Cloud Pill."

Bai Mei’s eyes widened instantaneously.

Golden Cloud Pill.

Not some common Five Qi Pill, a mere first-grade pill.

A second-grade Golden Cloud Pill, moreover a medium-grade pill master. It was enough to establish oneself in Baiyan City, and with a touch more diplomacy, one could thrive greatly.

Goodness gracious.

Lacking comprehension? Yet without it, he still managed to create second-grade pills?

Bai Mei fell into a deep self-reflection.

Just previously, Lin Yuan’s practice method and clumsy perception had made Bai Mei want to help him circulate his energy, and even after teaching him dozens of times, he hadn’t learned.

Yet without some comprehension, who could become a second-grade pill master?

Bai Mei took a deep breath, feeling bewildered by his little disciple.

Switching between being an extraordinary genius and an ordinary disciple, he couldn’t believe his own judgment.

At his age, he was truly surprised at what he witnessed.

"Alright." Bai Mei finally accepted Lin Yuan’s pursuit of alchemy and softly said, "When spring arrives next year, after the new martial institute disciples’ admission ceremony, I will arrange accordingly. For the next half month, focus on your cultivation and first comprehend the first divine diagram thoroughly."

"Yes, thank you, Master." Lin Yuan once again bowed deeply.

After exiting Bai Mei’s study, he bid farewell to Housekeeper Xue and went straight back to his residence.

At this time, besides excitement, his heart was focused on another matter.

Because he finally had a stable environment to explore martial intent, the second stage. He was about to cross halfway through to the second threshold of the Spiritual Origin stage.

Thinking of this, Lin Yuan’s gaze was firm as he strode toward his home.