A Woodcarving Genius, Inner Energy & Divine Essence

Third Shopkeeper Xu You squinted, a flicker of astonishment flashing through his usually gentle eyes. His gaze landed on the "Four-Armed Bodhisattva Holding a Child" statue, its rough form still marked by coarse, unpolished lines. Yet even in its incomplete state, the sculpture exuded an undeniable aura of uniqueness and depth.

It was unmistakable—the essence of artistic intent.

The expression, posture, and aura of the statue seemed to transcend its crude craftsmanship. It was as though a serene and compassionate Four-Armed Bodhisattva truly stood before them. One arm cradled a child with tender care, while another formed a mudra of transcendence. A third hand held a pure jade vase, and the fourth grasped a jade scepter.

Could such a work truly have been carved by a mere laborer?

Xu You nodded subtly. As the third shopkeeper of the Xu Woodcarving Workshop, he had handled countless woodcarvings over the years. His eye for talent was sharpened by years of discerning the finest craftsmanship and techniques from numerous masters. Yet here, within this rough carving, he saw something remarkable.

There were hints of the style and technique of Chen Dabao, the renowned four-cut master of the shop. However, Xu You was certain of one thing: this laborer had received no formal training.

Li Che had not spent a single coin to learn carving in the workshop. Moreover, Chen Dabao was not the type to teach his skills out of kindness.

In other words, Li Che's skill was entirely self-taught.

By day, he moved lumber and worked on finished statues in the shop. By night, with only the dim glow of oil lamps for light, he practiced carving. In such limited time, he had reached this level—a feat that most apprentices could not achieve even with years of training.

"Though the linework is still rough, the most valuable aspect is the intent behind it," Xu You muttered, half to himself, as he continued to study the piece. "The Four-Armed Bodhisattva carved by Li Che is brimming with life, its essence palpable. This is an innate talent—one that cannot be taught."

At that moment, Chen Dabao stepped forward, his eyes narrowing in appraisal. His expression was one of astonishment. "Indeed. In woodcarving, crafting-intent is paramount. Without it, no matter how skilled the technique, the result is just lifeless wood," he said with a click of his tongue.

Chen Dabao's astonishment only deepened when he realized Xu You had been observing the same piece. "Shopkeeper Xu, this boy's carving… it's something else. His technique, though less refined than the masters', is already leagues ahead of the other apprentices."

Xu You nodded approvingly. His lips curled into a small, knowing smile. "It seems our workshop is about to produce a genius."

He turned to look at the bustling workshop. "The reason the Xu Woodcarving Workshop stands at the forefront of Fei Lei City isn't just because of the Xu family's influence. It's because our carvings possess crafting-intent. They're not just art; they're treasures often used by the city's elite to extract divine essence for cultivation.

"A talent like Li Che—a natural grasp of spirit in carving—is someone we must nurture."

He continued to watch Li Che work, observing the laborer's every movement. From the way he wielded the carving knife to the steady deepening of the artistic spirit in the sculpture, Xu You was certain: this work could only belong to Li Che.

Li Che, meanwhile, had already sensed Xu You's gaze and evaluation. A faint chill crept down his spine, but he continued working steadily. His heart beat faster.

Had he revealed too much?

He had intentionally restrained his technique to avoid standing out, but it seemed his efforts were insufficient. Compared to the other apprentices, his carving was still far too refined.

"This is the first time I've tried to balance my skills," Li Che thought, a wry smile tugging at his lips. "Clearly, I lack experience in holding back."

Even so, Xu You's reaction reassured him. He was on the right path. If he played his cards right, he would soon earn recognition as a true woodcarving master.

Time flew by, the rhythmic scritch of knives against wood filling the workshop. The four allotted hours passed in what felt like moments.

DANG—

A booming gong shattered the air, its echo ringing across the room.

Second Shopkeeper Xu Beihu rose from his grand armchair with a sharp motion. His towering frame loomed over the apprentices like an unyielding mountain. His booming voice cut through the noise like a blade.

"Time's up! Everyone, stop!" he barked, his rough tone carrying an authority that sent chills through the room. "The assessment is over. Anyone who dares to continue carving will be disqualified, and their work nullified!"

The apprentices froze, trembling under Xu Beihu's tiger-like glare. None dared to defy the command.

Li Che let out a long breath and set down his polishing stick. A faint pang of regret lingered in his heart. Just a little more time, and he could have polished the piece to perfection—a finished masterpiece.

Xu You, Xu Beihu, and several senior carvers began moving through the workshop, evaluating the apprentices' work. Their appraisals were fair, their criticisms sharp yet not unkind. Only those who produced abysmal work—blocks of wood with barely discernible forms—faced harsh scoldings.

When they reached Li Che's station, the Four-Armed Bodhisattva stood tall amid a scattering of wood shavings. Though unfinished, it already radiated the presence of a completed piece.

Xu You and Chen Dabao exchanged glances, their expressions tinged with awe.

Many seasoned craftsmen were left stunned.

"This is unheard of! A mere porter, yet he wields such unparalleled skill and precision in carving!"

"My apprentices must have wasted all their years of training if they can't match this level!"

"What a remarkable talent! It's a pity he's gone without formal training in wood carving for so long. Though he starts late, this carving... If you told me it was done by Master San Dao himself, I wouldn't doubt it for a second!"

The stream of praise seemed endless.

Amidst the commotion, Xu You cast a warm glance toward Li Che, his eyes shimmering with intrigue. He nodded slightly and remarked, "Not bad."

Li Che clasped his fists and bowed respectfully. His expression remained composed, unshaken by the waves of admiration surrounding him.

The group of evaluators continued their assessments, and after some time, they concluded the review of all the works.

"Li Che, Zhao Xuan, Wang Zhengpin," Xu You announced, his voice carrying authority, "your carvings have distinguished themselves in this examination. You three are hereby awarded the title of One-Blade Wood Carving Master. Along with this title, you will receive a monthly wage of five taels of silver and a 60% share of profits."

The workshop erupted into a chorus of shock and murmurs.

Many apprentices were left crestfallen, their hearts weighed down by disappointment. Some stood frozen in disbelief, while others let tears stream down their faces.

Years of painstaking effort and diligent study had culminated in failure. Worse, they had been surpassed by a porter. Bitterness, shame, and despair filled the air, their emotions teetering on the edge of collapse.

Within the confines of the workshop, the full spectrum of human emotions played out in vivid detail.

"You three, follow me," Xu You commanded with a flick of his sleeve.

He and Xu Beihu donned their fox-fur cloaks, casting fleeting glances at the trio who had passed the examination.

Li Che, Zhao Xuan, and Wang Zhengpin quickly fell into step behind them, their figures disappearing into the swirling snow as they ventured deeper into the workshop's grounds.

Through a long corridor lined with intricately carved beams, they arrived at a vast courtyard. The space was expansive, its open ground blanketed in snow, and it bore the markings of a training area. Stone pedestals, training stakes, and other martial arts equipment dotted the yard, their forms softened under layers of white.

"This is the martial arts ground of the Xu Family Wood Carving Workshop," Xu You explained, his tone calm yet commanding. "By earning the title of One-Blade Wood Carving Master, you are now part of the Xu family. With this title comes access to the Jade Knife Token, which symbolizes your status. From now on, you may use this area to train in martial arts and strive to ascend to greater heights of mastery."

As he finished speaking, he reached into his sleeve and produced three small jade knives, each glowing faintly in the snowy twilight. He handed one to each of the three.

Standing with his hands behind his back, Xu You remained silent as Xu Beihu stepped forward to take over.

"I will oversee your martial arts training," Xu Beihu declared, his voice deep and resonant, carrying the weight of his formidable presence. Despite the swirling snow, not a single flake dared to land on him. "Every month, I'll spend two days in the outer city. If you have questions regarding martial arts, you may seek me out during that time."

The trio bowed deeply in acknowledgment.

Xu Beihu continued, his tone steady and authoritative. "Now, let me explain the essence of martial arts cultivation."

He paused, his gaze sweeping over the three before him.

"Martial arts are divided into three disciplines: the Physical Training Method, the Inner Energy Method, and the Divine Essence Method.

"The Divine Essence Method lies beyond your reach; it is not something you are qualified to learn. The Physical Training Method, however, is accessible to all, while the Inner Energy Method requires innate talent and time to cultivate.

"For now, I will teach you the Physical Training Method. The Inner Energy Method will only be passed down to you after you perfectly master the skin tempering stage of physical training and are ready to advance."

Xu Beihu spoke with an air of finality before launching into an explanation of the Physical Training Method.

At its core, it was a rigorous regimen of exercises designed to temper and refine the body. External tools, such as the equipment scattered across the training ground, were to be used to enhance the process.

"The Physical Training Method consists of four stages: skin tempering, tendon unblocking, bone forging, and blood replacement. When you can circulate your internal blood energy to the point where it flows like molten mercury, you will be considered a true martial artist!

"Beyond blood replacement lies the stage of meridian opening. However, that realm is so rare that only a handful across the entire city ever achieve it."

Xu Beihu's voice grew even more commanding as he added, "Starting from the skin tempering stage, you will be entitled to one bowl of Boiling Skin Powder every half-month. This will accelerate your progress. If one bowl isn't enough, you may purchase additional bowls at one tael of silver each."

His explanation was thorough, leaving no room for ambiguity.

Li Che listened intently, his mind absorbing every word. This was his first foray into the martial arts of this world, and he dared not let his guard down. The shadow of the Spirit Infant Lord hung over him like a blade, compelling him to stay vigilant. Martial arts could prove instrumental in resisting the looming threat, and there was no room for negligence.

By the time Xu Beihu concluded his instruction, the sky had fully darkened.

"I will remain in the outer city for one more day," Xu Beihu announced. "Tomorrow, we will formally begin the process of skin tempering. For now, disperse and digest what you've learned."

With a final wave of his hand, Xu Beihu turned and departed.

Yet, while the other two began to leave, Li Che stayed behind. He approached the third manager, a glint of resolve in his eyes, and inquired about the matter of moving to a new residence.