The Fat Old Man's Twisted Hobby

"You want to take me as your disciple?" The Fat Old Man's eyes flashed with sharp light, the previously cynical expression gone. His gaze carried a palpable pressure!

Yi Yun's breathing hitched slightly. After meeting the Fat Old Man's gaze for a moment, he slowly shook his head. "It's meaningless for you to ask if I want to be your disciple, because the decision isn't mine to make. My wishes are irrelevant. If you wanted to take on disciples, countless Heavenly Prodigies would flock to you, and you could pick and choose. If you don't want to take anyone, even kneeling and begging wouldn't change your mind."

"Oh?" The Fat Old Man was once again astonished by Yi Yun's words. This kid, while greedy, also knew when to back down!

This was extremely rare!

Some people didn't know how to fight for the greatest benefits, were too lazy to do anything, and drifted through life aimlessly, easily ending up mediocre. This was not advisable.

Others were simply greedy, constantly demanding, and completely misjudged their own capabilities. They were arrogant and could even self-destruct because of it. This was the principle of "people die for wealth, birds die for food," and this was even less advisable.

Yet this child, only twelve years old, possessed such wisdom. He strove for advancement but also knew when to retreat, possessing restraint. It was truly not easy.

This child understood that if the old man didn't want to take him as a disciple, he wouldn't beg.

"Kid, I admire you. You guessed correctly, I cannot take you as a disciple. I am indeed interested in your unique cooking techniques, but cooking is just cooking, a matter of taste. Taking a disciple is a major affair. To be honest with you, little brother, I have been searching for a suitable successor all these years. However, regarding you... I've seen your Bone Structure. Your Bone Structure isn't good; you're not qualified. What I'm saying might sound harsh, but it's the truth..."

Yi Yun didn't seem to care. He calmly replied, "I know."

"Hmm... it's good that you understand. Your intellect far surpasses children your age. Perhaps you could try the Imperial Examination and become a minor local official. That would guarantee you a comfortable life."

In the Tai'a Divine Kingdom, the true Great Regional Officials were all powerhouses. The Tai'a Divine Kingdom ruled through martial prowess. Whether a general or a Prefect, they first had to be skilled in martial arts! Those who were capable in civil matters but not martial arts could only serve as Strategists, Clerks, or similar minor officials.

Seeing that Yi Yun clearly wasn't paying attention, the Fat Old Man continued, "When it comes to cultivation, intellect isn't useless, but the key lies in Talent."

"In this world, resources are precious. The resources for Martial Practitioners are all sorts of Heavenly Materials and Earthly Treasures and Savage Bone Relics! Within large families, Savage Bone Relics are also extremely limited and are prioritized for the family members with the best Talent."

"Those with good Talent can increase their strength tenfold by absorbing one Savage Bone Relic. Those with poor Talent will only increase their strength by one-tenth from the same relic. Furthermore, increasing strength becomes harder and harder as one progresses. Even the largest families cannot afford to supply endless resources!"

Yi Yun deeply agreed with the Fat Old Man's words. He had indeed asked Jiang Xiaorou about cultivation before, but she hadn't explained it as clearly as this elder.

With limited resources, Talent was indeed crucial.

Lian Chengyu's ambitious attempt to break through to the Purple Blood Realm was naturally due to his excellent Talent.

If not for his Talent, with only the barren Lian Clan Medicine Mountain and a patch of poisonous Savage Bones, Lian Chengyu would have had no chance of reaching the Purple Blood Realm.

Yi Yun understood his own situation. He was an ordinary youth, a complete mortal, with no connection to martial arts families. How could he possibly have martial cultivation Talent?

But thinking about it, over these past few days, his cultivation speed hadn't been slow by relying on the Purple Crystal to absorb the energy from medicinal herbs and Savage Bones. This was clearly the Purple Crystal's doing.

The Purple Crystal was embedded deep within his heart. With every heartbeat, the Purple Crystal's energy flowed throughout his body, improving his physique. This method of absorption was far more effective than other Martial Practitioners using their digestive systems to absorb energy.

With these thoughts clarified, Yi Yun's mind became clearer and clearer. He looked up at the Fat Old Man and said, "I don't need you to take me as a disciple."

Since the other party had made his stance clear, Yi Yun naturally wouldn't force the issue. In fact, even if the Fat Old Man had genuinely wanted to take Yi Yun as a disciple, Yi Yun would have had to consider it carefully. After all, the secrets he held were of utmost importance. If he rashly took a master without carefully considering the properties of the Origin Purple Crystal, his secrets might be discovered, and the consequences would be unimaginable.

"I wish to ask Senior for a precious medicine! Whether it's Ferocious Beast essence, Savage Beast meat, medicinal herbs, or Savage Bones!"

When Yi Yun said this, the Fat Old Man chuckled. "You kid are really pushing your luck. You've calculated this well, haven't you? A few plates of chicken, with ingredients I provided, and you want to trade for Savage Bone Relics?"

The Savage Bone Relics treasured in the Fat Old Man's ring were all top-grade. If they could be traded for a few dishes, it would be far too absurd.

"It seems you still haven't heeded my words," the Fat Old Man shook his head, looking at him as if he were beyond saving. "You want to walk the path of martial arts, don't you? It's already not easy that you've reached Body Refinement perfection through sheer luck. Although your physique is good now, you haven't undergone systematic martial cultivation. Do you know any Cultivation Methods? Any Martial Skills? Do you have any Spirit Refinement Incantations? You have no master, no Secret Manuals. Are you planning to achieve enlightenment on your own and cultivate to the Purple Blood Realm?"

Yi Yun took note of the Fat Old Man's barrage of questions: Cultivation Method! Martial Skill! Spirit Refinement Incantation!

Although he didn't fully understand everything yet, it wasn't important. Undoubtedly, he would need to acquire all of these in the future!

As for the Purple Blood Realm mentioned by the Fat Old Man... that wasn't Yi Yun's goal. Yi Yun knew that above the Purple Blood Realm, there were many higher realms.

Since he had obtained this mysterious Purple Crystal Card, how could he settle for merely becoming a Purple Blood Realm Warrior, scraping by in a small, resource-poor Tribe in Yunhuang?

Of course, he couldn't voice his true aspirations, or they would think he was crazy.

Yi Yun said, "I have indeed not encountered Martial Skills or Spirit Refinement Incantations, but regarding Cultivation Methods, I have practiced a Body Refinement Cultivation Method called 'Dragon Marrow Tiger Bones Fist'!"

"'Dragon Marrow Tiger Bones Fist'!" A flicker of surprise crossed the Fat Old Man's face. "You know this set of fist techniques? This 'Dragon Marrow Tiger Bones Fist' is considered a top-tier Body Refinement Cultivation Method in the Tai'a Divine Kingdom. Even from my perspective, this technique has many commendable aspects and is a classic! So, does that mean you have a master teaching you?"

Although the 'Dragon Marrow Tiger Bones Fist' had been made public by the Tai'a Divine Kingdom, a poor kid from a small Tribe in Yunhuang would likely have no opportunity to learn it.

Yi Yun knowing a bit of 'Dragon Marrow Tiger Bones Fist' greatly astonished the Fat Old Man.

"I don't have a master. I learned it by secretly observing when people in my tribe practiced martial arts!"

"'Secretly observed'?" The Fat Old Man immediately shook his head.

While the 'Dragon Marrow Tiger Bones Fist' was fundamental, it was by no means simple. With this kid's current martial foundation, even diligent study might not yield great achievements. What could he possibly learn by secretly observing?

Secret observation meant mimicking the form, but the crucial points would be difficult to grasp.

Besides, what good martial arts masters could there be in the impoverished backwaters of Yunhuang?

The master who taught this kid martial arts was likely mediocre himself. How good could the 'Dragon Marrow Tiger Bones Fist' he practiced be?

A bad master, and this kid learned it secretly. He probably only picked up some superficial techniques, thinking he was pretty good.

The Fat Old Man wasn't looking down on the locals of Yunhuang. He simply felt that their limited knowledge prevented them from understanding how vast the outside world was and how many experts there were.

"How can 'Dragon Marrow Tiger Bones Fist' be learned through secret observation? Do you know what Tendons Like Strings is? Do you know what Thunder Stored in Bones is? Can you generate Fist Wind?" the Fat Old Man retorted. Some people with a basic martial arts foundation could perform the 'Dragon Marrow Tiger Bones Fist' passably well, but it was merely a show. They had no understanding of the technique's essence.

Yi Yun cupped his fists. "This junior is untalented, but I have a slight understanding of Tendons Like Strings and Thunder Stored in Bones!"

Thunder roars in the nine heavens, a startled bird drops from the sky. How could Yi Yun not know the mark of mastery for 'Dragon Marrow Tiger Bones Fist'? Before reaching the Meridian Realm, the twang of his tendons had already startled birds in the forest!

Now that he had reached Meridian Realm perfection, with the Ren and Du Meridians connected, and Body Refinement also complete, Yi Yun felt his strength surging like waves. If not for the sudden appearance of the Fat Old Man and the young woman in white, Yi Yun would have long since wanted to unleash a full set of 'Dragon Marrow Tiger Bones Fist' to test his cultivation results.

"Haha! Well said, 'a slight understanding'!" The Fat Old Man clearly didn't believe Yi Yun could have achieved much. "Since you say so, I must see for myself how well you've practiced this Tendons Like Strings and Thunder Stored in Bones!"

The Fat Old Man chuckled, suddenly feeling a mischievous urge to teach Yi Yun a lesson. He turned to Lin Xintong and said, "Xintong, for this trip to the Tai'a Divine Kingdom, didn't I get a copy of 'Dragon Marrow Tiger Bones Fist' for you to skim through earlier? You've practiced this technique casually for about ten days to half a month. Although you didn't put your heart into it, you've made some progress, right?"

"You spar with this kid and give him some pointers."

"Oh, right. Suppress your cultivation. Use only the strength of Mortal Blood third layer, Thunderous Sound Realm for your Body Refinement. Don't injure the kid."

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