Chapter 554: Innate Martial Artist

“Grandfather, look at them—they’ve taken our spot.” The young woman was displeased to see Wen Qing’er practicing there, as this was her favorite place for martial arts training.

The young woman signaled her bodyguard to go negotiate, but soon the bodyguard returned dejectedly to report that the other party refused to leave the area.

The young woman grew even more displeased. Seeing that she was about to take action, the elderly man frowned and stopped her. “What have I taught you? What do you mean ‘our spot’? This is a public place—whoever arrives first gets to use it.”

Pouting, the young woman assumed a stance near Wen Qing’er, secretly determined to surpass the other in martial arts.

Jiang Li only glanced at the young woman’s posture before dismissing her from his mind.

She hadn’t even touched the threshold of martial arts. The elderly man was somewhat stronger than her, barely considered as having entered the martial path. In the Huanyu World where everyone practiced martial arts, he would barely qualify as an ordinary person.

“It seems this world still prioritizes technology over martial arts development,” Jiang Li silently speculated.

Developing martial arts wasn’t something that could be accomplished by one genius or a few individuals. Martial arts required vast numbers of practitioners to train, summarize experiences, refine and elevate techniques—only then could the initial martial path be discovered. Building on this foundation, martial arts would gradually develop.

Taking Bu Jing as an example—who cultivated martial arts to “Seeing Divinity Without Decay,” comparable to the Unity Stage—his achievements today weren’t solely his own merit. Rather, it was his talent combined with the martial arts secrets left by previous practitioners that gave Bu Jing the foundation to spread martial arts throughout the world and comprehend the unprecedented realms of “External Scenery” and “Seeing Divinity Without Decay.”

The young woman and elderly man’s strength was only slightly above ordinary people. Whether they could dodge bullets was questionable, and if they actually took a hit, their survival would be uncertain.

Jiang Li continued focusing on teaching Wen Qing’er.

“First, hold the horse stance for half an incense stick’s time. This is fundamental training.”

Wen Qing’er felt somewhat relieved. One incense stick took half an hour, so half would only be fifteen minutes—not long at all.

Then she watched as Jiang Li took out a coil of mosquito repellent incense from his storage ring.

“Is there perhaps a significant difference in our understanding of how long an incense stick burns?”

“Oh, sorry, wrong item.” Jiang Li put the mosquito repellent incense back into his storage ring and took out a common temple incense stick.

The mosquito repellent incense was something Jiang Li had bought fresh when he heard prices were rising, right before going to the Beast Taming Sect.

The most notable feature of this mosquito repellent incense was its excellent effectiveness at repelling Core Formation Stage mosquitoes.

“Raise your arms, chest out, back straight, squat, lower further—yes, maintain this position.” Jiang Li corrected Wen Qing’er’s horse stance posture.

“This is so uncomfortable.” Wen Qing’er spoke through gritted teeth, feeling that if she spoke any louder, she wouldn’t be able to maintain the position.

“Empty your mind, don’t focus on your current movements. Imagine you’re a feather, completely weightless.” Jiang Li patiently guided her, though Wen Qing’er’s aptitude truly wasn’t great—she hadn’t reached the “self-forgetfulness” state he hoped for.

This actually suited Jiang Li’s intentions. He had chosen Wen Qing’er precisely because he saw her as having nothing to offer besides beauty.

Perhaps he could find a method for ordinary people to break through to Qi Refining, fourth layer through Wen Qing’er.

The young woman grew increasingly restless in her practice, her posture deviating further from the elderly man’s standards.

“Indeed, I’ve grown accustomed to practicing there. Now that I’ve changed locations, everything feels awkward. If this continues, I’ll waste the entire morning. No, I can’t let this happen.”

The young woman ceased her practice and strode toward Wen Qing’er before the elderly man could stop her.

“Are you her master?”

Jiang Li paused momentarily, then nodded in acknowledgment.

“Your disciple’s movements are stiff—she must be just starting martial training. I won’t bully her. Since we’re both martial artists, why don’t you and I spar instead? If you lose, you give this spot to me.”

Wen Qing’er had just finished her horse stance and was leaning exhausted against a tree, panting heavily. Hearing the young woman’s words, she thought the other had serious issues.

“What if I win?” A smile appeared between Jiang Li’s brows—it had been a long time since he’d encountered such a simple-minded young woman.

“If you win, I’ll give up this spot.”

Wen Qing’er looked at the young woman as if she were an idiot.

The young woman also realized her proposal was inadequate and added, “If you win, I can give you one million.”

Just as Wen Qing’er thought Jiang Li would refuse, he said, “Moving the body helps spiritual energy circulation. A little exchange wouldn’t be unwelcome.”

The elderly man in traditional Chinese clothing arrived a step too late—both parties had already agreed to the contest, and at this point, stopping them was useless.

When Wen Qing’er saw the elderly man, she instinctively stepped back. She felt the old man was someone of high status and authority, carrying himself with an aloof demeanor that didn’t invite approach—completely different from Jiang Li.

The young woman did have some skill. She assumed her stance and launched a fierce assault against Jiang Li, who remained stationary, blocking all her attacks with just one finger.

Cold sweat broke out on the young woman’s forehead. Only after crossing hands did she realize how profound this seemingly similar-aged person’s internal energy was.

Could he be an internal energy martial artist?

The martial path was divided into external energy, internal energy, and transformed energy. The young woman was a practitioner attempting to enter external energy.

Jiang Li gently pushed out with his palm, and an invisible force sent the young woman flying.

The elderly man in traditional Chinese clothing cried out in disbelief, “Internal energy emission! Are you a transformed energy martial artist?”

The elderly man hadn’t expected Jiang Li to be this powerful. His bodyguard moved in front of him, recognizing that if the other party had hostile intentions, his own skills might not be sufficient to protect the old man.

“I am a Congenital Martial Artist,” Jiang Li said.

“Congenital Martial Artist?” The elderly man hadn’t heard this term before. “Might I ask, young brother, what does Congenital Martial Artist mean?”

“Preceding the Heavenly Dao—that is congenital.”

“So that’s what it means.” The elderly man thought Jiang Li was referring to the Heavenly Dao in an abstract sense.

“Cough-cough—” The elderly man suddenly began coughing violently.

Seeing this, the young woman hurried forward to support him, giving him medicine until his breathing gradually stabilized.

“I observe that your body’s internal energy is fairly decent, but you have three hidden injuries within, likely lingering problems from battles in your early years. These three hidden injuries prevent your internal energy from circulating freely, thereby damaging your lifespan.”

Seeing that Jiang Li had identified the problem with one remark, the young woman quickly asked, “Can you heal grandfather then?”

Realizing her tone was inappropriate, she immediately apologized: “I was wrong earlier—I shouldn’t have challenged you. Could you please heal my grandfather?”

“Why should I heal him? Give me a reason.”

“Our Meng family spans military, political, and business circles. I can give you lots of money.”

Jiang Li shook his head. “Politics and business assisting each other, mutual benefit and win-win—tell me honestly, has your Meng family ever obtained information from within the government during business operations? If not, I’ll accept your offer.”

“We can get you into the system—you can choose any position you want.”

Jiang Li shook his head. “As a local parent-official, power shouldn’t be used that way.”

“Then with your physician’s compassionate heart, could you please show mercy and heal my grandfather?”

Jiang Li shook his head. “Right now, there are many injured people in hospitals—countless with worse injuries than your grandfather. Why should I go heal them instead of your grandfather?”

The young woman was stunned. She realized there truly seemed to be no reason for Jiang Li to heal her grandfather.