Morning.
Han Zheng rose from his cross-legged meditation and opened his eyes.
A night of cultivation had not drained his mind or body; instead, he felt utterly invigorated.
That was the benefit brought by a Xiantian cultivation method.
Those martial artists who cultivated Houtian techniques had to sleep and rest at night, then toil for a living during the day, leaving them pitifully little time to cultivate.
And even when they did cultivate, they had to do more than practice their methods—they also needed to train martial techniques and improve their practical combat ability. Naturally, their realms advanced slowly.
The martial path was just that unfair.
Martial artists born into great sects and powerful families did not merely win at the starting line.
Once the race began, they could still ride in carriages and on horses, leaving you so far behind that not even their shadow remained in sight.
Glancing at the utterly empty courtyard, Han Zheng wondered whether he ought to follow Li Jingzhong's example and set up several iron pillars in the yard to practice the White Ape Through-Arm Fist.
Normally, wooden posts were enough for Postnatal Martial Artists to train their fists on; at most, they would use stone posts. Iron pillars could easily leave one with broken bones.
But Han Zheng cultivated the Dragon Elephant Prajna Skill, granting him formidable strength, and the White Ape Through-Arm Fist itself placed tremendous demands on arm strength. He could use iron pillars as well.
While pondering this, Han Zheng gnawed on a steamed bun as he made his way to the Martial Arts Academy.
It was not that he particularly loved steamed buns. Rather, breakfast in a small place like Black Stone County was truly meager and uninspired—apart from steamed buns, flatbreads, and mantou, there was nothing else.
Furthermore, prices had soared recently. Small vendors could no longer afford ingredients, while ordinary people were reluctant to eat out, so there were barely any breakfast stalls left.
Only after arriving at the Martial Arts Academy did Han Zheng realize that neither Song Tianqing nor Guo Mingyuan had come. Chen Zhao alone, though injured, had still come to cultivate.
Han Zheng pulled Li Sancheng over and asked, "Guo Mingyuan and Song Tianqing aren't here? They lost one match and stopped coming to the Martial Arts Academy altogether?"
Li Sancheng chuckled. "Guo Mingyuan is a practical fellow. Since he can no longer learn the White Ape Through-Arm Fist, why would he still come to the Martial Arts Academy?
"As for Song Tianqing, that fellow has always been proud and arrogant. He looked down on everyone in the Martial Arts Academy and only ever exchanged a few words with Lin Qing.
"He might have been able to accept defeat at Lin Qing's hands, but losing to you? He definitely couldn't bear that kind of gap. How could he still have the face to come here?
"But it's fine. The Martial Arts Academy is quieter without them."
In truth, there had always been two groups within Zhenwei Martial Arts School.
One consisted of disciples like Han Zheng, who came from common backgrounds. The other was Song Tianqing and the rest, disciples with wealth and influence behind them.
But the latter had always been a minority. And now that Song Tianqing and the others with major backers were gone, those remaining no longer dared act so conspicuously.
Once Li Jingzhong arrived, everyone began cultivating obediently. Han Zheng, meanwhile, went into the rear courtyard of the Martial Arts Academy and used the iron pillars there to practice the White Ape Through-Arm Fist.
His realm and strength were now on an entirely different level from those of the other disciples. There was no need for him to cultivate alongside them.
In the rear courtyard of the Martial Arts Academy.
Han Zheng focused his mind and calmed his breath. His arms moved like a white ape swinging its limbs, crisscrossing through mountain forests.
Bang! Bang! Bang!
His arms slammed into the iron pillars, producing one dull thud after another.
He discovered that he was simply too well suited to cultivating this martial art.
Had other Houtian Realm martial artists trained this way, they would have long since rolled about the ground in pain.
But Han Zheng had sacrificed his sense of pain to the Gluttonous Crucible. Even when both arms were flushed red, he felt only touch, not the slightest trace of pain.
He merely had to control his strength and avoid training himself into a fracture.
As one Meridian after another opened, Han Zheng's control over his own body grew stronger. Gradually, he achieved "inner sight."
This inner sight was not something seen with the eyes, but something sensed.
Thus, even without pain, he knew where his limits lay and would not accidentally train himself into breaking his bones.
At that moment, Li Jingzhong emerged from the inner hall. Seeing Han Zheng cultivating so diligently, wildly striking the iron pillars without changing expression, he nodded in satisfaction.
Han Zheng possessed not only excellent comprehension, but exceptional perseverance as well.
When Li Jingzhong had cultivated the White Ape Through-Arm Fist as a child, his father had watched over him with a rattan switch.
If he did not strike the iron pillars, he would be struck with the rattan switch. Either way, it hurt.
"Han Zheng, take a break. Li Feng from Shenghe Hall is here to see you."
Han Zheng withdrew his fist stance and took a deep breath, suppressing the boiling blood and qi within him.
When he entered the hall, Li Feng was already seated there, waiting for him.
"Congratulations, Brother Han. I already heard from Master Li that you defeated the other disciples in the Martial Arts Academy and claimed first place, and that you have been taught the White Ape Through-Arm Fist.
"I said it from the start: among this generation of Zhenwei Martial Arts School disciples, regardless of their background, no one could compare to you.
"At such a young age, you have already received Master Li's true transmission. Black Stone County will surely have a place for you, Han Zheng, in the future!"
Han Zheng: "..."
Why did Li Feng's words sound as though he were cursing him to remain trapped in Black Stone County for the rest of his life?
"You flatter me, Apothecary Li. What brings you here this time?"
Li Feng replied with a genial smile, "Previously, the shopkeeper promised you a medicinal bath. These past two days, I was busy sorting out the Spiritual Medicine we brought back and did not have time to spare.
"Now that I have finally dealt with Shenghe Hall's affairs, I came to find you and personally prepare a medicinal bath for you."
Han Zheng's eyes immediately lit up. "Then I'll have to trouble Apothecary Li."
Without relying on the Gluttonous Crucible to cheat, the best method for Han Zheng to improve his cultivation right now was a medicinal bath.
Cultivation came from bitter training, but it could indeed be piled up with resources.
A worthless dandy like Guo Mingyuan had ordinary talent, ordinary comprehension, and did not train particularly diligently. Li Sancheng had even said that he visited brothels whenever he had nothing to do.
Yet that sort of person, merely because his family had money, had managed to stack his cultivation slightly higher than Han Zheng's. This was enough to show the power of medicinal baths.
"It is no trouble. This is what you deserve, young friend Han.
"First, let me take your pulse. In your usual cultivation, do you focus mainly on tempering your strength, or on raising your inner force realm?"
Han Zheng extended his hand and considered for a moment. "Both. They complement each other."
Li Feng placed his fingers on Han Zheng's wrist, carefully examining his pulse and sensing the flow of power within his meridians.
After a moment, a trace of surprise appeared in Li Feng's eyes. "Brother Han, your foundation is remarkably solid and profound.
"I have prescribed medicinal baths for some disciples of the Song Family and Shen Family as well. Even though they came from martial families, the foundations they accumulated were not as substantial as yours."
Though Han Zheng had the Gluttonous Crucible as a cheat, he had been cultivating continuously within it, and he had done so while studying Martial Intent. Naturally, his foundation was deep.
"I only advanced steadily and surely. Does a deep foundation offer any benefits for later cultivation?"
"Of course it does—tremendous benefits!"
Li Feng said, "Martial cultivation is like building a house. Your foundation is that house's base. A strong foundation is equivalent to laying the base well.
"When there is only one floor, the difference cannot be seen. With two floors, it is still not obvious.
"But once there are three or four floors, a powerful foundation makes the realm stable. An unstable foundation causes problems during breakthroughs, and the whole building may even sway on the verge of collapse.
"With your current foundation, Brother Han, you can even begin preparing a foundation for the Innate Realm."
Han Zheng was slightly taken aback. "I have not even reached the Peak Acquired Stage. I should already prepare for Xiantian Foundation Establishment?"
Li Feng nodded. "If you wait until you reach the Peak Acquired Stage, it will be too late.
"The Xiantian Mortal Transformation Realm is the first threshold on the martial path. To cross it, one must cultivate both internally and externally.
"Only with a firm foundation can one more easily succeed in mortal transformation.
"I already know how to prepare your medicinal bath. It will focus on strength and realm advancement, supplemented with Spiritual Medicine that stabilizes your realm's foundation.
"Brother Han can now ask Master Li about the techniques and experiences for breaking through into Xiantian. I believe that day is not far away."
Li Feng rose to leave.
"Then I'll have to trouble Apothecary Li."
Han Zheng escorted Li Feng out of the Martial Arts Academy. When he returned, Li Jingzhong was seated in the inner hall, drinking tea.
"Li Feng came to prepare a medicinal bath for you?"
Han Zheng nodded. "Last time, Shopkeeper Chen said he would give me a medicinal bath. Apothecary Li said that once he finished his work, he would personally examine my meridians and prepare it."
Li Jingzhong turned his teacup, smiling faintly. "Li Feng is trying to win you over.
"Martial artists need apothecaries to assist their cultivation, while apothecaries need good relations with martial artists to ensure their status and safety. Moreover, preparing medicinal baths customized for martial artists of different levels also improves their experience.
"Chen Baiqing and I had that sort of relationship back then. Though I do not involve myself in conflicts of the martial world, I helped Shenghe Hall fend off trouble several times.
"Li Feng is a decent man and one of the more capable apothecaries in Shenghe Hall. There is no harm in befriending him."
Han Zheng nodded. He had naturally seen Li Feng's intentions as well.
"By the way, Teacher, Li Feng said my foundation is profound and that I can begin Xiantian Foundation Establishment now, preparing for a breakthrough into Xiantian."
"Li Feng said that? Give me your hand and let me see."
After examining the power contained within Han Zheng's meridians and Acupoints, Li Jingzhong was slightly startled as well.
He had known only that Han Zheng's combat strength was outstanding. He had not expected his foundation to be so powerful too.
"Li Feng is right. Your foundation is indeed deep and solid, even slightly surpassing disciples like Song Tianqing, who come from martial families.
"Beginning Xiantian Foundation Establishment now and preparing to break through into the Mortal Transformation Realm is perfectly appropriate.
"Tell me what you know about the Xiantian Mortal Transformation Realm."
Han Zheng thought for a moment. "I only know that the Innate Realm requires one to continuously use the inner force in one's Acupoints and meridians to scour every inch of bone and every thread of flesh within the body. The process is incomparably painful.
"And the Xiantian Mortal Transformation Realm is divided into Four Xiantian Realms: early-stage Bronze Skin Iron Bones, mid-stage Golden Muscles Jade Meridians, and late-stage Mercury Blood Silver Marrow.
"Upon major completion and perfection, the physical body becomes like flawless, immaculate white jade. This is called the Water-Fire Immortal Robe, possessing the power to fear neither ordinary water nor fire.
"I have not learned about the Innate Realm outside. All of this was taught to me by you, Teacher."
Li Jingzhong nodded and said gravely, "That is merely superficial knowledge. In truth, the barriers and secrets of the Xiantian Mortal Transformation Realm are already contained in the realm's name.
"Before a person is born from the mother's womb, they are Xiantian. After birth, they breathe in this world's turbid air and gradually become a postnatal body.
"The Xiantian Mortal Transformation Realm is the return from postnatal to Xiantian, the transformation of a chrysalis into a butterfly, shedding this mortal flesh to achieve a Xiantian body.
"Therefore, among these Four Xiantian Realms, only the perfected Water-Fire Immortal Robe can truly be considered Xiantian.
"And the first step from postnatal into Xiantian is Bronze Skin Iron Bones: mobilizing the power of the meridians and Acupoints to strike the flesh, blood, and bones.
"There are no shortcuts in this. One must use inner force to batter and temper them with tyrannical force, so that the flesh, blood, and bones may completely cast off mortality and attain Bronze Skin Iron Bones.
"You have seen Gao Kaiyuan's Shattered Jade Hand. That was a Xiantian martial artist's perfect control over sinews, bones, flesh, and blood."
As he spoke, Li Jingzhong drained the tea from his cup in one gulp, then rubbed the cup between his hands.
After only a few motions, the teacup was ground completely into powder in Li Jingzhong's hands. Those hands of his seemed like millstones!
"This is Bronze Skin Iron Bones."
I accidentally posted Chapter 25 earlier due to a scheduled-release mishap. I'm making up Chapter 24 now; there will be four updates today.