A familiar sensation washed over him. Mysterious energy welled up from the depths of his cells, setting to work transforming Lin Zheyu's muscles and fascia.
Lin Zheyu's mind slipped into a strange trance.
His consciousness arrived in an inexplicable space where only a single thought occupied his mind: to practice Wild Bull Fist!
Like a madman possessed, Lin Zheyu frantically trained Wild Bull Fist within this special realm—punch after punch, never stopping, never tiring.
Time lost all meaning in this mysterious state, and his comprehension of Wild Bull Fist grew deeper and deeper.
Under the influence of the mystical energy, the medicinal broth he had swallowed was drawn out, its potency channeled to temper his physique.
Tremendous changes took place across Lin Zheyu's body. His muscles grew tighter and denser, and his sinews surged with vigorous strength.
A moment later, crisp popping sounds echoed from within him—a telltale sign of progressing from Flesh Tempering into the Bone Tempering Realm.
Once Wild Bull Fist reached the Proficient level, one entered the Bone Tempering Realm.
After several breaths, Lin Zheyu slowly opened his eyes, emerging from the trance.
He shook his head, feeling somewhat mentally drained.
Training and comprehending Wild Bull Fist endlessly without rest in that peculiar state took a heavy toll on his mind.
Very good. At least my vitality wasn't drained like last time.
Lin Zheyu took stock of his physical condition. His muscles were firm and full, his internal organs robust, and even his bones felt significantly stronger.
The medicinal broth in his stomach had been almost entirely absorbed, leaving barely any efficacy behind.
[Heaven Rewards Diligence]
Name: Lin Zheyu
Origin Power: 4
Skills: Wild Bull Fist (Proficient 3%)
He lightly clenched his fist, and a soft crackle sounded from his knuckles.
Having perfected Flesh Tempering and broken through to the Bone Tempering Realm, his control over his muscles and sinews had advanced to a whole new level.
Now, he could command his muscles, sinews, and skin, using the method of sinew and bone resonance to temper his skeleton.
Now that I'm in the Bone Tempering Realm, I'll pay Master Liang a visit tomorrow to ask about the training for both the Bone Tempering and Viscera Tempering Realms, Lin Zheyu thought to himself.
Both the Bone Tempering Realm and Viscera Tempering Realm had unique methods of training. Liang Song had not taught him those yet, having only shown him the fundamentals of Flesh Tempering.
Since studying with Liang Song for half a day at his home that first time, Lin Zheyu had not gone back.
He had checked in whenever he passed by on occasion, but he had never found anyone home.
...
Early morning.
Determined to catch Liang Song, Lin Zheyu arrived at No. 33 Jindong Street bright and early.
Knock, knock, knock.
He tapped lightly on the door. With a creak, it swung open.
"What brings you here?" Liang Song asked upon seeing it was Lin Zheyu.
Lin Zheyu grumbled silently. He had come early three mornings in a row and only managed to catch him today. He had no idea where his master went off to every day, acting so secretive; the man's figure was nowhere to be seen except in the afternoons when Lin Zheyu told his stories.
"I ran into some issues during my training and wanted to consult you, Master," Lin Zheyu said.
He stepped inside and closed the door behind him.
"What kind of issues?"
Liang Song was watering his plants and gestured for Lin Zheyu to find a seat.
"Well, whenever I train, I always feel like the sinews and bones around my elbows..."
Lin Zheyu laid out the difficulties he had encountered during bone tempering. The more Liang Song listened, the more astonishment crept onto his face.
He set down his watering pot and stared at Lin Zheyu.
Had this kid's grasp of Wild Bull Fist already reached this level?
"Run through the form once. Let me see," Liang Song could not help saying.
"Yes, Master."
Lin Zheyu nodded and walked to the center of the courtyard.
He shed his coat and sank into the stance of Wild Bull Fist.
Whoosh!
Thud, thud, thud!
Dull thuds rang through the yard as his fists hammered against the wooden post.
Intermingled with the impacts were sharp popping sounds emanating from deep inside Lin Zheyu's body.
Bone Tempering!
He's reached the Bone Tempering Realm!
Liang Song's eyes widened, and he shot to his feet.
Less than a month had passed since he had taught him the form.
A greenhorn who had never practiced martial arts in his life had mastered Wild Bull Fist to the Proficient stage in a mere month. Unbelievable!
What an enviable talent!
If he had started training in martial arts from childhood, he might have had a shot at reaching the Grandmaster Realm. What a pity.
Watching Lin Zheyu practice, Liang Song felt a twinge of regret.
In all his life, he had never witnessed such terrifying innate talent.
"Take a breather. I'll explain bone tempering to you," Liang Song called out, putting a halt to Lin Zheyu's routine.
"Yes, Master."
Lin Zheyu withdrew his stance, walked over to the table, and sat down across from Liang Song.
"Not bad. To bring Wild Bull Fist to the Proficient level so quickly..."
"Once you reach Proficient and train your body until your muscles and sinews are full and robust, you can begin attempting bone tempering."
"Bone tempering requires both external stimulation and sinew-and-bone resonance. Through..."
...
Liang Song explained the methods of tempering bones.
Lin Zheyu listened with rapt attention, absorbing a wealth of knowledge about the human skeleton.
"Your comprehension is quite good. I might as well pass along Wild Bull Fist's internal breathing technique to you as well. You can take your time pondering it when you get back."
"Wild Bull Fist can only unleash its true power when paired with the breathing technique," Liang Song said after a moment of thought.
With Lin Zheyu's aptitude and comprehension, he should be able to master the breathing technique as well.
Specialized breathing techniques demanded immense control over one's body, requiring exceptional comprehension and formidable physical mastery.
"Yes, Master!"
Lin Zheyu was overjoyed.
An internal breathing technique—that sounded formidable.
"In the martial path, externally one trains the sinews, bones, and skin; internally one cultivates the breath."
"Different martial arts place different burdens on the internal organs. Only by training the internal organs in accordance with the technique to make them robust can one unleash even greater power."
"The breathing technique corresponding to Wild Bull Fist primarily uses abdominal breathing, exerting power from the dantian, and requires mastering a specific rhythm and cadence."
"Come, watch my chest and belly."
"Feel it closely..."
As Liang Song spoke, he instructed Lin Zheyu to place a hand on him to feel the breathing rhythm.
Lin Zheyu laid his hand against his master's burly chest. Liang Song's muscles were rock-hard, like lumps of forged iron.
Silently, he felt Master Liang's breathing cadence—the profound, rhythmic rise and fall of his chest.
Such rhythm and cadence were exceptionally difficult to grasp. Lin Zheyu observed and felt it for a long while, but everything still seemed hazily out of reach.
Chapter 15