I Fabricated the Techniques, but my disciple really mastered them? Chapter 4 - 4 Xu Yan’s Self-Fulfillment_1
Previously on I Fabricated the Techniques, but my disciple really mastered them?...
Chapter 4: Xu Yan’s Self-Fulfillment
Xu Yan was already practicing his horse stance long before the first light of dawn touched the horizon.
“Master instructed me to grasp the essence and comprehend the meaning rather than focusing on mere posture. I must sense the flow of vital energy, harness it, and begin the process of refining the skin…”
“Legends say the geniuses of old could finish skin refining in just five days, yet I haven’t even felt a spark of vital energy. The disparity is immense. Master cautioned against being hasty; the more anxious I become, the more elusive the vital energy will be…”
Calming his thoughts, Xu Yan focused inward, delicately probing his own body in search of that elusive vital energy.
A pale streak finally cut through the morning sky.
Just as the sun prepared to rise, Xu Yan, who was deeply immersed in his senses, suddenly felt a warm current manifest in his chest and abdomen. It was gentle and soft, appearing to ebb and flow in rhythm with his breathing.
“Vital energy!”
“I have finally sensed my vital energy!”
At that moment, Xu Yan was consumed by joy.
“Keep steady, keep steady. I must remain composed and not allow my mind to be shaken…”
“Now I must mobilize the vital energy to start refining the skin… but how? Master didn’t provide specific details. Should I seek his guidance?”
“No! Master emphasized comprehension and intent. I have to seize this sensation right now. If I lose focus, catching this thread of vital energy again will be incredibly difficult…”
“Besides, if I run to Master for every detail on how to move my vital energy, won't he be disappointed? He might think my innate comprehension is lacking.”
With those thoughts, Xu Yan immediately abandoned the plan to ask Li Xuan for help.
Maintaining his horse stance, he made attempt after attempt to direct the vital energy, all while mentally replaying Li Xuan’s previous explanations regarding its mobilization.
He turned his entire focus inward, becoming fully absorbed in the movement of the energy. His breathing naturally synchronized with the rhythm of the vital energy, and slowly, a faint strand of it began to permeate his body. His skin took on a subtle red glow, as if being tempered by a warm, flowing current.
“I believe I have officially entered the stage of skin refining.”
Xu Yan felt a surge of exhilaration. He had finally detected his vital energy and successfully directed it to begin refining his skin.
...
Li Xuan woke up with a wide yawn. After washing up and getting dressed, he stepped outside to fix some breakfast.
Being the sole inhabitant of the village, he had grown accustomed to a life of self-sufficiency.
The moment he stepped out, he spotted Xu Yan diligently holding his horse stance. Li Xuan’s lip twitched slightly; his disciple was certainly hardworking, but unfortunately, it was all in vain.
The Cultivation method he had shared was nothing more than a tall tale he’d made up on the spot. It would truly be a miracle if anything came of it.
“Once he can’t take the frustration anymore and comes to me for answers, I’ll just have to spin him another story.”
Li Xuan shook his head and looked away.
Xu Yan was buzzing with excitement when he saw his master. He was on the verge of announcing that he had sensed his vital energy.
And that he had already begun the stage of skin refining!
However, when he saw his master shake his head, his heart sank instantly.
“Is Master unhappy with my progress?”
“Of course. With Master’s profound level, how could he not see that I’ve already sensed vital energy and started skin refining?”
“He must think I am being restless, boastful, and impatient…”
After a flurry of self-doubt, Xu Yan immediately discarded the idea of telling Li Xuan about his breakthrough.
He took a long breath to settle his mind and returned to the task of refining his skin with vital energy.
“Master is truly deep; he can perceive my progress at a single glance. I cannot afford to be arrogant or vain… Since he already knows my Cultivation status, there is no reason for me to boast about it.”
Xu Yan convinced himself that his master saw right through his training, making any verbal confirmation unnecessary.
Li Xuan grabbed a chicken from the coop, intending to continue stewing it with the Nine-leaf Ganoderma, a rare treasure of this world. After consuming the broth yesterday, he felt his physical strength improving.
As he gripped the knife to slaughter the bird, he paused. “Wait a minute. I have a disciple now. Why should I, the Master, be the one serving him? The apprentice is supposed to serve the teacher!”
“I’ve already tricked him into the role. It’s only right that he takes care of his master, isn't it?”
With that thought, he approached Xu Yan with the knife in one hand and the chicken in the other.
“Disciple, come here. Slaughter this chicken, add some Nine-leaf Ganoderma, and get it cooking.”
Xu Yan broke his stance and accepted the items from Li Xuan, looking somewhat confused.
“What? You don’t know how to cook?”
Li Xuan frowned as he watched the boy’s blank expression.
“Right, Xu Yan is a pampered Young Master from a wealthy family. He probably doesn't know the first thing about a kitchen.”
Still, since the boy was his disciple, he had to put him to work.
“Apprentice, every moment and every action—from eating to sleeping—is a form of training. Even though you haven't yet crossed the threshold of Martial Arts and remain far from your master’s level, acclimating yourself to these tasks early will be to your benefit.”
Li Xuan spoke with a heavy, serious tone.
“Master, I will do it immediately!”
Xu Yan’s face turned solemn as he replied with deep respect.
“Master’s realm is simply too high! These everyday chores are actually the movements of a true sage, the hidden grace of a grandmaster!”
The more he pondered it, the more mysterious his master appeared. On the surface, he looked like an ordinary man without any intimidating aura, but Xu Yan believed this was the hallmark of a supreme master hiding in plain sight.
Xu Yan hurried off to prepare the meal.
Li Xuan watched him for a bit, feeling slightly uneasy. While Xu Yan was clearly clumsy with the knife and the stove, Li Xuan figured that with a bit of oversight, the meal would at least be edible.
He dragged a chair under the large tree in the courtyard and reclined, lazily waiting for his food.
“Life is quite pleasant with a disciple to handle the chores.”
“With Xu Yan’s personality, he won't catch on to the ruse anytime soon, but I should probably start thinking of an exit strategy just in case…”
After they finished eating.
Xu Yan went straight back to his training.
“The pace of my skin refining has surged… my vitality has increased by at least half…”
“At this rate, while five days might be out of reach, I should be able to finish skin refining within a month.”
Xu Yan was shocked to find his progress accelerating so rapidly.
“Why the sudden jump in speed? Could it be…”
He thought back to the chicken stewed with Nine-leaf Ganoderma!
The Nine-leaf Ganoderma was an incredibly rare treasure. His family only possessed that one piece. If he hadn't been the sole heir and the pride of his parents, he never would have been allowed to take it as a gift for his master.
“Master!”
Xu Yan was moved to tears.
“Master knew that the Nine-leaf Ganoderma would accelerate my Cultivation, so he had me cook it for our meal!”
“I cannot let Master’s generosity go to waste. I must train with everything I have and reach the threshold as fast as possible!”
Through his own complex reasoning, Xu Yan’s admiration for his master reached new heights. His respect was as vast as the heavens, and he felt deeply touched.
He pushed his vital energy harder, continuing the skin refining process.
As the refining continued, Xu Yan felt his body growing sturdier and his vitality more robust. His skin became tougher, signaling he had reached the initial phase of skin refining.
“I feel like my strength has more than doubled. If this is just the beginning, how strong will I be once the stage is complete?”
“I will definitely enter the threshold of Martial Arts within a year!”
Xu Yan’s gaze was full of determination.
“This Nine-leaf Ganoderma is incredible. Why do I feel like I’m getting so much stronger?”
“Maybe I should keep it all for myself? No, Xu Yan gave it to me. We should share. I shouldn't be too greedy!”
Li Xuan noticed the physical improvements in his own body and briefly considered hoarding the treasure.
However, his conscience won out, and he dismissed the selfish thought.