Habit

Changfeng Martial Hall.

Li Pin was practicing his boxing off to the side, while both the coaches and students gave him a wide berth to avoid disturbing him.

His performance that morning had won over everyone in Changfeng Martial Hall.

Without realizing it, his status had quietly surpassed Yang Danqing's, making him the second most important figure in the hall, second only to the owner, Fang Lingjue.

Finishing a set of punches, Li Pin let out a long breath.

Without even needing to focus his senses, he could imagine the changes in his blood and physique.

[Blood +0.03]

Total: 29.81.

"The next step is to Embrace Qi into Dan. Last time, I rushed the Embrace Dan hastily, and even with considerable preparation, it ended in failure. Clearly, Embracing Dan isn't easy. This time, I need to take a steadier path."

Li Pin planned to use the method of refining Dan Jin, letting it naturally and smoothly reach the state of Embracing Qi into Dan.

It was a technique akin to proving the Dao through sheer force.

Cumbersome.

But safe.

Refining Dan Jin was tedious for other Hua Jin experts, but for Li Pin, who was "gifted with extraordinary talent," it was merely a matter of repeated improvements and optimizations, training the unified, seamless force into instinct.

At that moment, Li Pin seemed to sense something and looked to the side.

He saw Fang Lingjue, who had returned at some point, watching him practice.

Noticing Li Pin had snapped out of it, Fang Lingjue asked, "Done?"

"Done."

"Want to sit in my office for a bit?"

"Sure."

Li Pin replied and followed Fang Lingjue into the office.

Once inside, Fang Lingjue personally fetched water and made tea for Li Pin.

But halfway through, Li Pin took the teapot from him.

"I'll do it."

Fang Lingjue didn't argue, just studied him for a long moment.

After a full half-minute, he said, "So, you've reached Dan Jin."

"Yeah, between life and death, thoughts move like lightning. It really is the best time for sudden insight and breakthroughs."

Li Pin said.

"That's true, but it's like snatching chestnuts from the fire."

Fang Lingjue said, "There are people like this in the Martial World, called seekers of the Dao. But looking back at every seeker who poured everything into martial arts, not one of them lasted long."

Li Pin knew Fang Lingjue was advising him to be more careful in the future. He nodded in agreement. "I understand. In life, nothing is more important than death. I cherish my life more than anyone."

Because...

He wanted to know just how far the human body of flesh and blood could evolve.

In this era, those who had reached the peak of humanity, with no weaknesses, known as the Kings of the Century, couldn't even withstand machine guns and artillery. At best, they could deflect pistol bullets with the vibration of Gang Jin.

What lay beyond that realm, and what scenery awaited, no one knew.

He...

Wanted to go see it.

So, he wouldn't die easily.

"I'm glad you think that way."

Fang Lingjue said, "I was worried that since both your breakthroughs relied on life-or-death battles to ignite your life potential, you might get addicted to this fast-track method of breakthrough and end up playing with fire. You staying calm shows I was overthinking."

Li Pin smiled.

"Before the Starfall Festival, you signed up for the Jiangzhou Martial Arts Tournament. We all thought you were just going to gain experience. But now... it seems you already had plans back then, didn't you?"

Fang Lingjue looked at him. "The younger generation is formidable."

"I just felt that by the time the Jiangzhou Martial Arts Tournament started, my cultivation should have advanced a bit further. To be honest, I have no idea if I can stand out or even break into the top ten."

Li Pin said.

Embrace Dan!

It was a realm he had never touched in his past life.

"Self-disciplined, confident."

Fang Lingjue nodded. "Now that you can unleash Dan Jin, do you want to go to Jiangzhou and take the Associate Senior Title exam?"

"No rush. It's just a certificate."

Li Pin said.

"True."

Fang Lingjue said, "And besides, now isn't really the time."

"Oh?"

"You saw the martial artist summons for Death Valley, right?"

"I did."

"Death Valley is named for death, so you can imagine how dangerous it is. Taibai has been peaceful for too long. Many martial artists have lost the bloodlust to fight beasts and contend with Demonic Beasts for living space in turbulent times. After a few months, fewer than a hundred martial artists nationwide have signed up. Now there are rumors that a mandatory conscription order will be issued from above."

Fang Lingjue said, "Even I got wind of this, so it's almost certain."

Li Pin listened and nodded.

"You've comprehended Dan Jin. Next comes Embrace Dan. Do you have a method for Embrace Dan?"

"I've summarized everything I've learned in my life and figured out a path to Embrace Dan. As for the actual effect, I haven't put it into practice yet."

Li Pin said.

Fang Lingjue froze, staring at Li Pin in disbelief. "Don't tell me you have no inheritance!?"

He pressed on, "Where's your master!?"

Li Pin slowly shook his head.

"That's impossible!"

Fang Lingjue leaned forward abruptly. "Then... how did you manage to develop Dan Jin?"

"I figured it out on my own before, thought it through. Also... I've been watching videos for over a month now."

Li Pin said.

"..."

Fang Lingjue glared at Li Pin, his breathing growing heavier.

After a long moment, he blurted out in loss of composure, "Holy shit!"

Li Pin's mouth twitched.

"Are you some kind of monster!?"

Fang Lingjue muttered, "To achieve Dan Jin at this age, that's basically only possible for disciples of a Martial Saint or exceptionally gifted direct students of a Grandmaster. And now you're telling me you have no inheritance!? Not even a proper Training Method!?"

"That's how it is."

Li Pin nodded in agreement.

"Hah!"

It took Fang Lingjue a while to let out a breath.

He suddenly pulled a USB drive out of his drawer.

"Take this. It contains the White Crane Fist of the White Crane Style. I'll recommend you to join the White Crane Style right now. If you really have no inheritance and reached this level on your own, forget becoming a Grandmaster's disciple—becoming a Martial Saint's disciple is very promising."

"No need."

Li Pin didn't move for the USB drive.

"Why?"

Fang Lingjue frowned.

"No reason."

Li Pin let out a light laugh. "I'm just not used to bowing respectfully and calling someone 'Master.'"

Fang Lingjue froze.

Then his pupils contracted.

He looked at this young man who smiled harmlessly. He thought that after more than two months together, he had come to understand him somewhat.

That was why he had so readily offered the White Crane Fist manual.

But at this moment, hearing him speak those words with a light laugh...

For the first time, he realized he had never truly seen him clearly.

Stubborn.

Or rather...

Pride.

An indescribable pride, rooted in his bones and sinews, coiled in his mind and will, radiating an unyielding, soaring sharpness.

It was just a simple sentence, yet it was like a sword light piercing the clouds, illuminating the world...

As if...

His life was destined to leave a blazing mark on this world.

After a long while...

Fang Lingjue couldn't help but ask again: "Is it really that hard to show respect?"

In society, who doesn't bow? Who doesn't lower their head?

Calling someone master or father—is it really that difficult?

He couldn't understand.

"It's not hard."

Li Pin said, "But I'm not used to it."

"But if you keep this up, your path will be very difficult."

Fang Lingjue said.

"Finding problems and solving them—that process is inherently interesting."

Li Pin said.

Fang Lingjue said nothing.

He could see it.

A newborn calf has no fear of tigers.

Perhaps it was to temper his spirit and conviction, refusing to let a single "thought" be obstructed.

Respect, courtesy, politeness.

He was willing to be respectful and courteous.

But simply because he wasn't used to bowing in deference...

He would willingly forgo a massive shortcut.

Young man...

"Your ambition is higher than the heavens."

Fang Lingjue said.

"I only hope your fate won't be thinner than paper."

Li Pin replied with a smile.

He knew that's exactly what Fang Lingjue was thinking.

But he didn't care.

In his past life, without talent or inheritance, he still managed to reach the peak of Hua Jin in over a decade, just half a step away from Embrace Dan.

In this life, with "talent" at his side, if he couldn't seek unhindered thoughts, live fiercely according to his own will, and complete life's greatest desire—cultivation—with an unyielding conviction... then it would be...

a waste of being reborn.