Chapter 186: Where Were We?

Chapter 186: Where Were We?

Ive just reached the first level of Qi condensation.

An average cultivator that reaches this level would have the strength of 10 men. I already had the strength of 15 to 20 men before I elevated to this. Case in point, I could easily lift that massive bear on the way up the mountain.

Now?

Its easily been doubled. Only doubled, because the purpose of Qi Condensation isnt to increase raw strength. Its only a byproduct.

One of the more interesting things about Qi level progression is that the first level of every stage is one of acquiring and stabilizing. To be more specific, to reach the first level is to show that you could achieve the initial expectations of that stage and hold on to it.

Here, that means having Qi flow smoothly throughout the meridians, while bunching up some of it within the Dantians. Having it bunch up says youre able to bring Qi into your body and then hold it by force or coercion successfully.

It cannot be overstated how difficult this is for non-cultivators.

At their best, a person who has practiced body cultivation without being able to achieve the first steps of cultivation can at most push the already existing Qi around and out of their body to achieve certain effects. As an example, if someone wanted to make a Qi infused punch at that stage, they would push more of it out of their hands to release it, at just the right moment. The more adept of a body cultivator they are, the more they could manipulate what was inside them. Like changing the flow of a river.

A Qi Condensation expert is someone who can somehow draw Qi inside them, and on top of that, make portions of it cycle within their dantian without letting it escape. Every level of Qi Condensation comprises growing that pool, as well as refining it and your body to do it automatically. While increasing the quality of the Qi.

If not carefully controlled, all of your efforts at that level could vanish away. If mismanaged, you could lose multiple levels of work.

This is because Qi at this stage, is considered more of a gas than a liquid. It is only once you reach the 8th level of this realm that it changes to Liquid, which can then be used as the base to set up for the foundation establishment realm.

I am securely in the first level.

Considering the difficulty of even getting to the stage Im at now, and that it would normally take years after doing the treatment I just did to recover from, before even thinking of moving into the first cultivation stage, it only makes sense they would be terrified.

The person who used their spiritual sense on me has said little to their fellow guards, except that my body is crazy. Alternatively, it was easy to see and sense when I progressed into the first stage, as there were major fluctuations coming from my body.

They are all foundation establishment, so their senses are quite strong. This doesnt include the fact they are guards and have refined senses, able to casually detect minute changes.

Even without words, they will know something is up.

It will only solidify that I am a noble in their minds. I can use this to make sure that they wont try to get rid of me, that they will say nothing about what happened.

Knowing all of this, I walk straight up to the one that did the spiritual sense on me.

Before I can get close enough to actually speak, they all kowtow on the ground.

Please spare our lives young master. We are but humble servants at your service!

I stop in place and stand there quietly.

Obviously, Im using my conversation scan.

With a low voice, I speak to the man before me.

Im sure you understand how dangerous the things youve seen are?

The man I question gulps, but still answers.

I do.

Either over explaining or keeping your answers short are the best ways to navigate conversations with nobles. Hes chosen the latter.

I continue to stay silent and actually look off into the distance. Almost prompting him to offer something. Another option, but one that I cant suggest myself.

One of the older guards is the one that raises this option.

Sir, if I may offer a solution, that could help resolve this.

I turned to look at him but say nothing else.

These guards are essentially bargaining for their lives, as someone in my position and with the changes I just made would definitely have backing. And that they had gotten confirmation about that from the first teleportation guard, means that they may lose their lives if this were ever to get out.

So, as expected, they agree.

All three of them sit down and begin circulating within their bodies. Being foundation establishment, they control it and quickly complete the changes.

The result after they use the method, which was like their own technique with just a few changes, ends up being that all they know is that I went deep into the forest and progressed to the first stage of Qi cultivation. Besides that, they had completely disrespected me earlier and have to give a huge compensation to keep their jobs and maybe even their lives.

Last, they also ingrained that they have an idea that I have a huge backing and to be wary.

This is so theyre able to keep the second part of their promise, that this wouldnt be the only thing they do to make up for what theyve seen.

Im hoping that it will also help if anything comes up later, to keep them on my side.

Their eyes slowly open after this and almost unconsciously, they moved back to their normal guarding positions, before their eyes clear up. It should be complete now.

As soon as they see me, they returned to a kowtow position.

One of the younger guards yells out, We are sorry for our disrespect, young master!

The older guard follows up with another yell.

Please have mercy on us, we will do anything to rectify this!

Like before, I stand quietly for a bit. Unlike before, they do not speak.

After a small period of time, I say something.

Do any of you have any old injuries?

They dont seem to process what I asked. They repeat it to themselves.

Old injuries?

A look of confusion crosses the older guards face, before rapidly turning into horror, then despair.

what is he thinking?

He nods in resignation.

I do, young master. Let me show you now.

He slowly raises himself up and removes his shirt, exposing his chest. It is covered with a variety of scars and bumps. Hes clearly been through many life and death battles.

He gulps, before pointing to part of his left forearm. The area there is still swollen, but appears to be stable.

This area here still goes through quite some pain. If you are looking to open it up, this might be a good choice.

it sickens me that this is even something to be considered for a person to do. Its probably tame, considering the norm.

Nonetheless, this is an opportunity to actually use my healing cultivation method.

I wont be harming you. Despite what has happened, I will use my healing cultivation method on you.

He seems visibly confused, as getting healed is normally something you pay for. So, I clarify.

I just reached the first stage. You can consider this as testing my abilities.

His face hardens before he nods his head.

I raise my hands and use the method.