Chapter: 55 Peace Talk (Part 1)

Li Pin's understanding of martial arts and Force might not have reached the exaggerated "one realization, eternal realization" level, but his nuanced and precise understanding of his own physical state, coupled with his ability to memorize the sensation of releasing his Aura Force, essentially enabled him to master this ability. [1]

Moving forward, he would simply need to rely on his "talent" to recreate this sensation. It was only a matter of time before he could unleash the Aura Force for the second, third, and even tenth or thirtieth time.

With that in consideration, it could be said that he had already mastered Aura Force.

The rate at which he reached this step exceeded his expectations, but it wasn't so extraordinary as to be unbelievable. In the past, he never possessed a top-tier inheritance like the Five Elements Body-Refining Art which was specifically designed for the Aura Cultivation Realm. As a result, he had to painstakingly carve out his path through trial and error.

But now, thanks to the inheritance and his gift to perceive every single subtle change within his own body, he had managed to significantly increase his cultivation efficiency. It was perfectly reasonable for him to reach the level of Aura Force after six months of rigorous training.

𝒻𝘳ℯℯ𝑤ℯ𝒷𝘯ℴ𝓋ℯ𝘭.𝑐ℴ𝑚

After all, he had already been a Core Force martial artist in his previous life, which was essentially halfway to the Core Formation stage. To him, mastering Aura Force was merely a matter of crossing over a single realm.

If anything had to be said, for martial artists with connections, achieving Core Force would have been enough for them to secure an Associate Senior title. As for those who didn't have connections, achieving Aura Force would still not qualify them for a full Senior Professional title. Only those who successfully cultivated their internal organs and stepped into the realm of Aura Force could pass the assessment for a full Senior title.

Before that stage, they would remain in the Associate Senior title circle along with those Core Force martial artists. If thought about from this viewpoint, his modest improvement in half a year seemed quite reasonable.

***

Li Pin did not accompany Li Yunyao and Lin Xiaolu for a stroll. After entrusting Shan Hu to educate them about the common knowledge of the martial arts world, he returned to his apartment and began practicing the Innate Qi-Nurturing Technique to restore his body condition.

His physique measured at thirty-three points, but the tempering of his internal organs still remained relatively insignificant. The impact of the burst of Aura Force on his internal organs exceeded that of the Blood-Seething Secret Art. Luckily, by relying on the primordial qi he cultivated through the Innate Qi-Nurturing Technique, he was able to mend these injuries to a significant degree within a single night of recuperation.

Additionally, the greatest benefit Li Pin received this time from unleashing the Five Elements Unity was that it allowed him to clearly feel the resonance of his organs, enabling him to comprehend their intricacies with his clairvoyance. This perception allowed him to perceive the intricacies of each organ and naturally attain a minor level of mastery in the Five Qi's to Primordiality Art used for refining the organs.

To his surprise, the efficiency of this turned out to be greater than that of the Samadhi Heart-Training Art, into which he had poured a great deal of effort to cultivate. Based on this, it could be seen that aside from diligent practice, luck also played an essential role in cultivation.

"The Samadhi Heart-Training Heart ignites the spirit fire, essence fire, and qi fire to temper the organs. For the ignition of the Spiritual Qi, I can enhance it by using the Blood-Seething Secret Art as a support tool. The moment the Blood-Seething Art is unleashed, it essentially has the same effect as burning the Spiritual Qi.

"The difference is that the normal usage of the Blood-Seething Secret Art requires me to convert it into Force and strike it outwards. But instead of doing that, I must now use the Samadhi Heart-Training Method to initiate it, causing tremors in my internal organs..."

Drawing upon yesterday's experience of the resonance of his internal organs during the battle, Li Pin gradually summarized and experimented with it, patiently finding his way in terms of the application of the Spiritual Qi.

While this cultivation method could inflict significant damage upon his internal organs, it remained within tolerable strain to Li Pin due to the nurturing effects provided by both the Innate Qi-Nurturing Technique and the ample use of medicinal supplements.

As for igniting the essence fire....

Li Pin pondered for a moment.

Mental spirit is the same as the Martial Will. It's a realm that only Aura Cultivation Grandmasters can truly grasp and also the key to becoming a Martial Saint...."

It's a very profound and complex level of cultivation. Every single person who had become a grandmaster had pushed themselves beyond mediocrity to reach their current heights.

Yet, for many Aura Cultivation Grandmasters, Martial Will remained a barrier that they couldn't cross throughout their entire lives. This wasn't something that could be attained with mere talent. As long as one was unable to comprehend it, improvement would remain out of reach.

Nevertheless, many Martial Saints have drawn upon their own cultivation to summarize various insights. To refine the Martial Will, one would require an incredibly pure mind and an unwavering conviction. Just as with meditating on the Astral God, the more pure one's thoughts were, the better.

This was also why many people rarely devoted time to meditating on Astral God when they reached adulthood. The world of adults was more complex. People's minds become cluttered, constantly bombarded by worries, and having to navigate through deception and trickery. If they failed in meditation during their younger years, it would be even less likely for them to succeed in their later life.

Many Astral Cultivators had intentionally kept their mind pure to maintain their cultivation. However, when fame and fortune flooded in after the success, they'd become attracted to the material world, causing their progress to stagnate.

The same went for grandmasters.

By the time they earned the title of grandmasters, they would have gained enough fame and fortune that, with just a little less effort, they could live a life of comfort and security until they die of old age.

Cao Tianyou and Jiang Qingyue were the best examples. Even if they were to retire now, they would have earned enough fortune for them to live several lifetimes.

"A pure soul, and an unwavering conviction...." Li Pin recited these two passages.

He had conviction, but a pure soul....

Li Pin shook his head. "What is considered a pure soul?"

It was challenging to understand these abstract and elusive concepts. He would prefer to stick to his own approach.

I'll resume my meditation on the Astral God and use it as a means to strengthen my mental spirit! As for how to ignite it and imbue it with flame...

"The Great Sun," Li Pin uttered.

With the reshaping of the global landscape, Astral Cultivators had emerged as the foremost indicator of a country's strength following its economy and military prowess. Therefore, nations have been vigorously promoting meditative education.

Taibai Kingdom was no exception. In fact, the Starlight Meditation Art written by the kingdom had already been revised to its eighth edition six years ago.

Other than the Starlight Meditation Art, there were also various other forms of meditation arts, with the Great Sun Astral God Meditation Art being one of them. Due to its significant risks and poor stability, this meditation art did not gain widespread adoption and was even banned in many nations. The technique's effectiveness, however, ensured its enduring fame, rendering the bans somewhat ineffective.

After all, the kingdom needed more Astral Cultivators.

To demonstrate their benevolence towards the people, they naturally couldn't allow everyone to practice the Great Sun Astral God Meditation Art openly. However, by secretly circulating the meditation technique and giving convenience to those without "talent" to take the risk and try it out, they could ensure that the public found no grounds for fault finding.

"The Five Elements Sect probably has it.... Even Fang Lingjue might probably have the meditation art."

Ring, ring!

Just as Li Pin was thinking about the Five Elements Sect, his phone rang. The person calling was none other than Zhao Yuan, the second-in-command of the Five Elements Sect after Cao Tianyou.

The moment the phone connected, Zhao Yuan's laughter could already be heard.

—

Haha

! Li Pin, this is all thanks to you! If it weren't for you taking out Demonic Sand, we wouldn't have known how to deal with those pesky members of the Peregrine Team. By taking out two of their martial arts experts at once, even Xiang Yi, their leader, couldn't hold on any longer. He has agreed to negotiate with us through Lord Zhu Di.

"A peace talk?" Li Pin asked, somewhat surprised. "Xiang Yi is an Aura Force martial artist. His team should still have a Core Formation and two Core Force experts. Why would he surrender so easily?"

—

Ummm...

Hearing Li Pin's comments, Zhao Yuan was momentarily at a loss for words. He paused for a while before finally responding.

—In this world of ours, most people are just out here to make a living. Unless they are truly left with no other option, no one would willingly risk their lives. In the face of a more formidable power, negotiating is the most sensible thing to do.

Li Pin's heart was filled with regret. "I see."

If Xiang Yi had chosen to fight to the end, it could have presented an opportunity for Li Pin to battle him, significantly deepening his understanding and mastery of his newly acquired Aura Force.

With that, the time required for him to fully enter the realm of Aura Force would be significantly reduced.

But now, it seemed that... that hope was gone.

—Master Li, there will be a peace talk dinner tonight which I really hope you can attend. Firstly, with the tremendous help you've provided us, it's only right that the Five Elements Sect expresses our gratitude. Secondly, we hope you can support us, just in case of any unprecedented events.

Initially, Li Pin wasn't keen on attending. However, Zhao Yuan's mention of "just in case" held considerable sway.

What if the negotiation broke down and a fight was inevitable? As half a member of the Five Elements Sect, wouldn't he be obliged to step in and mediate?

Without further delay, Li Pin responded, "Alright, I'll be there."

1. One realization, eternal realization is a concept in martial arts philosophy that emphasizes a profound understanding that leads to permanent mastery. ☜