Chapter Forty-Six: Because You Are Useless!

As soon as Sun Hao spoke, an awkward atmosphere immediately settled over the hall. Everyone's gaze turned strangely toward Liu Ji, who sat quietly in his seat.

In recent days, the most heated topic among their circle had been the question of Liu Ji’s true strength. After all, the once ignorant and almost useless Young Lord Liu, who had always been dismissed as a good-for-nothing, had suddenly begun to display hints of ability. This was truly astonishing.

Some claimed that all these years, Liu Ji had deliberately disguised himself as an incapable wastrel, weaving an elaborate ruse to mislead certain people. Others dismissed this as impossible, arguing that the frailty he displayed could not be feigned. Moreover, over the years, many had tested Liu Ji, and without exception, all had found him to be an ordinary person!

In short, whether Liu Ji had been hiding his strength had become a matter of endless debate among the younger generation of Southern King City, with strong opinions on both sides.

Now, with Sun Hao putting pressure on Liu Ji, if Liu Ji were to share any unique insight into the martial path before them all, it would suggest he had indeed been concealing his abilities. But if Liu Ji remained silent, he would lose face before everyone here. After all, quite a few present had long disliked Liu Ji’s former arrogance and would be pleased to see him humbled.

As to whether their dislike stemmed from jealousy or something else, only they themselves knew.

Hearing Sun Hao’s barbed words, Liu Ji frowned slightly and fell into contemplation. His father had repeatedly warned him never to reveal his strength in public. Yet, if he chose to back down now, this Sun Hao fellow would likely only press further, finding more ways to make things difficult for him. Would that not bring shame to his position as Young Lord?

Moreover, the former owner of this body had indeed been weak, but now he possessed true strength. Should he continue to tolerate these petty clowns leaping about on his head? Otherwise, would that not be too much to endure?

Zhang Yihan remained silent. Truth be told, he was also quite curious as to whether Liu Ji had been hiding his abilities. He desperately wanted to know if their Young Lord was as ordinary as a stone, or a pearl covered in dust, brilliance yet unseen.

Seeing Liu Ji’s silence, Sun Hao sneered inwardly, then shook his head with exaggerated regret. “It seems the Young Lord is unwilling to share his precious experience with us mere mortals. How disappointing!”

His words were poisonously clever.

Everyone present would one day become a pillar of Southern King City. Sun Hao’s statement implied that Liu Ji looked down on them all, considering them unworthy of his instruction.

In doing so, he was pushing Liu Ji into direct opposition with the entire group. Even if Liu Ji did eventually succeed his father’s title, he would find little support in the city.

Furthermore, if Sun Hao one day graduated from the illustrious Imperial Sky Academy in the capital, he would have a strong chance of securing a high post in Southern Province—perhaps even as governor! Then Sun Hao could become the leader of these young elites, drawing those dissatisfied with Liu Ji into his own camp, thus becoming a rival force against the Prince of South Suppression, or Liu Ji himself.

A cunning calculation indeed!

Just as Liu Ji was about to speak, a cool, clear voice interrupted from nearby: “Young Master Sun, you are not wrong. Since the Martial Symposium is meant for sharing insights, it is only right that the Young Lord, as one of the main figures, should impart his experience.”

She paused, then continued, “However, the techniques and arts the Young Lord has learned are, after all, secrets of the Prince of South Suppression’s household. He cannot be expected to reveal them in detail. I suggest the Young Lord instead share with us his insights into body cultivation.”

Her gaze swept the room with aloof calm. “What do you all think?”

Sun Hao’s brow furrowed.

Liu Ji, surprised to find someone speaking on his behalf, glanced at Mu Wanjun, whose intervention he had not expected. At this critical moment, Mu Wanjun had offered him a way out. Indeed, her words neither offended Sun Hao nor the others, and instead resolved his predicament with finesse. Clearly, her emotional intelligence was high.

It should be known that every martial artist had their own method of body cultivation, each different from the next. If he spoke of his own technique, whether the others could understand or dared to imitate was none of his concern—he would have fulfilled the obligation of sharing his experience.

Moreover, discussing only the insights into body cultivation would not expose too many of his secrets; they still would not be able to discern his true capabilities.

He rose to his feet and smiled. “Since that is the case, I shall share my insights. As is well known, the first stage of body cultivation is the foundation of all cultivation—the path to becoming one with heaven and man begins with the body!

“Whether it is absorbing spiritual energy, utilizing it in combat, or anything else, the internal organs play the primary role.”

“Therefore, the elders divided the realm of body cultivation into the Ten Divine Repositories, each corresponding to one of the body’s major organs.”

“But do you know which ‘bridges’ spiritual energy must cross to traverse the Ten Divine Repositories? Naturally, it is the myriad meridians within the body. The stronger the meridians, the more spiritual energy can be transported…”

“So, in my opinion, body cultivation should not be limited to tempering the Ten Divine Repositories; the meridians and acupoints should all be refined as well…”

He paced back and forth, speaking fluently, and as his words fell, the faces of those present changed dramatically. They looked at each other in shock and disbelief.

“Absurd!”

Unable to restrain himself, Sun Hao sneered. “Young Lord, we all know spiritual energy passes through the meridians and understand their importance. But you should also know how fragile they are! They cannot withstand the impact of spiritual energy.”

He sneered further, “Are you trying to get us killed by teaching us such methods? Don’t you know the consequences of damaged meridians?”

Even Mu Wanjun and Zhang Yihan frowned. The importance of the meridians had been drilled into them by their elders from the moment they began their training—above all, they must never allow damage to their meridians.

Thus, in their daily practice, they would always guide spiritual energy through the meridians, straight to tempering the Ten Divine Repositories, striving to condense the seed of the Divine Repository as soon as possible.

And yet, Liu Ji was teaching them to temper the meridians and acupoints. If they truly followed his advice, they would likely not last till the next day. In fact, before nightfall, their families would be holding a feast to mourn their demise.

Seeing Sun Hao’s incredulity, Liu Ji let out a contemptuous chuckle. “The reason you think it’s impossible is because you are useless,” he said coolly. “If you consider yourself a failure, why judge others?”

At his words, the hall instantly fell silent. Everyone stared wide-eyed at Liu Ji, clearly astonished that he would so bluntly humiliate Sun Hao. Was this not excessively domineering?

…