Chapter 46: Minor Accomplishment in the Bronze Skin Realm

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Xie An understood that health cultivation techniques were also a form of martial arts. Martial arts encompassed a vast array of disciplines, ever-changing, with countless techniques and training methods. However, from what Xie An had gathered so far, most people pursued rapid progress in martial arts, focusing on fierce and domineering styles. Moreover, those who authored martial arts manuals seemed to cater deliberately to the market, creating increasingly more quick-advancement techniques that were widely favored.

These martial arts relied on relentlessly pushing the body’s potential to its limits, aiming for short-term boosts in physical strength to advance in combat skills.

This approach was undoubtedly popular among martial artists.

After all, human potential only held value once it was fully awakened, and pushing it to the limit was a straightforward and effective method.

Yet, Xie An realized that human potential had an upper bound.

Much like the brain’s cognitive domain in his previous life—those with highly developed brain areas were smarter, but this potential was capped by innate genetics and could not be improved through sheer effort.

Martial arts training was no different. Once one’s bodily potential was fully exploited, further advancement became difficult. This ceiling varied person to person; some with high limits could continuously push themselves, advancing rapidly in martial arts.

Others, with lower ceilings, would find themselves stuck after a few attempts.

Xie An felt that health cultivation techniques, though somewhat weaker in combat, offered the advantage of gradually nourishing the body over many years, steadily raising its upper limits.

Although his martial arts talent was mediocre, Xie An sensed that by persistently practicing health cultivation and elevating his physical potential over time, the gap between himself and ordinary martial artists might begin to widen.

With this thought in mind, Xie An resolved to never neglect health cultivation alongside martial arts training.

Days passed by.

After ten days, Xie An encountered a new problem:

He had thought that with a foundation in health cultivation, breaking through the Bronze Skin realm would be easy.

But harsh reality made him realize he had been overly optimistic.

Health cultivation only enhanced strength and fortified the senses and vitality; it did not alter martial arts talent. After ten days of intense martial arts practice, Xie An found no exceptional gift in that regard.

Moreover, the longevity trait benefited only health cultivation, offering no advantage to martial arts.

This discovery left him gloomy for a while.

Fortunately, Xie An had never expected to be a martial arts prodigy and soon adjusted his mindset.

If talent was lacking, time would make up for it.

Three months rushed past in the blink of an eye.

In the early hours of one day, after his usual patrol of the Blood Ridge Black Market, Xie An returned to his courtyard to practice health cultivation.

Only when utterly exhausted did he stop to wipe away sweat and check his status panel:

[Current Longevity Trait Level: One!]

[Five Animal Frolics: Internal Strengthening of the Five Viscera (98/100)]

[Fetal Breath Technique: Yin-Yang Intertwining (47/100)]

[Remaining Years: 30]

“Progress is steady, but modest.”

Having practiced health cultivation for so long, Xie An had a reasonable expectation for his advancement. Though slow, the pace was within his forecast.

“Though the internal strengthening of the viscera is not yet complete, my strength has improved significantly.”

He stepped into the courtyard, grasped a 700-pound stone lock, and easily lifted it overhead, swinging it freely for several breaths without much effort.

Four months ago, even lifting 700 pounds with one arm had been a struggle.

Now, the increase was unmistakable.

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“Let me try the 800-pound stone lock.”

Xie An moved to the 800-pound lock, gripping its handle to get a feel.

Joining the Tiger-Wolf Sect had its perks—there was no shortage of training equipment. Though none belonged to him personally, using them was permitted.

“Hah!”

With a loud shout, Xie An suddenly exerted force with his right hand; the 800-pound stone lock thunderously rose above his head.

Holding it for three breaths, he felt intense muscle contractions and trembling spasms, forcing him to lower it. The lock’s descent caused a slight tremor in the ground.

“It seems that single-arm lifting of 800 pounds is my current limit.”

Though over three months he had only increased his lifting capacity by 100 pounds, that figure was extraordinary.

Even martial artists who had mastered the Bronze Skin realm could only lift around 600 pounds. Those newly entering the Refined Flesh realm managed about 800 pounds.

Xie An’s strength, achieved purely through health cultivation, rivaled that of a novice Refined Flesh martial artist—truly abnormal.

He then fetched well water from the courtyard’s well, stripped off his clothes, and despite the cold, doused himself with the icy water.

Splash!

The cool water slid smoothly down his skin, as if gliding off oiled paper, failing to wet his skin. After the water passed, his skin dried instantly, leaving only tiny droplets clinging to the fine hairs on his bronzed skin.

This was a sign of initial mastery of the Bronze Skin realm.

The skin was as tough as cowhide, impervious to heat and cold, resistant to scrapes and cuts, and repelled water.

Indeed.

After three months of arduous training, Xie An had entered the early Bronze Skin realm.

During this period, he also consumed a batch of tiger skin herbal soup and spent his own money buying more than a dozen doses. Only then did he reach this stage.

Ordinary people needed at least a year and a half to enter Bronze Skin, and over two years to reach initial mastery.

Xie An’s rapid progress owed not only to the extraordinary physical strength granted by health cultivation but also to his relentless effort.

He trained martial arts by day and practiced the Fetal Breath Technique during sleep.

With efficient use of time through day and night, combined with the fatigue resistance and steady mindset the Fetal Breath Technique provided, he achieved this remarkable breakthrough.

After rinsing off, Xie An left his clothes off and took up his sword, practicing the Fuyang Saber technique in the courtyard.

Whoosh.

A single strike sliced the air, releasing a sharp, explosive sound.

The saber moved like a swimming serpent—flexible and varied—sometimes horizontal, sometimes slashing, sometimes upward... Each move flowed naturally with immense power like a rushing river.

Fallen leaves scattered on the ground were swept up by the blade’s wind, swirling everywhere.

“As expected, practicing combat techniques has sharply increased my fighting power. Even facing a master of the Bronze Skin realm, I have no fear.”

Previously, Xie An had brute strength but no outlet for it.

Now, with saber techniques, he could unleash the true power of his health cultivation.

Moreover, the Fuyang Saber was not a beginner’s form; for the Tiger-Wolf Sect, it was intermediate level, as it was taught on the third floor of the sect’s library.

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It consisted of three sets: Basic, Tiger Subduing, and Scorching Sun.

The basic forms involved chopping, slashing, lifting, stabbing, and striking techniques. The Fuyang Saber’s basic set was divided into four moves: straight stab, horizontal slash, lifting blade, and spinning slash.

Xie An spent three months refining the basics, choosing not to rush into Tiger Subduing, instead perfecting each fundamental move.

Though the Fuyang Saber combined many techniques into these four forms, the variations were numerous.

For example, straight stab included side stabs, single-hand stabs, double-hand stabs, and so on.

Truly, a thousand variations.

Mastering even the basics was incredibly challenging.

Xie An knew these foundational saber techniques underpinned all others and were universally applicable. He also planned to eventually train in the Heavy Mountain Saber.

Not out of arrogance, but because after reading a certain journal, he couldn’t forget it—he felt that style suited his health cultivation best.

When dawn broke, Xie An stopped practicing and rested on a stone stool in the courtyard. He took a dry cloth and wiped the dew off his saber.

“With my current strength, I no longer regard Zhang Lin as a threat. Even facing Chief Steward Lin Yun, I might hold my own. If I can steadily develop for another year or so, I won’t fear even the Sect Leader.”

Xie An was not fond of reckless battles; he only wished to quietly grow to gain the strength to protect himself. He wanted to see the outside world and live long through the longevity trait.

For a man who had once been an old man near death, nothing stirred his blood more than the prospect of immortality.

But everything required steady progress. In the martial world, without sufficient strength to protect oneself, a single encounter with bandits or enemies could mean death. How could one speak of immortality then?

Not to mention, the Blood Ridge Black Market was now tense. Wei Dian had been gravely injured by the Plum Blossom Monster, and the market was coveted by another incense master named Zhang Hengshui. Xie An had not known Zhang Hengshui before.

Later he learned that Zhang Hengshui was Zhang Biao’s backer and also his uncle.

This realization sent chills down Xie An’s spine, making him deeply uneasy.

If he wanted to develop steadily within the Tiger-Wolf Sect, he had to grow swiftly. Any sudden change could leave him as helpless prey.

Entering the martial world was truly like diving into a deep sea.

There was no room for slacking.

Xie An pushed aside his troubling thoughts and focused on polishing his saber.

“This standard issue saber is too light. With my strength, a heavy blade suits me better. When I have money, I’ll have the blacksmith at the black market forge me a heavy blade.”

Speaking of money, Xie An’s headache returned.

The silver coins gifted by Li Shaoyun had been spent.

Moreover, he had not seen that young man with the night pot recently, and the steward’s monthly allowance was hardly enough.

Still... he was poor.

“Oh yes, Li Shaoyun... I almost forgot about this benefactor!”

Fat sheep always came to mind when money was short.

Xie An changed into his uniform robe and summoned the accountant Liang Zhi.

“Liang Zhi, how has Li Shaoyun been recently?”

Liang Zhi glanced at Xie An, whose face was partially covered, sensing something. He replied, “Li Shaoyun has been doing odd jobs these past months, his spirit low and appearance dispirited. He repeatedly begged me to bring him to see the steward, but I didn’t agree, thinking the steward was focused on training and should not be disturbed.”

Xie An said calmly, “Bring him to see me.”