Chapter 8: Seeking Only One Thing

"Nine Chapters, deduce the entry-level cultivation method for the Ardent Bull Strength."

Lin Yuan's mind entered the Nine Chapters space, watching a hint of green emerge from the gourd vine.

Buds grew on the vine, gently stretching in the Nine Chapters space as if swaying in the wind.

Lin Yuan felt a slight joy in his heart, his eyes focused, looking at the vine leaf representing the martial path of Ardent Bull Strength.

He suddenly entered the world evolved from the vine leaf, seeing the familiar little figure appear again.

In the space, the little figure pressed its fists down on the ground, legs pushing against the earth, its stance as imposing as an earth-shattering wild bull.

As its movements changed, a layer of gray fluorescence gradually surfaced under the little figure's skin, eventually covering it, forming a buffalo-like blue-black membranous coat.

A total of three techniques were operating.

Seeing this, the demonstration ended.

"My skin has become thicker and more resilient."

As soon as Lin Yuan exited the vine leaf space, he felt an itch all over his skin, then, like a molting green snake, a layer of transparent yet blue-black keratin gradually grew.

He cycled his breathing according to the movement route, examining the membranous coat carefully, noticing a hidden glow flowing within the keratin layer.

Lin Yuan took a firewood knife from the small table beside him and made a cut on his forearm; a white mark appeared, with tiny beads of blood seeping at its deepest points.

"Sharp tools feel slightly abrasive, but they can still break through. Overall, I'm more resistant to blows!"

After his experiment, Lin Yuan gradually comprehended the details of the entry-level Ardent Bull Strength, including movements, techniques, Qi-Blood operation, and skin membrane tempering, deeply engraving them in his mind like a carving in stone.

"The entry-level method of the Ardent Bull Strength deduction is completed, I estimate that the薬 (丹药) has been fully absorbed!"

"As expected!"

Lin Yuan noticed that the roots of the gourd vine no longer bore any trace of the pill, and sighed lightly in his heart.

Scholars are poor, warriors are rich!

If he had a sufficient quantity of spiritual pills, continuing to advance the Ardent Bull Strength now would not have been so hindered in cultivation progress.

"Without pills, it's difficult to fill all thirty-two meridians with Qi-Blood."

"I should first become proficient with entry-level Ardent Bull Strength. I must also take advantage of this period to become familiar with the first transformation state of the Eight-step Breaking Fist. Once the entry-level Ardent Bull Strength enhances my defense, even ordinary candidates won't be a match for me."

"The selection process is almost in the bag," Lin Yuan calculated in his heart.

"There is no hurry for pills at the moment. There's always a way out as the cart reaches the mountain. After entering the academy, there will be time to seek out spiritual pills."

In the following half-month, he trained back and forth between the Eight-step Breaking Fist and the Ardent Bull Strength martial skills.

One day, while Lin Yuan was sitting cross-legged, carefully feeling the digestion of meat in his stomach, absorbing its nutrients, and gradually refilling the empty Qi-Blood within his body.

Martial arts practice involves familiarizing and controlling the body and its various parts, understanding each part's function, filling it with Qi-Blood, and improving one's cultivation.

"Yuan Brother, Yuan Brother." From outside the fence came Li Yuanshan's call once more.

Recently, Li Yuanshan visited occasionally, telling Lin Yuan about changes in the village. However, he had been looking increasingly upset, often distracted while watching Lin Yuan practice martial arts.

Lin Yuan had asked him about his troubles during this time, but Li Yuanshan always hesitated, saying nothing was wrong. Yet, being young, he couldn't hide things in his heart, and his dissatisfaction was written all over his face.

"Yuan Shan, you're here." Lin Yuan, inside his house, responded with a smile.

He stepped out the door and his expression immediately darkened.

Outside the fence, Li Yuanshan was full of indignation, seemingly holding in a burning rage, unlike the times before when his anger was more reserved.

"Are those rumors making you so upset?" Lin Yuan asked.

Li Yuanshan was typically cheerful, yet lately, he seemed downcast whenever they spoke. Even after Lin Yuan's consolations, his expression barely regained any cheer.

But this time, Lin Yuan decided not to console him, waiting for Yuan Shan to explain, at which point he planned to mediate.

Mediation was rather straightforward.

To persuade others with virtue!

"Lately, I've often heard it said that your Dantian is damaged and you've become a useless person; these words are widely spread."

"But you once said your martial prowess had recovered, and even made some breakthroughs. So, I paid no heed to those rumors."

"Yet, their words became more excessive. They claim you don't go to the training ground because your Dantian injury is not healed, labeling you as a wastrel. They believe you fear revealing your true martial prowess in public. Hearing these words has infuriated me greatly."

Li Yuanshan's expression was aggrieved; his tone couldn't hide his indignation.

"Is that all?" Lin Yuan, hearing this, couldn't help but laugh, "Ignorant words, you need not pay them any mind."

"How my martial prowess stands shall be evident during the selection process." Seeing Li Yuanshan standing still, Lin Yuan added.

Li Yuanshan was feeling upset on Lin Yuan's behalf.

However, Lin Yuan didn't dwell on it much; such insignificant matters would naturally dissipate once he entered the academy.

"But it's hard for me to hold it in. Yuan Brother, years ago, you were Bull Horn Village's finest in martial arts, admired and revered by everyone. Yet, in just two months, they speak like this; it's truly shameless," Li Yuanshan said hastily, his face flushed with anger.

"They even said if you're truly useless, you shouldn't waste the village's precious Spirit Rice, suggesting to stop supplying you with it. They threaten to make you crawl on the ground if you dare to show up, stripping you of participation in the selection process."

Lin Yuan couldn't help but smile upon hearing this.

"Yuan Shan, there's no need to be upset." Turning solemn, Lin Yuan patted Li Yuanshan on the back, calmly stating, "Martial strength ultimately relies on fists."

"Regardless of how sharp-tongued they are, they still have to answer to my fists."

"Focus on training well at the training ground; don't mind them. As for the selection, I have my plans."

"Yuan Brother, you're not like this before."

Hearing Lin Yuan speak so, Li Yuanshan's gaze changed slightly, his lips moved.

He felt a sense of disappointment, as if the daring Lin Yuan he once knew was no more.

Had it been the Lin Yuan from before his injury, he would have headed straight to the training ground to shut those boasting mouths. But now, the calm demeanor of the Lin Yuan before him was inscrutable to him.

"Yuan Shan, the selection date is drawing nearer. Do you know when the hunting party will return this time?"

As Li Yuanshan's thoughts were in disarray, Lin Yuan spoke up to inquire.

"My dad said the village wants to hunt the big bear in the hillside behind, to exchange it for some Spirit Rice. But that bear is quite cunning, avoiding capture twice already. This time, the village is determined to catch it, so their return might be delayed," Li Yuanshan replied, despite his low spirits.

"I see," Lin Yuan nodded.

That night.

Beside the small courtyard well.

Sweat-drenched, Lin Yuan lifted a bucket of water from the well and poured it over his head. The ice-cold water drenched him completely.

"Ah! So refreshing."

Feeling the coolness brought by the well water, he set down the bucket and resumed practicing the Eight-step Breaking Fist.

"Bang! Bang!"

Two consecutive sounds exploded in the air. Upon closer listening, the second crack sounded intermittent, as if it would transform into three segments.

Hearing the intermittent bang, Lin Yuan showed a pleased expression.

"Now, just one step away from reaching the Great Achievement Realm of the Eight-step Breaking Fist."

"Push on and the breakthrough will happen tonight!"

His breath steadied as he practiced the cultivation method of the Eight-step Breaking Fist in the small courtyard.

Days passed by.

"Yuan Shan, is this the only path the hunting party must take to return to the village?"

The dawn broke over the horizon, as Lin Yuan and Li Yuanshan stood on a small path at the entrance to the back mountain.

About half a month remained until the selection date. Based on Li Yuanshan's information, Lin Yuan estimated the hunting party's return was imminent.

"Indeed, this large flat area is the resting place for the village's hunting party," nodded Li Yuanshan, pointing to the nearby clearing.

The clearing was full of hard dirt and gravel, scattered with remains like torn cloth and hemp ropes, occasionally showing deep or shallow footprints.

"I'll be training martial skills here for the next few days. If the academy instructors arrive at the village, let me know."

Standing on that clearing, Lin Yuan gazed into the depths of the back mountain, his seemingly calm demeanor hiding the burgeoning anger in his heart, like a dormant volcano ready to erupt.

"Yuan Brother, weren't you practicing fine at home? Why choose here?" Curiosity piqued, Li Yuanshan asked, not sensing Lin Yuan's hidden fury beneath his calm surface.

"Waiting for someone here."

"Who?"

"Wang Mingyong!" Lin Yuan stated casually, enunciating.

***

Two days passed without a sight of the hunting party.

On the third morning.

"Yuan Brother, the village chief said the academy lord will arrive this afternoon, so you must attend," Li Yuanshan rushed from the village, breathlessly announcing.

"Will we still wait here today? Perhaps we should head back to the practice ground, lest we miss the academy instructor's martial skill guidance and lose an enhancement opportunity."

The hunting party will surely return today. Deal with matters here first, then proceed to the practice ground," Lin Yuan remained unmoved by Li Yuanshan's words.

Seeing Lin Yuan's reluctance to head back, Li Yuanshan hesitated but flashed a hint of anger.

"Yuan Brother, at the training ground today, I argued with those people. They said you would surely return to the training ground today to watch your lost martial ways be laughed at. They claimed the village chief's healing pill didn't help, wasting treasures on a true wastrel."

"They even said they'd beat you into kneeling," he demanded of Lin Yuan.

Lin Yuan shook his head at this point, remaining silent.

"Yuan Brother, have you truly recovered? Aren't you angry? Don't you want those people to shut up? Don't you wish to beat them to their knees begging?" Li Yuanshan pressed on, his face turning red.

"Yuan Shan!" Lin Yuan called out, firm in tone, "Do you trust me?"

Since his recovery, Lin Yuan hadn't revealed his martial realm to Li Yuanshan. Hearing the young man's words, he suddenly made a decision.

"I trust!" Startled by Lin Yuan's call, Li Yuanshan replied immediately.

Just as he was about to speak, Lin Yuan abruptly turned around, looking towards the mountain's depths.

Dimly, figures could be seen weaving through the forest—it was the hunting party he had anticipated.

"Since my recovery, I haven't shown you the way of my martial arts. Watch closely today!" Lin Yuan declared.

The group, roughly twenty people, carried a black bear the size of a water buffalo among six of them. As they approached, excitement was visible on their faces.

Seeing Lin Yuan standing like a spearshaft amidst the road was striking.

The silhouette at the forefront jokingly remarked, "You two brats heard we caught the big bear and came to join the fun?"

Lin Yuan didn't respond, simply saluting this person while searching the crowd for that particular figure.

Fixing his gaze on the tall and burly figure, he called out loudly, "Captain Wang!"

"Young Lin, you're back on your feet! What brings you here?" Wang Mingyong greeted cheerfully upon seeing Lin Yuan.

"A matter!"

Lin Yuan's expression turned cold, as he replied, "To request something!"