In this chaotic world of martial arts, I'll become a god by adding skill points!

Chapter 120 Going down the mountain

Three and a half months later.

[Destiny Leads to Divinity! One Certificate, Eternal Proof]

[Host: Wang Anping]

Age: 18

[Xingyiquan 6842/20000 Gang Jin]

【Five Animal Frolics 7921/20000 Gang Jin】

【Great Formless Skill 6128/20000 Gang Jin】

[Martial arts realm: early stage of Gangjin]

The bamboo forest was shrouded in a thin mist in the early morning.

Wang Anping withdrew his fist and stood still, his aura slowly receding until it vanished into nothingness.

If someone were standing next to him at this moment, they would hardly even be able to sense his presence.

He seemed to blend into the bamboo forest and the morning mist in the mountains, yet he also seemed to transcend them.

This is the Gang Jin (罡劲).

Embracing the Elixir involves concentrating the body's true energy in the dantian, transforming it into elixir essence.

Gang Jin, on the other hand, further condenses the Dan Yuan, enabling it to resonate with the external天地元气 (heaven and earth energy), thus forming a protective Gang Qi around the body, combining offense and defense, and doubling its power.

Only when a martial artist reaches this stage can they truly begin to touch the threshold of the connection between heaven and man, and with every move they make, they can draw upon the power of heaven and earth to enhance their abilities.

For the past two months, Wang Anping has devoted almost all his energy to cultivation.

Elder Zhou imparted all his knowledge to him, instructing him on how to integrate the power of the five elements with the Qi, and how to solidify his foundation and avoid becoming weak during a breakthrough.

The existence of the proficiency system allowed him to progress far beyond what ordinary people could imagine.

It usually takes ordinary martial artists three to five years, or even ten to twenty years, to progress from the mid-stage of the Dantian realm to the Gangjin realm, but he only took four months.

Of course, this is also inseparable from his accumulated experience after the martial arts tournament and the unique nature of the Great Formless Skill.

Anping.

A gentle voice rang out. Elder Zhou appeared at the edge of the bamboo forest at some point, standing with his hands behind his back, looking at his closed-door disciple with a gratified smile.

Wang Anping turned around and bowed respectfully: "Master."

"Hmm." Elder Zhou approached, looked him up and down, and nodded in satisfaction.

"His aura is harmonious and his inner strength is well-controlled, demonstrating a solid foundation. In just two months, he has stabilized at the initial stage of Qi cultivation, and there is even a hint of further progress—I was right to have judged him correctly."

Wang Anping humbly replied, "It's all thanks to my master's meticulous guidance."

Elder Zhou waved his hand and laughed, "You don't need to be modest. I've guided many disciples, but none possess your level of understanding..."

Those with both excellent character and resilience are truly rare. By the way, I've come to see you today because I have important business to discuss.

He took out a jade slip from his sleeve and handed it to Wang Anping: "This is a training order issued by the sect. Now that you have broken through to the Gang Jin level, according to the sect rules, you can apply to go down the mountain for training or to handle personal matters."

"I have completed the formalities for you. With this token, you may freely enter and exit the mountain gate. It can also serve as proof of your identity if you encounter other sects or imperial checkpoints along the way."

Wang Anping accepted the jade slip, a warmth spreading through his heart. His master knew his heart was with his hometown and had already made arrangements for him.

"Thank you, Master!" he said, bowing respectfully.

Elder Zhou waved his hand: "Go ahead. You've been away from home for almost a year; it's time to go back and visit."

However—" His expression became more serious, "You must remember that although the Gang Jin is strong, the world is vast and there are countless talented and extraordinary people."

If trouble arises during this trip back home, it's best to avoid it if possible, and to keep your strength hidden.

If you absolutely cannot avoid it, you should still exercise restraint and avoid causing serious trouble.

After all, you still have Misty Peak behind you, but you can't rely on the sect for everything.

"I will remember this." Wang Anping nodded.

Elder Zhou gave him a few more instructions on precautions for the journey and handed him a simple map, marking the risky areas he might encounter along the way and some contact points outside of Piaomiao Peak, in case of emergency.

After Elder Zhou left, Wang Anping returned to his room and quickly packed his luggage.

There's not much to pack, just a few changes of clothes and some travel money.

A fine steel longsword given to him by Elder Zhou, suitable for a martial artist with the strength of Gang Jin (although he mainly uses fist techniques, it is always convenient to carry a weapon when traveling long distances), and the order to descend the mountain.

As they walked out of Qingzhu Garden, Han Li and Shen Qingshu were already waiting outside the gate.

"Junior Brother Wang, I heard you're going down the mountain to return to your hometown?" Han Li stepped forward and patted him hard on the shoulder; "Be careful on the road! If you run into any fools, beat them up for me!"

He has a straightforward personality and his words are full of concern.

Shen Qingshu handed over a bundle: "Some dry food and medicine for the wounds, you'll need them on the road. There's also a letter I wrote. If you encounter trouble while passing through Jiangzhou, you can take this letter to the Liu family for help; they'll give you some face."

Wang Anping accepted the gift, deeply moved. After several months of getting to know each other, the three, despite their vastly different personalities, had forged a genuine bond of camaraderie.

"Thank you both, senior brothers. Once I have settled my family back home, I will return as soon as possible to drink and discuss martial arts with you again."

"It's a deal!" Han Li laughed.

After saying goodbye to the two, Wang Anping walked down the mountain path.

As he passed by the outer gate area, he saw a familiar figure in the distance.

Zhao Qingyue was practicing her sword in a training ground. Her swordsmanship was even more fierce than it had been a few months ago, and her expression was focused and determined.

She seemed to sense something, turned her head and looked over, her eyes briefly meeting Wang Anping's.

For a fleeting moment, a complex emotion flashed in her eyes.

There was admiration in the past, the grievance of being rejected, and now the relief and stubbornness after focusing on martial arts.

She didn't come over to greet me, but simply nodded slightly before continuing to wield her sword.

Wang Anping nodded in response, then turned and continued down the mountain. This is for the best; may each of them find peace and focus on their own path.

The mountain gate archway was in sight. After the disciple on duty checked the pass to leave the mountain, he respectfully allowed them to pass.

As he stepped out of the mountain gate, Wang Anping looked back at the misty main peak of Piaomiao Peak, his heart filled with emotion.

Nearly a year ago, he was a newcomer, just a young man eager to learn advanced martial arts.

Now, stepping out of this gate again, he is a martial artist of the Gang Jin level, possessing the Great Formless Skill, the power of the Five Elements, and strength enough to intimidate a region.

"Father, Mother—your son is back."

He took a deep breath, turned around, strode forward, and hurried along the mountain path he had come from, heading towards Liangzhou.

A mountain breeze caressed her face, and her clothes fluttered in the wind. The figure in green quickly disappeared into the lush green forest.

After descending the mountain, Wang Anping did not rush straight to Liangzhou.

He had someone on his mind: the county magistrate of Gushui.

If it weren't for County Magistrate Zhao taking me in, giving me money, and having Uncle Fu guide me, I would probably still be wandering around in the Wanshan Forest, and I might not have been able to join the Misty Peak so smoothly.

He remembered this favor.

Now that I have returned to my hometown after descending the mountain, and passing through Gushui County, I should naturally go and pay my respects, thus fulfilling this cause and effect.

Having made up his mind, he changed direction and sped towards Gushui County.

With his current cultivation level at the early stage of Gang Jin, his speed is far greater than before. What used to take several days is now covered in less than a day, and he can already see the outline of the city wall of Gushui County in the distance.

However, as he approached the city gate, his pace gradually slowed down.

The city gate was deserted. The checkpoint, which should have been guarded by soldiers, was now only marked by a few crooked wooden poles and scattered debris.

The city gates were wide open, like a dark, gaping mouth, exuding an aura of deathly stillness.

Wang Anping's heart sank, and he quickened his pace to rush into the city.

The scene before him caused his pupils to contract sharply.

The entire county town seemed to have been hollowed out by an invisible giant hand.

Shop doors on both sides of the street were askew, and some had even been removed and thrown in the middle of the road.

The windows were broken, the signs were scattered, and various trampled and abandoned items were strewn on the ground.

Worn-out clothes, broken pottery jars, and a few books covered in mud —

A gust of wind blew by, swirling up a few tattered pieces of paper, making a rustling sound that added to the desolation.

nobody.

There wasn't a single living person in sight.

Wang Anping walked briskly along the street, his eyes scanning every corner, trying to find a glimmer of hope.

Zhao, the county magistrate, had his residence in the southeast corner of the county town, and he remembered the way.

However, when he arrived there, all he saw was even more utter desolation.

The mansion gate was large, but the inside was empty. The artificial hill and pond in the courtyard had dried up, and a thick layer of fallen leaves covered the ground, indicating that it had been neglected for a long time.

"County Lieutenant Zhao—" he murmured, a complex emotion welling up inside him.

He searched the city for a full hour, walking through almost every street and alley.

Finally, in a dilapidated earth god temple in the north of the city, he found a living creature.

An old beggar with white hair and tattered clothes, huddled behind a statue of a god.

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