Chapter Twelve: Breakthrough (Part Two)

"I'll buy a ten-year-old ginseng root, and use the remaining money to prepare these three prescriptions for me," Qin Yi said, placing twelve taels of silver on the counter, keeping just over one tael for emergencies.

"Very well, sir! Please wait a moment," the shopkeeper replied, though his face showed a flicker of surprise. He couldn't help wondering just how weak this customer must be, though looking at his build, it hardly seemed so.

Before long, Qin Yi left the pharmacy laden with bags of medicine. Around noon, he found a small eatery and had a simple meal.

"Have you heard? Half of Nanyang Prefecture next door has already fallen into rebel hands. It's been three months since the uprising began, and the imperial court still hasn't managed to suppress the rebels!"

"With the northern front still embroiled in war, where could the court spare the soldiers to quell the unrest? I heard that Beihai Prefecture, east by the sea, has completely fallen to another faction of rebels, and it seems four or five other prefectures, dozens of counties, have also seen uprisings!"

"No wonder there are more and more refugees here in Jinyuan County—not just those fleeing south from the war in the north, but now also people escaping from Nanyang next door!"

Qin Yi chewed his braised beef as he listened to the conversation at the next table, a wave of unease rising in his heart.

For the past several months, he had been secluded in the mountains, paying little heed to the outside world. He hadn't imagined that Great Yong had descended into such chaos.

"Nanyang Prefecture..." His expression grew grave. He was in Jiangning Prefecture, bordering Nanyang. Who could guarantee that the rebels wouldn't soon sweep into his own region?

That afternoon, he returned to the Qingwei Daoist Temple.

Inside his room, Qin Yi took out the ten-year-old ginseng root and silently recited, "Recharge."

Qin Yi:
Five Energies Converge to the Origin Fist: Mastery
Heavenly Pivot Palm: Skilled
Energy: 3

"Three points?" Qin Yi was mildly surprised. It seemed this ginseng root provided just over two points, but not quite three. Earlier, when he recharged the two medicinal concoctions worth one tael, he hadn't gained a full energy point—just a fraction. Now, with the ginseng, he'd broken through to three.

"Let's try the other herbs."

An hour later—

Five Energies Converge to the Origin Fist: Mastery+
Heavenly Pivot Palm: Skilled+
Energy: 15

"These blood-nourishing and qi-replenishing herbs, worth a little over nine taels, actually yielded twelve energy points! So it's true—just acquiring a single, aged medicinal root doesn't necessarily grant more energy. A comprehensive prescription provides more!" Qin Yi had finally figured it out.

If there were a restorative prescription made entirely of rare, potent ingredients, the energy gained would surely be the highest! If he spent around ten taels on meat, he'd only get about ten points of energy.

"Seems like next time, I'll just buy medicinal herbs!"

Glancing at the fifteen energy points on his system panel, Qin Yi decided to push the Five Energies Converge to the Origin Fist to Perfection and see just how powerful it would become.

"Breakthrough!"

In an instant, his energy dropped from fifteen to seven.

Suddenly, a blazing heat exploded within his chest, flooding through his limbs and bones.

His entire body felt as though it were being scoured by fire. Qin Yi could distinctly feel his muscles, blood, and bones being strengthened and transformed.

In his mind, a figure endlessly practiced the Five Energies Converge to the Origin Fist, day after day, year after year—perhaps twenty, thirty, even forty years.

Qin Yi felt as if he were that figure, and that figure was himself.

One day, the figure seemed to have cultivated the fist to its very pinnacle, with no further progress possible. Suddenly, in a wondrous state, he struck out with a punch, as if shattering some invisible shackle.

In that moment, his entire being seemed sublimated.

At last, the figure disappeared, and Qin Yi's body returned to normal.

A foul stench emanated from him—he looked down and saw his entire body covered in sticky, black sweat and grime.

Without bothering to check his system, he rushed off for a bath.

After bathing—

"System!"

Qin Yi:
Five Energies Converge to the Origin Fist: Perfection (Fivefold Force)
Heavenly Pivot Palm: Skilled+
Energy: 7

"A secret technique?" Qin Yi was taken aback.

This must be the punch he comprehended after mastering the Five Energies Converge to the Origin Fist to its utmost, breaking through some internal barrier.

"Let's test its power!"

Qin Yi hurried to the rear mountain. After ensuring he was alone, he drew a breath.

"Fivefold Force!"

He unleashed a punch.

It felt as if all the strength in his body flowed perfectly into his fist, converging without the slightest flaw.

Boom!

His fist slammed into a tree.

When he drew his fist back, he couldn't help but gasp.

There, in the wood, was a fist mark an inch deep, with several long, deep cracks radiating from its center.

"It seems the force penetrated deep into the heart of the tree!"

This was true destructive power—its reach extended beyond the surface.

"Fivefold Force... the stacking of force, is it?"

However, it was extremely taxing. He sensed he could manage at most three such punches before exhausting his energy completely.

...

In the rear courtyard, Qin Yi sparred with Senior Brother Zhao, practicing the Heavenly Pivot Palm.

Bang!

Qin Yi took a palm to the shoulder. A numbness spread, and he feigned being forced back several steps.

"Alright, that's enough for today," Zhao Shaojie said with a smile. "You're performing the Heavenly Pivot Palm with proper form now, but some of your transitions still lack fluidity. Disjointed moves create fatal flaws. You must work harder to smooth them out."

"Yes, Senior Brother Zhao," Qin Yi replied.

"By the way, Senior Brother, what does it mean to have 'First Rank' strength?" Qin Yi asked curiously. He had just perfected his Five Energies Converge to the Origin Fist, but had no idea what level his strength had reached.

"First Rank strength is most accurately assessed at the local government office, where they measure and grade you. But from sparring, we can estimate as well."

"First Rank means you've nourished your blood and tempered your sinews—your strength is noticeably above an average person’s. Add in martial arts techniques, and you can easily deal with three or five ordinary men at once. For instance, just now, leaving skill aside, my strength and speed far outstrip yours. No matter how adeptly you use your forms, I see nothing but openings. With a single move, I could incapacitate you," Zhao Shaojie explained patiently.

"All martial arts under heaven: none is invincible, only speed is unbreakable?" Qin Yi blurted.

"Oh? That's an interesting saying! I wonder where you heard it—only a true master could come up with that."

"In actual combat, that's more or less the truth. When strength is about equal, the faster and more skillful will always have the upper hand."