Lingering Breath, Encountering the Silver-Crowned Snow Fox Again

The excitement of breaking through to the Muscle Tempering realm gradually settled, and the surging blood energy within his body slowly calmed. Li Bufan didn't rush to leave seclusion, deeply aware of the importance of a solid foundation. He suppressed the urge to immediately test his new strength and decided to spend time thoroughly stabilizing his current realm.

Over the next two or three days, he remained in the warm cave. Food was plentiful, and water was easily obtained from the clean snow outside. His daily life became highly regimented: most of his time was spent cultivating the Spirit Ape Muscle Tempering Technique, guiding the blood energy from the Tiger Bear meat that hadn't yet been fully digested to meticulously temper every inch of muscle; when hungry, he roasted and ate the Tiger Bear meat to replenish blood energy; when tired, he sat in meditation, using a unique breathing method to nourish his muscles, making them more compatible with his surging blood energy.

With the blessing of the [Heaven Rewards Diligence] destiny, his understanding and mastery of the Spirit Ape Muscle Tempering Technique improved at an astonishing rate. The subtle force behind each movement and the precise control of every blood energy flow became almost instinctual through countless repetitions. His muscle fibers grew tougher and more coordinated under repeated refinement, steadily increasing the power they could contain and unleash.

In just two or three days, though limited by the space and unable to leap and bound freely, focusing on static force exertion and deep blood energy circulation still allowed his proficiency to skyrocket.

[Heaven Rewards Diligence]

Spirit Ape Muscle Tempering Technique, Beginner (356/500)

Feeling the solid power within him, Li Bufan nodded in satisfaction. But he also clearly recognized a problem—this cave was too small.

Spirit Ape Muscle Tempering Technique, as its name implied, centered on imitating the agility and explosive power of a spirit ape. It required large-scale movement, leaping, and pouncing to fully stretch, compress, and temper the entire muscle group, especially the core strength of the legs and waist. In this cramped space, he could only perform basic movements and blood energy circulation exercises, unable to practice many of the subtle techniques that needed room to unfold.

"Even a clever housewife can't cook without rice," Li Bufan muttered with a bitter smile. "I have a good technique, but no suitable place to train. At this rate, if I want to push Spirit Ape Muscle Tempering Technique to a higher level, I'll need to find open ground. Cultivating in this cave is half the effort for twice the result."

A thought surfaced in his mind.

"Spirit Ape Muscle Tempering Technique is hard to advance quickly for now, but I still have it!" A sharp glint flashed in Li Bufan's eyes. "Those three stances of the Nameless Fist Technique are profoundly mysterious. Back when I only reached minor mastery, they helped me break through the Body Nourishment bottleneck straight to the Skin Tempering Realm. Later, because I made progress with Mighty Ox Fist, I set them aside a bit."

He recalled the characteristics of the Nameless Fist Technique: it didn't require much space, emphasized intent and the internal circulation of blood energy, had bizarre force application, and was astonishingly powerful. Moreover, it seemed to have a unique tempering effect on a warrior's foundation and aura.

"Now that my Mighty Ox Fist has reached perfection with no room for improvement, and Spirit Ape Muscle Tempering Technique is limited by the environment, this is the perfect chance to push through and elevate this Nameless Fist Technique to great mastery! Let's see what miraculous changes occur!"

No time like the present! Li Bufan immediately adjusted his state, and the three seemingly simple yet infinitely varied stances of the fist technique surfaced in his mind again.

He assumed the starting posture, his mind calm and his blood energy moving in response. Unlike the fierce dominance of Mighty Ox Fist or the agile tempering of Spirit Ape Muscle Tempering Technique, this Nameless Fist Technique focused more on an internal "momentum" and "intent," with a more peculiar path for blood energy circulation.

Sweeping a Thousand Troops, Directly Strike the Yellow Dragon, Feint to the East, Attack to the West.

With the [Heaven Rewards Diligence] destiny working at full throttle, all the insights from his past practice of these three stances surged like a tide. Many obscure and incomprehensible changes and blood energy coordinations that had eluded him before now became crystal clear, thanks to his enhanced cultivation at the Muscle Tempering realm and broader understanding!

He lost track of time, tirelessly rehearsing these three stances over and over. From clumsy to smooth, from smooth to refined, and from refined toward a higher realm.

His movements grew increasingly fluid, the transitions between the three stances seamless, as if they were originally a complete technique. His blood energy circulation became more effortless; with a single thought, surging blood energy could instantly reach wherever needed, unleashing astonishing power.

He felt his aura, under this unique form of tempering, become longer and deeper. Each deep breath seemed to stir his blood energy slightly, causing his muscles to undergo subtle adjustments and strengthening—a deeper nourishment different from Spirit Ape Muscle Tempering Technique.

After another day or two, when he had fully refined and absorbed the last bit of Tiger Bear marrow energy into the practice of this Nameless Fist Technique—

Boom!

A thunderclap seemed to explode in his mind! All the essence, variations, and blood energy circulation paths of the three stances merged completely, with no trace of obstruction! A feeling of perfect completion arose spontaneously!

He instinctively struck out the three stances again. The movements looked no different from before, but each stance carried a unique "spirit." The sound of blood energy flowing faintly echoed within his body, and the momentum of his fists and feet seemed to freeze the air in the cave for an instant!

Nameless Fist Technique, Great Mastery! (3/)

Finishing the technique, Li Bufan stood still in the cave, eyes closed, carefully sensing the changes in his body.

The most immediate feeling was—his aura had become incredibly long and sustained!

If before, at Perfection of Skin Refining, using Spirit Monkey Three Leaps to chase the Silver-Crowned Snow Fox would leave him exhausted, with blood energy depleted and muscles sore after at most half an hour of full exertion, then now, he felt his endurance had more than doubled! If he were to chase that snow fox again, he was confident he could sustain the pursuit for over an hour and still have strength to spare!

This improvement wasn't a simple increase in power. Under the mysterious effect of the Nameless Fist Technique reaching great mastery, his muscle fibers had undergone a deeper optimization. The efficiency of blood energy utilization had become extremely high, consumption greatly reduced, and recovery speed increased. This gave his sustained combat ability and survival in harsh environments a qualitative leap!

"In this icy, perilous mountain forest, this long-lasting aura and immense endurance are far more important than momentary explosive power!" A surge of ecstasy welled up in Li Bufan's heart. This Nameless Fist Technique hadn't let him down; its benefits were truly strategic.

He walked to the cave entrance and gently pushed aside the stone. Outside was still a frozen world, but the weather seemed a bit clearer. The crisp air filled his lungs, feeling as if it could circulate within him, lingering for a long time.

Feeling the blood energy in his body, the tough and full muscles, and the deep, prolonged breathing, Li Bufan's confidence soared to unprecedented heights.

Muscle Tempering realm cultivation! Spirit Monkey Three Leaps minor mastery! Mighty Ox Fist perfection! Nameless Fist Technique great mastery!

Now, his overall strength was several times greater than before he entered the mountains! It could truly be called a transformation.

"It's time." His sharp gaze swept across the snowy plain outside the cave. "Time to go out and take a look. Now, facing risks, I have enough confidence!"

He carefully wrapped the remaining Tiger Bear jerky, concealed the cave entrance again, ensuring it looked normal from the outside. Then, tightening his leather coat, he stepped out with steady, powerful strides into the silver-white world.

Stepping onto the snowfield, the biting air hit him, but it no longer felt as piercing as before. After breaking through to the Muscle Tempering realm, his blood energy was as vigorous as a furnace, naturally warding off the cold, leaving Li Bufan feeling refreshed and clear-headed.

His primary goal remained the snow fox. If he could hunt another Silver-Crowned Snow Fox, even better. Not only was this fox the excuse for his leave from Lin Manor, but its agility and speed also made tracking it an excellent test of his own abilities.

"Last time, it took nearly half an hour to catch it, partly because it was fast, and partly because my endurance was lacking—I couldn't maintain constant pressure." Fortunately, a small breakthrough in Spirit Monkey Three Leaps at the end allowed him to secure it. Li Bufan calculated in his mind. "Now, with my aura several times longer and Spirit Monkey Three Leaps improved, let's see how long it can run!"

He didn't search blindly but carefully recalled the general area where he'd last lost track of it, combined with the snow fox's habits—preferring cold, often active on sunny slopes near rocks or forest edges, feeding on small rodents and snowfield berries.

He executed Spirit Monkey Three Leaps, his figure gliding lightly over the snow. Though not at full explosive speed, it was sustainable and energy-efficient, leaving only faint traces like walking on snow without a mark, while his eyes swept the surroundings like a hawk's.

The snow-covered mountain forest was eerily quiet; any subtle sound couldn't escape his now-sharpened senses.

After searching for about half an hour, on a leeward slope, several small, plum-blossom-shaped footprints finally caught his eye!

"It's him, the snow fox's tracks!" Li Bufan's spirits lifted, and he immediately crouched to examine them closely. The footprints were fresh, not yet scattered by the wind or completely covered by new snow, meaning the snow fox had passed by not long ago.

He took a deep breath, held nothing back, and his blood energy roared into motion as Spirit Monkey Three Leaps was pushed to its limit!

Whoosh!

His figure shot out like an arrow from a bowstring, following the footprints! His speed was more than a notch faster than before the breakthrough! His steps were even more agile, weaving through rugged snow and bushes with almost no loss of speed.

The snow fox ahead seemed to sense danger, turning into a silver-white shadow as it fled desperately across the snowfield, its speed even faster than Li Bufan remembered!

"Nice, another Silver-Crowned Snow Fox, and this one is even faster and larger than the one I hunted before!" Instead of being dismayed, Li Bufan was delighted—this meant the fox might be more valuable.

The chase was on once again.

But this time, the situation was completely different!

Li Bufan was faster, steadier, and his breathing was deep and prolonged, showing no signs of exhaustion. No matter how the Silver-Crowned Snow Fox dodged, squeezed through gaps, or used the terrain, he followed with astonishing agility, and the distance was closing bit by bit!

The snow fox clearly realized the hunter behind it was no easy prey, growing agitated and letting out sharp, piercing cries.

After about the time it takes to burn a stick of incense, Li Bufan still felt his blood and energy surging, his legs brimming with strength. The snow fox ahead finally seemed to slow down just a little!

Opportunity!

Li Bufan seized the moment. As the snow fox tried to leap over a low cliff, he stomped hard and accelerated, his body soaring like a true spirit monkey, closing the distance to within twenty paces in an instant!

Nocking the arrow, drawing the bow, aiming—all in one fluid motion!

The bowstring hummed lightly!

Whoosh!

An Armor-piercing Arrow cut through the air, striking a rock just ahead of the snow fox with precision!

Crack!

The sharp sound of the arrowhead hitting the rock, along with the spray of snow, startled the snow fox.

It instinctively swerved to the side, trying to dodge the sudden disruption. That moment of hesitation and change in direction broke its perfect escape rhythm!

How could Li Bufan let such a chance slip? [Spirit Monkey Three Leaps] erupted again, his figure gliding low like a phantom, closing in instantly!

He dropped the bow with his right hand, turned his palm into a claw, and struck with fierce force straight at the Silver-Crowned Snow Fox, now flustered from the shock!

This time, in just the span of a single incense stick, he had captured an even more valuable Silver-Crowned Snow Fox.