Apology Gift

Inside the Secluded Valley.

In the early morning, Fang Yuan set up an iron pot, boiled the spring water, then added fine sand and medicinal ingredients, simmering them carefully.

"To practice Black Sand Palm, one must use specific medicinal sand. During the striking process, the medicinal properties will permeate the tendons and bones... combined with stances and techniques, once mastered, it can shatter stone and split mountains, making one invincible..."

These three manuals, after Fang Yuan's inspection, were confirmed to have no major issues. After Han Shou's final trial, they were finally ready to be practiced.

"In the Martial Dao, there are the Twelve Gates of Golden Lock and Heavy Tower. If Black Sand Palm is trained to its peak, it can barely reach the level of the fifth gate..."

This was the limit of Black Sand Palm, and the difference between ordinary Cultivation Methods and divine manuals.

"Eagle Claw Skill is even more of a rip-off. It can at most be trained to the third gate. After that, a specific mental cultivation technique is required. But if one truly finds it, it's a Cultivation Method capable of breaking through limitations and reaching the eighth gate, which is considered quite good even among those sects..."

Fang Yuan meticulously organized the information obtained from the manuals.

"There's also the last one, Hard Qi Skill. Although it has some characteristics of Internal Breath, even its founder didn't know its limits. Historically, someone failed while attempting to break through the sixth gate, the Harm Gate, and died from the backlash..."

Fang Yuan sighed.

The Twelve Gates of Golden Lock and Heavy Tower, each gate presented a challenge, with several major checkpoints.

"Of the Twelve Gates of Golden Lock and Heavy Tower, I only know the first eight gates: Kai, Xiu, Sheng, Du, Jing, Shang, Jing, Si! Within these, there are subdivisions. The first three gates, Kai, Xiu, Sheng, once broken through, provide an increase to the body, and failure to break through causes no harm; they are the foundation of the Martial Dao. The Du and Jing gates are a bit more troublesome, but failure causes little damage to the body. Only in the last three gates, once a gate is failed, the martial artist will inevitably suffer a backlash, even death! Especially the eighth gate, the Si Gate, which must be broken through in one go; failure means death!"

The Path of Cultivation has never been a simple matter.

"The first eight gates are like this, and the latter four gates are said to be another realm entirely. And above that, the Martial Ancestor realm, I don't know what kind of state that is..."

Fang Yuan sighed softly.

"There are also legends that above martial artists, there are more paths of cultivation, and even unimaginable, incredible powerhouses..."

A sense of yearning suddenly arose in Fang Yuan's heart.

Although he didn't have much ambition, if he could become an immortal god, ageless, deathless, carefree, and at ease, it seemed like a very good thing.

"Moreover, I truly need some power to protect myself!"

The medicinal sand was brewed. The originally fine, white sand turned black and emitted a medicinal scent. Fang Yuan immediately found coarse cloth and carefully stored the medicinal sand.

"Without the accompanying mental cultivation technique and qi circulation route for Eagle Claw Skill, at best one can train the first three gates. Out on the jianghu, it's just the most ordinary sort of fare..."

"And Hard Qi Skill is self-created, not many practice it. The key is that its founder died practicing it while attempting to break through... at most, one can train up to the first five layers..."

According to the manual, and Fang Yuan's own deductions, martial artists who have mastered the first three gates are likely the mainstream in the current jianghu.

Those at the fourth and fifth gates are rarer and more exceptional, at least able to guarantee a life of comfort and high status.

As for those who reach the Harm Gate and beyond, they are the elite main force of the sects, fully qualified to be called minor experts in their own right.

"The first eight gates are already so formidable, then the latter four gates, and the Martial Ancestor realm above that..."

Fang Yuan exhaled a long breath, deeply understanding that the Gui Ling Sect could dominate a region, like local emperors, not without reason.

One Martial Ancestor was enough to suppress everything!

"This world is vast, and Qingling Mountain is merely a corner of its edge. To witness a wider world, I must constantly improve myself..."

Although Fang Yuan was naturally lazy and indifferent, once he set a goal, he would often erupt with astonishing perseverance.

"For now, Black Sand Palm is the most suitable for me!"

What he needed now was a martial skill that could help him break through the gates. Specializing in one was enough; otherwise, trying to learn too much would lead to nothing, and he didn't have the leisure for it.

"Hoo..."

Looking at the sandbag wrapped in medicinal sand before him, Fang Yuan took a deep breath: "Palm Strike!"

Pa!

He turned and struck the sandbag with his palm, immediately feeling a burning pain on the back of his hand.

"As expected, practicing martial arts is arduous. Even if my past master forced me, I might have run away..."

Ten palms!

Fifty palms!

One hundred palms!

After a full thousand palms, Fang Yuan finally withdrew his hands. He saw that the palms and backs of his hands were somewhat broken, a burning sensation lingered, and threads of clear medicinal properties surged in.

"Hoo..."

Seeing this, Fang Yuan dared not delay and immersed his hands into the basin of water prepared beside him.

"Practicing Black Sand Palm absolutely requires an uninterrupted supply of medicinal ingredients, especially this final warming and nourishing procedure. Without it, one would only become crippled."

After about half an hour, Fang Yuan poured away the water, which had turned somewhat black, and replaced it with a new basin.

"Fortunately, this kind of common herb is quite abundant in our Secluded Valley, and the reserves are not small..."

"Cackle!"

Beside him, the Flower Fox Ferret watched for a long time, somewhat bored, and yawned. Suddenly, its dark, glistening eyes rolled, and it ran to the side, deliberately sniffing the medicinal liquid Fang Yuan had discarded. Instantly, it recoiled with a look of disdain.

This extremely human-like expression made Fang Yuan almost believe he was seeing a living person.

"Alright, Flower Fox Ferret, stop messing around. I'll prepare some roasted meat for you right away!"

Fang Yuan chuckled and cursed, then looked at his own hands.

After soaking them in the medicinal water, the burning sensation had completely disappeared. His palms were now completely cool, and he could even vaguely see a bit of dead skin wrinkling, about to peel off.

"According to the manual, upon mastering the Black Sand Palm, the hands actually become delicate and fair, even smoother than those of a young maiden. But once I circulate my energy, they become as hard as iron, capable of splitting stone and brick, and can even inflict poison..."

"Starting today, I'll dedicate three hours each day to practicing the Black Sand Palm. I wonder when I'll be able to break through the next stage..."

Fang Yuan looked at his status panel with a hint of helplessness.

His system had extremely high standards. Only a select few could be recognized and actively incorporated.

"However, once I've completely mastered the Black Sand Palm, and even break through the first gate of the martial artist realm, it will have to acknowledge me, won't it?"

Fang Yuan thought to himself, filled with ambition.

"Second Brother, why are we still coming here?"

Outside the mountains, Miss Zhou Wenxin, along with Second Brother Zhou, slowly made their way towards the Secluded Valley. Zhou Wenxin's face was reluctant, tinged with a hint of fear.

Finally, someone who can control my little sister...

Second Brother Zhou smiled inwardly at this thought but put on a stern face. "You went to demand an explanation earlier without any regard for the facts. An apology is only right..."

The Zhou Family was wealthy and powerful, with countless servants. How could such a crucial item as medicinal herbs possibly bypass multiple checks before reaching Old Master Zhou's mouth?

If nothing else, even Steward Lin wouldn't have acted so rashly.

Both families had determined there were no issues, and Old Master Zhou had consumed more than just this single herb recently. To find fault with them now felt like sheer sophistry.

"Then why do we still need to beg him... He's clearly just someone who doesn't know martial arts..."

Zhou Wenxin wanted to say more, but the image of Fang Yuan suddenly flashed in her mind, causing her legs to tremble. The words she wanted to scold him with wouldn't come out.

"He might not know martial arts, but he might know other things... This world isn't just about martial artists. Rumored Spellcasters and Spirit Scholars, even martial artists beyond the eighth gate, show them respect..."

Second Brother Zhou's expression finally turned solemn. "I saw the wounds of the household guards that day. They were very peculiar. And according to your descriptions, even the sharpest eyes only saw a flash of white light. That sounds rather like the methods of a Spirit Scholar..."

The thought of Fang Yuan's divine display that day silenced even Zhou Wenxin.

"Therefore, today, you must remember not to throw your young lady's tantrum again, understand?"

Second Brother Zhou's tone suddenly became stern. "This is for our father too!"

Old Master Zhou was now beyond the help of conventional medicine. Perhaps only the legendary Spirit Scholars could save him with their magical powers.

"I... I understand!"

Although she had been pampered like a treasure since childhood, Zhou Wenxin now understood the gravity of the situation. She immediately lowered her head, her voice barely a whisper.

In reality, ever since Fang Yuan had severely disciplined her last time, a shadow had been cast in the young lady's heart. Even without Second Brother Zhou's reminder, she would absolutely never dare to cause trouble again.

Before long, the Secluded Valley appeared in sight.

Second Brother Zhou surveyed the surroundings and took a deep breath. "Zhou Family's Zhou Wenwu and Zhou Wenxin request an audience with Young Layman Fang!"

His voice was clear and carried far, audible in all directions.

"Hmm?"

Inside the valley, Fang Yuan, who had been diligently practicing his palm techniques, suddenly looked up. "Second Young Master Zhou? That voice... I didn't expect him to be a martial artist too, and his cultivation is deeper than mine. I wonder which gate he's reached..."

Fang Yuan had yet to break through any gates, but he felt confident.

In terms of offense, with the Flower Fox Ferret, he had the protection of a martial artist who had broken through several gates. And even if he couldn't win, with the terrain of the Secluded Valley and its secret passages, he could leave whenever he pleased, naturally feeling fearless.

He immediately went to the valley entrance and saw Zhou Wenwu and Zhou Wenxin. He greeted them with a forced smile, "So, you two have arrived. Are you perhaps still here about the previous matter?"

"Young Layman Fang, please don't misunderstand. My sister was reckless and offended you earlier. I hope you can be more understanding!"

Zhou Wenwu bowed deeply, his expression sincere, then turned to his sister. "Little sister!"

"I... I understand."

Zhou Wenxin reluctantly stepped forward, meeting Fang Yuan's gaze. Her legs involuntarily trembled again.

Under Zhou Wenwu's watchful eye, she bowed again. "Young Master Fang, I am truly sorry for what happened before. This young... this servant apologizes to you here. I hope you will be magnanimous..."