This martial saint is too cautious.

Chapter 72 Thunder Bone (Please Subscribe)

After leaving the library, Lin Yan headed towards the armory.

Another incense stick's worth of travel time.

He stopped complaining. Since he was already there, he figured he might as well get things done in one go.

The armory is located on the east side of the Lin residence. It is shorter than the library and has only two floors, but it occupies a much larger area.

The building is square in shape with thick walls and no windows, only a few narrow vents.

Four guards stood at the gate.

As Lin Yan approached, his gaze swept over the four people without making a sound. Their auras were steady and their breathing was long and even, suggesting that they were all fourth-level skin-grinding martial artists.

Moreover, he suspected that there was something even stronger protecting them in the shadows.

Upon arriving at the gate, Lin Yan introduced himself. The identity verification at the armory was much stricter than that at the library. They not only checked his identity card in detail, but also scrutinized the portrait on the back for a while before letting him through.

"Go inside, someone will guide you."

After entering, there is a narrow passageway.

Every few steps along the walls of the passageway, a luminous pearl is embedded, emitting a cold, eerie light.

Lin Yan counted and found that there were three iron gates in the short distance of about ten steps from the entrance to the inner hall, and each gate required the guard to open it from the inside.

The defense here is far more stringent than that of the library.

After passing through the passageway, several paths branched off, and Lin Yan chose to head towards the Medicine Storage Pavilion based on the signs.

"I wish to purchase a bottle of Bone Tempering Pill, with silver."

There were many people coming and going in the medicine storage pavilion. Lin Yan walked to an empty counter and explained his purpose.

The Lin family has many kinds of pills, all of which are recorded in that book, but for Lin Yan, apart from the Bone Tempering Pill, none of the others can attract his attention.

Having purchased the pills, Lin Yan left without lingering.

The armory has so many good things, but unfortunately I don't have any money. Looking at too many things would only cause me trouble.

Returning to his courtyard from the armory, Lin Yan immediately activated the Thunder Sound Technique.

"Sink your Qi to the Dantian, let your intention penetrate your bone marrow, use your breath to guide the Qi, and use your blood to strike the skin, flesh, tendons, and bones."

"The skin is like a drum, and the sound reverberates outwards."

"The flesh is like rolling thunder, and the power penetrates it."

"Its sinews are like iron strings, and its sound never ceases."

"When the three gates are activated simultaneously, qi and blood flow smoothly."

"A single strike produces a resounding echo, like the thunder's roar."

"As the bones are cleansed, impurities gradually disappear."

"Nine strikes, nine rings, the bones resound with thunder."

In the courtyard, Lin Yan softly recited the incantation of the Thunder Sound Technique.

It's very mysterious.

However, upon seeing the internal energy circulation diagram at the end, Lin Yan could only utter two words: "Even more mysterious."

He finally understood why that person had said this technique was so difficult to master.

His main martial art, the Mountain-Splitting Fist, involves fist techniques that stimulate the flow of qi and blood. When the body moves, the qi and blood naturally circulate.

Other exercises are generally similar; they all require a "form" to activate "qi and blood".

However, the Thunder Sound Method is a pure internal breathing method, without relying on external techniques. It relies entirely on mobilizing the breath to guide the blood and qi, just like turning a boat in the middle of a river by rocking the center of gravity without using oars, which is extremely difficult.

But no matter how difficult it is, once you've made the choice, you have to keep practicing.

It can't be more difficult than the Devouring Technique.

Close the booklet and concentrate.

Lin Yan went through the mental cultivation method several times in his mind, and then, following the incantation, he focused his energy in his dantian and used breathing exercises to guide his qi and blood, slowly pushing it throughout his bones.

The first time, the blood and qi dispersed as soon as they reached the fascia, and the whole person felt tired.

Since undergoing three rounds of skin retouching, he hasn't felt tired for a long time.

This Thunder Sound Technique is truly extraordinary; even grinding to reach the minimum reward level is probably impossible. Fortunately, I've managed to figure out some of the tricks myself.

One more time, the internal energy guides the blood and qi to circulate throughout 30% of the body, and it collapses again.

I kept trying, but even after my Qi and blood had reached halfway through, I still failed.

The internal energy circulation was 70% complete when it collapsed.

On the twelfth time, Lin Yan stood in the center of the courtyard. After a long while, his whole body suddenly trembled. He felt as if every bone in his body had been struck, and a low hum suddenly emanated from it. The sound was muffled in his body, like thunder in the distant mountains, faint yet very real.

"Is this the basics?"

Lin Yan's face showed disbelief. He immediately checked the Martial Dao Tree in his mind, and sure enough, a new green leaf and bud had appeared on the Martial Dao Tree.

The Thunder Sound Technique, which others considered difficult to master, I mastered in just twelve repetitions?

Since embarking on the path of martial arts, apart from the time he first learned stance training, this is the most exciting time he has ever experienced learning the basics of martial arts.

He was excited to have just entered the basics of stance training because he had just come into contact with martial arts. Entering the basics meant that the door to martial arts had been opened for him.

This time, he was excited because he didn't rely on the Martial Arts Tree's abilities; he truly achieved it on his own.

"In terms of martial arts talent, I wouldn't call myself a genius."

Lin Yan wouldn't suddenly think he was a martial arts genius just because he got excited. His martial arts talent was only average, and under normal circumstances, it would be impossible for him to have mastered the Thunder Sound Technique so quickly.

The Thunder Sound Method uses breath to stimulate the flow of Qi and blood.

He thought of a possibility, picked up the longsword on the table, and with a flick of his wrist, the sword blossomed.

Then, he stood up straight and began to circulate the Devouring Technique, his body starting to expand and shrink continuously.

"I understand. Sword intent allows me to precisely control my qi and blood, while the Devouring Technique prevents any accumulation of qi and blood in my body," Lin Yan thought for a moment and then found the answer.

"So it seems that this is a different kind of talent enhancement for me."

Lin Yan didn't delay. He took off his clothes, applied medicine, and took the pill. He wanted to know how effective the Thunder Sound Technique was and whether it was as the person had said.

Half an hour later.

Lin Yan stopped; he could feel that the medicinal power in his body had been completely absorbed.

In the past, it took two hours to fully absorb the medicinal power using the Mountain-Splitting Fist.

The time has been shortened considerably.

At the same time, Lin Yan looked inward at the martial arts tree in his mind, and the growth of the martial arts tree was no different from the growth when he used the Mountain Splitting Fist.

"Is it just about shortening the time?"

Lin Yan frowned, but when he shifted his gaze to the leaves of the Mountain-Splitting Fist, his eyes lit up.

It's not just about shortening the time; I haven't noticed any other differences yet because I've only just begun to learn the Thunder Sound Technique, it's just a tender sprout, while the Mountain Splitting Fist has already been cultivated to its peak. The real difference will only become apparent when my Thunder Sound Technique is further refined.

If that's the case, then keep practicing.

Five days passed in the blink of an eye.

Lin Yan stood in the courtyard, closing his eyes and looking inward.

On the martial arts tree in his mind, the tender bud belonging to the Thunder Sound Technique had fully unfurled, transforming into a vibrant green leaf.

The leaf veins are clearly visible and the color is bright.

The next moment, a stream of heat, completely different from when he had perfected the Rock Stake cultivation, poured down from the Niwan Palace between his eyebrows. This time, the heat was clear and cool like a spring, yet it carried a tingling, trembling sensation. Wherever it passed, his muscles and bones felt tingly and itchy, as if he were being stimulated by countless tiny lightning needles.

Gently insert.

The heat flowed straight down the spine, but it didn't penetrate deeply. Instead, it was like a drop of ink falling into clear water, seeping and permeating in fine strands, spreading outwards from the lumbar spine.

Lin Yan felt a heat in his lower back, and then his entire spine felt as if it were being soaked in a warm medicinal soup, with each vertebra slightly burning.

The coccyx was the first point of contact with the abnormal movement.

It wasn't a soft "click," but a series of fine crackling sounds, like popping beans or sparks flying.

The tingling sensation was no longer like a snake surging upwards, but rather like a silent electric current, rising from the tailbone and "jumping" up the spine segment by segment.

Crack!

The vertebrae cracked one after another, the sound crisp and clear, with a metallic quality.

Each vertebra subtly shifted position amidst the tremors, and the already tight occlusion became even more imperfect, as if an invisible force had compressed and locked the gaps between the joints.

The entire spine first "came back to life," and then "stiffened."

He subconsciously twisted his waist slightly, activating his sturdy back.

hum!

This time it wasn't the dull thud of a fully drawn bowstring, but a deep, resonant sound emanating from deep within the lumbar spine, like a large bell being struck in a temple, its lingering echo reverberating.

At the same time, the major tendon in his back suddenly trembled, not with a "pop" sound, but with three consecutive tremors, each one carrying a springy force, layer upon layer.

A series of subtle popping sounds emanated from the vertebrae, as if each vertebra was being lifted up and slowly pulled apart by an invisible hand.

Lin Yan's figure visibly grew taller at that moment.

When he used the Stone Waist and Spine Root Bone before, he could raise his body by about half a foot. At this moment, the elongating force continued until he was raised by nearly three inches before slowly stopping.

At the same time, a piece of information naturally flooded into my mind.

Lin Yan was startled and carefully sensed the information.

[Root and Bone (Unique): Stone Waist and Thunder Ridge - Stone Waist Establishes Root, Thunder Ridge Connects Force.]

[Side effect: Strengthens the body, increases blood and qi, and when it erupts, lightning energy arises spontaneously, and muscles and bones resonate.]

The original "Stone Waist Ridge" has become "Stone Waist Thunder Ridge".

The character “蛮” was replaced with “雷”.

Feeling the changes in his body, Lin Yan's eyes shone brightly.

It didn't develop any new roots; it simply transformed from its original stone waist and barbarian spine.

boom!

Lin Yan suddenly threw a punch, and the air exploded at the point of impact.

"My strength and explosiveness have increased by at least 30%. In other words, in terms of strength and explosiveness alone, I can now be compared with the top three. Moreover, my punching power is indeed somewhat different from before, with more variations."

Lin Yan's eyes shone brightly, but compared to the increase in his strength, he was more concerned about something else now.

Logically speaking, the Mountain Splitting Fist is also a primary martial art, but my physical constitution did not change at that time. Now, my physical constitution has changed after practicing the Thunder Sound Technique. Is this because the Thunder Sound Technique is a high-grade martial art?

If that's the case, if I switch to a different Qi and Blood cultivation method, can I still improve my physical constitution?

However, he did not find any other high-grade cultivation techniques on the first floor of the Lin family's library. Even if he wanted to try them, he would have to wait until after four skin-sharpening sessions before going to the second floor.

Boom boom boom!

Suddenly, there was a knock on the door.

Lin Yan immediately removed the stone waist and thunder spine, his body returning to normal. He called out towards the door, "Who's there?"

"You must be Lin Yan. I am Lin Zhaowu from the third branch of the family."

A voice came from outside the door. Lin Yan stepped forward and opened the courtyard gate. Lin Zhaowu saw Lin Yan and smiled, "Lin Yan, Brother Qi asked me to call you. It's been so many days since we, the clansmen from the third branch, got together and got to know each other."

"it is good."

Lin Yan agreed without hesitation. Although he didn't actively seek out social connections, he wasn't a lone wolf either.

We are all members of the same branch of the family, and now that they have come to us, there is no need to be cold and distant.

After tidying up in the house, Lin Yan followed Lin Zhaowu towards the outside of the disciples' quarters. They turned down several small paths and finally stopped in front of a pavilion.

The pavilion was large enough that even with more than a dozen people already seated inside, it was not crowded at all.

When Lin Yan and Lin Zhaowu appeared, everyone in the pavilion immediately turned their attention to Lin Yan, looking him up and down with curiosity.

"Brother Qi, Lin Yan is here."

Lin Yan entered the pavilion, first nodding to the others around him, and finally his gaze fell on the young man sitting in the middle of the railing.

Lin Qi is the only four-time skin-grinding warrior among the three branches of their clan this time.

"Lin Yan, if Zhao Wu hadn't mentioned you today, I wouldn't have known you were from our third branch. You're quite mysterious," Lin Qi said with a smile.

"These days, I have been cultivating in the courtyard and rarely go out."

Upon hearing Lin Yan's explanation, Lin Qi said calmly, "There are quite a few branch clansmen who came this time. We all come from the third branch, so we should unite and stick together to deal with the provocations from the other branches, especially the fourth branch."

"Brother Qi is right. The Fourth Branch is too arrogant. Yesterday, I went to the Mission Hall to take on a mission, but the Fourth Branch intercepted it for me. They didn't intercept anyone else, but specifically intercepted mine. It's clearly because I'm from the Third Branch."

"Early this morning, I encountered several people from the fourth branch of the family. Their words were extremely sarcastic, and we from the third branch could no longer tolerate it."

Listening to these people's indignant words, Lin Yan understood what was going on.

The branches of the third branch and the branches of the fourth branch dislike each other. Although no direct conflict has broken out yet, they have done a lot of bickering and sabotage.

Overall, the three-family side suffered because of their smaller number of members.

-

However, he had little interest in the struggle with the fourth branch of the family and only wanted to quietly break through to the fourth level of skin resurrection.

"I know you brothers are very dissatisfied with the fourth branch, but the clan rules say that we are not allowed to take action on our own, and we third branch are also at a disadvantage in terms of numbers," Lin Qi said, seeing that the atmosphere was just right.

"Brother Qi, we can't just do nothing, can we?"

"The clan does not allow its members to fight in private. If there is a grudge, they can go to the dueling arena to spar, and the dueling arena is one-on-one."

Lin Qi looked at the crowd who had fallen silent because of his words. Even those who had been indignant just moments before were now silent. His expression remained unchanged, which was exactly what he had expected.

Anyone can talk a big game and shout slogans, but when it comes to taking real action, not everyone is willing to do it.

"Brothers, we, the third branch, cannot continue to be suppressed by the fourth branch. If I am not mistaken, the people of the third branch's main family must also be paying attention to our situation. Don't forget that our purpose in coming to the Lin family is not just to stay in the disciples' quarters. Ultimately, the third branch's main family is where we should go."

Lin Qi raised his voice and said seriously, "Everyone should know how deep the grudges are between the third and fourth branches. We can't interfere with the main family's targeting of us, nor do we have the power to do so. But if we don't show any action now, I'm afraid the third branch will also lose patience with us."

Upon hearing this, many people at the scene turned serious.

"Brother Qi, it's not that we don't want to fight the Fourth Branch, but there is indeed a difference in numbers. Even for a fourth-level skin-grinding martial artist like you, Brother Qi, we have fewer people than them."

"What's there to be afraid of? The dueling arena doesn't allow group battles. We're going to use the rules of the dueling arena to select a few people to fight against the fourth branch. I will fight one of their two fourth-round skin-grinding opponents."

Lin Qi's gaze swept over everyone present: "As for the three rounds of skin-grinding, select two people and decide the winner in three rounds. Let the main family see that we branch clansmen are not just blood, but also have courage and strength. Which two brothers are willing to join me in giving those bastards from the fourth branch a good beating?"

A brief silence fell over the crowd.

"Since Brother Qi has said so, then count me in."

"Count me in too. I've had my skin smoothed three times in the past three years. There aren't many people who can beat me in three skin smoothing sessions."

"Me too."

Inside the pavilion, several people began to sign up.

Lin Yan stood at the back, observing Lin Qi's expression discreetly.

The only four-times-skin-grinding martial artist in the third branch had an indignant expression on his face, but Lin Yan did not miss the trace of anxiety deep in his eyes.

What's the rush?

Lin Yan began to have doubts. Logically speaking, Lin Qi had already undergone four skin-refining processes, making him stand out among the branches. There was no need for him to rush into a direct confrontation with the fourth branch.

Unless—he has a compelling reason to step forward.

Seeing that more than half of them were willing to participate in the war, Lin Qi breathed a sigh of relief.

According to the information he had gathered, the other branches' four skin-refining warriors had all been summoned by the main family, but the main family had never appeared from their third branch, and he had not been summoned either.

This made him anxious.

He is only twenty-three years old this year and wants to strive to enter the Blood Exchange Realm. To achieve this goal, he must get the support of his master's family.

Since the master family wouldn't summon him, he would try to attract their attention, and there was nothing more effective than defeating the members of the fourth branch of the clan.

He was confident in his abilities, and if the two more chosen individuals could also defeat the fourth branch of the family, it would bring great honor to the main family.

If the power of the third branch is displayed, the host family will certainly reward them.

"I know you all have the same idea, but to be on the safe side, we should choose the two who are the strongest in the third skin-smoothing stage. If you brothers are able, you might as well report your current situation."

"Brother Qi, I've done three skin smoothing treatments in three and a half years, and I was originally planning to do four by the end of this year."

"I----"

Everyone reported their martial arts level to each other, including Lin Yan, because he was certain he wouldn't be selected.

To outsiders, it seems like they've only had three skin retouching sessions in less than a year, so it's unlikely they'll get their turn.

Looking at the two people who had finally been chosen, Lin Yan shook his head slightly.

Everyone has their own selfish motives.

Lin Qi's thoughts were probably clear to him, and he believed that almost everyone present could guess them as well. Even so, everyone cooperated so well for a simple reason: they all wanted to make a name for themselves in front of the third branch of the family.

After watching the play, Lin Yan returned to her own courtyard.

The power struggle between the third and fourth wives is none of his business, and he will not participate.

three days later.

Lin Yan was practicing the Smoke-Stepping Technique in the courtyard when there was a knock on the door.

"Lin Yan, come out quickly, the master has summoned us."

"The master?"

Lin Yan's eyes narrowed. After so long, the third branch of the family had finally shown up. Could it be that Lin Qi had really succeeded in manipulating things?

However, when he opened the door and saw Lin Zhaowu's unpleasant expression, he realized something was wrong.

"Zhaowu, is the time our master is seeing us related to Qi Ge and the others?"

He was three months older than Lin Zhaowu.

"An hour ago, Lin Qi and the other two fought against the people of the Fourth Branch on the fighting platform, and lost all three matches."

Lin Yan: ————

He silently sized up Lin Zhaowu, and in his mind, this man had already been labeled as someone not to be trusted.

That's too realistic.

Three days ago he was Qi Ge, now he's Lin Qi.

"The master's men have arrived now and are in Lin Qi's courtyard. Let's hurry over there."

When Lin Yan followed Lin Zhaowu into Lin Qi's courtyard, all the members of the three branches of the family had already arrived. Everyone had their heads down, and they dared not meet the eyes of the young man standing in the middle of the courtyard.

Lin Minghai glanced at Lin Yan and Lin Zhaowu, who had just entered; everyone was present.

"Lin Qi, Lin Ke, and Lin Xu have been expelled from the Lin family and are no longer members of my third branch of the clan."

Upon hearing this, the expressions of the members of the three branches of the clan changed drastically. Lin Yan glanced at the crowd and realized why he hadn't seen Lin Qi and the other two.

Were they expelled from the Lin family mansion?

Just because they lost on the fighting stage, they brought shame to the third branch of the family?

"Do you think the third branch of the family is heartless for expelling Lin Qi and the other two from the manor because they disgraced the third branch?"

Seemingly guessing what everyone present was thinking, Lin Minghai's face twitched, and he sneered, "Winning and losing in a contest is common. If someone is provoked by the fourth branch and forced to fight, even if they lose, my third branch will not only not expel them from the manor, but will also heal their injuries. But if someone challenges others without any self-awareness just to get the attention of the third branch, my third branch will not want such a fool."

Lin Minghai's sharp, hawk-like eyes swept over everyone present, as if he wanted to see through their hidden selfish thoughts.

"Do you really think I don't know what you've been doing in the disciples' quarters all this time?"

"Going around trying to get close to everyone, calling this person 'brother' and clinking glasses with that person—are you here to learn martial arts or to make friends?"

Lin Minghai grew angrier as he spoke: "I'll put it this way: the Third Branch doesn't need you to fight for face, and the struggle with the Fourth Branch is none of your business. Those who can stay here and cultivate in peace can stay here. If you have any more wicked thoughts, you'd better get back now."

Seeing the silent and trembling branch clansmen, Lin Minghai didn't continue. He had said everything he needed to say. If these fools still couldn't figure it out on their own, they would all be kicked out of the Lin family sooner or later.

Only after watching Lin Minghai leave the courtyard did everyone in the courtyard breathe a sigh of relief.

"I told you we shouldn't have listened to Lin Qi. The fourth branch is stronger than us. This time, we embarrassed the third branch's main family, which is why the main family got so angry."

"It's too late to say all this now. What's done is done. From now on, everyone should keep a low profile and endure the ridicule from the fourth branch of the family."

Lin Yan listened to these people complaining about Lin Qi, and they all seemed to think that the reason the Third Branch of the family was angry was because Lin Qi and his group had lost and embarrassed the Third Branch.

Those who fawn over the powerful and belittle the weak are not worth associating with; it's better to go back and cultivate oneself.

"I have some matters to attend to, so I will take my leave now."

Seeing Lin Yan turn and leave, several people in the courtyard turned pale.

"Lin Yan is being a bit too selfish. We're all from the third branch of the family, we should get together more often."

"Maybe that's just their personality; they're not good at socializing."

-

"Pah, just pretending to be high and mighty. Just watch, those guys from the fourth branch are definitely smug these days. When he runs into someone from the fourth branch, I reckon he'll shrink back like a coward and won't dare to utter a single word."

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