Realm-Hopping Martial Master

"In the ancient records of the Xia Country, there are seven words related to the state of mind: 'Stability, Tranquility, Peace, Severance, Clarity, Enlightenment, Emptiness.'

"The 'Clarity' realm allows one to understand one's own nature, affecting only oneself. Only upon reaching the 'Enlightenment' realm can one achieve unity with the surrounding environment and Heaven and Earth. Therefore, to advance further, one must personally experience the changes of Heaven and Earth."

"Since childhood, I practiced Martial Arts and was never inferior to others in it. After the drastic changes in Heaven and Earth, I improved by leaps and bounds, achieving great heights. However, this advancement was merely an exploration of my own qi, blood, and strength, lacking comprehension of and integration with Heaven and Earth. Such a Martial Arts Realm resembles a castle in the air, similar to a merchant who suddenly becomes rich; eventually, major problems will arise."

Having experienced this battle, Shang Siguo's entire inner being had undergone a qualitative change, like steel refined a hundred times. With a sudden moment of enlightenment, he was only short of unifying knowledge and action to truly step into the Dan Jin Great Grandmaster Realm.

"Every person's heart is different, so the points of improvement are naturally different. What I lack is the comprehension of Heaven and Earth, so I need to transcend worldly affairs, forget myself, roam among mountains and rivers, and practice daily while nurturing myself by moonlight."

"On the other hand, you are the exact opposite. In comprehending Heaven and Earth, you have gone further than me, but you've overlooked something extremely important... yourself."

"Your Four Seasons Blade Technique has always focused on what spring rain is like, what summer thunder is like… This is merely comprehending the myriad things of Heaven and Earth, not merging your body with Heaven and Earth. Why not think about it from another angle: If I were the spring rain, what should I do?"

「Inside the quiet room.」

The incense smoke in the burner gently rose.

The slowly circulating Four Symbols True Strength within Jiang Shu's body suddenly paused.

Since he began practicing Martial Arts, relying on the panel, he had actually seldom pondered Martial Arts. After all, once he had entered the threshold, proficiency was enough to grind until he broke the limit. This approach had always been invincible. But now, it seemed his path had not yet truly widened.

Within the Four Seasons Blade Technique, the artistic conception of spring rain was admittedly a bit weak. But what if it were 'If I were to become the Azure Emperor in a future year'! In West Lake, the Great Success of winter snow, resembling a small avalanche, seemed extremely powerful. But what if it were changed to 'North Country scenery, a thousand li of ice, ten thousand li of snow drifting'?

Shang Siguo naturally noticed the change in Jiang Shu's body.

One look and it was clear he had gained some understanding; truly a genius.

Sighing inwardly, Shang Siguo nodded and continued, "The news of our battle will inevitably resonate around the world. Therefore, for the next while, try not to leave the country. Since the drastic changes in Heaven and Earth, every nation has begun slowly sealing its borders."

"Today's world may seem peaceful, but in reality, undercurrents are surging. Every capable country wants to grow significantly in such a grand situation."

"The formula for Genetic Potions from Freedom Country and the Upper Martial Arts of Xia Country have always been coveted by many nations."

"After all, every Heaven and Earth Secret Realm is a world of its own. Just by enhancing the strength of their soldiers, they can rely on their own strength to completely develop their Secret Realms and boost national power."

"No matter how strong we Martial Artists are, we are still individuals and still fear firearms. Once abroad, any mishap is beyond our capability to withstand."

The more one practices Martial Arts, the more fears one has.

Just like ordinary people don't overly worry about plane crashes or snipers hiding nearby, with hundreds of bullets sealing off the surroundings, penetrating through the glabella!

But for Jiang Shu and Shang Siguo now, if the two of them were to appear abroad, the probability of such an event occurring would be as high as ninety percent!

When the enemy is weak, I am strong. This is an unchanging truth.

"For now, it is so, but in the future, once the situation clarifies, we Martial Artists must inevitably go abroad to fight," Jiang Shu said.

He had been following the news on Xuanxing. Heaven and Earth Secret Realms are opportunities for major powers. They can develop Secret Realms, extract resources, and enhance national power. But for smaller nations, this might not be the case. Some very small national governments are now facing the possibility of being overthrown. After all, once the army is stationed at the Rifts of Heaven and Earth, the capital's defenses become vulnerable. And if they ignore the Heaven and Earth Secret Realms, Mutant Beasts will leap out from them, the safety of the populace cannot be guaranteed, and the regime will likewise be in jeopardy. This is a dilemma, so some small countries are forced to begin seeking refuge with large nations, hoping to receive aid from these powerful nations, whether in terms of military strength or Martial Artists. It seemed this was just the first step. Cede five cities today, cede another five tomorrow, and then enjoy a night's peaceful sleep. An era of great contention. The strong grew stronger. The weak grew weaker. I hope that in the future, Xia Country's territory will become more and more vast, and that we can acquire one or two more B-rank Heaven and Earth Secret Realms.

As Jiang Shu's own strength increased, the resources in ordinary C-rank Secret Realms were already insufficient to satisfy him. So far, Xia Country had only announced three B-rank Heaven and Earth Secret Realms.

"Once the situation clarifies, the world map we see now will have to be remade," Shang Siguo said with a rare smile.

His family had long been tied to Xia Country. Naturally, he hoped that Xia Country would become stronger and more prosperous.

「At nightfall.」

After spending a full day deep in conversation with Shang Siguo, Jiang Shu then stood up to take his leave.

Time flew like a shuttle. Spring was in its final phase. Rain brought life to all grains.

Jiang Shu's figure appeared occasionally in several C-rank Heaven and Earth Secret Realms.

「On the panel.」

The proficiency of Four Symbols Internal Energy steadily increased, nearly achieving complete Great Success.

Speaking of Cultivation, Heaven and Earth Secret Realms are truly bug-level existences! Jiang Shu couldn't help but smile. During this period, his Martial Arts in both Two Realms advanced side by side.

He was continuously comprehending his state of merging with Heaven and Earth while also cultivating Cultivation Techniques and Martial Arts.

In the Four Symbols True Strength, only the White Tiger True Strength had not yet reached Great Success.

Once Great Success is achieved, the Four Symbols True Strength would merge into one, temper the marrow, and officially step into the Blood Exchange Realm.

In the Da Jing Dynasty, geniuses usually take Primordial Pills when breaking through a realm. After the realm is stabilized, they take Bone-Purifying Pills. Both these Elixirs require Fourth Rank Heaven and Earth Treasure Medicine, which are indeed somewhat difficult for me to obtain. However... with the deductions from the Alchemy AI, small Primordial Pills and small bone-purifying pills refined from third-rank Heaven and Earth Treasure Medicine and Mutant Beast materials are not out of the question. Compared to the remote Pingling County, Yongning County is clearly a true part of the Da Jing Dynasty, with close ties to the state capital, and geniuses often travel between the state capital and the commandery seat. I wonder, after I advance to the Blood Exchange Realm, how will my combat power compare to the geniuses of a state?

As he thought this, a jade bottle appeared in his hand, and a small Primordial Pill entered his stomach. Elixirs that even geniuses found extremely difficult to obtain were almost like candy to him. Although, this was a nerfed version.

Jiang Shu returned to the hotel and habitually turned on his computer.

He logged into the Martial Artist Alliance to check the recent news.

Suddenly, a post highlighted in large, red font caught his eye:

"The incident in Burma, witnessed by Heaven and Earth! I, Chen Yongze, and the Martial Artists of Fusang, have sworn a blood feud and will never coexist under the same sky!"