The Three Stages of Ki

Ard said thoughtfully, “Does that plant have any other characteristics? Could the rumors of the Lake Spirit stealing souls be because of these plants?”

Yexi nodded slightly. “The wild hemp grass itself emits a trace amount of a hallucinogenic gas. A single plant or two is usually unnoticeable; you wouldn’t feel anything unless you put your nose right up to it. But in the quantity found in that valley, and with the valley’s enclosed environment, the gas has condensed and doesn’t dissipate. Even so, a brief stay wouldn’t have any effect. But if you linger for too long and inhale too much of the gas, you’ll become dizzy and disoriented, as if your soul has left your body. And this gas is highly soluble in water.”

Ard’s eyes lit up. “Is it possible to stimulate the plant to release a large amount of the gas in a short amount of time?”

Yexi, clearly very knowledgeable about the plant, answered decisively, “Yes. By burning it.”

“That’s it! If we can find a way to lure the attacking bandits into the valley and then set the wild hemp grass on fire, with the amount in that valley, it will be more than enough to give them a taste of their own medicine.”

“That’s easy to say, but the bandits aren’t fools.”

With a plan in mind, Ard’s mood lifted. He lay back on the bed contentedly. “At least we have a path forward now. And I’m not alone. The ones who hate those bandits the most are the villagers themselves. They’ve only endured it until now because they were powerless. Tomorrow, I’ll discuss it with them. I believe that with me as the spark, their hatred will soon turn that spark into a raging inferno.”

Yexi looked down at the lounging Ard. At that moment, this weak man exuded an indescribable aura of courage and daring, completely different from the timid, lecherous man who was usually by her side. She asked, puzzled, “Is it worth it? Even with a plan, there are too many variables in its execution. These people are, after all, just strangers. It’s hard to say whether they are good or bad, or how determined they are for revenge. One wrong move, and you could get yourself killed.”

“It’s worth it,” Ard said, his eyes fixed on the ceiling. “In my past life, I always held back, always thought it was enough to just do the small things within my power. But the result of that was that I accomplished nothing, and my edges were worn down until I had no ambition left. It wasn’t until I cast aside all my worries, even my own life, to fight for this second chance that I understood that a person should not set limits for themselves. You can be cautious, but caution is not cowardice. If you don’t try, you’ll never know if you can do it. The more you endure, the angrier you get. The more you retreat, the more you lose. I just can’t stand the beastly actions of that Baron Paunch. You’ll see, Yexi. I’m not just going to take care of those bandits; I’m going to drag that bastard down from his throne.”

“You’re quite impressive like this.”

“Huh?”

Yexi’s sudden praise caught Ard off guard. He looked at her with wide, confused eyes, as if asking, What did you just say?

Yexi said, with great seriousness, “I said, you’re quite impressive like this. At least, you have a lot of spirit.”

Ard was a little embarrassed. Good heavens, did I just hear a compliment from Yexi’s lips? I can die without regrets now!

“Um, thank you. Ha, it’s nothing. I just didn’t expect you to say that.”

“Because it’s something I don’t have,” Yexi said, a crescent moon smile gracing her lips as she looked at the flustered Ard. “I, because of the wanton indulgence of my past life, have lost most of my desires and curiosity. It’s rare to see someone like you.”

“Yexi.”

Ard looked at her with a complicated expression.

Yexi tapped his forehead. “You don’t need to look at me like that. It’s because I abandoned those things that I have the strength I do now. It’s enough for me to stand on my own two feet, even in a different world. I just… want to hope for something more.”

Ard suddenly sat up, his hands on her shoulders. “Make a bet with me, Yexi.”

Yexi, unfazed by his sudden forwardness, asked, “What kind of bet?”

“This time, without your help, I will bring down that Baron Paunch.”

“And the stakes?”

“If I succeed, become my partner, Yexi. Not just a follower of a contract. If I fail, you can name your price.” After all, Ard had nothing to lose.

Yexi raised an eyebrow. “Partner? That’s a strange request. Am I to understand that you hope to get more from me?”

“You can,” Ard admitted freely. “I’m no longer satisfied with you just staying by my side to protect me. I want to be greedier. I want to use your strength. I want our relationship to be more than just collaborators. I want to take it a step further.”

Looking at his serious eyes, Yexi chuckled softly. “Greedy people don’t usually have good endings. I’m not fond of insatiable greed.”

Ard said with regret, “Is that a no?”

“No. I accept.”

Yexi’s unexpected answer caught Ard by surprise once again. Seeing his dumbfounded, clueless expression, Yexi gave a pleased smile. “I’m also a little curious to see if you can succeed. As for my strength… well, it’s boring to be idle. Since I’ve already stepped out and am seeking change, I might as well get involved. Of course, that’s on the condition that you can win the bet.”

“No problem!” Ard said, overjoyed. He never thought she would agree so readily.

“But, what step further did you mean for our relationship? Is it just ‘partner’?”

Yexi’s sudden question made Ard freeze.

“Umm…” Ard stroked his chin thoughtfully. “Can I be a little greedier?”

“…” Yexi looked at him coldly. “You can. As long as you can storm the Baron’s mansion by yourself, fight your way in and out seven times, and take his head, I’ll agree.”

Ard said sheepishly, “Then let’s just stick with being partners. Partner is good. How about we make that greedier bet when I’m strong enough?”

This guy. Yexi looked at the shameless Ard, speechless. He just doesn’t give up.

“I take back my earlier praise. You really are a pervert, a scumbag, an incomplete life form with a brain full of mush, a creature whose head is in his lower body, a greedy maggot…”

Ard shivered under her contemptuous gaze and sharp tongue, and quickly changed the subject. “Yexi, how did you know about Little Cora’s movements from a hundred miles away before? You weren’t even in my line of sight, but you seemed to know everything about the battlefield.”

Yexi stopped her mental assault and replied calmly, “You don’t know about ‘Awareness’?”

“‘Awareness’? I see.”

Ard finally understood. The cultivation of Ki was divided into three stages: Internal Condensation, External Refinement, and Mystical Transformation. These were the three necessary steps for any Ki practitioner. Internal Condensation: strengthening the body and developing the Ki within. External Refinement: guiding the Ki out of the body for use. Mystical Transformation: refining and solidifying the Ki, allowing it to take on various forms and applications. Although the three stages had a sequence, each had its own wonders, and there was no strict hierarchy of strength between them.

Those strong in Internal Condensation could use Ki to fortify their bodies, making them indestructible. Those strong in External Refinement could release their Ki, allowing them to perceive things beyond the five senses, even sensing movements from miles away. Those strong in Mystical Transformation could shape their Ki into anything in the world, and the power of the formed Ki was not to be underestimated. Generally, a Ki practitioner would first complete these three stages, then focus on developing one of them according to their needs.

‘Awareness’ was a technique of the External Refinement stage, using the external release of Ki to expand one’s perception and cover the areas the five senses could not reach. The deeper one’s development in External Refinement, the wider the range of ‘Awareness’, and the more detailed the information received. Clearly, Yexi was a master of this stage. After all, her profession was an assassin, and for an assassin, information was one of the most critical factors.

“Was the telepathic communication from before also a technique of External Refinement?”

“That’s right. It’s called ‘Transmission’.” ‘Transmission’ was the sending of information in the form of Ki. Intangible things like sound could also be transmitted by Ki.

Ard said with admiration, “To be able to perceive their movements so clearly from a hundred miles away… you’re truly amazing, Yexi.”

Faced with his praise, Yexi’s expression did not change. She said flatly, “That’s to be expected.”

Stare~

“Ahem.” Ard couldn’t quite bear her “I’m-looking-at-a-single-celled-organism” gaze. “Well, it’s time to sleep. Let’s rest, alright.”

With that, Ard lay down on the bed and closed his eyes. If I can’t see it, that overbearing gaze doesn’t exist!

But he soon found himself unable to remain calm. He felt someone lie down beside him. Inhaling that familiar, lotus-like fragrance, he knew it was Yexi.

“!!!” Ard turned his head in surprise to see Yexi lying beside him, already preparing to close her eyes and sleep.

Is… is this a hint?

Ard’s mind began to race with wild thoughts. Yexi’s crescent-moon eyebrows, her cherry-like lips, her delicate nose, her jade-like skin, and her slender, beautiful body… she seemed to have let down all her guard, lying beside him, a picture of helpless vulnerability.

Ard shook his head violently, trying to banish these delusions. A hint? A hint of what? If I dare to make a move, I’m a dead man! The one beside me is not some sheltered, innocent maiden, but one of the world’s top assassins, the cold-blooded Silver Wing, the master who struck terror into the hearts of the heretical cult!

He tried to calm himself by recalling her strength, her sharp tongue, but her alluring fragrance kept wafting into his nose, dispelling the image of the cold-blooded killer.

“Maybe I could try… something?”

A bold thought appeared in his mind. An angel and a devil began to circle above his head.

The angel said, “How could you betray Yexi’s trust?!”

The devil said, “Go for it! Three years of profit for a life sentence, a worthy trade!”

“You’ve been staring at me since just now. And what are you planning to do with your hand?”