Teng Qingshan clearly felt the astonishing changes happening within him during his martial practice. He had entered the mid-stage of Gang Jin while on the Great Prairie, but advancing from the mid-stage to the late-stage took him over a year, finally breaking through only today! And with this breakthrough, Teng Qingshan felt an astonishing transformation! The formidable Gang Jin was like iron wires, yet also like resilient silken threads, coursing through every part of Teng Qingshan’s body, lying dormant in every single cell. Muscles, tendons, fascia, internal organs—all were suffused with this miraculous power. Furthermore, this power was evolving! Becoming even stronger, even more tenacious!

“Clang, clang~~”

Teng Qingshan could faintly hear the subtle, marvelous changes occurring internally as the strands of Gang Jin integrated with his ‘Shen’ (Spirit/Divine Sense). This process made the Gang Jin itself more profound and mysterious, while simultaneously initiating earth-shattering changes in Teng Qingshan’s body, down to the cellular level. Previously, even for Teng Qingshan, his five major organs were significantly weaker compared to his muscles and bones. But now, threads of Gang Jin, resembling electric arcs yet flowing like silken fibers, vibrated and transformed within his viscera. These organs themselves were rapidly refining, becoming tougher and more vigorous! It was as if his heart, even without the protection of Gang Jin, could no longer be pierced by an ordinary knife! From the inside out, there was no weak point in his body! A perfect, integrated whole—this was the perfect physique attained only when the practice of Inner Martial Arts reached its zenith!

“Shen and Gang Jin are truly complementary. As my Gang Jin broke through, my Shen also underwent a transformation.” Teng Qingshan distinctly felt this change. For so long, he had been utterly incapable of using his ‘Shen’ to control the air and nullify air resistance. But upon reaching the late-stage of Gang Jin. Teng Qingshan achieved it! The ‘Shen’ within his Niwan Palace continuously merged with the peak-level Gang Jin. Once the Gang Jin was saturated, the ‘Shen’ would integrate and then return to the Niwan Palace. However, this cycle—entering the peak Gang Jin and emerging—fundamentally altered the ‘Shen’ itself.

“A strong Shen is required to reach the late-stage of Gang Jin!” “And only by reaching the late-stage of Gang Jin can the ‘Shen’ control the air and eliminate air resistance.” “These two aid each other,” Teng Qingshan marveled silently. “No wonder! Among the Buddhist and Daoist lineages, Buddhism places greater emphasis on ‘Shen.’ Logically, reaching the mid-stage of Arhat should grant a ‘Shen’ strength comparable to that of the Innate Golden Core experts of the Daoist path. Yet, even with higher demands on the Shen, the Buddhist lineage only achieves control over air resistance upon reaching the late-stage.” “The Daoist path is the same; control over air resistance is only possible upon reaching the Innate Golden Core.” “And my Inner Martial Arts lineage is identical—air resistance can only be eliminated upon reaching the late-stage of Gang Jin.” Waves of joy washed over Teng Qingshan.

…… Having reached the peak of the Inner Martial Arts Gang Jin, his body was perfectly integrated, complete and flawless, the Gang Jin immensely powerful, sometimes lurking within, sometimes condensing on the surface of his skin. One could say—physically, Teng Qingshan had reached the absolute limit! Further improvement would require an ascent in the comprehension of the ‘Dao’! Innately Golden Core experts and late-stage Arhats, upon reaching their physical limit, could manifest explosive power around eight hundred thousand jin. But Teng Qingshan, with his body and Gang Jin merged, reaching his limit, possessed an explosive power nearing one million six hundred thousand jin! A full double!

“My body has reached its peak. Even experts of the Void Realm cannot match me in terms of physical body,” Teng Qingshan understood this clearly. “In terms of physique, there can be no more advancement. What must be done now is the enlightenment of the ‘Dao’.” Currently, a single deep breath from Teng Qingshan could create a sonic boom in the surrounding space. Perfection inside and out—this was the physical limit!

“Hoo!”

Teng Qingshan ceased his movements, exhaling a breath that carved a pit into the cliff face.

“Brother Teng, you broke through?” Li Jun approached, her face alight with pleasure.

“Teacher.” Teng Shou’s eyes also shone with joy. Having been instructed by Teng Qingshan, Teng Shou knew that after reaching the Grandmaster realm in the Inner Martial Arts lineage, there were three sub-stages: the first involved faint lights flickering across the whole body; the second allowed Gang Jin to condense into rings; the third was full-body coverage!

“Haha, I broke through,” Teng Qingshan nodded with a smile.

“Brother Teng, this is truly great news. Today… hmm, today I must cook more dishes.” Li Jun was genuinely happy for him, and the little maid Ping waved her arms excitedly, “Sister Jun, I’ll help!”

“Congratulations, Master,” Old Wang chuckled good-naturedly.

“Brother Teng,” Li Jun suddenly murmured.

“Hmm?” Teng Qingshan looked at her.

“Brother Teng, aren't you going to subdue that Six-Legged Blade Beetle now that you’ve reached the late-stage of Gang Jin?” Li Jun asked, pointing toward a nearby cave. Teng Qingshan’s eyes immediately lit up, and he turned to look. From his position, he could see the Six-Legged Blade Beetle sleeping soundly within the cavern.

The Six-Legged Blade Beetle was incredibly sluggish; in the nearly month since Teng Qingshan acquired the stone carvings, it had only woken twice.

“This Six-Legged Blade Beetle is formidable. It can fly in the sky and burrow underground, and its physical defense is astonishingly robust,” Teng Qingshan praised it inwardly. “Moreover, the blade techniques executed by its six bladed legs are exquisite. It’s the perfect sparring partner for me. In the future, taking it to the Nine Provinces will be of great use!”

After his dealings with the Heavenly God Palace, Teng Qingshan was acutely aware… In the Nine Provinces, while the Eight Great Sects appeared supreme on the surface, the reality was a turbulent undercurrent! Like the fiercely ambitious Heavenly God Palace. Naturally, Teng Qingshan was unwilling to settle for mediocrity either!

“Hmph, Qinghu Island. Our Guiyuan Sect and your Qinghu Island coexist in the same province—can one region truly support two tigers?” Teng Qingshan understood this perfectly. “In the future, my Inner Martial Arts lineage must also be spread far and wide. The area around Jiangning Commandery is far too small! Qinghu Island has controlled Yangzhou long enough; it’s time for a change of guard!”

Much hatred was buried deep within Teng Qingshan’s heart! Qingqing’s death could not simply be overlooked. However— Without sufficient strength, all ambition remained empty talk.

“Jun’er, you all wait outside. After I finish fighting it, Jun’er, you can talk to it,” Teng Qingshan instructed. Li Jun and the others nodded. “Yoo~~ yoo~~” Li Jun even called the Azure Luan, which was dozing in its nest, to go outside as well. As for the Gale Hawk? It was already waiting outside. Soon, Li Jun, the others, and the Azure Luan departed. Teng Qingshan picked up the Samsara Spear leaning against the wall and walked toward the Six-Legged Blade Beetle’s lair.

“Thump! Thump! Thump!”

Teng Qingshan deliberately made each step heavy, causing the stone floor to crack, as if a giant were striding forward.

The Six-Legged Blade Beetle, disturbed from its sleep, abruptly opened the pair of eyes protruding from its triangular head. Whoosh! Its body instantly straightened, its six legs poised to spring out at any moment. It opened its mouth and emitted a low, discontented roar, each growl carrying a distinct, fetid odor.

“Six-Legged Blade Beetle, how about a fight between us?” Teng Qingshan raised the Samsara Spear, pointing it directly at the creature.

The Six-Legged Blade Beetle immediately responded with an angry snarl. Evidently, it felt a battle between them was pointless.

“Hmph, are you afraid?” Teng Qingshan showed a hint of disdain.

Indeed, this arrogant creature was provoked by Teng Qingshan’s demeanor. It darted away lightning-fast to the side, simultaneously using its two front bladed legs as if pushing aside underbrush, effortlessly ‘parting’ the mountain wall to create a path. Its massive body shot out like lightning.

Teng Qingshan and the Six-Legged Blade Beetle had fought several times before. In a confined space, Teng Qingshan naturally held the advantage, so the creature had learned its lesson: You, a mere human, want to fight me? Fine, let’s go outside! In the open air, the Six-Legged Blade Beetle gained the advantage, able to easily pursue Teng Qingshan.

“Hmph,” Teng Qingshan grinned, grasping the Samsara Spear, and transformed into a streak of lightning, dashing into the newly cleared path.

…… On a cliff face, after the massive form of the Six-Legged Blade Beetle burst out, the much smaller human figure followed like a flash of lightning. Whoosh!

Teng Qingshan landed on the branch of a large tree, while the Six-Legged Blade Beetle hovered amidst the forest. The tiny black pupils in the creature’s triangular head faintly shimmered with cold light.

“Out here, I was at a disadvantage in previous encounters, but this time…” Teng Qingshan’s entire body suddenly became enveloped in a layer of earth-yellow light, covering his clothes and even his head, leaving only openings for his eyes, as if he were clad in a suit of battle armor!

The Six-Legged Blade Beetle startled, its two pairs of wings vibrating slightly as it ascended higher. It could sense that the human before it was now significantly more powerful.

“Roar~~~” The Six-Legged Blade Beetle let out a fierce cry, both pairs of its wings beating rapidly. In an instant, it became a streak of golden light. Especially its two pairs of wings—as thin as cicada wings, yet incredibly sharp and durable—as the creature flew through the forest, every large tree its wings grazed… It was cut as if by a giant, keen blade!

“Rumble~~~”

Dozens of thick trees crashed down, but their cross-sections were perfectly smooth and neat.

“Hahaha…” Teng Qingshan laughed loudly and leaped into the air. Grasping the shaft of the Samsara Spear with both hands, he held it high above his head, resembling a man wielding an axe. Just as he was about to clash with the Six-Legged Blade Beetle, Teng Qingshan violently swept the spear outwards. His left and right arms were positioned one in front of the other as he furiously struck forward— The entire shaft was suffused with an earth-yellow halo.

“Hiss~~” The Six-Legged Blade Beetle shrieked, swinging its two massive sickle-like bladed legs toward Teng Qingshan.

The Samsara Spear swept out to meet them! The moment they connected, Teng Qingshan’s two arms unleashed their explosive power simultaneously.

“Peng!”

Force exploded outwards, trees shattered, and both Teng Qingshan and the Six-Legged Blade Beetle were sent flying backward.

A fierce and strange force bent the creature’s two bladed legs, and this impact was transmitted through its body, causing the Six-Legged Blade Beetle to crash through over ten thick trees before it stopped. A trace of green fluid seeped from the corner of its triangular mouth. In its large eyes, the minute black pupils reflected sheer terror.

Teng Qingshan was also thrown back, but he executed a flip in mid-air and landed on a tree branch. Seeing the blood at the corner of the Six-Legged Blade Beetle’s mouth, Teng Qingshan revealed a slight smile: “Well, the fifth move of the Five Elements Spear technique, ‘Mountain Cleave,’ has decent power.”