Chapter 15: Breaking Through Four Levels, Acquired Realm Sixth Level

In the early morning, Shen Qing and the others returned to Bai Yun County.

All the Embroidered Uniform Guard members were yawning nonstop, after all they were merely martial artists of the Body Tempering Realm.

Shen Qing gave them a day off to let them go back and catch up on sleep.

Shen Qing himself returned to the Chief Flag Office and had Lin Zikai arrange a tub of bathwater, then enjoyed a nice soak.

Lin Zikai also thoughtfully sent over a pot of fine wine and several plates of side dishes.

Shen Qing happily enjoyed life.

"Sir, sir, someone has arrived from Luoshui City!"

Suddenly, Lin Zikai's delighted voice came from outside the gate.

Leaning against Shen Qing, he also slowly opened his eyes.

Three or four days had passed, and it was finally time.

The merit I earned last time was not small.

I captured a traitor Chief Flag, recovered the silver, and uncovered a White Dragon Sect stronghold.

Especially the White Dragon Sect stronghold—the Great Wu Dynasty has always had zero tolerance for the White Dragon Sect.

And missions related to the White Dragon Sect also come with rich rewards.

So Shen Qing also began to anticipate somewhat, not knowing what reward the superiors would give him.

Of course, if it's too poor, don't blame Shen Qing for cursing.

Shen Qing put on his clothes and left the room; the courtyard was quiet, with all the Embroidered Uniform Guard standing silently on both sides.

In the center of the courtyard stood a middle-aged Captain wearing a silver flying-fish uniform.

Shen Qing raised an eyebrow; the escort of the reward was a Captain, suggesting the reward wouldn't be shabby.

Seeing Shen Qing emerge from the house, the middle-aged Captain's eyes lit up, and he clasped his hands in greeting.

"I am Captain Zhang Shan of the Northern Garrison Office of Luoshui City."

"I suppose this must be Chief Flag Shen Qing."

"Indeed, a remarkable talent—so young and already seated as Chief Flag; the future looks promising."

Zhang Shan did not put on airs of a Captain; although he didn't know Shen Qing's background, Shen Qing's age spoke for itself.

Moreover, he had achieved a great merit, and within the Luoshui City Garrison Office it was heard that the superiors were very pleased with Shen Qing.

On one side is his great merit, on the other the superiors' favor—Shen Qing's future promotion is a foregone conclusion.

Rather than putting on useless airs now, it's better to lower his stance and make a good connection.

The two exchanged casual pleasantries; Zhang Shan waved his hand, and behind him an Embroidered Uniform Guard stepped forward holding a gold-edged red wooden box.

"I imagine Chief Flag Shen has been waiting a long time for this reward."

The Embroidered Uniform Guard carefully opened the box, and a refreshing fragrance wafted out, accompanied by a faint red glow.

Inside the box lay a crimson-red fruit the size of an infant's fist, crystal clear and translucent.

Shen Qing narrowed his eyes, recognizing the fruit: "Crimson Jade Fruit?"

"Chief Flag Shen has keen eyes."

Countless heavenly treasures exist in the world, many suitable for the Acquired Realm, but the most fitting is still this Crimson Jade Fruit.

The Crimson Jade Fruit grows on Crimson Jade Island in the far south of the Great Wu Dynasty.

Crimson Jade Island earned its name from this fruit; the entire dynasty cultivates it only there, with limited annual output. Though its effectiveness keeps supply tight, the Embroidered Uniform Guard still receives priority when needed.

Its function is to assist in clearing the meridians of the Acquired Realm, with remarkable effect.

However, what truly makes it precious is another effect: after consuming the Crimson Jade Fruit, one can widen the meridians and increase their flexibility.

Zhang Shan laughed heartily: "To be honest, this reward is truly enviable."

"But treasures match heroes—this Crimson Jade Fruit should go to Chief Flag Shen."

Shen Qing waved his hand, and Lin Zikai immediately stepped forward to take the box.

"Captain Zhang, you must be tired from the journey—would you like to have a meal before leaving?"

Captain Zhang waved his hand.

"Mr. Zhang has pressing matters and must return to Luoshui City to report."

"Besides, Chief Flag Shen has just obtained the precious fruit—I'd better not disturb him."

"If Chief Flag Shen ever comes to Luoshui City, Mr. Zhang will surely hold a grand banquet."

"Certainly."

Having said that, Zhang Shan clasped his hands and then led his party out of the Chief Flag Office.

After Zhang Shan departed, Shen Qing took the Crimson Jade Fruit back to his room and also instructed Lin Zikai not to let anyone disturb him.

I am currently at the second level of the Acquired Realm.

I have already opened eight acupoints.

Sitting cross-legged on the bed, I took out the Crimson Jade Fruit, swallowed it in three gulps, and then fully activated the Overbearing Meridian-Opening Technique.

The Crimson Jade Fruit was quickly digested, and a pure, massive, gentle energy surged through my limbs and bones.

Shen Qing swiftly cleared the meridians and connected the acupoints.

Like flowing clouds and water, Shen Qing broke through eight acupoints in succession, successfully advancing to the third level of the Acquired Realm.

Moreover, Shen Qing became increasingly extraordinary—the speed of connecting acupoints did not decrease but increased.

The reason is simple.

The effect of the Red Trait's Thought Penetration is that the more penetrating the thought, the stronger the effect of a clear Dao heart.

And Shen Qing's current state is that the faster the breakthrough, the more penetrating the thought.

And the more penetrating the thought, the faster the realm breakthrough.

It's like stepping on your right foot with your left foot.

In the time it takes to finish a cup of tea, he again cleared a meridian, connecting eight acupoints, and his realm broke through to the fourth layer of the Post-Heaven Realm.

In the time it takes to burn an incense stick, he reached the fifth layer of the Post-Heaven Realm.

After half an hour, he reached the sixth layer of the Post-Heaven Realm.

By this time, the last trace of the Scarlet Flame Fruit's medicinal power had also completely dissipated.

And the effect of the Scarlet Flame Fruit widening the meridians was maximally utilized by Shen Qing, each meridian being widened by a full forty percent.

Slowly opening his eyes, Shen Qing only felt his power swelling terrifyingly.

He lifted his finger, lightly tapped, and a trace of domineering inner force appeared at his fingertip.

This is the external release of inner force unique to the third layer of the Post-Heaven Realm, varying according to the cultivation method.

And the truly domineering aspect of the Domineering Meridian-Passing Technique is also manifested at this moment.

The domineering inner force cultivated by the Domineering Meridian-Passing Technique is extremely domineering, damage maxed out, and can strongly shatter the opponent's inner force.

The extremely domineering inner force provides tremendous destructive power; the meridians widened by forty percent provide the speed of inner force circulation; and the state of a clear Dao heart provides the degree of control over inner force.

Shen Qing only felt that his current self was terrifyingly strong.

If I had known earlier, I should have insisted on having Zhang Shan stay to eat; it's just right that after breaking through, I go find him to test the waters.

Shen Qing got up, moved his muscles and bones a little, and walked out of the room.

At this moment, in the courtyard, Lin Zikai and others were boredly playing Chinese chess.

First, to stand guard for Shen Qing; second, the local Embroidered Uniform Guard isn't that busy, minor cases aren't needed, and the local magistrate's office will handle them itself.

Only major cases will trouble the Embroidered Uniform Guard, but such cases aren't everyday occurrences.

Lin Zikai noticed Shen Qing and hurriedly stood up: 'Sir, have you already refined the Scarlet Jade Fruit?'

Shen Qing nodded and waved his hand: 'Go call Heigou and the others, gather at the Verdant Pine Pavilion.'

Just now when entering the city, I saw that the Verdant Pine Pavilion had new dishes.

Everyone's using cheats, so naturally we can't wrong our own stomachs.

Just plain soup and water, bitter cultivation?

Be good, we won't do things that are bitter and forced to eat.