"Bone Refinement is intricate and segmented into levels..."
Although Xu Yan's question about Bone Refinement was somewhat unexpected, Li Xuan was not flustered in the least.
After all, in his previous life, he was an online novelist, and his ability to fabricate wasn't bad. These days, having consumed Nine-Leaf Ganoderma chicken soup had strengthened his memory and sharpened his mind; he quickly figured out how to fabricate a story.
"Today, as your master, I shall explain in detail the knowledge pertaining to Bone Refinement.
Bone Refinement is an extremely important foundation, not to be taken lightly, as it relates to the strength or weakness of one's Martial Arts path. As the saying goes, if the bone is not firm, then the body is not strong..."
Li Xuan's mind raced as he began to fabricate a structured explanation.
His theories mesmerized Xu Yan, who nodded constantly, occasionally showing signs of sudden enlightenment.
"So Bone Refinement holds so many subtleties. I'm lucky Master constantly teaches me to be calm and patient. If I were to rush through Bone Refinement without understanding these subtleties, wouldn't I be severing my own Martial Path's future?"
Xu Yan was inwardly filled with admiration.
"Indeed, I must heed Master's teachings, be patient, steady, and contemplative!"
The more he listened, the more he realized the profoundness of the Bone Refinement stage. Once Bone Refinement was complete, his strength would surely multiply several times over.
"I have achieved great accomplishment in Skin Refinement and am nearing its completion. After finishing Skin Refinement, I must consolidate and deeply comprehend the path of Bone Refinement before starting it. I cannot rush!"
Xu Yan made up his mind.
Li Xuan had spun a tale, observing Xu Yan's expressions. Satisfied with his attentive listening, he nodded appreciatively and said, "Disciple, remember that starting slow in cultivation doesn't mean you'll always be slow.
"Just like building a tower, the foundation is extremely important. If it's not solid, the whole structure is unstable and can easily collapse under the smallest of storms. It is the same with the path of cultivation. Pursuing speed early on may actually limit your potential and hinder your Martial Path's future...
Through ancient and modern times, there have been many whose early cultivation soared rapidly and appeared prodigious. But later on, due to a weak foundation, their progress slowed or even hit a ceiling, preventing any further advancement."
Li Xuan said these words intending to comfort Xu Yan. Although he hadn't yet sensed his qi and blood, there was no need to rush in this foundational phase—a firm foundation is the essence.
Xu Yan, however, was invigorated by these words and thought to himself, "Master is admonishing me; although my cultivation speed may not compare with the prodigies of ancient times, as long as I have a solid foundation, I can surely surpass them later!"
"Master has high hopes for me, I must not disappoint him!"
"I must establish a solid foundation and surpass those ancient prodigies!"
Moved, Xu Yan said with respect, "Master, rest assured, I will carefully heed your teachings, be patient, and establish a firm foundation. I will not let you down!"
Li Xuan nodded with satisfaction, "You understand your master's painstaking efforts, I'm relieved!"
Internally he breathed a sigh of relief, "Finally, I've fooled him again. Even if he doesn't sense the qi and blood after one or two months, he should be able to keep his calm, right? Moreover, since consuming the Nine-Leaf Ganoderma chicken soup has strengthened my body, his should be stronger too, and he likely attributes it to cultivation."
"However, deceiving someone can only last so long, especially with something like cultivation. It's only because Xu Yan isn't so sharp-witted that I can keep this facade. But I still need to think about an exit strategy since this fellow has a powerful background."
With Xu Yan's mindset stabilized, everything else should be much easier, just let him continue cultivating.
There's still a year left.
"Master, you mentioned that Bone Refinement is segmented into different levels; what are the specifics of this?"
Xu Yan politely inquired.
"Ah, yes, Bone Refinement is indeed segmented into levels."
Li Xuan's heart skipped a beat, nearly forgetting that he had to fabricate the details about the levels of Bone Refinement.
"Make the difficulty of Bone Refinement a bit higher, with Xu Yan unable to sense even his qi and blood, much less achieve Skin Refinement. The even more difficult Bone Refinement would truly be a lofty aspiration for him.
"When he fails to cultivate successfully after a long time, he will know his limits and think it's due to his lack of talent. Feeling guilty, he will initiate his departure, apologizing for not living up to his master's cultivation...
"If I give him another chance, such as if he has children in the future, he can try to see if they can start the path, giving him a glimmer of hope. If he can't cultivate, then let his children try...
"This way, the chances of being exposed become even lower, and it would secure a future discipleship tribute from his children..."
Having already deceived once, he didn't care about lying a second time.
Li Xuan thought that once the matter was settled, and he successfully left the small mountain village, he could hide in Wu Country. With that, the chances of seeing Xu Yan again would be infinitesimally small.
With Xu Yan's discipleship tribute, his life in Wu Country would be a bit better.
He straightened his demeanor and said solemnly, "The process of Bone Refinement is divided into four levels: as iron, as copper, as gold, as jade..."
Xu Yan asked excitedly, "Iron Bone, Copper Bone, Gold Bone, Jade Bone—are these the four stages of Bone Refinement?"
Li Xuan shook his head, "No! These are the four levels of Bone Refinement, representing the upper limit of one's martial arts path and the strength of one's abilities."
"Iron Bone is the level at which ordinary martial artists refine their bones. Most are at this level, hardening their bones with qi and blood until they're as tough as iron; regular swords cannot cut through. However, Iron Bone is just average, and the upper limit in martial arts is not high.
"Copper Bone is stronger than Iron Bone. Bones like copper can stay uncorroded for a thousand years, even after death. Once one has refined Copper Bone, the foundation is deep, and the upper limit in martial arts is higher—it is considered above average.
"Only by refining Gold Bone can one be considered an exceptional talent!"
Li Xuan continued with a serious tone, "In ancient times, all exceptional talents had refined Gold Bone!"
Listening to this, Xu Yan got excited, his eyes shining as he asked, "Master, how can one refine Gold Bone?"
Seeing his glistening eyes and his excitement, Li Xuan was somewhat speechless. Did this fool really think he could refine Gold Bone?
This is all just made up!
He then said gravely, "Calm your mind, don't be hasty!"
"Yes, Master!"
Xu Yan quickly reigned in his excitement, sitting upright and serious.
"Once Gold Bone is achieved, even after death, if buried underground for ten thousand years, it will still shine golden and be stronger than steel. However, throughout history, the number of people who have refined Gold Bone is one in ten thousand."
Li Xuan said deeply, "When I say one in ten thousand, I mean among many exceptional talents, one in ten thousand!"
"Master, are there levels among exceptional talents too?"
Xu Yan asked curiously.
"Naturally!"
Li Xuan nodded, "Just as with beauties, even if they are all beautiful, there are still differences. The same goes for exceptional talents!"
Xu Yan realized, "I understand, like in Donghe County's Chunxiang Building, the head oiran is a rare beauty, but the main Oiran is even more exquisite!"
Li Xuan looked at him with an odd expression, grinding his teeth internally. Truly the son of a wealthy family—hasn't he frequented brothels quite a bit?
I damn well wish I could as well!
"Master, the disciple was just making an analogy. I have never been there!"
Xu Yan, noticing Li Xuan's odd look, suddenly felt embarrassed and stammered out an excuse.