"The Tiger Demon Bone Refining Fist of our Life-Slaying Martial Hall can refine all 206 bones in the human body. It is among the finest techniques of the Tendons and Bones Realm."
"I will personally demonstrate the essence of these forty-eight moves for you. With your current Spirit Solidification Realm cultivation, I imagine you will soon imprint them upon your heart."
Old Master Zhang did not waste a single word.
He directly removed his clothes, openly displaying his formidable physical body before Li Xijun as he performed the forty-eight forms of the Tiger Demon Bone Refining Fist.
With every distinct movement, he let Li Xijun see the great tendons within his body tremble as his Qi and Blood washed over his bones with crisp cracking sounds.
Compared to the complete set of Tiger Demon Bone Refining Fist Yu Xiangyang had demonstrated before,
the Zhang Fuhu before Li Xijun now felt like a true "Tiger Demon," leaping, pouncing, shearing, and killing within the spacious Martial Arts Hall.
That overwhelming aura and immense Qi and Blood nearly filled the entire Martial Arts Hall.
Though there were only two people here and the hall was utterly empty, Li Xijun could clearly feel the fear born from life's instincts. His soul was so suppressed that it could not manifest at all; aside from observing the fist technique, he could not even form another thought.
Even after Zhang Fuhu stopped demonstrating the forty-eight forms, Li Xijun still felt unable to move. His soul continuously conveyed the lingering terror of being pulled from the water after nearly drowning.
"A Martial Saint! Even a Blood-Exchange Martial Sage of the Da Sheng World is terrifying to this extent."
When Li Xijun thought back on what he had just seen, he discovered that only a "Tiger Demon" performing those forty-eight moves remained in his mind. He could not recall anything else whatsoever.
Moreover, the more he recalled it, the more intoxicated he became by the spirit and charm contained in the moves performed by that "Tiger Demon."
Without even having a conscious thought, Li Xijun's body instinctively leaped into the air and pounced down. He began performing the full set of forty-eight moves, one stance at a time, tempering his tendons and bones.
Li Xijun felt the great tendons within his body being torn apart, destroyed, and burned. During the refinement process, they spasmed and trembled violently, while his Qi and Blood continuously stimulated and washed over all 206 bones in his body.
The pain within his body, the burning sensation, and the piercing pain and intense itch emerging from the cracks of his bones continuously gave rise to thoughts of pain and even surrender in Li Xijun's mind.
"No wonder the books say that no matter how mediocre one's talent is, one can still reach the Skin and Flesh Realm through time and resources."
"But once one reaches the Tendons and Bones Realm, ninety percent of ordinary people are weeded out."
"The pain of refining one's tendons and bones alone is not something ordinary people can endure."
As Li Xijun thought this, his soul instinctively began contemplating the Twenty-Four Rank White Lotus Salvation Chart.
His mind immediately entered a state of purity and ethereal stillness.
All the hardships of the outside world and all the pain in his body were like dreams and bubbles before the white lotus blooming petal by petal, scattering away with the wind.
Salvation!
This was salvation!
Li Xijun suddenly understood the true meaning contained within the Twenty-Four Rank White Lotus Salvation Chart.
Your Twenty-Four Rank White Lotus Salvation Chart Contemplation Method has increased from Proficient 20% to Proficient 40%. Your Spirit-Refining System: Spirit Solidification Realm has increased from 8% to Proficient 13%. Your Spirit Level has increased from Level 9.8 to Level 10.3.
This made Li Xijun's punches faster and smoother. His rapidly advancing spiritual power in the Spirit Solidification Realm allowed him, just as the books had described, to easily and precisely guide his Qi and Blood to refine his tendons and bones more efficiently.
By the time he came back to himself, it was already night outside.
His Level 6.4 Qi and Blood had been entirely consumed, and he even felt somewhat depleted.
Messages before his eyes refreshed one after another.
Your Martial Arts System · Tendons and Bones Realm has increased from 0% to 1%. Your Subduing Tiger Bone Refining Method realm has increased from Proficient 100% to Mastery 11%. Your True Martial Thirty-Six Forms realm has increased from Mastery 29% to Mastery 34%.
Li Xijun was absorbed in reading them.
Beside him, Zhang Fuhu had gone from delight at seeing a genius, to surprise at witnessing a breakthrough in spirit refinement, to silence as Li Xijun's Martial Cultivation steadily advanced. Finally, when Li Xijun stopped, he let out a complicated sigh.
"Ah, Duke Boyan's proposal back then was correct."
"Spirit refinement and martial arts truly complement each other, achieving twice the result with half the effort."
"Especially for someone with exceptional talent in both spirit refinement and martial arts. Such a person can easily grasp the essence of the Tiger Demon Bone Refining Fist. The soul can readily withstand the pain of refining tendons and bones, and with a powerful mind, the results of tempering Qi and Blood exceed those of ordinary people tenfold."
"In less than three months, he should achieve Greater Bone and Tendon Refinement."
"Such talent... such talent. It is only a pity that there is no road ahead for Da Sheng Martial Arts!"
Zhang Fuhu was filled with countless emotions, but none showed on his face. As always, he merely burst into laughter.
"Xijun, when I saw you comprehend the essence of the Tiger Demon Bone Refining Fist on your first try, I intended to accept you as a Direct Disciple."
"But now, I have indeed changed my mind."
With that, Zhang Fuhu looked at Li Xijun's expression.
Seeing that Li Xijun remained calm, neither pleased nor saddened, he became even more satisfied. Stroking his beard, he said,
"Three months! I will give you three months. If you can achieve Greater Bone and Tendon Refinement and attain minor mastery of Spirit Condensation, then I will grant you a great opportunity."
"Go. Return and rest well. Nourish your body."
After leaving the gates of the main residence,
before Li Xijun could sort through and examine today's gains, people who had been waiting for a long time surrounded him.
"I saw that it was getting late, yet Junior Brother was still training hard with Master. I knew Junior Brother must have expended quite a lot."
The Direct Disciple named Meng Qifeng, dressed in a short martial outfit, came forward and hurriedly handed Li Xijun a Qi and Blood Great Pill.
"Junior Brother, take the medicine first and recover. Go back and rest well. Another day, we martial brothers can gather at Wangjiang Restaurant."
The man knew how to conduct himself, so Li Xijun naturally nodded with a smile in agreement.
Then, as he passed through the large Training Ground outside, quite a few Martial Hall disciples who were training extra at night saw him leave the main residence and noisily gathered around him.
"Greetings, Senior Brother Li. I have long heard of your great name. This junior, Gong Yun, has admired you for quite some time."
"Senior Brother Li reached the Tendons and Bones Realm in only a month. Your talent is truly extraordinary. I think you are far stronger than Su Qiuzhen was."
"Senior Brother Li, if you have time, why not join us for drinks at Wangjiang Restaurant?"
Previously, the Martial Hall disciples had regarded Li Xijun as nothing more than a wealthy young master, and some had even harbored crooked thoughts, seeing him as easy prey.
But after word spread today that Li Xijun had advanced to the Tendons and Bones Realm, every one of them displayed flattering and admiring attitudes.
Anyone with sense would believe that he was at least destined to become a Marrow Refinement Grandmaster, and perhaps even had a chance of becoming a Martial Saint.
Li Xijun dealt with them one by one, finally managing with difficulty to leave the gates of the Martial Hall.
"Senior Brother, Senior Brother Li!"
Li Xijun, who had just breathed a sigh of relief, turned his head to look.
The Martial Hall disciple who had guarded the gate when he arrived hurried over eagerly, slipped a silver ingot into his pocket, and said with a smile,
"Earlier, this junior had lost his head. Please forgive me, Senior Brother Li, forgive me. Haha."
Seeing the man's apologetic grin, Li Xijun guessed that if he refused it, the man would instead feel even more uneasy.
"I have already forgotten what happened before. But it is late, so I will be leaving first."
"Exactly, exactly! Senior Brother Li has the potential to become a Martial Saint. Naturally, you must take good care of your body."
The man hurriedly echoed him, bowed slightly, and swiftly retreated.
Seeing this, Li Xijun stared at the ancient Martial Hall before him for a long time. Then he looked up at the sky, where countless stars glittered in the pristine night. Thinking of something unknown, he fell into a brief daze.
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