A Maiden's Thoughts

In the blink of an eye, several days passed. That afternoon, as the sun gradually rose and the cold wind eased, rare winter sunlight spilled into the small courtyard, driving away some of the chill.

Chen Yuan practiced the force-generation techniques of the "Vortex Palm" with complete concentration in the yard.

His palms crossed and struck the wooden post wrapped in thick hemp rope in an unbroken series of blows.

Palm shadows fluttered through the air. They looked light and powerless, and there was barely any sound, yet with every strike, the heavy wooden post trembled slightly. Fine but teeth-grating crackles sounded from within—the Spiral Force had seeped inside and was destroying its internal structure.

He focused completely, his mind wholly immersed in the circulation, release, and withdrawal of force, experiencing that subtle sensation of wielding strength as easily as moving an arm, force following thought.

His blood and qi surged throughout his body. The Spiral Force beneath his skin roamed like a living thing, continually tempering his skin membrane and bringing bursts of dense pain, like countless fine needles piercing him at once. But he had long since grown used to it.

Suddenly, something stirred in his senses. The rushing blood and qi within him instantly calmed, and the sharp aura around him ebbed away like the tide.

He withdrew his palms and stood still, his breath steady and deep as he gazed calmly toward the courtyard gate.

The neighboring girl, Zhou Yu, stood prettily at the entrance. One hand carried a small bamboo basket covered with blue floral cloth, while the other nervously pinched the hem of her clothes.

She seemed to have only just arrived and was watching him practice with clear, watery eyes full of amazement and a trace of barely perceptible shyness.

Sunlight fell across her slightly fluffy hair, casting a soft halo around it.

"Xiao Yu?" Chen Yuan smiled faintly. The martial artist's aura that had made hearts tremble vanished completely, and he became gentle and approachable, as though he were merely the boy next door who had just stretched his limbs.

Like a little deer caught secretly peeking, Zhou Yu's cheeks abruptly bloomed with two crimson clouds. She hurriedly lowered her head and walked into the courtyard, her voice soft and fine, carrying a hint of timidity. "Brother Yuan, I didn't disturb you, did I? My mother made some Shell Cakes. She added sugar frosting and dried seaweed bits, so she asked me to bring some over for you to try."

As she spoke, she lifted the cloth covering the basket, revealing several soft white rice cakes dotted with dark green seaweed flakes and preserved fruit. An enticing fragrance of sweetness and rice wafted out.

"Thank Aunt Zhou for me. She's always thinking of me." Chen Yuan accepted the basket. He could still feel a faint warmth rising from its bottom, and warmth spread through his heart as well. "You always spend money on me. I really feel embarrassed."

"It wasn't expensive, it wasn't..." Zhou Yu hurriedly waved her hands. Her voice grew even softer, and she lowered her head further, daring only to look at the tips of her shoes. "Brother Yuan, you've helped the village so much... Father said a few days ago that when he goes into town to sell fish now, those bad people from the Black Tide Gang are much more polite when they see people from Iron Clothes Village. They don't dare collect protection fees recklessly anymore. Everyone remembers your kindness."

She was referring to how the Black Tide Gang had restrained themselves after Chen Yuan broke through to the Skin Grinding Realm. To ordinary fishing families, that change meant real benefits—several more copper coins left behind to keep them alive.

She paused, as though gathering immense courage. She quickly raised her eyes to glance at Chen Yuan, then immediately lowered them again. Her fingers unconsciously twisted the corner of her coarse cloth clothes, and her voice was nearly inaudible. "And... Brother Yuan, you look really good when you practice. Can I come watch sometimes? I promise I won't make a sound or disturb you..."

Seeing her cautious yet expectant appearance, Chen Yuan could not help but smile. "This courtyard isn't some forbidden martial arts ground. You can come whenever you want. We're neighbors, so why be so formal? It's just that practice is mostly repetitive movements, and it really is terribly dull. I'm afraid you'll get dizzy and bored after watching for a while."

"I won't, I won't!" Zhou Yu hurriedly shook her head. A delighted, pure smile blossomed across her face, like sunlight scattering over a glittering sea.

"I can understand it. Watching your movements makes me feel comfortable, Brother Yuan. It isn't boring at all..." Her words were simple but sincere, as though she truly could sense some unique rhythm and beauty within Chen Yuan's fierce and grueling training.

Chen Yuan smiled without probing into the maiden's feelings, which perhaps even she could not explain. Instead, he asked gently, "Has Uncle Zhou's time at sea been going smoothly lately? I heard the winds and waves were quite fierce a few days ago. He didn't run into any trouble, did he?"

"Mm, it's been all right. Father says he feels much more at ease now. It's just that with the weather turning cold, there are fewer fish schools, and he has to sail farther..." Zhou Yu answered softly.

After chatting about household matters for a few sentences, Zhou Yu seemed to remember something, and her tone became lighter. "Oh, right, Brother Yuan. You've been busy practicing and dealing with things at home, so you might not know. Shi Tou went into town with his father some time ago to look for work. I heard he's helping out at the docks. It's hard work, but he can earn several dozen copper coins a day."

At her words, Chen Yuan pictured Shi Tou, his childhood companion with dark skin and a sturdy build.

When they had been children, they often picked shells and dug for crabs together by the seaside. "Shi Tou is honest and willing to work. The docks suit him well." Chen Yuan nodded.

"And Xiao Ya," Zhou Yu continued, a trace of envy in her eyes, "her aunt found her an apprenticeship at an embroidery workshop in the county city. She won't earn wages at first, but they provide food and lodging, and she can learn a craft. When she left, she even said that once she'd mastered it, she would embroider pretty money pouches for all of us."

Chen Yuan remembered Xiao Ya. She was a quiet, delicate girl with clever hands, often able to weave all sorts of exquisite little trinkets from seaweed. "Learning a trade is good. It's always better than being exposed to wind and sun in the village." He spoke sincerely.

Zhou Yu nodded, then gave a soft sigh. "But not everyone has it so good. Brother A Niu... A Niu from the west end of the village—some time ago, he insisted on going out into the world with some people. He said he wanted to seek opportunities in a big southern city. But he came back after only half a month. He spent all his travel money and lost a whole circle of flesh. These past two days, his father has locked him at home and been scolding him."

Chen Yuan frowned slightly. A Niu was two years older than him and had always been somewhat impatient. "It's good to go out and see the world, but he really shouldn't aim too high."

"Exactly." Zhou Yu agreed, then smiled again. "But whenever people mention you, Brother Yuan, they admire you so much. They say you're the most promising person in our village. You entered the martial arts school, killed a Sea Beast, and now bought a new boat... My father often tells me to learn from you. Only by being steady and willing to work can one find a way forward."

The atmosphere gradually became natural amid their casual conversation. Every now and then, Zhou Yu boldly lifted her eyes to look at Chen Yuan, only to quickly avert them again.

The afterglow of the setting sun stretched their shadows long, overlapping them in the peaceful courtyard. The air was filled with the sweet fragrance of rice cakes and the unique cold, clear scent of the winter shore.

After a few more words of household talk, Zhou Yu finally left with flushed cheeks, her steps seeming much lighter.

After seeing Zhou Yu off, Chen Yuan had just turned to return indoors when he saw his mother, Lin Sanniang, and Second Aunt standing at the kitchen door at some unknown time. Both wore meaningful smiles.

"Oh my, our Brother Yuan has truly made something of himself now." Second Aunt spoke first, still holding a stalk of greens. Her eyes narrowed into slits with laughter. "Even that little girl from the Zhou Family knows to come running here every day, bringing food and drink."

Lin Sanniang wiped her hands on her apron and deliberately put on a stern face. "Don't talk nonsense. Xiao Yu is simply sensible and knows Brother Yuan practices hard."

"Yes, yes, sensible. Very sensible indeed." Second Aunt stepped closer and lowered her voice as she spoke to Chen Yuan. "Brother Yuan, tell your Second Aunt honestly. What do you think of that Xiao Yu? The Zhou Family may not be wealthy, but their family customs are upright, and Xiao Yu is a hardworking girl..."

"Second Aunt!" Chen Yuan interrupted her, caught between laughter and tears. "What are you thinking? Xiao Yu is still young."

"Young? What's so young about her?" At that moment, Grandmother Zhang Shi came out of the house leaning on her cane and took up the conversation with a smile. "When I was her age, I was already betrothed. I watched that girl from the Zhou Family grow up. She's a good child—quick with her hands and feet, and gentle in temperament."

One after another, they continued talking until Chen Yuan's ears burned red. In the end, Lin Sanniang saw that her son was truly embarrassed and smilingly came to his rescue. "Enough, enough. Stop teasing Brother Yuan. This is the time for him to focus on martial arts. We can discuss these matters later."

Only then did everyone disperse with laughter. Yet before leaving, Second Aunt did not forget to turn back and wink at Chen Yuan. "Brother Yuan, if you're too embarrassed to say it, Second Aunt can go to the Zhou Family and sound them out for you."

Chen Yuan shook his head helplessly, but his heart was filled with warmth. He knew his family was only concerned for him. He casually picked up a still-warm cake and put it into his mouth, then calmed his mind and felt the Tide Luck Points in his Sea of Consciousness slowly but steadily increasing.

His daily arduous cultivation, the tangible improvement in his family's circumstances, and the villagers' heartfelt gratitude... All these seemingly trivial matters were invisibly accumulating the capital he needed to activate that mysterious Tidal Stele again.

Tide Luck Points: (75/100)

He closed his eyes, sinking his mind completely into cultivation.

The Spiral Force of the Mysterious Vortex Skin Grinding Method slowly circulated beneath his skin membrane, grinding and tempering his increasingly powerful body.

The sound of blood rushing was like a babbling stream. His heart beat steadily and powerfully, like war drums softly sounded. The subtle yet ceaseless sensation of tightening and strengthening beneath his skin membrane was all clearly discernible.

Realm: Skin Grinding Realm · Initial Completion (19/100)

Seeing this solid, step-by-step progress every day filled Chen Yuan's heart with calmness and certainty.

In merely a few days, through his own unceasing hard work, along with the slight aid of the Tidal Stele and Body Tempering Ointment, he had steadily risen from newly entering Skin Grinding to this point. Tomorrow, it was time to return to the martial arts school.

And at the next Ebbing Tide, he needed only proceed step by step and accumulate Tide Fortune before he could explore the mysteries within the stele once more and obtain an even greater opportunity. Outside the window, the sound of the waves echoed tirelessly, as though answering the rhythm of his circulating blood and qi.