Previously, it took two hours of practicing the Mountain-Splitting Fist to completely absorb the medicinal power.
The time required had been shortened considerably.
Meanwhile, Lin Yan used Introspection to examine the Martial Arts Tree in his mind. The tree’s growth in height was no different than when he practiced the Mountain-Splitting Fist.
’Is shortening the time the only benefit?’
Lin Yan frowned, but when he shifted his gaze to the leaf representing the Mountain-Splitting Fist, his eyes lit up.
’It isn’t just about shortening the time. The reason I haven’t noticed any other differences yet is that my Thunder Sound Technique is still just at the novice stage—a mere sprout—while my Mountain-Splitting Fist has been cultivated to its peak. The real differences will only become apparent once my Thunder Sound Technique has advanced.’
’If that’s the case, I’ll just keep training.’
「Five days passed in the blink of an eye.」
Lin Yan stood in the courtyard, his eyes closed in Introspection.
On the Martial Arts Tree in his mind, the sprout representing the Thunder Sound Technique had completely unfurled, transforming into a vibrant green leaf.
The leaf’s veins were distinct, its color brilliant.
The next moment, a torrent of heat, completely different from the one he’d felt upon reaching Perfection in the Rock Pillar Posture, poured down from his Niwan Palace between his brows. This current was as cool and clear as spring water, yet it carried a numbing, trembling sensation. Wherever it passed, his muscles and bones itched and tingled, as if being pricked by innumerable tiny thunder needles.
The torrent of heat flowed directly into his waist and spine, not crashing but seeping in like a drop of ink in clear water. It infiltrated and permeated in delicate streams, spreading outward from his lumbar vertebrae.
Lin Yan felt a warmth bloom in the small of his back, and then his entire spine felt as if it were submerged in a warm medicinal broth. Each vertebra began to faintly radiate heat.
The first stirrings of change came from his tailbone.
It wasn’t a single soft *click*, but a series of dense CRACKLES, like popping soybeans or sputtering sparks.
The numbing power no longer shot upward like a snake, but instead moved like a silent electrical current, "jumping" up from his tailbone, one vertebra at a time.
KR-KR-KRAAACK!
His vertebrae cracked in succession, the sound crisp and sharp with the quality of metal striking metal.
With each tremor, his vertebrae shifted slightly, their already tight connections becoming even more seamless. The spaces between the joints felt as though they were being compressed and locked into place by an invisible force.
His entire spine first seemed to "awaken," then it "hardened."
He subconsciously twisted his waist, activating the Stone Waist Barbarian Ridge.
HUMMM!
This time, it was not the muffled thrum of a fully drawn bowstring, but a deep resonance that emanated from deep within his lumbar spine. It was like a great temple bell being struck, its sound lingering on and on.
At the same time, the great tendons in his back trembled violently. It wasn’t a single *TWANG*, but three successive shudders, each carrying a resilient force that compounded the others.
His vertebrae let out a series of faint popping sounds, and each one felt as though it was being lifted by an invisible hand and slowly stretched apart.
In that instant, Lin Yan’s frame visibly grew taller.
Previously, when using his Stone Waist Barbarian Spine Root Bone, he could increase his height by about half a foot. Now, that stretching force continued, raising him by nearly another three inches before slowly stopping.
At the same time, a piece of information naturally flooded his mind.
Lin Yan’s spirit trembled as he carefully processed the information.
[Root Bone (Unique): Stone Waist Thunder Ridge—Stone Waist Root, Thunder Spine Power.]
[Additional Effects: Hones the body, provides extra nourishment for Qi Blood. Upon explosive power exertion, Thunder Force is naturally generated, and muscles and bones resonate in unison.]
The original "Stone Waist Barbarian Ridge" had become "Stone Waist Thunder Ridge."
The word "Barbarian" had been replaced with "Thunder."
A bright light shone in Lin Yan’s eyes as he felt the changes coursing through his body.
He hadn’t gained a new Root Bone; his original Stone Waist Barbarian Ridge had simply evolved.
BANG!
Lin Yan suddenly threw a punch, causing the air around his fist to explode with a sharp crack.
’My Power and Explosive Power have increased by at least thirty percent. This means that in terms of pure power and explosiveness, I can now rival someone at the Third-Rank Peak. And this Fist Force is definitely different than before; there’s more to it now.’
Lin Yan’s eyes glittered, but even more than this increase in strength, another matter now occupied his thoughts.
’Logically, the Mountain-Splitting Fist is also a Main Technique, but my Root Bone didn’t change then. Now that I’m cultivating the Thunder Sound Technique, my Root Bone has evolved. Is it because the Thunder Sound Technique is a Top-grade Cultivation Method?’
’If that’s the case, could my Root Bone continue to improve if I were to switch to another Qi Blood Main Technique?’
The only problem was that he hadn’t found any other Top-grade Cultivation Methods on the first floor of the Lin Family’s Library Pavilion. Even if he wanted to try, he would have to wait until after he achieved the Fourth-Time of Skin Smoothing to access the second floor.
KNOCK KNOCK KNOCK!
Suddenly, a knock came from outside.
Lin Yan immediately deactivated the Stone Waist Thunder Ridge, his body returning to its normal state. He called toward the door, "Who is it?"
"Is that Lin Yan? This is Lin Zhaowu from the Third Branch."
A voice replied from outside. Lin Yan went and opened the courtyard gate. Seeing Lin Yan, Lin Zhaowu smiled and said, "Lin Yan, Brother Qi sent me to get you. It’s been many days since all of us from the Third Branch’s offshoots arrived; we should all get together and get to know one another."
"Alright."
Lin Yan agreed without hesitation. Although he wasn’t one to actively socialize, he wasn’t the type to be a lone wolf either.
They were all clansmen from the side-lineages of the Third Branch. Now that they had come to his door, there was no need to give them the cold shoulder.
After returning to his room to freshen up, Lin Yan followed Lin Zhaowu out of the Disciple’s Quarters. They navigated a few small paths and finally stopped before a pavilion.
The pavilion was quite large; even with more than a dozen people already seated inside, it was not the least bit crowded.
When Lin Yan and Lin Zhaowu appeared, all eyes in the pavilion immediately fell on Lin Yan, sizing him up with curiosity.
"Brother Qi, Lin Yan is here."

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