Skin Refining Mastery!

This term was both unfamiliar and familiar to him.

In the Yue Kingdom of the real world, the path of martial arts began with the Hundred Days Foundation. After that came the three realms of Flesh Refining, Bone Forging, and Organ Refining, tempering the body until one's physique was strong, one's bones hard, and one's internal organs astonishing. Only then could one formally begin cultivating an Internal Cultivation Method.

During this process, martial artists used Internal Cultivation Methods to refine the spiritual energy of heaven and earth.

Only when the first wisp of inner strength was born within their bodies could they be considered an entry-level expert.

In Gu Han's view, the "inner strength" of the Yue Kingdom was likely the same kind of energy as the "Inner Qi" of Great Yan, merely known by different names.

As for verifying it specifically—

At that thought, Gu Han's mind stirred. The next moment, light seemed to flow through his eyes, as though he could see through everything in the world and pierce the mysteries of all things.

System Skill: Insight

Insight Target: Ben Guan, Chief of Arhat Hall

Whoosh!

The instant he activated Insight, the empty space before Gu Han's eyes seemed to ripple like water.

A transparent attribute panel that only he could see suddenly appeared.

Name: Ben Guan

Age: 52

Level: 4

Realm: Inner Qi (Inner Strength), Minor Accomplishment

Martial Skills: "Arhat Fist" (First Layer, Major Accomplishment), "Tiger Subduing Palm" (Second Layer, Major Accomplishment), "Great Strength Vajra Fist" (Third Layer, Major Accomplishment), "Spirit Ape Evasion Steps" (Minor Accomplishment of the Third Layer)

So it really was like this!

Seeing the realm and level displayed on the attribute panel, Gu Han understood at once, though he also felt somewhat disappointed.

Treasure Pearl Temple was a holy land of Great Yan's martial world. It had stood for a thousand years and had long since become the foremost sect in Great Yan's jianghu.

Yet even in a sect of this caliber, the chiefs of its various halls and the Abbot had only reached the level of Inner Qi.

From this, one could see just how low Great Yan Kingdom's martial standard was.

Compared with the Great Yue Kingdom of the real world, it lagged behind by far more than a single step.

After all, in the Great Yue Kingdom of the real world, those capable of cultivating inner strength were merely considered entry-level experts.

Above them were Second-rate Masters capable of projecting inner strength outward, First-rate Masters whose True Qi could Manifest as Force, and even Xiantian martial artists and immortal Dao experts who occasionally appeared. Compared to this world, they were stronger by an unknowable margin.

"Jingming, Jingyuan! Are you two finished talking? What kind of figures are Inner Qi experts? Is that something two little monks who have never learned even the slightest bit of martial arts can discuss? You aim too high, and your thoughts are a tangled mess. Even if you enter Prajna Hall, how could you possibly achieve anything in martial arts in the future? Jingming, come back with me at once. Jingyuan, return to your Prajna Hall group immediately."

While Gu Han was lost in thought, a voice rang out beside his ear. A middle-aged monk in yellow robes walked over from the Arhat Hall group with an unhappy expression, sternly rebuking Gu Han and Jingyuan.

"Yes, we shall heed Martial Uncle's instruction. We will return to our respective groups now."

Hearing the yellow-robed monk's reprimand, Gu Han and the little monk Jingyuan had originally wanted to chat a little longer.

But now they could only let it go. Neither dared to defy him, and both admitted their fault.

Great Yan Kingdom was a nation that placed extreme importance on distinctions of age and seniority, rank and status. Treasure Pearl Temple was naturally no exception.

Though Jingyuan was a disciple of Prajna Hall and had a promising future ahead of him, and though he was not currently under the yellow-robed monk's jurisdiction, the monk was still his elder within the temple.

If Jingyuan dared to contradict him, he would inevitably be punished. Even Prajna Hall would not stand up for him.

"Amitabha. Then, Senior Brother, I'll head back first. We can speak again another day."

Seeing the yellow-robed monk's displeased expression, Jingyuan timidly shrank his head. After saying this to Gu Han, he returned to the Prajna Hall group.

Gu Han likewise did not remain where he was. He followed the yellow-robed monk and the other novice monks toward Arhat Hall.

Arhat Hall's main hall was an enormous palace-like structure.

At its center stood a nearly ten-foot-tall Buddha statue plated in gold. Around it were many smaller golden Buddha statues, each bearing a different expression and posture.

Before every statue stood an incense table with several incense burners atop it. Countless incense sticks and candles burned within them, giving off an aura that soothed the heart and calmed the spirit.

"Amitabha. Disciples, we have arrived at Arhat Hall. Yuanhai, from now on, you will be responsible for teaching the newly admitted disciples. This old monk has important matters to attend to, so I shall take my leave first."

Once Ben Guan, the chief of Arhat Hall, entered the main hall, he recited a Buddhist invocation. He then turned to a yellow-robed middle-aged monk in the group, who appeared to be around thirty, gave him this instruction, and left on his own.

As the chief of Arhat Hall and a formidable expert at the Inner Qi level, his time was incomparably precious. Naturally, he would not continue wasting time accompanying new disciples like Gu Han and the others.

"This disciple obeys the Chief's decree!"

Upon hearing the chief's order, the yellow-robed monk Yuanhai immediately stepped forward and responded respectfully.

After Ben Guan had walked far away, Yuanhai's expression turned solemn as he addressed Gu Han and the other novice monks.

"Martial Nephews, this monk's Dharma name is Yuanhai. From today onward, you are disciples of Arhat Hall, while this monk is your martial arts instructor. From now on, I will teach you Treasure Pearl Temple's foundational martial arts.

"If one day any among you can cultivate any martial art to the Second Layer realm, you may graduate from Arhat Hall and become either a martial monk of Arhat Hall or a martial arts instructor. If not, then you will enter the temple's chores division and perform miscellaneous tasks for the temple!"

Yuanhai's voice was clear and resonant. Though his expression remained calm and he did not shout himself hoarse, his voice was exceptionally loud, allowing every novice monk present to hear him clearly.

"So that's how it is. May I ask, Martial Uncle, how will you teach us martial arts?"

The moment Yuanhai finished speaking, a small and slender novice monk with lively eyes raised his hand and asked.

"That is an excellent question, Martial Nephew."

Hearing the little monk's question, the yellow-robed monk Yuanhai nodded approvingly and explained.

"As for teaching martial arts, Arhat Hall has long had its rules. All disciples who enter Arhat Hall must first spend their first few years learning Treasure Pearl Temple's foundational martial art—the Arhat Fist.

"Only after cultivating the Arhat Fist to Major Accomplishment of the First Layer may you enter Treasure Pearl Temple's Scripture Library and choose three other, more profound martial arts. This is not because Arhat Hall is clutching a worn broom and refusing to let go, but because we want you to focus on one discipline so that you may achieve greater accomplishments."

Yuanhai explained patiently.

"Then may I ask, Martial Uncle, what counts as reaching Major Accomplishment of the First Layer?"

After listening to Yuanhai's explanation, the little monk from before asked again.

"Hehe! That is simple enough!"

Seeing the little monk ask again, Yuanhai gave a light smile. He casually picked up a staff as thick as an arm from nearby, then fiercely smashed it against his own arm.

Crack!

A crisp sound rang out as the staff snapped in response, breaking into two pieces.

Yet there was not the slightest mark on Monk Yuanhai's arm. Not even a faint red imprint appeared; it remained completely unharmed.

"When the skin across your body is as tough as cowhide and you do not fear clubs and staffs striking you, that counts as the Arhat Fist reaching Major Accomplishment of the First Layer. In the outside world, this realm is also called Skin Refining Mastery!"

Seeing the shocked expressions on the novice monks' faces, Monk Yuanhai pressed his palms together and smiled faintly.

"Skin Tempering?"

Hearing those words, Gu Han's pupils contracted, and stormy waves immediately rose in his heart.