A constable? Body Tempering?

Li Zhong lowered his voice and glanced around. "Dad, where's Third Brother? Something's happened."

Li Shan's gaze sharpened. He called both of them into the main room and shut the door tightly.

Under the oil lamp, Li Zhong's face was pale. "That business with Wang Kui-the cat's out of the bag! The county office sent a constable. His surname's Zhou, Zhou Hong. He's Wang Kui's sworn brother!"

Li Xuan's heart lurched.

"This Zhou Hong is a martial artist. He's broken through at least three blood barriers." Li Shan took a drag from his tobacco pipe. "He's got his eye on this."

"He's already questioning people in the village," Li Zhong said urgently. "I'm afraid..."

"Afraid of what?" Li Xuan interrupted. "As far as anyone knows, we had no feud with Wang Kui, and we left no traces. However capable a constable he is, he still needs evidence."

Li Shan nodded. "Zhong, stick to your story: you don't know anything."

Li Zhong swallowed and nodded hard.

The night had grown late.

Li Xuan lay on the heated brick bed, staring at the pitch-black ceiling.

A martial artist constable.

Those words weighed on his heart like a stone.

He felt the Breath-Subduing Formula tucked inside his clothes, then sensed the layer of "stonehide" within his body. After eating wild boar meat these past few days, he had accumulated just over thirty potential points.

He had planned to wait until he had grasped the basics of internal cultivation before spending any points.

But now...

A sense of urgency dug into his back like a thorn.

His strength was growing far too slowly.

He practiced his stance day after day, but his progress crawled along like a tortoise.

At this rate, by the time he could trade blows with a martial artist, even the daylilies would have gone cold.

He rolled over and made up his mind: starting tomorrow, he would spend every moment practicing martial arts. Practice early, practice late, practice while eating, practice even while taking a shit-

"No one can stop me from getting stronger!"

Halfway through that thought, he stopped.

Wait.

He sat up and scratched his head.

I've got a fucking cheat.

I'm hoarding potential points instead of using them, then huffing and puffing through practice on my own?

And I'm fucking resolving to spend all my time training?

Have I got a hole in my brain?

He smacked his forehead.

"Fuck it. No more training."

He opened the panel directly.

[Potential points: 32]

[Thunderclap Fist Stance: proficient (0/80)]

[Oxhide Realm: stable]

[Breath-Subduing Formula (incomplete): not yet initiated]

"Panel, let me see where your limits lie."

"If I can't get stronger-"

He paused, then addressed the panel in all seriousness.

"That's entirely your fault."

"You need to work harder!"

Panel: "???"

The next day, Li Xuan left the village before the sky was fully light.

When he reached the Thunderbolt Martial Arts Hall, the morning mist had yet to disperse completely. The spacious front courtyard was empty except for a few attendants sweeping and cleaning.

Knowing the way well, he walked to the training ground in the outer courtyard. One sweep of his gaze was enough to pick out a spot beneath the old locust tree near the eastern wall.

At this hour, the tree's shade covered a small patch of ground that was dry and level.

He remembered all too clearly how, the last time he had practiced his stance until the sun stood high, the scorching sunlight had baked his scalp and sent sweat pouring down like rain.

It was not only uncomfortable but also made it hard to still his mind and concentrate, greatly reducing the effectiveness of his stance training.

He was not afraid of hardship, but pointless suffering was best avoided. Putting his energy where it counted was the sensible thing to do.

Setting down his small bundle, Li Xuan wasted no time. He assumed his stance and began practicing the Thunderclap Fist Stance.

His breathing gradually synchronized with his movements, and his blood and qi slowly stirred. Beneath his skin, he felt the faint warmth unique to the Stonehide Realm, tinged with a sense of solidity.

He immersed himself in it, repeating the basic movements over and over, honing every inch of his sinews, bones, skin, and membranes.

"Whatever. I've got nothing else to do anyway. Training may be slow, but at least it adds a little proficiency..."

Gradually, the outer courtyard grew lively.

The disciples who lived in town arrived in twos and threes, their chatter, laughter, and greetings breaking the morning stillness.

Much of the previously empty training ground was soon occupied.

"Hey! Newcomer! Don't you know the rules? Who said you could take this spot?!"