Chapter 29: Taking Leave

The first snow of early winter finally descended.

Feng Zi's figure flashed and shifted within the courtyard, yet not a single snowflake managed to land on him!

At this very moment, even if a Martial Master of the same realm were here, it would be difficult to clearly see his figure:

In the eyes of other Martial Masters, every move Feng Zi made seemed to form several afterimages, making it completely impossible to discern his actions.

But to an ordinary person—such as Feng Mu sitting in the house—Feng Zi's figure was already so fast it was unrecognizable; she could only see a moving "shadow"!

When the final trace of Qi and Blood Power within his body was refined, Feng Zi also threw his final punch.

In an instant, his figure transformed from extreme speed to extreme stillness, and his whole person seemed to "relax" significantly.

With this, the Qi and Blood Power contained within the entire Blood Vine had all been refined by Feng Zi into a part of himself.

He slowly exhaled a breath of stale air, sank his consciousness into his heart, and several lines of text slowly floated before his eyes:

【Martial Master (Consummation): 1000/1000】

【Taizu Changquan (Pure Mastery): 2999/3000】

【Ten Thousand Li Journey (Peak Perfection): 910/5000】

Since that banquet, a full seven days had passed.

And once Feng Zi had the idea to practice his Fist Technique and movement technique simultaneously, the progress of his Ten Thousand Li Journey had advanced by leaps and bounds.

Furthermore, unlike the Fist Technique, he could practice this movement technique at any time, even during his daily life.

Because of this, although only seven days had passed, Feng Zi had already cultivated his Ten Thousand Li Journey to the realm of Peak Perfection.

But conversely, the Taizu Changquan he had started practicing earlier... was stuck at the very last bit of progress, unable to reach the realm of Peak Perfection.

Regarding this, Feng Zi already had some guesses in his heart:

Perhaps, to cultivate a technique to its highest realm, one relies on more than just burying one's head in hard work; that bit of inspired "enlightenment" is also indispensable!

Just as when he was practicing the Zhao family's fist technique, he constantly pondered how to punch faster and harder, eventually mastering the Taizu Changquan without a teacher, thereby breaking through the Zhao family's fist technique to Peak Perfection!

And the path of cultivating the Ten Thousand Li Journey had the same effect:

Feng Zi had long ago realized the commonalities between the Fist Technique and the movement technique—since that was the case, cultivating the Ten Thousand Li Journey to the realm of Peak Perfection was a logical conclusion.

But anxiety was meaningless; being able to cultivate his realm to a point where there was no further room for progress, Feng Zi was already very satisfied in his heart.

Feng Zi returned to his room, took out the manual for the "Ten Thousand Li Journey" and the Martial Token for entering and exiting the Martial Arts Library, and walked toward the door of his home.

"Mother, I am going to the County Government Office to return the borrowed technique!" Before leaving, he turned and informed his mother inside the house.

After hearing Feng Mu's response, Feng Zi walked toward the direction of the County Government Office.

……

Coming to the County Government Office again this time, Feng Zi was much more familiar with the way.

He simply reported to the Constable on duty at the County Government Office and walked toward the direction of the Fu Ku.

After a familiar inspection, he pushed open the heavy cast-copper doors of the Fu Ku.

Listening to the sound of the doors slowly closing, Feng Zi's eyes gradually adapted to the dim environment inside the storeroom, yet he did not see Qian Lao as he had last time.

"Strange... why is Qian Lao gone?" He was quite puzzled in his heart, looking around, wanting to find the other's figure.

Finally, when he followed his memory to the table where he had registered last time, he finally found Qian Lao's figure:

The old man was covered by a not-very-thick blanket, lying quietly on a chair sleeping, his chest rising and falling slightly.

If one did not observe carefully, one could not even perceive the old man's existence.

But when Feng Zi observed closely, he could detect the Qi and Blood Power within the other, surging like a tidal wave and far exceeding his own!

Feng Zi originally wanted to wake the old man, but on second thought, he had no urgent business, so it would be better to wait a moment.

Perhaps because the old man's sleep was light, or perhaps because Qian Lao was not sleeping soundly—

Before long, the other leisurely opened his eyes, noticed Feng Zi's presence, and asked suspiciously: "Little Feng, why aren't you practicing properly, and instead running to the storeroom?"

Hearing this, Feng Zi smiled, took the Martial Token and the "Ten Thousand Li Journey" manual from his bosom, and laughed:

"Qian Lao, I have gained a small amount of insight in the practice of my movement technique, so I have come to return the technique."

How sharp was Qian Lao's eye; even if Feng Zi did not say it, the other could clearly see from the details of his every move:

This junior's familiarity with the Ten Thousand Li Journey movement technique was not as simple as a "small amount of insight"!

But seeing Feng Zi so humble, the old man did not expose this point, only took the technique, wrote down the "returned" record in the register, and asked:

"Speaking of which, the deadline for returning the technique is thirty days, why are you in such a hurry?"

Hearing this, Feng Zi frankly informed the other: "I won't hide it from you, Qian Lao, early next spring is the Martial School, and counting the days, this junior should be setting off."

"Martial School...?" Hearing this term, the old man was stunned for a moment, then immediately reacted, saying repeatedly:

"That is true, it is indeed time to prepare to set off—as a Martial Artist, one cannot be limited to this small Wutai County.

"Take this opportunity to go and see the world, and go see just how high the sky of this world is."

Having said that, the other took an old-looking book from the table and handed it to Feng Zi:

"This is a map of Baishan Jun; it has some years on it, and there are certainly contents that are out of date, but it should be enough to use for directions."

Qian Lao did not say any grand words, but simply expressed an elder's exhortation to a junior.

"Many thanks, Qian Lao; this junior will certainly not let you down." Feng Zi took the map, feeling very moved in his heart.

The old man only waved his hand, laughing and scolding: "Don't say these empty things, get lost quickly; this old man still wants some peace and quiet."

Hearing this "dismissal order," Feng Zi bowed slightly and smiled: "Since that is the case, this junior will not disturb you further, and will take my leave now."

Having said that, he left the storeroom.

But Qian Lao's instructions also reminded Feng Zi; on the way home, he stopped by the Tie Jiang Pu and bought a compass.

By the time he returned home, it was already noon.

Feng Fu, who had returned home first, had naturally heard of Feng Zi's destination; seeing Feng Zi enter the door, the other's expression was very hesitant: "Zi'er, are you... leaving?"

Feng Zi naturally understood that for his parents, his long journey was bound to be a major event, and he answered frankly:

"Yes, my cultivation progress is much faster than expected, so I have decided to set off early—I will leave tomorrow morning."

Hearing this expected answer, the two elders remained silent for a long time.

Finally, Feng Mu asked subconsciously: "Zi'er, is there anything Father and Mother need to prepare for you?"

To this, Feng Zi shook his head and smiled: "No need, the journey is long, I will just pack a few sets of clothes and travel light."