This is the only way to explain breaking through to the Blood Exchange Fourth Transformation so quickly.
"You’ve reached the Blood Exchange Fourth Transformation, comprehended four Perfect Level Sword Intents, and even formed a Sword Pill. Among all the geniuses in the history of our Lin Family, you’d rank in the top ten."
Lin Yan was taken aback by Uncle Qi’s words. ’The Lin Family has existed for over two thousand years, and my talent ranks in the top ten?’
’In other words, doesn’t that make me the Lin Family’s legendary once-in-two-hundred-years genius?’
’It wasn’t easy. After all this time, I’ve finally made it to the level of a once-in-a-century genius.’
"But don’t get too arrogant. I’m specifically referring to your achievements within the Blood Exchange Realm. It’s true that for Martial Artists, one step ahead often means always ahead. However, many geniuses find their breakthroughs slowing down the further they progress. They rely on the foundation they built in the early Realms, only to eventually be relegated to the ranks of ordinary talents."
Lin Shouchen added. Seeing Lin Yan’s humble and attentive expression, he was relieved.
"No one knows how far you’ll go, but it’s time to start thinking about your future path in Martial Arts."
Lin Shouyuan’s expression turned serious. This was the very reason he and Brother Qi had called Lin Yan over.
"Your disciple is listening, Master."
Lin Yan answered quickly. ’When it came to planning his future in Martial Arts, he was willing to listen to the opinions of Uncle Qi and his master.’
’But if their advice conflicted with his Martial Arts Tree, the final decision would still be his.’
"A few days ago, I told you a little about the True Gang Realm. It requires borrowing the Power of Heaven and Earth to open Gang Acupoints within the body. You’ve already absorbed Cold Gang in the Ancestral Land, so you’ve witnessed this Power of Heaven and Earth."
"The Cold Gang is emitted by the Cold Dew, and the Cold Dew is one of the Treasures of Heaven and Earth. When this type of Power of Heaven and Earth is absorbed into the body, it will open a Gang Acupoint based on your cultivated Martial Arts Technique and the intrinsic properties of the Power of Heaven and Earth itself. For instance, since you cultivate the Eight Desolates Dragon Elephant Technique, if you were to absorb the power of the Cold Dew, the Gang Acupoint would open just below your heart."
Hearing his master’s words, Lin Yan recalled his time on the stone platform. He had felt the Cold Gang intentionally surging toward the area below his heart, only for it to be repelled and scattered by some unknown power.
"Master, so Gang Acupoints don’t have fixed locations?"
"They don’t."
Lin Shouyuan shook his head. Different Cultivation Techniques and different types of the Power of Heaven and Earth cause the Gang Acupoint to form in different locations.
Seemingly afraid Lin Yan hadn’t understood, Lin Shouyuan added, "As I’ve told you before, a Gang Acupoint is not one of the body’s natural acupoints. We only call it that because it resides within the body. A more accurate description is that the Power of Heaven and Earth senses your physical condition, combines with your Cultivation Technique, and selects a region within you."
"I understand." Lin Yan nodded, processing what his master had said. He then asked, "Does the location of the Gang Acupoint affect one’s strength and future Martial Arts cultivation?"
"It does."
Lin Shouyuan smiled. "Regarding Gang Acupoints, there’s a saying: ’The Brain Domain for swiftness, the five organs for depth, the four limbs for agility.’"
After reciting it, Lin Shouyuan explained, "If a Gang Acupoint opens in the Brain Domain—that is, at points on the head like between the eyebrows—your future comprehension of the Power of Heaven and Earth will be faster. If it opens near the five organs, the integration of your Qi Blood and the Power of Heaven and Earth will be deeper, and your True Gang will be more enduring. If it forms in your limbs, your external projection of Gang Qi will be exceptionally precise and flexible, and your synergy with a Spiritual Weapon will be flawless."
’The Brain Domain for swiftness, the five organs for depth, the four limbs for agility.’
Lin Yan repeated his master’s words to himself. ’The Brain Domain... that enhances comprehension. The five organs improve endurance, and the limbs... they improve dexterity.’
’Each of the three has its own advantages.’
’If I had to choose, it would be a tough decision.’
"Master, can a Martial Artist decide for themselves where to open a Gang Acupoint?"
"Of course." Lin Shouyuan smiled. "By choosing the Eight Desolates Dragon Elephant Technique and the Cold Gang, you ensured it would open in the region of your five organs. If you had chosen the Primordial Skill, for example, the Gang Acupoint would have opened in the Brain Domain. The Cultivation Technique and the properties of the Treasure of Heaven and Earth are what determine the location."
"The Cultivation Technique and the properties of the Treasure of Heaven and Earth determine the Gang Acupoint’s location?" Lin Yan frowned. He wanted to ask why, if that was the case, the family hadn’t informed them of this beforehand when they were selecting their Blood Exchange Realm Techniques.
"You must be wondering why the family doesn’t tell you all this in advance, to help you make an earlier choice."
Seeing Lin Yan’s frown, Lin Shouchen guessed his thoughts and took over the conversation. He explained with a smile, "The reason the family doesn’t inform you is because even in the Lin Family, not every member can advance from the Blood Exchange Realm to the True Gang Realm. The vast majority of our family members spend their entire lives stuck at the Blood Exchange Realm. Only a small number ever break through. We don’t tell you because we don’t want you to overthink it. The proper path is to focus on your cultivation, improve your strength, and strive to reach the True Gang Realm."
"Secondly, while the location of the first Gang Acupoint has an impact, it’s mostly felt in the early stages of the True Gang Realm. As you open more and more Gang Acupoints later on—whether you start with the five organs and then move to the Brain Domain or the limbs—all paths eventually lead to the same destination."
"You can open multiple Gang Acupoints?"
"In the True Gang Realm, one can open a maximum of twelve. However, for most Martial Artists, reaching nine is their absolute limit."
Lin Shouchen replied but didn’t elaborate, returning to the original topic. "The reason your master and I called you here was to discuss your progression to the True Gang Realm. With your current strength and talent, reaching the True Gang Realm won’t be an issue. However, once you do, you’ll need to constantly absorb energy from Treasures of Heaven and Earth to open more Gang Acupoints. Our Lin Family... and indeed, all of Shandong Dao, cannot provide many such treasures. If you remain with the Lin Family after entering the True Gang Realm, the advancement of your Realm will be very slow."

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