Chapter 322: Innate Realm
"Who would’ve thought that taking that path back then would be such a mistake."
What a pity.
There’s no foreseeing life’s choices.
Huang Zhonggong sighed deeply, yet felt immense relief:
"It’s a blessing that the Seven-string Invisible Sword has found a successor like you, Ding Ling. I believe it will shine brilliantly in your hands!"
Ding Ling nodded and expressed his gratitude.
"This was an exchange we agreed upon; no need to be overly formal with me."
Huang Zhonggong grew more impressed with Ding Ling:
"I have no disciples or successors. Since I’m teaching you the Seven-string Invisible Sword today, if you’re willing, I can pass all my martial arts knowledge onto you."
How could Ding Ling refuse? He hurriedly bowed deeply in gratitude.
Huang Zhonggong gently supported Ding Ling, preventing him from making too formal a bow, and said with emotion:
"I am old and don’t know how many years I have left. To hear the divine song you play before my death and to discuss the path of zither skills with you, I am already very content.
Not to mention finding a successor for my Seven-string Invisible Sword, it’s the greatest comfort of my life!"
He was all smiles:
"My teachings come from an unnamed old master. The Seven-string Invisible Sword is one of his supreme skills. Unfortunately, despite my lifetime of learning, I could not cultivate the Seven-string Invisible Sword to a state of great perfection.
But you, having heard the heart technique once, have already reached great perfection.
Truly a genius, truly..."
Huang Zhonggong struggled to put his admiration into words for a long moment.
Evidently, he was at a loss for words to describe Ding Ling’s talent.
[Achievement medal acquired: You have gained Huang Zhonggong’s recognition]
[Note: Huang Zhonggong is upright, bold, and insightful, with a loyal character! Music and the path of zither skills are his sole loves in life.
You impressed him with your zither skills and outshone him in the Seven-string Invisible Sword, leaving him questioning life and deeply amazed!]
An achievement medal in hand.
Ding Ling knew his chances were solid.
Sure enough.
Subsequently, Huang Zhonggong imparted all his knowledge to Ding Ling without reservation.
It was clear.
Huang Zhonggong, much like Tong Yuan, would hold nothing back from those he recognized!
Following that.
Ding Ling learned all of Huang Zhonggong’s martial arts.
This included some lower-tier palm techniques, fist techniques, sword techniques, and inner power techniques.
As well as some higher-tier sword techniques and inner power techniques.
The lower-tier ones could only enhance Ding Ling’s foundation and not his power directly.
The high-tier sword technique was the "Seven Extremes Sword"
Also, a sound-based killing technique.
With a trembling sword edge, the sound killing technique could disrupt the opponent’s inner power, creating a chance to strike them down.
[Seven Extremes Swordsmanship Full Level]
[Strength +0.1]
[Agility +0.1]
[Constitution +0.1]
Ding Ling practiced, and the sword technique was dreamy and illusionary, echoing with the sound, while Huang Zhonggong felt an unrest, prompting him to shout:
"That’s enough, that’s enough."
He was filled with admiration, as if gazing upon a mountain:
"Though much older than you, in cultivation terms, I must admit, I’m utterly surpassed by you."
He gazed brightly at Ding Ling:
"How is the Seven Extremes Inner Power I taught you? Can you cultivate it?"
Ding Ling nodded, then closed his eyes slightly, recollecting.
A book materialized on the library shelf.
[Seven Extremes Inner Power Full Level]
[Inner Power Value +100]
In an instant!
Boom!
A torrent of primordial qi surged forth.
Ding Ling sat amidst the qi streams, breathing deeply, his strength rising noticeably with the naked eye.
Huang Zhonggong was dumbfounded, mumbling:
"Unbelievable, unbelievable, how can such a prodigy exist in this world!"
He could tell that Ding Ling already had outstanding inner power cultivation.
Would he really be able to cultivate the inner power that was taught to him?
This wouldn’t cause his meridians to clash, his inner strength to lose control, leaving him deranged, paralyzed, or dead?
He looked at Ding Ling with some concern.
It’s rare for someone to cultivate more than one type of inner power.
Typical cultivation.
Progresses steadily.
Following a lineage of cultivation techniques.
For example, inner power.
Progresses from basic inner power of the sect, to more potent inner power, and finally, to the strongest heart technique.
These inner powers generally have consistent attributes, and the meridian paths are interconnected, so transitioning between them doesn’t affect progress but enhances strength with a new, stronger heart technique.
But if one cultivates two entirely different inner powers.
It’s like water and fire meeting, like enemies clashing.
Absolutely a heavenly thunder sparking a raging fire, impossible to control!
Ding Ling’s inner power attribute is pure yang.
While the Seven Extremes’ inner power attribute is water!
One is fire, the other is water.
How can they merge?
If both were pure yang.
Huang Zhonggong wouldn’t be this apprehensive!
Yet one is water and the other fire, leaving him nervous and regretful: "If a prodigious talent like Ding Ling truly encounters a mishap, I would indeed be guilty beyond redemption."
Under Huang Zhonggong’s worried gaze.
Ding Ling’s inner power value surged to 300.
Without stopping there.
After reaching 300 points.
Ding Ling perceived his inner strength had reached the pinnacle of a first-class expert!
To advance further, he must break the shackles and open the Ren and Du Meridians!
Only then could he hope to achieve a greater path.
"With my Eight Meridians Connected, I can now skip this stage directly."
Ding Ling felt a stirring excitement and focused intensely.
As an endless tide of primordial qi poured in.
Ding Ling clearly sensed.
Although the inner power value did not increase beyond 300, the quality of the inner strength was undergoing transformation.
Previously, the inner power was vague, like air, invisible, only vaguely perceptible.
But now.
The streams of energy were wildly circulating through the Eight Extraordinary Meridians, constantly pouring into the Dantian.
The Dantian space was limited.
Before long, it was filled to capacity.
Then it began compressing to the extreme!
The invisible streams of energy gradually became visible.
As the streams became clearer, they twisted into threads, spiraling into a sphere, finally coalescing with a boom into a drop of water.
Ding Ling’s body shuddered.
He felt like he had broken through some barrier.
Entering a mysterious realm beyond comprehension.
He glanced at the character panel.
[Inner Power Value 301]
He broke past 300.
Indeed, he had transcended the first-class realm.
This feeling...
Ding Ling contemplated deeply.
It was as if he had leaped from a fish to a dragon, escaping the confining sea and soaring to the sky with a mighty roar!
Ding Ling opened his eyes.
Zing!
Two beams of light shot from his eyes, like swords ringing through the void.
Huang Zhonggong was stunned, his scalp tingling, and his pupils dilated in speechless awe.
Others who heard the commotion also rushed in.
Witnessing the scene.
Each of them was either in disbelief;