Chapter 76: Special Training
The Upper Stockade of Golden Ape Mountain.
It has been about half a month since Elder Li warned the disciples.
The teams entering the mountains have been returning one after another; some even left again after returning to the mountain.
Only Su Yan, who went alone that day, had no news.
“Hunting in the mountains, that kid hasn’t returned for half a month, he truly has no fear of death. Gao Zheng, according to you, where might he have gone?”
Li Chuan suppressed his anger, his expression grim. That kid, with his arrogance, insisted on going into the mountains alone. Now, half a month has passed with no news, and his fate is unknown.
“He should be in the desolate mountains around Falling Moon Mountain. I will organize a search party.”
Lu Ling observed with a cold eye, simply smiling faintly, and said, “Elder, in my opinion, this matter cannot be rushed. Recently, those scoundrels have been eyeing the mountain paths that our Golden Ape Martial Arts School uses. The Gray Thorn Wolves on Wolf Peak are in packs and constantly harassing us. How can we organize a search party?”
Li Chuan’s expression was unsightly. Li Jinshan said solemnly at this moment, “Su Yan is the disciple with the best talent in recent years. If anything happens to him, it will be our loss.”
“But what about the other disciples?”
Lu Ling retorted, “You have all heard what these disciples have been saying and discussing recently.”
Among the disciples, there were already rumors that Su Yan, despite his lack of ability, had a very bad temper. Having not heard from him for half a month, they assumed he had died in the desolate mountains and deserved it.
Although these were just rumors, if they were to be ordered to search the mountains, it would likely turn into genuine resentment.
At this point, a stalemate ensued. Gao Zheng intended to argue, but he could only do so because he had the best relationship with Su Yan and might know his whereabouts.
The true decision-makers were Li Chuan and the two true disciples.
At this moment, outside the room, the disciples in the Upper Stockade were already being incited.
“I heard the Elder intends for us to search the mountains for Su Yan.”
“What? Why? The desolate mountains are dangerous, and we have to waste so much time and energy searching for someone. He was being reckless on his own, not that something happened while he was with a team.”
Li Shun, Zhou Hui, and a few others, instigated by Lu Ling, were the loudest.
As the crowd gathered slightly, someone hidden behind them suddenly shouted.
“It’s because of his relationship with the Senior Brother!”
“Who is fanning the flames!”
Someone cursed loudly at this moment, scanning the crowd, but couldn’t tell who had spoken.
In such a situation, naturally, some were indignant, but they only said, “Once in the desolate mountains, life and death are their own business. If there’s real danger, helping a fellow disciple is one thing, but abandoning everything to save him is not right.”
“Indeed, half a month with no news, and he’s not even in the Blood Moving Realm, how could he…”
Li Shun and Zhou Hui exchanged glances, knowing their objective had been achieved.
No one cared whether Su Yan lived or died, but this move, which made everyone feel that the Senior Brother was being unfair, benefited Lu Ling.
Knock knock knock.
Hurried footsteps suddenly echoed, and a guard rushed in.
“Su Yan is back!”
Everyone was startled, even the three people discussing in the room rushed out.
They quickly exited the Lower Stockade and saw from afar a tall Horned Boar on the dirt road, approaching the mountain stronghold step by step.
Su Yan was riding on the Horned Boar. Behind the boar was a simple cart made of logs and vines, tied together. It had no wheels and was being dragged directly.
The crowd looked closely and saw that the cart was laden with many items.
A Black Clawed Giant Bear, over ten feet tall, a Crimson Body Tiger with a completely red body, and a Scaled Horn Deer with ferocious horns. Behind these three behemoths were also many Feral Beast Hides and Bones.
Hiss!
The crowd gasped. Gao Zheng strode forward, “You, you… don’t go out alone next time.”
He stuttered “you” for a long time before managing to say this.
Su Yan jumped down and stood before everyone, his gaze sweeping over their varied expressions.
“I hunted a few too many feral beasts and it was difficult to carry them back, so I tamed a horned boar to help.”
Li Shun and the others gritted their teeth. What did he mean by “a few too many”? The Black Clawed Bear, Crimson Body Tiger, and Scaled Horn Deer were all First-order Mid-grade, equivalent to the Muscle and Bone Realm, or even the Great Accomplishment Muscle and Bone Realm!
And he even tamed a horned boar?
Was this something an ordinary person could do?
“Junior Brother has great skill.”
Lu Ling praised him. Li Chuan snorted from the side, “Half a month gone without a word, is this how you conduct yourself?”
Su Yan felt somewhat guilty. Even when going out for tempering, he should have sent a message from time to time.
Firstly, it was due to carelessness that he hadn’t sent a message back. Secondly, he hadn’t expected his whereabouts to attract so much attention.
He figured someone must be stirring up trouble.
“I was tracking feral beasts and lost track of time. Elder Li, please do not be angry.”
“Go to the training ground and receive your punishment. Carry a hundred-pound stone lock and practice stance training.”
Although he returned laden with spoils, Li Chuan’s punishment surprised all the disciples.
Su Yan’s eyes flickered slightly, and he nodded, “Your disciple accepts the punishment. Please, Senior Brother Gao, help me deal with these items, sell them all to the martial arts school.”
“Gao Zheng, you go help your junior brother with the items.”
“Yes.”
Li Chuan gave Su Yan a deep look. Su Yan sensed it and his heart stirred, but he didn’t stop, heading straight for the training ground.
“Dian Jing, help unload the items.”
Gao Zheng took hold of the horned boar, fearing it might harm someone, after all, how safe was this so-called taming compared to the Lin Family’s beast taming?
However, upon closer inspection, the horned boar showed no resistance at all. Instead, it lay down.
He didn’t know that the horned boar had not only been treated with poisons but was also completely controlled.
The mere aura of powerful insect tamers like the White Bone Poison Centipede and Red Armored Mad Scorpion had already made it completely subservient. How could it dare to resist?
Even if he were to kill it with a knife, it probably wouldn’t lose control, it would just flee.
“Such powerful methods. These feral beasts were all beaten to death.”
Li Chuan was a meticulous person. While others were moving things, he personally examined the three feral beasts.
Upon inspection, he was also shocked. There were almost no lacerations, nor were there any arrow marks on their bodies.
Looking at the wounds, they were clearly from the Fierce Ape Three Forms.
Three feral beasts, equivalent to the Muscle and Bone Realm, were beaten to death. Was this a feral beast or a human?
In terms of size and strength, martial artists of the same level were not comparable to these feral beasts by a small margin.
This fellow…
Li Chuan’s eyes flickered, and a desire to cherish talent arose in his heart.
He also started with fist techniques, learned the Fierce Ape Three Forms, and had his own Tiger Body Bone Forging Technique and Tiger Form Fist. Naturally, he cherished such talent even more.
After pondering for a moment, he dismissed the crowd and returned to the Upper Stockade.
Su Yan’s stance training did not last long. It ended after Gao Zheng had finished inventorying the cart of feral beasts and medicinal herbs.
The three feral beasts, along with other feral beast materials, were all valuable items. After removing the worthless parts, they were worth over a thousand taels of silver.
Including the herbs and treasure plants found, it was close to seventeen to eighteen hundred taels.
Gao Zheng exchanged the silver notes and brought them to him. Li Chuan then also lifted the punishment.
Su Yan’s profits naturally made everyone feel extremely complex.
It was no wonder; even a team going out would have similar gains.
However, those profits had to be shared equally.
Although a larger group had stronger combat power, finding suitable feral beasts as prey in the mountains was not something everyone could do.
Feral beasts had their own territories, and often within several miles, one wouldn’t find a feral beast of a certain level.
Su Yan’s skill in mountain hunting and tracking was his strongest asset.
—
The sky had darkened, and the moon hung in the sky.
After the day’s events, Su Yan was just preparing to rest.
Suddenly, he heard rustling sounds outside the door.
His expression tightened, and he stood up straight, leaning against the door.
“Come to the training ground.”
Li Chuan’s voice came. Su Yan looked astonished.
Why would he suddenly come to find him?
Su Yan was puzzled, but he still pushed the door open and went out.
It was pitch black outside, with only the dim glow of a few torches, casting a yellowish light.
He quickly followed, rounded behind the training ground, and indeed, a figure stood in the darkness. It was Li Chuan.
“Elder Li, are you looking for me for something?”
“Use the Fierce Ape Three Forms to strike me.”
Li Chuan turned to look at Su Yan. His expression was not as stern as it was today, but his tone was still somewhat stiff.
Su Yan was stunned. Was this an examination?
He didn’t hold back, “Forgive me.”
His strength surged from his waist, his spine like a dragon. His muscles seemed to rumble like low thunder. As he exerted force, he threw a punch.
“Good!”
Li Chuan’s eyes flashed with brilliance, and he shouted. He attacked like a fierce tiger.
Li Chuan did not use his full strength, nor did he use any illusory intent, and he struck Su Yan punch for punch.
His punches were like a fierce wind, coming in rapid succession, like a startling wind tiger, constantly attacking.
Su Yan continuously sparred using Monkey Fist and the Fierce Ape Three Forms, completely focused.
“Be fiercer, be more ruthless, bring out your combat spirit.”
A sharp glint flashed in Su Yan’s eyes, and he no longer held back. Li Chuan intended to be his sparring partner. In their exchange of blows, their fighting style was ruthless and tricky, with no concealment of techniques.
In the blink of an eye, they had exchanged over a hundred rounds. Su Yan’s qi and blood were faltering. With a bang, he was sent flying by Li Chuan’s Tiger Pounce.
His arms were numb from the impact, and from his forearms to his shoulders, he could feel almost no other sensation.
“Thank you, Elder, for holding back.”
“Holding back my ass.”
Li Chuan was completely unceremonious, using rough language.
“Monkey Fist at the Transformation Realm, like a phantom’s hook, surpasses instinct by three parts. The greatly accomplished Fierce Ape Three Forms, and in less than half a month, you’ve already reached Minor Accomplishment in Muscle and Bone. The School Master has taken a good disciple. No wonder he told me to teach you the Tiger Body Bone Forging Technique.”
Su Yan looked astonished. “Master?”
“Yes, if not the School Master, then who else?”
Li Chuan said as if it were a matter of course, but his gaze at Su Yan was full of approval.
Although Bai Changlin had informed him to teach Su Yan the Tiger Body Bone Forging Technique, it was only a suggestion. Whether to teach it or not still required Li Chuan’s assessment.
Although he had only met Su Yan a few times, every time he saw him, his progress was extremely rapid, exceeding his expectations.
“Your bone structure was not bad to begin with, and your comprehension is the highest among the true disciples.”
“Elder, I am not a true disciple yet.”
“Is there a difference?”
Li Chuan glanced at him. “If he were not the School Master, he would have accepted you as a true disciple long ago. Why would he wait for you to reach the Spirit Nurturing Realm?”
Master and School Master were two different identities. Considering things required rules. If the rules were broken, the disciples below would also be in chaos.
Thinking of this, Li Chuan felt a bit of irritation. Even with such efforts to balance things, there were still true disciples like Lu Ling, and factions had formed.
“Don’t interrupt.”
Li Chuan glared at Su Yan and then said, “Your progress in learning cultivation manuals and martial skills is extremely fast. Teaching you the Tiger Body Bone Forging Technique now will not be a burden. It will solidify your foundation and help you reach the Spirit Nurturing Realm sooner. The chaotic situation has already begun, and mere Jin Shan and the others cannot handle it.”
“I understand. I will certainly make progress as soon as possible and fulfill my responsibilities to the martial arts school.”
Li Chuan nodded. “You have already reached Minor Accomplishment in Muscle and Bone. It is likely that your qi and blood have been nurtured somewhat. Your muscles and bones have been strengthened, and internal strength has been generated. To reach Great Accomplishment, you need to unite the strength of your muscles and bones, using your spine as the great dragon, and explode forth. When this strength is achieved, it will be like an extension of your arm, with effortless control over weight and lightness. That is Great Accomplishment in Muscle and Bone.”
Su Yan’s eyes brightened. Li Chuan’s detailed guidance was equivalent to telling him the clear direction for Great Accomplishment.
He then heard, “I will teach you the Tiger Body Bone Forging Technique. It specifically trains these muscles and bones and will help you integrate your strength to achieve Great Accomplishment sooner. If your muscles and bones are strong, your qi and blood will be vigorous. The Blood Moving Realm of the Third Realm can also be strengthened. If you can cultivate Tiger Momentum, then the Spirit Nurturing Realm and True Intent Realm can also be hoped for.”
Li Chuan meticulously explained the key points of cultivation and even guided Su Yan in the Tiger Body Bone Forging Technique.
His breathing rose and fell, mobilizing qi and blood. With the spine as the center, circulation would go through all the bones, circulating qi and blood through the body, washing the bones, and continuously strengthening them.
This Tiger Body Bone Forging Technique consumed a considerable amount of qi and blood when cultivating.
Su Yan only tried it once or twice, and his qi and blood were rapidly depleted. Fortunately, with the replenishment from the Blood-Strengthening Pill, he was able to persevere.
Li Chuan continued to guide him. Around the third watch of the night, seeing that Su Yan had largely memorized it, he nodded and said, “You are almost at the beginner level. Tomorrow at the same time, I will wait for you here. As for the Fierce Ape Three Forms, you have already achieved Great Accomplishment. My Tiger Form Fist and Fierce Ape Three Forms are no better than yours. I cannot guide you much; at most, I can offer a little help.”
After the old man finished speaking, he left.
Su Yan was bewildered but already physically and mentally exhausted, so he didn’t ask further questions.
He returned to his room and slept. When he woke up, it was already the next day.
The daytime was no different. Everyone practiced their cultivation, and not many people went out for tempering at this time.
In the evening, Li Chuan truly brought his “little help.”
It was Senior Brother Gao Zheng, weighing over a hundred pounds.
The old man brought Gao Zheng and pointed at Su Yan, saying, “Gao Zheng, use your full ability and spar with your junior brother. You can even use the strength of the Blood Moving Realm.”
Gao Zheng looked bewildered. He had experience with extra tutoring, but why was he fighting his junior brother this time?
Li Chuan said, “Although you are in the Blood Moving Realm, your Fierce Ape Three Forms, Monkey Fist, and stance training are only barely at Great Accomplishment, lacking a bit. If you don’t integrate them, how will you break through this bottleneck? And your Tiger Body Bone Forging Technique is even worse, only at Minor Accomplishment. If you don’t fight, how will you cultivate Tiger Momentum? By taking medicine?”
Hearing this, Gao Zheng’s eyes sharpened, and he clasped his fists. “Junior Brother, forgive me.”
Gao Zheng made his move. Su Yan also did not hold back. Having a sparring partner in the Blood Moving Realm was an invaluable opportunity.
As they fought, they unleashed their fist techniques, their figures blurring as their punches and kicks crisscrossed, like blooming flowers.
Gao Zheng’s strength in the Blood Moving Realm was indeed formidable, overwhelming Su Yan. He was constantly forced to defend with all his might.
However, Gao Zheng himself had his own difficulties. Although he had achieved Great Accomplishment in everything, it was only Great Accomplishment.
The hard work of slow grinding had led to Great Accomplishment, but he had not truly integrated them.
This had always been his shortcoming.
Compared to Su Yan’s Great Accomplishment, where he made progress every moment, the two of them, when fighting, often achieved a synergistic effect of 1+1 > 2.
On the night Gao Zheng arrived, Su Yan’s Tiger Body Bone Forging Technique successfully entered the beginner stage, and his strength increased slightly.
Li Chuan kept Su Yan at the mountain stronghold. Sometimes Gao Zheng would come to spar with him, and sometimes Li Jinshan was also brought in to spar.
After about five or six days, both Su Yan and Gao Zheng had made significant progress.
Gao Zheng gradually began to integrate his techniques. While he didn’t have the opportunity for the Transformation Realm, his martial skills and stance training were all integrated, and he began to develop an aura.
Su Yan’s progress was even greater. The Golden Ape Stance Training, through repeated refinement, finally, like the Monkey Fist, crossed the final step.
【Golden Ape Stance Training: Transformation Realm】
Upon entering the Transformation Realm, the stance training was integrated into Su Yan’s every movement: his breathing, walking, fighting, sleeping… all bore the shadow of the stance training.
His qi and blood were constantly being mobilized, and in an instant, he was only one step away from Great Accomplishment in the Muscle and Bone Realm.
Seeing this, Li Chuan was filled with emotion. Such comprehension was truly exceptional.
He composed himself and said, “The special training ends here. Calculating the time, it is also your turn for duty. The wolf packs on Wolf Peak have become a formidable force. Tomorrow, you will go to Wolf Peak to assist your Senior Sister Bai Yun and help her find the Wolf King to scatter the pack.”
