Yang Qingfeng stroked his beard and explained, "Cultivation Techniques of different grades have different ceilings. Low-grade techniques reach the level of ’form,’ mid-grade techniques reach ’momentum,’ and top-grade techniques reach ’intent.’ The Mountain-Splitting Fist I taught you is a Mid-grade Technique. When you reach Great Success and develop its momentum, you’ve reached its peak. A Top-grade Cultivation Method, however, can be cultivated to Perfection, allowing you to grasp its ’intent.’ In all of Guangping County Town, only the Tang Family possesses a Top-grade Cultivation Method."
Lin Yan had actually been about to ask about this. He hadn’t expected his master to bring it up on his own. He smiled shyly, a bit embarrassed. "Master, I am already endlessly grateful that you have taught me the Mountain-Splitting Fist."
"There’s no need for pleasantries. Now that you’ve achieved Second-Time Skin Smoothing, I will now teach you the method for the Third-Time of Skin Smoothing."
Yang Qingfeng’s tone shifted as he got to the main point. "The first time is for the skin, the second for the flesh, and the third for the sinews. As the saying goes, ’Widen the sinews by half an inch, double your strength.’ This third pass, sinew washing, is completely different from the first two. You can slowly proceed through the first two passes without any Secret Medicine, relying on the nourishment of your Qi Blood for cultivation. But the sinew washing pass... without Secret Medicine, you won’t be able to advance a single step."
"When Qi Blood enters the sinews to expand the meridians, the pain is not only unbearable, but it also damages them. You must have Secret Medicine to repair them. Different Cultivation Techniques require different Secret Medicines. The one I provide for you is a topical Secret Medicine. You apply it during cultivation to prevent your meridians from rupturing."
Yang Qingfeng explained and taught Lin Yan some techniques for the Third-Time of Skin Smoothing. An hour passed by without them noticing.
"Have you considered choosing a marriage for yourself?"
After the lesson, Yang Qingfeng suddenly said something that surprised Lin Yan.
Seeing his disciple’s confused expression, Yang Qingfeng didn’t beat around the bush and said directly, "You have a good talent for the Martial Arts, but the Four Passes of Skin Smoothing rely heavily on financial resources. I’m sure you’ve felt it yourself—the further you go, the greater the expense. If you don’t want to waste your talent, you must have enough financial backing."
At nineteen years old with the strength of Second-Time Skin Smoothing, the top-tier, prominent families in the city wouldn’t marry off their legitimate daughters to him, but the slightly lesser families would certainly be interested.
What’s more, Lin Yan had another point in his favor: both of his parents were dead.
Although his master hadn’t said it outright, Lin Yan understood the underlying meaning of his words: marry a girl from a wealthy family and use her family’s financial resources for his training.
"I will follow my master’s arrangements."
Without much hesitation, Lin Yan agreed.
Yang Qingfeng was very satisfied with Lin Yan’s answer. He had been afraid that after reaching Second-Time Skin Smoothing in a year, Lin Yan would become proud and arrogant, unwilling to accept such an arrangement.
By then, he would have no more silver coins for his training, his time would be wasted, and it would be too late for regrets.
"Rest assured, I will choose a good marriage for you."
The more Yang Qingfeng looked at Lin Yan, the more he appreciated him. It was just that he had already made an agreement with the Zhao Family to fully cultivate Zhao Linyuan, so he couldn’t spare many resources for Lin Yan.
This was also because he didn’t make much profit selling various medicinal soups and Secret Medicine to his disciples. In terms of income, he might even earn less than those second-rate Martial Arts Halls.
"Thank you, Master. In that case, I will take my leave."
"Go on. Don’t reveal the matter of the Three Heroes Gang to anyone. I have my own plans."
Leaving the main hall, Lin Yan went to the general affairs room to collect his new disciple uniform. He didn’t change into it right away, deciding to take it home with him instead.
"Junior Brother Lin?"
As he passed the training grounds, a voice called out from the side.
Lin Yan turned his head and saw Senior Brother Hao standing at the edge of the training grounds. On the field, Junior Brother Zhao Linyuan was sparring with another senior brother.
"Senior Brother Hao." Lin Yan nodded slightly and stopped.
Hao Jingnian’s gaze swept over the disciple uniform in Lin Yan’s hands, a sharp glint flashing in his eyes. "Congratulations, Junior Brother Lin, on reaching Second-Time Skin Smoothing. The Yang Family Martial Arts Hall now has another Second-Time Skin Smoothing Martial Artist."
Lin Yan said humbly, "I was just lucky to have broken through."
Patting Lin Yan on the shoulder, Hao Jingnian smiled. "Going from Single-Time Skin Smoothing to Second-Time Skin Smoothing in less than five months can’t be called luck. Junior Brother Lin, you have remarkable talent. You’re destined for great things."
In his mind, Lin Yan couldn’t help but be amazed as he looked at this Senior Brother Hao’s Martial Arts Tree, which stood at a height of three chi and eight cun.
Senior Brother Hao had reached the Third-Time of Skin Smoothing seven years ago. At this rate, as long as he didn’t fail his breakthrough attempt, he had a chance to reach the Fourth-Time of Skin Smoothing within three years.
’Senior Brother Hao is the Vice Director of the Inspection Bureau,’ Lin Yan thought. ’I’ve never really talked to him before. Now that I’ve run into him, I can’t miss this opportunity.’
"Senior Brother Hao, my uncle was conscripted for corvée labor seven years ago and we haven’t heard from him since. I was wondering if I could ask you to help investigate."
Lin Yan had a sincere expression on his face. His uncle’s whereabouts after being conscripted were unknown. Although his aunt never mentioned it in front of him or his little brother, he knew she was always worried about her husband.
"Conscripted seven years ago... Junior Brother Lin, what is your uncle’s name?"
"Lin Yan."
"When I get back to the Inspection Bureau, I’ll have someone look into it. But it’s been so many years without any news, Junior Brother Lin. You should be prepared for the worst."
Hao Jingnian added a word of caution. Short-term corvée labor usually lasted between half a year and three years. For seven years to have passed without news, it was highly likely that he was gone.
"Whether my uncle is dead or alive, just having some definite news would bring my family some peace of mind."
"Alright. Since you’ve put it that way, Junior Brother Lin, I’ll definitely do everything I can to help investigate."
Hao Jingnian nodded. At that moment on the training grounds, Zhao Linyuan’s opponent staggered back several steps, cupped his fist, and said, "Junior Brother Zhao is formidable. I am no match for you."
The fight ended, and the few people on the field started walking over.
"You junior brothers are just in time. I have some good news for you. Our Martial Arts Hall has another disciple who has reached Second-Time Skin Smoothing."
Hearing Hao Jingnian’s words, the approaching disciples all turned their gazes to Lin Yan and offered their congratulations, "Congratulations, Junior Brother Lin."
Zhao Linyuan also sized up Lin Yan. He had some impression of this Senior Brother Lin.
Back when he had just developed his strength and entered the Central Courtyard, this Senior Brother Lin had just achieved Single-Time Skin Smoothing.
Counting the time, it hadn’t even been half a year. To reach Second-Time Skin Smoothing within half a year was already quite impressive.
After exchanging a few more humble words with everyone, Lin Yan took his leave.
"Junior Brother Lin is a true hidden master. I’m afraid we all misjudged him."
Watching Lin Yan’s departing figure, a disciple sighed. "Back then, among all the junior brothers in the rear courtyard at Single-Time Skin Smoothing, no one thought Lin Yan would be able to reach Second-Time Skin Smoothing, at least not so quickly."
"Junior Brother Lin has a position with the Tang Family. He probably received their financial support, which is how he could break through so quickly."
A disciple who was still at Single-Time Skin Smoothing spoke with a mix of envy and bitterness in his tone.
"Regardless of whether the Tang Family provided support or not, even if they did, you still need to have talent yourself to be noticed by them."
Zhao Linyuan glanced at the speaker. Lin Yan’s rapid breakthrough had indeed surprised him, but he wouldn’t get jealous over it, much less belittle him.
The speaker’s expression became a little awkward. But facing Zhao Linyuan, he didn’t dare to retort, his face turning pale and red.
"Junior Brother Zhao is right. Many Martial Artists hold positions with the Tang Family, but not many can go from Single-Time Skin Smoothing to Second-Time Skin Smoothing within half a year. Junior Brother Lin’s own talent is beyond question."
Hao Jingnian also threw a cool glance at this Single-Time Skin Smoothing disciple. ’With such a narrow mind,’ he thought, ’the absolute limit of his Martial Arts will be Second-Time Skin Smoothing.’

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