Chapter 411 - 288: My Master’s Master? The Path of Martial Arts Must Be Walked Alone (4)

"Although there is some gap compared to you, Wu Ao was already Commander of the Three Armies and commander of the Western Expedition Army at that time."

Western Expedition Army?

Chu Ming’s heart stirred slightly.

The predecessor of the Tiger Armor Army was the Western Expedition Army, something that happened decades ago.

Unexpectedly, the commander of the Western Expedition Army was Ji Wujiang’s disciple, which means he was my mentor’s senior brother.

"Judging by your expression, you should know about the Western Expedition Army. Then, do you know why the Western Expedition Army became the current Tiger Armor Army, and why the commander changed from Ji Wua to Xiang Yue?"

Chu Ming shook his head.

"Because of Wu Ao’s recklessness."

"Sixty years ago, when the Nine Hordes Kingdom frequently invaded, the Western Expedition Army suffered heavy casualties. Coincidentally, Wu Ao received a Cultivation Technique, a technique that mysteriously spread to the Western Expedition Army."

"That Cultivation Technique could strengthen qi blood, cleanse bone marrow and cut veins. Wu Ao thought it was faster and stronger than the technique I taught him."

"Wu Ao spread this Cultivation Technique in the Western Expedition Army and also tried to cultivate it himself."

Ji Wujiang’s face showed sadness: "As it turned out, similar to what Wu Ao thought, he cultivated this technique, and within a year, he connected all Eight Extraordinary Meridians, reaching Lower Realm Perfection of Meridian Unlocking!"

"But this so-called perfection was actually the end of Wu Ao’s Martial Arts path."

"After experiencing rapid realm progress, Wu Ao’s mindset changed; he no longer advanced steadily and began to seek speed blindly."

"However, rapid realm progress comes with consequences, dire consequences!"

"He held several Bone Marrow Cleansing Realm techniques, yet he could never take another step."

"Until eventually, he died on the battlefield."

"Wu Ao left a letter stating: ’The path of Martial Arts has countless ways, but if one cannot find their own, following others will ultimately lead to doom.’

At this point, Ji Wujiang noticeably paused, seemingly adjusting his emotions.

"Later, when I examined the Cultivation Technique Wu Ao practiced, I finally understood why he was trapped at Lower Realm Perfection of Meridian Unlocking."

"The technique was indeed profound but wasn’t suitable for Wu Ao. Because of cultivating that technique, his body underwent certain changes."

"It was a change forcing the body to conform to the technique, extremely difficult to reverse."

"The final outcome was being stuck neither high nor low, even if he re-cultivated the techniques I taught, his original talent was gone."

"Since then, I realized that the path of Martial Arts can only be walked and deduced by oneself to reach greater heights."

"You might still disagree with this view, saying everyone cultivates pre-existing techniques, in Martial Arts Halls, in Martial Arts Sects, and so on."

"But have you ever thought about why the same Cultivation Technique allows some to quickly reach the Meridian Unlocking Realm, while others struggle to the Strong Bone Realm?"

"Is it a difference in talent?"

"If it’s a difference in talent, it’s not entirely accurate."

"Someone slow in cultivation might switch to another Cultivation Technique and see a dramatic increase in speed."

"Someone fast might switch and spend decades breaking through just one realm, possibly never breaking through in their lifetime."

"At the root, it’s not about good or bad talent. It’s about not choosing the right technique, or more precisely, not finding one’s own Martial Arts path."

"Every Cultivation Technique is different, and every person is unique. How can one technique teach everyone?"

"Walking the right path, matching one’s talent, is the way to progress further."

"Having poor talent merely means one isn’t suited for a particular technique."

"Having good talent only means a higher compatibility with the Cultivation Technique, cultivating relatively faster, but it doesn’t mean one can keep advancing. One might still get stuck at some bottleneck, again due to insufficient compatibility."

"Therefore, the best compatibility comes from self-deduction and understanding of the Cultivation Technique."

Ji Wujiang’s expression grew more solemn as he finished.

"..." Chu Ming lowered his eyes, unsure of how to respond.

According to Ji Wujiang’s understanding, the Martial Arts path should be one’s own to comprehend and navigate, not follow in others’ footsteps, for that path may not be suitable or lead to the pinnacle of Martial Arts.

Still, he needs the Cultivation Technique, precisely for deducing and understanding his own technique.....

"Master, Chu Ming wants the Cultivation Technique for reference and deduction," Xiang Yue wanted to speak up for Chu Ming. "Chu Ming has always cultivated his own deduced technique."

"What is reference? How does one distinguish between reference and borrowing?"

Clearly, Ji Wujiang was greatly affected by the events surrounding Ji Wua back in the day.

"I won’t give you the Cultivation Technique. You’re still young. Exploring and understanding will prevent you from losing your way in Martial Arts."

"Regardless of what environment or era it is!"

Simply put, Ji Wujiang couldn’t bear to see Chu Ming repeat Ji Wujiang’s mistakes.