Xu Yan's Self-Imagination

It was still dark outside when Xu Yan had already assumed the horse stance to begin his practice.

"Master said, 'Emphasize enlightenment and intention, not form. Sense the blood and energy, manipulate them, temper the skin...'"

"The ancient prodigies completed the Skin Tempering stage in just five days, while I haven't even sensed my blood and energy yet. There's such a huge gap. Master said not to be impatient; the more impatient you are, the harder it is to sense your blood and energy..."

Xu Yan gathered his focus and concentrated on sensing his own body, especially his blood and energy.

As the day was about to break, immersed in the process of sensing his blood and energy, Xu Yan suddenly felt a warm flow in his chest and abdomen. It was subtle, warm, and seemed to flow with his breath.

"Blood and energy!"

"I've sensed my blood and energy!"

At this moment, Xu Yan was excited beyond measure.

"Calm down, calm down; stay composed. Don't let your mind wander..."

"How do I manipulate my blood and energy and temper my skin? Master didn't provide specific instructions. Should I ask Master for guidance?"

"No, I can't! Master said it's about enlightenment and intention. I must hold onto this feeling. If I slack off, I might lose it..."

"Furthermore, if I have to ask Master for detailed instructions on how to manipulate my blood and energy, won't that disappoint him? He'll think my enlightenment is poor."

With these thoughts, Xu Yan abandoned the idea of telling Li Xuan that he had sensed his blood and energy and had entered the Skin Tempering stage.

He continued to assume the horse stance, repeatedly attempting to manipulate his blood and energy while recalling Li Xuan's teachings on blood and energy manipulation.

His focus remained entirely on himself, deeply immersed in manipulating his blood and energy. His breathing changed unconsciously as a faint aura of blood and energy spread throughout his body. His skin even turned slightly reddish, as if a warm stream was tempering it.

"Is this considered entering the Skin Tempering stage?"

Xu Yan was elated. He had finally sensed his blood and energy and successfully manipulated it while tempering his skin.

...

Li Xuan yawned, got up, washed up, and headed outside to prepare breakfast.

In the village, he was the only one left, living a self-sufficient life as a matter of routine.

As he stepped out, he saw Xu Yan, still in the horse stance, practicing diligently. He couldn't help but twitch his lips. This disciple was indeed hardworking, but it was all in vain.

The cultivation method he had taught was completely fabricated, and success was highly unlikely.

"I'll wait until he can't hold on anymore and comes to ask me, then I'll make up some nonsense to appease him."

Li Xuan shook his head and left.

Upon seeing his master, Xu Yan felt excited and was about to tell him that he had sensed his blood and energy and entered the Skin Tempering stage.

However, when he saw Li Xuan shake his head, Xu Yan's heart sank.

"Is Master dissatisfied with me?"

"Of course, with Master's cultivation, how could he not see that I've already sensed my blood and energy and entered the Skin Tempering stage?"

"It must be because I'm too impulsive and self-satisfied, unable to remain calm..."

After a series of self-imposed thoughts, Xu Yan abandoned the idea of informing Li Xuan about his progress. He took a deep breath and continued to manipulate his blood and energy while tempering his skin.

"Master's insight is profound. He can see through my strengths and weaknesses at a glance. I mustn't become arrogant or complacent. I can't afford to be impatient."

Xu Yan realized that Li Xuan would notice his progress without him having to explain.

Li Xuan, on the other hand, went to the chicken coop and caught a chicken. He planned to stew it with the Nine-leaf Essence Mushroom, a rare elixir that he had. After consuming the stewed chicken with Nine-leaf Essence Mushroom the previous day, he felt that his body had become stronger.

As he took out his knife, he suddenly had a thought: "Wait a minute, I have a disciple now. It wouldn't be right for me, his master, to serve him. It should be the other way around!"

"After all, I've already deceived him once. He is now my disciple, so I should have him serve me as his master. That seems reasonable, doesn't it?"

With this idea in mind, Li Xuan, holding the chicken in one hand and the knife in the other, walked toward Xu Yan.

"Disciple, come and slaughter this chicken and stew it with some Nine-leaf Essence Mushroom. Then, prepare a meal."

Xu Yan received the chicken and knife from Li Xuan, feeling somewhat dazed.

"What's wrong? Don't know how to cook?"

Li Xuan looked at him blankly, his brows furrowing.

"That's right; Xu Yan is a rich family's heir. How could he possibly know how to cook?"

Despite this, now that he had accepted him as a disciple, it was essential to make good use of him.

"Disciple, every action and every moment, including eating and sleeping, is a part of your cultivation. Even though you haven't reached the stage of entry, and the gap between you and my cultivation level is vast, it's still beneficial to familiarize yourself with these tasks in advance."

Li Xuan spoke solemnly.

"Master, I'll go prepare it right away."

Xu Yan, looking serious, received the instructions from his master.

"In Master's realm, even seemingly mundane tasks are the actions of a grandmaster. This is the true demeanor of a hermit!"

The more Xu Yan thought about it, the more he felt that his master's profound insights transcended the ordinary. He appeared unremarkable and didn't display any signs of a powerful expert, yet this was the true demeanor of a hermit!

Xu Yan went to prepare the meal.

Li Xuan watched him for a while and noticed that although Xu Yan was somewhat inexperienced in slaughtering chickens and cooking, with his guidance, the resulting meal should be edible.

He then moved a chair, placed it under a tree in front of the house, and lay down comfortably, waiting for the meal.

"Having a disciple to serve makes life quite enjoyable."

"Given Xu Yan's mentality, it'll take him some time to figure out the truth. But I should prepare an exit strategy..."

After the meal, Xu Yan resumed his cultivation.

"My skin tempering speed has suddenly increased, and my blood and energy have strengthened by at least fifty percent..."

"At this rate, even though I can't complete the Skin Tempering stage in five days, finishing it within a month should be feasible."

Xu Yan was excited about the increased speed of tempering his skin.

"Why did my skin tempering speed suddenly improve? Could it be..."

He thought of the stewed chicken with Nine-leaf Essence Mushroom!

"Master!"

At this moment, Xu Yan was overwhelmed with gratitude.

"Master knows about the Nine-leaf Essence Mushroom's ability to assist in my cultivation, so he took it out for me to stew with chicken!"

"I mustn't let Master down. I must cultivate diligently and aim to enter the martial path as soon as possible!"

In Xu Yan's self-imagination, his respect for his master surpassed the heavens and the earth. He was deeply moved.

He continued to manipulate his blood and energy, constantly tempering his skin.

With each session of tempering, Xu Yan felt his body becoming stronger. His blood and energy grew more vigorous, and his skin became tougher. It seemed like he had truly entered the Skin Tempering stage.

"I feel like my strength has doubled. And I've only just entered the Skin Tempering stage. How powerful will I be when I reach the perfected Skin Tempering stage?"

"I must enter the path of martial arts within one year!"

Xu Yan's determination was unwavering.

"The effect of this Nine-leaf Essence Mushroom is truly remarkable. I feel like my strength has increased. Should I keep it all for myself? Well, it's Xu Yan's gift anyway. I'll stew it together; being too greedy isn't right!"

Li Xuan felt the changes in his body and briefly considered keeping the Nine-leaf Essence Mushroom for himself. However, he dismissed the idea. After all, it was Xu Yan's gift, so they would stew it together. One shouldn't be too selfish.

As Xu Yan continued to cultivate, Li Xuan remained vigilant. He realized that Xu Yan's skin tempering speed had increased significantly.

"Could it be the Nine-leaf Essence Mushroom's effect?"

Li Xuan pondered this as he reclined in his chair, enjoying the benefits of having a disciple to serve him.