Chapter 6: The Fabricated Stages of Bone Tempering

"Bone tempering is a meticulous process, divided into different stages..."

Although Xu Yan's question about bone tempering caught Li Xuan off guard, he was not at all flustered.

After all, in his previous life, he wrote web novels, and his ability to fabricate was quite good. These days, after eating the chicken soup stewed with the Nine-Leaf Primordial Ginseng, his memory had improved, and his mind was more acute. He quickly thought of how to fabricate the story.

"Today, I will explain in detail the knowledge about bone tempering.

"Bone tempering is an extremely important foundation; it cannot be taken lightly, as it determines the strength of one's martial path. As the saying goes, if the bones are not strong, the body will not be strong..."

Li Xuan's mind raced, and he began to fabricate systematically.

His theories were so convincing that Xu Yan was captivated, nodding frequently and occasionally looking enlightened.

"So, bone tempering has so many nuances. Fortunately, Master often teaches me to be calm and not to be hasty. Otherwise, if I rushed into bone tempering without understanding its intricacies, wouldn't I be cutting off my own future in martial arts?"

Xu Yan sighed inwardly.

"Indeed, I must follow Master's teachings, not be hasty, and be steady and insightful!"

The more he listened, the more he felt the profundity of the bone tempering stage. Once bone tempering was completed, his strength would certainly increase several times.

"I have already achieved the completion of skin tempering. After completing skin tempering, I must take a moment to carefully understand the way of bone tempering before starting. I cannot be too hasty!"

Xu Yan made up his mind.

Li Xuan, having fabricated a story, had been closely observing Xu Yan's expression. He was quite satisfied with his earnest listening and nodded in approval. "Disciple, remember, starting slow in cultivation does not mean you will always be slow.

"Just like building a house, the foundation is very important. If the foundation is not solid, it cannot withstand the wind and rain, and it will easily collapse. The same goes for cultivation. Pursuing speed in the early stages will instead limit your potential and cut off your future in martial arts...

"Throughout history, many who cultivated rapidly in the early stages seemed to be prodigies, but later on, due to their weak foundations, their progress slowed, and they reached their limits without any further advancement."

Li Xuan's intention in saying this was to reassure Xu Yan. Although he had not yet sensed his qi and blood, in the foundational stage, he did not need to pursue speed; a solid foundation was the key.

Xu Yan, however, was invigorated. He thought, "Master is warning me that although my cultivation speed may not match that of ancient prodigies, as long as my foundation is solid, I can certainly surpass them!"

"Master has high hopes for me; I must not let him down!"

"I must build a solid foundation and surpass those ancient prodigies!"

Xu Yan was deeply moved and respectfully said, "Master, rest assured. I will remember your teachings, not be hasty, and build a solid foundation. I will not let you down!"

Li Xuan nodded in satisfaction and said, "I am relieved that you understand my intentions!"

He sighed inwardly, "Finally, I have convinced him again. Even if he doesn't sense his qi and blood for a month or two, he should be able to remain calm. Besides, after eating the chicken soup stewed with the Nine-Leaf Primordial Ginseng, my body has become stronger, and his body should also be stronger. He will surely think it's due to cultivation."

"However, deceiving someone can only last for a while, especially in cultivation. Xu Yan is not very bright, so I still need to think of a way to extricate myself. This guy has a background."

With Xu Yan's mindset stabilized, things would be easier. He just needed to continue cultivating.

There is still plenty of time before the one-year deadline.

"Master, you mentioned that bone tempering is divided into stages. What are the nuances of these stages?"

Xu Yan asked respectfully.

"Yes, that's correct. Bone tempering is divided into stages."

Li Xuan was taken aback for a moment, almost forgetting about fabricating the stages of bone tempering.

"I'll make the difficulty of bone tempering higher. Since Xu Yan can't even sense his qi and blood and hasn't completed skin tempering, the more difficult bone tempering will be even more out of reach.

"Once he fails to make progress for a long time, he will give up, thinking it's due to his lack of talent and feel guilty for not living up to Master's cultivation.

"If I give him another chance, like if he has children, they can try to enter the path of cultivation, giving him a glimmer of hope. If he can't cultivate, his children can.

"This way, the chances of being exposed are lower, and I can also receive a disciple's gift from his future children..."

Having deceived him once, he didn't mind deceiving him again.

Li Xuan thought that once this matter was settled and he successfully left the small village, he would hide in the Wu Kingdom. This way, the chances of seeing Xu Yan again would be minimal.

With Xu Yan's disciple's gift, his life in the Wu Kingdom would be better.

He straightened his expression and said solemnly, "Bone tempering is divided into four stages: Iron Bone, Copper Bone, Gold Bone, and Jade Bone..."

Xu Yan's expression was excited as he asked, "Iron Bone, Copper Bone, Gold Bone, and Jade Bone—are these the four stages of bone tempering?"

Li Xuan shook his head and said, "No! These are the four stages of bone tempering, representing the upper limits of one's martial path and the strength of one's cultivation."

"Iron Bone: Most ordinary martial artists reach this stage. Their bones are tempered by qi and blood, becoming as hard as iron. Ordinary blades cannot cut through them, but Iron Bone is just ordinary, with a low upper limit in martial arts.

"Copper Bone: This is stronger than Iron Bone. The bones are like copper, and even after death, they will not decay for a thousand years. Once Copper Bone is achieved, the foundation is deep, and the upper limit in martial arts is higher. This is considered a middle-to-upper level.

"Only those who achieve Gold Bone can be considered prodigies!"

Li Xuan said solemnly, "All ancient prodigies have achieved Gold Bone!"

Xu Yan was excited, his eyes gleaming, and he asked, "Master, how can one achieve Gold Bone?"

Seeing his gleaming eyes and excited expression, Li Xuan was speechless. This fool, does he really think he can achieve Gold Bone?

This is all fabricated!

He then said sternly, "Calm down and don't be hasty!"

"Yes, Master!"

Xu Yan quickly reined in his excitement and sat up straight.

"Once Gold Bone is achieved, even after death and buried for ten thousand years, the bones will remain golden and more solid than steel. However, throughout history, only one in ten thousand can achieve Gold Bone."

Li Xuan said solemnly, "When I say one in ten thousand, I mean among many prodigies, only one in ten thousand can achieve it!"

"Master, are prodigies also ranked?"

Xu Yan asked curiously.

"Of course!"

Li Xuan nodded and said, "Just like beauties, even among beauties, there are differences. The same goes for prodigies!"

Xu Yan understood and said, "I see. Just like in the Chunxiang Pavilion in Donghe County, the top performer is already a rare beauty, but the flower queen is even more beautiful!"

Li Xuan's eyes widened, and he gritted his teeth inwardly. No wonder he's a rich kid; he must have visited brothels often.

I want to go too!

"Master, I was just using a metaphor. I've never been there!"

Xu Yan noticed Li Xuan's strange gaze and immediately felt embarrassed, stammering.