This martial saint is too cautious.

Chapter 88 Cultivation Technique (Please Subscribe)

Inside the stone chamber.

Lin Yan stood up, feeling the surging blood and qi flowing rapidly within his body.

The total amount of Qi and blood remained unchanged, but the circulation speed increased by nearly twice as much.

Lin Yan raised his hand and looked at his palm.

Suddenly!

He threw a punch.

Lin Yan delivered this punch without warning, truly achieving the effect of drawing blood with a single thought.

Snapped!

The air exploded with a loud bang, and the blood-red energy on the fist transformed into a fist wave that cleaved the air for a full three feet before dissipating.

"This is the power increase of the Blood Exchange Realm; it's already able to detach from the body's surface."

After the blood transfusion, it becomes true qi!

Lin Yan understood somewhat. The fourth stage of blood exchange involves continuously compressing and purifying the body's qi and blood until it becomes an external force that can be released.

Once you reach that level, a martial artist can briefly ascend into the air, and you can no longer defeat them simply by sheer numbers.

Because you can't surround them even if you want to, a True Qi expert can briefly ascend into the air and leave.

"Perhaps I can try the Smoke Step now."

A stone chamber about two zhang square is enough.

The next moment, Lin Yan's figure moved like smoke, drifting erratically in the room, leaving multiple afterimages.

"So strong!"

After several dozen breaths, Lin Yan stopped, his eyes shining. After the blood exchange, the Stepping Smoke Step was finally unrestricted and could be used to its fullest potential.

Combined with his extraordinary senses, Lin Yan was absolutely confident that if he didn't want to, no martial artist of the same level could even touch the hem of his clothes.

After glancing around the stone chamber, Lin Yan's only regret was that he hadn't brought his sword in, so he couldn't directly feel the improvement in the power of his swordsmanship.

However, we can try it out once we get out.

Stepping out of the stone chamber, there was still no one in sight, but many of the nameplates on the stone chambers had been flipped over.

Some of the signs that originally had an empty side have been turned upside down, while others that originally had an empty side have been changed to have the empty side facing forward.

"Leave quickly, lest you disturb others' cultivation."

Lin Yan stood in front of the door for only a few breaths before an old voice reached his ears, but he could not see the person.

Upon hearing this, he dared not linger any longer. He clasped his hands in a fist salute, casually chose a direction to bow, and quickly walked towards the steps.

It's likely that every member of the Lin family, whether they succeeded or failed, was reminded by the owner of this voice after leaving the stone chamber.

When Lin Yan stood on the ground again, he felt a little dazed. It wasn't as exaggerated as if he had been through another world, but this was indeed the longest time he had gone without seeing sunlight.

Lin Yan murmured, "It's probably been almost a month."

"One month and seven days, you're the person I've seen spend the longest time down there in the last three years."

Lin Qinghe's voice rang out, a rare hint of curiosity in his eyes. He had led many young clansmen into the Hidden Merit Pavilion to break through to the Blood Exchange Realm, with the longest breakthrough taking nearly three months.

But that was a failed attempt to break through; unwilling to give up, they stayed there to continue trying, and were eventually kicked out.

Before Lin Yan, the longest anyone had successfully broken through to the Blood Exchange Realm was only a month. That person had raised their Qi and Blood to almost the level of the fourth Skin Polishing Perfection.

From four skin resurfacing sessions to blood transfusion, it boils down to two stages: controlling qi and blood, and refining qi and blood.

The former, many young clansmen were already able to do it almost perfectly before they came in, and then they relied on that incantation to perfect it, which usually only took three to seven days, and the rest of the time was used to refine their qi and blood.

Perhaps Lin Yan hadn't been able to accurately control his qi and blood before he came in, and had wasted time on that.

Lin Qinghe made his own judgment; it was impossible that Lin Yan had cultivated his Qi and Blood to perfection four times before entering.

After four rounds of skin refining and achieving perfect Qi and blood circulation, the prerequisite for successfully breaking through to the Blood Exchange Realm is to master a certain cultivation technique to perfection.

Lin Yan comes from a branch; it's impossible no matter how you look at it.

"Now that you've broken through to the Blood Exchange Realm, you're qualified to go up to the third floor. But before you go up, let me clear up a question for you."

Lin Qinghe looked at Lin Yan and stroked his beard, saying, "What you learned down there was only the technique to break through to the Blood Exchange Realm. After reaching the Blood Exchange Realm, you need to go to the third floor to choose your main technique. You can choose one main technique for free, but other techniques for the Blood Exchange Realm will need to be exchanged with contribution points."

The main cultivation method is free, but other cultivation methods require contribution points?

Lin Yan nodded. That made sense. If everything was free, who would bother earning contribution points?

"Remember to choose carefully. Cultivation techniques for the Blood Exchange Realm are not easy. Proceed according to your ability. If you find that it is not suitable, you will have to contribute points if you want to change it later."

"Then this junior will go up first."

With a fist and palm salute, Lin Yan went up the steps to the third floor of the Hidden Merit Pavilion.

The second floor was emptier than the first floor, and the third floor was even more spacious than the second floor, with only three bookshelves, just like the first and second floors, displaying only some bamboo slips containing cultivation techniques.

Lin Yan walked to the first bookshelf and picked up the first bamboo slip.

[Technique: Mysterious Water True Understanding]

Introduction: Drawing upon the resilience of water, transforming blood into a deep pool. Those who cultivate this technique possess a blood aura as enduring as a never-ending river, excelling in prolonged battles and defense.

Contribution points required for redemption: 5,000.

Seeing the contribution points, Lin Yan's lips twitched. Changing to a new main cultivation technique would require 5,000 contribution points, so it seemed he really needed to choose carefully.

[Method: Green Wood Longevity Technique]

Introduction: This technique does not emphasize killing, but focuses on cultivating the body and nourishing the meridians. Those who master it have longevity, broken bones can be reconnected as usual, and even serious injuries can heal themselves. Those who practice this technique are the most difficult to kill among those of the same realm.

Contribution points required for redemption: 5,000.

The art of getting beaten up.

Lin Yan summed it up in one sentence: this technique is not suitable for him.

It is the most difficult to kill in the same realm, but it is only difficult to kill, not impossible to kill.

He put down the bamboo slips and picked up the other ones.

"The Return of All Streams to the Abyss" and "The Primordial Chaos Technique" —

"Hmm, this technique is quite suitable for me."

When Lin Yan received the fifth bamboo slip, he paused.

[Technique: Eight Desolate Dragon Elephant Strength]

Introduction: This technique refines the body's Qi and blood into the power of a dragon and an elephant, with each rotation adding the strength of one dragon and one elephant. This method demands extremely high levels of Qi and blood reserves; choose carefully!

Contribution points required for redemption: 5,000.

As always, careful selection means rigorous selection.

Most importantly, Lin Yan was confident in his own Qi and blood. He had completed four rounds of skin resurfacing. If his Qi and blood foundation wasn't considered high, then he didn't know what was considered high.

Having chosen his cultivation method, Lin Yan headed to two other bookshelves.

[Technique: Great Sun Burning Heaven Palm]

Introduction: Using blood as fuel and qi as flame, the skill can be perfected to condense into a fiery aura that can burn gold and melt stone. To cultivate this skill, one must first cultivate the Heaven-Burning Palm.

Contribution points required for redemption: 2,000 contribution points.

Upon seeing the contents of the bamboo slip, Lin Yan recalled the Burning Heaven Palm technique he had seen on the second floor. It seemed that some of the techniques on the third floor were advanced versions of those on the second floor.

【Four Extremes Mountain Suppression Technique】

Brief Introduction: This game involves condensing four cauldrons from one's vital energy and blood, each cauldron suppressing a specific element. Each breakthrough allows the condensation of one more cauldron. When all four cauldrons are unleashed simultaneously, they seal off the four directions, trapping martial artists of the same realm within as if they were mired in quagmire, making every step difficult and causing their vital energy to flow in reverse. The difficulty is extremely high; choose carefully.

Contribution points required for redemption: 2,000 contribution points.

After looking through them, Lin Yan had only one feeling: they were all good stuff.

"Wildfire Hundred Spears" and "Nine Slashes to Chase the Moon" —

Unfortunately, it's too expensive.

He only has a little over three thousand contribution points, and he needs to save some to exchange for martial arts resources.

Anyone with a brain knows that once you reach the Blood Exchange Realm, the resources needed for cultivation will definitely be more expensive, and even if the clan provides support, it will likely only be the bare minimum.

"Huh, this is a martial arts technique?"

Lin Yan picked up another bamboo slip, and his eyes lit up after reading its contents.

[Technique: Four-Phase Condensed Qi Sword]

Description: By fusing sword intent into blood essence, one can condense a "sword aura" far surpassing the ordinary, possessing astonishing power. At least one mastered sword intent is required; the more sword intents fused, the stronger the power.

Contribution points required for redemption: 2,000 contribution points.

"This technique is practically tailor-made for me, this is the one!"

This time, Lin Yan made no hesitation and decided to choose the Four Phases Condensing Qi Sword.

First floor.

Looking at the two bamboo slips that Lin Yan had taken down, Lin Qinghe wondered for the first time if he was seeing things.

"Dragon Elephant Strength" and "Four Phases Condensing Qi Sword" are two techniques that clansmen who have just entered the Blood Exchange Realm dare to choose.

The former, "Dragon Elephant Strength," is somewhat better. As long as one's Qi and Blood are more than halfway through the fourth skin-polishing stage, one can cultivate it. Lin Yan was able to stay in the lower realm for a month before breaking through, so having more than half of his Qi and Blood is not a problem. However, the most basic requirement for "Four Phases Condensing Qi Sword" is that one's sword technique's intent has reached the pinnacle.

A twenty-year-old member of a branch clan, having mastered the essence of swordsmanship?

"Are you sure you've made your choice?"

"Yes, it's confirmed."

Lin Yan nodded with a look of certainty, and Lin Qinghe said no more, taking out two booklets from the counter.

"The rules remain the same: once you've mastered it, you return it."

Watching Lin Yan leave with the booklet, Lin Qinghe shook his head slightly. He had seen many sword-wielding geniuses in the clan, but sword cultivators were often thin-skinned, and it was truly rare to find someone who cultivated both the Dragon Elephant Force and the sword.

"If this kid really masters it, then the third branch of the family will produce another genius."

After leaving the Zanggong Pavilion, Lin Yan planned to return to his own disciple's quarters.

There was no other reason than that after spending more than a month in the stone chamber, even though the chamber was cold and the smell wasn't too strong, Lin Yan still felt sticky all over after not bathing for a month and expelling some impurities from his body.

Go back to your room first, take a shower, and then go to the third room to see Brother Hai.

"Lin Yan?"

At the entrance of the disciples' quarters, Lin Yu was walking and chatting with several fourth-level skin-sharpening martial artists in his room. When he saw Lin Yan, Lin Yu was taken aback, then quickly walked over, looking Lin Yan up and down with his eyes.

"Am I any different?" Lin Yan asked, somewhat puzzled.

He possesses the Devouring Transformation Technique, so as long as he doesn't reveal it, his cultivation level cannot be discerned from his appearance.

"I didn't expect you to actually reach the Blood Transformation Realm."

Lin Yu spoke softly, his tone carrying three parts excitement, three parts melancholy, and four parts frustration.

Upon hearing that Lin Yu could discern his cultivation level, Lin Yan's expression turned serious: "How did you figure that out?"

"What do you mean, 'look at my ass'? I went to look for you the other day and found you in the courtyard. After asking around a bit, I found out you went to the Library of Merit. Do you think I don't know what you're up to?"

Lin Yu cursed fiercely, as if only in this way could he get rid of the depression in his heart.

He wasn't jealous of Lin Yan's breakthrough to the Blood Exchange Realm, but he was definitely frustrated. He had said that Lin Yan had a chance to surpass Lin Yu, but that was just talk.

I hoped you could surpass Lin Yu, but I really didn't expect you to surpass Lin Yu.

"If you fail to break through, even if you have the most open-minded personality, you can't help but feel disappointed. So, it can only mean that you succeeded in breaking through."

Hearing Lin Yu's explanation, Lin Yan smiled and thought that the deduction was correct.

At this moment, the other four skin-sharpening warriors also stared intently at Lin Yan after hearing Lin Yu's words, waiting for his answer. The emotions in their eyes were equally complex.

Lin Yan nodded: "Yes, I managed to break through by sheer luck."

As soon as he finished speaking, the expressions of the four martial artists who had undergone four skin-smoothing trials instantly became the same, and they all forced smiles.

Congratulations, Brother Lin Yan.

"Congratulations, Brother Yan, on reaching the Blood Transformation Realm."

Lin Yu originally raised his hand, wanting to pat Lin Yan's shoulder, but he put it down halfway. Everyone was at the fourth level of skin polishing, so they could be less formal. In fact, in his opinion, he had entered the fourth level of skin polishing earlier than Lin Yan, so he was making friends with someone from a lower level.

But once Lin Yan entered the Blood Exchange Realm, his status changed completely, and he could no longer be treated as an equal.

"Has your Qi and blood exceeded half?"

"Yes, more than halfway through."

Upon hearing Lin Yan's answer, the smiles on the faces of those martial artists who had undergone four rounds of skin polishing became even more rigid, and the last glimmer of hope in their hearts vanished.

Originally, they thought that since Lin Yan was so eager to break through to the Blood Exchange stage, his Qi and blood might not even be half full, so there was nothing to envy about him being ahead of them.

"Old Yu, I'm going back to take a shower first. I still need to go to the third house."

Lin Yan noticed the complex emotions of the crowd and decided to leave first.

Lin Yu pouted: "You used to call me Brother Yu, but now you're called Old Yu."

"I dare to yell, do you dare to take it? Okay, stop fooling around here, we'll talk later."

The change in address wasn't because Lin Yan was snobbish, but because he sensed that Lin Yu was becoming somewhat reserved in his attitude towards him.

Although Lin Yu is usually quite talkative, he is a nice person. He said that only to ease Lin Yu's restraint towards him.

"Okay, you go ahead. I'll definitely make you pay later."

Lin Yu's attitude was indeed more relaxed, and Lin Yan didn't delay. He nodded to the others and walked towards his own courtyard.

"Unexpectedly, among us, the fourth person to step into the Blood Exchange Realm will be Lin Yan, even though he was only at the third level of Skin Refinement before we came here."

After Lin Yan left, someone couldn't help but speak, their tone filled with sighs.

"I guess I have a good eye. I could tell at a glance that Lin Yan was an outstanding person. I befriended him in advance. Didn't you see that even Lin Yan has to call me Lao Yu?"

Once Lin Yu regained his composure, he returned to his talkative and boastful self: "Back when Lin Yan defeated Lin Wang of the fourth branch, I could tell that Lin Yan was no ordinary person. Do you know how I figured it out?"

"How did you figure that out?"

Curious, everyone asked, and Lin Yu smiled mysteriously: "If each of you gives me fifty contribution points, I'll tell you."

Everyone: ————

The third room is still the pavilion in the middle of the lake.

"You've broken through to the Blood Exchange Realm, not bad."

As soon as Lin Yan stepped into the pavilion from the bridge, Lin Minghai spoke first.

With Lin Yu leading the way, Lin Yan wasn't surprised that Hai Ge knew he had entered the Blood Exchange Realm.

Even Lin Yu was able to find out where I went, and Brother Hai had arranged for people to collect information at the disciples' quarters, so he must also know that I went to the library.

"I was lucky, I succeeded in breaking through."

"Don't be modest. There's no such thing as luck in blood transfusions. What cultivation method did you choose?"

"Dragon and Elephant Strength".

Upon hearing Lin Yan mention the Dragon Elephant Force, Lin Minghai carefully examined Lin Yan but did not attempt to investigate further.

Once you enter the Blood Exchange Realm, unless you actually engage in combat, you won't be able to detect the opponent's level of blood and qi.

"Among the six main martial arts techniques, the Dragon Elephant Force is exceptionally difficult. It seems you are very confident in your vital energy."

Lin Minghai simply mentioned it without asking further questions, then changed the subject: "Now that you've entered the Blood Exchange Realm, you're qualified to be registered in the family genealogy. Will you continue using the name Lin Yan, or will you use Lin Mingyan?"

They were included in the family genealogy and entered the Ming generation.

"Brother Hai, can I keep my name? I'm just used to calling him that."

"Of course, it's up to you to decide, but the character 'Ming' will be added to your family tree."

Lin Minghai's attitude did not change because Lin Yan was unwilling to change his name. A name is just a title; as long as the surname Lin is enough.

"In addition to being included in the family genealogy, the clan will provide each Blood Exchange Realm disciple with three Bodhi Pills every month. You can collect them from the armory at that time."

"Brother Hai, what is the purpose of this Bodhi Pill?"

"It harmonizes your Qi and blood, making them purer." Seeing that Lin Yan still had some doubts, Lin Minghai said bluntly, "If it takes you three years to go from the first to the second stage, then taking the Bodhi Pill can reduce the time by at least half."

hiss!

Saves you half the time, what a great product!

"Of course, the clan doesn't provide it all the time. It only provides it for the first year. After the second year, you can only exchange it with contribution points. Otherwise, even if our Lin family is large and wealthy, we can't afford such consumption."

"I see."

The Bodhi Pill, which can save half of the cultivation time of the Blood Exchange Realm, is definitely worth a lot; this expense is considerable.

If a member of the Lin family enters the Blood Exchange Realm in their early twenties and continues to be provided with resources until they break through to the True Qi Realm, they will have to be provided with resources until they are sixty years old. No matter how rich the Lin family is, they will be exhausted.

"The Branch Competition is in five days. Now that you have broken through to the Blood Exchange Realm, I can also tell you about the rewards for this Branch Competition. The first place winner will be eligible to choose a spirit weapon from the armory."

"Spirit Weapon?"

"Ordinary weapons are useless to us. Only spiritual weapons can withstand our blood energy. Only spiritual weapons can unleash our true strength. A finished spiritual weapon would cost at least 30,000 taels of silver outside. If we find the materials ourselves and hire someone to forge it, the cost will be less, but it will still take at least a year and a half to forge one."

Hearing Hai Ge's explanation, Lin Yan suddenly realized that he really would have to participate in this branch competition.

"Prepare well and strive for a good ranking in the branch competition. Even if you don't get first place, there will still be rewards for making it into the top five."

Lin Minghai didn't expect Lin Yan to get first place, but the clan set up rewards for the top five, which happened to correspond to the five branches. In his mind, it would be enough if Lin Yan made it into the top five, and the three branches would save face.

"I'm aiming to make it into the top five."

"Yes, take people to the disciples' quarters and move all the necessary items here. Now that you've broken through to the Blood Exchange Realm, you can live in our third-room area."

Lin Yan rose to take his leave, and after he left, Lin Minghai beckoned to a servant: "Send good news to the Lin family in Dengzhou. They have done a good job in nurturing their clansmen. They will be rewarded with ten thousand taels of silver."

Zanggong Pavilion.

When Lin Mingxi stepped across the threshold, her footsteps were so light that they made almost no sound.

Today she wore a plain blue dress, her long hair was still casually tied up with the same wooden hairpin, and a few strands of hair fell beside her ears, making her face look even whiter.

"Mingxi is here."

Lin Qinghe looked up and saw Lin Mingxi entering, and spoke with a smile.

"Grandpa Qinghe, I've come to choose the Four Phases Condensing Qi Sword Technique."

"You'd better not call me grandpa anymore. If you do, I'll think I'm one of those old men in my sixties." Lin Qinghe rubbed his forehead, stood up and took the cultivation manual from behind the counter, and said at the same time, "It's really a coincidence today. There haven't been many people choosing this cultivation manual in the past year, and you are the second one today."

"Grandpa Qinghe, did someone else choose the Four Phases Condensing Qi Sword today?"

Hearing Mingxi still calling him grandpa, Lin Qinghe's eyes showed helplessness. Then, as if he had thought of something, the corner of his mouth curled up: "Mingxi, guess who the last one was. If you guess right, I'll pay your contribution points this time."

"Grandpa Qinghe, this time you'll have to spend a lot of money."

Lin Mingxi's eyes gleamed with cunning: "There are only about a dozen people in the clan who practice swordsmanship at the Blood Exchange Realm. The ones who come to claim the Four Phases Condensing Qi Sword at this time are definitely not Brother Mingchen and the others. They can only be those who have recently broken through to the Blood Exchange Realm and have not yet achieved great mastery of sword intent. In that case, there are only three people who meet the criteria: Brother Mingchen, Brother Mingchen, and Brother Mingyi."

Lin Qinghe smiled without saying a word, as if to say, "You can guess now, don't try to get any information out of me."

"Grandpa Qinghe, you probably don't know, but I saw Brother Mingchen yesterday. Brother Mingchen went out on a mission, and Brother Mingchen is in seclusion, so it can only be Brother Mingyi." Lin Mingxi's face showed a confident expression.

"Are you sure?"

"Sure."

"Haha, Mingxi, you guessed wrong." Lin Qinghe burst into laughter.

"Who else could it be but Brother Mingyi?"

Lin Mingxi frowned, her beautiful brows furrowing. She truly couldn't think of anyone else.

"Want to guess again?"

"Grandpa Qinghe, stop teasing me and just tell me who it is."

"If I don't tell you, you won't be able to guess even if I give you a whole day to try."

Hearing this, Lin Mingxi's curiosity was truly piqued: "Grandpa Qinghe, please tell me and satisfy my curiosity."

"Will you still call me grandpa next time?"

"Uncle Qinghe."

"Not bad, you're really good at changing your tune depending on the wind."

Lin Qinghe was very satisfied and, without keeping them in suspense, directly revealed the answer: "It's Lin Yan from the third branch of the family."

"How could Lin Yan from the third branch be him?"

Lin Mingxi murmured something unconsciously, and Lin Qinghe asked curiously, "You know this person too?"

Logically speaking, given Mingxi's personality, even members of her fifth branch of the clan might not recognize her, let alone members of the third branch.

"I've heard of it."

Lin Mingxi subconsciously concealed the fact that her seventh uncle had been looking for her father, as well as her father's subsequent assessment of Lin Yan.

If Father's judgment is correct, Lin Yan is not a genius in swordsmanship, so why would he choose the Four Phases Condensing Qi Sword?

Lin Yan pretended to be a genius in order to gain the attention of the third branch of the family, but his choice of cultivation method was definitely careful and based on his own situation.

The Four Phases Condensing Qi Sword requires one to first master a sword intent before one can begin practicing it. Given Lin Yan's age and background, even if he had previously been exposed to swordsmanship, mastering other sword techniques and developing their sword intent would be enough to make him a sword genius.

Could it be that Father really misjudged him?

"Mingxi, what are you thinking about?"

"Nothing—it's nothing. I'm just a little surprised that a branch of the clan would choose the Four Phases Condensing Qi Sword technique. Well then, Grandpa Qinghe, I'll be going now."

"He was just calling me 'uncle,' how come he's calling me 'grandpa' again?" Lin Qinghe said, looking exasperated.

"Yes, Grandpa Qinghe."