Chapter Fourteen: Tempering the Body

So Feng Batian continued, “Speaking of martial artists, you should know that they are divided into nine levels of heaven. The first to third levels focus on training the skin and flesh, a stage known as the Martial Apprentice Realm. The fourth and fifth levels hone the muscles and bones, called the Bone Tempering Realm. The sixth to ninth levels cultivate internal strength, so these levels are referred to as the Qi Training Realm.

Usually, reaching the third level already marks someone as a capable martial artist. The fourth and fifth levels, which temper the muscles and bones internally, typically require more than ten or twenty years of arduous practice, even with decent talent. As for the sixth to ninth levels, it's nearly impossible without strong willpower and some extraordinary opportunities. Only after breaking through the ninth level can one attain the Martial Emperor Realm. The breakthrough to Martial Emperor is even more difficult—a hundred martial artists at the ninth level might yield only one Martial Emperor. This rarity explains why the Martial Emperor Realm is so scarce. Only those who reach this realm are true masters, and only they can truly comprehend its power. The strength of the Martial Emperor is far beyond anything the ninth level martial artist can compare to—like the difference between heaven and earth.”

At this point, Lin Yanghao noticed Feng Batian’s expression suddenly grew distant and vague. Lin Yanghao could not fathom what kind of setback had tormented this old man for so many years, remaining vivid even in his twilight days.

“Grandpa Feng, why is it that so many people can't reach the Martial Emperor Realm? What exactly is the reason?” Lin Yanghao could never understand why so many remained trapped at the ninth level, unable to break through.

“To be honest, no one across the entire Dragon Martial Continent knows the real reason. Some guess it might be due to individual constitution.”

“I see!” Lin Yanghao’s face lit up in sudden understanding.

“Now, I will pass on to you a martial arts technique called Divine Elephant Wisdom Technique. I became renowned by cultivating this method. It trains the strength of an elephant. When you reach the third level, you will possess the strength of one elephant; at the sixth level, two elephants; at the ninth level, it grows to four elephants; and finally, upon reaching the Martial Emperor Realm, you can attain the terrifying strength of ten elephants—which is my current realm.”

Hearing this, Lin Yanghao felt a chill run through him, his heart pounding in awe. What Feng Batian told him was far beyond anything he had ever imagined. He had previously assumed that the martial artists could at most shatter stones or split tablets, and that the strongest might have strength in the thousands of pounds—he had already tried to set the bar high in his mind, yet he still vastly underestimated their abilities. A martial artist in the early stages could possess the force of an elephant—no need to elaborate on the might of such a beast; its power was truly terrifying. And a Martial Emperor could wield the strength of ten elephants—a punch with such force could rival the impact of a missile. Lin Yanghao shuddered at the thought, realizing how formidable this cultivation truly was.

What was even more astounding, above the martial artists existed the mysterious and mighty cultivators. Lin Yanghao dared not imagine the power of those legendary immortals, yet his heart was filled with a deep yearning for their abilities.

Feng Batian then proceeded to explain everything he knew about martial artists to Lin Yanghao, and afterward passed on the first volume of the Divine Elephant Wisdom Technique to him.

This technique was divided into four major volumes, each corresponding to a grand realm: Martial Apprentice, Bone Tempering, Qi Training, and Martial Emperor. Each volume contained four chapters, each chapter corresponding to a level within its respective realm.

Receiving the Divine Elephant Wisdom Technique, Lin Yanghao felt as if he had obtained a treasure from the immortals. He carefully cradled it in his arms, a foolish smile lighting his face. He was about to eagerly begin cultivating the method he had long dreamed of, only to realize he had no idea how to proceed. Embarrassed, he forced a smile uglier than a cry, and looked up at Feng Batian.

“Pay close attention to what I’m about to say; it concerns your future cultivation,” Feng Batian took a breath and continued, “On our continent, martial artists must undergo body tempering with medicinal stones before the third level. These stones are very rare, which is why ordinary small clans cannot afford them. Even supporting a single martial artist’s consumption is beyond their means. Take the Tian family that hunted you—they simply lack the resources to sustain a martial artist. Otherwise, if they had sent even a single ordinary martial artist after you, you would not be sitting here talking to me now. Only the royal family of the Han Empire and the ten great clans can afford such terrifying consumption. This is why these countries and clans remain strong and enduring. The strength and number of martial artists within a clan are also the criteria for their ranking.”

“What? So what am I supposed to do?” Lin Yanghao was frightened half to death by Feng Batian’s words. The Tian family, which he thought was powerful, had been dismissed as weak, unable to support even a single martial artist. Lin Yanghao knew he was certainly not wealthier than the Tians, nor did he expect that being a transmigrator would grant him any special resources for martial cultivation. Frustrated, he thought, “How unlucky am I? Ever since arriving in this strange world, nothing good has happened! That old man doesn’t look rich either, so what am I supposed to do about the resources needed for cultivation? Is the hope I just found about to be dashed before it even begins? Why did I have to promise to stay? If I went to a big sect, I wouldn’t have to worry about resources, and wouldn’t be in this predicament—neither able to leave nor stay.”

“You sly little rascal! Are you scheming again about how to leave? Are you stupid? I never said I don’t have cultivation resources, so what are you worrying about?” Feng Batian immediately saw through Lin Yanghao’s thoughts.

“Uh, hehe, Grandpa Feng, really? You really have cultivation resources?” Lin Yanghao blushed, feeling embarrassed for doubting Feng Batian. Clearly, he was simply keeping a low profile; a Martial Emperor must have some wealth.