Calming River of the East Painting

The next morning. Xin An decided to continue his practice routine. Although he had achieved the mastery over Iron Fist Against A Tiger, his mastery over Iron Fist Foundation Technique was only at lesser mastery.

Mastery over a technique was divided into four stages: Lesser, Greater, Nigh, Perfection.

Lesser Mastery could only be brought forth fifteen percent of the Iron Fist Foundation Technique's true power; thirty for Greater; sixty for Nigh; and hundred for perfection.

As someone who yearned to become powerful, Xin An had to work harder. Furthermore, he already achieved Fourth Qi Refinement Path once again. Thus, he could naturally retire as a Herb Gatherer and Caretaker. But for some reason, he was unwilling to leave yet. There's this evil thought of plundering some herb first before applying to become a Disciple.

Two years ago, he had few enemies that had become core disciples by now. If he tried to return and would alert these types of enemies, his peaceful life as a caretaker would seemingly vanish by then.

Xin An shook his head. He began practicing the Iron Fist Foundation Technique's first ten moves. Only when he mastered these ten moves could he succeeded in achieving Greater Mastery over the technique.

For the next few days, apart from practicing, checking the garden, cultivating, Xin An life was very calm and serene as a crystalline river. There was no one to disturbed him nor cared for him.

Because of that, he achieved slight improvement and nearly achieved Great Mastery over Iron Fist Foundation Technique. By now, exerting 25% of its power was easy for him. As for his cultivation, he hadn't advanced or achieved significant results since he didn't dare to steal anything these past few days because the Old Man had been recently appearing daily in the Garden of Herbs.

.............

At this moment, Xin An was wondering why the Old Man would call him in the Garden all of the sudden. As a caretaker, he definitely had been working for someone — And that was this Old Geezer called Elder Li.

Elder Li was bearded, had worn a black-robe, and his eyebrows were slightly raised. Once he spotted Xin An walking inside the Garden, he stopped at his track and immediately questioned him. "Xin, you're here. Is there any Twin Herb left? I had failed to grasp the correct procedure and had to restart my alchemy formula again. I already got two, but I need one more to complete."

"Twin Herb?" Xin's heart quickened. Damn, when did I become so dumb to steal a fucking herb? "No...No. Haven't seen one."

Elder Li looked at him and said, startled, "What's wrong Xin? Are you okay?"

"I—" Shit what should I reply? "I...My head just slightly hurting. I don't know why."

"Let me take a look." Elder Lin pressed his palm into Xin An's forehead and a trace of surprise flashed into his eyes. "Good lad. Fourth Layer of Qi Refinement, have you able to absorb Nature's Qi now?"

"Not yet. All credits go to Bin Jinyi's Qi Pills. If she didn't give me fifteen of those, I might be stuck in the Third Layer for the rest of my life." Xin An finally managed to calm himself down, acting like he was in his previous life. He noticed that his personality had been influenced by the previous owner's body. This was perhaps because of the fusion of two souls and memories.

"That's not too bad. All those pills were made by me anyway, so I'll take half the credit." Elder Lin smiled. "I've seen you working hard these two years, achieving Fourth Qi Refinement means you can register as disciple-in-name now, so I'll have a little gift for you."

Elder Lin tapped the ring on his finger as an item magically popped out from it.

A spatial ring? Xin An commented as he saw Elder Lin handed him a painting.

"This is Calming River of the East." Elder Lin explained, "This is a work of a renowned scholar and martial practitioner. Every stroke and intent of this painting contains a quantity of comprehension. When I was young, a Senior Brother once gifted me this in hopes it will guide me to become someone greater in the future. Yes, it did. After being enlightening by this painting, I walk in the path of what my heart decided and become who am I now. Xin, I had high hopes for you. You and I are the same. Strong willpower will resolve everything. Don't give up, there's a time exclusively for you."

Elder Lin patted his shoulder. For the first time, again, Xin An was touched. But he never let his feeling guided him again. He was already sick, tired, and insecure with these kinds of encouragement. Those people who betrayed him once said these words.

"Thank you." Xin An could only express two words.

"No need to thank me, young man." Elder Lin looked around, frowned that he probably didn't saw any Twin Herb, and smiled at him, "If you really want to thank me, achieve a good position for our Iron Peak this year's competition."

"I'm not a disciple yet you know." Xin shrugged.

"Well, you can apply now. You're already at the fourth Qi Layer."

"Elder Lin, this Xin is an insignificant fourth Qi layer, forget qualifying, I don't even know if I can make a breakthrough again."

"I guess you're right young man," said Elder Li. "How about this. On account of our relation, I will give you a few pills and some herb — Just forget Twin Herbs, I'm in dire straits with them."

Wow, not too stingy! Xin was suddenly ashamed that he stole from Elder Lin's garden. He knew this Old Man was very kind-hearted. If not for him, he would have been exiled from the sect long ago.

"How can I take advantage of Elder Lin?" Xin sighed. "I'll take your offer then."

There was nothing to be afraid of being shameless you're familiar with for two years, though he was reluctant to trust Elder Lin fully, it didn't mean he hadn't appreciated his care for him.

Elder Lin just smiled and throw a spatial ring towards him. Xin hurriedly catches it up.

"Xin, I want to have a chat with you, but I'm quite busy... Don't forget to register as a disciple." Elder Lin hurriedly sauntered out the gate as he mumbled. "Where can I get Twin Herb? Hmm...I should ask that Old Fellow. He probably has a few."