In the small courtyard, Qin Yi stood silently in the center, left hand resting on the sword sheath, right hand gripping the sword hilt. He looked like a statue, perfectly still.
The moment he received instruction in the Meditation Secret Technique, Qin Yi instantly entered meditation.
His current state was strange—he felt fully conscious, yet somehow not fully aware. Between his mind and body, an invisible barrier had formed, completely separating the two.
Even more surprising, once in meditation, the game interface automatically appeared and could not be closed.
Since it's here anyway… let's check it out.
He habitually glanced at the message area and saw the latest updates:
"The two techniques truly complement each other. Upon learning the Meditation Secret Technique, the Rejuvenation Secret Technique broke through LV3 to LV4. At the same time, Meditation Secret Technique instantly reached LV1."
With his previous experience with Basic Swordsmanship and Hundred Battles Swordsmanship, Qin Yi was not surprised. Still…
"Huh? The game interface has changed."
On the upper-right corner, a small map appeared. At its center was a green dot.
"The map function is back?!"
Next to the green dot was a roughly 120-degree fan-shaped area, and close to the center was a golden dot.
"This fan-shaped area must be my visible range, so this golden dot…"
Qin Xu stood before him, a mixture of shock and pride on his face, staring at Qin Yi, unable to calm himself.
Qin Yi had entered meditation instantly.
It was both unexpected and predictable. After all, Qin Yi had already practiced the Rejuvenation Secret Technique for a third of its legendary limit. With such a foundation, instant meditation was understandable…
Understandable? Ha! Not really!
This was the Meditation Secret Technique—even many Prenatal Martial Artists had not succeeded in it. How could Qin Yi make it look so easy? Instant meditation? Wasn't this ridiculous?
Qin Xu recalled his own days learning this technique and felt a pang of regret. Even questioning his own talent. Was he really top of his generation?
Now he understood the meaning behind the words of those less gifted than him: the gap between people can be greater than between a human and a dog.
Yet, thinking that this prodigy would represent him outside, Qin Xu could not help but grin.
Hahaha… imagine their faces in the capital when they see him!
He coughed to hide his glee.
"Good. Da Tou, meditation has three levels. The first goal is instant meditation—you've achieved it. The second is transitioning from stillness to motion. Now, move your body slightly."
Breaking Qin Yi's thoughts, this instruction forced him to set aside the game interface and focus entirely.
Move… move…
At his first movement, the invisible barrier between mind and body disappeared, and he exited meditation.
Looking at Qin Xu, he saw no anomalies—no golden glow. Yet in the map, the Master appeared as a golden dot.
So my eyes are still mortal—only the interface shows the extraordinary.
What did the golden dot mean? Qin Yi had no idea. The game interface gave no explanation; he would have to explore on his own.
Qin Xu observed that Qin Yi returned to normal without losing focus. Good—he was still within the bounds of a normal person. Even Qin Xu had felt disoriented the first time he succeeded.
"Da Tou, it's normal to feel unaccustomed after your first meditation. With practice, you'll gradually experience the infinite wonders of meditation."
Qin Yi nodded, snapping back to focus. This was not the time for distractions. He needed to train. The game interface could wait.
"Yes, Master."
Once again, Qin Yi entered meditation. The interface reappeared, but he ignored it, fully concentrating on the Meditation Secret Technique.
Move… move…
A brief movement broke meditation, and from one moment came two, then countless moments. Qin Yi entered a continuous cycle of meditating while moving, gradually extending the duration of each meditation.
"This… the growth speed is incredible!"
Qin Xu compared it to himself. He had spent two months reaching this level. Qin Yi was far surpassing him. At this rate, the second level could be achieved in days, and the third level not long after—perhaps half a month to a month.
This prodigious pace disrupted all of Qin Xu's original teaching plans. Adding in the benefits of Qin Yi's sparring with Qin Wei, he silently reflected on his prior methods.
…
Meanwhile, Qin Wei followed Huang Lao to the side courtyard. Staring at the plaque above the main hall—"Serenity and Peace"—his heart slowly settled. He had been defeated by an ordinary person, not yet a martial artist.
Though unwilling, he had to admit it: he lost.
To a rural kid he had always looked down upon. To a boy half his age, with only two years of martial training.
"Grandmaster Huang, could you tell me more about Qin Yi?"
Qin Wei finally began to acknowledge his junior. Huang Lao smiled at the humbled young man, nodding: "Of course."