As Lu Fan advanced in his blood tempering, he hit a roadblock. His Blood Tempering Art only extended through the Qi Body Tempering Realm, offering no guidance for the Foundation Building level. Yet, seeking the next stage openly was out of the question—revealing his unique training methods with blood stones and spiritual formations could draw dangerous attention.
Determined, Lu Fan devised a plan to obtain the advanced technique without being discovered. He carefully prepared a disguise, covering himself with a plain robe and hooded cloak. With his identity hidden, he made his way to the Star Pavilion, a well-known establishment where rare techniques and resources were sold discreetly. It was known that cultivators could shop in anonymity, making it ideal for Lu Fan's purposes.
Once inside the Star Pavilion, he browsed the offerings, blending into the crowd of masked cultivators and merchants. He eventually found what he sought—the Foundation-level Blood Tempering Art. The vendor, an elder with a piercing gaze, didn't ask questions, merely raising a brow at the cost: 10 mid-grade spirit stones. This was a steep price, but Lu Fan knew it was worth it, given how valuable the next stage of the technique would be to his hidden cultivation.
Without a word, Lu Fan placed the 10 mid-grade spirit stones on the counter, each one representing the hard work and secrecy behind his cultivation experiments. The elder nodded and handed over the manual, which Lu Fan slipped carefully into his robe.
Returning to His Island
Once back on his island, Lu Fan finally relaxed. The Star Pavilion had allowed him to conduct his business without arousing suspicion. Alone in his stone house, he opened the manual, studying the intricate techniques that would take his blood tempering to the Foundation Building level. It required mastering more advanced Qi control and strengthening his physical resilience to an exceptional degree.
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