Chapter 208: The Spirit Can Regress, Open Up Both Paths!

Qin Shi muttered a few sentences, rejecting the reconciliation proposal.

Huo Erwen told him that the First Sequence Heir the Ying Clan dispatched to Hengzhou was Ying Huang of the direct line.

Unlike Ying Lin, that good-for-nothing fashionable-rich scion who lived off the family fund with no great prospects, the other party was different.

Ying Huang graduated from the North China Imperial Capital of the Four Great National Universities, and was also that year's student council president, having participated in three national-level projects; his life resume carried full weight.

After graduation he served four years, then entered Xu Yang Heavy Industry under the Ying Clan, promoted to supervisor within five years, and is now the military defense contractor for the Ninth War Corps of the He Xie Star Region, serving as Chief Executive Officer.

"Mainly producing various ion cannons, military robots, individual long-range shooting weapons……"

Qin Shi held the orange puppy, searching "Ying Huang's" life history, clicking his tongue in admiration; just past thirty, in the prime of life, he was already a top decision-maker at Xu Yang Heavy Industry.

Far exceeding the category of "social elite," he completely qualified as a "pillar of society."

"Know yourself and know the enemy, and you can fight a hundred battles without defeat. Intelligence is important."

Qin Shi lowered his head with emotion; normally speaking, even with his Level 7 Citizen Permit, the information he could browse wouldn't be this detailed.

These Nine Surnames Great Clans' First Sequence members all possess relevant privacy protection mechanisms; one must conduct extremely deep complex retrieval and fine filtering to see them.

This prototype Electronic Demon orange puppy has now updated multiple application software.

Besides 【Killed It】, 【Defective Map】, 【Entropy Sea Bank】, there is also 【Ferry Search】.

Through the newly appeared application software, Qin Shi instantly filled in many detail contents.

He consecutively clicked open several entries related to "Ying Huang," light flickering in his eyes.

"Ying Shuai is one of the nine Dongxia Supreme Meritorious Subjects with relatively more offspring. Relying on this towering giant tree for shelter, the Ying Clan's expansion momentum is fierce, almost the most colossal family among the Nine Surnames.

Setting aside the direct line, branch lines are countless, spread throughout the Galaxy, which is why the 'Inheritance Sequence' system was derived.

Any Ying Clan scion, as long as bloodline is unobstructed, can contribute to the family, take over industries or manage companies, thereby promoting in sequence, obtaining resource tilt."

Qin Shi viewed "Ying Family First Sequence," and in a moment a list of over a dozen names was listed.

Among them "Ying Huang" ranked sixth, counting as relatively outstanding.

"Lower sequence ranks only assess 'net wealth' and 'asset appreciation.' If one wants to become a First Sequence Heir, then 'personal potential' and 'future growth potential' these two items must be added."

Qin Shi looked at the top three on the list; their information seemed to be shielded, only a string of asterisks carrying no meaning, indicating the existences most likely to succeed the Ying Clan and become Family Head are under strict confidentiality at all times.

"The Ying Clan willing to send out Ying Huang, whose First Sequence ranking is not low, to meet me, also counts as thinking highly of me."

After browsing quite a few Ying Clan heirs, Qin Shi shook his head and smiled.

For a super-giant like the Nine Surnames that overlooks Dongxia and covers the sky with one hand, willing to reconcile with a high school student who came out of Old Factory Street, turning weapons into jade and silk.

Placed in the ancient era's empire, it would absolutely become a fine tale of "treating worthies with humility."

"Adapt to all changes by remaining unchanged. As long as I stay in Hengzhou, the Ying Clan can't do anything to me either."

Qin Shi released the soft orange puppy, putting away his tumultuous thoughts.

He believed this level of struggle, he also couldn't mix into; everything just listen to Lao Zhang's orders.

As Nanhuang Dao Guan's Executive Dao Guan Master, Old Martial Arts Grandmaster Level, and the super background board who achieved the Great Perfection Defeat achievement against Qi Wuxiang, He Lanchan and other First Generation Ten Greats.

Lao Zhang is the strongest output against the Ying Clan!

"Rather than considering how to face Ying Huang, better to hope Lao Zhang lives a few more decades, until the day I reach the path's end, ultimate leap, promote to Martial God, completely pass the growth period……"

Qin Shi muttered a few sentences, silently praying for Lao Zhang to live another hundred years, then began today's spiritual cultivation.

He is currently at a very critical important stage.

Spirit stays at Saint Embryo prototype, Mortal Body then touches the hundred-point major threshold.

"The 'Mental Spirituality' and 'Flesh Vitality' possessed by life both have fixed quantities, so the Spiritual Path and Martial Path are very difficult to advance neck and neck.

One path walks fast, the other path is destined to walk slow, thereby forming suppression, producing bottlenecks."

Qin Shi recalled the topics he discussed with Lao Zhang, Lao Liang, including Super Xiao He; he is a Spirit-Flesh Unity "endowment," no need to worry about the first point.

But if spirit breaks through first, condenses complete Saint Embryo, it will indeed hinder entering the specialized domain, and vice versa.

"Therefore I must once and for all open up both paths!"

Qin Shi pondered, Martial Path breaking through Professional Level could be said to be a sure thing, only the Spiritual Path's condensing Saint Embryo, he still lacks a few clues.

"I have already bathed in heavenly light, absorbed enough energy factors, forcibly pinched out a prototype; next should carry my 'Intent' and 'Thought'."

He sat cross-legged on the Inner Landscape ground, spiritual field power spreading around his body like a mad wind, vibrating out rings of intense ripples.

As the Spirit Sea was extracted, bundles of "ripples" condensed, like sharp blades shooting out, rushing toward all directions.

Super Xiao He acted as sparring partner, continuously manifesting human figures like targets.

Qin Shi's state of mind peaceful, operated meditation method, blending the extremely easily dispersing spiritual thoughts into one body.

Gradually, dimensional energies containing different attributes were controlled, strands of flowing wind, threads of flame, actually condensed out from inside his forehead, as if ancient era Qi refiners, able to manipulate wind, fire, thunder, lightning.

"Saint Embryo stage, the greatest difficulty lies in after absorbing dimensional energy, how to 'refine essence'. Wind or fire, these natural attributes are like ore full of impurities; if not refined, the spirit will suffer contamination."

Qin Shi once heard Super Xiao He say, the biggest difference between Spiritual Path and Martial Path lies in the latter attributing great power to oneself, the former like steering a boat in a raging sea, risk of capsizing very large.

Before reaching "Manifest Saint" level, the spirit may even exhibit regression phenomena.

From Sitting Forgetting falling to Saint Embryo, then from Saint Embryo falling to Entry into Samadhi, even reduced to ordinary person.

Therefore, ancient era classic storybooks often have similar plots.

Mortals experience the hundred states of the red dust, one morning sudden enlightenment become Immortal;

Gods whose merit is not quite Perfection, one thought's difference, immediately enter demonhood, Dao conduct lost entirely.

These seemingly cliché plots actually contain cultivation allegories.

"I finally know why Lao He's cultivation speed is extremely monstrous."

Qin Shi operated Xu Kong Meditation Method, ancient altar emerged in Spirit Sea, dimensional energy descending from Netherworld cracks swallowed into it, like a furnace smelting iron, dissolving impurities, leaving only essence like liquid water droplets.

He opened his eyes, revealing a look of surprise, didn't expect Lao He's self-created "Xu Kong Meditation Method" to be this fierce.

Operate spirit, accommodate all phenomena, nothing not contained, nothing not fused.

This inheritance is simply like a cheat, enough to let a person advance rapidly on the Spiritual Path, without worrying about any bottlenecks.

"Fish Senior Sister's specialized trait is 'Dominion.' Judging by that, if I take the Spiritual Path to that level, the trait I get might be something like 'Instant Refinement.'"

Qin Shi had previously doubted that He Lanchan's inheritance was as overwhelming as imagined, that once mastered it would display an invincible posture.

Only now did he finally understand: it was because his level was too low to unleash its power.

"Pity, Center City's Iron Curtain defense is sturdier than Taian Metropolitan Area's, so I can't absorb a large amount of dimensional energy."

Qin Shi felt a bit regretful; if he could bathe in heavenly light once more, running the Xu Kong Meditation Method would be enough to refine massive essence and fill the empty Twelve Crystals.

"Xiao He Xiao He, do you have any way to let me open two paths?"

After finishing the cultivation course, Qin Shi turned to the near-omnipotent Super Xiao He for help.

As for how to climb the Path, the latter was more useful than 【Ferry Search】.

"Haven't you already figured it out yourself? Why come ask me?"

Super Xiao He had an expressionless face; his Inner Landscape was spirit interwoven, and unless Qin Shi deliberately concealed it, his thoughts would undoubtedly show with his emotional fluctuations.

"I want to discuss feasibility with you."

Qin Shi rubbed his hands, his unusually active thoughts colliding into sparks, letting him comprehend a method that had a chance of opening both the Spiritual Path and the Martial Path.

"He Lanchan did this. Why do you think the 'Xu Kong Meditation Method' was created? It is the bridge for Spirit-Flesh Unity practitioners to connect both paths."

Super Xiao He said flatly.

"Old He and I thought alike."

Qin Shi raised his fist in a boxing guard, quite invigorated.

Since He Lanchan had personally practiced it, that proved his idea had no problems.

"Use the 'Xu Kong Meditation Method' to absorb dimensional energy, refine essence, then with natural attributes like 'Wind,' 'Fire,' 'Thunder,' 'Electricity,' temper the flesh and transform the Mortal Body. Thus both paths advance together, and in one push they are opened!"

This was the method Qin Shi had figured out.

"But this method also has risks."

Super Xiao He furrowed his brows, trying hard to recall:

"Before He Lanchan broke through both paths, because he absorbed too much natural attribute energy essence, he would often inexplicably suddenly self-immolate, be struck by lightning, or suffer frostbite. In the Ancient Era, this was called 'Tribulation Crossing,' because one was too powerful oneself, drawing down tribulation from Heaven and Earth."

Qin Shi's mouth corner twitched, thinking he had only just entered the specialized field, surely he wouldn't attract too great a tribulation?

……

……

The night grew deeper, the brilliantly lit Center City pierced through the cloud layer, a huge round moon emerged from within, casting down clear, gentle, pure moonlight.

A flying vehicle like a long shuttle passed through, dispersing wisp after wisp of icy cloud energy.

By rights, every Administrative New Star's capital city had a no-fly ordinance; even trains traveling on suspended orbits could not exceed a certain height, let alone such a flying vehicle openly appearing in Center City's Inner Ring area.

But facing this silver-white aircraft stamped with the Three-Legged Bird Emblem, all ground units remained silent, as if they hadn't seen it, letting it grandly land on the helipad of No. 2 Hanging Garden.

A young man in high-end custom clothing stepped out of the open cabin door and onto the soft grass.

His long hair hanging to his waist was striking, fiery red and hot, not dyed, but as if burning, gently fluttering with the night breeze.

This person was the heir of the Ying Family First Sequence, Ying Huang.

"Ying Lin is stuck in Xiao Hong Lou and can't come out; I have to go see him personally."

Ying Huang was handsome, with extremely thin lips, showing a hint of coldness.

Even when he smiled gently, there was a sense of mockery and banter.

Behind him followed a middle-aged butler, who always stayed half a step behind yet kept a safety distance:

"Shou Er Ye, Huo Erwen hasn't given an answer yet, but silence is sometimes also a statement."

"If that Nanhuang Dao Guan Disciple truly intends to reconcile, he couldn't possibly delay until now."

Ying Huang walked quickly; in just a moment he had entered the gate. No. 2 Hanging Garden was, apart from the Governor's Mansion, the most high-end luxurious area of Center City.

The magnificent building clusters lay like continuous mountain ranges, crouching in the pitch-black night, but because of Ying Huang's arrival, the entire sky canopy was opened to the lighting system, soft and non-glaring light spreading out, as if the ocean embraced the red-haired man.

From afar, No. 2 Hanging Garden shone brilliantly, almost outshining the round moon hanging in the night sky.

"I've said it several times already, Old Li; you should put away this great family's arrogance. If you still regard Qin Shi as a poor student from Old Factory Street who got lucky to inherit He Lanchan's legacy and fortunately got taken in by Nanhuang Dao Guan, then reconciliation talks are meaningless."

Ying Huang had a smile at the corner of his mouth, but it did not make one feel like basking in spring breeze:

"Treat everyone with respect; if you try to communicate well with him. That is the most important lesson I learned in my five years working at Xu Yang Heavy Industry."

"Change your thinking; that Nanhuang Dao Guan Disciple is Hengzhou's future Supernova. I heard Kang Yun'er has had several articles on the front page of Outlook Weekly continuously, calling him the Sun from the Borderlands, a common role model for the Four Alliances' disciples."

"In the Ying Family's assessment system, his personal potential reaches S-class, and his future growth potential is even a terrifying SS-class."

"What does that mean? It means his probability of replicating He Lanchan and becoming one of the New Generation Ten Greats is nearly seventy percent."

Ying Huang spoke eloquently, stepping into a palace-like spacious hall; the attendants on both sides formed a long queue, bowing the moment they saw him.

"Sometimes, giving respect to those beneath your status can bring unexpected surprises. And I believe that no matter whether that Nanhuang Dao Guan Disciple is a poor student or some other identity, we should respect objective facts and the results of computational data."

"Qin Shi, with an overall score of SS, deserves our patience."

Butler Old Li remained silent; Shou Er Ye always liked to bet on long shots.

But that Nanhuang Dao Guan Disciple had irreconcilable conflicts with the Ying Family; setting aside Shen Zhangyuan's death, just Qin Shi inheriting He Lanchan's mantle, cultivating the 'Xu Kong Meditation Method,' and showing amazing potential, he might very well walk the Ancient Heavenly Road after the Star Cup.

Various factors were enough to pronounce the other party's "death sentence."

"I understand your concerns, the family's concerns. But after discussion by the elders, and the large model calculations given by 'Flying Peng,' reconciliation is the most suitable option."

Ying Huang passed through the hall and was led to a private room; he put his hands in his pockets, his fiery red hair especially eye-catching.

He stood quietly by the window, looking down at the city below from the super-high vantage of the Hanging Garden.

After a long while he turned and said:

"Moreover, I feel that instead of obeying orders from above to erase all traces and past of He Lanchan, it would be better to..."

Ying Huang paused, then spoke a shocking heresy that made Butler Old Li's face turn white:

"It would be better to look forward to such a thing appearing. Back then, our distant ancestor joined the Revival Society and became a Supreme Meritorious Subject in founding New Dongxia; that legacy is still being enjoyed to this day."

"If I can invest in a future Mandate Emperor, that counts as Meritorious Subject from the Dragon's Rise; getting enfeoffed as a Prince should be no problem, right?"

Old Li's legs were both trembling, and he said in a deep voice:

"Young Master Shou Er Ye, watch your words! If the 'Tai Jun' of Center City were to catch wind of this..."

Ying Huang shrugged, took out a bottle of his favorite strong liquor from the wine cabinet, didn't even use a cup, just pulled the cork and lightly sniffed the rich smell.

"Just a joke. In Dongxia's Council Chamber, the Restoration Faction's voice is the smallest; as long as the Nine Marshals are still here, they absolutely won't allow anyone to turn back the clock and let the Zhu Clan take hold of the Heavenly Mandate again.

But then again, can the Nine Marshals survive the Ninth Millennium?"

The breath Old Li had just relaxed was pulled tight again by Ying Huang's provocation; he pleaded with a bitter face:

"Young Master Shou Er Ye, please don't speak further!"

Ying Huang tilted his head back and drank a mouthful of the strong liquor, saying helplessly:

"Alright, alright, look at your cowardly appearance. If we don't receive a reply from Nanhuang Dao Guan by tomorrow, then please have the Governor's Mansion arrange a meeting.

I hope to resolve this matter before the Commendation Ceremony."

(Chapter End)