Night Market Encounter, Mysterious Old Man

Lin Fan squeezed the brakes, and the bicycle skidded half a meter across the stone-paved road, coming to a stop at the entrance of the night market.

He propped one foot on the ground, his gaze passing over the bustling crowd to land on the old man in front of the book stall.

His hair was white as snow, combed meticulously and tied into a simple bun at the back of his head. The old man wore a faded gray cloth garment. His face was gaunt, with wrinkles as deep as if carved by a knife, yet his eyes were exceptionally clear. Under the dim, yellowish lamplight, they seemed to possess the power to see right through a person's heart.

He truly did not recognize this old man.

Yet, the way the man gestured for him to come over was as natural as someone greeting a younger acquaintance they had known for years.

Had he mistaken him for someone else?

Or...

Lin Fan's heart stirred. He recalled the warning from the owner of the blacksmith shop at the docks: "Keep your wits about you during the test." He also remembered Wang Hao's threat during registration: "I have plenty of ways to make sure you don't pass."

Could this old man also be part of some scheme?

But then he thought, he was penniless and destitute right now. Aside from the strength he had just built up and that secret he couldn't speak of, what else did he have that was worth anyone's plotting?

"Go and see."

Lin Fan got off his bike and pushed it through the night market crowd.

The night market was not large—just a street about a hundred meters long, lined with stalls on both sides. There were vendors selling fried snacks with mouth-watering aromas, stalls filled with cheap trinkets, and others selling old clothes and shoes, with the sounds of haggling constant in the air. The book stall was in the innermost spot, and business was clearly slow; aside from the old man, there were only two or three customers flipping through old books.

Lin Fan leaned his bicycle against the wall, locked it, and walked over.

"Sir, were you calling me?" He stood still in front of the book stall.

The old man put down the book in his hand—it was a thread-bound ancient volume with a tattered cover, making the title illegible. He looked up and sized Lin Fan up from head to toe. His gaze was calm, yet it gave Lin Fan the feeling of being seen through.

"Come, sit." The old man pointed to a small folding stool beside him. "You've been standing for a while, aren't you tired?"

Only then did Lin Fan notice that he was still wearing his 55-kilogram weighted gear. Although he was used to the weight, it was indeed taxing to stand for a long time.

He didn't stand on ceremony and sat down on the small stool. The stool let out a creak, as if struggling under the weight.

"Weighted training?" The old man glanced at Lin Fan's bulging pant legs and slightly raised back. "How many kilograms?"

"Fifty-five kilograms," Lin Fan answered truthfully.

"Sixteen years old, fifty-five kilograms of weight, and you can still ride a bicycle..." The old man nodded. "Your muscles and bones are good. But your breathing... it's a bit chaotic."

Lin Fan was stunned.

He did indeed feel his breathing was more rapid than usual. He had assumed it was because he had just finished cycling, but now, sensing it carefully, he realized his breath was indeed unsteady, lacking the long, rhythmic flow he maintained during his usual training.

"Please, sir, enlighten me," Lin Fan said, cupping his hands in a salute.

He was not the type of person to be arrogant. In his past life on Earth, he had risen from an ordinary programmer to a project lead precisely because he was good at learning and never felt ashamed to ask questions. In this strange world of martial arts, any scrap of knowledge could save his life.

A glimmer of appreciation flashed in the old man's eyes. "Being able to listen is a good thing. You are practicing the Basic Breathing Technique, aren't you?"

"Yes."

"What level have you reached?"

"I just broke through to the Mastery level not long ago." Lin Fan did not hide it. He could sense that this old man was no ordinary person; there was no point in concealing the truth.

"Mastery level..." The old man mused. "At sixteen, to reach the Mastery level with something as common as the Basic Breathing Technique shows that your Comprehension is not bad, and you are willing to put in the effort. However, there is something wrong with your soul."

"My soul?" Lin Fan felt a jolt in his heart.

He had transmigrated here, and his soul had merged with the original owner's. Did this count as "something wrong with his soul"?

"Your soul is much more solid than that of your peers, as if... it has undergone some kind of tempering," the old man said slowly. "But within this solidity, there is a hint of discord, as if two different souls have been forcibly fused together and have not yet fully integrated."

Cold sweat broke out on Lin Fan's palms.

This old man could actually see through his soul's state!

"Old sir, does this... have any consequences?" He tried his best to remain calm.

"Consequences?" The old man smiled. "In the short term, it is a good thing. A solid soul means stronger mental power and Comprehension. When you practice cultivation techniques and martial arts, you will grasp the essence and break through bottlenecks more easily than the average person."

"And in the long term?"

"In the long term..." The old man's smile faded. "If the two souls cannot fully integrate, as your cultivation level rises and your mental power grows stronger, conflicts may arise. At best, you will suffer from headaches and insomnia; at worst, you could face mental fragmentation or even fall into Qi Deviation."

Lin Fan fell silent.

He knew the old man was speaking the truth. Over the past half-month, he had occasionally had nightmares where his work on Earth and his life in this world were intertwined. He would wake up feeling dazed, sometimes unable to tell who he really was.

"Old sir, is there a way to solve this?" Lin Fan asked sincerely.

"There is, but it is difficult," the old man said. "Either you find a cultivation technique specifically for the soul and use it as a bridge to completely fuse the two souls, or... you keep breaking through in your martial arts realm, using the spiritual energy of heaven and earth and the feedback from your physical body to slowly smooth out the differences."

"A soul-cultivation technique?" Lin Fan gave a bitter smile. "I doubt that is something I could ever get my hands on."

The Basic Breathing Technique was merely the most fundamental method for cultivating primordial energy. It didn't even qualify as a "Low-Grade Mortal" technique; it was just a common, entry-level textbook. A technique specifically for cultivating the soul sounded like high-end goods—something he couldn't even dream of given his current status and financial means.

"Then you must take the second path," the old man said. "Keep breaking through and use your realm to compensate. However, this path is much harder; it requires great perseverance and determination."

"I am not afraid of hardship," Lin Fan said.

The old man looked at him with deep, piercing eyes. "I can tell. There is a drive in you, like a taut string, always ready to snap. This drive will either push you to the peak or... crush you."

Lin Fan did not respond.

He knew the old man was right. For the past half-month, he had barely rested. He spent his days hauling cargo and his nights practicing martial arts, sleeping only six hours a day. He was driven entirely by that relentless urge: "I cannot stop, I cannot lose."

For his sister's illness, for his parents' dying wish, and also for... that secret which could not be spoken.

"Old sir, you didn't call me over just to tell me this, did you?" Lin Fan changed the subject.

The old man smiled. "Smart. I do indeed have something to ask of you."

He pulled a thin booklet from his robe. The cover was made of pale yellow kraft paper, with five characters written in ink: Detailed Explanation of Basic Breathing Technique.

"This book is for you." The old man handed the booklet to Lin Fan.

Lin Fan took it; it felt slightly heavy in his hand. The booklet had only a dozen pages, but the paper was thick, and the edges were worn, clearly having been thumbed through many times. He opened the first page to find neat, small regular script detailing the principles and precautions of breathing techniques.

"Although Basic Breathing Technique is an introductory cultivation method, it contains many nuances," the old man said slowly. "Most people only know how to follow the diagrams and mimic the breathing rhythm, but they don't understand why they should breathe that way, what the key points of each stage are, or how to coordinate it with martial arts techniques."

"Is all of that written in here?"

"Seventy percent is written," the old man said. "The remaining thirty percent requires your own realization. On the path of martial arts, a master leads you through the door, but cultivation depends on the individual. What I can give you is merely a key. Which door you open and how far you go depends entirely on you."

Lin Fan solemnly tucked the booklet into his robe. "Thank you, old sir."

"No need for thanks." The old man waved his hand. "I've been running this stall for three years and have seen countless youths wanting to enter the Martial Arts Academy. Some are gifted but impatient; others are diligent but lack the proper methods. You... are different."

"How am I different?"

"Your eyes." The old man pointed to Lin Fan's eyes. "Most sixteen-year-olds have eyes filled with either innocence, confusion, or ambition. Your eyes... have the weight of experience."

Lin Fan felt a jolt in his heart.

He had forgotten that while his body was sixteen, his soul was that of a thirty-year-old adult. The workplace experiences and worldly wisdom of his past life had long since left their mark on his soul; that was not something easily hidden.

"Experience is not a bad thing," the old man continued. "Only after experiencing things do you learn to cherish, and only then do you understand the meaning of power. But let me give you a word of advice: on the path of martial arts, you must not only look forward but also look back. Do not forget why you started."

Lin Fan fell silent.

He thought of his sister's pale face, the blurred figures of his parents, and the dilapidated eaves of the slum district.

"I will not forget," he whispered.

"That is good." The old man nodded, picked up another book from his stall, and began reading, saying no more.

Lin Fan knew this was a sign for him to leave.

He stood up and bowed with folded hands once more. "Old sir, I still don't know your name."

"My surname is Li; the neighbors call me Old Man Li." The old man didn't even look up. "Go on now. You haven't bought your sister's medicine yet, have you?"

Lin Fan was stunned. "How did you know..."

"There is a medicinal scent on you, but it isn't the body-tempering medicine used by martial artists; it's Lung Cleansing Powder for nourishing the lungs and internal organs," Old Man Li said indifferently. "Someone your age needing to nourish their lungs is either born with a weak constitution or has suffered a severe injury. Judging by your hurried appearance, it should be the former."

Lin Fan was impressed.

This Old Man Li's observational skills were simply terrifying.

"Yes, my younger sister was born with a weak constitution and needs to take medicine regularly," Lin Fan said. "Then I shall take my leave, and I will come to visit another day."

"No need to go out of your way," Old Man Li turned a page of his book. "If we are fated, we will meet again."

Lin Fan said no more, pushed his bicycle, and left the book stall.

After walking a dozen meters, he looked back. Under the dim, yellow lamplight, Old Man Li was still sitting there, holding a book. His figure appeared somewhat lonely in the night, yet possessed an indescribable air of detachment.

"Old Man Li..."

Lin Fan committed the name to memory.

At the end of the night market stood Jishitang Pharmacy, a well-known, long-established shop in the outer district. The quality of its medicinal herbs was guaranteed, and the prices were relatively fair.

Lin Fan parked his bike and walked into the pharmacy.

The shop was filled with a rich, medicinal fragrance. Behind the counter sat a white-bearded doctor wearing reading glasses, who was currently checking the pulse of a woman. There were two or three other customers at the counter waiting to have their prescriptions filled.

"Young Master Lin is here?" An apprentice of fifteen or sixteen years old behind the counter recognized Lin Fan and greeted him with a smile. "The usual?"

"Yes, three days' worth of Lung Cleansing Powder," Lin Fan said.

"Alrighty." The apprentice skillfully grabbed the herbs from the cabinet, weighed them, and wrapped them up. "Same old rule, three days' worth, 120 points in total."

Lin Fan took out his coin purse—he had earned 20 points moving Black Iron Ore today, which, added to his previous 56 points, totaled 76 points. It wasn't enough.

"Xiao Zhang, can I pay half first?" Lin Fan felt a bit awkward. "I'll make up the rest within three days."

The apprentice, Xiao Zhang, hesitated for a moment and looked toward the white-bearded doctor.

The doctor had just finished his consultation and looked up at Lin Fan. "How is your sister's condition lately?"

"A bit better, the coughing has decreased," Lin Fan said.

"Hmm, Lung Cleansing Powder can only alleviate the symptoms; it cannot cure the root cause," the doctor shook his head. "She has a congenital defect of the lung meridians. It would require a pill on the level of a Sky Mending Pill to cure it completely. However, that kind of pill..."

He didn't continue, but the meaning was clear: it was too expensive, not something a commoner could afford.

Lin Fan fell silent.

He knew about the Sky Mending Pill, an Earth Tier Low Grade miracle healing medicine. It was said to be able to repair congenital defects and reshape meridians. As for the price... he had never asked, because even if he did, he couldn't afford it.

"Just take the medicine," the doctor said suddenly. "Don't worry about the money; just make it up within three days."

Lin Fan was stunned: "Doctor, this..."

"I've watched you coming and going in a rush every day for the past half-month, either hauling cargo at the docks or practicing martial arts," the doctor stroked his beard. "For a sixteen-year-old kid to work this hard, it's not easy. I was poor when I was young, too; I know how hard it is. Take the medicine first, don't let it delay your sister's treatment."

Lin Fan's eyes grew warm.

In the past half-month, he had seen too much coldness and mockery. Wang Hao's bullying, the dock workers' sneers, the examiner's harassment during registration... people like Old Man Li, who were willing to lend a helping hand, were far too few.

"Thank you, Doctor." Lin Fan bowed deeply. "I will definitely pay the money within three days."

"Go on," the doctor waved his hand.

Lin Fan took the medicine packets and tucked them carefully into his tunic. These three packets of medicine were his sister's hope for the next three days.

When he left the pharmacy, the sky had turned completely dark.

The night market was still lively, but Lin Fan did not linger. He got on his bicycle and headed toward the slums.

The night wind was chilly, stinging his face.

As he rode, Lin Fan recalled the conversation he had just had with Old Man Li.

"A problem with the soul... two souls merging..."

"A cultivation technique for the soul... or smoothing out the differences through breakthroughs in realm..."

"Don't forget why you started..."

Every word felt like a hammer striking his heart.

He knew his current state was dangerous. The system had given him the ability to grow rapidly, but it had also plunged him into an anxiety of "must be faster, must be stronger." The first thing he did upon waking was check his proficiency, and the last thing he did before sleep was plan the next day's training.

Like a machine that never stopped.

But machines wear out, and people break down.

I need to make some adjustments, Lin Fan thought. At the very least... I must ensure basic sleep and give my body time to recover.

After his Iron Body Skill broke through to the Mastery level, he felt a qualitative leap in his physical fitness, and his recovery ability had also increased significantly. Perhaps he could try reducing his sleep time and replace part of his rest with meditation?

He remembered that the Detailed Explanation of Basic Breathing Technique seemed to mention a method of "replacing sleep with breathing."

He would have to take a good look at it when he got back.

By the time he returned to Grandpa Li's small courtyard, it was already the end of the Xu hour (7:00 PM to 9:00 PM).

An oil lamp was lit in the courtyard. Lin Xiaoyu was sitting on a small stool under the eaves, mending a piece of clothing by the lamplight. Seeing Lin Fan return, she immediately put down her needle and thread and trotted over.

"Brother, you're back!"

"Hmm, how are you today? Is your cough still bad?" Lin Fan parked the car and patted his younger sister's head.

"Much better. I took the medicine at noon, and I haven't coughed all afternoon." Lin Xiaoyu tilted her small face up, her eyes sparkling. "Brother, are you tired today?"

"Not tired." Lin Fan smiled and pulled a packet of medicine from his pocket. "Here, three days' worth. Remember to take it on time."

"You spent money again..." Lin Xiaoyu took the medicine packet and said in a low voice, "Brother, how about I take less? Taking it once every two days would be fine too..."

"What nonsense are you talking about." Lin Fan put on a stern face. "The medicine must be taken on time, otherwise how will you get better? Don't worry about money; your brother has a way."

"Oh..." Lin Xiaoyu lowered her head, her eyes turning red. "Brother, it's all because I'm a burden to you..."

"Silly girl." Lin Fan crouched down and looked into his sister's eyes. "You aren't a burden; you are your brother's motivation. Without you, I might have given up a long time ago. So you need to be well, take your medicine on time, and get better quickly. When you're better, I'll teach you martial arts, okay?"

"Really?" Lin Xiaoyu looked up, her eyes brightening again.

"Really." Lin Fan nodded. "But before that, you have to get your health back. Martial arts training is very tough; you can't do it if your body isn't strong."

"I will take my medicine properly!" Lin Xiaoyu nodded vigorously.

"Go on, put the medicine away and get to sleep early." Lin Fan patted her shoulder.

"Mm, you get some rest early too, Brother."

Watching his sister's back as she carried the medicine into the house, Lin Fan took a deep breath, feeling much of his day's fatigue dissipate.

He walked over to the well, drew a bucket of cold water, gave himself a simple wipe-down, and then returned to his room.

The oil lamp was lit, its dim, yellow light illuminating the simple, humble shack.

Lin Fan sat on the bed and took two items out from his clothes.

One was the Detailed Explanation of Basic Breathing Technique gifted by Old Man Li.

The other was the weighted gear he had obtained for free at the blacksmith shop today—he had already taken it off and placed it by the bed.

He first opened the Detailed Explanation of Basic Breathing Technique.

The first page was the general outline:

"Breathing is the interaction between the energy of heaven and earth and the energy of the human body. One inhale and one exhale is called one breath. Breath is the foundation of life..."

The text was profound yet accessible. It not only explained the principles of each level of the Basic Breathing Technique but also detailed how to coordinate it with different martial arts, how to adjust breathing rhythms in various states, and even how to use breathing to assist in healing wounds and recovering stamina.

"Good stuff." The more Lin Fan read, the more excited he became.

Many of the techniques recorded in this booklet were things he had spent the last half-month figuring out on his own. For example, using a specific breathing rhythm to save energy while carrying heavy objects, or coordinating breathing with force exertion while practicing punches... but the methods in the booklet were more systematic and efficient.

Flipping to the last page, he saw the method for "replacing sleep with breathing."

"For ordinary people, sleep is a necessity for the soul to rest and the body to recover. However, when a martial artist reaches a certain realm, they can replace shallow sleep with deep breathing techniques. While this cannot completely eliminate fatigue, it can significantly shorten the time needed for rest and is beneficial for tempering the soul..."

Below this were the detailed methods: sit in a specific posture, circulate the breathing technique, and allow the consciousness to enter a semi-awake, semi-asleep "meditative state." In this state, the body recovers slowly, and the soul is tempered.

"I only need to sleep for two hours a day; the rest of the time can be replaced by this method..." Lin Fan's eyes lit up.

This meant he could gain two extra hours of cultivation time every day!

Although the effect was not as good as deep sleep, the gains would accumulate over time, resulting in huge benefits in the long run.

"I'll try it tonight."

He put the booklet away and his gaze fell on the weighted gear.

Fifty-five kilograms of extra weight could be worn during the day to continuously train his strength, but he certainly couldn't wear it while sleeping. However...

Lin Fan recalled the feeling he had when he broke through the Iron Body Skill today.

The Iron Bones trait increased bone strength by 20% and enhanced his resistance to impact. If he combined this with weighted training, would the effects be even better?

He decided that starting tomorrow, he would wear the weights at all times, except when sleeping or performing necessary activities.

"Right, there's also the Gale Sword Technique."

There were only two days left until the test, and he had to hurry to get the sword technique to the entry level. Although he might not necessarily use a sword in the practical test, having one more skill meant having one more layer of confidence.

After planning his training for tomorrow, Lin Fan blew out the oil lamp and sat cross-legged on the bed.

Following the methods recorded in the Detailed Explanation of Basic Breathing Technique, he adjusted his breathing, relaxed his body, and let his consciousness gradually sink into an ethereal state.

[Basic Breathing Technique proficiency +1]

[Spirit proficiency +0.5]

The panel notification popped up.

It worked!

Lin Fan felt a surge of joy, but he didn't dare to lose focus and continued to maintain the rhythm of his breathing.

Gradually, he felt his body becoming lighter and his consciousness growing hazy, as if he were floating in warm water. The fatigue slowly dissipated, replaced by a faint warmth flowing through his limbs and bones.

He did not know how much time had passed when he suddenly felt a heat in his chest.

[New skill book "Detailed Explanation of Basic Breathing Technique" detected. Record into the system?]

A new notification suddenly popped up on the panel.

Record into the system?

Lin Fan opened his eyes, exiting his meditative state.

The oil lamp had already gone out, and moonlight filtered through the paper window, casting a silvery glow across the floor.

He looked at the panel; that notification was still flickering.

What will happen... if I input it? Lin Fan asked silently in his heart.

[After inputting, the system will automatically analyze the key points of the skill, generate an exclusive cultivation plan, and make optimized adjustments based on the host's physical condition. At the same time, skill proficiency acquisition efficiency will increase by 10%.]

An exclusive cultivation plan? Increased efficiency?

Lin Fan did not hesitate: "Input."

[Starting input...]

[Analyzing...]

[Detailed Explanation of Basic Breathing Technique has been input into the system.]

[Generating exclusive cultivation plan: Based on the host's current physical condition (incomplete soul fusion, Iron Body Skill at Proficient level), optimizing breathing rhythm and adjusting the circulation path of Yuan Qi.]

[New feature unlocked: Skill Library.]

[Skill Library: Can store learned cultivation methods and detailed explanations of martial arts, allowing for retrieval at any time and providing a proficiency bonus.]

A new icon appeared on the panel: an open book.

With a thought, Lin Fan "opened" the library. Inside lay two books:

Detailed Explanation of Basic Breathing Technique (Optimized)

Iron Body Skill (Original)

"The Iron Body Skill was also input?" Lin Fan was somewhat surprised.

But thinking about it, it made sense. The system had been recording data the entire time he was practicing the Iron Body Skill, so automatic input was normal.

He first clicked on Detailed Explanation of Basic Breathing Technique.

The original dozen pages of content had been broken down by the system into hundreds of knowledge points, each accompanied by detailed annotations and cultivation suggestions. More importantly, the system had marked several "key cultivation areas" based on his physical condition.

"Soul Fusion Area... It is recommended to practice for two hours daily using the 'Breathing as Sleep' method, supplemented by Clear Heart Grass to accelerate the fusion process."

"Iron Body Skill Synergy Area... It is recommended to synchronize the specific breathing technique while practicing the Iron Body Skill, which can increase proficiency acquisition efficiency by 30%."

"Combat Application Area... It is recommended to use 'Explosive Breathing' during combat to increase strength and speed by 5% for a short duration."

As he read through the suggestions, Lin Fan's heart began to race.

Is this the effect of the system's optimization?

It's too powerful!

If he cultivated according to this plan, his growth rate would increase by at least thirty percent!

"Clear Heart Grass..." Lin Fan memorized the name. "I'll go to the apothecary tomorrow and see if I can buy some."

He suppressed the excitement in his heart and continued to look through the manual.

When he turned to the last page, he saw a special note:

"Warning: Abnormal fusion phenomenon detected in the host's soul. Long-term high-intensity cultivation may exacerbate soul conflict. It is recommended to rest for one day after every three days of cultivation, or to seek items such as Calming Incense or Soul Calming Jade to assist in stabilization."

"Calming Incense... Soul Calming Jade..."

Lin Fan took note of them.

It seemed Old Man Li was right; the soul issue really needed to be taken seriously.

He closed the panel and re-entered a state of meditation.

This time, he cultivated according to the breathing rhythm optimized by the system, and the results were significantly better. With every breath, he felt a cool energy seeping into his limbs and bones; his fatigue dissipated rapidly, while his mind became increasingly clear.

[Basic Breathing Technique Proficiency +2]

[Mental Proficiency +1]

[Soul Fusion Degree +0.01%]

The last notification made Lin Fan's heart jump.

Soul Fusion Degree!

The system had quantified this metric?

He hurriedly checked the panel, and sure enough, below the Attribute Bar, there was an extra line of small text:

[Soul Fusion Degree: 72.3% (Unstable)]

72.3%... did that mean there was still 27.7% left to fuse?

According to the system prompt, it would only be considered fully fused upon reaching 100%, at which point there would be no risk of conflict.

"Increasing by 0.01% every day, it will take... about nine months." Lin Fan calculated.

Nine months—not too long, but not too short either.

If he could find auxiliary items like Clear Heart Grass or Calming Incense in the meantime, the speed should be even faster.

"Let's take it one step at a time."

Lin Fan gathered his focus and dedicated himself to cultivation.

The moonlight was like water, flowing silently.

The youth's seated figure appeared exceptionally resolute in the night.

If you enjoy this book, please remember to add it to your bookshelf so you don't lose it next time.