Egg-Replacing Period

Inside the villa, feeling the urgency of the long sword mere inches away, Fang Can could only feel helpless.

"Who doesn't know that even for those with peerless talent, it takes at least five days of grueling effort to step into the Mortal Shedding Body realm, let alone you, who are already nearing the threshold of the first stage of Mortal Shedding Body. Such talent is something even the reincarnated Divine Monarch of Great Yan couldn't achieve."

Jiang Ning'an's long sword moved slightly closer, leaving a tiny scratch on Fang Can's neck: "You lied about the number of days you've been training; what exactly are you trying to hide?"

Even with Fang Can's current level of composure, he wanted to let out a long sigh. In this era, no one believes you even when you tell the truth.

"Is there a possibility," Fang Can retorted, "and mind you, I'm only speaking of possibilities, that I am a peerless genius, the kind that even the Divine Monarch of Great Yan couldn't compare to?"

Jiang Ning'an didn't answer, but her eyes said it all: You?

Fang Can was completely exasperated. It's one thing for the weak to complain about their environment, but why are they complaining about the strong now?

It's fine if the people in your world have poor talent, but now you're blaming me for reaching this level in seven days? A bunch of inexperienced noobs—do you even know what it means to use a cheat code?

"Fine, yeah, sure, you're right. I actually arrived in Great Yan a month ago and only reached this level after a month of bitter training."

Fang Can looked helplessly at the foolish woman in front of him, unable to muster any temper:

"Anyway, after staying in Great Yan for a while, I came back, and you must have come over with me during this same timeframe."

"If things continue like this, you should return to Great Yan in a few days, and then continue to cycle back and forth between the two worlds."

Having received Fang Can's explanation, although there was no evidence, Jiang Ning'an still breathed a sigh of relief. At the very least, there was still hope of returning.

Once she relaxed, Jiang Ning'an withdrew her long sword. She looked at the young man before her, hesitated for a moment, and wanted to speak, but found it difficult to get the words out.

Fang Can, however, saw through her concerns and took the initiative: "You're injured, right? If you want to stay here, just say so, but remember to pay the rent."

"Rent!" Jiang Ning'an's eyes widened slightly. After a moment of hesitation, she said, "I... I don't have the currency you use here."

As a high-ranking disciple of an orthodox sect, she naturally couldn't bring herself to default on a debt. After some thought, she offered: "However, I can teach you martial arts to repay you. You haven't entered the Egg-Replacing Period yet, have you?"

Hearing the term "Egg-Replacing Period," Fang Can felt a chill run down his spine and couldn't help but ask: "Egg... Egg-Replacing Period! What is the Egg-Replacing Period?"

"It seems you haven't entered the Egg-Replacing Period yet," Jiang Ning'an explained:

"The so-called Egg-Replacing Period is a term used by male martial artists. I heard my master mention it. Because martial artists in the Mortal Shedding Body realm must replace old blood with new blood, and the male root is difficult to involve or replace through martial arts training, it easily becomes a fatal weak point during cultivation and combat."

"Therefore, some martial artists proposed cutting it off while in the Mortal Shedding Body realm. Once that flesh is completely gone, it saves at least two layers of grueling effort during the Mortal Shedding Body stage."

"After passing this realm, the martial artist only needs to spend a few months growing it back, and it doesn't affect... intercourse."

By the end of her sentence, Jiang Ning'an's face had turned slightly red, while Fang Can felt a deep sense of horror.

"Why does practicing martial arts have to involve 'to master the divine skill, one must first castrate oneself'? I don't want any part of that."

Seeing Fang Can's reaction, Jiang Ning'an suggested:

"Actually, for a boy of your age, it's already a bit late to undergo the Egg-Replacing Period. If you cut it after the new and old blood have completely mixed, it could lead to severe damage to your foundation, so I suggest performing the egg-replacement surgery within these next few days."

"I refuse!" Fang Can crossed his arms, making a 'no' gesture: "If the only thing you can teach me is how to replace my eggs, please leave this villa right now."

Having said that, Fang Can felt this woman was far too insidious. He had only been coveting her martial techniques, while she had been plotting to replace his eggs.

On the other side, Jiang Ning'an felt aggrieved. After all, ordinary martial artists struggle their whole lives to cross the Mortal Shedding Body realm, and now that there was a method to increase their speed by two layers, it was actually being rejected by him.

Seeing her good intentions rejected by Fang Can, Jiang Ning'an felt a bit depressed, but she still said:

"If you refuse to replace your eggs, then so be it. However, the path of martial arts relies mainly on one's own firm will. I cannot help you much; I can only point out some techniques for you. As for deeper inheritances, that is not something I can guide you on."

"Inheritance?" Fang Can asked suspiciously.

"That's right." For the newcomer Fang Can, Jiang Ning'an patiently explained:

"The so-called inheritance refers to the cultivation methods and martial skills practiced after the Mortal Shedding Body realm, all of which have been created and modified by each sect over generations."

"For example, the [Words Manifesting Law] of the Heavenly Mystery Pavilion was improved bit by bit by a hundred generations of Pavilion Masters from the original [Golden Mouth Jade Word Technique]."

Fang Can earnestly memorized everything Jiang Ning'an said, then, thinking of something, asked: "Then... have you heard of the [Role-Playing Method]?"

"Role-Playing Method!" Jiang Ning'an instinctively turned her head to look at Fang Can: "You haven't joined some demonic cult, have you? I advise you not to practice such a method; be careful not to harm yourself and others."

"Why?" Fang Can inquired:

"Doesn't the Role-Playing Method increase cultivation progress? It feels no different from the Egg-Replacing Period. Why do you advise me to replace my eggs but not let me practice the Role-Playing Method?"

"Because role-playing is only a negligible, evil-path gain in the early stages. The difference between the righteous path and the evil path lies in whether using this technique will damage your future martial path."

"The so-called Role-Playing Method will not only fail to provide gains when encountering a bottleneck, but will actually cause obstruction, especially when crossing between major realms—unless you plan to stay in the Mortal Shedding realm for the rest of your life."

At this point, Jiang Ning'an said righteously: "We cultivators should face difficulties head-on, firm our hearts, achieve unity of knowledge and action, remain undisturbed by setbacks, and dare to be the first in the world. If you blindly play the role of others, your heart will naturally become covered in dust."

Fang Can nodded in understanding, realizing that she was likely from some prestigious orthodox sect.

Since that was the case, he prepared to completely hide the dark history of his joining the Tiger Fiend Sect, lest she have some kind of stress reaction upon finding out.

"I am Fang Can. May I ask the young lady's name?" Fang Can stared at the girl in front of him and asked.

The light in the room shone on the girl's flawless face, making her look stunningly beautiful.

Without the slightest intention of hiding, the girl revealed her background: "Tribulation Sword Mountain, Jiang Ning'an!"

Fang Can secretly noted down this sect, intending to look it up in books once he returned. Immediately, a bashful expression appeared on his face: "Um... may I ask, Miss Jiang, does your Tribulation Sword Mountain still accept disciples?"

"You want to take a master?" Jiang Ning'an's face revealed a mysterious smile: "Unfortunately, you have already entered the martial path. Before ascending the Heavenly Road, you can no longer learn other cultivation methods."

"Why?" Fang Can couldn't help but ask. Jiang Ning'an's answer had completely disrupted his plans.