Mythical Three Kingdoms

What’s more important is that this Inner Qi was accumulated during Qi Refining to Gang, not during Inner Qi Manifestation.

The only one who can practice Proving the Way with Strength is King Xiang, who has swallowed an entire Divine Stone core. As for others, there’s basically no chance, so if one wants to achieve Inner Qi Manifestation, apart from realizing one’s true nature, one may as well give up.

Even to put it realistically, if a Qi Refining to Gang Peak general is not hindered by the realization of true nature, there could be a lot more Inner Qi Manifestation generals.

It can be said that it was nearly a miracle for Guan Hai to become an Inner Qi Manifestation General after struggling for so long and letting go of everything to finally understand it all.

For a young person with some aptitude, whose family is reasonably well-off and who has been taught Martial Arts from the age of five, after decades of training, they would generally reach Qi Refining to Gang, because it’s about accumulation. It’s a matter of diligence, not fortune and talent.

But to become an Inner Qi Manifestation General, one needs talent, chance, and effort—missing any of these elements won’t work. As the Heaven and Earth Essence increases, more people will get stuck at the Qi Refining to Gang Peak, but those who can achieve Inner Qi Manifestation will still be very few.

”If the Heaven and Earth Essence increases, won’t that raise the strength of generals below Inner Qi Manifestation?” Chen Xi asked another question.

”It should, but it basically has no impact. Inner Qi Manifestation can kill them with one strike as it should, as long as they can’t project Inner Qi. You must understand that the essence of Inner Qi Projection is not to release Inner Qi but to use Qi in much greater quantities. Without achieving this, it’s still one strike,” Zuo Ci seemed to have already conducted relevant investigations, and quite possibly had already sparred with Inner Qi Manifestation generals.

”Oh, then I pretty much understand,” Chen Xi nodded. He had grasped what was going on. It was clear that the rise in Heaven and Earth Essence, although it would still affect Liu Bei’s faction, was not too significant.

”Since Marquis Chen is prepared mentally, Zuo will say no more,” Zuo Ci, seeing that Chen Xi indeed had plans, no longer said anything else. He bowed to Liu Bei and Chen Xi and then disappeared.

”Zichuan, are you sure you understand what he said?” Liu Bei, witnessing Zuo Ci’s disappearance, looked at Chen Xi with a worried face. He was still confused and did not understand the practical significance of Zuo Ci’s words.

”I understand more or less. The impact on us isn’t significant; it just means the importance of Elite Soldiers has increased,” Chen Xi nodded, ”It’s really a miracle that Heaven and Earth Essence Qi would rise, or rather, recover, due to the dispersion of the Divine Stone!”

[It seems the most important role of the Divine Stone is not the Life Essence it carries, but as a catalyst. The mythical tales of moving mountains and overturning seas are only about what someone like Lyu Bu did, multiplied by several times. It seems that such Essence Qi does exist between Heaven and Earth, and it was merely reactivated by the Divine Stone.]

[With energy trending from active to stable, this could also explain why it becomes more difficult to cultivate in later times—because it’s becoming more stable. But when everything is trending positively, there can also be negative effects. The Divine Stone seems to be what makes...]

Having thought this through, Chen Xi had a good idea of the situation. If the Divine Stone truly acted as a catalyst, Chen Xi could basically confirm that subsequent history would end completely. A catalyst won’t be consumed by the reaction, and in the future, even upon entering a technological civilization, the development of Martial Arts would still be indispensable.

”If I haven’t misjudged, the suppression of military generals by military formations will become greater and greater. Previously, the main reason why Inner Qi Manifestation Generals were suppressed by Cloud Qi was that military formations would plunder Essence Qi from the surroundings and the Inner Qi released by soldiers to form Cloud Qi,” Chen Xi said somewhat uncertainly.

”The more Essence Qi there is between heaven and earth, the thicker the Cloud Qi will be, and the better it will absorb Inner Qi. Moreover, the Inner Qi that is projected out-of-body along with the Essence Qi manipulated from heaven and earth will disappear even faster under the plundering of Cloud Qi,” Chen Xi said calmly, stating his speculation.

”This isn’t really a big issue, after all, combat with large legions isn’t something that can be influenced by the martial force of a single military general. The main role of an individual’s martial force on a battlefield of a hundred thousand is to boost the legion’s morale,” Liu Bei replied after listening, without the slightest hint of panic. This wasn’t a big deal.

”Hmm, I have been prepared for this and never intended to let the generals charge into battle alone,” Chen Xi nodded in agreement.

”What I mean is that the importance of elite legions has increased. The more Cloud Qi there is, the more power the elite legions can augment. Compared to the quantity of the Military Spirit Legion, the elite legions’ use of Cloud Qi is truly efficient,” Chen Xi said with a serious expression, knowing that legions capable of forming cavalry are elite legions.

”I’m even less worried about this aspect. The Qingzhou Army has already taken shape under the command of Wen Ze. Transferring Wen Ze to Sili was to evade the notice of other feudal lords. In our ranks, we also have a hundred thousand elite infantry,” Liu Bei said with full confidence. Apart from the cavalry issue, nothing else was worth mentioning.

”That’s right; we don’t need to worry. If the Heaven and Earth Essence increases, at most, it would cause the strength of generals in single combat to leap forward. But for the higher levels, there is still no change; without achieving Inner Qi Projection, one simply cannot overcome a single blow,” Chen Xi nodded, acknowledging Liu Bei’s confidence.

”Lord Xuande, I will go and order our soldiers to sweep through Qing and Xu regions. Once the internal affairs are tidied up, everything should start falling into rhythm,” Chen Xi stood up and said after feeling Liu Bei’s unparalleled confidence.

”The results of the Sili support for the king will come out soon. Zijian’s proposal from several years ago when he visited Sili—I hope the Emperor does not disappoint us this time,” Liu Bei looked towards the west with a hesitant expression.

For some reason, Liu Bei had a feeling, despite being a Han Imperial Kinsman recognized by the Imperial Clan Court, that the Son of Heaven of Han might not choose to come to him this time.

”The Emperor will surely understand the good intentions of Lord Xuande, but not all those close to him may be virtuous and capable. It is likely they will judge by their own measures, and with the Emperor being young, he might also have reservations,” Chen Xi didn’t sound very optimistic, but that was essentially the expected outcome. Hua Xiong’s previous visit was in preparation for this occasion.

Having suffered so much and understanding right from wrong, Liu Xie might humble himself and act as if the previous incident never happened, but the civil and military officials would definitely not want to lose their dignity in front of a mere Liu Clan relative.

[Without any surprises, Cao Cao will succeed in supporting the king. After all, choosing Yuan Shao is less desirable than choosing Lord Xuande, while choosing Cao Cao at least has the reality of Cao Cao’s personal visit. It’s just that it’s unclear how Cao Cao managed to extract the Emperor from amidst the surrounding Xiliang generals.]

Chen Xi also looked far into the northwest as if he could see the fleeing Son of Heaven of Han and then silently turned his head. Whether things changed or not, nothing would stop Liu Bei’s war chariot that was ready to charge. (To be continued. If you like this work, welcome to Qidian (qidian.com) to cast your recommendation votes and monthly tickets. Your support is my greatest motivation. Mobile users, please visit m.qidian.com to read.)