On the second morning after breaking through to Grand Completion of Skin Refining, Li Bufan felt as though the entire world had become clearer. The flow of the air, distant sounds, even the surging of his own blood and qi—all of it seemed several degrees sharper to his senses. As steady as thunder that never ceased, he still appeared at the training ground, facing the biting cold wind as he began his daily compulsory lesson—practicing Mighty Ox Fist.
This time, once his fist stance unfolded, it felt completely different from before!
His blood and qi flowed more smoothly and powerfully. With the slightest movement of intent, blood and qi swiftly gathered at his knuckles, producing a deeper, more forceful whistle through the air than before. With every punch, he felt his strength become more concentrated and his control over releasing and withdrawing it grow more natural. The skin across his body tightened, gleaming with a restrained dark-bronze luster, as if he had truly donned an invisible suit of copper armor. His defenses had greatly increased. Even when his feet struck the ground, they were steadier and more powerful, and he could faintly sense the slight rebound from the earth beneath him.
On the [Heaven Rewards Diligence] panel, the proficiency of Mighty Ox Fist steadily ticked upward with every perfectly executed move. The clear sensation of his own rapid improvement completely immersed him, leaving him free of all distractions.
Just as he was practicing a set of Mighty Ox Fist to his heart's content, he caught sight of a small, thin figure in servant's clothes peering timidly into the training ground from its edge. The figure seemed afraid to casually step into this place of cultivation brimming with masculine vigor. It looked somewhat familiar.
Li Bufan's heart stirred. He slowly withdrew his stance, and the surging blood and qi within him gradually calmed. He recognized the person—it was the young servant who had been standing guard outside the courtyard when he had gone to seek Uncle Fu last time, the one who had told him Uncle Fu was away on business.
Seeing Li Bufan stop, the young servant finally dared to jog over. His face carried respect and a touch of nervousness as he said softly, "Gu... Guard Li, Uncle Fu has returned. He is in the courtyard right now and ordered this little one to invite you over."
Uncle Fu had returned? And he wanted to see him?
Li Bufan did not dare delay in the slightest. Uncle Fu had saved his life and shown him the way, and he was also the chief steward of Lin Manor's inner residence, a man of lofty status. He immediately nodded to the young servant. "Thank you, little brother. Please lead the way."
He casually picked up the outer robe laid beside him and draped it over his shoulders, then followed the young servant briskly away from the training ground toward the courtyard in the inner residence where Lin Fu handled affairs.
As they walked, thoughts turned in Li Bufan's mind. Uncle Fu's summons left him somewhat baffled.
While he pondered, they arrived outside that quiet yet imposing courtyard. After the young servant announced his arrival, he gestured for Li Bufan to enter on his own.
Li Bufan straightened the slightly disheveled front of his clothes from practicing his fists, took a deep breath, and stepped into the courtyard. Beside a stone table sat an elderly man in a brocade-padded robe. His face was lean and refined, while his gentle eyes held a glint of shrewdness. Holding a steaming cup of tea, he sat at ease. It was none other than the chief steward, Lin Fu.
Hearing the footsteps, Lin Fu raised his head, his gaze falling on Li Bufan. He did not speak immediately. Instead, he carefully examined Li Bufan from head to toe with eyes that seemed capable of seeing through the human heart. His gaze lingered especially on Li Bufan's steady steps, lean and capable figure, and those calm, resolute eyes.
The courtyard was silent. Only the faint sound of cold wind passing through dead branches and Li Bufan's steady breathing could be heard.
Suddenly, Lin Fu set down his teacup and burst into hearty, gratified laughter. "Haha! Good! Very good! Not bad at all!"
He praised him repeatedly, his eyes filled with undisguised appreciation. "This old man was away for barely more than half a month, yet when I returned, I heard that the manor had gained an extraordinary newcomer! In less than two months since entering the manor, you rose above the rest all the way from being a mere servant hauling medicinal herbs to becoming the finest of the new guards today!
"You distinguished yourself in the Winter Hunt and won the young miss's favor. More importantly, your cultivation has advanced at such astonishing speed! This old man truly was not blind with age. I saw that you were clever and promising from the start, but I never expected you to stand out so brilliantly! You have greatly exceeded this old man's expectations! Haha!"
Li Bufan felt somewhat embarrassed by the praise, but what he felt more was respect for the elder. He stepped forward, cupped his fists, and bowed deeply, his tone utterly solemn and sincere. "Uncle Fu, you praise me too highly! Any tiny bit of progress this junior, Li Bufan, has made today was by no means solely due to my own abilities.
"If Uncle Fu had not been kind that day and granted this junior the grace of life, and if you had not given this junior the chance to enter Lin Manor and find a place to settle down and make a living, then this junior and my little brother would likely have frozen to death in the bitter winter long ago, becoming dry bones in the mass grave outside the city. I have always engraved this kindness and grace upon my heart, and I have never dared forget it!"
There was not the slightest false politeness in his words. They were entirely heartfelt gratitude.
Upon hearing this, Lin Fu's smile grew even warmer. He stroked his beard, satisfaction flashing through his eyes. Neither arrogant nor impetuous, and one who knew gratitude and repaid kindness—such character was rarer than talent.
"Hehe, Bufan, there is no need for you to be so modest." Lin Fu's tone gentled considerably. "I gave you an opportunity that day because you were clever and quick-witted, with clear eyes unlike those of a treacherous fellow. But once an opportunity is given, whether you can seize it and how much you can seize is entirely up to you. You have reached this point because you are willing to endure hardship, possess comprehension, and have a fierce drive to strive. This old man merely acted in passing. The fact that you remember it proves that this old man did not misjudge you."
Then his tone shifted, and his expression became somewhat more serious as he advised, "However, Bufan, you must understand that although Grand Completion of Skin Refining makes you outstanding among the new guards, looking across all of Lin Manor—and even Huaiyuan County—you have merely stepped through the door. You possess only a little ability to protect yourself."
Li Bufan's expression tightened, and he replied respectfully, "This junior understands. I would never dare harbor the slightest complacency."
"Good. It is good that you understand." Lin Fu nodded, deeply pleased by Li Bufan's clear-headedness. He continued, "I called you here today for two reasons. First, to see how you have been doing. Second, to remind you of something."
He lifted his teacup, took a light sip, and said slowly, "It is now the middle of the twelfth lunar month. In a little over a month, it will be the New Year. By the customs of previous years, a few days before the New Year, the true authority of Lin Manor, Master Lin, will pull himself away from his business in the Prefectural City and return to the manor for the holiday. And once the master returns, it will be time for the annual Lin Manor Guard Promotion Assessment."
"The Guard Promotion Assessment?" Li Bufan's heart stirred, and his eyes lit up. Though guards and manor guards differed by only one word, their status in Lin Manor, their treatment, and the resources they could access were as far apart as heaven and earth!
Guards were mainly responsible for patrolling the outer grounds and handling rough, heavy duties, while manor guards were closer to the core. They were responsible for inner-residence security, accompanying important figures, and might even have the chance to be taught more profound martial arts!
Lin Fu looked at him and said meaningfully, "That is right. This is the manor's major annual event, and the best chance for every guard to leap through the Dragon Gate. There will be strict martial skill examinations, evaluations of strength, and perhaps even some tests of real combat. Those who perform exceptionally may be promoted to manor guards. Their treatment will double, and they will receive better cultivation resources and support."
Li Bufan thought that this might be what Coach Qin had wanted to say but had held back that day.
"You have now reached Grand Completion of Skin Refining and are already among the best of the new guards. But if you wish to stand out in the promotion assessment against those veteran guards of old, or even the original reserve manor guards, it will be far from easy. This little more than a month is of utmost importance. You must grasp it well and must not slack off. If you can rise to become a manor guard in one stroke, it will be greatly beneficial to your future development. This is also this old man's expectation for you."
These words were undoubtedly an immensely important piece of guidance and opportunity! Uncle Fu was clearly pointing him toward a path forward and giving him a definite time frame and goal!
A surge of warmth and fierce fighting spirit immediately rose in Li Bufan's heart. He bowed deeply once more, his tone utterly earnest and resolute. "Thank you for your guidance, Uncle Fu! Bufan will engrave every word you spoke today upon his heart! I will certainly cultivate diligently and train bitterly, and I will never disappoint Uncle Fu's expectations or the kindness you showed me that day!"
"Good. Go on, then. Cultivate well." Lin Fu smiled and waved his hand, lifting his teacup to signal the end of their conversation.
Li Bufan respectfully performed a salute before slowly withdrawing from the small courtyard.
The moment he stepped outside the gate, cold air rushed toward him, yet it could not cool the boiling blood in his heart or his sense of purpose in the slightest.
Master Lin's return! The promotion assessment! Manor guards!
One keyword after another echoed through his mind. This was undoubtedly a tremendous opportunity, a springboard that could let him access higher-level resources more quickly and increase his strength faster!
But he also understood deeply that, just as Uncle Fu had said, the competition would certainly be exceptionally fierce. Though his Grand Completion of Skin Refining was strong among the newcomers, the manor had no shortage of veteran guards at Perfection of Skin Refining, perhaps even some who had touched the threshold of Muscle Tempering! With only a little more than a month, he had to race against every second!
He did not return to the training ground immediately. Instead, he first went back to his quarters and calmly began making plans.
"Mighty Ox Fist must continue to be cultivated bitterly as I advance toward the peak of Great Mastery. This is the foundation."
"Spirit Ape Three Leaps must break through to the proficient realm as soon as possible, or even higher. Movement techniques are crucial in real combat."
"Herbal Compendium cannot be neglected. Identifying medicinal herbs and understanding their properties will not only be useful in the future; perhaps I can also find methods to assist cultivation in the short term."
"Medicinal cuisine cannot be skipped for a single meal. I must absorb it fully. The next medicinal bath must be put to good use..."
"Perhaps... I should enter the mountains again!
"That's right. With the experience from the Winter Hunt, perhaps this trip into the mountains will bring even greater gains. If I find another Spirit Item capable of promoting the growth of blood and qi, perhaps my strength can advance another step."
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