The Four Major Realms of Body Tempering, Meeting the Village Chief

"Was that Chen Mo?"

"That guy has changed so much. Last time I saw him, he was clearly at death's door."

"Uncle Chao brought him over. Could Chen Mo want to cultivate Tiger Fist too?"

"If I remember right, Chen Mo is only fifteen years old, isn't he? He hasn't reached the required age yet. He can only cultivate Tiger Fist next year."

"Actually, there's no age requirement for cultivating Tiger Fist. As long as your physical condition meets the standard, it's fine."

"..."

When they saw Chen Mo being led over by Chen Chao, the youths who had been training all wore looks of surprise.

But soon, when they saw that Chen Mo did not join them after following Chen Chao over, but instead passed around them and headed for the area where the stone locks used for training were placed, they all looked puzzled.

Ignoring everyone's stares, Chen Chao pointed at the stone lock marked Three Hundred Jin.

"Try lifting that stone lock."

Chen Mo nodded and walked straight over. Under everyone's watchful eyes, he planted his feet firmly, grabbed the stone lock with one hand, took a deep breath, held it, and suddenly exerted force, successfully lifting it.

He held it there for three breaths before slowly setting it down.

That was right—slowly setting it down.

After completing that series of movements, Chen Mo let out a breath. He said nothing, merely looking calmly at Chen Chao.

"More than Three Hundred Jin of strength in one arm... a Strength Refining Realm martial artist!"

Seeing it with his own eyes left no room for doubt. Chen Chao, who had not been entirely convinced before, was now incomparably certain that Chen Mo had truly become a martial artist through the Health Cultivation Technique.

"Good! Good! Excellent!"

Chen Chao stepped forward and patted Chen Mo's shoulder with a face full of gratification.

"A fifteen-year-old Strength Refining Realm martial artist—he would absolutely count as a genius even among the great lineages of our County Town!"

As though remembering something, he turned toward the youths in the distance, who were already dumbfounded, and said sternly,

"For the rest of the time, practice on your own."

After saying that, he shifted his gaze back, and his tone immediately became much gentler.

"Chen... Xiao Mo, come with me to meet the Village Chief?"

"Okay." Chen Mo did not refuse.

Since he had chosen to reveal his strength, he naturally had to maximize the benefits.

The Village Chief's house stood at the very center of the village. The two arrived in less than five minutes, chatting on and off about cultivation along the way.

Throughout the entire journey, Chen Chao was the one asking questions, while Chen Mo answered them.

Clearly, Chen Chao still found it utterly unbelievable that Chen Mo had become a martial artist through a technique like the Health Cultivation Technique.

After arriving, Chen Chao went inside first to inform the Village Chief. Chen Mo remained outside, observing the ancient, low-slung buildings around him, as well as the villagers passing by.

Chen Family Village had only a little over sixty households, so there were not many people. Yet even so, only a small number matched the memories in Chen Mo's mind. Out of ten passing villagers, he might have seen only two before.

Being an otaku was understandable.

Very soon, in less than a minute, Chen Chao hurried back out and led Chen Mo into the house.

An old man around fifty years old, with hair and beard already turning white, came into view.

He was none other than the Village Chief of Chen Family Village... Chen Qun!

In this world, where medical conditions were extremely rudimentary and dangers lurked everywhere, for an ordinary person to live safely to fifty was already considered a long life.

Though he already looked old, Chen Qun's eyes remained bright and spirited.

From the moment Chen Mo entered the house, Chen Qun had been studying him. The shock in his eyes could not be concealed no matter what.

More than a month ago, Chen Qun had personally organized the villagers to help Chen Mo handle his parents' funeral, so they had naturally met.

At that time, Chen Mo had looked utterly bereft, and his body had been weaker even than that of a fifty-five-year-old man like him. He had looked as though he might die at any moment.

Who could have imagined that after barely more than a month, Chen Mo would undergo an earth-shaking transformation? His body had grown much sturdier, he had become taller, and most importantly, he now possessed a vibrant, flourishing Essence Qi that could not be mentioned in the same breath as before.

Of course, what Chen Qun cared about most was that Chen Mo had already become a Strength Refining Realm martial artist.

Chen Family Village had more than sixty households and nearly three hundred people, yet its only publicly known martial artist was Chen Chao, the Hunting Team captain. He was already past forty, with no potential left to tap.

Strength Refining, Inner Strength, Divine Strength, and Divine Might were the four major stages of Body Tempering Realm martial artists.

If one failed to reach Perfect Accomplishment in Body Tempering before the age of thirty-five and break through into the Qi and Blood Realm, gaining control of and locking in the Qi and Blood Power throughout one's body, the body's functions would inevitably begin to decline, making it impossible to enter the Qi and Blood Realm thereafter.

Chen Chao was a Body Tempering martial artist at the Inner Strength Realm. Now forty-three years old, let alone reaching the Qi and Blood Realm, he would not even be able to attain the third Body Tempering stage, the Divine Strength Realm, in his lifetime.

On top of that, the hidden injuries he had suffered during fights in his early years could not be healed. Though he was an Inner Strength Realm martial artist with endurance comparable to an ox or horse, he could not fight for extended periods. Disheartened, he had returned to Chen Family Village and become its protector.

Unlike Chen Chao, whose end could be seen at a glance, Chen Mo had become a Strength Refining Realm martial artist at fifteen. His future could truly be said to be bright and boundless.

Understanding this, Chen Qun smiled. "I heard from Ah Chao that you wish to learn Tiger Fist ahead of schedule?"

"I hope the Village Chief will grant my request." Chen Mo's expression was solemn, his eyes filled with expectation.

The Health Cultivation Technique had already reached its limit. It had given him the physical qualities of a Strength Refining Realm martial artist, enough to deal with ordinary people naturally, but if he encountered a martial artist who knew combat techniques, he would definitely be no match.

The reality of today's mountain hunt had proven that Great Accomplishment level Archery was already sufficient. He should not have to worry about food from now on, so there was temporarily no need to waste Enlightenment Count on that skill. Obtaining a new cultivation technique had become imperative.

"The reason we set an age restriction for learning it is not because we refuse to let you learn early. It is mainly because this fist technique has certain requirements for the cultivator's physical condition."

At this point, Chen Qun observed Chen Mo and found that his expression remained unchanged. He secretly nodded and continued,

"If someone forcibly cultivates it without meeting the physical requirements, not only will it fail to strengthen the body, it will instead harm the cultivator's body and may even damage their foundation. That would be far more loss than gain."

Hearing this, Chen Mo nodded slightly to show that he understood.

Seeing this, both Chen Qun and Chen Chao smiled. They were extremely satisfied with the calm and steady temperament Chen Mo had displayed.

Perhaps this was the change brought about by losing both parents at such a young age.

With that thought, Chen Qun said, "You are already a Strength Refining Realm martial artist, so you naturally meet the requirements to cultivate Tiger Fist. Ah Chao will teach you Tiger Fist shortly. Besides that, there is something I need to ask your opinion on..."

"Please speak, Village Chief." Chen Mo's expression turned serious.

He knew that what the Village Chief was about to say was the true reason he had been brought here today.

Without dragging things out, Chen Qun directly explained the whole matter...