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"The first chapter of the Innate Qi Nourishing Technique is about nourishing qi, and the second is about Foundation Establishment. But that doesn't mean you stop nourishing qi once you've established your foundation. Whether it's nourishing qi, Foundation Establishment, or Golden Core, all require continuous cultivation—ideally practiced simultaneously. You just need to reach a certain level of qi nourishment before starting Foundation Establishment, and similarly, complete Foundation Establishment to a certain degree before forming a Golden Core."

Li Pin sensed the Life Vitality he had accumulated over this period.

The Life Vitality nurtured by a large amount of medicinal supplements was visibly growing stronger.

Of course...

Only he dared to describe it as "visibly."

For anyone else cultivating the Innate Qi Nourishing Technique, such a meager increase in vitality wouldn't even be enough to circulate for healing—they couldn't even be sure if they'd cultivated any Life Vitality at all.

At most, they'd feel a bit more energetic over the past few days.

"At the current growth rate of Life Vitality, the standard for Foundation Establishment..."

Li Pin quickly calculated the precise number: "1,316 cultivation cycles."

Less than a year.

That efficiency was fast.

And with his continuous improvements to the medicinal meals and optimizations to the Innate Qi Nourishing Technique, this time would only shorten, not lengthen.

He picked up a newly arrived ginseng root with his right hand, examining it closely.

Thanks to the nourishment of Life Vitality, the injuries on his hand had fully healed.

Through the perception transmitted by his fingers, he could vaguely sense the potency and type of medicinal power within the ginseng.

But on one hand, his knowledge was too limited to draw specific conclusions; on the other...

His perception weakened countless times when extended to the outside world.

He could only measure an item's potential effects and functions based on his own standards.

"If I mastered more knowledge, I could become an Appraiser—any item that comes into my hands, its various uses could be fully uncovered..."

Li Pin remarked.

But soon he realized that the profession of Appraiser wasn't something he could pursue.

He measured everything by his own standards.

He could lift a two- or three-hundred-pound object with one hand—could an ordinary person?

Could an ordinary person endure the pain he could?

"People's physiques aren't the same. The values I measure based on myself don't apply to everyone."

Just like the medicinal meals he formulated—Li Yunyan and Lin Xiaolu could barely handle them.

Time passed, and soon it was the Starfall Festival.

This Starfall Festival, the Li family was noticeably livelier.

Unfortunately, since Li Yunyan was several months pregnant and couldn't return to Sanshun Town, Mother Li felt a bit down. But with Li Pin and Li Yunyao by her side, she wasn't lonely.

After the Starfall Festival passed, Li Yunyao faced the start of school, and Li Pin's family moved to Liuchuan County.

Liuchuan County wasn't a large county—its urban population was under 200,000—but even in this small county, the average housing price still exceeded 3,000 per square meter.

The closer to the county government, the more expensive the houses.

The Star Refiner serving as the town warden lived right there.

Sunshine Residential Complex was less than 300 meters from the county government. The house allocated to them was a standard 99-square-meter, three-bedroom, one-living-room unit, fully furnished and ready to move in.

Since Lin Xiaolu and Li Yunyao were classmates and also needed to follow Li Pin in martial training, they moved in too, sharing a room.

As for Li Pin himself, he had to go to Canglong City.

After all, he still had a one-year contract with Changfeng Martial Hall.

"Follow the training plan I've laid out for you from now on. Come to Canglong City once a week, and I'll adjust based on your progress."

Downstairs at Sunshine Residential Complex, Li Pin, carrying a backpack, instructed Li Yunyao and Lin Xiaolu: "There's still half a year until the exam. With my teaching method, both of you have a chance to develop inner strength within six months. Once you do, get a martial artist certificate, and I'll find a way to secure you special admission spots at Jiangzhou University in the capital."

"We can go to Jiangzhou University?"

Li Yunyao's eyes lit up immediately.

"If you develop inner strength, there's hope."

Li Pin said.

He didn't hold out hope for Li Yunyao's academic performance, so he had to work from this angle.

"Developing inner strength... Brother, how far along am I?"

Li Yunyao asked eagerly.

Li Pin took out his phone and showed them.

On the screen were two rows of numbers.

[Li Yunyao 75/1000]

[Lin Xiaolu 91/1000]

His so-called progress value was inferred from his understanding of internal energy and his precise grasp of the two girls' cultivation progress.

Close enough.

Even if there were some errors...

For example, if the value neared full without any sign of a breakthrough, he could just claim there was a bottleneck.

If they broke through early, he could chalk it up to sudden enlightenment.

Either way, he updated the numbers regularly, so he could adjust if something was off.

Seeing the data feedback every week would also keep them motivated.

"Huh? The gap between me and Xiaolu widened again? How is that possible?"

Li Yunyao's eyes went wide.

"Obviously, you're not working hard enough. Look at Xiaolu—she never complains about pain or fatigue. You, on the other hand, start whining about sore back and legs after just a bit of practice."

"I..."

Li Yunyao was a little unconvinced.

"You need to step it up."

Li Pin said with a smile.

His original intention in agreeing to teach Lin Xiaolu was to conveniently test his "Insight" talent. He hadn't expected it would indirectly push Li Yunyao to work harder.

It made sense, though.

At this age, people hate losing. Watching Lin Xiaolu slowly surpass her, Li Yunyao couldn't bring herself to slack off, even when she was truly exhausted.

"Mom, remember to make the medicinal meals I left for them every day. Don't worry about the money."

Li Pin instructed.

Mother Li nodded.

Having said his piece, he waved goodbye and headed toward the bus station under their reluctant gazes.

He bought a ticket, and the bus departed quickly. In less than two hours, he arrived smoothly in Canglong City.

"Old Li, over here."

As soon as he stepped out of the station, Fang Yubai's voice rang out.

He knew Li Pin was coming today and had come to the station specifically to pick him up.

"You've been gone for over a month. I've been bored to death here alone."

Fang Yubai said.

But Li Pin naturally didn't believe that.

He followed Fang Yubai and got into his Lanma X5, soon merging into the traffic.

"Oh, right, you remember that guy Jing Yunshan, the one who loves spreading rumors? He came to me, wanting to make peace with you. He even said he could help you appeal to the higher-ups to have the probation punishment lifted and clear your name..."

Fang Yubai paused, then added, "Don't mind me, I'm just the messenger."

"Mm."

Li Pin acknowledged.

"Honestly, I've never liked that punk. It's satisfying to see him get taken down by you."

Fang Yubai said with some vindication. "What are you planning to do? Make him apologize to you in front of everyone and restore your reputation?"

"I've already left Hanyang University. Let's talk about that later."

Li Pin said calmly.

Outsiders thought he had only jumped into the lake and lost his reputation.

Now, with the probation punishment possibly lifted and his reputation restored, it seemed like the situation had turned around.

But in Li Pin's view...

This matter wasn't over that easily.

Because...

"Li Pin" was dead.