Chapter Twenty-Three: Holding Up for You

"Uncle Yuan, thank you." Qin Feiyang bowed deeply in gratitude.

Without Uncle Yuan’s help, he could never have shattered the martial artist’s ultimate limit and opened the first layer of the Gate of Potential. This kindness, he would never forget.

Uncle Yuan smiled, "Silly boy, I can only be your guide. The path ahead is yours to walk."

"I promise I won't let you down," Qin Feiyang replied solemnly.

The second layer of the Gate of Potential: Martial Master’s limit.

The third layer: Martial Lord’s limit.

He must rely on his own efforts to break through these two ultimate boundaries.

Of course, he could choose to wait until his cultivation was stronger before attempting to break through, perhaps after reaching Martial Master or Martial Lord. In comparison, it would be easier then.

But that would mean losing at the starting line—a circumstance Qin Feiyang would never allow.

Uncle Yuan had nurtured him so carefully and even given him divine pills, all so he could win at the starting line. Therefore, he was determined to break through each boundary as scheduled, never procrastinating, so as not to betray Uncle Yuan’s painstaking care.

"Let’s go outside first," Uncle Yuan nodded with satisfaction as he saw the resolve in Qin Feiyang’s eyes. With a wave of his hand, that familiar mighty force enveloped them once more.

In the next instant, the two appeared atop the mountain.

Qin Feiyang looked around and asked, "Uncle Yuan, where is the entrance to the secret chamber?"

Uncle Yuan replied, "There is no entrance."

"How can you enter without an entrance?" Qin Feiyang was bewildered.

Uncle Yuan laughed, "When you succeed in gathering Qi, I’ll tell you."

Qin Feiyang was stunned and said helplessly, "Uncle Yuan, aren’t you deliberately teasing me? If you don’t want to tell me, just say so—don’t keep postponing it day after day."

"Uh!" Uncle Yuan was taken aback, then shook his head and chuckled, "If I don’t say that, wouldn’t you pester me all day?"

"Alright, alright, I won’t ask anymore," Qin Feiyang said, quite resigned.

His heart was filled with countless questions.

Where did the Marrow Cleansing Pill come from?

Where did the Snow Herb originate?

How could Uncle Yuan fly through the air?

What was the secret chamber, and what was the story behind the dragon-shaped pill?

He wanted answers to all these mysteries.

But it was obvious Uncle Yuan had no intention of telling him, so Qin Feiyang could only let it go.

Exhaling deeply, Qin Feiyang raised his eyes to the star-studded sky.

"When I was seven, it took me two hundred Gathering Qi Pills and a whole day to succeed."

"But now, my foundation remains, and with the mark of potential..."

"Before dawn, I should be able to succeed."

Without further delay, he sat cross-legged and took out all his Gathering Qi Pills.

He had purchased thirty from the Treasure Pavilion.

He had obtained eighty from Cao Lang.

One hundred and ten in total—enough, he hoped, to condense true Qi.

Meanwhile, Uncle Yuan kept a vigilant watch over the surroundings.

The most dangerous time during Qi gathering is being disturbed; there must be someone to guard, otherwise all efforts could be wasted.

Dawn arrived quietly.

After refining one hundred Gathering Qi Pills, the surging energy within Qin Feiyang almost tore his body apart!

Yet he did not even furrow his brow.

When he broke through the martial artist’s limit in the secret chamber, he endured much worse; compared to that, this pain was negligible.

Gradually, the first strand of true Qi was born within him!

And with its emergence, Qin Feiyang’s strength soared wildly!

As the saying goes, all beginnings are hard.

But once the beginning is made, the rest becomes simple.

Second strand.

Third strand.

Fourth strand.

Strand after strand of true Qi emerged.

Half an hour later, he had fifty strands within him.

Suddenly, Qin Feiyang sprang to his feet, closed his eyes, clenched his fists, and carefully sensed the raging power inside.

Moments later, his eyes shone brilliantly.

The strength he now possessed was equal to that of a wild elephant—ten thousand pounds of force!

Though the gap between a martial artist and a martial master is only a single step, it is a world apart.

A nine-star martial artist possesses the strength of nine bears—about four thousand five hundred pounds.

But once Qi is successfully gathered, becoming a one-star martial master, one’s power doubles explosively!

This is a qualitative leap!

Uncle Yuan smiled, "Feiyang, congratulations—you have stepped into the rank of one-star martial master, another step closer to nine-star martial master."

"Indeed, it’s so fast," Qin Feiyang said, filled with emotion.

Five days, from one-star martial artist to one-star martial master—something he never dared dream of.

But then, hatred flashed in his eyes. "If they hadn’t forced me to swallow the Evil Spirit Pill back then, I might have already reached the Battle King realm, maybe even close to Battle Emperor!"

Uncle Yuan patted him on the shoulder, comforting, "The past no longer matters—what matters is now."

Qin Feiyang nodded.

Uncle Yuan smiled, "Today is your fifteenth birthday. I have prepared a great gift for you."

"What kind of gift?" Qin Feiyang’s eyes sparkled.

In the past, he wouldn’t have reacted so strongly.

But now, after witnessing Uncle Yuan’s power and mystery, he guessed this gift must be extraordinary.

Yet suddenly, Uncle Yuan’s smile vanished.

A biting chill radiated from him.

He spoke coldly, "Go to the Pill Hall and kill Ma Hongmei!"

Qin Feiyang’s body trembled, and his gaze became razor-sharp.

This woman truly deserved to die!

With a flick of his hand, Uncle Yuan brought Qin Feiyang and flew toward Iron Ox Town.

Within moments, Iron Ox Town appeared in Qin Feiyang’s sight.

"So fast!"

"I wonder when I’ll be able to fly through the air," Qin Feiyang muttered.

Uncle Yuan, utterly unrestrained, flew straight into Iron Ox Town.

"Hey!"

"Did you see someone flying in the sky?"

"Flying?"

"You must be dreaming—people who can fly are gods. Why would a god come to our shabby town?"

"True, probably just my imagination."

"…"

Uncle Yuan was so fast that nobody in Iron Ox Town noticed them.

Even if someone did, all they saw was a fleeting streak of light.

With a swish, Uncle Yuan brought Qin Feiyang to the foot of the stone steps.

Qin Feiyang gazed up along the steps.

The events from five days ago floated uncontrollably through his mind.

He slowly clenched his fists.

The murderous intent in his eyes grew stronger and stronger, wave after wave.

At last, his gaze locked onto the grand hall at the summit!

Killing intent radiated like a tangible force.

Uncle Yuan looked up at the hall and said, "Feiyang, today, make as much noise as you like. Even if the sky falls, I’ll hold it up for you!"

These words made Qin Feiyang’s blood boil!

Yes!

With Uncle Yuan here, what was there to fear?

"Ma Hongmei, get out here!"

His hair bristled with anger as he let out a long howl to the heavens, shattering the morning calm and shocking the entire Iron Ox Town!