Breakthrough

"We're doomed, we'll have to get a new table," Jiale wailed.

As expected, the two old guys had started bickering.

Yang Xuan and Ren Tingting sat on one side. Jiale had already scurried to the doorway, while Four Eyes and Yi Xiu just stared at each other, looking like war was about to break out.

"Martial Brother, do you still have yesterday's pork, congee, pickles, and peanuts?" Yang Xuan immediately found an excuse to leave.

"Martial Brother, there's plenty left, it's all in the kitchen," Jiale replied, puzzled.

Yang Xuan stood up and dragged the bewildered Tingting to the kitchen. The two of them ate the congee with peanuts and pickles, along with the pork, stuffing themselves.

"Brother Xuan, isn't this a bit impolite?" Tingting mumbled.

"Nonsense, wait and see outside. Martial Uncle and Yi Xiu clearly don't get along. Be careful not to get caught in the crossfire; we should stay out of it," Yang Xuan said.

Ding~ Successfully learned [Maoshan Corpse Raising Technique].

Ding~ Successfully learned [Maoshan Spirit Invocation Technique].

Finally, he had some free time to properly practice his Neijiaquan. He had Tingting teach Four Eyes and Jiale. At this point, Four Eyes handed Yang Xuan the two treasured secret manuals.

This [Maoshan Corpse Raising Technique] was indeed good, much more powerful and comprehensive than the Feng Shui master's [Corpse Control Technique].

As for the [Maoshan Spirit Invocation Technique], it sounded very mystical. In reality, it was about storing one's Dharma power and then using self-hypnosis to temporarily boost strength. However, it was said that if one reached the highest level, it could truly invoke the power of gods and Buddhas to possess the user. Tch, who would believe that.

Following the method of circulating Blood Essence in Baji Quan, Yang Xuan circulated his Blood Essence while practicing. To ordinary people, Yang Xuan's Baji Quan looked quite slow, and any young man could easily dodge it. However, if a Neijiaquan master saw it, they would surely be shocked. Yang Xuan's blood was now like a supercar, speeding through his blood vessels.

At this moment, Yang Xuan's entire body was flushed red. The energy stored from the medicinal soups he drank and the meat he ate daily was instantly released rapidly from his body.

"Ah!"

Yang Xuan, who rarely sweated, was now covered in sweat.

Pop!

His realm had finally advanced. He was happy and sad at the same time. Happy that his realm had improved, but sad that his appetite seemed to have grown even larger.

He took out a box of protein bars from his storage space, optimized and reinforced them twice. He then shaped each protein bar into a ball and swallowed it directly.

"Hoo," he felt like he was starving to death.

"System, let me see my physical attributes:"

Personal Attributes Table
Host: Yang Xuan
Abilities:
  Physical Strength (16 people)
  Telekinesis (999 kg)
  Neijiaquan (Hua Jin Late Stage)
  Internal Energy Cultivation (99 years - First-class Internal Energy)
  Maoshan Qi Cultivation Method (Three strands, one wisp)

Skills:
  Telekinesis Series
  Baji Quan (Mastery)
  Tian Can Divine Skill (Mastery)
  Tathagata Palm (Mastery)
  Seven Spin Slash (Mastery)
  Bewitching Soul Grand Technique (Mastery)
  Axe Aura (Intermediate)
  Maoshan True Explanation
  Thousand Mountains Shield (Minor Success)
  Corpse Control Technique (Great Success)
  Dan Jing (Great Success)

System Skills:
  1. Time Control 1:1000
  2. Storage Space (100 cubic meters)

Height: 174 cm
Weight: 220 kg
Bone Density: 5x
Muscle Strength: 5x
Nerve Reflex: 6x
Speed: 5x
Stamina: 7x

"System, something's wrong, why aren't my newly learned skills showing?" Yang Xuan asked uncertainly.

"They've all been categorized under Maoshan True Explanation," the System replied.

"That's more like it. I thought I hadn't learned them successfully. Your system is too unreliable," Yang Xuan complained.

Recently, Black Flame felt a bit lighter again. His realm had also improved, so he decided to try it out.

Black Flame's third reinforcement.

Yang Xuan felt his entire body's stamina pouring into the axe. When only 1% stamina remained, his internal energy began to surge.

"Damn it, why isn't it done yet? If it's not done soon, I'll be drained dry," Yang Xuan thought in fear. After all, being completely drained of physical strength would not be a pleasant experience.

Black Flame (3)
Weight: 800 jin
Traits: Ultimate Sharpness, Ultimate Heaviness, +80% Internal Energy Amplification

Yang Xuan swung the Black Flame in his hand. "Not bad, it feels very natural."

"System, come out here! Damn it, you almost drained me dry, pay up!" Yang Xuan was furious.

"Your strength is too low, I cannot materialize," the System said.

"Why did the third reinforcement absorb so much energy?" Yang Xuan asked curiously, as the attribute increase wasn't that significant.

"Only those with good potential can be upgraded to level 3. Ordinary items can only be upgraded to level 2. The upgrade from level 3 to level 4 is when attributes surge, and there's also an optimization opportunity. Of course, if you expend a lot of stamina, it's not impossible to upgrade further."

"So that's how it is. No wonder the soup Yang Xuan makes can only be upgraded twice. Why didn't you say anything? How would I know if you didn't tell me?" Yang Xuan said with annoyance.

"Host, you didn't ask," the System replied.

Now, Yang Xuan was considering a very important matter: what to eat for lunch. Hmm, the pork from yesterday was pretty good, but maybe he should try catching other animals.

"Tingting, you guys keep practicing. I'm going into the mountains for a bit. I'm tired of eating pork every day." Yang Xuan's voice drifted back into the house after he left.

"Sister-in-law, what is Brother Xuan going to do?" Jiale asked, confused.

Ren Tingting slapped her forehead. "Your Brother Xuan is tired of eating pork and wants to try something new."

"Brother Xuan is so capable. He can eat whatever he wants. I don't even dare to go into the deep forest. I was so scared when I saw a black bear last time," Jiale said, still shaken.

Thump. Four Eyes hit Jiale on the head. "Focus on your training. You'll be able to eat whatever you want in the future too."

Yang Xuan galloped through the forest, searching for small animals everywhere. "Heh, a wild rabbit? I don't like rabbit meat. A squirrel? The environment here is great, with all sorts of animals. Thinking back to the main world, technology is getting more and more advanced, but unfortunately, the environment is getting worse. Fortunately, at least the country is starting to pay attention now."

As he walked, he suddenly noticed many small animals, and even some roe deer, running towards Yang Xuan. Yang Xuan was instantly dumbfounded. Why were they all running into a trap? No, there was something behind them.

Yang Xuan immediately took out his Black Flame and moved quickly towards the direction the animals were running.

There was nothing there. Could it be a tiger or a lion?

It seems like lions are from Africa, huh. I don't understand.

Huh? What is that black mass over there? Damn, I'm rich! It's a bear! Yang Xuan immediately thought of bear hides and bear paws, but he didn't know if bear meat tasted good.

As he got closer, Yang Xuan started to sweat. Fortunately, he hadn't made a move. This wasn't a bear at all; it was a panda that had gotten so dirty it looked completely black. Should he make a move or not?

He walked over and kicked the panda. "Heh, it's just a half-grown panda, baring its teeth and looking fierce."

Yang Xuan instantly lost interest. "Come on, who would dare do anything to a panda in the main world? They're national treasures! After twenty-something years of education, I just can't bring myself to do it. Forget it, forget it. This panda is probably just too hungry, which is why it came down the mountain."

He had never seen a panda up close before. It was so cute, just very dirty. Yang Xuan took out a piece of meat from his storage space and offered it to the little panda. The little guy sniffed it first, then began to devour it ravenously.

As expected, it's an omnivore. Just then, a beast's roar exploded in his ears. Yang Xuan immediately became vigilant in the direction of the roar. The little panda was even simpler and more direct, curling into a ball and hiding behind Yang Xuan.

Yang Xuan immediately felt a headache. Didn't they say pandas were also bears? Why are they so cowardly?

At this moment, a huge brown bear emerged from the bushes. Yang Xuan could no longer remain calm. It was too massive. He might be able to fight it, but he was afraid. This kind of beast exuding an aura of ferocity was not like the ones in the zoo. Yang Xuan swung the Black Flame in his hand forcefully a couple of times, staring intently at the brown bear.

The brown bear sniffed around and then stood up, staring intently at Yang Xuan as well.

Who the hell said brown bears only live in Eurasia and North America?

Blood Essence power, Hua Jin aura, fully unleashed.

After a long period of staring at each other, the brown bear, perhaps thinking Yang Xuan and the panda weren't tasty, roared a couple of times and left.

Whether he could win or not was another matter, but the sheer difference in size put a lot of pressure on Yang Xuan. In the end, Yang Xuan's combat experience was too limited.

Yang Xuan waved goodbye to the little panda, then hunted a mountain goat and returned to his residence.