I Can Devour Spirits

Chapter 77: Chapter 77: Harmonious Realm

Xiao Zongting accompanied the man to the door; after they exchanged farewells with clasped fists, Xiao Zongting returned with a dark expression.

He stopped in front of Duan Rong and asked, ”Is there something you need?”

”Yes.” Duan Rong replied obediently, sensing that Xiao Zongting was not in a good mood.

This also indicated that Xiao Baijiao’s illness might be quite serious.

”Let’s talk inside.” Xiao Zongting said, then limped toward the back courtyard.

Duan Rong promptly followed closely behind.

Upon reaching the main hall, they saw Xiao Baijiao looking weary, sitting in front of a tea table with a dark green pulse pillow in front of her!

It seemed that the fierce-looking person had already checked Xiao Baijiao’s pulse.

When Xiao Baijiao saw Xiao Zongting enter, she was about to speak but then noticed Duan Rong entering behind him. She smiled, stood up, and gracefully curtseyed, greeting, ”Brother Duan!”

Duan Rong was slightly taken aback by Xiao Baijiao’s warm welcome. He quickly bowed, saying, ”Second Miss, no need for such courtesy given your condition!”

After the greetings, both of them stood up.

Xiao Zongting went directly to the Grandmaster’s Chair, sat down, and casually pointed with his thumb to a nearby chair, directing Duan Rong.

Understanding, Duan Rong walked over and sat down almost at the same time as Xiao Baijiao, who watched him closely.

Xiao Baijiao knew her days were numbered and wanted to leave a good impression on Duan Rong.

Xiao Baijiao’s gaze passed over Duan Rong’s face, then turned to Xiao Zongting’s dark expression, softly advising, ”Since the vile doctor Shen Ping has no solution, worrying is useless, Father.”

On hearing this, Xiao Zongting let out a deep sigh without speaking.

Duan Rong felt a slight stir in his heart; it seemed that the person earlier was indeed the vile doctor Shen Ping, a fitting name for his appearance.

”Life and death are destined, and forcing it is futile. It’s better to accept our fate!” Xiao Baijiao’s voice was calm and warm.

Xiao Zongting’s expression softened slightly. He suddenly realized his daughter was comforting him. Faced with the end, her eyes shone with a warmth and steadiness she had never had before.

Xiao Zongting’s lips trembled, saying, ”Baijiao, you seem to have changed!”

A father knows his daughter best, and through the tempering of death, Xiao Baijiao’s inner character had evidently transformed!

Xiao Baijiao smiled and stood up, saying, ”During these final days, let me fulfill my filial duties and cherish our father-daughter bond. Father, please don’t seek out any more famous doctors!”

Xiao Zongting felt a stab in his heart, his eyes filled with pain and despair, saying, ”Alright... I promise you!”

In truth, the vile doctor Shen Ping was Xiao Zongting’s last hope.

Seeing her father concede, Xiao Baijiao finally smiled slightly, gave Duan Rong a deep look, and retreated to the inner chamber.

The topic discussed between father and daughter was quite private, yet they did not avoid Duan Rong, indicating that the Xiao family completely trusted him!

Xiao Baijiao discussing this topic in front of Duan Rong was her subtle way of informing him about her condition. It was a woman’s delicate thoughtfulness.

But Duan Rong did not notice. His mind was preoccupied with the issues he was facing.

Xiao Zongting looked at Xiao Baijiao’s retreating figure and, after calming his emotions, turned to Duan Rong and asked, ”How is your Inner Breath Second Level progressing?”

”I’ve achieved it!”

Xiao Zongting’s eyes narrowed slightly; it was sooner than he had anticipated!

Xiao Zongting stood up, walked to a corner of the hall, pulled out a key from his waist, opened a small cabinet, and rummaged through it!

He then hobbled back and threw a yellowing book with a damaged cover and curled corners onto the tea table beside Duan Rong, saying, ”The secret manual for the Third Level!”

Duan Rong picked up the manual, casually flipped through it, and then put it away. His mind wasn’t on this manual!

”Do you want the formula for the Third Level written down for you?” Xiao Zongting glanced at Duan Rong and asked.

”I’ll study it a bit first,” Duan Rong smiled and replied.

Xiao Zongting nodded at his words.

The cultivation method for the Third Level of Inner Breath differs significantly from the previous two levels. Duan Rong’s cautious approach is wise!

”Elder Xiao! You always said martial arts consist of techniques as a means of martial arts combat, with the Inner Power Heart Method as the foundation and Spiritual Power as the core.” Duan Rong looked at Xiao Zongting with bright eyes, and asked, ”I understand the first two aspects, but could you please elaborate on the Third Level, which centers on Spiritual Power?”

Xiao Zongting nodded slightly at Duan Rong. Asking questions is not a problem; knowing which ones to ask is the key skill!

In truth, Duan Rong wants to learn methods to enhance his Spiritual Power. However, he needed to use this as a starting point to delve into the topic of Spiritual Power further.

”You should have gained some initial understanding through the cultivation of the first two levels of the Inner Breath Realm!”

”The strength of a martial artist’s Spiritual Power is closely linked to his cultivation talent!”

”Whether it’s understanding the techniques of martial arts combat or mastering the complex circulation of Inner Breath, the essence behind them is Spiritual Power!”

Duan Rong listened to Xiao Zongting’s explanation and nodded continuously.

This aligned pretty closely with his understanding, although Xiao Zongting articulated it more thoroughly!

”However, this still isn’t the true essence of martial arts as centered on Spiritual Power!” Xiao Zongting continued, suddenly raising his voice a bit.

Duan Rong knew that what Xiao Zongting was about to explain was the true essence of martial arts, so he perked up and listened intently.

Xiao Zongting was very satisfied with Duan Rong’s attitude, nodding slightly, and said, ”The stages of martial arts mastery are divided into Entry Level, Master, Minor Success, Great Success; Micro, and Perfection!”

”The first four stages are actually more about the realm of martial arts techniques, corresponding to the four levels of Inner Breath!”

”However, Micro and Perfection are almost entirely related to Spiritual Power!”

Duan Rong widened his eyes, filled with a thirst for knowledge!

Xiao Zongting continued, ”The martial arts techniques are systems built based on the human skeletal and muscular structure!”

”And Inner Breath is a system constructed based on the meridians and acupuncture points in the human body!”

”All forms of martial arts cater to the general public and have a universal nature!”

”But whether it’s skeletal muscles or meridians and acupuncture points, while their overall structure is consistent, the subtle differences are immense!”

”Therefore, after surpassing Great Success, martial arts shift from focusing on martial arts themselves to focusing on the differences in one’s own skeletal muscles and meridians and acupuncture points!”

”This stage of cultivation is known as Micro!”

”Adjustments are made to martial arts techniques and the way Inner Breath circulates based on one’s skeletal muscles and meridians and acupuncture points through gradual adaptation to achieve a true harmony of energy and force!”

”This entire process is achieved through the introspection and command of Spiritual Power!”

Duan Rong felt a chill throughout his body, deeply realizing the profound depth of martial arts today.

After contemplating for a while, Duan Rong looked up, eyes glinting, and asked, ”What about Perfection?”

Xiao Zongting glanced at Duan Rong. Most martial artists are often averse to such theoretical concepts, but Duan Rong seemed genuinely interested!

This, in fact, also showed a kind of talent.

Xiao Zongting picked up a tea cup from the tea table beside him, took a gentle sip to moisten his throat, and continued, ”After achieving Micro, Perfection is another realm!”

”Whether the first four realms or the Micro realm, they are about fitting.”

”The first four realms are about fitting martial arts techniques with Inner Breath; Micro is about fitting martial arts techniques and Inner Breath to individual physical differences!”

”The Perfection realm goes beyond fitting; it advances from the already seamless fit of Micro!”

”Reaching a Harmonious Realm!”

”It’s neither about martial arts techniques adapting to Inner Breath nor Inner Breath adapting to martial arts combat techniques!”

”Nor is it about martial arts techniques and Inner Breath adapting to physical differences!”

”Instead, everything integrates into one, interacting and affecting one another thoroughly. A single movement affects the entire body!”

”When Inner Breath moves, martial arts techniques naturally follow!”

”When a martial technique is executed, Inner Breath activates seamlessly!”

Duan Rong was dumbfounded, his soul trembled in waves!

”The Harmonious Realm, then, is Perfection!”