"What martial arts is this?"
Shen Yi opened his eyes as if he had broken through some bottleneck, feeling a vigorous force coursing through his body, completely surpassing the human limit.
The previously practiced Demon-subduing Sword Technique and Cloud-Dispersing Long Fist, which were outcomes of the Demon-suppression Bureau compiling martial arts from all over the world to create rapid mastery methods, were already considered top-notch.
After achieving complete cultivation, he had the strength of an ox and the speed of racing thunder, which greatly shocked Shen Yi.
But this short seventy-eight-character technique gave him a sensation of stepping into an entirely new universe, an indescribable feeling of transcendence, as if he was about to ascend into an entirely new being.
"No longer excavating potential from within the body, but rather polishing it with external forces."
"Is progress slow because the external forces are not sufficient?"
Shen Yi understood the principle but had no good solution.
He had realized during previous deductions that the entire process of practicing martial arts was closely linked to his current condition.
If he wasn't wrong, if he could consume a great medicine rich in Essence Yuan in advance and then proceed with martial arts deduction, he would be able to use the power of the medicine to quicken his progress.
However, where could such medicine come from?
His predecessor seemed imposing but was actually a gambler, squandering the wealth of the people as well as his salary in gambling dens, having just enough money to make it to the next month's payday was quite good already.
Moreover, a single deduction took a whole year, and the effects of ordinary medicines on him were negligible, he needed real treasures of heaven and earth to make a difference.
"That damn gambler really deserves to die... I'll think of a solution later."
Looking at the abundant lifespan of demons, Shen Yi continued to infuse with full confidence.
[In the sixteenth year, you have exhausted all Essence Yuan, nourishing your bones.]
[In the twenty-sixth year, due to insufficient medicinal power, progress is slow…]
[In the thirty-eighth year, you have nourished over half of your bones, and the effort to collect Essence Yuan from ordinary food is minimally effective.]
Shen Yi's expression slowly changed, and a hint of tension appeared in his eyes.
[In the fifty-second year, after many years of accumulation, a breakthrough in your bones was made, and the Wind-Thunder Precious Scroll preliminary chapter was accomplished.]
It was not until these words emerged that Shen Yi realized he had been holding his breath for a long time, having forgotten to breathe.
However, the reward was considerably generous.
Not only did his body undergo immense changes, with the bones beneath his skin now as hard as metal and indestructible, but the sensation of transcendence emerging in his mind grew stronger, enticing him subconsciously closer like sweet honey.
That magical realm gradually unveiled itself to Shen Yi.
He gritted his teeth and went all-in.
[In the eighty-ninth year, you've grown accustomed to slowly accumulating Essence Yuan, year after year, day after day, becoming more proficient in using Essence Yuan to nourish your body.]
[In the one hundred and sixth year, one morning, you suddenly notice a change in your skin, but you feel no surprise, as if everything was to be expected, and the Wind-Thunder Precious Scroll preliminary chapter was greatly accomplished.]
This time Shen Yi didn't even pause; he felt he was getting closer and closer to that realm.
He numbly continued to pour demon lifespan into his body.
Muscles, bones, skin, only the last barrier remained.
[In the one hundred and eighty-second year, like always, you cooked a good meal, took a bite, and found it bland. Suddenly, you feel that there is something tastier in the world.]
[That thing is everywhere but also elusive.]
[You looked down at yourself and had a sudden realization; what they call transcending the mundane – the succulent duck leg in your hand has become a mere worldly object to you.]
[After more than a hundred years of nourishing, your body has become the best vessel for that elusive thing... the Wind-Thunder Precious Scroll preliminary chapter is perfected.]
Shen Yi closed his eyes; it seemed the realm was within reach, just one step away.
The Initial Realm represents a fresh start, to live another life in this world with a new stance.
But now, that final step seemed impossible to take.
Because the seventy-eight-character scripture only went up to this point.
A spark of anger rose in Shen Yi's heart. Damn it, just finish writing it! What the hell does it mean to be stuck halfway like this, what am I supposed to do after achieving Mortal Fetal Perfection?
He suddenly stood up, but his face changed slightly as he was about to take a step.
The transformation his body underwent from feeling utterly weak to achieving perfection in the Demon-subduing Sword Technique was nothing compared to the change he was experiencing at this moment.
Shen Yi even felt somewhat bewildered. He had merely lifted his hand lightly, yet it seemed he could easily flip over the small thatched cottage.
Following that, like a plant person awakening, he slowly began to perform rehabilitation movements.
Until Chen Ji's call came from outside the door, "Dinner is ready."
The aroma of cooked rice wafted from inside the house, Shen Yi furrowed his brows tightly as two conflicting emotions wrestled in his mind: one was the habitual longing for food, while the other felt an unexplainable lack of appetite.
In the end, the former prevailed over the latter.
Shen Yi stepped out of the house quickly.
This dwelling was indeed very cramped. On normal days, the siblings would cook their meals and then return to their rooms to savor them slowly.
Today, with an additional person, Chen Ji had somehow unearthed a small table and placed it on the tiny patch of open ground.
Shen Yi watched as Chen Ji delivered the food inside the house and then closed the door for Chen Jinyu, leaving him somewhat speechless, "I'm really not that kind of person."
"It's not about you. She's used to being alone."
Chen Ji silently went back to squatting beside the table, serving rice and wiping chopsticks for Shen Yi.
In the midst of their conversation, the wooden door cracked open slightly, Chen Jinyu's curious eyes peeked through the gap, secretly glancing outside.
"..." Shen Yi pursed his lips.
"..." Chen Ji's rice-serving motion paused briefly, and after a moment of silence, he let out a sigh, "If you want to come out, just come out."
Chen Jinyu pushed open the door, holding her bowl of rice, and crouched next to the wooden table, her lips curling into a shy, sweet smile amid her demure demeanor.
She always listened to her brother the most, not wanting to trouble him any further when he was already so weary and anxious.
But that didn't mean she didn't have her own thoughts.
For example, today, her brother's actions would surely create a gap in the hearts of their superiors.
If it was really to guard against that flower thief, then let it be.
But in Chen Jinyu's view, a person who, while being helped up by her brother in the teahouse garden, could notice the slight disappointment in other girls' eyes and was willing to temporarily play the role of their brother, couldn't possibly be all that bad.
With these thoughts, she curiously looked across the table, and just then, her eyes met Shen Yi's.
The two shared a smile.
"Click."
Chen Ji, gripping his chopsticks, stared at Shen Yi with a fake smile plastered on his face.
Scoundrel! You're not that kind of person, huh! You're not that kind of person?
"Let's eat," Shen Yi withdrew his gaze, quite helplessly.
He had only a year left to live; how could he afford such thoughts?
It was nothing more than the joy of acquiring the Wind-Thunder Precious Scroll and finding the girl's thoughtful yet feigned cluelessness amusing.
Even if he were lucky enough to extend his lifespan later, if he really wanted to find someone... or a few someones.
Shen Yi also preferred those with a fuller figure, a bit older, with less innocence and more allure in their eyes.
As this crossed his mind, Shen Yi suddenly realized something—wait a minute...
Essence Yuan body refining, Mortal Fetal Perfection!
Don't they grant extended lifespan? I could live a couple more years just doing tai chi in the park.
The next moment, information that he had previously overlooked due to his obsessing over the Initial Realm slowly emerged.
[Remaining Lifespan: Twenty-One Years]
...