Leng Ruoshuang, though not present, followed at a distance. Seeing the two about to spar, she couldn't help but approach.
At some point, even Xu Qiang had arrived.
"Your boss wants to challenge our War God," Leng Ruoshuang said with a wry smile.
Xu Qiang chuckled, "Perhaps our boss can win?"
Leng Ruoshuang rolled her eyes. "How is that possible? You underestimate Third Master too much."
Xu Qiang nodded. "That's true. While our boss is formidable, compared to the War God, he's still a bit short. Everyone knows Third Master's strength is comparable to Old General Xiao!"
There weren't many people in the sanatorium, most were there for treatment and thus remained in their rooms. Few knew about the sparring match between Li Se and Li Shengjun.
"Be careful!" Li Shengjun made the first move, throwing a punch. His aura erupted, giving the impression of a fierce tiger released from its cage.
Li Se did not retreat. He faced the pressure and ferocity of the punch head-on, meeting it with a punch of his own.
With a rumble, their fists collided. Li Se was forced back several steps by the powerful force, but he quickly steadied himself. His aura exploded, and his true qi surged. In an instant, he unleashed another punch.
"Well met!" Li Shengjun laughed. He too did not retreat, meeting Li Se head-on.
Boom, boom, boom...
After several rounds of punches, they exchanged blows evenly, each punch landing with solid impact.
However, Li Shengjun was naturally superior, and he had already been holding back. He laughed, "You brat, trying to use this chance to teach me a lesson. It seems you won't have the opportunity."
Li Se raised an eyebrow, punched out, and said, "I just wanted to see the strength of the War God of our Huaxia army!"
From the start of their exchange, Li Se knew that Li Shengjun was a Ancient Martial Artist, those who cultivated internal energy.
Only the top families in the capital could reach this level of Ancient Martial Arts.
Second-rate families practiced martial arts, but they were still a step behind Ancient Martial Artists. As for first-rate families, it was a misconception that they only focused on power. They also practiced martial arts, and it was true Ancient Martial Arts!
For example, the Feng family's fist techniques were nothing compared to the Xiao family's spear.
And only today did Li Se realize that his father's strength was truly formidable, exceeding his expectations.
Since cultivating the Qi Refining Technique, Li Se had rarely suffered defeat. Today, however, he was suppressed by Li Shengjun.
"It seems you know about Ancient Martial Arts!" Li Shengjun said, throwing a punch, "Then how much do you know about it?"
"Not much," Li Se replied, repeatedly pushed back by the blows. He truly felt like a son beating his father, except it was his actual father.
"Ancient Martial Arts also have different realms. Beginners strengthen their bodies, this is internal strength, the peak for ordinary people, possessing the strength of one ox!"
Li Shengjun spoke as his punches became faster and more ferocious. He continued, "After internal strength comes the clearing of meridians and opening of acupoints, known as transformation of strength, nurturing the innate vital energy, capable of splitting rocks and shattering pillars, possessing the strength of four tigers. You should be at this realm!"
Li Se was momentarily stunned by this explanation. In that moment of distraction, he was struck in the chest, staggering back several steps with his blood churning. However, he quickly regained his composure, turning his fist into a palm and striking out forcefully. He asked, "I am merely in the second realm?"
Li Shengjun smiled and parried the palm strike with a punch, sending Li Se retreating again. "The cultivation of an Ancient Martial Artist is not easy. Some spend their entire lives and only reach the level of internal strength. You, at such a young age, have already reached transformation of strength, which makes you a genius among geniuses. At least among the younger generation I have encountered, no one has reached your level."
"What about beyond transformation of strength?" Li Se inquired. He indeed needed to understand Ancient Martial Artists, as he had been encountering them recently. For instance, Xiang Ding Tian, who claimed to be a Grandmaster, was easily defeated by him. If strength was categorized, he was merely at the internal strength level. How dare he call himself a Grandmaster?
Li Shengjun suddenly stopped attacking and looked at Li Se. "Beyond transformation of strength is the acquired realm, where tendons and marrow are cleansed, and Qi enters the body. Innate vital energy merges with the spiritual energy of heaven and earth to form true essence, possessing the strength of nine oxen and two tigers!"
"Beyond acquired is innate, a complete transformation of flesh and bone, a connection with heaven and earth, the manifestation of the divine soul, allowing initial intervention in the material world, possessing the strength of dragon-elephants, and even extending lifespan by about a hundred years!"
Extending lifespan!
Li Se was shocked. An extension of a full century! The acquired realm was truly powerful. He was currently only at transformation of strength, and there seemed to be a significant gap to the acquired realm.
"Are there realms beyond innate?" Li Se couldn't help but ask.
"Of course!" Li Shengjun smiled. "Unity of heaven and man, also known as Grandmaster. Manifestation of heaven and man, the peak of one's own skills, reaching unparalleled heights in cultivation, initially touching upon the Dao. Their strength is immeasurable, and their lifespan is extended even further!"
"What about beyond Grandmaster?" Li Se pressed.
Li Shengjun shook his head. "Beyond that is the true Dao. However, that is too distant for you and me now. As for whether anyone has entered the realms beyond, no one knows."
Li Se fell into thought. His spar with Li Shengjun was nearing its end. He pondered for a moment and then asked, "Then what realm are you?"
"Me? Like you, I'm also at transformation of strength," Li Shengjun replied with a smile.
"You are only at transformation of strength?" Li Se was surprised. He had expected Li Shengjun to be at least at the acquired realm.
Noticing Li Se's expression, Li Shengjun felt somewhat speechless. He couldn't help but say, "In an environment where cultivation resources are scarce, reaching transformation of strength is already quite remarkable. Do you think Ancient Martial Artists are everywhere? It's difficult even to encounter an acquired realm practitioner."
"Then why am I completely no match for you?" Li Se asked, finding himself quite intrigued by this Ancient Martial Artist.
Internal Strength, Transformation of Strength, Acquired, Innate, Grandmaster!
These were the five realms known so far.
To this day, Li Shengjun was the most formidable opponent Li Se had encountered, being utterly outmatched from beginning to end.
"Even within the same realm, there are differences. You must also remember one thing: a difference in realm does not equate to a difference in strength. Realms are merely for better classification of power. An Ancient Martial Artist who grew up in a greenhouse, when facing a warrior who has been fighting on the border for years, even if they are in the same realm, it's like a father beating his son!" Li Shengjun chuckled.
He had been mocked. This was definitely mockery.
Li Se didn't know what to say. But it really did feel like a father beating his son...