Outside the martial academy, the wide street was still busy with people coming and going, the sounds of hawking drifting from the distant streets. Su Yan stepped out of the gate with an almost surreal feeling. Five days of non-stop training could easily make a person lose track of time, not to mention the dramatic changes he had undergone during that period. He was just a small step away from Minor Accomplishment in Skin Refining. Now, he could casually exert two to three hundred jin of force with his arms, far exceeding an ordinary person.
'The four stages of Body Forging... if someone reaches the Perfection stage, they'll be no different from a monster among mortals. And above that is the True Intent Realm, where they cultivate the Beast Spirit and True Intent. What lies even further?' In their conversations over the past five days, Su Yan had gradually realized that the martial path was likely much more terrifying than he had imagined. Given that the Dali Dynasty had been established for a thousand years, no one would believe it was sustained solely by True Intent Realm martial artists. However, those levels were too far beyond him for now.
'I have 4 taels of silver left, reserved for taxes and mountain fees. Also, my hardwood bow needs to be replaced. I need to go mountain-trekking as soon as possible.'
Counting the silver on him, Su Yan didn't return directly to Cloud-Front Village. Instead, he asked a passerby for directions and first went to the Pan Family Restaurant.
The Pan Family Restaurant was a grand, three-story establishment. People constantly came and went, and the spacious hall was filled with guests eating and drinking. Young waiters in uniform white coarse-cloth gowns hurried between tables, their bodies slightly bowed, their attitudes courteous, providing excellent service. Su Yan took a quick look, found a waiter, ordered a few of the restaurant's famous dim sum items, had them packed, and then left.
He rushed along, utilizing the footwork of the Ape Leap Step from the Ape Fist technique. His footwork was now more stable and flexible, and his pace was much faster. In about an hour, he had arrived at the Mountain Market Town.
"Stop right there. Come here for inspection."
As Su Yan reached the entrance of the market, he was stopped by a few people. He frowned, noticing that they were not the market's regular guards but government officials wearing the uniform of yamen runners.
'What's going on?'
Though curious, he made no sudden moves and approached the group. The men scrutinized him, saw he was just a thin young man, and quickly lost interest. The leading yamen runner, his hand resting on his saber, pointed to a notice board: "Have you seen this man?"
A simple sketch was posted on the board: a man in his early forties with deep-set eyes, a gaunt, wolf-like face, and a fierce demeanor.
"No, I haven't." Su Yan shook his head. "Brother, is he a wanted criminal?"
"Mm," the official nodded. "Go on in. If you see this man, report it to the yamen. The first person to report him gets a reward of 20 taels of silver." The yamen runner didn't say more and moved on to inspect the next person.
As Su Yan walked past, he noticed the head yamen runner stood tall and straight, his expression composed, radiating a subtle but impressive presence.
'They're all martial artists.' He thought silently. For the yamen runners and their head to be deployed like this, the wanted man was likely a wandering martial artist turned bandit. The Dali Dynasty had a fierce civilian culture that revered martial arts, unlike his previous life. A martial artist could easily become a bandit, and no one could easily control them.
The atmosphere in the Mountain Market Town was noticeably different from the previous days. Fewer mountain people were coming and going, and those who seemed hurried, likely scared off by the sudden presence of the wanted notice.
Su Yan arrived at the Hundred Herb Hall shop. Bai Shan saw him and his eyes lit up: "Brother Su Yan, haven't seen you in a few days. What brings you here today?"
"I'm here to see Elder Song."
Hearing this, Bai Shan hesitated for a moment then said, "The manager is in the back hall. I'll take you in."
He led Su Yan to the back hall and announced, "Manager, Junior Brother Su Yan would like to see you."
"Su Yan?" The voice came from the back: "Let him come in."
Bai Shan let Su Yan enter by himself, naturally not daring to follow.
Entering the back hall, it was the same small courtyard well. Song Qi looked up at Su Yan, noting his light, steady steps and his straight, tall posture, like a green pine tree.
"It seems you've successfully passed the threshold."
"Thank you for the recommendation, Elder Song. Otherwise, I would have had to temper my body for another year or two." Su Yan thanked him sincerely. The kindness of the guidance was not to be taken lightly.
"These are some snacks from the Pan Family Restaurant. Please forgive this humble gift, Elder Song."
He gently placed the snacks on the table. Song Qi was stunned. He pulled back the oiled paper wrapping and picked up a piece of mung bean cake, taking a bite. Suddenly, he burst into laughter, his beard shaking slightly with his mirth.
"Well said: 'The gift is light, but the sentiment is heavy'. That's thoughtful, truly thoughtful." He had seen the items in Su Yan's hand and assumed it would be some kind of tool or utensil, as a return gift. He didn't care, after all, how much money could a mountain-folk boy have after just paying his martial academy tuition? Yet, he never expected that a boy raised in the mountains would have such a refined mind. The pastries weren't expensive, but the gesture was sincere. Although he wasn't short on money as a manager here, these particular pastries weren't easy to get ahold of.
'This kid has some talent, and he has a sharp mind like this. He might actually become someone important.'
He opened his mouth and asked, "Golden Ape Stance Skill—did you learn it in five days? Stand up and let me see."
Su Yan's eyes shifted, immediately recognizing Song Qi's intention to test him. A surge of delight rose in his heart. "Please guide me, Elder Song."
He took a step, adopting the ape-like posture, his breathing fluctuating with exceptional naturalness.
"Minor Accomplishment in Stance Skills?!" Song Qi looked shocked. He immediately rose, inspected him closely, and confirmed he hadn't seen wrong. He reached out and grabbed Su Yan's forearm, pulling with significant force. But Su Yan's stance was rock solid and remained unaffected. Moreover, his skin felt incredibly tough, unlike that of an ordinary person.
"Good, good, good! In five days! Even if you used two batches of the Golden Ape Martial Academy's medicinal soup, and even if you were hiding one or two Treasure Plants, reaching this level—just a step away from Minor Accomplishment—is amazing. I clearly underestimated your innate talent."
Song Qi laughed heartily, genuinely pleased. This joy had nothing to do with who Su Yan was but was the delight of a mentor finding a true talent.
"Your steps are steady, your body moves well, and your breathing must be stable. But you must also breathe like an ape, deep into your core, and visualize yourself as the old ape in the mountains." Song Qi began to offer instruction: "It's not just about matching the form, but also about gathering that momentum. You need the Ape's Momentum; when your essence, energy, and spirit are one, the stance skill truly comes alive and helps you temper your body."
Song Qi was immensely experienced. He knew the secrets of basic stance training very well. Su Yan subtly adjusted his posture according to the guidance. He focused his mind, imagining himself as the old ape traversing the mountain forest—cunning, agile, ferocious, or playful. As his form and spirit gradually aligned, the effect of the stance on mobilizing his blood energy intensified.
After a full half hour, his skin was red as if he were standing in a furnace. Su Yan was completely exhausted and finally stopped practicing.
[Golden Ape Stance Skill: 10/200 (Minor Accomplishment)]
In half an hour, the proficiency of the Golden Ape Stance Skill had increased again.
Su Yan finished his practice. Song Qi stared intently at him, as if looking at a monster: "Do you always learn things so fast?"
He had watched closely. Su Yan hadn't achieved the correct posture immediately but had reached an optimal state through gradual adjustment. His comprehension was high; although it took some time, it was far superior to that of an average person.
"Yes, Elder Song, I learn things quickly."
"You are indeed a good prospect." Song Qi nodded and continued: "The four stages of Body Forging : Skin Refining, Tendon-Bone, and Blood Circulation are all about building a foundation. The stronger your body is, the deeper the momentum you cultivate, making it possible to enter the fourth stage, Vitality Nurturing. Since you have the ability to find herbs, you must seek out more Treasure Plants."
"Ground Horn Vine, Blood-Melting Ganoderma, and Stone Tooth Ginseng are all excellent materials for body refining, and they can all be found in Cloud Ridge Mountain. Their effects are superior to the martial academy's medicinal soup."
Su Yan committed the names to memory. Song Qi pondered for a moment and added, "If you have spare money, go to the butcher shop in the alley behind Yun Cang Town's temple and buy meat there. While it's not a substitute for medicinal herbs, it can also gently nourish your blood energy."
"Butcher shop?"