The two were fundamentally different concepts. It was obvious at a glance which was stronger.
No matter how strong the human body, the Inner Energy it produced could never compare to the Heaven and Earth Spiritual Energy.
Unless one could use Inner Energy to draw in Heaven and Earth Spiritual Energy and open the two bridges between them.
And absorb Spiritual Energy into the body.
However, achieving this was exceptionally difficult.
Because Inner Energy is refined from within the body, an Inner Energy master’s Lifespan is no different from an ordinary person’s.
It might even be reduced due to physical injuries.
This Wu Yidao before him was a martial artist who had reached the Breath Storage Realm.
"Sir, it’s getting late, and the wind and rain are growing more violent.
There’s a ruined temple just ahead. Should we stop there to rest for the night and set out again tomorrow?"
Wu Yidao stole a glance at Hu Qi’s expression, asking cautiously.
Hearing this,
Hu Qi glanced around.
At this moment,
they had already left the wide main road.
They were now on a somewhat rugged mountain path.
Although the main road was flat and unobstructed,
it could involve detours that made the journey too long.
To save time and money, Darts Masters on an escort mission would usually opt for shortcuts, taking smaller paths or trails.
He looked in the direction the other man was pointing.
The ceaseless curtain of rain was dim, rendering the surroundings a hazy blur.
In the distance, a ruined temple stood quietly beside the winding mountain path.
It was obscured by foliage.
It would be easy to miss if one wasn’t paying attention.
Clearly, this was not the first time the escort team had taken this route.
They were very familiar with the area.
"Do as you see fit."
Hu Qi waved his hand.
"Yes!"
Wu Yidao turned and left.
...
A short while later,
the group braved the wind and rain. Hurrying, they quickly tied up their horses and filed into the ruined temple.
There was already someone inside the ruined temple.
An old man in ragged clothes was curled up in a corner.
After they all exchanged glances,
no one went forward to talk to him.
Instead, they each found their own spots and sat down.
When traveling far from home on an escort mission through the desolate wilderness, it was undoubtedly better to avoid unnecessary complications.
The ruined temple was very old.
Layers of plaster peeled from the walls, revealing pitted and uneven brickwork beneath. The corners were thick with spiderwebs that swayed gently in the dim light.
In the center stood a solitary Buddha statue.
The statue was caked in thick dust, its features long since blurred. Only its sunken, downcast eye sockets seemed to peer out at them from the darkness.
The roof tiles were in disarray, allowing rain to pour relentlessly through the gaps, forming muddy puddles on the floor.
Fortunately, however, the leaks were few, and most of the temple’s interior remained dry.
The men from the Escort Agency built a fire to one side.
The leaping, orange flames brought a touch of warmth to the temple.
They gathered around it, warming themselves, drinking wine, eating dry rations, and talking amongst themselves, though not too loudly.
During this time,
Wu Yidao brought a portion of dry rations and wine over to Hu Qi.
"Sir, I noticed you haven’t been carrying any luggage, so I figured you didn’t pack any food.
These are some flatbreads my wife made herself. They may look plain, but they’re carefully prepared, clean, and quite substantial.
If you don’t mind, please have some to fill your stomach."
"Hmm. Just leave it here."
Hu Qi merely glanced at him.
He did not refuse.
Although he could now sustain himself through Fasting and had no need for food,
for Hu Qi, eating wasn’t about satiating hunger—the process of tasting food was an enjoyment in itself.
After a moment’s thought, he pulled a silver ingot from his robes and tossed it to the man.
As payment.
Seeing this,
a flash of disappointment crossed Wu Yidao’s eyes, and he immediately tried to refuse it.
But upon seeing Hu Qi’s placid expression, he had no choice but to thank him and walk away.
...
No sooner had Wu Yidao returned to his Darts Masters and sat down,
than a stocky, well-built man sidled up to him.
The man frowned.
"Brother Wu, so what if the man paid? And even if he’s strong, you don’t have to suck up to him like that, do you?"
"You don’t understand! That man is a true expert."
Wu Yidao shook his head, glancing sidelong at Hu Qi, who sat some distance away.
’As an expert of the Breath Storage Realm, he knew that no matter how quietly they spoke, the other man would hear them.’
’To make it in the escort business, you couldn’t be some soft-hearted fool.’
’More than a dozen bandits had died by his hand; otherwise, he never would have made it this far.’
’He recalled the sight of Hu Qi effortlessly crushing a chunk of iron flat with his bare hands.’
’Even now, the memory still sent a chill down his spine.’
’With his own strength, it wouldn’t be difficult to slice an iron block in two with a full-powered strike.’
’But to crush iron like mud with his bare hands was utterly impossible.’
’He had also noticed earlier that despite walking through the downpour, the man didn’t have a single drop of rain on him.’
’This detail convinced him: the man was very likely a top-tier expert of the Inner Qi Realm.’
’Only someone whose power had reached such a level’
’could project their Inner Energy outward to dry their clothes.’
’If the man could teach him even a few pointers, he would surely benefit immensely.’
’Unfortunately, it seemed the man had no such intention for the time being.’
However,
he didn’t mind.
’In any case, staying on his good side couldn’t be a mistake.’
’Having him along for the journey added an extra layer of security to this escort mission.’
With this in mind,
he turned to the burly man beside him.
"Tell the brothers to drink less. The goods we’re escorting this time are precious. The client was clear: absolutely nothing can go wrong."
As he spoke, his eyes flickered toward the old man huddled in the other corner, his meaning clear.
"Yes!"
The burly man had followed Wu Yidao on escorts for years, so he naturally understood.
...
Back in his spot,
Hu Qi was well aware of Wu Yidao’s intentions.
’The man is a bit clever. Ever since I showed a glimpse of my strength, he’s been nothing but respectful, even showering me with flattery and trying to curry favor on the road.’
’Too bad his aptitude is limited, and his age is already set.’
’Barring some miracle, he’ll likely never break through to the Inner Qi Realm in this lifetime.’
’There is no benefit for me in helping him, so of course I wouldn’t undertake such a thankless task.’
’Still, I don’t like owing people. Paying for it is better.’
’I brought plenty of mortal trinkets like gold and silver from the Water Ape Mansion.’
’I’m not short on them at all.’
He reached for the rations and picked up a strip of beef jerky, placing it in his mouth.
As his teeth closed gently, the jerky’s Resilience stretched between them before a satisfying CRUNCH.
He easily bit through it, and a rich, mellow, meaty aroma instantly filled his mouth.
Next, he picked up a handful of crispy fried noodles, placing them in his mouth and savoring their brittle texture.
After swallowing, he picked up the wine flask and took a light sip.
Instantly,
the fiery liquid slid down his throat, and a wave of warmth spread through his stomach.
’Although it has no additives and the flavor is a bit weak, if you savor it, there’s a pure, rustic quality to it.’
He wasn’t concerned about the food being poisoned.
Even something like arsenic would have no effect on him.
’It’s just a shame I can’t seem to re-enter that state of epiphany!’
Hu Qi mused.
Along the way,
he had repeatedly tried to enter that state of epiphany again.
But he couldn’t replicate it, no matter how he tried.
’It always feels like something is missing.’
Suddenly,
Hu Qi’s expression flickered.
His gaze shifted to the temple entrance.
His vision seemed capable of Piercing the darkness and the curtain of rain outside.
’Interesting. It’s certainly lively tonight.’
...
Outside, the last sliver of daylight vanished, and a thick darkness bled across the sky like ink.
Gale-force winds drove the torrential rain, showing no sign of letting up. Instead, they grew even more ferocious.
The sounds of wind and rain merged into a roar.
The ruined temple, long in disrepair, was drafty all over. The gale poured in unimpeded, creating a sound like the wailing of ghosts and the howling of wolves.
It echoed through the empty temple, sending a chill down the spine.
Just then,
another clatter of hooves was heard rapidly approaching through the storm.
Noticing this,
the Darts Masters, who had been sitting around the fire, rose to their feet one by one, their hands closing around the hilts of the blades at their waists.
The next moment,
the newcomers outside seemed to spot the horses tied near the entrance.
After a brief, low-voiced exchange,
they pushed open the main doors and walked in.
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