Mid Tendon Tempering

Lu Shaolin nodded and led Ma San outside.

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

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

"Ma San, do you know how to ride?"

Lu Shaolin asked.

"Yes."

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

"Uh... I don't know how to ride. Teach me later."

Lu Shaolin rubbed his nose.

"Alright, Chief!"

Ma San nodded.

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

They then made their way onto the official road leading to Panshan Village.

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

Less than half an hour later, thanks to his formidable physical condition, Lu Shaolin had learned quickly and could already trot along on the Black-Mane Horse.

Now that he had learned, Lu Shaolin told Ma San to go home first and meet him at the Water Fortress entrance tomorrow.

Ma San nodded in assent, cupped his hands in salute, and rode 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 adapted to the rhythm of riding and gradually urged the Black-Mane Horse to go faster.

As the speed increased, Lu Shaolin gradually lost control of his balance. He lightly tugged the reins, and the Black-Mane Horse slowly began to decelerate.

Thus, sometimes fast and sometimes slow, by the time he reached Panshan Village, Lu Shaolin could already gallop on horseback.

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

"Who is it?"

Dong Linger's crisp voice came from inside as usual.

"It's me, Lu Shaolin!"

Lu Shaolin answered with a smile.

With a creak, the courtyard gate opened.

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

"Yes, I'm back."

Lu Shaolin nodded.

"Wow! What a huge black horse! Young Master, is it yours?"

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

"Yes!"

Lu Shaolin said with a smile.

"Can I ride it for a bit?"

Dong Linger looked at Lu Shaolin with a pleading expression.

"Of course! But you can only sit on it. Don't move around recklessly!"

Lu Shaolin warned her.

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

Dong Linger nodded solemnly, her little face serious.

Lu Shaolin smiled faintly, lifted Dong Linger onto the Black-Mane Horse in one motion, and had her hold the saddle. He held the reins himself and led her around in circles before the gate.

The little girl giggled happily.

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

After going around a few times, Lu Shaolin lifted her down, led the Black-Mane Horse into the courtyard, and tied it beneath the osmanthus tree.

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

The little girl scampered inside and stood beneath the tree, staring at the horse.

"Linger, 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 plenty of grain at home?"

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

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

Dong Jia replied.

"Then cook all the meat right now, and steam a huge pot of rice. I'm going to practice soon, and I'll need a lot of food."

Lu Shaolin instructed.

"Yes, Young Master."

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

Dong Linger ran 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).

He had 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 clicking the plus sign behind Reckless Bull Force...

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

Ignoring the terrified 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).

He had spent a total of 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, each level of improvement cost one more Source Point than the last!

He stood and walked into the courtyard, lightly moving his body.

After advancing to Mid Tendon Tempering, his physique had not changed much. He only felt that his body was more agile, his force flowed more smoothly, and the tendons in his hands and feet were several times tougher than before. His speed was at least twice what it had been.

After warming up, Lu Shaolin entered the main hall.

The two sisters were still standing there dumbfounded.

"Aren't you clearing 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 a monster, then hurried over to help carry the dishes.

Lu Shaolin gave an embarrassed smile, took the soft bow hanging on the wall, said he was going hunting, and left the courtyard, heading for the mountain forest.

After wandering through the forest for an hour, since his cultivation had reached Tendon Tempering and his strikes were faster, Lu Shaolin hunted a full four wild chickens and three wild rabbits.

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

When he returned home, the sight of the string of prey made the little girl cry out excitedly.

Lu Shaolin took out the Ox-Ear Pointed Knife and gutted the prey 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 told the sisters to go into the room first.

Dong Jia's pretty face reddened slightly. She grabbed the bewildered Dong Linger and ran into the room.

Once the two had entered the room, Lu Shaolin stripped off his clothes in a few quick motions, leaving only a pair of shorts. He dumped several buckets of water over himself, finished washing, and rushed into the bedroom.

By the time he changed clothes and came back out, Dong Jia was already washing his clothes with a flushed face.

"Young Master, bring your underclothes over too!"

Seeing Lu Shaolin emerge, Dong Jia lowered her head and spoke shyly.

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

Lu Shaolin said with an embarrassed smile.

"Young Master, why should you mind such things? This is what this servant ought to do. I'll get them myself."

Dong Jia said, her gaze flickering. With that, she walked toward Lu Shaolin's bedroom.

Lu Shaolin had just wanted to stop her, but after thinking it over, he let it go.

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