As the martial inner force within Xiao's body began to circulate, his aura grew sharper and more forceful.
The aura of cultivators was always in harmony with heaven and earth, giving off a feeling of unity with the cosmos. Carefree, unrestrained, moving with ease.
But a martial artist's aura lacked that towering grandeur of seeming to command a domain of heaven and earth. It was more like using frail strength to resist a boundless mountain—unyielding, yes, but ultimately small.
It sounded lofty in words, but in the eyes of those present, so-called martial inner force and aura seemed pitifully fragile, unable to withstand a single blow.
No matter how strong, martial artists remained mortals. Cultivators, however, had already stepped upon the immortal path. They were no longer the same kind of lifeform.
On a personal level, martial arts techniques held no value of reference to cultivators. But from the perspective of a group, Xiao's display was already quite decent.
After preparing for a moment, Xiao suddenly began forming some strange stances. Yet everyone present could clearly see a thread of the world's spiritual energy—minute and gentle—being drawn into his body.
As Xiao shifted through the stances, the flow of that energy grew faster.
Zhongli explained:
"This is a technique I created, the Thirteen Stances of Spirit-Guiding Body Tempering.
The full set has thirteen postures. Each stance establishes a connection with heaven and earth, serving as a bridge.
Through them, one can draw in the gentlest portion of spiritual energy, improving the body and storing it bit by bit in the dantian.
This energy is weak in terms of longevity or destructive force—worlds apart from true essence.
But the advantage is that it demands little innate talent.
I call it Inner Force.
Of course, inner force is weak only when compared to true essence. Against elemental power, it is somewhat inferior, but not by much.
Think of it as akin to our circulation of essence through the meridians—a foundational method to strengthen one's power."
He paused, then added:
"My suggestion is to eat meat, high-energy foods, and then practice the Thirteen Stances. The results will be better."
Keqing nodded slightly, quickly recording this information.
Meanwhile, Xiao had already finished demonstrating the thirteen stances. Then he began to slowly strike with his fists.
"Besides the basic cultivation technique, I also drew upon many systems from the Sutra Pavilion to create additional martial arts.
For example, what Xiao is now practicing—the Formless Fist.
Formless Fist is an expansive style. Combined with inner force, its attacks are not weaker than those of a Vision-holder.
For instance, external release of inner force."
As his words fell, Xiao slammed a fist into the ground.
The sparring ground, built by a cultivation sect, was naturally unscathed, but everyone could gauge the force behind the blow.
Lisa's eyes lit up, and she murmured:
"This kind of attack… already rivals some strong Vision users."
Of course, she wasn't including herself. Her combat strength was not solely reliant on her Vision.
In her eyes, this attack surpassed Amber's elemental skills—roughly comparable to Diluc's elemental art.
Zhongli continued, "Formless Fist is one technique from the Formless Codex I developed. Within it, I have included various methods—fist, palm, sword, blade, spear… the full range of martial weapons.
In the past, even wracking my brain, I could not create such things. But now, after stepping into cultivation, having discerned the essence of spiritual energy and awakened divine sense, forging martial arts techniques is effortless.
Of course, this ease is unique to me, since I already had deep knowledge of martial ways."
From a cultivator's perspective, the Formless Codex was frail and could be shattered at a whim. Against a perfected martial artist, a single casual strike with true essence would be enough.
But from the perspective of Vision-wielders, these martial arts were ingenious—worth studying even for top-tier gods.
"Lastly, I devised a movement art and a defensive technique."
Zhongli glanced at Xiao, who nodded. His figure blurred, flickering rapidly across the field. Then he channeled inner force outward, forming a faint, unseen barrier.
"This is Phantom Step and Golden Bell Shield," Zhongli said with a smile.
Ningguang asked curiously:
"Do these techniques have any special qualities?"
Phantom Step seemed fast, but for sword-riding cultivators who could circle all Teyvat in a day, it was nothing. And their true essence could already shield against tribulation lightning—what use was a flimsy barrier?
"No special qualities," Zhongli shook his head. "When chatting with the Sect Master, he mentioned that among martial artists in the cultivation world, Phantom Step and Golden Bell Shield are popular. So I borrowed the names."
Having finished his display, Xiao silently returned to Zhongli's side.
Ningguang sighed:
"All in all, compared to cultivation—or even Vision-blessed gods—this system is weaker. But for ordinary people or weaker Vision holders, these techniques are already very powerful.
It's just that our standards are too high now. In the past, such things would have made us cry with joy.
Even now, I'm still pleased."
Zhongli handed her several manuals.
"All the techniques are written here. Send them to Liyue and arrange for practice.
Though martial arts are insignificant compared to cultivation, they remain a way to strengthen oneself without a Vision—something unheard of in Teyvat.
Such a method may draw unwanted eyes. So secrecy must be tight. As for recruits, best to begin with the Millelith."
He then chuckled, "But these matters are for you all to decide. Liyue is yours now. I only suggest."
Ningguang nodded seriously.
"We will consider carefully. Also, please accept five thousand contribution points."
She tapped her disciple token against Zhongli's.
Zhongli didn't plan to exchange anything immediately, preferring to save up. For his upcoming trip to the Nether Abyss, he intended to collect treasures and at least accumulate eighty thousand points—enough to exchange for the Cloud Dragon Armor he long desired.
With it and the Vortex Vanquisher, even without invoking the Rite of Parting, he would wield terrifying might.
Ningguang skimmed the manuals. With her cultivation eyes, she grasped them in a glance. But she had no intention of studying them herself.
A cultivator using inner force—what use could that be?
Suddenly she asked:
"Elder, do martial artists have realms as cultivators do?"
"Of course." Zhongli nodded. "Two days ago, when reporting disciplinary matters to the Sect Master…"
He cast a glance at Venti, who looked guilty.
"After the report, I asked him about martial realms.
In the cultivation world, mortals rarely see cultivators. In the mundane realm, what flourishes instead is the martial world—the community of martial artists, also called Jianghu.
Martial artists are divided into five realms: Postnatal Nine Stages, Prenatal Nine Stages, Master, Grandmaster, and Celestial Being.
A Celestial Being can shatter mountains, though still weaker than an early-stage cultivator. Yet they surpass high-tier gods without unique powers. Roughly comparable to Lishu and her ilk."
Ningguang and Keqing recorded carefully.
As for Celestial Beings, they paid it no mind. With their artifacts and true essence, even an early-stage cultivator like Ningguang could crush former gods with ease.
Lisa murmured, "Still, for ordinary people, martial arts remain a powerful path."
Zhongli nodded. "Celestial Beings may live three hundred years—top experts in the mortal world."
Three hundred years… to cultivators, it was nothing. Even the earliest stage granted at least five centuries of life.
Once again, they felt why cultivators always stood above the mundane. No matter how many generations mortals strove, they could never reach the starting line of immortality.
Cruel indeed. But fortunately—they themselves were now cultivators.
"That is enough." Ningguang smiled. "Such a system will be easy to control. If Liyue cultivates enough Celestial Beings, we will gain solid foundations."
Zhongli warned:
"The martial path and cultivation path are incomparable. You must not pursue martial arts yourselves. To waste talent on it would be folly."
Everyone nodded.
Ningguang handed the manuals to Keqing.
"Keqing, I'll trouble you to deliver these personally."
Keqing curled her lips. "Fine. I was planning to return for some Primogems anyway."
With that, she bid farewell and teleported away from Mount Shu's cave-heaven.
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