Chapter 465: The Realm of Self-Cultivation

Dongfang Yanran knew that it would be difficult for Xiao Yufan to accept so much information all at once, so such things couldn’t be rushed…

“What exactly is ‘neijin’ (internal energy)!”

Xiao Yufan vaguely understood that this so-called neijin leaned more towards internal martial arts cultivation—while one focused on cultivating the spirit, the other focused on the body. A year of rigorous training had brought his physical form to an extreme limit, which in turn caused his abilities to surge forward rapidly.

“Actually, I don’t know much either, but neijin experts do exist, and there are quite a few of them. In a vast country like China, what’s never lacking is powerful individuals.”

Because Dongfang Yanran’s master was a neijin expert, she knew a little about that threshold. However, her own strength was still insufficient to reach that level. Neijin required not only formidable power but also certain opportunities.

“If you want to know more, you can ask your father… I mean, you can ask Old Master Situ!”

A faint smile curved Dongfang Yanran’s lips. She couldn’t deny that Xiao Yufan’s fortune was closely tied to her in some way, as her master had once told her that her body was somewhat different from ordinary people’s.

“Grandpa is a neijin expert?”

Xiao Yufan had always felt that his grandfather was extremely strong, and this feeling had become even stronger after his year of training. Otherwise, could Anying Longtian, a legendary assassin ranked third in the killer rankings, really be so content working merely as a driver for the Situ family?

Moreover, whenever he was in front of his grandfather, Xiao Yufan always felt an indistinct pressure—an aura of intimidation not specifically directed at him. He couldn’t imagine what would happen if he were to face someone as powerful as his grandfather.

“Maybe I’m just ignorant.”

He swallowed hard, feeling quite confident about himself, unaware that in some people’s eyes, he was nothing more than a jester. If that were true, then all his pride would be meaningless.

“It’s because only those who have reached that threshold can know so much. It’s normal that you don’t know, my dear husband…”

Dongfang Yanran didn’t know much about neijin experts herself, but even if she hadn’t eaten pork, she had seen pigs run. She clearly understood the terrifying nature of neijin experts.

“What about now!”

Xiao Yufan bitterly smiled, his heart filled with a thousand galloping horses. He simply couldn’t control this neijin energy, so how could he possibly enjoy intimate moments with his beautiful wives?

“I don’t know…”

She stuck out her tongue playfully. Dongfang Yanran had become more mischievous lately, nowhere near the queenly aura she once exuded. From any angle, she now looked like a gentle and refined young lady, and this version of her was still quite charming.

“I… damn!”

He could only mutter silently to himself, too afraid to speak his thoughts aloud. Although his current situation was undoubtedly tied to this little enchantress, he couldn’t really do anything to Dongfang Yanran.

Moreover, after listening to Dongfang Yanran’s words, he suddenly found himself really enjoying this new feeling. At least in some ways, his strength had grown significantly—it was just that he didn’t yet know how to control it.

With no other choice, Xiao Yufan could only call his grandfather for help.

“Youngster, it’s been so long, and only now do you remember me!”

It was still that familiar voice—gentle yet slightly scolding. Xiao Yufan smiled. At this moment, Old Master Situ was the closest and most dependable person in his life, even more so than his parents.

“Well, there’s been a lot going on in Linjiang, so I just haven’t had the chance to call you!”

“Give me a break. Even if you ran to the ends of the earth, I’d still know what you’re up to. The Qiao family in Linjiang, the Bai family in the north—you’ve already won over so many people after barely stepping into the north!”

Grandfather Situ was extremely satisfied with Xiao Yufan, especially after learning about everything that had happened in the north. He knew that his grandson was no ordinary person…

“I can’t help it. Handsome people always have good luck!”

Xiao Yufan said cheerfully. He had long gotten used to the fact that his grandfather seemed to know everything he did.

“Alright, stop joking around. Tell me, what’s this call about!”

With a chuckle, Grandfather Situ asked. He knew Xiao Yufan wouldn’t call unless there was something important.

“I just wanted to ask Grandpa about this thing called neijin…”

“How did you even hear about it?”

Before Xiao Yufan could finish speaking, Grandfather Situ’s surprised voice came through the phone. This was the first time Xiao Yufan had seen his grandfather so taken aback. He could even imagine the expression on the old man’s face.

“Because the power inside me suddenly disappeared, replaced by an uncontrollable force…”

Xiao Yufan truthfully explained. He was now certain that his grandfather must also know about neijin experts; otherwise, he wouldn’t have reacted this way. It seemed like he had really struck gold this time!

“Who told you about neijin then?”

“One of my girls, Dongfang Yanran.”

“Oh, so it’s that girl. The Dongfang family indeed produced a genius. If it’s her, then I’m not worried. But tell me, when are you going to bring the Dongfang old man’s daughter into our family? When he finds out, he’ll probably want to skin you alive!”

At first surprised, Grandfather Situ then burst into laughter. Everyone in the capital knew that Xiao Yufan had crippled Dongfang Haoran, and now he had slept with the old man’s daughter. That would surely make the old fox furious…

“Grandpa, please stop laughing to yourself. You haven’t told me yet what exactly neijin is!”

Seeing that his grandfather didn’t seem worried at all, Xiao Yufan felt the stone in his heart slowly settle. If that were the case, it meant this new state was actually beneficial.

“The realm of spiritual cultivation—many spend their entire lives trying to reach it and fail. I thought it might take you a few more years before reaching this level, but I didn’t expect it to happen so soon.”

Grandfather Situ was somewhat surprised that Xiao Yufan had already crossed into this new threshold, as physical training and spiritual cultivation were entirely different concepts.

Xiao Yufan now understood that the spiritual cultivation realm his grandfather mentioned was exactly where neijin originated, meaning Grandpa had known all along that he would reach that threshold.

“There’s no need to be puzzled. After a year of training, your body has reached its limit. At that point, physical training becomes useless, and naturally, you transition into the spiritual cultivation realm.”

As if reading Xiao Yufan’s mind, Grandfather Situ continued, naturally understanding the spiritual cultivation realm far better than Xiao Yufan did.

“Then how do I control this neijin!”

Thinking about this question made Xiao Yufan’s head ache. Today, if it had been Qingluan instead, she would surely have been hurt by that impact. He certainly didn’t want to hurt any of the women he loved due to losing control.

“Neijin is just a deeper form of what was once superficial. The best way to control it is through adaptation…”

“So you’re saying you don’t have a solution either!”

Xiao Yufan was speechless. His grandfather’s words clearly indicated there was no immediate solution. Who knew how long it might take to adapt? Right now, he couldn’t control the neijin at all.

“There is one!”

“What is it!” Xiao Yufan’s spirits lifted, as if he had suddenly grabbed a lifeline. After all, if he couldn’t control this neijin, he would probably be seen as a monster by others!

“Hit people!”

“What the hell, are you messing with me!”

Xiao Yufan was even more speechless upon hearing his grandfather’s suggestion. This method was just too bizarre. How could he just randomly start punching people?

“It’s up to you then. The time needed for adaptation can vary. If you’re fast enough, it might only take two or three days. For the sake of your little girlfriends, you need to work hard!”

Grandfather Situ was in a particularly good mood. Another true powerhouse had emerged from the Situ family, and it was time for the Situ family to show everyone its true strength.

“I… I’ll try my best!” Xiao Yufan thought to himself, already having someone in mind to help him adapt—Tianyi and Xiaodao would be perfect training partners.

Meanwhile, in a secret training ground, several people simultaneously sneezed, a bad premonition rising in their hearts, unaware that Xiao Yufan had already set his sights on them.

“Is the spiritual cultivation realm only about having neijin? Are there techniques like the ‘Eighteen Dragon-Subduing Palms’ or the ‘Nine Yin Manual’ that I can learn!”

Xiao Yufan asked with a smile. Today had been filled with so many incredible revelations that he had become somewhat numb.

But who could have guessed that the old man on the other end of the phone actually responded with a solemn “Hmm!” Could those techniques from Jin Yong’s novels really exist?

“Those are just fictional creations. However, some real spiritual cultivation manuals do exist, but they only appear among the oldest families and factions. You don’t need to know too much about them for now. Just understand that many things are not as simple as they seem.”

Xiao Yufan fell silent. If he hadn’t accidentally stumbled upon that threshold, he might never have known about these things. He had never even seen a real neijin expert before.

“The spiritual cultivation realm is divided into three stages: gathering energy (Ningqi), gathering strength (Ningjin), and gathering techniques (Ninggong). You currently can’t control your neijin, and your energy is scattered, so you haven’t even entered the first stage—Ningqi. Once you adapt, you’ll be able to step into the Ningqi stage.”

Hearing this, Xiao Yufan finally gained a comprehensive understanding of the spiritual cultivation realm. Physical training was for spiritual cultivation, and that year of inhuman training must have been the key to unlocking this threshold.

“I understand…”

He exhaled deeply, slowly regaining his composure. Among neijin experts, he was still just a novice, not even reaching the Ningqi stage.

“My grandson, Situ Yufan, is no ordinary person. One day, you will stand at the peak…”

As if sensing Xiao Yufan’s complex emotions, Grandfather Situ’s voice carried a comforting tone. Reaching the spiritual cultivation realm this quickly was already a significant achievement.

“May I ask, Grandpa, what level are you at now?”

His intuition told him that his grandfather was extremely powerful—so much so that even after entering the spiritual cultivation realm, he could only look up in awe.

“If I told you I don’t even know my current realm, would you believe me?”

Grandfather Situ paused for a moment before replying. Xiao Yufan nearly fainted—what kind of answer was that?

But Xiao Yufan would rather believe that his grandfather was incredibly strong…