"Strengthen the viscera, do not cultivate inner power."

Chen Tang asked, "Is this purely a path of refining the physical body?"

"Correct."

The Mountain Guest nodded and said, "Normally, body refining ends with Transforming Body and Bone Marrow Cleansing. But this cultivation technique seeks to further refine the body, fully unleashing its potential!"

"Senior just mentioned, in normal martial arts cultivation, Fifth Grade Inner Core, Fourth Grade Opening the Apertures, Third Grade Meridian Passage, Second Grade Innate..."

Chen Tang continued to ask, "What comes after the Fifth Grade in this body refining technique?"

"More or less the same."

The Mountain Guest explained, "The Fourth Grade Opening the Apertures uses Inner Qi to open the five apertures, then progresses to the seven, and even nine apertures. In truth, the viscera of the body are closely related to the nine apertures, which can be opened through strengthening the viscera."

"The Third Grade remains the Meridian Passage, yet by cultivating Inner Qi, following the Eight Extraordinary Meridians, all eight meridians are connected, forming a self-contained system within, with True Qi circulating continuously, achieving the moment of Heaven and Man Interaction, thereby entering the Innate Realm."

"When reaching the Innate Realm, the Inner Qi accumulated from Postnatal essence gradually transforms into Innate True Qi."

Chen Tang was suddenly enlightened.

The Second Grade Innate Realm is due to the transformation of Postnatal Inner Qi into Innate True Qi.

The Mountain Guest continued, "As for body refining, because there is no Inner Qi, it does not open the Eight Extraordinary Meridians, but rather the twelve meridians from the surface of the viscera to various parts of the body."

"The Inner Qi formed by refining the organs merges with the bloodline, making the Qi and Blood of a Body Refining Martial Artist exceptionally strong. Once the twelve meridians are opened, the realm of Qi and Blood flooding like a tide is achieved!"

Chen Tang seemed to comprehend something and said, "So it means, Body Refining Martial Artists rely on Qi and Blood power to directly confront the inner power of Martial Artists?"

"Exactly."

The Mountain Guest nodded.

Chen Tang pondered for a moment.

Two different understandings of martial arts.

Body Refining Martial Arts is a Dharma Gate that cultivates the physical flesh to its utmost limit.

Meanwhile, Inner Qi Martial Arts involves both internal and external cultivation, refining True Qi and inner power.

"Are there many Body Refining Martial Artists?"

Chen Tang asked.

"Very few in the Divine Land."

The Mountain Guest shook his head slightly and said, "However, there are some body cultivators in the Barbarian Land, and some ascetic monks in the Xiling Secret Sect excel in this path."

"Why is that?"

Chen Tang felt a hint of doubt and asked, "If Body Refining Martial Artists are not significantly weaker than Inner Qi Martial Artists, why are there so few in the Divine Land?"

"There are several reasons."

The Mountain Guest explained, "First, Inner Strength methods are extremely rare in the Divine Land, originally only available as the 'Celestial God Technique' in the Barbarian Land and the 'Vajra Unbreakable Technique' in the Xiling Secret Sect, part of the most superior Inner Strength methods."

"Second, though the combat power of Body Refining Martial Artists is not inferior to that of Inner Qi Martial Artists, this cultivation method has a flaw."

"Constantly tempering the physical body can cause many small and large injuries, some hidden injuries and ailments that do not manifest at their peak but explosively appear after the age of forty, as Qi and Blood gradually decline."

"After forty, the combat power of Body Refining Martial Artists significantly diminishes, almost declining with each passing year. If too many hidden injuries and ailments were accumulated during previous cultivation, they can lead to death within years upon eruption."

"Thus, Body Refining Martial Artists often have shorter lifespans."

Chen Tang couldn't help but think of the chubby old man.

He seemed to be seventy or eighty years old, yet still lively, showing no signs of aging.

Even Li Yan, a Third Grade Meridian Passage, over fifty, showed no signs of aging.

This is the advantage of cultivating Inner Qi, maintaining peak combat power even in one's forties or fifties.

Chen Tang said, "So it seems, this body refining technique indeed has too obvious drawbacks."

"But it is not without solutions."

The Mountain Guest said, "Before the age of forty, reaching the Divine Illumination Realm and achieving Grandmaster status solves all the problems."

"Oh?"

Chen Tang's expression changed slightly, asking, "What does that entail?"

The Mountain Guest said, "As a First Grade Grandmaster, entering the Divine State of Seated Meditation allows you to clearly observe your condition, identifying hidden injuries and ailments, and use Qi and Blood to take elixir pills for targeted treatment."

"Moreover, after a Body Refining Martial Artist reaches the Innate Realm, comprehending the twelve meridians, Postnatal Qi and Blood transform into Innate Qi and Blood. Even past the age of fifty or sixty, Qi and Blood will not decline, extending the peak period significantly."

Chen Tang nodded.

He entered the Divine Illumination State, aware of every detail of his condition, all reflecting in his mind.

Chen Tang tentatively asked, "So, the drawbacks of Body Refining Martial Arts might not have much impact on me?"

"Correct."

The Mountain Guest smiled and said, "Let alone hidden injuries and ailments, even if you are poisoned, entering the Divine Illumination State allows you to immediately detect the position of the poisonous blood and expel it."

"Therefore, most poisons are ineffective against Grandmaster-level experts."

Chen Tang asked, "Senior, are you on the path of body refining?"

The Mountain Guest nodded.

Chen Tang further inquired, "What cultivation method do you practice, and how does it compare to the 'Celestial God Technique' and 'Vajra Unbreakable Technique'?"

"This is an Inner Strength method I developed by integrating superior body refining techniques from both the Buddhist Sect and the Profound Sect called the 'Dragon and Tiger Pill Scripture,' comparable in its unique way to the 'Celestial God Technique' and 'Vajra Unbreakable Technique.'

The Mountain Guest said, "In practicing the 'Dragon and Tiger Pill Scripture,' the dragon represents Yang, and the tiger represents Yin. Taming the dragon and subduing the tiger, Yin and Yang harmonize, with the viscera as the origin, cycling the Qi of the Five Viscera to form a Dragon and Tiger Grand Pill."

"This pill is not in the Dantian but connects with the viscera, forming a virtual grand pill."

The Mountain Guest explained the martial arts mysteries contained in the "Dragon and Tiger Pill Scripture" briefly but did not teach any mantra heart method.

"The 'Dragon and Tiger Pill Scripture' cannot be taught to you yet. Without my guidance by your side, if you rashly cultivate, the Qi of the Five Viscera may easily rush into the Eight Extraordinary Meridians, leading to deviation."

"No rush."

Chen Tang smiled.

After all, there would be opportunities in the future. He could return when he was about to reach Fifth Grade in his cultivation.

Chen Tang thought of something and asked, "Senior, is it possible to cultivate both body refining and inner Qi simultaneously?"

Body refining cultivates Qi and blood, following the Twelve Meridians.

Qi refining cultivates inner Qi, following the Eight Extraordinary Meridians.

The two do not seem to conflict.

"Impossible."

The Mountain Guest shook his head and said, "If you store a portion of the inner Qi in the Dantian, and another portion operates among the Five Viscera, it's like multitasking, controlling inner Qi in two places at once. A slight negligence can cause the meridians to reverse and lead to deviation."

"Moreover, the Dantian is naturally the storage for inner Qi. Even without guidance, the Qi will sink into the Dantian. To guide the Qi of the Five Viscera without it entering the Dantian is inherently risky."

"Some Body Refining Martial Artists, for this step, even deliberately block meridians or damage their Dantian."

After a pause, the Mountain Guest continued, "Moreover, a person's time for cultivation is limited. Even if you specialize in one direction, it may not reach the peak, let alone splitting the inner Qi."

At this point, the Mountain Guest seemed to think of something and paused.

Actually, the second point didn't seem to be an issue for Chen Tang.

After all, ordinary people sleep just to rest, while Chen Tang could cultivate even in his sleep.

But the first problem remained unsolved.

The Mountain Guest said, "Therefore, when you venture into Jianghu in the future, you must think clearly. After reaching Sixth Grade and Bone Marrow Cutting, which path will you choose? Whether it's body refining or Qi refining, there's no superiority between them, and either can ultimately reach the peak."

Chen Tang nodded.

In the following period, Chen Tang stayed on the Snow Mountain to cultivate.

Aside from the daily cultivation techniques, he also mastered the "Black Water Blade Technique."

Time flew by.

In a blink of an eye, a month passed. Under the guidance of the Mountain Guest and with the help of Celestial Ginseng Monkey Wine and other supplements, Chen Tang finally broke through to the Eighth Grade Extreme Realm!

When he first came to the Snow Mountain, he had planned to cultivate in seclusion here, imagining it would take at least a year or so before leaving.

But after just a month, he found it hard to stay any longer on the Snow Mountain.

After all, without smartphones or computers, practicing martial arts on the Snow Mountain every day was indeed a bit tedious.

No wonder Yang Guo couldn't stay in the Ancient Tomb when he was young.

At least he had Little Dragon Girl as company at that time.

Apart from the little tiger, there was only the Little White Ape and the eternal deep-sitting, monk-like Mountain Guest beside Chen Tang...

It's time to go down the mountain and take a look.

After all, the Mountain Guest had also entrusted him to meet someone.

It was just right to take a trip there.

On this day, Chen Tang came to the cave. Before he could speak, the Mountain Guest opened his eyes and asked, "Heading down the mountain?"

"I knew I couldn't hide it from you, Senior."

Chen Tang chuckled.

The Mountain Guest smiled and said, "It's good to travel down the mountain. Constant hard cultivation on the mountain can easily lead to bottlenecks. You're still young, and it's a good time to explore Jianghu."

Chen Tang said, "Alright, I'll take a trip to Bingzhou."

The Mountain Guest thought for a moment and said, "Further west from Bingzhou is Yongzhou. If you encounter any unsolvable problems, go to Xiping Temple in Yongzhou and seek shelter and protection from Master Le Kong, the abbot of Xiping Temple."

"Disciples of the Profound Celestial Sect are spread throughout Qian Country, but some Buddhist sites have no disciples of the Profound Celestial Sect."

Chen Tang nodded and noted it down.

After a few more instructions from the Mountain Guest, Chen Tang bid farewell to the Mountain Lord, Xue Tuan'Er, and Little White Ape.

Xue Tuan'Er and Little White Ape were reluctant to part. One little beast bit the corner of Chen Tang's clothes, and the other grabbed his arm, unwilling to let him leave.

During this time, only Chen Tang accompanied them in sword practice and play every day.

"Alright, I'll be back in a few days."

Chen Tang said with a smile.

After finally coaxing the two little beasts, Chen Tang left the Snow Mountain, whistled, summoned the Thunder Leopard, and headed southwest according to the map he had bought earlier.

Southwest of Pingzhou is Yan State.

After all, Chen Tang had previously killed the Observatory Master of the Profound Celestial Temple, Song Wood, and the two Guard Captains from the Cyan Dragon Bureau had also perished, so the Cyan Dragon Bureau would most likely not let him go.

Therefore, Chen Tang's journey did not take the main roads, nor did he enter any county towns.

Upon reaching the border of Yan State, he traversed mountains and ridges, moving slowly and steadily.

In these desolate wilds, he encountered various Jianghu figures and occasionally heard some information.

This area of Yan State was primarily under the control of the Murong Clan.

It is said that the Murong Clan, apart from the Royal Family, is the most powerful and one of the oldest of the Four Great Clans in Qian Country.

The Governor of Yanzhou is a member of the Murong Clan.

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