Practicing until dusk, Yang Kai reluctantly ceased his training. Despite the prolonged exertion, he felt invigorated rather than fatigued, bursting with energy. Ever since acquiring the Indomitable Golden Body, his stamina had significantly improved; walking twenty miles today did not tire him, and carrying a large sack of rice felt like nothing.
Only while practicing the Body Tempering Art did he feel true pressure. Remembering the oppressive sensation of this morning's training, Yang Kai couldn't help but shudder—it was a most unpleasant experience.
But pressure is essential for progress. Without it, how can one cultivate? Human potential is often forced out, and for martial artists, this is even more true. One must continually push beyond their limits to improve their strength.
However, now he had punched and kicked so many times without feeling any exhaustion. How could he reach his limit and thus push his potential?
This was problematic. Yang Kai was somewhat disheartened. Although gaining the Indomitable Golden Body was a tremendous fortune, with its strong recuperative abilities, he could no longer effectively practice the Lingxiao Pavilion's basic techniques. Did this mean he could only train for half an hour each day before dawn?
There are twelve hours in a day. Training for just half an hour and spending the rest of the time sleeping was unacceptable. Without hesitation, Yang Kai dismissed this idea.
As he absentmindedly prepared his meal, Yang Kai pondered how to create pressure for himself. If others knew, they would probably find it amusing.
Other martial artists would love an easier training path, but Yang Kai was seeking difficulty.
After much contemplation, he still hadn't thought of a good solution. The main issue was his financial situation. The Body Tempering Realm required many medicinal pills and other external aids for training, but all these relied on one thing—money.
In the Lingxiao Pavilion, money equaled contribution points. Unfortunately, Yang Kai only had twelve contribution points, not nearly enough.
After hastily eating a few bowls of plain rice—his only meal for days—Yang Kai felt content. Then, instead of training, he took a bath and went to bed. Further training would only be counterproductive; it was better to think of a solution. Sharpening the axe before chopping wood is always wise.
While pondering, Yang Kai suddenly thought of the black book without words and summoned it again.
He had roughly figured out the mystery of this book. Each page sealed something that he could summon once his strength reached a certain level.
The first page contained the Indomitable Golden Body, which was fundamental.
The second page held the Body Tempering Art, designed for the Golden Body.
He had no idea about the third page. Last night, he couldn't see anything on it, likely due to his insufficient strength.
Now the first two pages were empty. After studying for a while, he inadvertently flipped to the third page and felt a sudden dizziness.
Hmm? Yang Kai furrowed his brows and stared intently at the third page.
In an instant, the third page shimmered with golden light, and countless golden shadows rushed into Yang Kai's mind. A vortex appeared on the page, from which an ancient incense burner emerged.
This unexpected turn of events made Yang Kai momentarily dazed, but soon he was overjoyed.
Indeed, he had broken through to the fourth level of the Body Tempering Realm this morning. He hadn't tried to investigate the third page after his breakthrough, but now he understood.
Even a small gap in strength had obstructed his access to the third page's secrets.
Understanding this, Yang Kai felt a bit regretful. If he had checked this morning, he wouldn't have wasted his energy worrying.
Suppressing his excitement, Yang Kai carefully examined the incense burner in his hands.
The burner was small and seemed like an ordinary household item, semi-enclosed with a lid that had small holes. Its ancient design was unremarkable and would not attract attention anywhere.
Yang Kai sniffed it gently, finding no scent, and it was light in his hand.
What was its purpose? Yang Kai was puzzled, so he closed his eyes to review the information that had entered his mind earlier.
After a short while, Yang Kai opened his eyes with a strange expression.
The incense burner was meant to aid his cultivation. It required specific herbs to produce a fragrance that facilitated training.
Different realms required different herbs.
Yang Kai was puzzled that the herbs suitable for his level were Three-leaf Soulflower and Desolate Withered Grass. These herbs were not valuable but were rare and slightly toxic. Long-term exposure could be harmful despite the mild toxicity.
Could these herbs truly aid his cultivation?
The Contribution Hall surely had these herbs, but with Treasurer Meng's stinginess, they would be expensive. Yang Kai didn't have enough contribution points to afford them.
Thus, he had to find these herbs himself. Luckily, the Black Wind Mountain was nearby. Yang Kai, familiar with its terrain from hunting trips, might find what he needed there.
Resolved, Yang Kai decided to enter the mountain the next day. His worries dissipated, and he soon fell into a deep sleep. Before sleeping, he checked the fourth page of the black book to avoid another oversight. However, the fourth page remained dormant, likely due to his insufficient strength.
The next day, Yang Kai woke up early.
After benefiting so much from practicing the Body Tempering Art yesterday, he was eager to continue. Moreover, he was not one to slack off.
At dawn, he began practicing the Body Tempering Art's techniques.
Despite his advancement, today's practice did not yield much progress. After half an hour, he was still at one-twentieth of the total progress, leaving his body sore with cracking bones.
Inhaling the dawn's vital energy, the thin sense of Qi within him grew clearer and more solid. His meridians seemed more expanded, and his skin exuded impurities accumulated over time.