Upon hearing this, Xiao Yifei surreptitiously used his Qi to probe the old man, trying to figure out the old man's cultivation level. But to his surprise, he found that the old man's cultivation only remained at the most basic stage. The storage of Qi within him was negligible, not even qualifying as the most basic of cultivators.

Xiao Yifei was quite puzzled but was too embarrassed to ask, so he could only cast an inquiring glance at Zhang Po. The latter paid no attention, instead, he stated the purpose of seeking the command word to the old man.

The old man was very straightforward and immediately agreed with Zhang Po, "No problem, anyway, that thing is of no use left with us in the Jin Family. When your Xiao Family head visited a few days ago, I wanted to entrust it to him, but he insisted it's already late. Why don't you both stay here for dinner and a little rest, then set off with the command word at dawn tomorrow?"

Zhang Po did not decline either, having traversed the forest for a whole day, he was indeed rather weary. He cupped his hands in thanks to the old man, "Then I'll trouble Old Master Jin."

On the way to the dining hall with Old Master Jin, Xiao Yifei deliberately probed the Jin Family members' cultivation levels. The result shocked Xiao Yifei; there wasn't a single cultivator in the entire Jin Clan!

Over dinner, as the drinks flowed, the three gradually became familiar with one another, developing a cross-generational friendship. Curiosity got the better of Xiao Yifei; he couldn't help but ask Old Master Jin, "Old Master Jin, I have a question, if you don't mind me asking."

Old Master Jin heartily said, "Feel free, make yourself at home, no need to hold back."

Xiao Yifei then voiced his question to Old Master Jin. Hearing Lin Mu's inquiry, Old Master Jin burst into hearty laughter, "Our Jin Family, ah, we're all martial artists."

Seeing Lin Mu's still somewhat confused expression, he further explained to Xiao Yifei, "So-called martial artists, are those who aren't suited for Qi cultivation but are extraordinary in body techniques. Our Jin Family is a family of martial artists. Don't laugh at us; our Jin Family has never produced a Qi Cultivator."

Old Master Jin gave a somewhat embarrassed smile, yet a touch of pride flickered in his eyes. Xiao Yifei knew that was the pride belonging to ancient martial artists.

After dinner, Old Master Jin sent someone to take Xiao Yifei and Zhang Po to a guest house for the night, while he returned home early to rest.

In the guest house, Zhang Po recounted the history of the Jin Family to Xiao Yifei. It turned out that in ancient times, there was a group of extraordinary people, the ancestors of the Jin Family.

They were naturally not adept at absorbing Qi from the outside world, but their bodies were extremely strong. Their mastery of body techniques even surpassed the five founders of Ancient Earth. In other words, even without using Qi, not even those five could defeat the people of the Jin Family.

Those five big shots recognized their talent and integrated them into the Seven Great Families, taking extra care of them. Thus, they were able to proliferate to present days, becoming today's Jin Family.

The Jin Family's cultivation techniques also record some ancient martial body techniques, movement techniques, and similar kung fu, which is crucial even for a Qi Refiner when it comes to the strength of body techniques. Many family clan leaders throughout the ages have received instruction from the Jin Family's patriarch.

The next morning, Xiao Yifei rose early. Following the Breathing Technique taught by Zhang Po, he inhaled and exhaled the spiritual energy of the world. Suddenly, he sensed a strong wind from behind, as if a fierce tiger was pouncing towards him.

Xiao Yifei turned back with a punch that hit nothing; Old Master Jin brushed past his arm, his right hand shaped like claws, reaching for his throat.

"Why is Old Master Jin suddenly trying to kill me?" As this thought flickered through Xiao Yifei's mind, he didn't dodge but instead met it head-on, as if offering his weak spot to the opponent while pulling his arms inward like an old bear hugging a tree, exerting all his strength.

Old Master Jin abruptly retracted his claw, circling behind him.

Xiao Yifei realized, "Not good," and was about to adjust his stance but felt that Old Master Jin no longer attacked him, only gazed at him admiringly.

That last move, had he retreated, the force of that move would have fully extended and easily torn his throat. But advancing instead of retreating, he curtailed the move's power, simultaneously using a life-binding technique that not only adapted to circumstances but showed considerable courage.

"I lost." Xiao Yifei touched his neck, finding five blood marks there. He didn't expect that although Old Master Jin appeared aged and frail, his skill was so formidable. Even without the old man making a surprise attack, he wasn't a match for him.

"Old Master Jin, what is the meaning of this?" Xiao Yifei asked with cupped fists.

Old Master Jin smiled without speaking, as Zhang Po's voice came from the side: "I told the old man about the Xiao Family cultivation technique being taken away by your father. I wanted Old Master Jin to pass down their cultivation technique to you, and Old Master Jin agreed to test you."

The old man also nodded with a hearty laugh: "That's right. Our Jin Family's techniques, rather than calling them cultivation techniques, are more like martial arts. They record many kinds of martial arts established during the Jin Family's era, not requiring Qi's aid. In other words, even if you have other cultivation techniques, you can still practice our Jin Family's martial arts."

Xiao Yifei was overjoyed: "So, Old Master, you're agreeing for me to learn ancient martial arts from you?"

"Exactly." Old Master Jin nodded, "Clan leaders from various families have received guidance from our clan leaders throughout generations. I presume you'll also become the Xiao Family's clan leader one day. Teaching you some skills is no harm."

"Great, Master, please accept this disciple's bow." Xiao Yifei deeply bowed, winking at Zhang Po who was smiling silently to the side.

Zhang Po said, "Our Zhang Family practices swordsmanship, so I won't join in. Learn well from the old man."

"Alright!" Xiao Yifei promptly replied.

With a somber look, Old Master Jin said, "Let's get serious, do you know the purpose of cultivation, whether for a martial artist or a Qi Refiner, in this world?"

Xiao Yifei shrugged, "I don't know. Isn't it to become stronger?"

The old man asked further, "And after becoming stronger? Cultivate one's health for a long life?"

"Then to protect one's family and friends?"

"You only got half of it right, making yourself stronger to protect those around you. But do you know what method is needed to protect them?"

Xiao Yifei looked confused.

"Killing!" A cold glint appeared in the old man's eyes.

"Only by killing, can one protect others. Whether to protect wealth or loved ones, in essence, it's to protect the things most precious to you. Once you regard them as precious, so will others. When others find them precious, they will covet them. So, you need to kill those who covet what you find precious to protect your treasures. This is the reason people pursue strength."

"If you have the will to kill, then I can teach you the art of killing. Once on this path, you'll inevitably vie and battle with others. If you seek stability, leave early and go home; I will not keep you here."

Xiao Yifei hesitated, questioning whether his hard cultivation was merely for killing. It was hard to accept for someone with a medical background, where being a doctor means helping the world, curing diseases while harboring a heart filled with compassion. Old Master Jin's teachings starkly contrasted with the values ingrained in him from a young age, making it difficult for Xiao Yifei to accept the killing path, which contradicts the way of medicine.

Old Master Jin seemed to see through his thoughts, sincerely saying, "In the eyes of doctors, often a few words are said: to cure a disease is to remove it. Isn't removing the disease also a form of killing?"

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