Volume 2 Chapter 23: Innate Realm - Martial God

### Chapter 23: Innate Realm The sunlight was bright and clear, the lush trees stood motionless, and the grand estate was steeped in solemnity. However, within this serene and dark courtyard, a powerful, almost tangible aura permeated the air. Fortunately, all the servants and staff nearby had been dispatched elsewhere beforehand. Otherwise, such a sudden change would have caused immense shock and disturbance to everyone present. Inside the tranquil chamber, He Yi Ming's body was akin to a blazing furnace, with the fiery inner strength driving it to the extreme, as if burning with his body as fuel. In an instant, his clothes disintegrated into ashes, even the meditation cushion beneath him suffered collateral damage, crushed beyond repair. Luckily, the chamber's walls were made of brick and stone. Had it been a wooden structure, it might not have escaped unscathed. Despite this, He Yi Ming's heart brimmed with anticipation. He felt it—the power of the Fiery Arts had reached its limit. Yet, catalyzed by the integration of the Withered Wood Arts, the power of this martial technique continued to surge upwards. Finally, the accumulated energy of the tenth level of the Withered Wood Arts transformed entirely into nourishment, feeding into the Fiery Arts. An unfathomable strength erupted abruptly. This was a mutation—an evolution in the quality of the energy. The Fiery Arts were no longer the original acquired form but had absorbed the essence of the Withered Wood Arts, transforming into an entirely different kind of martial technique. He Yi Ming's body convulsed violently, as if countless needles pierced through his skin. Having cultivated the Withered Wood Arts, the body's tolerance for pain had increased substantially. Simple punctures no longer hurt, nor could knives easily harm him. Yet, this sensation far exceeded He Yi Ming's imagination. It felt as though countless drills bored through him from inside out, piercing numerous holes in his body from every direction. This pain seemed beyond what the body could endure, evoking a sense of something worse than death. However, this sensation only lasted an instant. The moment it appeared, it vanished. As all the pain disappeared, He Yi Ming's spirit soared. He felt an extraordinary energy rushing into his body from the outside. This was not the inner energy derived from his physical and mental effort but an external force absorbed from the surroundings. It was drawn in by the mutated Fiery Arts within him, continuously pouring into his body. His body became like a container expanded tenfold, the energy relentlessly flooding in, swiftly filling every available space. His skin, muscles, bones, organs, every cell experienced subtle changes under the impact of this energy. It was like soaking in a scorching hot spring, making his body feel an unparalleled comfort. The energy purified his body, effecting a profound transformation. It was not just the physical strength that increased unimaginably, but his lifespan too extended in an unknowable manner. The energy seeping in from outside carried a faint heat, making it clear he absorbed fire energy, the fire attribute from nature. This was because he ascended using the Fiery Arts. Had it been another attribute, perhaps the absorbed energy would have been different. He took a deep breath, savoring the strange and extreme changes within. Finally, the surging external energy slowed, and the holes perforating his body from energy saturation closed under its purification. Yet, these holes didn't seal entirely but resonated subtly with He Yi Ming's spirit. He quickly realized that these so-called holes were the crucial acupoints and pathways for energy circulation. What's surprising was the number of these acupoints far exceeded any known count, indicating that the human body's pathways are much more numerous than the 108 he knew of. The external energy continued to flood in, inciting a sudden urge within He Yi Ming—a desire to unleash wildly. Suddenly, he knew this was the fiery energy's inherent ferocity. Since it was entering his body for the first time, it imposed a tremendous burden. If not vented quickly, it could cause significant harm. His eyes widened sharply, and he thrust his hands skyward. "Boom..." The massive internal strength—or more aptly, energy called true qi—finally found a great outlet, converging in an instant and surging out wildly. A tremendous explosion resounded above the chamber. The brick and tile roof shattered without resistance, sent flying into countless fragments far away. Fragments of stone and clouds of dust didn't simply disperse but spun and danced up into the sky, propelled by He Yi Ming's surging true qi. Immediately, a massive red tornado appeared in the sky, emanating an intense heat wave that deterred any approach. ※※※※ Such a colossal disturbance would awaken even the soundest sleeper at night, let alone in broad daylight. At the moment of the explosion, the three top-tier tenth inner-strength experts of the Xie family simultaneously appeared outside their quarters. Xie Nuan Hang, Xie Nuan Yi, and Xie Zhi En, the sole centenarian elder of the Xie family, stood dumbfounded at the strange tornado over the Xie estate. Despite the distance, they collectively felt a tremendous oppression, heavy as Mount Tai, yet untouchable. It was a power beyond their comprehension. Against such might, no number of acquired experts could muster any resistance. This chaos not only stirred the Xie estate but also attracted the eyes of masters from the other three major families in Yingfeng City and experts from the Huo Wu Country's royal family, observing this sudden, isolated red tornado. Expressions varied on their faces—some envious, some admiring, yet many frowned in concern. In the royal palace, there stood a colossal tower, ten stories high. Even the king of Huo Wu Country approached this tower with utmost respect, for inside resided a senior member of the royal family. He was the guardian deity of the royal family, the sole innate realm expert of Huo Wu Country. At that moment, observing the peculiar red tornado clearly visible in the distance, he pondered for a long time before issuing an order that sent shockwaves through the palace. ※※※※ It took a full quarter-hour for He Yi Ming to feel his meridians completely recover, his violent sensation fully expelled. With a sweep of his hands, the formidable true qi instantly gathered, and the red tornado in the sky dissipated without a trace. Surveying the surrounding devastation, he sighed inwardly. Had he known that ascending to the innate realm would cause such a ruckus, he would have ventured outside long ago, sparing the Xie family this incident. Dust surrounded him, yet his body remained spotless. Gazing at his completely naked form, He Yi Ming shook his head slightly, when a sudden thought struck him. His form flickered, swiftly and spectral-like, to a corner of the chamber. Seeing no damage to the papers and jade bottles, covered only in a layer of dust, he breathed a sigh of relief. Those alchemical prescriptions aside, given his current power, even if he openly wished to transcribe a copy, the Xie family couldn't stop him. But the jade bottle held five extreme golden pills—losing them would be a lamentable shame. Although He Yi Ming had stepped into the innate realm at the Xie family, having been well-hosted and mentored by Xie Zhi En, he wouldn't shamelessly covet the Xie family's golden pills. He gathered up the items, dusted them off, and stepped out, soon finding himself in Xie Ming Jin's bedroom. Though their ages and builds were similar, and he casually picked a set of clothing to put on, it was slightly oversized, but still better than being bare-skinned. Naturally, having been born into affluence, Xie Ming Jin never had to worry about his attire. In his bedroom, not only were there dozens of outfits, but there were also plenty of brand-new shoes and socks. He Yi Ming, without hesitation, graciously accepted the convenience. Just as he finished dressing, He sensed the commotion outside and the careful approach of someone towards this courtyard. Indeed, he didn't just hear it—he sensed it. Within a hundred-meter radius around him, it seemed nothing could escape He Yi Ming's perception now. It was a magical sensation. After absorbing the fire energy from heaven and earth, he established an exceptionally subtle bond with it. Through the absorption, emission, and exchange of this ubiquitous fire energy, he could astonishingly detect images within his vicinity. Admittedly, such images were quite indistinct, barely better than eavesdropping with his ears. However, when perceiving static objects and the atmosphere around him, the clarity surpassed that of mere auditory capability. He could even sense a circle formed by servants about eighty meters away, each standing with cautious restraint, exchanging glances filled with fear. Despite their numbers, none dared to overstep into the bounds. Suddenly, someone came running from afar. From the footsteps and breath, He knew it was Xie Ming Jin. It was unclear where he had been, but he finally arrived. Unlike the hesitant servants, he dashed in directly, shouting, "He, are you there?" He Yi Ming felt warmth in his heart. If Xie Ming Jin had hesitated even briefly, He Yi Ming would have started distancing himself. As for the help from the Xie family, he planned to repay it over time. But like in the dense forest before, Xie Ming Jin rushed in boldly, regardless of the consequences. Such a nature might not be favored in large families, but it won He Yi Ming's genuine friendship. Once this guy considered you a friend, he would never abandon you. With swift steps, He Yi Ming covered several meters, appearing before Xie Ming Jin. Though He Yi Ming hadn't practiced silent movement techniques, his current formidable strength allowed him to perform feats even specialized acquired experts couldn't manage. The gap between the innate and acquired stages was minimal yet insurmountable. "Xie, I'm here." He Yi Ming chuckled, "Everything's well, though I did wreck your training chamber." Xie Ming Jin took a breath, glancing at He Yi Ming. "It's alright as long as you're fine. It's just a chamber..." He paused, staring at He Yi Ming, feeling something different that he couldn't pinpoint. After a moment, his eyes brightened. "He, your clothes?" He Yi Ming cleared his throat, laughing, "I accidentally burned them, so I borrowed a set. Hope you don't mind." Xie Ming Jin waved his hand, asking, "What just happened? This ruckus—I hope it didn't alarm Uncle." He Yi Ming smiled slightly. He had never met the head of the Xie family but knew from Xie Ming Jin's demeanor that he was likely a stern elder. However robust an elder at the innate realm was, he should not command superiority over He Yi Ming now. Suddenly, his demeanor shifted as he glanced towards the door. "Xie, I'm afraid it's too late for that." "Too late for what?" Xie Ming Jin asked, puzzled. "Your uncle is already here." Xie Ming Jin's face changed dramatically, but before he could inquire further, a very familiar voice came, "Is Mr. He in? Old Xie Nuan Hang seeks an audience." Xie Ming Jin's eyes widened, staring at He Yi Ming as if seeing a ghost. The voice belonged to his uncle, Xie Nuan Hang, the current head of the Xie family. Yet, the tone carried caution, respect, and a hint of deference obvious even to an idiot. He had seen the red tornado over the rooftops but understanding its implications was another matter. His experiences were inferior to those of Xie Nuan Hang and others, leaving him oblivious to the power of an innate realm expert. He Yi Ming nodded at the puppet-like Xie Ming Jin, then called out, “I’m here. Please, Xie Family Head, come in.” Three people entered, leaving Xie Ming Jin even more astonished. The family's three major figures all gathered at this moment, and suddenly, everything clicked for him. Eyeing the destroyed chamber, then He Yi Ming, he was filled with disbelief. Xie Nuan Hang and the others were surprised to find Xie Ming Jin with He Yi Ming. But after exchanging looks, they seemed to ignore the matter. "Congratulations, Mr. He,” Xie Nuan Hang approached with a wide smile, bowing deeply. Xie Ming Jin sidestepped, knowing he couldn't accept such respect from the family head. He Yi Ming hesitated, then returned the gesture. “You’re too kind, Family Head. My success is largely thanks to Elder Xie Zhi En.” Bowing deeply to Xie Zhi En, his gratitude was genuine. Without Xie Zhi En’s guidance, he might have trekked afar seeking mythical beasts. Entering the innate realm made him realize that if such a spirit beast started channeling earthly energy, encountering it might mean he would be the one fleeing. The innate-acquired gap was vast, something only fully understood through personal experience. Xie Zhi En waved his hands repeatedly. As the centenarian elder sighed, he remarked, “Mr. He is indeed a dual-attribute genius. I was merely showing off my paltry skills.” He found it puzzling. Given He Yi Ming’s mastery of dual-attribute internal martial arts, he must have heritage from a major sect or family. How was it he reached the tenth level with no one informing him of the breakthrough’s secret? Had it not been for his unintentional suggestion, He Yi Ming might still be stuck. Though curious, he couldn’t unravel the mystery’s true cause. He Yi Ming shook his head, smiling. “Elder Xie, your guidance was invaluable. My swift advancement to the innate realm owes to your advice.” Pausing, he added, "I'll return the favor within three years." A gleam flashed in Xie Zhi En’s eyes, his voice trembling, "Mr. He, do you mean?" He Yi Ming nodded, his gaze sincere. “My father always taught that the smallest kindness must be repaid tenfold.” Xie Zhi En’s lips quivered, stepping forward to bow deeply. "Thank you, Mr. He, for fulfilling this promise." The brothers Xie Nuan Hang and Xie Nuan Yi were equally astonished and elated, exchanging glances before bowing too. At last, Xie Ming Jin understood, looking at He Yi Ming with a wry smile. What kind of extraordinary being had his father invited into their home?