Buying Third-class Martial Arts

Shen Fan had little interest in the martial arts school higher-ups' actions and decisions. After all, he was still just a Little Chicken in the Muscle Refining realm.

In other people's eyes, he was merely a newly initiated disciple.

Shen Fan knew best that the most important thing for him now was to continuously break through the realms of his cultivation methods—growing stronger while increasing his lifespan and talent.

As long as he had enough time and cultivation methods, he would surely carve out his own Longevity Martial Path!

Quietly returning to his room, Shen Fan calmed himself, then pulled several money pouches from his robes. They had belonged to the burly men who had attacked him.

When he opened the pouches, silver coins clattered out in a rush. Before long, Shen Fan could no longer suppress the smile on his face. Altogether, there were more than thirty taels of silver.

This money was enough for him to buy higher-level martial arts cultivation methods.

"Third-class cultivation methods only cost twenty taels. I can easily buy one, but should I save the remaining money or buy some Entry-level Martial Arts?"

"Forget it. At this stage, every bit of improvement counts. There's no use keeping the money—I might as well spend it on cultivation methods!"

Shen Fan quickly stopped hesitating. In this world, strength was everything. Without strength, one could not even control one's own life.

If Shen Fan had not possessed the strength of Muscle Refining, he likely would have died today. No matter how incredible the Attribute Panel was, it could not directly increase his strength, much less bring him back from the dead.

Thus, to deal with unforeseen accidents, Shen Fan decided that he had to cultivate even more diligently from now on. He had been far too lax these past days!

Having made up his mind, Shen Fan soon drifted into sleep.

Early the next morning, Shen Fan did not immediately go buy martial arts. Instead, he cultivated first. Savage Bull Fist, True Combined Strength, and Three Yuan Art were all things he wanted to improve.

Even with talent far beyond that of ordinary people, it was impossible to break through without putting in hard work. The martial path ultimately had to be walked step by step on one's own.

Only when he was utterly exhausted did Shen Fan stop practicing his fist techniques.

But he did not rest. Instead, he headed toward the Scripture Pavilion.

The Ox Demon Martial Arts School was known as the dominant force of Laiyang City, so its foundations were naturally not to be underestimated. Over several decades, it had accumulated a vast number of martial arts cultivation methods.

From Entry-level Martial Arts to Second-class cultivation methods, all of them could be traded for within the school.

As Shen Fan walked between the bookshelves, his gaze was completely drawn to the cultivation manuals displayed upon them.

Within this Scripture Pavilion were several hundred martial arts cultivation methods. There were more than two hundred varieties of Entry-level Martial Arts, dozens of Third-class Martial Arts, and even seven or eight Second-class Martial Arts. If he could cultivate them all and reach profound realms in each, who knew how great an improvement they could bring Shen Fan!

But Shen Fan knew that was nothing more than wishful thinking. The enhancement each level of cultivation method could offer him had its limits, just like the Entry-level Martial Arts he had cultivated.

They had already shown him this pattern. The more martial arts of the same rank he practiced, the smaller the gains they gave him became. Eventually, they might even become completely useless.

Therefore, to make full use of the Attribute Panel, Shen Fan's best course was to continuously master higher-level martial arts. That way, his improvement would never cease.

And now, Shen Fan wanted to find a Third-class Martial Art.

Among cultivation methods, reaching Great Accomplishment in Entry-level Martial Arts allowed one to attain Muscle Refining; reaching Great Accomplishment in Third-class Martial Arts allowed one to attain Bone Forging; and reaching Great Accomplishment in Second-class Martial Arts allowed one to attain Blood Condensation.

Of course, that was only in theory. The results of martial cultivation varied from person to person.

But without question, higher-level cultivation methods possessed greater power and higher limits.

Shen Fan pulled out a copy of Tiger Roar Skill and carefully read through it.

Tiger Roar Skill: created by observing fierce tigers. Upon reaching Great Accomplishment, one may gain Fierce Tiger Barbarian Bone and possess the strength of a tiger!

If you think this book is good, remember to add it to your bookshelf so you won't lose it next time.

He then looked at another one: Vajra Fist, an external martial art. Upon reaching Great Accomplishment, one could form Vajra Ferocious Bone.

Bedrock Skill, an external martial art. Upon reaching Great Accomplishment, one could form Solid Stone Bone, uninjurable even by divine weapons.

Third-class Martial Arts basically recorded methods of Bone Forging. This was a great surprise for Shen Fan, and the Bone Forging levels cultivated by each method were different as well.

For example, the Fierce Tiger Barbarian Bone cultivated through Tiger Roar Skill focused on increasing strength; the Vajra Ferocious Bone cultivated through Vajra Fist focused on increasing attack power; while Bedrock Skill focused on defense.

Each was different, yet each possessed its own mysteries. It was difficult to tell which was superior and which inferior; everything depended on the individual.

But that was not what Shen Fan was considering. He wanted to find one that could be cultivated more quickly. Even if the resulting Bone Forging realm was somewhat weaker, it did not matter.

From the very beginning, he had never intended to cultivate only one Third-class Martial Art.

He would first use Third-class Martial Arts to improve his talent and lifespan, then use that to feed back into his cultivation speed. That way, he could enter the next level even faster.

Following this pattern in an endless cycle, Shen Fan even planned to cultivate multiple Bone Forging methods. He wondered whether that would make his Bone Forging realm unlike anyone else's!

In the end, after careful selection, Shen Fan chose a Third-class Martial Art called Thousand Mechanisms Hand. This cultivation method truly had the advantage of being fast to cultivate, though the Bone Forging realm it ultimately achieved was relatively weak, producing only Hundred Change Bone.

This cultivation method was indeed not much good at the Bone Forging level, but Shen Fan did not care. As long as it was fast to cultivate, that was enough.

Then Shen Fan picked out an Entry-level Martial Art, Ape Strike Technique. After registering with Steward Zhao and paying thirty taels of silver, he finally obtained the two cultivation methods.

"Remember, these cultivation methods may only be cultivated by you alone. If you pass them on privately, don't blame the martial arts school for showing no mercy!"

"This disciple understands!" Shen Fan hurriedly nodded.

Joking—facing a colossal force like the Ox Demon Martial Arts School, how could Shen Fan possibly dare stroke the tiger's whiskers? Even when he became powerful, he would not do such a thing.

After all, the most important thing in life was to follow the rules.

Walking out of the Scripture Pavilion, Shen Fan's face was brimming with delight. He had obtained two new cultivation methods at once, enough to keep him practicing for a long time.

Moreover, he could not slack off on those cultivation methods that had already reached Minor Accomplishment. It could be said that Shen Fan would be extremely busy for quite some time to come.

But there was no helping it. To live steadily in this world, strength was something he had to possess. Otherwise, one day, he might vanish soundlessly into some forgotten corner.

Back in his room, Shen Fan leafed through the Secret Manual for the Thousand Mechanisms Hand, practiced it roughly for a while, and estimated the Cultivation Method's difficulty.

Sure enough, a third-rate Cultivation Method at the Bone Forging level was far more profound than an entry-level one, and much harder as well.

For an ordinary person to get started, it would take at least several years. But with Shen Fan's current Talent, it would probably take a month—of course, that was assuming he also kept up with his other Martial Arts.

If he devoted himself to it completely, Shen Fan was confident he could get started with the Thousand Mechanisms Hand within half a month!

As for the entry-level Ape Strike Technique, it was much simpler; he could probably get started in a few days.

With a goal in mind, Shen Fan slowly exhaled, a trace of determination flashing in his eyes.

The City Lord's Mansion was calm and peaceful. Bright lights shimmered over its dignified, elegant buildings, while servants hurried busily in and out. From within the rooms came the hearty, vigorous laughter of Martial Artists from time to time.

Clearly, many powerful Martial Artists were gathered here.

Inside a secret chamber, several middle-aged men with graying temples were discussing what had happened that day.

If you think this book is good, remember to add it to your bookshelf so you won't have trouble finding it next time.