After the joy came emptiness, an overwhelming emptiness—emptiness of the spirit, emptiness of the body.

That slash just now had nearly drained all his spirit and inner energy. He no longer had the strength to deliver a second strike; all he could do was lean back in his chair, face pale, gasping for breath.

“Huff, huff, huff... Still... still too much of a stretch!”

He was only at the first level of Qi Refinement, the most basic among martial artists. The inner energy in his body was barely enough for a single strike, but the power of that one strike had far exceeded his expectations.

How could the inner energy of the first level of Qi Refinement cause such destruction before his eyes?

Projecting inner energy outside the body was a technique only available at the second stage of Qi Refinement, the Condensing Qi stage. In other words, one had to reach at least the fourth level of Qi Refinement to project inner energy outside the body, and to manifest it as blade energy to split a desk as he just did, one would need to be at the fifth or sixth level.

Although it was just a single strike, it could be considered a decent trump card. Most importantly, the minor divine powers of Buddhism increased in strength as one’s cultivation grew. Right now, he couldn’t control this minor divine power at all, but once he could, it would surely become an unrivaled weapon in his hands.

“It really is unexpected—the Kṣitigarbha Original Wish Blade. Maybe it’s because I was reciting the Rebirth Sutra just now!” Gavin Norton thought to himself. He had been in this world for quite some time now. After the initial shock, and with the help of the many books in the room, his new worldview had basically taken shape. The fame of Buddhist divine powers was something he couldn’t be unaware of, but he had never imagined that one day he would so easily comprehend a minor Buddhist divine power.

“To open the door of expedient means wide and ferry all those with karmic ties... I wonder if comprehending a minor divine power makes me one of those with karmic ties to Buddhism?” After catching his breath while leaning against the chair, Gavin Norton straightened up with some effort. “Too bad I have absolutely no interest in shaving my head and becoming a monk!”

Chapter Eight: Martial Arts, Daoist Arts, Divine Powers

“Uncle Miles, tomorrow send those two martial arts manuals to that boy. I’m very curious to see how many more surprises he can bring me!” In the study, Brian Norton gently tapped the mirror in front of him and spoke leisurely.

“Yes, Lord Norton!” From the empty space behind Brian Norton, a cold voice replied, “However, for him to be at the first level of Qi Refinement at his age, it will be difficult for him to make any real progress in martial arts!”

“I don’t need him to become a Martial Saint. It’s enough if he can cultivate to the later stages of Qi Refinement!” Brian Norton said calmly.

What is the most important thing in the twenty-first century? Talent!

What does the prosperity of a family depend on? Also talent!

Prestige and status are only temporary gains and losses; it is the succession of generations of talent that ensures lasting glory.

As Henry Norton, as the head of the family, Brian Norton was perfectly clear on this.

Previously, Calvin Norton schemed against Gavin Norton, pushing him into the pond. This did not escape Brian Norton's notice. However, since Gavin Norton did not die at the time, nor did he show any extraordinary potential, Brian Norton did not intervene. But now, after awakening, Gavin Norton's unusual behavior had caught Brian Norton's attention. A previously dispensable illegitimate son had become someone worth cultivating. Yet all this, Gavin Norton himself was completely unaware of.

……

……

After a night of spring rain, the morning was shrouded in light mist.

With both hands resting on the damp wooden window frame, he gazed out at the world beyond, greedily breathing in the moisture-laden air.

After a thorough spring rain came gentle breezes and warm sunshine.

The martial arts hall of the The Norton Estate was the liveliest place. On every even-numbered day of the month, the experts and martial artists of the residence would gather in the Lecture Hall to discuss martial arts and scriptures.

The Lecture Hall!!

This was a major feature of a world that revered martial prowess.

In this world, families large and small—from the royal family down to ordinary minor noble clans—all had their own Lecture Halls.

They would hire martial artists to explain the martial path to the young members of the clan, because not everyone could receive the secret teachings reserved for legitimate heirs.

Having been in this world for several months, Gavin Norton already had a very direct impression of it. What impressed him most was the martial arts system of this world. After tens of thousands of years of development, it had become a mature system, with every link tested by countless years, each one indispensable, permeating every corner of the world.

The floor of the Lecture Hall was paved with dark green giant stones, polished smooth as a mirror, exuding a chilling coldness.

Although the sun had just risen, this Lecture Hall—forty zhang long and twenty-five zhang wide—was already packed to capacity.

Those here to listen to martial arts ranged in age from just over twenty to as young as five or six, just old enough to understand.

Though there were many people here, compared to the vast population of the The Norton Estate, this was only a small portion. Those who could enter the Lecture Hall to listen to martial arts all had high status within the The Norton Estate.

Some were disciples of branch families of the The Norton Estate, others were the sons and nephews of trusted retainers—these people had served in the The Norton Estate for generations, commonly known as house-born servants.