My Apprentice Is Too Diligent

Chapter 37: The Secret of the Jade Medallion

Messenger?

Chen Wuji's eyes lit up as he asked, "Which messenger? What's their name?"

"It's just a messenger," Zhao Feihu replied dreamily. "I don't know their name, the messenger didn't say, and we didn't dare to ask."

"...," Chen Wuji said, "Do you at least know if it's a man or a woman?"

"Well..." Zhao Feihu hesitated. "I think it's a man."

You don't even know if it's a man or a woman?

Chen Wuji raised an eyebrow and continued, "The organization where the messenger is from, is it the same mysterious force you secretly joined? What's it called?"

"I don't know," Zhao Feihu replied.

"You don't know?" Chen Wuji frowned. "You don't know anything about it?"

"Yes, I don't know," Zhao Feihu said.

"Why don't you know? Didn't you ask?" Chen Wuji pressed.

"Because our strength is not enough," Zhao Feihu murmured in reply. "The messenger said that we need to break through to the True Qi Realm in order to officially join the organization and learn the organization's name and other members."

Such high requirements?

Chen Wuji was surprised and asked, "So, you, Xiong Zengtong, and Yang Qin are still considered external personnel?"

"Yes, we are external personnel," Zhao Feihu replied.

"...," Chen Wuji fell silent.

To become an official member, one must reach the True Qi Realm. The strength of this mysterious organization is not ordinary.

Just one of them could sweep through the entire White Water County.

"As external personnel, are you required to complete any tasks?" Chen Wuji calmed himself and continued, "For example, gathering intelligence or killing someone?"

"Yes," Zhao Feihu answered.

"The messenger said for us to secretly keep an eye on the County Lord," Zhao Feihu murmured in reply.

"Keep an eye on the County Lord?" Chen Wuji was suspicious. "Does your organization have a grudge against the County Lord?"

"I don't know," Zhao Feihu replied.

"...Then why keep an eye on the County Lord? Could it be that you're just observing him, knowing where he goes and what he eats and drinks?" Chen Wuji asked repeatedly.

"Yes," Zhao Feihu said.

"...," Chen Wuji fell silent.

Alright, that's quite straightforward.

The origin of the County Lord is indeed mysterious. Since arriving in White Water County, he has been in power for over twenty years.

To maintain such a position for such a long time without promotion, transfer, or demotion already represents strength.

"As external personnel, what benefits do you have?" Chen Wuji pondered for a moment and asked again, "You can't just work for nothing without getting anything in return, right?"

"We receive something," Zhao Feihu replied absentmindedly. "The jade medallion... that's the benefit, it's a precious item."

"The jade medallion is a treasure?" Chen Wuji raised an eyebrow. "What's so special about it? Where is the treasure in the jade medallion?"

"It can help a person open up their dantian faster, form a Qi Sea, and give birth to True Qi," Zhao Feihu said with a happy smile. "Hehe, it's a rare treasure. It can only exert its powerful abilities after reaching the completion of the Eighth Layer of Body Refining. And the more of them, the better."

Open up the dantian, form a Qi Sea, give birth to True Qi!

These functions seem to be connected.

Such abilities are indeed considered treasures.

No wonder, no wonder Yang Qin already has one and still wants to obtain the jade medallion from Xiong Zengtong!

"How is this jade medallion used?" Chen Wuji suppressed his excitement and continued to ask, "Are there any conditions for using its abilities?"

"Ah~ no," Zhao Feihu yawned and replied, "The method of using the jade medallion is very simple. Just stick it below the lower abdomen, corresponding to the position of the dantian."

"Place it there, and when you activate your cultivation technique, the jade medallion can sense the fluctuations of qi and blood, thereby connecting with the dantian to achieve a stabilizing effect."

"Because there is a strand of True Qi in the jade medallion, it can assist in the faster and more convenient condensation of True Qi after opening the Qi Sea."

"Ah~ I'm so tired, I'm going to sleep."

"Wait!" Knowing the effects of the mesmerizing incense were about to wear off, Chen Wuji hurriedly asked, "How often do the envoys from White Water County usually come?"

"About... about once every half year."

Zhao Feihu smacked his lips and started to get impatient, "Don't bother me, let me sleep."

"Once every half year?" Chen Wuji's gaze flickered, "When was the last time an envoy came?"

"Four months ago. Alright, stop bothering me. If you keep bothering me, I'll kill you!" Zhao Feihu closed his eyes, his face full of anger, threatening him.

After speaking, his chest rose and fell as he started snoring.

The effects of the incense wore off!

"Poof~"

Chen Wuji took out a small porcelain bottle, opened the lid, placed it under Zhao Feihu's nose, let him take a few breaths, then quickly closed the lid and put it away in his embrace.

Zui Linglong!

It causes people to unknowingly die in their sleep.

Soon, Zhao Feihu stopped breathing, followed by his heartbeat ceasing.

Chen Wuji lifted him up with one hand.

He walked out of the room and closed the door.

With a light step on his tiptoes, he flipped onto the roof, stepping on the darkness, and hurried towards the outskirts of the city.

He climbed over the city wall and traveled a distance away from the county, throwing the body into a mountain stream.

Under the moonlight, Chen Wuji's expression became solemn.

He had originally wanted to ask who else in White Water County was a comrade of Xiong Zengtong and Yang Qin.

After hearing Zhao Feihu's final words, there was no need to ask anymore.

In another two months, the envoy behind Zhao Feihu and the others would come to White Water County again.

Once they arrived, they would definitely look for Zhao Feihu, Xiong Zengtong, and Yang Qin.

However, Zhao Feihu, Xiong Zengtong, and Yang Qin were all dead.

Who knows if this envoy had any means or if they had investigated Chen Wuji through other people.

Even though the person hadn't arrived yet.

But the threat of a True Qi Realm expert was faintly felt by Chen Wuji.

An invisible pressure!

"Break through to the True Qi Realm as soon as possible!"

Chen Wuji's eyes flickered with a bright light.

Only when his own strength became stronger would the threats and pressures from others become meaningless.

And breaking through to the True Qi Realm in two months was completely unrealistic before.

But with Chen Wuji's three Blood Transformations, nearly ten complete martial arts techniques, and three precious jade pendants that were just right for breaking through to the True Qi Realm, these factors combined made it no longer just a dream to break through in two months.

"The only question is, is there any hidden danger in the True Qi in the three jade pendants?"

Chen Wuji pondered.

According to Zhao Feihu's explanation, the reason why the three jade pendants could accelerate the opening of the dantian, the formation of the Qi Sea, and the birth of True Qi seemed to lie in the fact that there was a strand of True Qi hidden in the jade pendants.

A strand of True Qi that belonged to someone else!

This method of storing True Qi in the jade pendants was incredibly mysterious.

Was it possible that this True Qi could be tampered with?

For example, once the jade pendants were used and the True Qi was used to open the dantian, form the Qi Sea, and give birth to True Qi, would there be a lingering aura of this True Qi on the body? Or a mark? A sign of some sort?

It's not surprising that Chen Wuji would think so, as the potential consequences were too great.

If the envoy behind Zhao Feihu and the others came and didn't investigate Chen Wuji, but found him because he had used the three jade pendants and followed the marked aura.

Then Chen Wuji would have nowhere to cry.

"Can the True Qi in the jade pendants be removed?"

Chen Wuji pondered.

"If the True Qi is gone, will the function of the jade pendants weaken? Or will it become completely ineffective?"

Let's give it a try!

After all, there were three jade pendants, damaging one would still leave two.

For safety reasons, let's test the functionality of Bao Yu himself.

As for removing True Qi.

Chen Wuji held a jade plaque in his hand, concentrated his spirit on it, and after a while, he sensed the True Qi contained within it.

It was a strange True Qi that carried a hint of heat within its coldness.

In the spiritual sensing, the True Qi was only stored in the jade plaque and had not completely fused with it.

This means that the True Qi can be removed.

The removal method is simple, using the flushing of qi and blood!

True Qi is a higher level manifestation of qi and blood energy.

Chen Wuji, with his three Blood Transformations, will flush away the rootless True Qi without any support. He doesn't believe it can't be flushed away!

...

Thinking of this.

Chen Wuji quickly returned to the city and entered the underground training room.

He held a jade plaque in his hand, stirred his qi and blood, slowly permeated his body, and wrapped the jade plaque around it.

Then, with his mind controlling it, he mobilized wave after wave of qualitatively changing qi and blood, flushing the True Qi in the jade plaque.

After a cup of tea.

"It works!"

A look of joy appeared on Chen Wuji's face.

In his spiritual sensing, the True Qi in the jade plaque had decreased by nearly one percent.

Although it was very little.

But as long as it can be reduced, it means this method is feasible.

One cup of tea, one percent reduction.

In less than a day, all the True Qi can be completely removed.

"Continue flushing!"

Taking a deep breath, stabilizing his mind, Chen Wuji held the jade plaque, mobilized the True Qi, and repeatedly flushed the jade plaque.

From dusk till dawn.

And from dawn till dusk.

During this time, except for resting and restoring qi and blood.

Chen Wuji didn't take a step out of the training room.

Finally, on the evening of the next day, the True Qi in the jade plaque was completely removed.

At the right time, Chen Wuji sensed the jade plaque again and placed it on the lower abdomen, corresponding to the belly area of the dantian.

He operated the Fish Swallowing Technique, opening up the dantian.

At the moment when qi and blood were adjusted, a warm stream suddenly appeared from the jade plaque.

Under the influence of this warm stream, Chen Wuji keenly sensed that the dantian was like a magnet, imprisoned in its original position.

Stabilize the dantian!

The jade plaque without True Qi is just as effective!

"Hahaha..."

Chen Wuji couldn't help but burst into laughter.

"I knew the jade plaque itself wasn't that simple."

"If it was solely the effect of True Qi, there would be no need for such a fuss. It would be more convenient to directly transition the True Qi into a person's body without storing it in the jade plaque, right?"

Zhao Feihu mentioned that the key to Bao Yu's functionality is True Qi, and the jade plaque is also crucial!

Perhaps storing True Qi in the jade plaque makes it more effective and faster.

But just in case, Chen Wuji decided to take it slow.

...

One of the three jade plaques has already had the True Qi completely removed.

For the remaining two, Chen Wuji spent another two days to remove the True Qi.

Then, the three jade plaques were placed on the skin corresponding to the dantian, forming a row at the closest distance.

With the Fish Swallowing Technique in operation, qi and blood were mobilized, and the three jade plaques exerted force simultaneously, stabilizing the dantian.

Using his mental power as a knife, Chen Wuji began to open up the dantian, gradually forming the Qi Sea.

Without dividing his attention to the dantian, he focused all his spirit on the opening process. Wave after wave of qualitatively changing qi and blood drilled into the opened dantian, evolving the Qi Sea.

At the beginning, Chen Wuji's speed was very slow.

After three days of practice, his speed increased, and he successfully opened his dantian, revealing the Qi Sea.

Another three days later, with the influence of three jade plaques, the stability of the Qi Sea was established.

And ten days later...

Whoosh!

In the fully opened dantian, clusters of cyclones spun rapidly and gradually merged, gathering into a bundle.

Completely formed, in a stable moment, within the small dantian, the vortex-like power of qi and blood slowly rotated.

Invisible force burst out from the dantian, sweeping through the whole body in an instant.

Buzz!

The body trembled lightly, and at the moment when the invisible force passed through, the tendons, blood vessels, organs, and even the brain and spirit underwent transformation in this breath.

When it stopped...

[Name: Chen Wuji (Hidden Dragon Gate Master)]

[Lifespan: 30/85]

[Cultivation: Body Refining Realm Ninth Layer]

[Cultivation Techniques: "Fish Swallowing Technique" Ninth Layer (1000/1000), "Easy Embryo Turtle Breathing Technique" Perfect (1000/1000), "Gold Jade Art" Tenth Layer (2656/3000), "Innate Qi" Seventh Layer (875/1000)]

[Martial Arts: "Storm Sword Technique" Perfect (2000/2000), "Fierce Wind Thirteen Blades" Perfect (1000/1000), "Autumn Water Sword Technique" Perfect (1000/1000), "Earth Dragon Fist" Perfect (1000/1000), "Cloud Piercing Saber Technique" Perfect (1000/1000), "Winding Snake Steps" Perfect (1000/1000), "Electric Light Steps" Perfect (1000/1000)]

[Talent: Sudden Inspiration]

[Disciples: Seven (expandable)]

...

Finally broke through to the Body Refining Realm Ninth Layer!

Taking into account various factors, it took half a month to finally step into the Body Refining Ninth Layer.

The purpose of the Body Refining Realm Ninth Layer is to open the sea.

Expand the dantian and enlarge the Qi Sea!

The current dantian space is small, like a small pool, and the outline of the swirling Qi Sea is only one circle.

When the dantian space expands to the size of a pond or lake, the outline of the swirling Qi Sea can reach up to nine circles, or even ten circles. With ten circles or more, one can strive for the True Qi Realm!

And opening the sea...

Chen Wuji realized that even with the assistance of three precious jade plaques, he still needed sufficient mental power and a large amount of qi and blood, with higher quality being better.

So, he must continue to drink the Seven Treasure Tiger Heart Soup!

...

Hunting Tiger Mountain Villa, county town residence.

Chen Wuji changed his appearance and once again arrived at the door.

Led by the butler, he went to the guest hall and sat for a while.

"Mr. Cheng, you finally came."

The owner of Hunting Tiger Mountain Villa, Qing Meng, who had received the news, spoke with a rough and hearty voice before he arrived.

In the next moment, a tall and burly man, eight feet tall with a thick waist, walked into the guest hall from the entrance.

As soon as Chen Wuji saw him, he clasped his fists and said, "Mr. Cheng, we found three tiger hearts you requested ten days ago. They have all been frozen. After such a long time, the quality has decreased by nearly half. Take a look..."

"It doesn't matter."

Chen Wuji stood up and said calmly, "As long as they can still be consumed."

"Naturally, they can." Qing Meng breathed a sigh of relief. "Please follow me, Mr. Cheng. The tiger hearts are in the cellar, in the ice cave."

Upon hearing this, Chen Wuji followed Qing Meng and walked out of the guest hall.

They moved quickly along the way.

Arriving at the cellar, they took out the tiger hearts from the ice cave. Chen Wuji checked them and confirmed that they were correct, then placed them in a prepared box with ice blocks.

After that, he paid the agreed amount of silver and bid farewell.

Qing Meng personally escorted him to the door.

As they were leaving, two young disciples of Hunting Tiger Mountain Villa, a man and a woman, happened to return from outside.

Seeing Qing Meng, they respectfully greeted, "Master of the Villa."

Qing Meng nodded and asked them to enter quickly.

However, Chen Wuji stopped in his tracks and turned his head to look at the young man who was walking away, his eyes filled with doubt.

"Master Qin, does your disciple seem to have a Yin aura?"

(End of this chapter)