Chapter 595 - 248: True Martial

After the matter with the Wang Family, Chen Qing continued to immerse himself in his Cultivation. Aside from the occasional fishing trip, he spent most of his time training.

His Cultivation was steadily advancing toward the Late-stage Astral Force Realm.

One day, while guiding the surging True Astral within his body during his Cultivation, he sharply sensed that something was amiss.

In the Early and Middle Stages of Astral Force, the True Astral is primarily contained within the body, known as Inner Astral. It is controlled by the will, moving smoothly and freely.

But upon reaching the Late-stage Astral Force Realm and eventually Perfection, one must release their True Astral externally to injure enemies from a distance, which multiplies its power. This is known as Outer Astral.

To reach the Outer Astral Realm, one not only needs a sufficiently vast reserve of True Astral, but also requires exquisite and meticulous control over it.

As Chen Qing’s Cultivation deepened by the day, he felt that he was drawing ever closer to the threshold of the Outer Astral Realm.

However, at this moment, when he tried to release his True Astral, he discovered that his Five Elements True Astral, which he could normally command as easily as his own limbs, felt somewhat sluggish and obstructed.

It was as if an invisible barrier was in the way, and circulating the energy even produced a heavy, stagnant sensation.

’Could it be because of the Elixir?’

Chen Qing wondered to himself.

He carefully inspected his body internally, ruling out the possibility of any lingering effects from the Elixir.

’It’s not the Elixir... then what is it?’

Chen Qing’s thoughts raced, and he quickly turned his attention to his own physique. ’Could it be the Dragon Elephant Wisdom Vajra Body?’

The Qi Blood Power cultivated from this Buddhist Sect’s Body Refining Secret Technique was vast and immense, like a dormant Dragon Elephant. While it had greatly strengthened his Flesh Body, could such terrifying Qi and Blood be causing some kind of conflict or interference with his Five Elements True Astral?

But the two followed slightly different paths.

He decided to go ask Master of the Seven Sufferings.

Recently, because the Evil Qi on Prison Peak had thinned, his guard duties had become easier, so he had been visiting less often. Even when he did go, he rarely encountered Seven Sufferings.

Thinking of the habits of the Master of the Seven Sufferings, Chen Qing timed his visit perfectly and returned to the Black Water Abyss Prison.

On the first level of Prison Peak, most of the Evil Qi had already been purified by Seven Sufferings.

Chen Qing did not venture deeper rashly. He knew that Seven Sufferings often appeared around 3:00 PM each day to make his rounds.

Sure enough, just as 3:00 PM approached, the figure of the Master of the Seven Sufferings, clad in a black monastic robe, materialized.

Chen Qing immediately stepped forward, cupped his fist respectfully, and said, "Master of the Seven Sufferings."

Seven Sufferings gave a slight nod in acknowledgment, his serene gaze falling upon Chen Qing.

However, the instant his gaze touched Chen Qing, a glint of golden light flashed within his eyes, which were normally as tranquil as an ancient well.

He could clearly sense a faint, dark-golden light flowing naturally beneath Chen Qing’s skin, circulating among his flesh, sinews, and bones. It was not being consciously activated, but was a phenomenon that naturally manifested when a Cultivation Technique reached a certain Realm and one’s Qi and Blood grew powerful to a specific degree.

A deep, restrained, heavy, and majestic Qi Blood Power lay dormant within his body. It was faintly, yet unmistakably, identical to the descriptions of the Buddhist Sect’s Dragon Elephant Wisdom Vajra Body. Moreover, this was by no means the entry-level stage; he had clearly passed the threshold and achieved a considerable degree of mastery!

"You... you’ve succeeded?"

Seven Sufferings was rather astonished.

He knew well that the Dragon Elephant Wisdom Vajra Body was a supreme Body Refining Secret Technique of the Buddhist Sect. The initial stage of Cultivation was a major hurdle, requiring not only a robust physical foundation but also profound study of the Buddhist Dharma.

The cultivation of Buddhist Dharma emphasizes sudden enlightenment and gradual accumulation, which is by no means an easy feat.

Although Chen Qing had the foundation of the Eight Extremes Vajra Body, how had he overcome the hurdle of the Buddhist Dharma in such a short amount of time?

"I was merely fortunate to have achieved a little something, Master," Chen Qing replied calmly.

"Very good."

Seven Sufferings slowly uttered two words, but the turmoil in his heart had not yet fully subsided.

’This boy not only has an extraordinary talent for Body Refining, but could he also possess a deep aptitude for the Buddhist Dharma and have an affinity with the Buddha?’

’Otherwise, how could he have reached the entry-level and progressed so quickly?’

The thought flashed through his mind and was gone.

"I came today, Master, because I have some questions about the Dragon Elephant Wisdom Vajra Body that I hoped to ask you," Chen Qing stated the purpose of his visit.

"Feel free to ask," Seven Sufferings said, regaining his usual detached calm.

Chen Qing asked, "Master, while cultivating the Dragon Elephant Wisdom Vajra Body, as one’s Qi and Blood grows increasingly powerful, will it in turn affect the circulation of True Astral within the body, especially the fine control required for releasing it externally?"

Upon hearing this, Seven Sufferings slowly shook his head. "It will not. The Dragon Elephant Wisdom Vajra Body is a supreme secret technique that specializes in Body Refining. Its essence lies in unearthing the divine potential of the Flesh Body, condensing Qi and Blood, and strengthening the sinews, bones, skin, and membranes, until the body becomes like a Glazed Vajra and one’s Qi and Blood surges like a Dragon Elephant."

"It and the Cultivation of True Astral follow different paths—one focuses on the internal, the other on the external—but they run in parallel without conflict. In fact, when cultivated to a profound Realm, a formidable physique can provide a sturdier vessel and a more boundless source for True Astral. The two should complement each other."

He paused for a moment before continuing, "Moreover, this Cultivation Technique is widely recognized as one of the five great Body Refining Secret Techniques in the world. If one could cultivate it to the highest Realm, their Flesh Body would achieve a form of sainthood, and they would possess the supreme might to subdue dragons, tame tigers, carry mountains, and chase the moon."

As he spoke of this, a trace of yearning flashed across Seven Sufferings’ eyes, but it quickly faded back to serenity. "...However, as far as I know, since ancient times, even during the golden age of our Buddhist Sect, no one has ever been heard of to truly cultivate this technique to that legendary highest Realm. Even in the Buddhist Sect of today, among its many eminent monks and virtuous masters, none have been able to achieve it."

Hearing this, Chen Qing’s brow furrowed.

Since Master of the Seven Sufferings had clearly stated that Body Refining and True Astral did not conflict, then the abnormality with his True Astral probably wasn’t rooted in the Dragon Elephant Wisdom Vajra Body.

’Then what could be the reason?’

’Is this a unique phenomenon that occurs when Five Elements True Astral itself reaches the critical point of transitioning from Inner Astral to Outer Astral?’

’Or is it some other factor he hadn’t yet noticed?’

After asking Seven Sufferings a few more questions about Qi and Blood Transport, Chen Qing took his leave, his mind still filled with doubt.

Seven Sufferings stood where he was, gazing at Chen Qing’s retreating figure, lost in thought.