Huff... Huff... Huff...
Zhong Lin stood on the plaza, his entire being like one in reverence of Buddha, his toes lightly touching the black stone ground of the martial stage, his figure sinking and curling, resembling a giant toad poised to leap yet not leaping.
Heavy breathing emanated from his nose, and a rumbling sound vaguely came from his abdomen, like a beast emitting a low inefficacious noise.
Zhong Lin felt the increasingly compressed aura in his abdomen, causing his whole body to become agitated and boiling.
As time ticked away, a large puddle of sweat had already accumulated beneath Zhong Lin’s feet.
Only after a while did Zhong Lin stop the stance of the "Heavenly Treasure Pile," showing a satisfied expression as he felt the increasingly stronger Qi-blood within his body.
After taking a rest, Zhong Lin began throwing punches on the spot.
The mystery of the boxing technique, far surpassing the "Iron Mountain Skill" in subtlety.
With each punch and kick from Zhong Lin, surges of Qi-blood within him began to flow toward his bones, accompanied by a sound akin to thunder.
Under this sound, Zhong Lin felt vibrations throughout his body, including the surface and inner layers of his bones, with every vibration bringing Qi-blood into them, and each infusion of Qi-blood causing his bones to begin turning jade-like, much like an iron ingot under a blacksmith’s hammer, each strike causing impurities to fade, turning cast iron into refined steel.
Skill: Heavenly Treasure Pile (Full Level), Golden Muscle and Jade Bone Skill (Full Level)...
Skill: Thousand Mist Swordsmanship (Full Level)...
Miscellaneous: Three-Dimensional Painting (Full Level)...
"This ’Golden Muscle and Jade Bone Skill’ is indeed ingenious, I didn’t expect its foundation to lie not in boxing, nor in the breathing technique, but in vibration, akin to the Tiger and Leopard Thunder Sound in novels from the previous life."
"Using sound to vibrate the bones, removing impurities, infusing it with Qi-blood for refinement, thus condensing jade bones and golden muscles."
"The most important thing is that this Tiger and Leopard Thunder Sound seems to be able to break through a certain barrier within the bones, affecting the marrow. Master once said, in the Fourth Grade Divine Power Realm, one can easily change the blood and marrow, and now this technique already affects the marrow, does it mean one can change the marrow in advance?"
Amidst his thoughts, a piercing pain suddenly spread throughout his body, as if touching the very soul, and even with Zhong Lin’s incredibly firm will, it seemed somewhat unbearable at this moment.
Zhong Lin abruptly retracted his fists and stood up, not daring to continue forging fists.
Most people practice the ’Golden Muscle and Jade Bone Skill’ as an ordinary body refining skill, but with the system’s help, Zhong Lin discovered its greatest secret, using vibrations to affect the bones, refining the marrow.
However, at this moment, he still lacked the qualification to recklessly touch the domain only accessible to the Fourth Grade Divine Power Realm, able only to alter things bit by bit through indirect methods, yet even so, it cannot be sustained for long.
Bone marrow is extremely important, but it is also very fragile, slight power could cause damage, even with the assistance of the ’Golden Muscle and Jade Bone Skill,’ it can only be done gradually, like an ant moving house.
Clenching his right fist, Zhong Lin did not feel an increase in power, but he could sense his bones becoming more solid, and solid implied a more robust foundation, capable of enduring stronger attacks.
"Qi-blood has already penetrated both arms; next comes both legs. I didn’t expect to perceive the marrow and blood exchange in advance during this period, truly a blessing, truly a blessing! The Middle Third Grades of Qi-blood, Inner Strength, and Divine Power are no longer obstacles for me."
Zhong Lin was overwhelmingly delighted, becoming more and more hopeful about the future.
"Young Master, the hot water has been prepared for you."
Zhong Lin nodded, striding towards the side room specifically used for bathing.
Inside the room, steam was rolling, with Yun Xiu gently stirring the hot water with her snow-white hands, herbs faintly seen floating in the churning steam, emitting a calming medicinal fragrance.
"Young Master, this medicine was sent by Old Deng, it can be used to nurture the flesh, calm the mind, most suitable for your cultivation," Yun Xiu’s gentle voice sounded.
Zhong Lin spread his arms, and two maids came up to help him remove his clothes, unraveling his robe, then he walked into the hot water.
Yun Xiu’s graceful figure was enticing, a blush crossing her fair face as she saw Zhong Lin enter the bath, she surprised everyone by starting to disrobe, leaving only her undergarments after a moment.
Stepping onto the wooden stairs, the short hem of the undergarments swayed like grass in the wind, revealing glimpses of her hidden lower body.
Yun Xiu lightly tapped the water with her toes and then descended into the bathing tub, cupping herbs from the water surface with her hands, and applied them to Zhong Lin’s body, gently kneading.
"Young Master, is it comfortable?"
Yun Xiu giggled, her hands never ceasing their work.
Zhong Lin lay against the edge of the wooden tub, letting Yun Xiu attend to him, looking up through the window at the gradually darkening clouds in the distance, enjoying this comfort in his heart, with the fragrance of herbs and a woman’s scent filling his nostrils.
Why practice Martial Arts?
For greater power, for a longer life, and for greater authority.
Merely greed, anger, delusion, hatred, love, evil, desire.
But a grand feast of ephemeral indulgence.
Not a monk who left home, or a eunuch in the palace, why avoid the world’s seven emotions and six desires.
"Has the little one slept?"
"The young master has been asleep for a while."
Zhong Lin grabbed Yun Xiu into his arms, slowly stood up, and instantly water splashed out from the tub.
Zhong Lin didn’t bother with these and headed straight for the nearby bed.
Yun Xiu also knew what would happen, not being scared, she instead hugged Zhong Lin tighter.
Soon, intimate and ambiguous sounds echoed from the room, making the hearer blush.
Zhong Lin sat down willingly, with servants quickly bringing up bowls and chopsticks.
The breakfast was delicately prepared, especially the bowl of millet porridge in front of him.
Though it seemed ordinary, it exuded a rich medicinal fragrance, just one sip made one’s mouth water and body warm.
"A Martial Artist’s vigorous Qi-blood needs to be vented occasionally, indulging in desires forgets emotions, but one must not be entangled, to prevent hindrance in cultivation, once reaching the Upper Third Grades, carnal desires will gradually fade."
Zhong Lin’s hand paused, his face showing a tinge of embarrassment.
Yin Daoyan’s face was full of smiles as he continued, "After practicing each day, you can use a dose of Hundred Herbs Liquid, with everything open, it is the right time for the herbs to nourish, beneficial for your future cultivation."
"Yes, Master, the disciple wishes to learn Alchemy," Zhong Lin said earnestly.
"Very well, after eating, let Old Deng take you to the Dan Ding Garden for some insight. The path of Alchemy is vast and profound, if you truly have the talent, I will make sure to nurture you fully."
"Thank you, Master, the disciple will not disappoint you."