I'm already a Great Luo Golden Immortal, how come you're only Martial Saints?

what!

Ning Chen found it hard to believe; he hadn't expected to develop internal strength so quickly.

But then he thought again that he was currently in Fangcun Mountain, where he ate and drank things rich in spiritual energy from the blessed land, and listened to the teachings of great masters like Bodhi Patriarch.

It doesn't seem so unacceptable that one can cultivate internal energy in an instant.

Ning Chen calmed his mind and guided the newly generated internal energy within his body according to the methods described in the Yi Jin Jing.

The exercise flowed smoothly without any stagnation.

The internal energy initially flows like a trickle, originating from the dantian and slowly traveling along the Ren and Du meridians.

As his practice deepened, his internal energy flow gradually grew stronger, transforming into a gentle yet overwhelmingly powerful warm current that washed over his limbs, bones, and internal organs.

Ning Chen could clearly feel that the subtle obstructions to the flow of qi and blood deep within his body were being gradually cleared and cleansed by this warm current.

Soon, a tingling and warm sensation spread throughout his body, and his bones even emitted a faint crackling sound.

All 36,000 pores opened, and wisps of grayish-black, viscous substance with a faint fishy smell slowly seeped out.

At first, these substances are just a thin layer of sweat, but they quickly solidify into a sludge-like grime that covers the skin.

This is the accumulation of impurities and acquired toxins in his body over the years, from eating and drinking in Lhasa, and from the seven emotions and six desires.

At this moment, it is being forcibly expelled by the marrow-cleansing and bone-strengthening effects of the Yi Jin Jing.

Ning Chen was immersed in the profound feeling of his cultivation improving and his physique transforming, forgetting himself and the world around him.

Notifications kept popping up in front of my eyes:

[You have successfully cultivated the Yi Jin Jing; your Constitution and Physique have both increased by 1!]

[You have achieved success in practicing the Yi Jin Jing; your internal energy has increased by 1 day!]

[You have successfully cultivated the Yi Jin Jing; your Constitution and Physique have both increased by 1!]

The commotion Ning Chen made, though not earth-shattering, was enough to alarm Sun Wukong, whose senses were exceptionally sharp, even though they were in the same room.

The monkey, which had been sleeping soundly, twitched its nostrils a few times, sensing an unusual odor in its sleep.

Bodhi Patriarch loved tranquility the most, and his disciples ate simple meals and had no body odor. The smell on Ning Chen went straight to the monkey's nose.

Sun Wukong woke up with a start and sat up.

His gaze sharpened as he looked at Ning Chen. Even in the dark room, the monkey could see him clearly. He saw that his junior brother was surrounded by heat, and his aura was even longer and stronger than before he fell asleep.

Ning Chen was one with the entire stone chamber, in a state of communion between heaven and man.

The monkey scratched its cheek, its eyes flashing with curiosity and surprise.

Although he was not familiar with martial arts, he was naturally intelligent and could sense that the technique Ning Chen was currently using was completely different from the tranquil and inactive way taught by Patriarch Bodhi, and focused more on tempering the physical body and stimulating potential.

When Ning Chen finished his practice and slowly stopped, he exhaled a long breath and opened his eyes.

He then met Sun Wukong's hairy face, which was very close and full of curiosity.

"Junior Brother Ning!"

Sun Wukong blinked, reached out and touched the layer of grime on Ning Chen's body, then sniffed it.

"What kind of magic are you practicing? How come you're all filthy and smell so strange? I was sleeping soundly, and your noise and smell woke me up! But... your aura is much stronger than before."

Ning Chen looked down at himself and was slightly taken aback. He hadn't expected that the marrow-cleansing effect of practicing the Yi Jin Jing for the first time would be so obvious.

He composed himself, found a cloth for washing, and filled a basin with well water to wipe his body.

"I'm sorry to have disturbed your peaceful slumber, Senior Brother Wukong. This is not some kind of magical immortal technique. It's just a body-training exercise I obtained by chance when I was in the mortal realm. It's called the Yi Jin Jing, and it's said to have the effects of strengthening the body, cleansing the marrow, and refining the bones. I just tried practicing it, and unexpectedly, I expelled some impurities from my body. I hope you'll forgive my poor performance, Senior Brother."

"The Yi Jin Jing?"

Sun Wukong repeated it, his interest growing even stronger.

"It can significantly enhance your aura and expel all this filth from your body. Sounds interesting! Although I'm a disciple of the patriarch, he only taught me the profound principles of the Dao, not the specific methods for tempering the body. Junior Brother Ning, could you perhaps teach me your technique?"

Ning Chen looked troubled upon hearing this.

"Brother Wukong, you are a naturally gifted monkey with extraordinary talent. The path passed down by our ancestor is the supreme Dao. My mortal techniques are probably not worthy of your attention and are of no use to you."

"Hey! Junior brother, as the saying goes, it's always good to have many skills!"

Sun Wukong waved his hands repeatedly, scratching his ears and cheeks, looking like he couldn't wait to get his hands on something.

He sought to visit the sacred mountain in order to acquire extraordinary skills.

Seeing his junior brother undergo such a dramatic transformation through practicing a technique, how could his monkey-like nature possibly contain him?

He scratched the back of his hand and said with a grin.

"Learning more is always a good thing! I love figuring these things out! Good junior brother, please teach me, let me experience this marrow cleansing and bone-refining process, and see what it's really like!"

Seeing the monkey's earnest plea, Ning Chen had no choice but to agree. After all, the Yi Jin Jing was created by Bodhidharma in later generations, and there shouldn't be a similar skill in the Journey to the West world yet. He might as well use it to make a good connection with Brother Monkey.

"Alright, since you want to learn, I will explain the formula and breathing technique to you. This method requires specific breathing and mental guidance, so please listen carefully..."

Ning Chen explained the complete formula of the Yi Jin Jing, the route of internal energy circulation, and the key points and precautions for cultivation to Sun Wukong in detail.

The monkey listened attentively. With his extraordinary comprehension, he memorized it after only one listen and was even able to raise several key questions, allowing Ning Chen to understand the Yi Jin Jing more thoroughly.

Ning Chen couldn't help but sigh. His four hundred-plus points of comprehension were nothing compared to the monstrous monkey. He estimated that if the monkey had an attribute panel, his comprehension would be at least a thousand.

"I understand! I'll give it a try!"

Sun Wukong was impatient, and as soon as he heard the instructions, he eagerly got into position, sat cross-legged, and began to practice his skills according to the incantation.

However, after a moment, the monkey's excited expression gradually turned into confusion.

He opened his eyes and looked at Ning Chen.

"Junior Brother Ning, I practiced as you said, and I can feel the Qi moving, but... that's all? Nothing's coming out of my body, and I don't feel any special changes. It's just like normal breathing and meditation! Is your method not working for me?"

Ning Chen carefully observed Sun Wukong and saw that his breathing was steady, his complexion was normal, and his body was clean and tidy, showing no signs of cleansing his marrow and expelling impurities.

After a moment's thought, Ning Chen suddenly realized.

Sun Wukong is a spiritual stone monkey born of heaven and earth, imbued with the essence of the sun and moon, and born from the spiritual veins of Flower Fruit Mountain. His innate constitution and physical condition are pure and flawless, far surpassing the imagination of ordinary people.

Although the Yi Jin Jing is a top-level marrow-cleansing exercise in the mortal world, it only removes the impurities and turbid air accumulated by ordinary people's diet and breathing.

For a naturally born and exceptionally gifted being like Sun Wukong, whose body was already nearly immaculate, the marrow-cleansing effect of the Yi Jin Jing was like a gentle breeze on a mountain ridge, having no effect on him whatsoever.

As for the slight increase in internal strength and the improvement in physical constitution, it was negligible and difficult for Sun Wukong, who had already begun to learn immortal techniques and accumulate cultivation, to perceive.

Having figured this out, Ning Chen couldn't help but shake his head with a wry smile and explain to Sun Wukong.

"Brother Wukong, it's not that the technique is useless, but rather that your innate foundation is too profound, and your physique is pure and flawless, far surpassing that of ordinary people. The marrow-cleansing effect of the Yi Jin Jing is like using a cup of water to wash a flawless jade; naturally, no change can be seen."

"Senior brother's starting point is already an end point that many people can hardly reach even after a lifetime of cultivation!"

Upon hearing this, Sun Wukong was taken aback at first, then suddenly realized what he meant and chuckled.

"So that's how it is! I knew it! I didn't feel anything. It seems that the cultivation methods of the mortal world are indeed not suitable for me. The great Dao passed down by the patriarch is truly wonderful!"

Although the monkey did not gain any real benefit from the Yi Jin Jing, it understood the reason and stopped worrying about it.

The monkey quickly forgot about the matter, lay back down on the bed, and soon resumed snoring.

Ning Chen looked at the sleeping monkey, then at himself, still covered in grime, and felt a mix of emotions.

They may be in the same room, both seeking the Dao, yet the difference in their innate talents can sometimes be so vast.

However, he was not discouraged. Instead, he became even more determined to make good use of the advantages of the divine realm and to steadily accumulate knowledge and improve his aptitude under the tutelage of Patriarch Bodhi.

Martial arts techniques from the mortal realm also have an effect on him, although the internal energy provided by cultivation is of little use to him.

However, the resulting improvement in his physical constitution, physique, and comprehension is real and can help him cultivate Taoist practices.

It seems I need to find a way to learn more top-tier martial arts techniques from the mortal realm.

As the saying goes, "The stones from other mountains can be used to polish jade!"