Chapter 571: The Sacred Ape

Perhaps the moonlight last night, like a silken ribbon, and the silver disc hanging high, had quietly foretold that today would be a clear, bright day.

At dawn, the brilliant sun hung high in the sky, turning the overnight snow into a glittering, translucent layer, and some of it had already melted.

Inside the house.

Golden sunlight streamed through the window lattice, dappling the scroll in your hands with patches of gold.

You felt more spirited already!

After the snowfall, as the ice and snow melted, the cold air rose, making it even colder than yesterday.

The heated kang inside was still blazing hot, but the heavy door stood open, letting in a square, bright patch of sunlight.

Wu Tong had gone early to the market to buy rice, flour, and fine meat for the household; with the New Year approaching, she was utterly swamped.

Leaning by the window, your brush danced like a dragon in flight as you diligently practiced calligraphy. You had already completed ten rounds of stance training in the morning and focused your mind on the subtleties of the "Demon-Slaying Sword," and now your spirit felt increasingly calm.

The tea on the stove bubbled steadily, its steam curling warmly upward.

Your eyes flickered slightly; you drew a final stroke on the last illustration of the "Divine General Capturing Ghosts," flicked your wrist lightly, and the paper ignited without fire, turning to black ash that spiraled into the stove.

You rose slowly from the kang and stepped out of the house, your gaze crossing the courtyard to rest on the gate.

There!

A middle-aged giant trudged through the snow, approaching slowly.

Such a towering man, yet his steps made no sound on the snow, light as a feather.

Sima Pan had deliberately suppressed his aura, silently wondering whether the boy in the courtyard was still diligently practicing his stances as before, eager to witness his demeanor once more—his heart stirred with quiet anticipation.

Alas!

The young Master Guan had evidently anticipated his arrival and was already waiting in the courtyard.

A warm voice called out: "Brother Sima!"

"Master Guan."

Sima Pan bowed with a martial air and walked in slowly.

Just as he was about to step over the threshold, his peripheral vision caught something—lying quietly at the gate, a broken slab of large blue stone, its fracture revealing something unusual.

You followed his gaze.

Originally, this large stone had been the tabletop of another stone table in the courtyard; since two tables were unnecessary, it had long been split apart.

Two days ago, you used the "Stone-Smashing Hand" from the "Primordial Ancestor Sacred Ape Stance" to shatter it with a single strike.

Yesterday, Xie Yuan insisted on showing off his recent martial gains, lifting the stone high and tossing it by the gate, then forgetting to clean it up.

Sima Pan stared at the slab, its surface still dusted with snow, but the fracture's edge had shed its snow to reveal a clean, precise cut. His expression grew thoughtful as he stepped slowly into the courtyard.

"Master Guan, we won't disturb your peace. This is what my lord instructed me to deliver to you."

"My lord learned that you have reached full mastery of the third realm, and has specially sent me to bring you the next stage of cultivation techniques."

Sima Pan slowly withdrew a volume from his chest and presented it carefully.

You took the book and opened it; the characters were fresh, still carrying a faint, sweet scent of ink.

There, clearly written, were the words: "Primordial Ancestor Sacred Ape Stance."

You studied only the first few sections; they detailed the cultivation methods for the next three realms, just as before, with thorough annotations.

These were Sima Ting's profound understanding and unique insights into the art—every word a pearl, immensely beneficial.

Clearly, this was the fruit of Sima Ting's devoted labor; you felt a deep, sincere gratitude rise within you.

Know this!

Such cultivation manuals for the middle three realms were no longer available among the common folk of Da Qi; even martial academies rarely possessed them, and only those who earned military merit in the Da Qi army could obtain them.

For those seeking martial advancement, beyond this path, they could only submit themselves to the Nine Great Clans.

Sima Ting gave this to you so easily—it is already a "weighty grace" for you now.

Sima Pan, witnessing this, could not hide a flicker of envy. This was the lord's retrospective wisdom from the upper three realms, like standing atop a high tower and pointing out every error in cultivation—truly precious.

"My lord has always taken the Sacred Ape Stance as the foundation of his martial path; among peers of the Nine Great Clans, none have matched his depth of understanding of this art."

You bowed deeply, sincerely: "Thank you, General Sima, for your great gift. I shall remember it always."

Sima Pan then asked what doubts you still had in your martial cultivation.

You had Lu Hua visit this courtyard; though she talked much—a chatterbox—her words on cultivation were pearls, each phrase revealing profound insight.

You shook your head slightly, indicating no need.

Sima Pan, as a martial man, was straightforward and unpretentious; he insisted on offering you advice, so he did not press further.

"My lord also has another message for you, Master Guan."

Sima Pan mimicked Sima Ting's tone, speaking slowly:

"Younger Brother Guan, youth must have vigor—you are in the prime of your life, flowers blooming, horses galloping. If Bianjing can accommodate Master Er's three-foot sword, how could it not accommodate a son of the Xie family?"

At this, your eyes held a thoughtful gleam.

Sima Pan prepared to take his leave.

You escorted him to the courtyard gate.

Sima Pan suddenly halted, his gaze fixed on the broken blue stone slab at the entrance, his expression tightening.

He turned sharply, curiosity in his eyes: "Master Guan, have you already mastered all six forms of the Primordial Ancestor Sacred Ape Stance and unleashed the Stone-Smashing Hand?"

You did not conceal it; you nodded slightly.

Sima Pan's face showed astonishment. To break through the three minor thresholds in two months was already remarkable; to unify the six forms as well—such talent was rare indeed.

The third martial realm is "Forging Bones," with a maximum strength of one ox.

Unifying the six forms allows one to unleash two oxen's strength—doubling power and far surpassing peers.

In the early stages of martial cultivation, it is all about raw strength, the weight of the fist, and how much punishment one can endure.

At the third realm, you have already unified the six forms—a feat even Sima Pan himself had never achieved at that stage.

He sincerely praised: "Master Guan, your martial talent is extraordinary."

You showed no trace of pride; your rapid progress stemmed largely from the sword intentions of the "Demon-Slaying Sword" and the "Demon-Exterminating Sword" you visualized in your mind.

For some reason, Sima Pan suddenly felt a strong urge to see just how strong this young Master Guan truly was.

He had witnessed firsthand how this Xie family scion, just two months ago a complete outsider to martial arts, had undergone a complete transformation.

Sima Pan had never seen such a ferocious advancement in martial cultivation—it was beyond belief.

But!

The scene he had seen when he last pushed open the door still seemed unreal to him.

The boy, drenched in sweat, muscles bulging like a standing ape, his breath deep and vast, his blood surging as if thundering in rage.

Sima Pan snapped back to himself, wondering how to phrase his request. To challenge a boy who had only begun martial arts two months ago, with his own sixth-rank cultivation, was hard to justify.

He hesitated, his gaze falling on the broken stone at the gate—its top intact, but its base shattered into fragments.

Sima Pan's eyes narrowed. Internal force? Also called "Striking an Ox Through a Mountain"—had Master Guan already mastered it?

His curiosity burned too fiercely; he finally spoke:

"Master Guan, I have a humble request."

You, puzzled, replied: "Brother Sima, speak freely."

The rugged-faced giant awkwardly scratched his head: "I just really want to see your Stone-Smashing Hand. Let's have a simple sparring match—I'll use only third-rank strength, I swear I won't harm you in the slightest."

"Of course, if you find it inconvenient, then I've overstepped."

You listened, thoughtful.

Facing this… you decide.

1. Refuse this. (Hint: May negatively affect the future, may lose the attention of a benefactor.)

2. Agree to this. (Hint: May benefit the future, may attract the attention of a benefactor.)

3. Participate personally. (0/3)

The great tripod emitted a thousand rays of radiant light; the characters upon it slowly stabilized.

Yu Ke scanned the three options and their hints.

Without hesitation, he chose directly.

2. Agree to this. (Hint: May benefit the future, may attract the attention of a benefactor.)

You smiled gently: "Then please, Brother Sima, show me your skill."

Sima Pan's eyes flashed with eager light as he replied: "Good!"

In the small courtyard.

A sturdy, gnarled wutong tree stood tall, its leaves all fallen, leaving only bare branches; not far from the stone table, a patch of open ground remained.

The snow had been carefully swept away by Wu Tong early that morning, revealing a slightly level surface.

Under the golden sunlight, warm rays filtered through the tree's branches, dappling the courtyard.

(End of Chapter)