Starting as a cowherd, he sought a way to cultivate immortality.

winter day.

The cold wind howled, and the wooden door of the thatched hut was tightly shut.

Chen Chi stayed inside, wearing only a thin inner shirt, practicing the Wild Bull Body Tempering Technique.

His face was ruddy, and a wisp of smoke rose from the top of his head.

After completing a full set of moves, he stopped and stood still, exhaling a breath of hot air.

The seal of destiny in my mind flashed brightly.

【Bull Tempering Technique】

[Proficiency (2997/3000)]

[Accumulated strength unleashed, double the power]

A look of anticipation appeared on Chen Chi's face.

Through the changing seasons, he spent two and a half years perfecting his mastery of the Bull Body Tempering Technique.

Just as he was about to strike while the iron was hot and practice the Bull Body Tempering Technique a few more times, a shout came from outside the door.

Chen Chi frowned: "Who would come looking for me in this freezing weather?"

"They're here!"

He responded, wiped the sweat from his face with a burlap sack, put on his padded jacket, and then went over to open the wooden door.

A tall, thin man stood in front of the door, his face pale from the cold. It turned out to be Fang Yong, a servant from Qin Shan's mansion.

"Young Master Chen." Fang Yong bowed to Chen Chi with trembling hands.

"Come in quickly, it's cold outside."

The biting cold wind rushed into the room, and Chen Chi quickly pulled Fang Yong inside and closed the door.

He moved a wooden stool over and let Fang Yong sit down.

Fang Yong thanked him and kept rubbing his hands together, trying to warm up his stiff body.

"Why did Uncle Qin send you here on such a cold day? Is it something important?" Chen Chi asked seriously.

Fang Yong patted his cheeks before answering:

"It's almost the end of the year, and the master would like to invite you to his residence for the New Year."

Chen Chi's heart stirred.

Qin Shan knew perfectly well that Qin Fufeng disliked him, which was why Qin Shan hadn't invited him to his home for the New Year for the past two years.

But this year, Qin Fufeng went to Youzhou Prefecture to participate in the martial arts examination.

"Brother Fufeng hasn't returned yet?"

Fang Yong shook his head.

"The snow is heavy this year, making the roads difficult to travel. I'm afraid the young master will have to stay in Youzhou Prefecture for the New Year."

After pondering for a moment, Chen Chi said to Fang Yong:

"Okay, go back and tell Uncle Qin that I will spend the New Year with him."

Fang Yong stood up, cupped his hands in greeting to Chen Chi, and said he was about to return to the city to report back immediately.

"It's windy outside, sit for a while longer and warm yourself up," Chen Chi advised.

Fang Yong insisted on leaving immediately.

"There are many things to do at the end of the year, and I need to go back to help."

Chen Chi did not try to persuade him to stay.

The outside world was desolate, and Fang Yong's figure gradually disappeared from Chen Chi's sight.

Chen Chi tightened his padded jacket and walked to the cattle pen.

He wrapped the cattle pen with rags to block the cold wind, and laid dry grass on the ground to keep the old oxen and calves inside warm.

Last spring, an old ox in the cattle pen reached the end of its life and died of exhaustion in the field.

Master Sun bought another calf and asked Chen Chi to raise it.

Now, the calf is standing close to the remaining old ox, its large, round eyes staring at Chen Chi, making a "moo" sound.

Chen Chi opened the gate, walked up to the calf, and gently stroked its head.

The calf swayed its body, seemingly quite happy.

Chen Chi exhaled a breath of hot air.

After mastering the Bull Body Tempering Technique, what should I do next?

He hasn't decided yet, but one thing is very clear.

I shouldn't herd cattle anymore.

Patting the calf on the back, Chen Chi left the cattle pen and closed the gate.

After returning to the house, Chen Chi took off his padded jacket and began practicing the Bull Body Tempering Technique again.

Once.

Twice.

After finishing the third round, Chen Chi stopped and stood still.

The octagonal jade seal in my mind began to spin rapidly, emitting a soft light.

【Bull Tempering Technique (Perfect)】

[Accumulated strength unleashed, double the power]

A surge of heat coursed through Chen Chi's body, his bones cracked softly, his blood rushed swiftly, and his strength continued to increase.

Chen Chi clearly felt that his body was undergoing an amazing transformation!

He clenched his fist and slammed it hard against the wooden table in front of him.

A shallow fist mark was left on the table, but his hand was unharmed.

Chen Chi's face lit up with joy.

After two and a half years of practice, I have finally reaped the rewards.

Then, Chen Chi made various movements inside the room, exploring the strength of his body at this moment.

After all that effort, he confirmed that his blood circulation and stamina had improved dramatically.

"Lifting something weighing three or four hundred pounds shouldn't be a problem, and he can withstand being beaten with sticks."

Chen Chi was thrilled; the double power of the Savage Bull Body Tempering Technique was indeed extraordinary.

However, the next moment, someone called his name from outside the door.

Chen Chi was in a good mood. He opened the door and saw the tall Li Youcai standing in front of the door, wearing a thick cotton coat and a felt hat.

Chen Chi was taken aback.

Since marrying Qi Sheng's niece, Li Youcai has been promoted by Qi Sheng and is now the land manager of the Sun family, responsible for managing the Sun family's land and livestock.

In other words, Li Youcai is Chen Chi's immediate superior.

"So it's Steward Li," Chen Chi said with a cupped hand and a smile.

Li Youcai walked in by himself, his eyes scanning the room.

"Chen Chi, your thatched house is quite warm."

Chen Chi's eyes narrowed slightly; judging from Li Youcai's tone, the visitor seemed to have ill intentions.

The wooden stool was still in the same place, and Chen Chi, out of courtesy, invited Li Youcai to sit down.

"No need," Li Youcai waved his hand.

"I'm here today to tell you that starting next year, in addition to herding cattle, you will also be in charge of the Sun family's pigsty."

Chen Chi's gaze fell on Li Youcai's face, who was half a head taller than him, and a mocking smile appeared on the other's lips.

"Manager Li, I have never raised pigs before."

"Can't you learn?!" Li Youcai immediately scolded, "If you can't do it, then don't do it! There are countless people in the entire Changqing County who would love to be a farmhand for the Sun family."

Chen Chi smiled gently.

If it were yesterday, he might have tolerated Li Youcai's provocation to be on the safe side.

But today, I happened to have mastered the Savage Bull Body Tempering Technique, and things have changed completely.

"Li Youcai, I didn't do anything to you, why are you causing me trouble?"

"You didn't provoke me?"

Upon hearing Chen Chi's words, Li Youcai could no longer conceal the anger on his face.

"Chen Chi, I only found out a few days ago that it was you, you bastard, who rejected Qi Sheng, making me come home every day to a crazy old woman who treats a gourd like her own child!"

He stepped forward, grabbed Chen Chi by the collar, and tried to pull Chen Chi in front of him.

"Huh?" Li Youcai was startled.

Having served as a bodyguard for the Sun family, his martial arts skills were unmatched by ordinary people.

But no matter how hard he tried, Chen Chi didn't budge.

"Li Youcai, it's your own choice to marry her, what does it have to do with me?"

Chen Chi grabbed Li Youcai's arm and tightened his grip.

"Ah..." Li Youcai cried out in pain, cold sweat pouring down his forehead, and he couldn't help but loosen his grip.

Chen Chi snorted coldly and flung Li Youcai's arm away.

Li Youcai quickly checked his injured arm and found that the forearm where Chen Chi had gripped him was now bruised.

"You..." Li Youcai trembled in fear at Chen Chi's strength.

"Thanks to Qi Sheng's connections, you became the Sun family's land manager in just two years. I can tell you're quite happy about that."

"While complaining about marrying Qi Sheng's niece, he also felt at ease enjoying the benefits of being his niece's husband."

"Li Youcai, aren't you ashamed?"

Li Youcai immediately blushed.

"Chen Chi, you dare hit me? You long-term laborer for the Sun family, you won't get a share next year..."

Chen Chi took a step forward, which startled Li Youcai so much that he jumped out of the door.

"What are you trying to do?" Li Youcai shouted.

Chen Chi smiled and suddenly felt that Li Youcai in front of him was pitifully foolish.

"I was already planning to leave the Sun family next year, so your arrival saves me the trouble of making a trip."

"Take my words back to the Sun family and disappear from my sight immediately."

Li Youcai left in a rather disheveled state, not forgetting to utter a harsh remark before departing.

"You wait, I'll have my uncle-in-law bring some men to settle accounts with you!"

Chen Chi closed the wooden door, shutting out Li Youcai's voice and the howling cold wind.