I Fabricated the Techniques, but my disciple really mastered them? Chapter 5 - 5 Leather Refining Mastered (Seeking More Readings)_1
Previously on I Fabricated the Techniques, but my disciple really mastered them?...
More than a fortnight had passed since Li Xuan accepted Xu Yan as his student, imparting a cultivation technique he had simply made up on the spot.
These last two weeks represented the most comfortable period Li Xuan had experienced since arriving in this world. Being served daily by a disciple meant he was finally liberated from the chores of cooking, tending to chickens, or working the vegetable garden.
He filled his hours with sleep, wandering the village, or simply reclining lazily in his chair.
Only a single piece of the nine-leaf primordial herb remained, which was destined for the pot after today’s meal.
Li Xuan sighed with genuine appreciation; that rare medicinal treasure had produced truly remarkable results. Throughout the past couple of weeks, he had observed undeniable improvements in his own physical state.
His spirit felt revitalized, his eyesight had become more acute, and his entire frame felt more robust and powerful.
“Should I cook the millennium ginseng tomorrow? I wonder if that would be too potent?”
Li Xuan mused to himself, sprawled out comfortably in his seat.
“That millennium ginseng is one of a kind; perhaps I should set it aside for later?”
His gaze drifted toward Xu Yan, who was diligently practicing his horse stance, leaving Li Xuan feeling slightly bewildered.
“How can he remain so patient after all this time? Such a composed temperament is magnificent, though it’s a shame he seems a bit slow-witted.”
“Actually, this works in my favor; the more patient he is, the better it is for me… But even after so many days, he hasn’t made a shred of progress in his cultivation. Does he really have no doubts at all?”
Li Xuan felt a sudden pang of concern.
“I’ll check in on his progress during dinner. I should at least fulfill my duties as a Master.”
“I need to think of a way to keep the bluff going.”
Li Xuan began to plot a convincing narrative, thinking of ways to soothe Xu Yan and motivate him to keep trying despite the lack of results….
…
“At last, I have mastered skin-refinement!”
Deep in his cultivation, Xu Yan felt a sudden burst of vitality surge through his frame. His skin tightened and then relaxed in a rhythmic flow. He could sense that he had just achieved a massive breakthrough.
I have reached the level of skin-refinement!
“Master was absolutely right. Cultivation cannot be forced; it requires a balance of hard work and mental rest.”
“Every day, I find time to cook, feed the livestock, garden, and even hunt wild game for our meals. Although it seems like I’m spending less time practicing, this state of relaxation and service has shifted my mindset. It actually sped up my cultivation and made the process feel effortless!”
“The depth of our honorable Master’s wisdom is truly staggering!” Xu Yan marveled internally.
As a hidden expert, Master’s every word and action provided him with incredible insights.
Watching Li Xuan lounging in his chair, Xu Yan’s eyes shone with deep respect and longing.
“When will I ever reach Master’s level? He appears so ordinary, yet he is clearly extraordinary. This is the mark of a true powerhouse.”
“Is this what Master meant by ‘Returning to Simplicity, Close to the Dao’?”
“I mustn’t get ahead of myself. I need to stay grounded. One day, I will be as formidable as Master.”
Xu Yan remained lost in his thoughts, fueling his own determination.
“It took less than twenty days to achieve skin-refinement, and I am now just a hair’s breadth from perfection. Within three to five days, I should finish this stage and begin moving toward bone-refinement.”
“Once my skin-refinement is complete, I will seek Master’s guidance regarding the specifics of bone-refinement.”
“Master mentioned that the geniuses of ancient times could finish skin-refinement in five days. While I might not reach those heights, finishing within a month is still a respectable achievement, isn't it?”
Noticing the hour, Xu Yan realized it was time to prepare the meal.
He ceased his training, grabbed a chicken from the coop, and slaughtered it to stew with the final leaf of the nine-leaf primordial herb.
He had used one leaf per day, and now the supply was exhausted.
As he was preparing the chicken, a thought suddenly struck him.
“Master claimed that once skin-refinement is finished, common weapons can barely scratch the skin. Why not test it? I’ll try a small cut.”
Xu Yan picked up a kitchen knife and moved it toward his arm.
Being a martial artist who had achieved skin-refinement, he was no longer a normal human. He made sure not to circulate any blood Qi and applied very little pressure.
He used only the strength of a regular person.
The blade slid across his skin, leaving nothing but a faint white line that vanished almost instantly!
“Is this the true defensive power of perfected skin-refinement?”
Xu Yan was thrilled. Even though he hadn't used much force, that same stroke would have easily sliced through a chicken; a normal man would have been cut to the bone.
Yet, his skin remained completely unblemished.
“It is exactly as Master promised. After skin-refinement, ordinary blades can no longer harm me!”
Xu Yan felt a surge of excitement for the upcoming stages of bone-refinement and organ-refinement.
…
“I am pleased to see that you have remained calm and haven't let arrogance take root these past few days.”
During their meal, Li Xuan decided to open the conversation.
“I understand, Master. I am constantly reminding myself to stay humble and composed,” Xu Yan answered with deep respect.
He felt relieved that his efforts to hide his excitement had successfully impressed his master.
“He’s been at this for so long. Even if he looks calm, he must be getting anxious on the inside. I need to give him some encouragement so he doesn't quit. Since I've started this, I have to keep the lie going.”
Thinking this to himself, Li Xuan spoke aloud: “Persistence is the most vital trait on the path of cultivation. You must possess a steady heart and a firm will. Never seek shortcuts or quick success. Keep that in mind.”
“Yes, Master! Your disciple will never forget your wisdom!”
Xu Yan nodded with total sincerity.
He had a sudden realization: “I have just finished skin-refinement. Master must be worried that I’ll rush into bone-refinement without a proper foundation.”
“Even if my skin is perfectly refined, I must remain stable before moving forward. I cannot let Master think I am impulsive.”
Xu Yan cautioned himself against becoming prideful just because his strength had increased.
Li Xuan had no clue that his vague advice was being interpreted so specifically. He had no idea that Xu Yan had not only sensed blood Qi but had already mastered skin-refinement.
Seeing how compliant Xu Yan was, Li Xuan felt a sense of relief.
“This student is truly loyal, but he really isn't the brightest. If he met anyone else, he’d be swindled out of everything he owns!”
“It’s a shame I’m not actually a hidden Master. It would have been quite rewarding to train a disciple who is this respectful and diligent.”
Li Xuan mused silently.
He then continued, “I suspect you have some questions after practicing for this long. I am willing to answer them now.”
Xu Yan’s energy surged, his face lighting up with excitement.
“Master knows I am ready for bone-refinement and that I must have questions. By telling me to stay calm first and then offering to answer my questions, he is both tempering my spirit and preparing me for the next stage.”
The more Xu Yan thought about it, the more he believed every syllable from his Master was layered with profound meaning.
“Master, I have no further questions regarding skin-refinement. I wish to ask about bone-refinement. Are there specific methods for Qi and blood to enter the bones to begin the tempering and refining process?”
“And at what point is bone-refinement considered complete?”
…
When Xu Yan brought up bone-refinement, Li Xuan was caught completely off guard. All the lies he had prepared were meant to explain away the difficulty of sensing Qi and the basics of skin-refinement.
He never anticipated that Xu Yan would ask about bone-refinement, and he hadn't thought of any nonsense to tell him yet!