Chapter 19 Xu Yan Successfully Cultivates Golden Bones (Seeking Follow-Up Reads)

"So, this is what 'Clear Mind Observes My True Intent in Cultivation' means—every minute change, I can sense without leakage, within my thoughts, the subtle nuances of Bone Refinement."

It had been half a month since Xu Yan returned to the small mountain village.

As always, before dawn broke, Xu Yan was already cultivating.

At this moment, he had a new insight into the minute changes in his bones, the transformations of his body, the circulation of every fraction of his blood and qi—all were under the command of his thoughts.

The efficiency of his Bone Refinement had once again greatly increased.

"These two lines of cultivation technique cannot be so simple; it's that I have yet to truly grasp their essence!"

Xu Yan exclaimed in his heart, admiring the cultivation methods his master had passed on to him, how mysterious and profound they were.

Every time he felt like he had understood their mysteries,

a flash of inspiration would reveal that his understanding still fell short!

"Now I have undergone the transformation eight times, my entire skeleton has turned to golden bones!"

"Only one more transformation and my body will unify into one, truly transforming into golden bones!"

Half a month of diligent Bone Refinement, especially after gaining new insight into the technique, had deepened his control over his blood and qi, speeding up the Bone Refinement process. He had now reached the eighth transformation.

The bones throughout his body had already turned to gold.

The ninth transformation—which would perfect his golden bones and unify his body—was not far off.

Xu Yan continued his cultivation, feeling a premonition that he would achieve golden bones within a day or two.

"Once I perfect the golden bones, I'll stand shoulder to shoulder with the prodigies of ancient times, and be able to begin Viscera Refinement.

"Entering the realm within a year should be no issue.

"As for jade bones, my master said it's not something that can be achieved with talent and persistence alone—I must not aim too high nor wish for too much."

Golden bones were already extraordinary; jade bones, however, were much too difficult to attain.

If overambitious, striving for jade bones and wasting time in vain, he might fail to enter the realm within a year.

Satisfied with his progress in joining the ranks of the ancients' most talented, why should he be discontent?

Therefore, Xu Yan planned to begin Viscera Refinement as soon as his golden bones were complete.

The methods for Viscera Refinement were ready to be explored.

Thus, Xu Yan continued with Bone Refinement while recalling what Li Xuan had taught him about the method of Viscera Refinement, pondering deeply its profound essence and mystique.

With the foundations of Skin Refinement and Bone Refinement, Viscera Refinement was not difficult.

He already had the direction for Viscera Refinement; now, how to efficiently refine his viscera—that would require careful contemplation to grasp the profundity of its methods.

...

Li Xuan yawned and glanced at Xu Yan, who was cultivating, marveling in his heart, "This silly disciple really is persistent, and he can stay so calm?"

He couldn't help but be puzzled—having not sensed blood and qi for so long, how could Xu Yan keep it up?

Not a trace of impatience showed on his face.

No frustration, no despondency, and no embarrassment before him for not having sensed blood and qi.

He also did not keep asking him how to sense blood and qi.

"Such a state of mind is truly rare. He doesn't rush or get frustrated; instead, he persists, diligently practicing day after day. If there really were cultivation methods, with his hard work, as long as his talent isn't lacking, he could become a strong martial artist, couldn't he?"

"What if he found out that I've been deceiving him, that the cultivation methods are concocted by me? How would he react?"

Li Xuan thought it was better to keep the deception under wraps.

Xu Yan was clearly an honest man, and it wouldn't be a joke if such a man, particularly one of notable status, erupted in anger.

"Let it go, I'll let him be; with the roads from the village now safe, once a year is up, I'll just send him on his way."

"Perhaps, I can extort another parting gift?"

"I can't stay in Donghe Prefecture, or even in Qi Country, anymore. When the time comes, I'll head to Wu Country."

Li Xuan had already planned his exit strategy.

As he lay back on the chair, leisurely and accustomed to the easy life, he thought how he might struggle without anyone to serve him in the future.

After going to Wu Country, he would need to buy several maidservants to serve him.

Two more days passed.

Xu Yan was now in the ninth stage of transformation.

"Golden bones are about to form!"

His blood and qi refined his bones, which were undergoing a transformation, and the golden skeletons began to shine with a bright luster.

At a certain moment.

Boom!

The marrow in his bones roared like rivers, and his blood and qi surged instantly, expanding more than double in an instant, appearing like a dragon as it moved through every bone in his body. The surging marrow in his bones also changed, continuously generating blood and qi while the bones emitted a faint glow.

The golden bones shone brilliantly, as if immortal.

Xu Yan was overwhelmed with excitement in his heart.

He had finally refined golden bones!

With the formation of golden bones, his flesh also underwent a transformation; his blood and qi became purer, and his flesh stronger. On the golden bones, it seemed that mysterious and exquisite patterns had emerged.

They were like the marvelous principles of the Domain.

With each circulation of his blood and qi, it roared like a mighty dragon.

In the moment that the golden bones formed, Xu Yan radiated a faint golden light, bathing in a glow as if he had been immersed in it.

At this moment, the sun rose, and its golden rays, passing through the alleyways of the small village, shone upon Xu Yan.

Li Xuan stepped out from the house, glanced over, and didn't pay much attention.

He merely thought that it was just the sunlight shining upon Xu Yan.

This wasn't the first time.

But he failed to notice that the golden light emanating from Xu Yan at this moment shone more brilliantly than usual when the sunlight hit him.

Moreover, it radiated from within him.

The golden light retracted, and Xu Yan keenly sensed the changes within himself, realizing the strength of his golden bones.

The formation of the golden bones surpassed the amplification of the previous eight transformations by far.

In this moment, Xu Yan understood what it meant to be powerful, experiencing the mysteries of Martial Arts.

"Is this the strength of the mighty prodigies of ancient times?"

"I, Xu Yan, have finally refined golden bones, meeting my master's expectations, and I am not inferior to the prodigies of antiquity!"

"They call me a fool, laugh at me, mock me... but to me, you are all just frogs at the bottom of a well."

At this moment, Xu Yan thought of the years he had spent seeking out masters, becoming a laughing stock in Donghe County.

Now, with the formation of golden bones, his strength was so great that even the top experts of the martial world would seem as flimsy as paper before him.

"You say my brain doesn't work, that I've embarrassed you, but I've said that I will make myself out of your league, and I will indeed make it so!"

A sharp light shone in Xu Yan's eyes.

"I feel like my life force is endless. With the formation of golden bones, it seems my lifespan has also significantly increased.

"My master said that once golden bones are formed, even if one is buried underground for ten thousand years, they would still shine brilliantly. Naturally, one's lifespan would also greatly increase."

At this moment, Xu Yan felt that he and the Martial Artists out there were people from two different realms.

"With my current strength, even the old Emperor of Qi Country wouldn't intimidate me in the slightest.

"Do I now have the right to scorn the imperial power?

"No, I mustn't harbor such arrogant thoughts. I need to stay humble and vigilant, not forgetting my place due to a slight increase in strength. I must remember my master's teachings."

Xu Yan reminded himself over and over again.

"I've refined golden bones, I must go tell master, I now stand shoulder to shoulder with the prodigies of ancient times!"

Having refined the golden bones and overwhelmed with excitement, Xu Yan finished his cultivation and, filled with eagerness, walked towards his master. He wanted to tell his master personally that he had refined the golden bones, standing equal with the prodigies of antiquity.

He had not let his master down!

At the end of the day, he was still a young man who couldn't help but desire his master's praise.