First Houtian Barrier

In the merchant house's rear courtyard lay a separate compound reserved exclusively for retainers.

Two basins of premium Silver Silk Charcoal burned in the room, without the slightest trace of smoke, warming the entire space.

On the table sat steaming White Flour Steamed Buns and a large bowl of thoroughly stewed Demon Beast Meat.

Sun Yu sat before the table, setting the Pigua Saber Technique (Incomplete) he had taken from Scarface aside as he devoured the meat in huge mouthfuls.

This was the most satisfying meal he had eaten in the half month since crossing over.

No longer was he in that icy woodshed, no longer did he live in terror of not knowing where his next meal would come from.

With the status of a retainer of the Wanbao Merchant House draped over him, even the once-lofty Qian Family would have to weigh the consequences before making a move against him.

But he understood better than anyone.

The merchant house was not a charity.

The White Flour Steamed Buns and Silver Silk Charcoal all had to be bought with his life.

If he wanted to truly survive—perhaps even live better than everyone else—he could only rely on his own strength.

After eating and drinking his fill, Sun Yu wiped his mouth and opened the Pigua Saber Technique.

The saber technique was indeed badly incomplete, containing only diagrams for its first three forms: Mountain Splitting, Wind Scooping, and Water Breaking.

But for Sun Yu, who desperately needed a means of close combat, it was enough.

After reading through the entire saber technique, Sun Yu summoned the panel.

[Martial Skill: Pigua Saber Technique (Not Initiated)+]

Without hesitation, he tapped it with his mind.

"Bzz!"

As the plus sign vanished—

[Pigua Saber Technique (Initiated)]

A flood of saber-wielding scenes instantly poured into his mind. This saber technique emphasized broad, sweeping movements, using strength to break skill.

Over the next few days.

Sun Yu shut himself away.

Other than eating the Blood-Nourishing Medicinal Meals provided by the merchant house, he added points punctually every midnight.

On the second day—

[Pigua Saber Technique (Proficient)]

On the third day—

[Pigua Saber Technique (Mastered)]

On the fourth day—

[Pigua Saber Technique (Minor Accomplishment)]

Until late on the sixth night.

[Pigua Saber Technique (Perfected)]!

The muscles all over Sun Yu's body suddenly swelled, especially those in his arms, waist, and back. His formerly somewhat lean muscle fibers were now like tightly twisted steel cables, brimming with explosive power.

But it was not over yet!

Over the past few days, he had been wolfing down medicinal meals made from the Red Scale Wild Boar every day.

Driven by both the Eight Divisions Vajra Skill and the perfected saber technique, the vital blood that had long accumulated within him finally could no longer be suppressed, like boiling magma.

"Crack, crack, crack..."

A strange crimson flush spread across Sun Yu's skin, as though countless ants were tearing and biting beneath his flesh.

He gritted his teeth and allowed that violent vital blood to scour every inch of his skin membrane.

A full incense stick's worth of time passed.

The crimson faded.

Sun Yu's skin returned to its normal color, but upon closer inspection, one would find that his flesh had become extraordinarily taut, faintly carrying the tough texture of cowhide.

He walked to the table, drew the Refined Iron Dagger, and slashed fiercely across his forearm.

"Rip."

No blood was drawn. It left only a faint white mark on his skin!

A sharp gleam burst from Sun Yu's eyes.

Flesh like leather; blades and swords could scarcely wound it.

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

The first barrier of the Houtian Realm: the early Skin Tempering Realm!

Sun Yu curled his five fingers into a claw and squeezed his forearm hard.

He felt no pain. The flesh that had once been soft was now as tough and firm as cured cowhide.

He was now a genuine Houtian Realm martial artist!

"Huu!"

Sun Yu let out a long breath of stale air from his chest. His shoulders, which had been tense for months, finally relaxed completely.

Thinking back to those days not long ago, when he couldn't sleep at night and lived in constant fear every day, it felt like a lifetime ago.

"Only a little over a month has passed..." He rubbed his cheeks hard, tugging his lips into a self-mocking smile.

"It really does feel like losing track of the years in the mountains."

After that brief moment of relaxation, Sun Yu did not let himself get carried away.

Out of habit, he settled his mind and began circulating the Vajra Skill once more.

The moment his qi and blood had traveled half a circuit through his body, they noticeably slowed.

Sun Yu frowned slightly and slowly opened his eyes.

"It really is only a basic cultivation method. Once I reached the Skin Tempering Realm, this technique had already run dry." He clenched his fists tightly, feeling the clear lack of follow-through within his skin and flesh.

Without further deductions, his qi and blood could no longer continue tempering his flesh.

It seemed he needed to find a new cultivation method as soon as possible, one that could connect to the realms beyond.

The next morning.

A knock sounded outside the courtyard.

"Guest Elder Sun, the Head Shopkeeper requests your presence."

Sun Yu opened the door. A lean young man stood in the snow. Sun Yu had seen him when he arrived the previous night, so he nodded to him before following the clerk all the way to the Merchant House's main hall.

The Head Shopkeeper was not holding his abacus today, and his expression was far more solemn than usual.

The moment he saw Sun Yu enter, his eyes lit up.

They had not seen each other for only a few days, yet the youth before him seemed to possess even denser qi and blood. Standing there, he was like a heavy saber hidden within its sheath.

"Brother Sun, have you been staying comfortably these past few days?" The Head Shopkeeper smiled broadly.

"You're too polite, Shopkeeper. Just say what you need." Sun Yu pulled out a chair and sat down without wasting words.

The Head Shopkeeper's smile vanished as he lowered his voice. "Brother Sun is a straightforward man, so I'll get right to it."

"Ten days from now, the Merchant House will be transporting a batch of extremely precious spirit herbs to the prefectural city. Along the way, we must pass through Black Wind Pass on the outskirts of Black Crow Mountain."

At the words Black Wind Pass, Sun Yu frowned slightly.

It was a place even the town's three great martial academies were unwilling to enter lightly.

Not only did savage demonic beasts appear there, it was also a gathering place for bandits and highwaymen.

"This shipment is too important. The Merchant House's guards aren't enough, and we need a powerful Hunter Master like Brother Sun to hold the line." The Head Shopkeeper stared intently at Sun Yu.

Sun Yu lightly tapped his fingers against the tabletop, not agreeing at once.

He knew full well that archers were indeed terrifyingly lethal in open ground, but once a demonic beast or a martial artist of a higher realm got close, it was a dead end.

Though his Pigua Saber Technique had reached completion, it was ultimately only an ordinary Martial Skill.

He needed a more powerful martial cultivation method—one that would allow him to keep advancing in the Skin Tempering Realm!

Sun Yu stopped tapping the table, raised his head, and fixed the Head Shopkeeper with a blazing gaze. "I want a Houtian Realm Martial Arts Manual from the Merchant House Armory."

The moment he said those words, the air in the secret chamber seemed to freeze solid.

Martial cultivation methods were the absolute foundation of every power.

Never mind a carriage fee of ten taels of silver—even a hundred taels would not buy a genuine martial art!

The Head Shopkeeper looked deeply at Sun Yu, the fat on his face twitching twice.

This brat had quite an appetite.

But when he considered the value of this shipment, as well as the astonishing potential the brat had displayed...

The Head Shopkeeper gritted his teeth. "Fine! I agree! But let me make this clear first: the only thing I can let you see is an entry-level martial art for the Skin Tempering Realm. Anything higher is beyond my authority! And you can only read it on the spot—you may not take it out."

"Deal." Sun Yu rose crisply to his feet.

On the spot was fine. As long as it appeared on his panel, he could grind it all the way to Great Perfection.

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