Although An Jing guessed, he indeed couldn't determine what relation all this had with Ferocious Beast Meat and Potion.
Zhang Ying, who knew the most about Ferocious Beast Meat, had already left the mountain, and although Gu Yeqi understood herbs better, she only knew the effects of individual ingredients, and couldn't say much about the effects of the finished products.
Since Zhang Ying, Ye Xiuyuan, and Zhan Feng had left, An Jing thought about these issues day and night, whether training or practicing martial arts, he seemed somewhat distracted.
He was always frowning in thought, or staring blankly into the distance.
Even the instructor couldn't bear to look at this situation, and specially came over to ask about it, then left shaking his head.
Everyone did not find this strange.
After all, Zhang Ying and Ye Xiuyuan were An Jing's friends, and although Zhan Feng was supposedly some sort of attendant, in reality, children of this age don't have so many complex thoughts, it was merely about whom to play and train with.
After having played together for so long, it was no surprise that An Jing appeared dispirited when suddenly three friends had left one after another.
Fortunately, Gu Yeqi and Cang Linzu were still there, and An Jing would show a smile when chatting with these three.
However, even though An Jing was distracted and always daydreaming, he was still the strongest of all the disciples.
Some who had always wanted to challenge him thought they could take advantage of this opportunity to test An Jing's mettle, only to be casually defeated by An Jing, whose brows were slightly furrowed, and who was always absent-minded and not very attentive.
Even at the end, An Jing couldn't be bothered to use both hands.
He held a staff in one hand, burst forth with "Piercing Armor True Strength", knocking down all challengers' weapons, each only managing to last two and a half moves.
—Was this guy always concealing his skill?!
Displaying strength far surpassing his past, everyone understood after the shock that the strength An Jing had previously shown was just the tip of the iceberg visible above the water surface!
But on further thought, it wasn't beyond others' imagination.
An Jing had been very strong originally, and after everyone mastered Martial Arts Mind Skills, this gap wouldn't narrow, it would only grow wider.
Because An Jing had likely integrated Martial Skills comprehensively, while they were merely beginners, flaws were much more apparent to An Jing than before.
Seen by others as concealing his skill, An Jing simply no longer hid it, and instead displayed his true level.
However, as a result, it became hard to find someone to spar with An Jing—not that An Jing or others were unwilling, An Jing didn't care, and the others didn't mind being defeated by someone stronger than themselves, they could learn many techniques from their defeats.
The actual dissatisfaction was with the instructors.
Sparring with ordinary children couldn't make An Jing stronger, which did not align with their goals, thus as An Jing ceased concealing his skills, instructors decided to take matters into their own hands and spar with An Jing themselves.
An Jing had no objections.
If the instructor let him display his full strength, then he would show it openly, sparring honestly with instructors in fist, foot, and weapon techniques.
Although he was defeated every time, becoming a bad example for everyone, no one thought less of him, but instead, they admired him.
Because not everyone was willing to repeatedly step up, get thrown to the ground by the instructor, then stand up again, and challenge once more.
After a while, even if An Jing lost, he did not fall easily, he could even match the instructors blow for blow upfront, and occasionally, he could even suppress the instructors for a few moves.
The instructors, initially casual, became serious, and these seemingly merciless men would also praise An Jing a few times.
After all, as a martial artist, with superior physical attributes all around and unable to easily handle a child like An Jing without using real skills, they could do nothing but admit their incompetence if they couldn't praise him.
But actually, An Jing still had not exerted his full strength, still hiding.
In the past, he had concealed half of his strength, now he only concealed a tenth, keeping some tricks up his sleeve, but he exposed almost all of his strength.
As for why An Jing would do this, it was quite simple.
—Rather than scheming stealthily, calculating within his heart, it was better to strengthen himself openly, maximizing the use of Hanging Fate Manor's resources and mentors to better himself.
Ever since he sensed that Hanging Fate Manor seemed to be hiding something, and one after another, his friends began to leave the mountain, the once subdued 'sense of urgency' in An Jing's heart surged forth again.
Even if there might be profound darkness behind Hanging Fate Manor, areas he couldn't touch, unspeakable conspiracies targeting those eliminated children… but clearly, they were also here to select the 'geniuses' they needed from his side.
As long as he demonstrated enough talent, he might be able to uncover the truth behind Hanging Fate Manor, or at least gain more opportunities to explore.
This was the path An Jing had chosen.
Although the path ahead was still shrouded in fog, and there were strange 'mysterious voices', An Jing knew there was only one thing he needed to do, and that was to 'become stronger'.
Only by becoming stronger could he suppress the unease and urgency in his heart.
Now, he ate the most every day, practiced the most with the instructors, and his already proficient martial skills gradually became more refined. The restless energy was being slowly purged, making An Jing's movements crisp and precise while revealing less.
An Jing even integrated Piercing Armor True Strength with some of the combat techniques in his Innate Wisdom, and certain ground maneuvers and grappling techniques could burst forth terrifying strength in an instant.
Yet, this was still not enough.
"I need to break through to the realm of Inner Breath."
This was the goal An Jing set for himself, "Only at Inner Breath can I better conceal my aura and elude the perception of Inner Breath martial artists."
"And only at Inner Breath can I use my body to analyze the true effects of this 'beast meat' and 'potion'."
The path of Martial Arts begins with the cultivation of the Mind, Body, and Technique.
When a martial practitioner's body and spirit meet the standard, and they can deliver a strike where spirit and flesh become one, they can then attempt to cultivate 'Inner Breath'.
Inner Breath, also known as innate qi, is the result of martial practitioners refining their skills after birth, a sliver of power that restores the heart, soul, and body to their innate states.
Only those who possess Inner Breath can claim to be Martial Artists, and then comes the 'Triple Nourishment of Inner Breath, like Silk, like a River, like a Tide', with each small stage bringing significant enhancements.
As long as he possessed Inner Breath, even at the initial stage of Inner Breath like Silk, An Jing was confident he could avoid all the instructors, even during their daily patrols, and never be detected.
An Jing's Heart and Body had already met the conditions, and his 'Technique' was nearly there. As he gradually mastered Piercing Armor True Strength, he even felt that given one more month, he would have a one hundred percent chance of successfully breaking through to Inner Breath.
But such a breakthrough was bound to be noticed.
Because almost all Martial Arts Practice Methods in Da Chen involve the Method of Motion.
The healthier and stronger the body, the more abundant the innate qi.
When the body is active, the innate qi becomes active as well, and the fully focused Spirit can seize this opportunity to capture the innate qi.
The two will merge in the Technique, a motion requiring the utmost coordination of mind and body, becoming Inner Breath that the martial artist can freely maneuver within their body.
This is the Method of Motion, which is essentially the essence of Mind, Body, and Technique.
Fundamentally, it involves reaching an ideal state of complete self-forgetfulness and unity of body and mind, transforming the Innate Vital Qi for personal use.
To achieve this state, one must vigorously engage in Martial Arts, combat and fight with others... In short, the breakthrough is loud and cannot be hidden.
A straightforward breakthrough to Inner Breath might indeed earn a higher status and appreciation from Hanging Fate Manor, but being closely monitored by the Manor Master and the instructors, he would never again touch the secrets within Hanging Fate Manor.
This was what An Jing truly wanted to 'hide'.
But An Jing had made one mistake.
That was, he didn't need to break through to Inner Breath, as his performance was already dazzling enough.
He had already achieved his purpose.
"An Jing."
One morning, after the morning practice ended, Instructor Li did not announce dismissal but called An Jing over instead.
He straightforwardly said in a tone tinged with envy, "You have made significant progress recently, and we instructors really have nothing left to teach you."
"This afternoon, don't go to the Martial Arts Field."
"The Manor Master wants to meet you at the Medicine Pavilion to teach you further authentic methods."