Mid Tendon Tempering

Lu Shaolin nodded and led Ma San outside.

The two went straight to the storeroom, where each collected a sturdy horse.

Lu Shaolin's was a Black-Mane Horse, while Ma San's was a yellow dappled horse.

"Ma San, can you ride?"

Lu Shaolin asked.

"Yes."

Ma San said, stroking the yellow dappled horse's forehead.

"Uh... I can't ride. Teach me in a bit."

Lu Shaolin rubbed his nose.

"Alright, boss!"

Ma San nodded.

The two led their horses out of the Water Fortress and went to the docks to collect the carp.

Afterward, they headed onto the Official Road leading to Panshan Village.

Under Ma San's guidance, Lu Shaolin learned how to mount and control a horse.

After less than half an hour, thanks to his formidable physical condition, Lu Shaolin learned quickly and was already able to trot along on the Black-Mane Horse.

Since he had learned the basics, Lu Shaolin had Ma San return home first and meet him at the entrance to the Water Fortress tomorrow.

Ma San nodded in acknowledgment, cupped his hands in salute, and galloped toward the county town.

Lu Shaolin lightly nudged the horse's belly. The Black-Mane Horse snorted and trotted toward Panshan Village.

On horseback, Lu Shaolin slowly adjusted to the rhythm of riding and gradually urged the Black-Mane Horse to pick up speed.

As the pace grew faster and faster, Lu Shaolin gradually lost his balance. He lightly tugged the reins, and the Black-Mane Horse slowly decelerated.

He rode like that, fast and slow by turns, until he reached Panshan Village. By then, Lu Shaolin could already gallop on horseback.

Riding up to his home, Lu Shaolin swung down from the saddle and knocked on the courtyard gate.

"Who is it?"

Dong Linger's crisp voice came from within, as before.

"It's me, Lu Shaolin!"

Lu Shaolin replied with a smile.

With a creak, the courtyard gate opened.

Dong Linger poked out her little head. "Young Master, you're finally back."

"Mhm, I'm back."

Lu Shaolin nodded.

"Wow! Such a big black horse! Young Master, is it yours?"

Dong Linger immediately jumped out and began circling the black horse.

"It is!"

Lu Shaolin said with a smile.

"Can I ride it?"

Dong Linger looked at Lu Shaolin with a pleading expression.

"Sure! But you can only sit on it. Don't move around!"

Lu Shaolin cautioned her.

"Mhm, mhm! I absolutely won't move around!"

Dong Linger nodded solemnly, her little face serious.

Lu Shaolin smiled faintly, scooped Dong Linger onto the Black-Mane Horse, and had her hold the saddle. He led it by the reins, walking it in circles before the gate.

The little Lolita giggled happily.

Dong Jia also came out, watching the scene before her with a gentle gaze.

After a few rounds, Lu Shaolin lifted her down and led the Black-Mane Horse into the courtyard, tying it beneath the osmanthus tree.

He took the carp down from the horse and handed it to Dong Jia.

The little Lolita ran inside in quick little steps and stood beneath the tree, staring at the horse.

"Ling'er, stop looking. Be careful the black horse doesn't kick you later."

Dong Jia said softly.

Dong Linger pouted and moved away from beneath the tree.

"Is there still much grain at home?"

Lu Shaolin asked Dong Jia. He was about to raise his cultivation, and without a large amount of food to sustain him, he would not be able to endure it.

"Young Master, there's still plenty, but not much meat left."

Dong Jia replied.

"Then cook all the meat we have now, and make a huge pot of rice. I'll be practicing later and will need a lot of food."

Lu Shaolin instructed.

"Alright, Young Master."

Dong Jia nodded and beckoned to Dong Linger, having her help in the kitchen as well.

Dong Linger trotted into the kitchen.

Lu Shaolin sat in the main hall and summoned the System Panel:

Name: Lu Shaolin

Source Points: 13.8

Martial Realm: Perfected Skin Tempering

Cultivation Method: Reckless Bull Force (Third Layer)

Martial Skills: Three Absolutes Spear (Perfected), Eight Extremes Fist (Minor Mastery), Mad Demon Staff Technique (Proficient).

With a full 13.8 Source Points, it should be enough to raise two levels!

After waiting half an hour, Dong Jia and Dong Linger brought over basin after basin of food.

Lu Shaolin first ate his fill, then began tapping the plus sign behind Reckless Bull Force...

Another half hour passed, and Lu Shaolin had swept every last dish clean.

Ignoring the frightened looks in the sisters' eyes, Lu Shaolin summoned the System Panel again:

Name: Lu Shaolin

Source Points: 1.8

Martial Realm: Mid Tendon Tempering

Cultivation Method: Reckless Bull Force (Fifth Layer)

Martial Skills: Three Absolutes Spear (Perfected), Eight Extremes Fist (Minor Mastery), Mad Demon Staff Technique (Minor Mastery).

In total, he had spent 12 Source Points.

Going from Perfected Skin Tempering to Mid Tendon Tempering had cost 9 Source Points.

Raising the Mad Demon Staff Technique from Proficient to Minor Mastery had cost 3 Source Points.

Lu Shaolin had already figured out the pattern. Whether it was a cultivation method or a martial skill, every level of improvement cost one more Source Point than the last!

He rose to his feet and walked into the courtyard, lightly moving his body around.

After advancing to Mid Tendon Tempering, his build had not changed much. He merely felt that his body had become more agile and that his exertion flowed more smoothly. Compared to before, the tendons in his hands and feet had become several times tougher, while his speed was at least double what it had been.

After warming up, Lu Shaolin walked into the main hall.

The two sisters were still staring wide-eyed in stunned disbelief.

"Aren't you cleaning up the table?"

Lu Shaolin asked.

"Ah... Young Master, we'll clean it right away!"

Dong Jia hurriedly replied and began clearing the table.

Dong Linger looked at Lu Shaolin as though he were some sort of monster, then hurried over to help carry the dishes as well.

Lu Shaolin smiled awkwardly, took the soft bow hanging on the wall, said he was going hunting, then left the courtyard and ran toward the forest.

After wandering through the forest for an hour, Lu Shaolin, now at the Tendon Tempering realm and able to strike much faster, hunted a full four pheasants and three wild rabbits.

He tied the prey together with vines and carried it down the mountain.

When he returned home, the little Lolita let out a burst of excited cries at the sight of the string of prey.

Lu Shaolin took out the Ox-Ear Pointed Knife and gutted the animals one by one. After cleaning them, he hung them in the kitchen.

Once that was done, the three of them ate dinner.

After dinner, Lu Shaolin said that he wanted to bathe and had the sisters go into their room first.

Dong Jia's pretty face reddened slightly as she pulled the bewildered Dong Linger into the room.

Once the two had gone inside, Lu Shaolin stripped naked in three swift motions, leaving only a pair of shorts on. He dumped several buckets of water over himself, finished washing, and rushed into the bedroom.

When he came out after changing, Dong Jia was already washing his clothes with a flushed face.

"Young Master, bring over your underclothes too!"

Seeing Lu Shaolin come out, Dong Jia lowered her head and said shyly.

"No need. I'll wash them myself when I have time."

Lu Shaolin said with an awkward smile.

"Young Master, why concern yourself with such things? This is what this servant should be doing. I'll get them myself."

Dong Jia said, her gaze flashing. Once she finished speaking, she headed toward Lu Shaolin's bedroom.

Lu Shaolin was just about to stop her, but after thinking it over, he decided against it.

If he did not let her do it, he feared she would feel uneasy.