Dawn.
Han Zheng rose from his seated meditation and opened his eyes.
The night's cultivation had not drained his spirit or strength; instead, he felt invigorated.
This was the benefit of practicing Innate Techniques.
Those martial artists who practiced Postnatal Techniques had to sleep at night, work hard during the day, and had very little time left for cultivation.
Moreover, even when they cultivated, they had to practice not only their cultivation techniques but also enhance their martial skills and strengthen their combat abilities, which naturally slowed their progress in advancing through the realms.
The path of martial arts was fraught with such injustices.
Those martial artists born into great sects and prestigious families not only had a head start at the beginning of the race.
But once the race started, they could ride in carriages or on horseback, and in the blink of an eye, they would leave you far behind, out of sight.
Han Zheng glanced at the empty courtyard and wondered whether he should, like Li Jingzhong, set up a few iron piles in the yard to practice the White Ape Extended Arm Fist.
Normally, for Postnatal Martial Artists, wooden piles were enough for practice, and at most stone piles were used; iron ones were likely to lead to fractures due to their hardness.
But Han Zheng, due to his strong power from practicing the Dragon Elephant Wisdom and the demanding requirements on arm strength from the White Ape Extended Arm Fist, was able to use the iron piles.
While considering this, Han Zheng gnawed on a steamed bun as he arrived at the Martial Arts Hall.
It wasn't that he liked steamed buns so much, but that in a small county like Black Stone County, the breakfast options were rather limited, mostly just buns, pancakes, and steamed bread.
Moreover, with the recent surge in prices, small vendors could not even afford to buy ingredients, and ordinary people were reluctant to eat out, so there were very few breakfast stalls around.
It wasn't until Han Zheng arrived at the Martial Arts Hall that he discovered neither Song Tianqing nor Guo Mingyuan had shown up, only Chen Zhao, though injured, was still there to cultivate.
Han Zheng pulled Li Sancheng over and asked, "Aren't Guo Mingyuan and Song Tianqing here? Did they stop coming to the Martial Arts Hall just because they lost a match?"
Li Sancheng chuckled and replied, "Guo Mingyuan is a realist. Since he's learned he won't be able to practice the White Ape Extended Arm Fist, what's the point of coming to the Martial Arts Hall?
Song Tianqing, on the other hand, has always had a high opinion of himself. He looked down on everyone in the Martial Arts Hall and only ever spoke a few words with Lin Qing.
He might have accepted defeat at the hands of Lin Qing, but being defeated by you? He couldn't handle such a blow to his ego. How could he have the face to come back to the Martial Arts Hall?
But it's better this way. The Hall is actually more peaceful without them."
In fact, Zhenwei Martial Arts Academy had always comprised two groups.
One was the disciples from commoner backgrounds like Han Zheng, and the other was composed of disciples from wealthy and influential families like Song Tianqing.
But those were always in the minority, and now, with Song Tianqing and the other prominent figures gone, the remaining disciples were no longer so ostentatious.
After Li Jingzhong arrived, everyone began to cultivate in earnest, and Han Zheng, on the other hand, entered the back courtyard of the Martial Arts Hall and used the iron piles to practice the White Ape Extended Arm Fist.
His current realm and strength were on an entirely different concept from the other disciples. There was no need to cultivate together.
In the back courtyard of the Martial Arts Hall.
Han Zheng focused and calmed his breath, his arms swinging as if he were a white ape shaking its limbs, moving back and forth through the woods.
Bang! Bang! Bang!
His arms hit the iron piles, creating a series of muffled sounds.
He found that he was extremely well-suited for practicing this kind of martial skill.
Any other Postnatal Realm martial artist practicing in this manner would have been writhing in pain on the ground.
But Han Zheng, having sacrificed his sense of pain to the Taotie Furnace, now felt no pain even with his arms turning red - only the sense of touch remained.
All he had to do was control the force properly to avoid fracturing his own bones.
As his meridians opened up one by one, Han Zheng's control over his body grew stronger, and gradually he was able to perform Internal Visualization.
This kind of inner observation didn't involve actual sight but a sense of feeling.
So even without the sense of pain, he knew his limits and would not end up fracturing his bones.
Just then, Li Jingzhong walked out from the inner hall and saw Han Zheng practicing so diligently, striking the iron piles relentlessly yet without any change in his expression. He couldn't help but nod in approval.
Not only was Han Zheng intuitive, but he also possessed exceptional perseverance.
When he was younger and practiced White Ape Extended Arm Fist, his father watched over him with a rattan whip in hand.
If he didn't practice on the iron piles, he would be whipped with the rattan - pain was inevitable either way.
"Take a break, Han Zheng. Li Feng from the Shenghe Hall is here to see you."
Han Zheng stopped his punching motion and took a deep breath, calming the boiling energy and blood within him.
When he walked into the hall, Li Feng was already sitting there waiting for him.
"Congratulations, Brother Han. I've heard from Master Li that you defeated the other disciples in the Martial Arts Hall and have earned the top spot, having been taught the White Ape Extended Arm Fist.
I used to say that of this batch of disciples at Zhenwei Martial Arts Academy, no matter their backgrounds, nobody could compare with you.
To receive Master Li's true teachings at such a young age, Black Stone County will certainly have a place for you, Han Zheng!"
Han Zheng: "..."
Why did he feel like Li Feng's words were cursing him to never leave Black Stone County for life?
"Pharmacist Li, you flatter me. What brings you here today?"
Li Feng replied with a grin, "The shopkeeper previously agreed to provide you a Medicine Bath. Over the past few days, I've been busy sorting out the Spiritual Medicines I brought back and didn't have time to spare.
Now that I've finally finished up the affairs at Shenghe Hall, I've come to find you to personally prepare a Medicine Bath for you."
Han Zheng's eyes immediately lit up, "Then I must trouble Pharmacist Li."
Without relying on the Taotie Furnace's cheat, for Han Zheng now, the best method to improve his cultivation was through a medicine bath.
Cultivation is achieved through arduous practice, but it truly can also be piled up with resources.
Guo Mingyuan, that kind of waste sack, had mediocre talent, average understanding, and did not practice diligently usually, Li Sancheng even said he frequented the brothel when he had nothing better to do.
Even with such poor quality, just because his family was wealthy, he managed to pile his cultivation higher than Han Zheng's, demonstrating the impressive power of the medicine bath.
"It's no trouble, all of this is what Han deserves."
"Let me take your pulse first, also, when Han practices on a regular basis, do you focus on building strength, or improving your Inner Strength realm?"
Han Zheng extended his hand and after some thought, said, "Both, I suppose they complement each other."
Li Feng placed his hand on Han Zheng's wrist, carefully examining his pulse and sensing the flow of power within his acupoint meridians.
Moments later, surprise flickered in Li Feng's eyes, "Brother Han, your foundation is incredibly solid and deep.
I've prepared medicine baths for some disciples of the Song Family and Shen Family before, even though they come from martial arts families, the foundations they've accumulated are not as robust as yours."
Although Han Zheng had the advantage of the Taotie Furnace, he had always practiced within it, and had also been following the true intent of martial arts, which naturally made his foundation robust.
"Just step by step," Han Zheng inquired, "what are the advantages of having a robust foundation for later cultivation?"
"Of course there are advantages, tremendous advantages!"
Li Feng said, "The practice of martial arts is like building a house, and the foundation is the base of this house. A robust foundation means a well-laid base.
When building one story, the difference might not be apparent, and neither is it obvious with two stories.
But once you reach three or four stories, a strong and profound foundation ensures a solid realm, while an unstable foundation can lead to problems during breakthroughs, causing the entire structure to even waver.
With the foundation you have now, Brother Han, you could even think about preparing for Innate Realm foundation establishment."
Han Zheng was taken aback, "I haven't reached the perfect completion of the Postnatal Realm, and I'm to prepare for Innate foundation establishment?"
Li Feng nodded, "Waiting until you reach the perfect completion of the Postnatal Realm would be too late.
Innate Transcendence Realm is the first threshold on the path of martial arts, and to cross it, one must cultivate both inner and outer aspects.
A firm foundation makes Transcendence more attainable.
I now know how to prepare the medicine bath, focusing on strength and realm, with the addition of some spiritual medicines to stabilize the foundation of the realm.
Brother Han, you can now consult with Master Li on the techniques and experiences of breaking through to the Innate Realm, I believe that day is not far off."
Li Feng stood up to leave.
"Then I'll be troubled by Pharmacist Li."
Han Zheng escorted Li Feng out of the Martial Arts Hall and returned to find Li Jingzhong sitting in the inner hall, drinking tea.
"Did Li Feng come to prepare your medicine bath?"
Han Zheng nodded, "Manager Chen had previously said he would gift me a session of the medicine bath, Pharmacist Li mentioned he'd personally inspect my meridians and prepare the medicine bath after he finished his current tasks."
Turning the teacup, Li Jingzhong spoke with a smile that was not quite a smile, "Li Feng is trying to curry favor with you.
Martial artists need the assistance of pharmacists in their cultivation, and pharmacists need to cultivate good relationships with martial artists to ensure their status and safety. Preparing medicine baths tailored for martial artists of different levels also enhances their experience.
Originally, Chen Baiqing and I had such a relationship; although I stay out of martial world disputes, I've helped Shenghe Hall out of a few troubles.
Li Feng is not bad, he is quite capable among the pharmacists at Shenghe Hall, being on good terms with him can't hurt."
Han Zheng nodded, he had also noticed Li Feng's intentions.
"By the way, teacher, Li Feng said my foundation was robust, and I can start Innate foundation establishment now, preparing for the transcendence to the Innate Realm."
"Did Li Feng say that? Let me take a look at your hand."
After inspecting the power contained within Han Zheng's acupoint meridians, Li Jingzhong too was taken aback.
He only knew that Han Zheng's combat strength was outstanding, not that his foundation could be so robust.
"Li Feng is right, your foundation is indeed robust and solid, even slightly superior to disciples from martial arts families like Song Tianqing.
It's appropriate to begin Innate foundation establishment now, preparing for the transcendence to the Innate Realm.
Tell me what you understand about the Innate Transcendence Realm."
Han Zheng thought for a moment and said, "I only know that the Innate Realm requires Inner Strength to continuously scour every bone and every piece of flesh within the body, and the process is unbearably painful.
And there are four minor realms within the Innate Transcendence Realm, which are: Early Stage Copper Skin and Iron Bones, Middle Stage Golden Muscle and Jade Veins, Late Stage Mercury Blood Silver Marrow.
After perfection and culmination, the physical body is as pure and unblemished as white jade, known as the Water and Fire Immortal Clothes, possessing the formidable ability to resist worldly elements of water and fire.
I've never learned about the Innate Realm from external sources; everything I know has been taught by you, teacher."
Li Jingzhong nodded and said solemnly, "Those points are rather superficial, in fact, the key points and secrets of the Innate Transcendence Realm lie within the names of the realms.
A person in their mother's womb is innate, but upon birth and breathing the tainted air of this world, they become of the postnatal body.
The Innate Transcendence Realm is about reverting from postnatal to Innate, metamorphosing from a cocoon to a butterfly, shedding the mortal body to achieve an Innate Body.
So, these four stages of Innate, only when one reaches the perfection of the Water and Fire Immortal Clothes, can one be considered truly Innate.
And the first step from postnatal to Innate is Copper Skin and Iron Bones, which is about harnessing the power of acupoint meridians to impact the flesh and bones.
There are no shortcuts for this. One must forcefully and domineeringly cultivate with Inner Strength to cleanse and temper, so that the flesh and bones can completely transcend and achieve Copper Skin and Iron Bones.
You've seen Gao Kaiyuan's Shattering Jade Hand, that's the perfect control over muscles and bones by an Innate martial artist."
After speaking, Li Jingzhong finished the tea in his cup, started to play with it in his hand.
Soon after, the teacup crumbled into powder in Li Jingzhong's hand, and his hands seemed like millstones!
"This is Copper Skin and Iron Bones."