57. Splitting Stone and Shattering Monument

When Zhang Lin spoke these words, a rather bitter and complicated feeling welled up in his heart.

Back when Zhang标 was still around, Zhang Lin had always been at odds with him, constantly suppressed in every aspect and living a thoroughly stifled life. Later, when Zhang标 left, Zhang Lin thought his chance to rise had finally come, so he strongly recommended Xie An for entry.

He had smoothed over all the connections up and down, waiting only for the examiners from the Hall of Merit to go through the motions. That way, he could step into Zhang标's shoes. Yet, never in his wildest dreams did he expect that Tang Qingyun would be the one sent by the Hall of Merit, personally appointing Xie An to a senior position.

Now, this elder brother of his had, within the span of just a few months, won the appreciation of Wei Dian and the Chief Deacon, and had even secured the position of Second Deacon.

One must realize that back when Zhang标 was in power, although he outranked Zhang Lin, both were deacons of equal official rank. Master Wei had never bestowed the title of Second Deacon upon Zhang标.

Yet today, this title was given to his "elder brother," which sufficiently demonstrated how much regard the higher-ups held for him.

He feared that he himself would likely never have another chance to get ahead.

Disappointed as he was, deep down, he genuinely admired this elder brother.

He knew how to handle human relations and how to get things done.

With zero background or backing, Xie An had climbed to the position of Second Deacon purely on the sheer strength of his interpersonal skills and conduct. Every single thing Xie An did was witnessed by Zhang Lin, leaving him feeling utterly inferior.

Had Xie An risen to power by suppressing Zhang Lin or by resorting to other sordid and petty maneuvers, Zhang Lin would not have admired him so deeply, and might even have harbored resentment and sought retaliation.

Yet, precisely because of everything Xie An had done, he was thoroughly convinced and subdued. He could only admit that he was simply inferior and accept his lot in life.

"The Plum Blossom Monster is still lurking around and eyeing us with hostility, and the situation in the black market remains unstable. Let's talk about a celebration after some time has passed." Xie An did not refuse outright, but instead adjusted the timeline.

Doing this served a dual purpose: on the one hand, Xie An did not want Zhang Lin to feel alienated; on the other hand, he felt that Zhang Lin was a confidant worth cultivating.

Since he wanted to secure a firm foothold in the black market, he still needed to cultivate his own people.

"Then it's settled."

Zhang Lin departed happily.

Xie An could sense that Zhang Lin, who had always addressed and treated him as an equal, had now voluntarily lowered his posture, carrying a distinct hint of flattery.

Xie An returned to his room to rest and continued his cultivation.

He was in no rush to go out and retrieve that brocade box.

The main reason was that Xie An had just acutely perceived Wei Dian's gaze sweeping across his quiver, which showed that Wei Dian still harbored suspicions. To avoid potential troubles, Xie An simply decided not to leave his quarters.

It was best to focus on his training in peace.

Additionally, Xie An had sent Liang Zhi to investigate the identities of the bearded hunter and the fat medicine vendor. As expected, he learned that both individuals were closely associated with the Second Master of the Chen Estate.

This made Xie An even more certain of his previous judgment.

Over the next two days, the Plum Blossom Monster did not return to the black market.

Business in the black market slowly returned to its bustling peak.

By now, having learned about the Second Master of the Chen Estate from the chamber-pot boy, the Plum Blossom Monster had undoubtedly gone to trouble the Second Master.

It was not until the third day, when Xie An was certain that no one was keeping watch on him, that he found a pretext of patrolling and went outside to retrieve the red box.

***

The days that followed returned to tranquility once again.

By day, he practiced the Five-Animal Frolics and the Fuyang Saber Technique; by night, he cultivated the Fetal Breathing Technique to nourish his vitality and restore his energy.

Xie An's monthly stipend had now doubled to forty taels per month, amounting to four hundred and eighty taels a year—he could already be considered moderately wealthy.

Coupled with the doubled medicine subsidy, which allowed him to receive two free portions of Tiger-Skin Vitality Soup every three months, he already had enough support to sustain his martial arts training for the coming months.

He no longer needed to rely on Li Shaoyun.

However, Xie An had genuinely forgotten all about Li Shaoyun... plus Liang Zhi had not reminded him. This resulted in Li Shaoyun sinking deeper and deeper into depression and dejection, completely falling apart and beginning to give up on himself.

Three months passed in the blink of an eye.

On this day, the market closed as the first rays of dawn painted the sky. With merchants and customers departing, the entire Black Blood Ridge grew quiet.

Yet Xie An was still undergoing a medicinal bath in the inner courtyard.

Stark naked, the skin over Xie An's entire body had turned a bronze hue; not only was his skin taut, but it also radiated a lustrous sheen, making him look exceptionally formidable.

Visible to the naked eye, the medicinal liquid flowed through the pores of his skin into his body, tempering Xie An's skin and membranes and causing them to tremble slightly, as if some unfathomable power were surging beneath the surface.

Even after soaking for several hours, the medicinal liquid in the tub had not cooled down, remaining pleasantly warm and emitting waves of steam.

This was thanks to Xie An's flesh and bones generating internal heat, his skin and membranes growing robust, and his Qi and blood surging violently, which constantly maintained the water temperature.

Suddenly, Xie An snapped his eyes wide open, shooting out a sharp, piercing glare.

"Finally, the Bronze Skin Realm has reached great accomplishment!"

Xie An clearly sensed that his skin and membranes had been tempered to an extremely tough degree, incapable of any further enhancement.

This was the sign of reaching the pinnacle of the Bronze Skin Realm.

Ordinary blunt instruments, tree branches, and fingernails could no longer break his skin. He could now withstand the bitter cold and searing heat, remaining impervious to malevolent energies.

Every movement he made was imbued with immense physical power.

"It's been nearly half a year since I started practicing martial arts, and I've only just achieved mastery in skin-refining. It seems I truly lack any extraordinary talent in martial arts... Fortunately, this old man works hard enough."

Xie An sighed with emotion, then stepped out of the wooden tub, picked up his broadsword, and began practicing in the courtyard.

Thrusting, slashing, sweeping, spinning slash... Every variety of basic saber technique flowed from his hands as naturally as heaven-sent art, obeying him as smoothly as his own arm.

Compared to three months ago, Xie An's saber technique had undergone an essential, qualitative leap, rendering past comparisons utterly meaningless.

"Subdue the Tiger!"

With a sudden, fierce downward slash, a deep, resonant roar akin to a tiger shaking the mountains faintly echoed. He carved a groove half a foot deep into the bluestone-paved ground, extending three meters away amidst flying gravel and a violent tremor of the earth.

He had truly attained the realm of splitting stone monuments and shattering rocks.

After venting his physical strength, Xie An felt refreshed in mind and body, with his tendons and bones thoroughly relaxed.

"Let me test my single-arm lifting power."

***

Xie An used hemp rope to tightly bind a two-hundred-jin stone lock and an eight-hundred-jin stone lock together, making sure there was no looseness. Only then did he assume a horse stance and grip the handle of the stone lock with his right hand.

"Hah!"

Accompanied by a soft shout, his right hand erupted with formidable strength, violently hoisting the stone lock high above his head. Although somewhat strenuous, he was still able to swing it around a couple of times.

"Lifting a thousand jin with sheer strength!"

Xie An felt exceptionally exhilarated. After putting down the stone lock, he brought up his attribute panel:

【Current Longevity Fate: Level One!】
【Five-Animal Frolics: Nourishing Internal Qi (28/100)】
【Fetal Breathing Technique: Yin and Yang Intercourse (98/100)】
【Remaining Lifespan: 33 Years】

"The Yin and Yang Intercourse is almost maxed out, and Nourishing Internal Qi is close to reaching a third of the way. The progress is acceptable. It's just that... the so-called Qi sensation hasn't appeared yet. Otherwise, I could at least go to the Tang Family Fortress and try my hand at that stroke of destiny."

Although it fell slightly short of his expectations, Xie An knew this progress was by no means slow.

After all, he was neither some favored son of fortune nor a monstrous genius.

Furthermore, over the past three months, Xie An had never once slackened in his martial arts training. No matter what, this was simply the limit of his present capabilities.

Reaching for the high and distant was out of the question; it would only breed needless trouble.

"With my current combat prowess, I should be invincible within the Bronze Skin Realm. Even if I encounter a master who has just stepped into the Flesh-Refining Realm, I won't be afraid at all."

Xie An was extremely confident in his own strength.

He remembered Zhang Lin mentioning once that three years ago, Wei Dian had made a move during an evaluation at headquarters, and his strength at the time happened to be at the great accomplishment stage of the Bronze Skin Realm.

Xie An felt that he could completely crush the Wei Dian of three years ago right now, and even if he met the present Wei Dian, he would not feel intimidated.

Moreover, according to Zhang Lin's account, the master of the White Feather Hall was merely a practitioner in the Flesh-Refining Realm.

"Give me another two or three years, and I might not necessarily fear Fang Baiyu."

Once strength improved, a person's confidence naturally grew as well.

He even dared to compare himself to the master of a branch hall now...

"If I encounter the Plum Blossom Monster again, I won't be afraid of him." Xie An smiled as he put away his saber, took a quick bath, and returned to his room to look into the mirror.

Upon seeing his reflection in the mirror, Xie An was so startled that he jumped back in shock.