It had been over half a month since Li Xuan took Xu Yan as his disciple and taught him the improvised cultivation technique.
During this half month, Li Xuan experienced the most comfortable days since his arrival in this world, with a disciple to serve him every day. He didn't need to cook for himself, nor did he need to feed chickens, plant vegetables, and so on.
He spent his days either sleeping or strolling through the village leisurely, or lying on a chair, completely at ease.
Only the last piece of the Nine Leaves Ganoderma remained, and today, it would be stewed and finished.
Li Xuan couldn't help but praise the Nine Leaves Ganoderma for being a rare treasure; its effects were truly fantastic. Over the past half month, he felt a significant change in his body.
His spirit improved, his vision got better, his body became much stronger, and his strength increased as well.
"Stew the thousand-year ginseng tomorrow? Would that be too nourishing?"
Li Xuan lay on the chair, wondering to himself.
"The thousand-year ginseng is different, maybe save it?"
He turned his head to glance at Xu Yan, who was practicing horse stance, and felt somewhat puzzled.
"It's been half a month already, how can he remain so patient? This calmness and composed nature are good, but it's a pity that he's not too bright."
"Well, the calmer he is, the more it benefits me... But it's been half a month, and he hasn't achieved anything in his cultivation, not even a hint of doubt?"
Li Xuan was extremely surprised.
"When we eat, I'll ask him if he has any doubts. I might as well fulfill my duty as a mentor."
"Let me think, how should I make up a story to fool him?"
Li Xuan pondered how to make up a more plausible story, how to comfort Xu Yan, and how to encourage him to persist...
...
"I've finally achieved Great Achievement in Skin Refinement!"
While cultivating, Xu Yan felt a surge of blood and energy throughout his body and his skin tightened, then relaxed, feeling a significant improvement at that moment.
Skin Refinement had reached Great Achievement!
"Master was right; cultivation should not be rushed, and you must balance work with rest."
"Every day I take time to cook, feed the chickens, plant vegetables, and even catch wild game to add to our meals. It seems that I have less time for cultivation, yet through this relaxation and tension, my state of mind is completely different. Cultivation is faster and more effortless!"
"Master's realm is indeed profoundly high!"
Xu Yan was inwardly astounded.
The master is truly a reclusive expert. His every word and gesture, every small piece of advice, brings him immense benefits.
Looking toward Li Xuan, who was lying on a chair, Xu Yan's eyes filled with envy and longing.
"When will I be able to reach the master's realm? It seems so ordinary, so commonplace, yet this is what it means to be a true master.
"Perhaps this is what Master once referred to as 'Returning to Nature,' close to the path of Dao?"
"I shouldn't be overly ambitious. I have to stay grounded, and one day, I will become a strong martial artist like the master!"
Xu Yan encouraged himself with his imaginings.
"In less than twenty days, I have achieved Great Achievement in Skin Refinement, and Perfection is only a step away. In another three to five days, I should be able to complete Skin Refinement and then begin Bone Refinement."
"After I complete Skin Refinement, I'll ask Master about the intricacies of Bone Refinement."
"Master said that the prodigies of ancient times completed Skin Refinement in five days. Though I can't compare with them, completing it in less than a month should still be considered decent, right?"
Xu Yan checked the time; it was time to cook.
So he ceased his practice, caught a chicken from the chicken coop, and prepared to stew it with the last piece of Nine Leaves Ganoderma.
One piece of Nine Leaves Ganoderma each day, and now only the last piece remained.
As he was about to kill the chicken, Xu Yan suddenly had a thought.
"Master said that once Skin Refinement reaches Great Achievement, ordinary people cannot injure one with swords or sabers, why not give it a try? I'll just lightly scratch and see."
Xu Yan held a kitchen knife and gave his arm a scratch.
Being a martial artist who had achieved Great Achievement in Skin Refinement, he certainly wasn't an ordinary person, so when he made that scratch, he didn't use any vitality, nor did he exert much force.
It was just with the strength of an ordinary person.
The blade passed over his arm, leaving only a faint white mark, which quickly recovered as before!
"Is this the defensive power of Skin Refinement at Great Achievement?"
Xu Yan was overjoyed. Although he hadn't exerted much force with this cut, it was still enough to easily dress a chicken, leaving horrific wounds on an ordinary person, with flesh split and bones reached.
And yet, it couldn't leave a single scratch on his skin.
"Indeed, as Master said, after Skin Refinement, ordinary blades can hardly harm one!"
Xu Yan was even more full of anticipation for the following stages of Bone Refinement and Viscera Refinement.
...
"In these past few days, you have managed to stay calm and composed, not arrogant or impetuous, which pleases me," Li Xuan said thoughtfully.
"Master, I understand, I will certainly guard against arrogance and impetuosity and remain focused and calm!" Xu Yan said respectfully.
Inwardly, he was relieved that he had managed to keep his composure, leaving a good impression in his master's heart.
"Having cultivated for so long, Xu Yan seems calm and patient, his heart must be anxious. Comfort him a bit and encourage him to persevere. At this point, all I can do is continue to bluff," Li Xuan muttered to himself before speaking, "The path of cultivation emphasizes persistence, a firm will, and steady, solid progress. Seeking quick success is detrimental; remember that."
"Yes, Master, I will firmly remember your teachings!" Xu Yan nodded solemnly.
But in his mind, he realized, "I have achieved Great Achievement in Skin Refinement. Master must be worried that I will be hasty in seeking quick success and rush into Bone Refinement without a solid foundation."
"Even if I have perfected Skin Refinement, I must become more grounded before starting Bone Refinement. I can't be impatient and leave an impression of rashness with Master," Xu Yan reminded himself inwardly not to become prideful or lose sight of himself due to the increase in strength!
Li Xuan was unaware that his words had led Xu Yan to supplement his own thoughts, and he also didn't know that Xu Yan had not only sensed the vitality but had also achieved Great Achievement in Skin Refinement.
Seeing Xu Yan being so docile, he breathed a sigh of relief.
"This disciple is rather honest, just not that bright. It's lucky he met me. If it were someone else, he probably would have been swindled to ruin!"
"It's a pity that I'm not a reclusive expert. Otherwise, taking on such a respectful and sensible disciple would be quite gratifying."
Li Xuan mused to himself.
Then he spoke again: "I know you must have accumulated some questions about your cultivation by now. I can answer them for you."
Xu Yan's spirits lifted, and he showed a look of excitement.
"Master knows I am about to start Bone Refinement and must have questions about it. He cautioned me not to be hasty, to remain calm, and now will answer my questions. This not only soothes my impatient heart but also lets me understand the matters of Bone Refinement."
The more he thought about it, the more he felt that every word from his master was filled with deep meaning and guidance.
"Master, I have no doubts about the method of Skin Refinement. I would like to ask about Bone Refinement. The vitality seeps into the bones, constantly grinding and tempering them. Is there anything particular about this process?"
"To what extent must Bone Refinement be done to consider it complete?"
...
Xu Yan posed his questions about Bone Refinement, and Li Xuan was taken aback. The excuses he had prepared in advance were all related to sensing vitality and the stage of Skin Refinement.
He hadn't anticipated Xu Yan would actually ask about the method of Bone Refinement, and he had not prepared any bluffs for that!