Water Ink Panel: Starting with Bow Technique to Hunt the Sun and Patrol the Skies

"You've already refined your bones?"

Shen Qing heard this and didn't hide anything; he clenched his fists in front of Li Linfeng and bumped them together, deliberately producing a crisp iron sound.

"Iron bones," Li Linfeng's expression changed slightly.

Shen Qing respectfully clasped his fists and said, "Replying to Master, with continual hard study these days, I've finally had some insights and, luckily, have managed to refine them."

Li Linfeng had already known that Miss Qi's nephew was somewhat out of the ordinary, but it still seemed inconceivable that he had completed Bone Refining in just over a month.

It greatly exceeded his expectations.

In his view, even if Shen Qing's talent were exceptional, being a "wild" martial master, it would still take three to five months' time.

A month and a half's time was rare even among some of the large and wealthy families.

And those wealthy families, lacking neither food nor medicinal herbs and having had renowned teachers from a young age, could achieve such progress through various means.

Shen Qing had simply been practicing according to his teachings and had reached this extent; he truly didn't know how to describe it.

Li Linfeng, sitting in his chair, looked at Shen Qing with a complex expression after a long silence.

"It seems that in addition to your excellent insight and bone quality, your temperament and perseverance far surpass those of ordinary people."

Shen Qing, upon hearing this, agreed wholeheartedly.

He had reached his current state all through his own efforts.

Although the Water Ink Panel was somewhat powerful, without his unique talent, exceptional aptitude, and incredible insight, it was just an inanimate object with no chance of breakthrough.

You reap what you sow.

If he were lazy and mediocre, the Water Ink Panel would show no changes whatsoever.

After all, the Water Ink Panel was just a skillfulness panel at the end of the day, and it intrinsically wouldn't increase his cultivation.

Seeing Shen Qing so calm, this temperament made Li Linfeng nod his head involuntarily, further confirming the thoughts in his heart.

In Great Zhou, learning martial arts was a very difficult matter, and with the great investment required in the early stages, ordinary families, once they chose a Martial Arts Hall, would continue to train there.

If they learned well, they became a part of the Martial Arts Hall; if they learned poorly and left, they would just be half-baked and couldn't stir up much trouble. Therefore, besides setting a high threshold to test a disciple's aptitude and character, there was no saying of "teach your apprentice and starve to death as a master" in martial arts halls.

"Now that you've refined your iron bones, next you should proceed to Skin Forging." Li Linfeng stood up and, without any secrecy, asked, "Do you know why you should forge your skin?"

"The disciple is slow-witted, please enlighten me, Master."

Li Linfeng spoke generously, "You know that above the Skin Forging Realm lies the Qi Cultivation Realm, what's cultivated is Qi. What is Qi? Qi is the fundamental essence that distinguishes martial artists from ordinary people, it is like the roots of a tree, deeply implanted within the body, born from the essence of flesh and blood."

"Once you cultivate Qi, it can fill your punches and techniques with powerful explosive force, different from ordinary stances."

"It is precisely because of the might of Qi, filled with violent destructive power, that the body, as a vessel, finds it difficult to bear it. Therefore, one must achieve Great Perfection of Qi and Blood, perform stretching, Bone Refining, and Skin Forging."

"Qi originates from the bones, condenses in the flesh, and ultimately is released through the skin. Your tendons, flesh, and bones have already been tempered; you can withstand the force of Power and lack only the final layer of Skin Forging to perfect your physical body."

Shen Qing inquired, "Then what should I do to forge my skin?"

"Eat!" Li Linfeng said, uttering just one word.

Shen Qing was puzzled, "Eat?"

Li Linfeng continued, "The energy in a person's flesh comes from the intake of external substances. When a martial master reaches your stage, the physical body's capacity for energy is nearly at its limit. One can only consume various essence-enriching substances, allowing the body's energy to overflow through the skin, gradually transforming it bit by bit, until it becomes as thick as cowhide and as hard as iron."

Li Linfeng spoke in easy-to-understand terms, and Shen Qing could grasp the concept after brief contemplation, "Then aside from eating, are there no other auxiliary methods?"

"There's also grinding!" Li Linfeng said, "We martial masters who come from humble beginnings have figured out a clumsy method for Skin Forging, which is to use potent medicines to stimulate and grind the skin, causing the skin and the physical body to continuously undergo damage and repair during the overflow of Essence Qi, in order to accelerate progress."

"I see," Shen Qing suddenly had a question, "I've heard from my senior brothers before that at this stage it's possible to condense Qi strength. If Skin Forging is not complete, does that mean it can't be used?"

"That's correct. At this stage, you're just beginning to condense Qi strength, barely sensing it, let alone controlling it, which is difficult. Even if you could use it, if the Skin Forging is incomplete, just as the Qi strength surfaces, before it's even emitted, the skin would feel the pain of tearing and swelling. Forcing its use would only harm oneself greatly, and the enemy partially."

Shen Qing was stunned.

His progress in the Skin Forging Realm seemed different from what Li Linfeng described.

He had not only transported the Qi strength to the surface of his body but also activated it, and could even strike through the air.

Shen Qing speculated that this might have a lot to do with the Blood Dominance Technique and Dragon Roar Armor.

The unintentional combination of these two Martial Arts had already made his skin's strength surpass that of normal people, even though he hadn't completed the Skin Forging.

Now, he might be very strong!

Far surpassing those of the same realm.

Seeing Shen Qing's composed demeanor, Li Linfeng was increasingly satisfied and couldn't help feeling a growing fondness for talent.

He stepped forward and said, "From now on, when you practice Martial Arts with me, you don't need to pay the monthly fee for all the prescriptions and various supplements. Practice to your heart's content."

Shen Qing was moved and quickly expressed his gratitude.

Li Linfeng, worried Shen Qing would become arrogant and complacent from this, cautioned him, "However, don't get too proud of yourself. My Wind Defying Finger Martial Arts is not very profound, and it's not very difficult to learn. You must know there are skies beyond skies, and people beyond people. In Great Zhou, there are many talents like you, thick as carps crossing the river. You still have a long way to go."

"Master's lesson is well received," Shen Qing said without any hint of impatience, his expression even more respectful.

Just then, A Fu hurried in and said, "Master, people from the Guardian Martial Department of the government office have come, saying there's an important matter to discuss."

"The Guardian Martial Department? What do they want?" Li Linfeng wondered.

A Fu replied, "It seems to be about the demon tiger issue. They've come not only to our Martial Arts Hall, but it seems they've also visited other major Martial Arts Halls and factions."

"Oh?" Li Linfeng pondered for a while and then instructed, "Please ask them to wait in the main hall for a moment, I'll be right there."

"Yes, Master."

Shen Qing watched A Fu's retreating figure, contemplative.

That demon tiger seems quite troublesome to deal with.

Li Linfeng got up from the study and walked out, casually saying to Shen Qing, "Have your four senior brothers come along too."

"Yes," Shen Qing agreed, then asked, "Should I also follow, Master?"

"No need."

After dropping these words, Li Linfeng's figure swiftly vanished at the study's doorway.

Shen Qing narrowed his eyes, noting that this time Li Linfeng did not intend to involve him in the demon tiger incident.

This perfectly suited his wishes; he could focus on cultivating in peace.

Shen Qing had an inkling that the Skin Forging Realm might be virtually nonexistent for him, possibly the easiest realm for him to master.