Over the next seven days, Xiao Wuchen devoted almost all his time to adapting to and controlling his true qi.
The initial violent and uncontrollable state of his true qi had subsided, replaced by a gentle yet powerful energy that nourished his meridians like a gentle stream.
As the name suggests, meridian building involves opening and strengthening the body's main meridians to allow true qi to circulate efficiently along specific 'channels'. Following his breakthrough, Xiao Wuchen's "Primordial Qi Refining Technique" naturally evolved into the "Primordial Meridian Building Technique".
System Notification: The cultivation technique 'Primordial Meridian Building Technique' has begun active operation. True Qi Purity: Excellent.
He was no longer merely 'using' power, but beginning to 'understand' it. He discovered that the perception of the outside world afforded by true qi far surpassed that afforded by internal energy. When he calmed his mind, he could clearly perceive the movement of air and the slightest sounds. He could even sense the faint aura of other martial artists lingering in the air within a three-foot radius.
This entirely new perceptual ability was precisely the qualitative change brought about by "Building Veins".
Xiao Wuchen decided to fully integrate his true qi with his core martial arts techniques.
1. Thunderclap True Qi Palm
He experimented with using true qi to power the Thunderclap Palm technique. When the true qi condensed in his palm, the sound was no longer an "explosive" one brought about by internal force, but a steady, rumbling, thunderous sound.
With a single strike, the palm wind was no longer just a wave of air; it formed a spiralling azure qi force with a longer attack range and stronger penetrating power.
Insight: True qi gives martial arts techniques form and extensibility. He could control the true qi so that it would only fully erupt after hitting the target, driving the power deep into the enemy's body.
2. Flowing Wind True Qi Step
When true qi flowed into his legs, the speed of the Flowing Wind Step increased.
More importantly, he discovered that the true qi could form a thin 'air cushion' under his feet. This allowed him to perform sudden stops and changes of direction, as well as brief moments of hovering. This gave him extremely high mobility and evasive ability in combat.
Insight: True Qi can adhere to the body's surface, generating buoyancy and providing protection. This made his movements more graceful and laid the foundation for him to "fly through the air" in the future.
After several days of practice, he had completely mastered this newfound power and his physical condition had reached the level expected of someone in the early stages of Meridian Establishment.
As evening fell, the Grand Eunuch's personal guard arrived with new orders.
This time, instead of summoning him personally, the Grand Eunuch issued the task in the form of a secret letter.
The letter was brief yet had a suffocatingly bloody undertone.
Mission: Eliminate the remnants of the 'Hidden Dragon'.
Target background: The 'Hidden Dragon', a rebellious organisation operating within the Imperial City, is attempting to obtain a secret scroll known as the 'Dragon Vein Map'. Its members are scattered among officials below the third rank and among the Imperial City guards.
Operation Requirements: Lead a team of secret guards from the Evil Exorcism Bureau to infiltrate the inner guard of the Imperial City. Within seven days, eliminate all suspicious individuals, paying particular attention to an official in the Secretariat named "Xu Tongzhi", who is suspected of being a core member of the Hidden Dragon.
Warning: There are many informants within the Imperial City. The slightest misstep could affect the political landscape of the court. All actions must be carried out covertly and swiftly.
After reading the secret letter, Xiao Wuchen frowned deeply.
This was completely different from the straightforward 'assassination of a Grandmaster' he had previously carried out. This was espionage and a purge deep within enemy territory.
Passing the Foundation Establishment Realm trial proved that he was qualified to hold power, but this mission was the Grand Steward's way of showing that he was being brought into the inner circle of power.
This meant that he would participate directly in the darkest political struggles.
'Hidden Dragon... Dragon Vein Map... Secretariat.' Xiao Wuchen silently repeated these keywords in his mind.
This time, his ability to perceive true qi would be his most crucial weapon. In the complex inner workings of the imperial city, he would have to use this ability to detect the lurking 'Hidden Dragon' qi amidst countless false appearances and deliver a deadly blow
He put away the secret letter, changed into the special nightclothes made by the Evil Exorcism Bureau and summoned the secret guard squad assigned to him by the Grand Steward.
A new journey had quietly begun deep within the imperial city.
As evening fell, the Grand Eunuch's personal guard arrived with new orders.
This time, rather than summoning him personally, the Grand Eunuch issued the task directly in the form of a secret letter.
The letter was brief yet had a suffocatingly bloody undertone.
Mission: Eliminate the remnants of the 'Hidden Dragon'.
Target Background: The 'Hidden Dragon', a rebellious organisation operating within the Imperial City, is attempting to obtain a secret scroll known as the 'Dragon Vein Map'. Its members are scattered among officials below the third rank and among the Imperial City guards.
Operation Requirements: Lead a team of secret guards from the Evil Exorcism Bureau to infiltrate the inner guard of the Imperial City. Within seven days, eliminate all suspicious individuals, paying particular attention to an official in the Secretariat named "Xu Tongzhi", who is suspected of being a core member of the Hidden Dragon.
Warning: There are many informants within the Imperial City. The slightest misstep could affect the political landscape of the court. All actions must be carried out covertly and swiftly.
After reading the secret letter, Xiao Wuchen frowned deeply.
This was completely different from the straightforward 'assassination of a grandmaster' he had previously carried out. This was espionage and a purge deep within enemy territory, involving the heart of imperial power and politics.
'The Meridian Building Trial is to prove that I am worthy of life and strength, but not to become the Grand Eunuch's tool for eliminating dissidents and controlling the court,' Xiao Wuchen muttered to himself.
His goal had always been to reach the pinnacle of martial arts, not to become embroiled in the quagmire of power. However, once he ventured deep into the imperial city, he would become completely bound to the bloody warship of the Evil Exorcism Bureau, unable to escape.
Xiao Wuchen did not summon his guards. Instead, he resealed the secret letter, picked up Lu Qingfeng's sword and went straight to the steward's meditation room.
It was late at night, and the light in the meditation room was dimmer than usual.
Xiao Wuchen knelt on the ground and presented the secret letter to the steward with both hands.
'Steward, your subordinate Xiao Wuchen has failed you.'
The steward's voice came from the darkness, calm and chilling: 'What are you saying?'
'Your subordinate has broken through to the Foundation Establishment Realm, but my realm is not yet stable. I am unable to handle such a complex and crucial task.' Xiao Wuchen's tone was respectful, but his words were resolute. 'Your subordinate requests to resign from this post.'
The meditation room fell into a deathly silence. Could an Evil-Repelling Envoy of the Foundation Establishment Realm actually refuse a secret mission personally assigned by the steward? This was unheard of in the history of the Evil-Repelling Division.
The next second, a terrifying pressure far exceeding Lu Qingfeng's erupted, bearing down on Xiao Wuchen like a mountain. The steward was enraged.
'Xiao Wuchen! Just because you've broken through to the early stage of the Foundation Establishment realm, do you think you can defy me?!"
Xiao Wuchen felt as if his meridians were about to burst and his newly generated true energy was being crushed by the overwhelming force. But he gritted his teeth, concentrated his true energy in his dantian and withstood the pressure.
'This subordinate dares not disobey the Grand Steward!' Veins bulged on Xiao Wuchen's forehead, but his voice remained clear. 'This subordinate knows that the Grand Steward doesn't want a lackey who only executes simple orders, but rather a sharp blade capable of making correct judgements at crucial moments. This subordinate's strength lies in martial arts, not political manoeuvring.
"Sending this subordinate to the capital would deprive the Grand Steward of a newly sharpened blade!"
He raised his head, his eyes burning with an indomitable fighting spirit. 'Please grant this subordinate time to consolidate his cultivation so that I can use my Meridian Building ability to complete purer and more dangerous martial arts missions and repay the Grand Steward!'
Under Xiao Wuchen's insistence, the Grand Steward's oppressive aura suddenly receded like a tide. The quiet room returned to silence.
'Hahaha...' The Grand Steward let out a low, eerie laugh.
'Interesting. You're the first person to dare to refuse my orders.' His voice was unreadable, but tinged with amusement. 'Very well, you want pure martial arts? You want time to consolidate your realm?'
He reached out and gently crushed the sealed letter.
'I grant your request. However, Xiao Wuchen, refusing my mission comes at a high price.'
'Three days later, you must come to the department to receive your orders. I will give you the purest and most dangerous mission. If you fail or refuse again..."
The steward's voice suddenly turned cold, carrying an irresistible killing intent. 'I will personally discard this blade of yours!'
Xiao Wuchen knew that he had successfully avoided the quagmire of power, but he had also tightened the noose around his neck. He had gained temporary freedom, but in return he had attracted the steward's closer attention and faced an even deadlier challenge.
'Your subordinate obeys! I will not fail you!' Xiao Wuchen respectfully withdrew.