Li Xuan withdrew his gaze and resumed his stern teacher-like appearance.
"Your analogy, although crude, conveys the intended meaning," Li Xuan said.
Xu Yan breathed a sigh of relief and admonished himself internally, "I shouldn't make crude analogies in the future. It might leave a bad impression on my master."
"Although it's a lofty ambition to achieve Golden Bones, you need to remember not to push yourself too hard," Li Xuan continued.
Xu Yan, full of excitement, exclaimed, "Master, I will definitely achieve Golden Bones!"
"Your determination is admirable, but remember not to overexert yourself," Li Xuan replied, nodding.
He thought to himself, "There's no way he can achieve Golden Bones!"
Xu Yan was eager to start his cultivation immediately after Li Xuan's explanation. His blood was boiling with determination.
"Master, what about Jade Bones? What are Jade Bones?" Xu Yan hadn't forgotten that, above Golden Bones in the hierarchy of Bone Cultivation, there was another level called Jade Bones.
"Jade Bones?" Li Xuan paused for a moment and then said, "I originally didn't intend to discuss Jade Bones, but since you've asked, I'll tell you."
As he spoke, Li Xuan's mind raced to concoct an explanation about Jade Bones.
"Jade Bones are bones without blemish, crystal-clear as jade. Those who can achieve Jade Bones are as rare as a phoenix's feather."
Li Xuan stood up, placed one hand behind his back, and held his head high, giving off an air of an enlightened master.
He continued, "To achieve Jade Bones, one must possess exceptional luck, be a chosen child of heaven and earth, and have an extraordinary understanding of the Great Dao. Only those with such extraordinary insight can achieve Jade Bones."
"You must remember, don't set your sights too high," Li Xuan cautioned.
Xu Yan was deeply moved by this revelation. Achieving Jade Bones required exceptional luck, being chosen by heaven and earth, and understanding the Great Dao. It was truly mystical.
"The more mystical it sounds, the more powerful it implies. Achieving Jade Bones means unparalleled strength," Xu Yan thought. "Master, what would happen if I achieve Jade Bones?" he asked.
Li Xuan looked at him with a profound gaze and said, "Regarding Jade Bones, there is a saying: Jade Bones remain unblemished for eternity."
"Once Jade Bones are achieved, even after death and thousands of years of burial, they won't decay. Instead, they will become treasures of the world, as if they have a spirit, making them extremely valuable."
Li Xuan began to exaggerate the concept of Jade Bones, making it sound incredibly divine.
Xu Yan was awestruck, clenching his fists with excitement. "Master, I will achieve Jade Bones!"
"Your determination pleases me, but I do not expect you to achieve Jade Bones. Keep this belief in your heart and do your best," Li Xuan said, his face filled with contentment.
"Pack up, tend to the chickens, and then focus on your cultivation," Li Xuan instructed Xu Yan.
After sending Xu Yan away, Li Xuan took out the thousand-year Ginseng. He had a conflicted expression on his face. It was a precious item, and he didn't want to waste it.
"It's such a large Ginseng. It won't hurt to stew a bit and taste it. I've never had a thousand-year Ginseng in my two lifetimes," Li Xuan thought.
He plucked two long tendrils from the Ginseng and instructed Xu Yan to use them for stewing chicken tomorrow.
...
The next day, after having a meal of chicken soup stewed with the thousand-year Ginseng, Li Xuan was surprised to feel that his vitality had increased, and he had more stamina. His body had become even stronger.
"The thousand-year Ginseng from this world actually has such miraculous effects?" he exclaimed.
He immediately decided to use the entire Ginseng, instructing Xu Yan to stew a portion of it every day.
...
Xu Yan, feeling grateful and emotional, thought, "This is my gift to Master, and he readily used it to help me with my cultivation. I mustn't disappoint him. After I advance to Bone Cultivation, I'll go back and select a splendid gift for my Master!"
While in the midst of his cultivation, Xu Yan sensed that his blood and energy were becoming more vigorous, and the speed of his Skin Cultivation was greatly increasing. The medicinal power of the Ginseng was being continuously assimilated, strengthening his blood and enhancing the speed of Skin Cultivation.
"At the latest, the day after tomorrow, I will complete Skin Cultivation!" Xu Yan was filled with excitement as he observed his progress.
He was now confident that he would succeed.