Chapter 720 - 384:

Dong Yunchuan finally snapped out of his shock.

His old face turned bright red, and he slapped his thigh forcefully, bursting into hearty laughter. His voice was so loud that it made the leaves of the locust tree rustle.

"Did you see it? Did you all see it? Wasn’t I right? This is a genius! A martial arts prodigy that appears once in a century!"

He walked over to Fang Cheng, brushing others away as if protecting his precious treasure, and asked with genuine concern:

"Ah Cheng, how are you feeling? Is there anywhere you’re uncomfortable?"

Wu Dewang sat by the stone table, took off his glasses, and rubbed the corners of his eyes vigorously.

Then, with a slight tremor in his voice, he looked toward Ma Jianguo.

"Senior Brother Ma, the qigong Fang Cheng demonstrated just now... could it be the sign of achievement in Tiger and Leopard Thunder Sound?"

Ma Jianguo took a deep breath, forcibly suppressing the shock waves in his heart.

The way he looked at Fang Cheng was no longer one of admiration, but with a touch of awe.

He spoke in a deep voice:

"Tiger and Leopard Thunder Sound, Yijin Xinmo, is the ultimate method of boxing mastery, resonating with internal organs to temper muscles and bones!"

"Since ancient times, those who could practice to hear its faint sound were already rare; those who could solidify the sound into substance, audible externally and form sound waves, are almost invisible throughout history! Ah Cheng, you..."

He was momentarily at a loss for words.

Seeing this, Fang Cheng knew his demonstration had been a little excessive, and quickly tried to explain:

"I only recently realized a bit of the trick. As my physical condition improved, this situation occasionally occurred during practice."

"Moreover, I can’t control it well; it works sometimes and not others."

"Works sometimes?"

Dong Yunchuan glared:

"Kid, stop being modest with us. Tiger and Leopard Thunder Sound involves training the five viscera and six bowels, the most fundamental essence, spirit, and energy of the human body."

"Ordinary people practice all their lives without hearing a sound. Practicing poorly may cause qi and blood to flow backward and result in internal bleeding on the spot!"

"You’re not just ’producing qi’ anymore; it’s a sign of essence, spirit, and energy beginning to unify. Be honest, what level is your qigong at now?"

"Yes, Fang Cheng, tell us carefully."

"Although we’re not as skilled, our experience is definitely broader than yours, and we can give you some pointers."

The other three old men also gathered around eagerly, their eyes filled with curiosity and investigation.

Fang Cheng’s heart was stirred, then he showed a confused look:

"Level? I don’t quite understand, I just feel a hot flow in my body that I can move with my mind."

Ma Jianguo heard this and exchanged a glance with the others before speaking slowly to enlighten him:

"Ah Cheng, in traditional martial arts, ’qi’ is not an ethereal thing. According to our Martial Arts Research Association’s internal classification, qigong practice can be roughly divided into five levels."

"The first level is called ’Qi Cultivation and Inception.’ In this stage, one mainly feels the existence of qi through methods like stance and breathing, allowing the energy to take root and sprout in the body. Most of our association’s students remain at this stage."

"The second level is called ’Qi Circulation.’ When qi accumulates to a certain extent, it can unblock meridians, forming a complete cycle in the body, known as the great and small circulation."

"At this realm, qi can nourish the five viscera, strengthen muscles and bones, keep away cold and heat, and prevent all diseases. We old fellows reached this level more than ten years ago."

Fang Cheng nodded to show his understanding.

Ma Jianguo continued:

"The third level is ’True Qi Emission.’ At this point, qi not only circulates within the body but can also emerge outside, influencing the external world."

Your Uncle Dong is adept at this; his ’Boiling Water in the Palm’ releases true qi from the palm, rubbing the water molecules to heat them. This step marks the beginning of ’qi’ creating actual physical effects externally."

Upon hearing this, Dong Yunchuan showed a trace of pride, but upon glancing at Fang Cheng, that pride quickly disappeared.

"The fourth level is called ’True Essence Casting Cauldron.’

Ma Jianguo went on:

"At this level, control becomes apparent. Although anyone can emit true qi, the degree achieved and fine control is vastly different."

"Reaching this level allows martial artists to merge true qi with their flesh and bones truly, undergoing deep ’purification’ and ’tempering,’ gradually exhibiting ’Vajra Unbreakable’ properties, greatly enhancing resilience, self-healing abilities, and comprehensive improvements in power, speed, perception, and other body mechanics."

"True qi becomes more than an untamed wild horse; it’s a servant responding to commands, even condensing into various forms, attaching to weapons and limbs, possibly inflicting damage from a distance."

"The first three levels are ’accumulation,’ while this level begins to be truly ’applied’ in combat."

"The fifth level is a legendary realm, named ’Inner Scenery External Manifestation.’ Practitioners’ spirit, qi, and blood achieve ultimate strength, their inner visions manifest externally, creating incredible phenomena."

"It’s said that ancient Dharma Ancestor, mastering the ’Yijin Jing,’ emitted Buddha’s light and shadow during meditation; Wudang Zhang Sanfeng, surrounded by Yin Yang fish while performing Tai Chi."

"These are supreme manifestations of Inner Scenery External Manifestation. Whether there’s a higher realm beyond the fifth is beyond our mortal understanding."

By now, Fang Cheng had a rough idea.

With his ability to engulf himself in flames, turning into a human torch, he had evidently reached the fourth level realm.

Outwardly, he pretended to be enlightened, scratching his head:

"I might have reached the third level, just barely touching the threshold of the fourth."

"Threshold?"

Dong Yunchuan immediately shook his head and said:

"To practice Tiger and Leopard Thunder Sound to such a loud resonance, it’s practically like an acoustic attack. Ah Cheng, if you’re the fourth level’s threshold, I might never even touch the door in my lifetime."

Despite this, the elderly men’s gazes became softer looking at him.

Gifted and capable, yet humble, possessing a calm disposition, truly a fine and precious gem.

Ma Jianguo sighed deeply, saying with a complex expression:

"In the past two hundred years, martial arts have declined. We thought Old Dong was the limit, but never expected... really didn’t expect that in our lifetime, we would see a prodigy achieving True Essence Casting Cauldron."

"If Li Guizhen were still alive, seeing you, he would definitely consider you a soulmate; he was probably at this level in his youth."

Mentioning ’Li Guizhen,’ the academy’s fervor cooled slightly.

Zhang Haixiang lamented:

"Yes, Senior Li, alone with a sword, slaying sea monsters, that was truly divine prowess. Alas, heaven is jealous of talent; he died young."

"I heard that Senior Li combined qigong with swordsmanship back then to reach such an incredible state. If he were alive now, he’d likely attempt to reach beyond ’Inner Scenery External Manifestation’ to even higher realms, wouldn’t he?"

Chen Zizhen’s eyes were also filled with longing and regret.

"Who told you he’s dead?"

Dong Yunchuan suddenly interjected, glancing at Fang Cheng:

"Besides, with Ah Cheng’s current demonstrated potential, he may not be inferior to Senior Li back then."

Once again, everyone’s gaze focused on Fang Cheng.

Their eyes, from initial shock, gradually turned into a warm expectancy.

It’s as if they saw in him the hope of the road that had been severed, now being extended.

Dong Yunchuan suddenly regained composure, straightened his expression, and said:

"Ah Cheng, the last time you asked me that question in the office, I’ve discussed it with Senior Brother Ma."

He then turned his head to look at Ma Jianguo.

Ma Jianguo nodded, took over the conversation, and his tone turned serious:

"Ah Cheng, concerning the matter of Senior Li Guizhen, my grandfather told me some things. Though my understanding is limited, one thing is certain."

"He’s walking precisely the path we have chosen!"

"Even if he hoarded"