Rise from a Low-class Family to Martial Artist

Huang Yuanliang looked at Lin Chen: "My Huang Family ancestor also entered this place by chance, the deeper you go, the more you’ll feel the pressure in the depths of this sea of clouds. It starts as fine needles like goose down, and then like a light hammer..."

"Can the mist be so magical?"

Lin Chen was a bit surprised. Huang Yuanliang did not answer, and after a few breaths, Lin Chen felt the sensation of the cloud mist as fine needles as described by his mentor.

His pores were enveloped by the cloud mist, and goosebumps rose as if pricked by fine needles. As he moved forward, the pricking force intensified.

"There’s no need to use the Mountain Suppressing Chart to resist. In fact, the first small realm within the first layer of the Mountain Suppressing Chart, which is the Iron Bone Skill’s ’Bronze Skin’, was comprehended by our ancestor here through feeling the needle-like mist. Once the Mountain Suppressing Chart is cultivated to the first layer, you won’t fear these clouds."

Huang Yuanliang’s voice came from ahead: "Carefully feel these clouds piercing your skin surface and see if it’s similar to the Qi Blood operation method of the Mountain Suppressing Chart."

Hearing this, Lin Chen walked on, sensing it. Indeed, as his mentor said, these clouds were peculiar, floating and landing on the body, but not piercing all parts at once. It was segmented in time and area, matching the opening sequence of acupoints for Iron Bone Skill.

"Mentor, is this mist created by a powerful person?"

Lin Chen found it hard to believe that such miraculous clouds could be crafted by the extraordinary hands of nature. He preferred to believe it was created by a supreme Martial Path powerhouse.

"Born of nature."

Huang Yuanliang understood Lin Chen’s thoughts. He was also astonished by the cloud mist the first time he came here.

But the ancestors said that not even a First-Grade Martial Artist could have such means, and this is just the beginning; the deeper you go, the more magical the mist becomes.

"Next, you will feel the mist like a heavy hammer. Be mindful of your steps; there’s only one path, and a misstep leads to the abyss."

This time, there was a hint of gravity in Huang Yuanliang’s voice, and Lin Chen became fully alert.

Whoosh!

A mountain breeze howled, and Lin Chen saw the mist being blown towards him.

The mist brushed his body like a heavy hammer, making his bones emit a faint sound. Fortunately, it didn’t greatly affect him; his feet remained as steady as a rock.

With the first mountain breeze, subsequent ones came at intervals like repeated heavy hammers. Lin Chen squinted slightly, reminded of the Thousand Hammer Map.

The Thousand Hammer Map was like this!

Could there be a resemblance between the two?

"Mentor, I once obtained a map..."

Lin Chen proactively spoke, briefly explaining the Thousand Hammer Map. After listening, Huang Yuanliang pondered for a moment: "The early parts of horizontal training methods are generally similar. The Thousand Hammer Map you practice was likely drawn by a horizontal training powerhouse with Martial Path Will, but it has little to do with the Mountain Suppressing Chart."

Saying this, Huang Yuanliang smiled: "No wonder you were able to cultivate to the second layer of the Mountain Suppressing Chart in such a short time. That senior Martial Path’s Thousand Hammer Map is also an advanced horizontal cultivation method, so you have already laid the groundwork."

"But the Mountain Suppressing Chart is not just a horizontal training method. According to the ancestor, the Mountain Suppressing Chart is a body tempering technique."

"Body tempering technique?"

"Horizontal training methods have a limit. Generally, after a martial artist passes the stages of Opening the Acupoints and Refining the Viscera, the body reaches its limit, and this is the limit of horizontal training methods. But body tempering techniques refine the body, enhancing physical strength continuously, and when cultivated to its peak, it’s like the welcoming pine on the mountain top, able to withstand lightning without perishing."

The Mountain Suppressing Chart is not a horizontal training method but a body tempering technique.

This is a top-secret in the Huang Family. Even Huang Yuanliang’s son, Huang Kun, has not been informed.

"Mentor, what is body tempering? Why have I never heard of it?"

Recently, his teacher brought him many books on cultivation techniques, but none mentioned body tempering.

"Body tempering has been in decline for a thousand years. Even I only learned a little from the notes left by our ancestor. Our Liang horizontal training methods mainly increase body strength through external tempering. After a martial artist breaks through to the Refining Viscera Realm, the body reaches its limit. But body tempering is different; it continuously tempers the skeleton, viscera, and meridians, enhancing them even after entering the grade."

"But if you ask me to specifically define body tempering, I can only tell you four words: find your own way."

Lin Chen: ...

"Ahem, although the ancestor mentioned that the Mountain Suppressing Chart is a body tempering technique, not everyone can follow this path. There are two cultivation paths for the Mountain Suppressing Chart. The second layer is a watershed. The path upward is a horizontal training method, albeit a much stronger one. This is the path I took. The downward path is a body tempering technique, which I couldn’t traverse."

As Huang Yuanliang finished speaking, he stopped, and Lin Chen, following behind, was mulling over the implications of his mentor’s words. Seeing his mentor stop, he instinctively looked forward.

Ahead, the cloud mist suddenly became thin, and two paths appeared.

One path led upwards, the other downwards.

This was the branching path!

"Mentor!" Lin Chen curiously spoke.

Huang Yuanliang turned around with a smile: "This is why I said the second layer is a watershed. The path downward, according to the notes left by our ancestor, can only be chosen if one cultivates the Mountain Suppressing Chart to the second layer at the Refining Viscera Realm. So what lies along this path is unknown to me, as I haven’t taken it."