This meditation technique found online really is the lost Thunder Lord Spirit Refining Method of the Baili family. Ethan Brooks could only say, “As long as Grandpa is happy.”

　　“Happy, very happy.”

　　“I checked some martial arts information at home yesterday. It seems that martial artists are also divided into levels? Like level one, level two, level three, level four and so on. Can you tell me about it?”

　　“The level one, two, three divisions for martial artists don’t really mean much. They’re just a system the World Martial Arts Association set up to help the government manage martial artists more easily. Just take a look, but don’t take it too seriously. Some top experts never bother with these rankings. It’s like swordsmith masters—they don’t go take technician certification exams, do they?”

　　David Brooks said with some disdain.

　　“Second Grandpa is a top expert!?”

　　David Brooks’s face darkened: “I may not be a top expert, but I’m just a little bit… just a tiny bit away from being one… Why are you asking all this? You always like to aim too high.”

　　“I heard that some martial artists can shatter a person’s spirit with a single punch, even before the punch lands. What level is that?”

　　“That’s a master who has cultivated fist intent. When a martial artist reaches the Spirit Refining stage, they can start to develop fist intent, but very few actually manage to do it.”

　　“Spirit Refining?”

　　“Fine, I’ll explain it to you.”

　　David Brooks paused, organizing his thoughts: “Ordinary people punch using just the strength of their arms. But martial artists, when they punch, use not only their arms, but also their legs, waist, and spine, channeling all their strength into one force, which is delivered through the arm in a single blow—like a great dragon. This force, in martial arts terms, is called ‘jin’. When you can gather all your strength into a single ‘jin’, you’re considered a true martial artist.”

　　“A level one martial artist?”

　　“You could say that, but it’s not very precise. A two-meter-tall muscular man and a skinny guy who’s only 1.6 meters tall could both develop ‘jin’ and be considered level one martial artists, but do you think their strength is really comparable?”

　　Ethan Brooks seemed thoughtful.

　　“According to the Martial Arts Association, condensing ‘jin’ makes you a level one martial artist, nurturing vital energy makes you level two, and merging energy and spirit makes you level three. These three steps are: strengthening the body and refining essence, refining essence to nurture energy, and refining energy to nurture spirit. As for what comes after…”

　　“I know, after that is Spirit Refining Returning to the Void, and then the ultimate realm of Merging with the Dao.”

　　Ethan Brooks said slowly.

　　“What Spirit Refining Returning to the Void, Merging with the Dao—nonsense. When essence, energy, and spirit are perfected, you use essence as fuel, energy as oil, and spirit as fire. When the three are united, you break through the mysterious gate and give birth to your first internal breath. From then on, you return from acquired to innate, your body is flawless, and you’re free from all illness. In ancient times, this realm was called ‘Three Flowers Gathered at the Crown’. Such a person could found a sect, roam the world, and defeat thousands of enemies. In modern times…”

　　“After ‘Three Flowers Gathered at the Crown’ is it ‘Five Energies Facing the Origin’?”

　　Ethan Brooks asked.

　　“…You’re right.”

　　“Got it. Refining essence is level one, refining energy is level two, refining spirit is level three, ‘Three Flowers Gathered at the Crown’ is level four, and ‘Five Energies Facing the Origin’ is level five.”

　　“No, levels four to six are ‘Three Flowers Gathered at the Crown’, and levels seven to nine are ‘Five Energies Facing the Origin’! Also, ‘Three Flowers Gathered at the Crown’ is just the ancient term. In modern times, we call this level…”

　　David Brooks lowered his voice slightly, creating a heavy atmosphere: “War Level!”

　　“War Level? Why is it called War Level?”

　　“Because, even today, such experts can still influence the outcome of a battle in a small area.”

　　David Brooks said, glancing at the bright-eyed Olivia Brooks and the ever-curious Ethan Brooks: “You youngsters should focus on your basics first. If you can develop ‘jin’, you’ll get a good job at a related company. If you can nurture vital energy, you’ll be considered a skilled fighter—an ordinary strong man could take on ten people with ease. If you can nurture spirit with energy, you’ll be among the top martial artists in your county or city.”

　　“What about the War Level, where the three elements are united, the mysterious gate is broken, and internal breath is born?”

　　“Every War Level expert is considered a national powerhouse. Even the weakest War Level will have government agencies come to recruit you as a reserve major, with a monthly stipend of one or two thousand yuan.”

　　“Wow, one or two thousand!?”

　　Olivia Brooks exclaimed, “That much? My dad only makes six or seven hundred a month.”

　　“That’s nothing. If you’re willing to take a position, even a nominal one, your income will double. If it’s a real position, it’s even more. So, kids, train hard. The future of martial arts isn’t as bleak as your parents and family think.”

Chapter 0005: Thrusting Sword

　　“Then, Second Grandpa, what level are you?”

　　“Me?”

　　David Brooks lifted his head slightly, gazing at the sky, his eyes full of the vicissitudes of time and a trace of unspeakable melancholy: “Back in the day, I fought side by side with the General of Melbourne and killed several War Level experts…”

　　“Killed War Level experts! And several of them!?”

　　Ethan Brooks, Olivia Brooks, and Emily Brooks were all shocked at the same time.

　　War Level means being called a national powerhouse, revered by tens of thousands at home. And their Second Grandpa David Brooks was actually able to kill War Level experts back in the day—several of them!?