War-level

A night passed quickly.

Meditation training was supposed to be refreshing, but Baili Qingfeng felt that he hadn't had enough sleep the next morning.

Getting up drowsily, Baili Qingfeng chose a sports suit and stood in front of the mirror. A plain-looking but steady young man appeared in it.

It would be much better if he did not have the black patches.

Cleaning his clothes, he left the house and went to Sanshun Town with his father.

Forty-three minutes later, the two of them got off the bus.

"Stay here for a while, I'll go buy some oranges."

Baili Qingfeng nodded.

Soon, Baili Hong returned with fruits and other gifts.

This time, nobody was practicing in the yard. Baili Changkong was waiting for them inside the house.

"Qingfeng, stand in the posture for a while. I'll talk to your father." Baili Changkong said and asked Baili Ruoshui to watch him.

Baili Qingfeng stood for a moment, and Baili Ruoxue, who was in a gray training suit with a pretty face, walked out. Her youthfulness almost dazzled him.

Baili Ruoxue stared at Baili Qingfeng the moment she came. If Baili Qingfeng were someone shy, he would've been ill at ease.

"Sister, don't interrupt Brother Qingfeng's training." Baili Ruoshui interjected.

"I just want to see what is different about him. He looks just so-so." Baili Ruoxue murmured.

Then, she started practicing herself, not punching but sword arts. It was enjoyable when she moved and fenced.

There was no telling what Baili Changkong and Baili Hong talked about, but Baili Hong was obviously upset when he came out. He looked at Baili Qingfeng but soon calmed down. "Qingfeng, you can train here for now. If you are tired, you can always come back."

"Got it." Baili Qingfeng nodded.

After Baili Hong left, Baili Changkong came out and guided Baili Qingfeng in person.

Soon, it was already noon.

During lunch, Baili Changkong said proudly, "Our school is famous all over Shea. The Rumbling Thunder Thirty-Six Moves is among the best body-training techniques, and the Thunderous Breathing is a top-tier inhaling and exhaling art in the whole country. The people who have come to the Baili family asking for guidance or requesting to learn after us are too many to be counted…"

Baili Changkong had begun his daily bragging.

"Second grandpa, I've found a meditation method. Look at it."

Seizing the moment, Baili Qingfeng gave Baili Changkong the Thunderous Juggernaut Method that he had printed earlier.

"Well…"

Baili Changkong was dissatisfied that Baili Qingfeng interrupted him at first, but his eyes soon widened as he glanced at the meditation method. His hands were shivering. "This… This is the Thunderous Juggernaut Method that our family lost… It's the best skill in our school. Why do you have it… Did my uncle give it to your father?"

"No. I found it online."

"Online? On what line?" Baili Changkong was confused.

"…"

Baili Qingfeng was at a loss for words.

That's why reading and learning was important.

However, Baili Changkong's confusion was soon replaced by the ecstasy of discovering the Thunderous Juggernaut Method. After skimming through it and confirming its authenticity, he said in great delight, "Great, Qingfeng, you are really a fortune-bringer of our family. With this spirit-training method and the image of the Primeval Thunder Beast in our family, it's very possible that your uncle and I will rise to a higher level."

The meditation method he found on the internet was truly the lost Thunderous Juggernaut Method of the Baili family. Baili Qingfeng could only say, "I'm glad that you like it, grandpa."

"Of course I do!"

"I looked up martial arts last night. Martial practitioners are divided into different levels, right? Could you tell me more?"

"The levels of the martial arts practitioners are actually of little significance. It's just a system that the Global Association of Martial Arts set up for easier administration over the martial fighters. The top experts never really bother that. It's like the swordmasters never bother to apply for certificates," Baili Changkong said in disdain.

"Are you a top expert, second-grandpa?"

Baili Changkong's face darkened. "Although I am not a top expert, I am only a little away from it. Why do you ask about that? Young man, you always dream too much."

"I'm told that some fighters can shatter other people's souls before their fist arrives. What level are they in?"

"Those are the experts with fist aura. Martial fighters can develop fist aura in the stage of spirit refining, but few have really developed it."

"Spirit refining?"

"Fine, I'll explain it to you."

Baili Changkong paused for a moment. "When an ordinary person punches, they use only the force of their arms, but when a martial fighter punches, they use the force of their arms and their legs, their waist, and their back. They combine these forces and fling them out through the arm like a dragon. When you can integrate all your strength into such power, you will become a real martial fighter."

"A level-one martial fighter?"

"You can say that, but it is not technically correct. A two-meter-tall brawny man and a skinny man half of his weight may both be able to exert such power, but do you think their power is the same?"

Baili Qingfeng was deep in thought.

"According to the Association of Martial Arts, condensing the power is level one, developing vibe is level two, and the combination of vibe and spirit is level three. The three steps are about refining the body, refining the mind and refining the spirit. Then…"

"I know that the ultimate level is to refine the void and assimilate all the above," Baili Qingfeng intoned.

"You are just talking nonsense. By the time you fully develop the body, the mind and the spirit, you can break the obstacles and develop the first internal breath. After that, no disease will trouble you. In ancient times, this level was known as Three Flowers Above the Head. Today, it is called…"

"Is Five Auras Gathering after Three Flowers Above the Head?" Baili Qingfeng said.

"…You are right."

"Understood. Body refining is level one, mind refining is level two, spirit refining is level three, Three Flowers Above the Head is level four, and Five Auras Gathering is level five."

"No, level four to six is Three Flowers Above the Head, and level seven to nine is Five Auras Gathering! Besides, Three Flowers Above the Head is what the ancient people called it. Today, we call it…"

Baili Changkong lowered his voice to build up the atmosphere. "War-level!"

"War-level? Why is it called War-level?"

"Because even today, the experts of such a level could still change the outcome of war to some extent."

Baili Changkong spoke as he glanced at Baili Ruoxue whose eyes were glowing and Baili Qingfeng who kept asking questions. "You should focus on consolidating your foundations first. You will be given great jobs after you can exert your power, and if you ever learn to refine your spirit, you will be among the top martial fighters in the whole city."

"What about War-level where one breaks the obstacles and develops internal breath?"

"Every War-level fighter is a national expert. Even if you are the weakest war-level expert, military departments will immediately come to you and offer you ranks with an allowance of one to two thousand yuan per month."

"Wow. Two thousand?"

Baili Ruoxue immediately exclaimed. "That's a lot! My dad only earns seven hundred per month."

"That's nothing. If you will take specific duties, your income may double. So, young fellas, focus on your training. The prospect of martial fighters is not as bad as your family thinks."