Muscle and Bone Resonance

Night.

Bright moonlight spilled down.

Dull thuds came from the courtyard.

Lin Zheyu trained with grunting effort.

After his income increased, his daily meals improved. Nourished by plenty of fish and meat, his body had grown increasingly robust.

Bare-chested, Lin Zheyu practiced his fist techniques. The lines of his muscles were sleek, his sinews, flesh, and skin full and taut. Every punch he threw stirred up a gust of wind.

Only after training for a full two hours did Lin Zheyu stop.

Heaven Rewards Diligence

Name: Lin Zheyu

Source Power: 5

Skill: Wild Bull Fist (Beginner 47%)

"It's accumulated to five units of Source Power. Time to raise my strength."

Lin Zheyu thought to himself.

During this time, he had broken through his limits twice more, gaining two units of Source Power.

Each time he broke through his body's limits, he needed around five days of rest to restore his Essence, Qi, and Spirit to their peak.

Over the past dozen or so days, after repaying Steward Wu's five taels of silver, Lin Zheyu had saved another eight taels, all of which he used to buy medicinal herbs.

The fragrance of medicinal herbs drifted through the courtyard.

Since he did not know how much energy this improvement would require, he put all eight packets of herbs into the pot.

It was not until deep into the night that all the medicinal properties had been simmered out of the herbs.

He poured it out and let it cool.

Gulp, gulp.

The medicinal soup went down his throat, and Lin Zheyu let out a satisfied burp.

"Use one unit of Source Power to improve Wild Bull Fist."

Lin Zheyu sent out the thought.

As his thought went forth, one unit of Source Power vanished.

Immediately afterward, the Wild Bull Fist progress began to climb rapidly—80%... 90%... 100%.

Wild Bull Fist officially advanced to the proficient level, finally stopping at 2%.

A familiar sensation came over him. Mysterious energy surged from the depths of his cells and began transforming Lin Zheyu's muscles and fascia.

Lin Zheyu's mind sank into a strange state.

His consciousness entered an inexplicable space. In that space, he had only one thought: practice Wild Bull Fist!

Lin Zheyu trained Wild Bull Fist madly within that special space, punch after punch, never stopping, never tiring, like a demon possessed.

No one knew how long passed in that mysterious state, but his understanding of Wild Bull Fist grew ever deeper.

Under the influence of that mysterious power, the medicinal soup in his stomach was drawn out, its medicinal effects strengthening his physique.

Lin Zheyu's body underwent enormous changes. The muscles all over his body grew firmer, while his fascia became tough and powerful.

A moment later, crackling sounds came from within his body. This marked his transition from Muscle Training into Bone Forging.

Once Wild Bull Fist reached the proficient level, one entered the Bone Forging Realm.

A few breaths later, Lin Zheyu slowly opened his eyes, recovering from his daze.

He shook his head. His mind felt somewhat exhausted.

Training without sleep or rest and comprehending Wild Bull Fist in that special state had been an enormous drain on his mind.

"Very good. My blood and qi aren't depleted like last time."

Lin Zheyu sensed his physical condition. His muscles were full, his internal organs sturdy, and even his bones had become somewhat stronger.

The medicinal effects of the soup he had drunk had almost been entirely absorbed, with very little remaining.

Heaven Rewards Diligence

Name: Lin Zheyu

Source Power: 4

Skill: Wild Bull Fist (Proficient 3%)

He lightly clenched his fist, and faint crackling sounds came from it.

Having completed Muscle Training and entered the Bone Forging Realm, his control over his muscles and fascia had risen to a new level.

At this stage, he could control his sinews, flesh, and skin, using Muscle and Bone Resonance to temper his bones.

"Now that I'm in the Bone Forging Realm, I'll go find Master Liang tomorrow and ask him about cultivation in the Bone Forging Realm and the Viscera Refining Realm."

Lin Zheyu thought to himself.

Both the Bone Forging Realm and the Viscera Refining Realm had special training methods. Liang Song had not taught him those, only the material for the Muscle Training stage.

Ever since Lin Zheyu had gone to Liang Song's home for a morning of lessons, he had not returned.

He occasionally stopped by when passing through, but never saw anyone.

Early morning.

In order to see Liang Song, Lin Zheyu arrived early at Number 33, Jin Dong Street.

Knock, knock, knock.

He lightly knocked on the door, and it creaked open.

"Why are you here?" Liang Song asked when he saw it was Lin Zheyu.

Lin Zheyu grumbled inwardly. He had come early in the morning for three consecutive days, and only today had he finally found someone.

He had no idea where Master went, always so secretive. He could only catch sight of him in the afternoons when he told stories.

"I encountered some problems while practicing martial arts and wanted to ask you for guidance."

Lin Zheyu said.

He walked in and closed the door behind him.

"What problem?"

Liang Song watered the flowers and told Lin Zheyu to find a place to sit.

"It's just that while training, I keep feeling that the fascia and bones around my elbow..."

Lin Zheyu described the problems he had encountered during Bone Forging. The more Liang Song listened, the more astonished he became.

He set down the watering can and looked at Lin Zheyu.

This kid's understanding of Wild Bull Fist had already reached this level?

"Show me the whole fist set." Liang Song could not help saying.

"Yes."

Lin Zheyu nodded and walked to the center of the courtyard.

He took off his outer garment and assumed the stance of Wild Bull Fist.

Puff.

Bang! Bang! Bang!

The courtyard rang with the sounds of fists striking wooden posts.

Several crackling sounds mingled with the impacts, coming from Lin Zheyu's body.

"Bone Forging!"

"He's reached the Bone Forging Realm!"

Liang Song's eyes widened as he could not help rising to his feet.

Less than a month had passed since he last taught him the fist techniques.

A complete novice who had never practiced martial arts had trained Wild Bull Fist to the proficient level in less than a month. It was unbelievable!

"What an enviable talent!"

"If he had begun practicing martial arts from childhood, he might have had a chance of reaching the Grandmaster realm. What a pity."

As he watched Lin Zheyu practice, a trace of regret surfaced on Liang Song's face.

Such terrifying talent was something he had seen only once in his life.

"Take a rest. I'll explain Bone Forging to you." Liang Song called Lin Zheyu to a stop.

"Yes, Master."

Lin Zheyu withdrew his fists and went to sit across from Liang Song at the table.

"Not bad. You trained Wild Bull Fist to the proficient level so quickly."

"Once you enter the proficient level and train your body until the muscles and sinews are full, you can try Bone Forging."

"Bone Forging requires both external stimulation and Muscle and Bone Resonance. Through..."

"..."

Liang Song taught him the methods of Bone Forging.

Lin Zheyu listened with utmost attention, learning much about the bones of the human body.

"Your comprehension is quite good. I'll teach you Wild Bull Fist's Internal Breathing Exercise as well. Go back and slowly comprehend it."

"Only Wild Bull Fist paired with the breathing exercise can unleash its true power."

Liang Song said after pondering for a moment.

With Lin Zheyu's talent for comprehension, he should be able to master the breathing exercise as well.

Special breathing exercises placed extremely high demands on one's control over the body. They required exceptional comprehension and powerful control to perform.

"Yes, Master!"

Lin Zheyu was overjoyed.

An Internal Breathing Exercise sounded incredibly formidable.

"In the martial path, one trains the sinews, bones, and skin externally, and cultivates a breath internally."

"Different Cultivation Methods place different burdens on the internal organs. Only by training according to the Cultivation Method and strengthening the internal organs can one unleash greater power."

"The breathing exercise corresponding to Wild Bull Fist centers on abdominal breathing. One exerts force through the Dantian and must master a particular rhythm and cadence of breathing."

"Come, watch my chest and abdomen."

"Feel carefully..."

Liang Song's voice rang out as he had Lin Zheyu use his hand to feel the rhythm of his breathing.

Lin Zheyu placed his hand on Master Liang's muscular chest. Liang Song's muscles were exceedingly hard, like lumps of iron and stone.

He silently felt Master Liang's breathing rhythm, the profound cadence within the rise and fall of his chest.

That rhythm and cadence were extremely difficult to grasp. Even after sensing them for a long while, Lin Zheyu still felt hazy and confused.