But in the second stage, you start adding branches and leaves to the main trunk. In modern terms, it's about creating a whole new circulation system in the body, beyond the three main circulatory systems.

Then, let this new circulation system start interacting with the other three main systems.

This way, your blood and Qi get stronger, your body becomes tougher and more robust, your energy more vigorous, and you're less likely to get tired.

At the second stage, the Yang Energy consumed is even greater, and you need even more attention to detail and patience. Ordinary people can't really practice the Scorching Sun Fist.

Wen Yan activated Scorching Sun, thoroughly stimulating the Yang Energy from a piece of Inferior Warm Jade, blessing himself with it. As fierce Yang Qi circulated in his body, it began freely flowing throughout him.

Outside that rough main trunk circulation, new main branches slowly started to form.

In his mind, a blazing sun hung high, shining across his whole body. He let that Yang Energy flow and build itself in the way most suited to him.

He'd heard Qin Kun say that most people practicing martial arts get stuck at the first stage and simply can't make it to the second. It's not about the difficulty of breaking through.

It's that they can't even accumulate enough Yang Energy for the second stage in the first place.

Even after mastering the first stage, spending another three years nourishing their Qi is considered normal.

Back in the day, Qin Kun put in a lot of hard work and it still took him months.

But now, Wen Yan didn't feel any threshold at all. Everything just happened naturally.

Even though ninety-nine percent of the Yang Energy was wasted, the new branches he opened up fit him perfectly. The branches and the main arteries connected and intertwined, so much so that they felt inseparable, part of each other.

With the flow of Yang Energy, Wen Yan could already feel the effects. The blood flowing inside him was constantly being nourished. The blood and Qi that should have gradually deteriorated with time now seemed like it could stay steady instead.

As time passed, his blood and Qi would only get stronger and more vigorous.

Inside Old Zhao's house, Old Zhao stood by the window. In his eyes, Wen Yan's presence was like a source of constant light.

That Yang Energy, which wouldn't hurt him, was unbelievably comfortable.

The Five Brothers were also standing by the window, pretending to bask in a sun specially for ghost objects.

"How terrifying, it's only been a few days, and his Yang Energy is already strong enough to cover a radius of a hundred steps when he's practicing the fist."

"When I was alive, I'd never seen anyone progress so quickly—it's so fast it's scary."

"Back then, the strongest Martial Artist, Barehanded Dragon Fighter, trained for ten years to have Yang Energy like his."

"If that Emperor Gou knew there was such a person, if he couldn't take him for his own, I'm afraid he'd stop at nothing to have him killed."

"Thankfully, times have changed..."

Old Zhao stood by the window, squinting as he soaked up the Yang Energy, mumbling softly to himself.

The Five Brothers overheard him and were amazed.

"Wow, Old Zhao, you're remembering the old days again!"

"Scary stuff, Old Zhao, you actually knew the strongest Martial Artist of your time!"

"Looks like you were pretty loaded back in the day, Old Zhao."

"Well, duh. You don't get drawn and quartered if you're broke."

"Like that helps. Still gotta fight us for white cut chicken."

The Five Brothers joked back and forth. When they thought about how no matter how big a shot Old Zhao was in life, he still had to fight with them for chicken now, they lost interest in boasting about Old Zhao.

Old Zhao looked a bit lost. He himself didn't quite understand why he'd just said that—he hadn't actually remembered anything concrete.

It's just that after being blessed with Yang Energy by Wen Yan last time, he sometimes found himself recalling bits and pieces, sometimes even blurting out things he didn't understand.

This time, he still didn't get it, but he did remember the fleeting thoughts from just now.

He pushed open the door and walked outside.

Standing at the door, basking in Wen Yan's fierce Yang Qi, it was nice, but it already had the burning feeling of midday sunlight in autumn—just a bit harsh.

Wen Yan practiced the fist a few more times. When dawn was about to break, he finished and drew back his Yang Energy. Waving to Old Zhao across from him, he strode out of the backyard.

"Old Zhao, how's your recovery?"

Wen Yan walked up in big strides, and right away, before saying anything else, blessed Old Zhao with a surge of Yang Energy.

Old Zhao nearly faded away helping him. Wen Yan hadn't forgotten.

Seeing Old Zhao walk out by himself now, he figured he must be recovering okay.

"Recovering pretty well," Old Zhao said, grinning wide as he felt the new wave of Yang Energy.

"I have something to ask you. That turtle you brought back yesterday, there might be an inner shell in it. If there is, can you leave that shell for me?"

"Sure."

Old Zhao hadn't even finished talking before Wen Yan agreed with a nod.

Wen Yan still hadn't found someone to deal with that turtle. Zhang Laoxi said normal people couldn't handle that kind of meat, and even if he wanted to share it, he had to be careful.

Only those doing Martial Training could handle it.

If someone skilled in herbal medicine and medicinal cuisine could prep it carefully, maybe even ordinary Taoists could eat it.

So last night, Wen Yan had messaged Qin Kun, planning to have him take it away, maybe send it up to Fuyu Mountain, as a treat for the younger disciples.

This was just an extra request on top of that.

Old Zhao noticed Wen Yan didn't even ask what he wanted it for before agreeing.

So he explained voluntarily.

"I want it for divination. Seems to me that with these Ominous Turtles, if there's an inner shell, it's really good for divining bad omens."

"Old Zhao, you should focus on recovery first. Don't mess around with this stuff and risk fading away again."

"It's fine, I feel like I'm remembering things lately—and I really do know Feng Shui."

"Sure, sure, no one doubts you. Just get well first, okay?"

"I'm serious!" Old Zhao got a little riled up, and started calculating on his fingers right then and there.

Wen Yan's eyelid twitched. He immediately felt that the Yang Energy he'd just blessed Old Zhao with was pouring out like a dam breaking.

"Stop! What are you divining for, seriously."

The Yang Energy on Old Zhao quickly dissipated, and he sighed in regret.

"I was going to read your fortune, but I forgot how to do it. All I can sense is that someone's looking for you—coming from both the east and the west—both lucky and unlucky."

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