Flesh Tempering Method

"Did ancient people play this way?" Looking at the scantily clad maids, Luo Yi couldn't help but criticize.

He first walked to the maid on the left and examined the secret manuals in her hands. He found they were all Skin Refining techniques similar to the "Fierce Tiger Skin Refining Technique."

The only difference was their focus. He didn't rush to make a choice.

Luo Yi then moved to the maid on the right and began examining the "Flesh Refining Realm" techniques in her hands.

After reviewing all the "Flesh Refining Realm" techniques, he pondered for a moment and chose a technique called "Berserk Bear Flesh Refining Technique."

"Shopkeeper Hong, what's the price of this technique?"

Hongyu's face lit up when she saw Luo Yi had chosen the "Berserk Bear Flesh Refining Technique." "Little brother, you have excellent taste. This technique's style is very similar to your 'Fierce Tiger Skin Refining Technique.' Both techniques follow a 'fierce, domineering, and grand' approach."

"Therefore, this secret manual is a bit more expensive, costing fifty taels of silver."

"Cough, how much?" Luo Yi thought he misheard. Such manuals, which could be repeatedly copied and sold, actually cost fifty taels of silver.

But then he considered that this was a "Flesh Refining Realm" technique. A Martial Artist who had mastered Skin Refining had many ways to earn money, and earning fifty taels of silver was only a matter of time.

Moreover, Luo Yi felt that once his strength reached the Flesh Refining Realm, he could earn even more silver through hunting or other methods.

Gritting his teeth, he took out a fifty-tael silver note from his embrace and handed it to Hongyu. "I'll take this 'Berserk Bear Flesh Refining Technique.'" After speaking, He walked to the maid on the left and chose a technique called "Mantis Skin Refining Technique."

His objective achieved, he now only had a little over ten taels of silver left in his bag. Considering the future expenses of practicing martial arts, he didn't inquire about any other secret manuals.

"Shopkeeper Hong, the silver has been paid, and the exchange is complete. Please retrieve the complete secret manuals." Hearing this, Hongyu instructed someone nearby, "Jade, go fetch the 'Berserk Bear Flesh Refining Technique' and 'Mantis Skin Refining Technique' manuals that young master purchased."

"Yes, Sister."

After receiving the two secret manuals, Luo Yi carefully flipped through them. Once both manuals were recorded in the system panel and he confirmed there were no issues, He stood up to leave. "Thank you, Shopkeeper Hong."

Seeing the customer about to leave, Hongyu quickly stood up and put her arm around Luo Yi's shoulder. "Young master, please wait. I have a small request."

"You purchased a 'Flesh Refining Realm' technique, so I assume you haven't joined any forces in the county town. On behalf of the 'Chen Family' behind me, I'd like to invite you. What are your thoughts?"

Feeling the two soft mounds on his arm, Luo Yi shook his head. "Not interested." He then broke free from Hongyu's grasp and walked out of the shop.

Watching Luo Yi's departing figure, Hongyu licked her lips, her eyes filled with the excitement of encountering prey.

"Interesting. In Yunlu County, no one has been born yet who can refuse my invitation, Hongyu. Sooner or later, you'll all fall at my feet."

Leaving the Martial Arts Pavilion.

Luo Yi touched the two secret manuals in his embrace, feeling a dull ache in his chest. However, now was not the time to lament the money, but to seize the opportunity to break through to the "Flesh Refining Realm."

His mind raced with thoughts, and soon Luo Yi arrived at an alley near his home.

Considering that his younger sister needed to practice martial arts at the White Ape Martial Hall recently, he was alone at home, and even meals were a problem.

He found a stall by an alley near his home, paid a deposit, and arranged with the stall owner to deliver meals to Luo Yi's courtyard punctually every morning, noon, and evening until he canceled the service.

With his worries resolved, Luo Yi opened the courtyard gate, walked in, and sat on a stone stool under the large banyan tree.

He silently willed the attribute panel to open:

Host: Luo Yi
Age: 16
Realm: Skin Refining (Mastered)
Skills: Basic Archery (Mastered 270/400), Fierce Tiger Skin Refining Technique (Mastered), Introduction to Poisons (Mastered), Mantis Skin Refining Technique (Beginner 1/50), Berserk Bear Flesh Refining Technique (Beginner 1/200)
Traits: Immune to Poisons, Fierce Tiger Back
Energy Points: 16
Bone Structure: Upper-grade

Looking at the skill progress on the panel, Luo Yi showed a hint of surprise and murmured softly:

"Strange. 'Mantis Skin Refining Technique' and 'Fierce Tiger Skin Refining Technique' are similar techniques. Why does it only take 50 points to get started? Is it because I've practiced techniques of the same level, so the progress speeds up? Or is it because of the improvement in my aptitude?" Luo Yi decided to find another Skin Refining technique later to verify his guess.

"And why does 'Berserk Bear Flesh Refining Technique' require 200 proficiency just to get started? Is it because of the different realm?"

Unable to verify his guesses for now, Luo Yi stopped thinking and took out the "Berserk Bear Flesh Refining Technique" from his embrace to read carefully.

The Berserk Bear is not a common wild beast like the Black Bear or Brown Bear, but a mutated ferocious beast. An adult Berserk Bear is as massive as a small mountain, and a single palm strike can easily shatter houses.

A Martial Artist of the Great Qi, by observing the hunting behavior of the Berserk Bear, created this "Berserk Bear Flesh Refining Technique."

This Flesh Refining technique focuses on depicting the Berserk Bear's muscles, its immense strength, and its iron-like toughness. When the technique is mastered, it can significantly enhance a Martial Artist's strength and defensive capabilities.

After flipping through the entire technique, he saw a note on the last page: "Martial Artists who have not mastered Skin Refining should not attempt to practice this technique lightly, otherwise! The mildest consequence is depleted vital energy, and the severe consequence is a premature death. Those who have mastered Skin Refining or have abundant vital energy will greatly increase their cultivation speed by practicing this technique."

Reading the annotation on the last page, Luo Yi fell into thought. The panel showed his realm as "Skin Refining (Mastered)." He wondered if his strength, defense, speed, or vital energy would continue to improve if he continued to practice Skin Refining techniques.

Looking at the "Mantis Skin Refining Technique" on the panel, which only required 50 points to upgrade, Luo Yi stopped thinking and assumed a stance, practicing the moves of the "Mantis Skin Refining Technique."

After completing one full round of all the moves in the "Mantis Skin Refining Technique," a prompt appeared indicating "+5 progress."

"So much?" Luo Yi, who had been debating whether to first improve his realm or practice another Skin Refining technique, immediately stopped hesitating.

A quarter of an hour passed.

With the Mantis Skin Refining Technique reaching the introductory level, his skin felt familiar, but the sensation was fleeting, lasting only a minute or two before disappearing.

Luo Yi rolled up his sleeves and looked at his arm, which had become crystal clear after reaching the perfect level in Skin Refining. Now, it was even brighter.

He drew the Dao from his waist and sliced it across his arm, finding that its defensive power had also increased. Learning multiple secret manuals was indeed effective.

Confirming his suspicions, Luo Yi wasted no more time. He first went to the kitchen to brew the Tonic, then took out the Bear Gall he had been carrying and swallowed it.

With all preparations made, he returned to the banyan tree in the courtyard and began practicing the moves of the Mantis Skin Refining Technique.

Except for a short break at noon for lunch, Luo Yi practiced until dusk. Feeling the fatigue that occasionally pulsed through his body, he slowly stopped.

He sat down at the stone table in the courtyard, looking at the panel that displayed Mantis Skin Refining Technique (Great Accomplishment 23/300).

He had reached the Great Accomplishment level in just one day. It would take at most another two or three days to reach the perfect level.