"Iron Mountain Skill" can only be cultivated to the Seventh Grade Bone Forging Realm. To advance to the Middle Third Grades, one must cultivate martial arts that condense Qi-Blood, but all Blood Coagulation Martial Arts are monopolized by aristocratic families and are completely inaccessible externally.
After Zhong Lin advanced to the Seventh Grade Bone Forging Realm, the effect of cultivating "Iron Mountain Skill" became negligible, and he specifically sought out Old Zhou for advice.
As Old Zhou explained, martial arts cultivation involves externally training muscles, bones, and skin, while internally cultivating a breath.
Now that muscles, bones, and skin have been tempered, the next step is the transition from external to internal, tempering the internal organs.
However, the internal organs cannot be tempered directly like muscles, bones, and skin, as they are fragile and can suffer hidden injuries if not careful, so a special power is needed to strengthen them.
Therefore, in the Sixth Grade, martial arts involve condensing Qi-Blood to form the power of Qi-Blood, hence it is called the Qi-Blood Realm.
Next is using the Qi-Blood to stimulate the internal organs to achieve the effect of organ training; with strong organs comes Inner Strengthening, so the Fifth Grade is called the Inner Strengthening Realm.
Unfortunately, the methods for condensing Qi-Blood are all monopolized by aristocratic families, even the government office has no such martial arts methods.
Or if they do, such precious things would not be given to Zhong Lin, after all, Zhong Lin in the government office is merely a contracted painter.
The chief arrest officer is able to condense Qi-Blood because he is a favorite of the county lord, and the county lord is a member of the Mei family in Tianyang County.
Xu Le sighed heavily, as he had also learned about the hierarchy of martial arts from Zhong Lin, and was well aware of the posturing of aristocratic families; thinking of obtaining the art of condensing Qi-Blood from them seemed impossible unless one became their servant.
"Zhong Lin, what about the Martial Arts School? They have masters too; do they have methods for condensing Qi-Blood?" Old Xu eagerly asked.
The strength of aristocratic families was deeply rooted, and he did not want Zhong Lin to take unnecessary risks if there was any alternative.
Zhong Lin shook his head, "I’ve inquired, and most martial arts schools in Black Mountain County can only cultivate to the Seventh Grade Bone Forging Realm. The hallmasters of the major schools are basically at that realm. Only the hallmasters of the Divine Fist Sect and the Heavenly Eagle Martial Arts Hall have a Sixth Grade Qi-Blood Realm cultivation."
Old Xu stopped mid-sentence, realizing the sheer impossibility of this.
Even to become an apprentice at his medical hall required three years of doing miscellaneous tasks, three years of serving tea and water, before even having the qualification to slowly come into contact with medicinal materials, let alone being apprenticed and taught medical skills, which required an even longer time.
"In a martial arts school, only direct disciples are qualified to be taught higher martial arts. I don’t need to explain what it means to be a direct disciple, do I? It’s not easy for an outsider like me to get in."
Zhong Lin had really looked into these two martial arts schools that possessed Qi-Blood skills, but the more he understood, the more bitter it became.
Usually, a martial arts school can only cultivate a few direct disciples, as it requires a lot of resources to buy medicinal materials, elixirs, and so on.
Each of these two schools basically only has three main disciples.
Mainly divided into inheriting the legacy and holding the banner in the future as the "First Disciple."
This depends on whether the family’s child grows up competent and promising, otherwise, an outsider is chosen.
For instance, the Xu family medical hall of Old Xu, unless Xu-ge’er really turns out disappointing, otherwise, the heir of the medical hall will still be him.
The "Second Disciple," who brings in money and connections.
And the "Third Disciple," who holds the façade and is the most skilled in combat.
The three main direct disciples each have their divisions:
The First Disciple manages the hall and sees the master as a father; the Second Disciple funds and polishes the reputation; the Third Disciple primarily handles challenges from practitioners.
To quote the movie "Master" from the previous life, it’s about substance, appearance, and legacy.
Simply put, choosing the First Disciple focuses on character because they need to support the master’s old age and also help future descendants.
The Second Disciple looks at family wealth, must be from a rich family.
The Third Disciple’s criteria are martial arts skills.
Calculating this, if Zhong Lin could enter a martial arts school, being the Third Disciple would be the best. Unfortunately, both martial arts schools already have their Third Disciples, and Zhong Lin was too late.
The paths to advancement in Black Mountain County include "willing to be a henchman," "sell oneself into servitude," or "become a direct disciple," but unfortunately, none fit Zhong Lin.
Old Xu darkened his face, and with a heavy sigh, became silent despite his myriad of thoughts.
"Alright, Old Xu, don’t worry about me. You know my strength; I won’t push myself into danger," Zhong Lin said with a smile.
"Sigh! Knowing is good for you."
"Haha, of course, I know, I cherish my little life, go pack up! Move in tonight; I don’t want to buy a coffin for you tomorrow morning."
Zhong Lin laughed heartily, teasing.
Old Xu, with an irritated blow and glare, cursed as he turned and left Zhong Lin’s courtyard.
That night, Old Xu moved in with his two grandchildren, all the household materials and medicinal ingredients were packed by Zhong Lin in the darkness and brought over.
Over the previous days, the cellar had already been dug, sprinkled with lime and insect-repelling herbs, all kinds of living supplies were hidden inside.
In the event of any movement, they could hide inside and live off the stored provisions for a month without issue.
Zhong Lin even found a large granite slab, weighing a thousand pounds, to cover the entrance. Unless someone with innate Divine Power or a Martial Artist above the Seventh Grade comes, it won’t be opened. Still, neither of those would visit such an ordinary courtyard.
The flames flickered, the warm yellow hue spreading like rosy clouds.
Tonight’s dinner featured fried oyster mushrooms with eggs, lotus root spare rib soup, sautéed green beans, and stir-fried bean sprouts.
When Old Madam Xu served the last dish, Zhong Lin called out to the young stone and Xu-ge’er who were practicing calligraphy at the table nearby.
"Stop studying, come and eat!"
The two rushed out eagerly; since the first dish was served, they couldn’t focus on their writing anymore, just wishing to eat quickly.
"Go wash your hands."
Old Madam Xu slapped the backs of their hands, chiding them.
Speaking, she brought out a pot of yellow wine, pouring a cup for Zhong Lin first and then one for Old Xu.
"Da Lin, thank you. Let the old man accompany you for a few more drinks later," Old Madam Xu said softly.
"Old Madam, you’re too kind, eat, eat."
He reached out to pick two pieces of egg, placing them into the bowls of young stone and Xu-ge’er.
Since the passing of his predecessor’s mother, the household had rarely been filled with such warmth and vibrancy.
Zhong Lin didn’t mind, but young stone greatly enjoyed the meal’s atmosphere, eating with friends increased his appetite.