Li Muzhan lay down, still pondering the Flying Dragon Spear Technique and the Flying Bear Palm. Compared in power, the spear technique was superior, yet the palm form, which honed the body, could not be ignored; it was like internal cultivation.

Although the Flying Dragon Spear also trained the body, it focused primarily on sheer power. After thinking for a while, he carefully allocated his time: practice the Flying Bear Palm when active, and practice the Flying Dragon Spear when still; movement and stillness combined was the supreme way.

He thought for a moment more, deciding to test the next day: within the same amount of time, which of the two increased his internal energy more, which was more efficient, and then he would make his final decision on how to prioritize. He shook his head with a wry smile.

Obtaining even one of these martial arts was difficult; having both was the source of his vexation—truly, a fortunate affliction. And then there was Xiong Sihai; it seemed he had latched onto him, which was another trouble.

After his thoughts churned for a bit, he sat up cross-legged, formed a hand seal, and quickly entered the state of tranquility, immersing himself in the Gazing at Heaven and Man Illumination Scripture. His body felt as if submerged in a hot spring, intensely comfortable.

The snores in the tent were loud, especially Zhao Shengli’s, roaring like thunder, but Li Muzhan didn't mind; he quickly entered the state of the Gazing at Heaven and Man Illumination Scripture. Immersing himself in the Gazing at Heaven and Man Illumination Scripture was more effective than the deepest sleep; fatigue vanished, and his body constantly strengthened, possessing the miraculous effect of cleansing the marrow and reshaping the tendons.

In the earlier stages, the Gazing at Heaven and Man Illumination Scripture offered the most potent recovery—as long as life remained, it could restore one to near-original condition, akin to reshaping the body, though the strengthening effect wasn't as remarkable then. But as the Heart Pearl increased, the enhancement effect grew stronger too.

Though slow and subtle, it increased slightly every day, and accumulated over time, the result was quite astonishing. The next morning, Li Muzhan rose early, feeling refreshed, and stood in the tent, slightly crouched, holding his long spear, maintaining a motionless stake stance.

Internal energy surged out, emerging from the Yongquan point, as if this energy originated from the earth beneath his feet. As he stood in the stake, Li Muzhan pondered where this internal energy truly came from—did it really well up from the earth?

The friend (self) and the cosmos—one is the inner world, the other the outer world; the two reflect and resemble each other subtly. In the inner world, the eyes are the sun and moon, casting light upon the mountains and rivers; the blood is like river water, the meridians like river channels, and the acupoints like lakes and oceans, forming a miniature universe.

If this is so, then the part of the inner and outer worlds most intimately connected to the heavens and earth must be the feet, specifically the Yongquan points. If Yongquan communicates the earth's qi with the inner world, could this internal energy truly be the power of the earth?

His mind worked, but his body remained still. This was the marvel of military martial arts: as long as the posture was correct, no matter what one's mind was contemplating, the internal energy would flow naturally.

The internal energy was independent of the mind, acknowledging no connection to it; this was both a flaw and an advantage, especially for those whose minds were dull—it was the best possible situation. Zhao Shengli and the other three watched him strangely for a few glances, shook their heads, and said nothing, knowing he was cultivating, even if his methods were peculiar, as what he learned was inherently different from theirs.

Li Baolu couldn't resist asking, "Hey, Monk, what kind of skill are you practicing?" Li Muzhan maintained his slight crouch and replied, "Spear Stake Posture, for practicing the spear technique." "Oh..." Li Baolu asked no more. Since they couldn't even grasp the rudiments of spear techniques, asking about the practice only served to stir up their envy.

Zhao Shengli sat on the couch, scratching his head, and blurted out, "Say, Monk, are you holding back your true abilities? Have you practiced spear techniques long ago?" Li Muzhan smiled, still motionless, stopping the motion of shaking his head just in time.

Zhao Shengli grunted, "Tell me, are you even human? I practiced the spear for a full three years and never even touched the doorway!

You, kid, mastered it in just a few days. No wonder Yue Feihu wants to kill you; I'm grinding my teeth with jealousy too!" "If you are not envied by others, you are no talent!" Feng Dakun said coldly.

Zhao Shengli glanced sideways at him, "Oh—Dakun, you've made great progress, even learning to quote literature!" "Following Xiao Cai, one always remembers a few phrases," Feng Dakun replied coldly. Zhao Shengli huffed, "In short, Monk, you are not human; you are a monster!" Li Baolu chuckled slyly, "Head Zhao, how is the Monk a monster?

One head, two arms, two legs—he's human, isn't he?" Zhao Shengli glared, "Stop interrupting!" Cai Yuzhang laughed softly, "Head Zhao, our squad is quite interesting. Probably the smartest and the dullest in the whole camp are right here with us." "The Monk is the smartest, but who is the dullest?" Li Baolu asked curiously.

Seeing the gazes of the other three, Li Baolu quickly asked, "Is it me? Head Zhao, you must speak justly." Zhao Shengli laughed heartily, "Alright, I’ll speak justly.

Xiao Cai is right!" Li Baolu’s face stiffened, and he lunged toward Cai Yuzhang. Cai Yuzhang shrieked, pulled back the curtain, and fled, with Li Baolu chasing and hitting him as they went outside.

Zhao Shengli shook his head with a smile, walked over to Feng Dakun, and clapped him hard on the shoulder: "Dakun, let's go too. Let the Monk have space to practice!" Feng Dakun packed his broadsword and placed it in the wooden box, pushing it under the couch, and followed Zhao Shengli out.

After practicing for a while, they left for their meal. Upon returning, Zhao Shengli and the others attended to their own tasks: Zhao Shengli studied military strategy, Li Baolu practiced embroidery, Feng Dakun tested his iron armor, and Cai Yuzhang was writing a letter.

Li Muzhan, meanwhile, stood in the stake posture before the couch. The tent was quiet, broken only by the occasional muttering, gasping, and sharp intakes of breath from Zhao Shengli as he read—it looked as if he were undergoing torture just looking at the book.

However, he never tired of it. He claimed he was preparing to be a general, lest he become one only to know nothing of military tactics, which would be too humiliating; no matter what, he had to conquer at least one military text.

The others secretly laughed but maintained serious faces, acting as if this was perfectly natural and offering much encouragement, urging Zhao Shengli to persist until he finally conquered the book. Li Muzhan realized Zhao Shengli was a good man, but his weaknesses were obvious: too trusting and easily impulsive.

Such a temperament meant he could only be a fierce general, not a wise strategist. Xiong Sihai pushed aside the curtain and chuckled, "Great Monk, Head Zhao, Dakun, Xiao Cai, Li Zi—the sun is already high.

Let's go!" Zhao Shengli nimbly dropped his book, complaining, "Brother Sihai, why are you only arriving now! Hurry, hurry, let’s depart immediately!" Feng Dakun put down his armor, Cai Yuzhang set down his brush, and Li Baolu put down his embroidery frame.

Li Muzhan slowly concluded his stance, executing three phantom thrusts that whistled sharply. Xiong Sihai paused in surprise: "Flying Dragon Spear?" Li Muzhan was equally astonished and asked, "You recognize the Flying Dragon Spear?" "Instructor Zhang's inherited Flying Dragon Spear, how could I not know it?

You actually obtained the Flying Dragon Spear!" Xiong Sihai exclaimed, clicking his tongue in admiration, "I never imagined there would really be a successor to the Flying Dragon Spear!" Li Muzhan said, "The Flying Dragon Spear is quite famous." "Naturally!" Xiong Sihai declared, his face full of regret, "I wanted to learn the Flying Dragon Spear back then, but alas, I couldn't grasp the unity of spear and man, and Instructor Zhang kicked me out!" "How powerful is this Flying Dragon Spear?" Zhao Shengli asked hastily. Xiong Sihai replied, "It’s very strong...

how strong exactly, nobody knows... Instructor Zhang's ancestor was one of the eighteen founding generals and was gifted this set of spear techniques...

but since then, the Zhang family has declined. Otherwise, Instructor Zhang wouldn't just be an instructor; he would have become a general long ago." "Looking at it that way, the Flying Dragon Spear doesn't seem very powerful," Zhao Shengli said, disappointed.

Xiong Sihai shook his head, "That’s not it! The Zhang family's decline seemed connected to their ancestor.

He issued an order that his descendants could not hold key positions in the military, only auxiliary roles!" "Good heavens, is he senile?" Zhao Shengli exclaimed, looking unconvinced. Xiong Sihai said, "My brother-in-law holds the ancestor of the Zhang family in the highest regard, saying he possessed farsightedness and deep strategic thinking far beyond ordinary men!" You all don't know, but Instructor Zhang and the Head Instructor are father and son!" "Ah, they are father and son!" Zhao Shengli was startled.

"Hmm, thinking about it closely, they do look a bit alike. Both are instructors; it seems their martial arts must be extremely formidable!" Xiong Sihai nodded vigorously: "You know how powerful Instructor Zhang is; the Head Instructor is even more unfathomable.

So, never provoke the instructors." "So the Flying Dragon Spear is also very powerful, right?" Li Baolu was utterly confused, not grasping the context, and asked directly. "Not far from it!" Xiong Sihai confirmed.

Li Muzhan asked, "I heard the Instructor also has a daughter?" "Oh, Zhang Lianqiu," Xiong Sihai said, his expression turning odd, shaking his head, "That person cannot be trifled with!" Li Muzhan became interested and smiled, "What's going on?" Xiong Sihai related, "I don't know which master she apprenticed under, but her martial arts are incredibly strong, and she has a terrible temper, hitting people at the slightest provocation. I was unlucky enough to get beaten once." "Can the Great Monk beat her?" Zhao Shengli asked immediately.

"The Great Monk's martial arts are formidable, but against her... it might be tough," Xiong Sihai shook his head.

Li Muzhan nodded thoughtfully. No wonder Instructor Zhang had asked him to look after her—it wasn't that she was weak, but rather that her formidable martial arts would attract trouble, perhaps.

Power and influence are sometimes more potent than martial arts, a point Li Muzhan understood well. He sighed inwardly; it seemed he absolutely had to become a general to repay this kindness of instruction.

The group rose and left the tent, collecting a small wooden token at the camp gate, and then together they departed the military encampment, heading toward Tianlong City. At the South Gate of Tianlong City, they frequently encountered soldiers.

Ordinary people and soldiers walked differently, and the soldiers of the Divine Martial Camp had actually fought on real battlefields and killed men; their aura was different, permeated with palpable killing intent that was difficult to imitate. Li Muzhan frowned.

They encountered five groups of people on the road, and three groups glared fiercely at Xiong Sihai with ill intent. Li Muzhan inwardly smiled bitterly.

Xiong Sihai’s knack for stirring up trouble was indeed considerable. With danger brewing, they might run into mortal enemies once inside the city.

He had already violated military regulations once, requiring one meritorious service equivalent to killing sixty men to cancel it out. Although fighting outside the camp wasn't a major crime, adding to his lifespan debt was unavoidable.

He turned and asked, "Xiong Sihai, how were you punished every time you fought?" "Hah, small matters. A few days of confinement and it was over, as long as nobody died.

At worst, they docked some pay," Xiong Sihai waved his hand dismissively. Li Muzhan breathed a sigh of relief.

(!)E