According to Guo Luming’s words, opening meridians is a complex and perilous act that can easily result in fundamental damage if not done carefully.
This is because the opening of meridians must be done successfully in one go. If you fail due to insufficient accumulated strength midway, not only will all previous efforts be wasted, but the Dantian True Power you’ve painstakingly accumulated will be largely lost.
Describing the process of opening meridians as being akin to firing an arrow without retreat is quite fitting.
So generally, when martial artists open their meridians, they invite a master or experienced person to help assess the situation and assist, to reduce risks.
Moreover, the larger sects behave similarly; it’s only those self-taught martial artists who, when forced, attempt the risks themselves.
Zhao Ya naturally understands this principle, and thus had no intention of opening meridians on his own. He only wanted to try it, and would stop as soon as he faced a little obstruction.
But unexpectedly, the Star-devouring True Power actually broke through the first barrier on its own and refined the Middle Cavity Acupoint.
This wasn’t the main point; the main point was that Zhao Ya discovered an astonishing fact.
That is, he seems to be able to open meridians without needing to accumulate enough power like others.
Because after the Star-devouring True Power broke through the Middle Cavity Acupoint, it surprisingly stopped without any anomalies.
In such a case, he could essentially refine each acupoint along the meridian one by one, greatly reducing the risk.
Following this logic, he could methodically refine all the acupoints throughout his body, which would mean all the meridians would be opened.
What is known as opening all meridians at once is precisely this.
Reaching that stage, coupled with the Star-devouring True Power’s unique ability to store true power in acupoints, even Zhao Ya can’t imagine how powerful he would be then.
As he thought about it, Zhao Ya’s heart burned with passion.
The Primordial Sea Realm is far off, but the Meridian Opening Realm is tangible and attainable. If he reaches the peak of the Meridian Opening Realm, then virtually all problems would be resolved.
With this thought, Zhao Ya started planning for future training, but at that moment, he heard a knock on the door outside.
Who could it be at this hour?
Zhao Ya got up and went to the door. Upon opening the courtyard gate, it was Gui Xuanqing standing there.
Behind him was another person, none other than Gui Xuanqing’s father, Gui Heshu.
Seeing the two of them, Zhao Ya was somewhat surprised.
"Mr. Gui, why have you come?"
"Haha, isn’t it New Year? I’m free, so I brought some things to come and see the two of you."
Gui Heshu spoke in such a way that immediately closed the distance between them.
Zhao Ya smile and quickly invited the Gui family father and son inside.
After sitting in the room, Gui Xuanqing glanced at the mat on the floor and the simple furnishings in the room, feeling quite impressed.
"I didn’t expect you, Ya, at this age, to endure solitude and thrifty living, truly impressive."
"Solitary? I don’t feel it." Zhao Ya replied with a smile.
"Haha, indeed, without such perseverance and determination, you wouldn’t be a Fifth Realm Martial Artist at your age."
Later, Gui Heshu chatted with Zhao Ya casually before getting serious, "I heard from Qing’Er about the conflict you had with the temple’s Instructor Elder?"
"Eh, it wasn’t very unpleasant, just some disagreements." Zhao Ya replied nonchalantly.
Gui Heshu nodded, "Regardless of it being a disagreement or not, these things aren’t trivial. I happen to have some connections with several elders at Azure Dragon Temple. Can I mediate for you, and this matter be put to rest?"
Actually, Gui Heshu did not know the elders of Azure Dragon Temple.
His idea was simple, since it was a conflict arising from interests, he thought he could spend some money to smooth it over.
After all, Zhao Ya is young, has good talent, and joined the Azure Dragon Temple with his son. It would be too unfortunate if he just wasted it.
Looking at the sincere faces of the Gui family father and son, Zhao Ya felt quite touched.
No matter what, someone speaking like this is already a big favor.
Yet Zhao Ya politely declined.
"Thank you for your kind offer, Mr. Gui, but it’s unnecessary, because since the split, I haven’t thought about returning to the Martial Arts Hall. Rather than being constantly targeted, I’d prefer the freedom of self-study."
Gui Heshu was taken aback by this.
But seeing Zhao Ya’s serious demeanor, he didn’t seem to be joking, so he nodded, "Alright, since that’s the case, I won’t insist."
After speaking, Gui Heshu stood up and said, "With the New Year approaching, I originally wanted to take Xuanqing and have you come to Ink Sea City for the holiday. But the journey is too far, it would take several days, so we can’t make it. Therefore, I’ve brought over many New Year items, and you two can spend the holiday together here."
With that, many things were brought in by his people, from meats to candies, and more.
This time, Zhao Ya didn’t refuse, and after expressing his thanks, Gui Heshu left with his son.
After leaving the court, Gui Heshu frowned and asked in a low voice, "Has Zhao Ya always been like this?"
"Yes, except he’s closer to me, he rarely interacts with others and generally acts independently." Gui Xuanqing replied.
"So where does he go after leaving the Martial Arts Hall?"
"To the library, and he spends the whole day there."